The best mini projectors are perfect for home theater nights and outdoor gatherings. They project images and videos onto any screen or wall. They're easy to use and portable and allow you to watch your favorites on a cinema-sized scale. If you want a mini projector to be as effective as possible, consider a few key factors like brightness, resolution, connectivity, and portability.

When choosing a mini projector, consider the brightness, which affects performance in different lighting conditions. A projector with 1000-2000 lumens is generally adequate for dimly lit environments, whereas brighter settings may require a model with 3000 lumens or more. You'll want at least 1080p for professional use, as higher resolutions like 720p (HD) and 1080p (Full HD) offer clearer images.

Ensure the projector has the proper connectivity options: HDMI, USB, or wireless- and prioritize a lightweight design with good battery life if you're moving around. Below, we explain step-by-step how to use your compact projector, whether you're getting cozy with a movie or hosting an outdoor gathering for the big game.

How to use a mini projector: Step-by-step guide

The best ways to use a mini projector

You can use your mini projector for a variety of things once it's set up:

Movie nights: Dim the lights and set up a comfortable viewing area for the best results. Use a portable projector screen or an empty wall for the best results.

Gaming: Connect your gaming console to the projector and enjoy large-screen gaming. For best results, make sure the projector has low input lag.

Outdoor movie nights: Don't forget to have a power source available. Use a portable screen or a white sheet for projection. Start your movie at dusk for better visibility.

How to get the best experience with your mini projector

Here are some tips to make your mini projector experience better:

Project on a screen: While you can project on a wall, a dedicated projector screen gives you better image quality.

Reduce ambient light: Close the curtains or blinds during the day.

Setting up the audio: Most projectors have built-in speakers, but you can connect external speakers via Bluetooth or AUX for better sound.

Keep your lenses and filters clean: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean them.

Settings: You can adjust brightness, contrast, and color settings in the projector's settings menu.

How to use a mini projector: Troubleshooting

There are some common problems and their solutions, even with careful setup:

No Image Displayed: If you don't see an image, make sure all connections are secure and the projector is centered on the right input source. If necessary, restart the projector to fix it. 

Poor Image Quality: To improve image quality, you need to adjust your projector's focus and keystone settings and ensure the projector is positioned correctly. 

Overheating: To prevent overheating, make sure your projector has adequate ventilation and isn't confined. If your projector turns off unexpectedly, it might be because it's overheating. Proper airflow is also necessary to maintain optimal operating temperatures and ensure your projector works without interruptions.

Sound Issues: If there's no sound, check the volume levels on both the projector and the device it's connected to. Make sure the correct audio output is selected, as incorrect settings could cause audio issues during use.

Winter. Whether you like it or not, it’s coming. Not only does winter bring along extra cold days and nights, but extra chores. Chief among them is snow removal. Snow removal without a snow blower is downright hard labor. But you don’t have to break your back shoveling snow this winter because one of the best snow blowers can zip up and throw snow out of your way with minimal effort.

Snowblowers aren’t all created equal. As you browse for a snow blower, you might wonder what the difference is between a single-stage and two-stage snow blower. While they may look similar, their snow removal capabilities, engines, and use cases differ. Knowing the difference and your specific snow removal needs makes all the difference when selecting the two snow blowers.

You don’t have to wander in the dark regarding snow blowers. We’ll dive into the nitty-gritty details of single and two-stage snow blowers, how they work, and when to use each. We’ve also included expert insights from industry professionals to provide further insight and help ensure you find the right snow blower to make snow removal a breeze (albeit chilly) this winter.

Single-stage vs two stage snow blowers: Price & Value

Single-stage snow blowers are an affordable alternative to two-stage snow blowers. The price will depend on a few factors, including the width of the clearing path, metal augers being more expensive than plastic drills, and additional features such as manual vs. automatic chute adjusters. That said, you can generally find a single-stage snow blower between $200 and $700, with some of the most expensive costing around $1,000.

As you can imagine, because of the increase in snow-blowing power and snow removal efficiency, two-stage snow blowers are typically more expensive than single-stage snow blowers. You can expect a two-stage snow blower to be anywhere from $800 to $2,000 for a premium two-stage snow blower.

Single-stage vs two stage snow blowers: Features & functions

Naturally, we’ll start with the more basic single-stage snow blower. Single-stage snow blowers will often be called snow throwers, so keep that in mind as you research. Both terms are interchangeable for single-stage snow blowers.

Regarding single-stage snow blowers, Toby Mathieson, Director of Product Management at Stanley Black and Decker, explained, "Single-stage snow blowers have an auger that both centralizes and throws the snow." The auger – the rotating blade in the mouth of the snow blower –scoops up the snow and throws it through the chute in a single, continuous motion.

Single-stage snow blowers are typically lightweight, compact, easy to store, and can even be battery-powered. According to Gene Caballero, Co-founder of Green Pal, "Single-stage snow blowers are the best choice for smaller driveways and light snowfall. They work by scooping and throwing snow in one motion but struggle with packed, wet, and heavy snow."

Regarding battery vs. gas-powered single-stage snow blowers, gas-powered options generally have more snow removal power. Still, they are heavier, often have a pull-start, and the engines have much more maintenance.

On the other hand, battery-powered single-stage snow blowers are generally lightweight, push-button start, and require virtually no engine maintenance. Yet they have limited run time, and when the battery life runs out—usually between 30 and 50 minutes—it usually takes a few hours to change the battery.

Two-stage snow blowers are more advanced and powerful than their single-stage counterparts. Mathieson explained, "Two-stage models use the auger to centralize the snow and add a dedicated impeller to throw the snow." This impeller helps the snow blower throw snow farther than a single-stage snow blower. You can expect a two-stage snow blower to toss snow anywhere between 20 and 45 feet instead of the 10 - 20 feet of a single-stage snow blower.

Two-stage snow blowers often have strong gas-powered engines that power a metal serrated auger. The auger is used not only to pick up snow but also to break up heavy snow and ice. The auger then feeds the snow into the impeller to propel the snow out of the chute. The powerful engines combined with the auger and impeller increase the snow blower's removal ability. This makes snow removal a challenging manual task that would take hours into an easy endeavor that only takes a few minutes.

Single-stage vs two stage snow blowers: Performance

Single-stage snow blowers are perfect for regions that experience light to moderate snow accumulation, generally up to 6 inches at a time. Regarding single-stage snow blowers, Yaeir Moinzadeh, an MHIC licensed contractor and owner of Blue Rise Baltimore Roofing, said, "Single-stage snow blowers have a paddle that scoops and throws snow in one motion. Therefore, they are much quicker for light snow and are ideal for paved driveways and light to medium snowfall."

Many single-stage snow blowers don’t have skid plates to keep the drill off the ground. Because of this, they are not recommended for use on gravel or uneven areas. Your snow blower can throw loose rocks and debris, damaging the auger or surrounding property.

Two-stage snow blowers are a fantastic tool in the arsenal in areas with heavy snowfall. These can handle snow depths up to 12 inches, making them ideal for two-car or larger driveways and areas. "Two-stage snow blowers are best for larger areas and heavier snow and are mostly used in commercial settings. They have a drill to break up the snow and an impeller to throw it—handling larger and deeper amounts of snow better," said Caballero.

As mentioned above, two-stage snow blowers have skid plates to keep the drill from touching the ground. Because of this, two-stage snow blowers can be used on both paved and gravel surfaces. So if you have extra parking for an RV or an unpaved area that leads to a gate, you don’t have to worry and can still use your two-stage snow blower over the area.

Single-stage vs two-stage snow blowers: which is best?

When it comes to choosing between a single-stage and two-stage snow blower, you’ll want to keep the following in mind:

The area you're clearing: Single-stage snow blowers are better for sidewalks and single-car driveways with flat, non-graveled surfaces. Two-stage snow blowers are great for larger areas and work well on both paved and gravel surfaces and uneven ground.

Snow accumulation in your area: Single-stage snow blowers are great for lightweight snow and can remove up to 6 inches of snow at a time. Two-stage snow blowers are better suited for wetter, heavier snow and can remove up to a foot of snow with ease in most cases.

Your budget: Single-stage snow blowers are more budget-friendly snow removal options than two-stage. You can find a decent single-stage snow blower for upwards of $200, whereas a two-stage snow blower will often run upwards of $800.

Choosing between a single-stage and two-stage snow blower comes down to your specific snow-clearing needs. No matter which option you choose, any snow blower will save you time and effort when removing snow this winter. Add one to your snow removal repertoire – no need to thank us later.

It’s all to play for at CES 2024, but I haven’t seen anything quite like a robot window cleaner before.

I’m a confessed fan of robot vacuums and mops, especially the best robot vacuums, and the more cleaning tasks they can clean, the better. And I literally saw one climbing up a window.

The cleaner I'm referring to here is the ECOVACS' WINBOT W2 OMNI, which was unveiled at the annual consumer electronics show. While it isn’t the first by the brand (that was in 2018), it is certainly the first time I have seen something like it. The innovation is introducing us all to hands-free cleaning beyond just vacuum cleaning and mopping. It's an advanced, intelligent navigation system that reaches the heights that you and I would struggle to reach when balancing on a ladder. The aim? To leave the windows squeaky clean. Simple.

ECOVACS' WINBOT W2 OMNI: the facts

A robot window cleaner works by suctioning onto the windows, evenly spraying water or detergent to clean them, and then moving in a way that avoids drippage, wiping away residue.

The W2 OMNI utilizes an intelligent navigation system, WIN-SLAM 3.0, that ensures a consistent edge-to-edge clean and allows seamless movement around obstacles. It has an exclusive three-nozzle angle spray technology that dissolves dirt and evenly covers windows without the drippage.

What I noticed the most about the W2 OMNI is the box-like suitcase design holding onto the glass of the window with seemingly no effort at all. Its steady climbing system features a three-point anti-slip, anti-dust driving tread, which keeps the robot on track to maintain a steady rolling across windows. It was mesmerizing to watch.

The built-in battery can be unplugged for indoor or outdoor use, but it's still not 100% cordless. You will still need to have the battery pack hooked up to the W2 OMNI. When I caught up with the ECOVACS team, it was disclosed that going cordless could be a consideration for any upgrade, but we'll see.

It's not yet available to buy, and I wasn't entirely clear about where it could be bought from at the time of launch. Going by the list price of $399.99 and availability on Amazon for the original ECOVACS WINBOT and ECOVACS Winbot W1 Pro Window Cleaning Robot, I imagine it'll be within this ballpark. I'm looking forward to getting more hands-on with it when it is released out into the wild.

Home security tips are always good to know about, especially as we transition through to fall. The longer nights are, unfortunately, going to be a golden opportunity for thieves as they work under the cover of darkness. 

“The threat of burglars targeting your home is always greater at night, and so as we enter fall and the days get shorter, it’s the ideal time to re-evaluate your home security set up" says Dave Ward, MD of Ring International

One of the easiest things you can do is learn how home security systems work, and purchase a few home security devices such as the best video doorbells, indoor cameras and outdoor cameras or floodlights. Other home security tips include proper landscaping, home lighting tricks and tips, as well as what to do, and what not to do, with your keys. 

There are many steps you can take right now, without buying anything, to increase your home security. But to really strengthen your home security, the presence of home security cameras, video doorbells and smart lighting will be a sure-fire way to safe guard your property. 

Home security tips

We've caught up with Dave Ward, MD of Ring International, to share seven home security tips to follow this fall, to ensure that your home is safe and secure throughout the longer nights.

With the weather being prime for outdoor home projects, now would certainly be a good chance for you to super-charger your home security without it being too hot or too cold outside to do so. 

7 tips for home security this fall

1. Invest in a video doorbell

Video doorbells, such as the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, are amazing for answering delivery calls. They'll notify you when it detects motion at the front door, and some even have advanced AI to let you know when you’ve received a package. 

Many have head-to-toe camera views so you can see when someone drops something off or picks something up from your porch. Video doorbell cameras help a lot in deterring porch pirates during the holiday season.  

Popular choices come down to Ring vs Blink, but other brands like Google, Eufy and Arlo offer strong alternatives too. 

2. Install a smart lock on your door  

Smart locks are a great way to stay informed on who is coming and going from your home, while also increasing security. There are a handful of options that forgo physical keys for more modern security measures like keycodes and biometric data like fingerprints. This makes it easy to share access with people you trust, and keep out people you don’t. 

The best smart locks keep a log, or history, of every time the door was opened or locked and how it was locked. Some even have sensors to notify you when the door is ajar. Auto-locking and geofencing features also make it convenient to keep your door locked even when you forget to do it manually. 

3. Put indoor security cameras near windows 

If you’re diligent about keeping your doors locked, securing your windows is the next step in tightening up security around your home. Placing an indoor security camera in windows that are reachable from the ground, or in garage windows is a quick way to deter criminals. You can do that affordably with a Wyze, Blink or Ring indoor video camera. 

The WYZE Cam OG 1080p HD Wi-Fi Security Camera - Indoor/Outdoor is a good option for inside or outside the home, whereas the Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Camera will rotate up to 360° and work with Alexa for hands-free control.

4. Install a floodlight  

"Security lighting is a great addition to your property and can provide a significant deterrent to any potential burglar. The Ring Floodlight Cam Pro does exactly that, with powerful LED beams and a security siren, you can see what’s happening more clearly with extra peace of mind.” says Dave.

A floodlight scares would-be intruders away by a bright motion activated light illuminating the area where the person is walking. 

Many floodlights also have cameras, so not only will a spotlight suddenly shine on the intruder, but they will also be on camera, and that’s no place a burglar wants to be. Placing one of these above a garage door or on a back patio do wonders for increasing home security.  

5. Smart use of smart lighting 

Smart lighting can be used for more than extra convenience around the home. This Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit for $169.99 on Amazon, for example, is a great way to quickly make it appear that you are occupying your home when you're not around.

You can schedule smart lighting to turn certain lights in your home on and off at specific times. So, while you’re away, from the outside looking in, it looks like people are moving from room to room. Smart lighting is a clever way to deter would-be burglars from entering your home.  

6. Quit hiding your keys

"Check the locks on your windows and doors are working properly and ensure spare keys are tucked away safely. You may also wish to increase your gate and fence security and ensure hinges, bolts and padlocks are all secured on the garden side." shares Dave.

If you haven’t yet installed a smart lock with biometric opening and locking, or if you simply like having physical keys to open and lock your doors, don’t hide your keys outside. 

Under doormats, under fake rocks or potted plants are obvious spots for a criminal to look, find your spare keys, and gain access into your home. If you have spare keys, the best option is to give one to a trusted family member, or to use a key safe such as this Master Lock Key Lock Box for $32.25 on Amazon. 

7. Landscaping  

Trees around your house can give access to windows or your roof. Keeping branches away from your home is an easy way to keep people off your home. A hedge trimmer like this BLACK+DECKER Electric Hedge Trimmer for $37.79 on Amazon would help. You can also plant hedges or bushes in front of windows. 

Believe it or not, hedges make it difficult for intruders to access windows, especially if your hedges are of the thorny variety. It’s like having a lovely-looking barbed wire fence protecting your home, but instead of looking like a prison, your house looks great.  

FAQs

Gone are the days where a home security professional would come to your home to wire an elaborate home security system throughout your house. Much like cable cutters who ditched the cable company, and now only pay for the streaming apps they want, home security has gone down a much similar path. Thanks to DIY (do it yourself) home security, you can mix and match the equipment you want to protect your home, and keep a watchful eye on your home while you’re away using your phone. 

A home security system can be as simple as installing one of the best video doorbells, or can be as advanced as a complete home security system with door and window sensors and indoor and outdoor cameras - all of which are connected to a central security hub. You can even have systems professionally monitored by a third-party professional monitoring company, but more on that later. 

When piecing together your first home security camera system you don’t necessarily have to buy products from the same company. There are many companies to choose from including popular brands Ring and Blink (you can read our comparison of Ring vs Blink), as well as Google, Eufy, Wyze and Arlo - to name a few. That being said, if you choose different companies to build your system, like a Ring video doorbell and an Arlo outdoor security camera, you’ll also have to use separate phone apps to manage your system, and that’s a bit of a pain. For simplification, we do recommend going with a single system home security brand to build out your entire system. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what comprises a home security system, how home security systems work, and the best way to protect your home.

3 of the best home security products you can buy in 2024

How do home security systems work?

DIY home security systems connect your security devices, such as your video doorbell camera, indoor camera and outdoor camera, to your mobile devices, such as your phone or tablet. You can access live video feeds from the devices on your mobile device through the security devices app. For example, if you have a Ring device, you can watch live video from the Ring security device through the Ring app on your phone. This gives you control and peace of mind while you’re away from home that you can view what’s happening around your house.

Virtually all security camera devices have motion control. When motion is detected by your home security camera device, a notification will be sent to your phone alerting you that motion was detected. You can click on the notification and be taken directly to the live video feed. If you have a security device that records locally, like the eufy S330 camera, you will be able to view recorded clips of what triggered the motion. Many security companies use cloud video storage, but that often requires a subscription. 

For example, Ring uses a subscription service, Ring Protect Pro, that enables a handful of different features such as cloud video storage and advanced AI on certain home security devices. Ring also provides 24/7 professional home monitoring services through subscription. This means that when you aren’t near your phone, a home monitoring service provider can monitor activity, and even dispatch police to your home in the event of a break in. 

FAQs

When is a tablet not a tablet? That’s the question ReMarkable is asking with its second tablet, and while it lacks the color display of some of the other best tablets we’ve tested, that’s all part of its charm - it’s focused on text, and text alone.

That means it’s hard to get distracted when flicking through notes and documents, easy to put digital pen to paper when planning a project, or just a great way to read an e-book. 

Its minimalist approach won’t be for everyone, of course - there’s a lot you can’t do with the ReMarkable, despite costing close to $300 - but if you’re desperate for a distraction-free writing environment there are few better options out there.

Where it stretches ahead of its competition is in its optional keyboard, too. It’s not cheap, but adds to the typewriter-like sensation of having something built just for writing. It shares the same intuitive design as the ReMarkable itself, and that makes it a great-looking device whether it’s on your desk or in a boardroom.

We know servers cost money to run, but we’re a little lukewarm on Connect, ReMarkable’s cloud-syncing service. It’s not that it’s not great, it does a great job of letting you drag and drop files, but if the ReMarkable is the only place you need to keep your notes, you may not get enough value out of your $2.99 a month subscription.

ReMarkable 2: Price and availability

The ReMarkable 2 starts at $279, making it considerably pricier than a Kindle for e-reading. That means if you’re looking for somewhere to read your books, you’re better off with Amazon’s device.

Still, it’s much more than an e-reader, and that price includes the tablet itself, the stylus for making notes and navigation, a charging cable, and a 100 day trial for Connect, the document syncing service.

The biggest point of comparison here is the Kindle Scribe, and both are priced essentially the same. We’d argue that the ReMarkable’s array of notation options, as well as its better stylus, makes it the pick of the pair, but it doesn’t support Kindle books for e-reading - so they even each other out in that regard.

Score: 4.5/5

ReMarkable 2: Design

The ReMarkable 2 is a really sleek-looking tablet. It’s almost impossibly thin (the USB-C connector is about the same thickness as the tablet itself), and the bezel is thin enough on three sides to feel just about close enough to a standard sheet of paper.

On the left-hand side, there’s a metal side that holds the charging port and keyboard connector, and the back features the company’s logo. It’s just about as minimalist as you can get, which backs up the idea of the ReMarkable offering a distraction-free note-taking environment.

The only physical button comes in the form of a power button, but it makes the iPad Pro, a pretty svelte device given the power packed inside, look gargantuan in comparison.

Since it’s so lightweight, too, it’s easy to hold with one hand, but since it’s flat on the bottom (no camera bump, remember), it feels just as at home on a table.

ReMarkable only offers one color, and it’s white with a silver side. The included stylus is available in a dark gray/black and feels close enough to a pencil that, when paired with the impressively accurate display, feels genuinely like you’re using one.

Score: 5/5

ReMarkable 2: Performance

As mentioned earlier, while the ReMarkable 2 can do a few things, it really is the master of one - note-taking.

The 10.2-inch display lacks a backlight, but it does have a coating that makes it feel just like a piece of paper when using the stylus. While the former rankles a bit, especially at this price, the latter does make it a joy to use and feels closer to writing on paper than any other tablet we’ve tested. It’s also quieter than tapping on a standard glass display with a stylus.

Files are separated into ‘Quick Sheets’ and notebooks, with the former for those moments where you need to jot down something quickly, and the latter more focused on grouping together your pages for certain projects. As you build up a library of scribbles and doodles, it’s easy to put them into folders and search for them, too.

Quick Sheets ensure there’s always a canvas to add to, but there are notebook templates that offer lines, margins, and a few other options, too.

If you’ve got the money to spare, you can pick up a very good keyboard attachment too. It clips on with ease and doesn’t add too much bulk, but it does feel less useful on lined pages. Other than that, though, it feels like a digital typewriter.

The ReMarkable 2 can act as an e-reader, but only for files that don’t have DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection.

Essentially, EPUB files will work great, as will your PDFs (although they’ll naturally be in black and white), but you won’t be accessing your Kindle library on the ReMarkable.

You can, however, import files. This is done through a combination of Connect and a browser extension that lets you import text from a website into the ReMarkable. It’s easy to do, and means you can probably export a lot of DRM books into more easily accessible webpages (so long as you own them).

That lack of a backlight makes it tough to recommend for reading late in the evening, though.

We’ve already mentioned the ReMarkable browser extension, but you can also import documents from other sources.

Dropbox, Google Drive and Microsoft’s OneDrive are available options, and you can pull files in from any of those. You’ll save a local copy to the device, then export it out again, and while that can feel like a hassle, it’s pretty easy to do in practice.

If you’re wondering about highlighting with a black-and-white display, there’s some good news - you can look over your annotations in color on your computer through the ReMarkable app. We’d love the option for a color display on a ReMarkable one day, but for now, it’s a solid middle ground.

One of our favorite annotation features is layers, which offer the option to drill down into several levels of notes, meaning you can show or hide them as you wish.

To get the bad news out of the way, the ReMarkable 2 takes three hours to hit a full charge. That’s a lengthy period of time, but it’s certainly worth it.

ReMarkable claims the tablet has two weeks of battery, but it’s a pretty conservative number. In our testing, with the tablet rolled out for scribbles a couple of times during the working day, a doodle or two a week, and very little else, it reached almost a full month.

Naturally, you’ll get less than that if you’re using it more regularly, but it’s impressive nonetheless - especially in such a slim device.

Score: 5/5

How does the ReMarkable 2 compare?

When comparing to some of the best tablets we've tested, there are some notable differences.

For one, the ReMarkable 2 is much more focused on getting words to digital paper, forgoing anything that could be considered as a distraction. That makes it an entirely different prospect to something like the iPad Air M1 with its huge array of apps to choose from - and its color display.

In terms of e-reading, it matches the Kindle Oasis pound-for-pound in everything except for access to the Kindle store - as we noted earlier, you'll need to find DRM-free versions of your favorite e-books. 

Finally, the keyboard is an enjoyable experience and while the tablet itself lacks the versatility of the Microsoft Surface Go 2, we preferred the keyboard included for quickly taking down notes or organising our thoughts. 

ReMarkable 2: Verdict

There will always be naysayers to the idea of a digital notebook, but the ReMarkable 2 is the proof that the concept not only works, but is an effective way to manage documents.

The ReMarkable 2 is well worth a look for anyone looking to get serious writing done, too, but we’d steer clear of it for reading thanks to its lack of backlight.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested the ReMarkable 2

To test the ReMarkable 2, we put it through its paces multiple times a day, taking meeting notes and scribbling down ideas as if it were a scratchpad of sorts.

We also connected the keyboard for writing longer pieces, including parts of this review.

Read more about how we test 

When it comes to cheap tablets, the Amazon Fire HD range rules supreme, but that doesn’t stop challengers to that throne popping up from time to time — the TCL Tab 8 LE is one such contender, though it’s not the best tablet to make such a play.

TCL is a Chinese tech company that’s made a name for itself with affordable yet feature-packed gadgets, and especially in the TV and mobile phone sectors, it makes devices that could tempt you over from big-name and high-priced rivals.

In the tablet game, though, TCL hasn’t managed to topple Amazon, and that won’t change with the Tab 8. This Android tablet has very similar specifications to the Amazon Fire HD 8, with the same screen resolution, similar processors, comparable battery lives, and storage capacities — and, most importantly, they feel very similar to use. However, the TCL tablet is a good $60 more expensive, which is a big margin when it comes to low-cost slates.

TCL Tab 8 LE review: price analysis

The TCL Tab 8 LE’s official price is $159.99, though it’s available for a little bit cheaper in certain retailers, with Amazon listing it for $10 less. This sole configuration for the tablet gets you 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, though you can expand that with an microSD card up to 512GB.

As we’ve stated, that’s more than the similar Amazon Fire HD 8, which sells for $99 — that tablet too frequently sees reductions, so it’s certainly the more affordable option.

Despite having the higher price, there are some reasons you might opt for TCL’s tablet — it’s not locked to Amazon’s operating system, instead using a more user-friendly version of Android, and it’s selfie camera has a higher resolution too.

TCL Tab 8 LE review: design and display

The TCL Tab 8 LE has an 8-inch screen, hence the number in the name, which means it’s not a huge amount bigger than a smartphone.

The screen has a 1200 x 800 resolution, which counts as High Definition, but is a little lower-res than many Full HD rivals. Colors looked a little washed-out when we used Netflix or games, so this display is best suited for people who want to read or hand their tablet to a child who won’t mind the screen quality.

Clad in a plastic frame, the TCL Tab feels a little cheap in the hand, but plastic is one of the most durable materials for a gadget like this, making it hardy against the odd drop or bump. Around the edge of the slate you’ve got the usual extras like a volume rocker and a power button, as well as a USB-C port for charging, but there’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack which not all tablets get. People with wired headphones will find this a useful addition.

One selling point of the TCL Tab 8 LE is that, at just under 300g, it’s one of the lightest Android tablets you can buy. Between this and its compact size, it’s easy to slip into bags or even large pockets and carry around with you.

TCL Tab 8 LE review: productivity

You’re likely not looking to buy the TCL Tab 8 LE as a work device — something like a Samsung Galaxy, Lenovo or iPad tablet will be better suited for you there — but you can use the slate for some light tasks.

With just 32GB onboard memory, you can only store lots of files if you use the expandable memory, and the weak MediaTek chipset onboard won’t let you do any intensive creative tasks like Photoshop, video editing or music mixing.

But you can use the tablet to easily read files on the go, respond to emails and tune in to meetings with the 5MP front-facing camera. You won’t supercharge your workflow with the TCL but it can be fairly useful for light tasks.

TCL Tab 8 LE review: entertainment

Instead of working, the TCL Tab 8 LE is better suited as an affordable on-the-go entertainment system… depending on what you’re using it for.

We tested the TCL for fast-paced action games and it struggled with them, with the likes of Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile both hard to play with how sluggish and jittery they were. That’s not to mention that the former game alone takes up over half the tablet’s storage space when you factor in its downloadable extras.

Sure, lighter games will work well on the tablet, so this could be a good pick if you want a big screen for Candy Crush, Clash of Clans or any other similar game.

On streaming services, the low screen resolution reared its head, and you could tell on Netflix that you were getting a grainy stream. With some shows like cartoons this isn’t as noticeable, but for live-action shows you’ll be squinting to work out what’s going on.

So what’s the TCL Tab 8 LE actually good for? Well, tablets like this are popular as devices to give small kids for entertainment, and young children certainly won’t mind the processing power or screen resolution.

We also found the slate useful for reading, upon downloading apps like Kindle or Google Books. The Tab 8 has multiple easy-to-toggle screen modes, like Reading mode which makes the display monochrome or Eye Comfort mode which warms up the screen colors. Using these you can customise your viewing experience, which we found to be most handy for reading. Plus, the size makes it an easy-to-pocket book replacement.

TCL Tab 8 LE review: battery life

If the TCL Tab 8 LE does have one strong point in its favor, it’s the battery life — this slate has a 4,080mAh battery, which is fairly average for a tablet, but between the low-res screen, undemanding processor and small size, the slate is definitely power efficient.

From our testing, we’d estimate that you could get up to 20 hours of use from the tablet, if you’re using it for things like crushing candies, binging TV shows and browsing through social media. Stick to basics like reading and sending emails and you could get it to last even longer.

The Tab 8 LE is LTE-activated, so if you stick in a SIM card you can connect to 4G networks, but this will take its toll on the battery. We’d only recommend it if you’re frequently needing to connect to the internet.

TCL Tab 8 LE review: verdict

Overall, it’s hard to recommend the TCL Tab 8 LE over the Amazon Fire HD 8 due to its similar specs and higher price.

As we said, there are a few benefits to the TCL, but it’s higher-res selfie camera isn’t a huge jump over the Fire’s, and the more open operating system isn’t a huge benefit — it’d only be handy for top-end apps that wouldn’t even run on the Tab 8 LE anyway.

The Tab 8’s biggest real advantage is the SIM card slot, which admittedly not everyone will find useful. But if that’s you, then pick this tablet. Otherwise, it’s best to see which you can get cheapest in the sales.

ONYX has distinguished itself from other e-reader companies with its attempts to mix e-readers and standard Android tablets, in an attempt to make not the best tablets but the most unique. The latest release, the BOOX Tab Ultra C, is its most concerted attempt so far. 

The Tab Ultra C has an E-Ink screen and stylus like some of the best e-readers, but also comes running the Android operating system, which includes the Play Store and all the apps you can dream of, instead of the relatively limited OSes of most e-readers. If you want to read Chaucer but then play Candy Crush, you’ll find that the device works well for both.

While this sounds like you’re getting the best of both worlds – the eye-friendly screen and big battery of an e-reader but the apps and features of an Android tablet – it’s not quite as simple, as this novel concept doesn’t quite stick the landing.

Because of the ONYX's mid-range processor, slow navigation and the natural screen ghosting of E-Ink, playing intensive games or watching movies is a hair-pulling process, and the sluggishness even makes word processing a chore.

However what the BOOX Tab Ultra C does, it does well: you’ll get some of the finest note-taking and reading action of any e-reader, and for certain productivity or creative tasks, Play Store apps like Post-it, Docs or email platforms are incredibly handy.

The ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C is an interesting experiment, and it’s one that works well for certain specific tasks – but don't come in expecting a fully-furnished Android tablet.

ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C: design

The Tab Ultra C boasts a big 10.3-inch screen, with a 2480 x 1860 resolution. It’s an E-Ink display, and this screen tech resembles the look of ink on a page, which reduces eye strain for use.

Unlike most E-Ink screen gadgets, the ONYX has a color display, letting you optionally eschew the usual black-and-white look for reading books or using apps. This mode drops the resolution to 1240 x 930, and the screen doesn’t have anything like the color vibrancy or contrast of an OLED display, but it’s still useful for comic books or illustrated novels and lots of apps.

The ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C generally looks like your standard e-reader, with a rectangular body, a chunky bezel at one edge of the display to hold, and a magnetic panel to hold the stylus when not in use.

Some tablet features pop up in the design too. There’s a camera on the back, a SIM slot and several speaker grilles, all of which hint that this device has more features than the average e-reader.

ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C: apps

The reason we call the ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C part tablet despite its e-reader design is that it uses the Android operating system which, most importantly, means it has access to the Google Play Store. Most e-readers have rather limited operating systems, with only basic reading and note-taking features, so this is a real perk of the device.

With the Play Store, you can download all manner of apps – we tested games like Candy Crush and Northgard, entertainment apps like Prime Video and Disney Plus and of course productivity tools like Post-it and Google Docs.

If you’re excited for the ONYX to be the first streaming-service-friendly e-reader, you’re out of luck – apps that require high visual fidelity, like streamers and intensive games, didn’t work well. E-Ink screens have a ‘ghosting’ effect if the images change quickly, which means that previous stills from movies remained visible for a while. In combination with the desaturated look of the screen, movies were almost impossible to watch.

See an example below, of The Expanse, with multiple shots all layered above each other.

It doesn’t help that the ONYX has the mid-range Snapdragon 662 processor, which wouldn’t be well-suited to gaming or high-end processes on a standard tablet, and here it makes the Tab C a little sluggish. Navigation can be unresponsive at times, and apps would take a while to open.

For less-intensive functions; productivity tools, lightweight games like Candy Crush, news readers, social media platforms and the like, the ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C fared much better. That’s also true of audio apps, with the tablet’s speakers and Bluetooth connectivity meaning that audiobook readers and music platforms were usable too.

So if you’re looking for a device that’s an ersatz tablet with some cool e-reader features, this isn’t the device for you, but if instead, you’re hoping for a premium e-reader with some useful tablet tools, you’re the target audience here.

As mentioned in the design section, the ONYX has a rear-mounted camera – this is ostensibly for document scanning, and while you can actually use it for photography if you like, you’d get better results on a ten-year-old iPhone. It’s best to stick to scanning.

To befit the number of apps you’ll likely end up downloading, the Tab Ultra C has 128GB built-in storage – that’s the standard amount most smartphones have, but a huge amount considering rival e-readers generally stick to 16GB or 32GB for top-end ones.

ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C: note-taking

You can use the ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C to take notes, using the Notes app, with text processing or stylus scrawling both options. 

The Notes app offers lots of versatility, with lots of tablets including grids, calendars, lined documents, grids and more – though it’s worth pointing out that when we chose a lined document for word processing, none of the font sizes actually fit in the lines well.

In the note itself, there’s an unrivaled level of tools and functions to help you create your document – in fact, upon first opening a note, it can be quite overwhelming to see all the task bars and columns with various options.

Lots of these functions grant you lots of customization over the stylus experience, from choosing the brush type, color and line width, and the device itself has responsive pressure sensitivity, so if you push down harder with the stylus you get a thicker line. Because of these features, the ONYX has a top-notch sketching experience, and you can do everything from scrawling notes to creating drawings and sketches using the Notes app.

Some of the other features in the Notes app include AI handwriting recognition, image insertion, text boxes and the ability to lasso and move notes. It’s a versatile program, and while it takes some experimentation to get used to all the options at your fingertips, there are few e-readers that offer note experiences as in-depth as this.

It’s not a perfect experience though, as the tablet isn’t as handy for word processing, and if you head to the ‘Keyboard’ section of this review you’ll find out why.

ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C: reading

While the ONYX has plenty of fancy features, at its core an e-reader is for reading. Thankfully, the device is solid in this regard.

When you load up a book, you get a clean interface – no taskbar stealing screen real estate, no random buttons that you don’t understand the function of, no massive boxout telling you your chapter, progress through the book and so on. Just the text (and some tiny information at the bottom, but it’s so small that we can forgive it).

This lets you enjoy a book without distraction, and simply tapping on the edge of the screen lets you jump forward or back in your story. Sometimes we needed to tap twice if the first press wasn’t registered, but it usually worked fine. There is a toolbar you can summon if you want, and this gives you some extra functionality. It lets you skip around in the book, lock the page, and also mark up the document using the stylus. 

This is one of the best mark-up experiences we’ve had with an e-reader – too often when testing these devices, we’ll rest our hand on a display to mark up text, and the device will misconstrue this as a tap to skip pages. This wasn’t an issue on the ONYX though, and we could easily press our palm on a page while annotating a quote without losing our place in the text.

To find books, you can use an onboard library that includes hundreds of classics from Project Gutenberg, but you're encouraged to use a BOOX app to send your own PDFs to the device. The library's selection pales in comparison to what's offered by Kobo or Kindle, so you better be versed in finding your own literature.

ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C: battery life

One of the main reasons you might pick the ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C over a standard Android tablet is for one of the best e-reader strengths: battery life. E-Ink screen tech – even for color screens – is far less battery-intensive than the OLED you see in most tablet displays, so the ONYX lasts for ages between charges.

The 6,300mAh battery here would be a reasonable size for a standard tablet, but on the Tab Ultra C it keeps the device lasting for ages. In our initial testing period, a week after a full charge and after several hours of use, the device had only dropped by 40%. This was also with the device on standby when not in use – we didn’t turn it off during this period.

This is the kind of device you could use intensively and still see it sail through several days of use, perfect for people who want a reliable workhorse. Battery life won’t rival a ‘standard’ e-reader, ie one without the Play Store, but it’ll leave tablets in its dust. Charging is done via USB-C, with a port on the right edge of the device (when the tablet’s in landscape mode). 

ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C: keyboard

We tested the ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C alongside its $109.99 keyboard folio, which offers typing functionality as well as the ability to prop the ONYX up with its stand, however, the experience left a lot to be desired.

As a stand, the keyboard seems quite useful if you want to use the device in landscape mode, whether it’s to watch videos or use plenty of apps. However the folio’s clasp, which keeps the stylus snug when it’s closed, would hang over the top of the screen, blocking our view. This was a major annoyance, and while using the clasp’s magnet to pin it backward was a temporary solution, it’d invariably flop forward before too long. 

The biggest issue was with word processing though – the Tab Ultra C’s slow processor simply couldn’t keep up with the kind of typing speed you can reach when using a keyboard. When trying to write notes, the letters appearing on the screen would lag words or sometimes even sentences behind what we’d typed. If you’re the kind of touch-typer who never even reads what they’re writing, this won’t be an issue for you, but if you like to copy-edit on the fly it can be a pain – our plan to write this review on the tablet was abandoned thanks to this issue!

ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C: Price

The ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C won’t be showing up on any ‘cheap e-readers’ or ‘cheap tablets’ lists – the device costs $599.99, so it’s not a rival to your sub-$100 Amazon Kindle or even other stylus-toting e-readers like the $399 Kobo Elipsa 2E and ONYX BOOX Note Air 2.

The high price is because the device has tablet features as well as e-reader ones, though it’s not quite fair to compare the ONYX to similar-price Samsung or Lenovo tablets either, as they’re far more powerful with better displays, but lack e-reader features. If you mainly want a tablet, though, you can get one with similar specs to the ONYX for half its price.

So there are only two main rival devices; ONYX’s own BOOX Tab Ultra is a non-color version of the C model, which started at $599.99 but is now available for cheaper at various retailers, and the Bigme InkNote Color+ is available at $699.99 so it’s actually even more expensive.

Either way, this is a premium device and you need to be sure it’s the one for you before you commit nearly $600 for it. You can optionally buy a keyboard folio for the device too, which costs $109.99, and we’ve got a whole section on that later.

ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C: verdict

The ONYX BOOX Tab Ultra C is an interesting experiment that'll be a fun novelty to tech fans, but it's a little harder to recommend based on its price, its weaknesses and the competition.

For reading or note-taking, more affordable e-readers will be better for you, while gaming, movies, word processing and other apps will be better on mid-range tablets. 

So the ONYX is best for a certain type of professional who needs both note-taking and reading functionality but also wants particular apps from the Play Store  –  and will appreciate the long-lasting battery and quirks of the E-Ink screen.

People might be hunting for the best tablet with a pen for all sorts of reasons. They might want a serious digital art tool, something with which they can deliver professional quality drawing and design work. Or, they might want a handy digital surface on which to write down their grocery lists.

Since this guide is about picking the best of the best, we’re assuming you’re leaning more towards the former category. After all, if all you want is a tablet and something to write with, this is fairly easy to acquire, then you can just get a cheap tablet and a passive stylus. A passive stylus (or a capacitive stylus) is one that has no capacity to communicate electronically with the tablet – it isn’t really much more than a stick with a conductive tip. It’ll let you write and even draw, but you won’t be able to do much more than that

More advanced styluses, also known as active styluses, feature built-in electronics and the ability to communicate with the tablet they’re working on, usually via Bluetooth. This unlocks all sorts of useful artistic features, such as pressure sensitivity, which lets you vary the thickness of a line by applying different levels of pressure – just like you’re using a real pencil. There’s also tilt sensitivity, which can detect the angle at which you’re holding the stylus, and palm rejection, which means you can rest your hand on the screen without interfering with what you’re drawing. As they are powered, these styluses will require charging – though most contemporary tablets have magnetic stylus holders that also serve as wireless charging ports.

This is a list for those looking for something advanced, offering  plenty of features – it is ‘best’, after all. We’ve picked out what we reckon is the clear winner of the best tablet with a pen, and then selected a few alternatives offering slightly different features – and at a range of different price points. But we’re sure you all want to know which tablet and pen we’ve given the big prize to, so let’s jump right in…

The best tablet with a pen

Look, we’re not exactly thrilled about it. Obviously when someone asks for tech and gadget recommendations, they don’t necessarily want to hear that they’re about to be on the hook for more than a thousand dollars. But the question ‘what’s the best tablet with a pen’ currently has one blindingly obvious answer, and that is the iPad Pro 12.9, paired with an Apple Pencil 2.

The display on the iPar Pro 12.9 is absolutely gorgeous – it’s a Liquid Retina XDR that delivers around 600 nits of brightness, meaning it’s always perfectly visible even in bright conditions. The 12.9-inch surface gives you tons of space, but the real ace in the hole is the refresh rate. At 120 Hz, the screen is buttery-smooth, and when you draw on it with the Apple Pencil 2, the digital line appears with no perceptible lag, as if you were drawing with real ink on real paper.

That is, of course, the other half of the equation. The Apple Pencil 2 is an exquisite stylus, one that feels great to use, but also delivers more than 4,000 levels of pressure sensitivity. It synchronises brilliantly with all the writing and drawing apps available for the iPad, whether you stick with Apple’s basic Notes app or download something like Photoshop from the store. If you’re looking to write rather than draw, one impressive iOS feature is the ‘Scribble’ functionality, which can automatically turn handwriting into editable text, and does a darn impressive job of it.

As mentioned, none of this comes cheap – the iPad costs plenty, and the Apple Pencil 2 is $129 extra. The iPad Pro 12.9 (6th Gen) is a powerful tablet, backed by Apple’s proprietary M2 chip, and if you don’t need intensive computing power (i.e. you don’t plan to run powerful digital drawing apps or edit large resolution files) then you almost certainly don’t need to spend this much. But if you do need the best – here it is.

More of the best tablets with pens

Is the iPad Pro 12.9 a little more than you bargained for? If that’s the case then don’t worry, we’ve picked out a range of other tablets with pens, including Android models and more budget-friendly options. Here are our extra picks – the best of the rest.

What to look for in a tablet with a pen

When buying a tablet with a pen, you need to take some time to figure out exactly what it is you’re looking for, as this will help you whittle down the options. As mentioned, if all you want is a tablet to jot notes on then you don’t need to sweat it too much, but if you want a serious drawing tool, there’s more to consider.

It’s worth reading reviews not just from generic tech sites – who in many cases won’t do much testing of the stylus beyond checking that it works – but from artists and creatives who actually use the tech for this purpose and can report on how well it works. Something that’s important to pay attention to, which you can’t glean from reading specs, is how the interaction of stylus and screen actually feels. You’ll often see this referred to as ‘bite’, meaning the level of resistance you get as you move the stylus across the screen to create a line.

While you don’t want this action to be difficult, it also shouldn’t be too easy. Pencils and pens do not glide over a piece of paper like a skater on ice; making a line requires pressure, and you feel resistance as you do it. Striking this balance is quite hard to do, so if you’re considering a tablet, it’s worth checking with the artistic community how well the manufacturer has managed it.

Consider your operating system too. Many artists prefer Apple Products not necessarily because the hardware of iPads is so much better, but because their drawing apps run much more smoothly on iOS. Android is still notoriously a little janky on tablets, with Microsoft’s Windows not a whole lot better, and while you can certainly get drawing apps working well on these devices, iPads offer a much more streamlined, tablet-optimised experience.

Lastly, all the tablets we’ve included here are tablet computers – meaning that as well as drawing and writing, they’ll also do everything else you expect from a tablet. They’ll browse the internet, play games, stream TV, the usual. If you are actually primarily buying a tablet for the purposes of artwork and don’t think you’ll; use it for bingeing Netflix, then you may want to consider a dedicated drawing tablet from companies like Wacom or Huion. For dedicated artists, this is probably better value for money.

The best tablet with a keyboard can not only be a useful way to take notes – it can effectively function as a laptop. With tablets getting more powerful with every generation, many casual tech users no longer have the need for a desktop or laptop computer that they once did. If you were thinking of buying a cheap computer for word processing, document editing and similar tasks, a potential alternative solution could be just getting a keyboard for your tablet.

For this guide, we’ve made one top pick of what we reckon is the best tablet with a keyboard right now – one that synergises well with its keyboard and offers plenty of useful features for those who want to do their typing on their table. If that one isn’t right for you, we’ve also included four other picks, at varying price points and using different operating systems. So no matter what type of user you are, there should be a great tablet with a keyboard here for you.

Given that the keyboards aren’t bundled in with tablets, and you’re going to have to fork out the extra cost, we’ve made an effort to pick sensibly priced tablets that are going to appeal to the majority of users. You can take it as a given that an iPad Pro or a Samsung Galaxy S8 Ultra is going to top pretty much any list that starts with ‘best tablet’, but these are ultra-powerful machines with big price tags to match. So for this list, we’ve picked out tablets that are going to best suit those who want a reasonably priced tablet to use with a keyboard for general productivity tasks. 

Also, for each pick we’ve recommended the best keyboard to pair with it, but in most cases, a generic bluetooth keyboard will work just fine, so don’t be put off if the extra cost seems too high. 

The best tablet with a keyboard

Right now, if we were to pick the best tablet to pair with a keyboard, we’d pick the Microsoft Surface Pro 9, and specifically the flagship Surface Pro Signature Keyboard. Running WIndows 11, this is a highly capable 2-in-1 tablet/laptop, which can be outfitted with a good deal of RAM and storage, and sports a gorgeous 13-inch display with super-fast 120 Hz refresh rate. Ticking a lot of boxes already.

The Surface Pro Signature Keyboard is Microsoft’s best and most expensive keyboard, which will add to the already considerable cost of the tablet – but if you have the budget, it's sublime. Magnetically snapping to the bottom of the tablet, the keyboard delivers a tactile and comfortable typing experience – it isn’t too cramped the way some tablet keyboards can be. The keys are chiclet-style square, and there’s three stages of backlighting available. The rigidity of the keyboard is quite impressive considering how slim it is, and we appreciate the inclusion of a touchpad, which again, a lot of tablet keyboards omit.

We can gripe yet again about the loss of the 3.5mm physical headphone jack that was still present on previous Surface models, but at this point we might as well be yelling at the clouds – it’s just the way tech is going. Battery life on the Surface Pro 9 is generally pretty decent, with most reviewers finding it lasts long enough to manage a day’s use, as long as you don’t hammer the brightness too hard.

The Surface Pro 9 isn’t a cheap tablet, and while there are more affordable configurations for those with smaller budgets, you may find yourself chafing against limits like 128GB storage before too long. Still, it’s powerful enough to function as a replacement for a standard laptop, and that’s nothing to be sniffed at.

More of the best tablets with keyboards

Not sure if the Surface Pro 9 ticks all the boxes for you? We’ve picked out four great alternative tablet/keyboard pairings, available at a range of prices and using a variety of operating systems. 

What to look for in a tablet with a keyboard

When finding a good tablet with a keyboard, it’s best to drill down into exactly what you want to figure out what’s best for you. One of the key questions to think about first and foremost is what exactly you’re going to be using it for, as this will tell you how much power you’re likely to need – and therefore how much you’re likely to need to spend. If you’re just going to be typing in Google Docs or the Notes app, you won’t need much in the way of computing power, and can definitely stand to choose a cheaper tablet.

However, if you’re planning on using a tablet to multi-task – say, type in documents while also watching videos on YouTube – or you want the keyboard to be able to use keyboard shortcuts in creative software like Photoshop or Premiere, then you’re going to need something that packs a bit more punch. At this point, it’s also worth thinking about whether a tablet with a keyboard is truly what you want. 

Something like an iPad Pro, for instance, offers the kind of processing power you’d expect to find on a laptop. And if you don’t think you’ll use the tablet functionality of it – if you don’t think you’ll want to draw with a stylus, or don’t think you’ll benefit much from the slimmer dimensions – then you might be better off with one of the best laptops. 

Also, it’s worth remembering that in pretty much all cases, you have a fair amount of freedom of choice when it comes to keyboards. In our guide above, we’ve recommended what we think is the best keyboard for each tablet – this is normally the manufacturer’s own, which will have been specifically tailored to that particular tablet. 

However, these keyboards tend to be among the more expensive; Apple’s Magic Keyboard Folio costs $249, Microsoft’s Surface Pro Signature Keyboard costs just under $180. If you want something simpler and cheaper, then most generic bluetooth or USB keyboards will likely work with most tablets. It may not be as comfortable or as hard-wearing, and it may not come with useful features like a touchpad, but it’ll work for typing, and it won’t cost the earth.

You do unfortunately pretty much always have to factor in the cost of the keyboard when tablet shopping, as tablets are rarely bundled with them.

Amazon’s popular Kindle range has become synonymous with e-readers. So much so, that many will use the brand name to sum-up the entire category of devices. Thankfully, Amazon hasn’t been resting on its laurels and has kept a steady stream of improvements coming to its popular Kindle range.

The Kindle Paperwhite is the best-selling product in the range. That makes sense as it doesn’t cost much more than the entry-level model, but has always offered a number of improvements – including its namesake backlit display. However, now that Amazon has fitted its entry-level with a backlit e-ink screen, is the extra money for the Kindle Paperwhite still worth it?

In a nutshell: yes. 

Just as the cheapest Kindle model in the range has benefited from a trickledown of features that were previously only reserved for the pricier models, so too has the Kindle Paperwhite, which now boasts a number of the best elements previously reserved for the flagship Kindle Oasis. That includes a waterproof design and the ability to listen to audiobooks, too.

There’s a lot to love here, with a price that's significantly lower than many of the best tablets, but is this the best Kindle for you right now?

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: Price, Release Date

You can buy the Kindle Paperwhite from a number of popular high street stores, as well as Amazon itself. The latest version of the hardware, which launched in November, should be shipping from today.

Prices for the Kindle Paperwhite start at £119.99 ($129.99) for the most affordable model, which includes 8GB of storage. If you’re only planning on reading books, that should be plenty. Since you can’t add to the storage after the fact, those who want to take a stack of comics and audiobooks on their next holiday should look at the 32GB model, which costs £149.99 ($159.99).

If you want to be able to access the Kindle Store or Audible using mobile internet, you’ll need to plump for the 32GB 4G version for £219.99 ($249.99).

In some countries, Amazon offers the choice of buying a Kindle with or without special offers. The pricing above is for the e-reader with special offers, which are essentially adverts that display on the lockscreen whenever you’re not reading. You'll be spending around £10 ($10) more to get rid of those ads. But if you’re expecting to use your Kindle a lot, it’s well worth paying for.

• Best Kindle deals

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: Design, Display

Kindle Paperwhite is the mid-range e-reader, sitting between the most affordable Amazon Kindle, and the all-singing, all-dancing Kindle Oasis. As you’d expect the design and feel of the device pretty much reflects where it sits in the pecking order – you won’t find the unibody aluminium case of the Kindle Oasis, but it has more heft than the entry-level Kindle.

The case is build from plastic, which feels durable and means the Kindle is lightweight enough that reading on your back with the device hovering inches from your face isn’t going to be a test of endurance. The case is prone to fingerprint smudges, but that’s a small niggle.

On the bottom of the case is the power button, as well as a micro USB port to charge the device. And that’s it. This simplistic design is great, and means that you can comfortably shift your grip throughout the chapter of your book without worrying about accidentally switching off the backlight, or worse.

The front of the device is dominated by a 6-inch e-ink touchscreen. The bezels around the display are a little thicker than you’ll find on some rival e-readers, but it’s not something that really bothered us. Despite the bezels, the Kindle Paperwhite remains small enough to squeeze into an inside jacket pocket, or the backpocket on your jeans, which is really all that matters.

Crucially, the bezels now sit flush with the touchscreen e-ink display – a design feature that the latest Kindle Paperwhite has inherited from the pricier Kindle Oasis and the now-discontinued Kindle Voyage. Admittedly, it’s a small tweak, but one that instantly makes the device feel more premium.

One feature that hasn’t trickled down from the flagship Kindle Oasis are the hardware buttons used to turn the pages. It’s a shame, as the clicky buttons offer a really nice, tactile way to skipping through a paperback thriller, but using the touchscreen display on the Kindle Paperwhite is perfectly fine. The touchscreen itself is very reactive to the touch, so you won’t struggle to flip through the pages, or navigate around the menus of the Kindle software

The e-ink display boasts a very respectable resolution of 300 pixels-per-inch, which is the same as the previous Paperwhite, and perfectly fine for text. Hold the Paperwhite side-by-side with a printed page and you won’t be able to tell the difference. With this latest iteration of the Kindle Paperwhite, Amazon has improved the brightness, which is handled by 5 separate LEDs distributed around the e-ink display. That’s a step-up from the 4 LEDs used to backlight the entry-level Kindle – not something we really noticed while reading, but still a pretty significant step-down from the 25 LEDs used in the Kindle Oasis.

But while the backlight might not be as evenly distributed across the page as the Kindle Oasis (and can’t do any of its fancy warming tones), the Kindle Paperwhite is perfectly bright enough – keeping everything visible in the brightest sunlight, and when reading under the covers at night.

Paperwhite is the only model in the Kindle range that doesn’t offer any different colour options, so you’ll be stuck with the standard black finish. If you’d rather have something a little jazzier, Amazon has designed five cases for the new e-reader. There are three woven designs, as well as two leather cases.

These can be bought from Amazon, with the woven material starting at £24.99 ($29.99) and the leather setting you back £34.99 ($39.99). Of course, there are a multitude of third-party options available as well.

But the biggest upgrade from the original Kindle Paperwhite is the addition of waterproof design. That means you won’t have to seal your device in a zip-lock bag whenever you want to keep reading in the bath. Lounging by the pool isn’t a problem, either as the Paperwhite can survive in up to 2 metres of water for 60 minutes before getting into trouble. If you’re a keen reader who is prone to butterfingers, this is easily the best reason to upgrade to the new Paperwhite.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: Battery Life

Amazon says the latest Kindle Paperwhite should be able to go weeks between charges, which isn’t an exaggeration at all. Reading on your morning and evening commute, the Paperwhite will soldier on for weeks between charges.

That means you’ll be able to throw the e-reader into your rucksack without checking the battery indicator before the start of your week, safe in the knowledge that it will have enough juice to handle a few chapters.

Of course, if you’re reading from sunrise to sunset on a lounger by the pool on your next holiday, the Kindle Paperwhite won’t get anywhere close to that. So serious bookworms should probably still pack a charging cable when going away for more than a long weekend.

Different brightness levels on the display will see the battery last for different amounts of time, so those looking to eke the most from the battery should be a little more frugal with the new backlighting feature.

Thankfully, when the Kindle Paperwhite does run out of power, it doesn’t take long to charge via the micro USB. Yes, you did read that right. Amazon has fitted its latest Kindle Paperwhite with this ageing USB plug. It’s a frustrating choice and means that if you travel with any remotely modern Android smartphone, an iPad Pro, or recent Apple Mac notebook – you won’t be able to pack a single cable to handle charging throughout your trip.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: Reading and features

The 6-inch pixel-dense e-ink display, coupled with subtle case design, which fades into the background as soon as you’re gripped by a good book all means the Kindle Paperwhite makes for an incredibly comfortable reading experience.

But if you’re not particularly enamoured with the idea of slugging through a weight hardback novel, then you’ll be glad of another once-exclusive feature the Kindle Paperwhite has inherited from the Kindle Oasis: audiobooks.

Yes, Amazon has baked support for its Audible audiobooks service directly into the latest Kindle Paperwhite. As such, you can stream titles from the e-reader to a pair of Bluetooth speakers, a portable speaker, or home audio system. If you’re tired at the end of the day, but desperately can’t wait to find out what happens at the end of the next chapter – this is a great way to keep reading.

Amazon makes it impossibly easy to switch between audio and good ol’ fashioned text, with both tracking your progress so you can seamlessly jump between them depending on what you’re feeling. Of course, this feature isn’t just limited to the Kindle itself, with progress through both the audiobook and novel tracked in the Audible and Kindle smartphone and tablet apps, respectively. It’s worth pointing out that while Amazon does offer discount on the audiobook versions of Kindle books you’ve just bought, doubling-up each time can get expensive.

If you’re planning on plumping for the audiobook version more often than not, it’s worth upgrading to the 32GB model of the Kindle Paperwhite. While the entry-level 8GB variant still packs twice as much storage as the last iteration of the Paperwhite, that’ll fill up fast when you start adding audio into the mix.

If you’re not interested in being read to, the more affordable 8GB variant will be plenty big enough for everything you need.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: Software

The Kindle range has the most well refined and feature-rich operating system of any e-reader on the market. It’s simple and gets out of the way so you can just read as quickly as possible, which is brilliant.

The software on the Kindle Paperwhite is no exception – it’s a joy to use, with recommendations of other books you might like right on the home screen whenever you boot-up the device. There’s also a list of books on your Wish List, which’ll take you straight to the listing on the Kindle Store when tapped – perfect for spontaneous purchases whenever there’s a sale on.

It’s worth noting that the Amazon Kindle Store is still the best ebook store on the planet. If you’re looking for an ebook, it’s almost certainly going to be here. Amazon has a phenomenal selection of fiction and non-fiction titles, as well as constantly refreshing carousel of books on-sale for 99p or less.

Buying into the Kindle ecosystem right now doesn’t seem like much of a risk at all, something that can’t be said of some rival devices, which have seen their respective ebook stores close, or software support end.

While reading on the Paperwhite, the software offers plenty of choice when it comes to the spacing and justification of the text on the page. There’s also a good number of fonts, including a custom typeface designed from the ground-up by the Kindle team to be legible on an e-ink display.

There’s also the OpenDyslexic font, which is designed to mitigate a number of the common reading errors caused by dyslexia, which is a really cool feature.

Word Wise is a useful feature for any readers slogging through a particularly challenging book as it automatically loads concise definitions beneath tough words right there in the text, so you can continue with minimal interruptions.

Unlike a traditional paperback, the Kindle Paperwhite will also present an intelligent prediction of how much time you’ve got left in any given chapter, or the book itself, at the bottom of the page while you read.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: Verdict

The Paperwhite was already the go-to Kindle for most people, and Amazon has done more than enough here to make sure it’s the ideal e-reader for most people. Those who are primarily concerned about price should look at the entry-level Kindle, while those who want the best that Amazon’s R&D department can dream-up should definitely splash-out on the Kindle Oasis.

But for most, the Kindle Paperwhite has everything you’d want from an e-reader: it has a sharp 6-inch e-ink touchscreen with soldi backlighting, it’s not going to break when it (inevitably) drops into the pool or bath, and it has access to the best e-reader software and ebook store on the market right now.

If that’s not enough, support for Audible audiobooks has been added in, and the storage variants available have been dramatically boosted. All for the same price. Granted, the battery isn't as good as some of the previous iterations – especially if you’ve got the brightness on full, but it's still a solid month or so between charges, providing you’re not spending all day turning pages.

Bottom line – if you're looking for one of the best, brightest e-ink displays available right now. Look no further than the new Kindle Paperwhite.

• Compare Kindles: The Difference Between the Fire and the eBook Reader

You could be forgiven for assuming your search for the best tablet under $100 was a futile one. Is it even possible to get a decent tablet at that price? Turns out yes – while there of course will be compromises to make on features, screen size and everything else, there are some great, unfussy and reliable tablets that can be bought for less than $100 – and we’ve picked out the best one.

Or the best five – because we’ve in fact made five recommendations. First up is our pick for the overall best tablet under $100, one that we feel offers great features for the price and genuine value for money. However, we know that our pick may not be right for everyone, so we’ve also offered four alternative choices of great cheap tablets, with a slightly different set of pros and cons. 

One thing to note is that we’ve made an effort to stick with reputable brand names for the best tablets. If you want to buy a tablet – any tablet – for less than $100, it is easier to accomplish than you might think. Type “cheap tablets” into Amazon and you’ll be absolutely inundated with a raft of sub-$90 Android tablets, made by brands you’ve never heard of, with names that are senseless strings of capital letters – a.k.a. the usual Amazon fare. Buying these kinds of electronics can work out for some, but it tends to be potluck at best, with little recourse if you end up with a faulty product. So, as far as possible, we’ve kept our picks to names you know and brands you trust.

At the bottom of the guide, we’ve also included some buyers' advice on cheap tablets, including common pitfalls to watch out for and how to set realistic expectations on what you’re going to get for $100 or less (it ain’t an iPad Pro, that’s for sure). But all that’s for later – right now, let’s jump in and find out what’s the best tablet you can buy for under $100.

The best tablet under $100 is the Lenovo Tab M8 HD

With its metal construction and punchy, colorful screen, at first blush the Lenovo Tab M8 (HD) might not feel like a tablet you can buy for less than $100 – but indeed it is so. At launch it was priced around the $130 mark, but these days at outlets like Amazon and Best Buy it’s common to see it for a two-figure price in the $90s or even in the high $80s if you’re lucky.

With options of 2GB or 3GB of RAM, running Android 9 (Pie), the Lenovo Tab M8 isn’t about to win any awards for processing speed. You certainly wouldn’t try to edit 4K video or have a high-intensity gaming session on this thing, but for browsing, Netflix bingeing and playing simple tablet games, it’ll be great. And frankly, if that’s all you want from a tablet, there’s no reason you should be paying much more than this.

One of the reasons that the Lenovo M8 is our top pick is that in a fair few categories it punches well above what you’d expect for this kind of price. One thing worth singling out is the battery life, which really is excellent – some reviewers have managed to get as much as 23 hours of juice out of this thing. Naturally that was during battery testing, and if you’re actually using the tablet you can expect that number to shrink a little, but it’s still going to be more than enough for day-to-day usage.

Also, you can call us luddites for this if you want, but we appreciate a nice physical 3.5mm headphone jack in addition to the option of connecting via Bluetooth. It’s something that’s not too fashionable on tablets these days, but those of us who have taken care of our headphones for years will appreciate it. On that note, you will almost certainly want to use headphones if you’re streaming, as the built-in speaker on the Lenovo Tab M8 isn’t up to much. 

Overall, as long as you’re aware of its limitations, the Lenovo Tab M8 is a fantastic choice of tablet for less than $100.

Other tablets under $100

Not sure if the Lenovo Tab M8 (HD) is right for you? No fear – we’ve picked out four great alternative tablets for under $100. Read on to compare our top picks.

Pros and cons of tablets under $100

The key advantage of buying a tablet under $100 is, of course, the low price. With flagship tablets such as iPad Air models getting pricier and pricier with every go-around, the tablet market can feel simply unreachable to some, and it’s important to remember that there is generally always accessible tech for those with less cash to spend – you just have to find it.

Cheap tablets have advantages of their own, too. They tend to be smaller and much more portable, with screens that are seven or eight inches in size being common. Carrying a big heavy tablet everywhere with you can be quite difficult, and if you just want something to use to watch movies on a flight or have with you to browse online without punishing your phone battery, a cheap tablet can be an excellent choice.

Cheap tablets can also be great to give to kids, and as we’ve seen, there are dedicated kid-friendly options out there, including Pebble Gear’s tablets and Amazon’s dedicated Kids’ models in its Fire range. If a tablet costs less than $100, you’re probably going to be much less bothered when your kid inevitably drops it, bashes it around or covers it in apple juice (indeed, kids’ tablets tend to be built a little tougher for this reason).

Naturally, when buying a tablet for less than $100, you have to be realistic. As we’ve seen, you’re not going to get the latest features and will have to compromise on more than a few things. Cheap tablets tend not to be much good for multi-tasking – both because of their small screens and their limited RAM. If you’re someone who likes to browse the internet while watching Netflix or YouTube, well, a sub-$100 tablet is not really the device to do that. Both applications will likely stutter and lag.

Also – you may have grokked this already from the composition of our list, but at the price, you have to be willing to go with Android as your operating system. At two-figure prices, there’s no real room for anything running iOS. If you hunt on the second-hand market, you might find a very old refurbished iPad for less than $100, but in all honesty you’ll get more for your money by sticking with an Android model.

If your fridge light isn’t working then it can be annoying to try and see your favorite drinks or snacks at the back of your fridge. A faulty light can be caused by a number of different things, most of which are reasonably easy to identify and fix. It is important to check your refrigerator's warranty in case a more serious repair is needed, such as replacing a faulty circuit board or sensor. 

The best mini fridges and the best french door refrigerators are great for keeping your food fresh and crisp, but it is important to keep all components working properly to get the most out of your unit. If you are doing a full maintenance on your fridge, then knowing how to clean a fridge is essential to keep it functioning efficiently. 

What causes a fridge light not to work? 

There are a few common causes for a fridge light not working properly, most of which are a quick and easy fix. The most common problems are as follows:

1. A burnt-out bulb

If your fridge's bulb has burnt out then there will be no light. To fix this, you can simply remove the bulb and take it to a hardware store and ask for a replacement - most hardware stores will be able to find a replacement that is compatible with your fridge. 

2. A faulty sensor

For a fridge light to work, there is a sensor that activates the light when the fridge is opened. If your sensor is faulty then it won’t be able to activate the light. If your sensor is blocked by food or bottles it may have a hard time sensing when the fridge is opened - some sensors can also get jammed or blocked by dirt. 

3. A faulty light socket

A faulty light socket can be caused by an electrical problem or damage from dirt. If your light socket is faulty then electricity won’t be able to flow through it. This can be a difficult fix, and may require a professional to solve. 

4. Circuit board failure

If your fridge's circuit board shorts or fails then it can stop the bulb from illuminating when you open the fridge. This would need to be looked at urgently as the problem persisting could cause your fridge to stop working altogether. 

Which of these problems can you fix yourself?

Some of these problems should be easy to fix for most people, with a couple of them requiring cleaning or a change of light bulb. A burnt-out bulb can be easily replaced by most people by disconnecting the fridge from the power and inserting a new bulb into the socket. 

A faulty light sensor could also potentially be an easy fix - simply give the sensor a thorough clean and test the fridge again to see if the light starts working. For some sensors, you will want to use a q tip to scrape any dirt from inside the sensor itself.

Some faulty light sockets may be more complicated to fix. If the faulty socket is caused by a short circuit, or if your fridge has a full circuit board failure then you may want to get a professional to come and check your fridge for you. It can be dangerous to try and fix electronics yourself, so if in doubt always contact a certified electrician or appliance expert.

Tech company Rakuten Kobo launched its first Elipsa e-reader in 2021, and the E-Ink tablet’s stylus made it an iPad-worthy rival and one of the best tablets for creative or business-minded users. However with e-reader heavyweight Amazon releasing a big-name rival in early 2023, in the form of the Kindle Scribe, Kobo is back with a follow-up.

The Kobo Elipsa 2E is largely an iterative update, with the same price as its predecessor and only a few changes, but those upgrades — like a newer stylus or more storage — make this a worthy competitor to the contemporary and similarly-featured Amazon Kindle. It's also comparable to the ONYX BOOX Note Air 2, which has an identical screen and a stylus, but more storage and a higher price.

To boil it down to its core functions, the Kobo Elipsa 2E has two main purposes: reading and for writing, with the latter marking a key extra function over many other e-readers, Kobo and otherwise.

Coming bundled with the Kobo Stylus 2, the Elipsa 2E lets you mark up documents and books, or create your own notebooks. The sketching functionality is fantastic, with handwriting recognition, automatic graphics and easily-switchable stylus functions… that is, unless you’re trying to mark up a document, which is turned into a hair-pulling experience by one annoying issue that’ll be detailed later.

Of course, you can also use the Kobo Elipsa 2E as a long-lasting e-reader to check out the newest digital books. But are you willing to pay the high price tag just for this?

Kobo Elipsa 2: price analysis and competition

Costing $399, the Kobo Elipsa 2E costs exactly the same as the original Elipsa, so unless you can find a pre-owned version of the original with a much lower price, we’d recommend you opt for the newer model.

For context, the Amazon Kindle Scribe is a little cheaper at $339, but it only offers half the storage, at 16GB to the Kobo’s 32GB. The aforementioned ONYX BOOX Note Air 2 offers even more at 32GB, but its price is $499.

That cost of the Elipsa 2E doesn’t include the $69 price of the optional folio cover, which you can see pictured in some of the review images, or Kobo Plus. We’ll explore this additional subscription later, but it costs $9.99 per month for either the eBook-only or audio-book-only options, or $12.99 monthly for the joint package, with a 30-day free trial letting you test it out.

The Elipsa 2E could be considered a premium e-reader due to the fact it costs more than most others on the market, and that’s because stylus-toting E-Ink devices like this cost a lot more than pen-free rivals. If you just need an e-reader for reading, without the note-taking functions, you can buy a cheaper model from any of these companies.

Kobo Elipsa 2: design

The distinguishing feature of an e-reader is the E-Ink display – this screen tech emulates the look of ink on paper, and it’s popular for three main reasons. Firstly, it looks a lot more like book, emulating the original reading experience; secondly, this screen tech reduces eye strain if you’re staring at the display for a long amount of time; thirdly, it’s much, much more battery efficient than traditional LCD or LED screens, making devices that use E-Ink last a long longer.

Beyond that, the Kobo Elipsa 2E is your standard rectangular tablet. It has a power button and charging port on the right edge, and it’s also a little thinner on one side than the other. With a 10.3-inch screen, it’s fairly big as e-readers go, and we found it more comfortable to hold with two hands than one, though it's a lot lighter than many rival devices.

The Elipsa also has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can connect it to Bluetooth headphones or a speaker to play audiobooks, though there’s no physical audio jack to plug it in.

Kobo Elipsa 2: note-taking

If you’re looking into the Kobo Elipsa 2E instead of Kobo’s many other e-readers, it’s probably for its stylus-enabled note-taking functionality. The Elipsa offers two modes: simple and advanced notes.

Simple notes turns your e-reader into a glorified notepad — you write documents down with the stylus and they appear on the display. Easy.

Advanced offers an array of extra tricks. For example, you can double-tap on a word you’ve written and the device will convert it into typed text, or draw a box around a word or phrase to easily highlight it, or underline a word to turn it into a heading, or create or remove line breaks by swiping up or down on a word.

This range of tricks makes the Kobo a fantastic device for creating a wide range of note documents when you work — no longer will your notes be a hastily-constructed series of scribbles but a flow chart, mind-map, bullet list or typed document.

Enabling this is the Kobo Stylus 2, which has some design improvements over the original. It’s comfortable to hold, and an easily-reachable button near the tip turns the pen into a highlighter. Flip the pen around and there’s an eraser, like on a pencil, and you can use this to scribble out your notes.

Kobo Elipsa 2: reading

Despite this talk about note-taking, the Kobo Elipsa 2E is an e-reader at heart, and the key task for these devices is for… well, reading!

Thanks to its 10.3-inch screen, eBooks and documents look big when viewed on the device; between that and the E-Ink here, you’re less likely to get eye strain when reading on this than on a traditional LED-screen device. You can also pinch and zoom to resize text.

Tap at the top of the display, and you can bring up tools to change things like font size and space, line spacing and margins, and even what font the text uses, giving you the freedom to adapt a book to how you best read.

Unlike on some rival e-readers, there are no physical buttons for changing pages when reading on the Elipsa 2E — you need to tap the right edge of the display to move a page forward and the left edge to go back. This generally works well, and during testing there were only a few instances in which the screen didn’t respond.

If you want to navigate through larger swathes of text, tapping at the bottom of the screen brings up a bar to let you scrub through the book, as well as a chapter tool to let you see a table of contents and easily jump to a specific part of the book.

Tools like a built-in dictionary and the ability to highlight excerpts of text let you enjoy books that little bit more, but no feature is as handy as the mark-up tool. With 32GB storage on the Kobo, there’s an absolutely huge amount of space for books – we’re talking space for tens of thousands of novels.

Kobo Elipsa 2: markup

Thanks to the Kobo Stylus 2, when you’re in an ebook or document, you can easily pick up the pen and start scribbling over what’s there.

You can’t remove the existing text, but this lets you add your own annotations and notes very easily.

However there’s a catch that ruins this feature. Tapping on the side of a document flips you over to the next page, but this isn’t necessarily a finger tap, and simply leaning the side of your hand on the E Ink screen — supporting your hand as you write — will sometimes move you over to the next page.

Frequently during testing we’d try to write a note on a page, but the Elipsa would move us over to the wrong page.

Kobo Elipsa 2: store and e-books

When you’re looking for new things to read on your Kobo Elipsa 2E, you can use the built-in store to browse for new material.

While you can easily search the store to find the book of your choice, the navigation is a little more confusing if you’re just browsing. While you can browse by genre, there’s little way to narrow your selection down after that – for example, there are (at time of writing) over 176,000 books tagged ‘Fantasy’, but if you search by this tag, or even specifically by ‘Epic Fantasy’ (34,000), you can then only sort the list by recency of publishing, most popular or best sold. It’s a little hard to parse this library if you don’t already know what you’re looking for.

Kobo has an online store you can access through your web browser, and while this isn’t a whole lot different, you can always open a second tab to search for recommendations this way!

The store also lets you browse the Kobo Plus library — this offers you unlimited downloads of eBooks or audiobooks (depending on the tier you opt for) to your device, as a rival service to Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited. Voracious readers will find this an affordable way to read new books.

If you don’t want to rely on the built-in store or Kobo Plus, or if you simply want to add your own documents onto the Elipsa 2E, you can, and we found doing so simple. 

All you need to do is plug the device into your computer using a USB-C cable, find the files you want to add to the Kobo and drag them into the file for the device — it took us only seconds to add scripts we wanted to mark up and documents we needed to take notes on.

Oh, and if you wanted your Kobo for even more entertainment, it also has a few built-in games like Sudoku, Klondike, a block sliding game, a word search and several more card games.

Kobo Elipsa 2: battery life

Kobo’s official battery estimation for the Elipsa 2E, as per its website, is “weeks” – while this is quite a nebulous guess, based on our own testing, we’d emphasize the plural.

With a bigger battery than its predecessor, the Elipsa 2E has a really impressive battery life. In fact, it’s so impressive that we couldn’t fully test it – two weeks into our testing period, after on average about an hour of use daily, the battery was still on 63%. 

Based on that, we’d make the conservative estimate that the Elipsa 2E will last for four weeks of use for this kind of activity. Of course prolific readers or note-takers might burn through that power quickly, but it’ll still easily outlast your iPad or Android tablet.

Charging is done with a USB-C port on the right edge of the device – the Stylus 2 also has this port, so one cable will power both devices. You can’t share power between the stick and the slate, though.

Kobo Elipsa 2: verdict

The Kobo Elipsa 2E isn't a device if you just want an affordable e-reader, and that's not what Rakuten is trying to make here.

This is one of the best e-readers on the market for people who want note-taking functionality, with enough features and storage space to make it a handy portable creative or business companion, without a price that breaks the bank.

While we did have one or two small issues with it, these quibbles may not even rise for you depending on your use cases, and most of them are ones common with all e-readers, not just Kobo ones.

Knowing how to clean a laptop keyboard is important to maintain a functioning laptop with responsive, tactile keys. A build-up of dirt on your laptop keyboard can cause the keys to stick and can even clog up the components underneath, causing permanent damage. I was facing the issue of sticky keys myself, so I had to tackle learning how to clean it, which I took one step further by later finding out how to clean a laptop screen too. 

The best keyboards can get especially dirty because we use them every day, so the oils from your fingers, as well as crumbs, can quickly build up over time. Luckily, the best wireless keyboards and built-in keyboards are really quite easy to clean, especially with the following steps. Now that I have one of the best laptops, I am doing my best to maintain it to keep its performance high so that it lasts as long as possible. 

Why should you clean your laptop keyboard?

A dirty laptop keyboard can cause the keys to getting stuck, and in extreme cases can even cause permanent damage to the keys. If your keys lose functionality then your laptop is pretty much useless, which will be a much more costly issue. 

Luckily, it's quick and easy to clean a laptop keyboard to avoid any longterm problems. Some dirt can harbor germs, which isn’t great if you’re like me and you use your laptop while eating. It's important to frequently clean your laptop keyboard to maintain high functionality and to keep yourself healthy and germ-free. 

How to clean a laptop keyboard 

There are a few quick and easy steps to follow when you clean a laptop keyboard. The following steps are what I did to remove the dust and dirt, and it's a process that I'll be repeating frequently in the future. You can optionally use a can of compressed air, which usually retail for around $5. 

1. Shut down your laptop

Shut down your laptop to avoid any damage during the cleaning process. If your laptop is on and the fans are moving then there is a risk of them getting damaged or becoming loose. 

2. Shake the laptop

Turn your laptop upside down and gently shake it to dislodge as much of the dirt as possible. Rotate it at different angles to get as many clumps of dust or crumbs out as possible. 

3. Use compressed air

If you want a deeper clean, keep your laptop upside down and use a can of compressed air to spray between the keys to get any remaining dirt and dust out. 

4. Use a toothpick on the keys

A toothpick or a cotton swab can be used to remove any of the stubborn dirt around the edges of the keys. Don’t force it underneath any of the keys as this can damage your laptop. 

Never use any chemicals or liquid cleaners when cleaning your keyboard as this can cause irreversible damage to your laptop and may stop it from working entirely. 

How often should you clean a laptop keyboard?

How often you should clean a laptop keyboard depends on a lot of things. If you use your laptop every day, then the keyboard will get dirty a lot more frequently than if you use it once a week. If you eat or drink near your laptop, or if your office is particularly dusty then it will also require more frequent cleaning. 

Generally, it is a good rule of thumb to clean your laptop keyboard about once every two weeks if you use it heavily, and once a month if you use it less. If you notice that your keys are less tactile, if they're sticking or not responding properly then you might need to clean your keyboard sooner. Regular cleaning can extend the life of your laptop and can also prevent your screen from getting scratched or dirty.  

Top tips for keeping a laptop keyboard clean 

Deep clean every couple of months

If you complete one deep clean every couple of months then it will significantly cut down the amount of time that you spend cleaning your laptop keyboard. Use compressed air and cotton swabs or toothpicks to remove as much dirt as possible so that is easy to maintain in the future. 

Never use water or chemicals 

Never use water or chemicals when cleaning a laptop keyboard. Doing this can cause severe damage to your laptop and may stop it from working entirely. 

Prevent the problem

Avoid eating and drinking near your laptop to avoid crumbs or food particles from getting into the keyboard. By eating away from your laptop you will prevent a lot of the dirt that leads to the keys becoming sticky. 

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If you're an avid Blu-ray collector and enjoy having physical copies of your favorite movies, you've probably wondered, are there region-free 4K Blu-ray players? 

While streaming has seemingly eclipsed physical media now, there will always be room for hard copies of movies and TV shows. Whether it’s because you can actually own the media, internet instability or because of the better quality afforded by physical media, the best Blu-ray players aren't going anywhere just yet.

Technology must always progress, though, and UHD Blu-ray, also known as 4K Blu-ray or Ultra-HD Blu-ray increases the resolution of your movies for an even better experience – if you have the player and television to take advantage of them.

What you may not know is that DVDs, Blu-rays and UHD Blu-rays remain region-locked. While video games have moved, for the most part, away from region locking, movies and TV are still a little behind. The good news is that you won’t need to set up multiple ultra-HD Blu-ray players under your TV thanks to region-free UHD Blu-ray players.

What are Blu-ray players?

Blu-ray players are devices that play, as the name suggests, Blu-ray discs. They’re similar in a lot of ways to a DVD player, and they play DVDs, too.

Believe it or not, DVDs aren’t a high-definition form of media – they top out at 480p, meaning the picture quality pales in comparison to a 1080p Blu-ray disc (provided you have an HD TV).

Blu-ray has actually been around since 2003, when the first Blu-ray player arrived – costing almost $4000, and it only played media recorded by the user because there were no commercially available movies or TV shows.

Thankfully, the technology has grown cheaper, and many users’ first experience of the format will likely have been with the PlayStation 3. Sony’s console was expensive at the time, but it ran games off of Blu-ray discs while also allowing Blu-ray movie playback – something that the PlayStation 4 and 5 have maintained. In fact, rival manufacturer Microsoft backed HD DVD instead but has also adopted Blu-ray as the standard for its Xbox console’s physical games.

Blu-rays can offer higher-fidelity content, both in terms of visuals and audio, over DVDs because they store considerably more data; a DVD can store 4.7GB per layer, or 8.5GB on a dual-layer disc.  

On the other hand, Blu-ray discs start at 25GB on a single-layer disc and reach 50GB of data on a dual-layer one. In both instances, dual layers are predominantly used for recording a user’s media, while single-layer discs are the kind you get your favorite movies on.

Ultra-HD or 4K Blu-ray players start at 50GB, with 66GB and 100GB versions. The bigger the data on the disc, the faster the data rate needed to read it, hence specific 4K Blu-ray players. 

Are there region-free 4K Blu-ray players? 

In a word, yes. There are players that will play your Ultra-HD Blu-ray discs regardless of which region they’re from. There are also region-free non-Ultra-HD Blu-ray players.

So whether you’ve purchased a sought-after copy of a movie from Zone A, B, or C, you’ll be able to play them in the comfort of your own home.

Unlike DVDs, which use numerical regions, Blu-ray regions are as follows:

Region A: North America, South America, United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and some other parts of Southeast Asia

Region B: Europe, Africa, Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand

Region C: Asia (other than those listed in Region A)

You can also find region-free Blu-ray and Ultra-HD Blu-ray discs that can be played anywhere, but as noted by Sony’s support site, this is an unofficial designation.

As you can imagine, you can buy region-locked players, too. This is handy if you move to a new country and start to collect movies, and may save you some money versus buying a region-free one.

What’s the best region-free 4K Blu-ray player? 

Depending on your budget, there are dozens of choices. Some offer built-in streaming services, too, so you have the best of both worlds, while some are a little more stripped back and don’t have Wi-Fi – which can limit some functionality on Blu-ray discs.

For our money, we’d consider the Sony UBP-X700. Not only does it offer full region-free capabilities for Blu-Ray (both UHD and standard), DVDs, and CDs, but it’ll also offer 3D playback, Dolby Vision support, and built-in Wi-Fi. That means it can take advantage of network features, while also receiving regular firmware updates to keep it in tip-top condition.

It can also send audio to a set of speakers instead of the TV if you’d like.

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Bezgar is an up-and-coming RC car maker with a range of models to choose from. Its main attraction is price. Bezgar RC cars offer a lot of bang for the buck, especially the entry-level Bezgar TB141 we’ll look at in detail in this review. 

While it can’t compete with much more powerful, and much more expensive, RC cars like the Traxxas Rustler XL-5, the Bezgar TB141 is one of the best remote control cars out there for beginners and younger children. 

Bezgar TB141: What's in the box?

What you get in the Bezgar TB141’s box is generous, considering the price. 

Aside from the car and controller, there’s a small screwdriver, two rechargeable 6V, 800mAh Nickel-Cadmium batteries and two charging cables. There are also some spare screws and a simple instruction manual. Two things are missing that you’ll need. The first is an actual charging plug, but most people should have quite a few of these around the house. An old phone charger is likely to work perfectly for this job although you can even use a laptop. 

The second thing missing is the batteries for the controller. It takes three AA batteries so don’t forget to package it up with a pack of AAs if you’re giving it as a gift.

Bezgar TB141: Setup

Years ago I had to precariously fill a tiny tank with pungent fuel, patiently heat up starters before playing with a fast RC car and then having to make sure every tube and part was clean before storing away so that the engine didn’t seize. 

Electric motors have changed all that and allow fun and cheap RC cars like the Bezcar TB141 to be played with (almost) straight out of the box and require almost no maintenance. Plug one of the two supplied battery packs into the bottom compartment of the RC car, add batteries (not supplied) to the controller, switch both devices on, and you’re off. 

My car came with some charge in both batteries, but the manufacturer recommends you charge the batteries between four-six hours the first time. That means it’s worth getting it out of the box and charging both batteries overnight if this will be a gift and the lucky child will want to play with it immediately. 

There are a few minor issues when setting up this RC car. The cross-head screwdriver provided with the Bezgar TB141 is small and cheap and doesn’t work well with the stiff screws on the bottom of the controller and the car itself. I almost stripped a few screws before moving to a better-sized screwdriver, but removing the controller’s battery cover still required so much force to unclip that I was worried of breaking it the first time. On the plus side, I haven’t had to change the batteries in the controller for well over six months.

The battery compartment on the TB141 itself is easier to open, but the battery fit is too snug mainly because there’s too much cabling. This means it takes a fair bit of fiddling to get the battery pack to fit flush with the bottom of the car so that the battery cover doesn’t bow outwards.

Bezgar TB141: Build quality and design

Overall build quality is good considering this RC car costs less than $45. There’s plenty of shiny metal on show, but it’s the tough bumpers, shocks and tires that make this one mean-looking machine that can take a beating. 

One thing you should take care of is the exposed wheels. This is very common in buggy-style RC cars like the Bezgar TB141, but it means that a hard hit on a front wheel can cause it to snap. Play with it outdoors or in plenty of space, and that won’t be a problem, but start racing indoors, and that tight corner around the door frame might end in tears. Well, that happened when my 6-year-old was being a bit too exuberant with our first Bezgar TB141 indoors. A slightly wider front bumper would help.

That breakage was entirely my fault for allowing indoor play, but there’s more good news about this RC car. It’s surprisingly repairable, even if you can’t find the exact part. If you are a little handy, you can remove most parts of the TB141 using a small crosshead screwdriver. Some epoxy resin and a few hours to set and the Bezgar was back in business, although it pulls ot the right. Thankfully the steering trim on the bottom of the chassis mostly resolved this issue and now both my boys have an RC car to play with. 

The designers have made the Bezgar TB141 look good and feel solid without adding too much weight. There are some flourishes like the fake spare tire and bar lights on the roof that light up. My kids think it looks cool and I do too. The red one we tested here glints nicely in the sun and the aluminum is easy to wipe clean, but you also have the choice of blue, green, pink and yellow. 

The controller is where some corners have been cut to keep costs down. It feels very light and could be put together better. The wheel is a little rattly and just hard plastic with some ridges, there’s no rubber texture. This is probably too much to ask at this price but one thing that could be improved without cost is the size of the Bezgar TB141’s controller. It’s slightly too large for an RC car designed for kids, making it particularly hard for little fingers to push the trigger throttle for reverse. 

It runs using a 2.4GHz signal which means once the car and controller are paired you should be able to play near other RC cars without interference. I have had two Bezgar TB141s running at the same time without problems so you can buy pairs of these for some racing action. It’s probably worth choosing different colours though so you know which is which. 

I’ve seen some claims that the Bezgar TB141 is waterproof, but it is not. While the battery cover and ride height offer a little protection against water and very small puddles, it is not certified water-resistant, so you shouldn’t get it wet. 

Bezgar TB141: Control and speed

The design of the controller could do with some improvement, but it still works well. The claimed 50m range matched our tests and the car responds quickly to commands, although there’s little nuance to cornering. Turn the wheel in either direction and the RC car tires fully lock, there’s no proportional steering. It’s the same for the gas. The trigger is just an on-off switch rather than an analogue throttle. It doesn’t matter if you press it softly or hard, the Bezgar 141 sticks the pedal to the metal and sets off at full speed. This makes it simple for beginners and children but perhaps too basic for anyone with even a little RC car experience.   

Even though there’s not a lot you can do with the controls, it’s still fun to drive. It sprints off and by tapping on and off the throttle, you can corner with more control. That’s because at full speed the Bezgar TB141 comes with plenty of understeer. That means that at speed it can sometimes take corners very wide unless you’re on a very grippy surface like high-quality tarmac. 

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it off-road. On slightly gravelly or earthy surfaces you can drift into the corners, and with a tap of reverse you can get it to perform a very satisfying 180 and come right back at you. 

The Bezgar TB141 is fast, especially compared to other cheap RC cars. The brushed motor offers plenty of power at this price, but ignore claims it can hit 25KPH. It’s closer to 12-18KPH, depending on the surface it’s being driven on. That is still plenty fast for a starter RC car. 

Bezgar TB141: Performance

On-road

Even though the Bezgar TB141 looks like an off-road beast it’s firmly designed for harder, smoother surfaces. Its ground clearance is a little less than an inch at the front and ¾ of an inch at the back, and it is rear-wheel drive, rather than four-wheel drive. That means it’s perfectly designed for tarmac, concrete and surfaces with some texture. 

On smoother surfaces like hardwood or polished stone floors the hard tires struggle to find grip making it difficult to control, another reason to ensure you only use the Bezgar TB141 outdoors.  

Off-road

While the Bezgar is more suited to on-road fun it can handle a bit of the rough stuff. Small gravel and very low-cut grass are ok, but anything less than half an inch and the Bezgar TB141 gets stuck and difficult to control. 

While the independent spring suspension on the front can handle some bumps, the stiff rear rigid axle suspension means it jumps and rattles about making it tough to keep in a straight line. 

If you plan to use your RC car primarily off-road, it’s worth looking at a more expensive model with four-wheel drive, better suspension and higher ground clearance. That’s also the case if you want to get some air. The TB141 can perform jumps, but only just.   

Bezgar TB141: Battery life

Many sellers claim the Bezgar TB141 RC car offers 20-30 minutes of total playtime, but bear in mind the car comes with two batteries. In reality expect between 10 and 12 minutes of constant play per battery pack, with performance seeing a major dip at around the 10-minute mark. That is still enough for a whole lot of fun. If it isn’t, you can buy extra packs for around $12 providing even more battery life for the Bezgar TB141. Remember to take a screwdriver with you if you’re taking them far as you’ll need one to change batteries.

One thing to make sure you do to conserve battery life is to turn the Bezgar TB141 off using the switch on the bottom of the car. The light bar on the roof of the car does not have an automatic switch-off timer which means it will empty the batteries if you forget to turn it off. 

While it has two battery packs and two charging cables, it does not come with a charging plug. The cables are USB type A meaning you can charge them using most older phone chargers. If you don’t have a charger then something like this one from Amazon would work well. 

The signal that the battery low is a red light on the charging cable. It stays on while it is charging and turns off when it has finished.  

Should you buy the Bezgar TB141?

The Bezgar TB141 is a perfect starter RC car, especially for kids between five and ten. If you want a gift for someone who doesn’t know whether RC cars will become a hobby. It’s a lot of fun and my kids make a whole lot of new friends every time we take it to the park. It’s robust, not too expensive and can be repaired relatively easily so you probably won’t feel too precious about it being mishandled. 

Having said that, if you, or the person you’re buying this for, is serious about RC cars then the Bezgar TB141 may be too basic. The Bezgar HM162 is twice the price but offers a whole lot more performance. It’s 4WD, boasts a much more powerful motor and higher speed and crucially comes with proportional steering and throttle meaning much more finesse in control.  

Whether you're on the hunt for one of the best photo printers, or your office tech has left you curious, you might find yourself asking 'how does a laser printer work?'  Printing with lasers may sound like a work of science fiction, but laser printing technology has been around since 1969, when research began by Gary Starkweather at Xerox, leading to the world’s first commercial laser printer - the Xerox 9700 launching in 1977. Since their inception, they’ve become a firm favorite for office environments due to their inherently super crisp text, speed, reliability, and cost efficiency.

Laser printers use toner cylinders, which can be a single black toner roller on entry-level black and white laser printers, while more expensive full color laser models come with additional rollers, usually four in total, for black, cyan, yellow, and magenta colors. 

In operation, each Organic Photoconductor (OPC) drum becomes negatively charged by the primary charge roller (PCR). The printer software works out which parts of your sheet of paper need black, cyan, yellow or magenta toner to create the final image and fires a laser onto the relevant part of the drum to give it a positive charge to attract the negatively charged toner onto the drum from the toner hopper. 

The laser printing process is highly choreographed and at this point, your sheet of paper passes over the roller which has had the toner transferred to it. After passing through all of the rollers and the final document or image is created by all black, cyan, yellow, and magenta colors, it passes through the melting assembly where it becomes permanently melted into the paper. 

Due to the super fine resolution of the laser, this means that you can achieve crisp lines, much sharper than would be possible with even a high-end inkjet printer.

Now you know how they work, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons to find out if a laser printer is suitable for you…

Advantages of laser printers 

Laser printers have become commonplace in many offices because they’re very reliable and cost-efficient. Inkjet models are built completely differently, using print heads that disperse wet ink droplets onto the media and this is why you need to wait a little while for your prints to dry before touching them with inkjet printers, however, prints on laser printers come out fully dry and ready to go.

Inkjet printers also suffer from clogged print heads if they go long periods without use which can lead to unsightly lines or banding appearing in your prints. There’s a wastage issue associated with inkjet models too as you might be tempted to dispose of a partially used cartridge with a blocked print head to install a new cartridge with a fresh print head. This isn’t an issue with laser printers, and while each toner cartridge is expensive, at roughly £40-60 per toner, they last for incredibly long periods of time and depending on how much toner is used on each page this could be anywhere from a few thousand pages to tens of thousands of pages before your toners need replacing.

Laser printers can work out more cost-effective depending on what you’re printing and how often. If you do get low on toner or see banding you can take the toner cartridge out and gently tilt it from side to side to redistribute the toner and you should be able to extend the life of the toner roll a little after which it’s time to replace it with a new drum. Our Xerox C8130 laser printer also comes with a cleaning rod you can use to clean the colors and fix the banding.

Due to the nature of laser printers, they also deliver extremely crisp and sharp text making them great for office documents and they can print in a fraction of the time of an inkjet model.

Disadvantages of laser printers 

So we’ve looked at the advantages of laser printers and now it’s time to consider their drawbacks. Laser printers use large toner cartridges and roller drums compared to a small inkjet cartridge, so laser printers inevitably take up a larger footprint. However, this isn’t usually an issue for the large spacious office environments that they’re well suited for, but could potentially be a deal-breaker for someone looking to get a printer for their home office. 

There’s also the cost, though this isn’t straightforward. Inkjet printers are sold very cheaply, for less than it costs to make them in many cases, this is because the manufacturers make their money from the sale of ink cartridges.

However, laser printers are an expensive purchase, to begin with, plus you have the toner cartridges which cost around £40-60 each too, though as stated before they can last a very long time and be more cost-effective than inkjet models.

We spoke to one business owner that chooses to lease his laser printer paying around £200 per month and then on top of that 5p per color print and 0.005p per black and white print. As part of the lease, the company provides all of the toners you need as well as maintenance and keeps you up to date with the newest laser model too, you just provide your own paper. When we spoke to him he’d printed 14,000 pages and his black toner was only at 50%.

Another cost-related downside is they tend to be less power efficient as the laser and heating assembly use more electricity than your average inkjet model. This could be a sticking point given the increased cost of energy in the current cost of living crisis. 

One last thing to consider is that if you plan to print on labels you’ll need to get a pack specifically designed to work with laser printers with a thickness of at least 74 gsm to withstand the heat and avoid burning or jamming your printer which could be a costly mistake!

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If you're keen to make printing as simple as possible, then you're probably curious as to how to print from an Android phone. While it’s true that if you want really fine precision over your prints your best bet is to use a desktop computer or laptop with a dedicated program like Photoshop CC, sometimes all you need is ease. In many cases, it’s just more practical to quickly send documents directly to your printer from your Android smartphone or tablet. 

Your printer will need to have WiFi and be connected to the same wireless network as your Android smart device to get started. All of the best compact printers should feature the Mopria protocol. This was developed by Canon, HP, Smasung and Xerox and works in a similar way to Apple’s Airprint, allowing you to print wirelessly with compatible printers without the need to download a specific app to do so, helping to save time. 

So, here’s how to print from an Android phone.

How to print from webpage on an Android phone

Open up the Internet browser on your Android device, such as Google Chrome, and navigate the site to find the exact webpage you’d like to print. Next, tap the icon with three vertical dots next to your search bar and choose 'share', then scroll along until you find the 'print' option. You’ll now see a printing preview of what your webpage will look like once printed. 

Webpages can often be very long with lots of scrolling text, so if you only need a portion of the webpage to be printed you can select each page that you want to be printed. This will help you save both ink and paper, which is more economical. Once you have selected the pages, set the destination at the top to the printer you would like to print to. You can also change the number of copies you’d like to print and alter the paper size that is the same as what you have loaded. 

How to print images from an Android phone

Load up the 'Gallery' app, or whichever app you use to sort and manage images on your Android device. Now, scroll through to find the image you’d like to print, or if you’d like to print several images, hold down your finger on one of the thumbnails until you’re able to tick all of the images.  

Next tap 'more' (the icon looks like three vertical dots) and choose 'print' or 'export to PDF' from the list that appears. You then need to choose your printer from the drop down box at the top, set how many copies you’d like to print and change the paper size to whatever paper is currently loaded into your printer.  

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In our modern digital age setting up a new device should be simple, but it's still easy to find yourself searching 'how do I get my printer online?' 

Whether you're struggling to connect it to a computer, WiFi, or even your smartphone, we've got some quick steps to simplify the process. In this article we’ll look at how to get setup and overcome common issues that prevent you from setting up your printer. 

One thing to note is that if you’ve recently upgraded to a new router and your printer has stopped working, this could be because some older printers are incompatible with newer 5G routers. Be sure to check if your new router is 5G and the compatibility of your printer as if it has stopped working this is likely the cause. If so, you’ll either need to revert back to your old router or upgrade to a new printer that is compatible with 5G. You’ll also want to make sure that your printing apps and OS are up to date.

1. Connect to your computer and install the drivers

The first step is to connect your printer to your laptop or desktop computer using its provided USB cable. This should then allow you to download and install the proprietary drivers on your computer to get it all set up correctly, though be sure to check your owner's manual as this may change slightly from the manufacturer.

With our HP Deskjet, we connected it to a PC via the cable and switched it on. This then automatically prompted the plug-and-play drivers on the printer to install the HP Easy Start app allowing us to connect wired or wirelessly to the printer. We advise choosing the wireless option as this will set it up to allow you to use other smart devices via AirPrint in the future, just make sure that both your printer and computer are connected to the same WiFi network. You may also need to turn off a VPN in this initial setup phase. 

2. Connect to your smartphone

If your printer has the AirPrint capability, which many modern printers have, you'll have some basic functionality. However, this is rather rudimentary and the best way to print will be through a dedicated printing app. 

Consult your printer’s owners manual to find out which specific app you need to download for your smart device, such as the HP Smart Print app for HP printers. Not only will this give you more printing options, you’ll have full functionality of any extra features like scanning and copying.

What if my printer doesn't have WiFi? 

For older printers that don’t have WiFi or AirPrint functionality, you may still be able to get them online. You might need to connect your printer’s wired connection to the back of your internet router and many modern routers have a USB port you can plug your printer directly into. This will give your printer wireless functionality and allow you to find it on your network. You can then send your documents or images wirelessly to your router to print them.

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The ONYX BOOX Note Air 2 will set you back close to $500, so it's certainly an investment that's worth researching. On the plus side though, the 10.3-inch screen makes it appealing to those who might feel limited by a niftier Kindle, and it operates on Android 11, meaning you'll have access to countless apps for keeping up-to-date with news and current affairs as well as your favorite novels. 

Although I'm partial to my Kindle Paperwhite, I was intrigued to try an e-reader that works with an Android operating system, and was wowed at the freedom this gave me to take notes while reading. Best of all, I didn't lose the collection of books I'd built up over the years as a Kindle user, because all of these were accessible using the Kindle app, which can be downloaded on Google Play. 

When testing the ONYX BOOX Note Air 2, I kept the user experience at the front of my mind. Admittedly, I'm not the most tech-savvy reviewer, but this means that my experience can act as a good comparison point if you're someone who likes the sound of a more amped-up e-reader, but is nervous about tackling a whole new interface. 

Does this product deserve to be included in our lineup of the best tablets? Read on to find out.

ONYX BOOX Note Air 2: First impressions

The ONYX BOOX Note Air 2 comes well-packaged with a charger and a stylus included. It charges using a USB-C and has a very generous 64GB of storage, available as the only option.

Color-wise, I tested the Blue which had a slight metallic look, paired with a matt screen which had the perfect texture to simulate the paper feel of a real book. In testing I found that this was excellent at resisting glare, and very comparable to my Kindle Paperwhite. 

My first impression of the ONYX BOOX Note Air 2 was the size, which is pretty wide at 10.3-inches. Reading the dimensions on the website, I thought the thickness must've been a typo. But no, at just under 6mm, it's incredibly thin and lightweight. 

ONYX BOOX Note Air 2: Setup

The ONYX BOOX Note Air 2 runs on an Android 11 operating system. This is unusual for e-readers, putting it somewhere between a Kindle and a tablet. The main benefit of running on Android is that you can access the Google Play store, which means you can download apps for reading your favorite news outlets, and access files on your Drive which you can interact with using the stylus included. 

Of course, there's also the Kindle app, which you can download and use to access any books you've bought on an existing e-reader. That's what I did, although I was also able to download any books that have entered public domain completely free on the main store app direct from the BOOX sidebar. 

This would be particularly useful for students or those doing work that involves taking notes directly onto diagrams. You can even copy web pages into your notebook and directly draw or type on there using the stylus.

Interestingly, although the pen is very responsive, I did experience some lagging when scrolling from page to page and also when using the keypad. 

ONYX BOOX Note Air 2: Taking notes

I was really impressed with the note-taking abilities on the BOOX Note Air 2. The pen has a nice weight and grip to it, with a removable lid and magnetic panel on the side that makes it easy to attach to the side of the e-reader. 

When writing you can choose between a range of pen types, including pencil, highlighter, and even a fountain pen style that gives your notes a handwritten look. You can also fully customize the size of your sketches, and this goes on a scale of quite large to incredibly fine - ideal for slotting between small lines of text. 

If you're left-handed like me, you'll need to change the page orientation of the e-reader to get the most of the note-taking functions. The panel to hold the e-reader is automatically to the left side of the screen, so if you're holding the e-reader and hoping to take notes as a left-handed person you could be left awkwardly holding the other side with your right hand while writing with your left. To get around this you need to swipe down to bring up screen options, and then rotate the screen. 

Once this was done, I was able to do some decent note-taking with the ONYX BOOX Note Air 2. The screen is incredibly responsive with no lagging, and lots of options to select and move your text, erase any mistakes and even do some sketching. 

ONYX BOOX Note Air 2: Display

Controls for the display are easily accessed by swiping up from the base of the tablet. You can change font size, typeface, and even the boldness of the text. 

When it comes to the screen itself, it's easy to change the brightness, contract, and the type of backlight you'd like. 

The display is one of the best features with the ONYX BOOX Note Air 2 without a doubt. It features E Ink Carta which aims to make reading as comfortable on a tablet as it is with a regular book, and although it's a little less comfortable to hold thanks to the large screen, I do broadly agree that the screen does not strain the eyes even after prolonged use. 

ONYX BOOX Note Air 2: Battery life

From initial setup, the ONYX BOOX Note Air 2 took about two hours to charge fully. The brand claims that it takes five weeks to run out of battery when left on standby, which I can't attest to. As I used it on my daily commute though, I found that the battery life was decent. For two hours of daily use in the week I tested it, the battery dropped by 50%. 

The battery is definitely less long-lasting than the Kindle Paperwhite, which only decreased by 25% in the month I spent testing it. However, the Paperwhite is also a lot less capable. 

ONYX BOOX Note Air 2: Other features

The ONYX BOOX Note Air 2 does have audio functions. After downloading my go-to news app, the tablet would make the same notification sound that you'd get with your smartphone. The audio quality is nothing special, so I wouldn't use it in place of a speaker, but you can connect to the Note Air 2 using wireless headphones for listening to audiobooks, and you can even record audio if you're going to lectures or want to record notes to re-visit at a later date. 

ONYX BOOX Note Air 2: What the experts say

I spoke to the ONYX BOOX team to understand where the e-reader sits in the market. Since I started reviewing the Note Air 2, the brand has brought out the Note Air 2 Plus. 

"The Plus version has an enlarged battery and new color", the team told me. "Both run on Android 11 and come with 4GB + 64GB storage." 

The BOOX shutoff screen encapsulates the brand pretty well. It reads: 'Like a tablet, unlike any tablet', and I'd concur that this is a pretty good description of how the tablet works. 

"The small e-readers could barely handle a PDF for regular books, or access resources from 3rd-party apps. Using E Ink tablets, such as the Note air2, enables a user’s workflow to improve with documents, handwritten notes and emails all in the same eye-friendly device" says CEO of BOOX, Kim Dan. 

"We always design our products for people who are looking for better ways of improving their productivity, their workflow and their capacity.”

ONYX BOOX Note Air 2: Verdict

At just shy of $500, the ONYX BOOX Note Air 2 is an expensive e-reader. In fact, depending on what you're looking for, you may be better off shopping for an entry-level tablet that runs on Android. 

If your main concern is finding an e-reader, I don't know that I'd recommend the BOOX Note Air 2 over a more basic e-reader from the likes of Kindle. 

Where the Note Air 2 really stands out is its unparalleled note-taking abilities, which make it a no-brainer for students or those who plan on using their new tablet for work or research. 

Whether you’re sending out a job application or you need to post items for work, learning how to print on envelopes will make your letters look far more professional than a handwritten address. Plus, it's quick and easy to achieve. 

The best compact printers will make this task even simpler, so you don't need to e an expert. When it comes to the software that we’ll be using to create our printed envelopes we’ll be using Microsoft Office and customizing one of the ready-made templates which makes it super quick to do. If you don’t have access to Microsoft Word you could also use a program like Google Docs or Adobe Photoshop CC. Here’s how you can do it…

How to print on envelopes

Envelopes come in different shapes and sizes and you’ll need to find out the dimensions of the envelope you have before printing. This should be written on the packaging materials, though if you’ve since disposed of them all you need to do is get a ruler and measure the length and height.

Turn on your printer and connect it to your computer by USB cable, WiFi or NFC. Then, insert the envelope into the paper loading tray with the shortest side at the bottom. The envelope needs to be front face up and you may need to adjust a slider on the printing tray to keep it in place and correctly aligned - especially if you’ve previously been printing A4, as envelopes are usually much smaller.

We used Microsoft Word to print our envelopes though you could use Google Docs or even Photoshop. We found it particularly easy to use Microsoft Word as you can go to 'File>New From Template', then from the templates list click on 'Stationary' and you’ll find a good variety of envelope templates. You just need to click the one that you like the look of and you can then change the color and fonts to customize the template to your liking.

The template we picked had a space in the top left for your organization, but this can simply be deleted if not needed by clicking on it and tapping the delete key. Then, type in the relevant details where the template tells you to, such as the recipient's name and address. You can delete blank text lines above the recipient name if you want to move the block of the text upwards to make sure it’s in the center of the envelope.

It’s now time to print so go to 'File>Print' and in the 'Page Setup' menu set the paper size to a relevant envelope size. If you can’t find one that’s quite right click 'Manage Custom Sizes' and manually input the width and height of your envelope. Finally, make sure the orientation is set to landscape to match the way your envelope is loaded into the printer, and hit 'Print' to finish.

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Learning how to print double-sided will allow you to get the most out of your printer. Double-sided printing, also commonly called duplex printing, is a common feature on all of the best compact printers and is essential for printing items like books or magazines. It's also useful for the everyday home office as double-sided printing helps to keep your documents organized and cuts down on paper waste, which is always a good thing! 

Here, we look at how to set up, use, and customize the double-sided printing options as well as how to manually print on both sides of a sheet of paper. If your printer is lacking this feature, or perhaps it’s time for an upgrade, it might be a good time to invest in one of the best compact printers. Here’s how it works…

How to print double-sided

Connect your best compact printer to your computer and open up your document. In our case we opened a large spreadsheet into Google Sheets that was too big to comfortably sit on a single sheet of A4 so would need to be printed across two sheets of paper. Now go to File>Print and make sure that the printer you wish to print on is selected, rather than a different device or set to PDF. 

Run through the usual printer settings to make sure you have the correct paper size, pages per sheet and color selected. You can also resize to fit or scale options are set as you want them to be.

If your printer has duplex functionality and can automatically print on the opposite side of the paper you should see a double-sided tick-box. You may also be given the option to flip on the long edge or flip on short edge. Flipping on the long edge will keep your text in the same direction the same way as when you flick through a book the text is the correct way up on all pages. Flipping on the short edge will make the text on one side appear upside down when you turn it over - this could however be useful when printing pictures.

If your printer doesn’t have double-sided printing you’ll need to select 'Pages to Customised' and then set the range to 1 in order to print the first page on its own. Once you’ve printed the first page, simply turn it over horizontally and load it back into the paper tray - the blank side facing up. Then repeat the printing process but this time set the range to 2 to print the second page.

To keep your double-sided pages in order it’s a good idea to keep them neatly together with a plastic spine or ring binder.

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It’s incredible to think about how far phone technology has come in the last couple of decades. From landlines attached to a wall to mobile phones that act as supercomputers in your pocket, the best cordless phones tend to fall somewhere in the middle of convenience and complexity.

Offering the stability, and reassurance of a landline, along with plenty of more mobile-centric features like speakerphones and Bluetooth, a cordless phone is just as important for many homes and offices as the mobile phone you take with you everywhere – perhaps more so if you do not need a mobile at all.

Here’s why you should consider a cordless phone for your home or business.

Advantages of a landline 

Many of a cordless phone’s advantages stem from the fact that it’ll hook into your landline connection.

While that may sound obvious, it really does offer some big boons. For one, call quality is likely to be much better, since the base station is linked directly to your home’s telecoms rather than gasping for signal in whichever corner of your home or workplace you’re in.

Speaking of the workplace, a landline arguably makes your business appear more reputable simply because it can be tied to a physical address. This could lead to increased business for you and your company, while you can, if you’d like, set up a call-forwarding system to be able to take office calls on a mobile device anyway (the best of both worlds when you need to head out for a few minutes).

Another advantage is that a phone line is likely to be cheaper than a mobile plan, especially when factoring in data and potential handset charges. 

Why buy a cordless phone in 2022? 

Cordless phones work by connecting a handset to a base station that’s connected to your telephone network. While the handset is on the base station, it’s charging, but the big bonus of a cordless phone (as the name suggests) is that it’s able to be taken from room to room (and maybe even outside) 

As we noted earlier, though, as long as you’re in range of the base station, your call quality is likely to be better than that of a mobile phone – particularly if your home or office has a “dead spot” where the signal won’t reach your device for love nor money.

Cordless phones are also built for calls in a way that all-purpose mobile phones aren’t; because they don’t need to slip into your pocket for most of the day, they can be a fair bit bigger which means speaker and microphone systems can be larger, and clearer.

Because they aren’t touchscreen devices, cordless phones are often a lot easier to use for anyone with vision impairments or those who are simply less tech-savvy. That’s great for the older generation, too, particularly if they do not need a phone that runs apps or browses the web. With more usable space, that means cordless phones have larger buttons which can also improve usability.

Then there’s hearing aid assistance, which can make a huge difference to anyone with hearing impairment by using a “Telecoil” system to transfer sound to the hearing aids themselves.

Most cordless phones follow the DECT standard, which applies to phones all over the world. Any phone that follows the standard will offer a series of common features, including (but not restricted to) caller display, speakerphones, and a call-waiting indicator so you know when someone is calling, even if you’re using the phone.

DECT phones also aim to offer 50m of indoor coverage or 300m of outdoor coverage. For more on DECT, be sure to check out our guide to how cordless phones work.

There are also model-specific features (although these will vary based on the make and model of the cordless phone you pick up and aren’t standardized). These can include bundling multiple handsets in (ideal if you have multiple desks within an office, or if you misplace one), as well as backup power that runs off an emergency battery to keep the base station powered up – meaning you can still make calls in an emergency.

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It’s hard to believe that Blu-ray has been commercially available for more than a decade and a half at this point in 2022 – and it’s still running unopposed as the HD format of choice.

That’s not to say it’s been easy, though. Since 2006, new content delivery systems have grown. After all, Netflix itself was once a DVD rental service, while Blu-ray had to fight off the challenge of HD-DVD back in its early days.

Does Blu-ray have a future? And what does that look like beyond 2022? In truth, the format seems destined to decline, but it may not be as sharp a drop-off as you’d think. And if you're not ready to wave goodbye to your beloved Blu-rays, then check out our round-up of the best Blu-ray players. 

A growing list of competitors 

The COVID-19 pandemic may have closed off cinemas, but moviegoers were still determined to watch their movies – without going anywhere.

In January 2021, media analysts DEG reported that digital video sales finally eclipsed physical sales across Blu-ray and DVD in the US – reaching around $3 billion against physical media’s $2.5 billion.

That makes sense at any level given how many were sheltering at home, but in comparison to 2019’s numbers it looks dire for Blu-ray; physical media sales were down 26% from the year before, a hefty decline.

As movie studios looked to recoup some of their spiraling production and marketing budgets, many moved to digital rentals at the same time as theatrical releases – that meant Blu-ray and DVD releases of movies came months after many had seen them at home.

Other studios looked to add value to their streaming services, though, particularly in 2021 as audiences remained hesitant to head back to cinemas. This bolstered Blu-ray’s longest-running opposition – streaming services.

In Q4 of 2021, DEG reported that subscription streaming spending in the US rose by over 19% on 2020’s numbers in the same window.

While Blu-ray had long competed against Netflix, Prime Video, and plenty more, there are new threats including Apple TV+, HBO Max, and plenty more.

Reasons to be cheerful 

And yet, there are still many people that will flock to Blu-ray. For one, it’s the only way to own a physical HD copy of a movie you love (don’t forget that DVDs are still standard-definition).

Then there’s a question of quality; Blu-ray will offer superior pictures and sound compared to streaming services that rely on steady connections. It’d be fair to say that your average movie streamed on Netflix or Prime doesn’t look bad, but that it’ll be a little crisper in a physical format.

Then there’s 4K Blu-ray, which ups the bar again and makes things even more compelling for home theater enthusiasts and movie collectors.

Anyone worried about digital rights management (DRM) will also want to keep their favorite movies in physical form – after all, once a movie leaves one streaming service, there’s no guarantee it’ll reappear on another, while many classics still aren’t available digitally yet.

You’re also unlikely to give up your Blu-ray collection (or even DVDs) if your home broadband isn’t of a standard where it can carry a movie to your screen.

Finally, it’s worth noting that gaming, the medium that “Trojan horsed” a Blu-ray player into homes with the PlayStation 3, may just be the thing that keeps it going. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles, along with their immediate predecessors, are both still using Blu-rays. While games have undoubtedly begun to move into a digital future, small storage drives and expensive expansion options are sure to ensure gamers are ordering disc copies of the latest releases for some time yet.

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Although they're less common than before, landlines still have a place within the home, so how do cordless phones work? While mobile phones are now a key staple of modern life, there are still plenty of reasons to maintain a cordless phone in your property – and that doesn’t have to come at the cost of convenience or clever tech found within.

Landlines, even cordless ones, tend to offer more consistent call quality, plus it’s always nice to have a number tied to an address for business inquiries. You’ll also never miss an important call through a lack of signal coverage, too.

If you’re looking to buy one of the best cordless phones, or are just curious about the one you already own, you may be wondering just how the technology inside works. Wonder no more, as we’ve got the answers.

How does a cordless phone work? 

At the most basic level, your phone handset is communicating with the included base station via a radio connection, while the base station receives power and access to your landline network by being plugged into the wall.

In a lot of ways, it’s working a little like a two-way radio, so your landline signal is pushed to the handset’s earpiece, while your voice is transmitted back via the mouthpiece. As far as your landline is concerned, though, it’s no different from a corded phone.

That makes the base station invaluable, plus it’ll charge your handset when you set it down, too.

What is VoIP? 

Many cordless phones will work through VoIP, which means they offer “Voice over Internet Protocol”.

Put simply, these phones will skip your landline entirely and connect to your Wi-Fi or internet for calls instead. VoIP converts voices into a digital signal and is powered by a VoIP server.

While many VoIP services are free, they may offer limits on calls, or charge additional fees for the likes of additional features like video calls.

What is DECT? 

Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications, or DECT, is essentially a unified standard for cordless phones that applies internationally.

DECT phones will offer a series of standard features, like a caller display, a call-waiting indicator (so you know if someone is ringing while you’re on the phone), and a speakerphone. 

They’ll also aim to offer 50m of indoor coverage or 300m outside. The difference is down to the walls within your home interfering with the signal.

VoIP vs DECT - which is better? 

VoIP and DECT are not mutually exclusive, since DECT phones can be used for VoIP.

As mentioned earlier, VoIP phones are transferring your voice as data, while DECT is designed for voice. That can mean VoIP offers a lower quality call, simply because it’s not as specially designed for the purpose of calls as a DECT phone.

VoIP handsets may need to be charged more often, too, because data transfer is constant – while a DECT device is only active as long as you’re on a call.

DECT is also arguably more secure, because it uses 64-bit encryption, but VoIP is a little more flexible in that your service will likely offer ad hoc bonuses like conference calls, or connecting to a business line from home – ideal for remote working.

Can you make mobile calls from a cordless phone? 

Some phones will let you transfer your mobile phone contacts to a home phone, meaning you can make calls from it without needing to re-enter an endless stream of phone numbers. 

This is done through a technology called Link2Mobile which is available on certain cordless phones. This works by connecting your mobile device to your cordless phone via Bluetooth, outputting call audio via the receiver like your Bluetooth headphones would do, while receiving your voice through the handset, too.

You can also set up the option to have mobile calls relayed to your home phone. That can be handy if your phone is out of battery, or if you have poor cellphone reception in your home or office.

This can also lead to increased call quality; it’s easy to forget that mobile phones have so much technology packed inside of them that being an actual phone is almost secondary, while having a cordless phone handset that’s usually a little thicker than your mobile can allow for a better speaker to be included in the earpiece. 

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You might be wondering if a small printer can truly do it all and stand the test of time, so we're here to debunk some of the most common myths about compact printers. Printers have come a long way over the last couple of decades, going from behemoths that take up a fair chunk of space all the way down to the best compact printers that you can keep in a corner of your desk.

That’s led to some scepticism though – can a small printer really replace the old office workhorse? Are the cartridges much more expensive and do they need to be replaced more often? And does it take an age to print a single file?

We’ll answer all those questions and more as we look at why your next printer can be much smaller than your current one.

Before we start 

It’s worth remembering that compact printers won’t be for everyone. If you’re printing off reams of documents, looking for insane color accuracy on a photo print, or are looking to copy a novel’s worth of pages in a single hit, then you’ll always be better served with a more office-appropriate printer.

For your home office, though, there’s a lot to like – and some of it may surprise you. For the purposes of this article, it’s worth mentioning we print on an HP DeskJet 2700 series printer.

Myth 1: Compact printers take a long time to print 

While it’s true that a compact printer will, in most instances, print a tad slower than a huge printer that’s already marking up one page while one leaves hits the tray, for the majority of your document printing the difference is entirely negligible.

Our printer receives its instructions and gets straight to work, and if you’re printing one or two pages it’ll likely be done by the time you even reach the printer. Some printers can print more than one sheet at a time, too, meaning the latest chapter of your novel can be in your hands in a minute or less.

Myth 2: Compact printers require constant ink purchases 

There was a time in the 2000s where, if you had a printer at home, you’d constantly be panicking about the amount of toner or ink being used. That stigma has persisted somewhat into home printing in 2022, but it needn’t have.

Some printers are better than others, of course, but for the most part, you’ll get a cartridge or two included with your purchase and you’ll be impressed by how long they last compared to those older options. Some can offer over 1,000 pages for a standard cartridge.

Some, like HP, offer a subscription model for those that need to regularly produce hard copies of documents, meaning you’ll save on buying cartridges in the long run.

Myth 3: Compact printers offer lower quality output 

When it comes to printing hard copies of your important presentations or fondest memories, quality is everything. There’s nothing worse than spending ink on a project that comes out looking less than ideal.

Thankfully, that’s another thing that’s changed in the last few years. Depending on your format of choice (popular presentation apps like Canva will offer a print-focused PDF version, for example), your printouts can easily match those from a larger, more expensive printer.

Myth 4: Compact printers struggle with image printing 

While this does follow on a little from the last entry, if you’re focused on printing pictures then your printer can only do so much – you’ll want some nice photo paper, too. The good news is that compact printers are just as capable with photo paper, so there’s no real bottleneck there. 

In fact, a new subset of printers have sprung up that offer the chance to print images straight from your phone. While you may need to find something bigger for a larger print, there are a wealth of options in the space.

Myth 5: Compact printers are tough to set up 

Printers used to be a nightmare to set up, often requiring a mess of drivers and firmware updates, a couple of cables and occasionally a CD ROM, too (remember those?).

Nowadays, things are much simpler – often not requiring a PC at all. Plug in your printer, connect a device to its network (which will be instantly familiar if you’ve used smart home tech in the last few years), and complete the setup process via your phone, tablet, computer, or whatever else works.

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Wondering how to print in color properly? Color printing can seem like a dark art as there are a wide range of variables that can lead to dodgy colours, banding, streaks and inaccurate colours appearing in your final prints. 

Fear not though, as in this guide we aim to walk you through all of the steps to achieve perfect color prints…  

Ink cartridges 

Color printing starts with your inks. Some printers will have just two cartridges, a black cartridge and a tricolor one for cyan, magenta and yellow. For best print quality you should use the manufacturer’s cartridges, though many people opt for third-party ink refills that cost a fraction of the price. In our experience we’ve seen a slight drop in print quality with 3rd party refills, though they’re worth considering for casual use. 

If you’re looking for top quality prints that you can proudly hang on the wall, or sell for a profit, you’d be best buying the official ink cartridges from the manufacturer. The ink cartridge model number will be written on it and in the user manual so you know which to buy.

If you haven’t bought a printer yet and quality is a high priority it’s worth considering a printer that uses more than the standard black, yellow, cyan and magenta inks. For more accurate colours it’s best to opt for a printer with more ink cartridges for example: photo black, matte black, light black, light light black, cyan, light cyan, yellow, vivid magenta and vivid light magenta. A printer with more ink cartridges will have a far greater range of tones at its disposal than the standard black and tricolour setup, delivering deep shadows and vibrant colours that really pop. You’ll also find the cartridges don’t need to be replaced as often.

Printing options

For the best possible prints we recommend printing from your laptop or desktop as the options on smartphones and tablets can be fairly basic. Choose your printer from the first drop-down menu and make sure 'black & white' is left unchecked, or if there is a drop-down menu to choose between 'color' and 'black & white', then choose 'color'.

Next, you’ll want to set the paper size. This will be determined by the media you’re printing on so set it to A4, A5, or A3 or whichever size your paper is and if your printer can do borderless printing you may also want to choose this option to avoid a white border around the edge of your photos. You’ll also want to choose between portrait or landscape orientation and set the scale to 100%. 

Under the media and quality options, you’ll want to choose 'best' for the best possible prints, or if you just want to do a quick test print to check everything and not waste too much ink you could choose the 'draft' option. You’ll also want to set the 'media type' to matt or glossy depending on the media you’re printing on - it will say this on your paper packaging. Glossy media will give you much punchier colors and stronger contrast, but at the cost of glare and reflections in direct sunlight and fingerprints will show up on it more readily, so a good quality archival matt paper is ideal for keeping strong colors, low reflections and less chance of colors fading over many years.

Calibration

If you print from a program like Adobe Photoshop CC you have more color management options, such as whether to let the printer or Photoshop manage the colors. For everyday use, set the color handling to 'printer manages colors'. However, if you want the best quality and most accurate prints the best option is to set this to 'Photoshop manages colors' and then load in your specific printer profile.

For the best results, you’ll want to invest in a good quality screen calibration device, (printer calibration devices are also available) and this will provide you with a printer profile based on your screen’s colors to minimize any drift in colors and tones between what you see on screen and what is printed.

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Perhaps more quietly than other electronics, printers have had a wild few years. From the early noughties obsession with beige or white, up to modern-day compact printers that do a lot more than the old copiers that would take up a corner of an office, things are much simpler to do now than they’ve ever been.

From leaving a myriad of cables and moving to wireless setups, to no longer needing to spend hours looking for the right drivers for your device, compact printers represent an ideal investment for home offices. They print documents and photos, and can copy, scan, and connect to your phone or tablet just as easily as they connect to your PC.

They’re not impervious to faults, though, and since they’re much smaller than your old office behemoth, they need to be treated carefully lest you run into errors or need to buy a new one.

Here’s how best you can look after your compact printer.

What is a compact printer?

Compact printers, as we alluded to above, are much smaller printers that offer plenty of features.

Some are focused on documents, others are great at printing images, but all take up minimal space on your desk or in your office.

They also tend to be easier to set up than their larger, older counterparts, connecting via built-in network setups or a simple USB cable. This makes them much more portable, on top of their smaller size.

1. Keep your printer dry and away from magnets 

This might be obvious, but given condensation on windowsills, a place where it may make sense to put a compact printer, it’s worth restating.

It’s not just environmental dampness, though, as handling a compact printer with even damp hands can cause issues going forward based on the number of small components within a short space of each other underneath the hood.

In particular, do not open the ink enclosure with wet hands. One drop in the wrong place there can see your printer ruined in an instant.

We’d also advise keeping them away from magnets. This is due to the wiring within that can be affected by magnetic pull.

2. Use recommended ink supplies 

While ink cartridges have arguably never been what you could describe as cheap, it’s now easier than ever to get a hold of replacements when you’re running low or out of ink entirely.

That’s thanks to manufacturers offering ink subscriptions that dispatch new cartridges to your door when it’s running low.

It’s just as well, too, because while you can use some third-party options for some compact printers, you’ll always be better off using manufacturer-approved options. Failing to do so may not only cause issues for your printer but void any warranty you may have, too!

3. Keep it cool 

It’s worth remembering that printers get very warm, even within the small chassis of a compact option. That makes airflow incredibly important, so try not to bury it under mountains of paper – it’s one thing to have printer issues, but another to cause a fire risk.

We spoke to George Lyu, PR director of Liene, a compact printer manufacturer with a specialism in compact photo printers. 

“One of the most important factors with any printer is its temperature,” Lyu explained.

“It's best to keep a printer between 10℃ and 35℃, which helps maintain printing quality, while also ensuring that any portable, battery-powered versions maintain peak efficiency without damaging the lithium battery.”

“Printers heat up during use, with photo printers using thermal sublimation technology which heats the print head, meaning you'll want to let it cool down after use.”

So it’s not only important to ensure that your printer’s temperature is managed during use, but after usage, too.

4. Clean regularly 

This is as much a part of managing your printer as it is managing your office, be that at home or anywhere else, but cleaning your electronics properly is incredibly important – especially if you move your printer around regularly.

Compact printers are exactly that – compact, and easy to take with you on your travels. However, exposing them to the elements can cause additional internal and external deterioration.

Your manufacturer will often suggest best cleaning practices as part of a quick start guide. It’s worth brushing up on it, especially if you’re seeing printing inconsistencies from leftover ink or anything else that have you worried.

For more on compact printers, be sure to check out our list of common myths about them and our list of the best compact printers. 

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Both Epson and Brother have played a significant role in the evolution of printing over the past 50 years, with Epson creating the world’s first compact printer, the EP-101 mini printer back in 1968 and Brother developing the world’s first high-speed dot matrix printer in 1971. 

Since then both manufacturers have innovated and pioneered new printing features and designs and have settled into their own corners to occupy different areas of the printing space and both brands offer some of the best all in one printers, so we'll be delving into the differences to see which you should buy. 

Epson predominantly manufacture inkjet models ideal for home and home office use, though the company does also offer a small number of professional laser printer models for home and offices. Epson printers tend to have an emphasis on high quality printing, with large format A3+ inkjet versions available which are fantastic for printing large high quality photos. 

Brother, on the other hand, only has a small number of inkjet models available, instead focusing on professional laser models for office environments, which have a heavier burden on the wallet up front, however each print is incredibly cheap on laser models so they can work out more cost effective in the long run, especially when printing high volumes of documents such as in an office.

In this article we look at the perks and pitfalls of each manufacturer’s printer ranges to see what Epson and Brother printers have to offer. From image quality to print speed and laser toner costs to ink tanks systems. Here's everything you need to know...

Epson VS Brother: Print quality

The printer ranges from Epson and Brother occupy different areas of the printing market, with Epson primarily focused on inkjet models and Brother on laser ones. Inkjet printers tend to deliver better photo quality and Epson printers like the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 can print up to A3+ borderless which makes them a great option for printing high quality photos to hang on your wall or even sell.

The drawback with inkjet printers is that they have to be used regularly to stop the print head nozzles from clogging which can be both frustrating and costly, as printers usually use up lots of ink to flush out any clogs, they also take longer to produce and are expensive to produce, though Epson does offer EcoTank printer options that are more cost effective than conventional ink cartridges.

The majority of Brother printers are laser models which while more expensive to begin with can work out cost-effective in the long run because each print is so cheap to produce using a powdery toner rather than ink. Laser models are also incredibly fast to print, deliver razor sharp text and are less likely to need maintenance because they don’t have print head nozzles which could get clogged up, so they’re perfectly suited to office environments, though on picture quality they’re beaten by inkjet systems.

Epson offers a great range of laser printers from small models, ideal for home or a study, to larger ones for full-sized offices. They also offer a range of mono laser printers which are less expensive than full color versions, to cater for those on stricter budgets for those that are only looking to print black and white documents.

Read more: Inkjet vs laser printers: which is best?

Epson value for money: Inkjet cartridges and EcoTank

Epson printers predominantly feature inkjet cartridges and one benefit of Epson’s system is that they ensure each inkjet printer uses individual color cartridges. This means if the cyan ink runs low for example, you only have to replace that specific cartridge. This is more consumer-friendly than some other inkjet printer manufacturers that use a tricolor cartridge which contains all three cyan, magenta and yellow colors, so Epson’s individual color cartridges is better value, less wasteful and better for the environment.

Continuing on this pro-consumer trend, Epson was the first manufacturer to produce an inkjet printer to employ ink tanks that could be refilled with bottles of ink, rather than expensive ink cartridges, back in 2010 with its new EcoTank range. If you’re looking to print large A3+ borderless phots with superb print quality then Epson’s EcoTank range would be a great choice.

Epson's 603 ink cartridge multipack comes with four individual inks and costs $38. Epson claims this pack will last for 150 mono pages or 130 color. That works out at $0.20 per black and white sheet or $0.28 per color A4 print.

Epson's EcoTank range feature a varying number of tanks, though lets look at the most basic model, the ET-2811 which has a simple four tank setup for black, cyan, yellow and magenta. Each of these tanks holds 65ml - the equivalent of 72 cartridges and is said to print up to 4,500 mono pages or 7,500 color pages. The ET-2811 uses the EcoTank 104 inks which currently costs $45 for all four ink bottles, that makes it $0.01 to print a mono page, or $0.006 per colour page, though you’ll still need to use your printer regularly to avoid print heads from clogging and get the best value out of it.

Brother value for money: Laser toner 

Looking at one of Brother’s entry-level laser models such as the DCP-L2530DW it’s a mono laser printer so only requires one black toner costing $83. This might sound expensive compared to a conventional black ink cartridge that may cost around $12.30, but laser printers are known for their high yield and razor sharp text, this specific toner can last for a whopping 3,000 pages, so each mono print costs just $0.02.

Looking at one of Brother’s entry-level full-color laser models, the MFC-L3710CW costs around $370 and uses the TN-243 toners which are currently around $233 to buy all four toners. Again this sounds like a vast amount of money but as the toners should last for 1000 pages, it means each page is about $0.23 per page. They're also higher yield toner options available and as you go up the laser printer range these can be even more efficient and economical too.

These high yield toners and cost-effective prints make Brother’s offerings comparable to the yield of an Epson EcoTank, though with a laser model you don’t have to worry about using your printer often to avoid inks drying up or print heads blocking as they use toner rather than ink. This means laser models are a bit easier to maintain and you don’t need to flush lots of expensive ink through the system to remove print clogs so this is worth factoring into the value of each system.

Epson vs Brother: Verdict

Both Epson and Brother have compelling offerings for different corners of the printer market, with Epson focusing more on inkjet models and Brother honing its craft with laser models.

Epson’s inkjet printers are a brilliant option for high quality photos, especially with some of Epson’s models that can print at A3+ borderless so this makes them ideal for photographers looking to print high quality pictures, but will also be ideal for occasional documents or homework for example. For more serious photo printing Epson's EcoTank range is also worth considering as it works out better value for money, though you’ll need to print on a regular basis to get the most out of it and keep maintenance to a minimum. Inkjet models, like the ones that Epson offer are generally cheap to purchase outright (especially at the budget end) though cartridges can be expensive in the long run.

Brother’s laser printers are aimed at a different demographic and are better-suited for home office or large office spaces, where large volumes of documents will be printed on a daily bases. Laser printers such as those in Epson’s range are expensive to buy outright, $170 for Brother’s entry-level mono laser model compared to $80 for Epson’s lowest priced inkjet offering, however they can work out better value in the long run, working out at just $0.10 per page, or even less in many cases. Image quality is good on laser models but ultimately beaten by the vibrancy you get from an inkjet model, though laser models are super fast to print, produce razor sharp  text  that is ideal for work documents and are often better value in the long run.

If you’re looking to predominantly print high-quality photos with the occasional document we’d recommend an Epson inkjet or EcoTank model, though if you’re mainly looking to print documents with the occasional photo and you need high yields and great long-term value and you have the space for a laser printer then a Brother laser printer would be a fantastic choice.

If you’re ruminating on the question of Bose vs JBL, it’s likely you’re in the market for a high-quality portable Bluetooth speaker. For lounging about in the park with friends, for pumping out the tunes at a party, or for just unwinding with a podcast in the bath, nothing beats a speaker you can just pick up and take with you.

Bose and JBL offer two of our absolute favorite examples, so we’ve put them head to head in this round-up to help you figure out which is right for you. In the Bose corner, we have the mighty Bose Soundlink Flex. Retailing for $149.95, it does what a lot of Bose speakers do, and produces far better sound than you’d expect for a speaker of its size. When Bose launched this rugged speaker in 2021, it was with the tagline of, “bass that you can feel in your chest.” Marketing hype? Well, yes, but it’s impressive nonetheless.

For JBL, meanwhile, we’ve picked the JBL Flip 6. Also announced in 2021, this is a fun, powerful speaker that’s available in a veritable smorgasbord of color options. It retails for $129.99, though can frequently be found for less than that, and delivers sound with impressive clarity across the board – JBL loves pointing to its famous “racetrack-shaped” woofer that takes care of the low tones. Like the Bose, it’s tough enough to take anywhere (we’ll get into the particulars shortly).

As you can see, it’s shaping up to be a close-run contest. So, let’s not waste any more time in settling the question of Bose vs JBL.

Bose vs JBL: Design

Design-wise, in many ways these two speakers present quite a similar proposition. They weigh almost the same – the JBL Flip 6 clocks in at 1.21 lbs, while the Bose Soundlink Flex is very slightly heavier at 1.32 lbs. Both are also pleasingly tough, with each speaker bearing an IP67 rating. What IP67 means, in real terms, is that something is both dustproof and waterproof. The JBL Flip 6 and Bose SoundLink Flex are just that, able to be fully submerged to depths of 1m or so and come up smiling. You wouldn’t want to leave them in the bath indefinitely, but they’ll survive an accidental soaking.

The JBL Flip 6 is cylindrical and coated in fabric mesh, with four buttons on top for controlling volume, playback and connectivity, and as mentioned, it’s available in a ton of colors, everything from pink to teal to camo pattern. Four buttons on top control volume, playback and PartyBoost – we might have preferred a skip back button rather than dedicating that much real estate to PartyBoost, but it’s a small thing.

The Bose SoundLink Flex has a silicone finish and power-coated steel grille, and is designed to be able to withstand a drop or two. It comes in four colours – black, stone blue, white smoke and carmine red. One feature we especially like though is its clever little fabric utility loop, which allows it to be hung off objects or clipped onto bags (it benefits from a carabiner if you have one handy). The JBL Flip 6 has a fabric strap for carrying, but it doesn’t feel as sturdy. 

Winner: Bose

Bose vs JBL: Audio quality

The JBL Flip 6 uses a familiar configuration of components – at least, to anyone who used a Flip 5. A racetrack-shaped woofer combines with dual passive radiators to deliver clear and powerful low frequencies, while there’s a new tweeter to deal with the high end. The audio is pleasingly balanced, with clarity across the tonal range, and you can get plenty of volume out of this little speaker. For those who like to customise their listening experience, JBL also offers an adjustable equaliser. Bass not cutting through enough for your liking? Dive in and configure it! One thing to be aware of though is that some users have reported minor but noticeable sound distortion when pushing the Flip 6 to its highest volumes.

The Bose SoundLink Flex, meanwhile, uses a 60mm transducer and dual passive radiator to drive some of the deepest, thumpingest bass you can get out of a bluetooth speaker. But it’s not just a matter of power – the bass has real clarity to it, and the sound carries fantastically even when you’re outdoors. Bose also has its PositionIQ technology, which purports to adjust the EQ levels based on the speaker’s positioning and environment. A nice idea – though since there’s no way to turn it off, you can’t really get a sense of what it’s bringing to the table. Also, there’s no manual EQ option.

This is a really close category, and in all honesty, it could easily come down to personal preference for a lot of listeners. We’re going to give it to Bose for its bassy power and gorgeous clarity, but the JBL Flip 6 sounds fantastic as well.

Winner: Bose (by a hair)

Bose vs JBL: Features

These are both fairly simple speakers – they pump out sound, and don’t do a whole lot else. Both connect via bluetooth, however the JBL Flip 6 uses the newer bluetooth 5.1 standard, while the Bose SoundLink Flex makes do with bluetooth 5.1. There’s no difference in audio quality (which is one of the main reasons Bose didn’t bother to upgrade) but you can expect a longer transmission range from the JBL.

Both speakers also offer stereo pairing. JBL has its aforementioned PartyBoost mode that lets you sync two or more JBL speakers of the same generation up together and have them all blast out the same tunes. Bose, meanwhile, offers similar connectivity functionality with the Bose Connect app – if you have other Bose speakers, or even a Bose soundbar, you can pair them all together quickly and easily.

One difference though is that the Bose SoundLink Flex manages to find room for a built-in mic, while the JBL Flip 6 does not, meaning you can take calls with your phone connected, and take advantage of the speaker’s excellent clarity. While we doubt this is a high priority for many users, it’s a nice option to have. 

Winner: Bose

Bose vs JBL: Battery life

Neither speaker distinguishes itself on battery life by the general standards of the market. The Bose SoundLink Flex and JBL Flip 6 both come packing rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that are rated to last around 12 hours, though if you push the volume above 50% or so, you can expect to get less than this.

One thing to note though is that the JBL Flip 6 juices up faster, requiring just 2.5 hours to get to a full charge, as opposed to 4 hours on the Bose SoundLink Flex. Both speakers charge via USB-C.

Winner: JBL

Bose vs JBL: Value

We’ve picked similarly priced speakers for the purposes of this round-up, but the Bose SoundLink Flex is the more expensive of the two, with an RRP of $149.95, at which you’ll consistently find it sold online. The JBL Flip 6, meanwhile, has a retail price of $129.99, and also seems to be discounted more readily – it’s currently listed for $99 at Walmart. A difference of $50 is quite significant for two speakers as closely matched as this, and it’s a very compelling argument for the JBL Flip 6 as being the best buy.

Winner: JBL

Should you buy the Bose SoundLink Flex or the JBL Flip 6?

Two excellent portable bluetooth speakers have entered the ring here. For lazy outdoor days, pool parties and more, it’s hard to see anyone being disappointed with either the Bose SoundLink Flex or the JBL Flip 6, both of which produce a big sound belied by their small dimensions.

If we had to pick the better one overall, and the premise of the article says we do, we’d give it to the Bose SoundLink Flex, as the quality, clarity and power of its sound is just that bit better. However, it is the more expensive of the two, so if you’re working to a strict budget, the JBL Flip 6 will do everything you need it to for a cheaper outlay.

We’re pitting Sonos vs Bose in the battle of the smart speakers! It’s never been easier to fill your home with high-fidelity music thanks to the proliferation of smart speakers. Relatively small, but packing a punch, these powerful units deliver bassy and well-balanced sound, allowing you to appreciate your tunes as the artist intended them.

And they’re convenient, too. The “smart” aspect of a smart speaker refers to its connectivity, allowing you to easily interface with your preferred music apps like Spotify, Tidal or Apple Music. Many smart speakers, including the Sonos and Bose ones we’ll be looking at in this guide, can also interface with virtual assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control the tunes with voice commands.

But hey – you’re here at our Sonos vs Bose guide, so we’ll assume you’re au fait with what a smart speaker entails. What you want to know is which of these two brands deserves your consideration, and delivers the superior smart speaker for the price.

Both Bose and Sonos offer a number of different speakers, with varying functions and at various price points. For each brand, we’ve picked speakers you’d use in similar contexts – home smart speakers that can function either by themselves, or as part of a multi-room, multi-speaker system. In the Sonos corner, we have the Sonos One, while Bose is being represented by the Bose Home Speaker 500.

So, which is best? Only one way to find out – let’s dive into Sonos vs Bose.

Sonos vs Bose: Design

Both the Sonos One and the Bose Speaker 500 score well here, with impressive looks that manage to be simple but stylish. The Sonos One takes up a relatively small footprint in your home, with a base width of 4.69 inches and heights of 6.3 inches. It’s nobody’s idea of bulky, and fits perfectly comfortably on side tables, bookshelves, kitchen counters or wherever else.

The touchscreen controls on the Sonos One are located on top, above the grille, offering play/pause and volume adjustments. There’s also a small LED light that flashes to let you know when the speaker is listening. You can get it in white or black, and given that it’s going to be on display in your home, having the choice of colours will no doubt be appreciated by plenty of users.

Footprint-wise, the Bose Speaker 500 is pretty much the same proposition. It’s a little taller at 8 inches, and a little narrower with a base of 4.29 inches, but those aren’t differences anyone is going to lose sleep over. Like the Sonos One, it has a seamless ovoid shape that feels very premium, but unlike the Sonos, it has a colour LCD display screen on the front that can show off album artwork, or just display a clock when the speaker isn’t running. A light bar is used to display when the speaker is listening, and it comes in both black and silver, both constructed from anodized aluminum. The grille is precision-drilled for optimal quality, and it looks the part too.

There’s not much in it, but the inclusion of the LCD screen means we’re giving it to Bose. The silver option the Home Speaker 500 is also one of our favorite finishes, reflecting light beautifully in a way that makes it a perfect complement to any room it’s placed in.

Winner: Bose

Sonos vs Bose: Performance and audio quality

The Bose Home Speaker 500 is an impressive achievement – effectively two speakers in one. Its dual two custom drivers, pointing left and right, deliver stereo separation, and give you that multi-channel effect without having to buy a second speaker. Does it measure up to a two-speaker setup? No – but it does sound damn good all the same.

The sound it creates is remarkably expansive – it really does fill a room. The bass punches through really well, to the point where some people may prefer to turn it down a few notches, but it never seems to overwhelm the sound, and the vocals and other instruments are still as clear as you like. There’s plenty of power in this speaker too, and it’s unlikely many people will need to turn the volume up more than halfway. Clarity is still excellent at high volume settings though, with minimal compression.

The Sonos One also impresses. Its two Class-D amplifiers produce a great sound, with plenty of bass but also some excellent vocal clarity. Hook it up to the app and you can use Sonos TruePlay to optimize the speaker for the room it’s in – which it does by measuring how sound reflects off the walls and furnishings in the room.

Both speakers are excellent, but in terms of raw speaker performance and quality, we’re giving this to Bose. Its ability to put out fantastic sound at high volumes is simply unparalleled, and audio aficionados will appreciate the warm, almost analogue tone of its output.

Winner: Bose

Sonos vs Bose: Features

We’ve already started to discuss some of the features on the Sonos One, like the clever TruePlay functionality, but there’s plenty more to talk about. It interfaces with all the major streaming services, you can activate Alexa or Google Assistant to use voice commands, and there’s AirPlay 2 support if you want to send sound directly from your iPhone, iPad or Mac. 

Sonos’s multi-speaker integration is also superb – if you pick up another Sonos One, or a sound bar or one of the other speakers on offer, you can quickly and easily control all of them via the app. Want to have the same tunes blasting in every room in the house? Or rock out to PJ Harvey in the kitchen while your partner hunkers down to the strains of Spotify’s “Music for Concentration” upstairs in the study? In either case, it’s the work of moments. Speakers can be grouped and ungrouped quickly and easily.

Of course, Bose’s Home Speaker 500 does plenty of the same stuff. It supports all major streaming services, it has a proprietary app for easy control, and multiple speakers can be linked together using Bose SimpleSync technology. Also, for those who like a simpler life, the Bose Speaker 500 has one thing the Sonos One doesn’t – a 3.5mm aux input to plug devices in manually. 

Voice commands work well, even when you’re blasting your tunes out, thanks to the comprehensive eight-mic array that’s built in. Do we really need eight microphones just to hear us shouting “Alexa, play Bruce Springsteen” five or six times a day? Maybe not, but it’s nice to have. 

Winner: tie

Sonos vs Bose: Value

As the old adage goes, you get what you pay for. The Bose Home Speaker 500 may have better audio quality than the Sonos One, and may have a more premium design with extra features, but there’s no getting around the fact that it also costs $379 at major retailers. The Sonos One, meanwhile, is pretty consistently priced at $219. That’s a significant saving, especially if you’re planning on buying multiple speakers for a multi-room setup. It all adds up.

Both speakers may sound expensive to the layman, who might point out that you can get a listenable Bluetooth speaker for less than $30 on Amazon. However, the features, quality and functionality that both these speakers deliver more than justify their significantly higher outlay. In terms of audio performance, both of these speakers absolutely blow the cheaper stuff out of the water.

Ultimately, we feel the Sonos One gives you better value for money. Its intelligent audio capabilities with TruePlay tuning allow it to produce a sound that punches far higher than you might expect for a speaker of its size. If the two were closer in price, this might be a trickier question. But they aren’t.

Winner: Sonos

Should you buy the Sonos One or the Bose Home Speaker 500?

So, what’s the verdict? Well, we’re going to try and hedge our bets as little as possible, and say that the Sonos One is the better buy for the majority of users. It’s a terrific smart speaker, easy to use and stylish, with bags of features and audio quality to spare. The Sonos ecosystem is simple enough that pretty much anyone with a smartphone can craft and operate a multi-room speaker setup.

The Bose Home Speaker 500 is a better speaker, in audiophile terms. Is it better enough to justify spending an extra $160? For our money, no – not unless high-volume sound quality is really important to you, or you simply can’t imagine life without an aux cable input option. If either or both of those things are true, then you’re probably the kind of sound-focused tech head who will appreciate the better quality of the Bose 500 – and if so, get it. For everyone else, the Sonos One is the better buy.

Do you want the reliability of a landline without the annoying cord? The best cordless phones give you the freedom to go wherever you want in your home whilst taking a call without being tethered to the wall by a pesky cord that gets tangled and just holds you back. This is perfect for life's multi-taskers who want to move about and get stuff done while on the phone. 

Modern cordless phones have come a long way since yesteryear and now offer great features that improve user experience, like answering machines that allow you to respond via the unit or the handset itself, and some can even be accessed remotely. There's also the possibility of adding extra handsets to the main unit, so you can leave multiple phones across multiple floors around your home - no more frantically running halfway across the house to answer the one phone in time before it rings out.

If accessibility is on your mind, then other user-friendly features include large buttons for easy sight and controls, hearing aid support, and safety/privacy features like caller ID, number blocking, and more. This guide lays out all the best options with those features in mind so that you can find the ideal cordless phone for your needs.

Want to go more mobile? Take a look at our guides to the best smartphones and the best smartphones for seniors. If you're looking for a discounted cordless phone, then a good time to buy could be during the after-Christmas sales, which is when a lot of the previous year's stock sees big discounts to make way for the new year's stock intake. 

The best cordless phones we recommend

The best cordless phone overall

The Panasonic KX-TGE433B tops our list as the best cordless phone you can buy right now, thanks to many features covering nearly all needs. This is primarily a cordless phone with a power backup, meaning even if your property loses power, you can still make and receive calls wirelessly. 

You get an answering machine with this unit, so you can receive calls even when you’re not around, to listen to them later via the handset or speakerphone. We say handset, but there are three included, with six that you can expand to, making this a great option for a small office.

While the handset is larger than most, the space is used well with large, lit, and clear buttons and a clear and bright black and white lit display. Usefully there is a dedicated call-blocking button combined with caller ID. This allows you to block up to 250 numbers to keep telemarketers at bay easily.

On the side is a port that allows you to attach a hands-free headset, again ideal for office use. But also helpful for taking calls while doing other tasks at home. The speakerphone isn't the best on this handset, so it's made with headset use in mind. It also supports hearing aids, so this should have you covered no matter the connection. 

Battery life is excellent, so you can have it out of the dock for long periods and only need to leave it in for about six hours to charge it fully.

The cordless phone with the best design

Cordless phones can enhance their surroundings in rare cases, like the VTech CS6719, designed with aesthetics in mind. As such, this phone manages to offer good looks while at the same time keeping the price relatively low. You have to sacrifice some of the more advanced features you might find on other handsets, but if minimal design and simple functionality are needed, this is ideal.

What's lacking here is an answerphone, headset port, and hearing aid attachment. But if you don't need any of those, this still packs in caller ID, the phonebook can hold up to 50 numbers, and the phone lasts 30 hours when detached from the base before needing to go back in for a charge.

The phone is a slender and svelte handset that is light to hold and compact enough to be comfortable in the hand while offering a clear and comfortable number pad. It is possible to get up to six phones at once in your property, ideal for taking calls wherever you are but also helpful as this works as an intercom system letting you talk between rooms. This speaker works on calls as that duplex speakerphone is of excellent quality, making hands-free calling without a headset possible.

The best cordless phone for hard of hearing customers

When it comes to audio performance, there are few cordless phones as capable as the Motorola CD5011. That makes it an ideal choice for anyone hard of hearing. That applies to visual issues, too, as this is clear to the eye and easy to control.

There are large and clear buttons, supported by a huge lit display and an LED alert light so you can see the phone ringing even if you can't hear it. That said, there is a very loud ring option with a range of volumes to suit most people with varying levels of hearing degradation.

You also have support for hearing aids, which can be accessed with a single button press, making it very easy to switch into that mode when needed. Crucially, this phone will also let you listen to your answer machine messages through that headset connection, meaning your hearing aid will work across all the phone's communication features.

This cordless handset remains affordable and is built to a standard made to last long-term. You can add up to four handsets to this setup, so you should be able to cover multiple floors and rooms, even in larger properties, without having to walk far to answer or make calls. There is also a number-blocking feature allowing you to stop nuisance calls easily.

The best cordless phone for at-home business users

Ideal for your home office needs, the Panasonic KX-TG7875S is a feature-filled cordless phone. It is, as such, one of the more expensive cordless phone options out there but the feature list and build quality help to justify that. You may need to spend more time setting this up than other phones, but you'll be left with a far more bespoke offering that specifically works with your needs.

One of the stand-out features is cell phone integration. The Link2Cell feature means you can connect this cordless phone via Bluetooth to your smartphone. You're then able to both make and receive calls to your cell number, as well as your landline, via the cordless handset. A great way to leave your cell phone on charge while still staying connected. The base of the phone unit has a USB port to charge your cell from the cordless phone system. 

This is also packed with standard features like an answering machine, caller ID, backlit LCD, call log, handset intercom between the potential six handset setup, and more. Battery life is excellent, and this also comes with a battery backup feature, meaning even if power should go down to your property, you will still be able to make a receive calls using your cordless phone. Call blocking is also onboard, with the ability to block up to 250 numbers.

The only downside is that the buttons aren't the clearest in low-light situations, and the price is high. But if they're not problems for you, this could be the perfect cordless phone option.

The best cordless phone for multiple handsets

If you need a cordless phone setup that can work with many handsets, few can claim to offer as many as the AT&T CRL32102. This cordless phone can expand to a massive 12 handsets in total so that you can have even larger property covered by this phone setup. It's also built to work well for those with visual or hearing impairments. 

There is an answering machine on the main unit with controls to access messages without the handset needed. This holds up to 14 minutes of messages in digital audio format for clear playback. The phone itself can store up to 50 phone numbers and the last 50 caller ID numbers. 

The number buttons on the phone can be spoken out to help those struggling to see what has been pressed. This visual assistance continues with the handset display, a large and clear backlit screen. There is also a talking caller ID option available which allows you to hear who is calling and see that on the handset screen at the same time. 

Audio support comes in four different profiles, which you can switch between to suit most hearing needs. There is also an Audio Assist feature which will adjust the volume to help if there are struggles with hearing the caller at the other end of the line.

The best budget cordless phone with an answering machine

An entry-level phone from network giant AT&T, the EL52113 uses the power of that company to offer an entry-level handset that keeps the price low while still delivering quality and plenty of features. You even get an answering machine, capable of storing 14 minutes of audio, as part of this very low-priced package.

The white and metallic design gives a finish that surpasses that price point, and the features do the same. All the buttons on the handset are backlit, making them clear at night or in low-light rooms. There is also a medium-sized screen that is clear to read and displays numbers and names. Useful since this phone features a caller ID allowing you to easily see who is calling before answering – or to call back someone from the recent calls list.

Other features include speed dial, which allows you to call a specific person by just pressing and holding one of the number buttons; a handset locator, invaluable if you misplace things often; a quiet mode feature, several ring styles to pick from, and multiple volume levels while on calls.

While you can access the answer machine messages from the base unit, it's also possible to listen using the handsets, which is ideal if you need extra volume and clarity. Although you'll need to use the base buttons to fast forward, rewind, and the like while in your message. 

How to choose the best cordless phone

There’s a wide range of possibilities when choosing a cordless phone. There are simple phones that are great for emergencies and complex systems that can make a great addition to a small business. Whatever you’re shopping for, these are some things to remember.

Price
A basic cordless phone can cost as little as $20, but features like an answering machine, talking caller ID, and emergency backup power increases the price. An inexpensive phone like the VTech CS6719 works perfectly for simply making and receiving calls. But if you want something nicer with ease-of-use features like a headset jack or Bluetooth connectivity, expect to pay more than $50.

Number of Handsets
Most cordless phone systems are expandable, so you can have multiple handsets on a single line by connecting just the main base via a telephone jack. Handsets come with your initial purchase, but you can buy individual accessory handsets to expand your system. The products we tested can have five to 12 total handsets. If you wanted, you can keep one in every room of your house. Extra handsets usually come with their charging cradle.

Backup Power
Phone lines still work when the power goes out, but many cordless phones lack backup power features, making it impossible to make calls. If you have frequent power outages or don’t have a charged cell phone as a backup option in case of emergency, look for a phone with an emergency backup battery.

Features and Settings
Features like handset location, handset-to-handset intercom function, caller ID, backlit displays, and speakerphones are standard across all the phones we tested. Other features, like a built-in answering machine, headset jack, or talking caller ID, can be extremely useful, particularly for home offices. 

Phones like the Panasonic KX-TG7875S have customizable features and settings, including cell phone integration and call blocking. These phones are great for business but may be too much for a humble home phone.

Cordless phone FAQs

The clue’s in the name. A cut above Canon’s PIXMA series printers, the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is aimed at professional and enthusiast photographers who aspire to the absolute best in terms of print quality and archival life. This printer looks and feels the part, with fully pro-grade build quality and a really high-end finish, so it’s very much at home in a stylish photo studio.

Levels of fine detail and tonal range, especially in deep blacks, can look astonishing in large-format prints, compared with viewing photos on even a high-quality computer monitor. As a large-format 13x19-inch/A3+ printer, with larger panoramic output also available, the PRO-300 creates photo prints that are large enough to frame and hang on the wall, right from your own desktop, giving you full control over the whole process.

Building on the success of Canon’s PIXMA PRO-10 printer, the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 earns its stripes as a Canon professional printer with a reformulated range of nine LUCIA PRO pigment-based inks, plus a Chroma Optimizer that we’ll discuss later. Unlike some directly competing large-format pigment photo printers, including Epson models prior to the SureColor P700 and P900, the Canon has dedicated channels in its print heads for both photo black and matte black inks, so there’s no need to waste time and money purging a channel and recharging it with alternative ink every time you swap between matte and glossy photo paper.

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300: Setup

Although hefty, the PRO-300 is easy to lift out of its box, thanks to being wrapped in a heavy-duty soft plastic bag complete with carrying handles. Setup is speedy and effortless, involving inserting the print head and ten individual cartridges, followed by an automated procedure to charge the head with ink and run a print head alignment routine.

The packaging is mostly recyclable and the printer comes complete with a setup CD, user manual and other supporting documentation. A sample pack of five sheets of either 8.5x11-inch or A4 Canon Photo Paper Pro Luster paper is included, depending on world region. A power cord is also supplied but, as usual, no USB or Ethernet connection cables. To ensure you have the latest printer drivers, it’s wise to download them from Canon’s website rather than relying on the setup CD, and that’s a no-brainer if your computer doesn’t actually feature a CD-ROM drive.

Once you’ve installed the printer, usability is excellent and long-term reliability proved faultless in our long-term tests. The printer makes good use of Canon’s L-COA PRO high-precision software engine, which runs high-speed processing for high volumes of image data, translating it to printing data that organizes the optimal ink layout throughout the whole process.

Throughout our testing, we never suffered from blocked ink nozzles causing feint lines across prints. The print head actually has a lot of redundancy built in and the system is sufficiently ‘intelligent’ to keep a check on nozzles so, if one becomes blocked for any reason, adjacent nozzles are called into action instead and the blocked nozzles have an ‘auto recovery system’. There’s similarly good news when it comes to the paper transport system, which features automatic skew correction to ensure that paper is perfectly aligned as it passes through the printer.

Connectivity options are plentiful, including high-speed USB and Ethernet ports, and extending to built-in Wi-Fi. The free Canon Print app enables printing from mobile devices, as well as adjusting and checking various printer settings and ink levels. The PRO-300 is also fully compatible with Apple AirPrint and Mopria for Android, so you can print from the cloud without the need to install a driver. Printing via wireless PictBridge is also supported for compatible cameras.

• Score: 9/10

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300: Design

Designed as a fully pro-grade printer, the PRO-300 is built on a sturdy metal chassis. It’s reassuringly weighty at 31.6 pounds and the overall build quality feels rock-solid. Even so, it’s pretty compact for a 13-inch/A3+ printer, shaving 15 per cent off the size of the preceding PIXMA PRO-10 model.

To ensure ‘gallery quality’ output and the kind of longevity that professional photographers need when selling prints to clients, the PRO-300 uses pigment-based rather than dye-based inks. These ensure greater quality, robustness and archival life on matte and fine art media. 

The flipside is that pigment inks don’t work as well on glossy photo paper, as the larger molecules aren’t fully absorbed beneath the protective, shiny top layer of the paper. The PRO-300 aims to address any shortcomings with the inclusion of a Chroma Optimizer cartridge, which is featured in addition to the nine pigment-based black, gray and color inks.

A key feature of the PRO-300 is its Chroma Optimizer cartridge. This opens the door to top-quality output from a pigment-based ink line-up even on glossy photo paper, as well as generally favored matte and fine art media. It’s laid over the top of the ink to smooth out the finish on glossy photo paper, minimizing the difference in the reflectivity of different colors and tones, to avoid the usual bronzing effect. 

The pigment-based ink range itself is very comprehensive, featuring both matte and photo black inks, cyan, photo cyan, magenta, photo magenta, yellow, gray and red inks. The line-up ensures a really wide gamut (or color space) along with exceptional fidelity for black & white photo printing. Both benefit from the inclusion of a reformulated matte black LUCIA PRO ink.

For paper handling, the PRO-300 features the usual upright feeder at the rear, which can accommodate popular sizes of photo paper from 3.5x3.5-inch to 13x19-inch formats. A secondary manual feeder at the rear ensures a flat transport path through the printer, as well as enabling you to create panoramic and banner prints of up to 39 inches in length.

Unlike previous Canon 13-inch/A3+ photo printers, the PRO-300 features a 3.0-inch color LCD screen. It’s not a touchscreen but the supporting pushbuttons enable quick and intuitive operation for adjusting print modes and settings for different paper types, running diagnostic checks and cleaning routines, and for keeping tabs on the print status and the amounts of ink remaining in the cartridges.

There’s a raft of other new features in the PRO-300, aiming to maximize performance, usability and reliability, which we’ll cover in the next section.

• Score: 9/10

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300: Performance

To cut to the chase, print quality is absolutely spectacular. Color rendition is very rich and vibrant but entirely true to life, able to recreate the subtlest of graduations in everything from skin tones to architectural and landscape images. Black & white photo print quality is arguably even more magnificent, with stunning tonal definition and richness. Canon actually reformulated its matte black ink for the PRO-300 and the result is a depth and detail in very dark areas of prints, the likes of which we’ve not seen before.

Thanks to the enhanced precision of the paper transport system, you can create borderless prints on matte and fine-art media, instead of just on glossy, semi-gloss and luster photo papers. However, it’s not enabled by default and you’ll need to disable the ‘safety margin’ in the printer’s settings. Canon warns there might be some deterioration of print quality or staining around the edge of the paper but we suffered no ill-effects whatsoever when creating borderless A3+ prints on Canon’s Premium Matte photo paper and Premium Fine Art Smooth media.

For discerning professional and amateur photographers, it’s important to be able to create the right look and feel for a top-quality print by using the best choice of paper. The PRO-300 directly supports a vast range of media, not just from Canon but also from independent brands of fine art media including the likes of Hahnemühle, Canson and Awagami.

Optimizing print quality further still, Canon’s Professional Print & Layout software is available as a free download, which works as a standalone program or as a plug-in for Canon Digital Photo Professional and Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. It gives the benefit of both soft proofing and hard proofing for different paper types, as well as giving you the option of applying individual adjustments to separate images that will be printed on the same page. A particularly useful feature of the software is that you can create ‘pattern prints’, with subtly different treatments of color, tone, brightness and contrast, so that you can pick your favorite option for creating the final print.

In our print speed tests, we found that A3+ borderless prints on glossy paper at the highest quality setting took around 8 minutes 39 seconds for black & white, and about 9 minutes 30 seconds for color. At the standard photo quality setting, the same color print took just 6 minutes 30 seconds. A top-quality borderless A3+ color print on Premium Fine Art Smooth media took longer, at just over 12 minutes.

Smaller A3 prints with a white border took around 10 minutes 20 seconds on the same fine art media, reducing to 6 minutes 50 seconds on Premium Matte photo paper. For A4 borderless output on glossy paper, you’re looking at about 4 minutes 30 seconds in highest quality mode, and 3 minutes 20 seconds in standard mode. All of these print times are actually pretty speedy for a pigment-based, large-format printer, but typically can’t compete with dye-based printers like the 13-inch/A3+ Canon PIXMA PRO-200.

• Score: 9/10

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300: Care & maintenance

Many inkjet printers need a fair bit of TLC. Blocked nozzles in the print head can cause feint lines across prints, ruining photographic output, and you can feel the need to run frequent nozzle check routines and cleaning cycles, which are wasteful in time, ink and money. We didn’t suffer any problems during extended, long-term testing of the PRO-300 and never once had problems with blocked nozzles.

That said, we did adopt a policy of turning the printer on every few days, after which it often runs its own automatic diagnostic routine and mini-cleaning cycle, if necessary. The PRO-300 looks and feels like it’s built to last and that was certainly our experience. If you do run into any problems, support is available via Canon’s website and the printer is backed by a 1-year warranty plus extended service options.

• Score: 8/10

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300: Price & value

Given the fully pro-spec build quality, features, reliability and performance of the PRO-300, it’s very good value for money at the price. Its most direct competitor to the Epson SureColor P700, which retails for a very similar $829/£679. But that’s not quite the whole story. Like the Epson and most other inkjet printers, the PRO-300 is sold with a single set of ‘setup cartridges’ but, unlike many, they have plenty of stamina instead of running dry after just a few prints. Suffice it to say that you shouldn’t have to buy any replacement cartridges in the very short term.

The PRO-300 runs on 14.4ml cartridges, each of which should last for around 30 to 60 borderless A3+ prints. Naturally, however, the actual number of prints available from any one cartridge can vary hugely depending on the specific colors and densities within your images, and therefore how much of each ink is actually used. Ink quantities can also vary considerably when using different types of glossy and matte papers. Even so, ink costs typically average around $2.75/£2.95 per borderless A3+ photo print, which is pretty reasonable for a 10-cartridge pro-grade photo printer.

• Score: 8/10

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300: User reviews

User reviews of the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 are almost universally very favorable. Customers tend to be highly impressed with the print quality on wide-ranging glossy, semi-gloss, luster and matte media. For example, at the time or writing this review, the B&H Photo retailer in the USA carried 79 user reviews, 69 of which gave the PRO-300 a maximum 5-star rating, along with a further seven 4-star reviews. At Amazon, there were 166 global customer reviews, with an 85 per cent top-score 5-star rating.

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300: What the experts say

The imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is simply the best 13-inch/A3+ printer on the market for creating gallery quality photographs and reproductions of artworks. Even using the basic default print settings, color rendition and tonal range are exceptional and there’s direct support for a huge variety of top-quality fine art media from independent manufacturers, as well as for Canon’s own papers.

The depth and detail in really dark blacks is truly outstanding. The larger Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 17-inch/A2+ printer is also exceptional in this respect but the reformulated matte black ink of the PRO-300 gives it the edge.

While color rendition of color prints and the neutrality of black & white photo output is excellent, the advanced Canon Professional Print & Layout software, available free of charge, allows you to fine-tune the treatment of color, brightness and contrast. This makes it easy to tailor the results to your personal tastes, as well as to suit different display environments, for example when prints will be lit by daylight or relatively warm tungsten lighting. All in all, the PRO-300 is an amazing printer that’s backed up by really smart software.

Would I buy the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300?

If you’re in the market for a 13-inch/A3+ printer that will deliver best-in-class photographic output for both color and black & white images, as well as for reproducing artworks, you won’t find a better buy than the imagePROGRAF PRO-300. The only caveat is that, despite featuring a Chroma Optimizer cartridge, the dye-based Canon PIXMA PRO-200 delivers slightly smoother results on glossy photo paper and boasts significantly quicker print speeds. 

Typical of dye-based printers, glossy prints from the PRO-200 are also touch-dry even as they land in the output tray, whereas prints from pigment-based printers need more drying time. Ultimately, the PRO-300 is much better if you’re likely to print on matte and fine art media, whereas the PRO-200 is a smarter choice for printing purely on glossy photo paper.

How does it compare to competitors?

The main competitor to the PRO-300 is the Epson SureColor P700 13-inch/A3+ pigment-based photo printer. For our money, the Canon wins out for print quality, overall performance and reliability, making it the best choice. In our tests, the Canon’s setup cartridges, supplied with the printer, also proved rather more long-lasting after the initial installation procedure, compared with the Epson.

For ongoing cartridge costs, the PRO-300’s 14.4ml cartridges cost around $13/£14 each, so the price of ink equates to about $0.90/£0.97 per milliliter. The Epson SureColor P700 has larger 25ml cartridges but they cost around $38/£27 each, making ink rather more expensive, especially in the USA, at $1.52/£1.08 per milliliter.

How we tested the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300

Our testing process begins with unpacking and setting up the printer. We download and install the latest versions of drivers, then run nozzle check routines and, if required, print head cleaning cycles. We then carry out print head alignment procedures to ensure optimum accuracy. The printer manufacturers’ genuine, own-brand inks and photo papers are used throughout the entire testing procedure.

We create test prints from a wide range of mono and color documents, digital photos, including landscapes, portraits, and black & white images. Prints are made using standard color modes as well as optional enhancement features, offered with the printer. We also use our own specially created test chart to reveal each printer's accuracy in terms of color reproduction, tonal range, and the ability to deliver smooth graduations between subtle color variations.

For output speed, we measure the time taken to produce borderless 6x4-inch, A4, A3 and A3+ prints at various photo quality settings, where available with each printer that we test.

Solar power has become more attractive than ever in recent years, and there are more than a few reasons to stop counting on the energy grid to work flawlessly every day of the year. To give you some options for energy self-sufficiency, BLUETTI has recently added some new products to its power solution lineup. This includes a serious setup with the EP900 and B500 that BLUETTI introduced this year at CES 2023.

The EP900 is the beating heart of a whole-home backup power system. With its hybrid inverter, it can take power from AC mains and put power back into it at 120V or 240V AC at up to 9kW of pure sine wave power. This lets you charge up the batteries in the system from the grid and then draw on that power throughout your house if there’s a blip or a blackout. The system can kick in in just 10ms, ensuring your electronics stay up and running. Forget about data loss or spoiled food in the fridge.

The EP900 can also draw power from solar arrays up to 9kW. With a single B500 battery, the setup offers 9kWh of energy storage — more than enough to get you over a small power outage, or a useful amount to avoid paying for electricity from the grid when prices are highest during peak hours. But BLUETTI’s solution is scalable, with the B500 batteries stacking up to eight times, making it possible to configure a massive 39.6kWh backup that can keep your home running for days off battery alone. While the system keeps your home’s electricity secure, BLUETTI keeps the hardware secure with a 10-year warranty and 24/7 customer support. Plus, you can manage the system with a convenient app for real-time analytics and easy updates.

If your power needs sometimes extend beyond the home, BLUETTI also recently introduced the AC500 and B300 system. This combo provides 3,072Wh of power you can use at home or on the go. 

The AC500 offers 16 outlets that can provide 5kW of pure sine wave power at 120V AC. Pair it with a second AC500 run in series, and you can get 10kW of power at 240V. Just like the B500, the B300 batteries are also stackable, letting you combine eight units to built out a portable power system that can store up to 18,432Wh

When you need to recharge, the AC500 gives you a few options. You can pull in 5,000W from AC power, you can pull in 5,000W from a solar array, or you can draw from both sources simultaneously to recharge at 8,000W. This will let you charge in just a couple hours, so you’re always prepared with enough juice to keep your important electronics powered.

These new power solutions from BLUETTI are just a small selection of what the company has to offer. To see the new gear and the rest of the product lineup, head over to BLUETTI’s site here. 

These days, the best tablets can do a lot, with many packing enough features and power to double as laptops—as is reflected in their prices. However, the range is vast, with far more affordable options that serve well as a video streaming screen or web browsing slab on your coffee table. 

Many people will look to the originator of the tablet in the Apple iPad or some variant of that, but Android and Windows devices are not to be sniffed at as, in many cases, they can offer even more compelling features at more affordable prices. The key is to decide what you're buying a tablet for before you splash out.

If this is simply a second screen for streaming Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, or Amazon Prime Video, then a decent-quality display will be at the forefront of your specifications since any tablet on this list will have enough processing power to handle high-res streaming. Of course, if you plan to be mobile and away from the charger, you'll also want to consider battery size and potentially go for a smaller screen to get even more longevity.

Perhaps you simply want a big screen for browsing, reading, and scrolling social media. A more affordable option should serve you well in all these cases since none of those activities will strain your tablet.

At the other end of the spectrum are tablets that cram in processing power, snappy keyboard cases, high-resolution cameras, and audio systems – all backed by super-fast WiFi connectivity. These are great if you want a slate that you can work on, game with, and even picture or video edit in some cases. Just expect to pay more for all that functionality. You may also want to consider one of the best home computers for these uses and perhaps a more affordable tablet as a companion option, or just upgrade to one of the best smartphones to cover you that way. 

The best tablets we recommend

The Apple iPad Air (2022) is quite simply the best tablet you can buy right now. Sure, it's not as high-end as the iPad Pro, but then you still get lots of the important features without spending quite so much. So if you don't need to use your tablet as a workhorse or a gaming rig then this could serve you well. 

You still get that powerful M1 processor, a stunning 2360 x 1640 LED display at 10.9-inches and 8GB of RAM. All of this adds up to provide a smooth user experience in a tablet that looks great with a thin and light frame.

You have the iOS operating system meaning there is a huge selection of apps making this a very adaptable tablet that can be used for everything including augmented reality with dedicated software to support this cutting-edge experience. 

The iPad 10.2 (2019) is a classic iPad, which means you still get lots of feature fun but with a now lower price tag. How does it stack up against the new kids on the block? Very well, we're happy to report.

This is the seventh-generation of the iPad, and Apple has become exceedingly good at making them by now. Powered by the A10 Fusion chip and 3 GB of RAM, the iPad 2019 offers excellent performance for its price range and can easily handle multiple tabs or programs running at once without freezing up. The 10.2-inch Retina display screen looks great too, so it's perfect for watching a bit of TV or a movie on Netflix.

It also comes with an impressive 10-hour battery life, so it should last you all day without needing to be charged unless you're really pushing it. The camera is a bit average, but that's to be expected on a budget model. 

When it comes to Android tablets, it's Samsung leading the way with its Tab S8 Ultra. This monster of a slate packs a whopping 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display for super clear visuals that make it ideal for movie watching, video chat, image flitting, multi-screen working and plenty more besides. 

All that is handled capably by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and massive 11,200 mAh all crammed into a slim 0.22-inch thin body. You also have very capable cameras with dual 13MP and 6MP shooters in the rear and dual 12MP snappers as your selfie camera setup. 

This is not a tablet for those on a budget, but then it has the potential to replace a laptop, which can help justify the cost. You also get the S Pen included, further extending the potential uses of this tablet which can work well as a graphic design slate, annotation device and beyond. With great speakers, lots of storage and the option for a decent keyboard case, this really does it all.

The 2021 iPad Pro surprised many by borrowing the M1 chip straight out of Apple’s Mac lineup, meaning it now offers even more impressive performance in both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch versions – along with improved battery life thanks to increased power efficiency.

It’s the 12.9-inch version that we’ve selected in our best tablet list, though, because it swapped out the standard LED backlighting for mini-LED. Why is that a big deal? Because the iPad Pro 12.9-inch now offers a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio – increased brightness, deeper blacks and more vibrant colors combine to make it a great place to watch movies.

The iPad Pro also has ProMotion, which adjusts the display’s refresh rate based on the content you’re viewing up to a huge 120Hz. By dialling it down when you’re just flipping through emails, it’s able to prolong the battery life, too.

The sticking point, though, is the price. The non-cellular, base 128GB version will set you back $1099, and that doesn’t factor in the Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard, while iPadOS has a lot of catching up to do with macOS. As a result, you may be better suited to a MacBook.

Microsoft has given its top-end tablet line an overhaul in the Surface Pro 8 which has got a new display, faster processor and a stunning fresh design. All of that makes it more expensive than ever but for a Windows tablet that doubles as a computer, this really is an attractive choice. Yes you have to buy the Type Cover separately but what you do get for your buck is speedy Intel Core i7 processing, a 13-inch QHD display, two Thunderbolt ports, a 1080p webcam, up to 16GB of RAM and 256GB storage, plus a slim 0.37-inch body that comes in at under two pounds in weight. 

This is a PC with Windows 11, in the form of a tablet. For a do it all tablet that you can work on, game with, use for web browsing, multitasking and more, this is the one for Microsoft fans.

Apple’s iPad Mini range had been languishing untouched for a while, but a 2021 refresh brings it more in line with its larger brothers. 

Offering a gorgeous Liquid Retina display, the iPad Mini 2021 is just about small enough to put in your back pocket, while offering a much larger canvas than the iPhone 13 series it shares a processor with.

That means you get great performance, whether you’re flicking through everyday tasks or playing games, and can pull out an Apple Pencil (sold separately) and use the iPad Mini as a notepad in an instant.

Sadly, the smaller enclosure does mean you’ll need to charge it more than its big brothers, and it’s more expensive than the base iPad despite being smaller. 

The Kindle Oasis is one for the bibliophiles out there, the book lovers who don't care about watching Amazon Prime Video or listening to Spotify. They want to read books all day, every day. If that sounds like you, then you're in for a treat.

Unlike most tablets which use a standard LCD or OLED screen, the Kindle Oasis uses Amazon's patented E Ink display to simulate the appearance of words written on paper. This means less glare and eye-strain for you when you're reading your favorite books – which you can do in a candlelit bath as this is waterproof and backlit. 

The Kindle Oasis also has another unique design feature - a bump on the rear of the tablet that makes it easier to grip and hold for long periods of time. This is a bit of a "love it or hate it" addition though, so we'd recommend trying one out before buying if you're unsure.

Considering that it's just an e-reader and doesn't offer the same flexibility as a regular tablet, the Kindle Oasis is mighty expensive though, with price staring at $250. As a result, this is a specialist product, but it's excellent at what it does.

Alongside the revolutionary Kindle lineup, Amazon also has a great range of budget tablets headed up by the Amazon Fire HD 10. The now older 2019 revision of this cheap-and-cheerful tablet still remains one of the best budget Android tablet options out there.

Considering the entry price starts at under $100, you get a surprisingly decent bit of kit with the Amazon Fire HD 10. The screen is a 10" full HD panel which is great for watching movies or playing games on and while the 2GHz octa-core processor and 2GB of RAM aren’t going to shatter your mind, they’re good enough for basic browsing, video streaming and a bit of light gaming.

As part of Amazon’s ecosystem though, the Amazon Fire HD 10 is constantly pestering you to sign up to its services with lockscreen ads unless you pay extra. It’s a decent budget option though and we think it’s a perfect tablet for entertaining the kids without breaking the bank. 

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro is a tablet that offers some top end features at a reasonable price. That means a stunning 11.5-inch OLED and HDR10 capable display with 1600 x 2500 resolution for a very sharp and immersive screen experience that's great for movies. This is packed by powerful sound from the quad-core speakers, making this a veritable home entertainment hub.

But the price is still low and that's thanks to some drawbacks like a pretty average camera, although the megapixel count is high enough with a 13MP + 5MP setup and webcam does a decent job. Battery life is also impressive, which when combined with the support for keyboard and stylus makes this a powerful setup. Combine that with a premium metallic build and this could even give your laptop a nudge out off your shelf, if only it had a bit more grunt in the processing department.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 offers a relatively affordable way to get a full Windows 10 toting tablet that comes inside a premium quality build. You also get a long battery life, with Type Cover keyboard option to make this a viable laptop replacement. The processor might not be powerful enough for some though, so going for the top-end specs is recommended.

The 10.5-inch display is high-res, clear, colorful and yet perfectly portable. The 5MP, 1080p webcam is great for online video and with a front-facing sensor combined with that this will even let you unlock with your face using the Windows Hello biometric login. You get a lot for your buck here but we'd recommend paying a bit more for the 8GB model if you want to avoid any lag when in heavy use.

How to choose the best tablet for you

When you come to buy a tablet you will likely notice the price range is massively varied from sub $100 options right up above the $1,000 mark by a good measure. Essentially, the more you pay the better quality the screen and the faster the processing power will be, but you'll also get better build quality. Cameras will also be of a higher quality and you may find audio quality is enhanced, but you may not need all that.

If you simply want the best quality screen but without paying the top end for all those other features then be sure to look out for OLED, or AMOLED, models. These displays offer the greatest colors, the richest inky blacks and the very fastest refresh rates. They do all that while also draining battery far less than LED or LCD display options. That's why you'll likely find that most models do come with one of these screens. But if you spot something really affordable and it doesn't, then you'll know why and may want to keep looking. Resolution can vary a lot too so look at that figure closely when browsing options.

Size is a consideration, with smaller models potentially having more battery life due to a smaller screen – although it can mean a smaller battery too so don't take that as a given. You may also want something that comes with or supports a stylus so you can annotate and draw on your tablet. As for gaming, if you want to play high-end options then be prepared to go for the more powerful processors with more RAM onboard where available.

The popularity of the best video doorbells is increasing every year as more companies and individuals recognize their usefulness. A camera on your property can provide an extra layer of security, and you'll never miss a visitor or a delivery again, even when you're out and about.

These doorbells connect to your WiFi, allowing you to stay connected through the accompanying app on your phone. Of course, it's important to consider not just the product itself, but also the software that supports it. How user-friendly is the app? How quickly do you receive alerts? How many customizable options are available?

All that is on top of considering the quality of the smart video doorbell you need, whether wired or battery-powered, whether you need a security light, too, and, of course, how much you're looking to spend. There are also dedicated security models, so if you're concerned about that, it's worth checking out our best wireless security camera guide.

Cost is a big factor when choosing a video doorbell, as this can vary wildly, even beyond the upfront cost. Some devices will let you slot in a memory card so you can store and access video footage after it's happened, while others, including big brands like Ring, add a subscription cost for cloud storage. Without that, you lose a lot of features, and the security value drops – so longer-term costs are worth considering, too.

Whatever you go for, if it's on this list, we think it’s one of the best video doorbells out there, meaning you get high-quality video, night vision, two-way audio via the app, and a build quality that is robust enough to live outdoors in nearly any climate.

The best video doorbells we recommend in 2026

Top Ten Reviews is on a mission to review everything we feature in our buyer's guides. Still, while we work hard to make this a reality—or where this isn't possible—some of our guides still feature rankings based on our team's considerable expertise and research.

While we haven't been able to test any of the units in this guide in person, we've instead honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the best features to help you make the right decision for your home, all for the best price.

The best video doorbell overall

With its user-friendly interface, no hidden features behind a paywall, and incredible viewing angles, the eufy Video Doorbell Dual exceeded our expectations. The dual camera view in the app is the most striking feature of this doorbell, and unlike other doorbells that show a square image, eufy's offering shows you the entire floor, which makes it easier to recognize packages and notice if someone takes them.

The Doorbell captured everything from the ceiling to the doorstep, and we could monitor the activity of anyone who came near our front door. The 2-way communication feature allowed us to speak with anyone outside, or we could quickly respond like "just leave it there" or "we'll be right with you." There are multiple options for customizing chimes, which can be set for both home and away modes.

There are a few ways to set modes on your doorbell, including geofencing, which will automatically switch your doorbell to "away" mode when you're not home. Instead of manually setting a schedule, you can use the app to switch between "home" and "away" modes as needed. The doorbell also has other automation features if you have other eufy devices around your home, such as motion detection or smart locks.

The doorbell can distinguish between people, animals, and packages, providing a customized alert for each. The eufy Video Doorbell Dual records a short clip of any activity and stores it on the Homebase. This means there are no additional charges for cloud storage, and your footage is less likely to be stolen through a data security breach. The device is compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant speakers or displays, and you can use Chromecast to get a live feed of your front porch.

The best Ring doorbell

The Ring Video Doorbell 4 is one of the newer additions to the Ring family, with a pre-roll feature that captures four seconds of video footage before motion is detected. However, if you already own an older generation Ring doorbell, there aren't many fresh features that would warrant an upgrade (explaining the less-than-perfect score). Although the Ring Video Doorbell 4 remains a great option for those looking to join the smart doorbell market, it is not the only good entry point.

The app's draggable lines make adjusting motion detection zones easy and intuitive, and during our testing, the wide and clear view from the doorbell camera showed our relatively narrow front (or back) patio area in full. We had to adjust the motion detection zones to prevent being bombarded with alerts for passers-by on the adjacent road, but this was a straightforward process.

As mentioned, the pre-roll video feature is one of the standout features of the Ring Video Doorbell 4. We found this particularly useful when testing the device for deliveries, as if couriers in your area have a habit of ringing the doorbell and leaving before you can answer it, you can use the Ring app to see what happened right before the incident. This feature is not only convenient for everyday situations but can also be vital for security purposes.

The Ring app is still as fantastic as it has always been, with fast loading times and clear navigation. We had no trouble pulling up the video when needed; the two-way audio always worked brilliantly. We also appreciated the 'quick reply' message feature, which allowed us to let visitors know that we were out or that we might take a little while to reach the door.

The best video doorbell for advanced features

The Google Nest Doorbell Battery is a top-of-the-line wireless doorbell that offers many features and seamless integration with your smart home. However, a few drawbacks keep it from being a perfect device.

One of the standout features of the Google Nest Doorbell Battery is its ability to integrate with Google Assistant-powered smart homes. Once added to your account, you can opt to have your Google Home Mini alert you when someone is at the door. You can also pre-set messages to let callers know you're on your way, which is helpful if you're not always close to the front door or don't have your phone on hand.

However, the device has limited options for chimes if you don't already have a Google Assistant speaker at home, as you can only use your existing chime if you hardwire the doorbell. However, the Nest Doorbell Battery's intelligent detection features are impressive, with package detection, animal and vehicle recognition, and facial recognition for familiar faces (with a Nest Aware subscription).

The device's aspect ratio of 3:4 means more length and less width to the image, which is ideal for fielding couriers and receiving packages. The 6x zoom also allows for a closer look at anything interesting. We were impressed with the battery life of our doorbell during testing. At the end of the testing period, the battery still had 60% charge remaining. The app indicates that this amount of charge should last for another two months based on the current settings. Additionally, you can enable the Automatic Battery Saver feature to reduce recordings when the battery has less than seven days of charge remaining.

If you subscribe to Nest Aware, you can access all the features the Google Nest Doorbell Battery offers. This includes 60 days of storage and facial recognition for familiar faces.

The best value Ring Video Doorbell

The Ring Video Doorbell 3 is one of the more popular doorbells by the Amazon-owned brand. It's an upgrade from Doorbell 2 with the option to connect to 2.4 or 5G networks (rather than just the latter), advanced motion zone detection, and silent mode. 

The Ring Video Doorbell 3 design is larger than your average doorbell and one of the bulkier Ring video doorbells. If you're not a fan of the standard color, you can buy an interchangeable faceplate directly from Ring to better suit the vibe of your home.

It's available as a hard-wired or battery-powered video doorbell to suit your installation requirements. Our editor, Jen, opted to review the Doorbell 3 as a wireless, battery-powered device - and she bought the Blue Metal faceplate (very nice). To install, it was a matter of removing the existing doorbell, using the supplied kit to mount it next to the front door, and connecting it to the Ring app.

Jen found the app easy to navigate during the set-up process with a step-by-step guide and used it to monitor the outside of her front door. In the app, you can grant access to live streaming, engage with two-way talk, and view missed doorbell rings. Jen found the two-way talk feature particularly useful, especially when she was expecting a delivery she wasn't at home for - she simply clicked on the notification when the doorbell rang and "answered" it remotely.

As with all Ring devices, you will benefit the most from the app by signing up for Ring Protect. And be prepared to charge the Doorbell 3 every 25 days, allowing up to 6 hours to fully recharge.

The best video doorbell on a budget

The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell is a highly capable and efficient device that packs a lot of features into a slim and sleek design. Despite its name, this doorbell is far from basic, offering users excellent 1080p video quality with a wide 180-degree field of view and clear two-way audio that allows for easy communication with anyone who rings your doorbell.

The Arlo app is a standout, giving you plenty of options and features to play around with. There's a lot to explore and experiment with, from cloud-based storage for your videos to integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit. The app is intuitive and easy to use, making it simple to customize your settings and preferences to suit your needs.

The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell also lets people leave messages. If you're not available to answer the door when someone rings, the doorbell allows visitors to leave a message that you can check later at your convenience. This great feature adds a lot of convenience and flexibility to the device. Both hard-wired and battery-powered versions of the doorbell are available.

The best premium video doorbell

The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is a great investment for anyone who wants a premium security system. It boasts a 1536 x 1536 resolution video and clear two-way audio, which makes it a standout option in the market. Its night vision feature makes it even more impressive, which captures color footage in low-light conditions. This means you can see who is at your door, even after dark.

Note that the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2's video is in a 1:1 ratio, which allows you to see the entire length of anyone at your door. It can also spot packages left, making it a great option for those who frequently receive deliveries.

While the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is a great product, it is worth mentioning that you will need to pay for a subscription to the cloud-based storage service to get access to all of its best features, like the integration with Alexa. This means that alerts can ring through to your Echo device, or in the US, Alexa can even answer the door for you. Unfortunately, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 isn't compatible with HomeKit or Google Assistant, but this may change. 

How to choose the best video doorbell for your home

When someone calls your door, the video doorbell is only as good as the video and audio.

The higher the video resolution, the sharper the footage captured. Some video doorbells feature 720p HD recording, but those looking for the best clarity will want a video doorbell that can record in 1080p Full HD. While footage recorded in 720p is adequate, footage at 1080p will have much more detail, making it much easier to work out what’s going on and who’s visiting your front door.

It’s not just video capture during daylight hours that you need to think about, but night-time as well. Video doorbells handle this in a couple of different ways, with some using motion-activated LEDs to light the area in front of the camera, while others use infrared night vision to see what’s happening. Unlike motion-activated LEDs, infrared night vision records footage in black and white.

The field of view shouldn’t be ignored either. Some video doorbells, like the Ring Video Doorbell 2, feature 160-degree viewing angles, which, depending on where it is positioned, will allow you to potentially see your whole porch and driveway. Others feature narrower fields of view so you won’t get the same ultra-wide coverage.

It’s not just about the picture quality - audio can be just as important when looking for the best video doorbell. Units should have microphones and speakers built into them, allowing you not only to hear what’s being said but also to reply and have a brief conversation, even if that’s to tell the FedEx delivery man to leave the package on the porch.

Needing to schedule a return or create a physical record of your online orders? You might need to learn how to print receipts from Amazon. 

Amazon is heavyweight in online shopping and more of us are using the all encompassing online retailer to buy everything from daily essentials to kitchen gadgets and office equipment to grocery shopping, all delivered in record time with the super efficient Prime delivery service. 

In this tutorial we’re going to look at how you can print off your invoices on Amazon to keep a receipt either in digital PDF or as a physical print to keep your purchases stored securely and filed neatly, this is particularly handy if you keep receipts for tax purposes when running a business. Let’s take a look at how it’s done. 

How to print receipts from Amazon

Go to www.amazon.com and log into your Amazon account. At the top of the banner on the Amazon, website click on the 'Returns & Orders' button next to your basket, this will take you to a new page where you can see all of your previous orders. If you can’t see the specific order you need, click on the drop-down list that says ‘past three months’ by default and change this to whichever year is of interest to you and it will then bring up all of the orders you placed in that time frame.

Now scroll down to the specific order you’d like to print out and click on the 'Invoice' button on the right. Then choose 'Order Summary' from the fly-out menu that appears.

At the top of the screen, you’ll see your order number and below it, a button you can press that says ‘Print this page for your records’. Click this button to bring up the printing options and change the destination to either save as a PDF or choose the printer you’d like to print to for a physical copy that you can store and archive.

You can also choose which of the pages you’d like to print rather than the whole document and also whether to print in portrait or landscape format. In the print options click 'More Settings' to set the paper size, by default this will be set to A4, and whether to print in color or black and white to save on ink. When you’ve finished adjusting the print settings simply hit the 'Print' button to start printing your Amazon invoice. When you’re done go back to the 'Your Orders' page and repeat this process for any other transactions that you’d like to print or backup as a PDF.

If you’ve recently purchased a home or office printer you may be frantically searching, 'how to use a printer'. While it’s certainly worth reading the instruction manual and following any setup guides that have come with it, we’ve laid out some essential steps to follow and advice you can use when getting started. The majority of home and office printers are either the inkjet or laser type, though we’ll specifically be looking at the more budget-friendly inkjet models in this guide. Here’s everything you need to know to get started… 

Setting up for the first time

Modern printers will likely have the ability to print wirelessly with AirPrint from smart devices like phones and tablets, as well as desktop PCs and laptops with WiFi and Bluetooth. They should also allow you to plug directly into your computer via a USB cable, it’s best to try the wired route first to make sure that it's correctly set up and all of the necessary printer drivers are installed. Some printers won’t allow you to print wirelessly until you’ve done this step as it needs to be set up on your internet router correctly. We also ran into compatibility issues with old printers and new 5G Wi-Fi routers so be sure to read your instruction manual to make sure your printer is compatible with your router.

Using AirPrint to print from a smart device is a brilliant time-saving feature and convenience, however, it only gives you very basic printing options. If you need more control when printing it’s best to either download a specific app for your printer, such as HP Smart, or alternatively transfer your media to a desktop PC or laptop and print from there.

Media type

An often overlooked part of the printing process is the media you choose to print on. You’ll need to determine the size of your prints, such as A4 or A5, or even larger A3 and A2 prints if your printer is capable, then put the paper into the printer loading tray and adjust the sliding guide so that it fits snugly against paper to stop the paper drifting when it’s pulled through.

You may also be able to enable borderless printing on some models so you can print up to the edge of the paper with no border. Another consideration is whether to go for a glossy or matt media type. Colors and contrast tend to look a little punchier on glossy varieties but they also suffer from glare in direct sunlight and fingerprints will show up on them more readily. You can customize the paper size, borderless printing, and matt or glossy media in the printing settings.

For more accurate colors you could use a screen monitor and printer calibration devices for the most accurate colors which will provide you with a bespoke printer profile for your setup.

Ink cartridges

Inkjet printers usually come with two cartridges, one for black and a tricolor cartridge for cyan, magenta, and yellow colors, but some models have individual cartridges for every color. One issue with tricolor cartridges is if one ink, such as yellow, runs dry before the others you still need to purchase an entirely new cartridge, and this leads to a lot of waste.

The upside of having individual ink cartridges is that you can simply replace the low ones. Read your instruction manual on how to remove the ink cartridges from your printer, then unclip and remove them, it will say the model number on each cartridge so you know which ones to buy when you need more, some also come in XL varieties which will last longer. You can also try using cheap ink refill kits online to save some money. This can be a more cost-effective route, though some newer models feature electronic chips in the cartridges which tell the printer if they’ve been tampered with which could cause a problem.

Maintenance

Most households use budget-friendly inkjet printers which spray tiny droplets of ink out of a print head nozzle precisely onto a sheet of paper to create the print. However, print heads can get clogged if the printer goes long periods without being used, so try to do a full-color print once every few weeks to reduce the chance of this happening. You should also be able to print a test sheet which will show you if there is any banding or streaks and which print head is affected. This is usually done through the printer interface or via the desktop app.

Many manufacturers build the print head into the cartridge so you get a fresh print head every time you put in a new ink cartridge. In this case, if you have a very stubborn clog you could put in a new cartridge to fix the issue if all else fails.

But, if you own a printer where the ink cartridges and nozzles are separated you could use a product like PermaJet CleverClogs. This pumps a solution through the print heads to soften and remove stubborn clogs from the print head, and we’ve had great success using this product in the past.

Special printer functions

Alongside the basic printing functions some printers may have additional features such as a flatbed scanner for making copies, duplex printing to print on both sides of a sheet easily, a built-in fax machine, the ability to print on special media like handmade paper or card, and a memory card slot. It’s worth reading the specification and your user manual to make sure you’re getting the most out of any additional features that your printer may have. 

For decades we’ve had them at our disposal ready to print out documents, photographs, resumes or even homework, but you still might find yourself wondering, 'how does a printer work'? 

Modern home printers most commonly come in two types: inkjet and laser, with the vast majority being the more affordable inkjet variety. Prints from both machines might look the same at first glance but the mechanics under the hood vary considerably, in this article we’ll take a look at how both inkjet and laser printers work as well as the benefits and pitfalls of each system so you can work out which is best for your home or office. 

How does an inkjet printer work?

As the name implies, inkjet printers use wet ink usually stored in replaceable cartridges, though some higher-end models use large ink tanks that can be topped up with ink when they run low. Cartridges are however more commonly used and in budget inkjet printers you’ll usually find two of them, one for black and another ‘tricolor’ cartridge which contains three colors - cyan, magenta, and yellow. Ink droplets from each are then built up on the page where they mix to build up a full spectrum of colors and tones. Higher-end premium models have extra ink cartridges such as photo black, matte black, light black, light light black, cyan, light cyan, yellow, vivid magenta, and vivid light magenta for an even wider gamut of tones.

When you print from your computer, the printer software electronically sends the document to the printer via Wi-Fi or a wired USB connection. The printer then knows exactly where to spray each tiny droplet of ink on the page as it’s passed through. Due to the nature of wet ink, you need to allow a small amount of time for your prints to dry before handling them to avoid any smudging from occurring. 

Overall, inkjet printers are very affordable as an initial purchase, though ink can rack up costs quickly, particularly if your model only has two cartridges. They are, however, very compact and don’t take up a huge amount of space, many models also have a flatbed scanner and fax machine built-in which enhances their convenience further. 

Premium inkjet printers with a wide range of ink can also deliver far superior print quality for photos compared to laser models, but this comes at the cost of speed as they’re slower. The print nozzles can also get clogged if you don’t use them regularly which can lead to unsightly streaks appearing in your images. It can also be quite wasteful if you throw away a tri-color cartridge because one of its inks has become low.

How does a laser printer work?

It probably comes as no surprise that laser printers, of course, use lasers! Inside a laser printer, you’ll find a rotating drum for each black, cyan, magenta, and yellow color, although budget black and white laser printers just contain the black toner cartridge and drum.

Each drum becomes negatively charged and a laser is then fired onto the spinning drum precisely where the toner needs to go and gives this part of the drum a positive charge. Toner from the hopper is then attracted to that area of the drum and transferred to the sheet of paper as it’s passed through.

Because you have a large drum and hopper full of toner for each black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, laser printer models are inherently much larger and bulkier than inkjet printers that use smaller ink cartridges.

Laser printers are also more expensive to buy from the offset, and replacement toner can cost around $40-60 for each color. That being said, offices usually prefer laser printers because their large footprint isn’t usually an issue, they require less maintenance as there are no nozzles that can clog with ink and they also deliver razor-sharp text, ideal for documents and PDFs. In addition, they can also be very cost-effective with an average toner drum lasting for about 2000-4000 sheets. Some companies even rent or hire their laser printers rather than buy them outright and this monthly fee covers any maintenance costs and toner, and then they pay a set rate per page printed.

The downside to laser printers is that they’re more expensive to buy outright than inkjet models, they require more space as they’re large and bulky and they use more electricity than inkjet models to using the lasers and also heat in the final step to fuse the toner to the paper, so this is all worth taking into consideration when deciding whether to go for an inkjet or laser model.

Picking the best TV can be tough, but the Samsung M8 Monitor makes a solid case for being the next screen you put on your desk – if not in your lounge.

Seemingly designed to compete with Apple’s Studio Display, Samsung’s monitor packs plenty of tech and features into a good-looking chassis but it’s unlikely to replace your TV.

That’s because it feels specifically targeted at being your new desk monitor, with a bright, very capable display and speakers backed up by a series of built-in streaming apps but lacking a standard HDMI port. Sure, you can use the included micro HDMI cable, but the combination of an upstream and downstream USB-C port mean it feels ideally suited for connecting up laptops or tablets as opposed to set top boxes and game consoles.

With impressive smart TV features like the ability to watch TV while working on your device of choice, there’s a lot to like. There’s even a nifty detachable webcam that connects via magnets (although its quality could be better), and the monitor can be used as a smart hub. It even has Samsung’s DeX functionality built-in, although we’d argue the built-in productivity tools aren’t likely to work for most users.

Still, for slightly over $700, users can get a very solid TV/monitor combo – but depending on your setup, you may want to lean one way or the other.

Samsung M8 Smart Monitor: Design and build

The Samsung M8 monitor comes in a variety of pastel colors. Our review unit is pink, but there are also green, blue, and white options. All are accented with white panelling around the display, as well as the back panel.

There’s an undeniable feel of familiarity for anyone that’s seen an M1 iMac, but one key difference is the webcam peeking over the top and lack of sizeable ‘chin’ at the bottom.

Underneath the stand, you’ll find a series of ports, with two USB-C ports, a micro-HDMI one. Sadly, that’s about it, meaning you won’t find any additional USB ports. The stand isn’t height-adjustable, either, and as a taller user our reviewer compensated using a small desk shelf.

Samsung M8 Smart Monitor: Features and specs

The Samsung M8 really can be many things to different people, but there are some caveats for both sides. Still, you can sit at your desk and do work on it, and it’s great both as a smart TV and as an extra display.

Looking at the former, the slimline but powerful remote, solid if unspectacular speakers, and bright (400 nits) display make this an ideal screen for bingeing your latest Netflix obsession or catching up on YouTube. It runs on Samsung’s Tizen OS, meaning you can skip between apps (as all the big ones are supported) with ease. It’s responsive, and much more capable than you’d perhaps expect given the M8 sits between the two aforementioned camps.

That brings us to using the M8 as a monitor, and there’s plenty to like there, too, if your setup works with it. If you’ve already moved to USB-C as standard, you’ll feel right at home – plug in your laptop or tablet (we used a MacBook Pro and iPad Pro running macOS Ventura and iPadOS 16 betas respectively) and were able to work, play games, and do pretty much anything we wanted to with a single cable connected to the ‘upstream’ USB-C port. It even charged the laptop.

Downstream, things get a little less reliable in a work scenario. For one, this USB-C port is significantly slower (USB 2.0) and while it does offer some power delivery, it won’t be as fast as hooking something up to your laptop directly.

The webcam is detachable and snaps on via magnets. Samsung says the webcam has a 1080p resolution, but in a small office it felt dark and low-resolution. However, being able to join Google Duo chats in a pinch without having to access a computer is sure to help a handful of people out.

Perhaps most interestingly, Samsung’s lightweight DeX ecosystem means that users can, at least theoretically, perform many tasks without connecting to anything. Many Google apps, including Docs and Sheets, aren’t supported on the ecosystem, which feels like a a sizeable omission given the option to make Duo calls.

While we didn’t test gaming on the display outside of a handful of games we have installed on our Mac, the M8 has an Xbox streaming included, meaning you can play games via the cloud by connecting a controller.

Blending the two camps together, you can run a side-by-side mode that lets you work on your connected device while also watching content through Tizen. It’s not something we’d use regularly, but it’s another option afforded by the M8 that’s sure to appeal to some.

Samsung M8 Smart Monitor: Setup and assembly

Putting the Samsung M8 together took mere seconds; the display’s stand is easy to assemble and the packaging helps to separate each piece.

Slot together the stand, connect the display to a power source, and use the remote to start things up – it’s as easy as that. Within minutes, we had the monitor connected to Wi-Fi, and were able to flick through the apps included.

It’s worth noting that connecting with a laptop like a MacBook via USB-C will require users find the correct port - the ‘upstream’ option is the one to look for.

Samsung M8 Smart Monitor: Picture

If you’re expecting the M8 to struggle under the weight of its additional features and fumble the TV side of things, then we’re pleased to say it’s not the case.

While it lacks Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10+ is present and accounted for. That, combined with streaming apps and a 4K panel, means that you can work your way through visually impressive TV shows like Stranger Things and have a great experience.

Would we have liked an OLED panel, though? For sure, although we suspect it would’ve seen a price increase. OLED screens allow for deeper blacks to increase contrast, but it’s still hard to argue with what’s on offer here at this price point.

On the other hand, the high resolution and impressive brightness also make the M8 ideal for photo and video editors, particularly when taking color depth into account.

Samsung M8 Smart Monitor: Sound

The Samsung M8’s front-facing speakers are good, but could be better. They’re a solid stereo option, but the thin chassis means there’s a lack of depth to the sound.

Higher volumes can distort too, which again lends credence to the idea that the M8 is made for your desk, not for your living room.

Still, listening to music or watching TV shows is a solid enough experience thanks to balanced sound, particularly in mids. You can connect your favorite headphones via Bluetooth, but in order to achieve the best audio, we’d advise connecting them directly to your laptop while working instead.

Samsung M8 Smart Monitor: Price and availability

• $799 / £699

The Samsung M8 is a very solid alternative to the Apple Studio Display. In fact, while many of its features will feel superfluous if you don’t use them, you get the M8’s larger panel for around half the price of the Apple Studio.

The Samsung M8 monitor is available worldwide, as is its predecessor, the M7, which offers more ports if you can deal with lower brightness and an older design.

Samsung M8 Smart Monitor: Care and maintenance

Looking after the Samsung M8 Smart Monitor is much the same as cleaning any other monitor. As per our guide on how to clean your monitor, you’ll need a dry microfiber cloth and some distilled water.

Start by using the cloth in a circular motion, gently rotating and picking up dust and debris (avoid using a towel in case of scratches). Use distilled water to clean the cloth afterward, avoiding alcohol-based products and tap water.

Samsung M8 Smart Monitor: User reviews

At the time of writing, the Samsung M8 had an average rating on Amazon of 4.4 stars out of 5. Amazon reviews for the product are positive, with many noting it’s essentially a TV with laptop connectivity – and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Some reviews have noted the impressive picture and app options, and the ease of use. One happy customer notes that the Samsung M8 is a great replacement for a gaming monitor, saying: “I can easily connect to my PC for gaming without having to disconnect my Macbook. The slim camera has great quality in taking in the picture when I have my MacBook closed. The smart TV option is super easy to navigate. The speakers have a good range and clarity.”

Should you buy the Samsung M8 Smart Monitor?

If you’re looking for a smart TV, the Samsung M8 is ideal for your desk – but a lack of physical connectivity options can limit its potential as the main display in your home.

If it had a full-size HDMI port (or more than one) and perhaps a larger size variant, it’d be able to tick a few more boxes. As it is, though, it’s our favorite “one size fits all” monitor for your desktop.

How does the Samsung M8 monitor compare to competitors?

As we’ve mentioned, the M8’s main rival in the space is likely to be Apple’s much more expensive Studio Display. While that display has had its own share of issues, notably with its camera, it does have a more impressive screen with 5K, although it is smaller than the M8. Still, the Studio Display is very much a monitor made for Apple devices, meaning platform-agnostic users, or those looking for something more self-sufficient, will likely prefer the Samsung M8.

This review looks at the Canon TS6320a, also known as the TS6350a in the UK or TS6360a in Australia. If you’re wondering what the ‘a’ stands for at the end of the model name, it means this model doesn’t have Bluetooth. However, everything else in this review will be much the same for the TS6420 (USA), TS6350 (UK), and TS6360 (Australia).

The best all-in-one printers combine a printer with a built-in flatbed scanner for scanning and copying. They’ve become popular for homes, schools, and small office spaces, bringing these commonly needed functions under one roof. Canon hopes its PIXMA TS6320a will stand out from its competition with its dual paper feeds, an automatic output tray, WiFi, five separate inks, automatic 2-sided printing, and a 1.44” OLED display. Let’s get to testing to see how it stacks up against the best compact printers and if you should buy one…

Canon PIXMA TS6320a: Setup

Setting up the Canon PIXMA TS6320a on your Wi-Fi network is best done through the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app for iOS and Android devices. It’s very easy, and when completed, you can print to it from other Apple and Android devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network without downloading additional software.

Printing can be done wirelessly or via a USB-B-type cable, though the latter isn’t included in the box. Some Canon printers feature a memory card reader, so you can print directly from your camera, but this has been left out.

Some budget printers don’t feature a screen and only have a simple LED light to indicate any issues. In our experience, this can make it tricky to diagnose faults and troubleshoot. However, the 1.44” OLED screen on the TS6320a is a joy. It displays helpful information that makes troubleshooting problems much more manageable. It’s too small to view images, so previewing photos has to be done on a computer or smartphone, but it's perfect for providing information and helpful hints.

The TS6320a has two paper feeds. The front feed is a cassette that can hold up to 100 sheets of plain A4 paper, while the rear tray can also hold 100 sheets of A4 plain paper or 20 sheets of photo paper. Automatic two-sided printing is a great time-saving feature if you plan to print lots of documents. It also features an output tray that automatically extends, which feels futuristic the first time you see it happen, though it is a bit of a gimmick. Auto paper width detection is also boasted.

• Score: 8.5/10

Canon’s PIXMA TS6320a: Design & features

As an all-in-one printer, Canon’s PIXMA TS6420a can print up to A4 size with a maximum resolution of 4800x1200 dpi. It can also produce borderless 10x15cm prints, and its built-in scanner has a maximum resolution of 1200x2400 dpi.

A five-ink system is implemented with Magenta, Cyan, and Yellow color inks, standard Black, and additional Pigment Black for rich, deep shadows and crisp, sharp text. Canon claims its prints are good for 100 years with its ChromaLife 100 hallmark. The cartridges also use Canon’s FINE technology, which means the cartridges have the inkjet nozzle built-in to each ink cartridge so that you get a fresh one with each new cartridge, which helps keep maintenance down.

With two paper trays, you can load the front cassette with 100 sheets of plain A4 paper, the rear input tray with another 100 sheets of A4 paper, or 20 sheets of glossy photo paper. This is handy if you print regularly and use different paper types, as you can fill both paper feeds with other media, set it and forget it, and then replenish either supply when needed.

The TS6320a can print automatically on both sides, which saves time and is more environmentally friendly. Canon says that the two-way paper feed allows for experimenting with new creative projects. It’s also compatible with iron-on transfers and double-sided matte paper.

• Score: 8/10

Canon PIXMA TS6320a: Performance

The Canon PIXMA TS6320a's print quality was impressive. The extra pigment black ink cartridge helped the text appear sharp, rivaling that of a laser printer.

We also tested printing photos on Canon Matte and Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II. Both delivered excellent results, with the quality set at its highest. As you’d expect, colors looked more vibrant, with deeper blacks and sharper-looking details on the glossy paper, so this would be our preference for printing high-quality photos. It is a bit of a shame that it can’t print A4 borderless photos, as this would have been the icing on the cake, so A4 images have a thin white border around the edges.

Canon’s claims of 10 images per minute for color or 15 images per minute for mono were quickly dispelled - perhaps the images were smaller or set to lower quality in Canon’s testing. However, we still found print times to be respectable. A full-color A4 image on matte paper at the highest quality took 1:15 mins, while the image set to best print quality took 1:50 mins on glossy paper. An A4 document consisting of text was set to the best quality and also took 55 seconds, while a double-sided newsletter with a mixture of words and pictures set to the best quality took just over two minutes to print.

• Score: 8/10

Canon PIXMA TS6320a: Price & value

When writing, the TS6320a had an RRP of $159.99 but was offered at Amazon for $69. It comes with a one-year warranty from Canon in the USA or a two-year warranty in the UK.

It uses five separate ink cartridges: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black, and Pigment Black, for crisp text and deep shadows. Canon’s standard C, M, Y, BK 581 inks cost $15.99 and are said to last for about 99 images, making it about $0.16 per photo print. The standard PGBK pigment black cartridge is mostly used for documents producing crisp text, it’s a bigger cartridge that costs a little more at $17 though is said to last for about 200 pages, working out at $0.09 per page.

There are also XXL inks available, these cost $30 for each of the standard inks, and claim to last for 322 pages, making it $0.09 per photo print. The XXL version of the PGBK cartridge costs $30 and is said to last for 600 pages, working out at around $0.05 per print. So, the XXL cartridges tend to work out at a bit better value if you can afford them. However, it’s worth noting that your mileage may vary, especially if you don’t print frequently and need to use lots of ink to clean the ink nozzles if they become clogged.

You can also find XL cartridges between the standard and XXL cartridges. They provide better value than the standard inks but yield less than the XXL options.

We found the best photos were printed using Canon’s Photo Paper Plus Glossy II with razor-sharp details and punchy colors. However, you pay a, which produces a razor-sharp top-quality product as a 20-pack cost this top-quality product costs a premium: a 20-pack, making costs $0.80 per page.

• Score: 8.5/10

Canon PIXMA TS6320a: User reviews

We searched for online reviews to see what customers who bought this printer had to say about it. Overall, reviews were very positive for the Canon PIXMA TS6320a. It received 4.2 stars on Argos, and 86% of customers said they would recommend it.

“Bought this printer when my previous trusty Canon MP560 refused to print more than one page at a time and then pretty badly. The setup was simple, although it took me some time to figure out how Canon's Smart Phone app works. Speaking of which, once I got my head around it, printing photos is effortless. I don't even bother logging onto my PC to print photos anymore. I can do it with a couple of clicks on my iPhone! The starter ink cartridges that came with the printer have been going strong for over a month since my purchase. There are also plenty of alternative, cheaper ink cartridge suppliers that make running this printer's in-life costs very reasonable. Overall, it was one of my best buys this year. Well recommended.” 3-star review, Argos

Overall, Canon’s UK store reviews were once again very positive, with 225 customers giving it an average of 4.3 stars. However, negative complaints were in the overwhelming minority. Users found the printer challenging to set up when we examined the negative comments.

“Bought this printer to replace an HP which had “clogged up” after 7 years of otherwise problem-free usage. I found this Canon relatively difficult to set up and comparatively slow to print compared to the HP. However, it seems like a great printer with no other problems.” - 3-star review, Canon Store UK

Would I buy the Canon PIXMA TS6320a?

As you’d expect from an all-in-one printer, Canon’s PIXMA TS6320a can do it all - delivering crisp text, fantastic photos with a scan and copy function, as well as a whole raft of other desirable features, including automatic double-sided printing, an OLED LCD and a user-friendly app that is a pleasure to use.

One downside is that the build feels slightly flimsy in places like the rear input tray and the front-loading paper cassette. That said, it is very budget-friendly for the price, so it’s a small compromise we’d be happy to make.

Print times were modest, but the quality of the documents and images we produced were more impressive. Text was super sharp, almost rivaling a laser printer, while photographs looked vibrant and super sharp, with a fantastic range of depth and colors. This is particularly true when using Canon’s proprietary glossy paper, which is a bit pricey but worth the result.

One issue with inkjet printers (not exclusive to the TS6320a) is that you must use them regularly to prevent the print heads from clogging. A blockage can affect print quality, and expensive ink can be used to flush it out. However, if you plan on printing many documents for school, university, or work or photos for family albums or your photography portfolio, then the TS6320a would be a great option.

All-in-all, there’s a lot to love about Canon’s PIXMA TS6320a, from its intuitive and easy-to-use app to the extensive range of features squeezed into a compact unit, with top text and photo printing to boot!

Making the choice of Apple AirPods vs Beats? If you’re looking for a pair of stylish but high-performing earbuds, you’ve got a bit of a task ahead, because both brands have some excellent options with which to tempt you. We’ve put together this quick versus guide to help you sort which are the best headphones for you and deserve your cash.

We’ve picked out mid-range options for each brand, as these are going to be the best choice for the majority of users. In the Apple corner, we have the latest generation of standard AirPods – the AirPods 3, announced in September 2022. Slotting beneath the high-end AirPods Pro, these earbuds deliver an impressive audio quality upgrade compared to the previous generation, which debuted in 2019. But is it enough of an upgrade?

It may not be, because in the Beats corner we have something a bit special – the Beats Studio Buds. First released and reviewed by us in 2021, these high-quality buds have a more understated design than many Beats ‘phones in the past, and deliver excellent sound quality with optional Active Noise Canceling. And while they may not integrate with other Apple devices quite as smoothly as AirPods will, they are a little cheaper, both in RRP and in actual street price. If you're a fan of Beats, why not check out our Beats vs Bose piece as well. 

So, which should you choose? AirPods vs Beats? There’s only one way to find out – let’s dive in and compare the two.

AirPods vs Beats: Design

You may think that one pair of AirPods looks much like another, but the AirPods 3 have been refreshed in a few welcome ways. The housings have been redesigned for improved comfort, and the shorter stems now include touch capacitive force sensors – meaning they can be squeezed to control playback, accept calls, etc. The earbuds having IPX4 water-resistance is welcome, and should protect the buds from errant sweat while you’re working out, or from a sudden downpour.

The Beats Studio Buds, meanwhile, stand out with an immediately striking ovoid form factor. They may seem odd at first glance, but once you slip them into your ear the shape makes sense – the bulbous body is comfortable but secure, and they simply stay where they are, even if you’re exercising. There are raised ridges on the sides that display the Beats logo, and also house physical control buttons, allowing you to play/pause, skip tracks and switch noise-canceling mode. While we dinged the Beats a little for not offering a volume control option in the physical buttons, this has been added in a subsequent firmware update. So no complaints here!

Verdict: Tie

AirPods vs Beats: Performance and sound quality

If you’ve tried Beats before, the Studio Buds are a revelation. There’s none of that all-dominating bass heard out of previous Beats headphones. The bass in the Studio Buds is punchy, yes, but it sits sensibly in the mix and doesn’t overpower everything else. When we put them to the test across the rest of the audio range, we were consistently impressed. The dense opening medley of Steely Dan’s ‘Do It Again’, for instance, came out clear as a bell, with no individual elements getting lost in the shuffle. The overall sound profile is just beautifully balanced, and really impressive for a pair of buds at this price. 

The Beats’ Active Noise Canceling is also top-notch. Spookily good sometimes, the way noise canceling can be – it’s entirely possible that something loud might be happening right next to you and you won’t notice. In case you’re in a situation where that would be a problem, the Beats also offer a ‘Transparency’ mode, which uses the built-in exterior mics to feed outside sounds in. Useful if you’re listening out for an alarm, or otherwise need to have your wits about you. 

Audio performance of the AirPods’ third generation, meanwhile, has been kicked up a notch and is generally excellent. The included Spatial Audio technology lets you fully immerse yourself in your tracks, especially if they’ve been recorded in Dolby Atmos. It’s well-balanced and offers superb fidelity, whether you’re listening to music or watching films. 

Ultimately, we think the Beats offer a slightly better listening experience – especially given the fact that the Studio Buds have Active Noise Canceling. There’s not a lot in it though, and it may just come down to personal preference.

Verdict: Beats

AirPods vs Beats: Battery life

This is a close fight, as both the AirPods 3 and the Beats Studio Buds offer a pretty similar proposition in the battery life department. Both sets of buds come with their own charging case – and the wireless case is now standard on the AirPods 3 (it was a pricey optional extra on the previous generation).

Neither set of buds exactly excels in this department, but overall the AirPods do come out ahead. Apple promises about six hours of playtime, with four extra charges available in the case – so that’s a theoretical 30 hours of listening time before you need to intervene with a power supply. 

The Beats, meanwhile, can theoretically do up to eight hours of playtime on one charge, though this drops down to five if you’re using Active Noise Canceling – which a lot of the time you probably are. The charging case will only deliver two full charges, so that’s a theoretical maximum of 24 hours listening time. Still trailing the AirPods, even if you never touch the ANC.

Winner: AirPods

AirPods vs Beats: Connectivity

We’re going to make an assumption here. Namely, that if you’re researching AirPods vs Beats, you’re already somewhat invested in the Apple ecosystem. (If you’re an Android user and somehow got this far, we can save you some time: stop reading and get the Beats. You’ll get much better value for money.)

For Apple users, the question is a little less cut and dried. The AirPods offer quite a lot, connectivity-wise. Hooking them up to your iPhone or other Apple device is as delightfully smooth a process as you’d expect, requiring you to simply open the case and tap the screen once. You also get a healthy load of connected features, such as Announce Notifications (which reads you out important updates), Group Facetime with Spatial Audio, and Audio Sharing.

Of course, the fact that Apple owns the Beats brand means that the Beats Studio Buds will do the majority of this as well. You can activate the Beats Studio Buds with ‘Hey Siri’, share your audio with a friend, get the Beats to announce your notifications and a whole lot more. iPhone users are spoiled for choice, frankly.

Winner: Tie, assuming you’re an Apple user. Beats if not.

AirPods vs Beats: Value

A lot of these categories have been quite close-fought – however there is an out-and-out winner for this one, in our opinion. It’s the Beats Studio Buds, which come at a lower RRP of $149, compared to $179 for the AirPods, and are commonly discounted to much lower prices – it’s not uncommon to see them at $99 or so at Amazon, Wal-mart or Best Buy. Discounts on the latest AirPods, meanwhile, are still in short supply as the earbuds are so new.

Then there’s also the fact that the Beats Studio Buds pack in Active Noise Cancelation, which AirPods users have to fork out for the even pricier AirPods Pro in order to get. 

Winner: Beats

Should you buy AirPods or Beats?

This has been a close-run competition – ultimately you have no bad options here. The latest-generation AirPods offer a superlative listening experience thanks to Spatial Audio, and integrate swimmingly with all your iOS devices. The Beats Studio Buds, meanwhile, pair a striking ergonomic design with a beautifully balanced listening experience, and throw that uncanny Active Noise Canceling tech into the mix. 

If you’re going to make us choose – and we’re guessing you are – then ultimately we’re giving it to the Beats Studio buds. These excellent earbuds simply offer better value for money, especially when you factor in real-world prices. We love the audio mix we get with the Beats Studio Buds, and while the bold-colour design may not be for everyone, you can’t argue with how comfortable and secure they feel. 

The Canon IVY 2 Mini photo printer, not to be confused with Canon’s similarly-named IVY CLIQ+2, is a pocket-sized portable printer that connects to your smartphone wirelessly which can produce 2x3” prints in under a minute. For those in the UK, it’s called the Canon Zoemini 2.

Take photos on your smart device or browse through images in your gallery and print them wirelessly via the IVY 2 Mini. The maximum print size is 2x3” and Canon uses special ZINK (Zero Ink) paper which uses heat to produce instantly dry, smudge-free and are also water and tear-resistant photos.

The prints also have an optional backing that you can remove to turn them into stickers, perfect for scrapbooking or to add some flair and decorate to your devices such as laptops, phones or even a fridge. In this review, we give it a thorough test to see if it deserves a place in our best portable printers and best photo printers buying guides. 

Canon IVY 2 Mini: Setup and usability

The Canon Mini Print app for iOS and Android was a joy to use. It’s very easy to connect a smartphone to the IVY 2 Mini via Bluetooth 5.0. If you’ve got an image that you’d like to make several copies of for your friends and family, such as a group photo, it’s easy to stack up a load of prints in the print queue and leave the IVY 2 Mini to process them.

In the app, you can check the battery life as well as see print queue and print history. It’s possible to create collages or choose a colorful border. You can also tweak core settings for images stored on your smart device such as brightness, contrast, saturation and color balance as well as add borders, text, stickers, filters, rotate or draw over images.

The IVY 2 Mini has a rear LED which shows red when charging via the USB-C cable, green when fully charged, flashes green when booting or cycles between red and green if there is a charging fault. A second LED indicator on the front of the printer next to where the photo paper comes out ot will show white when the device is switched on, flashes white when booting, will have a white breathing effect when preparing to print (or updating the firmware), show red if the device is too hot, flash red if the device is open or there is an error such as no paper loaded, will cycle between red and white if the battery is low, flash blue if there is no Canon Smartsheet, show Cyan to tell you the device temperature is too low or have a cyan breathing effect to show the printer head is cooling.

Canon IVY 2 Mini: Print quality

The Canon IVY 2 Mini uses the same 2x3” ZINK photo paper as the CLIQ+2, however it has a 17% lower resolution at 313x500 dpi. ZINK stands for Zero Ink, which means the paper is coated with microcrystals that react when heated. This means you don’t have to worry about refilling ink cartridges or printer heads becoming clogged as it uses heat to create its prints. This technology also has the benefit of producing images quickly, that are also smudge-free, water and tear-resistant.

Borderless prints can be created at 2x3”, though there are also plenty of border options you can choose within the Canon Mini Print App as well as options to edit the brightness, contrast and saturation of your images and add overlays such as stickers, a bit like an Instagram filter. You also have the choice of printing 2x3” prints or buying pre-cut sticker sheets that contain two 1.3” circular stickers on each sheet. All photos produced have an optional sticky backing that can be revealed to turn your photos into a sticker and all ZINK paper comes in packs of 10 with an additional SmartSheet that is processed by the printer first to optimise it and takes about a minute.

Images aren’t the highest quality we’ve ever seen but they’re absolute fit for purpose and have some of the retro charm you get with instant film cameras such as a Polaroid or Fujifilm Instax, it’s just a shame that the prints aren’t a little larger. We also found that the prints had a tendency to curl up over time so you need to put some heavy books on them to flatten them out, it’s a shame Canon didn’t use thicker paper stock that would help stop them from curling up. If you however peel the back off and use the images as a sticker you won’t encounter this problem.

Canon IVY 2 Mini: Price and warranty

The Canon IVY 2 Mini photo printer has an RRP of $129.99, but at the time of review we had found it on sale for $99.99 on the Canon USA store and Adorama. It’s hard to justify the price of the IVY 2 Mini when the CLIQ+2 packs more features and is cheaper, so if you’re considering a compact mobile printer it also would be worth considering the CLIQ+2.

You can pick up a pack of 20 2x3” ZINK paper for about $10, making each print 50 cents. We also found a pack of 100 for $45, making it slightly better value at 45 cents. You also have the option to print on pre-cut sticker paper, which has two pre-cut 1.3” circular stickers per sheet, this costs $13 for 10 stickers, making it $1.30 per sheet, or 65 cents per individual sticker. You could also just print on the regular ZINK paper and peel these off to turn them into stickers, or manually cut them into the sticker shape you desire.

In the USA, the Canon IVY 2 Mini comes with a one year limited warranty, while in the UK the Zoemini 2 comes with a two year guarantee. 

Canon IVY 2 Mini: User reviews

At the time of writing, there were 56 reviews on Amazon, where the Canon IVY 2 Mini received an impressive 4.4 out of 5 stars with 63% of users giving it top marks. 

“This Canon IVY 2 Mini Photo Printer is awesome! First it prints great. It uses ZINK (Zero Ink) technology, which features colorful dye-based crystals embedded inside the paper. The photos are clear, crisp, and the colors are accurate. Plus they have a peel-and-stick backing too. It is also very easy to use via the Canon Mini Print App. My 12 year old son really likes using this - it's fun and is definitely a cool option for mini-prints. We liked it so much we bought another. Because it uses special ZINK paper, it does require replacement paper to be purchased. This is a cool little printer, would make a great gift for those looking for fun, mini-prints.” - Amazon 5 star review

It was similar high scores on the Canon USA shop where it had received an average 4.9 stars from 61 reviews.

Should you buy the Canon IVY 2 Mini?

Canon’s IVY 2 Mini is a very similar size to the Canon IVY CLIQ+2, which uses the same ZINK paper and Canon Mini Print app to print its images wirelessly. While the Canon IVY 2 Mini is a very capable compact printer, we found the IVY CLIQ+2 to be the better printer to go for. It can print for longer with its higher capacity 700mAh battery and is more fun to use with a built-in 8MP camera, and at the time of writing is significantly cheaper to pick up at $69.99. Unless prices change drastically in the future, the CLIQ+2 is currently the better value option that we’d be inclined to go for.

The Canon SELPHY CP1500 is an updated version of the CP1300. The new model has a fresh look, with a more boxy appearance, a textured top face, a simplified button configuration, and a larger and fixed LCD.

Like its predecessor, the CP1500 is available in black, white, and pink colorways. Overall, the cosmetic changes to the new iteration give it a more stylish and cleaner appearance. Changes aren’t just in the design, though. The CP1500 also boasts faster print times and a new USB-C port. We’ll examine its performance and features more closely to assess whether it deserves a place in our best compact printer guide.

The best portable printers, such as Canon’s SELPHY CP1500, are handy for printing on the go. However, the maximum print size is 6x4”, which could be a limiting factor if you need to make larger prints.

It comes boxed with a wall charger, and users also have the option of powering it from an NB-CP2LI battery pack, which is sold separately at an extra cost, though it provides truly mobile printing - handy if you’re going to places where you can’t rely on mains power.

A common issue with inkjet printers is that print head nozzles can get clogged when not consistently used. The CP1500 uses dye sublimation technology, so you never have to worry about this problem with this printer.

This mini printer’s portability and small print size make it a good option for scrapbooks, projects, children’s homework, or even a fun and novel centerpiece at a party so your friends and family can print their pictures. Let’s test it to see if you should buy one…

Canon SELPHY CP1500: Setup

Setting up the Canon SELPHY CP1500 is pleasantly simple. To begin, you’ll need to decide whether you’re powering the printer with the stock wall charger, which has been redesigned and is about 30% smaller, making it more portable (it has a slightly longer cable reach, too, which is nice), or whether to use the NB-CP2LI optional battery, which costs $199.99 and lasts for about 72 prints from a full charge. The CP1500 is notably quieter on startup than the CP1300. However, noise levels are similar to the CP1300 during printing.

Like its predecessor, the CP1500 takes an identical 21 seconds to boot up from pressing the power button. While we would have liked to have seen a peppier starting time, it is snappy and quick to get printing once it’s booted up. We also found print speeds improved by about 10%, with the CP1500 taking, on average, 57 seconds to print a 6x4” postcard-size photo. 

To begin printing, you’ll need to insert the paper cassette. Different cassette options are available for various paper sizes, such as 2.1x3.4” cards, though it comes with a 4x6in cassette, the largest compatible paper type. The included cassette has had a bit of a makeover and is made of white and semi-transparent clear plastic material, giving it a much cleaner appearance. One improvement we would have liked to have seen would have been to simplify the cassettes and create a single cassette compatible with all the different paper types to save on clutter, confusion, and extra peripherals you need to spend more money on.

The button layout has been simplified, losing the Home, WiFi, Print, and Zoom buttons, leaving just the core menu, directional, OK, and power buttons. This works well, as the streamlined interface makes it more user-friendly.

The Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app allows you to print images stored on your device from your smartphone. The app also offers options for Photo Print, Document Print, SELPHY Photo Layout, and Smartphone Copy, which allows you to take a picture and print it.

Alternatively, you can use the memory card reader, compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, or MicroSD, MicroSDHC, and MicroSDXC cards with an SD card adapter. The new USB-C port allows you to connect cameras, computers, and flash drives with a USB-C type connection or pair old USB devices with an adapter, though sadly, one is omitted.

• Score: 8/10

Canon SELPHY CP1500: Design & features

The maximum print size remains the same as the prior model at 6x4” with a max resolution of 300x300dpi. However, Canon claims the CP1500 promises a print speed of 41 seconds for 6x4” prints, compared to the CP1300’s claimed 47-second print speeds. In our testing, we timed the duration between pressing the button to start printing and stopped our stopwatch when the print was completed and found the CP1500 to take a total of 57 seconds on average to produce a 6x4” print, while the CP1300 took about 63 seconds. This is still a 10% improvement, but the printing times are longer than Canon claims.

Like its predecessor, the CP1500 features an SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory card slot for easy printing directly from a camera’s memory card (microSD, microSDHC, and micro SDXC cards can also be used via an adapter). It also boasts the same WiFi connection, allowing you to print through the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app, and is compatible with Apple AirPrint and Google Mopria.

One notable change is that the CP1300’s USB-A and USB-mini ports have been swapped out for a more modern USB-C connection. While a USB-C is undoubtedly a more modern port that helps future-proof the CP1500, Canon has perhaps overlooked the fact that many users will still be using those older devices with USB-A and USB-mini ports, so we’d have rather seen this as an extra add-on rather than a replacement. You could use an adapter to convert USB-C to one of those older ports, though one is omitted.

One of the most significant physical changes comes from the LCD screen, which is about 10% larger than the one on the CP1300, though, unlike its predecessor, it is fixed in place and can’t be tilted upwards. This makes it more challenging to see the screen when you’re sitting down as you have to lean forward to look directly down at it, and it seems like a bit of a step backward to take a good feature away. On balance, one upside to having a fixed screen is that the build feels more robust as there’s one less moving part that could get damaged over time.

The CP1500's dimensions are similar to those of the CP1300, though it’s slightly wider and shallower, measuring 7.2 x 2.3 x 5.2 inches and 0.35 oz lighter. It is compatible with PCP-CP400 and PCC-CP400 cassettes and offers postcards, credit cards, credit card stickers, square stickers, and mini stickers in various paper sizes.

• Score: 6.5/10

Canon SELPHY CP1500: Performance

Conventional inkjet printers use ink cartridges, and if you don’t print regularly, the wet ink can dry up inside the ink nozzles, causing clogs. If you’ve ever owned an inkjet printer, you’ll likely be all too familiar with this problem. One neat feature of the CP1500 is that it uses dye-sublimation technology and heat, so you never have to worry about blocked print heads. The three yellow, cyan, and magenta inks are built up gradually with each printer pass, with a fourth and final pass giving each print a protective coating. Canon also claims the prints are good for 100 years.

Each color has 256 shades for 24-bit depth and 16.7 million colors for true-to-life prints and realistic skin tones. The maximum print size is 6x4”, and the maximum resolution is 300x300 dpi.

When we reviewed the CP1300, we were impressed by its print quality due to the fantastic detail and bright colors, and we’re happy to report that it’s the same story as this new version. When we compared prints of identical images between the CP1300 and CP1500, the prints looked almost similar, though blue skies appeared to be slightly more vibrant on the CP1500 - this was the only noticeable difference we saw. Image Optimiser was enabled on both printers.

• Score: 8.5/10

Canon SELPHY CP1500: Price & value

When writing, the Canon SELPHY CP1500 was $139.99 and came with a one-year guarantee in the US. It also has a paper cassette and a plastic tray for holding your media, but it doesn’t come with ink or paper. This means it’s likely you’ll also need to purchase the RP-108 pack, which comes with enough paper and ink to produce 108 4x6” postcard prints. The RP-108 pack costs $35.99, making each 6x4” postcards about $0.33 each, or $0.77 per 54x86mm label. The prints are pretty pricey compared to a conventional inkjet printer, but obviously, it has the advantage of being very small and portable. 

Our largest issue with the cost was the expensive $199.99 NB-CP2LI battery, which decreases its value if you need it for photography. Changes from the CP1300 to the CP1500 have been relatively conservative, and including a built-in battery feels like a missed opportunity. Compared to the CP1300, the CP1500 seems like a small step forward rather than a giant leap.

• Score: 6/10

Canon SELPHY CP1500: User reviews

At the time of writing, the Canon SELPHY CP1500 is still very new, so reviews are hard to come by. That said, the comments that we did find online were very positive.

“Excellent 4x6" printer! The prints from this are fantastic, with perfect color, contrast, and saturation. The app is easy to use. I'm looking forward to trying the stickers and hope to get the battery soon to make it fully portable. I already own the CP1200, which I also like, but this produces better prints. And this uses the same trays, paper, and cartridges that the CP1200 uses, so I don't have to buy them. The printer is larger than the other portables like the Ivy, Instax, and Sprocket, which only print 2x3" photos.” - 5-star review, Best Buy

“I ordered this for family pics as well as passport pics. Delivered the next day. This is tiny. A lot smaller than expected. Setting up and connecting to the phone and camera took a couple of minutes. Prints very quickly. The quality is incredible. A nice-sized screen makes editing pics from an SD card super simple. It has the option to crop and add border design/animations, as well as an ID feature to help with requirements for passports, ID cards, etc. I would recommend getting the battery to make it truly portable. The ink cartridge stays inside the printer, and the tray is smaller than the printer, so you can stack the tray and printer when not in use. It can also fit in a mini backpack or a handbag. My only complaint is that the cost per picture is relatively high (around 30 cents).” - 5 Star review, bhphotovideo

Would I buy the Canon SELPHY CP1500?

If you’re looking for a portable printer and don’t need to produce prints larger than 6x4”, consider the Canon SELPHY CP1500. It has fantastic image quality and very reasonable print speeds. The small size of the prints can be a limiting factor, though if you don’t need to print larger than this, it’s ideal and fun to scrapbook and create prints at a party.

This new iteration sees subtle enhancements such as a larger display, a simplified interface for better operability, and faster printer times. Improvements are a small step rather than a big leap forward, which we hoped for. We’d have loved to have seen a universal paper cartridge and a built-in battery, but this model has no dice.

If you’re interested in the CP1500, consider the older but still capable CP1300, which costs about $99 and has the same excellent print quality. You’ll need to decide whether to spend extra money on the latest model, which has better features and faster print times.

The Epson SureColor P900 is the latest in the company’s high-end, large-format photo printers aimed squarely at professional and enthusiast photographers. It’s a significant upgrade over the preceding SureColor P800 model and a step up size-wise over the 13-inch/A3+ SureColor P700. The latter has a similar design and runs on the same range of ten pigment-based inks, although the P900’s cartridges have double the capacity.

Compared with 11-inch/A4 and even 13-inch/A3+ photo printers, the P900 gives supersized output. As such, it does full justice to the relatively high megapixel count of current and recent digital cameras while outputting prints of around 17x22-inch/A2+, large enough to frame and exhibit in a gallery or hang on your wall at home. The P900 can output even larger panoramic prints if you buy Epson’s roll feed adapter, sold separately as an optional extra.

As with any pigment-based photo printer, the P900 is best suited to printing on matte photo paper and fine-art media. The relatively large molecules of the pigment ink, compared with dye-based inks, are physically more robust when used with these types of documents and more resistant to fading over time. The flip side is that the molecules are too large to completely pass through the protective shiny layers of glossy, semi-gloss, and luster photo papers, so prints can be susceptible to bronzing, lacking uniformity in reflectivity, especially when viewing glossy prints from different angles.

Epson SureColor P900: Setup

Unpacking and setting up the printer takes about half an hour. This includes physically removing the printer from its box, removing the protective packing pieces, and removing many strips of blue transit tape. Although it can feel like a chore, it’s reassuring that the printer has been well protected in transit, with all the delicate components shielded and firmly in place.

The rest of the setup time is spent installing the cartridges and running the automatic initialization procedure. Although there are ten separate cartridges, they slot in easily. There’s no danger of plugging ink cartridges into the wrong slots, as they’re individually keyed so that each cartridge will only fit in its allocated place.

Connectivity options are plentiful, including a Hi-Speed USB 3.0 port, a 100Base-T Ethernet port, and both 2.4GHz (802.11n) and 5GHz (IEEE802.11 b/g/n/ac) Wi-Fi, plus Wi-Fi Direct. Cloud-based printing is also supported, including Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print.

Epson SureColor P900: Design & features

There’s a crucial upgrade in the SureColor P700 and P900 printers, compared with earlier models in Epson’s 13-inch and 17-inch large-format printers. There’s a dedicated channel in the print head for both matte black and photo black inks for the first time. This can significantly save time and money if you frequently switch between glossy and matte photo papers, which require photo black and matte black inks, respectively. 

Previously, you would have needed to purge the ink from the ink head and recharge it with the alternative black ink, which could take several minutes and waste a lot of ink. The additional dedicated channel makes this chore obsolete.

Despite boasting additional features compared with its SureColor P800 predecessor, the P900 is some 30% smaller. Indeed, it’s particularly compact for a 17-inch/A2+ printer, measuring 24.2x14.5x7.8 inches in its storage configuration. As you’d expect with big paper sizes involved, the printer becomes quite a lot larger with its input and output trays extended, the depth and height growing to 35.6 inches and 20.5 inches, respectively. You’ll also need to allow additional space if you use the front paper feeder instead of the default top-loading tray at the rear; the front feeder can accommodate bulkier media up to 1.5mm thick, like rigid photo board.

A key feature of any photo inkjet printer is the ink it runs on. The SureColor P900 uses ten pigment-based inks, all supplied in individual cartridges. The line-up includes photo black, matte black, gray, light gray, cyan, light cyan, yellow, vivid magenta, vivid light magenta, and violet. Four black/gray inks and six color inks aim for superb fidelity for black-and-white and color photo printing.

Further feature enhancements over Epson’s previous large-format SureColor printers include a 4.3-inch touchscreen. This can be useful for adjusting print settings directly without delving too far into driver menus on an attached computer. For example, you can apply the correct settings for different types of photo paper and select your preferred quality mode. The touchscreen also makes it simple to monitor ink levels and track the printing status, showing how much time remains for the current print job.

Another neat feature is that the printer has internal LED lighting, which you can switch on or off. It teams up with a translucent section of the top panel, so you can watch prints while they’re being created. It can give greater peace of mind that you’ve applied all the correct settings and everything’s going according to plan, even if it feels like watching paint dry.

There are alternative options for media handling. You’ll likely use the upright paper input feeder at the rearmost of the time, which accepts photo paper of all popular sizes from 3.5x5 inches up to 17x22 inches. A horizontal input tray pulls out from the front, which is a better choice for fine art media and a relatively inflexible poster board. This enables an entirely flat transport system that doesn’t bend the press at any point as it passes through the printer. The only catch is that you need to allow sufficient space at the printer's rear so the media doesn’t collide with a wall or another object behind the printer. A CD/DVD/Blu-ray tray is included with the printer for direct printing onto white-faced discs.

Epson SureColor P900: Performance

We found that the P900 lived up to Epson’s claims, delivering sumptuous color quality and immaculate black-and-white photographic output. The extensive range of black, gray, and color inks enables a wide gamut (or color space) and excellent reproduction of everything from subtle skin tones to vibrant landscape colors. Transitions in subtly graduated colors are impressively smooth.

Black & white prints are rich in drama thanks to an excellent tonal range that retains superb detail from bright highlights to intense blacks. The printer’s ‘Advanced B&W Photo’ mode optimizes the quality. Epson developed a new ‘Carbon Black Driver Technology’ for the printer to enhance Dmax (black density) on glossy papers.

Both color and mono printing on glossy, semi-gloss, and luster photo papers are perfect for a pigment-based printer, but prints still look less smooth and uniformly shiny than the results from a high-end printer running on dye-based inks. There’s a ‘Gloss Smoothing’ option for glossy papers (not luster) that aims to give a more uniform appearance. In our tests, however, differences were negligible, and the option was switched off by default.

Pigment-based printers are slower than their dye-based competitors, and the P900’s print speed isn’t fast. Even so, it can output high-quality (rather than maximum quality) 13x19-inch/A3+ images on glossy photo paper in 6 minutes 32 seconds and just 3 minutes 27 seconds for matte media, so it’s no slouch for a printer running on pigment inks.

In our tests creating 16.5x23.4-inch/A2 photo prints on fine art media, the P900 took 9 minutes 53 seconds in its ‘basic’ quality setting for both color and Advanced Black & White, extending to 12 minutes 26 seconds at the ‘high’ quality setting. We found that print speed only dropped off at the ‘Maximum’ quality setting, resulting in an A2 photo print taking 33 minutes 26 seconds to create.

Regarding fine art media, Epson offers support with additional free software, including Epson Media Installer, for creating and storing custom settings and ICC profiles for various papers. There’s also Epson ColorBase 2 for advanced printer calibration, whereas Epson Print Layout comes in useful if you want to create custom layouts with a variety of virtual frames and background colors, as well as giving the option of custom color settings for fine-tuning the output.

It can seem a bit churlish to criticize a half-hour print speed, at least at the maximum quality setting, when creating a top-quality photo print for an exhibition or selling to a client if you’re a professional photographer. After all, you’re creating prints to last a lifetime, and it’s still massively quicker than ordering prints online and waiting for them to turn up in the post, and, naturally, you get complete control over the whole process.

And then there’s the matter of longevity. Based on advanced aging tests at the internationally renowned Willhelm Institute, Epson is confident that prints created on the P900 have a longevity of up to 200 years for color and 400 years for black & white when framed behind glass. It’s essential if you’re selling prints to clients, who might expect their purchases to last at least a lifetime and even pass on to future generations.

You might naturally assume that the highest-quality setting will produce the best-looking results. For most glossy, semi-gloss, and luster papers, there are five quality levels to choose from. In our tests, there was no discernible improvement in quality when selecting the maximum setting over medium to high settings with various photo papers, although the lowest ‘standard’ mode can prove a little lacking in fine detail and the smoothness of graduations.

Epson SureColor P900: Care and maintenance

Like any large-format printer, the SureColor P900 is a high-precision kit. It’s best to install it in one place, if possible, rather than moving it around too much. It’s also a good idea to create even a tiny photo print once a week to avoid the risk of ink drying in the thin nozzles of the print heads and blocking them. Running a nozzle check routine from the printer driver or onboard touchscreen is wise, especially before creating large-format prints. If this reveals any blockages, run the head-cleaning cycle once or more as necessary to clear the heads, running a further nozzle check each time as required.

The printer dumps any excess ink into a ‘maintenance tank.’ When initially setting up the printer, ink from the setup cartridges is used to purge transit fluid from the heads and charge them with all the respective inks. Therefore, the maintenance tank is partially filled from the start, but a spare is provided, and if you need additional ones in the future, they’re reasonably priced at around $20/£19 each.

Epson USA offers a Preferred Plus Exchange Service for ongoing peace of mind, charged at $179 per year. This entitles you to a replacement (probably refurbished) printer if yours becomes faulty. Plans can be purchased anytime that you’re covered under the Epson limited warranty or Epson extended service plan in one-year increments up to a maximum of four years after the initial 12-month warranty. In the UK, Epson’s similar CoverPlus plan is available for three years at £366, four at £586 or five at £879 (including VAT). Free online support and answers to FAQs are available via Epson’s regional websites.

Epson SureColor P900: Price and availability

The SureColor P900 can be purchased online from Epson’s global websites and various online photographic and other retailers. As you’d expect, the initial purchase price is relatively more expensive than the smaller 13-inch/A3+ Epson SureColor P700, which sells for around $829/£679. Pricing is similar to the directly competing pigment-based Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 17-inch/A2 printer, which retails for around £1,099/$1,199.

Although the SureColor P900 is pricier than the smaller P700 model, there are significant savings in running costs. Both printers run on the same line-up of ten Epson UltraChrome PRO10 pigment-based inks, with an identical range of black, gray, and color inks. However, the P900’s cartridges have twice the capacity of the P700’s cartridges, at 50ml each rather than 25ml. And they’re not much more expensive to buy (especially in the USA), at $44/£37 per cartridge compared with the P700’s $38/£27.

A disappointment regarding early outlay is that the ‘setup’ cartridges supplied with the printer are mainly used up during the initial installation process. In our tests, one of the cartridges ran out after creating only eight A2 prints, and the others only had a little ink left. When you’ve just paid over a grand for a printer, it can a bit like daylight robbery having to shell out an extra £440/$370 for an additional complete set of cartridges very soon afterwards. On the plus side, working out to around $0.88/£0.74 per milliliter, ongoing ink costs are very competitive.

For creating panoramic and other longer-format prints, some of Epson’s older large-format printers came complete with roll feeders that could be attached to the back of the printer. For the P900, the SC-P900 Roll Paper Unit is sold separately as an optional extra, priced at around $249/£213. It’s an accessory that’s well worth having, as it enables you to create larger-format panoramic prints and banners of up to 129 inches in length using rolls of paper with either 2-inch or 3-inch cores.

Epson SureColor P900: User reviews

The majority of customer reviews for the Epson SureColor P900 are very favorable, complementing the excellent print quality for both color and black & white photographic images and artwork reproductions. However, there have been some complaints about reliability and the printer failing to consistently load certain types of photographic paper and fine art media. Some users also complain that ink costs are more expensive than for previous models, which had a higher cartridge capacity of 80ml rather than 50ml.

Epson SureColor P900: What the experts say

The Epson SureColor P900 is a better investment than the preceding P800 model. A major upgrade is that individual channels are featured for all ten inks, rather than one channel being shared for photo black and matte black inks. This potentially saves a lot of time and money if you frequently switch between glossy and matte media.

The construction feels of a fully pro-grade quality, befitting a printer that’s aimed at the professional photography market. The actual print quality is excellent for both color and black & white photographic images, especially when using matte or fine art media. As with other pigment-based printers, quality is less smooth and uniform on glossy paper compared with dye-based models, but it’s still very good.

The inclusion of a color touchscreen is a nice touch for adjusting print settings and keep an eye on printer status. As is often the case with inkjet printers, the short lifespan of the setup cartridges after the initial installation is a frustration. Given the price of the printer and its cartridges, it would perhaps seem fairer to supply the printer with an additional set of cartridges as part of the retail package.

Would I buy the Epson SureColor P900?

The SureColor P900 is a specialist 17-inch/A2+ printer that’s designed to meet the needs of the most discerning professional photographers, who demand the utmost in quality for both color and black & white prints, to give full satisfaction to their clients. The price of the printer and the cost of its ink cartridges reflect this, so it’s not a purchase to be taken lightly.

For enthusiast photographers, the P900 delivers prints of exceptional quality, worthy of submitting in competitions and for hanging in a gallery, so you get what you pay for. That said, as a pigment-based inkjet printer, the best quality is achieved on matte or fine art media, rather than on glossy, semi-gloss and luster photo papers.

If you generally print on glossy, semi-gloss and luster photo papers and you’d be content with a smaller 13x19-inch/A3+ maximum print size, the Canon PIXMA PRO-200 gives superior results and is a fair bit faster in terms of print speeds.

How does the Epson SureColor P900 compare to competitors?

The most direct current competitor to the Epson SureColor P900 is the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 17-inch/A2+ printer. There’s little to choose between the two for print speeds and quality of output, especially on matte photo paper and fine art media, although we found that the Canon delivers slightly superior results in terms of color range and tonal range, with even deeper blacks. 

The Canon uses two extra cartridges, with twelve in total rather than the Epson’s ten. These include matte black, photo black, cyan, magenta, yellow, photo cyan, photo magenta, gray, photo gray, red, and blue inks, as well as featuring a ‘Chroma Optimizer’ cartridge which gives a more even finish on glossy photo paper. 

The Canon’s cartridges also have a higher capacity, at 80ml each compared with the Epson’s 50ml. Ink costs work out to $0.68/£0.56 per milliliter, compared with the Epson’s $0.88/£0.74 per milliliter. In our experience, the Canon printer’s nozzles in its print heads are less prone to occasionally blocking, reducing the need for cleaning cycles to be run, thus giving further savings in ink costs.

How we tested the Epson SureColor P900

Our testing process begins with unpacking and setting up the printer. We download and install the latest versions of drivers, then run nozzle check routines and, if required, print head cleaning cycles. We then carry out print head alignment procedures to ensure optimum accuracy. The printer manufacturers’ genuine, own-brand inks and photo papers are used throughout the entire testing procedure.

We create test prints from a wide range of mono and color documents, digital photos, including landscapes, portraits, and black & white images. Prints are made using standard color modes as well as optional enhancement features, offered with the printer. We also use our own specially created test chart to reveal each printer's accuracy in terms of color reproduction, tonal range, and the ability to deliver smooth graduations between subtle color variations.

For output speed, we measure the time taken to produce borderless 6x4-inch, A4, A3, A3+ and A2 prints at various photo quality settings, where available with each printer that we test.

In this review, we’re taking a closer look at the Canon PIXMA TS3520 all-in-one printer. In the UK, it’s called the Canon PIXMA TS3450, while in Australia it’s the TS3460.

As one of the best compact printers it can print, copy and scan documents, as you’d expect it also features WiFi so you can connect to it wirelessly via the dedicated Canon PRINT app or through Apple AirPrint (iOS and iPadOS) and Mopria (Android).

The PIXMA TS3520 uses a mixture of both dye and pigment-based inks in tandem, which Canon claim will deliver vivid colours as well as sharp text - we’ll look at print quality in more depth later on.

Canon also claims it has improved its Web Setup Guide which has easy to follow videos and step-by-step instructions to help users get set up in rapid time and features one-touch wireless connectivity which instantly links the printer with a smart device, PC or laptop when connected to Wi-Fi. So without further ado, let’s see how it performed.

Canon PIXMA TS3520: Setup

The packaging materials make it clear that to get started you need to go to ij.start.canon to download the relevant software and drivers. We thought it would be easiest to get setup on our desktop Windows PC first, and the link installed the IJ Printer Assistant Tool on to our computer which shows ink levels and allows you to do a print quality check as well as clean the nozzles, however it didn’t automatically install the Canon Inkjet Smart Connect software that gives you access to core functions such as scanning to your computer, so this needs to be downloaded and installed separately which was a little confusing and we’d have preferred that it automatically downloaded and installed this program when setting up.

The PIXMA TS3520 features a USB port for a wired connection to a computer but doesn’t come with a USB cable. This was frustrating as setting up our desktop via a wireless connection caused a few headaches. The printer can print out its own diagnostic sheet with password that should allow you to connect to its WiFi but we couldn’t get this to work. We were however able to get setup using a cable after we’d dug one out of a drawer, this was fine for printing via the wired connection but it still hadn’t setup the printer to work with the wireless network as we’d expected and other printers in the past had been capable of, so this was a point of frustration.

We persevered however and were eventually able to get our desktop setup wirelessly, though this involved doing the setup by smartphone using the Canon PRINT app instead. This was able to connect to the printer’s WiFi and then set it up to work with our home WiFi network. So in our opinion it’s best to start and get setup via a smartphone and then set up your desktop or laptop afterwards.

We were also able to connect without any drivers installed using Apple’s AirPrint for iOS and Mopria for Android, though you have to press a button on the printer to enable this, which isn’t made very clear. Overall, while we were eventually able to get setup over WiFi the instructions were unclear and physical buttons on the TS3520 would benefit from better signposting.

• Score: 6.5/10

Canon PIXMA TS3520: Design & features

The PIXMA TS3520 is a 3-in-1 model so can print, scan and copy documents all in a single unit for practicality. Printing is possible at up to A4 with a maximum resolution of 4800x1200 dpi and dual ink system, a black and tricolour cartridges. One issue is that tricolour cartridges are often wasteful as you need to replace them even if only one of the three colours is running low. Borderless prints can also be produced at up to 5x7 inches.

The flatbed scanner allows you to scan A4 documents to a computer or smartphone with a maximum resolution of 600x1200 dpi and can copy documents in about 25 seconds and created a black and white copy in just 13 seconds.

It has a rear paper feed which can hold up to 60 sheets of standard A4 paper, and a simple sliding mechanism to keep your paper aligned.

On the top, you’ll find the 1.5” segment LCD panel which shows you the printer status, error codes and how many copies are being printed. There’s also quite a lot of buttons that aren’t particularly well signposted, this was one of the biggest complaints we found when looking at customer reviews online, so a clearer explanation in the instruction manual or text next to each button would certainly help clear things up.

The printer features an Auto Power ON/OFF mode, which is great for saving electricity and when the printer is switched off sending a document to the TS3520 will automatically wake it up to print.

Using the PIXMA Cloud Link via the Canon Print app users can print directly from Google Drive, Dropbox and Evernote over Wi-Fi making it easy to print important documents even if you don’t have them directly to hand.

Voice command services such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are supported so you can print directly, check ink levels or power the printer on and off all handsfree.

• Score: 7/10

Canon PIXMA TS3520: Performance

The PIXMA TS3520 uses PG-545 (Black) and CL-546 (Colour) FINE inks which are said to print 180 A4 pages in black and white or 180 in colour. XL cartridge options are also available which should be able to print 400 A4 mono prints or 300 A4 colour pages.

We were able to print a full colour A4 image on matte paper in just 50 seconds, while the same image on 10x15cm Photo Paper Plus Glossy II took 60 secs. A single sheet colour text document was printed in just 19 seconds.

The PIXMA TS3520 has a maximum print size of A4 at a resolution of 4800x1200dpi, while the flatbed scanner on top can scan A4 documents at a maximum resolution of 600x1200dpi. An interesting hybrid ink system is featured which uses a mixture of both dye and pigment-based inks in tandem, which Canon boasts delivers vivid colours and sharp text.

In our testing we found print quality to be very good, with strong sharpness and vibrant colours particularly using Canon’s Photo Paper Plus Glossy II, which can produce borderless 5x7” images. Prints on matte paper looked more washed out and faded, though this is an inherent issue with matte paper and not the printer itself. Printing documents was pleasantly fast and the text was also crisp and sharp.

• Score: 8/10

Canon PIXMA TS3520: Price & value

In the US the Canon PIXMA TS3520 has an RRP of $89.99, comes with standard black and colour ink cartridges as well as a one year warranty. It uses PG-545 Black ($18.99) and CL-546 Color ($23), which come as a pack costing $29, which is said to be able to print 180 A4 pages, giving it a cost per page of 16 cents.

• Score: 8/10

Canon PIXMA TS3520: User reviews

Users of this printer have had some good things to say about it, on Canon’s website users gave it an average score of 4 out of 5 stars.

While printing through the app or Airprint and Mopria on mobile devices is a piece of cake, the biggest problem it would seem users have faced is connectivity through via PC or Mac desktops and laptops. We found multiple reviews online from users giving it a low score due to the lack of clarity around what the various buttons on the printer do and we agree this could be made more clear.

Would I buy the Canon PIXMA TS3520?

Canon’s PIXMA TS3520 is certainly attractive with its low price point. It is perhaps no surprise then that it feels like a budget model with parts of the printer such as the rear paper feed, scanner lid and front paper tray all feeling a little flimsy. Connectivity and the setup guide has room for improvement, as did the button layout and interface which would benefit from clearer controls.

These negatives aside, once it’s all set up, the TS3520 performed well with impressive print quality particularly on the 4x6” Photo Paper Plus Glossy II which it could print borderless on. Text documents were also printed quickly with decent quality.

It lacks some creature comforts of more premium models such as dual-sided printing and can only print borderless up to 5x7”, so if you need the extra features you may be better off spending a bit more and getting a better model. But if you’re on a tight budget Canon’s PIXMA TS3520 is a good option for a home office and for students.

The Canon SELPHY CP1300 is a compact printer that doesn’t take up a lot of desk space yet can produce high-quality postcard prints at a maximum size of 4x6 inches. It has the immediacy and the portability of a Polaroid camera, but unlike a Polaroid-style camera, it has the greater image quality and creature comforts like WiFi so that you and your friends can connect and print remotely from smart devices.

Its small form-factor and relatively low print size could make it a good option for scrapbooking, school projects or a fun centrepiece at a party where guests can print off their own images wirelessly, creating a keepsake they can cherish.

The CP1300 uses a three-ink system. The bane of any conventional inkjet printer is blocked printer head nozzles, but Canon’s SELPHY CP1300 uses dye sublimation technology instead. This means you never have to worry about ink heads getting clogged which is an added bonus and makes it more stress-free to use. The images the CP1300 produces are also instantly dry so no need to wait around before handling them.

You can purchase an additional NB-CP2LH battery that allows the CP1300 to run on battery power making it a portable unit. Canon claims the printer is capable of printing 72 individual 6x4” prints from a single charge. That’s enough of the technical jargon for now, let’s put it through its paces and see if you should get one!

Canon SELPHY CP1300: Setup

Turning on the SELPHY CP1300 took about 25 seconds to start up so it’s a little slow to get going, though once booted up it was pleasantly easy to set up. It’s straightforward to load the ink cartridge and also paper cassette into the printer, the instruction manual also offers clear instructions to help you if you get stuck.

You can connect to the CP1300 via a computer or a smartphone. Apple Airprint and Google Mopria are supported and you can print directly from your camera via WiFi if it has this feature. You also have the option to insert an SD, SDHC, or SDXC card directly into the front of the CP1300 (though raw files aren’t supported), there are USB Type A and Mini B ports to the left also.

For more options and the best experience when printing wirelessly you can download and install the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app which we did for our Apple iPhone 12 Mini. This was setup and connected to the CP1300’s WiFi, then using the app you can choose whether to print Photos, Documents, SELPHY Photo Layout or Smartphone Copy (which allows you to take a picture with your smartphone and print it out).

Clicking on the Photo Print option you’re able to choose from where the images are stored, such as smartphone, cloud, or Canon Camera Connect. You can then choose which images you want to print and you can select multiple images to line up a big batch of photos which is a handy time saving feature. You can also choose how many copies you’d like to print and whether to print with a border or borderless.

The postcard size prints have small tear-away tabs on each side which when torn off give you a borderless finish though this leaves the sides looking a little rough and is also a bit time consuming to rip them all off if you have a large batch of prints to get through.

You can crop your shots when you use Airprint, or when you print via the SD card slot, which is great because you can see if any important details on your image are cropped off. However, this wasn’t clear on the Canon SELPHY print app as there is no print preview, this meant when we tried to print a square photo, the top and bottom were cropped off to fill the 4x6” paper. The ability to crop in the app would be a welcome addition.

• Score: 7.5/10

Canon SELPHY CP1300: Design & features

The Canon CP1300 comes in three colour options, black, white and pink which is certainly a positive if you like your gadgets to look stylish - most all-in-one printers just come in a stock black which can look a bit utilitarian.

On top of the printer you’ll find the 3.2-inch LCD screen which can be tilted upwards so you can get a clearer view when sitting down. It also has a good selection of buttons that make navigating the various menus easy and straightforward. The user interface is basic but effective, rarely were we unable to find the options we were after. One slight issue is the interface doesn’t give any indication of the charge level of the NB-CP2LH battery when it’s connected, or when it’s fully charged either.

There’s also no icon to display the ink level remaining, though each cartridge states how many pages it can print, such as 36 or 54 and is designed to go with a pack of paper for the corresponding amount of prints, so you can work this out by manually counting how much paper you have left. An icon to indicate the remaining battery charge would be really handy though.

While the CP1300 has a diminutive footprint of just 180.6 x 63.3 x 135.9mm, its noise levels are still comparable to what we’d expect from a standard all-in-one printer. Canon claims the CP1300 can produce 4x6” postcard 4x6” prints in just 47 seconds, though in our testing it averaged about 55 seconds, regardless this was still impressive.

A maximum resolution of 300x300 dpi is boasted, and the maximum size prints available are 148x100mm (4x6”). We also tried out the credit card sized stickers, though this requires an entirely different paper cassette tray and a pack of 36 credit card sized stickers with ink, sold separately. The PCC-CP400 cassette is a one-off payment as it is reusable, so the stickers cost about 30p to produce each. It would be nice if the CP1300 came with the paper cassettes for each paper type as the costs do start to rack up when you factor in all of the extra peripherals you may need. The stickers don’t have the snap-off tabs like the postcards, they simply peel off their backing.

One thing to note is our desk started to become a bit cluttered with all of the various inks, paper types and cassettes which detracted from the printer's overall small and neat aesthetic. It’s also a bit frustrating if you want to switch paper types when you’re partially through your current paper, as you have to find somewhere to safely store the remaining ink and paper.

• Score: 8/10

Canon SELPHY CP1300: Performance

The Canon SELPHY CP1300 can handle 256 levels per colour with 24-bit colour depth and uses dye sublimation technology and thermal transfer printing technology to create instantly dry prints. Canon claims that each image has a longevity of 100 years, though understandably we’re unable to test this claim. The paper does four passes through the printer so you can see the yellow, magenta and then cyan building up with each pass before the final fourth pass applies its final protective coating.

In our tests we found the print quality to be very good with vivid colours and strong sharpness. On odd occasions we did run into misprinting issues where it would appear one of the roller sprockets had got stuck or scratched the print leaving a tiny faint line on the print. That being said, this only happened on rare occasions and we really had to look closely to spot these imperfections, so they were by all means still usable prints.

We made prints with the Auto Image Optimize feature enabled and disabled but we couldn’t see a noticeable difference between the two prints.

The paper options are glossy, so naturally the prints have a glossy finish. However, there are print finishing options that aim to give you a more matte finish. In the menu these are listed as Glossy and Pattern 1, 2 or 3. What these patterns do isn’t explained in the menu and would really benefit from a line of dialogue or a picture example on the LCD screen to explain them.

The manual also provided no answers so we went online to find out what they do - in the finishing stage they can add a textured pattern in an effort to mitigate the shine of glossy paper but we didn’t find this to work particularly well, you just end up with a pattern on your print that degrades it slightly and is still very glossy.

• Score: 7.5/10

Canon SELPHY CP1300: Price & value

Canon’s CP1300 currently costs $110, comes with a two-year guarantee and a postcard sized cassette, though no paper or ink so you’ll likely want to also buy an RP-108 pack which comes with paper and ink.

If you’re considering the CP1300 for its portability then you’ll need to factor in the additional NB-CP2LH battery which allows you to print free of a power source, though it’s not included so you’ll need to fork out an additional $38 which does make this printer rather pricey.

It’s also worth considering the recently launched Canon SELPHY CP1500 which is the newer and more expensive model, which has slightly faster print times and a USB-C port, so this may be the one to get if you desire these features.

• Score: 6.5/10

Canon SELPHY CP1300: User reviews

User reviews were positive on both Amazon where over 80% of customers gave it a 5 star rating, and on Best Buy praise for the SELPHY CP1300 was also high with 94% of customers saying they would recommend it to a friend.

“I'm so glad I bought this! It's perfect! Especially for the price! I was able to print out my cousin’s Save the Date cards for her! And I've added to my wall in my room! The different options are great! Multiple sizes, stickers, labels. It can do quite a bit! Definitely worth it!” - Amazon 5-star review

“Love it. Easy to put together. Perfect size to have at home and not take much room. Prints very nicely and gives confidence on not having to spend crazy amount of money getting a picture printed, simple to install and connect to my computer and phone.” - Best Buy 5-star review

Would I buy the Canon SELPHY CP1300?

Overall, Canon’s CP1300 does exactly what it sets out to do and we felt positive about it. If you need a compact printer that can reliably create postcard sized prints, ID photos or even small stickers, the SELPHY CP1300 is capable of producing these quickly and to a high standard. It’s also ideal for scrapbooking, and could be a good present for kids as it’s fun and would be great for creating prints for school projects.

Alternatively, it also makes a fun centrepiece at parties with friends as it's able to wirelessly connect and print photos from their smartphone. The SELPHY CP1300 made us realise how nice it is to have a physical copy of our photos and reminded us of the 6x4” prints you’d get back after having a disposable camera developed in the days of film, rather than just having all of your pictures stored on your phone as we do in current times.

The CP1300 isn’t, however, the most versatile printer on the market and is a tad on the expensive side. For less money you could get an all-in-one printer that would create high quality postcard sized prints as well as A4 and for less money per print as well as giving you extra comforts such as a built-in flatbed scanner. But, the CP1300 shines through with its compact form-factor, stylish colour options, portability and novelty. As it’s super easy to use we think you’re likely to use it more often than a conventional printer, which in itself would be a good reason to buy one.

It’s a great, fun little printer that’s easy to use and start creating with. If you only want to print up to postcard size and like its portable design then the SELPHY CP1300 is a great option.

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 aims to double up on practicality in more ways than one, making it one of the best all-in-one printers out there. For starters, it enables large-format printing, so you can create photo prints of up to 13x19 inches/A3+ in size. That’s more than twice the size of regular 8.5x11-inch or A4 output. It also features a pigment-based black ink and five dye-based inks, extending its effectiveness to both document and photo printing.

Not just a printer, the ET-8550 also adds a built-in scanner for scanning and copying documents, artwork and photos, plus an SD memory card slot. Direct scanning, copying and printing is enabled by a 4.3-inch touchscreen that plays host to an intuitive interface.

Large-format printing, especially of color photos, is notorious for draining ink cartridges in double-quick time. The ET-8550 offers a much more convenient and cost-effective solution with its ‘EcoTank’ design that employs relatively large-capacity ink reservoirs for each of the six different inks. These are replenished with 70ml bottles of ink, which greatly reduce running costs as well as the frequency with which you need to buy ink. The printer itself comes with sufficient ink to create 1,800 6x4-inch color photos, after completing the installation procedure, and further sets of ink bottles deliver as many as 2,300 post-setup photo prints of the same size.

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550: Design

When you think of 13x19-inch/A3+ inkjet printers, you’re probably thinking of specialist models geared to creating professional-grade photographic output. An upsized version of Epson’s 8.5-inch/A4 EcoTank ET-8500 printer, the 13-inch/A3+ ET-8550 is more of a multi-purpose, multi-function device. 

Designed to create good-quality mono and color documents as well as appealing photo prints, it has a pigment-based black ink for delivering crisp black text, along with five dye-based inks for photo output.

The dye-based inks include cyan, magenta, yellow, photo black and gray. The gray ink not only enhances the color space, but also enables greater fidelity for black & white photo printing. It’s a good compromise because, while the ET-8550 doesn’t specialize in either document or photo printing, most of us would rather run a single printer for both types of output, rather than buying two separate printers, giving them both house room and doubling up on running costs.

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550: Features

Well-suited to home office use, the ET-8500 features multiple input cassettes for loading different types and sizes of paper. You can therefore load the input cassettes with regular plain paper and different sizes of photo paper, so everything’s ready to go when you’re printing different types of content, rather than having to repeatedly remove paper from a tray and replace it with different media. The printer features an auto duplex unit, potentially saving you money on paper as well as bottle-based ink, and making it effortless to create double-sided documents.

The appeals of an all-in-one printer include a built-in scanner, although the maximum scan size is 8.5 x 11.7 inches, so you can’t directly scan or copy A3+ documents and photos. However, the scanner does enable reductions and enlargements for copying, from 25 per cent to 400 per cent, with a maximum copying resolution of 600 x 600dpi. There’s also an SD memory card slot that’s fully compatible with SDHC and SDXC cards, plus other formats of memory cards via adapters. This enables direct printing of photos and documents stored on memory cards, using the printer’s onboard controls.

Standalone printing and copying is simplified by a 4.3-inch color touchscreen with an intuitive interface. For remote operation via a smartphone or tablet, there’s the ‘Epson Smart Panel’ app for Apple and Android devices. Cloud-based and other remote connectivity options include Mopria for Android, Apple AirPrint and Epson Connect, as well as Wi-Fi Direct.

For going large on printing at sizes up to 13x19-inch/A3+, there’s an upright feeder which pulls up from the back of the printer, plus a horizontal feeder that enables you to print banners and panoramic photos longer than the standard 19 inches, as well as allowing for specialist media up to 1.3mm thick.

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550: Setup and usability

The initial setup process is very straightforward and only takes about 20 minutes in total. That includes taking the printer out of its shipping box and removing all the protective inserts and sticky tape from sensitive components, through to filling the ink tanks, to competing the 7-minute automatic initialization process. 

Filling the tanks from the bottles included is simple and mess-free. The bottles are individually keyed, making it impossible to pour ink into the wrong tank by mistake. All you have to do is to invert each bottle and slot it into the top of the relevant tank, after which a built-in valve automatically releases and allows ink to flow into the tank. There’s no squeezing of the bottles involved, which is hassle- and mess-free.

It's well worth carrying out the optional print head alignment routine when you first set up the printer. This ensures optimal accuracy when printing and uses six sheets of plain paper, which need to be loaded into the lower input cassette. The output tray is motorized and extends automatically for printing.

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550: Print quality

Living up to its ‘Photo’ moniker, the EcoTank Photo ET-8550 makes a good job of photo printing. Inkjet printers traditionally struggle to produce bold, bright reds but, despite lacking an additional red ink nor light cyan and light magenta inks, the Epson produces rich and vibrant color rendition.

The printer’s ‘Photo Enhance’ feature is switched on by default. This can freshen up poorly exposed digital photo images but has a tendency to make colors look a little overly saturated and artificial. Especially when printing digital images that have been adjusted and edited post-capture, we found it best to use the ‘Custom’ color management setting and switch off the Photo Enhance option, for the sake of accuracy. 

The ET-8550 also makes a good stab at black & white photo printing. Unlike specialist large-format photo printers, it features only one photo black and one gray cartridge, but mono photographic output looks good, with decent definition and tonal range. Thanks to the inclusion of a pigment-based black ink for document printing, mono text looks rich and crisp, as well as being reasonably resistant to smudging.

We were impressed with print speeds in standard quality modes. In our tests, printing 6x4 borderless color photos on glossy paper took 22 seconds. Larger borderless A4 and A3+ color photo prints took about 1 and 2 minutes respectively. However, switching to high quality mode kills the speed, with the same 6x4-inch, A4 and A3+ sizes of borderless color photo prints taking a lengthy 1 minute 25 seconds, 4 minutes, and 9 minutes 22 seconds. You’ll also have to live with these slower speeds when using the printer’s Black & White Photo mode, in which only a high-quality setting is available.

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550: Care and maintenance

Running the ET-8550 should prove pretty fuss-free. Especially for large-format or high-volume printing, it’s great not having to keep a constant check on how much ink is left in relatively low-capacity cartridges. It’s even better that you don’t have to keep ordering replacements of various, different color ink cartridges. 

Each of the high-capacity ink tanks has a clear viewing window at the front, so it’s easy to keep an eye on ink levels just by glancing at the front panel of the printer. Ink level status is also available via the color touchscreen and through the printer driver from a connected computer.

As with any inkjet printer, it's worth running a nozzle check from time to time, to make sure that none of the nozzles have become blocked in the print head. If the test page reveals any blockages, you can run an automatic cleaning cycle, either from the touchscreen of from a connected computer.

The printer is backed up by the usual 1-year warranty and, in case of any problems, help is available via Epson’s regional websites. Extended service plans are also offered at varying costs. The only other maintenance task you might need to perform is to change the Ink Maintenance Box. This can become filled with waste ink, especially if you print a high volume of borderless photo prints, which tend to cause a little overspray which is then deposited in the box. 

The printer is supplied with one Ink Maintenance Box, replacement units being sold for around $24 / £23 each.

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550: Price and availability

• $800 / £730

You might struggle to find the ET-8500 in retail stores but it’s widely available from online computing and photographic retailers, as well as from Epson’s own regional websites. As is generally the case with bottle-fed printers, you pay a relatively high purchase price up front, as manufacturers make much less money by not selling ink cartridges further down the line. Either way, the initial purchase price of the ET-8550 makes it relatively good value compared with the 8.5-inch/A4 ET-8500 version of the printer, which isn’t that much cheaper to buy at around $700/£630.

Replacement 70ml bottles of ink cost of around $17.50/£16 each. That compares very favorably with cartridges for, say, the 6-ink Epson Expression Photo XP-970 11-inch/A3 printer, which only have 9ml of ink even in the larger ‘XL’ options, yet cost a similar amount of around $17/£16 each. Epson says that the ink cost is reduced by around 80% overall and that, for 6x4-inch photos, it comes down from around 40c/40p to about 4c/4p per print. 

The flipside is that the initial purchase price of the XP-970 is much less, at around $330/£220. The ET-8550 therefore has the potential to save you a lot of money in the long term but it really does depend on just how many documents and more especially photos you’re going to print.

Although 70ml looks and sounds like a lot of ink per bottle, it’s worth bearing in mind that Epson’s large-format 13-inch/A3+ SureColor P700 and 17-inch/A2+ SureColor P900 printers run on upsized 25ml and 50ml cartridges respectively. For the latter, there’s not a huge difference in the capacity of cartridges versus bottles. Even so, P900 cartridges cost around $44/£37 each so are much pricier than replacement ink bottles.

Another factor is that the ‘setup cartridges’ of SureColor printers only last for a few large-format prints after initially setting up the printer, so you need to buy an expensive set of ten replacement cartridges very quickly. By stark contrast, the bottles of ink supplied with the ET-8550 are sufficient for printing around 1,800 6x4-inch photo prints after initial setup, with further bottles lasting for up to 2,300 6x4-inch photo prints.

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550: User reviews

Most people who buy the ET-8550 do so because they want a single device that can scan, copy and print photos as well as documents. Moreover, they want to create large-format prints of up to 13x19 inches/A3+ in size. The vast majority of user reviews are very favorable, with owners feeling pleased about the print quality of both documents and photos, while enjoying the relatively cheap running costs of the EcoTank system.

There’s a relatively small number of negative user reviews out there. Some people have reported problems with paper jams, and with the printer giving error messages suggesting paper jams even when there’s no paper in the transport system.

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550: Expert advice

The ET-8550 certainly isn’t a cheap printer to buy. However, it’s competitively priced for a 13-inch/A3+ printer and is impressive as a true multi-function device. Its line-up of pigment-based black ink and five dye-based inks are well formulated to enable robust document output and attractive photo quality for both color and black & white images. It can’t compete with more specialist large-format photo printers which typically feature nine or ten inks for the ultimate in photo print quality but, for those of us who aren’t intent on creating the very finest prints from images taken on the most expensive cameras and lenses, it should prove more than sufficient.

Should you buy the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550?

This Epson printer doesn’t really cut it for the most demanding amateur and professional photographers who want the very highest photo print quality for display at home, submitting to competitions or selling to clients. But that’s not what the ET-8550 is all about. It’s more of an all-rounder that can turn its hand to high-quality photo output at large sizes of up to 13x19-inches/A3+, plus extended panoramic sizes, as well as being  more than capable for single-sided and double-sided document output.

Unlike specialist, large-format photo printers, the ET-8550 features a built-in scanner (albeit of a more regular document size), thus making it useful for scanning and copying documents, photos and artwork. Add in the convenience and low running costs of bottle-based ink, and it’s an ideal fit for the home and home office, being equally adept at everything from kids’ homework, through student projects to professional-looking document output, with all the fun of photo printing thrown in.

How does the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 compare to competitors?

As a photo printer, the ET-8550 is very good rather than entirely great. For overall gamut (or color space), it comes up short compared with A3+ printers like the pigment-based Epson SureColor P700 and Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300, and the dye-based Canon PIXMA PRO-200, which have extended ranges of up to ten inks. These printers also have a larger range of black and gray inks for superior black & white photo printing.

Using dye-based inks for photo printing, the ET-8550 can’t compete with high-end pigment-based photo printers for rich, deep blacks on matte photo paper and fine art media. Even so, photo printing on matte photo paper as well as glossy, semi-gloss and luster photo papers is of pretty impressive quality.

How did we test the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550?

Our testing process begins with unpacking and setting up the printer. We download and install the latest versions of drivers, then run nozzle check routines and, if required, print head cleaning cycles. We then carry out print head alignment procedures to ensure optimum accuracy. The printer manufacturers’ genuine, own-brand inks and photo papers are used throughout the entire testing procedure.

We create test prints from a wide range of mono and color documents, digital photos, including landscapes, portraits, and black & white images. Prints are made using standard color modes as well as optional enhancement features, offered with the printer. We also use our own specially created test chart to reveal each printer's accuracy in terms of color reproduction, tonal range, and the ability to deliver smooth graduations between subtle color variations.

For output speed, we measure the time taken to produce borderless 6x4-inch, A4, A3 and A3+ prints at various photo quality settings, where available with each printer that we test.

The best portable printers mean you can print documents or images from anywhere. More compact than their traditional counterparts, these printers are built to be taken on the go.  

Portable printers are an excellent option for remote workers, digital nomads, or anyone who simply needs a printer to capture memories on the go. Although they're smaller, the best printers don't compromise on print quality and produce high-quality images and documents. 

Some models must be plugged into the mains, while others come with a charger or battery pack. The type and weight of your printer, as well as its portability, are worth considering when making a purchase. You should also consider whether you will use this product to print black-and-white documents or images. 

If you need a larger printer with more horsepower and capacity, check out our guide to the best compact printers.

The best portable printers we recommend

Top Ten Reviews is on a mission to review everything we feature in our buyer's guides. Still, while we work hard to make this a reality—or where this isn't possible—some of our guides still feature rankings based on our team's considerable expertise and research.

While we haven't been able to test any of the units in this guide in person, we've instead honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the best features to help you make the right decision for your home, all for the best price.

The best portable printer overall

The Canon PIXMA TR150 is an amazing printer, weighing only 4.5 pounds and folding down into a compact size that can be tucked away neatly in a drawer, or carried in a bag. Despite the small size, this printer can still hold up to 50 sheets of A4 paper, which it can print on a detailed 4500 x 1200 DPI. 

This printer has a number of smart features available, including being Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa compatible. This means that you can print with voice commands alone. Alternatively, if voice commands aren't your thing (or you're working from a busy cafe and don't fancy holding a conversation with your printer), you can also print directly from your smartphone with 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi connectivity. 

During our testing process, we found the photo print quality to be excellent. However, the main drawback if this printer is the price of Canon ink - it's expensive. Due to the price of the ink, using this as your main photo printer might not be sustainable. However, it's still a great option as a portable photo printer. 

This printer will print 15 pages per minute in monochrome, and 10 pages per minute in color, making it a viable daily-use printer. It will even work using battery power with an optional power pack, making it a good option for people who want to take their printer with them wherever they work. 

• Read our full Canon PIXMA TR150 review

The best all-round portable printer

The HP OfficeJet All-in-One 250 is a mobile printer that's jam-packed with features. It's admittedly on the larger side of portable printers, but it makes up for this with the battery power it features. The battery will last for around 200 prints before needing a recharge, and you can load up to 50 sheets into the feeder at once. 

Due to its wide range of connectivity options, including WiFi and Bluetooth, it will connect to almost any device that you need it to. Meanwhile, you can print at 4800 x 1200 DPI quality, copying and even scan with this printer. During our testing, we found that the color quality was excellent for printing. However, we did find that the scanning producing slightly faded reproductions when scanning lighter colors. 

The printer comes with a full-year warranty, and their responsive customer support will be there to help if you run into any problems. The cost is higher than the others on the list, but with the print quality and the sheer number of features, it is easy to see why. 

The best portable printer for speed

The HP Tango X packs a large number of features into an attractive, sleek design. With a size compact enough to be slipped into a bag or a drawer, this portable printer will produce high-resolution prints on A4 that are adequate for photo printing. 

During our testing process, we found photos to have rich color and detail, and the text came out crisp and clear. This printer does have a copier and a scanner, but we found the text to be a little blurry when using Android, with some color distortions present as well. 

This portable printer is WiFi connected and is operated via the HP Smart Print app for printouts from multiple devices, wherever you are. There's no screen on the printer itself, which is good for keeping it minimalist and portable, but you will need to use the app for more complex tasks. Ink isn't the cheapest, but there are subscription options available if you wish to keep costs to a minimum. If you want a portable printer for photos and texts, this is a great option, but for scanning and copying, it is not the best. 

The best portable printer for professionals

The Epson WF-110 is one of the smallest, most compact printers on the market, yet it still manages to produce professional-quality prints. This is one of the highest-resolution printers on the list with an amazing 5760 x 1440 DPI quality. When we tested this printer, it produced super detailed lettering and rich detail on colorful images. The 5GHz WiFi connection allows you to print from most devices, with full support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa included. We found the print speeds to be fairly average, which is fine as it more than makes up for the speed in print quality. 

Unfortunately, you can't scan or copy with this printer, and only 20 sheets of paper can fit in the feeder at once, and we also found that this device used a lot more ink than the others. All of this is to be expected from a printer of this size, and the printer quality really shines through most of the cons. If you simply want exceptional quality prints from the most compact portable printer then this may be the option for you, but if you want to be able to scan and copy then you may need to go for one of the larger options on the list. 

The best portable printer for photos

The Canon SELPHY CP1500 is the updated version of the CP1300. It has a fresh look and a more boxy appearance, simplified buttons, and a larger, fixed LCD display. During our testing, we wished the screen could be tilted, but that's only a small detail.

The printer comes boxed with a wall charger and users also have the option of powering it from a NB-CP2LI battery pack which is sold separately at an extra cost but makes it truly portable. 

A common issue with inkjet printers is that print head nozzles can get clogged when not consistently used. The CP1500 uses dye sublimation technology so you never have to worry about this problem with this printer. In our testing, we were very impressed with the fast printing speeds and the vibrant colors achieved by the CP1500.

• Read our full Canon SELPHY CP1500 review

The portable printer and camera combo

The new Canon IVY CLIQ+2 is a digital compact camera with a printer built-in to create instant 2x3” physical images. It combines an 8Mp digital camera with a built-in printer, all housed in a single compact unit. You also have the added benefit of storing your digital JPEG files on a MicroSD card so you can back photos up, share them or print duplicates. 

Film is known for being pricey, about $0.70 for a single Fujifilm Instax 2.1x3.4” (1.8x2.4” actual image size), or a steep $2 per classic Polaroid Color 600 print. The IVY CLIQ+2 however uses heat-based printing rather than film so its prints are notably cheaper at about $0.44 per 2x3” print. 

At 50 seconds per print, it takes a little while to create your print but it’s not unreasonable. It’s also relatively quiet when printing. The only time we ran into issues with the print speed was when a photo was taken accidentally as you then have to wait a minute before being able to try again - we wished there would be a cancel button for these situations.

The image quality isn’t the best we’ve ever seen, but it was perfectly fit for purpose and while the colors weren’t completely accurate this did help it mimic the retro charm of the old instant film cameras. 

• Read the full Canon IVY CLIQ+2 review

The best portable printer for wide prints

The Fufjifilm Instax Link Wide, as the name suggests, is ideal for wide format photo prints on the go. The app works well to allow you to edit pictures on your device before sending them to print in high quality 800 x 1260 dpi resolution on printer paper. This comes in 10 packs where the ink is part of the package – not cheap but very easy to use.

While this does print rich color photos it also has a smart QR code feature, allowing you to embed links to websites, sounds, locations and even hidden messages into the photos that can be accessed using a smartphone scanning that image.

The app features lots of templates, allowing you to create your print finish with ease before sending it from your phone to the printer via Bluetooth. You can even create collages for multiple images on a single sheet print.

The best portable printer for small prints

Designed as a mobile photo printer that runs on a rechargeable, internal Li-ion battery pack, the QX10 creates 2.7-inch square prints on slightly larger paper, with a border along the bottom that’s ideal for adding captions. The paper has a peelable backing, so you can stick your prints into a scrapbook or onto any hard surface. Using a dye-sub printing process, each print passes through the printer four times, adding different color dyes and a final protective top coat. This makes the prints robust, smudge-resistant and gives them a longevity of about 100 years.

Keeping the size manageable, the dye-sub cartridge and the paper tray both slot into the printer to avoid protrusions. At a little more than an inch thick, the QX10 is just about small enough to qualify as a pocket printer. Prints are of good quality and take about 43 seconds to produce, at a cost of around 75c/80p each, based on packs of 20 sheets of photo paper and the accompanying dye cartridge. The battery also has enough juice for creating 20 prints from a full charge.

The companion Canon SELPHY Photo Layout app for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets makes printing quick and easy. Ultimately, the QX10 is quite pricey to buy but the build quality and performance is good. It’s fine if square prints are your thing, but you might prefer the more typical photographic aspect ratio of the Polaroid Hi·Print 2x3 Pocket Photo Printer, which creates larger 2x3-inch photos and is cheaper to buy.

• Read our full Canon SELPHY Square QX10 review

The best portable printer for monochrome

The Brother PocketJet 8 is a thermal printer meaning it uses special paper and heat to print and so doesn't require separate ink. As such this can be super compact and lightweight making this highly portable. It is also very decent quality with a high 300dpi resolution and can print quickly at 13 pages per minute. On the downside you can only print in monochrome and many of the extras cost more, like a battery pack, paper tray, and that specific thermal paper.

This is one in a long line of this printer type and as such is near perfected with lots of connectivity including USB, WiFi, Bluetooth and WiFi Direct. But it's also good for peace of mind thanks to a 2-year warranty and a lifetime customer support backing.

The best portable printer for 2x3" photo prints

The Canon IVY 2 Mini photo printer, not to be confused with Canon’s similarly-named IVY CLIQ+2, is a pocket-sized portable printer that connects to your smartphone wirelessly which can produce 2x3” prints in under a minute. 

You can take photos on your smart device or browse through images in your gallery and print them wirelessly. The prints also have an optional backing that you can remove to turn them into stickers, perfect for scrapbooking or to add some flair and decorate to your devices such as laptops, phones or even a fridge.

We love how easy the linked app is to use and connect to a smartphone. It makes the printer great to capture parties and social events. The Canon IVY 2 Mini uses the same 2x3” ZINK photo paper as the CLIQ+2, however it has a 17% lower resolution at 313x500 dpi. Images aren’t the highest quality we’ve ever seen but they’re absolutely fit for purpose and have some of the retro charm you get with instant film cameras such as a Polaroid or Fujifilm Instax.

• Read our full Canon IVY 2 Mini review

How to choose the best portable printer for you

What should you look out for in a portable printer? We asked our Matthew Richards, printing expert reviewer, and this is what he advised: 

Portability

"For true portability, you’ll want to use it anywhere and everywhere, without the need to plug it into a mains socket", Matthew told us. "If so, you’ll not only need something sufficiently small and lightweight to carry around easily, but the printer will also need an internal, rechargeable battery, or at least be compatible with a battery pack that’s sold separately." 

Weight and dimensions

All printers in this guide are suitable to use on the move and can be set up pretty much anywhere. Some are considerably more compact and lighter than others, such as the Polaroid Mint which is only 6 ounces, or the Brother PocketJet which is only 15 ounces. Ideally, you want a device that can easily fit into a bag or be tucked neatly into a drawer when not in use. 

Print options and quality

Print quality varies significantly between different printers. Depending on whether you want to print high-resolution images or black-and-white documents only, you'll want to look at a few different machines to find one that suits you. Some portable printers exclusively print in black and white, while printers such as the Canon Selphy are specialized for photo printing. 

"For small-format photo printing, chemical inkless and dye-sublimation technologies are ideal, the latter typically giving better quality results", according to Matthew Richards. "In both cases, there are no ink cartridges involved. This can be a bonus as there’s no risk of ink spillage, or of the print head not being properly ‘parked’ when the printer is being carried around, which can lead to ink drying out in the nozzles and causing blockages. For larger letter-sized output, however, inkjet technology is a better fit." 

Print speed

Slow printing speed can be a hindrance when completing admin tasks if you choose the wrong printer. If you are looking to do a lot of urgent, high-speed printing then you will want to choose a model that can accommodate your needs; more modern (and thus more expensive) printers tend to offer the highest print speeds. 

Print size

Many of printers, especially portable ones, will only print in A4 and below. A lot of photo printers are restricted to even smaller sizes than this. If you want a printer that can produce A3 pages, then you may want to look out for specialized printers that can do this. 

Budget and running costs

Ink can get very expensive. Your personal budget will have to be considered when upgrading your current printer. Due to their smaller size, many people may think that portable/compact printers are cheaper to run, but a lot of them can go through ink at an alarming rate which may make them more expensive to run than regular printers. However, a number of the options on our list do suit a smaller budget, and some even come with free ink saving you that additional cost. 

Connectivity

"A good range of connectivity options can be important when you’re on the move", Matthew told us, "so you can print from a laptop, smartphone and other devices. Many portable printers therefore feature Direct Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as being compatible with supporting apps for Apple and Android devices, and cloud-based services."