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Tech

From powerfulsmartphones andlaptops from Apple and Dell tonoise-cancelling headphones from Sony and Bose; gaming consoles from Nintendo and Meta; and4K TVs from Samsung and LG, we put the latest tech to the test, so you don’t have to. At The Independent, ourteam of experts don’t just unbox and skim the specs; we live with these devices to find out if they’re really worth your money. Whether you’re upgrading your setup, hunting for the best deals or making sure your online security is locked down with a solidVPN or antivirus, our in-depth hands-on reviews will help you find the best tech out there, no matter your budget.

How we test and review products

Latest Tech reviews and deals

<p>Good SAD lamps should deliver 10,000 lux of light at a set distance</p>

Tech

Do SAD lamps work? Experts on how they can help you beat the blues

<p>If your ear tips are starting to yellow, you should probably clean them</p>

Headphones & Earphones

Your AirPods look filthy – here’s an expert’s guide to cleaning them

<p>These are the best camera phones I’ve tested, from budget to flagship</p>

Phones & Accessories

Best camera phones for 2026, tested by a tech expert

<p>I monitored each station’s watt-hour (Wh) capacity while running appliances large and small</p>

Tech

Best portable power stations for 2026, tested by a tech expert

Everything we review goes through real-world testing – no shortcuts. We spend hours gaming on them, snapping photos with them, typing up articles on them, blasting music through them, tracking runs with them, and even swimming with them. We’ve cooked with them, cleaned with them, lost things, found things and made calls across the world with them.

Senior Tech Critic

Alex Lee

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TVs

Frombudget to premium and everything in between, The Independent’s tech journalists test the latestsmart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense and more to find the best screens for every setup – along with the audio gear that will bring your movies to life. But a great viewing experience isn’t just about the TV or the soundbar. We also putstreaming devices through their paces and highlight the best shows to watch, so you always have something good to tune into.

<p>Startups also include kids’ baking kits and compostable portable toilets</p>

Television

Every business on Dragons’ Den tonight

<p>Kiss goodbye to the old Sky interface – this new update seamlessly brings the top streaming apps into the mix</p>

Television

Sky’s new bundle includes the four big streamers for £24 per month

<p>Here’s everything you need to know, from the release date to the TV shows worth watching first</p>

Television

HBO Max is coming to the UK, here’s why I’ll be subscribing on day one

<p>All 10 seasons of<em>Friends</em> will be available to stream on demand</p>

Television

Friends will be back streaming in the UK soon – here’s where to watch

When the time comes to buy a new TV, you want the best. After all, you’ll be watching it for years to come. If you don’t know your QLED from your OLED, need refreshing on the difference between UHD and 8K or want to disentangle the many HDR standards, our coverage can help you stay informed and up-to-date. The latest models are tested for everything from faithful image quality to speakers where the dialogue is crisp, and we’ll tell you which are the best-value choices.

Technology Critic

David Phelan

Smartphones

Whether it’s the latest iPhone from Apple, a Galaxysmartphone from Samsung, or a newAndroid phone from Google, OnePlus, Oppo, Sony, Motorola, Nokia or Nothing, The Independent’s tech experts have tested them all. We keep abreast of the latest news and releases to bring you in-depth reviews on everything frombudget-friendly models torefurbished or high-end flagships, stress-testing their battery life, camera performance, display quality and next-gen specs and features to see if they’re up to snuff.

<p>A new series of Galaxy phones are on their way</p>

Phones & Accessories

Samsung Galaxy S26 launches within weeks – all the rumours to know

<p>The iPhone 16e launched last year for £599</p>

Phones & Accessories

iPhone 17e is Apple’s next budget phone, here’s every rumour to know

<p>The new AirTag offers a longer tracking range and significantly louder speaker</p>

Phones & Accessories

Everything to know about the Apple AirTag 2, from price to features

<p>We’ve tested the performance of flagship phones from Samsung, Google, Apple and more</p>

Phones & Accessories

Best phones for 2026, reviewed by a tech expert

If it seems like there’s a new smartphone released every other week, it’s probably because there is. Better cameras, smarter designs and headline features are one thing, but how about the things the phone makers don’t tell you, like how that favourite feature has been quietly dropped or, most importantly, just how long the battery will last? IndyBest will tell you all that and give you the scoop on the latest news. The team spend their time checking out AI smarts, testing speeds and performance, and phoning each other to make sure the call quality is good.

Tech Critic

David Phelan

Laptops

Whether you're a creative professional in need of a high-performancelaptop or a student in search of a great deal, our expert tech team tests and reviews thebest laptops to help you find the perfect device for your needs. From the latest MacBook Pro to sleek and powerful ultrabooks andbudget-friendly options, our in-depth guides andstudent laptop recommendations mean you can shop with confidence.

<p>I’ve tested every single iPad to help you pick the best one for your needs</p>

Laptops & Tablets

Best iPads for 2026: Which model to buy, according to a tech critic

<p>You have a wider choice of laptops than ever, with designs suited for entertainment, gaming and productivity</p>

Laptops & Tablets

The best laptops in 2026, tried and tested by our tech critics

<p>The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X boasts a Snapdragon X2 Elite chip</p>

Laptops & Tablets

I might ditch my MacBook for Windows after seeing Snapdragon X2

<p>The Apple iPad 11th generation is the most affordable iPad in Apple’s line-up</p>

Laptops & Tablets

I tried Apple’s most affordable iPad – here’s my verdict

While there’s never been a better time to upgrade, choosing the perfect laptop can still feel daunting. Top brands like Dell, Asus and Lenovo recently refreshed their ranges, delivering a serious step up in performance and battery life, while Apple’s newest MacBooks offer increasingly good value. With so much choice on offer, my reviews are designed to be easy to understand and focus on laptops to suit all budgets and use cases.

Tech Writer

Steve Hogarty

VPN

Whether you need aVPN to keep your browsing private, just want to stay secure on public Wi-Fiwhen using youriPhone or stream UK content while travelling abroad, we’ve tested the biggest providers to find out which ones actually deliver. FromNordVPN,ExpressVPN andSurfshark to Proton VPN,CyberGhost,IPVanish and more, The Independent’s online security journalists are testing every VPN’s speed, ease of use and overallvalue, so you know exactly what you’re paying for. We also cover the latest cybersecurity and VPN news, helping you keep safe and secure online.

<p>I've tested dozens of VPNs to find the best</p>

Tech

Best VPNs for 2026: 9 top picks tested by a tech expert

<p>IPVanish allows an unlimited number of devices to be connected under one account</p>

Tech

I’ve found one of the best VPNs for gaming

<p>VPNs help you protect your online activity, including personal and business data when working remotely or travelling</p>

Tech

Private Internet Access VPN review 2026, tested by a tech expert

<p>Surfshark is among the best VPNs, and it's the most affordable</p>

Tech

Best cheap VPNs for 2026 if you’re on a budget

It’s really hard to find a good and trustworthy VPN these days. With umbrella companies hoovering up the competition and dodgy free firms hungry for your data, it’s more important than ever to cut through the marketing spiel and find out which ones actually work and are worth the subscription. Fret not, we’re here to help.

Senior Tech Critic

Alex Lee

Gaming

From the latestPlayStation, Nintendo andXbox deals to reviews of cutting-edge gaming laptops,VR headsets and accessories, our team of gaming experts tirelessly tests the latest gear to help you play at your best. Our shopping guides cover everything from console to PC gaming, so you’re sure to find something you love whatever your platform.

<p>Metal Gear Solid 4 and the God of War Trilogy are both in line for 2026 remasters</p>

Video Games & Consoles

State of Play 2026: The best games and trailers from Sony’s showcase

<p>Some retailers are even selling a refurbished PS5 Pro</p>

Video Games & Consoles

These are the best refurbished PS5 deals in the UK

<p>It’s expected to deliver six times the horsepower of the Steam Deck</p>

Video Games & Consoles

Valve’s Steam Machine console delayed thanks to an unlikely culprit

<p>While there’s no exact release date, at least we have a rough timeframe for when we can expect the console to launch</p>

Video Games & Consoles

A new Xbox console is coming, but not anytime soon

Headphones

Our expert tech team tests the latest andbest headphones andearbuds from top brands like Apple, Sony, Bose and Beats. Our in-depth reviews and guides dive deep into sound quality,comfort, battery life andnoise-cancellation to bring you recommendations you can trust, whatever your budget.

<p>Active noise cancellation has never been better</p>

Headphones & Earphones

I spent a week with Sony’s WF-1000XM6 – nothing else sounds this good

<p>Open-ear headphones let your hear your surrounds while you exercise, without compromising on sound quality</p>

Headphones & Earphones

Our top-rated open-ear running earphones have £50 off this week

<p>These active noise-cancelling and white-noise devices will get you through the night</p>

Headphones & Earphones

Best sleep headphones and earbuds in 2026, tried and tested

<p>Whether at home or out and about, these kids’ headphones were put through their paces by 8- to 13-year-olds</p>

Headphones & Earphones

Best kids’ headphones 2026, tried and tested

Home Security Systems

Keep your home and family safe with our expert guides to the best home security technology. Our team tests and reviews everything from smartvideo doorbellsandsecurity cameras to alarms, sensors andsmart locks, helping you choose the right tech at the right price to secure the things that matter most.

Home

Eufy E10 screen is a perfect home security companion, but with a catch

<p>Blink’s latest Mini camera has a 2K resolution</p>

Home

5 most important security camera features to protect your home

<p>Ring video doorbells require a subscription to store video recordings</p>

Home

Can I use my Ring video doorbell without a subscription?

Home

6 best home security systems I’ve tested as a tech expert

Installing home security can feel like a daunting project, yet with the latest smart, internet-connected and app-controlled systems, your home can be fully protected in little more than an hour. But, while installation is easier than ever, there’s still a huge number of products and services to pick from. That’s why we’ve tested security products from top brands like Ring, Yale, Simplisafe and Eufy.