The best beginner telescopes need to strike the perfect balance between being user-friendly and affordable, yet still good enough to avoid being a waste of time, money and effort. There’s no point buying a cheap telescope only to end up using it once and then immediately wanting to upgrade, but with many "mega-cheap" unbranded scopes, that’s what tends to happen.

For new astronomers, keen youngsters and anyone on a budget, Celestron has some really great small telescopes that fit the bill perfectly. In this review, we’ll be looking at the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ — the smallest scope in the StarSense range.

It’s easy to set up, lightweight and portable, and we were impressed with the optics for such a small and affordable telescope. Its main party trick is the StarSense app integration, which is perfect for anyone who doesn’t have any prior knowledge of the night sky. The 70AZ is great for the moon, some planets and brighter targets, but needless to say, you’ll be needing one of the very best telescopes if you want to do any deep-sky viewing. Still, it makes a wonderful telescope for kids or anyone new to the hobby.

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ: Design

• Easy to set up
• Good quality build
• Comes with two eyepieces and a Barlow lens

The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ is the smallest telescope in the StarSense Explorer range, with a compact, lightweight construction that still feels like you’re peering through something substantial. The optical tube itself, alongside the tripod, accessory tray and accessories, are all excellent quality for an entry-level scope — especially compared to equivalent scopes in the PowerSeeker and AstroMaster ranges that we were testing alongside it. However, that’s not to say you won’t want to upgrade them in time.

The setup process is easy for new users to understand, especially with the printed instructions included in the package, and we were able to get it set up and start observing in no time. The aluminum tripod can extend up to 52 inches (including the mount), which we felt was a good height for most users, but we found it a little annoying that the eyepieces wouldn’t fit in the holes in the accessory tray while still in their protective cases. It’s a small detail, but we’d have liked to keep the eyepieces protected while we were using the scope.

It comes with a red-dot finderscope, an erect image diagonal, two eyepieces (10 mm and 25 mm) and a 2x Barlow lens, alongside the StarSense smartphone dock. To get the best views, we ended up using upgraded eyepieces from the Celestron eyepiece and filter kit, so if you want a simple and affordable way to improve the quality of the views, we’d recommend investing in some better eyepieces.

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ: Performance

• Beautiful lunar views
• We spotted the bands on Jupiter and its moons
• Limited for deep-sky viewing

This isn’t a "see everything" telescope; it’s a "see the highlights clearly" telescope. By far the best thing to look at is the moon, particularly with the 10 mm eyepiece and 2x Barlow lens. We were easily able to observe the craters and shadows on the lunar surface, and we thoroughly enjoyed our sessions gazing at the moon.

We were also able to distinguish the bands on Jupiter — although they were quite faint — and we could easily spot three of the four Galilean moons (the fourth was hiding behind the gas giant). Saturn was too low in the sky for us to see before dark, but this telescope should be perfectly capable of showing its rings.

The Pleiades were stunning, as expected, and we were able to make out the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy — but realistically, at this aperture, you’re unlikely to see much further afield.

It covers a good magnification range for a beginner scope, with the 20 mm eyepiece giving you 28x power, upgradable to 70x with the 10 mm eyepiece — and even more with the Barlow, which takes you closer to the highest useful magnification of 165x power.

The manual tracking means objects drift out of view quickly, especially when using a high-power eyepiece. While the manual alt-azimuth mount is advantageous for its quick set-up and user-friendliness, this is where you see its drawbacks. We did notice some drooping, particularly when we were viewing Jupiter at a very high altitude, and there was some wobbling when focusing, but once it settled, the views were sharp and clear.

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ: Functionality

• StarSense app guides you to specific objects
• No prior knowledge of the night sky needed
• Easy focusing of objects

The biggest selling point of the StarSense Explorer range is the StarSense app functionality. Once connected, you pick an object from "Tonight’s Best Objects," and you’ll see arrows on the screen guiding you to where the object is located.

This is an attractive feature for beginners and kids, as it takes away half the battle of knowing where certain objects are in the sky. We found it to be mostly accurate — it’s not perfect by any means, but it got us in the right area and we were easily able to locate the object from there. Once we located our subject with the 20 mm eyepiece, focusing was smooth and easy for us to then switch to the 10 mm for a closer look.

The app requires the latest version of iOS in order to download, so make sure you download it before you head out to use it (we found this out the hard way). It's also compatible with Android users. The app tells you which objects are best to view depending on your location, and it shows whether they are city-viewable, and the rising and setting times for each object. Further down, it shows "challenge" objects that you might see under dark sky conditions, which is a nice touch if you live close to a dark sky reserve (though it doesn’t say what Bortle class you’d need to be in).

There’s also a search function, where objects are separated into different categories depending on what type of object you want to view (planets, brightest stars, Messier objects and more). And the good thing is that you don’t have to use the app if you don’t want to — unlike more expensive smart telescopes.

The app tells you which objects are best to view depending on your location, and it shows whether they are city-viewable, and the rising and setting times for each object. Further down, it shows "challenge" objects that you might see under dark sky conditions, which is a nice touch if you live close to a dark sky reserve (though it doesn’t say what Bortle class you’d need to be in).

There’s also a search function, where objects are separated into different categories depending on what type of object you want to view (planets, brightest stars, Messier objects and more). And the good thing is that you don’t have to use the app if you don’t want to — unlike more expensive smart telescopes.

Should you buy the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ?

Overall, it’s a very user-friendly scope for beginners to sink their teeth into, and it doesn’t feel like the kind of telescope you’d only use a few times and then get bored with. We found it easy to locate objects and obtain a good focus, the views were impressive, and the whole experience felt very intuitive — which is exactly what you want from a beginner telescope.

It’s compact and lightweight, although you could still go a step further with this class of telescope. It’s at the top end of Celestron’s beginner range, being by far the best entry-level model of the three we tried. But if you are looking for a step-up from your existing telescope, we’d recommend going for one of the larger aperture models in the range for brighter views and to potentially see more deep-sky objects. Its limited deep-sky viewing isn’t a flaw, just a limitation of a telescope of this aperture. But for the price, you absolutely cannot go wrong with the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ.

If the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ isn't right for you

The Celestron NexStar 8SE has long been considered to be one of the best telescopes on the market. In our Celestron NexStar 8SE review, our trusted tester Jase Parnell-Brookes awarded it an impressive 4.5 out of 5-star score.

The Celestron NexStar 8SE missed out on the flawless review mostly for its price, which at full MSRP made it a significant investment. However, Jase still highlighted its value for money versus performance, which now that Amazon has knocked $200 off the retail price is even better, taking it down to just $1,499.99.

While there's still a lot of numbers on that price tag, even at this price Jase reckons it's still an ideal option for a beginner telescope. Intermediate or advanced astronomers can also benefit from upgrading to the NexStar 8SE, with its motorized function and scalability being attractive features, making it ideal as a deep space telescope or for viewing planets.

Amazon Prime Day lands later this month, but as this is the lowest price for the NexStar 8SE we've seen this year, you're unlikely to see a better telescope deal than this. You'll have to be quick though — the listing says it's marked as limited stock, and at this price it could sell out fast.

However, Walmart is price-matching the Amazon deal along with Adorama, should you wish to purchase away from Amazon.

The Celestron NexStar 8SE is a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope design, which is renowned for impressive optical quality, and the NexStar 8SE certainly delivers here. Jase was blown away by the stunning clarity thanks to its 8-inch aperture up front, which simply drinks in light and makes it incredibly easy to see detail in the night sky.

Jase also highlighted the smoothness of the motor, and with the help of the Celestron SkyAlign app, you can align the scope using three bright stars and enjoy automated viewing almost instantly in your stargazing journey.

Although for a beginner the Celestron is a considerable outlay, Jase also noted the build quality and performance make it a telescope that will last for decades, and potentially the only telescope you'll ever need.

There are cheaper and smaller aperture versions available in the Celestron range, including the Celestron NexStar 4SE. That's our top choice as the best small telescope, and is currently discounted on Amazon by 13% to $649.99. Of course, the smaller you go, the less light captured, thus making your views less awe-inspiring with a drop in aperture.

Key features: 8-inch (203.2mm) aperture, 80-inch (2032mm) focal length, f/10 focal ratio, 180x highest useful magnification, 32 lbs (14.48 kg) weight, two-year warranty.

Launched: June 2005

Price history: The best price we've seen on the Celestron NexStar 8 SE telescope was $1,299 during the Black Friday sales of 2024. The MSRP is $1,699, which makes the current on-sale price of $1,499 a significant saving on what is a seldom-discounted model.

Price comparison: Amazon: $1,499 | Adorama: $1,499 | Walmart: $1,499

Reviews consensus: There is no doubt that the Celestron NexStar 8 SE is a fantastic telescope: It pairs Celestron’s legendary orange tube with a fully computerized GoTo system — ideal for those ready to step up from manual scopes and explore more of the night sky with precision and ease.

Live Science: ★★★★½ | Space: ★★★★½

Featured in guides: Best telescopes

✅ Buy it if: You want to view deep space objects and planets, whether you're a beginner or advanced sky watcher. The automated motorized function means this telescope can be used by anyone with any level of experience and knowledge.

❌ Don't buy it if: You are seeking a more budget-friendly option. One of our recommended best budget telescopes might be more suitable, or even one of the best telescopes for beginners.

Check out our guides to the best telescopes, telescopes for kids, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, and much more.

For Sony and Leica users wanting an affordable lens option for wildlife photography, SIGMA offers some attractive options. We spent some time with the SIGMA 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport lens for Sony E mount — their closest competitor to the native Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS in terms of focal length. You get 50mm more focal length on the wide end, and a slightly wider maximum aperture as a result, plus it’s cheaper than the native Sony lens — although you’ll still be paying over $1,500. That said, for a wildlife lens with such a big reach, that’s not bad at all.

It’s a compelling option for wildlife photography beginners looking to invest in their first big lens, so we put it through its paces to test its sharpness, handling and overall performance out in the field, to see whether it earns a spot among the best lenses for wildlife photography.

SIGMA 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport review

SIGMA 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport: Design

• Slightly lighter than the Sony equivalent
• Two custom buttons
• External zoom adds 100 mm to physical length

Getting the obvious out of the way — this is a big lens. It’s long and it’s heavy, but that’s par for the course with this type of super-telephoto lens. What is noteworthy, however, is that it’s actually a few grams lighter than the closest native Sony equivalent.

The SIGMA lens weighs 2,100 grams (approx 74.07 ounces) compared to the 2,115 g (74.60-ounce) Sony. Realistically, 15 g makes basically no difference at all in practice, but third-party lenses are typically substantially heavier (one of the trade-offs of being cheaper), so the similar weight is a point in the SIGMA’s favor.

It features many of the same buttons and design elements as the native Sony — an AF/MF switch, focus limiter, image stabilization switch with two modes and a custom stabilization switch, also with two modes. There are two custom buttons — one on the top and one on the side of the lens barrel (just one shy of Sony’s three) — and a zoom lock switch with options to lock the zoom completely, or set it to a Smooth (S) or Tight (T) level of friction.

One fairly big difference compared to the Sony lens is that the zoom on the SIGMA lens isn’t internal. Even though the SIGMA is fully weather-sealed, it still leaves room for dust or moisture to get inside the lens, not to mention the zoom adds another 100 mm onto the length of an already long lens.

SIGMA 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport: Performance

• Sharpest wide open (f/5) at 150mm, f/8 at 300mm and f/8 at 600mm
• Struggles with small subjects at 600mm
• Some colour fringing around tree branches

As we directly compared this lens with the Sony, we could easily see the performance drawbacks associated with the cheaper Sigma model. The overall image quality is great, although we found the images weren’t as sharp when we had to crop in on a small bird, even with a 61 MP camera that allowed for a harsh crop. We still got some great images with beautiful sharpness and detail, but our keep rate was a lot lower than when we were testing the Sony. When the subject fills the frame at 600mm, however, the image is a lot sharper.

There was some chromatic aberration around tree branches, and subjects that were photographed against a bright sky, which isn’t wholly surprising with a lens at this price point — but it’s worth noting that we didn’t see any of this with the native Sony lens. Still, the colors are vibrant and true to life, with only minor vignetting and distortion that can easily be corrected by enabling the lens profile corrections in Lightroom.

Looking at the test chart images, the sweet spot is around f/8 at 300mm and 600mm, whereas at 150mm, the sharpness and contrast look best when shooting wide open at f/5.6. Interestingly, the lens seems to perform best overall at f/8 at 300mm, and the sharpness and contrast drop significantly compared to the 600mm f/8 shot. In the test chart shots for the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens, we found it to be sharpest at 600mm. We still took some lovely images with this SIGMA lens at 600mm, but it’s worth knowing if you plan on spending most of your time at full zoom.

SIGMA 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport: Functionality

• Compatible with Sony E mount and Leica L mount
• Lock switch stops lens creep
• Not a low-light lens

As far as compatibility goes, this lens is somewhat limited. It’s only compatible with Sony E and Leica L mounts, which could be frustrating for Canon or Nikon shooters who might want to save money with a third-party lens. Still, we thought it fit well on our Sony camera, and although a lens of this size is naturally going to feel big, the weight distribution was well-balanced. It suffers from strong "lens creep" if you’re holding the lens vertically, but there’s a lock button to prevent it when you aren’t using the lens.

The f/5-6.3 aperture is actually not bad at all for a lens of this focal length at this price point, but it’s not going to be particularly strong at shooting at dawn or dusk, especially as you’ll likely be spending most of your time at the long end with an f/6.3 aperture. Plus, it’s unrealistic to expect a telephoto lens of this price to have a particularly fast aperture.

Should you buy the SIGMA 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport?

This lens is certainly good enough as a "first" dedicated super-telephoto lens for wildlife photography. The image quality is sharp, full of contrast and saturated colors, and it’s a great way to save a few hundred dollars if you don’t mind not having a native lens and don’t need to shoot at super-fast speeds.

If, however, you’re at the stage where you want to go pro, you’re going to need a lens with a faster aperture and better image quality than this lens affords. This is where you’re going to need to invest some serious money into a super-telephoto prime lens to take your wildlife images to the next level.

If this product isn't for you

The Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport is one of those lenses that instantly grabs your attention simply because of how ambitious it is. Covering everything from 60mm all the way up to 600mm with its powerful 10x zoom, it’s designed to handle wildlife, sports, aviation and even some landscape photography without needing to swap lenses.

On paper, that kind of flexibility makes it sound like a serious contender among the very best zoom lenses for wildlife photography, particularly for photographers who don’t want to carry multiple lenses out on shoots. But it has one major caveat: it’s insanely heavy.

We took it to a nature reserve to put it through its paces and test its performance in real-world conditions, and see for ourselves how that hefty weight feels in practice.

SIGMA 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport review

SIGMA 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport: Design

• Uncomfortably heavy
• Solid build quality
• Feels very sturdy

The Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport lens feels exactly like what you’d expect from Sigma’s sport series — big, solid and built like it could survive a few knocks. It’s definitely not a small or lightweight lens, though, and we found ourselves struggling to hold it for long during wildlife sessions, to the point where the 5.5-pound (2.4-kilogram) weight tipped it into "too heavy" territory and it became somewhat of a chore to shoot for long. The weight is especially cumbersome when tracking birds in flight, but the silver lining of the extra heft is that it feels incredibly sturdy as a result.

The zoom ring is smooth. We did notice a tiny bit of lens creep every now and then, but this was nowhere near as severe as it was when we tested the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS lens. There’s no shortage of physical controls, either. There’s an AF switch, stabilization controls and customizable buttons all around the barrel. The removable tripod foot is solid, too, and balances the lens nicely on a tripod.

SIGMA 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport: Performance

• Lovely image quality
• Good autofocus in reliable light
• Image stabilization helps when shooting handheld

Performance is impressively strong considering the massive zoom range this lens covers. The sharpness is excellent through most of the range, especially through the shorter and mid-range focal lengths, with plenty of detail and contrast straight out of the camera.

The autofocus performance was also better than we expected for such a large telephoto zoom. Paired with Sony’s autofocus and subject detection, the lens tracked birds and wildlife reliably in good light, and the focus was fast and sticky. The image stabilization is a huge help when shooting handheld, and we were able to get sharp shots even at 600mm.

We photographed some test charts to analyze the image quality, and shooting wide at 60mm gave the best result at the wider apertures. Going all the way up to f/11, the image becomes very soft in the center. Zooming in to 200mm improves things, where the image is sharpest with the best contrast at f/5.6. At 400mm, f/5.6 and f/8 are very similar, with f/5.6 having the edge slightly, whereas at full zoom at 600mm, f/8 produced the sharpest images — although the 600mm images were the softest overall.

However, it’s worth noting that although we made these assessments while pixel-peeping at the test chart images, the real-world images we took at a nature reserve were mostly all taken at 600mm, and the image quality is still beautiful, even after cropping.

SIGMA 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport: Functionality

• Very versatile focal length
• Good close focusing distance
• Overkill if you won’t use the wider focal lengths

In use, this lens’ biggest strength is its versatility. Having everything from 60mm all the way up to 600mm in a single lens makes it much easier to react quickly when subjects move. For wildlife photography especially, we found it useful when birds flew towards us, since we could zoom out instantly rather than miss the shot entirely.

That said, the huge zoom range can feel a little excessive, but this will depend on what style of photography you do. We found ourselves staying closer to the longer focal lengths for wildlife work, which is fine if you’re a dedicated wildlife shooter, but it does beg the question of whether a smaller, lighter telephoto zoom lens would be a more practical option for some photographers, particularly for those who stay at the wider end.

We also liked how close the lens can focus, particularly on the wide end. It’s not a macro lens, but being able to shoot closer to the subject without changing lenses adds even more flexibility when shooting outdoors.

Should you buy the SIGMA 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport?

The big questions you need to ask yourself here are: "Are you fine with a heavier lens?", "Are you bothered about having a shorter close focusing distance?" and "Do you shoot wide?". If you answered yes, then it makes sense to get this lens.

If, however, you want a slightly lighter lens and you don’t need the wider focal lengths, we’d suggest going for the native Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens instead. For us, the weight of the Sigma felt significantly heavier than the Sony, to the point where it would make us think twice about investing in it, particularly as the Sigma is the more expensive option.

If this product isn't for you

Originating in the late 1990s as Celestron's response to Meade's LX series, the NexStar SE line was designed as an affordable, user-friendly GoTo telescope. The 6SE features quality Schmidt-Cassegrain optics, a 6-inch aperture and a robust mount, earning a strong following among astronomers.

The Celestron NexStar 6SE is the middle child of the NexStar SE Schmidt-Cassegrain series, positioned between the 5- and 8-inch models, with a 4-inch Maksutov-Cassegrain also in the family. Its 6-inch aperture is big enough to provide meaningful, sharp views of both deep-sky and solar system objects while not being too large or expensive. Its portability and small size make it a fantastic beginner telescope if you have a healthy budget, but the larger 8SE still tops our list of the very best telescopes.

Celestron NexStar 6SE: Design

• 6-inch f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain optics, can be used at f/2 for imaging with Hyperstar or for visual/imaging with f/6.3 reducer (sold separately)
• GoTo mount with NexStar+ controller — cannot be aimed manually
• One eyepiece included (25mm yielding approximately 60x magnification)

The NexStar 6SE has been around since 2008, and it hasn’t changed much in that time apart from some minor software upgrades. The Celestron C6 XLT optical tube is sold by Celestron in other configurations such as the NexStar Evolution, and is a 6-inch f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain design. It can also be used at f/2 with a Starizona HyperStar reducer for imaging, or Celestron’s f/6.3 reducer, either of which is necessary for quality deep-sky imaging with the C6. The C6 is primarily designed for planetary viewing/imaging on account of its long focal length, but can be used for deep-sky work as well.

The 6SE has collimation adjustments at the front. Users probably do not need to adjust these, ever. The author has owned hundreds of Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, and they usually arrive collimated from the manufacturer and stay that way. Swapping the collimation screws for thumb screws just leads to frequent misalignment that would otherwise not occur.

The 6SE’s mount is a simple alt-azimuth GoTo mount. It uses the position of two or three alignment stars to calculate where it is in the sky, and once aligned it can automatically point at over 40,000 objects in its internal database. Unfortunately, the technology in it is rather outdated. It cannot be aimed by hand at all, and attempting to do so will ruin the motorized pointing and tracking accuracy. You can replace the hand controller with Celestron’s SkyPortal WiFi adapter, however, and run it off an app like SkySafari, which is a little easier to learn to use. Regardless of which method you use to control it, it only takes around 5-10 minutes to set up and assemble the 6SE.

A 1.25-inch visual back and star diagonal are included with the NexStar 6SE. These are all you’ll need, as a 2-inch diagonal and eyepieces will vignette substantially and cause stability/balance issues with the mount. Celestron supplies a single 25mm E-Lux Plossl eyepiece yielding approximately 61x magnification and a true field of view of 0.9 degrees with this telescope. While it’s annoying to get only a single eyepiece with this telescope, there are endless third-party options to choose from to get the magnifications you want.

For a wider field of view, a 32mm Plossl or 0.63x reducer would come in handy. For higher power, we’d recommend a 9mm SVBONY "redline" (170x) or even a 6mm (254x) if you have fairly steady sky conditions.

Overall, the 6SE is quite sturdy and the whole telescope can easily be carried around in one trip. It breaks down small enough to fit in the author’s Mazda MX-5 Miata, and the tube is small enough to take on a plane as carry-on luggage.

Celestron NexStar 6SE: Performance

• Sharp planetary details
• Solid deep-sky views
• Good double-star splitting

The Celestron NexStar 6SE is typically optically superb, with quality units such as the review sample reaching ⅙ to ⅛ wave peak-to-valley accuracy at the wavefront (a typical standard commercial scope might be ¼ wave). This is critical when viewing the moon, planets and double stars up close. With only a 6-inch primary mirror, the common issues of image shift and mirror flop are of little concern with this telescope.

The NexStar 6SE delivers impressive performance for its size, excelling for both solar system and deep-sky observations. Within the solar system, it reveals Mercury and Venus phases, intricate lunar craters down to mile-sized features, Mars' ice caps and some dark markings when it’s close to Earth, Jupiter's cloud bands with the Great Red Spot and moon transits, Saturn's rings including the Cassini Division plus half a dozen moons, Uranus as a turquoise dot, and Neptune as a blue point with Triton perhaps faintly visible under dark skies.

Beyond the solar system, the 6SE handles open clusters like M35 and M11 well, though larger ones like the Pleiades are too big to fit in the field. Bright globulars such as M13 show partial resolution under decent skies, while emission nebulae like M42 and M8 are spectacular, especially under dark skies and/or with a filter. The brightest planetary nebulae display hints of color, and structures in bright galaxies (such as M82's dust lanes) begin to emerge under dark conditions — but for the best results, a larger telescope than the 6SE is necessary to reveal up-close details in these faint fuzzies.

The 6SE is also excellent for splitting double stars. The author was able to split Tau Coronae Borealis (2.2 arc seconds) easily with the 6SE and a 6mm eyepiece (254x).

Celestron NexStar 6SE: Functionality

• Quite a simple setup
• Two-Star Alignment mode is best
• Smooth focusing and quick acclimatisation

The NexStar 6SE is pretty simple to set up — just assemble the mount/tripod, take the caps off and power it on (either using AA batteries or a DC 12v extension cord). The controller then prompts the user to enter the time, date and location, and choose an alignment method. The recommended three-star alignment is unfortunately prone to errors, so it’s recommended you use the Auto Two-Star alignment mode instead.

Once aligned, the 6SE will automatically point at any object you choose in its catalog. Sometimes, accuracy can wane over the course of a night, but simply going to the main menu and selecting “sync” to add new alignment points usually fixes this. Focusing the 6SE is buttery smooth even at high magnifications, and the scope takes only a few minutes to cool down to chilly nighttime temperatures on account of its small size and the low-expansion glass used for the optics.

The author used the 6SE for imaging as well as visual observation by simply installing a camera at the back end where the diagonal inserts into the visual back. For planetary imaging, the author added a 2x Barlow lens.

Should you buy the Celestron NexStar 6SE?

This telescope offers a great entry into computerized astronomy with solid optics, portability and performance for visual observing of planets, the moon and brighter deep-sky objects. It's well-suited for those around a $1,000 budget who value automation over manual tracking, ranking highly among similar scopes. However, its mount's limitations for heavy accessories and lack of manual fallback make it less ideal for intensive use or imaging. Buy it if you prioritize ease and balance; skip if you are looking to do serious astrophotography or hunt down faint galaxies.

This is one of the best C6/SE units we’ve seen optically, with extremely sharp optics and very little image shift. Mechanically, the mount had an abnormal amount of backlash compared to previously tested units. This is seemingly a one-off issue, as other 6/8SE units tested previously by the author do not experience this issue.

Normally, one can take exposures as long as 10 seconds for deep-sky imaging with the 6SE, but this particular unit had a lot of backlash in the mount’s gears, so performance was somewhat restricted. The 6SE is best for planetary imaging, not deep-sky, unless you obtain a focal reducer and preferably a more sophisticated equatorial mount with better tracking.

If the Celestron NexStar 6SE isn't for you

How we tested the Celestron NexStar 6SE

The author has owned, as of the time of writing, five Celestron NexStar 6SE units, along with eight NexStar 8SEs, which utilize the same mount/tripod. A new 6SE was sent by Celestron to the author in February 2026 and tested under a variety of sky conditions between Bortle 6 and Bortle 2, at elevations between 2,000 and 7,000 feet. The author is located in Tucson, Arizona. The sky around Tucson is very conducive to amateur astronomy, thanks to widespread adoption of dark sky ordinances, high altitude, and extremely steady/transparent desert skies.

Babies and small children do not handle dry air as well as adults. Their skin and airways are still developing, which makes them more susceptible to nasal congestion, poor sleep and skin irritation. This is why many parents resort to using humidifiers — appliances that help increase relative humidity by releasing moisture into the air. When used correctly, humidifiers can transform the arid indoor air and help little ones breathe more easily. However, not every appliance is safe to use in nurseries or toddlers’ rooms.

By their very nature, humidifiers can cause dampness and contribute to mold growth if they are not cleaned and maintained correctly. They can also spread impurities if the water in the tank is not distilled or purified before being released back into the air. Moreover, many appliances generate warm mist or steam that can burn a child if they get too close. Not to mention, most humidifiers simply do not have the looks that would suit a child's room.

These are the issues the Levoit Sprout is trying to solve. Firstly, as an evaporative humidifier, it is less likely than ultrasonic and steam appliances to cause excessive condensation, and only releases mist-free moisture. Secondly, it features wick filters that help remove impurities from the humidified air. Plus, it boasts a curved, child-friendly design as well as a built-in night light and connected app.

We were keen to test the Levoit Sprout and see if it has the potential to land a spot in our guide to the best humidifiers.

Levoit Sprout Evaporative Humidifier review

Levoit Sprout Evaporative Humidifier: Design

• Easy to clean and refill
• Curved, child-friendly design
• Keeps the wick filter dry to prevent mold growth

The Levoit Sprout Evaporative Humidifier looks eerily similar to the Levoit Sprout air purifier we tested last year. Both appliances are about the same size, weight and color, have a curve-shaped design and no sharp, protruding elements, and remind us of Olaf, the talking snowman from Disney's "Frozen" franchise. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they complement each other really well.

That said, these two appliances are vastly different when it comes to the assembly process. It took us less than a minute to put the air purifier together, as the process was smooth, intuitive and well-explained in the provided manual. The humidifier, on the other hand, left us scratching our heads.

It was relatively easy to disassemble the appliance and remove the plastic packaging from the filter, but then we struggled with putting the parts back together — they just would not fit. To make matters worse, the instructions were too vague to help us figure it out. We managed to put the Levoit Sprout together eventually, but this whole debacle did slightly put us off this appliance. Assembling a humidifier should not be this tricky, especially when it is designed primarily for sleep-deprived parents.

Assembly woes aside, the Levoit Sprout humidifier is easy to use and does not require a lot of maintenance. The water tank holds a gallon of water (3.8 liters), but it is small enough to fit under the faucet and easy to hold with both hands. Thanks to its top-fill design, it does not even have to be detached from the main unit to be refilled — you can just take the lid off and top it up straight from a bottle. We also liked that the tank was dishwasher-safe and translucent enough to allow us to monitor the water levels at a glance.

The Levoit Sprout humidifier can be controlled either with the buttons at the front of the unit or remotely via the VeSync app. You can also integrate it with Google Home and Apple HomeKit apps, and adjust its settings using voice commands. Given that most humidifiers lack such smart features, this is a considerable advantage.

Overall, the Levoit Sprout seems well-built and appropriately child-friendly. However, we are not convinced that its price is entirely justified. At $189.99, it is two to three times more expensive than most other humidifiers of similar size and capacity. That's not the full cost, either — the wick filters need to be regularly replaced and each replacement from Levoit costs $29.99. You can buy some dupe filters on Amazon and other major retailers, but they are roughly the same price anyway.

Levoit Sprout Evaporative Humidifier: Features

• Standalone temperature and humidity sensor
• Auto-Dry mode keeps the filter dry to prevent mold growth
• Adjustable warm- or cool-toned night light

The Levoit Sprout Evaporative Humidifier features two manual fan speeds and an Auto mode that adjusts the fan speed to maintain a preset humidity level, based on real-time temperature and humidity data from a provided standalone sensor (pictured below). This is a unique and convenient feature. Most appliances have built-in humidity meters, which means that their readings apply only to a very small area around the unit and may not reflect the overall humidity in the room. The Levoit Sprout, on the other hand, can monitor the air quality where it genuinely matters.

The Auto-Dry mode is another feature that scored highly in our books. The Levoit Sprout activates this mode once the humidification is switched off to keep the wick filter dry and therefore prevent mold growth. We did not have to worry about filter maintenance, as the appliance took care of it itself.

Another thing that adds to the Levoit Sprout's functionality is the built-in night light. We really liked this feature — the lamps underneath the water tank gave it a soft, warm-toned glow that genuinely lifted our mood. Night lights help children ease bedtime anxiety and fall asleep faster, but we can attest that adults may find them beneficial, too.

We also liked the VeSync app. Not only does it allow you to control the humidifier remotely and set schedules for when you are away, but it also provides a good amount of information on the humidity, remaining filter life and estimated drying time. We found the app useful, "clean" and easy to navigate.

Levoit Sprout Evaporative Humidifier: Performance

• Quiet, with pleasant white noise
• No white dust or visible mist
• Gentle humidification without damp or condensation

The Levoit Sprout performed quite well in our at-home tests. While we are not parents and so can't say how this appliance might affect babies or toddlers, we can at least confirm that it does what it promises. This humidifier is quiet, reliable and relatively effective at increasing relative humidity without causing damp, condensation or even visible mist — as long as it is used in relatively small rooms, that is.

According to the manufacturer, the Levoit Sprout is suitable for spaces of up to 219 square feet (20 square meters). This is non-negotiable, though, and we would recommend using it in smaller rooms for best results. The reason lies in its humidification technology. Evaporative humidifiers work by blowing moist air through a wick filter, which creates friction that inevitably slows it down on the way out. Unlike in ultrasonic or steam appliances that can release jets of water vapor without facing similar obstacles, the range and power of their humidification capabilities are quite limited.

We measured the performance of the Levoit Sprout using the provided standalone humidity meter and an industry-grade Perfect Prime air particle counter. We placed the humidifier in a closed room measuring approximately 200 square feet, and then ran it for two hours in its highest output mode. After an hour, the relative humidity increased from 55% to 59%, and after two hours it rose by another 4%. These results may not sound like a huge difference, especially when we compare the Levoit Sprout to, for example, the PureGuardian H950AR (pictured below, this ultrasonic humidifier is of a similar size and range as the Levoit Sprout, but it raised the humidity twice as fast in a test conducted in the same room.) For a less powerful evaporative humidifier, however, we would still consider them acceptable.

This gentle humidification did make a tangible difference. The air felt considerably more pleasant and easier to breathe, and no condensation or wet patches formed around the unit. All in all, no complaints.

The Levoit Sprout also did a pretty good job of removing water impurities. We did not see any "white dust" or visible mist that can happen when humidifiers use undistilled water, and our Perfect Prime air particle monitor only recorded a very small increase in the levels of air particulates. Wick filters are not as effective as the HEPA filters commonly used in air purifiers, but they are still able to capture a good amount of impurities.

Lastly, the noise levels. The Levoit Sprout is whisper-quiet and if anything, it generates a soothing, unobtrusive hum that does not tend to disturb sleep or rest. When we measured its sound levels using a Sound Meter decibel-counting app, we did not register more than 42 dB on its highest setting — that’s equivalent to refrigerator sounds, and within the specifications provided by the manufacturer.

Levoit Sprout Evaporative Humidifier: User reviews

At the time of writing this review, the Levoit Sprout Evaporative Humidifier was rated 3.8 out of 5 stars at both Amazon and Levoit. Positive reviews tended to praise its ease of use, smart features and compact, aesthetically pleasing design. Negative remarks, on the other hand, often focused on its relatively low humidification power, high price and filter replacement costs. Some customers also complained about its relatively noisy fans and app connectivity issues.

One user said: "I took a risk and purchased this product before any reviews came out. I'm glad I did because it does everything it says. In my bedroom, I have noticed a significant difference in sleeping quality, and the air just feels nicer on the skin. The night light is incredibly relaxing and looks pleasing. The sensor is an awesome feature, and I've been able to control my Sprout from work, allowing me to dry the filter to easily prevent mold buildup. I will say, even though I live in an NYC apartment, the Sprout can only fill my smallest rooms. It's almost impossible to raise the humidity in a medium-sized room. This is a bummer because I wanted to combat radiator dryness."

Should you buy the Levoit Sprout Evaporative Humidifier?

There is plenty to like about the Levoit Sprout Evaporative Humidifier. It is quiet, smart-enabled and easy to use, and more importantly, it does a great job of moisturizing the air without creating damp or endangering the child's safety. However, this appliance is not big or powerful enough to suit large nurseries or deliver the best results in extremely arid climates.

✅ Buy it if: You are looking for a quiet, low-maintenance humidifier for small nurseries and toddlers’ rooms.

❌ Do not buy it if: You want something more powerful, versatile or budget-friendly.

Levoit Sprout Evaporative Humidifier: How we tested

We tested the Levoit Sprout Evaporative Humidifier for over a week, looking at its design, features, day-to-day performance, and ease of use and maintenance. We also tested its humidifying and water-purifying capabilities using the provided standalone humidity meter and an industry-grade Perfect Prime air particle counter.

We placed the Levoit Sprout in a closed room and ran it on the highest output setting for two hours, making note of changes to relative humidity and air quality. We also measured how loud this humidifier was with a Sound Meter decibel-counting app, as well as considering the cost and availability of its replacement filters.

We recently conducted a group test of beginner telescopes from Celestron, including the AstroMaster 70AZ and the StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ. Optically, these telescopes are very similar, but the AstroMaster 70AZ has the edge when it comes to viewing planets clearly, thanks to its longer focal length.

While the StarSense Explorer uses your smartphone to identify stars and point you towards objects, the AstroMaster adopts more of a "learn it yourself" approach. The AstroMaster keeps the set-up quick and simple and offers the more traditional astronomy experience of locating objects manually. Although it has a steeper learning curve, its simplicity makes it a fantastic telescope for beginners, and its compact and portable nature makes it suitable for kids and anyone looking for a small telescope.

Celestron AstroMaster LT 70AZ review

Celestron AstroMaster LT 70AZ Design

• Small and portable
• Easy to set up
• Build quality is acceptable for a beginner scope

The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is clearly designed with beginners in mind, and that shows pretty much straight away. It’s lightweight, simple to set up and not intimidating if you’ve never used a telescope before. The alt-azimuth mount moves up, down, left and right using a single handle, which feels somewhat like you’re using a camera tripod rather than anything super technical. That alone makes a big difference if you’re just starting out, or buying for a child.

Set-up is quick and easy and doesn’t require any tools, so you can get it outside and start using it without much effort. The adjustable tripod helps, too, especially if it’s being shared between multiple people. It’s not the most solid thing in the world, though — there can be a bit of wobble when you’re focusing or moving the scope, which is fairly typical at this price. Overall, it’s a straightforward, no-frills design that keeps things simple rather than trying to do too much.

Celestron AstroMaster LT 70AZ: Performance

• The moon is the standout view
• Solid performance for viewing planets
• Not the most suitable for deep-sky objects

In terms of its performance, it’s very much what you’d expect from a 70mm refractor. It’s good at the basics, but you do start to notice its limits fairly quickly. The moon is easily the highlight — it snaps into focus nicely and you can spend a good amount of time exploring the surface without feeling limited.

Jupiter and Saturn are visible too: we saw Jupiter’s moons and the bands on the gas giant itself, although the image itself stays fairly small and you don’t get too much in the way of finer details.It’s only when you start to move beyond that, that the Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ starts to feel a bit restricted. Brighter targets like Orion or the Pleiades show up nicely, but they’re faint and underwhelming if you’re expecting those big, colorful views you see online.

The optics themselves are decent for the price — and reasonably sharp in the center — but pushing the magnification too far exposes the limits. The bigger issue is that the mount can wobble when focusing, which makes it harder to keep things steady at a higher zoom. We also noticed a bit of drooping when we pointed the telescope at Jupiter at high altitude. Overall, it does what a beginner would need it to — just without much headroom.

Celestron AstroMaster LT 70AZ: Functionality

• No-frills telescope
• Everything is manual
• Mount can be fiddly

The AstroMaster 70AZ keeps things pretty simple, which is both a good and bad thing depending on what you expect. Everything is manual — there’s no tracking or electronics, and nothing guiding you to objects, so you’re fully in control of where the telescope is pointing. The upside of this is that it’s straightforward to understand. The downside is that finding things can take a bit of patience, especially if you’re new to the hobby.

The red dot finder helps, but it’s quite basic and you’ll need to spend a bit of time lining it up properly before it becomes useful. Once that’s sorted, it’s fine for aiming at the moon or bright objects, but less helpful when you’re trying to track down anything fainter.

The mount itself is easy to use, with a single handle for movement — but it’s not the smoothest. Small adjustments can sometimes feel a bit fiddly, particularly at higher magnifications where everything becomes more sensitive. There’s no slow motion control either, so keeping objects centered takes a bit of practice.

Should you buy the Celestron AstroMaster LT 70AZ?

The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is one of those telescopes that makes sense in certain situations, but it isn’t an obvious recommendation for everyone. It’s cheap, simple and genuinely capable of showing you the moon and planets without much fuss. For a beginner or teenager who just wants to try astronomy without spending too much, it does the job and doesn’t feel overly complicated. It’s all very no-frills — but that’s kind of the point. It gives you the basics without overcomplicating things, even if that means more effort on your part.

That said, it’s also easy to outgrow. The biggest issue isn’t the optics, but how manual everything is — finding objects can be frustrating, and the mount doesn’t always help. If you stick with it, you’ll learn a lot, but some users might find they lose patience.

If this product isn't for you

Most smart scales measure your weight, BMI (Body Mass Index) and basic body composition metrics, such as muscle mass and body fat percentage. More premium models can also assess more complex stats — for example, they calculate your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate, the minimum number of calories your body needs to perform life-sustaining functions, such as breathing and circulation) and biological age (how old your body appears to be rather than the number of years you have been alive). The best smart scales on the market can even perform segmental body analysis, meaning they use sensors in both a stand-on platform and a retractable handle to measure differences in tissue composition between different “segments” of the body. However, no single model can do what the Withings Body Scan can: provide you with insights into your cardiovascular health and nerve activity.

This foot-to-hand smart scale can measure your heart rate, ECG (the electrical signals in charge of your heartbeat), arterial stiffness (by measuring the speed at which the pressure wave from your heartbeat travels through your arteries), and Nerve Health Score (which is an assessment of peripheral nerve function, based on how well the skin in your feet conducts electricity). Put simply, the Withings Body Scan is more of an all-in-one health hub rather than merely a tool for tracking changes in your weight and body composition.

What is the catch, you may ask? Unsurprisingly, the premium price. At $499.95, the Withings Body Scan costs twice as much as most premium foot-to-hand models and nearly 15 times as much as basic platform-only devices. Is it actually worth it, though?

Withings Body Scan review

Withings Body Scan: How it works

The Withings Body Scan uses four technologies to take its measurements: bioelectrical impedance analysis (or bioimpedance, used for assessing body composition in almost all smart scales), impedance plethysmography and ballistocardiography (non-invasive methods that measure pulse wave velocity, which is an indicator of arterial stiffness) and electrochemical skin conductance (a non-invasive method for detecting activity in the small nerves in the skin).

All four are suitable for casual tracking at home, but none of them should be treated as diagnostic tools. They are simply not accurate or reliable enough to substitute for clinical tests done by a healthcare professional. The Withings Body Scan may be unusually expensive for a smart scale, true, but that does not mean we can expect results far superior to those obtained by cheaper devices — it is simply unfair. With that in mind, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of what and how this smart scale measures.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), or bioimpedance: This non-invasive method measures body composition by sending low-voltage electricity through your body and detecting how much resistance your body puts up against it. The current will flow freely through tissues with high water content, such as your muscles, and slow down or stop completely in tissues with low water content (your bones or body fat, for example.) The smart scale then uses complex algorithms to convert these electrical data points into body composition metrics.

Bioimpedance is less accurate than Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and other clinically validated methods of measuring body composition. It is also more prone to imprecise readings, and that is because they are affected by multiple factors, including your hydration level and skin temperature. Therefore, BIA smart scales are best used for identifying long-term trends rather than ad-hoc check-ins.

Pulse velocity measurement: Impedance plethysmography uses a low-voltage electrical current to measure blood volume changes in your arteries, while ballistocardiography measures the tiny mechanical vibrations of the body that are caused by the movements of blood within it. In simpler terms, the scale records when blood is ejected from your heart and when it reaches your feet. The longer this movement takes, the more flexible your arteries appear to be, and therefore the lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and hypertension, according to a 2024 review published in the journal Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine.

In clinical settings, pulse wave velocity is measured using applanation tonometry. Smart scales can produce measurements that closely match this gold standard, but they can't replicate it. Applanation tonometry is typically done when you are lying down and have two pressure sensors attached to two arterial sites, typically on your neck and groin. Smart scales, on the other hand, require you to stand up during the measurement and take the pulse wave velocity measurements from a different body site, according to a 2017 study published in the American Journal of Hypertension.

Nerve Health Score: This is a number from 0 to 100 that indicates the state of the tiny nerves in your feet's sweat glands by measuring how well they conduct a low-voltage electrical current. This technology is referred to as Electrochemical Skin Conductance (ESC). The nerves in your feet are highly sensitive to damage caused by multiple different factors, such as chemotherapy or chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. A Nerve Health Score above 50 indicates normal nerve activity, while values below 50 signal potential neuropathy (nerve damage), according to a 2024 review published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroanatomy.

The current gold standard for assessing nerve health is through a biopsy, meaning it involves the invasive surgical removal of your nerve tissue. Smart scales that use ESC have proven reliable and are considered a promising non-invasive tool for detecting nerve damage in patients with metabolic conditions. They can also help those patients track the effects of specific treatment or lifestyle change on small nerve regeneration. However, ESC levels may vary by ethnicity, and they may not directly correspond to the state of nerves in different areas of the body, the review authors noted.

Withings Body Scan: Design

• Height- and weight-inclusive
• Durable and does not smudge easily
• Large surface area with a relatively small display

The Withings Body Scan is a solid, thoughtfully designed piece of kit. This smart scale is exceptionally height- and weight-inclusive: it has a relatively large platform and a long retractable handle, and its maximum user weight is 440 lbs (220 kg). To put that into perspective, most smart scales are limited to 396 lbs (180 kg). This is a big advantage: the Withings Body Scan can potentially better accommodate people with obesity and balance issues — two common comorbidities of metabolic conditions and diabetic neuropathy.

It also impressed us with its durability. We tested this smart scale for nearly two months — the Withings Body Scan sustained no scratches or any other damage, even though we accidentally dropped it on the hard tiles in our bathroom on at least two occasions. This smart scale has a clear premium feel to it, and this is not something we can say about most other bioimpedance devices we tested before.

The Withings Body Scan is not just tough, but it looks good, too. We liked its unusually tasteful, minimalistic design and the discreet 2.8-inch (70 mm) display at the top of the unit. Speaking of the display, it may be relatively small, but it is also colorful, easy to read and not over-cluttered with stats and numbers. More importantly, it presents the measurements in an easy-to-understand manner, using language that's body-positive, non-judgmental and considerate of people who may struggle with body dysmorphia and eating disorders.

We also appreciated that the glass platform did not smudge much. Of course, like most smart scales, the Withings Body Scan will inevitably collect some dust and stains — that's just the nature of devices you stand barefoot on. However, we found this smart scale slightly more resilient to sweat patches and easier to clean than most other models we tested before. One quick wipe was enough to make the glass platform look pristine again.

Withings Body Scan: Features

• Detailed body composition analysis
• Multiple weighing modes
• Confusing app layout

The Withings Body Scan is smart in the full sense of the word, especially when it comes to features. To start with, this device can automatically detect up to eight different users, meaning there is no need to log into the app first to connect your user profile before each weigh-in. Once you step onto the Withings Body Scan, it will automatically recognize you by your weight. This may be a small thing, but it makes this smart scale very user-friendly.

Moreover, all of the measured metrics can be tracked in the Withings app, and shared with several other fitness-related apps, such as Apple Health, Google Fit, MyFitnessPal and Samsung Health. This smart scale can also sync with the data obtained from other Withings devices (the Withings ScanWatch 2 hybrid smartwatch, for example) for a more holistic view of your health.

The weigh-ins are relatively quick and easy, and we have never had to redo our measurements due to inconclusive results (which happened quite a lot with some of the other smart scales we tested). The Withings Body Scan tracks most key body composition metrics, including weight, fat-free body mass, BMI, body fat percentage, bone mass, muscle mass, body water percentage and BMR.

It also provides segmental body analysis. Essentially, this smart scale can differentiate between muscle and fat mass in your trunk, arms and legs. This feature is particularly useful to those who want to track muscle development in different areas of their body — unlike most hand-to-foot models available on the market, the Withings Body Scan shows clear long-term trends in segmental body analysis, not just a snapshot of your body composition based entirely on the last reading taken with the device.

However, we would not consider this smart scale a particularly good fit for athletes and other advanced users. For example, the Withings Body Scan lacks some of the more advanced body composition stats, such as the difference between subcutaneous and visceral fat (fat under the skin and the fat that accumulates around internal organs). Also, its segmental body analysis does not differentiate between the right and left leg, or the right and left arm — this little omission could be a considerable disadvantage for bodybuilders and those recovering from one-sided injuries, for example.

Last, but not least, the weighing modes. The Withings Body Scan comes with Baby, Athlete, Pregnancy and Eyes-closed modes. We particularly like the last one — in the Eyes-closed mode, the scale will not show your body composition metrics on-screen during a weigh-in. Instead, it will display motivational messages or a smile emoji instead. Some users may appreciate that the Withings Body Scan allows them to track their weight without constantly seeing their daily numbers.

If there is anything we would complain about, it is the app layout. It is confusing and tricky to navigate, and it took us quite some time to learn where to find different stats. If you like clean, "clinical" apps overfilled with raw numbers, the Withings app may not be the best fit for you. If you are more focused on the overall trends and personalized lifestyle tips, however, we would still recommend it.

Withings Body Scan: Performance

• Relatively accurate body composition measurements
• Exceptionally long battery life
• Seamless app connectivity

The Withings Body Scan offers the longest battery life of all the smart scales we tested — according to the manufacturer, it lasts up to a year on a single charge. Understandably, we did not test our unit long enough to confirm whether that is indeed true. However, long-time online users of this smart scale generally praise it for its lasting performance, even with frequent weigh-ins.

In our tests, the Withings Body Scan displayed good tracking accuracy. We compared the body composition measurements taken with this smart scale to the data we obtained with a much bigger, more precise standalone FitQuest machine in our local gym. Both scales displayed the same body weight and we noted only small discrepancies in body composition analysis. The Withings Body Scan overestimated our body fat by about 2% and lean muscle by about 3%, while body water mass was 3% lower. Therefore, this smart scale proved to be slightly more accurate than the two other hand-to-feet models we tested before: the RunStar 8E SmartScan Pro and Renpho Morphoscan Nova. Both of these models overestimated our body fat percentage by approximately 5% and muscle mass percentage by 3%, and underestimated our body water reading by around 4%.

We also compared the cardiovascular measurements taken by this smart scale with the heart rate and ECG measurements obtained using our Withings ScanWatch 2. Both devices provided very similar readings — for example, there was only 2 bpm (beats per minute) difference in our resting heart rate. Unfortunately, we could not assess the Nerve Health Score as we did not have a reliable reference tool to compare the measurements with. Our score seemed largely accurate to us — but we do not have a diabetic food syndrome and live a relatively healthy lifestyle, so we may not be in the best position to give verdicts here.

Finally, the app connectivity. It scored high in our books: the Withings Body Scan instantly connected to our device and seamlessly transferred data between devices at all times. We have battled enough smart scales to know that good connectivity is not a given, so we truly appreciated the fact that our stats were always up to date.

Withings Body Scan: User reviews

At the time of writing this review, the Withings Body Scan was rated 4.1 out of 5 stars on Withings, 4.5 at Walmart, 3.8 at Best Buy, and 2.9 at Amazon. This smart scale was generally praised for its user-friendly design, long battery life and versatile tracking features.

As one user said: "The range of capabilities/metrics and the superb ease of use and integration with Apple Health make this a perfect support partner to keep on track with your health goals. I love how all Withings devices consolidate into the app for the holistic view of what’s going right now or what needs to be focused on health-wise."

The tracking accuracy and app connectivity, on the other hand, received mixed feedback. One buyer said: "Weight, fat, muscle, and visceral fat readings were inconsistent. Every time I stepped on the scale (and I did it a LOT last night when the scale arrived), I had a different reading. Weight fluctuated 8 lbs over 10 readings, in a span of less than 30 minutes. The scale has decided I am gaining fat and losing muscle (that’s completely wrong), and the app is now showing my BMI as stable, despite having lost 40 lbs in 3 months."

Negative reviews focused predominantly on individual faulty units and poor customer service from the company.

Should you buy the Withings Body Scan smart scale?

The Withings Body Scan is well built, easy to use and relatively accurate, but what truly makes this smart scale stand out among its competitors is its intense focus on long-term trends and a holistic analysis of your metrics. It is a great choice for those who want to improve their body composition while simultaneously monitoring their heart health and nerve activity in the feet — for example, people with type 2 diabetes, hypertension or metabolic syndrome.

For athlete-level fitness enthusiasts, however, the Withings Body Scan may lack the functionality to justify its high price.

✅ Buy it if: You want an all-in-one health station to monitor long-term changes in your body composition, cardiovascular function and nerve health.

❌ Do not buy it if: You are on a budget or looking for something more fitness-focused.

Withings Body Scan: How we tested

We spent nearly two months trying and testing the Withings Body Scan smart scale, looking into its design, features, ease of use, app connectivity and day-to-day performance. We also compared the heart rate and body composition measurements taken with this smart scale to the data we obtained with our Withings ScanWatch 2 and FitQuest machine (a bigger, more precise BIA scale used in our local gym). Finally, we gave our verdict on the general reliability and tracking performance of the Withings Body Scan.

The Celestron Outland X 10x25 roof prism binoculars are a tiny pair that you can fit in one hand or carry in a small pocket. They are rugged enough to throw in your hiking bag at the last minute, and would also be good to give to a nature-loving or skywatching child. They feel like they could handle a few accidental knocks and bumps.

We've reviewed several of the best compact binoculars, and we're reviewing the Outland X as they sit at a slightly higher price point than the child-friendly Occer 10x25, but well below the likes of the Olympus 8x25 WP II, which are currently our top pick in the compact binocular realm.

While compact models won't typically replace full-sized optics for serious wildlife observation or skywatching, they are always a great portable option to take hiking, camping or boating, especially if they are waterproof like this pair.

Used to reviewing all sorts of binoculars at different price points, we needed to remind ourselves throughout our review that this ultra-affordable pair retails for around $50.

Let's dive in…

Celestron Outland X 10x25 review

Celestron Outland X 10x25: Design

• Great build quality
• Simple design
• Waterproof and fog-proof

If taking a large pair of binoculars on a nature walk seems like overkill, but you don't want to miss an exciting opportunity for a more close-up view should the opportunity arise, the Celestron Outland X 10x25 could be a handy "just in case" companion.

They are small enough to fit in a coat pocket or thigh pocket, and at 10.9 ounces (310 g), they're probably lighter than your smartphone — you'll likely forget you're carrying them.

The protective rubber armor is pretty smooth and doesn't offer much in the way of texture (unlike, for example, the Hawke Endurance 8x25), but given that these binoculars are small enough to grip one-handed, there is no real reason to provide extra texture. A neck strap is supplied, as well as a case with a belt strap that you can utilize between sessions.

The focus wheel turns smoothly, but with enough resistance that it won't slip once you have focused your view. People with larger hands will probably find they can rest the binoculars on their thumbs and turn the wheel with their fingertips, rather than gripping them in their palms.

Celestron Outland X 10x25: Performance

• Best for daylight use to get closer to the action
• No need to wait when moving between temperatures
• Color accuracy is lacking

After spending a couple of weeks taking these binoculars on various excursions, we would deem their performance OK, or good for what they are — a relatively cheap pair of binoculars.

The view is clear enough to get closer to the action for daytime wildlife observation or sports and events, but the color is a bit lackluster. There is noticeable, distracting color fringing when viewing wildlife or objects against a bright backdrop (a bird sitting on a branch in front of blue sky, for example), which is surprising given the multi-coated lens coating that should help minimize this. Aside from this, we often felt the colors looked undersaturated. We needed to remind ourselves that these are a budget pair of binoculars and lower our expectations.

That said, there were occasions where we would have missed out on identifying swooping birds, spotting deer through trees in the woods or closely following the action at our local sports track had we not had the Outland X with us.

On clear nights, we were able to get a good look at a bright moon, including its craters, but they aren't really useful for skywatching beyond that and getting a slightly closer look at some of the brightest objects in the night sky. This isn't really a fault of these binoculars; it's just not what they are made for.

Celestron Outland X 10x25: Functionality

• Close focus could be shorter
• Very limited 9.1 mm eye relief
• Great for grab-and-go use

Surprisingly for a budget pair of binoculars, the Celestron Outland X 10x25 are waterproof and nitrogen-filled, so they can handle wet weather and changing temperatures. We took these binoculars out of our warm house and on walks on cold, frosty mornings without experiencing any adverse effects.

The twist-up eyecups only offer a tiny amount of eye relief adjustment, so we wouldn't recommend these binoculars for spectacle wearers: the eye relief is a mere 9.1 mm. For comfortable viewing, spectacle wearers should generally look for eye relief of 17 mm or more.

There were a couple of occasions when we wanted to do some backyard wildlife and birdwatching. Sadly, with only a small garden, we found the minimum focus of 19.7 feet (6 meters) to be too far away. Something like the Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 with a 6.5 foot (2 meter) minimum focusing distance would be better for this.

Should you buy the Celestron Outland X 10x25?

Overall, the Celestron Outland X 10x25mm are fuss-free, functional binoculars for users who want something small and lightweight to take out and about, but still value a robust pair with decent glass and weatherproofing.

We can think of models we'd choose over this pair, but if you're not looking for the best and you can pick them up at a reasonable price, they might be just what you're looking for. Something you can sling in your rucksack on long hikes or camping weekends without having to worry about them getting wet or being left out in the cold — and that won't break the bank if you do have an accident with them.

If this product isn't for you:

Tired of bulky, rugged fitness trackers that weigh down your wrist and clash with your everyday outfits? Consider a hybrid smartwatch instead. These wearables combine smart technology with the timeless charm of a traditional, analog wristwatch, giving you the best of both worlds. They often feature physical hands and a non-digital face, as well as advanced sensors and tiny displays that help you track your health and fitness metrics discreetly.

The perfect example of a hybrid smartwatch is the Withings ScanWatch 2. This wearable does not have the top-class mapping features or workout-tracking tools typical of Garmin watches, nor will it help you prepare for a sporting event in the way that even some of the most budget-friendly fitness trackers can — but that is not what it is meant to do.

Instead, the Withings ScanWatch 2 focuses predominantly on your heart health, sleep and general well-being.

Most importantly, it features ECG (it can detect irregular heart rhythm and alert you to potential signs of arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation) and is one of the handful of wearables that offer full heart health reviews conducted by board-certified cardiologists. The Withings ScanWatch 2 also comes with advanced body temperature sensors and can sync with other Withings health trackers, such as smart scales and BeamO (a device that combines a thermometer, ECG, stethoscope and oximeter).

The cherry on top? This hybrid smartwatch lasts up to 35 days on a single charge and comes in a wide range of elegant designs. No wonder we did not think twice about taking up the offer to test it out.

Withings ScanWatch 2 review

Withings ScanWatch 2: Design

• Exceptionally elegant and discreet
• Featherlight and comfortable to wear
• Customizable design with detachable straps

Right off the bat, the Withings ScanWatch 2 scores a big point for its customizability. This hybrid smartwatch comes in two sizes, 1.5-inch (38 millimeters) and 1.65-inch (42 mm), with both models available in black, blue and pearl white, and the 1.5-inch version also available in sand. On top of that, we also have a wide range of detachable straps to choose from. Whether you are looking for a tasteful leather strap, a durable metal bracelet or a sporty silicone band, you can easily find something that suits your style.

Our testing unit was the 1.5-inch version, in the sand color with a white leather wristband — and we absolutely adored it. The Withings ScanWatch 2 is by far the most feminine and elegant smartwatch we have ever tested (and we have tested a lot). It is so discreet that it could easily pass for an analog watch, and so beautifully crafted that we had no qualms about wearing it to a family wedding and other formal occasions. We also liked how featherlight and comfortable it was to wear. Looks- and feel-wise, it scores 10 out of 10.

The Withings ScanWatch 2 may look rather delicate, but it is surprisingly well-built. This hybrid smartwatch is encased in durable stainless steel and covered with sapphire glass for added protection against bumps and scratches. In fact, it is almost as durable as some of the best outdoor-oriented watches from Garmin, Suunto and other leading brands.

This was a smart choice for Withings to make. The ScanWatch 2 is so small and compact that you barely even feel its presence on the wrist, and if you keep forgetting you are wearing it, you are more likely to expose it to various accidents. Take it from us — we must have bumped our testing unit against steel gym equipment at least a dozen times. The good news is that it did not sustain any visible damage.

Withings ScanWatch 2: Display

• 0.63-inch, two-tone OLED display
• Controlled via the rotating crown
• Can be difficult to read in direct sunlight

The 0.63-inch (16 mm) OLED display is both the best and the worst feature of the Withings ScanWatch 2. Starting with the positives, it makes this smartwatch look exceptionally discreet. When it is off, the display seamlessly blends in with the analog part of the watch face. It is also very quick and straightforward to control — simply press the crown to wake the screen, rotate it to scroll through the menu, and press again to select features.

Interestingly, the physical hands will never obscure this tiny display if it is in use (which could happen at around midday, for example). Once you press the crown, they will temporarily move to the sides, and after you finish setting the features, they instantly move back to where they were before. It is a clever design: refreshingly simple and very satisfying to use.

On the other hand, the display is also what can make the Withings ScanWatch 2 difficult to read. The menu captions are horrendously tiny and not particularly visible in direct sunlight. Even those with perfect eyesight may struggle to decipher them, never mind people with visual impairments.

The crown control can be a disadvantage, too. For example, it makes it easy to unintentionally mess with the watch settings. One time, we almost triggered a full factory reset simply because we did not notice that our gym glove was pressing and rotating the crown during a workout. This is made worse by the fact that it is not possible to temporarily disable the crown, to prevent things like that from happening in the first place.

Withings ScanWatch 2: Features

• Comprehensive, detailed health insights
• Basic workout tracking features
• Confusing app layout

Health-related features are where the Withings ScanWatch 2 shines the brightest. Not because there are so many of them (though that matters, too), but rather due to how they are displayed and interpreted in the Withings app.

Most fitness trackers focus on raw numbers, crunching stats and specific short-term outcomes, such as the training load from a particular workout or the effects of your sleep on the energy levels the following day. The ScanWatch 2, on the other hand, is more about holistic analysis and identifying long-term trends. The longer we used this smartwatch, the more it seemed to learn about us, and the better it got at connecting the dots between different metrics.

That said, most of these personalized health insights and in-depth analytic features are hidden behind a paywall. The Withings+ subscription is complimentary for the first month, then it switches to $9.95 per month or $99.95 per year. It is quite pricey, true, but we are inclined to say it is worth the expense. Not only does it help you make more sense of your stats, but it also provides you with access to a rich, well-written content library, guided programs and a lifetime warranty on active Withings devices.

Most importantly, a Withings+ subscription allows you to request personalized heart health assessments conducted by board-certified cardiologists. Every subscriber can do that up to four times a year at no extra cost. We fully approve of this feature and wish more brands would follow suit. Smartwatch ECGs are relatively accurate, but still not as precise as ECGs done in clinical settings. They also tend to be more finicky to take and therefore more prone to providing inconclusive results. Having a medical professional who can interpret this ECG data can offer some peace of mind to those who pay close attention to their cardiovascular health.

The Withings+ subscription is not necessary to benefit from the app's features, though. The Withings app is colorful and engaging, and it does a great job of explaining health metrics in an easy-to-understand way. We liked that it feels less “clinical” and data-heavy than Garmin Connect or Whoop, for example — this makes it very accessible to casual exercisers or those new to health tracking.

We have only one major issue with the Withings app — its layout feels quite confusing and tricky to navigate, and its features are arranged differently from most other smartwatch apps we have used. That’s partly because, as we mentioned before, the app emphasizes long-term trends and a holistic approach rather than raw stats and numbers. If you are used to regular fitness trackers, this approach may feel a bit alien and counterintuitive.

We were also slightly disappointed with the watch’s workout tracking capabilities. The Withings ScanWatch 2 can automatically detect and record your exercise sessions, but it does not collect nearly as many metrics as most other wearables. Moreover, there is no way to check your metrics in the app halfway through your workout (except for the real-time heart rate readings) — you can only access them after the session is finished. If you are focused on assessing and improving your exercise performance, the Withings ScanWatch 2 will surely fall short of your expectations.

Withings ScanWatch 2: Performance

• Up to 35 days of battery life
• Relatively accurate measurements of heart rate and temperature
• Seamless app connectivity

According to the manufacturer, the Withings ScanWatch 2 lasts up to 35 days on a single charge. This sounds about right — we wore our testing unit day and night for nearly two months, and we only had to charge it twice during that time. To put that into perspective, most ECG smartwatches offer around two weeks of battery life at best.

We were also satisfied with the tracking performance. The Withings ScanWatch 2 did a particularly good job of measuring body temperature and assessing the duration and quality of our sleep, which in turn led to reliable menstrual cycle predictions and on-point assessments of our energy levels. Breathing rate, ECG and blood oxygen assessments also looked relatively accurate.

Heart rate measurements, however, were a bit more volatile — but that appears to have more to do with the limitations of PPG optical sensors, rather than the quality of the Withings ScanWatch 2 itself. When we compared the readings taken by this smartwatch with the data we obtained using a more accurate Polar H9 chest-strap heart rate monitor, we noticed that the heart rate measurements tended to be more accurate during periods of rest and light exercise than during high-intensity activities. This is the same pattern we observed in pretty much every other PPG tracker we have ever tested.

We have no qualms about the app connectivity, either. We quickly connected the Withings ScanWatch 2 to our phone and did not experience any issues with data transfer. The software updates were prompt and did not interfere with our activities.

So, is the Withings ScanWatch 2 worth the money? We think so. While $369.95 may not be particularly budget-friendly, it is not unreasonable either, given the overall value of this smartwatch.

Withings ScanWatch 2: User reviews

At the time of writing this review, the Withings ScanWatch 2 was rated 4.4 out of 5 stars at Withings, 4.3 stars at Best Buy and 4 stars at Amazon. Positive reviews tended to praise this hybrid smartwatch for its stylish design, long battery life, good tracking accuracy and useful health insights. Sleep and step tracking, on the other hand, received mixed feedback.

One user said: "First of all, I love this watch for the simple and easy-to-navigate screen. One button is all you need. I’m also a sucker for analog faces. You can’t tell it’s a smartwatch at a glance. The auto sensor is nice when I can’t be bothered to input each workout mode and the readings are usually not too far off. [...] The battery life is great, too. I can go on vacation without needing to pack a charger. [...] I’m planning to train for a 70.3 Ironman next year and will probably be switching to a Garmin to suit my needs. If you enjoy running or cycling, this is still a great watch! Sturdy, aesthetically pleasing, low fuss and not too many bells and whistles to navigate and learn. It’s enough to track your activity and basic health stats."

Negative reviews tended to focus on individual faulty units and connectivity issues. A handful of users also reported poor customer service from the company.

One user said: "When I first got the watch and installed the Withings app on the phone, I could get the data from the watch to the phone, no problem. But for some reason, I could not get the data from the Withings app to sync with Health Connect. The Withings app could read my historical data and also upload it into the app which I really liked but I could only get partial data updated from the Withings app to Health Connect. It would get mileage, and activities loaded, but step count was left out completely."

Should you buy the Withings ScanWatch 2?

The Withings ScanWatch 2 is a beautifully crafted hybrid smartwatch that outperforms its competitors with advanced health insights and long battery life. While it is not well-suited for workout tracking and its app can be tricky to navigate, it is still an excellent alternative to flashy, rugged smartwatches.

✅ Buy it if: You want an ultra-stylish hybrid smartwatch that offers detailed insights into your sleep, stress and heart health.

❌ Do not buy it if: You are looking for an advanced workout tracker or need something with a bigger, more colorful screen.

Withings ScanWatch 2: Related products

It is tricky to find a wearable that closely matches the looks and functionality of the Withings ScanWatch 2. Something has to give, even when it comes to other hybrid smartwatches. For example, most models from TAG, Montblanc, Tissot and other leading brands are as stylish and durable, but they tend to lack advanced health-tracking features or a similarly versatile app ecosystem. Not to mention, they are often three to four times as expensive.

If timeless style and health metrics are your top priorities, consider one of the best smart rings instead. The Oura Ring Gen 4, for example, offers excellent sleep and stress tracking features, extensive customization and long battery life. Plus, it costs roughly the same as the Withings ScanWatch 2.

If you are more interested in fitness tracking, you may be better off investing in a relatively discreet screenless wearable, such as the Whoop MG, or one of the less bulky and “masculine” Garmin watches — the Garmin Vivomove Sport or Garmin Vivoactive 6, for example.

Withings ScanWatch 2: How we tested

We spent nearly two months testing the Withings ScanWatch 2, looking into its design, features, day-to-day performance and ease of use. We wore this smartwatch during the day, while sleeping and when doing a range of activities, from hiking outdoors to gym-based circuit classes.

Then, we compared the sleep, steps and heart rate measurements taken by the Withings ScanWatch 2 with the data we obtained using a Polar H9 chest-strap heart rate monitor, a Whoop MG screenless fitness tracker and an Oura Ring Gen 4 smart ring. Lastly, we gave our verdict on its overall functionality and value for money.

Keeping the house fur-free is a constant battle for many cat and dog owners. Air purifiers help remove some of that pesky hair, but even the most pet-friendly models will inevitably clog up and have you spend hours washing and vacuuming the filters. However, the era of such never-ending maintenance may finally be over. Meet the Dreame FP10 — the first-ever air purifier that uses a 360-degree self-cleaning roller to keep its filters free of fur, dust and other debris lingering in the indoor air.

The Dreame FP10 seems to tick all the boxes for owners of furry pets. Not only is it low-maintenance, but it also features bite-resistant cords and a little tabletop that your mischievous cats can climb without you having to worry about their safety. Most importantly, it promises to solve the most common air quality woes plaguing pet households. According to the manufacturer, the Dreame FP10 can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles and 99.9% of stubborn pet odors, without making much noise or causing disruptive airflow.

To top it off, this air purifier comes with a dedicated app, voice control and real-time air quality monitoring — and it looks great, too. Needless to say, we were eager to put the Dreame FP10 through its paces and see whether it could earn a spot in our guide to the best air purifiers for pet owners.

Dreame FP10 Air Purifier review

Dreame FP10: Design

• Elegant, durable and pet-friendly
• Doubles as a small table
• Small control buttons and no on-body display

Air purifiers designed for use around pets tend to prioritize functionality over looks, but that is not the case with the Dreame FP10. With its elegant tower design, tastefully toned-down color palette and soft lighting illuminations, it is one of the nicest-looking air purifiers we have tested, more akin to a piece of furniture than a household appliance. It is discreet and unobtrusive, and should not look out of place even in the most stylish households. That's not to say the Dreame FP10's design lacks functionality, though — quite the opposite.

One of its defining features is a small detachable tabletop. We like the concept of an air purifier that doubles as a bedside table, because it gives us more space to store our books, magazines and other small trinkets. This design tweak is not just practical, but also exceptionally cat-friendly. As these four-legged creatures have a penchant for climbing on household appliances, it gives them somewhere to sit and explore their surroundings without getting in the way of air vents or accidentally stepping on the control buttons.

Interestingly, this detachable table can be swapped for an optional pet-weighing tray. This clever accessory (soon to be available on Dreame's website) records the weight and daily sleep routine of your furry friend every time they step on it, and can even automatically adjust the appliance's fan speed to shield them from excessive noise and sudden airflow changes. This data can then be viewed in the Dreamehome app, giving you a handy overview of your pet's well-being and daily habits.

The Dreame FP10 not only has a convenient space for your cat to sit on, but it is also built well enough to withstand their weight and sudden movements. This air purifier features an exceptionally sturdy base that keeps the whole unit from tipping over, and it feels sufficiently durable to, for example, survive a head-on collision with a racing dog. At the same time, we did not find the Dreame FP10 particularly difficult to move around the house. Yes, it is a relatively big and heavy appliance, but its tabletop is so securely attached that it can serve as a handle if needed.

All in all, the Dreame FP10 seems to be more thoughtfully designed than many of the pet-friendly air purifiers we have tested previously. If there is anything we would complain about here, it is the control panel. The buttons are tiny and not particularly visible in low light, and there is no on-body display showing current air quality readings or which settings are switched on. Given that most air purifiers these days come with a digital touchscreen, this feels like quite an oversight. This clunky control panel can also be a considerable disadvantage for people with poor eyesight, or those who simply do not fancy always having to use an app to control their appliances.

The price is another drawback. The Dreame FP10 costs $499.99, making it one of the most expensive pet-friendly air purifiers we have tested.

Dreame FP10: Features

• 10 manually adjusted fan speeds
• Auto mode
• Self-cleaning roller and a detachable hair collection chamber
• PM2.5, TVOC, temperature and humidity sensors

The Dreame FP10 features a four-stage purification system: a pre-filter for capturing hair, dust and other larger particles; a HEPA filter designed to remove tiny airborne allergens, such as pet dander, pollen and mold spores; an activated carbon filter which helps absorb odor-bearing particles; and a metal functional layer that breaks those odor-bearing particles down (and therefore helps remove them from circulation.) According to the brand, this system allows the Dreame FP10 to remove up to 99.9% of stubborn odors and 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. While these figures sound impressive, we could not find any independent studies that would verify these claims.

What we can confirm, however, is the Dreame FP10's impressive range of purification settings. This air purifier comes with 10 manually adjusted fan speeds — most commercially available models are limited to three or four. It also has an auto mode in which the fan speed changes automatically based on real-time air quality data, and a sleep mode in which the fan speed is reduced to a minimum to limit any nighttime disturbances. Moreover, the Dreame FP10 features a dedicated pet mode that works with the optional pet-weighing tray.

The star of the show, however, is the self-cleaning feature. The Dreame FP10 comes with a 360-degree roller that can brush around the pre-filter to remove any fur that has stuck to it. This cleaning process can be activated in the app, lasts approximately 30 seconds, and once it’s completed, the collected debris gets deposited in the detachable chamber.

When this chamber gets full, you can easily remove it from the unit and empty its contents into a bin. You do not have to worry about cross-contamination or bad odors here — the chamber is tightly sealed and the cleaning process does not seem to release any of the collected pollutants back into the air. In our opinion, this feature offers an excellent way to save time and prolong the filter life, and we would love to see it implemented in more pet-friendly air purifiers in the future.

The air quality measurements, on the other hand, were not as impressive. The Dreame FP10 measures only two types of airborne pollutants: PM2.5 (particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter, such as pollen and pet dander) and much smaller TVOCs (volatile organic compounds, such as potentially harmful gases from paints and varnishes). While these two metrics may be sufficient for general air quality monitoring, they may not accurately represent air quality in pet households, because some of the most common pet-related pollutants are much larger than 2.5 microns. For example, fur strands and some pet dander flakes can measure more than 10 microns.

Dreame FP10: Performance

• Quiet and unobtrusive
• Excellent air-cleaning performance
• Efficiently removes dust, hair and bad odors

The Dreame FP10 may have some shortcomings in design and features, but its day-to-day performance is truly top-class. This air purifier did exactly what it promised — it made a tangible difference to the air quality in our home, quickly and efficiently removing odors, hair and various other airborne pollutants, and its built-in roller kept the pre-filter pristinely clean without us having to lift a finger. True, we are not pet owners and can't vouch for its performance around cats or dogs, but we have tested enough air purifiers to recognize the Dreame FP10's superior air-cleaning capabilities and are confident this air purifier has what it takes to deliver great results in challenging environments.

As long as it is used correctly, that is. According to the brand, the Dreame FP10 covers up to 1,346 square feet (125 square meters) and works best in rooms measuring up to 624 square feet (58 square meters). This claim is roughly in line with its CADR rating. This independent metric, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), indicates how quickly an appliance can clean the air in a given space. The Dreame FP10 is rated 206 CFM, which means it can clean the air once every 30 minutes in a space measuring the stated 624 square feet — and that is enough to make a significant difference to its overall air quality. Based on this CADR rating, however, the very best results (one air change per 15 minutes) are to be expected in rooms measuring up to 300 square feet (27.8 square meters). Incidentally, that’s around the size of the room where we conducted our air quality tests.

The first test we did assessed the Dreame FP10's air-cleaning capabilities in ambient conditions. We placed this air purifier in the room, locked the doors and windows, then used our trusted Perfect Prime air particle monitor (an industry-grade device that can detect airborne pollutants as small as 0.3 microns) before and after running this air purifier on its auto setting for 30 minutes. The Dreame FP10 removed 71% of particles measuring 0.3 microns and 75% of pollutants measuring 2.5 microns (no 10-micron particles were detected). This is a considerable drop, given that both the air purifier and air particle monitor indicated good air quality at the time of testing.

Then, we conducted the smoke tests. We started by burning a handful of matches, then running the Dreame FP10 for 30 minutes on its auto setting. The air purifier removed 98.5% of 0.3-micron particles, 99.7% of particles measuring 2.5 microns, and all the pollutants larger than 10 microns. When we repeated the match test on the highest fan speed setting, all of the smoke particles were hoovered up after 30 minutes, and when we repeated the procedure with a handful of incense sticks, we obtained similarly good results. All in all, the Dreame FP10 has demonstrated it can stand up to the task of keeping our indoor air free of pollutants.

The cherry on top? The Dreame FP10 is exceptionally quiet. Most of the time, we could barely hear it working. This air purifier is understandably much louder at the highest fan speed — when we measured it with the Sound Meter decibel-counting app, we noted around 60 dB, equivalent to the sounds of regular conversation or office environment — but even then, it is not particularly disturbing or unpleasant on the ears. The Dreame FP10 should not keep you up at night or cause excessive stress to your four-legged friends.

Dreame FP10: User reviews

At the time of writing this review, the Dreame FP10 was rated 4.8 out of 5 stars at both Amazon and Dreame. This air purifier was often praised for its quiet fans, ease of use, great air-cleaning performance and high build quality, and several users credited it with significant improvements to their allergy symptoms.

One happy customer said: "This has got to be one of the best air purifiers I have bought! I have four dogs, one of them is a husky, and I have gone through a lot of purifiers over the years. Even the ones that said they were for pets don't beat this one! [...] My allergies have been way better and the house just smells fresher."

Negative remarks, though few and far between, tended to focus on the Dreame FP10's control panel and air quality measurements. As one user said: "It has no visible air quality indicators, except for a little red light that comes on when air quality is low and is hard to see, as are all the controls on the main unit. Supposedly, the external lighting is supposed to get a warmer, yellowish hue when air quality is poor, however I have not seen it do this. If it is doing so, it is so subtle as to be useless. [...] The indoor temp readings have consistently been 4 to 5 degrees F too high. There is no way to calibrate or to enter an offset to correct for this. Hopefully, this and the air quality hue feature can be addressed with a firmware update and are not caused by something faulty."

Should you buy the Dreame FP10 air purifier?

The Dreame FP10 Air Purifier ticks all the main boxes for people with furry pet, from near-silent operation and cat-friendly design to effortless filter maintenance and excellent air-cleaning performance. It is well-built and looks great, too. However, as good as this air purifier is, it also comes with two major downsides: a high price point and a clunky control interface.

✅ Buy it if: You are a pet owner looking for a quiet, stylish air purifier that excels at removing fur and bad odors.

❌ Do not buy it if: You are on a budget, want something smaller or prefer air purifiers with an easy-to-read digital display.

If the Dreame FP10 air purifier is not for you

Looking for something more budget-friendly than the Dreame FP10? Consider the Oneisall Pet Air Purifier. It is exceptionally compact, ultra-quiet and easy to maintain, and more importantly, very efficient at removing pet hair and lingering odors — all for less than $90. That said, the Oneisall Pet Air Purifier lacks smart features and is not suitable for rooms bigger than 294 square feet (27.3 square meters).

Want something bigger and more powerful than the Oneisall Pet Air Purifier? Then you can't go wrong with the Levoit Vital 200S. It is our all-time favorite air purifier for pet owners and it costs less than half the price of the Dreame FP10. However, it is not particularly stylish or low-maintenance.

Need a multi-purpose appliance? The Switchbot Air Purifier Table is an excellent choice here — it is light, compact and smart-enabled, plus it comes with a built-in wireless phone charger, scent diffuser and ambient light. The best part? It is often on sale for less than $199 and can be easily integrated with other Switchbot appliances.

Dreame FP10: How we tested

We spent over a month trying and testing the Dreame FP10 air purifier. We carefully assessed its design, features, durability, day-to-day performance and ease of use. We also checked how loud it was using the Sound Meter decibel-counting app, and measured its air-cleaning capabilities using a Perfect Prime air particle monitor — an industry-grade device capable of detecting airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.

We started with an ambient air quality test. We placed the Dreame FP10 in an enclosed room measuring approximately 200 square feet (18.5 square meters), then calculated the difference in airborne particles before and after running it for 15 and 30 minutes on different fan speed settings. Then, we followed up with more challenging smoke tests. We burned a handful of matches and incense sticks, then repeated the procedure on an auto mode and the highest fan speed.

After this testing protocol had been completed, we gave our final verdict on the Dreame FP10's overall functionality and value for money.

The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS is a super-telephoto zoom built for wildlife and action photography, where reach, responsiveness and reliable autofocus are just as important as flexibility in the field. Covering 200-600mm, it’s designed for those moments when you can’t move closer, and the subject definitely isn’t coming to you.

It’s a popular choice with wildlife photographers, often paired with some of the best wildlife cameras for a long-range setup, and it sits comfortably among the best wildlife lenses for this kind of shooting. Despite its position in the super-telephoto category, it still represents strong value for photographers who need long reach without committing to the cost and limitations of prime lenses.

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS review

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS: Design

• Lens weighs a hefty 4.66 pounds (2.1 kg)
• Large 95mm filter thread
• Internal zoom keeps the size constant and protects it from the elements

This chunky lens weighs in at a whopping 4.66 pounds (2.1 kg) and has a fixed physical length of around 12.5 inches (318mm) — it’s a beast. Thankfully, the internal zoom means it doesn’t extend out any further unless you attach the lens hood, which adds another 4 inches (10 centimeters). But on the whole, we found the weight to be manageable enough, although we needed regular breaks to avoid arm and wrist strain.

On the lens barrel itself, you’ll find all the usual suspects that you’d expect on a super-telephoto lens. It has an AF/MF focus switch, a focus limiter, an OSS [Optical SteadyShot] on/off switch and a shake compensation switch (labelled as ‘Mode’) with three options. There are also three custom buttons, alongside a wide focus ring and even wider zoom ring. Though somewhat annoyingly, there’s no zoom lock, which meant we sometimes accidentally changed the zoom while shooting. If you want to use filters, the filter thread is a generous 95mm.

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS: Performance

• Fast and accurate autofocus
• Sharp and detailed images — sharpest at 600mm f/8
• Barely any optical defects

We used this lens to do a lot of bird photography, so the autofocus was really put through its paces with the fast, unpredictable movement of small birds. Considering the birds were small, far away and perched among distractions such as branches and leaves, we thought the lens coped pretty well overall. On less tricky subjects, the autofocus never let us down and easily kept up with moving animals.

We used a test chart to shoot at 200mm, 400mm and 600mm at the widest aperture (in this case, f/5.6 or f/6.3), f/8 and f/11, to test sharpness and contrast and look for any optical defects. At 200mm, central sharpness is best wide open at f/5.6, and while the sharpness is still good at f/8, the most notable difference is the loss of contrast. At 400mm, however, f/8 was noticeably sharper than its widest aperture of f/6.3. F/11 is softer again, but when it comes to contrast, there’s less of a difference between the three aperture settings.

Zooming all the way to 600mm, f/8 is still the sharpest and has around the same contrast as f/6.3. When comparing the two, we found the sharpness and contrast to be slightly better at 600mm f/8 as opposed to 400mm f/8, which is great news for users who want to photograph birds and distant wildlife.

At the corners, there isn’t much difference in sharpness between the three apertures at 200mm. What actually makes the most difference is the increased contrast at f/5.6. At 400mm and 600mm, f/8 performs best in the corners in terms of sharpness.

We noticed some vignetting when shooting wide open, which was improved when we stopped down to f/8, but what surprised us most was that there’s barely any chromatic aberration on any of the test shots we took, thanks to the five ED glass elements. We didn’t see any flare or ghosting during our field test shots, and there was only a tiny bit of distortion — and that was easily corrected in Lightroom. For a non-G-Master lens, this is impressive.

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS: Functionality

• 200-600mm focal length is excellent for sports and wildlife
• f/5.6-6.3 aperture relies on favorable light or good ISO handling
• Three OSS modes for shake correction

When it comes to Sony’s super-telephoto zoom lenses, the two main players will be the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS that we’re reviewing here, and the bigger (but slower) Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS. Although the extra reach up to 800mm might be tempting, particularly if you specialize in bird photography, the 200-600mm lens has a faster maximum aperture of f/5.6 compared to the longer lens’s f/6.3 — and keep in mind, that’s at the shorter end of the focal range. It may not seem like much, but at fast shutter speeds, you need as much light hitting the sensor as possible to keep your ISO down. We spent a lot of time shooting at 600mm — and therefore at a maximum aperture of f/6.3 — which meant we had to rely on good natural light or bump the ISO up.

But when it comes to the focal length on its own, we had no problems photographing general wildlife with 200-600mm. We also got some beautiful images of small birds outside our house, but in most cases, we did need to rely on cropping the final image — this is where having a good camera comes in.

The image stabilization is generally very good, and the OSS Mode switch on the lens barrel offers three different options to suit various photographic styles. Mode 1 suits general shooting of stationary subjects, mode 2 works best for panning and mode 3 “provides a more stable viewfinder image that makes tracking and framing easier,” according to Sony. We spent most of our time using mode 3 for tracking and shooting unpredictable birds in flight.

Should you buy the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS?

If your most important criteria are price and flexibility for wildlife and action photography, we think this is the best option to go for — particularly if this is your first dedicated wildlife lens. You get a lot of lens for the money, and although it’s never going to compare to the super-sharp prime lenses that the pros use, we were still impressed by its image quality. The versatile focal length allows for near and distant wildlife and sports action, and you could even do a bit of landscape photography at the wide 200mm end.

If this product isn't for you

The ZWO Seestar S30 Pro is the latest of a new generation of smart telescopes designed to remove much of the complexity traditionally associated with astrophotography. Instead of a separate telescope, camera, tracking mount and laptop, everything is contained in one compact unit and controlled entirely through a smartphone app.

For beginners, that automation makes astronomy much less daunting. After just a few minutes, the telescope automatically identifies the stars overhead, slews to a chosen target and begins capturing exposures. The resulting frames are stacked together in real time, gradually revealing galaxies, nebulae and star clusters regardless of urban light pollution.

However, it's what this smart telescope — an update to the ZWO Seestar S30 — does beyond that basic concept that makes it so impressive. By adding a new sensor that allows 8.3MP images and the ability to go into equatorial mode — a feature typically reserved for advanced astrophotography that puts a 'scope in sync with Earth's rotation — the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro becomes a product that can be explored in a lot more depth than the price tag suggests. The ability to deal in RAW image files will also appeal to advanced users.

One of the simplest but also one of the most impressive smart telescopes around, here’s everything you need to know about the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro.

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro review

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro: Design

• Compact and highly portable
• Simple minimalist controls
• Dual-camera system

At first glance, the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro hardly looks like a telescope at all. The entire device measures 8.25 x 5.5 x 3.15 inches (210 x 140 x 80 mm) and weighs just 3.6 lb (1.65 kg), making it small enough to fit inside most camera backpacks. It also comes with a good quality padded bag, complete with a shoulder strap. Unlike most astrophotography rigs, the Seestar can be carried in one hand.

The body is constructed from durable plastic with a simple, minimalist design. Aside from a power button and USB-C port, there are no physical controls on the telescope itself. All adjustments — including slewing, focusing and imaging — are performed through the Seestar smartphone app.

The telescope mounts onto a tabletop tripod (also in the box) using a standard 3/8-inch thread. However, in practice, we found it works best on a full-size photographic tripod: this will improve stability and provide a better view above nearby obstacles in the average backyard.

A key design feature of the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro is its dual-camera system. The main telephoto camera uses a Sony IMX585 sensor (a high-sensitivity sensor typically found in security/night-vision cameras) paired with the apochromatic refractor telescope at the core of this product for deep-sky imaging. Above it sits a wide-angle camera, with a massive 63-degree field of view, that is used for sky alignment, wide-field imaging and Milky Way photography. It's packing a Sony IMX586 sensor that's designed for low-light performance.

There’s also a built-in three-filter system to reduce light pollution and capture specific wavelengths of light to better reveal emission nebulae, but there's sadly no solar filter in the box.

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro: Performance

• Aligns and tracks automatically
• Live stacking reveals faint objects quickly
• EQ mode is easy to use

We tested the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro across multiple nights in February and March, with temperatures ranging between 36 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit (2 and 7 degrees Celsius), under Bortle 6 suburban skies, where light pollution typically makes using an optical telescope challenging.

Set-up was straightforward: mount the telescope on a tripod, power it on and connect to its Wi-Fi network through the Seestar app. There’s an NFC “tap” feature to make it even easier. Within roughly four minutes, we had chosen a target on the app's planetarium-style sky map, and the telescope had automatically plate-solved the stars overhead to determine its position in the sky as it locked onto the target.

Once a target is in the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro's crosshairs, it begins capturing 10-second exposures. These images are stacked together in real time, gradually increasing the signal-to-noise ratio and revealing faint detail. It's a process that's surprisingly satisfying to watch — though you can just as easily set it to stack and come back an hour or two later to check on its progress.

The first target we captured was the Orion Nebula (M42), one of the brightest deep-sky objects visible during March. Using the Seestar S30 Pro in standard alt-azimuth mode, we allowed the telescope to run for 20 minutes, with the resulting image showing strong color in the nebula’s hydrogen clouds. Next, we had the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro spend rather more time on Bode’s Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy (M81 and M82), during which it revealed the faint spiral structure of M81.

We then returned to the galaxy pair a few nights later, putting the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro into EQ mode and letting it take up to 60-second exposures — instead of the regular 10-second ones — to see what kinds of improvements are possible. However, it’s important to note that using EQ mode requires an equatorial wedge, which Seestar sells as its TH10 Fluid Tripod Head.

It’s possible to export the stacked FITS file into stacking and post-processing software like Siril, PixInsight or Photoshop, but we relied solely on the Seestar app’s built-in editing.

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro: Functionality

• Intuitive smartphone app
• Automatic stacking
• Deep Sky Stack editing software

Much of the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro's appeal lies in its automation, with its excellent companion app adding impressive, enjoyable and easy-to-use advanced features. A great example is its sky atlas software, which shows the current night sky. It’s quick to use, easy to search and has plenty of recommended targets highlighted. Selecting one automatically slews the telescope into position — and it barely ever misses its target. After it’s auto-focused, captured exposures and stacked images, it applies some rudimentary processing. Sure, the only settings that can be adjusted are exposure time and gain, but that’s the point.

For those who like to experiment but are more interested in exploring after data collection, one option for advanced users is to export individual FITS frames for manual processing. However, most will use the app’s Deep Sky Stack editing software, which has several advantages. The most basic is the ability to stack images, being careful not to select those with satellite or airplane trails or other obstructions (such as overhead cables — it happens!). There’s also a built-in AI Denoise feature that cleans up images in about 20 seconds, and, together with a contrast tweak, produces clean-looking, deep-black images of deep-sky objects.

Should you buy the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro?

The ZWO Seestar S30 Pro is that rarest of products — one that is perfect for beginners, yet also offers enough core quality and advanced features to let users journey from easy to more advanced astrophotography. Within minutes of set-up, it can capture images of nebulae and galaxies that would normally require far more complex equipment, but there’s nevertheless enough here — chiefly 8.3MP resolution, EQ mode and the ability to export FITS files — for both instant gratification and sustained long-term interest. However, at its core, the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro’s ability to suppress light pollution does one thing above all — it makes deep-sky astronomy possible for urban skywatchers.

If this product isn't for you

The DwarfLab Dwarf Mini is a compact, beginner-friendly smart telescope that takes direct aim at competitors like the ZWO Seestar S30. It’s essentially a very small 1.2-inch/30 mm refractor telescope controlled by a smartphone, but instead of the user looking through an eyepiece, it takes images of the night sky.

It does that with an image sensor, using its onboard computer and software to first automatically align itself with the night sky to identify objects, and then capture short-exposure images which it stacks into a single, ever-improving image. Impressively, this enables it to capture star clusters, galaxies and even faint nebulae from the middle of a city — something no optical telescope will get you a view of in such a light-polluted environment.

The Dwarf Mini is smaller, lighter and more affordable than its competitors, so not surprisingly, it comes with one significant drawback: it produces only 2 MP images. But these are still plenty good enough for viewing on a smartphone and sharing online, and despite its basic resolution, it adds equatorial (EQ) tracking — an advanced mode, typically found in larger or pricier instruments, that allows the Dwarf Mini to follow Earth’s rotation during longer exposures, reducing star trails and enhancing images.

It may be mostly about the compact design and affordable price, but the Dwarf Mini is adaptable and future-proof enough to appeal to a wide range of amateur astronomers who are in search of a simple-to-use imaging tool.

DwarfLab Dwarf Mini review

DwarfLab Dwarf Mini: Design

• Pocket-sized form factor
• Optional EQ alignment for longer exposures
• Motorized internal filter wheel

Straight out of the box, the Dwarf Mini surprises with its scale. It's just 8 inches (204 mm) long and weighs a mere 1.8 lbs, (840 g), yet it feels just solid enough when in hand. The lens arm pivots smoothly through 225 degrees, while the base rotates a full 360 degrees, providing flexible sky coverage even when used on a tabletop. This wide range of movement is key to its functionality; the Dwarf Mini has no manual knobs or adjustments. Aiming and tracking are controlled through the DwarfLab app.

The internal optics include a 5.91-inch (150 mm) focal length (f/5 focal ratio) refractor lens and a Sony IMX662 CMOS sensor, the latter known for its strong low-light performance but low resolution. It's also got a motorized filter wheel offering dark-frame, astro (anti-light pollution) and dual-band (nebulae) filters that you can switch between depending on your target.

It’s also got two modes — a wide-angle mode, largely for orienting, and a zoom mode for taking images of deep-sky objects, the sun and the moon. However, the wide-angle imager can also capture constellations, and to some extent, the Milky Way (when it’s in season, which it wasn't during this test) as well as take a basic star trail image.

One standout design element for advanced users is the EQ mode. While not physically resembling an equatorial mount, the Dwarf Mini can simulate equatorial tracking once aligned with Polaris, the North Star (in the Northern Hemisphere), using a step-by-step guide in the app. It's a clever solution that makes it technically possible to capture superior images, particularly of faint objects, by enabling long exposures — though for that an equatorial wedge is required (DwarfLab sells its Mini Hydraulic Tripod Head for this purpose, but we didn’t have a chance to review it).

The included solar filter attaches magnetically, covering the lens securely for daytime imaging of sunspots (and the occasional partial or annular solar eclipse). A USB-C charging cable and a basic cleaning cloth are also included — but there is no tripod in the box.

DwarfLab Dwarf Mini: Performance

• Surprisingly capable deep-sky performance
• Real-time stacking works well in light-polluted cities
• Captures sunspots using included solar filter

The Dwarf Mini is ridiculously easy to use. Power on the scope, launch the app, connect your smartphone to its Wi-Fi and select a target from its built-in sky atlas. It then plate-solves the sky to align with the stars, self-correcting itself as it goes.

Used in standard alt-az mode, the Dwarf Mini performs well. When slewed to a faint deep-sky object — a galaxy, a nebula or a cluster of stars — it captures and stacks short exposures (typically 10-15 seconds) to gradually build up an image. If it’s bright, like the Orion Nebula (M42), you can get a decent image in a few minutes. However, the longer you wait, the better the image will be. With a fainter nebula, it’s necessary to wait a long time — an hour or so — before you get anything impressive. Usually, patience is rewarded (the exception being the sun and moon, which can be found and imaged in seconds).

That a device this small can capture the light from a faint nebula in light-polluted urban skies is highly impressive. Stacked images are saved in JPG, TIFF or FITS formats and look great on a phone screen. You can export the files for post-processing in tools like PixInsight or Photoshop, but the built-in Stellar Studio app will be good enough for most users. Its Star Correction tool, in particular, is highly effective, restacking the individual images to align perfectly to create a significantly sharper image.

The moon can be imaged easily, either by selecting it in the app or by using an onscreen virtual joystick. Ditto the sun, which requires the magnetic solar filter to be attached. Once pointing at the sun, the Dawf Mini takes 20 short exposures and stacks them into an image that shows sunspots on the solar surface. The Dwarf Mini also captures 1080p video and time-lapse footage, offering extra value for wildlife and landscape photographers.

DwarfLab Dwarf Mini: Functionality

• Fast and intuitive app-based control
• Real-time stacking with live preview
• Star Correction tool sharpens images

The DwarfLab app controls everything: target selection, exposure settings, alignment, stacking, file saving and more. Just tap your target and the scope centers, tracks and begins imaging.

The star atlas is a wonderful addition, but it does require a little foresight. It’s not uncommon for it to need a significant data download, so it’s recommended to check the app before attaching to the Dwarf Mini — and certainly before leaving for a remote dark area with no mobile data signal — to make sure it’s up to date.

Stellar Studio, while impressive and definitely worth getting to know well, is rather fiddly. You need to be connected to the Dwarf Mini — and to create an account — to use this simple image processing software, and tweaking images can take some time. It also involves a workflow that’s a little repetitive and attention-hungry. However it works well, with Star Correction mode in particular worth using.

Mega Stack is another useful option to have in the app. It allows the bundling of frames from multiple sessions to create an ever-evolving image. For example, you could shoot a faint nebula from your light-polluted backyard over several nights or short sessions, and combine the new and old frames at any time. For some really faint objects, you could arguably have the Dwarf Mini observe for hundreds of hours over a long period of time, or take it to a Dark Sky park to get the best data.

If that sounds tedious, note that the app comes with a scheduler, so you can pre-program what you want it to observe and, in theory, go to bed. However, note that its four-hour battery life means you should consider attaching it to a portable battery if you have grand ambitions during long, clear nights.

Should you buy the DwarfLab Dwarf Mini?

If you're looking for a compact scope that gets around the problem of light pollution and you want to try casual deep-sky astrophotography, the Dwarf Mini is a standout choice. Despite the small sensor size (2 MP), images appear sharp and vibrant on mobile devices.

Serious astrophotographers may hit the ceiling of what this tiny scope can deliver in terms of resolution and dynamic range, but that’s not the audience the Dwarf Mini primarily serves. Although it’s an ideal secondary imaging rig for those who want a compact, travel-friendly package for dark-sky locations, it’s primarily for anyone who wants consistent, enjoyable imaging from anywhere — including light-polluted backyards.

Whether you're an urban astronomer, an educator or simply someone looking for a convenient way to see and share the wonders of the night sky, the DwarfLab Dwarf Mini is a compelling choice — and a valuable addition to any astrophotography setup.

If this product isn't for you

When you think of a top running watch, certain brands like Garmin and Coros probably come to mind — but we can bet a top dollar that Amazfit is not one of them. This may be about to change, though. The Chinese brand has just launched its best running watch yet. The Amazfit Active 3 Premium is refreshingly sleek, surprisingly well-built and jam-packed with tracking features — all for $169.99.

This is a budget fitness tracker and is not advanced enough to satisfy the needs of professional runners, but then it is not meant to. The Amazfit Active 3 Premium was designed primarily for fitness beginners and casual exercisers "working towards their first clear goal," according to the brand. In other words, it is an entry-level device for those who prefer simple, actionable insights to the complex, data-heavy analysis favored by Garmin and other high-end brands.

That is not to say the Amazfit Active 3 Premium is not also suitable for more experienced runners. It is one of the toughest and best-looking smartwatches in its price range, and it comes with offline maps and up to 12 days of battery life, making it a worthy competitor to wearables that are two or three times the price. Needless to say, we were excited to put the Amazfit Active 3 Premium through its paces.

Amazfit Active 3 Premium review

Amazfit Active 3 Premium: Design

• Compact, elegant and comfortable to wear
• Durable stainless-steel bezel and scratch-resistant sapphire glass
• Vibrant 1.32-inch AMOLED display

At a glance, the Amazfit Active 3 Premium seems almost identical to the Amazfit Active Max we tested a couple of months ago. Both watches are pleasantly compact and unobtrusive, look great on the wrist, and come with detachable silicon straps and engraved-style tick markers on a round bezel. However, look closer, and you will spot some key differences.

To start with, the Active 3 Premium has a slightly smaller AMOLED display than the Active Max (1.32-inch vs 1.5-inch). This alone makes it look sleeker and more like a regular everyday smartwatch than a serious fitness tracker. Secondly, the Active 3 Premium features more buttons (four versus the Active Max's two) — a design tweak that makes it easier to control with sweaty hands or gloves halfway through a run.

The Amazfit Active 3 Premium is also significantly more durable than the Active Max. That is because its bezel is made of stainless steel, which is more resistant to shocks, corrosion and high temperatures than aluminium alloy. It also comes with scratch-resistant Sapphire glass on the screen, whereas the Active Max has no display protection at all. They share the same 5 ATM waterproof rating, though. Both can be safely used for surface-level swimming and shallow-water activities, but they are not waterproof enough to withstand deep dives and high-pressure water jets.

We really enjoyed our time with the Amazfit Active 3 Premium. This smartwatch is a joy to wear. We liked its elegant looks and how light and comfortable it was (so much so that we frequently forgot we were even wearing it), and that it looked just as good with our activewear as it did with more casual clothing. We would recommend the Amazfit Active 3 Premium to anyone tired of bulky, rugged wearables. That said, some people may find this smartwatch a bit too small to suit their style.

We had no issues with using or navigating the display. It is bright, vibrant and easily readable in direct sunlight, and it did not lag or freeze during power-intensive tasks. The only slight complaint is with excessive smudging — the Amazfit Active 3 Premium seems to collect more fingerprints than other running watches we have tested. However, it is not a deal-breaker, given that this smartwatch can be controlled entirely with the side buttons.

Amazfit Active 3 Premium: Features

• Robust workout tracking tools
• GPS, offline maps and turn-by-turn navigation
• Basic smartwatch capabilities

The Amazfit Active 3 Premium is a fitness tracker through and through. While it does come with an app ecosystem and a decent selection of smartwatch features, such as Bluetooth calls, music control, NFC payments via Zepp Pay and calendar notifications, for example, it is more focused on measuring and analyzing exercise performance than keeping up with day-to-day activities. Thanks to that, this smartwatch does not feel overloaded with pointless widgets and niche features.

The Amazfit Active 3 Premium tracks more than 170 different activities, but it is geared predominantly to runners and race walkers. It offers an impressive range of running metrics, many of which you are more likely to see in premium wearables for athletes rather than budget wearables. These include posture monitoring (detection of overstriding, hunching or improper head position during running), lactate threshold assessment (the exercise intensity at which lactate begins accumulating in the bloodstream faster than it can be removed), ground contact balance tracking (tracking the symmetry between left and right foot ground contact time) and running rhythm analysis (assessing whether your breathing, foot strikes and body movements are synchronized).

Despite offering all these stats, the Amazfit Active 3 Premium is still very beginner-friendly, featuring a multitude of running workouts and adaptive running plans (a key selling point for those new to this form of exercise). It does a relatively good job of explaining stats without relying on complex terminology or over-emphasising the need for constant progress — something that Garmin wearables get a lot of slack for.

Put simply, the Amazfit Active 3 Premium is like a pocket-sized running coach — ready to fine-tune your workouts, help shield you from potential injuries and share your achievements with others.

The Amazfit Active 3 Premium also comes with GPS and offline maps, as well as turn-by-turn navigation, automatic rerouting and point-to-point route planning. These features are not as detailed and advanced as those we have seen in Garmin and Suunto wearables, but they are good enough for basic navigation and phone-free outdoor workouts.

Amazfit Active 3 Premium: Performance

• Up to 12 days of battery life
• Single-band GPS not as accurate as dual-band GPS
• Relatively accurate heart rate measurements

According to the manufacturer, the Amazfit Active 3 Premium has up to 12 days of battery life with "typical use" or up to 7 days with "heavy use", which then drops to 24 hours in the continuous GPS mode. Based on our experience, that seems about right. Our usage was somewhere between "typical" and "heavy" — we wore the Amazfit Active 3 Premium during the day and at night, tracked at least four workouts per week, and occasionally used GPS when training outdoors. On average, our testing unit lasted around 10 days on a single charge.

Moving on to tracking performance, the Amazfit Active 3 Premium did a relatively good job outdoors. We tested its mapping capabilities during two day-long hikes in the dense Welsh woodlands and when running around the local park. The smartwatch estimated our location with enough accuracy to prove a reliable workout companion.

However, the Amazfit Active 3 Premium's tracking is not always very precise. It uses single-band GPS instead of dual-band GPS, so its signal may not be as strong in more dense, challenging environments. As such, professional trail runners and wilderness explorers may prefer a smartwatch with more advanced geolocation features.

We compared the smartwatch's heart rate measurements with the data we obtained using the Whoop MG screenless tracker, Oura Ring Gen 4 smart ring and Polar H9 chest strap heart rate monitor, and found that the heart rate readings accurately reflected the intensity and training load of our workouts. The tracking precision decreased during high-intensity activities (above 150 bpm), but that tends to be the case with most budget-friendly fitness trackers. Sleep and stress measurements were quite accurate, too.

On the other hand, some aspects of workout tracking could use some improvement. The Amazfit Active 3 Premium tended to underestimate our steps and upper-body movements (a stroke rate in indoor rowing, for example), and it did not seem to pick up certain strength exercises, either. However, this did not have a significant impact on our overall user experience, and it is not something that we would fret about in a wearable at this price range.

Should you buy the Amazfit Active 3 Premium?

The Amazfit Active 3 Premium is a great budget-friendly smartwatch for novice runners and casual exercisers. It is durable, relatively accurate and comfortable to wear, and offers comprehensive workout-tracking features and plenty of beginner-friendly training insights. It looks great, too. The Amazfit Active 3 Premium may not have the most advanced GPS or mapping features, and its screen smudges too easily, but that is not something we would expect at such an affordable price.

✅ Buy it if: You are a beginner or casual runner looking for a sleek, reliable smartwatch on a budget.

❌ Do not buy it if: You are a seasoned running pro looking for a premium wearable with advanced GPS and mapping capabilities.

If the Amazfit Active 3 Premium is not for you

The Amazfit Active Max is an excellent alternative to the Amazfit Active 3 Premium. Both watches cost around $169 and come with similar features, but the former has a larger display and longer battery life. However, it is also slightly less durable.

If you are not a fan of Amazfit, consider the Coros Pace 4 instead. This sleek and lightweight smartwatch boasts good tracking accuracy, advanced workout-tracking features and up to 19 days of battery life. However, it lacks offline maps and costs around $80 more than the Amazfit Active 3 Premium.

Looking for something more premium? Then you can't go wrong with the Garmin Forerunner 965. This smartwatch costs four times more than the Amazfit Active 3 Premium, but that step up in price is reflected in its specs. This flagship Garmin running watch comes with more advanced navigation tools, a richer app ecosystem and almost twice as long battery life.

Amazfit Active 3 Premium: How we tested

We spent nearly a month testing the Amazfit Active 3 Premium, looking into its design, durability, features, day-to-day performance and ease of use. We wore this smartwatch during the day and at night, when doing gym-based workouts and while hiking and running outdoors. We also compared the sleep, steps and heart rate measurements taken by our Amazfit Active 3 Premium with the data we obtained using the Whoop MG screenless tracker, Oura Ring Gen 4 smart ring and Polar H9 chest strap heart rate monitor.

Although May hasn't quite got as much going on as the excitement of April, there's still a lot to look at in the night sky — if you have the right gear.

We're looking at the stargazing events for the month ahead to give you specific product recommendations for binoculars, telescopes and cameras to help you get the best possible views of each celestial spectacle. With two full moons, a meteor shower and a pretty cool solar alignment at the end of the month, there's plenty of action to observe and photograph throughout May 2026.

May 01: Full flower moon

Now that the whole world is utterly obsessed with the moon after Artemis II, we'll all be gazing skyward at the full Flower Moon on May 1. Although the craters and shadows look more detailed during the waxing and waning phases, the full moon will never cease to amaze stargazers new and old. You can certainly view it with just your eyes, but a pair of binoculars or a telescope will allow a closer look, and an astrophotography camera with a long lens will capture beautiful images.

Best seen with:

Binoculars: You can see the moon with pretty much any pair of binoculars, so there are a lot of options here. The view from a pair of 8x25s is surprisingly good (we loved the Hawke Endurance ED 8x25), and they're compact enough to carry around in your pocket for convenience. For a more detailed view, get a pair with at least 12x magnification and 50mm objective lenses and mount them onto a tripod for longer moonjoy sessions.

Telescope: Again, pretty much any telescope will give you some type of moon view, but that doesn't mean all of them give you a good view. You don't necessarily need a massive telescope — we got some pretty great views when we tested the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ, which is a great telescope for kids and beginners. What matters more is the power and quality of the eyepieces.

Camera and telephoto lens: The trick to getting a dramatic and impactful photo of the full moon is to zoom in as far as you can — think a super telephoto lens of around 600mm and thereabouts. You want to plan and capture your shot at moonrise, and it makes for an especially great shot if you can line it up with some type of building, bridge or natural object for scale. We tested the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS recently and were impressed by how sharp it was at the 600mm end.

May 5-6: Eta Aquariids Meteor shower peak

This meteor shower runs from April 19 until May 28, with the peak — and best night for photographing it — occurring on the night of May 5-6, with up to 50 meteors per hour. However, the 75.5% full moon might throw a spanner in the works, depending on your location and the moonset time where you are.

It's best seen with the naked eye, but meteor showers are a great target for photographers. You'll want a camera with good ISO handling and a wide-angle prime lens, like the SIGMA 14mm f/1.4 DG DN ART lens, to get as much of the sky in the frame as possible.

May 13 to 15: Crescent moon close to Saturn and Mars

One for early risers here. In the dawn hours, just before sunrise on May 13, you'll see a slim crescent moon to the right of Saturn. The next morning, the moon sits between Saturn and Mars, before moving to the left of Mars on the morning of the 15th. You don't typically get much detail on Mars, but you might be able to get a decent look at Saturn through a telescope. But keep in mind, the low altitude and nearly rising sun will make for more challenging views. For quick views, a pair of 10x50s will give a nice view of the crescent moon.

May 16: New moon

The new moon takes place on May 16, so this week is the perfect time for Milky Way astrophotography and deep-sky stargazing without any moonlight. A pair of 10x50 binoculars will give you a beautiful glimpse at stars you can't see with the naked eye, and a large telescope is ideal for deep-sky stargazing. Plus, now that we're at the start of peak Milky Way season, it's the ideal time to invest in a wide-angle prime lens.

May 18-21: Crescent moon close to Venus, Jupiter and Beehive Cluster

Across four nights, from the 18th to the 21st, you'll be able to see the slim crescent moon close to Venus, Jupiter and the Beehive Cluster in the early evening just after sunset. If you want a closer look at the Beehive Cluster or you want to pick out Jupiter's moons, a big pair of astronomy binoculars like the Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 is an affordable favorite of ours, but if you want to see the bands on Jupiter itself, you'll need a telescope. Even a small telescope will do the job — we got great views of Jupiter with the Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ, which is perfect for beginners. To resolve even more detail, investing in something like the Celestron NexStar 8SE (known as the world's most beloved telescope) will last you for years to come.

May 30: Manhattanhenge

Not technically a night sky event, but it's still a pretty cool thing to photograph. Manhattanhenge occurs when the setting sun lines up with the grid of the streets of Manhattan, New York, on May 30. (You can also see it the day before, on the 29th, but the 30th is when it'll be perfectly aligned).

The best viewpoints are "14th Street, 34th Street (where the Empire State Building is located), 42nd Street (where the Chrysler Building and Tudor City Bridge are located), 57th Street and 79th Street", according to PhotoPills.

Like moonrise images, you'll need a long telephoto or super telephoto lens to zoom in for a more dramatic perspective and sense of scale. Plus, it'll give you some practice ahead of the total solar eclipse in Europe in August — provided you can get your hands on some of the best solar viewing equipment.

May 31: Full blue moon

The second of May's full moons, and a nice bookend to the initial Flower Moon on the first day of the month, the full blue moon takes place on May 31. If you're looking to invest in the very best equipment for moon-gazing, we can recommend the Swarovski NL Pure 8x32 for just about everything, a smart telescope like the Vaonis Vespera II for effortless stacked images of the moon, and a super telephoto prime lens for the sharpest and most detailed images with your astro camera.

The Laifen Wave Pro toothbrush is brand new to the market. Having recently reviewed the Soocas Neos II, we thought that would be pretty hard to beat in terms of convenience, and it quickly became our daily toothbrush/flosser of choice. On seeing the Laifen Wave Pro, though, its looks alone drew us in. It definitely has shelf appeal and the stylish stainless steel finish piqued our interest. It looks like a premium product, but compared with other electric toothbrushes, we were surprised by the relatively low price point, given all the functionality. We couldn't wait to try it out.

We've been using it for a little over two weeks now, at home and on weekends away. We're still on the first charge — the battery life is one of the first impressive points about it. Read on for the rest.

Laifen Wave Pro electric toothbrush review

Laifen Wave Pro: Design

• IPX8 waterproof rating — use it in the shower
• Minimalist and stylish
• Weighs just 6 ounces (171 grams)

Before receiving this toothbrush, we read about how some people thought if Apple made toothbrushes, they would be just like this. On receiving the package, we knew exactly what they meant. The white minimalist box resembles a toothbrush-sized Apple Mac box, and so do the small touches like the protective cover on the toothbrush and charging base.

The minimalist functionality extends to the one-button-operation brush handle. There are five indicator lights: white dots show you're in daily brushing mode, and orange dots show you're in deep cleaning mode. One, two or three of these dots light up, depending on the intensity setting you're using.

The other indicator light, in the shape of an aeroplane, tells you that the toothbrush is locked, so it won't accidentally start vibrating in your hand luggage. The final indicator light shows the battery level. It also turns blue if you are connected to your phone's Bluetooth when using the app.

Our sample Laifen Wave Pro was in the polished stainless steel configuration. We must say, it is a thing of beauty, and when standing next to other toothbrushes on a sink, it looks like the most premium one by far. We'll come on to the other visible features that make it stand out versus regular electric toothbrushes later.

All in all, design-wise, Laifen has got this spot-on. The size is ideal, it's minimalist so it will look the part in any bathroom, and it has a good weight to it. We were a little nervous, though, that if it fell into a ceramic or porcelain sink it would do some damage — so we made sure to place it either well away from the edge, or in a regular toothbrush pot where it couldn't fall.

One of this toothbrush's unique design features is that it is the "World's First Oscillation & Vibration Electric Toothbrush". It combines 60-degree oscillation with up to 66,000 vibrations per minute to cover more surface area with fewer hand movements.

The sleek Laifen Wave Pro has an IPX8 waterproofing rating, so you can use it in the shower to multi-task your way through your morning/evening routine if you want to.

Laifen Wave Pro: Features

• Travel/lock mode
• Two modes with three pressure modes each
• App functionality and customization
• Smart pressure sensor

Though this is a beautiful-looking toothbrush, there's way more to it beyond shelf appeal.

As regular travelers, we were impressed with the travel lock. Much like you would a flashlight or headlamp, you long-press the button until you hear a short melody and the plane logo illuminates. Do the same to turn it off. The toothbrush doesn't ship with a travel case, but thanks to the lock, it isn't necessary. The toothbrush heads come in their own little box, so you can transport the toothbrush head in this separately if you wish.

There is an accompanying app for the toothbrush, which, although optional, reveals more customization options than even the marketing blurb suggests.

Within each mode, you can alter the vibration strength, oscillation range and oscillation speed. We turned up the vibration strength slightly at lower intensity levels, as the factory settings were a little too mellow for us.

We were surprised to see the following hidden inside the Practical Features menu:

• There is a 30-second reminder vibration to prompt you to switch regions of your mouth, and a vibration indicator if you're pressing too hard.

• There's a 3-second power ramp-up function, giving you time to get the toothbrush into your mouth before it potentially shakes toothpaste onto your clothes or face. We found the 3-second ramp-up worked well and left this setting activated.

• Another function, the automatic oscillation when the brush touches your teeth function, we struggled to activate. This was potentially due to user error or some conflicting settings, as everything else works exactly how it should.

• There is a Quick Spin-Dry mode that automatically shakes the brush head when you point the toothbrush down at more than a 70-degree angle. This removes excess water to prevent drips and prevent bacterial growth.

• A quirky feature is Bristle Protection. After use, if you lay the tooth on a horizontal surface, it automatically turns the bristles skyward to avoid it touching surfaces. Similarly, if you stand it on a vertical surface, it will rotate the bristles to face the wall, for example, to avoid water splatters from people washing their hands in the sink.

• Finally, there is a Lift To Wake function, which does what it says on the tin. Pick the toothbrush up, the bristles return to position, and the lights show you which mode you're in, at what intensity and the battery level.

Laifen Wave Pro: Performance

• "Dental hygienist clean" feel
• Customizable to personal preference/sensitivity levels
• Outstanding battery life

We were at first a little put off by the proprietary charging base — it's just one more thing to remember to pack when you're traveling. That said, we understand the reasons for it (to maintain waterproofing) — and with more than 70 days of life on a single charge, you're not exactly having to charge it often.

We've taken it on long weekends away and haven't given a second thought to battery life. Our battery indicator is still green, meaning there is no need to charge it any time soon.

It took a bit of time getting used to using the button. It looks like it should be touch-sensitive, but it is actually a pressable button. Two presses change the intensity, three presses change the mode. A long press activates/deactivates the lock.

In the app, we set the brushing timer to 2.5 minutes, but could have chosen anything from 1 minute to 5 minutes. We tended to stay on the higher-intensity settings, but we appreciate that people with sensitive gums might find the stronger vibrations too intense. That is why it is handy to have so many customization options.

We were pleased with the quality of the cleaning, and found we could achieve that "dental hygienist clean" feeling. The brushing experience is nice, the weight in your hand makes the toothbrush feel premium, and the extra functionality makes brushing your teeth that little bit more enjoyable.

Laifen Wave Pro: User reviews

This is a fairly new product, so there aren't that many ratings on Amazon. In fact, there were only 10 at the time of writing this review. 9 out of 10 were 5-star reviews, with just one user rating the toothbrush 1-star because they could not turn it on. We can't know for sure, but perhaps it was in lock mode.

The positive reviews, like us, not only loved the look of the toothbrush, but the remarkable battery life and the satisfying deep clean.

Should you buy the Laifen Wave Pro toothbrush?

✅ Buy it if: You want a powerful, customizable, nice-looking toothbrush that has a heap of built-in and app functionality.

✅ Buy it if: You travel often and don't want to carry a charging cable. The battery life is immense.

❌ Don't buy it if: You aren't a fan of the bells and whistles. You would probably find this toothbrush over-engineered.

If the Laifen Wave Pro is not for you

If you need help to improve your dental hygiene, consider using the Oclean X Ultra S. This is the world's first talking toothbrush; it is also customizable to a wide range of brushing needs and has an impressive battery life. Randomly, it tells you the weather, too!

Another smart, nice-looking toothbrush we'd recommend is the Oclean X Pro Digital Sonic, which provides detailed feedback on brushing coverage. A great option for people with sensitive teeth.

We also love the Soocas NEOS II. This is unique in that it is both a toothbrush and a dental flosser in one. One device, two jobs, and it does both of them well. There is no app functionality, but there are two modes, Deep Clean and Quick Floss.

Laifen Wave Pro: How we tested

We spent over two weeks testing the Laiden Wave Pro toothbrush once to three times daily. We considered the design, brushing performance, battery life, functionality and value for money. We also tested its IPX8 waterproof rating by submerging the toothbrush under water for a full brushing cycle, as well as using it in the shower.

A good pair of running shoes are always a sound investment, but no pair lasts forever. If you are looking to replace a pair whose miles are all run, or you are thinking of taking up a new fitness and running routine, then now is a great time to get a bargain. The spring sales are on, and we've found lots of deals, from everyday running heroes to the super speedy shoes you will definitely want to save for those personal best attempts.

At Live Science, we know that shopping around can be a chore, so we have saved you the work and found some of the best shoes on sale right now. We've spotted shoes that are perfect for trail walk/run adventures, as well as those designed for personal best attempts. There's even a pair that elites have worn to set world records.

What's more, we've really sweated out the miles in them ourselves to confirm just how well-built, comfortable and truly worth your hard-earned money they are.

And of course, it's not just shoes available in the sale — if you are looking for musical inspiration, you can use our round-up of the best sports earbuds currently on sale, as well as the best fitness trackers and bone conduction headphones on offer.

Explore the world from the comfort of your own sofa by checking out the amazing "Aerial Adventures" available on Paramount+. Oh, and did we mention you can do it for cheap, thanks to the amazing deal that's going on right now?

You can pick up Paramount+ for just $2.99 per month for two months; that's a saving of $6 per month for the Essential plan (the ad-supported tier) and $11 per month for Premium (no ads and 4K streaming). Be quick, though, the deal ends on the 31st of March... yes, that's today.

While the streaming service is best known as the home of "Star Trek", it's actually got a wealth of documentaries in its library thanks to the inclusion of the Smithsonian Channel, and the Aerial series is one of our favorites. It takes the viewer on stunning aerial tours of the world, showcasing natural wonders and visiting beautiful locations from across the globe.

"Aerial America" was the first show in the franchise, focusing on, you guessed it, America. The show ran for a staggering 10 years and 71 episodes, visiting some of the most beautiful parts of the country.

From Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats to the stunning wilderness of Alaska, and the Great Lakes to the Grand Canyon, all seen from on high and with expert narration giving you the history and science behind these incredible places.

Following the success of "Aerial America", there have also been a bunch of spin-off shows that tour other countries and regions, including Africa, Argentina, Greece, and Italy. You can even see my own native Britain in all its glory.

Of course, if you want to whet your appetite for pictures of Earth from space, we have you covered — check out this incredible image of a bright plume of swirling marine mud, whipped up off the coast of Florida following a blast of cold air from the Arctic.

It's worth noting that both the Essential and Premium tiers cost $2.99 during the deal period. This means that even if you only want Paramount Essential in the long term, you might as well snag the Premium version for the first two months. You can enjoy all the benefits of being a Premium subscriber, and then downgrade to Essential once the two months are up.

What benefits, you ask? You can find the Paramount+ Essential and Premium plan details below, so you can see what you're getting with both:

And if you're keen on your streaming, then it's worth taking a look at this deal from NordVPN. Like all good VPNs, it enables you to bypass georestrictions, so you can access your usual streaming services from anywhere on the globe.

For a limited time, you can save up to 77%, claim a free Amazon voucher, and get four extra months free. An absolute bargain if you're looking to boost your online security and watch your streaming shows from anywhere in the world.

Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors and much more.

Early spring is a perfect time to refresh our wellness toolkit. The days get longer, the weather gets warmer and our fitness motivation, often dormant during the winter months, starts to flicker back to life. Plus, it's also when lifestyle purchases can be made on a relatively tight budget.

The Amazon Big Spring Sale and other similar March shopping events are awash with discounted health and fitness products, making it easy to snap up huge deals on everything from running shoes and beginner-friendly exercise equipment to air purifiers and smart scales.

As with everything in life, though, not all that glitters is gold. While many spring deals can indeed help you save some serious money, certain products may be better left on the virtual shelf until even bigger discounts come along later in the year. We test fitness tech for a living and have covered all major shopping events over the last four years, so trust us when we say we know a thing or two about navigating spring sales.

In our experience, the key here is to know what to shop for. With that in mind, we have rounded up five health and fitness products that may be worth adding to your cart, and the two that can be given a miss. We hope this list will help you shop with confidence and get the most value out of your spring wellness upgrades.

What to buy during spring sales

BUY: Old-but-gold fitness trackers

If your New Year’s resolutions have fallen by the wayside, a new fitness tracker might be the accountability partner you need. Spring is an excellent time to buy wearable tech. With new models often announced in the fall, March sales offer significant markdowns on the previous generations of devices.

Our tip: Look for deals on older smartwatches from renowned brands such as Apple, Garmin and Fitbit. While these old-but-gold fitness trackers may not have the allure of a brand-new release, they tend to be just as reliable for casual fitness tracking as their newer counterparts. What's more, it's unlikely they will see significantly bigger discounts later in the year.

If you are not a fan of bulky wrist-worn wearables, consider smart rings instead. These tiny fitness trackers are stylish, unobtrusive and comfortable to wear all day, making them a perfect alternative. More importantly, smart rings tend to get significant discounts around late March and early April, and since they don't go on sale nearly as often as smartwatches do, it's a good idea to take advantage of spring deals while they last.

Our tip: Look for models from high-end brands, such as Oura and Ultrahuman. They may not be the most affordable smart rings out there, but they last longer and perform better than their cheaper counterparts.

• Related: Amazon Big Spring Sale: The best deals on fitness trackers
• Related: The best anti-Amazon fitness tracker deals

BUY: Activewear (especially running shoes)

Spring sales are a perfect opportunity to refresh your sports wardrobe, especially if you are looking for a new pair of running shoes or gym shoes.

In late March, many shoe brands discount last season's collections heavily to make space for the new inventory. Again, older models may not be as trendy and snazzy as the brand-new ones, but do not let fashion dictate your choices here. The technology in a shoe from six months ago is likely just as good as the one released yesterday — and when it comes to footwear, performance and comfort should always take priority over looks.

Our tip: If you want to save as much as possible, head to Amazon and other major online retailers — they usually have a huge stock of last-season running shoes that they want to shift ahead of the summer. However, these online giants offer mostly basic, highly popular models that tend to sell well even at full price. If you are looking for more unique designs or sizes, you may find better (albeit more expensive) deals directly on brand websites.

• Related: Amazon Big Spring Sale: Top running shoe deals
• Related: The best anti-Amazon deals on running shoes

BUY: Travel-friendly exercise equipment

Early spring is the best time to find discounts on portable exercise equipment, such as resistance bands, all-in-one gyms and yoga mats. That is because the summer holiday season is still months away, and demand for travel-friendly kit remains relatively low. If you intend to maintain your exercise routine throughout the warmer months, now is the time to lock in the prices before they inevitably go up.

Our tip: Resistance band sets are undefeated in this category. They are lightweight, take up zero space in a suitcase and can be used for everything from glute activation to upper-body mobility training.

Other great picks include sliders (flat discs used for core work on carpet or hard floors), jump ropes and Pilates bars.

• Related: Top spring sale deals on workout equipment and fitness essentials

BUY: Air purifiers

Air purifiers are a sought-after buy all year round, but they are in a particularly high demand in late spring when the sudden rise of pollen wreaks havoc on hay fever sufferers. If you have been thinking of investing in one of these appliances, now is the time to take the step. Spring sales are perhaps the last opportunity to find good deals on air purifiers, with prices tending to go up sharply in April and then remain relatively high until at least the Prime Day sale in July.

Our tip: When choosing an air purifier, do not be guided by price alone. Check if it has the right specs to suit your needs and preferences, and whether it has been independently certified to validate its air-cleaning performance. The best air purifiers for allergies tend to feature True HEPA filters and come with the Asthma & Allergy Friendly certification mark.

• Related: Amazon Big Spring Sale: The best air purifier deals

BUY: Electric toothbrushes

Spring sales are a good opportunity to invest in your dental health — you can save a good deal on electric toothbrushes, water flossers or dental care products like toothpaste or teeth-whitening strips. The deals may not be as spectacular and plentiful as those seen during Prime Day or Black Friday, but they can still bring a lot of relief to a tight budget.

Our tip: The best electric toothbrush deals tend to be found on Amazon, Target and Best Buy.

• Related: Amazon Big Spring Sale: Huge savings on dental care products

What NOT to buy during spring sales

SKIP: Premium cardio machines

It might be tempting to look at a 20% discount on a high-end treadmill, exercise bike or rowing machine and think you are getting a good deal. However, unless you absolutely need it right now, March is not the best time to buy large fitness equipment.

Major appliances like these see their steepest discounts during Amazon Prime Day in July and the Black Friday shopping events in November — often as much as 40-50%.

SKIP: Smart scales

The deals available on smart scales may look massive, but do not judge a book by its cover. Some of the most popular models — such as the budget-friendly Renpho Elis 1 or the premium Runstar 8E SmartScan Pro, for example — tend to be discounted all year round. In fact, they tend to be slightly more expensive during sale events, while still under the guise of a "deal."

Hold off buying a smart scale for now, unless you don't mind missing out on any significant savings.

As the winter constellations sit lower and lower in the night sky, April sees the arrival of some pretty exciting night sky events. The full moon at the start of the month provides an excellent target for beginners, and not only is there the breathtaking Lyrid meteor shower to enjoy (in new moon week, no less), but there are also two comets to see in April — although one of them will fly too close to the sun to be enjoyed with the naked eye.

Read on to discover our recommendations for the best cameras, best binoculars and best telescopes for each event throughout April.

Apr 01: Full Pink Moon

April kicks off with a full Pink Moon on the night of April 1 into April 2. The full moon is always a crowd pleaser, regardless of whether you're a beginner or a seasoned astronomer. The moon can easily be viewed with the naked eye, as we all know, but if you want to get a closer, more detailed view, pick up a pair of binoculars or a small telescope to observe the craters and lunar surface in more detail. The evening moonrise is also an excellent time to photograph the moon, especially if you can capture it rising over a bridge, monument or tower to add drama and scale.

Best seen with:

Camera: Provided your camera works well in low light, your lens choice is actually more important for photographing the moon. You’ll need a long focal length to zoom as far in as you can, so the moon appears bigger in the frame (a tripod or monopod will also help steady your shot). Alternatively, smart telescopes can track and stack images of the moon, which is a great alternative if you don’t have an astrophotography camera.

Binoculars: You can see the moon in pretty much any pair of binoculars, but it depends on how much detail you want to see, and whether you want to go handheld or use a tripod. We’ve had lovely views of the moon even with compact binoculars, but if you want the best views, we’d recommend sizing up to a pair of big astronomy binoculars — 12x50 and above is a good place to start.

Telescope: You can certainly get decent views of the moon in a small telescope, but, as you’d expect, the bigger tubes are going to have better light-gathering ability. In fact, the eyepiece will probably make the most difference for lunar viewing.

A 20mm eyepiece will give lovely full moon vistas, but a high-power 6-10mm eyepiece is great for picking out surface details. That said, the moon is an excellent first target for your kids to observe with a child-friendly telescope.

Apr 03: Mercury at greatest western elongation

Most casual observers will be better off viewing Mercury with the naked eye, thanks to its magnitude. But if you have a beginner telescope handy and don't mind getting up before dawn, you can actually see Mercury in its phases — although don’t expect to see any surface detail. Plus, you'll need to manage the bright pre-dawn light and Mercury’s low altitude, so we wouldn’t recommend spending too much time on it.

Apr 4: Sungrazer Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS)

Although not technically a night sky object, there's the potential to see a "sungrazer" comet at the start of the month. Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) makes its closest approach to our star on April 4, and if it survives the close encounter, it could shine up to several times brighter than the full moon. Unfortunately, due to its close proximity to the sun, the safest way to view it is on your computer, via the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO).

Solar viewing can be dangerous, and although it would be tempting to use specialist solar viewing equipment, these are designed to block out over 99% of the sun's harmful light, so a pair of solar binoculars would block out the comet entirely.

Apr 13: Mars/Neptune conjunction

In the pre-dawn hours of April 13, Mars will conjunct with the distant planet Neptune, and if the conditions are right, you might be able to see it with your telescope. However, there are some caveats here.

First, you'll need a large-aperture telescope to be able to see Neptune due to its distance from Earth — you'll want at least a 6- to 8-inch telescope. Second, the conjunction will take place when the planets are very close to the horizon, so the seeing conditions won't be ideal at that low altitude. Third, as it'll happen just before sunrise, you won't have long before it becomes too faint.

It's a cool occurrence to try for, but we'd recommend waiting until the new moon week to get any meaningful observations of the ice giant.

Apr 17: New moon

This week is the optimum time for dark skies. With a new moon on the 17th, the few days surrounding this will be perfect for stargazing without any moonlight spoiling the view. Spring is also prime galaxy season, giving you the opportunity to see and image some faint fuzzies you don't normally get to see.

Best seen with:

Camera: If you want to photograph galaxies, there are two ways you can go about it. The first (and by far, the easiest) is to use a smart telescope, which will locate, track and stack the images for you. The second way is to use a camera (even a beginner astro camera will work), a long telephoto lens and a star tracker. This method requires more know-how — and more patience — but will be more rewarding when you get it right. If you want a bonus third method, you can mount your camera to your telescope, if you have both.

Binoculars: Binoculars are great if you want a portable way to observe more stars than you can see with the naked eye, without having to fuss around with a telescope — although you won't be able to see many galaxies. All you need is a pair of 10x50s to sweep across the sky to observe star clusters and constellations, or you can size up to larger magnification to see the Andromeda Galaxy and Jupiter's moons.

Telescope: New moon week is the ideal time to head out with a telescope, and perhaps one of your last chances to see some of the winter constellations before they disappear. As there's no moonlight, you can use anything from a small beginner scope up to a large Dobsonian and still get good views.

Apr 17: C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS)

During the dark new moon week, you might be able to get a glimpse of the second of April's comets, Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) — the "great comet of 2026" — just before sunrise. We don't yet know how bright it will be, but some researchers have predicted it could reach a magnitude of anywhere from 8 (and therefore only visible with a telescope or large astronomy binoculars) to 2.5, where it would be visible to the naked eye.

You can spot the comet right now with a telescope, and it'll only get brighter as the month progresses until its closest approach (perihelion) on April 17. Then, on April 27, it'll make its closest approach to Earth, giving you another favorable opportunity to see it.

Best seen with:

Camera: To photograph this comet, you'll need a decent astrophotography setup with a telephoto lens to capture the nucleus and tail of the comet. A smart telescope is an alternative option, especially if you live in a light-polluted city, and will give you a closer view than a camera would.

Binoculars: It's very likely you'll be able to spot the comet with binoculars, but its magnitude will determine what specs you need. To be safe, you'll want the largest objective lens diameter you can afford to let in the most amount of light.

Telescope: You should only need a small telescope to see the comet, although, as expected, larger aperture instruments will yield brighter results.

Apr 21/22: Lyrid meteor shower peak

While the Lyrid meteor shower will be active from April 15-29, it is expected to peak on the night of April 21/22, with the best viewing being after midnight until the predawn hours. The moon phase will also be working in its favor, with only around 27% illumination, and as it's due to set just after midnight, the majority of the night won't see any moonlight at all. Meteors will be visible all over the sky, originating from the constellation Lyra, near the bright star Vega.

Best seen with:

Camera: Meteor showers are a very rewarding event to photograph for astrophotographers. You'll need a camera that can handle high ISO levels (this, too, is helped out by the lack of moonlight) and a fast, wide-angle prime lens to fit as much of the sky and foreground in your shot as possible.

The OM System OM-1 Mark II would be fantastic for meteor showers, as you can see exactly what's being recorded on the screen with Live Composite mode — proof that even APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras can work well for astrophotography.

Binoculars: Although the naked eye is typically best for meteor showers, binoculars can help you pick out faint meteors and dimmer tails that you can't usually see. Plus, while you're waiting, you can check out other favorite nighttime targets like star clusters, planets and the Milky Way with a pair of 10x42s. As it's one of the more prominent showers, however, binoculars — which often struggle to keep up — aren't a necessity.

The spring is almost here, and this means one thing — it won't be long before the sudden rise in pollen count starts wreaking havoc on hay fever sufferers. If that's you, do not worry. Investing in a good air purifier can help you reduce your exposure to these pesky airborne allergens and bring much-needed relief to your allergy symptoms. The best part? With the Amazon Big Spring Sale in full swing, many of the top-rated appliances are now heavily discounted.

Take the Levoit Core 600S-P, for example. This excellent air purifier is now 20% off at Amazon, bringing it to its lowest price since Black Friday. The same deal is also available at Walmart.

To say that we love this appliance would be a massive understatement. The Levoit Core 600S-P has topped our guides to the best air purifiers and air purifiers for allergies for two years straight, and that's unlikely to change any time soon. It's quiet, easy to use, and its pollen-busting capabilities are second to none. Trust us, you won't be disappointed.

The Levoit Core 600S-P is a force to be reckoned with. This air purifier may not be the most stylish or space-savvy appliance out there, but its air-cleaning performance and functionality are truly top-notch. Suitable for spaces up to a whopping 2,933 square feet, the Levoit Core 600S can remove 99.97% airborne pollutants as small as 0.1 microns. Rest assured, this air purifier will have no problems capturing pollen and many other airborne pollutants, including some of the tiniest smoke particles and dust mite allergens.

At the same time, it is exceptionally quiet and easy to use. The Levoit Core 600S will not disturb you with flashing lights or incessant noise, making it a perfect choice for large bedrooms, studies and home offices. Right now, you can get this excellent air purifier at just $239.99. Hurry, though, as this deal will not last long.

Key features: True HEPA filter, effective range of up to 2,933 square feet, PM2.5 air particle monitor, auto mode, 2-year limited warranty, Energy Star certified, app and voice control

Product launched: April 2022

Price history: Before today's deal, the lowest price on the Levoit Core 600S-P was $259.96, and for the better part of this year, its price fluctuated between $289.99 and $299.99. Today's offers from Walmart and Amazon bring this air purifier down to just $239.99 — the lowest price since Black Friday.

Price comparison: Amazon: $239.99 | Walmart: $239.99 | Levoit: $259.99

Reviews consensus: The Levoit Core 600S-P won the reviewers across the board with its powerful air-cleaning performance, ultra-quiet fans and user-friendly design. Many testers also praised its handy smart features and ability to keep their hay fever symptoms at bay when the pollen count was high. On the other hand, the Levoit Core 600S was also frequently criticised for its bulky design and pricey filter replacements.

TechRadar: ★★★★½ | Live Science: ★★★★½ | Ideal Home: ★★★★½

Featured in guides: Best air purifiers, Best air purifiers for allergies, Best air purifiers for pet owners

✅ Buy it if: You want an ultra-quiet and high-performing air purifier for large spaces.

❌ Don't buy it if: You are looking for something smaller and more affordable (such as the Levoit Core 200S-P, now 23% off at Amazon.)

Check out our other guides to the best air purifiers for pet owners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, fitness trackers, Garmin watches and much more.

If you enjoy natural history documentaries, there's a ton of binge-worthy content out there across the many streaming services available. However, you can often find them blocked if you travel a lot and are accessing unknown Wi-Fi in hotels or airports. Those are also potential hotspots for opening up your devices and personal details to hacking and data theft. So how do you protect yourself and your data, while also catching up on all your viewing? Well that's where a VPN comes in.

NordVPN is an award-winning VPN service, and right now, we have an exclusive deal across the various plans available, which means you can save up to $500 when you sign up for a two-year plan. To sweeten the deal further, our exclusive deal gives you four months free and an Amazon Gift Card worth up to $50, perfect for the Amazon Spring Sales.

Save big on a NordVPN two-year plan — plus receive four months free and an Amazon gift card.

With lots of exciting nature series available, and new series coming, including Apple TV's "The Secret Lives of Animals" and "Born to be Wild", now is the time to grab one of the best NordVPN deals we've seen.

• Our experts have reviewed and rated the best telescopes, binoculars, star projectors, cameras, fitness trackers, running shoes, rowing machines and more.

Whether you're watching streaming services, surfing the internet or working in a public location, using a secure, reliable VPN when you're not at home is the safest way to access all your usual digital content.

Assuming it complies with your broadcaster’s T&Cs, you can use a VPN to unblock the streaming services you're subscribed to and allows for uninterrupted viewing of your favorite shows.

Reviews from our colleagues at Tom's Guide, TechRadar and T3 have shown that NordVPN is the market leader for good reason. With a comprehensive range of built-in protections, it's as safe as it gets, download speeds are very high and it works extremely well if you want to access your streaming services away from home. In testing, NordVPN was able to get around geo-blocking restrictions to access Apple TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer.

Key features: Minimum discount of 74%, four months free, and an Amazon gift card when signing up for two years. The Prime package gives you high-speed VPN, ad and tracker blocker, anti-malware protection, up to $1 million in identity theft insurance and $100,000 in cyber extortion insurance, password manager and data-breach scanner, 1TB encrypted cloud storage, monitoring alerts and services.

Price history: NordVPN regularly has deals with discounts and free additional months. This deal with an Amazon gift card and a discounted monthly rate doesn't come around often. We rate it as one of the best value deals NordVPN offers.

Tom's Guide: ★★★★½ | TechRadar: ★★★★½ | T3: ★★★★½

✅ Buy it if: You want a VPN service that's mostly rated as the number one provider, which is now at a heavily discounted price and comes with an Amazon gift card.

❌ Don't buy it if: You're already signed up to a reliable VPN service or don't feel the need for one.

Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors and much more.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Paramount+ is best known as the home of "Star Trek," but it's also home to plenty of voyages into strange new worlds right here on Earth, thanks to an impressive library of nature documentaries included in the Smithsonian Channel. And in even better news, there's a huge sale on right now, so you can binge all these amazing nature documentaries at a bargain price.

Until the end of March, you can grab Paramount+ for just $2.99 per month for two months. You'll save $6 per month for the Essential plan (the ad-supported tier) and $11 per month for Premium (no ads and 4K streaming). Paramount's spring deal is live now and runs until March 31.

The Smithsonian Channel is a brand under the Paramount umbrella, which means it's included in Paramount+ at no extra cost. That gives you access to stunning documentary series like "America's Wild Seasons," a four-part series that follows America's wildlife as it adapts to changing seasons in a full year, taking a peek into the lives of creatures great and small.

If you're more interested in the small side of that equation, then we'd also highly recommend checking out "Baby Animals". This six-part series is about… well, it's in the name, baby animals.

Each episode focuses on a different facet of parenthood in the animal kingdom, bringing some of the cutest baby critters to your screen. We're talking red pandas, otters, monkeys, and even baby elephants. The episodes are only under half an hour long, too, so you can enjoy these bite-sized educational treats on any schedule.

If you want something you can really sink your teeth into, though, my final recommendation won't disappoint. "Brazil Untamed" is a 2016 documentary that explores this South American country through 10 episodes, each around 50 minutes long. While you might hear Brazil and think of the Amazon Rainforest, the show actually focuses on a region called the Pantanal — the world's largest tropical wetland. There's nothing quite like discovering a whole new part of the world and falling in love with the beautiful creatures that live there.

Both the Essential and Premium tiers are the same price during the deal period, and there is no minimum subscription length. So even if you only want Essential in the long term, you could grab the Premium version for the first two months, enjoy all the benefits of being a Premium subscriber, and then downgrade to Essential once the two months are up.

Speaking of benefits, you can find the Paramount+ Essential and Premium plan details below, so you can see what you're getting with both:

And if you're keen on your streaming, then it's worth taking a look at this deal from NordVPN. Like all good VPNs, it enables you to access your usual streaming services wherever you are in the world. You can save up to 77%, claim a free Amazon voucher and get four extra months free, so well worth taking advantage of if you're VPN-curious.

Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors and much more.

While full-frame cameras dominate the conversation for astrophotography, many APS-C and Micro Four Thirds (MFT) systems punch far above their weight, and the smaller sensor sizes mean they’re lighter to carry when out and about. Despite their small size, some models can certainly compete with the best cameras for astrophotography.

Choosing the right APS-C or Micro Four Thirds camera for astrophotography is less about headline specs and more about understanding how you shoot at night and what you want to get out of your images. Sensor size plays a role: APS-C generally offers cleaner high-ISO performance than Micro Four Thirds, but stability, usability and lens choice matter just as much. Plus, they're often more affordable than full-frame models, making them a good choice as a beginner astrophotography camera.

Here are some standout APS-C and MFT bodies for astrophotography, each with its strengths depending on your priorities.

The quick list

The best APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras for astrophotography we recommend in 2026

Best overall

Sony’s A6700 brings the benefits of a modern APS-C back-illuminated sensor and refined handling into a body that’s versatile and happy to take on a range of different types of photography. The 26-megapixel BSI sensor delivers low noise at high ISO, which is critical for night sky work, especially if you’re shooting wide panoramas where dynamic range and clean shadows matter. Built-in 5-axis IBIS (stabilization) is a boon for those “between” shots that can be accomplished handheld, such as twilight landscapes or moments when you’re switching between tripod and handheld work.

From an ergonomics perspective, the user interface and menus are comfortable to navigate in the dark, and the electronic viewfinder makes focusing on bright stars a breeze with focus magnification. It’s also nice to see a vari-angled touchscreen, which is a great addition if you’re pointing your camera at the night sky but still want a good handle on your settings. While there’s no dedicated astrophotography mode or built-in tracking, the overall imaging performance and flexibility make this camera a high-value choice if you want great star photos plus everyday photography in one body.

• Read the full Sony A6700 review on our sister site Space.com

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Best for deep-sky

Canon’s EOS R7 sets itself apart primarily through its 32.5-megapixel sensor, which gives you lots of headroom when cropping into star fields or capturing large panoramas without losing fine detail. The high pixel count means you can isolate constellations or nebula regions while retaining enough resolution for prints or tight crops. If you’re adamant about printing large reproductions of your photos, this is the setup we’d investigate. The stabilization here is also noteworthy: when paired with compatible RF-S or RF lenses, Canon quotes up to eight stops of correction.

Autofocus performance, especially Canon’s Dual Pixel system, isn’t usually top of the list for astrophotography, but as a strong everyday shooter, it works well. High pixel density demands precise focus, as tiny errors in focus show up quickly in star images. Also, a quick word on ergonomics — Canon’s dial and joystick system isn’t for everyone, and we also don’t love the fact that it does away with a top dial, which means navigating different modes can be tricky. Perhaps not a dealbreaker for night sky photographers, but some may find it annoying in day-to-day life.

While we awarded it an impressive 5 stars in our full Canon EOS R7 review, it's worth noting that Canon's wide-angle lens lineup is extremely limited, making it a tricky purchase if you're solely focused on wide-angle astrophotography. If, however, you're a deep-sky enthusiast and want to take advantage of the extra reach from the 1.6x crop factor on a full-frame long telephoto lens, the R7 is well worth it.

• Read our full Canon EOS R7 review

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Best battery life

The Fujifilm X-S20 quietly ticks all the boxes for astrophotography and more. Its APS-C X-Trans sensor captures clean, detailed night skies, and its excellent battery life, with an estimated 800 shots per charge, means you can comfortably plan lengthy night sessions without constantly swapping power packs. A real plus when you’re out in the wild, away from mains chargers.

Fujifilm’s renowned color processing also means more pleasing base files to work with, which is great if you like to share astrophotography without heavy post-processing. Its aesthetic might not be for everyone, and Fujifilm’s color science has a distinctive look that won’t suit every astrophotographer straight out of the camera.

Fuji’s lens lineup, especially the fast, wide primes that are ideal for astrophotography, can be more expensive than those of its rivals, so budget carefully for glass. If you’ve already partially invested in a different lens ecosystem, we’d perhaps recommend looking elsewhere, as you might find yourself reaching a dead end quite quickly in terms of availability and finance.

Generally, though, there’s a lot to recommend this option, and we especially like the crisp, limited noise images and how the camera deals with low-light scenarios across the board.

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Best for enthusiasts

The Nikon Z fc won plenty of attention for its retro styling, but beneath the classic dials lies a modern APS-C mirrorless camera that can handle most of what an astrophotographer can throw at it. It’s a small camera and its 20.9-megapixel sensor won’t match some of its rivals for sheer dynamic range or noise control at very high ISOs, but it’s plenty capable for a range of different nightscapes.

There is a trade-off to be had in the lack of in-body stabilization. Most modern astrophotographers work primarily with a sturdy tripod for long exposures anyway, so the absence of IBIS isn’t a dealbreaker, but it does remove the flexibility for handheld low-light frames that other cameras in this guide offer. Adding to that, there’s nothing in the way of a grip or any other ergonomics that make it easy to use in the dark. It’s a small device and it can sometimes be a bit clumsy to operate. It’s also worth doing your research on lenses, too — Z-mount lenses can be found, but there are fewer on the market than with other systems.

Where the Z fc shines is in its handling experience. If you love physical dials and control layouts, and a design that invites you out shooting, this camera is rewarding and fun to use. Just be prepared to pair it with fast glass if you take astrophotography seriously, and be aware of its relative lack of weatherproofing compared to other options.

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Best entry-level APS-C

With a 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensor and classic Nikon color science, the Nikon Z50 is an excellent starting point for budding dark sky photographers, and it sits at an appealing price point, too. It produces images with good detail and noise performance when used on a stable tripod for long exposures, and for Milky Way and landscape astrophotography, it does the job well, especially when paired with a fast, wide prime. It’s worth noting that it doesn’t ship with any form of stabilization, which could be a factor if you plan on doing handheld low-light work.

One of its biggest advantages is value for money, and this lets you invest more in lenses or support accessories like tripods and star trackers. For beginners or those building their first astrophotography kit, we think that this balance between performance and affordability makes it a very good entry point.

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Best astro features

The OM-5 Mark II is one of the most practical cameras for astrophotographers who like to step into the backcountry. Its weather-sealed body and impressive stabilization (quoted up to 7.5 stops) mean you can confidently shoot in all conditions.

Micro Four Thirds sensors don’t compete directly with APS-C for high-ISO noise performance, but the OM-5 makes up for it with portability and handling. Compact wide-angle lenses are among the smallest and lightest available, letting you carry a complete astro kit without weighing you down too much. We’d have liked to see a double SD card slot and slightly better battery life (it’s rated for about 310 shots per charge), but the size and lack of weight of the camera mean its strong suit is portability

For astrophotographers who value flexibility and enjoy travel photography too, this is a great option — the OM-5 Mark II strikes a superb balance between performance and real-world practicality. Plus, it has Live Composite, Starry Sky Autofocus and a Night Vision mode, all of which are fantastic for astrophotographers.

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Best for handheld low-light work

The Panasonic Lumix G9 II is the brand’s flagship Micro Four Thirds body on the market now. With a 25.2MP sensor and excellent IBIS (up to eight stops), it handles night sky shooting and everyday photography with equal confidence.

Combine excellent resolution and color rendition with advanced autofocus and excellent usability, and you get a camera that feels more modern across the board than many rivals.

The body is larger than some compact options we’ve listed here, but that can be a plus at night as more substantial cameras often balance better on tripods and feel more secure under gloves and in poor weather.

If you want one MFT camera that handles astrophotography, landscapes, wildlife, timelapse and video without compromise, the G9 II should be right at the top of your list.

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Best for video

The Panasonic GH6 is a powerhouse for astrophotographers who think in both stills and motion. It has a high-resolution sensor and plenty of rich video options, including 5.7K and 4K 10-bit shooting, making it ideal for night timelapses, astro documentaries and immersive night footage. If you’re a content creator or like to combine stills and video, we’d look no further than this.

While its body is larger and more complex than many stills-focused MFT models, this is precisely why creators who shoot motion love it: you don’t have to compromise on either side of your workflow. For astrophotography stills, the sensor delivers enough detail, and for video, it provides superb dynamic range and color depth, as well as internal recording in Apple ProRes 422 HQ and 422, pre-installed V-Log/V-Gamut and 13+ stops of dynamic range via Dynamic Range Boost.

If part of your astro process includes long night timelapses, behind-the-scenes night videos or content creation alongside still images, the GH6 is one of the most compelling cameras on offer today.

• Read our full review of its successor, the Panasonic Lumix GH7

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Best budget used model

Although it uses slightly older tech now, this remains a strong astrophotography option thanks to its excellent stabilization and handling. Its 20.1MP sensor isn’t the latest available from OM System (formerly Olympus), but the combination of a good choice of sharp lenses and in-body correction makes it comfortable to use both on tripods for long exposures and handheld for dawn/dusk scenarios.

We also like the body’s ergonomic design, and its excellent weather sealing gives you confidence if you often shoot in the wild — a frequent reality at dark sky locations. The reliability and build quality are why many outdoor photographers still choose this model long after its release, and we’d be happy to forgo the latest tech in favor of great performance when on location.

Plus, with OM System's 'Starry Sky Autofocus' up its sleeve, you don't have to worry about ending up with blurry, out-of-focus stars. We tested this feature out when we reviewed the OM-1 Mark II, and we found it to be surprisingly effective. Plus, Live Composite shooting enables you to effortlessly create star trail images.

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Best APS-C and MFT cameras for astrophotography: comparison

Best APS-C and MFT cameras for astrophotography: Frequently Asked Questions

Latest updates

How we test

We test astrophotography cameras by focusing on the factors that matter most in low-light shooting. That includes high ISO noise performance, dynamic range in dark scenes and how well the sensor retains color and details in shadows.

We also assess long-exposure reliability, heat management during extended shooting sessions and in-camera features that either help or hinder astrophotography.

Handling is equally important. We consider the ergonomics in cold conditions, menu clarity in the dark, battery life and lens compatibility, which is particularly important with APS-C and MFT cameras.

Spring is a prime time for starting a new workout routine, and no wonder. The combination of longer daylight hours, warmer weather and blossoming nature can be a powerful push to start afresh. Not only that, but springtime is also a great time to do it on a budget. March sales are filled with deals on running shoes, exercise equipment, fitness trackers, workout clothing, sports earbuds, and many other fitness essentials.

One of the biggest shopping events of the season is undoubtedly Amazon's spring sale, and while it is a great place for fitness enthusiasts to hunt for savings, it may not always be the best place to do so. Whether it is a premium Garmin watch or one of the best rowing machines, sometimes better deals are found elsewhere — at Best Buy or brand websites, for example.

To help you cut through the noise and save the most money, we have scoured the sales to find the cheapest picks. Below, you will find 5 fitness deals that blow Amazon out of the water.

• ✅Best Buy: Save up to 50% on smartwatches, headphones and more
• ✅Walmart: Health and fitness essentials for less
• ✅Target: Discounts on fitness kits and sportswear
• ✅HOKA: Save up to 30% off on premium footwear
• ✅Adidas: Extra 30% running shoes
• ✅Nike: Over 3,000 products on sale
• ✅Dick's Sporting Goods: Huge savings on exercise equipment
• ✅Garmin: Save up to 50% on watches and bike computers

Best fitness tracker deals

The best early anti-Amazon deals on Garmin watches, budget fitness trackers, fitness trackers, smart rings, and other wearable fitness tech.

Best running shoes deals

Top early anti-Amazon discounts on some of the best running shoes on the market: our favorite picks from Hoka, New Balance, Adidas, and more.

Best headphones and earbuds deals

The best early anti-Amazon deals on bone conduction headphones, sleep headphones, sports earbuds, running headphones, and other personal audio tech.

Best workout equipment deals

The best early anti-Amazon deals on yoga mats, resistance bands, water bottles, fitness accessories and other workout essentials.

Best cardio machine deals

Top early anti-Amazon discounts on rowing machines, exercise bikes, walking treadmills, and other cardio machines.

As a landscape and wildlife photographer, when I'm not hiking mountains or chasing herds of deer in the wilds of Scotland, I love taking inspiration from nature documentaries.

I also travel a lot, and when abroad I find myself blocked out of my various streaming services, which can be frustrating. In addition to massive savings, ExpressVPN is the best way to view all your favorite streaming services from anywhere, and right now its at its best-ever price.

Sign up for an ExpressVPN two-year plan and save up to 82% — you'll also get four months free. Deals end March 19.

With lots of exciting nature series available, and new series coming, including Apple TV's "The Secret Lives of Animals" and "Born to be Wild", for fans of nature and wildlife-related content, now is the time to grab one of the best VPN deals I've ever seen.

ExpressVPN ranks as the top choice when it comes to the top-rated VPN services. Recommended by our tech expert colleagues over at T3 and TechRadar. T3 scored ExpressVPN with a perfect 5 out of 5 star score, and its value for money (even at full price), streaming unblocking capabilities, and speeds were all key review highlights.

• Our experts have reviewed and rated the best telescopes, binoculars, star projectors, cameras, fitness trackers, running shoes, rowing machines and more.

Assuming it complies with your broadcaster’s T&Cs, you can use a VPN to unblock the streaming services you're subscribed to and allow for uninterrupted viewing of your favorite shows.

ExpressVPN not only unlocks streaming geo-restrictions but also comes with added security benefits, which are particularly useful when overseas and connecting to unknown Wi-Fi connections. It offers ad blockers, anti-malware protection, a password manager and breach scanner, and fast connections. It means you can view and download content, work and generally be online anywhere in the world with confidence.

These VPN deals are the best we've ever seen from ExpressVPN, and a win-win for online streaming, gaming and cybersecurity. However, they end on March 19, so l'd advise snapping this VPN deal up fast.

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Price history: ExpressVPN regularly has deals with discounts and free additional months. However, this deal across the various packages is the lowest it has ever been. We rate it as one of the best value VPN offers seen this year.

T3: ★★★★★ | TechRadar: ★★★★½

✅ Buy it if: You want a VPN service that's mostly rated as the number one provider, which is now at a heavily discounted price and comes with four months free.

❌ Don't buy it if: You're already signed up to a reliable VPN service or don't feel the need for one.

Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors and much more.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

We love working out to the music blasting through our earbuds, and we are far from alone. Walk into any gym, and you can bet half of the people there will be lost in their own little audio world. Look around outside, and you will see that most runners and cyclists rack up the miles while listening to their favorite tunes, too. Sports earbuds and workout-friendly headphones have become an absolute must-have for fitness enthusiasts.

The best part? Science suggests that this can actually be a good thing. When we interviewed several prominent experts in psychotherapy, clinical psychology and fitness coaching, they all agreed: music can help make your workouts feel easier and more enjoyable, and in some cases, can even help you improve your exercise performance.

As Helen Wells, a Thailand-based psychotherapist, succinctly put it: "Music acts as a healthy distraction." Want to know more? You can find more insights in the FAQs section below.

That said, there is no single best sports earbuds model that we would recommend to everyone. Runners have different needs than swimmers, swimmers want different things than triathletes, and neither of those may need what a gym-goer would. Hikers may not even want the traditional earbuds and prefer one of the best bone conduction headphones instead. With that in mind, we have curated our list of the best models based on intended activities and sought-after features.

You can trust our judgement here — as experienced fitness professionals, we have gone through countless sports earbuds and can tell whether something is worth the money or not, plus we made sure we tested every model to the same standard for maximum objectivity. We hope that these sports earbuds will help you truly unleash the power of music.

Best sports earbuds: Quick links

Best sports earbuds and workout-friendly headphones 2026: Tried and tested by a personal trainer

Best budget sports earbuds

We have gone through dozens of sports earbuds in our lifetime, and admittedly, many were rather budget-friendly. We have a knack for losing them while traveling or damaging them during workouts, so we have learned the hard way to keep them affordable. In our experience, earbuds under $50 tend to fall into two categories: they are utterly mediocre or so surprisingly good that you keep and cherish them forever. The CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 are definitely in the latter camp. These earbuds cost $69 and are frequently on sale for less than $50, but they can easily compete with models two to three times the price.

Sound quality is the biggest factor here. The CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 sound surprisingly rich and bass-heavy for the price. These earbuds have a real kick to them and can motivate you to push that little bit harder, whether you are lifting weights or racking up the miles on a home treadmill. If you would rather tone down the bass, though, you can always adjust the sound settings in the Nothing X app (that said, some may still find these earbuds a bit too bass-heavy even with the tweaks.)

Next, we have the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes. While the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 are not nearly as good at modifying background noise as some of the more premium models, they still perform surprisingly well. These earbuds did just as good a job of keeping us safe on a running track as they did blocking the incessant noise of a crowded gym. That's no mean feat, given how affordable they are.

Lastly, the looks and durability. The CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 are rated IP55, meaning they are both dust- and sweat-proof, and they feel quite sturdy too. We must have dropped them at least a dozen times and they still work fine. We are also big fans of their vibrant color palette — most budget-friendly earbuds are only available in black, so it is refreshing to see something this funky.

On the other hand, the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 may not be a good fit for everyone. These earbuds are admittedly pretty chunky and those with small ears may find them either uncomfortable to wear or not secure enough to withstand those more intense workouts. They do not come with any helpful ear hooks or stabilizers, either.

Second-best

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Best value sports earbuds

The JLab Epic Sport ANC 3 earbuds may not have the military-grade durability of the Raycon Impact or the waterproof credentials of the H20 Audio Tri 2 Pro, but they are well-built, sound well and come with a good selection of app-based sound settings. They fit exceptionally well, too. These earbuds stay securely in place, whether you run outdoors, dance your heart out in a Zumba class or hit your weightlifting PBs in the gym. The cherry on top? The JLab Epic Sport ANC 3 cost less than $100, making them one of the best-value picks on the market.

They also perform well when it comes to noise-reduction settings and battery life. The JLab Epic Sport ANC 3 are effective at reducing background noise without cutting you off from the outside world, and they last up to 12 hours on a single charge (52 hours with a case.) Now, that is not something we see often in such reasonably priced earbuds.

The only downside? The chunky design. The JLab Epic Sport ANC 3 are much bigger and heavier than the Beats Powerbeats Fit, for example, and some people may find these earbuds slightly uncomfortable to wear for prolonged periods. The charging case is also unusually big — so much so that you may struggle to fit it in your pocket.

The JLab Epic Sport ANC 3 are not particularly customizable, either. These earbuds are only available in black, and the earhooks that keep them in place are relatively rigid. If you prefer something more colorful and pliable, you may need to consider a different model. However, this is a relatively minor infraction and not something we would fret about at this price point.

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Best sports earbuds for secure fit

Can't seem to keep your earbuds in when working out? We have been there. There is nothing more frustrating than having to pick your buds up off the gym mat after a particularly complex yoga pose, or being forced to dive underneath the treadmill to retrieve them every time you finish a lung-busting sprint. The good news is that it does not have to be this way — we may have finally found something that can survive our back-breaking exercises.

The Beats Powerbeats Fit do indeed, as the name suggests, fit well. These earbuds are quite small and feature four ear tip sizes, so they sit securely in the ear no matter its size. More importantly, they come with pliable in-ear wingtips instead of the traditional ear hooks. These wingtips do not rest on the top of your ear, but rather twist into it, snuggly locking the earbud in place.

This unusually snuggly design works like a charm. Whether we lifted weights, went on an indoor bike or did an intense bout of HIIT, we could easily forget we were even wearing the earbuds. The Beats Powerbeats Fit have never fallen out of our ears or forced us to constantly adjust them back into place, therefore allowing us to focus on the music and movement in place.

These earbuds not only fit well, they also sound great — with a good balance of bass and treble, and enough detail and richness to satisfy the needs of audiophiles. The Beats Powerbeats Fit are also exceptionally portable. The charging case was so small that it could easily fit in a pocket of our gym leggings.

If there is anything we would complain about, it would be their ANC mode. It is just not as good as we expected it to be. The Beats Powerbeats Fit cost around $199.99, and as one of the more expensive options in this guide, it is fair to expect them to have better background noise reduction. We also noticed considerable sound leakage on these earbuds. In fact, it was more noticeable than in the far more affordable CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2.

We also need to mention some app connectivity woes. We are not sure whether these issues had something to do with our Android phone or the earbuds themselves, or both, but our testing unit seemed to disconnect constantly from the Beats app. We also had a hard time trying to reconnect them.

Second-best

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Best sports earbuds for durability

The Jabra Elite 8 Active — "the world's toughest earbuds" and one of the handful of models that scored a full five stars in our at-home tests — have now sadly been discontinued. So, what's the next best thing? Going by the specs alone, we would suggest the Raycon Impact. True, we can't vouch for their sound quality or real-life performance as we have not tested them personally, but they are perhaps the closest match for the impressively durable Elite 8 Active.

To start with, these earbuds are IP67-rated, which makes them fully dustproof and capable of withstanding submersion in water up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) for 30 minutes. The Raycon Impact are also certified to the U.S. Military Standards for ruggedized electronics (MIL-STD-810G), meaning they can withstand extreme temperatures, shocks and high humidity levels. To top it off, they come with up to a whopping 90 hours of battery life with a charging case, the longest of all the models mentioned in this guide. No matter how you look at it, these are some truly impressive stats.

At the same time, the Raycon Impact are surprisingly affordable for what they have to offer — they cost $149.99 and are often on sale for less than $120. To put that into perspective, the Jabra Elite 8 Active used to be priced at a rather steep $229.99.

However, this price difference could be a reflection of poorer functionality. The Raycon Impact are only available in black, for example, whereas the Jabra Elite 8 Active came in four different colors. Also, if the online user reviews are anything to go by, the sound quality on these earbuds can be somewhat underwhelming. A handful of buyers also complained about their touch controls being slow or not functioning properly.

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Best earbuds for noisy gyms

Tired of the gym noise ruining your workouts? We understand. There is nothing more frustrating than exercising to the tune of terrible gym playlists or the piercing clank of weights. However, we may have found a solution to this problem — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) earbuds.

These earbuds fit well and come in a wide range of funky colors, but more importantly, they have the best noise-reduction features of all the models mentioned in this guide. The Quiet Mode, for example, almost completely tunes out the combined background hum of cardio machines, gym music and conversations between your fellow gym-goers. The Aware Mode, on the other hand, allows you to hear your surroundings, but it still filters out sudden, loud noises (such as a heavy barbell dropping on the floor). You can tweak the noise reduction settings further via the Bose app.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) earbuds not only excel at ANC, but also sound exceptionally well. We liked their deep bass, high-clarity vocals and overall great sound balance. If you are an audiophile, you should not be disappointed.

That said, we would only recommend these earbuds for gym use. While they are sweatproof, they are not waterproof enough to withstand the demands of outdoor exercise. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) earbuds are also relatively expensive.

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Best alternative to AirPods Pro

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is an excellent workout companion; there is no two ways about it. These earbuds are highly resistant to sweat and dust, they sound and fit exceptionally well, and they even feature live translation and a built-in heart rate sensor. They are by no means perfect, though. For example, they lack in-depth EQ customization and many of their advanced features require an Apple ecosystem. So, what's the best alternative here? If you have an Android phone and love to play with the sound settings, we would recommend the Status Audio Pro X earbuds instead.

True, the Status Audio Pro X does not translate languages or measure your heart rate, and it is just as pricey as the Apple AirPods Pro 3, but the trade-off is still worth it. These earbuds thoroughly impressed us with their sound quality, unconventionally stylish design and the sheer scope of their audio customization features. The bass is deep, the highs are crisp, and if there is still anything that you would want to tweak, you can easily do that in the app. It is an audiophile's dream.

The Status Audio Pro X is also very workout-friendly. These earbuds are highly resistant to dust and sweat, and despite their slightly chunky design, they fit surprisingly well. We found them very comfortable to wear and hardly ever had to adjust them mid-workout. The cherry on top? They are easy to grab with sweaty hands.

The downsides? The Status Audio Pro X does a great job of reducing background noise, but its ANC features are no match for the Apple AirPods Pro 3. Also, these earbuds do not have earhooks or stabilizers, so they may not be suitable for contact sports or movement-heavy activities.

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Best headphones for hikers

Long hiking trips offer a perfect opportunity to ditch your day-to-day headphones and focus on the natural world around you instead. But what if you also want to catch up with your favorite podcast or finish that audiobook that you never seem to have time for? This is where bone conduction headphones can come in handy.

Unlike earbuds that cut you off from the outside world, these open-ear headsets keep you fully aware of your surroundings. This way, you will not miss the precious sounds of wildlife or trees rustling in the breeze, and you will keep yourself alert to any potential dangers on the track (oncoming traffic or wild animals, for example.) Bone conduction headphones do not cause nearly as much “listening fatigue” as earbuds, either, mostly because they work by passing sound through the bones in your jaw and skull, not through the air and directly into your eardrum. Plus, their wraparound design does not exert any pressure on the ear canal. You can wear bone conduction headphones for hours on end and not feel any discomfort.

The reason we prefer bone conduction headphones to other open-ear models mentioned in this guide is that they tend to be more reliable on the tougher stretches of the hike. Unlike the small earbuds, they are too big and secure-fitting to be blown off by strong coastal winds, get lost in a muddy creek or fall off during vertical rock climbing. You can easily forget you are even wearing them and focus entirely on the world around you.

While there are plenty of good bone conduction headphones out there, there is one model that truly steps up the game for us. We are talking, of course, about the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. We must have taken them on at least 10 hiking trips, long and short, and they have always enhanced our hiking experience rather than gotten in the way of it (like many other headphones did in the past.) They are durable, light and comfortable to wear, and above all, they have arguably the best sound quality of all the bone conduction models that we have tried so far.

The only real downside to the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is the price — $179 is pretty steep for bone conduction headphones, even if they are as good as these.

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Best earbuds for runners

When it comes to running outdoors, we have two personal favorites: the aforementioned Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 and the Shokz OpenFit Pro. Both of these open-ear headphones can do a great job keeping you alert and entertained, and both offer great build quality and workout-friendly design. That said, it is the latter that narrowly wins the competition here.

To start with, the Shokz OpenFit Pro earbuds sound way better, especially when it comes to complex or bass-heavy music. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 headphones boast excellent sound quality for a bone conduction set, but they are simply unable to compete here. Noise reduction is another aspect that tipped the scales for us. Bone conduction headphones are physically unable to muffle any unwanted background sounds. The Shokz OpenFit Pro earbuds, on the other hand, feature an innovative noise reduction mode.

Of course, no open-ear headphones will ever be as effective at blocking out noise as over-ear headphones with ANC. The Shokz OpenFit Pro can, however, filter out a good chunk of it — and we can attest to that. These earbuds came in very handy whenever we wanted to tone down the mechanical whirl of the treadmill at high speeds, or reduce the traffic noise coming from the high-speed road next to our track. That little novelty made a tangible difference to the quality of our running workouts.

Fit is another factor that scored highly in our books. The Shokz OpenFit Pro earbuds do not feature a rubber-coated band that can get in the way of ponytails or head covers. Instead, they rest on the ear and are kept in place with earhooks and optional silicone stabilizers.

Still, the Shokz OpenFit Pro may not be a good fit for everyone. Some people, especially those with smaller ears, may find these earbuds too bulky and loose-fitting for comfortable wear. The price can also be a bit off-putting. The Shokz OpenFit Pro cost $249.95, making them the most expensive earbuds in this guide.

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Best headphones for water sports

All of the earbuds mentioned above are great in their own right, but none of them are suitable for water sports. If you want to listen to your favorite tunes when doing laps in a pool, competing in a triathlon or kayaking in rough water, you need bone conduction headphones with a solid waterproof rating — ideally, IPX7, IPX8, IP67 or IP68. The best models come with a durable frame, adjustable fit and decent internal storage (Bluetooth does not work underwater so all of your music, ebooks and podcasts need to be downloaded onto the headset in advance.)

The H20 Audio Tri 2 Pro are one of those top picks. What sets these headphones apart from other waterproof models is that they are rated beyond IPX8, meaning they can be used up to 12 feet or 3.6 meters underwater for an unlimited amount of time. They also come with unique playlist-building features, swimming plugs and a hard traveling case. Plus, they have 8 GB of internal storage — equivalent to around 2,000 songs or 35 full-length audiobooks.

We found the H20 Audio Tri 2 Pro quite reliable and comfortable to wear. The fit is snug and secure, but not overbearing or difficult to adjust, and we had no issues with muffled sound or the headset sliding off underwater. True, these headphones can produce some slight skull vibrations when listening to bass-heavy music, but that is something we observed with most of the bone conduction models we have tested.

The downsides? Priced at around $199.99, the H20 Audio Tri 2 Pro are pretty expensive for bone conduction headphones. Short battery life is another — up to 6 hours in memory mode, playing the songs stored on the headset, or up to 9 hours in Bluetooth mode. If you are looking for headphones to take on multi-day camping trips or sporting events, they may not be the best option for you.

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Best sports earbuds: Comparison

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Best sports earbuds: Contributing experts and product testers

Best sports earbuds: Frequently Asked Questions

Best sports earbuds: How to choose

Choosing the right sports earbuds is less about impeccable sound and more about finding a reliable workout partner. You want something that complements and enhances your active lifestyle, not actively impedes it. Prioritize comfort, safety and functionality — everything else is secondary. Most importantly, always opt for a wireless headset. Cables get in the way, snag on equipment and can even become a choking hazard, our experts agreed.

A good fit is another critical factor, Jason Smith, a London-based personal trainer and nutritional advisor and the founder of Fit in Midlife, an online fitness coaching service for middle-aged adults, told Live Science by email. "All too often, I see people trying to retrieve earbuds from underneath a treadmill or similar as they fall out through a mixture of sweat and impact. It is essential to find a pair that feels snug but comfortable to wear," Smith said.

Ideally, look for designs that include some form of ear hook, wingtip or silicone stabilizers. These accessories latch into the folds of your ear to create a secure, locked-in feel and prevent frustrating mid-workout adjustments. If there are none, find the right fit by trying on all the ear tip sizes included in the package — most sports earbuds come with at least three.

Next, consider the right level of waterproofness. As we mentioned before, all sports earbuds should be sweatproof at the very least — this means they are rated IPX4 and higher. If you tend to train outdoors in rainy conditions, aim for at least IPX7. The right waterproof rating is not just crucial for the longevity of your earbuds, but also a big factor for personal comfort. "Foam-covered buds or overhead earphones with no sweat protection will end up dripping with sweat and stink long after your workout is complete," Smith said.

Look into the sound settings of your earbuds, too — particularly whether they offer Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes. "Many gyms have loud pumping music. If you would rather listen to calming music, a podcast or audiobook, it is best to block out the bass," Smith said. Transparency mode, on the other hand, comes in handy when it comes to your safety and situational awareness, as this feature allows you to hear the world around you without having to remove an earbud or interrupt your workout.

"Ambient awareness is critical for outdoor training. If you’re running or cycling on roads, you must be able to hear traffic. Avoid full noise-cancelling in those situations," Simmons said.

Lastly, the sound quality. While this aspect is highly personal — we are big fans of bass-heavy earbuds, for example, while others may prefer something more balanced — some models tend to perform better than others. If you are unsure whether the sound quality of the earbuds you are considering is good enough, browse through their online reviews to get a sense of the general user feedback.

What about looks? Yes, aesthetics matter, though understandably not to the same extent as the factors we discussed above. "If you feel good wearing your earbuds, that counts. You want to feel confident when you train," Simmons said.

Best sports earbuds: How we tested

We love music and we are passionate about fitness — we basically live in sports earbuds. We must have tried dozens, if not hundreds, of different models throughout our lifetime, and we are always on the lookout for the next best thing. We know which products are worth the hype, and we would not recommend anything we would not happily use ourselves.

That said, we all have different ear shapes, preferred sports, hearing sensitivities and ideas as to what constitutes good quality sound, and we need to account for that if we want to stay balanced and objective. As such, each and every model in this guide was assessed according to the same three criteria:

Design. We look into the fit, waterproofness and durability of the earbuds in question. We also check how customizable they are (for example, how many ear tip sizes they come with) and whether they are sufficiently comfortable to wear and secure-fitting during intense workouts. Plus, we note if they came with any useful accessories, such as a charging case or swimming buds in the case of waterproof bone conduction headphones.

Features: We look into the overall functionality of the tested earbuds. We check their volume range, sound customization settings (the ANC and transparency modes, for example) and, if applicable, app-based features (a sound equalizer, for example).

Performance: We assess their sound quality, Bluetooth connectivity and battery life, and test the effectiveness and clarity of their ANC and transparency modes. This is also where we give our verdict on the overall user experience.

Finally, we weigh these factors against the price of the earbuds in question, and give a final score out of five.

Latest updates

The bright stars and constellations that dominate the night sky around the turn of the year are much-loved, from Orion and its spectacular M42 nebula, super-bright Sirius and the Pleiades open cluster. However, all of these jewels exist in the Orion Spur of the Milky Way — the same spiral arm that our own solar system calls home. But as the sky turns and the stars of March rise in the east, they bring with them a clear view away from the Milky Way — and into the realm of the galaxies.

While there are galaxies visible across the night sky, there’s a dense concentration within (though, ultimately, behind) the constellations of Leo, Virgo and Coma Berenices. Add Canes Venatici and Ursa Major nearby in the northern sky, and the scene is set for galaxy season — when all you need is one of the best telescopes or best beginner telescopes, observing when your target is 30 degrees or more above the horizon. Or you can invest in one of the best smart telescopes to see these faint yet spectacular targets in real-time images sent straight to your smartphone.

From a string of galaxies and distant spirals to edge-on views and more, here’s everything you need to know about galaxy season — the best targets, the best time to see them and what kind of optics you’ll need.

1. Whirlpool Galaxy (M51 and NGC 5195)

31 million light-years from the Milky Way, M51 in Canes Venatici is a great example of a faint galaxy (magnitude 8.4) that’s accessible in modest apertures, but truly shines in larger scopes. It looks spectacular in the best smart telescopes. For example, train the ZWO Seestar S50 smart telescope on it, and you’ll get a clear view of this grand-design spiral galaxy popping up on your smartphone after just a few seconds. You’ll immediately see its face-on spiral structure — it was the first to be classified as a spiral galaxy — but if you have the patience for some more image integration, you’ll also see the tiny galaxy NGC 5195, which sits at the end of one of M51’s spiral arms.

2. Bode’s Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy (M81 and M82)

These two neighboring galaxies in Ursa Major are icons of the northern night sky. Best observed in spring, Bode's Galaxy (M81, a spiral galaxy at magnitude 6.94) and the Cigar Galaxy (M82, a starburst galaxy at magnitude 8.41) are typically observed and photographed together. As a bonus, they’re a great target for beginners, with a 660 mm focal length refractor — such as the Celestron Inspire 100AZ — enough to give you a glimpse under dark skies.

3. Pinwheel Galaxy (M101)

Large but low in surface brightness, M101’s sprawling arms demand dark skies. The Vaonis Vespera II smart telescope excels at automatically stacking faint deep-sky targets, even in light-polluted areas. If you want to get a little more serious, the Celestron Advanced VX 8 Edge HD is well-suited to teasing out faint structure when paired with a DSLR or dedicated astro-camera for stacked exposures.

4. Leo Triplet (M65, M66 and NGC 3628)

For any observer dusting off a telescope or astrophotography rig to glimpse seasonal deep-sky objects, the Leo Triplet is always near the top of the list. Visible below the belly of Leo, the Lion, it’s a unique opportunity to get three galaxies in one frame. The Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory produces sharp, colorful deep-sky images with minimal set-up, making it ideal for capturing the full trio in a single composition.

5. The Whale and the Hockey Stick (NGC 4631 and NGC 4656)

Here’s an elongated, edge-on spiral in the constellation Canes Venatici that resembles a breaching whale (NGC 4631), with a flatter-looking galaxy (NGC 4656) close by to add interest. The Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25 provides the aperture needed to show its stretched profile, while the Unistellar eVscope 2 will stack images to reveal structure even from suburban skies — though you will need to let it do its thing for at least an hour.

6. Markarian’s Chain and the Virgo Cluster

Found on the border between the constellations Virgo and Coma Berenices, this cluster of a dozen or so galaxies seemingly on a string spans about 1.5 degrees of the night sky — a little more than the width of your little finger at arm’s length. The brightest are M84 and M86, while the Eyes Galaxies (NGC 4435 and NGC 4438) are seemingly linked, interacting galaxies. The Skywatcher Evostar 80ED is a good choice for both observing and astrophotography, the latter when paired with a dedicated astro-camera.

7. Sombrero Galaxy (M104)

About 28 million light-years from the Milky Way in the Virgo constellation, we see this iconic galaxy almost edge-on, with noticeable starlight from its core. It’s best seen in May, with a small telescope like the Celestron NexStar 127SLT, which delivers crisp, high-contrast views of its luminous central bulge.

The ‘Messier Marathon’

Galaxy season is also when to try the annual Messier Marathon — an intense, dusk-to-dawn observing challenge. The aim is to locate as many of the 110 deep-sky objects in 18th-century French astronomer Charles Messier’s catalog as possible in a single night. Many of the galaxies listed above — from M51 to M104 — are essential stops along the way.

Something of a rite of passage for amateur astronomers, the sweet spot typically falls between mid-March and early April, with the best weekends in 2026 being March 14-15 and March 21-22. Observers begin in the west with views of M74, M77, M33 and M31 (the Andromeda Galaxy) before they set, and work east towards the Virgo Cluster, finishing in the east before dawn. A GoTo or smart telescope will make the task much easier and quicker, but for purists, it’s a great opportunity to get to know your telescope and the night sky.

Paramount might be better known for its science fiction franchises like "Star Trek" and "Halo," but there are plenty of great science documentaries to check out on there. With Artemis II expected to launch in the next few weeks, there's never been a better time to dive in, thanks to Paramount's spring deal.

Right now, you can get Paramount+ for just $2.99 per month for two months. That's a saving of $6 per month for Essential (the ad-supported tier) and $11 per month for Premium (no ads and 4K streaming). This offer is live now and runs until March 31.

Science documentaries on Paramount+, include "Space Voyages" — a four-part series that recounts humanity's journey to the stars, all the way from the early space race and Apollo program, through to the space shuttle and Mars rover missions.

Space fans should also check out "Secrets of Our Universe." The series is hosted by the British astronaut Tim Peake, who served aboard the International Space Station. This four-part docu-series explores the planets in our solar system and the challenges of human spaceflight.

There's also "Wonders of the Moon with Dara Ó Briain," which sees the Irish comedian looking into the ways in which the moon shapes our lives, while also exploring why nations are once again competing to put humans back on the lunar surface.

Finally, we'd also recommend checking out "Shuttle Discovery's Last Mission," which chronicles the extraordinary history of NASA's most iconic craft, which now rests at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

The Paramount+ deal applies to both the Essential and Premium tiers, so even if you only want Essential in the long term, you could grab the Premium version for the first two months and then downgrade to Essential once the two months are up.

And if you're keen on your streaming, then it's worth taking a look at this deal from ExpressVPN. Like all good VPN it allows you to access your usual streaming services wherever you are in the world. ExpressVPN is down to it's lowest ever price until 19th March, so well worth taking advantage of if you're VPN-curious.

Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors and much more.

Want to freshen up your workout routine with a snazzy pair of running shoes or brand new sports earbuds? Looking for a quality air purifier to breathe easier this hay fever season? Maybe you need a new electric toothbrush? Rest assured, Amazon has your back. The annual Big Spring Sale event may be over, but you can still find plenty of deals on various health and fitness essentials.

Do not wait too long if you want to snap up the best discounts, though. Amazon is slashing prices on many sought-after items, including some of the best fitness trackers and bone conduction headphones, but the deals seem to last only a day or two.

To help you save the most money, we have rounded up the top 14 products on sale right now. You can trust us here. We review health and fitness tech for a living and are always on the lookout for the best offers, so we can easily tell if the deal is genuine and truly worth your money.

• ⌚Smartwatches: Up to 30% off Apple, Fitbit and Google
• 🎽Workout clothes: Huge deals on leggings, workout tops and sports bras
• 👟Running shoes: Up to 50% off New Balance, Adidas and Under Armour
• 🎧Headphones: Big savings on sports earbuds and Shokz headphones
• 🌸Air purifiers: Beat seasonal allergies without spending a fortune
• 🏠Health and household: Stock up on essentials
• 🪥Electric toothbrushes: Up to 40% Philips, Waterpik, and more

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The best Amazon deals on fitness trackers, Garmin watches, budget fitness trackers, smart rings, and more.

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The best Amazon deals on rowing machines, exercise bikes, walking treadmills, workout clothing, resistance bands, water bottles, and many other fitness essentials.

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The best Amazon deals on sports earbuds, bone conduction headphones, sleep headphones, running headphones, and more.

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More magnification means better views, right? That’s the received wisdom among buyers of beginner’s telescopes, and it’s easy to see why. Telescope packaging often shouts about “300x power” as if bigger numbers automatically guarantee sharper, more dramatic sights. It’s an appealing idea: more zoom equals more detail. The reality, though, is way more nuanced.

Many beginners assume that cranking up the magnification will unlock breathtaking close-ups of planets and craters, but in practice, the opposite is often true — even in the very best telescopes. Chasing high magnification too soon can lead to dim, blurry, shaky views. Understanding what really determines image quality — and why prioritizing quality eyepieces typically produces better results — is the difference between frustration and a genuinely awe-inspiring first look at the night sky.

This guide breaks down how telescope magnification and eyepieces really work, why aperture matters more than raw power, and how to choose eyepieces without overspending or overcomplicating things.

Telescope magnification explained

If anyone tries to tell you that one telescope is more powerful than another, walk away. A telescope is powerful for three reasons, the most important of which are aperture (how much light it lets in) and resolution (limited by aperture and by atmospheric turbulence). The least important is magnification — how much larger an object appears through your telescope compared to the naked eye — and yet this is the number almost everyone prioritizes.

Magnification is the focal length of a telescope (the distance from the primary lens or mirror to where light is focused — the focal plane) divided by the focal length of an eyepiece (the distance from the lens to the focal plane), so it’s not a fixed number; it changes depending on which eyepiece you use.

For example, a refractor telescope with a 4-inch aperture and a 900 mm focal length, used with 20 mm and 10 mm eyepieces (standard issue with telescopes), yields 45x and 90x magnification, respectively. You use the wider field-of-view eyepiece (20 mm) to find the objects, then switch to the 10 mm eyepiece to take a closer look — and hope the air is still (known as “good seeing” to amateur astronomers).

Why bigger isn’t always better

It’s tempting to chase higher magnification, but doing so comes at a cost. Switching from, say, 20 mm to 10 mm results in a dimmer image because the same amount of light is now spread over a larger area. Any atmospheric turbulence also becomes much more noticeable, often making the view blurry or unstable.

Magnification is limited by the physical design of a telescope, which can only magnify what its optics and aperture can resolve. According to Sky & Telescope, “a telescope’s maximum useful magnification is twice its aperture in millimeters, or 50 times its aperture in inches”. So for a 4-inch/102 mm telescope, around 200x is as far as you’re going to get — and that’s with good seeing. If you try to go beyond this limit, you’re not seeing more detail; you’re just enlarging a fuzzy image.

Understanding aperture

While magnification affects how large things appear, a telescope’s aperture will determine how well an object can be seen. The diameter of a telescope’s main lens or mirror — the aperture — establishes how much light your telescope can collect.

A larger aperture gathers more light, resulting in brighter images, greater detail, and the ability to detect fainter objects such as galaxies, nebulae and distant star clusters. This is why experienced stargazers often recommend focusing on aperture, not magnification, when choosing a telescope — and it’s also why physically larger telescopes will generally allow bigger, brighter views of faint objects.

Magnification may let you zoom in on something, but it’s the aperture that decides whether that zoomed-in view is sharp, detailed and, essentially, worth looking at.

Understanding eyepieces

Eyepieces are essential gear for a telescope owner. They attach to a telescope’s focuser and determine its magnification. Switching between eyepieces is how you zoom in or out — but which one is best?

Once you have a telescope and know its focal length, you can calculate the range of eyepieces worth considering. When you buy an entry-level telescope, you’ll typically get two eyepieces: one with a focal length of 20 or 25 mm, and one with a focal length of 10 mm. Sometimes you’ll also get a Barlow lens, an accessory that usually doubles the power of any eyepiece. Mostly, anything in the box is very basic and should be upgraded in the medium term. However, many telescopes come with no eyepieces included.

The higher the focal length, the wider, lower-magnification and brighter view you’ll get. Longer focal-length eyepieces are ideal for finding and centering objects in a telescope’s field of view. Then you can switch to a shorter focal-length eyepiece, which will produce a narrower, higher-magnification and usually dimmer view.

Choosing the right eyepiece

The best eyepiece does not exist. Which is best for you depends entirely on what you want to observe.

If you’re interested in the moon and planets, shorter focal lengths (typically 5–10 mm) will give you the close-up views you want. For galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae, longer focal-length eyepieces — such as 20 mm or even 30 mm — provide a wider, brighter view that’s ideal for deep-sky observing. That’s because objects differ in brightness and apparent size. For example, a 6 mm eyepiece may give you a close-up of a double star, but it will show only the center of the Andromeda Galaxy, which requires a low-power eyepiece, such as 20 mm.

As a general rule, it’s smart to start with two or three eyepieces that give you low, medium and high magnification options — and it’s likely the mid-range eyepiece, around 20 mm, that you’ll use the most.

Barlow lenses explained

A Barlow lens is an easy way to upgrade the performance of any eyepiece by effectively changing the telescope's focal length. An accessory that goes between a telescope’s focuser and eyepiece, it increases the magnification of any eyepiece you use with it, usually by 2x or 3x. This means that a 10 mm eyepiece with a 2x Barlow will behave like a 5 mm eyepiece, allowing you to reach higher magnifications without buying more eyepieces.

However, while Barlow lenses can be a great value, you always get what you pay for. A good quality Barlow can effectively double your eyepiece collection, but a poor quality product will merely amplify the negatives associated with high magnification — such as a narrower field of view, dimmer images and a tendency to make poor atmospheric conditions seem even worse.

Dos and don’ts when buying eyepieces

Here are some dos and don’ts when buying eyepieces for your new telescope:

• One great eyepiece is better than 10 poor ones, so avoid large sets of eyepieces — they're overkill and likely to be of only average optical quality.

• Don’t go straight to high-magnification eyepieces. If the view is blurry or dim, it may well be the “seeing” — astro-speak for a turbulent upper atmosphere — rather than the eyepiece. Besides, there’s only so much magnification a telescope can handle.

• Whichever eyepiece you are using, large reflector telescopes (such as a Dobsonian) should be left outside for about an hour before you use them. This will allow them to cool down, which will mean sharper views.

• Choose an eyepiece that’s comfortable to use and has plenty of eye relief (the distance your eye can be from the lens), particularly if you wear glasses.

• A good way to try out eyepieces is to attend a star party organized by your local astronomy club or society.

Amazfit has just released its priciest smartwatch yet, the T‑Rex Ultra 2. At $549, it is around $150 more expensive than the T-Rex 3 Pro, and more than twice the price of the T-Rex 3. Do not let that discourage you, though. Specs-wise, the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 is eerily similar to the ultra-premium Garmin Fenix 8 — a model that costs nearly a grand. By the looks of it, it could be the best-value outdoor smartwatch of 2026.

The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 is said to be "engineered for environments where gear can’t fail" — and it is hard to dispute that. This rugged smartwatch is made with super-strong titanium and scratch-resistant sapphire glass, and it is certified to stringent U.S. military standards for shock, humidity and temperature resistance. It also features highly accurate dual-band GPS and a host of outdoor-focused features, such as offline maps, a microphone and a built-in flashlight. Plus, the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 lasts up to 30 days on a single charge. No matter how you look at it, this rugged beast has all the potential to land in our guide to the best budget fitness trackers and rival many of the best Garmin watches.

We have not had the chance to put this smartwatch through its paces fully yet — at the time of writing this review, the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 has only been on the market for three weeks. However, our first impressions are largely positive.

Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 smartwatch review

Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2: Design

• Military-grade durability and rugged design
• Large and chunky, but surprisingly lightweight
• Waterproof and suitable for dives up to 45 meters below the surface

The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 does not even pretend to be your typical day-to-day wearable. With its large 1.5-inch (3.8-centimeter) AMOLED screen and thick, ultra-rugged casing, it is exceptionally “masculine” in how it looks and feels on the wrist. This smartwatch clearly trades the sleek, more universally appealing design for superior durability and resilience in harsh weather conditions. Design-wise, it is focused entirely on the needs of serious outdoor explorers. Casual hikers and gym-goers may still find the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 visually appealing, but only if they like such “beastly” designs.

And a beast it is — this smartwatch is exceptionally well-built for its price. Its body is made of grade 5 titanium, a material so strong and lightweight that it is often used in aerospace engineering, medical implants and marine equipment. The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 is certified to U.S. military standard MIL-STD-810H-2019, meaning it can withstand shocks, humidity, high altitudes and temperatures as low as minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit (– 30 degrees Celsius.)

To top it off, it is one of only a handful of smartwatches on the market that can be safely taken scuba diving. The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 is water-resistant up to 328 feet (100 meters and suitable for dives up to 147 feet (45 m) below the surface. You do not have to worry about scratches on the screen, either. The watch face is covered with highly durable sapphire crystal glass, a material that can easily shield against wear-and-tear damage caused by sharp rocks and sand.

Indeed, the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 is a tough cookie. But do these specs reflect its real-life performance? Well, we have only tested this smartwatch for the past two weeks, so we do not have a full picture here just yet. However, our first impressions are very positive. So far, our Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 has survived a smack from the barbell, a few drops from heights and exposure to freezing rainwater.

Given all this ruggedness, you would expect this smartwatch to feel extremely heavy — but that is not the case. The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 does not overload the wrist — no mean feat for such a large wearable.

Speaking of the size, it can indeed be a hindrance. This smartwatch feels unbearably bulky, so much so that we would not recommend it to anyone with a small wrist. The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 can be particularly obtrusive during sleep, so if you like to doze off with your hand close to your face, you may need to consider a different sleep tracker to keep track of your recovery stats.

We were not too keen on its silicone strap, either. It felt thick and rather rigid, and it slightly aggravated our skin after one or two intense workouts. Limited customization is another downside — the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 is only available in one size and color, and the only way to add a personal touch is by swapping its strap. However, this is not something that we would fret about in a device that prioritizes functionality over looks.

Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2: Features

• Advanced navigation and fitness tracking tools
• No solar charging
• Relatively basic app ecosystem

The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 is geared primarily towards outdoor fitness and that is fully reflected in its choice of features. This smartwatch comes with all the essentials necessary out in the wild, from detailed offline maps and advanced navigation tools to a built-in two-color flashlight and SOS signal mode. There is also a generous sprinkle of some more advanced features —- offline weather alerts, real-time rerouting and ski route maps, for example. The navigation specs of this smartwatch are decent, too. The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 locates you based on the highly accurate dual-band GPS and then combines this data with the information collected by its built-in compass, altimeter and barometer.

Unsurprisingly, this smartwatch is packed with outdoor-focused sports modes. These include the basics like cycling and strength training, as well as a good range of the more advanced ones, such as freediving, paragliding and parkour. The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 features 180 sports modes in total, most of which are relatively well-tracked and sufficiently detailed in how they collect data. For example, running modes on this smartwatch come with advanced metrics such as vertical amplitude (how high your body moves up and down with each stride) and ground contact time (the duration your foot spends on the ground during each running stride.)

That said, Amazfit is still a few steps behind Garmin and Apple when it comes to the app ecosystem and smartwatch capabilities. While the T-Rex Ultra 2 covers most of the basics here — it can sync with your calendar, pay for your groceries and send a message to your phone, for example — it does lack the premium smart frills for which the two aforementioned brands are so well known.

Another downside is the lack of solar charging. Since the T-Rex Ultra 2 is the priciest outdoor-focused smartwatch in the Amazfit line-up, we somewhat expected it to go all the way in and have that handy feature on hand. It is not a deal-breaker, though. The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 makes up for this inconvenience with its relatively long battery life.

All in all, this smartwatch offers a good selection of features for the price. The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 may not have the ultra-fancy mapping features typical of Suunto wearables or the advanced training insights known from the Garmin watches, but it does give you plenty of bang for your buck.

Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2: Performance

• Long battery life
• Largely accurate GPS and heart rate tracking
• Good app connectivity

One of the biggest selling points of the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 is its long battery life. According to the manufacturer, this smartwatch lasts up to 30 days when "in typical use" and up to 15 days when "in heavy use". Understandably, the lifespan drops when the GPS is switched on — anywhere from 30 hours in trail running mode up to around 90 hours with power-saving enabled.

While we have not tested the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 long enough to confirm or deny these claims, they do sound about right. After a week of heavy-ish use (all-day wear and multiple workouts tracked throughout the week), the battery in our smartwatch stood at 60%. One week later, it dropped to about 38%. Overall, no complaints.

The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 also seems to perform well when it comes to navigation and health tracking. The mapping and GPS tools were relatively accurate and sufficiently responsive, both when tested in a densely populated residential area and when put through their paces on a park running trail nearby. Of course, this may not have much bearing on how the GPS performs in the actual remote wilderness, but it does indicate a good degree of reliability in this regard.

The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 features a new-generation PPG sensor, and it shows. Heart rate tracking appeared relatively on point, and notably more accurate than in other Amazfit trackers we tested before. For example, the real-time workout readings appeared to be slightly less volatile and more resistant to sudden wrist movements.

This improved heart rate accuracy also had a knock-on effect on our stress, sleep and training load assessments. The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 seemed to have a very good grasp of our exertion levels and post-exercise recovery, and it did tend to offer us genuinely helpful training advice. While it is not as detailed and in-depth in that regard as the Garmin or Polar watches, for example, it is still useful enough for the more serious athletes.

Last, but not least, the app connectivity. The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 generally performs well in that regard — it does not disconnect, struggle with data transfer or mess with the updates. That said, we did notice some minor lags when switching between power-intensive tasks. We did not find them too disruptive, though.

Should you buy the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2?

The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 will not be a good fit for everyone, but then it is not meant to be. This beast of a smartwatch is made with serious outdoor explorers in mind, and that is where it delivers the most value. It is built like a tank, it helps keep you safe in the great outdoors, and it offers a good selection of fitness tracking features — all for a very reasonable price. For everyday training and general outdoor use, however, the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 will likely be a case of feature overkill.

✅ Buy it if: You want a reliable GPS smartwatch for epic outdoor adventures, but do not want to pay through the roof for the high-end models like the Garmin Fenix 8.

❌ Do not buy it if: You are looking for a general fitness tracker or smartwatch for everyday use, or have a very small wrist. The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 is a huge piece of machinery jam-packed with advanced tech, and you may find it too uncomfortable to wear.

Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2: Related products

Looking for something as durable and advanced as the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2? The Garmin Fenix 8 immediately springs to mind here. This premium smartwatch is tough, reliable and comes with everything you may ever need or want when perusing the great outdoors. However, it has one major downside — it costs roughly $999, making it one of the most expensive models on the market.

For those on a tight budget, we would recommend the Amazfit T-Rex 3. This smartwatch may be slightly less durable, waterproof and outdoor-focused than the T-Rex Ultra 2, but its day-to-day performance is no less impressive. Not to mention, it costs less than $300 and is frequently on sale.

If style is important to you, consider the Suunto Vertical 2. This smartwatch is a close match for the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 specs-wise, but it is sleeker and more suitable for all-day wear. Plus, both of these models cost roughly the same.

Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2: How we tested

We spent nearly two weeks trying and testing the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2, looking into its design, features, day-to-day performance and ease of use. We wore this smartwatch during the day, while sleeping, in the gym and when doing outdoor activities, such as running and hiking. Then, we compared the sleep, steps and heart rate measurements taken by the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 with the data we obtained using Whoop MG and Oura Ring Gen 4.

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