But there are two things working in the PSVR 2's favour at the moment. Firstly, it's currently an astonishing, record-breaking AU$549 at Amazon, and secondly, the PSVR 2 PC adapter has just launched, meaning you can finally use the device on a PC, which has waaay more VR games to choose from.

The PSVR 2 PC adapter is itself ridiculously expensive at AU$94, but it's a reasonably small price to pay to make the PSVR 2 much, much more useful than it would be otherwise.

Meanwhile, if you've any interest in Horizon VR spin-off Horizon Call of the Mountain, a PSVR 2 bundling that game is currently AU$629, down from AU$959.95.

Discounted or not, the question remains: is the PSVR 2 worth it? Duncan addressed this question early last year, concluding that it is with a number of caveats. Some of those caveats (including price, and limited software support) are definitely less relevant right now, with the discount and the PC adapter. 

Unless it's not obvious, you'll need a PS5 to use the PSVR 2—it's not a standalone unit like the Meta Quest headsets. If you don't have the console, want to play PSVR 2, and have money to burn, the standalone PS5 is currently AU$759, down from AU$799.95.

Not happy with that PS5 price? Check out our regularly updated page on the best place to buy a PS5 in Australia.

It feels like the best graphics card options have been allergic to discounts for a while. Perhaps that’s a symptom of the long stint of inflated prices we had to deal with a few years ago, which made grabbing a GPU at MSRP near impossible. We’re absolutely in a better place since that fiasco, especially with the crypto mining craze done and dusted, but I can’t help but feel card makers could do more when it comes to deals. 

Just to clarify, I’m not saying graphics card deals are non-existent, and I’ve managed to spot a few decent discounts this year alone. However, I still don’t feel like enough price cuts are happening as we approach the end of the current generation. Traditionally, GPUs tend to get a bit more affordable when newbies are on the cards, but despite constant rumors relating to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and its kin, I’ve yet to see any savings that feel appropriate. 

MSRP Problems

Out of all the current-gen graphics cards out there, the RTX 4090 exemplifies the whole issues with GPU deals right now. If you head to Amazon, you’ll see plenty of price cuts on the enthusiast-grade card, but not a single offer brings it down below Nvidia’s MSRP. The retailer admittedly only has “custom” models by vendors that boast extra features for an elevated price tag, but a slight factor overclock didn’t use to mean a price tag a few hundred dollars higher. 

For context, the cheapest RTX 4090 I can see right now at Amazon is $1,701.80 for a PNY Verto model. It’s technically down from $1,849.99, but considering the card’s MSRP is $1,599, it’s hardly what I’d call a real saving. 

On the AMD side of things, discounts seem to be a little more common, and the red team’s flagship RX 7900 XTX did manage to drop to a remarkable $799 just last month. That’s absolutely the sort of deal I want to see on these top-tier GPUs at this stage, and I genuinely don’t feel like it’s a big ask two years into a generation. Yet, plenty of vendors are still asking for over $1,000 for this same GPU, which makes it feel like only some AIB partners like XFX care about facilitating offers. 

Yes, I hear you – deals on premium GPUs don’t matter if you’ve got a smaller budget. For what it’s worth, you are more likely to find discounts on entry-level and mid-range graphics cards than anything near the top end. Are they good deals? Well, occasionally, but we’re still seeing prices hovering around MSRP in the guise of some sort of price cut. 

Let’s use the GeForce RTX 4060 as an example, as the GPU is one of the more affordable current-gen models at $299. At least, it would be that price if any manufacturers had standard variants, but we’re instead seeing versions with triple cooling fans for $304.99 (down from $339). I’ve spent enough time with a dual fan 4060 to know that most players aren’t going to need the extra cooling, so I’m not sure why cardmakers aren’t at least making basic models available at MSRP. It honestly wouldn’t take much to impress me. Knock $20 off the RTX 4060’s MSRP and I’ll be all over it. 

How long should you wait? 

I don’t want to pretend to be some sort of GPU deal Nostradamus, nor do I think the graphics card market is that predictable in 2024. That said, there are a few basics I’d stick to when planning to pick up a new card. The obvious one is to wait for sales like Prime Day and Black Friday, as brands normally wait till these events to reveal substantial discounts. Do random savings happen throughout the year? Absolutely, but if that RX 7900 XTX deal mentioned above is anything to go by, stock is usually slim and returns to full price fairly quickly. 

The second, which might also be obvious, is to wait until next-gen GPUs rear their head. I’m laughing at that piece of advice, as it didn’t really work out with the RTX 30-series since all the prices remained just as high, but I believe it’s a slightly different situation this time. Before RTX 4000 models were released, prices were all well beyond MSRP, and it took new versions to arrive to get things even remotely near their original asking price. Simply put, current cards have much less of a fall to make, meaning companies are theoretically losing less by cutting prices. 

Of course, all of this depends on the MSRP of new cards. If the RTX 5090 rolls up with a much higher price tag than its 4090 predecessor, manufacturers may be less compelled to cut prices. After all, the Lovelace card will look like a bargain without even trying if the new flagship costs a chunk more, which means nothing will really happen to prices come the new generation.

The above all sounds pretty morbid from a GPU deal standpoint, and I’m aware that things can change quickly. From where I’m standing, the whole thing feels like a “wait and see” scenario, especially when it comes to flagship 4K GPUs. I’ll naturally be checking regularly for any real discounts and sharing them with you, but if you’ve got a card that can run the latest games right now without too many caveats, I’d put the brakes on any potential upgrades.

On the flipside, if you’re building a gaming PC right now and want to ride out 2024 with a decent build, I’d personally stick with the entry-level to mid-range cards for now. You can plan the rest of your rig to suit higher specs with DDR5 RAM and a powerful CPU, but using something like an RTX 4070 will keep you from spending over $1,000 and mean you can upgrade to something more premium when prices become acceptable.

If you go with that latter approach and end up with a RTX 4090 rig for substantially less come 2025, come back and let me know!

 Need more parts? Check out the best gaming CPU and best gaming RAM for powerhouse components. Alternatively, swing by the Alienware gaming PC for something that's hot to go. 

There’s far more to the best gaming monitors than refresh rate, and while the $599 / £599 AOC AGON Pro AG246FK is ridiculously fast, it’s not going to be for everyone. I’m pretty sure most players out there will think that even 360Hz, which is understandable since the 4K monitor scene only just reached 240Hz peak. Even I’m having to  chow down on my own words, as I previously said I couldn’t imagine ever needing a 500Hz monitor in my Alienware AW2724HF review. Silly Phil – if only you’d known what ramping things above that figure could do for your FPS game sessions. 

Admittedly, I do still feel like this screen compromises on the fidelity front a bit too much for me to use full-time. The fact AOC has stuck with 24-inches for the Agon Pro AG246FK does help its full HD capabilities look less offensive than they would on a larger panel, and I was actually pretty impressed with its vibrancy considering we’re dealing with TN tech. But, when all is said and done, this is a gaming monitor for players who prioritize speed above all else, and trading away other qualities absolutely has its benefits.

Specs

I’ve already let most of the AGON Pro AG246FK’s specs out of the bag, but let’s recap what this high refresh rate monitor has to offer. The screen comes equipped with a 24.1-inch 1080p 540Hz “Ultra-Fast TN eSports” panel with a 0.5ms GtG response time. Accompanying those competitive grade qualities are DisplayHDR 400 certification and AdaptiveSync Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) capabilities, alongside an anti-glare coating that keeps aggressive reflections at bay. 

In terms of ports, the AG246FK comes with two HDMI 2.0 and one Displayport 1.4. I can already sense you PS5 monitor users out there reaching for your virtual pitchforks, but if we’re being honest, you’ll be using DisplayPort on PC to hit 540Hz anyway, as even HDMI 2.1 doesn’t support past 240Hz. I guess it’s a bit of a bummer if you’re aiming to use a console next to your PC, even though I’d suggest going for something other than a 24-inch TN panel in that case.

Design

At a glance, the AG246FK looks like a fairly conventional 16:9 display, with the most notable thing on the front being the panel’s three-sided frameless design. The last thing you really want is any aesthetic that could distract you in competitive scenarios with a monitor like this, so I completely understand the need to keep things vanilla. Yet, AOC has reserved its freaky side for its pedestal stand, as for whatever reason, it uses an asymmetrical pentagonal base. 

I imagine the look on my face was priceless when I went to line up the monitor, thinking I’d just placed it down at an angle, only to find it was purposely designed that way. It almost feels like it's mocking the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 with its straight pentagon base, even though both use a low-profile approach that makes it easier to slide over soundbars like the Blueant Soundblade. Simply put, the weirdo stand beats V-shaped feet or any other desk-dominating nonsense.

There is something slightly funky going on with the AG246FK’s height adjustment and pivot approach, which had me messing around with the screen for a solid 10 minutes. When lifted to its max height, the bottom bezel will hit off the base when switching to vertical, meaning you’ll have to tilt it slightly to swivel things around. That’s perhaps not a biggie, but it was a strange hiccup in the otherwise smooth process of rotating the monitor. 

Round the back you’ll find all the bulk you’d expect from a high refresh rate TN panel, with a hump integrating a two-port USB hub, video inputs, and even a pop-out headphone stand. If you’re into RGB, you’ll also potentially dig the lighting “ring”, which is just as oddly shaped as the monitor’s stand. I imagine some of you will be dragging this screen to LAN events where people can actually see behind the monitor, so putting on a show for them while you play is probably worthwhile. You’ll even be able to avoid cable management embarrassment thanks to some clips on the pedestal stand. Phew.

If you’ve read any of my monitor reviews, you know what’s coming next – the obligatory rant about OSD joystick controls. The AG246FK commits extra sins by using a ridiculously wobbly nub that dares to be the same shape as the stand. Good luck feeling any sense of direction with this movable button, as you’ll pretty much need to just fumble around and hope for the best. 

Features 

Like most monitors, the AGON Pro AG246FK has got an OSD menu filled with novel gaming options. In this instance, the screen splits these up into their own “Game Settings” menu, with other collective compartments including dials for “Luminance” and dedicated Picture-in-Picture and RGB lighting sections.

Keeping everything to the right-hand side of the display and having a shortlist of options in each setting does aid navigation, as I never felt stuck with where to find things. I would perhaps like settings like Freesync and HDR to be upfront and out of the way of the “sniper” overlays and other quirks, but that’s just what I’d do if I were putting together a monitor OSD. 

It admittedly feels like a standard feature at this point, but the AG246FK does come with a two-port USB hub. These days, I’m not really fussed unless a screen comes with USB-C capabilities and Power Delivery that’ll satiate my handheld shenanigans. But, since you’ll likely be hooking up a gaming mouse and keyboard to your rig with this monitor to play competitively, you can at least do so via a single cable. 

Performance 

Alright, strap yourselves in, as we’re about to dive into the Wild West of high refresh rate gaming. To check whether I could feel the difference between this Agon 540Hz screen and other speedy displays I’ve used thus far, I stuck to primarily playing both Overwatch 2 and Halo Infinite multiplayer. To also ensure I was able to boost fps appropriately, I also used the Alienware Aurora R16, as I know for a fact the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 inside can deliver the PC performance required. 

Playing Overwatch 2 at 540Hz felt a little surreal, with all my first-person movements noticeably translating as if in real-time. By that, I mean it was like watching something moving right before me in reality rather than the virtual realm. Weirdly, I’ve never experienced this when playing at 360Hz, but something about the unconventional jump here provides a whole new sensation entirely. 

In practice, this meant that my twitchy reactions flying around as Pharah felt far more precise, resulting in missiles flying precisely where I needed them to. Visually speaking, the way I was playing looked frankly ridiculous, as I was throwing my mouse around in a way that wouldn’t normally be possible, but the fast refresh rate meant I was able to see everything clearly and move with intent. I would have potentially put all of this down to a placebo effect sparked by knowing it was a 540Hz screen if I hadn’t got Play of the Game four times in a row the other night – something that rarely happens when I play at 144Hz. 

It’s also worth noting that I’m just off the back of finishing both my Hisense U7N and LG OLED G4 reviews, both of which are gaming TVs that can hit 144Hz. I naturally tried both the PS5 and PC versions of Overwatch 2 on those larger panels, and it helped amplify the benefits of using the AOC AGON Pro AG246FK at a desk. There’s a good chance I might not even go back to playing the hero shooter in the living room after this review, as now that I know how responsive and slick things can get with a monitor, the idea that I’m too slow will be lingering in the back of my head. Just to be clear, I am still very much a casual FPS player, but I think there’s a tiny part of all of us that wants to be at peak performance. 

While I was able to consistently hit 540fps+ in Overwatch 2 to satiate the AG246FK, the same didn’t quite happen with Halo Infinite. Microsoft’s shooter is a bit more sporadic when it comes to maps and frame rates, and I averaged out at around 480fps. Still more than high enough to be considered competitive, but it does feed into the “do we need 500Hz monitors” argument. Again, I’m using an RTX 4090 build for testing, so there won’t be much enthusiasts can do to hit higher performance in this instance.

Despite that, Halo Infinite felt stupidly slick on the AG246FK. One of my most memorable moments using the monitor to play the shooter involved a Super Fiesta match where the objective was to wreak havoc with random powerful weapons. Did I use a M41 SPNKr or a fancy energy weapon to get the job done? Nope, all I seemingly needed was a 540Hz screen and a Mk50 Sidekick pistol. I came out the other side of that battle with more kills and no deaths.

The extra responsiveness, stability, and sheer speed here are what I believe helped me ultimately up my game. Yes, I’m not what I’d call a skilled player, and I usually jump into multiplayer sessions for fun or to test screens like the AG246FK. The thing is if I can take advantage of 540Hz visuals as a casual player, imagine what either you or someone who’s fully dedicated to competitive play could achieve. Those few split seconds it’d take to swing around to make a shot on a slower screen can matter, especially if you’re up against fierce rivals. 

So, we’ve established that the AG246FK is a speed demon, but what about its visual capabilities? I expected to find this AGON Pro model to be a little unsightly at 1080p, especially when running games I normally play at higher resolutions on an OLED. Yet, its abilities are fairly serviceable, managing to pull off colors that just avoid looking completely washed out and decent brightness too. 

In Cyberpunk 2077, HDR provided Night City with the usual lick of realism I’ve become accustomed to, with glowing neon signs standing out against the game’s concrete jungle. You will notice some softness as a result of playing at 1080p, but if you keep the 24-inch monitor at an appropriate distance away, it won’t feel quite as obvious. I’m still of the opinion that if you’re looking to play new single-player adventures where frame rates aren’t a deal breaker, this probably isn’t the screen for the job. That said, if you mostly play FPS games and merely want acceptable results when you do occasionally launch into something else, you won’t be horrified by the visuals on show.

Should you buy the AOC AGON Pro AG246FK? 

Whether you’re a budding esports player or just someone who likes getting competitive in your spare time, the AOC AGON Pro AG246FK is going to elevate your experience. You’re going to need a rig that can actually match its 540Hz refresh rate with appropriate performance, and this gaming monitor does trade away other visual qualities for speed. Still, if you’re hellbent on improving your performance in first-person shooters and want an ultra-response screen, opting for this display won’t disappoint. 

As for the general player, I wouldn’t outright advise avoiding this monitor, but this TN panel might not feel like a big visual upgrade for $600. It’s fast, sure, and you’re not going to find many other models that can hit over 540Hz. What you will be able to grab is 360Hz screens like the Samsung OLED G6 for less than $200 more, which could be a much wiser choice due to its phenomenal colors and contrast. 

In any case, I’d like to personally thank the AGON Pro AG246FK, as this gaming monitor made me feel like an esports pro, even if in reality I shoot like a stormtrooper.

How I tested the AOC AGON Pro AG246FK

For two weeks, I used the AOC AGON Pro AG246FK as my main monitor for playing FPS games. Specifically, I used Overwatch 2 and Halo Infinite with low settings enabled on an Alienware Aurora R16 gaming PC with an RTX 4090 graphics card to boost fps to match the displays 540Hz panel. During gameplay, I observed qualities like responsiveness and speed in addition to brightness and contrast to get a feel for whether the higher refresh rate comes with caveats.

In addition to those competitive FPS games, I also tested Cyberpunk 2077 in order to evaluate the screen's HDR and resolution scaling abilities. In turn, this helped a visual establish a comparison point between other reviewed monitors.

For more information on how we test gaming monitors and other screens, take a peek at our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Looking for more screens? Check out the best 4K monitors for gaming and the best monitors for PS5. Alternatively, swing by the best gaming TV for large living room panels with a punch.

The $79.99 / £79.99 cups still have plenty of competition, but moving further away from that $100 position means they’re able to drop more features and prioritize audio quality while keeping that price relatively low. They’re not going to give some of the best gaming headsets in the premium range a run for their money, but they still offer a solid experience all-round. 

Design

With identically shaped cups and a similar silhouette, the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 follows its sibling in its general aesthetic. However, the shortcuts to reach that low price point are pretty obvious when held side by side. The leatherette cushion cover on the Stealth 500 is much less comfortable than the mesh design of the Turtle Beach Stealth 600, often growing hot and slightly claustrophobic during longer play sessions. 

The actual build of this cushioning is also questionable - my test unit has a section with particularly stretched fabric. The actual cup warps slightly around the left edge, with heavy wrinkling and a less plump cushioning. This leatherette material is already prone to flaking over time, and I’m not too optimistic about the durability of that already-loose corner. 

The most noticeable difference between the two headsets, though, is the headband. This is where the Stealth 500 wins out the most. The Stealth 600 is shipped with a pretty standard solid band, but there’s just not enough padding in there to remain comfortable for longer sessions. The cheaper version, however, throws a floating piece of elastic into the mix, similar to SteelSeries’ range of Nova devices. That alleviates any sense of pressure on the top of the head, with the crown only ever hitting the elastic and never the simple plastic frame on top. I much prefer this design during everyday use, especially when I’m playing for hours at a time. 

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless achieves this effect with a slightly higher $129.99 / £129.99 price tag, with a similarly flexible headband that provides just a touch more adjustability. There are no sliders to adjust the actual slide on the headband itself on the Turtle Beach, whereas the SteelSeries is fully adjustable. However, you’re still getting three size options for the elastic itself, swapped using a set of notches on each side. 

I’m lucky, though. Placing the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 straight on my noggin from the box, I didn’t notice any pain points for mis-alignment in the earcups. If you have a particularly large or small head, though, I’d recommend steering clear. The cups themselves don’t swivel and there’s not enough adjustment in the headband to be truly customizable in shape and size. 

For all their leatherette sins, the earcups remain comfortable over longer periods of time, temperature concerns aside. There’s a plush cushioning under each side, with a low clamp force trying desperately to keep things feeling loose - at least for the first few hours. 

The plastic housing of the Stealth 500 feels cheaper and more tinny compared to the Stealth 600, but looks like it could hold up against longer term use. It’s also a lightweight design that works towards its comfort as well. The Stealth 500 weighs in at 233g, a considerable improvement over the 301g Stealth 600 - especially with that lower clamp force in tow. 

Features

There was a time when cheap wireless gaming headsets abandoned pretty much every fancy feature in the book to keep their prices low. That time has passed. Now the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 features not only 2.4GHz low-latency connectivity but also Bluetooth 5.2, and the ability to quickly swap between the two. That means you can run this on pretty much anything - though the option to default to a wired mode when the battery runs out is absent. That’s the same connectivity suite as the Stealth 600, though the Razer Barracuda X adds a wired connection for its $99.99 / £99.99 RRP. That makes it a better buy for Nintendo Switch players who don’t want to worry about running out of juice while out and about. 

You’re also getting chat-mix controls right on the headset itself, right next to the volume wheel. That’s not an idea placement, especially considering my natural reach consistently hit the chat wheel instead of volume during testing. In fact, everything is pretty clustered on this left cup, with very little tactile difference between various controls. While I’m impressed with the comprehensive selection of buttons and scrollers, it takes a bit of work to discern the difference between each option on-the-fly. 

This is still a lower mid-range (very almost entry-level) wireless headset, though, so you won’t find any of the fancier features you can grab further up the price scale. However, the Swarm II software still provides access to EQ tweaks, microphone adjustments, and customization options for the multifunction button. There’s also a mobile version of the full PC suite which will come in particularly handy for console players (a rare addition, I usually see cheaper headsets relegating all of their customization features to PC-only use). 

The mobile app does do away with the full 10-band EQ feature, but can otherwise be used to check battery, swap presets, and adjust your microphone. Overall, Swarm is a solid piece of software that provides excellent functionality while still remaining intuitive in its menus, all without demanding too much from your PC. 

This is also where you’ll be toggling Superhuman Hearing, an audio preset that’s been shipping with Turtle Beach headsets for years now. This setting emphasizes ranges that hold things like footsteps and gunshots, with the aim being to make certain sounds clearer for competitive play. The result is an overly-processed soundstage, though, that never feels comfortable to listen to for too long. 

The battery is another indicator of a slightly lower price tag, though the 40 hour rating is more than workable for everyday play. I used the Stealth 500 for around five days averaging around five hours of use per day and still had 35% remaining, so Turtle Beach’s suggestion certainly rings true from my own testing. If you’re a heavier user, it’s worth noting that the Stealth 600 bumps your battery up to 80 hours for just a little extra cash. 

Performance

The Turtle Beach Stealth 500s aren’t going to give high-end headsets any concerns in their audio quality. However, they do offer a nicely energetic soundstage with plenty of range and a nice balance. The lower ranges are naturally a little more powerful than the mids, as is expected from this cheaper bracket. That means the mids can feel a little clustered at times. Octopath Traveler’s soundtrack feels a little restricted through these cups, compared to the Razer Barracuda X where there’s more space for detailing in the lower-mids. Nevertheless, there’s a warmth to the Turtle Beach Stealth 500’s sound quality that shines through particularly well in dialogue and cut scenes, and everyday play still sounds natural and well-balanced. 

Unlike cheaper headsets that over-emphasize the bass at the expense of clarity, the Stealth 500s still sound impressively clean in the low ranges. I didn’t notice any distortion during everyday use, though it’s also worth noting that I couldn’t seem to crank the volume to the levels where I would usually hear this degradation in quality either. If you like your games at ear-splitting volumes you might struggle to feel the full power of this device. 

Overall quality is impressive for $79.99 / £79.99, though, especially considering directional audio is still worth a shot. Apex Legends and CS:2 both benefited from additional positional cues, with footsteps and gunshots easily heard amongst the heat of battle. That spatial sound wasn’t quite as precise as more competitive-minded headsets like the Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed, but I could easily discern the general direction of certain effects. If you’re a truly competitive player you’ll need to move further up the price scale to notice a difference in your play, but the Stealth 500 nails the basics particularly well for the price. 

The microphone does its job in the same way, offering a nicely clear pickup for the price but without the extra tonal or volume qualities of more expensive models - it’s certainly not a patch on the BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed. 

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 500?

I’d recommend the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 to anyone who doesn’t want to go near the $100 / £100 price bracket, but wants more than a $50 / £50 headset can provide (namely a wireless connection and light form factor). In isolation, the Stealth 500 offers a solid price proposition - it’s one of the first cheaper headsets to offer both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections at an affordable rate. However, the Stealth 600’s build quality, battery life, and materials make it the better buy overall. For just $20 / £20 more you’re doubling your juice and picking up a more comfortable set of cup cushions. While the headband itself is a little less comfortable than the floating style of the 500s, the adjustability makes it a more viable option for many as well. 

The Razer Barracuda X also offers a similar proposition, with better sound quality in the lower ranges and a more adjustable form factor. You’re still getting both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, though with only 10 hours more battery life. The microphone is also detachable on Razer’s model rather than the handier flip to mute version on the Stealth 500.

How I tested the Turtle Beach Stealth 500

I used the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 headset as my only gaming headset for a period of two weeks, while also testing alongside the Stealth 600, Razer Barracuda X, Corsair HS35 V2, and Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed for a period of one week. During my full testing period I tested for competitive accuracy in CS:2 and Apex Legends, while also running Octopath Traveler and Fallout 4 on PC as well.

I tested environmental audio and definition in Horizon Forbidden West, with further PS5 directional testing accomplished in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Doom Eternal was used to test the power of the lower ranges and lower mids in a more clustered soundstage, with The Last of Us Part 2 being used for dialogue and soundstage recreation. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy. 

We’re also rounding up all the best PS5 headsets and the best Xbox Series X headsets on the market, as well as the best Nintendo Switch headsets for on-the-go play as well.  

You have three new Xbox variants to pick from. First up is the Special Edition Xbox Series X, which comes in Galaxy Black and sports a 2TB SSD. This is the new flagship - with the extra storage space, you won't need to spend extra on some of the best Xbox Series X accessories. We also finally have the all-digital Xbox Series X, which comes in Robot White and has a 1TB SSD inside it. Lastly, there's the more affordable Series S 1TB, also in Robot White.

• US: Pre-orders | $599.99 at Xbox
• UK: Pre-orders | £549.99 at Xbox

All three of these consoles will launch on October 15, although some regions that (rather annoyingly) haven't been specified will receive theirs on October 29. As for price, we now know that the 2TB Series X will set you back $599.99 / 549.99. The all-digital Series X will cost $449.99 / £429.99, and the new White edition of the 1TB Series S will weigh in at a familiar $349.99 / £299.99.

It should be said that these new Xbox options aren't the Xbox Series X refresh that we saw unconfirmed details about in the FTC leak last year. We still haven't heard any news about that, and these are simply more options in the existing Xbox Series X and S lineup.

So with those important details out the way, let's get shopping, as we tell you where to pre-order the all-new Xbox Series X and S consoles.

New Xbox Series X|S pre-orders in the US

New Xbox Series X|S pre-orders in the UK

Should you buy the new Xbox Series X|S?

For more on Xbox hardware, check out the best Xbox Series X external hard drives, the best Xbox Series X controllers, and the best Xbox One accessories. 

Sporting an RTX 4060, which is probably the best entry-level graphics card available right now, this CyberpowerPC Gamer Master is just $849.99 at Amazon, down from $999.99. It has ideal specs for someone who wants to come in on the ground floor but still have modern specs that can tackle the latest games. 

I’ve been scouring the shelves today, trying to find the best gaming PCs for the smallest sums of money, and I can’t find better than this. Newegg has a few options that rock similar specs, but either they don’t give you DDR5 RAM out of the box, or they aren’t compatible with it. This prebuild from CyberPower however, gives you 15GB of DDR5, and it’s back to its lowest-ever price, which we last saw during Black Friday sales last year. 

Should you buy the CyberPowerPC Gamer Master? 

For those first-time buyers who aren’t so familiar with components, let me explain a bit more about this rig. 

The processor isn’t from AMD’s brand new generation, but it is from its first generation of DDR5-compatible CPUs that are known for excellent gaming performance. I’ve just reviewed the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G, which is the updated version of the one found in this rig, and it truly surprised me with how well it handled gaming performance at 4K, let alone the Full HD or 1440p you’ll likely target with this machine. 

The GPU is the RTX 4060, which is the most affordable graphics card that has access to the latest Nvidia DLSS upscaling and frame-gen tricks. Since it has Lovelace architecture and dedicated RT cores, it’ll manage some Ray Tracing too. 

I review the best RAM for gaming, and although I’m used to testing out 32GB at a time, I recently encountered 16GB in my Maingear Zero Ruby review, and I was so surprised at how well it performed. With RAM of this speed, you’ll encounter no stuttering or freezes when you have loads of tabs open in a browser, and gaming tasks will be trounced. 

The biggest weakness of this rig is that it only comes with a 500GB drive inside it. This is a shame, but you’ll likely be able to find one of the best SSDs for gaming at a later point so you can upgrade. This is easily the cheapest component of a PC to upgrade, so it’s not a terrible hit to take. If you have one of the best external hard drives for gaming, you might not need extra storage for a while anyway. 

For more buying advice for first-time PC shoppers, check out the best CPUs for gaming, the best graphics cards, and the best computer speakers. 

Of course, if you’ve still got a bunch of the best retro consoles lying around, like the Sega Dreamcast or OG PlayStation, then picking up The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver secondhand is still very much an option. However, if you’re aiming to enjoy the Vampiric Shakespearian adventure on a gaming handheld, your options are sadly limited. That’s where the Super Pocket comes into play, as thanks to its new Giga carts, we’re starting to see physical versions of cult classics re-emerge on the scene.

Before the PC port of Soul Reaver’s removal from Steam back in 2021, I’d have recommended making your way through the Macabre land of Nosgoth on the Steam Deck OLED. A few quirks aside, the game works wonderfully on Valve’s portable PC, but Crystal Dynamics is allegedly still working on “updates.” You could wait for all those publisher shenanigans to blow over, or for a remake to finally arrive, but I’d honestly rather pick up a $50 handheld that can run it and fit inside my jeans pocket.  

A pocket-sized preservationist 

I’m forever telling friends and family to consider picking up a Super Pocket, and I’ve got even more reasons to recommend it now that it further aids preservation. Yes, every Evercade console technically comes with the same benefits, as all of Blaze’s consoles and handhelds are the same cartridge ecosystem. But, price and ease of use are two things I think are vital when it comes to general appeal, and the portable is more likely to draw back old and new gamers alike. 

It’s easy to take digital access to classic capers for granted, and The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is a perfect case and point. Like it or not, publishers can decide to remove games from storefronts anytime they like, which could ultimately stop you from enjoying older outings. Let’s be real, a majority of you out there aren’t going to rush out and buy an old system just to play one game, not to mention retro gaming in itself can cost silly money.

It’s for that reason that I consider the Super Pocket to be a heroic handheld for preservation and an approachable way to revisit classics. Put it this way – if you’re going about your day and all of a sudden get an itch to replay Soul Reaver or even Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen (yes, that’s also on the same Evercade cart), you’ll be able to pick up the Game Boy-shaped console and the game for well under $100.

Picking up a PS1 and a copy of Soul Reaver is going to work out at around the same price or more as a Super Pocket and the Legacy of Kain collection. There are absolutely going to be a few of you out there who’d rather own an authentic old system, but in terms of properly preserving easy access for the long term, it’s not the best decision. 

Will it bring more nostalgic satisfaction? Absolutely, but keeping things authentic comes with potential complications like the aging hardware within old systems deteriorating and issues on the connectivity front. That latter caveat could be a massive pain if you’ve got a shiny new gaming TV, as most modern screens lack traditional analog inputs like composite. Sure, you can bridge the gap with upscalers and other add-ons, but you’ll be ultimately adding to the total cost of your setup. 

Portable console convenience 

As a retro gaming enthusiast, I have various ways to play the oldies. Yet, I still find myself reaching for the Super Pocket whenever I need a quick fix. Even when using retro consoles in 2024, it’s hard to replicate the ‘90s convenience of jamming a cartridge into a box and diving straight into a game, in part due to the hardware complications mentioned above. However, that’s exactly what Blaze’s tiny console provides, all without requiring software updates, downloads, or any performance settings shenanigans. 

There’s a strong case to be made for simply emulating games like Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver on devices like the Anbernic RG35XX Plus, and I can certainly see why it’d be appealing if you own the original game. In a perfect world, we’d all just be using emulators to play these games on whatever device we like, but the end results can be unpredictable and require some manual settings intervention. 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got limited time as an adult, and having to mess around in menus can sometimes put me off diving into a game. Again, it all comes back around to the instant convenience of cartridges, as since Evercade carts have tailored emulators included alongside their respective games, there’s no need to touch any dials. Everything should just work just like it would have on an original system, ensuring that there are no roadblocks to your nostalgic trip. 

Are there numerous ways to replay ‘90s games like The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver? Without a doubt, but that won’t stop me from recommending the Super Pocket to players who want a no-nonsense experience. 

FIY: The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Evercade collection will be available to pre-order on August 30, 2024, and it’ll officially arrive on shelves this September.

Already got Valve’s handheld? Swing by the best Steam Deck accessories and best Steam Deck dock for excellent add-ons. Alternatively, check out the best gaming laptop for powerful portable gaming rigs. 

Sitting at a very reasonable $143 for the 2TB model and $79.99 for the 1TB model it does come in more affordable than many of its bigger-name rivals. So we know it can compete on price, but can it compete when it’s put to the test against the best SSDs for gaming? 

Having previously tested and reviewed the Nextorage NEM-PA Series SSD, a similarly unknown brand, I know first-hand that you don’t need to splash out the cash to get bang for your buck, or in this case - speed.

Design & Features

The Klevv CRAS C930 drive looks like your standard stick of SSD, nothing out of the ordinary or flashy here. With the option of this being used as an SSD for PS5, it does come with a heatsink that you can attach to the drive yourself. This is a unique design choice as this allows users on PC to easily slot the SSD into their build using their own heatsinks if needed.

Attaching the heatsink was a very straightforward task. Simply removing the adhesive strip coverings on the heatsink and attaching it to the SSD drive is all you need to do. Honestly, having only worked with SSDs that come with integrated heatsinks before I was a bit nervous to be attaching this myself, but it couldn’t have been easier.

I really like the design of the heatsink, it has a slight grille-like design towards the end of the chassis which boasts a matte black color and contrasts with the ‘KLEVV’ logo branded on the other end. Despite knowing I won’t actually be looking at the SSD or its design with it being in my PS5 99% of the time, I do appreciate the fact it looks nice and premium.

I am happy to report that in the 1% of the time that I am actually looking at the drive, it remained nice and cool despite it being used heavily in PS5 just minutes prior. Unfortunately, I am unable to measure the actual temperature of the drive while in use inside the PS5, but if the temperature post-use was any indication, the heatsink works really effectively.

Not only does it work, but it’s a very small drive and heatsink combination. It doesn’t feel heavy and it fits perfectly into the PS5’s M.2 SSD additional storage slot allowing you to lock it into place in the ‘80’ screw slot. Like with attaching the heatsink, you won’t struggle to actually install it into your console.

Performance

As I have previously mentioned the Klevv CRAS C930 M.2 2TB drive boasts an on-the-box read speed of 7,400 MB/s and a write speed of 6,800 MB/s, both impressive numbers that puts it ahead of the WB Black SN850X, the Samsung 980 Pro and the Nextorage NEM-PA Series. These are seriously impressive advertised speeds, especially considering how much you're actually spending.

Wanting to test that impressive read speed, I installed it into my PS5 and found that unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit that mark when the console formatted the drive. Coming in at 6,408 MB/s read speed, this falls short of the read speed by just shy of 1000 MB/s. This comes in less than the Nextorage NEM-PA Series which achieved 6,539 MB/s but higher than the WD Black SN850P which came in at 6,293 MB/s. 

When testing the drive in CrystalDiskMark on my PC the numbers it was achieving were in line with what the Klevv CRAS C930 box advertises. Across three tests the drive saw an average read speed of 7,327 MB/s and a write speed of 6,795 MB/s. Both are impressive numbers, but that write speed particularly impressed me as that’s only 5 MB short of what the box advertises. 

Now that the technical jargon is out of the way, how does it actually perform in real terms and real use? Well, across multiple games on my PS5, I whizzed through load screens with ease with barely enough time to think about picking up my phone to doom-scroll Twitter/X.

Jumping into Hitman 3: World of Assassination I was able to deploy Agent 47 on a top-secret mission in just 12 seconds from the main menu on my first attempt. This actually improved throughout my use as every time I entered a new level across an approximate 2-hour playtime I measured the load times. At its fastest pace, it loaded me from the mission select screen into Miami, one of the biggest maps and most populated maps in the game, in only 7 seconds. On average, I wasn’t waiting longer than 9 seconds to get right into the action.

I witnessed similarly quick speeds that Quicksilver would be jealous of in Marvel’s Midnight Suns as on average it would load me into my save in just 3 seconds from the main menu. I was incredibly impressed by this across multiple tests which all achieved similar speeds.

Not only did it load super quickly to get me into my save, but leaving the game mission hub area and actually deploying into a mission scenario, it only took me 8 seconds on average across three tests.

My final test was with the PlayStation-exclusive Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, which is specifically designed to utilize SSD technology. As we’ve seen in our tests of the Gen 5 Crucial T700 Pro, loading times were blink-and-you’ll-miss-it fast. Genuinely I could not believe that from the main menu, I loaded into the game in less than 2 seconds. Across 10 tests that I put it through, the slowest was 1.7 seconds and I feel part of that could have been human error on my part being too slow to hit the timer.

There were similarly impressive speeds when it came to transferring games between the internal storage and the additional drive. Hitman 3, which sits at a hefty 78GB, transferred to the Klevv CRAS C930 in just 30 seconds with it returning to the internal storage from the additional drive in just over 5 minutes. Midnight Suns which is half the size of Hitman 3, 43GB, made the jump in half the time - funny that - at only 15 seconds and was back on my internal storage in only 3 minutes. You won’t be waiting long to fill up that SSD, essentially. In fact, I think you’ll struggle to fill it all as 2TB provides you with more than enough space to pack with games. I moved my entire library onto the drive and still had 500GB of space left - just enough to download Warzone…maybe.

Should you buy the Klevv CRAS C930 2TB M.2? 

While Klevv might not be the most recognizable brand on the market at this point, it doesn’t mean it should be ignored for the bigger names. If you’re looking for one of the best SSDs for gaming then I think you should seriously consider purchasing the Klevv CRAS C930 2TB SSD. 

With an entry price of just $79.99 for the 1TB model or $143 for the 2TB model, you can’t really go wrong. It undercuts the Nextorage NEM PA-Series price which we consider to be the best budget SSD for PS5. And I think that’s exactly the market that this drive manages to hit. You’re not going to break the bank when picking up one of these and that’s what makes those lightning-quick speeds even more attractive. 

The box that the drive comes in proudly says ‘Born for Faster Life’ and I think that sums it up pretty perfectly. It has breathed faster life into my PS5.

How we tested the SSD 

I used the Klevv CRAS C930 2TB M.2 SSD as my primary drive inside my PS5 for a week and used it both in a testing environment where I measured load times etc but also just in day-to-day use. 

I used the PS5’s internal benchmark when installing the drive to measure the read speed in the console and transferred my library to the drive and downloaded multiple games to it for testing purposes - this included Hitman 3, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, the three games that I chose to highlight in this review. I chose the latter due to its DirectStorage prowess, as well as the fact it was designed to lean on the PS5's SSD storage. 

When testing on PC I installed the drive into my PC’s SSD slot and used CrystalDiskMark to measure the drive’s read and write speeds. I calculated the average after I conducted three unique tests.

If you want to know more about how we test SSDs here at GamesRadar+, check out our full hardware policy.

You don't need to go with a flashy internal drive. Check out the best external hard drives for gaming, the best PS5 external hard drives, and the best PS4 external hard drives.

With prices starting at $799 / £1,299 for the 55-inch model, the Hisense U7N is one of this year's best gaming TV contenders in terms of value. For your money, you’re getting a Quantum Dot mini LED display with HDMI 2.1 capabilities and plenty of smart features to boot, all of which will help bring out the best in your PS5 and Xbox Series X. Of course, just like the Hisense U7K I reviewed last year, this new version boasts a 144Hz refresh rate, making it a great option for PC players looking to kick back on the couch with some Steam games. 

I’ll fully admit that I prefer OLED displays over mini LED, and that’s not just exclusive to the LG OLED G4. Typically speaking, I normally end up feeling underwhelmed by the lack of realistic vibrancy provided by the latter, but the Hisense U7N has managed to keep me on side thanks to its approachable price tag and speed. There are ultimately a few caveats mixed in that keep it from true greatness, but for under $800? This screen is still going to leave you satiated.

Specs

The U7N might be a mid-ranger, but Hisense hasn’t skimped on kitting it out with impressive specs. In honesty, I’m still surprised that 65-inch 144Hz screens like the one I'm testing are available at under $1,000 at all, as it feels like 120Hz 4K TVs were a significant investment just a few years ago. To quote Bob Dylan himself, the times they are a-changin', and we’ve reached a point where living room displays can rival gaming monitors without costing the world. 

What’s perhaps more impressive is that the U7N doesn’t drop the ball in including plenty of other perks alongside its punchy panel. Dolby Vision and Atmos audio capabilities are on standby to give movies and games a premium lick of paint, and HDR10+ certification will ensure accurate levels across supported content. If you’re worried about keeping things smooth, you’ll also be able to tap into Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) abilities and eliminate any high frame rate weirdness – something I end up missing on displays without it. 

Hisense includes two HDMI 2.1 ports with the U7N, with the rest sticking with 2.0 standards. I don’t personally think that’s a biggie since most of you will likely only have a couple of devices that require the bandwidth. Those limitations may rear their head in the future if new systems like the Nintendo Switch 2 or PS5 Pro end up boasting faster refresh rates and resolutions, so just keep that in mind if you like to keep last and next-gen systems running in unison.  

Design

Entry to mid-range TVs are sometimes guilty of using too much plastic, but the U7N almost cosplays as a more expensive model. You’ll find that most of the back, bar some sections on the hump, are metal, which provides that sort of robust feel you’ll want when spending upwards of $800. The display also wears a lavish-looking silver frame that adds an elegant accent, but it’s a little thicker than the bezels you’ll find on premium panels. We’re talking millimeters of a difference, and I only really noticed since the wall behind my setup is white. 

Hisense keeps the port layout simple with the U7N, as you’ll be able to access everything from the left-hand side of the TV. Annoyingly, the power connector is located at the complete opposite end on the right, meaning you’ll have to wrangle cables in both directions. You will be able to use two plastic clips on the back of the screen’s stand to funnel wires out of sight, but you’ll still need to provide your own cable management provisions to completely hide cords. 

One sin the U7N commits that is tormenting me a little relates to its stand. Rather than keeping its feet out of the way to accommodate sound systems or even consoles, they stick out in front and come with a massive plastic facia to make them look like a wedge. Some soundbars may have enough clearance to slide over the hump, but options like the LG S95QRE simply aren’t going to fit. I completely get the appeal of a centralized pedestal, as it’ll save you picking up a new TV bench if you’re rocking something older, but this weird extra-large toenail approach isn’t demure. Isn’t cutesy.

Swinging back around to a more mindful design approach – the remote comes armed with USB-C and solar panel charging. Not to get all sentimental, but my late Granda always used to ask me why TV makers still forced us to use AA batteries when everything else is rechargeable, and I wish he was around to see this impressive channel flipper. 

It’s about the same length as a Lightsabre hilt since it has that solar array at the bottom, and I’m not really a fan of having specific streaming service buttons on a remote that could vanish in 10 years. But, considering the OLED G4’s Magic Remote still uses disposable batteries, this remote manages to make that three grand TV’s buttons feel prehistoric. 

Features

Just like most TVs that cater to gaming these days, the Hisense U7N comes with its own “Game Bar.” I’m mentioning this element first as it ties into most other features the screen has to offer, providing a speedy way to change crucial settings when using consoles and PCs. 

Side by side, the Hisense’s dedicated gaming menu has virtually the same toggles as LG’s Game Bar, alongside indicators for VRR, HDR, and FPS. These are pretty invaluable, as even a seasoned hardware reviewer like myself can sometimes get HDMI cables mixed up and not realize they’re using an old HDMI 2.0 cord. 

Yes, this did happen right after I’d just got all my wires organized, prompting me to re-discover the appropriate cable for my PS5. The result would have otherwise been not being able to use Variable Refresh Rate or hit 4K 120Hz, and the last thing you want is to realize you’ve not got either when all settled in for a gaming session. Another quick access setting I really appreciate is the AMD FreeSync toggle, as while some PC games can really benefit from the tech, others can feature weird artifacts as a result of upscaling.

Outside of gaming specifically, the U7N has a whole array of smart features that cater to streaming. For whatever reason, the UK model I’m testing uses Hisense’s own Vidaa OS while US screens make use of Google TV. For what it’s worth, the company’s own software holds up well in terms of navigation, layout, and search capabilities across apps. You’ll even be able to use Alexa or the TV’s own voice functions if you prefer hands-free.

Performance

I’m used to using wildly fast screens these days courtesy of the gaming monitor world, so it’s safe to say I’m sensitive to playing games at 60Hz. Given enough time with slower refresh rates, I’d probably reacclimatize, but with the likes of the Hisense U7N providing up to 144Hz, I’d arguably never have to. 

I’m also acutely aware that screens sometimes abandon other attributes to maximize speed. Therefore I went into my U7N testing sessions looking for a good balance between excellent colors, contrast, and sharpness alongside an elevated refresh rate. Sure, I already had an idea of the experience Hisense is capable of providing thanks to previous U7K experience, but with models like the LG OLED G4 raising the performance bar ever higher, I was curious to see whether this mid-range display could also go a step further.

Thankfully, the U7N has more than proven itself as a high-spec gaming TV, and a few visual gripes aside, it provides a great experience for the price. I spent an entire week testing the screen with high frame rate PS5 and PC scenarios and came out the other end feeling pretty satisfied with the results. 

Let’s kick things off with Overwatch 2 on PS5, as the hero shooter demonstrates both U7N pros and cons. The console will automatically switch to 120Hz since that’s the most Sony’s system can manage, and it’s more appropriate anyway considering the game runs at 120fps. Or at least, it should do most of the time – the last update has somewhat made things a bit jittery at the start of matches. 

That’s where VRR comes into play beautifully, especially since the switch from sub-60fps to 120 whenever performance picks back up is jarring. With the feature off, I felt quite distracted when I should have been psyching myself up to boost into action as Pharah. Switching Variable Refresh Rate on effectively masked the dip enough that I couldn’t immediately notice it was happening, stopping me from wanting to head upstairs and play on PC. 

In play, the U7N provided the slick results I’d expect from a 144Hz screen. Pinballing back and forth using Pharah’s boost abilities was responsive and didn’t obscure my vision, meaning I was able to rapidly bombard the enemy team without any noticeable lag or blurring. One thing I did notice, however, was that Overwatch 2 didn’t look quite as sharp at 120Hz on Hisense’s TV compared to the OLED G4, in turn demonstrating the value of the more expensive chip doing the upscaling in LG’s premium model. 

It’s been the best part of a year, but I’m still making my way through Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, which gave me a reason to use the remastered collection as a color test. Since we’re dealing with mini LED here, I was expecting contrast to take a major backseat but found that the U7N was pleasantly vibrant. Most of you out there won’t be jumping from having an OLED G4 to this cheaper Hisense option on your bench, and the results are even more impressive if you jump from a bog standard LED display to this screen. 

Moving onto PC gameplay, and jumping into shooters like Halo Infinite feels sensational at 144Hz. There’s a debate to be had over whether using controllers with faster screens is as beneficial as using a high-polling gaming mouse, but I’d argue it’s likely what playing on future-gen consoles will feel like. Everything is just that bit more responsive at this refresh rate over 120Hz, and if you want to hook up your rig in the living room without spending a bomb, the U7N is a solid solution.

The U7N’s High Dynamic Range has somewhat improved compared to last year’s model, as it provides excellent brightness laced with decent color balance. I did still pick up on some washed-out tones with HDR switched on, and your mileage will still vary based on both what you’re playing/watching. For instance, games like Cyberpunk 2077 benefit from the feature, as it adds depth to Night City’s illuminated streets, whereas shows like Star Wars: The Acolyte end up looking a bit too muted.

It’s worth noting that I did have to dial in some brightness and contrast settings myself to get things looking decent, especially with HDR enabled. All the default presets, including standard and HDR dynamic looked both blown out and a little hazy without manual intervention, but some adjustments got things looking the way they should. 

Just like other mini LED panels, backlight blooming can also be an issue, especially when the backlight is cranked up. It’s not intrusive by any means, and I typically only spotted it with wider contrast variances, but it might get on your nerves if you’re looking for that distinct OLED look. 

Audio

Built-in speakers are rarely anything exceptional, and I’d be lying if I said the U7N’s 40W setup was anything but average. I’ll take that over it being terrible or tinny, and Hisense’s integrated subwoofer is handy when trying to detect more subtle noises like footsteps in shooters. I normally play at lower volumes so as not to completely torment my neighbors with pew pew sounds, and while there’s a complete lack of detail when things aren’t cranked up, I could at least rely on the TV’s extra bass for some match-changing audio clues. 

Should you buy the Hisense U7N? 

It’s hard to argue with what the Hisense U7N provides for its price tag, and it’s a mid-range mini-LED TV champ in terms of value. If you’re debating on adding a PC to your living room, or just looking for something that’ll serve the PS5 and beyond with speedy visuals, this panel will deliver excellent results that still look the part. 

Put it this way, the 65-inch U7N comes in at under $1,000 and delivers the same 144Hz capabilities as something like the LG OLED B4 for a chunk less. Naturally, there’s more to it than that, and OLED panels still have the upper hand in terms of inky blacks and vibrant colors. If vibrancy matters to you among other subtleties, you might want to fork out more. However, most players are going to be pretty pleased with Hisense’s cheaper alternative, particularly if harnessing higher frame rates is a priority. 

How I tested the Hisense U7N 

Throughout testing, I used both a PS5 and PC to benchmark the U7N’s 144Hz refresh rate capabilities as well as assess its 4K mini LED visuals. During that time, I played games like Overwatch 2, Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, Cyberpunk 2077, and Halo Infinite alongside general use, taking comparative notes to see how it fairs against competitors and previous models. In addition, I also used apps like Disney+ to stream shows like Star Wars: The Acolyte to evaluate HDR performance. 

For more information on how we test gaming TVs and other screen types, check out our GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

 Looking for more displays? Check out the best TVs for PS5 and Xbox Series X and best QLED TVs for more options. Alternatively, swing by the best 4K gaming monitors for desktop-friendly panels.  

The best gaming chairs are hard to buy online because it's not like you can sit on one yourself and figure out if it's right for you. Thankfully, we've put our butts on a lot of them and dealt with loads of the biggest brands in an attempt to figure out what your best options are. Testing gaming chairs isn't as straightforward as the formal testing we do for the likes of gaming PCs and components, but we do try to treat each chair with a fair process that evaluates how it will last over time, and how you'll get on with it whether you're building solo or with a friend. 

Of course, different seats will have different features, so once assembled, we try to put them all to the test, and determine if they target a more ergonomic crowd or a comfort crowd. Futureproofing is also important, so we try to spend a lot of time with one before writing up a review. We like to live with our hardware here at GamesRadar+ and that means using every new bit of kit like it was our own. You can find more on GamesRadar's review ethos in our Hardware Policy. 

How we test gaming chairs

No two gaming chairs are the same, and even though many of them are similar, the small disparities can mean big differences overall. When we test gaming chairs, we're aware that we have our own unique preferences and body types, so we try to take into account wider parameters while giving you our takes. 

These are a few of the things we always try to answer in our reviews: 

• How comfortable the gaming chair is both initially and then over time 
• The overall build quality and sturdiness of the gaming chair 
• How long the gaming chair takes to assemble
• How complicated the build process is for one person by themselves
• The price of the gaming chair and its place in the market
• The features and adjustability options on offer
• If the chair is on the ergonomic side of the spectrum, or more tilted toward comfort
• If the chair adequately supports posture and spine health

Arguably the most important element to reviewing a gaming chair is how comfortable it is both upon initial inspection and then over time. We will generally work and play in a chair for around a month before we come to a verdict and write up a review. 

In general comfort tests, we want to be able to sit in a chair for a full day of work without feeling aches, pains, or numb bums. This might go without saying, but it helps us to determine whether each chair is firmer or on the plush side.

Build quality is a very important factor when testing and reviewing gaming chairs, too, if the seat isn't constructed out of quality materials then it's unlikely to last for all too long. Chairs are meant to be a long-term investment, and so we try to be quite hard on them for the testing period - this isn't because we're mean, but because we want to simulate lots of use and wear and tear so you know something will last.

Assembly time is something that we take into account when reviewing any gaming chair, as this gives the prospective buyer an idea of how long it takes in real-world testing. It can also unravel manufacturing issues because if things don't fit together perfectly or vital tools and bolts are missing, we'll know it's harder to recommend. 

Each of our reviewers will build their chairs solo so that they get a solid knowledge of how each one pieces together. We take note of the time spent building, and the quality and clarity of instructions. Its weight can be a factor too - did we feel that a chair required another person to help us? That can be important too, because not everyone can wrestle these hefty chair parts together themselves.

Value for money is so important to our hardware coverage and isn't simply a matter of weighing up prices. Value is how much quality and features you get for your money, and with chairs, it's an important factor.  Expensive models aren't always the best, and sometimes cheap options can offer you just as much. Taking the customer experience, the comfort, and all of the other factors we've mentioned above into account, we get a clear image of a verdict. 

For example, we ask ourselves during the review process if we would pay the asking price for a model based on everything we've experienced in building and using it. We wouldn't want to just push the most expensive items on our readers unless we genuinely believed in their value ourselves. 

For more on gaming furniture, check out the best pink gaming chairs, the best gaming desks, and the best standing desks.