TIPS & TRICKS
Slide your thumb in from the edge and back for one-handed mode, which adjusts the screen layout.
Screen recording is great for capturing Instagram live sessions. You’ll find it in system settings.
Single-take mode uses all the lenses to snap various stills and video clips to cherrypick from.
HOT BUY
1Samsung Galaxy S20 5G
£899 / stuff.tv/S205G
The bigger and flashier S20+ and S20 Ultra models are the headline-grabbers, but the ‘basic’ Galaxy S20 feels like the Goldilocks of flagship phones right now – and it’s a fair bit cheaper than some. It delivers excellent battery life, a phenomenal display, blistering performance and superb photo quality. Until someone else does it better, this is the Android handset to beat.
Stuff says ★★★★★ All the features you’d want in a flagship smartphone, plus a few more
● NOW ADD THIS
SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive 128GB
This USB-C drive will double your S20’s 128GB storage to 256GB for a lot less than you might expect. £23 / shop.westerndigital.com
● Prices quoted are for handset only unless otherwise stated
NEW
2
Apple iPhone 12
from £799 / stuff.tv/iPhone12
We loved the iPhone 11, and its successor carries a whole host of improvements. If you can live without the telephoto camera of the flagship 12 Pro (and most can), you should save yourself some cash and get the 12 instead. In many ways it’s the same phone.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A top display and all the power you’ll ever need in an iPhone
3
OnePlus Nord
from £379 / stuff.tv/Nord
OnePlus wanted to get back to its bargain roots with the Nord, and it’s mostly pulled it off. You may not get a top-end CPU, but the rest is here: reliable performance, a solid camera, a strong OLED screen and plenty of storage… and it’s still classier than a Moto.
Stuff says ★★★★★
This is one of the best-value 5G smartphones you can buy
NEW
4
Apple iPhone 12 Pro
★★★★★ from £999 stuff.tv/12Pro An iPhone for the few and not the many, the 12 Pro is suited to serious photo fiddlers and AR explorers. /
5 Realme X50 Pro 5G
★★★★★ £489 stuff.tv/X50Pro Realme’s high-spec, mid-price marvel makes for a compelling alternative to a OnePlus. /
6 OnePlus 8
★★★★★ from £549 stuff.tv/OnePlus8 The mid-range Android king glides stylishly over the 5G hump. See also the plainer but zippier 8T model. /
7 Oppo Find X2 Pro
★★★★★ £949 stuff.tv/FindX2Pro Paying nearly a grand for an Oppo seems odd, but this slick Android is about as good as any phone out there. /
8 Motorola Edge
★★★★★ £500 stuff.tv/MotoEdge Moto takes the mid-price fight to OnePlus with a flagship-like design and superb OLED screen. /
9 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2
★★★★★ £1799 stuff.tv/ZFold2 Still prohibitively expensive, but the first folding phone that doesn’t feel like an awkward prototype. /
10 Sony Xperia 5 II
★★★★★ £799 stuff.tv/Xperia5ii Everything we loved about the Xperia 1 II, made a lot more affordable with minimal compromise. /
IN-EARS
HOT BUY
NEW
1 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
£250 / stuff.tv/QCE
They’re bulkier than the average in-ears and come with a ridiculously large case, but otherwise the QC Earbuds are difficult to knock. The noise-cancelling doesn’t do a disservice to the esteemed QC name, it’s hugely customisable, and the buds themselves sound great: bassier than you might expect, but in a nicely rounded way that retains lots of detail. They’re at the upper end where price is concerned – but if silence is what you seek, you currently won’t find better.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A fun listen with excellent noise-cancelling skills, these are the best buds to stick in your ears
2 Sony WF-1000XM3
£220 / stuff.tv/WFXM3 The wa y Sony’s XM3 buds serve up such spectacular sound quality while being truly wireless, while effectively cancelling background noise and while remaining comfo rtable in the ears, is quite something. Stuff says ★★★★★
Great design and stunning performance
3 Technics EAH-AZ70W
£224 / stuff.tv/AZ70W Technics has shrunk down its hi-fi skills to deliver affordable personal audio. While the charg ing case lacks a little juice, the AZ70s score highly for noise-cancelling and even higher when it comes to sound quality. Stuff says ★★★★★ Techn ics’ true wireless debut is a sonic triumph
4 Campfire Audio Ara
★★★★★ £1169 stuff.tv/Ara These exquisite in-ear monitors offer a neutral tone with astonishing clarity. /
5 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
★★★★★ £279 stuff.tv/MTW2 A pleasure to listen to, no matter what sort of music you want to hear. /
ON/OVER-EARS
HOT BUY
1 Sony WH-1000XM4
£349 / stuff.tv/XM4
With their perfect balance of wearability, active noise-cancelling prowess and audio performance, there just hasn’t been a better package than the Sony XM3s… until now. The XM4s look and sound almost identical, but a range of new features – including Speak-to-Chat, which stops the music when you start talking – aims to lure you away from your current ’phones. If those are the XM3s, it’s tough to justify the upgrade; but it’s going to take something extraordinary to knock Sony off its perch now.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Not surprisingly given their heritage, these are the best all-round noise-cancelling headphones you can buy
2 Sony WH-1000XM3
£246 / stuff.tv/XM3 Only just outshone by the new XM4s, Sony’s previous flagship over-ears still offer reliable Bluetooth, great active noise-cancellation and fantastic sound quality – and they’re now available at a bargain price.
Stuff says
★★★★★
Sony’s last-gen ANC cans remain a class act
3 Bowers & Wilkins PX7
£349 second stuff.tv/PX7 B&W’s ANC headphones place greater emphasis on comfort and are all the better for it, while the noise-killing is as effective as you’ll find anywhere. Oh, and they sound flipping good too.
Stuff says
★★★★★
B&W takes on the best with top-class cans
4 Bose NCH 700
★★★★★ £350 stuff.tv/BoseNCH700 Great ANC, and you won’t find a better voice pickup system than Bose’s. /
5 Philips Fidelio X3
★★★★★ £299 stuff.tv/FidelioX3 These bonkers-big cans are one of the best ways we can think of to enjoy some ‘me time’. /
SMARTWATCHES
HOT BUY
1 Samsung Galaxy Watch3
from £399 / stuff.tv/GW3
Sneaking into the top berth courtesy of a slightly underwhelming Apple Watch update, Samsung’s gorgeous Watch3 is an easy wearable to love. It’s superbly made and very attractive, and the spinning bezel makes it a joy to use. Samsung’s Tizen OS is slick too, with lots of customisation and shortcut options to keep things feeling fresh – made all the better by a class-leading screen. It also has all the fitness skills you’re ever likely to need, with handy auto-tracking features.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A beautiful and powerful piece of kit that you’ll be proud to have on your wrist
2 Garmin Fenix 6
£459 / stuff.tv/Fenix6 Anyone who’s truly into their fitness will appreciate the Fenix 6’s endless feature list. This is the finest fitness watch money can buy – if you’re getting more serious about shaping up, you can’t go wrong here.
Stuff says
★★★★★
The best fitness-orientated smartwatch
3 Apple Watch Series 6
from £379 / stuff.tv/WatchS6 The Series 6 is a superb smartwatch with ambitions to be a total wellness deity; but while the new sensors are useful, they’re not vital for most. This is a fine statement gadget, but there are better deals to be had.
Stuff says
★★★★✩
A great all-rounder, especially for iPhone users
4 Apple Watch SE
★★★★✩ from £269 stuff.tv/WatchSE The most obvious alternative to the Watch Series 6 – and it looks identical. /
5 Oppo Watch
★★★★✩ from £229 stuff.tv/OW This Apple Watch lookalike streamlines Wear OS to put it ahead of many rivals. /
FITNESS TECH
HOT BUY
BARGAIN
BUY
1 Mi Smart Band 5
£30 / stuff.tv/MiBand5
With no installable apps, Xiaomi’s dinky wearable can’t stack up to smartwatches or reply to notifications, but it can relay alerts and track everything from sleep to workouts. It’s better than the Mi Smart Band 4, thanks to a bigger and brighter screen, smarter software and a charger that’s much less annoying. The slightly reduced battery life really isn’t an issue – and with the addition of activity, stress and menstrual cycle tracking, this is a £30 gift that keeps giving.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Fantastic value and decent features make this an easy fitness tracker to recommend
2 Peloton Bike+
£2295 + £39/m / stuff.tv/PelPlus A fitness phenomenon based around a connected bike with a Full HD touchscreen that streams live and on-demand training sessions 24/7. The ‘+’ version brings some useful upgrades, including a bigger screen.
Stuff says
★★★★★
Peloton owners look smug for a reason
3 Wattbike Atom (Next Generation)
£1899 / stuff.tv/WBAtom The latest upgrade to the already exceptional Wattbike Atom indoor cycling trainer brings electromagnetic resistance, enhanced sensors that check your data 1000 times every second, plus improved power output.
Stuff says
★★★★★
The benchmark for serious indoor cyclists
4 Slinger
★★★★★ £780 stuff.tv/Slinger Finally, a tennis practice partner that genuinely wants you to get better. /
5 Hyperice Hypervolt with Bluetooth
★★★★★ £349 stuff.tv/Hyperice A sadistic wellness coach that will pummel you into a new personal best. /
LAPTOPS
TIPS & TRICKS
The Sidecar feature on macOS Catalina lets you use an iPad as a second display for your MacBook.
Apple charges a hefty premium for extra storage, so consider a cheaper external SSD.
HOT BUY
1 Apple MacBook Air
from £9 99 / stuff.tv/MacBookAir
The early-2020 evolution of the MacBook Air moved forward to affirm its status as the perfect Apple laptop for most people – and once we’ve finished with the new M1-powered version on p29 it’s only likely to go even further up in our estimation. The refined scissor-switch keyboard is the star of the show here, making it comfo rtable to type for hours on end, but that’s far from the only thing that’s improved from the already-brilliant 2018 model.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Our go-to MacBook just keeps getting even go-to-er
● NOW ADD THIS
Satechi Type-C USB 3 Combo Hub
Tw o ports not enough? This hub adds loads more and sits snugly against the 2020 MacBook Air’s side. £55 / amazon.co.uk
2 Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
from £869 / stuff.tv/SurfaceLap3
The Surface Laptop 3 seems plain on paper – no second screen, no graphics card, no hybrid hinge, no fingerprint scanner – but Microsoft has put supreme attention to detail into every bit that matters. The keyboard, the speakers and the overall build quality are all superb.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Forget frills and gimmicks: this is everything a laptop should be
3 Apple MacBook Pro 16in
from £2399 / stuff.tv/MacBookPro16
The current 16in Pro doesn’t look much different from its 15in predecessor, but all doubts fade away when you start using it. The keyboard is better, the screen is superb, the speakers are great, it only rarely gets warm, and even the battery lasts longer.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A serious upgrade to what was already a top-class MacBook
4 Dell XPS 13
★★★★★ from £1159 stuff.tv/XPS13 Style, portability, performance… there’s nothing else out there that’s quite so well rounded. /
5 Huawei MateBook X Pro
★★★★★ from £850 stuff.tv/MateBookXPro Not massively better than the 2018 model, but this is a real powerhouse of a Windows laptop. /
6 Apple MacBook Pro 13in
★★★★★ from £1299 stuff.tv/MacBookPro13 A superb little laptop… but wait for our final verdict on the M1 version reviewed on p32. /
7 Google Pixelbook Go
★★★★★ from £629 stuff.tv/PixelbookGo A light and stylish touchscreen laptop built for tho se who like to live and work in the cloud. /
8 MSI GS66 Stealth
★★★★✩ from £1399 stuff.tv/GS66 Gets hot and bothered at times, but a great fit for gaming/work jugglers. /
9 Razer Blade 15 Advanced
★★★★✩ from £2650 stuff.tv/BladeAdvanced Razer’s Blade models are our favourite gaming laptops, and this is a worthy flagship. /
10 Microsoft Surface Book 3
★★★★✩ from £1269 stuff.tv/SBook3 Has the most inventive hybrid design around but lacks the power of a high-end laptop. /
SPEAKERS
TIPS & TRICKS
You can control your Move with the touch controls on top, the Sonos app, Google Assistant or Alexa.
Auto Trueplay adapts the Move’s sound to different rooms, while the app offers additional EQ tweaks.
HOT BUY
1 Sonos Move
£399 / stuff.tv/S onosMove
The Sonos range of wireless speakers had been crying out for a battery-powered portable model for ages – and finally our favourite multiroom audio specialist caved in. Luckily, the Move was worth the wait. Its adaptability and sound quality mean it’s fine va lue for money, and a no-brainer for anyone who’s already a fan of the brand. Not only is this the speaker Sonos should have launched years ago – it’s one of the best products of its ty pe and price that we’ve heard.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Sonos finally gets up to speed with the portable speaker craze, and in style
● NOW ADD THIS Primephonic Bringing sexy Bach, this is streaming for classical music. Niche, yes, but its not-on-Spotify film and game scores offer a great way into the genre. from £9.99/month / primephonic.com
2 Sonos One
£199 / stuff.tv/SonosOne
The Sonos One is now a more well-rounded device than it was at launch, supporting Spotify with voice control as well as Amazon Music and TuneIn Radio, while the early Alexa hiccups seem to have been fixed. It’s a class apart from the competition.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A great balance of sound and smarts for forward-thinking audio nerds
3 Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation
£1290 / stuff.tv/Mu-so2
The second Mu-so is a fuller, richer, more detailed and louder listen than the model it replaces, with lots of added functionality, and is every bit as handsome and decorative. It’s more than capable of maintaining Naim’s position at the front of the hi-fi pack.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Naim’s luxury wireless speaker sequel is an improvement all round
4 B&W Formation Wedge
★★★★★ £900 stuff.tv/BWWedge Pricey, weird-looking… and a brilliant illustration of what a wireless speaker is capable of. /
NEW
5 Marshall Emberton
★★★★★ £130 stuff.tv/Emberton A tiny speaker that packs an unexpected punch without scrimping on refinement. /
6 JBL Flip 5 Eco
★★★★★ £120 stuff.tv/Flip5Eco A portable party speaker that does its bit for the green cause while sounding fantastic. /
7 JBL Xtreme 2
★★★★★ £149 stuff.tv/Xtreme2 A hefty portable speaker that growls with confidence whatever you play through it. /
8 Small Transparent Speaker
★★★★★ £450 stuff.tv/Transparent Stylish, portable, loud enough for any bedside table… and now also available in matt black. /
9 Klipsch The Fives
★★★★★ £829 stuff.tv/TheFives Stacks of functionality in a couple of tidy speakers that make up a one-plug hi-fi system. /
10 KEF LSX
★★★★★ £999 (pair) stuff.tv/KEFLSX Fine stereo hi-fi sound without cables… plus look out for the new LS50 Wireless II and LS50 Meta. /
TVs
TIPS & TRICKS
Filmmaker Mode switches off the picture-processing so you see films the way the director intended.
Hit the remote’s Ambilight button for a selection of lighting effects based on motion or music.
The soundbar can be used as part of a multiroom system with compatible DTS Play-Fi speakers.
HOT BUY
NEW
1 Philips 48OLED+935
£ 1800 / stuff.tv/OLED935
£1800 for a 48in TV is no one’s idea of a bargain. But when you consider the level of audio-visual fidelity this money buys, not to mention the convenience of the integrated soundbar, it’s hard to suggest the 48OLED+935 isn’t worth every penny. Next-gen gamers may lament the lack of HDMI 2.1, but for anyone other than the most ardent button-bashers the lovely picture (with Ambilight) is quite immersive enough.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Expensive for its size, but the wonderful picture and sound justify the price
● NOW ADD THIS Philips W6505 This wireless DTS Play-Fi speaker offers 80W of power, is wrapped in Kva drat acoustic fabric and includes built-in Ambilight LEDs. £249 / philips.co.uk
2 Philips 65OLED+984
£3999 / stuff.tv/OLED984
Only surpassed by the even better OLED+935 above, our second-favourite Philips TV offers outstanding picture performance with universal HDR support, and goes above and beyond what we expect from television sound thanks to a custom-made speaker system from British hi-fi brand Bowers & Wilkins. Plus it looks gorgeous in any living room, particularly with that four-sided Ambilight in full effect.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A television that goes big on design, performance and sound
3 Samsung 75Q950TS
£6999 / stuff.tv/Q950TS
It’s not like every home has even taken up 4K yet, so who needs an 8K telly? And yet, despite everything – the price, the lack of 8K content to actually watch, the price again – the Samsung 75Q950TS is an absolute stormer in the picture stakes. Upscaling from lower resolutions is stunningly impressive; and if you positively must have the best images you can buy, along with as much future-proofing as possible, then this is currently the TV for you.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Ridiculously extravagant… but no other 75in TV looks quite so elegant
4 LG OLED 65GX
★★★★★ £2299 stuff.tv/OLEDGX Expensive, yes, but once you see it on your wall you’ll forget all that. /
5 LG OLED 55CX
★★★★★ £1299 stuff.tv/OLEDCX LG knows exactly what it’s doing with OLED and the results here are mighty impressive. /
6 Sony KD65A8
★★★★★ £1999 stuff.tv/SonyA8 What’s a few gaps in specification when performance is as barnstorming as this? /
7 Philips 55OLED805
★★★★★ £1199 stuff.tv/OLED805 All the things we love about OLED without the flagship price tag. /
8 Samsung QE65Q65T
★★★★★ £999 stuff.tv/Q65T Overlook the humdrum sound and this is one of the best pound-for-pound goggleboxes around. /
9 Sony KD-49XG9005
★★★★★ £799 stuff.tv/XG9005 Other Sony TVs are bigger and slimmer, but none can match this one for value. /
10 Panasonic TX-58GX800
★★★★★ £649 stuff.tv/58GX800 Not the last word in picture excellence, but this is a lot of TV for the money. /
SOUNDBARS
HOT BUY
1 Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar
£2199 / stuff.tv/AmbeoSoundbar
Utterly convincing Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D sound, ample power and lots of inputs mean no other soundbar currently available can perform feats with the solidity and confidence of this Sennheiser. The sheer room-filling scale of this device’s sound is remarkable, and it’s hard to think of any content that wouldn’t benefit from being Ambeo’d. That’s why, as well as being the biggest and the most expensive, it’s the best you can buy.
Stuff says ★★★★★
The Ambeo Soundbar is a big unit but the sound it makes is bigger still
2 Sonos Arc
£799 / stuff.tv/SonosArc Don’t expect this soundbar to do everything a multi-speaker Dolby Atmos setup can do, but its up-firing and side-firing drivers give a real sense of scale for an immersively cinematic TV-watching experience. Stuff says ★★★★★ Big-screen sound for your big-screen binges
3 Roku Stream bar
NEW
BARGAIN BUY
£130 / stuff.tv/Streambar It’s a compact soundbar and a versatile streaming stick in the same box – and both parts of the deal work brilliantly well. This is the simplest and cheapest way to upgrade your TV’s sound and smarts in one go. Stuff says ★★★★★ A punchy little bar with built-in streaming skills
4 Sonos Beam
★★★★★ £399 stuff.tv/SonosBeam Sonos’s great-value Alexa soundbar is affordable and packed with smarts. /
5 B&O Beosound Stage
★★★★★ from £1250 stuff.tv/BeosoundStage A classy offering from the tasteful hi-fi kings, with the performance to back up its price. /
STREAMERS
HOT BUY
1 Sky TV
from £25/month + setup / stuff.tv/SkyTV
Already home to the biggest selection of 4K content, from blockbuster films and original dramas to top-flight sport, Sky has adopted a can’t-beat-’em-join-’em approach to streaming by incorporating the likes of Spotify, Netflix and Disney+ in its user-friendly interface. It’s also restructured its packages to make them more affordable and include rivals like BT Sport. The box has 2TB of storage, while multiroom and mobile options round off the most comprehensive content system money can buy.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Sky has come out fighting to move with the times and its selection of shows is unrivalled
2 Amazon Fire TV Cube
£110 / stuff.tv/FireTVCube The Fire TV interface is easy to use and all the big catch-up services are available via this tidy box – and best of all, Alexa voice control works brilliantly. You’ll never have to worry about losing the remote again! Stuff says ★★★★★ A marvel of voice control for your telly
3 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2018)
UPDATE
£50 / stuff.tv/FireStick4K This streaming stick offers 4K plus a faster processor than the original Fire TV Stick, and comes with an Alexa Voice Remote… but look out for the new version reviewed on p60, and also the bargain Lite model. Stuff says ★★★★★ Simply a great 4K streaming stick
4 Chromecast with Google TV
★★★★★ £60 stuff.tv/ChromecastTV A solid buy if you like Google’s casting tricks but also want all your TV apps in one place. /
5 Roku Streaming Stick+
★★★★I £50 stuff.tv/RokuPlus This simple all-rounder is a great choice for the open-minded telly watcher. /
TABLETS
HOT BUY
NEW
1 Apple iPad Air (2020)
from £579 / stuff.tv/iPadAir
The 4th-generation iPad Air ushers in big changes. It looks the spit of an 11in iPad Pro (at least from the front), and supports Apple’s snazzy Magic Keyboard and second-gen Pencil… and the A14 chip makes it blazingly fast, leaving its predecessor in the dust. Sure, there are compromises, but none are critical. So if you were considering an iPad Pro but don’t care about audio apps in portrait, a 12.9in display or more advanced cameras, save yourself a couple of hundred quid and buy the new Air instead.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Pointing to the iPad’s future rather than its past, this is a meaningful, impressive, powerful Air update
2 Apple iPad Pro
from £769 / stuff.tv/iPadPro With its huge and super-slick 120Hz Liquid Retina screen, ludicrously speedy internals and double-lens camera, this is one working device to rule them all – and the best tablet to replace your laptop.
Stuff says
★★★★★
Apple’s mega-tablet is a performance beast
3 Microsoft Surface Go 2
from £399 / stuff.tv/SurfaceGo2 The Surface Go 2 feels less user-friendly and slick than an iPad, but pair it with the optional Type Cover and it turns into a neat mini-laptop. It’s also a surprisingly good way to play games.
Stuff says
★★★★★
Just enough power to be a genuine iPad rival
4 Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
★★★★I from £799 stuff.tv/TabS7Plus A true iPad Pro alternative that brilliantly balances productivity and entertainment. /
5 Apple iPad (2020)
NEW
★★★★I from £329 stuff.tv/iPad2020 The A12 Bionic chip turns Apple’s cheapest tab into an absolute powerhouse. /
CONSOLES
HOT
BUY NEW
1 Sony PlayStation 5
£450 / stuff.tv/PS5
The PS5 is not a modest upgrade. Its hulking design means it’ll make a bad first impression on some, but spend time playing it and it’ll soon win you over – and then some. This is essentially a high-spec gaming PC for the living room: stupendously powerful, with greatly reduced loading times compared to the PS4. Most last-gen titles will run fine, many with a boost, and the line-up of new games is strong; we just hope developers make use of that fascinating DualSense pad and its haptic feedback trickery.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Huge power, clever hardware and a guarantee of great games to come make the PS5 hard to resist
2 Nintendo Switch
£280 / stuff.tv/NintendoSwitch Nintendo’s console earned a promotion in our list after it impressed us with a growing list of fantastic games. Plus, no other device here offers the joy of portable gaming. Train journeys will never be boring again.
Stuff says
★★★★★
This 2-in-1 console is the real deal
3 Sony PlayStation 4 Pro
£350 / stuff.tv/PS4Pro If you’re in no great hurry to go next-gen, the PS4 Pro remains a supremely powerful console with a dizzying line-up of top-class games – many of which will look stunning on a 4K HDR TV screen.
Stuff says
★★★★★
The best last-gen system for 4K gaming
4 Microsoft Xbox Series X
★★★★I £450 stuff.tv/XSX A fully future-proofed beast of a console that needs more games to make it sing. /
5 Microsoft Xbox Series S
★★★★I £250 stuff.tv/XSS Delivers affordability without sacrificing key features, but still falls short on new titles. /
GAMES
TIPS & TRICKS
Take your time exploring – you’ll find key resources, notes, even some fun Easter eggs.
Not keen on all the violence? A lot of confrontations can be avoided. Just look out for sniffer dogs!
HOT
1 The Last of Us Part II
£35 / PS4
Just as The Last of Us showed the previous gaming console generation at its best, The Last of Us Part II is another masterful triumph: a rare superior sequel that can be mentioned in the same breath as The Godfather Part II. An unparalleled masterclass in everything it does, with an extensive suite of accessibility options that every game should adopt as the standard, it’s a game with a story that challenges us – and one we’ll be discussing long into the next generation.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Naughty Dog has done it again with this brutal, bleak and beautiful game
● OR PLAY THIS Uncharted: The Lost Legacy A leaner and somewhat less grim action adventure from Naughty Dog, starring a pair of kick-ass women.
£13 / PS4
2 Red Dead Redemption 2
from £23 / PS4, XB1
Believable characters, a world to lose yourself in, top-class voice acting and a story that intrigues all the way through: warts and all, with improvements from other games ignored, this is Rockstar at its most arrogant but also its most powerful.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Ultra-addictive gameplay in one of the greatest open worlds ever created
3 God of War
£12 / PS4
A lot has changed for PlayStation’s god-slaying champion, Kratos. He’s acquired a beard and a new magic axe… but while the action is as breathtaking as ever, it’s the surprisingly mature storyline that’s the draw here, with Kratos learning the ropes of parenting.
Stuff says ★★★★★
The epic return of Kratos is yet another phenomenal PS4 offering
4 Resident Evil 2
★★★★★ from £17 PS4, XB1, PC Unlike the tame follow-up RE3, this remake will inform the future of the survival horror genre. /
5 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
★★★★★ from £30 PS4, XB1, PC A brutally punishing action adventure that will get your heart a-pumping. /
6 Forza Horizon 4
★★★★★ from £29 XB1, PC This is a bar-raising sandbox-racing game experience that’s worth buckling up for. /
7 Final Fantasy VII Remake
★★★★★ £36 PS4 The greatest remake of one of the all-time greatest video games. /
8 Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
NEW
★★★★★ £50 PS5, PS4 A visually stunning superhero romp, ideal for showing off the power of your new PS5. /
9 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2
★★★★★ from £33 PS4, XB1, PC A superb remake of two of the best sports games ever committed to disc. /
10 Hades
★★★★★ from £18 PC, Switch A treat even if you don’t like roguelites… and if you do, it’s the best there is. /
E-BIKES ETC
HOT BUY
1 VanMoof S3
£1798 / stuff.tv/VanMoofS3
VanMoof’s second-gen S3 (or X3 if you’re under 5ft 8in) looks like a normal bike, rides like a normal bike and, crucially, doesn’t cost a ridiculous amount of cash. The chunky 50mm tyres, slightly swooped bars and upright riding position all combine to make it super-comfy, and 30 miles with the power assistance set to level three (out of four) left us completely sweat-free with 20% still in the tank. Plus, for such a looker, the S3 has a lot of tech hidden away to make it a less than ideal target for thieves.
Stuff says ★★★★★
This smart-looking e-bike offers a great ride, great features and some genuinely useful security smarts
2
Cowboy 3
£1990 / stuff.tv/Cowboy3 The 43-mile range, app-controlled lights, smart tracking and anti-theft tech make this bike a true commuter contender. It’s a handsome steed, and a close match for the VanMoof on performance. Stuff says ★★★★★ A light e-bike that’s ideal for commuting
3
Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ
£4000 / stuff.tv/VadoSL With the electrics hidden away in the frame, this hybrid bike looks pretty discreet – but it has a mass of added extras, including an extra boost of assistance for daunting hills and a kickstand for statement propping. Stuff says ★★★★★ Pricey, but well built and a real easy rider
4
GoCycle GX
★★★★★ £2899 stuff.tv/GoCycleGX A foldaway e-bike that’s awesome and expensive in equal measure. /
5
Ribble Hybrid AL e
★★★★★ £2199 stuff.tv/RibbleHybrid A secret e-bike that proves you don’t need fancy extras for an excellent ride. /
HOT
BUY
1 Porsche Taycan
from £83,580 / stuff.tv/Taycan
It was about time someone took the fight to Tesla, and boy has Porsche delivered with the Taycan. This electric four-door saloon is the EV that petrolheads have been waiting for. In full-fat Turbo S flavour, the Taycan hits 62mph in 2.8 seconds – and adding more drama to proceedings is how it shifts up through its two-speed gearbox. The Taycan has a dynamism that can’t be matched by other electric cars, with a surefootedness that encourages you to press on.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Big power, sports-car handling and lots of clever tech make the Taycan the most exciting EV yet
2 Honda E
from £27,160 / stuff.tv/HondaE Born to be a city commuter (its maximum ra nge is just 137 miles), the E is light, nimble and planted, but also delivers a completely comfortable and saloon-like refined ride for longer journeys.
Stuff says
★★★★★
Pricier than the equivalent Mini… but more fun
3 Polestar 2
from £46,900 / stuff.tv/Polestar2 From Volvo’s EV subsidiary, this five-door all-electric fastback blends elements of a futuristic saloon with bits of an SUV and totally gets away with it… thanks in part to a staggering 660Nm of torque.
Stuff says
★★★★★
A speedy five-door EV that’s a joy to drive
● Electric car prices include government plug-in car grant (PiCG)
4 Nissan Leaf
★★★★★ from £26,845 stuff.tv/NissanLeaf An accomplished family car that packs some serious range, performance and gadgetry. /
5 Tesla Model S
★★★★★ from £79,980 stuff.tv/TeslaS This sleek saloon is a true groundbreaker among high-class EVs. /
START HOME
TIPS & TRICKS
The Echo’s buil t-in Zigbee hub can hook up hundreds o f smart home de vices without a bridg .
Pair a compati ble thermostat and the Echo’s tempera ture sensor can act ivate the heating.
Alexa Flash Br iefings deliver bursts o f news or trivia; choose from 5 000 sources in the app.
1 Amazon Echo (4 th Gen)
N£90 / stuff.tv/Echo
Hav ing morphed from a cylinder to a sphere, the latest Echo is an excellent newsreader, wea ther forecaster, personal assistant and inte rcom straight out of the box; but it’s now also a capable speaker and a very accessible sma rt home hub. It doesn’t sound as good as the Sonos One or Apple HomePod for listening to m usic, but it’s significantly smarter than both and considerably cheaper too.
Stuff says
★★★★★
An all-round upgrade that makes the Ech o a smarter speaker than ever
● NOW ADD THIS Honeywell T6R
Th is Zigbee-enabled thermostat is wireless so you can place it w here it’s most convenient. £1 55 / amazon.co.uk
NEW
2 Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)
from £50 / stuff.tv/Dot
It can’t match a full-size smart speaker for audio, but as a radio and Alexa assistant for the bedside or kitchen, this cutey gets the job done. It’s worth paying £10 more for the ‘with Clock’ version, which adds extra functionality beyond telling the time.
Stuff says ★★★★★
With the optional clock, this is our favourite bedside wondergadget
3 Amazon Echo Show 8
3
£90 / stuff.tv/EchoShow8
This is a bargain smart display that’s big enough for easy video chatting and loud enough to fill most rooms. Its 8in touchscreen may not be the most refined, and the sound won’t worry Sonos, but you can’t really complain at this price.
Stuff says ★★★★★
The Alexa home invasion continues apace with this superb smart display
4
Google Nest Mini
★★★★★ £49 stuff.tv/NestMini Louder and cleverer than ever… and it’ll only improve over time with updates. /
5
Tado Smart Thermostat
★★★★★ from £180 stuff.tv/TadoV3Plus This heating system roasts the competition with its blend of simplicity and smarts. /
6
Ring Indoor Cam
★★★★★ £49 stuff.tv/RingIndoor This cute little spy-cam is a bona fide bargain for anyone with security worries. /
7
Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen)
★★★★★ £189 stuff.tv/Nest3 A simple and mess-free smart thermostat with Alexa compatibility. /
8
Philips Hue Starter Kit
★★★★★ from £70 (white) stuff.tv/Hue Become an indoor god with the smartest way of lighting up your home remotely. /
9
Brisant-Secure Ultion Smart
★★★★★ from £259 stuff.tv/UltionSmart Tradition and tech partner up in a smart lock to please everyone. /
10
Dyson 360 Heurist
★★★★✩ £800 stuff.tv/Heurist Dyson’s intelligent robo-vac is really pretty great at sucking (in a good way). /
VR HEADSETS
1
HOT BUY
Oculus Quest 2
from £299 / stuff.tv/Quest2
The original Quest felt almost too good to be true. Its successor lacks the same wow factor, but you can’t argue with a better display and processor – not to mention a lighter, more comfortable build – for less money. Are there more powerful headsets? Is motion sickness still an issue? Yes to both, but superb tracking and a total absence of wires make this the VR package to get… that is, unless you’re boycotting Facebook, because you have to be logged in to use it.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Not a complete reinvention, but our favourite VR head set is now even better… and cheaper!
2
Valve Index
£919 / stuff.tv/ValveIndex While not revolutionary, the Index carries enough subtle upgrades to put it atop the PC-based headset pack. Everything looks fabulous and the controllers deliver the most fluid-feeling VR interactions to date. Stuff says ★★★★✩
The best of the performance-PC VR options
3
HTC Vive Pro
£599 (headset only) / stuff.tv/HTCVivePro No longer the top dog for high-end VR using a PC, the Vive Pro remains a strong headset thanks to its crisp screens and comfy fit. But the Valve Index beats it for sheer immersiveness. Stuff says ★★★★✩ Impressive, but not the best around in 2020
4
HTC Vive Cosmos
★★★✩✩ £699 stuff.tv/Cosmos A simple setup with potential for upgrades, but tough to recommend at this price. /
5
PlayStation VR
★★★✩✩ from £260 stuff.tv/PSVR Held back by niggling issues… let’s hope the rumoured second-gen PSVR will fix those. /
VR GAMES
1HOT BUY
Half-Life: Alyx
from £46 / Oculus, Vive, Valve Index
Announcing Alyx as not only a ‘midquel’ but a VR exclusive got some Half-Life diehards riled up… but in classic Valve fashion, the end result is utterly brilliant. Alyx succeeds because its universe just happens to be a perfect fit for the format. It’s also larger and much more robust than most VR games, at a meaty 12-15 hours. And though it unfolds at a different kind of cadence to past Half-Life games, it feels like a fully fledged solo campaign and a key part of the franchise narrative.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Valve’s beloved series returns… and offers one of the strongest arguments to date for VR gaming
2
Beat Saber
from £23 / Oculus, Vive, PSVR Gleefully swing your twin lightsabers to chop blocks that are flung your way to the thumping beat of a song. This game has reinvented the rhythm genre for VR and it’s glorious, especially on the cable-free Quest.
Stuff says
★★★★★
A mesmerising musical melee
3
Superhot VR
from £19 / Oculus, Vive, PSVR There’s something really cool about hiding behind a desk before blitzing your opponents with streams of bullets as if you were starring in your very own Matrix movie. A wonderfully action-packed title.
Stuff says
★★★★★
A superb 2-in-1 VR puzzler and shooter
4
Astro Bot Rescue Mission
★★★★★ £35 PSVR This 3D platformer serves up a heaped helping of Mario-esque magic. /
5
Blood & Truth
★★★★★ £35 PSVR A rollicking PSVR-exclusive action thriller with brilliant set-pieces and terrific gunplay. /
DRONES& ACTION CAMS
1HOT BUY
DJI Mavic Air 2
£769 / stuff.tv/MavicAir2
With the Air 2, DJI has built on the basic platform of a simple entry-level drone and thrown in a heap of pro-grade features, so those dipping a tentative toe into the waters of aerial photography or videography no longer have to put up with mediocre content. The sensor and 48MP resolution produce very sharp imagery, while the ability to shoot in RAW format gives plenty of post-production options and the DJI Fly app allows for fast image filters, movie edits and social media uploads.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A great drone for noobs and ace snappers alike, this is DJI’s finest sub-£1K flyer yet
2
GoPro Hero9 Black
£430 (£330 with sub) / stuff.tv/H9B It’s bulkier than the Hero8 Black and needs an add-on to match its ultra-wide video… but better image detail, battery life and features make this one of the most versatile bits of filming and photography kit we’ve used.
Stuff says
★★★★★
The pinnacle of action-cam excellence
3
DJI Mavic Mini
£369 / stuff.tv/MavicMini If you just want a fantastic balance of user experience, features, convenience and quality at a stomachable price, the Mavic Mini is the most accessible premium drone we’ve used to date… but see also the new Mini 2 on p74.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Dinky drones don’t come more feature-packed
4
GoPro Hero8 Black
★★★★★ £330 (£280 with sub) stuff.tv/H8B Overtaken by the Hero9 Black… but this is still arguably a better option if you don’t need 5K. /
5
Nextbase 622GW
★★★★★ £249 stuff.tv/622GW Much more than just a dash cam – and bordering on a bargain. /
TECH TOYS
1 HOT BUY
NEW
Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor
£330 / stuff.tv/Mindstorms
It’s clear Lego has prioritised immediacy and fun with its latest build-your-own-bots kit, which lets you and/or your little ones create five different coding-controlled mecha-beings. Yes, the set lacks a proper screen and relies on a separate device for programming; but it offers great clarity and scope, plus an attitude that encourages tinkering… whatever your age.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A fun, versatile set for Lego electronics newcomers and old hands alike
2
Sphero RVR
£260 / stuff.tv/SpheroRVR The RVR pulls off the balance between serious coding and knockabout fun perfectly: it’s an all-terrain vehicle that you can throw around without worrying about it breaking, but also has serious programming chops.
Stuff says
★★★★★
Enough fun to convert any coding-phobe
3
Lego Boost Creative Toolbox
£150 / stuff.tv/LegoCreativeToolbox Building Lego is already ridiculously good fun, and when this model’s complete it turns into a functioning robot. Simpler than the Mindstorms kit, it can still be programmed to move, fire projectiles and play games.
Stuff says
★★★★★
A programmable Lego kit for younger kids
4
Sphero Bolt
★★★★★ £150 stuff.tv/SpheroBolt This little rolling ball of tech is great fun, and educational to boot. /
5
Kano Harry Potter Coding Kit
★★★★★ £50 stuff.tv/KanoHarryPotter A magical way to make coding accessible and fun to learn. /
CAMERAS 96
HOT BUY
TIPS & TRICKS
It’s easy to set up the X-T4’s customisable Q button: just hold it down for a couple of seconds for options.
Avoid those wonky horizons by turning on the built-in on-screen level in screen settings.
Fujifilm X Acquire is a clever bit of PC/Mac software that backs up all your X-T4’s custom settings.
1
Fujifilm X-T4
£ 1549 / stuff.tv/XT4
The Fuji X-T4 might be the high-end mirrorless camera of your dreams. Relatively affordable for a flagship, it excels at stills and video thanks to in-body image stabilisation, high-speed shooting and 4K recording at up to 60fps. Rapid shooting is backed up by fancy AF tricks that feel equally fa st and reliable, and even the battery life goes above and beyond the usual standards. There’s no doubting this is a worthy successor to the already fabulous X-T3.
Stuff says ★★★★★ An incredible stills shooter with video smarts to match
● NOW ADD THIS
Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4
This versatile lens covers a bigger zoom range than most and adapts to pretty much any requirements. £769 / wexphotovideo.com
BARGA IN BUY
2
Fujifilm X-T3
£899 / stuff.tv/XT3
It may have been surpassed by the X-T4, but we still can’t find anything bad to say about the X-T3 – it’s just consistently great in so many ways. With pro-level video options, a high-res EVF, and super-fast autofocus and burst shooting, what you’re getting here is an all-round beast of a camera in a small, beautiful form. And now that it’s a last-gen model, it’s also a lot cheaper than it used to be.
Stuff says ★★★★★ A superbly capable mirrorless camera for shooting pretty much anything in style
3
Sony A7 III
£1745 / stuff.tv/SonyA7iii
The A7 III manages to pack in a lot of technology and desirability for less than £2000. It’s a fantastic all-rounder that’s well suited to a bunch of shooting scenarios, coping well with landscapes, portraits, and even a little bit of high-speed sport shooting. As a camera design it’s admittedly not the prettiest thing we’ve ever seen, but it handles well for its compact size.
Stuff says
★★★★★ An excellent all-rounder that excels in low-light conditions
4
Nikon D780
★★★★★ £1999 stuff.tv/D780 An all-round DSLR that’s built like a tank and borrows the best tricks of its mirrorless siblings. /
5
Fujifilm X-T30
★★★★★ £649 stuff.tv/XT30 Does a brilliant job of distilling the X-T3’s appeal into a cheaper, more compact body. /
6
Canon EOS RP
★★★★★ £1399 stuff.tv/EOSRP A full-frame mirrorless marvel that’s light enough to not be a burden and offers top picture quality. /
7
Fujifilm GFX 50R
★★★★★ £3199 stuff.tv/GFX50R The ultimate image quality in a medium-format camera that’s not too ridiculously huge to carry. /
8
Nikon Z6
★★★★★ £1549 stuff.tv/Z6 A top-notch and reasonably sized mirrorless camera from the optical experts. /
9
Sony ZV-1
★★★★★ £649 stuff.tv/ZV1 With ace video and a flippable screen, Sony’s clever compact is a vlogger’s dream. /
10
Nikon Z50
★★★★★ £839 stuff.tv/Z50 One of the best APS-C cameras out there, offering a multitude of pro-level features. /
● System camera prices quoted are for body only unless otherwise stated
TIPS & TRICKS
Fed up of yelling? Alexa’s voice can work like an intercom with connected Echo devices.
Alexa Voice Shopping lets you order from Amazon; add a ‘voice code’ to keep the kids off.
Dot at your bedside? Saying “Alexa, turn on whisper mode” will stop it waking up sleepyheads.
1
HOT BUY
NEW
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)
f rom £50 / stuff.tv/Dot
This fabric-covered take on Marvin the paranoid android in disguise as a Magic 8-Ball feels playful yet classical. It can’t match a full-size smart speaker for audio, but as a little radio and an Alexa assistant for the bedside table or kitchen worktop, this cutey gets the job done. It’s worth paying £10 more for the ‘with Clock’ version, which adds extra functionality beyond telling the time.
Stuff says ★★★★★
With the optional clock, this is our favourite bedside wondergadget
● NOW ADD THIS Sportlink Wall Mount This minimalist acrylic mount for the Dot will keep it clear from wet surfaces in the bathroom or kitchen. £11 / amazon.co.uk
2
Sega Mega Drive Mini
£60 / stuff.tv/MegaDriveMini
There’ll always be rows over whether Nintendo’s or Sega’s games are better, but the Mega Drive Mini wins the miniature retro console war in terms of the faithful recreation of both hardware and software – especially as there are 42 titles included.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Sega’s back – and this really is the ultimate mini gaming machine
3
Mo to G8 Plus
£240 / stuff.tv/G8Plus
It would have taken something monumental to screw up the affordable formula crafted over eight generations of G phones… so it’s really no surprise the G8 Plus is such a gem. Budget phones are a competitive field, but this is the best you’ll find for the money.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Classic Moto: a smart, well-equipped phone for under £250
4
SoundMagic TWS50
★★★★★ £79 stuff.tv/TWS50 Expertly judged wireless in-ear performance at an eye-catching price. /
5
Mi Smart Band 5
★★★★★ £29 stuff.tv/MiBand5 Fantastic value and decent features make this an easy fitness tracker to recommend. /
6
Ring Indoor Cam
★★★★★ £90 stuff.tv/Wonderboom2 A rugged little wonder that’ll bring a sonic boost to any occasion. /
7
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
★★★★★ £49 stuff.tv/RingIndoor This cute little spy-cam is a bona fide bargain for anyo ne with security worries. /
8
NEW
Chromecast with Google TV
★★★★★ £60 stuff.tv/ChromecastTV A solid buy if you like Google’s casting tricks but also want all your TV apps in one place. /
9
Amazon Fire HD 10
★★★★I from £150 stuff.tv/FireHD10 Amazon obliterates the competition at the lower end of the tab market. /
10
1Ikea Frekvens
★★★★I from £65 stuff.tv/Frekvens These modular speakers and lights reaffirm our love of the boffins in the big blue building. /