Work management, which forms part of Monday’s Work OS platform designed to cater to all of the departments within a business, focuses specifically on enabling companies and their managers and execs to collaborate at scale, at a higher level.
With an emphasis on processes streamlining, goal and strategy setting, and project navigation, you can expect some powerful and handy automations, together with integrations, to help speed up a lot of the time-consuming admin work.
Monday Work Management: Plans and pricing
Because Monday wants you to use its Work OS for all aspects of your business management regardless of size, there’s a free tier that is great for small businesses and fresh startups, but limitations like the number of team members (two) and storage (500MB) are present.
A trio of paid plans introduces higher limits and more features, like templates, mobile apps, timeline and Gantt views, automations, and integrations, costing $10, $12, and $20 per seat per month for Basic, Standard, and Pro, respectively. There’s an 18% discount available if you choose to pay annually rather than monthly, and an additional Enterprise plan can be tailor-made to your company.
It’s worth noting that while pricing is measured on a per-seat basis, you’ll need to buy a package with a set number of seats. The minimum is three, and beyond 50 Monday advises customers to contact sales, indicating that larger discounts could be available as well as a more personalized onboarding and setup experience.
(Image credit: Monday)
Monday Work Management: Features
Rather than offering a guided package and telling you what to do, Monday Work Management presents users will most of the tools they’ll need to get started and allows them to set themselves up as they see fit, making the platform incredibly customizable. That said, it can be a bit overwhelming at first, especially for SMBs who are yet to have used a project management app. This is where the pre-built templates come in handy to get you off on the right foot.
Work Management serves as a tool to manage entire processes within companies rather than individual projects, where you can expect to handle teams, workloads, processes, and OKRs more broadly.
Just like the rest of Monday’s offerings, you can expect everything to be broken down as far as it can be. This includes handling tasks and to-do lists, projects, clients and third parties, and resources, right down to granular levels.
If you’re already using Monday’s project management software, which is what it’s best known for, then Work Management will be a natural progression and you should need little to no further training. The same can be said if you use some of Monday’s other offerings, like Monday Dev.
The software combines ease of use and simplicity with enough detail to make it powerful enough for the average user, and options for further depth and granularity should you need it.
For new users unfamiliar with this sort of solution, it may appear daunting at first. The best thing to do is to set up an account using templates for demo purposes, to follow help guides on Monday’s website, and take part in the company’s numerous webinars and setup videos. There are plenty of other tutorials posted to online video platforms like YouTube, too, given Monday’s immense popularity.
Monday Work Management: Support
Work Management is just one part of Monday’s entire catalog of products. With something to appeal to every type of worker, the company’s reach is far and wide, and as such, you can expect it to have decent support beyond the library of self-help articles.
Non-customers can use an online form to get in touch, which isn’t renowned for being the quickest way to contact the company, but things get better for paying customers, who all get access to 24/7 support and daily live webinars to get the most out of the software and uncover unknown features. Members of the free plan don’t benefit from this additional support, and on the other end of the scale, Enterprise customers get their own dedicated point of contact.
(Image credit: Monday)
Monday Work Management: Security
A company representative told us that “Monday Work Management aligns to the most stringent security standards, keeping your work and data safe.” Ultimately, any company that openly discloses its security measures is a good one in our eyes, and Monday delivers on this. We know, for example, that data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and that the company has a contract with AWS for storage.
(Image credit: Monday)
Monday Work Management: The competition
Monday’s biggest competition probably comes from Asana, which is another familiar name in project and work management. Favored by respectably large companies like Spotify and Deloitte, Asana has a pair of plans costing $13.49 and $30.49 per month respectively, as well as a free tier. What it offers is very similar, so check the small print to see which one offers you the most features for the best price on the basis of which features you’ll actually use versus surplus features.
Trello is another big name in the sector, and it also has its own solutions to project management and developer workflow tools, just like Monday. Pricing may be marginally more favorable, so again, check whether it has everything you need including support for integrations before making a decision.
Monday Work Management: Final Verdict
While Monday Work Management is an incredible powerful and versatile tool for a company’s higher-level management, and companies may favor it if they’re already using other Monday software, not a lot differentiates it from its rivals. Ultimately, the decision will come down to preference and cost more than anything, but regardless, Work Management is very far from a poor option.
You’ll pay for it though, because it’s a touch more expensive than most of its rivals (though not excessively), but you get access to some other Monday software and tons of integrations and automations. Beware of restrictions on lower plans, though.
Monday Dev: Plans and pricing
Pricing for Monday Dev works on a group basis where a company must pay for a predetermined number of seats, regardless of whether they fill them.
Expect to pay $12, $14.50, or $25 per seat per month for Basic, Standard, and Pro respectively. Companies with more than three workers (the minimum for any plan) can pick from plans covering 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 40 seats. More seats are available, but you’ll need to get in touch for pricing.
There’s also an Enterprise plan with a lot more customization available. Paying annually, rather than monthly, will unlock an 18% discount on paid plans.
(Image credit: Monday)
Monday Dev: Features
While there’s no free plan available (besides trials), even the most basic plan has most of the necessities, including support for an unlimited amount of items from tasks and projects to customers. However, dashboarding only extends to one board so don’t expect detailed reports for your entire account.
Standard might prove more popular for more users with added timeline and Gantt views, sprint management, and dashboarding for up to five boards. Automations and integrations are allowed up to a limit of 250 actions per month, and this is the minimum tier you’ll need if you want GitHub and GitLab integration to link your repository to feed into handy automations, for example.
Monday claims that its Pro plan is its most popular, but at more than double the amount of the Basic plan, make sure that you’re going to use the time tracking, cross-team roadmapping, and other features it comes with. The 25,000 integration and automation actions allowed each month are unlikely to be exceeded by most.
Note that each plan has a different storage limit (5GB, 20GB, and 100GB), activity log timeframes (one week, six months, and one year), and other restrictions imposed on it.
(Image credit: Monday)
Monday Dev: Interface and in use
Monday is best known for its project management software which is favored by companies across the world for its clean and simple design packed with easy-to-find powerful tools and impressive reporting abilities. Monday Dev is no different, and anybody already familiar with Monday’s other products will be able to jump straight in without a problem - or make use of the onboarding tools if required.
Getting started is easy, and there are plenty of templates to pick from if this is your first time using product development software. Choosing a view should be easy because the software separates the different tiers of development, from roadmaps to show epics down to sprints and individual tasks - it can get even more granular if you need it. You can also select from views like Gantt and Kanban, though note that some styles are reserved for higher-end plans.
Initially, and especially if you’ve come from using less powerful tools, you’ll find yourself filling in a lot of the blanks yourself, however making use of the built-in automations is where the best value for money comes from. Expect them to be able to handle things like the population of people and dates, or create your own tailored automations to suit your specific goals.
(Image credit: Monday)
Reporting via dashboards can be customized to show precisely the right data you need to feed back to the relevant teams and leaders, and as you would expect there are filters to fine-tune the reports if you need to discuss a specific person’s work, or one task individually.
When it comes to collaborating, Monday’s built-in messaging tools are designed to eliminate the need for you to turn to third-party platforms like Slack or Teams (though there are integrations for both, and lots more). For the most part, it works, because each conversation relates to a specific task so there’s no need to spend valuable time explaining the background in a Slack message, but you won’t get the more powerful tools on offer from purpose-built apps, like video conferencing. It can also be challenging to look back in time for certain messages because remembering which chain to look for can be a challenge.
We also like the Bugs Queue tool, which allows developers to create unique reporting links whereby reports are fed straight into Monday Dev. Here, they can be assigned to a developer who can track things like status and time spent on a resolution.
Monday Dev: Support
Because Monday Dev forms part of a much broader company with various offerings, support is great. Naturally, there’s an entire library of self-help articles, but for when the going gets tough you should be able to get through to the support team fairly easily.
An online form is available for non-customers, but all paying customers including the cheapest plan get access to 24/7 support. Customers will also be able to benefit from live webinars which can be especially handy for getting the most out of the product.
(Image credit: Monday)
Monday Dev: Security
A company that openly discusses its security measures is a good sign - Monday is one of these. It has an entire ‘Trust Center’ to highlight its various compliances. As a general overview, data is encrypted at rest and in transit, and the company openly tells us that it uses AWS.
(Image credit: Monday)
Monday Dev: The competition
Monday Dev is arguably one of the better tools out there and more broadly, the company is really experienced in offering all sorts of management software. However, if you’re already a Zoho customer then Zoho Sprints may appeal, which is equally as powerful but slightly less appealingly designed - though it is a cheaper option. Favro is another suite that offers a very similar approach to Monday and at a similar price point, though it’s less of a household name and some companies may prefer to go with a trusted brand or one that they use for other solutions already.
Monday Dev: Final Verdict
Overall, Monday Dev could be one of the best, most well-rounded product development tools out there that’s both easy to use and packed with powerful features. The only reason it doesn’t get a full five-star rating from us is its price, which is less favorable than some competition.
Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress review: two-minute review
The Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress sits on the lower end of the mid-range bracket, consistently priced at $799 for a queen during regular sales with free bedding and sheets included. It graces our best mattress guide as a suitable option for hot sleepers who don't want to spend a lot for a specialty cooling mattress, but how does it fare in other areas, like pressure relief and edge support?
I slept on a twin Cocoon Chill mattress for three weeks and asked five additional participants to share their experiences, as well. Here's what you need to know...
(Image credit: Future / Alison Barretta)
My fellow testers and I unanimously agree that the Cocoon by Sealy Chill is a firm mattress, collectively rating it an 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale. We found it most comfortable for back sleeping, as we felt well-aligned and supported in that position. (As the only stomach sleeper of the bunch, I didn't feel my hips sink, either.) The side sleepers of the group appreciated the Chill's responsive top foam layer that gently contoured our joints; however, it'll turn off those who like a softer, more cushioned feel.
With a top knit cover made from phase-changing materials, I was anticipating a cooling sensation as soon as I sat on the mattress, but to my dismay it wasn't noticeable at all. Despite this, the Cocoon Chill effectively kept me comfortable and dry during both a sudden spring heatwave and a nighttime fever. Given its status as an affordable all-foam mattress, this aspect of the Cocoon by Sealy Chill stood out as the most impressive feature for me.
(Image credit: Future / Alison Barretta)
As expected, the Chill mattress does a very good job of absorbing motion, which is a plus for couples. Edge support is surprisingly robust for a foam-only bed (though as a firm mattress, I suppose it makes sense.) My biggest quibble is with the setup process, particularly all of the plastic I had to wade through after unpacking it. The Chill mattress was also quite heavy to set up solo, and there was a lingering off-gassing odor that eventually faded upon cracking a window.
Head below for more details on how the Cocoon by Sealy Chill performed in key areas according to TechRadar's mattress testing methodology – along with general considerations regarding cost and value, ease of setup, and top competitors.
Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress review: price
A lower mid-range name-brand cooling mattress
Queen costs $799 after an evergreen 35% discount
Comes with free bedding and pillows
The Cocoon by Sealy Chill is among the least expensive name-brand mattresses out there – not to mention one of the cheapest cooling mattresses you can buy. Thanks to an evergreen Cocoon by Sealy mattress sale, the Chill mattress is always available at a 35% discount; bear in mind though that there may be a better deal in teh upcoming Memorial Day mattress sales.
Here's the 2023 pricing for the Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress:
Twin: $769 (normally on sale for $499)
Twin XL: $869 (normally on sale for $559)
Full: $969 (normally on sale for $629)
Queen: $1,239 (normally on sale for $799)
King: $1,539 (normally on sale for $999)
Cal King: $1,539 (normally on sale for $999)
The Cocoon Chill mattress comes bundled with a free sheet set plus two pillows (up to a $199 value). Better yet, we regularly see Cocoon by Sealy promo codes that knock an extra $25 off, dropping the sale price of a queen Chill mattress to $774. Since the Chill is exclusively sold at Sealy, there's no need to browse third-party mattress sales for lower prices elsewhere.
Nectar is the closest competitor when it comes to value. A queen Nectar Mattress is typically on sale for under $700 during Nectar mattress sales, with free bedding and pillows occasionally bundled in. Nectar also offers a 365-night trial and lifetime warranty, which beat Sealy's 100-night trial and 10-year warranty. But, as our Nectar Mattress review says, it's not a dedicated cooling model so it may sleep too warm for some.
Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress review: specs
Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress review: materials & design
A 10-inch foam mattress with four layers
Hybrid and Extra-Chill Foam upgrades available
Phase-changing cooling cover is spot-clean only
The 10-inch Cocoon Chill is a 4-layer mattress with a six-inch polyfoam support base, motion-absorbing comfort foam, contouring memory foam, and a stretch-knit cover woven with Phase Change Materials (PCM) to draw away body heat. The cover is advertised as 'cool-to-touch' but that wasn't my experience, as I'll elaborate on later.
(Image credit: Cocoon by Sealy)
For an extra $199, you can upgrade to the Extra-Chill Foam model, which infuses phase-changing materials into the comfort foam and adds an enhanced cooling cover. Meanwhile, if you'd prefer a bouncier and slightly cooler bed, the Cocoon by Sealy Chill Hybrid mattress adds a layer of coils and starts at $739 for a twin.
The cooling cover is not removable for washing, but you can spot-clean stains. That's all the more reason to invest in one of the best mattress protectors to safeguard it from spills, bed bugs, and allergens.
Design score: 4 out of 5
Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress review: comfort
Rated firm – 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale
Most comfortable for back sleeping
Not for those who like a plusher mattress
I slept on a twin Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress for three weeks. Since comfort is subjective – and I can only speak for myself as a 5-foot-4, 145lb side/stomach sleeper – I asked five people to nap on it for at least 15 minutes, after which they'd share their impressions. My group included men and women of varying ages, builds, and sleep needs.
(Image credit: Future / Alison Barretta)
We found the Chill mattress slightly firmer than Sealy's self-assessment of medium-firm, giving it a collective score of 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale. This consensus was consistent among our testers, with the lowest individual firmness rating (7.5) coming from the largest participant, a 6-foot-3, 250lb side/back sleeper.
For most of our back sleepers, the Cocoon Chill provided plenty of lumbar support and even weight distribution. The side sleepers among us liked the Chill's subtle contouring and pressure point relief along the shoulders, hips, and knees. As the occasional stomach sleeper of the group, I liked that my hips didn't sink below the rest of my body.
Petite to average-sized sleepers found the Chill mattress comfortable, despite its firmness. However, one tester (6ft, 190 lbs) felt it might not provide enough support for larger individuals, although our heaviest participant was satisfied with it. Those who prefer a softer mattress may find the Chill too firm. A heavier back sleeper in the group who's accustomed to a soft foam mattress at home says he aggravated his lower back injury after trying the Chill mattress.
(Image credit: Future / Alison Barretta)
To further test the Cocoon Chill's pressure relief, I placed a 50lb kettlebell in the center of the mattress. It compressed about 1.5 inches, then quickly snapped back into place upon removing the weight. That's not a deep drop, but it did translate to the ideal amount of pressure relief for my fellow testers with joint and back pain.
Sleepers who want to sink into their mattress should take a look at our Saatva Loom & Leaf mattress review instead – or if you're exclusively a side sleeper, the Helix Midnight mattress is made especially for you. While the larger sleepers of the testing panel felt supported by the Chill overall, a hybrid like the DreamCloud mattress may hold up better for bigger bodies over time.
Comfort score: 4 out of 5
Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress review: temperature regulation
Impressive temperature regulation
However, cover isn't cool-to-touch
No specialty bedding required
The Cocoon by Sealy Chill's temperature regulation truly impressed me, an occasional hot sleeper who enjoys being swaddled. Between a sudden springtime heatwave and a brief illness, the Chill mattress kept me dry and comfortable throughout it all.
Initially, I was disappointed when I didn't feel the cooling sensation from the top cover as Sealy claims – but that didn't matter. The cover's phase-changing fibers worked in tandem with the breathable comfort foam layer to dissipate heat and wick away moisture. When I came down with a fever towards the end of the testing period, I didn't wake up with soaked pajamas and sheets. (I was just slightly sweaty.)
(Image credit: Future / Alison Barretta)
Keep in mind that Sealy recommends maintaining a room temperature between 68 and 72 degrees F for the PCM to be its most effective. There were a couple of nights when my bedroom was slightly north of the max at 75 degrees F, but I still didn't overheat.
Meanwhile, there aren't any obvious requirements regarding the type of bedding you should use. I alternated between the free cotton sheet set Sealy included with the mattress and a set of cotton sheets I already owned. I also slept with a midweight polyester comforter during all three weeks of testing.
Upgrading to the Chill Hybrid or adding Sealy's specialized cooling foam may yield even better results here, but the entry-level Cocoon by Sealy Chill is an outstanding cooling mattress in its own right.
Temperature regulation score: 4.5 out of 5
Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress review: Motion isolation
Above-average motion isolation
A popular choice for couples
As a firmer memory foam mattress, the Cocoon Chill should absorb virtually any moment. Although I witnessed more movement than I had anticipated during testing, it still performed above average in this category.
I sleep in a twin bed so it's impossible to comfortably accommodate more than one person. To test the Chill's motion isolation, I suspended a 10lb kettlebell from six inches high and dropped it next to an empty wine glass at various distances away to simulate a partner's movements.
When I dropped the weight four inches away from the empty glass, there was an obvious wobble. The movement wasn't as pronounced from 12 and 25 inches away, but the glass was briefly unsteady before returning to position. Notably, the glass did not topple over during either drop test.
(Image credit: Future / Alison Barretta)
These results suggest that you might feel your partner shift positions or get in and out of bed, but not enough to totally disrupt your slumber. It's also worth noting that couples who've reviewed the Cocoon by Sealy Chill unanimously commend its motion isolation, even if they weren't fond of the mattress otherwise.
Motion isolation score: 4 out of 5
Cocoon Chill mattress review: edge support
Good edge support for an all-foam bed
Supportive with minimal sinkage
Edge support is crucial, regardless of mattress size. Strong edges prevent sagging, aid sleepers with mobility issues who need to sit before entering or exiting the bed, and reduce the risk of accidentally rolling overboard while sleeping.
Memory foam mattresses aren't known for their edge support, but my fellow testers and I thought the Cocoon by Sealy Chill performed well in this area. Sitting along the middle perimeter and corners revealed some sinkage, but not uncomfortably so. Plus, I never felt in danger of falling out of bed while sleeping on it.
I also tested the Chill's edge support by placing a 50lb kettlebell along the middle perimeter. It compressed by an inch, with no bunching in the top layer. (As an aside, it appears my Chill mattress tops off at nine inches – an inch shorter than advertised.)
For an all-foam mattress, the Cocoon by Sealy Chill's edge support is better than average. Still, if top-notch edge support is a must for you, consider a hybrid with reinforced springs instead.
Edge support score: 4 out of 5
(Image credit: Future / Alison Barretta)
Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress review: setup
Free sheets and pillows are packed with the mattress
Plastic is easy to unravel, but there's a lot of it
Anticipate some off-gassing
The last two mattresses I reviewed arrived flat and included in-room delivery and setup, so admittedly, I was a tiny bit disappointed to revert back to a standard bed-in-a-box that I had to set up myself. (It's the same reason why people recommend you never fly first class, I suppose.)
Inside the box was my twin Chill mattress plus the free sheets and pillows bundle, all vacuum-sealed. I managed to maneuver the 40-pound twin mattress by myself, but if you opt for a queen (64 pounds) or a king (83 pounds), you'll want to ask a friend or family member to help, especially since white glove delivery is not an option.
Unlike most mattresses I've unpacked, I didn't need to use a plastic cutter since the plastic was perforated. This made the process easier, although that was canceled out by the massive amount of plastic I had to wade through when all was said and done. Once unfurled, the mattress began to inflate with a loud hiss for a couple of minutes.
Sealy says its Cocoon Chill mattress takes up to 48 hours to fully expand, but I was able to sleep on it 12 hours after unboxing with no issue. I did get a whiff of some off-gassing during setup, but the smell didn't linger. (Opening a window helped.) Sealy uses CertiPUR-US foam low in volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions for minimal off-gassing odors and a healthier indoor sleep environment.
Setup score: 3.5 out of 5
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Cocoon Chill mattress review: customer reviews
Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars from almost 8,000 reviews
Top marks for motion isolation and pressure relief
Some say it's too firm and prone to sleeping hot
In addition to my experience and feedback from my 5-person testing panel, I analyzed hundreds of user reviews on Sealy's website to provide a broader picture of the Cocoon Chill's performance. As of April 2023, it has a 4.7-star rating (out of 5) from almost 8,000 reviews.
The most common themes among the 5-star reviews are immediate back and hip pain relief, excellent motion isolation, and a cooler night's sleep. On the flip side, those who don't like the Chill mattress say it's too firm and prone to sagging over time – and several shoppers say it sleeps warm, despite the cooling materials.
If you're keen to know how the Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress performs in certain areas, you can filter reviews by keywords and sort by star rating.
Should you buy the Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress?
The Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress was a hit among my testing panel, with most of them proclaiming that they'd consider buying one for themselves, or at least recommend it to a friend. So who is the Chill mattress best suited for?
Based on my assessment, I recommend the Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress for back and stomach sleepers since it's the right level of firmness for adequate support, alignment, and pressure relief in those positions. The side sleepers in my group felt contoured in all the right places, but it could be too firm for those who like to feel 'hugged' by their mattress. (Check out our guide to the best mattresses for side sleepers for our favorite plush models for side sleeping.)
I also recommend the Cocoon Chill for individuals seeking a mattress for back pain. Participants with back and joint aches enjoyed almost-immediate relief thanks to the gentle contouring of the top comfort foam layer. Couples should find this mattress suitable, as well, since it absorbs most movement, reducing the risk of your partner waking you up in the middle of the night.
Now, would I recommend the Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress for hot sleepers? Absolutely. It's not the coolest bed I've slept on, but it still did an excellent job of keeping me comfortably dry during a sudden heatwave and my brief bout with a fever. Also consider the overall value – a queen regularly sells for $799 and comes with free bedding and pillows. You'll be hard pressed to find a cheaper cooling mattress that performs as well as the Cocoon by Sealy Chill.
Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress review: also consider
GhostBed Luxe Mattress The GhostBed Luxe is plusher than the Cocoon by Sealy Chill, making it perfect for side sleeping. The top layers of this 13-inch mattress are dedicated to cooling, while the bottom layers provide pressure relief and all-over support. GhostBed mattress sales regularly shave 50% off the list price, effectively placing it in the high mid-range bracket. The trial period is comparable to Sealy's at 101 nights, but GhostBed instead offers a much longer 25-year warranty. Read ourGhostBed Luxe reviewView Deal
Casper Snow Mattress Hybrid mattresses generally sleep cooler than full-foam models since innersprings promote better airflow – but the all-new Casper Snow also boasts advanced cooling tech such as a cool-touch cover, perforated gel foam layers, and HeatDelete Bands that purportedly regulate temperature for up to 12 hours. While it's a similar firmness to the Cocoon Chill, the Casper Snow offers more bounce – but also more motion transfer so couples will want to bear that in mind. Like Sealy, Casper offers a 100-night trial plus a 10-year warranty. View Deal
Nectar Mattress This popular mid-range option rivals the Cocoon Chill in overall value thanks to perpetual discounts and occasional bundle deals. However, Nectar offers some of the best perks in the industry with a full year to trial it at home plus a lifetime guarantee. Smack-dab in the middle of the firmness scale, the 12-inch Nectar Mattress should comfortably suit most petite to average sleepers, though it'll potentially run warmer than a dedicated cooling model like the Chill. (There's always the premium Nectar Premier Copper, which is plusher and has a phase-changing, copper-infused cover.) Read ourNectar Mattress reviewView Deal
How I tested the Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress
I slept on a twin Cocoon by Sealy Chill memory foam mattress for three weeks between March and April 2023. I alternated between the cotton sheets Sealy included with my purchase and a set of cotton sheets I already owned, and used a mid-weight polyester comforter throughout the entire duration. Outside of a surprise springtime heatwave, I maintained a room temperature of 70 degrees F.
To supplement my own perspective, I assembled a 5-person panel to sleep on the Chill mattress for at least 15 minutes in their preferred positions and sit along the edges. Participants varied in height and weight, with our smallest tester being 5ft and 111lbs, and our biggest tester being 6ft3in and 250lbs. Several participants, (myself included) experience regular joint and back pain; one participant recently recovered from a knee replacement.
In addition to the above, I gauged the Chill's features beyond my preferences and potential biases by performing a series of standardized tests to evaluate firmness, edge support, and motion isolation. Outside reviews from verified Sealy shoppers were also taken into consideration.
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra offers a wealth of features, from vacuuming and mopping to auto-emptying, self-cleaning, and 3D obstacle avoidance. All that functionality comes at a high price, which brings expectations of near perfection. So does it succeed in that regard? No – but it remains a solid option that will leave your floors cleaner than ever.
Roborock deals exclusively in vacuums, with its main focus on those of the robot variety, so you know it’s throwing most of its efforts into furthering this technology. The top-of-the-line S8 Pro Ultra is the part of the brand’s S8 lineup of vacuums, and the most recent release. A less expensive model from Roborock, such as the Q5+, lacks the mopping and self-cleaning ability but still comes with an auto-emptying base for less than a third of the price.
When it came time to get cleaning, setting up the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra and sending it out was simple and painless, thanks to the easy-to-use companion app. The app created a highly accurate map of my home, allowing me to pick rooms and zones to clean based on preferences. You can also set up schedules, create routines, and change the vacuum settings, among many other things. The app will even send you alerts when cleaning is complete, or if there are issues during the cleaning.
Other than the occasional need to free the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra from the clutches of an evil rug or cord, it had no problem traversing my two-bedroom/two-bathroom apartment. The robot vacuum managed to avoid most obstacles, picking up the majority of the debris or crumbs in its path. However, it didn’t fare as well with larger, so you may have to do more manual cleanup in those cases.
Of course, it also mops simultaneously or separately, depending on the settings you choose. Water automatically fills from the docking station, so that all you truly need to do is start a clean via the app. The vibrating mop head pulses against your floor, cleaning smaller smudges and dust with ease, and the head intelligently lifts on carpets and rugs. However, similar to the vacuuming feature, you won’t want to use this robot vac for larger spills, since it will just spread that mess around.
However, the real star of the show is the docking station referred to as the RockDock Ultra. It delivers on all its claims, and leaves you with little to worry about in terms of robot vacuum maintenance. The self-cleaning and hot-air drying has kept the mop pad looking almost new and virtually dirt-free, even following two weeks of use. The auto-emptying feature means you never need to worry about emptying the dustbin yourself. Simply discard the dirty water, refill the clean water tank, and replace the dust bag every few months.
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is expensive, but if you want one of the best robot vacuums, which allows you to clean while being as hands-off as possible, this is it. Your floors will be left sparkling, and you can eliminate two chores from your to-do list with the literal push of a button. That might be reason enough to splurge.
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra review: Price and availability
List price: $1,599.99 US/$2,699.00 AU
No plans to launch in the UK
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is available in the US and Australia, with plans to release it in countries such as Germany and France soon. However, there are no plans to launch it in the UK for now.
You can purchase the robot vacuum directly from the US and Australian Roborock websites. When buying in Australia, a current promotion includes a $149.90 AU accessory kit with additional brushes and mopping pad replacements. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is also available on Amazon in the US.
Now, $1,599.99 US/$2,699 AU may seem shocking to some; however, when you consider the highly intelligent vacuuming, limited maintenance, and self-cleaning/self-emptying dock on Roborock’s top-of-the-line model, it’s easier to digest. The Dreametech L10s Ultra offers a similar feature set for not much less, coming in at $1,299.99 in the US and £1,099.99 in the UK. A model such as the Ecovacs Deebot T9+ costs $799.99 in the US, £899 in the UK and $1,299 in Australia. It offers similar functionality, although you lose out on the self-cleaning and auto-refilling mop.
Of course, there are upkeep costs to consider. Most components should last months, if not years, depending on use. However, dust bags and mopping cloths may need to be replaced more frequently. A set of two replacement mopping cloths will set you back $25.99 in the US, so these accessories don’t come cheap.
Value score: 4/5
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra review: Specs
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with a robot vacuum and base station.
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra review: Design
350ml dustbin/ 200ml water tank on vacuum
Large docking station
Liftable main brush/mopping component
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra arrives in a massive, extremely heavy box. Living on the second floor of my apartment building with no elevator, I was happy the delivery person brought the box up the stairs, as I struggled just to get it inside my apartment. Once you open it up, you’ll find a big sheet of instructions, the robot vacuum fully assembled, and the massive base station – the Rockdock Ultra.
The robot vacuum itself isn’t petite by any means, either, weighing 10lbs while measuring 13.8 inches in diameter and 3.8 inches tall. Some of that height is a result of the LiDAR sensor that rests on top for navigation and obstacle avoidance. You don’t get the security cameras seen in some other high-end robot vacuums, including Roborock’s S7 MaxV Ultra, which means you can’t send out the vacuum to check on your pets, but the extra privacy is nice.
Despite the size, the S8 Pro Ultra still looks sleek and comes in two colors: either a clean white or bold black, with a matching RockDock Ultra. The vacuum’s suction options are selected on the app, and you can choose from Quiet, Balanced, Turbo, Max, and Max+(only available when just vacuuming). The sound level definitely increased with each move up the settings. Similar to vacuuming, the VibraRise mopping feature offers scrubbing intensity levels from mild to intense, and it isn’t possible to change the water flow levels. Honestly, I couldn’t tell the difference visibly or in the performance of the different vibration levels.
Taking a closer look at the top side of the robot vacuum, you’ll find three buttons: a power button that’s also used to resume cleaning; a mop-only button that doubles as a child lock; and a home button to send the vacuum back to the dock. Lifting the hinged lid reveals the Wi-Fi indicator and removable 350ml dust bin. But since this vacuum is self-emptying, you’ll rarely have to worry about taking it out – except for the occasional filter washing. There’s also a 200ml water tank here, although you can’t access that.
(Image credit: Future / Danielle Abraham)
Flip over the vacuum and you’ll find the wheels, mop and brushes. Unfortunately, the VibraRise mop component isn’t removable, although it intelligently lifts itself over rugs and carpets. If you’re exclusively cleaning a space covered in more plush carpeting, you may want to grab a different vacuum.
(Image credit: Future / Danielle Abraham)
The dual main brushes are also very different from your typical vacuum. There are no long bristles here; instead you’ll find a dual rubber roller brush similar to that found in many iRobot vacuums. I’ve found these prevent hair and other debris from becoming tangled, making them much easier to maintain. The dual brushes also lift up and out of the way, depending on the floor and the cleaning mode you’re using. A single side brush takes care of edge cleaning.
The docking station, the RockDock Ultra, makes the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra extra special; but it’s also huge, measuring 16.7 x 20.2 x 17.7 inches. Therefore, if you don’t have a big space to position it, you may find it a bit of an eyesore. You’ll also need to leave 2.3ft/0 .7m in front of it for the vacuum to dock, as well as 1.6ft/.05m above to refill and empty water tanks.
At least the setup is simple enough; a 2.5-liter dust bag is pre-installed, so you just need to fill the clean water tank with water and mopping solution(optional). Both the dirty and clean water tanks come with handles to make filling and emptying a breeze, and you’ll be vocally informed by the vacuum and alerted on the app when that needs to happen.
(Image credit: Future / Danielle Abraham)
However, those aren’t the only abilities of the dock; it lets the vacuum be relatively autonomous with a self-cleaning feature. When your vacuum returns to the dock after or during a clean, it will wash the mop. Then it will turn itself around to empty the dust bin and charge. While the robot vacuum is charging, it will dry the mop with hot air to prevent smells and mold. All this capability helps to explain why the dock is so big.
The price of the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra means that I would have liked to see it come with some replacement accessories or maybe a mopping solution. Of course, Roborock recommends you only use its mopping solution – at an additional $18.99. But the only extra you’ll find in the box is a dust bag replacement. Luckily, many components don’t need to be replaced often, and the app should inform you when it’s time to do so.
Design score: 4.5/ 5
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra review: Performance
Excellent auto-emptying and self-cleaning
Mediocre clean up of larger messes/spills, best for light debris
Easily detects different floor types
Getting started with the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is easy enough. Having read the instruction sheet, I removed the fully assembled robot vac and docking station, and filled the clean water reservoir with water. I let the vacuum charge while I downloaded the app and connected the device to Wi-Fi. All in all, it took less than 10 minutes of my time to get it ready for the first clean.
After charging the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra to 100% battery, I sent it out on its first clean on all the standard settings, which meant that both vacuuming and mopping are enabled. You don’t need to create a map or anything beforehand, so a simple tap of the “full cleaning” button on my app sent it out on its merry way.
The device traversed my two-bedroom/two-bathroom apartment with relative ease. It hugged the walls and wrapped around tables and chairs. Looser tassel rugs proved more challenging, since it got stuck several times. You could see that my laminate floors were left slightly damp and crumb-free as manoeuvred by. And each time the vacuum hit a rug, the VibraRise mop would lift, and you could hear suctioning power increase. Every 40 minutes, it would go back to the RockDock Ultra to clean the mop and head back out.
(Image credit: Future / Danielle Abraham)
When it had covered my entire home, the robot vacuum vocally informed me of the fact and went back to the dock. The mop was cleaned first, and then the vacuum spun itself around to empty the dust bin and begin charging. It was actually pretty impressive to watch. An accurate map of my home was created; but for some reason, it didn’t save, so I sent it out using a quick mapping feature. This time an accurate map was saved, and each clean added to the intelligence of the map.
Speaking of the map, while it would make notes of obstacles, it did nothing to deter the device from going back to those spaces to clean. There was a clear note on my map about cables, but the vacuum still went to that area and managed to suck up my phone's charging cable on several occasions. It did this with other obstacles – rugs, for example – as well. Luckily, it’s very simple to disassemble the two main brushes and put them back together. But, the number of times I received app notifications, as well as the robot alerting me vocally about being trapped or the main brushes being jammed, was a little disheartening – especially given the price and the obstacle avoidance features that Roborock advertises.
More obvious obstacles such as clothes thrown about my bedroom floor, or me physically standing in its way, were a different story. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra would just skirt right around such obstructions, occasionally lightly tapping them to see if they move. I guess the moral of the story is to pick up your cables and rag rugs before sending the vacuum out to clean.
Jumping into the vacuuming ability of the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, it did a solid job of picking up light debris and dust. It failed to clean up crumbs right up against the wall in my kitchen, due to the vacuum’s height hindering it from fitting under my cabinets.
I did further testing using flour and oats. Starting on my hard laminate floors with the normal, vacuum-only setting activated, the S8 Pro Ultra did a good job at picking up most of the oats; but it left the flour smeared across the floor. Using the highest suction level yielded similar results, although adding the mopping setting led to more flour being picked up. As for the testing on my rug, it performed similarly to the hard floor, only with even more flour left behind. In fact, after several more cleans, the flour is still embedded in my rug. So, for larger, concentrated messes, this robot vacuum isn’t a great option.
(Image credit: Future / Danielle Abraham)
Of course, this robot vacuum also mops – and you have to do very little to start mopping. The docking station fills the water tank in the vacuum from a clean water reservoir, and then off it goes. So, the only part you’re involved in is refilling the water reservoir, which for me was about every two or three full cleans of my home.
Upon inspection of my floors after a whole home clean, my dirty footprints and random drink spills were gone. No complaints there. However, I did some tests with yogurt and honey with some less-than-stellar results. Even on the highest vibration level of the mop and using a special route setting, all it did was smear everything across my floor. And every time it completed a cleaning task that maybe lasted 5 minutes, it would always go back to clean the mop in the docking station, which seemed to be a bit of overkill.
There’s very little robot vacuum maintenance, thanks to the RockDock Ultra. Although a bit clunky, it has worked flawlessly since I began testing. Every time the robot vacuum completes a mop, it trundles back to the dock to get cleaned. Using brushes attached to the dock and clean water, you can hear the mop getting washed. Inspecting the mop pad thereafter revealed that most of the stains were gone. Then, as the robot vacuum is charging, you can hear a very quiet hum, which is hot air drying the mop to prevent smells and mold. After two weeks of use, the mop pad remains free of odor and looks almost good as new.
The RockDock Ultra also automatically empties the robot vacuum’s dust bin. Even the most caked-together dirt and debris seemed to be out of the bin having been auto-emptied. The only time you’ll need to worry about doing anything is changing the dust bag on the dock every few months.
Of course, brushes, filters and mop pads will require replacing eventually. Luckily, this shouldn’t be too often, and the app will give you an approximate indication of when that needs to happen. Just keep an eye on the brushes and remove hair or other debris that could be hindering the vacuum's performance.
As for sound, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is on the same level as other robot vacuums. When on the normal mop/vacuum settings, you’ll hear a hum that’s slightly louder than a window air conditioner, hitting about 61dB. It’s noticeable, but not overly distracting. The suction power increases on rugs, with noise levels of 69dB, which may be a bit harder to ignore. However, when the RockDock Ultra empties the robot vacuum dust bin, the 77dB sound may startle those who aren’t prepared.
Performance score: 4/5
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra review: App
Simple to install and use
Easily adjusts cleaning settings
Intelligent map
Difficult to get smart assistants/voice control to work
The Roborock app offers a painless install. You just scan the QR code provided on the packaging, create a profile with an email and password, and then a step-by-step process lets you connect the robot vacuum to Wi-Fi. From there, you’ll get to the fairly simple Homepage that displays battery life, provides access to notifications, lets you start cleaning or turns off the device, and allows you to swap to the shopping or profile pages. But the button you’ll be pressing most frequently is “Enter”.
This brings you to the map and vacuum settings. There’s an option to send the robot around to do a quick map of your home; I found an accurate map of my two-bed, two-bath apartment was created in about 8 minutes. You can also have the vacuum map your space during the first clean, but it failed to successfully save when I did that. However, on the second clean, more specifics were added to the map, with notes of obstacles and loose rugs. But, weirdly, this didn’t deter the vacuum from going to those spaces in later cleanings.
Once a map has been created, you can rename rooms, set up boundaries, and even add furniture to the map. It’s also possible to note different floor types, but the robot vac seemed to distinguish my rugs and laminate floor on its own. You aren’t limited to a 2D map, either; there’s a 3D option for those who prefer that view. A matrix map is also available, although it just made my space into an indistinguishable blob.
Similar to other robot vacs, you can select certain rooms or zones to clean. From the bottom corner of the map, you can adjust the suction power of the vacuum and scrubbing intensity of the mop. Admittedly, I had a hard time finding this button at first – and, unfortunately, you can’t adjust the water flow level of the mop.
(Image credit: Future / Danielle Abraham)
If you’re looking to change other settings to both the vacuum and the dock, this is done by selecting the three dots in the top corner of the map page. You’ll also be able to set schedules from there and check on component maintenance. One unique feature you’ll find is a remote control, letting you move the robot vacuum as you would an RC car. It takes a minute to get used to the button or “joystick” control, but once you do, it’s great for cleaning up smaller areas or spots that may have been missed in the initial cleaning.
(Image credit: Future / Danielle Abraham)
As for smart assistants and voice control, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra supports Google Home, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Siri. Instructions on how to add this functionality are found in the profile section of the app. However, this is easier said than done, and you’ll have to jump through several hoops, including downloading an additional app called Mi Home, to get any of these smart assistants to work with this vacuum. A far cry from the Ecovacs Deebot T9+ I tested a few weeks ago, which connected with ease.
App score: 4/ 5
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra review: Battery life
130-minute runtime at normal settings, 180 minutes in quiet mode
Automatically returns to base at 20% battery level to charge
3-hour recharge from 20% battery level
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has a 5,200mAh lithium-ion battery. When leaving it on its normal settings, with both vacuuming and mopping enabled, it lasted around 130 minutes. Right when the battery level hit 20%, it would head back to clean the mop and charge. That somehow managed to be just enough time for it to clean my entire apartment once over. Roborock claims the battery lasts 180 minutes on the quietest setting, so just over 2 hours of use in standard mode is on par with similar robot vacuums. Given the price point, it would have been nice if it lasted a bit longer.
However, I did test it using the “vac followed by mop” setting, and it lasted significantly longer, clocking in at just under 3 hours before it hit 20% and had to recharge. So, battery life is truly dependent on the settings enabled.
Recharging the battery is simple: the vacuum just docks itself right into the RockDock Ultra and begins charging. If it didn’t complete a cleaning task, it will go back out to finish the job once it has enough juice. Through my testing period, recharging to 100% from 20% took about 3 hours. The manufacturer claims it takes approximately 4 hours, so if the battery had depleted down to 0%, that’d be right on the money.
Battery life score: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Future / Danielle Abraham)
Should you buy the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra?
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
Dreametech L10s Ultra review: Also consider
If a robot vacuum isn't for you, why not consider a cordless vacuum? There's no automation, but you retain freedom from cables.
How I tested Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
Tested at home for two weeks
Used on hard flooring and rugs
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has been set up in the main living space of my home for the past two weeks. This central location provided easy access to my two-bedroom, two-bathroom home. As for flooring, my entire home has the same hard laminate throughout, with a few rugs scattered about. Unfortunately, I don’t have any carpets to test on.
When testing the robot vacuum, I made sure most of the floor space was clear of clothes and other possible obstructions, just as I would when vacuuming with a normal upright cleaner. I picked up rag rugs and cables as well, since the S8 Pro Ultra didn’t do well with them in its path. In total, I may have spent one minute doing this before each clean, but that tiny bit of effort was worth it for optimal results.
The tablet world is just as complicated as the smartphone world, and it’s hard to find the best tablet for your needs at the right price. With the OnePlus Pad, the upstart smartphone maker brings its product philosophy – great displays, fancy design, aggressive pricing – to a stagnant market in need of a shakeup.
If the 'Android vs Apple' choice doesn’t matter to you, the OnePlus Pad is a fantastic entertainment tablet and the perfect screen to carry around the house for whatever you need.
This isn’t the most powerful tablet you can buy, so it won’t be a good laptop replacement like an iPad Air. It’s also too expensive to compete with the best cheap Amazon Fire tablets you throw at little kids in the backseat for long car rides.
OnePlus Pad is great for use around the house(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
Where the OnePlus Pad excels is showing you entertainment, browsing the web, and being your favorite screen for everyday tasks. The display is excellent and the speakers are loud and clear enough to entertain (bother) everyone around you. The design is solid and more stylish than other tablets at this price, and you can get it in any color you like, as long as it’s green.
The OnePlus Pad is even better if you have a OnePlus phone, like the OnePlus 11, but that’s not required. Even iPhone owners might pick the Pad for its larger display versus an iPad 10.9 (2022), especially with its standout looks. OnePlus has a winner with this tablet, and hopefully big rivals like Samsung will finally get the message about what’s important in a tablet, and how much a great tablet should cost.
OnePlus Pad review: price and availability
Available May 8 for $479 / £449 (sorry, no Australia pricing yet)
One configuration with 8GB RAM / 128GB storage
Only available in Halo Green, complementing the OnePlus 11 and Buds Pro 2
OnePlus phones are reliably a bargain compared to the mightier flagship brands, and the OnePlus Pad is thankfully no exception. At $479 / £449, it’s either a bit cheaper (by £50) or a bit more expensive (by $30) than the base model iPad 10.9, depending on where you live.
Samsung’s base model Galaxy Tab S8 is inexplicably much more expensive, at $699.99 / £649 / AU$1,099 (yes, you read that correctly). The OnePlus Pad is priced closer to the cheap Galaxy Tab S7 FE, even though it outmatches the newer flagship Samsung tablet in some important and interesting ways.
There is a single OnePlus Pad configuration with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. You can find more than a dozen iPad variations and myriad Samsung Galaxy Tab families, but OnePlus is keeping things simple with its first tablet, just as it did with its recent flagship phone (read my OnePlus 11 review for more on that). There won’t be a Plus or a Pro model, and you can’t get more storage or more RAM.
I had enough storage to download plenty of shows(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
Maybe that’s limiting, but I never felt limited in my time with the OnePlus Pad. I loaded my favorite games and downloaded all of the high-resolution textures in the background and didn't feel stifled by it. I downloaded a full season of Picard and a bunch of Better Call Saul without worrying about storage. This is neither a productivity nor creativity powerhouse, so I won’t be editing massive video files or storing tons of data on board anyway.
Frankly, OnePlus set a fantastic price for this tablet, and when I originally saw it, I was sure that the company would make the fatal mistake of overpricing this gorgeous beast. For $100 / £100 more I’d say it remains competitive, but at this launch price it jumps to the top of my list of the best Android tablets. I’d even recommend grabbing the pre-order deal for 50% off the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, if you're reading this in time. They’re both good for such a great price.
Value score: 5 / 5
OnePlus Pad review: specs
With OnePlus, you always get a device that is impressive in some ways, but compromises to cut costs. I didn't notice the cuts on the OnePlus Pad in the way I've noticed on previous OnePlus phones.
Most tablet tasks don’t require super-powered processors. You also won’t mind if your tablet can't shoot photos like the best camera phones. The OnePlus Pad makes the right spec compromises, however, I did find performance lagging for my most intensive tasks.
Where the OnePlus Pad punches above its weight class is in the display department. The 11.61-inch IPS LCD screen is bigger and yet more sharp than every rival in its price range. The iPad 10.9 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 are far outmatched. This display is closer in quality to the latest 11-inch iPad Pro, which costs $799/£899/AU$1,399 – almost twice as much as the OnePlus Pad.
OnePlus fans are undoubtedly nodding along, because you know what makes OnePlus great. You get a few flagship-killing specs at a bargain price. It’s no surprise the OnePlus Pad also has a larger battery than rivals, with much faster charging at 67W, compared to whatever piddling charge speeds Samsung and Apple settle upon (45W and 30W respectively).
Photo editing on the OnePlus Pad with Adobe Lightroom(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
The sacrifice comes first in the chipset. The OnePlus uses late-2021’s MediaTek Dimensity 9000, even though the Dimensity 9200 has been announced. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 family uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset found in its 2022 flagship Galaxy S22 phones. Likewise, Apple uses premium Bionic chips from the iPhone line in its base model iPad, and M1 desktop-class chips from the latest Macs in the iPad Air and better.
This means that – unlike expensive competitors – the OnePlus Pad won’t be a great laptop replacement. It doesn’t run as fast as the best OnePlus phones either. I compared editing photos using Adobe Lightroom on my Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 (a very slow machine) and my OnePlus Pad, and on the Pad I experienced grave delays and stutters that made work impractical.
All around, performance is not inspiring. You can play your favorite Android games, but you won’t see the highest resolution graphics running smoothly, which is a shame on such a dazzling display. Thankfully, movies from my favorite streaming services looked near-perfect. Unlike Samsung, OnePlus supports the Dolby Vision HDR standard that Netflix prefers, so even inky black sci-fi space content looked wonderful (yes, even on an LCD).
A macro image of pixels on the OnePlus Pad screen(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
OnePlus Pad review: display
Big and beautiful 11.61-inch IPS LCD
Higher pixel density (therefore sharper) than any iPad or Galaxy Tab
Up to 144Hz refresh rate on certain apps and functions
In planning its first tablet, OnePlus wisely started with the best possible display for the price, and built around it. The OnePlus Pad screen is dazzling. It packs more pixel per inch than even the best iPads; including the iPad Pro. Only E Ink devices like a Kindle Scribe offer greater sharpness.
I might pine for OLED technology – with its near-infinite contrast and saturated colors – but a great IPS LCD panel like the OnePlus Pad is close. You can find OLED on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus and better, but Apple sticks with the same IPS tech for its iPad Air, and the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) uses very high-end mini-LED tech. The OnePlus Pad looks just as bright as the iPad Air, even in direct sunlight.
Plenty of options to tweak the display(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
OnePlus says the Pad screen can refresh at variable rates up to 144Hz, but it isn’t clear where this benefit occurs. Fine print says there is a whitelist for apps that can use the fastest speeds, presumably including the Oxygen OS user interface, since it looks silky smooth on this screen. We’ve reached out to OnePlus for more specifics.
There were times the frame rate seemed to stutter – mostly while gaming – but this was likely a performance issue and not a refresh rate problem. If you want to save power, you can dial down the refresh rate to only a fixed 60Hz, among numerous other settings. There are plenty of options to enhance video or keep your eyes more comfortable at night too.
Display score: 4 / 5
The metal is brushed in a radial pattern around the camera(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
OnePlus Pad review: design
Unique look with centered camera and brushed metal finish
Only Halo Green, which kind of matches the OnePlus 11
Looks nice, but some odd edges make it less comfortable
OnePlus isn’t just launching a tablet, it’s completing an ecosystem of products, and visually, the OnePlus Pad closely resembles the other major OnePlus products from the past year: the OnePlus 11 and the OnePlus Buds Pro 2. That is, if you bought those products in ‘Eternal Green' (the phone) or ‘Arbor Green' (the buds). Both of those devices came in black too, but OnePlus is totally committed to green with the OnePlus Pad.
The OnePlus family in green(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who follows the phone market, as this natural-ish green hue has shown up across brands and product lines. It’s very hot right now, at least in some regions. No blue for OnePlus, and definitely no purple. Just green – be it Eternal, Arbor, and Halo.
The OnePlus Pad admittedly looks odd and feels odd. The aesthetics I like, the texture and ergonomics, not so much. The green is very pretty and unique among tablets, though it doesn’t quite match across product categories. The OnePlus 11 is glossy (or lightly textured) glass and slippery, while the OnePlus Pad is metal brushed in a circular pattern that radiates around the camera.
That's a big camera dot for a tablet(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
That black camera circle is a contentious bit of design, hanging in the upper middle of the tablet if you’re holding it in a landscape orientation. Again, if you’ve been following the phone market recently, you’ll already be used to huge circular cameras on the back of mobile devices.
OnePlus says having the camera centered helps you take photos and keeps your fingers away from the lens. Too bad it doesn’t have Hasselblad's involvement, like the OnePlus 11 (and some of the company's previous phones); if we’re taking tablet photography seriously.
A cambered edge, indeed, with a speaker cutout(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
OnePlus has been talking up its uniquely curved edges as a “cambered frame,” with a 2.5D treatment – whatever that means. There is a nice curve, sure, but it isn’t consistent around the device. To accommodate the optional keyboard cover and pogo pins, one entire edge is sunken and flat. It’s a jarring experience to hold, considering the rest of the tablet is so smoothly uniform.
I did not find the OnePlus Pad any more or less comfortable than the competition. It feels like a large tablet. it has a very large battery inside – so it’s heavier than comparable iPad and Galaxy Tab models, it isn’t slippery, but the slim bezel and premium materials make this less comfortable to wield, not more so.
Design score: 3/5
OnePlus Pad review: software
OnePlus phone connectivity features not available at launch
Multi-window and pop-ups work well
OxygenOS feels heavy-handed on a tablet
When OnePlus told us it was launching a tablet – especially a tablet that looks like its latest flagship phone – I was curious how the two would work together. Unfortunately, I’m still curious, as OnePlus has made many promises about the synchronicity between the devices, but the features aren’t here yet (at the time of review).
Without being able to test this feature, I can’t tell you if OnePlus is doing anything special
Those features will include a special data connection that lets the OnePlus Pad use your cellular network through your phone, without worrying over a WiFi hotspot. Apple has this feature on its iPad devices and it works automatically, so hopefully OnePlus will pull off a similarly smooth experience.
The sync should go even deeper than sharing data. OnePlus says the tablet will get photos from your phone as soon as you take them, again similar to Apple’s iCloud and Samsung’s synchronized Gallery. Of course, Google Photos does the same job, and without being able to test this feature, I can’t tell you if OnePlus is doing anything special.
You’ll even be able to share your clipboard, so if you cut and paste text on your phone, it should show up in your Pad's keyboard, but this functionality was also unavailable during testing. It could be cool, and especially rewarding for OnePlus owners. While Apple builds an entire ecosystem of integration between its devices, Samsung and other Android makers have been less aggressive offering benefits for sticking with the same brand family.
We’ve got OnePlus phones on hand to try the new features as soon as they arrive in an over-the-air update, though.
Multi-window on the OnePlus Pad is useful(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
There are some standard multi-window features, including the ability to swipe down with two fingers and split whatever you’re looking at. You can even reduce an app further to a pop-up window version that still functions normally.
These side-by-side features worked fine when I used them. Samsung does a better job handling the window resizing swipes and gestures, but then again, Samsung practically invented multi-window features on mobile devices.
Maybe too many settings for a tablet(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
While I usually like the OxygenOS that OnePlus uses, I found it a bit heavy-handed for a tablet. On a phone, I like to customize every millimeter of the experience; it makes the phone feel more personal. On a tablet, these features just feel like clutter.
A tablet needs to get out of the way of its own big screen. I don’t want to bother with any OS on my tablet, I just want to stream my shows, browse the web, and play a few rounds of Marvel Snap. Those home screen transitions and assistive ball pop-up features are great on a smaller, one-handed phone, but on a tablet, they feel silly and besides the point.
Software score: 3 / 5
OnePlus Pad review: performance
The MediaTek Dimensity 9000 was a great fast-follower last year
Chipset can’t keep up with fast display refresh rate
Unclear how data connection features will perform
Even though the OnePlus Pad looks and feels like a flagship tablet, it is priced to compete with Apple’s base model iPad and Samsung’s cheaper so-called 'Fan Edition' Tab S7. Therefore, I can forgive that performance that didn’t match that provided by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset on my OnePlus smartphone. I’m still underwhelmed, though.
OnePlus sent me a review sample with a matching keyboard cover and the OnePlus Stylo – an expensive, proprietary stylus that hangs precariously off the side of the tablet and needs to be charged periodically. This to me screams 'laptop replacement', especially now that we’ve added nearly $250 / £250 to the bill as a result.
I tried to handle some more advanced photo editing chores, but the OnePlus Pad couldn’t keep up. I needed to tap and swipe the effects sliders in Lightroom multiple times before the app caught my actions. Typing into Google Docs was much better, and the keyboard is a quality accessory worth considering; especially if you like the matching color.
That's an expensive pen, don't lose it(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
The Stylo for me is a harder sell. It is attached with magnets, which I absolutely hate. I’m cynical, but I think this magnetic attachment reeks of a scheme to sell you a replacement pen after you lose it. The latency and feel were fine, but I use pens for productivity and journaling, not for drawing. For those tasks it worked well, but as an interface tool, there was sometimes a bit of lag.
The OnePlus Pad uses WiFi 6, but not the newer Wi-Fi 6E flavor that limits outside traffic interference. There is no cellular option, so you need to use WiFi or tether to a phone ti stay connected. If you have an Android phone, Google makes this easy, provided you are signed in to all of your devices with the same account. Just search for the Nearby Share feature in Settings.
OnePlus says that the OnePlus Pad will have some special connection to its newer phones, enabling a data connection through the cellular network if the phone is within five meters of the tablet. Presumably, this will work like Apple’s automated data tethering between its iPhone, Macbook and iPad products. We’ll know once the update hits that enables the feature.
Performance score: 3 / 5
The USB-C port is on the side if you hold it in landscape mode(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
OnePlus Pad review: battery
Excellent battery life watching video and browsing
Faster charging than any tablet we’ve used
Huge 9,510mAh battery inside
For no good reason, fast charging capabilities have been ignored by tablet makers until now. With 67W charging, the OnePlus Pad can top off the battery in around 80 minutes. Considering this battery is nearly twice the size of your average smartphone battery, that’s pretty impressive. It takes almost twice as long to charge any iPad, except the smallest iPad mini.
Of course, you mostly use a tablet around the house, where you have plenty of power outlets available and surfaces to rest a charging tablet, so fast charging isn’t very important. Where is does make a difference is when you're packing for a trip and realize you forgot to charge said tablet. In the time it takes to pack up gear and eat breakfast, you can have entertainment charged and ready for the road.
It's big, but not much bigger than a thick magazine(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
I had no trouble getting the OnePlus Pad to last through extensive use for a full day of travel. Watching hours of shows, playing tons of online games using an airplane’s spotty WiFi connection; then relying on the tablet to read news and find a spot for dinner. OnePlus estimates more than 12 hours of video playback and that estimate is in line with my testing.
OnePlus includes a charger in the box, and it follows the company’s absurd pattern of reverting to USB-A wall warts. You need to use the adapter with the included red OnePlus cable to accommodate the faster charging speeds. I complained about this when the OnePlus 11 launched, and the company said its buyers don’t have enough USB-C devices and chargers on hand to make the switch.
Battery score: 5 / 5
Should you buy the OnePlus Pad?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Also consider
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How I tested the OnePlus Pad
OnePlus loaned me the OnePlus Pad more than a month before this review was published, along with the OnePlus Magnetic Keyboard and the OnePlus Stylo. I have been using the tablet extensively since then, mostly at home as my personal tablet, but also as a professional device and on the road, as a traveling entertainment center.
I have been watching movies, playing games, and web browsing extensively on the OnePlus Pad, using every streaming service you’ve heard of and playing mostly Call of Duty Mobile and Marvel Snap. For gaming, I use touch controls as well as an Xbox wireless controller connected via Bluetooth.
For professional work, I typed much of this review and edited all of these review photos using Adobe Lightroom and Google Docs on the OnePlus Pad, and I reported my experience above. I also used Slack, Airtable, and a number of communication apps.
For battery testing, I spent at least two days of the review using the tablet almost nonstop until it died, then charged it again to check the fast charging times. Otherwise, I kept notes of what I’d done with the tablet and the battery percentage at the end of each day.
I tested the tablet with benchmarking software TechRadar's mobile team relies on for internal note keeping and reference, but I typically prefer to report performance only in terms of real world use cases and responsiveness.
