Back-to-back rides showed me how far the VanMoof S6 has been refined in a single e-bike generation
Having weathered some stormy seas in recent years, the firm is returning stronger under the stewardship of Lavoie and McLaren Applied. The S6 and S6 Open promise a smoother ride, smarter security and styling guaranteed to draw attention wherever you ride it, but also greater reliability and the firm's biggest ever service network. Both are up for pre-order in the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium today for €3298.
With deliveries set to start from August, and the UK to follow later in the year, I headed to Amsterdam to get an early experience of the new e-bikes first-hand. Having previously tested the VanMoof S5 (and refreshed my memory of it on a VanMoof staff runabout the night before I headed to the R&D warehouse), it's clear the new model expertly refines and improves on what was already one of the most distinctive e-bikes around.
How we test e-bikes
Every e-bike and electric scooter reviewed on Stuff is used for a minimum of one week, across a range of distances and terrains. We use our own years of experience to judge general performance, battery life, companion apps, and overall value for money. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products.
Find out more about how we test and rate products.
The new bike is instantly recognisable as a VanMoof, with sharp angles and a frame so slim you'll question whether there's actually a battery inside. Only this time around, everything is somehow even sleeker, with frame welds that are truly seamless. The smaller S6 Open arguably looks even more distinctive with its lower, slanted top tube. It rides on 24in wheels and weighs 22.5kg, while the S6 gets 27.5in wheels and tips the scales at 23.5kg.
The new colour options are stunning, too. The Electric Blue in particular looks beautiful in the light, with pearlescent highlights that shine like a sports car. Drift Black is more incognito, while Pearl Mint sits somewhere in the middle. Extra layers of paint have been used this time around, so scratches shouldn't be as noticeable.
All the firm's signature features are present and correct, from the integrated front and rear lights to the 'halo ring' LEDs built into the handlebars. Except pretty much all of 'em have been tweaked or retuned in one way or another. The kick lock is more weather resistant, faster to engage, and doesn't need to be lined up as precisely as it did on the S5; the brake light plays a funky animation when the bike powers up; and the halo ring LEDs are significantly brighter, so are far easier to see on the sunniest of days.
That's handy, as they'll soon be able to double as directional indicators. VanMoof has teamed up with mapping experts Magic Lane to make its app-based navigation more bike-friendly; it'll be arriving as an update later this year. Once you've plumbed in a route, the bike will then use light and sound to direct you, without needing to stay glued to a smartphone mounted to your handlebars.
That's still an option, of course – and now a much slicker one, as every S6 will ship with a Peak Design Slimlink phone mount. While it can't charge your device while you cycle like Cowboy's optional QuadLock mount, it's slim, subtle, and (importantly) secure. Your device is easily detached with a firm squeeze to either side. iPhone, Pixel and Galaxy owners are all catered for, and there's a universal adapter for everyone else.
As with the S5, pairing your phone to the bike will let it unlock automatically as you approach. You'll be able to track its location (now with 2G cellular triangulation as well as GPS for greater accuracy) through the app, with one year of the company's 14-day bike tracking service thrown in with each bike sold. iPhone users will also soon be able to add the S6 to their Find My network, once it passes Apple's certification.
VanMoof's sense of fun hasn't gone anywhere either. The startup sound doesn't give as strong a spaceship vibe as the S5 did when it powered on, but the bunch of new digital bell sounds have some gems in there. New is the second, softer bell, which raises in volume the longer you hold the button. It's a politer way of announcing your presence to unaware pedestrians than the main 'get out of the way!' bell.
Arguably the biggest change is one even VanMoof die-hards might've struggled to spot from my photos. There's now a second saddle option, which has a suspension system built into the seat post. While the ultra-smooth cycle lanes of Amsterdam meant my posterior wasn't exactly crying out for relief during my test ride, the difference the 30mm of adjustable travel made going over kerbs and manhole covers was significant. The UK's rutted roads will be a tougher test for sure. VanMoof S5 owners with numb bums will also be happy to hear the optional upgrade will be backwards compatible with their bikes.
The S6 keeps VanMoof's familiar layout: powerful 250W hub motor up front, electronically controlled three-speed chain drive at the rear, disc brakes all round for effective stopping. Rivals might argue belt drive systems are cleaner and require less maintenance, but the chain guard means dirt and grime aren't really a concern here either. One staffer told me that of all the S5 bikes brought in for servicing, very few had any issues with the chain.
Pretty much all the internal components have been upgraded, with special attention paid to the transmission. The gearbox (custom-built, of course) is now way smoother and a whole lot quieter than before. On the S5, you could often feel the pedals go slack as the bike changed gear, but on the S6 the transition was a lot more subtle. I actively had to try and feel the changeover, no matter which power mode I was in.
Existing VanMoofers will be instantly at home with the minimalist controls; two buttons on either handlebar, with the left side on digital bell duties and the right controlling power and boost. The firm is experimenting with letting users customise one of the left side buttons through the companion app, with functions like skipping Spotify tracks being kicked about – but there's no firm timeline just yet.
The Halo rings will feel familiar, too, even if the colours have changed from soft purple to electric blue. The left side indicates remaining charge, while the right side shows which power level is active. Even with sunglasses on, I could always tell which mode I was in; a definite improvement from the S5, which I'd often have to shield with my hand to see clearly in bright light.
The new bikes were still going through their final software tune before launch, so the torque curves and power delivery I experienced on my test ride weren't quite what customers will get in August when the first retail units start shipping. They felt pretty dialled in to me, though; the four different power levels gave progressive levels of assistance, and the boost button gets you up to top speed at a wicked pace. I wasn't about to wheelie when activating it at junctions or traffic lights, but it's so much more responsive than similar systems I've used on other e-bikes – and crucially kicks in from a standing start.
My short demo didn't give any indication to range, so I'll have to go with VanMoof's estimates. The 487Wh battery hidden inside the frame provides enough juice for a rated 60km / 37 miles at full power or up to 150km / 93 miles in Economy. Once again it isn't user-removable, so you've got to be able to get the bike in range of a power socket. A full charge takes north of four hours.
Talking to the VanMoof team, it was clear just as much effort has gone into reliability and serviceability as it has the on-bike tech. Every new component is more durable than the one it replaces, and the brand's service network has never been bigger. It spans 13 countries and some 250 bike shops; mechanics and technicians are visiting the warehouse every week for training, and now 95% of customer issues are solved within twenty four hours. Sensibly, the firm isn't rushing a return to America; instead the plan is to wait until it can establish a support base – most likely in a state with lots of e-bike fans.
With off-the-shelf parts not able to be as tightly integrated as custom ones, VanMoof has also worked with its suppliers to ensure spare parts are much easier to get hold of. The wiring is modular, for simpler servicing, and each bike comes with a longer three-year warranty as standard. That'll hopefully put customers' minds at rest, given the issues the firm faced before McLaren Applied stepped in to steer the ship.
I won't be ready to deliver a final verdict until I've ridden the finished product, but on these early impressions alone, the total package is arguably as compelling as a VanMoof bike has ever been.
The VanMoof S6 and S6 Open will be on sale from August in Europe for €3298, and September in the UK
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Stuff.tv
15 hours ago
- Stuff.tv
I've tested the Honor 400, and it's a lot of the Pro camera experience for a lot less cash
Stuff Verdict A sharp-suited cameraphone with decent budget performance and battery life. The Honor 400 doesn't skimp on AI either – but faces fierce competition at this price. Pros Clean styling belies the plastic build Very capable main and selfie cameras Impressive number of AI-assisted apps for an affordable phone Cons Not a huge year-on-year upgrade Only average performance and battery life Introduction Honor looked to be onto a good thing with its new mid-range 400 series. There was seemingly something for everyone, with a three-camera mid-ranger leading the way, an iPhone-aping Lite chasing cheap phone supremacy, and this, the Honor 400, sitting in the middle. It promised a lot for your £399/€499 (as ever with Honor, there's currently no official way to buy one in the US), including a 200MP lead snapper and more AI-infused software than you'd usually find at this price. It was most of the Honor 400 Pro for half the money. Job done, right? Maybe… until the Poco F7 turned up with its colossal battery and more potent processor. Now it doesn't seem like quite such a slam dunk – but after a few weeks of testing, there are still enough things this wallet-friendly phone does well that it deserves your attention. How we test smartphones Every phone reviewed on Stuff is used as our main device throughout the testing process. We use industry standard benchmarks and tests, as well as our own years of experience, to judge general performance, battery life, display, sound and camera image quality. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. Design & build: sharp dresser You can definitely see a family resemblance, but the Honor 400 isn't a carbon copy of the 400 Pro – and happily doesn't stray too far into iPhone pastiche territory like the Honor 400 Lite. That distinctive rear camera island sets this handset out as its own thing, even though the flat mid-frame and faux frosted glass rear panel could quite easily be mistaking for something from the Apple or Samsung stables. The all-plastic build does give away that this is a budget phone, but you'd need to pick it up to tell. From a distance it looks quite flash, even in my review unit's black colour. Honor has played it safe here, with the silver and gold variants looking more subtle than showy. The firm's flair for more distinctive colours hasn't carried down from its flagship models this year. Up close, the materials avoid feeling cheap and the whole thing has a considerable heft to it. Some affordable phones can feel a little hollow, or show some flex in their back panels, but there's none of that here. An IP65 rating should provide some reassurance when it starts to rain, and the hardened front glass should hopefully survive accidental impacts. You don't get the AI camera button seen on the 400 Lite here. It's unusual that the cheapest version would be the one to take the lead on that particular feature, given we'll almost certainly see the iPhone Action button-style functionality on a lot more phones in the future. About the only thing of note around the edges is the IR blaster at the phone's top edge, letting you control older, non-smart gadgets from your phone screen. Biometric security is by an under-display fingerprint sensor, which sits a sensible distance from the phone's bottom edge. It uses capacitive tech, rather than the faster, pricier ultrasonic kind, but I had no problems with it recognising my digits. Screen & sound: from a class above The Honor 400's 6.55in AMOLED screen might be smaller than that of the Pro's, but it's no less capable. Resolution is a close enough match that pixel density is all but identical, and perfectly crisp at arms' length. The glass is flat here, rather than with a 2.5D curve at the edges – which could go down well with anyone that isn't a fan of curved screens, no matter how subtle. It's an OLED, so viewing angles are excellent and contrast is superb. It helps that the panel can boost brightness as high as 5000 nits, and while that figure only applies to a tiny part of the screen at any given time, HDR video content still gets properly punchy. Outdoor visibility was great, shining as brightly as some high-end phones costing several time the price. Given the budget I wasn't surprised to see a 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, rather than the more flexible 1-120Hz enabled by LTPO tech. It was quick enough to react to my inputs and onscreen motion that I never felt the need to force 120Hz on all the time, though. Everything felt seriously smooth for the most part. Honor makes a big deal about its eye comfort tech, and you're getting pretty much the lot of it here. High frequency dimming lowers eye fatigue, there are settings to automatically adjust colour temperature and filter out blue light wavelengths that can keep you up at night, and the defocusing mode softens the edges of the screen to give your retinas a rest. I had no complaints about the Honor 400's speakers, which get plenty loud enough and produce decent enough sound. The down-firing main driver and earpiece tweeter combo are tried-and-tested by this point, and while they don't have much in the way of bass, they weren't overly tinny either. Cameras: pixel peeper Missing telephoto lens aside, there's very little to separate the Honor 400 from its Pro big brother here. Both have a 200MP lead snapper, complete with optical image stabilisation, and both have a 12MP ultrawide that can double as a macro camera; a focus distance of 2.5cm is very close indeed. There's also a 50MP sensor behind the punch-hole selfie lens up front. With so many pixels, the lead lens is able to crop in for 2x and even 4x zoom snaps that are surprisingly clean and composed when capturing well-lit subjects or scenes. 4x shots are softer, sure, but hold up well under scrutiny. 2x images are wonderfully sharp and a near-perfect match to 1x shots. It helps that Honor's image processing doesn't go overboard on the image sharpening, while colours and contrast are natural-looking and true-to-life. Dynamic range is great for the most part, only sometimes struggling to expose especially bright highlights as it tried to maintain shadow detail. The ultrawide lens is a noticeable step back in detail, with softness at the edges of the frame and more evidence of strong image processing. I did think colours were a close match to the main camera, though, and its ability to shoot macros adds to the phone's toolbox. You really can get very close to your subject. Low-light shooting isn't class-leading on either camera, but it's the ultrawide that drops off first. The lead lens is better able to preserve detail, cope with bright light sources, and keep noise to a minimum. Google's Leo image and video generation model comes baked into Honor's image gallery now, letting you create some genuinely impressive/eerie short video clips from your still photos. Not every one is convincing, and you have no control over what kinds of camera movement, subject animation or offscreen characters it'll introduce, which can make for some surreal creations. There's a ways for the tech to go before I'd consider paying to use it. This is on top of the now-familiar generative image expansion, smart subject cutouts, and reflection or background object removal tools most phone brands are going big on. Software experience: AI starts here With essentially the same software selection as the 400 Pro, you're getting Honor's full suite of AI-enhanced apps here – not bad at all given the budget pricing. That includes automatic subtitles, voice transcription, live language translation and writing assistance, on top of Google's usual Gemini voice helper and Circle to Search. I wouldn't say anything here is significantly better than what rivals are doing, but the fact you're getting it at all is a big win if that sort of tech is high on your wish list. Magic Portal uses more contextual AI to suggest relevant apps and functions based on what image or text you drag to the side of the screen. While Magic Capsule sounds like it'd be similarly clever, it's really just an Honor spin on Apple's Dynamic Island. The shortcuts it pops over the front-facing camera slot are decent enough, but there aren't that many of them. No third-party support, either. I've tried quite a few Honor phones running MagicOS 9 at this point, but I'm still not a fan of the iOS-inspired layout, with your apps spread across multiple home screens by default. Happily you can enable an app drawer easily enough. It's a shame you've got to spend so much time stripping out the bloatware when you first set up the phone, though. There's quite a lot of it here, but as it's a pretty common sight on other budget models this shouldn't come as a huge surprise. Buy this phone and you could be in for the long haul if you treat it well. Honor has committed to six years of new Android versions and six of security updates. That's an excellent lifespan for such an affordable phone, and almost on par with class-leaders Google and Samsung. Performance & battery life: you get what you pay for With a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset and either 8 or 12GB of RAM running the show, the Honor 400 puts in a decent performance for a budget smartphone. OK, it won't blitz through performance benchmarks with the ferocity of the Poco F7, so if raw numbers matter most you might be disappointed by its league table placing – and the fact this chip also appeared in the older Honor 200 will disappoint anyone planning a year-on-year upgrade. That said, it's no slouch, scoring similarly to the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion in many tests and hardly left behind by the Samsung Galaxy A56 either. Real-world performance felt perfectly nippy, with apps opening quickly enough and multitasking never grinding things to a halt. It never felt as responsive as a flagship – or even a mid-ranger – but equally wasn't sluggish or frustrating to use at all. As long as you keep your expectations in check, this phone can handle casual 3D gaming just fine. More demanding titles aren't going to be hitting the Honor 400's 120Hz refresh rate cap all that often (if at all), but Call of Duty Mobile didn't throw up any obvious slowdown or stuttering. Thermals are pretty good, too. The phone definitely heats up under prolonged heavy use, but never to the point that performance took a major dive. Honor 400 benchmark scores Geekbench 6 single-core 1136 Geekbench 6 multi-core 3135 Geekbench AI 1460 PCMark Work 3.0 12569 3DMark Wild Life Extreme 1482 I expected the Honor 400 to put in a very respectable showing when it came to battery life, considering it has a sizeable 5300mAh cell to power a mid-tier chipset. While I had no trouble lasting a full day between charges, however, it wasn't quite the longevity champ I'd hoped for. My usual mix of 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS mapping, video streaming, Bluetooth music listening, social scrolling and camera use saw me dip towards 20% at the end of a long working day. Silicon carbide chemistry has quickly meant that sort of performance is now actually a bit middle of the road, and rivals with 6000mAh cells (or larger) are lasting that bit longer. It's something to think about if you need a phone that can survive a weekend away from mains power. Charging is by cable only, as wireless top-ups just aren't in the budget for a phone this affordable. Provide a sufficiently beefy power brick and the Honor 400 will suck down juice at 66W. That's enough for a full refuel in under an hour. Honor 400 verdict The affordable phone space is a veritable battle royale right now, with lots of brands packing in serious specs for comparatively little cash. While the Honor 400 comes out swinging with its clean looks, high pixel count camera and AI-packed software, it can't quite land its punches in other areas. It's no performance powerhouse, at a point where rivals like Poco are putting chips from the class above in their cut-price handsets, and battery life is more respectable than revolutionary. Spend a little more and you can get proper endurance. There's not a whole lot of breathing room between this and the last-gen Honor 200, either. However, if you're a fan of the looks – or value photography over trips to a power socket – and don't want to raise your budget to a more mid-range alternative, the Honor 400 still holds a certain appeal. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 A sharp-suited cameraphone with decent budget performance and battery life. The Honor 400 doesn't skimp on AI either – but faces fierce competition at this price. Pros Clean styling belies the plastic build Very capable main and selfie cameras Impressive number of AI-assisted apps for an affordable phone Cons Not a huge year-on-year upgrade Only average performance and battery life Honor 400 technical specifications Screen 6.55in, 2736×1264 AMOLED w/ 60-120Hz CPU Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 Memory 8/12GB RAM Cameras 200MP, f/1.9 w/ PDAF, OIS + 12MP, f/2.2 ultrawide w/ AF rear 50MP, f.2.0 front Storage 256/512GB Operating system Android 15 Battery 5300mAh w/ 66W wired charging Dimensions 157x75x7.3 mm, 184g
Stuff.tv
2 days ago
- Stuff.tv
The Nothing Headphones 1 are divisive, but I found lots more to like here than just bold design
Stuff Verdict Nothing's first headphones will please its passionate fanbase. Distinctive design, effective ANC and enjoyable audio impress, but they don't disrupt the market like the firm's previous audio efforts. Pros Funky looks meet functional controls Competitive noise cancelling and dynamic sound Comfortable and with enough battery for all-day listening Cons Some features restricted to Nothing smartphones You'll either love or hate the styling Can't match (pricier) class leaders on audio or ANC Introduction It was only a matter of time, wasn't it? Having cut its teeth on multiple generations of true wireless earphones, burgeoning tech brand Nothing has finally taken a stab at its first pair of over-ears. Headphone (1) evolves the firm's signature see-through styling and ditches touch inputs for intuitive physical controls, while speaker specialist KEF has lent an audio helping hand. These eye-catching cans represent a change of tactics, though. Instead of sitting in Nothing's established budget territory, Headphone (1) is heading upmarket to take on the best headphone front runners. At $299/£299/€299 they undercut the usual suspects from Sony, Bose et al – but clash directly with previous-gen greats like the Sony XM5, Bowers Px7 S2e and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless. All are still capable of going a few rounds against a young upstart. Has Nothing done enough here to stand out from the pack on more than looks alone? How we test headphones Every pair of earphones and headphones reviewed on Stuff is used for a minimum of a week's worth of daily listening. We use a playlist of test tracks made up of multiple genres to assess sound, and use our years of experience to compare to other models. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. Design & comfort: hip to be square There's really no mistaking Headphone (1) for anything but a Nothing product, with transparent ear cups that proudly show off a mix of geometric shapes and textures that hint at the electronics underneath. I get cassette tape vibes, if you're old enough to know what those are. The circle-meets-square shape is pretty out there, especially if you go for the white version; slap on some silver face paint and your Dr Who Cybermen cosplay is basically complete. The black model is only a little subtler. Few over-ear headphones stray so far into fashion statement territory. It'll surely prove divisive, even among Nothing fans, but I like that the firm is willing to take risks. Fair play for resisting the urge to add glyph lighting LEDs, too – although given Phone 3 has ditched them in favour of a dot matrix, maybe that didn't take much restraint after all. Elsewhere things are a little more traditional, with oval-shaped ear cushions stuffed with memory foam and lined with faux leather for maximum sound isolation (at the cost of sweaty ears after prolonged listening sessions). The head cushion gets the same treatment, while the headband slides smoothly to adjust the fit. The ear cups then have tilting, pivoting arms that can each turn 90 degrees, letting you wear the headphones flush around your neck – handy, as it doesn't fold for travel. Even with the headband at its most extended, though, I found the square parts would butt into my chin more than a regular-shaped pair might. Comfort was otherwise pretty good, with just the right amount of clamping force and enough padding in all the right places that I could wear them for an entire work day and not feel worse for it once I'd clocked off. That's a big deal, as at 329g these are heavier than pretty much all of the class leaders. They would definitely shift around on my head when I was running, so I would't recommend them for exercise. Some of that weight can be chalked up to the metal used for the square parts of each ear cup. Everything else is made from polycarbonate. Nothing knows a thing or two about picking plastics that don't feel cheap, of course, so Headphone (1) largely holds its own on the materials front against similarly-priced rivals. I'm honestly a bit surprised it went to the effort of getting an IP rating, as I rarely see one on over-ear headphones; IP52 is pretty basic, but means you don't have to worry about sweat doing damage. Features & battery: button it Open the box and you'll find the Headphone (1) nestled in its bundled hard-shell carry case, which has a fairly large footprint but is slim enough to slide easily in and out of a rucksack. It's got a mesh pocket for stashing all the cables you could need. USB-C and 3.5mm are included for charging and analogue listening; you'll find ports for both on the right ear cup, next to the power switch. Physical controls are the order of the day here, with real thought having gone in to how you operate them all by touch alone. You spin the chunky roller to adjust volume, click it in to play or pause tracks, and long-press it to swap between noise cancelling modes. Nudging the slender Paddle button left or right skips tracks forward and backward – and holding it in fast-forwards or rewinds whatever's playing, if you media player supports it. I've found it very intuitive, and love not having to worry about overly sensitive touch surfaces accidentally skipping songs. The button that launches your phone's smart assistant lives on the outer part of the ear cup. On Nothing phones starting with Phone 3, it can be programmed to channel hop between different audio apps and favourites, or record a voice note with a long-press and send it straight to Nothing's Essential Space app. I like the idea of jumping between podcasts and Spotify playlists without having to reach for my phone, though I've not had the chance to test this out ahead of Phone 3's launch. Headphone (1) is quick to connect over Bluetooth 5.3, with Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair both on board. It's got dual connectivity for fast swapping between two devices, too. You'll have to head for Nothing's X app if you want to swap from AAC or SBC streaming (whichever your kit defaults to) to the higher quality LDAC. Voice calls are clear enough, with four of the six internal mics and some clever algorithms able to keep wind noise to a minimum while outdoors. I can't fault the wear detection, either; it never threw a false positive and paused my songs while I was moving. Nothing earns praise for battery life, too. I came very close to the firm's claimed 35 hours of ANC-on listening, which is a few hours more than either the Sony XM6 or Bowers Px7 S3 can manage – despite costing considerably more. There's easily enough juice here for a long-haul flight, and all the airport faff on either side. Disable noise cancelling and it'll do 80 hours per charge, while a five minute top-up is enough for over two more hours of ANC streaming. Sound quality and noise cancelling: we're in the big leagues now Without keen pricing to fall back on, the Headphone (1) has nowhere to run when it comes to performance. It gets off to a good start, with respectable noise cancelling ability. The sounds of next door's builders buzz-sawing through patio tiles were easily drowned out with music at a modest volume, and it all but deleted the low-frequency drone of my desk fan. Wind noise from having it blowing directly at my face wasn't a big deal either. The distinctive design posed a slight dilemma in how to test them on public transport or busy public spaces, but I managed to stay incognito long enough to confirm noisy subway carriages aren't a major concern. While Bose and Sony still set the standard, coping better with sudden changes in background noise and chatty fellow passengers, Nothing has largely kept in step with similarly-priced rivals. Sound quality is a similar story. The 40mm dynamic drivers deliver a lush, energetic presentation that isn't short on volume and doesn't skimp on low-end shove, even before you reach for the Bass Enhance settings. The sub-bass synths on Modestep's Shutting down slice through the mix, without taking away from the mids. My review sample showed some specific low-frequency distortion at extreme volumes with ANC enabled, but after speaking to other testers this seems to be an isolated issue. I'm waiting for Nothing to respond. KEF's tuning curve definitely leans towards a fun, v-shaped sound that won't sway audiophiles searching for neutrality or an analytical listen. That's not to say mid-range detail is lacking or pushed to the back of the mix; Zakk Wylde's thundering vocals still take precedence on Black Label Society's Stillborn. The closed-back drivers don't have the widest soundstage, but tunes don't sound overly enclosed or 'inside your head' either. This is an enjoyable listen overall, but Headphone (1) can't quite match the high frequency precision of Sennheiser's latest. It avoids sounding muddy, but the breathy vocals of Billie Eilish's Everything I Wanted didn't sparkle in quite the same way. Disabling noise cancelling sees this end of the spectrum sharpen up, but at the expense of bass presence. I definitely preferred to listen with ANC enabled. Interface: solve for X The latest version of Nothing's X companion app doesn't mix things up all that much, having previously ditched the dot matrix font for something a little easier to read. Anyone that's used a pair of the firm's wireless earbuds will recognise most of the features on offer, including customisable controls, a choice of noise cancelling modes, and a prominent battery life indicator right on the home screen – handy, as the headphones won't announce how much juice is left when you turn 'em on. You have to dig a bit to find wear detection, the low latency mode, and dual device connectivity. This is also where you'll apply firmware updates and access the Find My Headphones tool, which plays a loud noise should you misplace them. The big new addition is spatial audio, with fixed and head-tracking virtual upmixing on tap. The former helps expand the soundstage, creating the sensation your tunes are coming from further away. The latter pins sound in front of you, like you're at a gig or concert. It's as love-it-or-hate-it as any other take of the tech I've tried, and I'm not keen on the way treble takes extra presence with it enabled. I appreciate Nothing bringing is two-stage equaliser across from its in-ear range. There's a simple three-way slider for bass, mid and treble, plus a couple of presets that cover the basics; headphone geeks should head to the advanced EQ, which has choice of simple and advanced (8-band) EQ, the ability to make multiple profiles for different genres, and a QR code reader for importing community-made resets. Bass enhance also reappears, with five levels to pick from. I found level two could be a bit much for certain heavy electronic tracks, but it goes all the way to five if you want a skull-shaking low-end – and don't mind losing some definition elsewhere in the mix to bloated bass frequencies. Nothing Headphone 1 verdict If you're already sold on Nothing's styling, you'll be more than happy with how the Headphone (1) performs. It has punchy audio, effective noise cancelling, and very competitive battery life. It's no class leader on any one front, though, and is far from an impulse purchase like the firm's cheaper earbuds. You could spend similar money on the outgoing Sony XM5 if you want superior ANC, and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless may be a better choice for critical listening. But if you like your tech to also make a fashion statement, this is basically in a class of one. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 Nothing's first pair of headphones will please its passionate fanbase. Distinctive design, effective ANC and enjoyable audio help it take on established rivals, but they don't disrupt the market like the firm's other efforts. Pros Funky looks meet functional controls Competitive noise cancelling and dynamic sound Comfortable and with enough battery for all-day listening Cons Some features restricted to Nothing smartphones You'll either love or hate the styling Can't match (pricier) class leaders on audio or ANC Nothing Headphone 1 technical specifications Drivers 40mm dynamic ANC Yes, adaptive Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.3 Codecs supported SBC, AAC, LDAC Durability IP52 Battery life 35 hours (ANC on) / 80 hours (ANC off) Dimensions 174x78x189mm, 329g
Stuff.tv
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Best electronic instruments in 2025, including MIDI keyboards, drum pads and samplers
Electronic instruments have come a long way since New Order sequenced Blue Monday using binary code. Now it's all quantised beats, USB-C, and expensive noise-cancelling headphones. And if you're in the market for modern melodies, these are the machines you need. From MIDI keyboards to beat pads, below you'll find an orchestra of tools for making electronic music. Whether you're tinkering with your first track or ready to lay down another lo-fi banger, the kit listed here will help you sample, sequence and synthesise your way to a smash hit. Or at least something worth sharing on SoundCloud. Don't know your MIDI DIN from your MIDI in? We've also broken down some electronic lingo to help you out. Give it a read, and you'll know your controllers better than Jean-Michel Jarre knows his laser harp. Why you can trust Stuff: Our team of experts rigorously test each product and provide honest, unbiased reviews to help you make informed decisions. For more details, read how we test and rate products. The best electronic instruments you can buy today: The rhythm rig 1. Native Instruments Maschine Mikro Amadeus never needed drum pads. Then again, Wolfgang didn't do trip-hop beats. If your unfinished symphony is more Massive Attack than Mozart, try this groovebox. Colour-coded pads help you compose percussion parts with targeted taps, while a Smart Strip lets you mix up your kicks with Perform FX. Plus, the Maschine software has more instruments than an orchestra. The groovy grid 2. Novation Launchpad X You need light and sound for a desktop disco. Luckily, this rainbow grid does both. Like a dancefloor for your fingers, the 64-pad plinth lets you paint your tunes with RGB pixels. Designed for Ableton Live, it also functions as a fully mappable MIDI controller. Tap out patterns on the velocity-sensitive squares, and the capture mode will ensure you never miss a beat. The stealthy stepper 3. Arturia BeatStep Sometimes the biggest beats start with something small. Don't let its stature fool you: this compact controller can do it all. Use its pressure-sensitive pads for finger drumming or switch to sequencer mode to create 16-step patterns. Matching pitch knobs give you granular command of every note, while iPad connectivity means your rhythm isn't tied to a desk. The sound snatcher 4. Teenage Engineering EP 133 K.O. II The music man might be able to play the piano, but can he record a dog's bark and sequence it into a drum and bass banger? Probably not, but this distinctive sampler can. Styled like a Lego answering machine and just as fun to play with, battery power and a built-in mic mean it's made for going walkabout. Punch-in effects let you mangle samples on the fly, too. The standalone studio 5. Yamaha SEQTRAK You could build a studio in your shed. Or for a portable production setup, try this Yamaha hybrid. Part sampler, part sequencer, part synth – plus a sound effects section: the SEQTRAK is a self-contained station for crafting electronic jams. Lightweight but heavy on features, it includes a library of 2000 presets. There's even an integrated speaker for impromptu gigs. The rugged recorder 6. Roland SP-404MKII It might look like a hardcore calculator, but this button box is actually built for crunching notes, not numbers. Tough enough for any beat battle, its hands-on interface and signature sounds have made the SP a cult hit with DIY musicians. An OLED display makes it easier to layer loops, stack effects and slice samples in real time, which is a lot more fun than solving equations. The mini maestro 7. Akai Professional MPK Mini MK3 The Swiss Army doesn't need a MIDI controller. If it did, this would be the one. A fun-sized performer you can play several ways, it's a versatile utensil for tinkering with tunes. The 25 mini keys keep your fingers busy, along with eight pads, a pitch stick and a built-in arpeggiator. Assignable knobs complete the ensemble. The only thing missing is a bottle opener. The tactile tinkler 8. Roli Seaboard M When is a mini keyboard not a keyboard? When it's a haptic slab of sonic expression. Swapping regular keys for a responsive playing surface, the smallest Seaboard lets you glide, slide and press your way to organic sounds that a pitch wheel could only dream of – from swelling synths to string vibrato. Need more range? Magnetic connectors let you attach additional boards for extra octaves. Buy Now The portable performer 9. Korg nanoKEY Fold Even composers need a summer break. Pack this travel-sized MIDI keyboard for tunes wherever your next tour takes you. Lightweight at just 126g, the flat-pack piano folds in half without sacrificing features. 25 silent membrane keys mean you can rehearse without disturbing fellow passengers, while a pair of touch sliders let you perfect your melodies, whether you're taking them to Malibu or Ibiza. How to choose the best electronic instrument Looking to buy the best electronic instrument but don't know where to start? Here are some things to consider: Pads: Want to finger drum like Fred Again? Pick a tool with percussive pads. Some are velocity-sensitive for responsive beats, while others have RGB backlighting for better visual feedback when you're deep in the groove. Want to finger drum like Fred Again? Pick a tool with percussive pads. Some are velocity-sensitive for responsive beats, while others have RGB backlighting for better visual feedback when you're deep in the groove. Keys: MIDI keys come in different renditions, from plasticky plonkers to pressure-sensitive sets. If you play piano, you'll want ivories with proper travel. If you just need to trigger chords, a lighter touch will do. MIDI keys come in different renditions, from plasticky plonkers to pressure-sensitive sets. If you play piano, you'll want ivories with proper travel. If you just need to trigger chords, a lighter touch will do. Connectivity: USB-C, MIDI DIN, CV/GATE: connectivity can make or break your setup. Check what language your gear speaks before shelling out. Some instruments double as audio interfaces, with input ports for mics and other sources. USB-C, MIDI DIN, CV/GATE: connectivity can make or break your setup. Check what language your gear speaks before shelling out. Some instruments double as audio interfaces, with input ports for mics and other sources. Software: Not all tools are plug-and-play. Some need a digital audio workstation (DAW) to function. If you prefer jamming to programming, pick one with built-in brains so you can noodle without a laptop. Now check out Stuff's guide to the best creative control panels.
