For the first dedicated microphone by gaming peripheral manufacturer SteelSeries, the Alias is a very impressive debut. Bringing the same ease of use that you would find in a SteelSeries mouse or keyboard to the audio space, this is a simple, plug-and-play microphone that sounds absolutely excellent out of the box. Although you can squeeze comparable audio quality from cheaper products by non-gaming brands (the exceptional Blue Yeti for example) doing so requires some degree of software knowledge and a level of fiddling that is totally absent here.
In addition to performing well, the Alias looks a cut above the rest thanks to an understated design that simply oozes class and quality. The RGB lighting on its underside may be purely cosmetic and a slight letdown, but the innovative LED display found on the front of the microphone is the perfect blend of style and substance. Conveying information on your current noise level, not to mention providing a useful indicator as to whether the microphone is currently muted, this is one feature that will make you wonder how you ever managed without it.
The same can’t be said of the SteelSeries Sonar software, however. Although it is at least adequate for tweaking your settings before jumping into a game, it’s disappointingly basic and brings very few extra features to the table beyond some mildly amusing voice filters and a volume mixer.
SteelSeries Alias - Price and availability
Retailing for an eye-watering $179.99 / £179.99 / AU$399, the Alias ranks among some of the most expensive gaming microphones on the market. This is a lot of money to spend on a microphone, even when compared to the most high-end offerings by other well-known gaming peripheral manufacturers. The Razer Seiren V2 Pro, for example, retails for $149.99 / £149.99 while the HyperX QuadCast costs $139.99 / £119.99.
This lofty price tag puts it squarely in competition with pricey non-gaming options from brands like Rode or Blue, where we think it manages to find a decent niche. While these other options will undeniably offer superior audio quality with the right setup, unwieldy desk mounts, large pop filters and intrusive boom arms make them a pain to use if you just want to chat while in a game. From a purely casual gaming standpoint, it’s easy to appreciate why many might consider this a better all-in-one option thanks to the sheer convenience factor.
The Alias is readily available from the SteelSeries website or Amazon in both the US and UK. It can also be found at a range of other retailers, including Best Buy and Walmart in the US or Currys in the UK. It is a little harder to find in Australia but is in stock at JB Hi-Fi at the time of writing.
SteelSeries Alias - Design and features
(Image credit: Future)
The design of the Alias certainly looks the part for such a premium product. A pill-shaped microphone sporting durable metal grills and covered in a sleek black fabric, everything about the aesthetic comes across as suitably high-quality. It’s suspended in a shock mount out of the box which makes for an impressively hassle-free setup.
Although it’s also compatible with boom arms (through an included adapter) the pack-in stand is likely all that most will need. Like the microphone, it feels very robust and is constructed from a combination of smooth plastic and metal. The underside of its base is coated with a rubbery material that helps prevent the microphone from slipping around your desk and, while your mileage will inevitably vary depending on your desktop, this proved more than enough to keep it secure on the range of surfaces that I tested.
A small panel sits on the front of the microphone, with a dial to control headphone gain and a mute button. On the rear, you’ll find a 3.5 mm headphone jack (allowing you to insert headphones for audio monitoring), a USB-C port, and a microphone gain dial. The dial placement is a little strange here, as it would have made more sense to group the headphone jack and headphone gain dial together, but this setup is still fairly intuitive and, more importantly, very easy to adjust.
(Image credit: Future)
On the bottom of the microphone is a small ring of RGB LEDs, which can be configured with a range of presets or custom colors within the SteelSeries Sonar software. While the inclusion of some RGB lighting is certainly welcome, especially in a product so heavily marketed towards gamers, the effect isn’t particularly impressive and only really serves to illuminate a small portion of the stand’s base. For owners of other SteelSeries peripherals, however, there’s probably going to be some further appeal in being able to coordinate this small region of lighting with that of your mouse and keyboard.
Far more impressive is the fantastic LED display on the windscreen of the microphone itself. Shining through the front fabric, this display indicates the mic’s current status. It shows a red cross when the device is muted and a useful audio level monitor when it’s picking up sound. This level monitor is divided into five separate stages, ranging from green to red depending on your current audio level. Seeing frequent red illumination while speaking would suggest a need to decrease your volume or alter the microphone’s gain level, making this an addition that not only looks fantastic, but is genuinely practical.
The ability to tell whether the microphone is muted at a glance is incredibly convenient, especially if you intend to use the Alias for online streaming. The brightness and colors of both the mute indicator and audio level monitor can also be fully customized (or even disabled) within the SteelSeries Sonar Software which adds a welcome degree of personalization.
SteelSeries Alias review - Performance
(Image credit: Future)
The Alias performs extremely well out of the box without any software customization. Audio sounds crisp and clear even when used in a purely plug-and-play fashion, with a wide cardioid pattern that helps ensure your voice is picked up. It’s very easy to position on your desk and, experimenting with a range of online games including Counter-Strike 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the microphone never interfered with my ability to deliver vital comms. The mute button is responsive and easy to use, while the gain monitor proved a highly useful way to check the impact of any unwanted background noise while on calls.
The microphone is also extremely capable outside of gaming, producing clean professional-sounding recordings in programs like Audacity. This should make it a favorite for content creators or podcasters, especially given the striking look. For those purely concerned with audio quality, however, it’s worth noting that I was able to squeeze similarly good results from the cheaper Blue Yeti which, despite its age, remains a top pick for streamers for good reason. This did take some software adjustments though, which wasn’t needed with the pricier Alias.
If you are the type to rely heavily on software, then this is perhaps the one area where the Alias is behind the curve. The SteelSeries Sonar software is a little basic, featuring a volume mixer, some alternate EQ options, a few voice filters, and little else. The AI background noise removal is undeniably extremely impressive, allowing me to play loud games without headphones while on calls with no tangible effect on background noise levels, but doesn’t seem that much more advanced than the options found in competing software like Nvidia Broadcast.
To make matters worse, the UI is bloated, and redundant features like Moments, which automatically records your gameplay, are frustratingly intrusive and, worse still, switched on by default. Even so, this software is wholly optional and might still provide some value depending on your setup.
Should I buy the SteelSeries Alias?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
How we reviewed the SteelSeries Alias
I used the SteelSeries Alias as my primary PC microphone for over three weeks. This included a lot of use in a variety of online games and frequent chats with friends on platforms like Discord. In order to test the audio quality, I recorded myself in a range of settings with different levels of background noise using Audacity.
During my time with the microphone, I also made sure to explore the SteelSeries Sonar software and tried to test the majority of the software’s available features and settings.
To say the Hyte Y70 Touch is the culmination of a major PC building trend we've seen over the past few years feels like it doesn't do this case justice.
Back in ye olden dæges, even the best PC case was just an aluminum box with a panel that would open up to let you dig into the guts of your computer. But like every other kind of electronic device, it was purposefully designed to hide everything on the inside. After all, who wants to look at printed circuit boards, soldered ICs, and maybe a dusty fan mounted onto the CPU that 95% of people never bothered to clean?
We've come a long way since then, and as PC enthusiasts and gamers invest serious money into their builds, the impulse to show it all off became too great to ignore. We've since introduced plastic side panels, then tempered glass, and in the last five or six years, we've started to see cases that resemble the kind of glass housing once reserved for museums so builders could show off their hard work.
What they haven't really done before, however, is have an off-the-shelf case that integrates functionality into this cutaway case design, since glass is glass and it's only really good for looking through and providing a small measure of physical protection.
Hyte, on the other hand, decided to swap out the corner panel of its already excellent Y60 PC case for a 4K interactive touchscreen that has literally stopped several of my coworkers in their tracks this past week so they could gawk at the video wallpaper, clock, and Twitch chat window embedded into the touchscreen along the corner edge of the Y70.
To be fair, they weren't around to watch me stumble through the process of setting up the touchscreen, since it's really just a second Windows display like any one of the best monitors you'll find, though its 1100x3840p resolution makes it a meh-level second display without Hyte's Nexus software.
Once you install and run the software, it will do all the hard work of actually configuring the display to embed widgets, system information like CPU temperature, and even app shortcuts to put your favorite software a quick touch away.
Of course, to get the case's display to work, it needs to be connected to your graphics card via a DisplayPort connection, so you'll need a graphics card capable of multimonitor support as well as a free DisplayPort output. Nearly all of the best graphics cards, and even most of the best cheap graphics cards, will come with at least two DisplayPort connections, but if you're already running a multimonitor setup, you will likely need to do some cable juggling to make sure your graphics card can run the touchpanel.
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As for what you can do with the touch panel, there's actually quite a bit, including adding widgets for quicker access or displaying system information, or possibly taking a break from playing the best PC games to play a Tetris-style brick dropper instead.
And while this might feel a bit gimmicky, the program shortcuts are an absolute lifesaver as someone who has dozens of windows open on my desktop at any given time.
Finding the shortcut to launch Photoshop on my desktop comes in varying degrees of difficulty depending on how much junk I've dropped onto my desktop over the past few weeks. Being able to turn slightly and touch the Hyte Y70 Touch's display to bring up photoshop is the kind of small thing that adds up to minutes and hours of reclaimed time over weeks and months of use.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The Nexus software is more or less fine, and it comes with a number of presets that you can run as live backgrounds on the display. One thing to note is that you need to use this software to setup the touch display properly, so once you've built the PC and have successfully booted it up, download and install the software before you do anything else and work through Hyte Nexus.
It's through this software as well that you can build up pages of widgets, turning the Hyte Y70's front-corner panel into something with a smartphone-like interface, making it about as intuitive as it gets.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
When it comes to actual hardware, the case doesn't come with any fans, but it has room to install up to 10 chassis fans, as well as a 360mm long x 125mm thick radiator on the side and another 360mm long x 68mm thick radiator along the top. You have a lot of options for cooling the rig, but definitely focus on intaking air from the bottom and back of the case, as the front and side walls are glass, so you'll have to be conscientious about proper airflow.
Fortunately, as a dual-chamber case, many of the hottest components are separated to allow for easier cooling and air circulation. The biggest and most obvious way this is done is through the vertically mounted GPU thanks to an included riser. It doesn't hurt that it also shows off your GPU.
In terms of rear capacity, there are two internal drive bays that can fit a pair of the best hard drives at 3.5-inches, or up to four 2.5-inch SATA SSDs. The PSU bay is roomy as well, making cable management easier than with a tighter mid-or-full tower case, which can jam even the best PSUs.
There's more than enough room in the front chamber, so whichever of the best graphics cards you install, the Y70's 16.6-inch GPU clearance is more than enough. It is also able to vertically mount up to a four-slot card, so if that Nvidia Titan RTX refresh ever comes along, you just might be able to fit it in here.
This extra capacity also makes cable management a much easier problem to solve, and even though this is a very premium PC case, it's incredibly user-and-newbie friendly. You'll still have to know where and how you should install various case components like fans and lighting, but the easy-open case gives you all the room you need to work, even if you barely know what you're doing.
And while I am going to rave about this case from here to CES and beyond, it's not all lovely touchscreens and roomy interior. If there's one complaint I have with this case, it would be its price. Coming in at $359.99 / £349.99 (about AU$560), this is significantly more expensive than the Hyte Y60 or Lian-Li O11 Vision, which comes in at just $139.
Of course, none of those cases have a 4K touchscreen interface built-in, so the price isn't unreasonable for what you're getting, but this is a premium case nonetheless, so those on a budget might want to shop around for something more in line with their budget.
Hyte Y70 Touch: Price & availability
How much does it cost? $359.99 / £349.99 (about AU$560)
When and where can you get it? Available in US right now, with UK and Australia availability coming in December
The Hyte Y70 Touch is available in the US right now for $359.99, with a December launch planned for the UK and Australia. The UK retail price will be £349.99, and should sell for about AU$560 in Australia.
This is a roughly 80% price increase over the Hyte Y60, though that case does not include a touch display.
Hyte Y70 Touch: Specs
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Should you buy the Hyte Y70 Touch?
Buy the Hyte Y70 Touch if...
You want an absolute showpiece The Hyte Y70 Touch will draw a crowd if you let it. I know from personal experience.
You want to have a host of functions and apps at your fingertips
The 4K touchscreen on the Y70 makes it easy to pull up apps, track Twitch chat, and monitor system conditions with ease.
Don't buy it if...
You're on a budget
This is a very premium PC case, so if money's tight, forget about the touchscreen and opt for the Hyte Y60 instead.
You have limited desk space
This is a honking big PC case. If your desk looks like the aftermath of Verdun, you might want to go for something with a smaller footprint.
Hyte Y70 Touch: Also consider
If my Hyte Y70 Touch review has you looking for other options, here are two more PC cases to consider...
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.
The PlayStation Portal is the latest in Sony’s PlayStation 5 hardware lineup. Pitched firmly as a PS5 accessory that will enable portable access to your console and game library through an internet connection. It’s a simple prospect and one that utilizes Sony’s PS Remote Play app concept - but deploys it brilliantly in a dedicated device.
To be clear, the PlayStation Portal is exactly that: a small window into your PS5. While not strictly among the best handheld games consoles as it lacks the ability to play games natively like the Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation Portal isn’t trying to be that. It’s offering something entirely different. The terrific news is that it absolutely delivers on what it promises, and is a magnificent device for those who utilize Remote Play or want a portable way into their PS5.
Offering superb ergonomics as well as excellent design and build quality with all those exquisite DualSense controller features on top, this Remote Play beaut and its bright and sharp 8-inch LCD screen present a wonderful portable PS5 experience. One that I’ve already incorporated into my everyday home life.
PlayStation Portal review - price and availability
The PlayStation Portal launches on November 15, 2023, costs $199.99 / £199.99, and is available from all the usual retailers, as well as PlayStation Direct. Pre-orders are still available, though, at time of writing, US shoppers are limited to GameStop, and UK fans only have Game or PlayStation Direct as options.
In terms of comparison, the cheapest Steam Deck (the 64GB model) is now $349 / £309, the ASUS ROG Ally starts at $599.99 / £599, and the Nintendo Switch Lite is the closest in price with an MSRP of $199.99 / £200.
However, it’s worth remembering that the Portal is not a system that can play games natively like the above devices. Its sole purpose is to use the Remote Play system (like the Backbone One controller) to Stream your PS5 - which you need to have invested in already.
PlayStation Portal review - design and features
Essentially a DualSense controller wrapped around an 8-inch LCD display, the PlayStation Portal has an immediately familiar design, build, and feel. It quickly feels at home in the hands of a PS5 owner and is comfortable, easy to handle, and a joy to interact with. It’s also a bit heavier and larger than you might expect. Its weight of 18.66oz / 529g doesn’t sound too heavy, but it is noticeable, especially when picking it up with one hand.
(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)
That largely comes down to the overall size of the device. Coming in at 12in / 30.5cm in length, there’s a notable heft to the Portal that you’ll initially have to get used to. Otherwise, it’s 2.4in / 6cm high to the top of the thumbsticks which are smaller than the DualSense’s sticks and are those found on the PSVR 2 Sense controllers - and about 4.7in / 12cm from front to back.
The controller wings feature everything that a normal DualSense has, with the only slight difference being some button placement - the PS Home button is tucked into the top right corner of the left wing, and the mic mute button gets the same treatment on the top left of the right wing. Otherwise, it’s got the same grippy feel, the buttons are the same in their actuation, and the only material difference is the aforementioned smaller thumbsticks.
On the top, there are two stereo speakers, the power button, volume up and down buttons, and the PlayStation Link button. The latter will only be of use once you can pair your Portal with the Pulse Elite headset, or the upcoming Pulse Explore earbuds. Completing the set, on the rear, there’s the USB-C port for charging and a 3.5mm audio jack for wired headsets; this keeps the cables tidily out of the way when you’re playing.
The PlayStation Portal feels sturdy too, like it could survive a bump or two if it fell off your lap. However, I have already decided to invest in a screen protector and possibly some form of case to give it an extra layer of protection. From an ergonomics standpoint, it’s one of the best handheld gaming devices going; having been designed and built around a controller, feel, fit, and form can come first, as opposed to other handhelds which have to prioritize a game-playing system first, then bolt on buttons and controls.
PlayStation Portal review - Performance and battery life
(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)
Simply put, the PlayStation Portal performs brilliantly. It nails its function, and in all my hours of testing so far, has been a joy to use and hasn’t had any hiccups in connectivity or any input lag to speak of.
It begins with a very quick pairing and logging-in process before you’re greeted by a bright screen with familiar-looking UI and menus. When you log in (and out) of your PS5 from the Portal, you even get a cool portal graphic which is a pleasant touch.
When you turn on the Portal while your PS5 is in rest mode, it will automatically boot the console up and get you straight in. You can disengage or re-engage the main console while the Portal is on at will too.
Getting right to how it plays games and works as a remote play device, the Portal offers a sublime Remote Play experience. It is so much better than using Remote Play functionality on my PC; the difference is like night and day. Whereas my PC would have visual lag and crackly audio at times, the connection with the Portal is seamless and smooth. Also, when comparing it with the picture on my TV to test input lag, I get barely any, and if it is there it is totally discernable.
For context, my home internet speeds are around 150Mbps down and around 30-40Mbps up, and while my PS5 is hardwired via ethernet cable, my main Wi-Fi router is in a cupboard under the stairs. But even with my router tucked away, the Portal continues to provide a quality, lag-free experience, never missing a beat regardless of the room I was in.
I have also connected it to my neighbor's Wi-Fi (with his consent), used my 5G connection (which runs at about 20-25Mbps download speed where I live) from my Samsung S23 phone, and tested it with a variety of games. Aside from taking slightly longer to connect with my PS5 over those separate internet connections, the PlayStation Portal is a relentless performer. Testing it for online play in Back 4 Blood, I found the experience identical to that when playing with my friends on the main console, and it’s even possible - with slight delays in reconnecting to the PS5 - to switch from one internet connection to another mid-session.
(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)
The screen is crisp and bright - a bit too bright at times, particularly when I first booted a game up - and proves more than worthy on the Portal. The worlds of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and the city lights of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s New York are a delight. There are, however, a few times when the LCD screen can show its limitations and have me yearning for an OLED panel; on images like dark save screens, you can identify lines and edges of blocks of color as opposed to a smooth gradient. Largely, though, it's bright, vivid, and perfect for the Portal. It also handles different quality or performance modes in games smoothly.
The Portal’s speakers are punchy and do the job, but, predictably, struggle at the low end given they are only two small stereo speakers squished into the Portal's narrow form. There’s no Bluetooth support on the device, but I wrote a short while ago about how the lack of the feature doesn’t matter, and I would say that’s still the case having lived with the Portal for a good few days now: when you’re plugged in and wearing a headset, playing on the sofa, or in bed, the experience has been the same as using a DualSense for me - I quickly and totally forget that I’m tethered.
The DualSense features operate as expected too, ensuring the Portal offers the same immersive gaming experience as you’d get with your main console. The touchscreen functionality is a success too; it only takes a couple of taps to replicate pressing the normal touchpad, and it's nice and responsive when using it to navigate te the Protal's UI too. Team this with the overall comfort of playing with the Portal for hours at a time, and the quality in its form factor and design is further reinforced.
Battery life is about on par with the DualSense controller. With the controller haptics and features enabled, I got just over six hours of life out of a full charge. I did tinker with screen brightness as that’s quite piercing at its highest level. I got the low battery warning at the four-and-a-half-hour mark, but the Portal kept going for that extra one and a half hours. You can also tone down screen brightness, and turn off features to squeeze more battery life in. The PlayStation Portal does take more than two hours to fully charge, so this is worth factoring into your intended play habits with the device.
I would like a sliding scale of brightness to be introduced down the line, as it’s pretty binary as it stands. I would also welcome a battery indicator that had visible numbers, as at the moment it’s just three chunks in a battery symbol.
Should I buy the PlayStation Portal?
(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)
The PlayStation Portal is a brilliant handheld gaming device. It excels in its niche, offering ergonomic design and form, a wonderfully bright screen, and a host of PS5 features as standard. The Portal is an essential PS5 accessory for Remote Play users and for those looking to get more out of their console, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I would also add, as I was told by Sony about the PlayStation Access controller, that the Portal is part of the PS5 ecosystem so it could benefit from future models down the line. This could pave the way for an OLED screen, the latest Wi-Fi, Bluetooth support, and more in the future.
The Portal is not pretending to be anything else apart from a quality remote-play device for your PS5, and it absolutely nails its brief. As long as you come to it knowing what it does and what it can offer you, then it wholeheartedly, unabashedly, spectacularly succeeds.
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
How we tested the PlayStation Portal
The Portal has been the only way I’ve played my PS5 since it arrived a few days ago, and I have put more than 12 hours into testing. I’ve used the Portal for two full battery charges, all around my house, and neighbors’ homes, and testing it on my mobile phone’s 5G connection. I spent hours using the Portal’s own speakers as well as with a wired Razer Kaira X headset, and I played a multitude of games including Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Star Wars Jedi Survivor, and Atomic Heart, while also testing out online multiplayer in Back 4 Blood.
Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PS5, PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One
Release date: November 10, 2023
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is a disappointment. A DLC hastily repackaged as ‘full’ sequel, it’s hard to fathom why Activision decided that the best way to celebrate Call of Duty’s 20th anniversary was releasing a clearly rushed direct sequel in the Modern Warfare series, trading on fan’s goodwill to try and cover for a massive stinker.
So it goes.
There are flecks of brilliance here, and it’s clear that Activision’s collective of Call of Duty developers (Sledgehammer Games take the lead here) have talent. While there are accusations swirling around Modern Warfare 3’s development time, the full picture hasn’t emerged yet. However, there’s no denying that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 feels rushed and, while some polish might reduce some of the friction in the first-person shooter game’s multiplayer, there are substantial flaws in the structure that no amount of post-launch support can fix.
For the first year in a long time, this is a Call of Duty game that, despite having its moments, isn’t always that fun to play and lacks a lot of the smooth gunplay that the series is known for. These elements alone make it hard to recommend Modern Warfare 3, even if the fact that Modern Warfare 2 ceasing development means many players will get dragged along for the ride.
The price isn’t right
(Image credit: Activision)
The campaign of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is a turgid, joyless affair that struggles to justify its roughly three-hour runtime. The saving grace is the performance of the four-man Task Force 141 crew (Price, Gaz, Ghost and his stupid skull mask, and Soap) and new villain Makarov. But then, the game is so short, that hardly any other characters get time to themselves at all.
Frustratingly, there are several characters back in the mix that you might have straight-up missed if you haven’t spent the last year plugging away in the game’s raids and paying sharp attention. Modern Warfare 2’s big-bad Graves? Last seen in the single-player game piloting a tank you’ve exploded? Faked his own death somehow, back here grinning like nothing has happened. CIA operator Alex, who left the CIA behind to join an insurgency and gave his life to detonate some explosives and save the world at the end of Modern Warfare? It didn’t take, he has a prosthetic leg here, but otherwise, he’s good to go.
Both of these reveals will be obvious if you’ve played all of the extra multiplayer content, but it will be completely lost on you if you haven’t dipped into it. Not that cohesion seems to be valued much in the story, with missions feeling more like vignettes than anything actually linked together.
The writing is fine, although the idea of a false flag operation by Russians pinning terrorist atrocities onto a Muslim-speaking country is incredibly uncomfortable in the context of the current geopolitical climate. A reference to Modern Warfare 2 (2009)’s infamous No Russian mission teased in a post-credits scene feels designed more to shock than to make an actual statement and plays out end to end in barely a minute. I wondered if this had merely failed to land but quickly realized this was the point as another mission has you fighting Russian ultranationalists that are attacking a stadium while dressed as police and paramedics.
Other missions feel like they were originally planned as cutscenes and then expanded out to deliver a few scant minutes of play. The story here - despite the cracking performances - feels half-finished and roughly sketched out.
Best bit
(Image credit: Activision)
Pulling off the perfect multiplayer flank and getting a stack of kills remains as satisfying as ever, especially when you then earn a killstreak that's going to decimate the enemy team.
Very few of the set pieces gel, a bizarre thing to discover when this is something that Call of Duty has always done well even in its more disappointing efforts. Worse still, it doesn’t even really appear like they’re trying. I found myself dreaming of the Embassy assault from Modern Warfare or the shootout on the Golden Gate Bridge in Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare. The opening level, an assault on a prison to free a high-value prisoner, is the closest the game comes to having a set piece, but too often you’re trudging through a darkened corridor or shooting up a sewer.
Lots of this is due, presumably, to the game’s Open Combat Missions, which feel like single-player versions of the Spec Ops co-op missions seen in Modern Warfare 2. The freedom is exciting as a theoretical concept, but all too often you’ll miss an exciting combat encounter because instead of dancing to cover as designed, you snuck in the back and now have to fight off an entire army by crouching behind some trash cans.
Too many aspects of Warzone have snuck in too: you’ll have to spend a lot of your time hunting for weapons and sliding armor plates into your vest to keep you going. This is a big part of Call of Duty: Warzone, but here it kills the pace for me.
Bizarrely, different levels seem to control in different ways, too. The Open Combat Missions seem to be built in a different engine and here you can inspect your weapons but are unable to take down enemies. If I had to guess - I’m not a game developer and my word here is uninformed at best - it appears the OCMs are built to play like Warzone and exist with that framework, while the more linear missions have been built in the standard engine. It feels sloppy, and the inconsistency means that sometimes I can sneak up and perform a takedown on an enemy, and other times I have just… forgotten how to.
As a long-time enjoyer of Call of Duty’s single-player campaigns, this one isn’t just hard to defend but it’s hard to tolerate with its gross politics intertwined with missions and gunplay that feel uninteresting.
Ordinance survey
(Image credit: Activision Blizzard)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s multiplayer initially shines, even if something immediately feels a little off. Drop in and you’ll be seduced because it feels like the classic Call of Duty experience, but the cracks start to show quite quickly.
Gunplay feels off, and the precision - particularly playing on a mouse and keyboard - just isn’t there which makes it feel unsatisfying. While I’ve only had a couple of days to play with Modern Warfare 3, this time has been marred with frustration as fights become unpredictable affairs.
Part of this is the introduction of movement too: the speed of just about everything has been increased and it’s now common for people to start bunnyhopping around in a gunfight until it feels more like a dogfight. Part of this speed increase seems to be that old guns and equipment returning from Modern Warfare 2 have had their animations sped up, which contributes to how off everything feels.
Sniper rifles are so back, but not in a good way. Hit someone above the waist with a sniper rifle and it is curtains. This feels satisfying when you’re the one clutching the rifle, but it’s miserable when you see just a glint of scope shine before getting polished off on any map with long sight lines.
These are all disparate issues but they come from the same root cause: it feels like the game has been optimized for the angry streamers who take to Twitch each night and talk about how the game needs to be faster and more bombastic while jerking their viewpoint around in every different direction. This is the direction Call of Duty games had been going before 2019’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, which slowed things down in combat considerably. For me, I think Call of Duty plays better when you have a second to think, and it really suffers here from the tweaks that will make it better for high-level players to get ridiculous kill montages for TikTok, but make it harder for most players to enjoy.
Then there’s the fact that every gun and skin from Modern Warfare 2 (2022) is returning, meaning that all of the obscure meta tweaks from that game are live here on day 1. By my second game of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, playing at 6am after the servers had been up for an hour, I was already being accosted by people charging around with semi-automatic shotguns and riot shields strapped to their backs. Within an hour, I was strapping thermal sights and silencers to weapons I’d barely touched because my Modern Warfare 2 attachments can be slotted into Modern Warfare 3 weapons even when those weapons are barely leveled.
This is great for consumers in that that money you spent on a Nicki Minaj skin last year isn’t gone forever, but by adding all of this stuff they’ve completely broken Modern Warfare 3’s sense of progression and exploration. Why would any player feel the need to experiment with the all-new arsenal when the old one is right there and has already been fully explored? Similarly, finally unlocking a key attachment is meaningless now because you’re often already going to have strapped something from Modern Warfare 2 into the game in the first place.
While this is often the case with Call of Duty launches, the previous battlepass is still active, so you’re earning cosmetics from the last game for this one. It feels to all intents and purposes like even Activision don’t think this is a new game either, and the only people they’re trying to convince that this is a whole new world is us, the mooks they want to buy into the game for 12 months despite the fact it sucks.
I’ve still enjoyed playing it because I adore running around maps I was obsessed with during my years plaat University, and loading into a map on Terminal or Afghan gives me the warm and fuzzies even now. Thing is, Modern Warfare 3 plays very differently to Modern Warfare 2 (2009) where the maps are cadged from, and while they’re still well designed, the addition of systems like mounting will make it feel very different.
The maps are excellent though, the best bunch in a Call of Duty game in years. If anything, the reintroduction of these old maps just goes to show they don’t make them like they used to: last year’s Modern Warfare 2 played much better as a game but none of the maps come close to what’s on offer here.
Ghoul of duty
(Image credit: Activision Blizzard)
The Zombies mode, basically Modern Warfare 2’s DMZ except every player is allied now and every enemy is a zombie or a zombie-killing mercenary, is an absolute delight and is the strongest part of this year’s package by far.
It hasn’t reinvented any wheels here: Zombies staples like the pack-a-punch machine, the mystery box and on the wall weapons are still present and correct, but the world is huge and there’s large-scale co-op action as you’ll be covering your team from a nearby ridge with a rifle before noticing another team fighting a crowd of undead nearby and losing a few rounds to help them out, too.
That comfortable co-op is the bit that wins me over with the Zombies mode. One time, escaping towards the extraction point alone after my team had all died, I found myself completely outnumbered by mercenaries who had me totally outgunned. As I ran out of ammunition, another car drove past with two players in it. They beeped twice as they drove past and I lunged for the vehicle, slipping inside without them losing any speed at all. They weren’t trying to help me, they had their own thing going on, but it gave me a cool story and it felt like a fun interaction. Later, we fought shoulder to shoulder as the helicopter landed. This sort of relaxed cooperation is incredibly engaging, and it just feels pleasantly lightweight.
It’s not a meaningful leap forward on anything that DMZ was doing, but it’s a broad improvement on the DMZ formula by making the jump entirely to making it a player vs enemy mode, and it really is a lot of fun. But it’s too little too late to salvage the rest of the package that is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
Accessibility features
(Image credit: Activision)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has a handful of accessibility options. These mainly relate to subtitles, which can be enabled across the campaign and multiplayer modes with the option to tweak their size and opacity. There are also a small number of HUD customization settings available, including the ability to increase or decrease its size.
PC players can benefit from comprehensive controller support, in addition to keyboard and mouse support on consoles.
How we reviewed
I played 30 hours of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, with five hours in the campaign to reach the credits and the remaining 25 hours bouncing between the multiplayer mode and the game’s zombies mode.
The Psync Camera Genie S is a new indoor home security camera with an AI-infused twist, and it could remedy a host of pet peeves you have with your current home security devices.
While I don't consider myself paranoid, I do have, at any given time, at least three of the best home security cameras surveilling my home. I've gotten used to all the alerts that usually let me know one of the cams detected some movement. The details are scant and because I am too cheap to play for cloud-based storage and services, I can almost never see said "movement".
The extent of detail most webcam image analysis offers is usually "person detected," "movement detected," or "sound detected."
Psync, though has a different idea with something it calls "ViewSay", featured on its new Psync Camera Genie S indoor smart home camera.
ViewSay uses GPT algorithms (actually a visual language model or VLM) to analyze the movement or any activity within the security camera's field of view to offer detailed descriptions of what's happening in your home. It's a very new implementation of this technology and the messages I've received over the last week have been almost uniformly hilarious. Psync's AI rarely gets the description right but I love how hard it tries.
Some users may not be thrilled that the AI-based image analysis (which will cost $0.99 a month) is done in the cloud using one frame of the video, but the good news is that the data is encrypted when it's stored on Amazon Web Servers (AWS) for analysis.
Leaving aside this kitschy highlight, this is a rather adept home security cam. It's compact, easy to set up, and is the rare webcam with a motorized remote control that lets you change its point of view (left and right or up and down) via the Psync app and from anywhere in the world. It can even, thanks to that physical versatility, track moving objects.
There's support for smart home majors like Amazon Alexa and Google but not for Apple HomeKit and, more distressingly, Matter - though full Matter support rollout for cameras doesn't come until next year, so there's hope yet.
Even so, $34.99 for a Webcam with 32GB of onboard storage, LED lights for night imagery, remote control, and auto-tracking capabilities adds up to a nice starter home security webcam.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Psync Camera Genie S review: price and availability
List price: $34.99 (32GB) $39.99 (64GB)
$0.99 for AI features
Available in the US only
At just $34.99, the Psync Camera Genie S is among the more affordable home security cameras, falling in line with the WYZE Cam Pan v3 but without the outdoor capabilities. Of course, the WYZE Cam doesn't include any form of GPT intelligence.
Psync launched the product on November 1, 2023, and it's available online at the Psync website.
The box ships with the security cam, a USB-3-to-USB-C cable, and a power adapter (there's no battery option). There's also 32GB of internal storage.
Value: 4/5
Psync Camera Genie S: specifications
Psync Camera Genie S folded(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Psync Camera Genie S review: design
Compact
Local storage
Lightweight
Rubberized bottom with tripod mount
I wouldn't normally say this, but Psync Camera Genie S is cute. Yes, it's a bit lightweight and boxy, but its ability to turn and look at whatever it's tracking adds a bit of life and, yes, might lead you to anthropomorphize it.
Where most modern smart home security cams are all curves and smooth lines, this is like a set of white blocks. There's a white base that houses the speaker and activity light (blue for live), and the L-shaped head that unfolds from the body and can point its small face, featuring an HD+ camera (it captures up to 1944 x 2592) and four LED lights, wherever you choose, or it can auto-track moving objects.
There are microphones and a speaker for conducting two-way communication but the speaker is also used to deliver messages from the Psync device. It can tell you, for example, that you have an incoming call.
Open, the security cam is 2.09 in. x 2.09 in. x 4.41 in. Folded, it's 2.09 in. x 2.09 in. x 2.41
Despite its diminutive size, this lightweight security cam isn't prone to sliding or falling over; there's a nice grippy rubberized base to keep the Psync Camera Genie S in place. If you want to attach it to a tripod, the base also includes a tripod screw mount.
I also appreciated that the included power cable is long enough to stretch it from an outlet near the floor to a window more than halfway up the wall.
One of my favorite Psnyc Camera Genie S tricks, however, is what it does when you power it down (through the app). It says "shutting down" and then folds into a near-perfect cube.
Design: 4/5
Psync Camera Genie S base(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Psync Camera Genie S review: performance
Can detect and track motion
AI does its best to ID scenes
2K video is sharp
(Image credit: Future)
The best smart home devices are not just easy to use, they make setup a breeze. Psync's Camera Genie S fulfills that mission with a no-brainer setup through the app which (after one firmware update that virtually every new smart home hardware needs) had me keeping an eye on my home in no time.
The app is fairly well organized and should be obvious to even the most novice users. Most of the screen is filled with video feedback. The first thing I noticed is the relatively narrow field of view, especially compared to the indoor camera competition; it's just 84.9 degrees. However, the remedy to this narrow viewport can be found on the app, which offers a thumb-pad-style control for the camera's remote control features. The camera can tilt vertically by 135 degrees. More crucially, the entire camera can rotate a full 350 degrees on its round base.
Initially, I used these controls to look around a room from wherever I was. I've often been frustrated that I left an indoor home security camera pointing in one direction when a sound was coming from another. With the Psync camera, I can pan or tilt the camera to look directly at the action. There are no voice controls, despite its compatibility with Alexa and Google compatibility, but that's not too uncommon in cameras.
The other option, though it's hidden under a sub-menu, is the ability to let the camera track action on its own. When I turned this on and I walked in front of the camera, it would look me up and down and turn to watch me.
The default 2K resolution camera provides video and images you can zoom in on to see additional detail. Of course, the higher-resolution imagery might eat up your local storage a bit more quickly.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Next to the 2K camera is a series of four LEDs that it calls the "Spotlight". Instead of night vision, you can turn on these LEDs to illuminate a dark room. You can also control the brightness level and even set a schedule for the Spotlight. I'd prefer actual infrared night vision and the ability to turn on when the camera detects motion, but then you shouldn't expect that technology in a $34 indoor smart camera.
The app lets you switch to event view and then swipe vertically through all previously captured events. You can also save any of the videos to your phone camera roll and then share them more broadly.
Of course, the marquee feature is the new AI-based image analysis that translates into a description of what Psync Camera Genie S is spotting through its camera. Psync will charge $0.99 a month for this privilege and, to be honest, I'm not sure yet if it's worth it.
I got a ton of alerts from the camera and the majority of descriptions were comical. It could usually identify a human but often said they were carrying something, such as a basket when they weren't. It said an entire family was sitting around my dining room table when it was empty, and it misidentified scenes as well as objects. My favorite might have been when it was looking at my backyard and shed and said, "A person is walking past a garage with a motorcycle parked inside, and a child is playing in the yard." The backyard was empty, my shed was closed, I don't own a motorcycle, and no one was in my backyard.
Generally, Psync's powers of observation were average at best. It did eventually properly identify my wife standing in our living room looking at her phone, but that was a rare hit.
To be fair, these are early days, and I suspect that this AI will get smarter and more effective in identifying people, places, and things.
Performance: 3.5/5
Should I buy the Psync Camera Genie S indoor camera?
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
Psync Camera Genie S review: Also consider
Decided against the Psync Camera Genie S? Why not check out these alternatives...
How I tested the WiZ Indoor camera
I tested the Psync Camera Genie S for two weeks in my home
I set it up in various rooms in my house and allowed the app to send me alerts based on what the camera detected.
I used the Psync Camera Genie S for two weeks in my home, monitoring my kitchen, living room, den, and backyard (through a window).
I had the benefit of using a system whitelisted for access to the $0.99-a-month AI features. this meant all of the object and motion detection descriptions I received were quite descriptive, if not always accurate.
I compared the camera to the other indoor and outdoor cameras I have throughout my home.
The HT-S2000 is Sony's entry-level 3.1-channel soundbar. Initially priced at $499 / £449 / AU$695, it’s a compact, all-in-one model with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, with the height effects in both immersive soundtrack formats delivered using virtual processing.
Sony’s design for the HT-S2000 uses five speakers: three for the left, right and center channels as well as two dedicated woofers for the bass. Connections include HDMI (with eARC/ARC) and optical digital audio inputs. There’s also a USB type-A port to play music on connected USB drives. Unlike some of the best soundbars, the HT-S2000 doesn’t support music streaming using Wi-Fi or AirPlay, though its Bluetooth 5.2 support will let you play music wirelessly from a phone. For those looking to expand their soundbar’s capabilities in the future, the HT-S2000 can also be paired with Sony’s optional wireless surround speakers and subwoofers.
Sony’s soundbar has solid build quality and a sleek, no-nonsense look. It’s easy to set up, and Sony provides its own Home Entertainment app to help with that task – it also lets you tweak the sound for your specific installation. There are a range of Sound EQ modes, including automatic volume levelling, that can be accessed using either the app of Sony’s bundled remote control. The HT-S2000 also features Sony’s proprietary Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force Pro Front Surround processing, both of which work to enhance the level of audio immersion coming from the soundbar’s basic 3.1-channel speaker array.
The HT-S2000’s overall performance is great for the price. It delivers dialogue that sounds consistently clear even when pushed to a high level, and bass output is better-than average for an all-in-one soundbar. Sony’s proprietary processing allows for the height effects in Dolby Atmos soundtracks to extend beyond and above the screen boundaries of a TV the soundbar is connected to and there’s also a notably good surround sound ‘wrap-around’ effect when the S-Force Pro Front Surround feature is active.
When it was first released, the HT-S2000 wasn’t the strongest value as it lacked features found in some of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars selling for the same price, such as up-firing speakers and built-in Wi-Fi for lossless music streaming. But the HT-S2000 has since widely dropped in price to $349 / £299, making it a much more compelling value, especially given its performance.
Sony's soundbar is a good fit for TVs with a 55-inch (shown here) or a 65-inch screen size.(Image credit: Future)
Sony HT-S2000 soundbar review: price and release date
Released in March 2023
$499 / £449 / AU$695
Sony’s HT-S2000 soundbar was released in March 2023 at an initial price of $499 / £449 / AU$695. Its price has since dropped to $349 in the US and £299 in the UK, though it’s still selling for AU$695 in Australia.
In the Sony 2023 soundbar lineup, the HT-S2000 sits below the HT-A2000, another 3.1-channel model that adds Wi-Fi streaming along with Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2 support.
Sony HT-S2000 soundbar review: features
Dolby Atmos and DTS: X support
HDMI and optical digital connections
Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force Pro Front Surround processing
The HT-S2000 is a 3.1-channel soundbar with support for the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio formats, which it delivers using virtual processing. It doesn’t have built-in Wi-Fi for streaming, though you can stream music to it over a Bluetooth wireless connection.
Two Sony audio processing features found on the HT-S2000 are Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force Pro Front Surround. The first helps to elevate sound effects, music and dialogue to screen level or even above where they will sound more natural. The second provides a virtual ‘wrap-around’ so that surround effects sound like they are coming from the sides of the room.
Connection options on the HT-S2000 are basic. It has an HDMI-eARC port for connecting to a TV, an optical digital audio input, and a USB type-A port that can be used to play music files stored on a USB drive. Like other soundbars from brands including Sonos, Bose, Samsung, and LG, the HT-S2000 can be expanded by adding Sony’s wireless surround sound speakers and subwoofers.
Features score: 4/5
The soundbar's top-mounted controls(Image credit: Future)
Sony HT-S2000 soundbar review: sound quality
Very good dialogue clarity
Spacious virtual surround
Sounds good with music
A key benefit of the Sony soundbar is its handling of dialogue in movies and TV shows. Watching a few dialogue-heavy scenes from Top Gun: Maverick, voices sounded clean, and I could push the volume to relatively high levels without it sounding edgy. For comparison’s sake, I swapped out the Sony with a 2.1-channel model and found dialogue in the same Top Gun: Maverick scene to be significantly less clean-sounding. The comparison demonstrated the advantage to using a soundbar like the HT-S2000 with a dedicated center-channel speaker, which is a feature that 2.1-channel soundbars lack.
Skipping ahead to the aerial dogfight scene in Top Gun: Maverick, Sony's soundbar sorted the dialogue, music (The Who’s Won’t Get Fooled Again) and sound effects in an impressively clear manner. There was also a decent amount of bass, which enhanced the sound of drums in the music and added definition to the trajectory of the fighter jets. The soundbar’s virtual processing made height effects in Dolby Atmos soundtracks like Top Gun exceed the height of my TV’s screen. And while the presentation wasn’t as expansive as what I’ve experienced with soundbars featuring dedicated Atmos speakers, it still had a satisfying level of immersion.
Music also sounded surprisingly good on the HT-S2000, especially given its low price. It’s possible to listen to plain stereo with the soundbar’s virtual processing disabled, but pressing the Sound Field button on the remote control adds a level of spaciousness that enhances the stereo separation without making voices and instruments sound unnatural. Equally important, it elevates the presentation in the vertical dimension so that the sound doesn’t appear to be coming from a horizontal bar located beneath your TV’s screen.
Sound quality score: 4/5
Ports on the HT-S2000's left and right sides enhance the soundbar's bass output.(Image credit: Future)
Sony HT-S2000 soundbar review: design
Compact design
Above-average build quality
Alphanumeric front-panel display
The HT-S2000 has a compact, all-in-one soundbar, measuring 31.5 inches wide by 2.5 inches high and 5.25 inches deep. Build quality is a cut above most budget soundbars, with the Sony’s sturdy black plastic cabinet fronted by a metal mesh grille. Ports located on the soundbar’s left and right sides allow for enhanced bass output, while its X-Balanced Speaker Unit design physically aligns the 3.25 x 1.8-inch drivers and 3.75 x 1.8 woofers to reduce distortion.
Capacitive controls on the HT-S2000’s top surface let you adjust volume and connect with Bluetooth devices, and there’s also a small remote with additional controls to switch inputs, select sound EQ modes, and adjust the bass level. Sony’s soundbar conveniently provides visual feedback to remote control commands via its alphameric front panel display. That feature is one you don’t regularly find on lower-cost soundbars, and it’s a superior option to basic LED lights.
Inputs include HDMI and optical digital connections(Image credit: Future)
Design score: 4.5/5
Sony HT-S2000 soundbar review: usability and setup
HDMI eARC/ARC connection to TV
App-based setup
No voice assistant support
The HT-S2000’s single HDMI input makes the setup process simple. Just connect it to a TV’s HDMI eARC (or ARC) port, select that input on the soundbar, and you’re ready to roll. Another option is to use the soundbar’s optical digital input, but that connection type doesn’t support Dolby Atmos or the HDMI-CEC control that lets you adjust the soundbar’s volume level using the TV’s remote control.
Sony’s Home Entertainment control app duplicates all the functions of the soundbar’s hardware remote and also provides a range of setup options for initial installation and performance. The latter includes an A/V sync adjustment, automatic volume level adjustment, and DTS Virtual:X to enhance basic stereo or mono soundtracks.
The soundbar’s alphanumeric front panel display makes using it super-easy as you don’t have to rely on a sequence of flashing LEDs to let you know what input or sound mode is selected. There’s no voice assistant support as on some other soundbars in the HT-S2000’s price range such as the Bose Smart Soundbar, but that’s not a feature I imagine most users will rely on, especially when using their TV’s remote control for volume adjustment.
Sony's remote is larger than the ones provided with some other soundbars and has clearly marked control buttons(Image credit: Future)
Usability and setup score: 4.5/5
Sony HT-S2000 soundbar review: value
Affordable price
Very good performance for the money
Lacks Wi-Fi and AirPlay streaming options
At its initial $499 / £449 / AU$695 price, the Sony HT-S2000’s overall value proposition was just average. It faced very strong competition from the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), another all-in-one soundbar with virtual Dolby Atmos processing, and one with a built-in Wi-Fi for app-based control and audio streaming. Another competitor was the Bose Smart Soundbar 600, which provides upfiring drivers to deliver height effects in Atmos soundtracks and also features built-in Wi-Fi for streaming.
At the time of writing, however, the HT-S2000’s price has widely dropped to $349 in the US and £299 in the UK, making it a much better value given its overall performance and features. Being able to stream uncompressed music directly to the Sonos or Bose from a phone using Wi-Fi or using AirPlay does boost the value of both, but many people mainly use their soundbar for TV audio and are okay with a lesser quality Bluetooth option for their occasional music streaming. For those folks, the HT-S2000 will be the perfect entry-level soundbar.
Value score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Sony HT-S2000 soundbar?
Buy it if…
Don't buy it if…
Sony HT-S2000 soundbar review: Also consider
(Image credit: Future)
How I tested the Sony HT-S2000 soundbar
Evaluated using both 4K Blu-ray discs and streamed sources
Break-in time allowed before critical listening
Tested using reference movie scenes and music tracks
I tested the Sony HT-S2000 soundbar in a 12 x 16 x 9-foot room using a 4K Blu-ray player, Apple TV 4K, and music streamed from my iPhone via Bluetooth and the Tidal app on the Apple TV 4K. I allowed it to break in by watching movies and TV shows before settling in for more critical listening using reference movie clips and music tracks.
The key things I listened for with movies were dialogue clarity, bass definition, and a sense of spaciousness with the soundbar's surround mode engaged. For music, I paid attention to the naturalness of the sound with acoustic instruments and voices, as well as the dynamics in louder tracks.
Having reviewed many soundbars in the same room over the years, I have a reference sound standard that the Sony HT-S2000 was compared to. For further comparison, I also used an Amazon Fire TV Soundbar, switching between the two compact models on identical movie clips and music tracks.
The Layla Essential mattress slashes the price and cuts a few corners compared to the brand's standard all-foam model. I slept on a queen size for three weeks to see how this wallet-friendly offering compares to the rest of today's best mattresses, and was reasonably impressed.
The slimline nine-inch tall, all-foam mattress has a straightforward design that includes memory foam, support foam, and a zip-off, washable cover. While it's unlikely to please everyone, the Layla Essential mattress could be a terrific purchase of exceptional value for a specific cohort of customers. Specifically, solo sleepers of light to average weight who prefer back sleeping are most likely to enjoy the Layla Essential to the fullest. Combination sleepers (back and side sleeping) on a budget may also find that this mattress suits their needs. The medium sleep feel means stomach sleepers and people of heavier weights risk misalignment and discomfort, and would be better with something firmer and more supportive.
I found there was an above-average amount of motion transfer here. Co-sleepers – especially if one partner rouses easily and the other fidgets throughout the night – should opt for a mattress that absorbs motion better. Edge support was similarly below-par, which may prove to be a problem for co-sleepers who want to be able to comfortably enjoy the full sleeping surface, or anyone with mobility issues who needs a sturdy surface to push off against when getting up in the morning.
I'm concerned that the lack of edge support may also point to dwindling durability over time. Note: I didn't have the same experience in my Layla Hybrid mattress review – the edge support and motion isolation was great there, which suggests these performance niggles are a concession you're making for that lower price point rather than an issue with Layla's mattresses in general.)
However, I was more impressed with the temperature regulation. I didn't have any issues with overheating on the Essential, which is particularly notable because not all of today's best cheap mattresses excel in this area. Keep reading for more extensive details in my full Layla Hybrid mattress review.
The Layla Essential is a nine inch tall, all-foam mattress. That's on the slightly shorter side – TechRadar recommends a minimum of 10 inches for most adults. The design comprises two different types of foam, zipped up in a washable cover (98 per cent polyester and 2 per cent lycra). The first layer, made of 'Open Cell+' Memory Foam, is two inches thick.
Layla says that this specific type of memory foam is designed to promote airflow, breathability, and temperature regulation. According to the brand's product page and its own tests, Open Cell+ Memory Foam boasts three times the cooling power of conventional memory foam – the latter of which can have a habit of clinging on to the sleeper's body heat. However, the proof of this is in the sleeping, and you'll find my personal experience of temperature regulation under the 'Performance' section of this review.
(Image credit: Layla)
Foam density is an indicator of quality and longevity, and at 2.5 pounds, the memory foam here is under what we'd usually expect for a good quality mattress foam. However, very few brands actually share the density of the foams used in their mattresses, making it difficult to directly compare budget-friendly models based on this spec (in short, it might be that most cheaper mattresses use foams of a similar or lower density). The base layer consists of seven inches of polyurethane foam to bolster support and durability.
(Image credit: Layla)
The two foams are CertiPUR-US certified. This means that they've passed rigorous tests that meet standards for the protection of human health and the environment.
A cover in Layla's signature hexagonal print finishes the whole thing off. This cover can be zipped off for easy cleaning.
Design score: 4 out of 5
Layla Essential mattress review: Price & value for money
Budget to lower mid-range, depending on where and when you buy
Cheapest option from Layla
Sold via Amazon or direct from Layla
Layla carries three mattresses, and the Essential is the cheapest of the bunch by a considerable margin. The standard Memory Foam mattress is about twice the price of the Essential. Meanwhile, the Hybrid is about triple the price of the most cost-efficient option.
It's sold directly from the brand – although it can be difficult to find on the Layla website – as well as via Amazon. Depending on where and when you buy, in the wider market, the mattress is on the higher end of the budget bracket or the lower end of low-mid range. Promotional sales prices are fairly common, so you can anticipate saving at least $100 if you buy at the right time. The Layla Essential mattress is priced as follows:
Twin size: MSRP $549 (usually sold at $349-449)
Twin XL size: MSRP $599 (usually sold at $399-499)
Full size: MSRP $649 (usually sold at $449-549)
Queen size: MSRP $699 (usually sold at $499-599)
King size: MSRP $799 (usually sold at $599-699)
Cal king: MSRP $799 (usually sold at $599-699)
At the time of writing (late October 2023), the promotional deal for the Layla Essential sounded almost too good to pass up, saving you $200 off the MSRP. Earlier in the month, each mattress was only $100 off the MSRP. For added value, Layla offers free shipping to your doorstep to 48 states. It'll also throw in two free pillows to the mix.
Layla Essential mattress review: Comfort & support
Layla calls it medium firm' but I found it medium (6 out of 10)
Most comfortable in back sleeping position
Heavier bodies may sink and misalign
As a lightweight sleeper, I found that the sleeping surface of the Layla Essential mattress gently hugged my body without fully sinking in across all positions. Since the top memory foam layer is only two inches thick, this wasn't too surprising.
I tested the mattress across all sleeping positions, and found it most comfortable for back sleeping. I felt that my full weight was supported without any pressure mounting up. Side sleeping, which I'm naturally prone to, wasn't exactly uncomfortable, but it didn't feel optimal either. In the long run, I think my hips would have tensed up more than they typically do. (For more options here, head to TechRadar's best mattress for side sleepers roundup.)
(Image credit: Future)
Stomach sleeping was in a similar middle ground. In general, most people who prefer stomach sleeping should choose a firmer mattress (eight or more out of 10) for optimal alignment – especially medium to heavier bodies.
According to the brand, the Layla Essential provides "just enough hug to support your body at critical pressure". It also deems it to be medium-firm. To objectively assess support, I placed a 55-pound kettlebell in the middle of the mattress, to mimic the sinkage from a person's body weight and center of gravity. I measured just shy of 3.25 inches of sinkage. Firmer mattresses with more robust support won't sink quite as much. Based on previous mattresses I've reviewed – as well as this kettlebell test – I believe a medium rating (6 out of 10) is more accurate.
All things considered, the Layla Essential mattress performs best for back sleeping and is most suitable for lightweight and medium-weight sleepers who prefer this position. Most stomach sleepers and heavier bodies should likely seek out firmer, more supportive alternatives.
Layla Essential mattress review: Performance
Decent temperature regulation for an all-foam design
Some motion transfer – not the best for couples or light sleepers
Noticeable sinkage when sitting along the edges
As well as assessing this mattress' comfort and support, I also tested for a range of other key performance criteria. Specifically: motion isolation, edge support and cooling. Here's how I got on.
Temperature regulation
A good night's sleep can be wrecked by overheating – whether that's primarily caused by a mattress, your body's own chemistry, or a mix of both. Although memory foam mattresses aren't inherently ideal to regulate temperature (they conform closely to the body and create opportunities to trap, rather than disperse, airflow), the Layla Essential takes care to address this.
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I run hot at night intermittently, part of which can be exacerbated by a lack of breathability in a mattress. During this review, I was glad to find that I didn't experience night sweats. (This was even more impressive given I did my testing at the height of summer in Los Angeles.) This is most likely attributed to the 2-inch top layer of Open Cell+ Memory Foam, which is designed to encourage airflow through the mattress. However, it's not very cool to the touch and simply won't provide the same breathability as a mattress that isn't all-foam. If you tend to run hot at night, I recommend considering a hybrid mattress (which tends to be more breathable as the springs create space for air to circulate) or shelling out on one of the best cooling mattresses.
Temperature regulation score: 4 out of 5
Motion isolation
I'm a solo sleeper, so motion isolation isn't my primary concern in a mattress. Regardless, I did another kettlebell test to see how light sleepers with a fidgety partner would fare with varying degrees of movement on the surface of the Layla Essential. I placed a wine glass in the center of the mattress, dropping a 10-pound kettlebell at 4, 10, and 25 inches away from it. The glass fell almost every time at 4 inches away, wobbled a moderate amount from 10 inches away, and moved only a small amount from 25 inches away.
These tests indicate that the Layla Essential doesn't excel at motion isolation, which could be a red flag for co-sleepers who rouse easily. Moreover, when the weight dropped, it made a notable slamming sound. This may be another deterrent for partnered sleepers, though perhaps not a solid pass for solo sleepers.
Motion isolation score: 3 out of 5
Edge support
Some mattresses have reinforced edges along the top/bottom and/or sides of the mattress. This helps to maximize the safe and usable sleeping / sitting surface area of the mattress. It also prevents early sagging, thus bolstering the mattress' durability and longevity. The Layla Essential doesn't reinforce its perimeter.
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To assess the edge support objectively, I put the 55-pound kettlebell at the bottom and side of the mattress. The sinkage clocked in at approximately 3.5 inches. Since the sinkage was slightly less at the center of the mattress (about 3.25 inches), that's an indication of less-than-great edge support.
I never felt in danger of rolling off the mattress when lying down, but the lack of edge support was also pretty notable while sitting on the side of bed. This could be a dealbreaker for co-sleepers who require a bigger surface area. People who regularly sit on the bed's edge may also find that it's not as supportive as they'd like it to be, and that it may sag more rapidly than alternatives with robust edge support.
Edge support score: 3.5 out of 5
Layla Essential mattress review: Customer service
Mattress delivered vacuum-packed, rolled and boxed
Free doorstep shipping via Fedex Home Delivery to 48 states
No issues with off-gassing
Free shipping is always a perk, which Layla provides across all its mattress models. You're not able to choose a delivery window, but you can track shipping details and time estimates via FedEx.
The Layla Essential is delivered to your doorstep, vacuum-packed in two layers of plastic and rolled in a box. As a solo unboxer, I found the mattress to be super easy to roll and maneuver onto my bed frame. That's probably thanks to its slim profile, and it came as a welcome surprise. The mattress hissed only a mild amount once I unwrapped the first layer of plastic, and ceased by the time I cut open the thicker layer of plastic. As it began to expand, I could only notice a very light off-gassing odor when I sniffed it up close. However, I didn't detect an odor that night. (The brand says you can sleep on it directly after unboxing, but it'll expand completely within 24 hours. It felt fine to sleep on that night.) Again, both foams are CertiPUR-US certified, so a lack of safety wasn't a concern on the off-gassing front.
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This mattress comes with a 10-year warranty and 120-night trial. Some brands offer longer trials and warranties, but this is decent for the price of the mattress. If you decide to buy via Amazon, make sure you read the small print on this – there are sometimes extra hoops to jump through to ensure your trial and warranty are honored. (And figuring out how to return a mattress to Amazon isn't always straightforward, either.)
Customer service score: 4 out of 5
Layla Essential mattress review: Specs
Layla Essential mattress review: Other reviews
Average 4.5 stars on brand website and Amazon
Happy customers cited great value for cost
Less satisfied customers noted poor edge support
The Layla Essential has only 12 reviews with an average of 4.5 stars on the brand's official product page November 2023). Amazon has a bit more to go on, with 68 reviews with an average of 4.5 stars. While this isn't a very sizable pool to run with, positive reviews across both sites commonly noted the value of the purchase… so long as it aligned with their preferences for firmness (neither too firm nor too soft) and sleeping positions. In addition, some commenters appreciated the early or on-time delivery. Others, like me, were pleased with the unboxing experience.
Less enthusiastic customers were unhappy with the firmess, whether they deemed it too firm or too soft for what they expected (firmness levels are highly subjective, so this type of criticism should be taken with a grain of salt – almost all mattress review sections are peppered with people complaining their purchase it too firm or too soft). Some experienced next-day pain and/or continuing pressure build-up across different sleeping positions. In addition, some customers called out the disappointing edge support – feeling as though they might roll off or that the mattress wouldn't hold up for as long as it should.
(Image credit: Layla)
Should you buy the Layla Essential mattress?
Buy it if...
✅ You're on a budget: The most appealing thing about the Layla Essential is probably its price. Depending on when and where you buy it, this mattress sits in the lower mid-range or budget brackets, and offers good value for that price. It's also the cheapest Layla by some way.
✅ You're a back sleeper: During my review, I found this mattress comfiest for back sleeping. I'd specifically recommend it to light- to average-weight back sleepers, who should get on with this level of support.
✅ You sometimes sleep warm: All-foam mattresses, and especially budget-friendly ones, can run hot. I didn't have that issue with the Layla Essential, which stayed neutral throughout my testing period.
Don't buy it if...
❌ You can afford to spend a bit more: While the Layla offers good value for its affordable price, if you can stretch to spend a bit more, the Nectar is TechRadar's #1 rated memory foam mattress, and comes with a full year's trial and forever warranty. Read more in our Nectar memory foam mattress review.
❌ You sleep on your stomach or weigh above average: The medium sleep feel and relatively shallow profile of the Layla Essential means it probably won't be supportive enough for anyone of heavier body weight, or stomach sleepers. A good, firmer, budget-friendly option is the Siena memory foam mattress, or if you're of very heavy body weight, head to TechRadar's roundup of the best mattresses for bigger bodies, and invest in a specialist option.
❌ You share a bed: I found the Layla Essential didn't isolate movements as effectively as many mattresses I've tested, which could be an issue for those who share a bed, especially if you're a light sleeper. If you can afford it, try one of Layla's pricier models – I was impressed with the motion isolation in my Layla Hybrid review.
Layla Essential mattress review: Also consider
Nectar mattress If you're okay with shelling out an extra hundred dollars or so (at evergreen sale price), check out Nectar's Memory Foam Mattress. With 5 layers of foam and 12-inch thickness at 6.5 out of 10 for firmness, it'll please a wider variety of sleepers, especially those who lie on their side – while optimizing comfort and support. Read more in our Nectar Mattress review.View Deal
Layla Memory Foam mattress Intrigued by the Layla brand but want to upgrade to a cooler, more co-sleeper friendly model? Their standard Memory Foam mattress offers 10.5 inches of height plus the unique option to flip the mattress for different levels of firmness (4 out of 10 on the soft side, 7 out of 10 on the firm side). You'll also get additional cooling, pressure relief, and motion transfer thanks to copper gel foam, which are sure to please a wider range of sleepers.
How I tested the Layla Essential mattress
I slept on the Layla Essential mattress for three weeks in August in Los Angeles, where nights were cool enough as far as peak summer goes, averaging around mid-60s Fahrenheit. (I usually slept with a ceiling fan on and next to a partially open window, but did not sleep with the air conditioning on overnight.) During testing, I used bamboo sheets and a duvet, often sleeping on top of both and using a throw blanket instead. In addition to reviewing this mattress based on my own body type, needs, and preferences, I did several weighted tests to objectively assess features including softness, motion isolation, and edge support.
