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Telegraph
4 days ago
- Telegraph
Flash Power Spray Mop review: ‘A powerful mop I can't stop using'
What is the Flash Power Spray Mop? Spray mops save you from lugging a bucket along behind you as you clean your floors. While most are similar in design, the Flash Power Spray Mop is distinctive with two battery-powered jet sprays. Sitting somewhere between a hard floor cleaner, a steam cleaner and a more traditional, manual mop, it's this feature which made it come top of our best spray mops test, handling every floor in my home with speed and precision. Sold as part of a kit (RRP £41,) you can't buy the mop on its own, making it slightly more expensive than some other budget-friendly designs. Nevertheless, it comes with pads, cleaning solution and batteries, so you can use it straight away and enjoy gleaming floors in just a few minutes. Cleaning solution refills and replacement washable and disposable pads are all available individually, too. Here's everything you need to know about the Flash Power Spray Mop. JUMP TO: How we test spray mops To find the best mops, I tried each one on laminate, hard wood, tile and vinyl floors. I evaluated how they dealt with dirt, dust, spills and stains, performing a control test by dropping some wet coffee grounds on the floor to see how much time and effort it took to remove them. Ease of use and speed were also paramount; I wanted a mop that cleaned both quickly and thoroughly. I judged the comfort of the handle, any adjustable components, and the design of the accompanying mop heads. I wanted ones that were easy to attach, remove, clean and replace. Finally, I assessed any additional features, such as the Flash Power Spray Mop's battery-powered jets. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All opinions are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Performance Score: 9/10 While most spray mops have a single jet, the Flash Power Spray Mop stands out with two. They disperse a consistent amount of cleaning solution directly in front of the mop head at the press of a trigger, speeding up any cleaning task. Notably, it doesn't over-saturate the surfaces. Plenty of traditional mops and buckets left excess water on my wooden floors even after ample spinning (my Vileda Best Buy was the exception). Instead, the jets offer a level of control which should minimise the pooling of water and speed up drying times. I was impressed by how effectively the jets and mop head worked together to lift hair, dirt, dust and even the odd crumb. I would always recommend employing a vacuum cleaner beforehand to gather larger debris, so I was surprised – if a little embarrassed – by how dirty the mop heads were after a full cleaning session. It clearly achieves a deep clean. Usability Score: 9/10 Unlike hard floor cleaners, you don't need to read an instruction manual before use. It's as easy as attaching the cleaning solution and desired mop head, inserting the batteries and switching it on. It's lightweight and moved smoothly, reaching into tight corners, room edges and under lower items of furniture. My parents tried it and have since bought one too, after being impressed with its intuitive and efficient design. I was sceptical about the benefits of the mop's battery operation; most spray mops are entirely manual and I thought it may complicate the cleaning process. However, they are provided with the mop, and once I got used to the small whirr of the motor I enjoyed knowing it would dispense a precise amount of cleaning fluid every time I pressed the trigger. It takes away any guesswork. Mop head design Score: 9/10 The Flash Power Spray Mop comes as part of a kit containing three mop heads: two disposable ones and one washable microfibre one. Replacements cost £24 for 64 disposable ones and £9.48 for a fresh reusable pad. Both were straightforward to attach to the body of the mop, and peel off after. On test, I found the disposable mop pads were helpful for particularly sticky and mucky spills and messes. But they felt wasteful in comparison to the microfibre head, which still performed reliably on all manner of dust, debris and dust. Its zoned design comprises coarser fibres, which cleaned spilled coffee grounds within a few swipes, and softer material, which dried the floor in seconds. It survived the washing machine too, emerging as if it were fresh out of the box. Handle design Score: 8/10 The Flash's handle was just the right thickness to save my smaller hands from any discomfort. It was balanced and comfortable to hold for long periods of time. I had no issues with the height of the handle either. I didn't have to stoop when mopping underneath furniture, and using it didn't give me a sore back. But it's not adjustable, so it may not suit if you are significantly taller or shorter than my five foot five frame. The spray button also sits on the handle, which means it's possible to accidentally trigger it, as happened to me at first. It wasn't much of an issue, as it doesn't spray out too much and I simply mopped up the solution. But it is something to be aware of if you're tending to floors that need minimal wetting. Additional features Score: 8/10 The aforementioned electric jets are the Flash Power Spray Mop's standout feature. But the performance comes with its limitations. If you try to steer clear of chemicals, the Flash Power Spray Mop won't be right for you, as it's only compatible with the brand's cleaning solutions. It costs about £4 for a 1.25 litre bottle, and I found that the one provided had a lovely fragrance. But the bottles aren't refillable, which feels wasteful and means you are unable to use alternative cleaning products. I would also have liked the option to use water, as that's all that's needed when cleaning with microfibre; the textile acts like a magnet to draw in dust and debris. You will also need to factor in the cost of replacement batteries. While not a bank-breaking expense, it means this Flash mop has higher ongoing maintenance costs than most others on the market. Technical specifications Buying a starter kit is a hassle-free way to get everything you need when buying a new mop. And like the Flash Power Spray Mop, the Vileda 1-2 Spray Mop Super Kit comes with cleaning solution and mop heads. I've tried it myself and was especially happy with how it performed on laminate flooring. Here is how the two kits compare. Should you buy the Flash Power Spray Mop? The Flash Power Spray Mop Starter Kit is an excellent buy if you need a hassle-free and speedy solution for cleaning a variety of floors in your home. While you pay more for its convenience, and tie yourself into using its dedicated floor sprays, I was thrilled with the results overall. In fact, over the several months since I first started testing it, it has become my go-to mop. Yes, if: You need a quick and intuitive spray mop for all floor types A lightweight design is a priority You like the flexibility of disposable and reusable mop heads No, if: Flash Power Spray Mop FAQs
Telegraph
05-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
The best trail running shoes for muddy paths, forests and hills, tested by a marathon runner
Uneven terrain brings a whole set of challenges for which standard running shoes won't be much use. Trail running shoes are designed to protect you from rocks, debris and hilly routes by providing more traction, greater stability and better durability. They usually have firmer midsoles and thicker outsoles to keep you stable, better protection from the elements with cutting-edge insulation, plus sturdy uppers and craggy, textured soles. I'm the author of Running: Cheaper than Therapy and The Runner's Code. I've been a passionate runner for a quarter of a century and I've taken part in nearly 200 running events, including four marathons. Having run on probably every surface known to man, I've learned, sometimes the hard way, how important it is to be appropriately kitted out, particularly on trail routes. Whether you're going to be running in secluded woodland trails or simply gravelly, hilly routes in your local park, trail running routes are full of twists and turns, rocks, ramps, puddles and dangerous roots. So get the right gear. The best trail running shoes: At a glance JUMP TO REVIEWS How to choose the best trail running shoes Make sure you go for a pair with plenty of stability in the form of a flexible foot cradle, so you can avoid falls. Trail shoes with softer midsoles will be your friends if you're planning longer mileages, which require more cushioning. Also, consider how rocky your surfaces are likely to be. If you're looking at a rocky route, aim for shoes with toe guards and durable uppers. I tested these shoes at length on different trail surfaces, from the hilly to the rocky to the plain muddy. I was looking first for overall comfort, assessing how long they took to break in and how they fared overall on long and short runs. I tested their cushioning and responsiveness and how well they absorbed impact. Some road running shoes now give unbelievably good energy return, so I measured up the trail shoes on this basis, too. Traction, durability and support were the other big factors I judged them on. I also paid attention to the smaller detail, which can still make or break your running shoe experience: how warm and dry did they keep my feet on wintery runs, how easy were they to take on and off and how quickly did they dry out? Here is how I got on. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. From running shoes to exercise bikes, all reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. 1. Best Buy Trail Running Shoes: Saucony Peregrine 15
Telegraph
02-05-2025
- Telegraph
Apple iPad Pro (M4) review: Is this the best tablet you can buy?
This article contains affiliate links. The products or services listed have been selected independently by journalists after hands-on testing or sourcing expert opinions. We may earn a commission when you click a link, buy a product or subscribe to a service. What is the Apple iPad Pro (M4)? The iPad Pro (M4) sits at the top of Apple's tablet offering, with more power than the iPad Air (M3) thanks to the M4 processor, and a slimmer and lighter build. It's the thinnest product Apple offers, and its slender design comes in 11-inch and 13-inch size options, as well as two colour variants. The iPad Pro (M4) is the most expensive iPad available, costing almost double the iPad Air (M3) and iPad mini (A17 Pro) and nearly triple the iPad (A16), but it is also the only iPad to offer an OLED display. Apple introduced the iPad Pro (M4) in May 2024 and with it, introduced its Tandem OLED display technology to offer better brightness. The iPad Pro is an impressive tablet, but it comes with a huge cost, starting at around the same price as the recent MacBook Air (M4). I've been using it for nearly a year since it first launched and while it will be overkill for many in terms of power, here's why it remains the best tablet in its class. How we test tablets I have been testing consumer technology for over 12 years and have reviewed everything from the best smartphones and best headphones to the best tablets. I have also used every iPad that Apple has ever released, and regularly use all the current models, from the entry-level iPad (A16) to this top-of-the-range iPad Pro (M4), so I have a good idea of how the models compare, including to other tablets, such as Samsung's Galaxy Tabs. When we test iPads, we look at five distinct metrics: design, display, performance, battery life and software and AI, but it isn't just about numbers on a spreadsheet. For this iPad in particular, I have used it for a year: watching hundreds of films, writing thousands of words, spending hours browsing the web, editing images and playing games. I've also taken it with me on a number of plane journeys, all of which have allowed me to test its screen in a variety of scenarios, as well as its battery life and general performance. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our tech experts continuously conduct in-depth, independent, real-world tests, scoring devices against pre-set testing metrics and industry benchmarks, so we can deliver definitive and comprehensive buying advice. Telegraph Recommended reviews are never shared with product manufacturers before publication, we don't accept payment in exchange for positive reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Design Score: 10/10 The iPad Pro (M4)'s design is impressive. It has a slim body, measuring just 5.3mm, and a lightweight aluminium build that makes it incredibly portable, whether you opt for the 11-inch or 13-inch model. Unlike the rest of Apple's iPads, the iPad Pro has Face ID built into the top of the uniform bezels around the display, rather than Touch ID in the power button. This is significantly more convenient for unlocking and authenticating payments or passwords. Alongside the Face ID sensors is the front camera in a landscape orientation like the rest of the range, while a magnetic strip is located on the edge at the top, allowing the Apple Pencil Pro (sold separately for £119) to snap on and charge. A camera and LiDAR sensor are present in the top left rear corner of the iPad Pro (M4) when in portrait mode, while the Smart Connector sits at the bottom. This allows the tablet to connect to various accessories, like the Magic Keyboard (also sold separately for £349). Display Score: 10/10 If the iPad Pro (M4)'s design wasn't enough to win you over, then its display will. The Tandem OLED panel has a peak brightness of 1,600 nits, which allows this iPad to be used outside in blazing sunshine with no problem. That's even more true if you opt for the nano-texture display option available in the higher storage models (1TB and 2TB), where the matte finish cuts through reflections. It is an added cost (£100) to an already expensive tablet, but it's well worth it, as it is on the MacBook Pro (M4). Colours presented on the display – whether standard or nano-texture – are exceptionally vibrant with plenty of punch, while contrast is superb with brilliantly bright whites and a deep, inky black. Viewing angles are great, too, and the detail is crisp and sharp. As far as displays go, this one is fantastic, making everything look wonderful from watching movies to looking back through your photo gallery. Performance Score: 10/10 The iPad Pro (M4) runs on Apple's M4 silicon chip, which is the same as what powers the company's latest MacBooks. It means that the iPad Pro is an incredibly rapid tablet and while it has more power than many will need, its performance is unbeatable. Loading apps, switching between tasks, gaming and scrolling are all effortless. In the last year, I've used the iPad Pro as a tablet, as well as a replacement to my laptop by attaching the Magic Keyboard. I was able to write, edit images on Photoshop, take hours worth of notes and watch hundreds of films. Nothing was a problem. It's smooth and fluid, whether you're running two apps side-by-side or playing casual or graphically intensive games. The four-speakers deliver decent sound and while I'd always recommend connecting up a pair or AirPods or other headphones for the best listening experience, the iPad Pro more than delivers without. Battery life Score: 9/10 Apple touts the same battery life for all its iPads, whether you're using the iPad mini or the iPad Pro: ten hours for watching video and nine for surfing the web. I've found that to be pretty accurate in use, after streaming an hour of video on the iPad Pro used only 9 per cent of charge, which means it should entertain you across the Atlantic to New York without requiring a top-up mid-flight. The battery does deplete a little faster if you connect the Magic Keyboard, but that's the case for all tablets, so it's not a deal breaker. The only downside is that the charging speed is on the slow side, like all of Apple's iPads. Apple doesn't officially specify the charging speed, but for this model, it seems to be between 30W and 35W. With OnePlus and Oppo both offering support for 67W charging, the iPad Pro (M4) could up its game, even if only to 45W to match what Samsung provides on its latest Galaxy Tabs. It's not the end of the world and depending on the user you are, you may go days in between charges, but a quicker burst of speed would be welcome. Software and AI Score: 9/10 The iPad Pro (M4) runs on iPadOS, the same software on all of Apple's other current iPads, as well as some older models. It's slick and easy to use, offering a multitude of apps optimised for bigger screens and overall, it is superior to the Android tablet user interface. Android does allow for better multitasking in that you can use three apps simultaneously on some devices rather than just two, like the iPad offers, but iPadOS is more intuitive than many Android tablets for entering multitasking modes, as well as general navigation and use. There's no support for multiple users, which is probably my biggest bugbear with the iPadOS software, but it's a great experience that Apple users will find familiar, while those new to Apple's ecosystem will have no problem getting to grips with it. Apple Intelligence is supported on the iPad Pro (M4) as well and while I don't see it as being a sole reason to invest in this tablet on its own, there are some useful features such as Math Notes and Writing Tools. Image Playground can be fun, while Clean Up in the Photos app is handy for removing unwanted objects or people from the background of your shots. The iPad Pro (M4) is one of the most expensive tablets on the market, but it's not on its own. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra also has a £1,000 starting price, so I've compared the two below. Should you buy the Apple iPad Pro (M4)? The Apple iPad Pro (M4) is an exceptional tablet, with a slim and lightweight design, stunning display and rapid performance. There's more power here than many will ever be able to fully utilise, accessories like the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard aren't included, and there's no multi-user support, so it doesn't lend itself well to being a shared family tablet. There's also no getting around the iPad Pro (M4)'s high starting price. Get past the cost, though, and all the other criticisms are minor grievances. The iPad Pro (M4) will be overkill for most, but it's without a doubt the best tablet on the market, delivering a fabulous experience that's hard to fault. Yes, if: You're looking for the most powerful tablet on the market You want a slim, lightweight and long-lasting tablet You need a tablet with the best display No, if: Power isn't your priority You want the best value Apple iPad Pro (M4) FAQs What does the M4 mean for iPad? The M4 chip means the iPad Pro has as much power as the entry-level MacBook laptops from Apple, so this tablet offers superb performance. Should I buy the 11-inch or 13-inch model? The 11-inch iPad Pro is more portable with a smaller footprint than the 13-inch version, weighing 444g compared to 579g. However, if you're considering this iPad as a laptop replacement and can afford it, go for the 13-inch size. It's still portable and the larger screen is excellent for multi-tasking. What generation is the iPad Pro M4? The iPad Pro (M4) is the seventh generation of the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro line was first announced in September 2015 with a 12.9-inch model, before the 9.7-inch version was announced in March 2016. The iPad Pro (M4) succeeds the iPad Pro 12.9 (6th generation) and the iPad 11 (5th generation). When was the iPad Pro M4 released? The iPad Pro (M4) was announced on 7 May 2024. Pre-orders started immediately, with availability from 15 May 2024. It starts at £999.
Telegraph
01-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo review: This new portable misting fan is now my heatwave go-to
What is the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Portable Misting Fan? New for summer 2025, the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo is a cordless air cooler. This means you can charge it, fill the integrated water reservoir and then enjoy a misty breeze wherever you like, be that on your patio, picnic blanket, desk or bedside table. It's versatile with five fan speeds, three misting settings and a vertical tilting range of 45 degrees. There's a long battery life of up to 12 hours and you can extend the cooler's runtime in between charges by plugging it into the mains. It looks more like a pedestal fan than a boxy air cooler and has an innovative, lightweight build and an attractive, accessible design. There's no connect app, so everything that's smart about the FlexBreeze HydroGo is in its mechanics. Whereas most air coolers chill air through internal evaporation before recirculating it, this Shark model uses a fan and misting mechanism to emit a cooling vapour. It retails at £129.99 and comes in a selection of colours including Dove and Quartz Pink (shown in our testing photos), although currently only Charcoal is readily available here in the UK. How we test air coolers Our air cooler reviews are based on hands-on testing inside our reviewers' homes (and in the case of portable models like the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo, in their gardens too). I set up the cooler, filled its tank and used all available settings and features to get a thorough overview of its effectiveness. To grade the air coolers, I considered cooling performance, design, quietness, ease of use and value. Each air cooler tends to be marketed for particular uses and audiences, and this is taken into account during scoring. For example, the FlexBreeze HydroGo is sold as a portable model, so I paid more critical attention to its lightweight design and battery life than to its power and tank capacity. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All opinions are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Power and cooling Score: 9/10 The FlexBreeze HydroGo provided excellent cooling, both outdoors and inside the house, during my testing. In contrast to more conventional air coolers, you can clearly feel that this model produces a fine vapour. In my opinion that's a lovely thing, but it could be off-putting for users whose homes are afflicted with damp. Other types of air coolers also add moisture to the air; you just don't see it. Naturally, the cooling effect is strongest when you're close to the fan, but the effect is still tangible several metres away, even outdoors. When I used it in my living room, the entire space felt cooler. There are five fan speeds to choose from, and I found the lower three enough for indoor cooling. For group use in an outdoor setting, you'll need the higher speeds. It's also worth playing around with the misting settings ('continuous' or 'interval' which causes vapour to be released only half of the time). In my experience, interval misting provided adequate cooling while using water more conservatively. Design Score: 10/10 What the iPod did for portable music players, the FlexBreeze HydroGo might do for air coolers and fans. This brilliantly designed, finished and user-friendly gadget is worlds apart from the average white box domestic competitors and even the misting fans seen lining European restaurant terraces. The compact design is a true match for everyday life (and for the occasional nature of our summers, since you'll probably want to keep it in storage through the colder months). I loved the look of this cooler straight out of the box and it only impressed me more on closer inspection. Its components feel robust and pleasantly textured, and I soon found that every feature works as you'd hope. Charging is simple (via the included mains adaptor), topping up the integrated water reservoir using a jug is foolproof and at less than two kilograms, the fully loaded cooler weighs little more than a bag of sugar. It's conventional, these days, for products such as a newly released air cooler to feature a connected app that provides some extra functionality (of variable merit). In this case, there isn't one, so all of the smarts are inherent to the innovative design: its against-the-grain cooling action, peerless portability and intuitive on-unit controls. Quietness Score: 10/10 Using my smartphone's sound meter app, I measured the operating noise levels of the FlexBreeze HydroGo at 57 to 75dB, which is quiet for a fan-based appliance. These measurements were taken close to the fan blade, so it's worth noting that the sound is quieter at a reasonable distance. Better still, the character of the sound is relatively kind on the ear: a deep rush, rather than the unpleasant whine that's quite common among fans. It's worth noting that the misting mechanism makes a distinct sound while active: a sort of 'pssst', similar to the sound of some automated air dispensers. This is most noticeable when it repeatedly stops and starts during interval mode operation. Ease of use Score: 9/10 It's hard to imagine how an air cooler could be much easier to use than the FlexBreeze HydroGo. The misting and fan settings can be toggled with the quick press of a button, while filling, tilting and charging the cooler can all be mastered in a matter of seconds. Helpfully, Shark has added removable stickers to the device that tell you exactly how each of these features should be used. My only significant quibble is that the 150ml water reservoir requires frequent top-ups: once every half hour during continuous misting, or hourly when you've selected the interval mode. During a heatwave you could save yourself a few trips to the kitchen tap by keeping a full jug or water bottle close to the cooler. Note too that there's a small moisture cap at the centre of the fan cover, which you'll need to flip open to allow misting. Closing this after use will prevent dripping. Quality and value Score: 10/10 At £129.99 this is not exactly a cheap gadget, but the price is comparable to those of other top-rated air coolers such as the Princess Smart Air Cooler and Symphony Diet 3D 12i Tower Air Cooler. That outlay won't give you the most power for your pound, but what you'll get is an air cooler that's well suited to everyday home use, with a presentable finish and terrific cooling performance, especially at close quarters. The FlexBreeze HydroGo feels robust (which is impressive considering its negligible weight), with watertight tabs over the reservoir inlet and power input. If something should happen to go wrong with the cooler, you're covered by a two-year manufacturer's warranty (terms apply). Technical specifications While the FlexBreeze HydroGo is boundary-pushing, it's not the only small air cooler that's impressed our team. Another model worth considering is the Tristar Air Cooler, which costs significantly less at £75 and compares favourably on raw performance data. Should you buy the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Portable Misting Fan? We've not awarded any air coolers a 10 out of 10, since they still can't rival portable air conditioner units when it comes to tangibly lowering thermostats. But for its features, this design came close to perfection for me. The lightweight design with built-in misting makes it more versatile than most fans and a great heatwave companion. Yes, if: You want a small, convenient air cooler that's perfect for most home users Attractive and user-friendly design matter to you You'd like to take an air cooler with you into the garden or on your travels No, if: You've got a large home to keep cool Refilling your air cooler's water tank is a hated chore Using a connected app suits you better than simple, on-unit controls Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo FAQs How long does the Shark FlexBreeze last? The Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Portable Misting Fan qualifies for a two-year manufacturer's guarantee, although you must register the product with Shark in order to receive this cover. Beyond that time period it's difficult to assess how much longer the product might last, since it was released recently. It's worth noting that the fan's operation is reliant on an in-built lithium-ion battery and these tend to degrade after years of use. Still, you can expect no less than a few summers of perfect functioning. How much electricity does a Shark fan use? Different models of Shark fan draw power at varying rates, depending on their input wattage. Charging or powering the FlexBreeze HydroGo Portable Misting Fan draws no more than 42W, which will cost you fractionally over £0.01 per hour based on current UK electricity rates. This level of power consumption is normal for a small fan, while large or high-speed fan models sometimes require more than double the power. Meanwhile, a small air conditioning unit would typically use anywhere from 900W to 1,500W to keep a room cool. Is Shark FlexBreeze an air circulator? Air circulators are a subcategory of fans with automated oscillation. A tilting or turning mechanism continually changes their direction (up and down and/or left and right) to recirculate air throughout a room. The Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo does not have this feature so it can't be classed as an air circulator. However, the FlexBreeze HydroGo does have 45 degrees of vertical tilt, so you can manually adjust the direction of cooling to promote circulation. Keeping the fan well away from open windows and directing airflow towards windows may improve the rate of recirculation.
Telegraph
29-04-2025
- Telegraph
Razer Blade 16 (2025) review: The best gaming laptop I've ever tested
This article contains affiliate links. The products or services listed have been selected independently by journalists after hands-on testing or sourcing expert opinions. We may earn a commission when you click a link, buy a product or subscribe to a service. £3,899.99 Buy Now Price at Razer for configuration tested What is the Razer Blade 16? If you want the best gaming gear, be it a gaming chair, keyboard, mouse, gaming headset or PC, Razer's catalogue of devices is a good, if pricey, place to start. In a nutshell, they make luxury gaming products for grown-ups, and if you're after a stellar gaming laptop that hides its light under a bushel, you should look to Razer. The new Blade 16 might look more like an upmarket productivity device, but this is the first laptop I've reviewed with the latest RTX 50 series Nvidia graphics. Apart from improvements in efficiency and baseline performance, this also brings the latest iteration of Nvidia's DLSS upscaling technology, DLSS4, promising major frame rate increases in the latest games. How we test laptops Testing gaming laptops combines the subjective and the empirical. A colorimeter can tell you how good a display is technically, but the eyeball is the final arbiter, especially when it comes to motion fidelity. A sound meter will tell you how loud a laptop's speaker system can go, but your ears will tell you what the sound quality is like and how good the directionality is. Gaming performance is the key metric. I run some demanding gaming benchmark tests to get a handle on performance, primarily Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong. I also run productivity tests to see how the machine handles more day-to-day tasks and intense workloads such as 3D modelling. Not every reviewer opens up the laptops they are given to test, but I do so I can tell you how easy it is to get inside to add more storage, more memory or just perform basic maintenance like blowing dust out of the fans or replacing the battery. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our tech experts continuously conduct in-depth, independent, real-world tests, scoring devices against pre-set testing metrics and industry benchmarks, so we can deliver definitive and comprehensive buying advice. Telegraph Recommended reviews are never shared with product manufacturers before publication, we don't accept payment in exchange for positive reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Design and usability Score: 9/10 Made from aluminium with an anodised black finish, the Blade 16's design can best be described as angular-industrial with a pinch of Bauhaus. The only nod towards the adornments you may expect on a gaming laptop is the green backlit logo on the lid. The aluminium construction makes for a stiff and solid laptop, but Razer has managed to keep the weight and thickness down. The 2025 Blade 16 is just 15mm thick compared to the 2024 model's 22mm. At 2.2Kg, it's also surprisingly light for a high-end gaming laptop: I've tested many at over 4Kg. Despite the slender profile, Razer has found room for a comprehensive range of ports. On the left side, I found two 10Gbps USB-A connections, a USB-C 4.0 port that also supports DisplayPort 1.4 video output, a 3.5mm audio jack and the proprietary power socket. On the right, there is another Type-A and Type-C port as well as an HDMI 2.1 video connection and an SD card reader. The only thing it's missing that some gamers may bemoan is an Ethernet port, but in these days of blazing fast Wi-Fi (the Blade 16 supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 standards), that's not such an issue. The only negative aspect of the design is that the bodywork shows fingerprints more than I would have liked, and that's despite having what Razer calls a 'fingerprint resistive coating'. Getting inside the Blade 16 is a straightforward affair, and while you can't add more memory, you can add a second SSD for additional storage, which means you can buy the basic 1TB model and up that to a whopping 8TB as your game library expands. Incidentally, the 2TB SSD in my review machine performed like a champ, recording sequential read and write speeds of 5,500MB/s, which is perfect for moving large game and media files around in no time at all. Keyboard and touchpad The Blade's keyboard is a standard albeit high-quality chiclet affair that doesn't look or feel particularly 'gamey'. I understand Razer's thinking here; anyone who buys a hardcore gaming laptop will probably invest in a separate mechanical keyboard for the best experience, like I did. Aesthetics aside, the keyboard benefits from being rock solid with a well-engineered 1.5mm of key travel and a full per-key RGB lighting system that you can modify via the Razer Chroma app. For example, you can set up the WASD and arrow keys to glow a different colour from the rest of the deck. The speaker grilles that flank the keyboard preclude the fitting of a numeric keypad, but there is a very useful column of five customisable macro keys on the far right to give faster access to whatever you deem the most important functions. The touchpad is a large 150 x 95mm affair with a glass surface that offers excellent sliding characteristics. The click-action on the lower part of the pad is crisp and quiet. There's no fingerprint scanner on the keyboard, but the rather basic 1080p webcam does support Windows Hello IR facial recognition for secure unlocking. Display and audio Score: 10/10 The Blade 16's display is a 2,560 x 1,600 OLED with a 240Hz refresh rate, and by every measurable metric, it's a cracker. Maximum brightness is good at up to 630 nits, and there's colour aplenty with gamut volumes of 162% in sRGB and 115% DCI-P3. It's extremely accurate, too, with a Delta E variance score of just 0.74. That's as close to perfect as you'll get on a laptop and makes the Blade 16 perfect for colour-critical work. Razer claims a 0.2ms response time, which, when combined with that high 240Hz refresh rate and Nvidia G-Sync technology, delivers superb levels of motion fidelity at incredibly high frame rates. The Blade 16's panel is also VESA-certified HDR500, which makes for a high level of HDR performance when playing High Dynamic Range games. Both Alan Wake 2 and The Last of Us Part II looked great in HDR, with both bright and dim environments looking more detailed than ever. Squeezed inside the Blade 16 are no less than six speakers, pumping out plenty of volume with rich bass and high levels of detail and good stereo separation, with the latter helping with the directionality of sound effects. Whether it was playing music or game soundtracks, the Blade 16's audio system never failed to impress. Performance and configurations Score: 10/10 The Blade 16 can be purchased with an Nvidia RTX 5070Ti, 5080 or 5090 GPU and an AMD AI 9 HX 365 or HX 370 processor. You can also choose up to 4TB of storage and 64GB of RAM. Prices start at £2,699.99, but the big price hikes come when you move to the RTX 5080 (a £400 jump) or the top-end RTX 5090, which is another £800 increase. To get a grip on base-level performance, I ran the Black Myth: Wukong benchmark on the RTX 5090 Blade 16 and the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16, which uses the older generation RTX 4070. The game ran at 2.5K screen resolution in both tests with ray tracing, high detail, DLSS 3.5 upscaling, and Frame Generation. On the Acer laptop, the game recorded an average frame rate of 63fps, which is a healthy showing. However, on the Blade, with the same settings, it ran at nearly twice the speed at 120fps. I also tested it against the Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark, with DLSS 4 enabled. Set to the highest Frame Generation setting, which had no noticeable detrimental impact on image quality, and again at 2.5K resolution with ray tracing and high detail levels, the Blade managed a staggering 231fps. Moving away from games, the Blade 16 ran the SPECviewperf 3dsmax 3D modelling benchmark at a blistering 220fps, which is the fastest I've ever seen on a laptop and by some margin. There's no such thing as a truly quiet gaming laptop. All that heat generated by the GPU has to go somewhere, and the fans have to shift serious volumes of air to keep things cool. That said, even when running under heavy stress, the Blade 16 can run both the CPU and Nvidia GPU at full utilisation without it sounding like you are standing underneath an aeroplane. Battery life Score: 8/10 The AMD Ryzen 9 AI 370HX processor in my review Blade 16 is the same as that used in the Asus Zenbook S16, leaning more towards efficiency rather than outright power. That may sound a little odd in a gaming laptop, but it makes sense considering the Blade 16 ran for 9 hours and 28 minutes in our battery test. That may not sound like much, but I've tested many gaming laptops with equally large batteries that haven't lasted half as long in the same test. Of course, that result is achieved without the power-hungry Nvidia GPU playing any part in proceedings. Fire it up, and that runtime will drop by 75 per cent, such is the power draw of a powerful discrete GPU. Technical specifications In my recent round-up of the best laptops on the market, I singled out the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 as the best gaming laptop. Of course, that was written before the arrival of the new batch of machines running Nvidia's latest RTX 50 graphics. The two machines are similar in many areas, but it's the price and dimensions that are the most stark differences. These laptops will come down in price, but for the time being, if you don't want to spend an arm and a leg, then a machine with a previous-gen RTX 40 is still a good option. The Razer Blade 16 starts at £2,699.99, but I was sent the top-end specification for review: Should you buy the Razer Blade 16? As a combination of quality and gaming performance, the Razer Blade 16 is without equal. Thanks to the high-quality OLED display and the immensely potent Nvidia RTX 5090, the Blade 16 delivers a gaming experience that is simply outstanding. That could equally be applied to the latest range-topping RTX 5090 gaming laptops from the likes of Asus, Alienware, and Lenovo, but none of them are smaller and lighter than a 16-inch MacBook Pro, which the Blade 16 is. Add the useful battery life into the mix, and the Razer Blade 16 is the most omni-competent laptop money can buy. It's powerful enough to run even the most demanding games incredibly fast at the highest settings, yet it has a civilised keyboard and a good selection of data ports. It even looks every bit as professional as a MacBook Pro, so you can whip it out and plonk it on a boardroom table without a second thought. Yes, if: No, if: Razer Blade 16 FAQs How much is the Razer Blade 16 and when is it available to buy? The Razer Blade 16 (2025) starts at £2,699.99. This is for the model with an RTX 5070 Ti GPU, AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, 32GB of memory and a 1TB SSD. The top-end configuration, with an RTX 5090, Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, 64GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD costs £4,299.99. The Razer Blade 16 is available to buy right now. Should a gaming laptop have a mechanical keyboard? Arguably yes, but very few manufacturers now offer that option due to issues of size, weight and cost. There's also an increasing tendency for people to use their gaming laptops as 'desktops' when gaming with a separate gaming-optimised keyboard and mouse. A laptop keyboard and touchpad are suboptimal for gaming, no matter what type they are. How can I tell what games support Nvidia's new DLSS4 upscaling? Nvidia lists all the games that support DLSS4 and Multi Frame Generation. At the moment, this list runs to over 100 titles, which puts adoption ahead of what we saw at the launch of DLSS3 on the RTX 40-series GPUs. Expect most AAA games to support DLSS4 going forward.
