The Redmi Buds 5A comes with a traditional in-ear design and is available in three different ear tip size options.

The Redmi Buds 5A were launched in India alongside the Redmi Pad SE at Xiaomi’s “Smarter Living & More” launch event in April this year. The audio wearable comes with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Google Fast Pair support, an IPX4 rating, and a companion app. These truly wireless earbuds (TWS) are the cheapest wireless audio product the company has offered in India so far. After using them for about two weeks, I’ll tell you why this is a good choice if you’re on a budget and looking for an ANC TWS.

Redmi Buds 5A review: Design and Features

The Redmi Buds 5A features a traditional in-ear design and comes with three different ear tip size options. Inside the box, you get a pair of medium sized tips attached to the earbuds, as well as two pairs of silicone tips, small and large. Of these ear tips, the largest one fit me best. However, there is no charging cable included in the box. The only other item in the box is information/instructions.

Redmi Buds 5A Supports Google Fast Pair

The charging port is located at the bottom of the stem of the Redmi Buds 5A earphones, which does not come into direct contact with the skin, so there is no need to worry about metal allergies. The touch control area is located at the top of the stem.

The sleek and slim Redmi Buds 5A charging case has a “polished pebble” design, according to the company. Of course, it’s hard to mistake the oval case for cobblestones on a lakeside, but it’s small enough to stand up to the comparison, making it a convenient accessory to carry around. What makes it convenient to carry around is the weight, which is about 41.2g including two earbuds and the charging case. Each earbud weighs about 3.6g.

The Redmi Buds 5A charging case has a USB Type-C port at the bottom. A white light will be on next to the port when the case is charging and will turn off when fully charged. This light will also be on when the earbuds are powered on, i.e. when the case is open. When powered on, the earbuds will have two identical indicator white lights on the top.

Redmi Buds 5A Review: Apps and Specs

The Redmi Buds 5A comes with support for the Xiaomi Earbuds application, but the control features are few and far between. Once you connect the earbuds to your smartphone, you’ll be prompted to download the app. Once the app has been successfully installed and the earbuds are recognised, you’ll see a very simple and straightforward layout. Under the image of the earbuds in their case, the battery level for the left and right earbuds is displayed separately, as well as the battery level for the charging case. This last option disappears as soon as you close the case after taking out the individual earbuds.

Controls for the Redmi Buds 5A as seen in the Xiaomi Earbuds Android App

One of the controls the application offers is the ability to select the ANC mode (Transparent, Noise Cancellation, ANC Off). Once selected, the particular mode will be marked in blue. Just below the ANC controls is the “Additional Settings” option, which reveals a tab with three more features: At the bottom of the screen is the “Remove Earbuds” option, which allows users to remove the controls for the Redmi Buds 5A earbuds from the app.

There is also a “Rename Earbuds” option, which allows you to change the name of your TWS earbuds as it is recognized by connected devices. The third option is a toggle to turn on/off the “Low Latency” mode. The low latency mode is said to provide users with a smoother gaming and video watching experience, but we’ll discuss its effectiveness later.

However, the ANC and latency modes on the Redmi Buds 5A are accessible through simple touch controls, so the app isn’t important to me – some people may find it easier to control these features through the app, so it’s not completely redundant.

The Redmi Buds 5A features 12mm dynamic drivers, up to 25dB ANC, IPX4 rating for splash-proof earbuds, AI-assisted Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC), support for Google Fast Pair and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. The earbuds only support the SBC codec and in this review, we will discuss how it impacts the user’s hearing experience.

The Redmi Buds 5A is said to offer up to 30 hours of battery life.

Redmi Buds 5A Review: Performance and Battery Life

Budget ANC-enabled TWS earphones are known for convenience. In a nutshell, that’s what Redmi Buds 5A offers. ANC for under Rs 1,500. Easy to carry and lasts all day. They’re made for casual use and convenience, and in these categories, they live up to expectations. Perfect when you want to drown out traffic noise or light noises and immerse yourself in your favorite podcast or music.

Touch controls on the Redmi Buds 5A are straightforward: double tap to play/pause or answer a call, triple tap to reject/end a call or change tracks. Users can switch between ANC modes by pressing and holding each for two seconds, while changing latency modes requires long pressing the touch zone on both earbuds simultaneously for 1.5 seconds. The lack of single-tap controls reduces the chance of accidentally entering commands when adjusting the fit of the earbuds or for long hair.

Considering the price, I don’t expect any soaring in terms of sound quality. When I played Stealers Wheel’s Stuck in the Middle With You on the Redmi Buds 5A, I didn’t expect to hear the details of the arrangement. I didn’t. It was what I expected. The bass-heavy sound still provided a good enough experience to enjoy the song. However, if you turn up the volume to 60-70 percent, it sounds muffled. Hozier’s Too Sweet, with more guitar and piano, at 50 percent, offers the same hidden overture. If you like the “lo-fi, Hozier playing in another room while you study” vibe, you’re in luck.

But at 70 to 80 percent volume, most tracks start to distort noticeably — not ideal, but not catastrophic.

Take the Kinks’ “Sunny Afternoon,” for example, and the slightly muffled bass sound does little to drown out Ray Davies’ lament about unfair tax rates. It even makes songs like Fall Out Boy’s “Immortals” and Gorillaz’s “Feel Good Inc.” feel lighter and more fun than the honking and screeching of city traffic.

The Redmi Buds 5A only supports the SBC Bluetooth codec, which compromises sound quality a bit. It provides a stable connection but degrades sound processing. It also doesn’t support the AAC codec, which is preferred by most iOS smartphones and tablets.

Even with 60ms latency, I still felt a fair amount of lag on the Redmi Buds 5A in games like Battlegrounds Mobile India, which is not unexpected – even with the low latency mode switched on it didn’t make much of a difference, however the latency was not noticeable during online or offline video playback, proving once again that it’s best suited only for casual use.

Redmi Buds 5A does not come with a charging cable

With ANC off, the Redmi Buds 5A earbuds are said to offer up to five hours of battery life on a single charge and up to 30 hours of total playback time with the storage case. With just the earbuds, ANC off and at 50 percent volume, I was able to listen for around five hours. For reference, that’s the first four episodes of Heeramandi, or four and a half episodes of The 8 Show.

However, turning on ANC drains the Redmi Buds 5A’s battery significantly faster. Using just the earbuds with ANC on only got me about three hours of use, even with the volume set to 50%. A 10-minute quick charge gave me another hour or so of use out of the earbuds at a similar volume and noise cancellation setting.

The Redmi Buds 5A charging case houses a 4.40mAh battery, while each earbud has a 34mAh battery. It takes about an hour and a half to fully charge the case using a 67W Redmi adapter and a USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable. It takes about 45 minutes to charge the earbuds from 0 to 100 in the case.

Finally, on the subject of phone calls. The AI-powered ENC on the Redmi Buds 5A does a good job of suppressing alleyway noise in residential areas, but not on busy roadsides. When you use these earbuds for calls, the microphone is as clear as the surrounding sounds. If you hate the idea of yelling your completely wrong ETA to your punctual and impatient friends in public, avoid using these earbuds for calls. Instead, get hands-on with your phone. But with a stable connection, the voice you hear on the other end of a call using these TWS wearables is clear enough, if characteristically muffled.

The charging point for the Redmi Buds 5A is located at the bottom of the stem.

Redmi Buds 5A: Verdict

If you are on a very tight budget and looking for a pair of ANC-enabled TWS earphones, then the Redmi Buds 5A at Rs 1,499 is a good choice. At this price, these earphones are perfect for everyday use. They don’t promise anything that they can’t deliver on. There is a clear lack of sound detail compared to mid-range TWS products or those with higher specs. But the power and bass these earphones offer make them worth the price. The lack of a charging cable in the box is not something to be concerned about as you can easily charge them using any old USB Type-C cable. Even a 60ms delay is barely noticeable if you’re not using them primarily for heavy mobile gaming.

However, if you have a bit more room in your budget, you could consider the Noise Buds Venus TWS Earphones (Review), which are currently priced at Rs 1,699 in India and offer slightly better noise cancellation, lower latency, and longer battery life. For Rs 400 more than the Redmi Buds 5A, you can also get the Honor Choice Earbuds X5 TWS Earphones (Review), which were launched in India earlier this year and are IP54-rated for dust and water resistance, as well as equalizer controls in the accompanying app.

The post Redmi Buds 5A Review: Performance meets expectations appeared first on Review Products.

Infinix aims to offer basic features in a segment that doesn’t have many options in the mix.

Infinix makes decent smartphones in the sub-Rs 10,000 price range and offers pretty good hardware with them too. The brand launched the Infinix Smart 7 HD in April last year and has now revamped the model with the latest Infinix Smart 8 HD. The new phone comes with a slightly revised look and packs 3GB of RAM instead of 2GB on last year’s Smart 7 HD. We have tested the device thoroughly and in this article, we will tell you whether this entry-level smartphone is value for money or not.

Infinix Smart 8 HD Price in India

The Infinix Smart 8 HD is priced at Rs 7,990 and comes with 3GB RAM and 64GB storage. It comes in four colour options – Crystal Green, Timber Black, Shiny Gold and Galaxy White. We got the Crystal Green colour option for our review. In the box, you will find the smartphone, a clear case, a charging brick, a USB Type-A to USB Type-C charging cable, a user manual and a SIM ejector tool.

Infinix Smart 8 HD review: Design

The phone looks pretty similar to its predecessor. The matte back panel barely features the Infinix logo, and the camera module protrudes quite a bit from the matte polycarbonate side rails. The main difference between the Smart 8 HD and the 7 HD is the texture on the back panel. Instead of a textured polycarbonate back panel, you get this unique shimmery design. The phone uses a side-mounted fingerprint reader instead of the rear-mounted one used on the 7 HD. Despite the heavy use of polycarbonate, the Infinix Smart 8 HD feels good in the hand with flat sides and a thickness of 8.5mm.

Infinix Smart 8HD Back Panel Infinix Smart 8HD Back Panel

The Infinix Smart 8 HD looks very different from its predecessor.

Weight distribution is good, and at 184 grams, it doesn’t feel bulky. For a short time, I used this smartphone as a secondary smartphone, and I had no problem carrying it in the same pocket as my daily smartphone. The Smart 8 HD’s bezels are quite thick, but that’s not a problem considering the price. The front camera uses a punch-hole cutout, which is refreshing for an entry-level smartphone. However, there is no official IP rating or splash resistance, so it’s not wise to take it swimming. A dedicated microSD card is included, making it a good choice for those who want more storage space but need to use two 4G SIM cards.

Infinix Smart 8 HD review: Specifications and Software

The smartphone is powered by the Unisoc T606 SoC, an entry-level processor that can handle light tasks with ease. You can use the smartphone for daily VoIP calls, checking emails, replying to texts on WhatsApp, and light website browsing. I had a second 4G SIM card inserted while I was carrying the device and the reception was good. The internet speeds are not as fast as 5G-enabled devices, but considering it is a 4G smartphone, it works well enough.

For a smartphone in this price range, it is good to see the phone moving to a USB Type-C port instead of the usual micro USB port. It has a fingerprint reader on the side, which is a nice feature at this price range. Face unlock is also available, but we don’t recommend it as it is not secure. The Infinix Smart 8 HD is powered by a 5,000mAh battery and can be charged using the included 10W charger. It runs on Infinix’s XOS 13 based on Android 13 Go. It uses a Dynamic Island-like feature that Infinix has named Magic Ring, but it has limited functionality. The brand has not made any promises regarding future software updates, which may be a bit worrying for those who want to keep the smartphone for a long time.

Infinix Smart 8 HD review: Performance

Being an entry-level device, our expectations on performance were not very high. Nevertheless, we ran all the required benchmarks on the device and the scores were decent for a smartphone in this price range. It scored 2,32,007 in AnTuTu v10.2.1 , 379 in single-core and 1,322 in multi-core tests in Geekbench 6. The Infinix Smart 8 HD sports a 6.6-inch HD+ LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate which seems new in this price range, while Xiaomi’s Redmi A3 offers the same. The display shows colors well when viewed from the front, but colors start to wash out when viewed from an angle. Indoors, the brightness levels of the smartphone are adequate with a peak brightness of said to be 500nits . But, when you take it outdoors, the display is quite disappointing.

Infinix Smart 8HD Display Infinix Smart 8HD Display

The Infinix Smart 8 HD’s display is barely readable outdoors.

The smartphone’s bottom speaker offers acceptable sound quality despite having very little bass. When played at maximum volume, it can sound sharp and volume adjustments will be required to improve clarity during playback.

Android 13 Go edition is quite lighter than the full version, which works in the smartphone’s favour quite a bit. The smartphone did not feel slow or lagging while scrolling through the UI of the smartphone, but it is a bit slow to launch third-party apps. Despite the price, the performance of the Infinix Smart HD 8 is quite good. It is not a gaming device but it can handle basic casual games without any issues. Subway Surfers ran well without any lag and the touch response rate of the smartphone was also good.

Considering it is an entry-level processor, I was surprised to see the phone heat up after just 15-20 minutes of playing casual games. There are also heating issues while using the camera app, but everyday tasks like web browsing and using messaging apps like WhatsApp work just fine.

The phone achieved a respectable 20 hours and 10 minutes in our battery loop test. After a full day of use, including calls, streaming videos, and even taking photos with the default camera app, there was about 30% battery left at the end of the day, which is decent for a phone in this price range. In our battery charging test, the phone charged just 4% in 30 minutes, 27% in an hour, and was fully charged in 3 hours. This may seem a bit slow, but most phones in this price range perform similarly.

Infinix Smart 8 HD review: Camera

The Infinix Smart 8 HD sports a dual rear camera setup with a 13MP primary camera with f/1.8 aperture and a 0.08MP secondary camera. The smartphone uses an 8MP camera for selfies. The camera UI is simple and without any fancy features. It offers basic photo and video controls as you would expect on an Infinix smartphone.

The Infinix Smart 8 HD has one user-accessible camera.

The 13MP main camera takes decent images even in sunlight, and although it takes a second for the final image in the gallery to appear, the result is very different from the image you see in the Camera app’s viewfinder when you take the shot.

The camera does a lot of processing in the background, but the results are average. Images have good saturation but lack detail resolution. I took a few shots of moving and still objects in sunlight and the results were satisfactory for a smartphone in this price range. The camera handles backlit situations well in portrait mode and has decent edge detection, which is typical for a smartphone in this price range.

The phone uses 2x digital zoom and a lot of processing to produce softer images, but in enough light you can take serviceable photos. As expected, the phone struggles with low-light photography.

Daytime photo taken with 2x digital zoom

The night mode gives you clearer images and decent colors. One thing that caught my attention is that you can’t set the exposure when using the dedicated night mode, which can lead to bad photos and you having to retake them. In other words, the low light performance is not what you would expect from a smartphone in this price range and is not reliable at all.

Night mode photo from the main rear camera

The Infinix Smart 8 HD’s front camera doesn’t perform well in low light.

The 8MP selfie camera is adequate for daytime shots. Photos taken are sharp enough with a good level of detail. The front camera struggles quite a bit in low light, taking noisy and blurry images. The Infinix Smart 8 HD can shoot videos up to 1080p 30fps with the main camera. If you stay still, the results are mostly good. If you start moving or panning, the video shakes a lot and becomes unusable. Video performance in low light is not great, and recorded videos are very blurry and noisy. The front camera takes pretty good daytime shots in both moving and stationary situations, which is a plus.

Infinix Smart 8 HD Review: Verdict

The Infinix Smart 8 HD is a good device if you want a second phone with a long battery life and you are on a tight budget. However, it has some drawbacks like very slow support for 10W charging, poor camera performance in low light, unreadable outdoors and very limited viewing angles. So, it is good for calls and basic app usage, but not much more. There is no doubt that there is not much choice in this price range, but Xiaomi offers something similar with the Redmi A3 starting at Rs 7,299. It has a better processor, more RAM variants and a 90Hz refresh rate display. You can also consider the Redmi 13C (starting at Rs 7,699), which is a little more expensive but has a better display and cameras.

The post Infinix Smart 8 HD Review: The most basic Android Go smartphone appeared first on Review Products.

The Dreame L10s Ultra delivers a suction power of 5,300Pa.

Robot vacuums have started to gain popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to maintaining hygiene to curb the spread of bacteria and viruses, the introduction of work-from-home environments has forced us to keep our spaces clean and tidy at all times. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in home appliances has enabled major brands to equip robot vacuums with smarter sensors. These machines have become a necessity rather than a luxury, with notable features such as mapping capabilities, self-cleaning mechanisms, and cameras.

Xiaomi-backed Dreame, which makes a range of smart home devices, recently launched the Dreame L10s Ultra to cater to this competitive market. Priced at Rs 74,999 in India, the robot vacuum is auto-empty and auto-cleaning, and offers auto-dust collection, mopping, and drying support.

However, it is currently being discounted on Amazon for a much cheaper price (Rs 58,999), making it an even more appealing buy if you keep an eye on this e-commerce listing.

Is the Dreame L10s Ultra worth considering over the competition? Find out in this review.

What’s in the box

The retail box of the Dreame L10s Ultra is quite heavy, with the package weighing around 13 kg (the base station weighs 8.9 kg and the robot weighs 3.7 kg). Apart from the robot and the base station, the box contains two rotating mop pads, a bristle-free rubber brush, a filter cleaning brush, a power cord, a multi-surface floor cleaner, and a dust bag. The brand has bundled an extra dust bag with the device. Dreame claims that one dust bag can provide up to 60 days of cleaning, but you may need to purchase more later. It is priced at Rs 4,199 for four pieces and the new accessory set (roller brush, two side brushes, two filters, six mop pads, and two dust bags) costs Rs 7,990. Considering the overall price, it would have been nice to see a few more accessories included.

Dreame L10s Ultra review: Design

Setting up the Dreame L10s Ultra is easy. The mop pad connects to the built-in magnets, and the side brushes clip onto the bottom of the unit. Once you’ve filled and inserted the fresh water tank and cleaning agent, plug the base station into a power source. The device can be controlled remotely using the Dreamehome or Mi Home app, or you can connect it to Wi-Fi and access it with Alexa or Google Home.

Dreame L10s Ultra has a premium round design with a white finish and a front-facing camera for navigating around a room. The disk-shaped cleaning robot features a raised module on top for a built-in LIDAR for the navigation system. There are three buttons on the top – Spot Clean, Power (or Sweep) and Dock – that can be used to perform core functions without needing a phone. It has a flexible bumper and includes a Laser Distance Sensor (LDS), AI Vision Sensor and Line Laser Sensor, which recognize blocks that are in the way and display them on the map.

Dreame L10s Ultra Review: Setup, Mapping

In the first run, Dreame L10s Ultra uses its AI-powered RGB camera and 3D structured light to create a 3D map of your floor while finding obstacles. It detects walls, cupboards, and furniture on the floor and remembers different paths, bedrooms, living rooms, and dining areas. You can create multiple maps for a multi-storey home and set no-go zones from your phone via the paired app. The robot vacuum took about 5 minutes to map our 1200 sq. ft. apartment. In the first run, it considered part of the bedroom as the dining area, and still the mapping is amazingly accurate.

Dreame L10s Ultra features AI-enabled RGB camera and 3D structured light.

The pairing app for the Dearme L10s Ultra is packed with customization options. The app’s main screen displays the charging and cleaning status of the robot. You can schedule cleaning cycles and have it vacuum, mop, or both in specific rooms or zones. You can also create no-go zones for areas you don’t want it to clean. It can be sent to specific rooms to vacuum, mop, or do both at the same time. Users can set humidity levels and suction power, which can be adjusted accordingly for each area. Isn’t that smart?

The main screen of the Dreamehome app will show you the charging and cleaning status of your robot.

Dreame L10s Ultra Review: Cleaning and Performance

The best feature of Dreamebot L10s Ultra is the self-cleaning mop and auto-drain system. The robot automatically dries the mop and adds water and cleaning solution. The station automatically refills detergent and water, and provides the robot vacuum with liquid for the mopping function from a small tank. It comes with AI features and smart navigation to avoid collisions with walls and obstacles. To prevent children from touching the vacuum, enable the child lock by long pressing the Leave and Dry buttons on the base station. It also asks questions about your pets during setup to enhance cleaning and prevent possible pet accidents in the house while cleaning.

The on-board camera of the Dreame L10s Ultra keeps you updated on the status of your vacuum while you are away. We found this feature effective when it gets stuck on a rug or caught in the strap of a cloth bag. It also doubles as a security camera, which is useful especially for people who have pets. You need to set a 4-digit activation code to configure the built-in RGB camera. Two-way audio is provided so you can command it to vacuum while you are away for work. It cleans a 3-meter area in 2 minutes.

The AI sensor of Dreame L10s Ultra allows it to run on carpets. Compared to a normal roll vacuum, its 5,300Pa suction power and bristle-free rubber brush effectively picks up loose dust from small mats. It lifts the mop when it detects carpets or mats. There are multiple alternatives with higher suction power, but I felt this was enough to pick up general household dirt. Sometimes I change the suction power to remove debris from carpets. At this point the device becomes very noisy and I can still hear it from another room while I’m working. The big problem is that the vacuum is loud when set to the highest suction power. However, the station itself is quiet enough. The robot will talk loudly about what it is doing when it starts or returns from the dock for mopping or charging the battery. In addition, you can see the location of the robot on a map while cleaning. It’s easy to find it.

The Dreame L10s Ultra comes with a rubber brush instead of a bristle brush.

As someone with waist-length hair, I commend Dreame for opting for bristle-free rubber brushes, as they ideally prevent hair from getting tangled and clogging the brush. The side brushes do tend to get tangled, but I was able to remove them after a few passes, meaning they’re effective on pet hair. Automatically detects changes in floor type while driving: The robot recognized the textured ceramic tiles in the utility area as it drove along and adjusted its behavior accordingly.

Dreame L10s Ultra Review: Maintenance

The Dreame L10s Ultra’s base station water tank has a capacity of 2.5 liters, but the robot carries 80ml of water on board, so it won’t go to the base station too often during cleaning unless the battery gets low in the middle of cleaning. Once mopping is finished, the robot returns to the charging station, where the mop is automatically washed with cold water on the dock to remove odors. This may be less effective than using hot water. The dirt then reaches the base station’s dirty water tank, which can be removed manually. After cleaning, the mop is dried with hot air. Using Dualboost 2.0 technology, the device blows air into the robot’s dust box, which is then sucked into the station’s dust bag. This dirt is stored in the base station’s dust bag, which can be emptied manually when notified. Dreame claims that one bag can provide up to 60 days of cleaning, but it never filled up in two weeks of testing. Other maintenance includes opening and removing the brush tray to clean the dirt that has accumulated on the sides.

To charge, attach the Dreame L10s Ultra to the docking station. The app displays the remaining battery level, and the battery lasts up to 160 minutes without interrupting charging, enough to vacuum and mop an apartment’s 800 sq. ft. carpeted area (1,175 sq. ft.). Perfect for vacuuming and mopping in a room that’s not messy.

Dreame L10s Ultra review: Verdict

If you are looking for a fully automated robot vacuum mop and don’t mind the hassle of cleaning on our side, consider the Dreame L10s Ultra, which requires less manual maintenance. The automatic dust emptying feature adds a significant amount to the price, but it is justifiable given the features present even in the premium model (Dreame L20 Ultra). The vacuuming and mopping features are effective and the robot vacuum gives you the option to use it as a mobile surveillance camera. The robot is priced at Rs 74,999, but keep in mind that this robot comes with ongoing costs, such as replacing accessories and approved cleaning solutions. If the floors at your home are mainly carpeted, this is not a good choice. For those who live in large houses with different types of floors or owners who have animals that shed, it is worth considering. If you are able to do it on the price side, the L10s Ultra is one of the best options you can buy right now.

If you are on a budget, you can also check out affordable options from brands like Xiaomi and Eureka Forbes.

Dream L10s Ultra

• Price: 74,999
• Rating: 8/10

Pros:

• Effective vacuuming and mopping
• Automatic Ejection
• In-vehicle camera
• Smart Mapping
• User-friendly apps

Cons:

• expensive
• noisy
• No additional accessories available
• Lack of self-cleaning with hot water

The post Realme L10s Ultra Robot Vacuum Review: A Great Mop and Vacuum Combo appeared first on Review Products.

Boat Airdopes 800 is compatible with the Boat Hearables app.

The Boat Airdopes 800 was launched in India on May 17 with adaptive EQ and Dolby Audio compatible audio. The earphones are equipped with 10mm titanium drivers, ENC-enabled microphone, and IPX5 rating for splash and sweat resistance. They also support the Boat Hearables app available for both Android and iOS smartphones, which allows users to customize touch controls and equalizer settings . The truly wireless (TWS) earphones are said to offer up to 40 hours of battery life. I have been using the Boat Airdopes 800 for over a week now and I want to talk about how “amazing” this budget product is and isn’t.

Boat Airdopes 800 Review: Design and Features

The in-ear truly wireless Boat Airdopes 800 comes with three silicone ear tips: small, medium, and large. I was a little disappointed that none of the sizes fit me comfortably, but the small size felt the best. Of course, best is a very generous way of saying it. The medium tips should work better in theory, but every time I grinned even a little during the opening of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the earbuds would pop out and the in-ear detection would pause the show. I know by now that the in-ear detection works well, but more on that later. I mostly stuck to the small tips because I like to keep the earbuds in my ears in my everyday life.

The Boat Airdopes 800 is IPX5 rated for splash and sweat resistance.

No matter which tip size you choose, the fit of the Boat Airdopes 800 isn’t the best. The longest I used them was during my (re)watching of Arrival (2016), about two hours to be exact – one hour and 56 minutes. More on this later, but while the sound experience was vivid , the dull ache on the outside of my ears was equally vivid.

But apart from the fit, there is a lot to like about these TWS earphones. The stems have a slightly curved, protruding design that provides a better grip when putting the earphones on and taking them off. The touch control sensor is placed on the top and the operation is generally smooth. The charging points of the earphones, located inside the stems, come into direct contact with the skin. I did not suffer from any skin irritation or rashes, but those with sensitive skin or metal allergies may face issues.

The charging case for the Boat Airdopes 800 is bulky. The case together with the earphones weighs 45g, which is not unusually heavy for TWS earphones, but the boxy design makes it look bulkier than it actually is. You can carry it in your jeans pocket if you don’t mind a noticeable protrusion. The bottom of the case has indicator lights that show the earphones’ connection status and battery/charging status. The USB Type-C charging port is located on the right edge of the case. The cover is engraved with the Boat logo and Dolby Audio branding.

In addition to the earbuds with a charging case and two extra pairs of ear tips, the Boat Airdopes 800 sales box also contains a USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable, information/instructions, and a few stickers.

Boat Airdopes 800 Review: Apps and Specifications

As mentioned above, the Boat Airdopes 800 are compatible with the Boat Hearables app . Once paired with your smartphone, the app will sync with the earbuds and display the battery levels of the left and right earbuds on the home page. Further down, there’s a list of different pre-installed equalizer settings, as well as the option to select an adaptive EQ option. This is powered by Mimi, which is also featured on the Nothing Ear (review) and Nothing Ear 2.

The Adaptive EQ is said to provide users with a personalized sound experience. To set up the Adaptive EQ on Boat Airdopes 800, you need to click on the “Set Adaptive EQ” option . This will take you through a practice round and a step-by-step test which you can easily follow by following the on-screen instructions. Once the setup is complete, you can turn on the Adaptive EQ mode to experience your own customized sound.

There are five options for preset equalization: Balanced, Pop, Rock, Jazz, and Club. You can also switch between Dolby Movie and Dolby Natural settings. In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look at the sound experience of each of these modes.

The second tab within the Boat Hearables app lets you select 1-tap and 2-tap functions separately for the left and right earbuds. These allow for four completely different actions, but I chose to use the same actions on both sides because it’s just easier. You can choose from functions like play/pause, volume control (up/down), change track (next/previous), as well as manage Beast Mode and Google Assistant.

The third tab, “System,” gives you access to the Boat Airdopes 800’s user manual and a section that helps you check for the latest version of the Boat Hearables app. This tab also lets you choose whether to turn on or off the in-ear detection feature and the multipoint connection option.

The Boat Airdopes 800 comes with a 35mAh battery in each earbud.

The Boat Airdopes 800 features 10mm titanium drivers and four AI-backed ENC-enabled microphones . Each earbud has a 35mAh battery, while the charging case has a 400mAh battery. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and 50ms low latency. The storage case has a USB Type-C charging port, and the earbuds are IPX5 rated for splash and sweat resistance.

Boat Airdopes 800 Review: Performance and Battery Life

The Boat Airdopes 800 pairs seamlessly with two devices (in this case, a Redmi Note 11 Pro smartphone and a Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 laptop). Bluetooth connectivity and a low latency of 50ms make these earphones a good choice for occasional gamers and those who enjoy full-time audiovisual content like me. Low latency or Beast mode can be toggled on/off by pressing and holding the touch control area on the right earbud for 3 seconds.

However, I did encounter some connectivity issues. When switching between the various preset EQ modes, the app would sometimes hang or fail to recognize the earbuds, prompting me to connect to a Bluetooth device to complete the action. Selecting the Adaptive EQ mode would sometimes cause both or just one side of the earbuds to disconnect. The easy fix for these errors was to place the earbuds back in the case for a few seconds and then reconnect.

The connection error when changing the equalization mode was quite frequent during the first few days of using the Boat Airdopes 800, but with each update of the Boat Hearables app, the frequency of this issue decreased. Apparently, this issue was caused by a bug that was fixed in an OTA update. With the current version (00.00.01.02), I am not experiencing any connection issues at all.

Boat Airdopes 800 Supports Bluetooth 5.3 Connection

The Boat Airdopes 800 sound is as advertised and expected, with strong bass but without any major drawbacks in the mids and treble, especially considering the price range. Listening to music with these earphones is comfortable, even without customizable modes. Battery life is also decent, making them good enough for everyday use.

The Adaptive EQ mode on the Boat Airdopes 800, despite draining the battery, offers a personalized sound experience that I liked in some cases, but not all. When listening to Baba O’Riley by The Who, I preferred the custom equalization offered by the Adaptive EQ mode over the regular sound, especially since you can always reconfigure the settings by running the test again.

Dolby Natural mode introduces an element of spatial audio that is best appreciated in music with stereo tracks. The fine details of the arrangement are particularly prominent in tracks like David Bowie’s Space Oddity and The Beatles’ Abbey Road Super Deluxe mix. If you’re as much of a Beatles fan as I am, you might imagine the various postures the Fab Four took in the recording room at Abbey Road Studios as the song Oh! Darling plays. This is more than you’d expect from a pair of TWS earphones priced under Rs 2,000.

As mentioned earlier, I watched Denis Villeneuve’s 2016 feature film Arrival with the Boat Airdopes 800 earphones. Apart from Bradford Young’s awe-inspiring cinematography, I would argue that Johann Johansson’s music makes this one of the best sci-fi movies of recent times. I didn’t have high expectations of the movie, as I’ve watched it on multiple occasions over the years on various mobile phones and PCs since seeing it at its second screening on the first day in theaters many years ago. I was pleasantly surprised by the experience the earphones’ Dolby Movie Audio mode delivered. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it was a theater-like experience, but it was close enough for the price range that it was a great experience.

The sound experience in the preset modes is pretty much what you’d expect: the Rock and Club options have more bass emphasis than the other options, the Balanced mode offers solid equalization for sure, and the Jazz and Pop presets have a bit more emphasis on vocals and treble.

The Boat Airdopes 800 have a charging point inside the earbud stem.

Making and answering calls was satisfactory on the Boat Airdopes 800. In an indoor environment with a stable network connection, calls were clear and there were no audio complaints from the other end despite occasional environmental disturbances.

The Boat Airdopes 800 is said to deliver up to 40 hours of battery life at 60 percent volume. For testing purposes, I maintained that volume throughout. With no Adaptive EQ mode turned on and using Dolby Movie Audio mode for a few hours, I got about 36 hours of total playback time on a single charge. The earbuds lasted up to 4+ hours.

With the Adaptive EQ mode on, the Boat Airdopes 800 earbuds can provide up to three and a half hours of playback at a time. It took about 30 minutes to charge the earbuds from 0 to 100 in the case, while the charging case was fully charged in an hour and a half.

Boat Airdopes 800 Review: Verdict

As a casual user, if you are looking for something that will give you a theatre-like experience on a budget, you may want to consider the Boat Airdopes 800 TWS earphones. The Adaptive EQ provides a favorable audio experience, while the Dolby Audio support gives the overall sound performance the spice it needs to stand out among the competition.

If you’re on a budget and looking for a decent, personalized sound experience, the Boat Airdopes 800 at Rs 1,799 is a great fit. The physical fit of the earbuds isn’t the most comfortable, but it’s good enough for hours of use at a time, with 10- or 20-minute breaks in between. You should also consider whether switching between different sound and equalizer modes is seamless. If it works smoothly, you’re good to go, but if not, make sure you have a case ready so you can quickly reconnect your device.

You should also check out the OnePlus Nord Buds 2r ( review ), which is currently selling for Rs 1,899 in India, Rs 100 more, with larger 12.4mm drivers, an IP55 rating, and a lightweight case. You might also consider the CMF Buds, which are priced at a slightly higher Rs 1,999, with a comfortable fit and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) support of up to 42dB.

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Google’s latest Pixel 8a aims to be an all-rounder, but it falls a little short of expectations.

Google’s Pixel A series of smartphones have always been the go-to mid-range device for reliable smartphone photography, not performance. They have also always offered the cleanest and most up-to-date Android software experience (along with a reliable update timeline) compared to all other brands in this price range, making them the go-to device for people who want a vanilla Android software experience. So, while Google’s Pixel A series was not the best device in terms of gaming or battery life, it was still an attractive choice for the average consumer. But Google had to upgrade with the times. It wanted to pack more features in it to compete with other brands. And hence the very interesting and feature-packed Pixel 7a was launched at Rs 43,999 (same as the Pixel 6a).

Times have changed, and Google has once again increased the price of this practical little smartphone, now with a starting price of Rs 52,999. The premium price means this affordable offering from Google will be competing with some very interesting smartphones from Chinese brands and Samsung. Meanwhile, Google has upgraded the AI smarts of its A-series this year with the introduction of Tensor G3 (bringing it almost on par with the Pixel 8). It will be interesting to see how these features perform against a host of devices that offer better performance at this price point. I’ve been using the Pixel 8a for a few weeks now, and here’s why I think there’s a slight chance that it could be your next premium smartphone:

Google Pixel 8a Review: Price in India

The Google Pixel 8a is the first A-series smartphone to be offered in multiple storage variants in India. The base 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant is priced at Rs 52,999, while the new 256GB storage variant is priced at Rs 59,999. While it might seem logical to spend a bit more and get the 256GB storage variant (more storage is always better), you might change your mind when you see what the competition is offering at this price point.

has included in the box a Type-C to Type-C USB cable for charging and data transfer, a USB Type- A adapter for data transfer, and a SIM ejection tool.

Google Pixel 8a Review: Design

The Google Pixel 8a has a very attractive design, including new Aloe and Bay finishes exclusive to this model. The phone has evolved from a boxy design with sharp edges to a rounded look that feels very comfortable in the hand. The overall size is compact, making it easy to handle even with one hand.

The Google Pixel 8a’s back panel is still made of polycarbonate, but it has a premium matte finish.

We received the Bay finish for review. It has a matte polycarbonate rear panel that is bifurcated by the iconic visor-like camera stripe. The flat camera module and the slightly rounded sides of the phone’s frame are colour-matched, resulting in a very trendy and vibrant design targeted at the youth. Though the rear panel is made of polycarbonate, it is dust and fingerprint resistant and looks very premium .

The quality issues we noticed in our Pixel 7a review have also been addressed: Aside from being IP67 certified (submersible to a depth of one meter) , the fit and finish of the phone is excellent and justified given its new premium price.

One aspect of the Pixel 8a’s design that I didn’t like at all was the display. As is common with entry-level smartphones, the bezels are quite thick, reminding me of 2018’s iPhone XR. Also, the thick black bezels (thickest at the bottom) eat into the display area, which is crucial on such a compact smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy S24, which was released last year and is similarly priced, has very thin bezels compared to the Pixel 8a.

The Google Pixel 8a’s display is sunlight-readable, but the bezels are very thick.

Google Pixel 8a Review: Specs and Software

While the hardware specs and bragging rights aren’t the highlights of the Pixel 8a, it does pack some interesting features considering the price. First, there’s the Tensor G3 SoC, which enables a host of AI features (some on-board, others not) that aren’t possible with the Tensor G2 currently found in the Pixel 7a. The processor also features Google’s Titan M2 coprocessor for added security. The Tensor G3 also enables the new secure Face Unlock feature that debuted on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. During the review period, the feature worked perfectly as long as there was enough light for the selfie camera to clearly see my face. If not, I had to use the fingerprint reader, which also worked perfectly.

The Tensor G3 also brings the modest Pixel 8a on par with the more premium Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro when it comes to communication standards. There’s Wi-Fi 6 for a stable data connection at home or in the office, and Bluetooth 5.3, which is more than enough to connect to both Pixel and third-party accessories. It also includes NFC and Google Cast functionality, and has the usual Global Positioning System support. In addition to the physical SIM slot, eSIM is still available with dual standby and support for multiple 5G bands.

The Pixel 8a runs Google’s Pixel UI based on Android 14. As with the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro devices, Google is also offering seven years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates, something that most smartphone brands at this price point and above can’t match. It remains to be seen if the new Tensor G3 processor can adequately power Google’s future Android experience, but such a commitment says a lot about the brand when it comes to software support (not to mention after-sales support).

The Google Pixel 8a’s Android software experience is the best and is packed with AI-enabled features.

As for the Pixel UI, it’s very similar to what we saw on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices launched late last year, with a few new features added since then: I really like the fun widgets (that match the system theme and accent perfectly), including the new separate contacts widget with a photo in the background and call and message buttons on the front.

Also new is the Snapshot widget, which turns your home screen into a board for taking and pinning photos. The widget features a camera button to instantly take an image and pin it to your home screen, and also acts as a reminder every time you unlock your device.

Additionally, the premium Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro models have a host of AI-powered features, including Audio Eraser (which lets you erase unwanted sounds in any video), Magic Editor (which lets you remove, move, or enhance objects in your photos), and Best Take (which lets you choose a different facial expression), which are included here too. All of these features work beautifully and, if needed, are solid additions rather than just gimmicks.

Google Pixel 8a Review: Performance

The Tensor G3 processor is designed with Google’s artificial intelligence and machine learning requirements in mind, but it’s by no means inferior when it comes to running everyday apps and casual games, so most regular users who use the phone daily for social media apps and calling won’t notice any issues related to those, but boot up a game or the camera and it’s clear that this phone isn’t cut out for either.

The Google Pixel 8a takes two hours to charge, which is quite slow compared to the competition.

Starting with synthetic benchmarks, the smartphone scored lower than usual, scoring 8,69,163 points in AnTuTu, while it received a more acceptable 1,580 and 3,558 points in Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core tests. These scores put it at a par with the mid-range Poco F6 (priced at Rs 30,999), but it doesn’t quite compare to devices like the iQoo 12, which is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and is similarly priced, and scored an AnTuTu score of 1,98,3471 (as per our own testing), which is more than double that of the Pixel 8a.

Once you launch a game, you start to realize the limitations of the Tensor G3. Call of Duty: Mobile was playable at Ultra and Very High graphics, but it wasn’t as responsive as most smartphones under this price range, and I did skip a few frames while gaming. The phone also heats up quite a bit when playing 3D games. Gaming aside, I experienced more real-world issues when using the phone’s camera. When I launched the camera app, the phone heated up in less than five minutes, and when I started shooting video (4K or 1080p), it got even hotter. After about 10 minutes in the afternoon sun, the phone was too hot to hold, but then I noticed other underlying issues.

The display automatically dims to a near-invisible level to reduce heat build-up (making it hard to see what’s in the viewfinder), and the phone’s manual controls also disappear – along with the usual white balance, shadow and brightness controls, the shadow controls also disappear, only to reappear once the phone has cooled down.

Once it gets moderately warm (about 10 minutes of mixed camera use), the phone displays warnings that it’s “too hot,” “recording may end abruptly,” and “video quality will be reduced to compensate for overheating.” This is apparently due to the lack of a cooling system. Google has previously refused to put a cooling system on any of its phones, opting instead for “software optimizations,” but as the above messages make clear, this doesn’t work.

These issues ruin the camera experience. However, it is a bit odd that the Pixel 8 Pro did not have such a big heating issue. My guess is that it is due to the compact size of the Pixel 8a. Like the Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 8a also suffers from the same issue in portrait mode, where taking multiple portrait photos in rapid succession can cause the phone’s shutter button to grey out (buffer full), causing you to miss some moments. In fact, the Pixel 8a is well suited to perform best in cold weather and is not the phone to take on your next summer vacation.

Considering the larger battery, the Pixel 8a’s battery life unfortunately didn’t last as long as the Pixel 7a’s. It barely lasted 12 hours and 15 minutes in our video loop battery test, which isn’t great by any standards. This is likely due in large part to the 120Hz display versus the Pixel 7a’s 90Hz display. With normal use (no camera or games), you can get the phone to last more than a day, but you’ll likely end up with only around 20% battery left and need to charge it at the end of the day. With heavy use (lots of calls), the phone won’t last a full day and you may need to charge it before leaving the office on your way home.

Google Pixel 8a Review: Camera

The Google Pixel 8a also inherits the new camera interface that’s been rolled out to other recent Pixel models (except for the Pro Controls). Nothing’s different here, just tap the settings icon near the top-left corner to access basic white balance, shadow, and brightness sliders. What hasn’t changed is the camera; Google has kept the rear and front-facing cameras from the Pixel 7a, which means we might see some small improvements, mainly due to the new processor.

Google Pixel 8a daylight camera samples, from top to bottom: ultra-wide, primary, 2x digital zoom crop.

Photos taken with the main camera show natural colors and good dynamic range, but it was easy to see blown highlights in some photos, especially in photos taken under contrasty lighting. Photos show the typical cool tones that Pixel cameras have long adopted, unlike the Pixel 8 Pro. Thankfully, there is a white balance slider to correct this while shooting. Noise is well controlled whether shooting outdoors, indoors, or in low-light or dim environments. Results with the 2x digital zoom focal length are good in sunlight, but detail drops significantly in low light, so it is best not to use it in dim light.

Portraits taken with the rear camera have good details and edge detection but are noisy, especially when photographing subjects in artificial lighting or low light conditions. In fact, it is best to avoid 2x zoom in portrait mode. Most users will find the default 1.7x in portrait mode to be enough to remove unwanted distortion. Selfies are packed with a lot of detail, but the edge detection is a bit aggressive and doesn’t detect edges evenly, resulting in noticeable borders around the subject. Skin tones look very natural, but I noticed that the selfie camera can’t handle bright background lighting and the background gets washed out.

Google Pixel 8a’s daytime selfies have inaccurate edge detection and washed-out backgrounds.

The Google Pixel 8a’s main camera performs well in low light.

The ultra-wide camera takes impressive photos with great detail and better dynamic range, capturing more in the frame compared to the main camera, and it’s great that Google has managed to perfectly match the color tones of both rear cameras, which is still a rarity at this price point.

Video quality is hit or miss depending on how hot the phone gets as it automatically downgrades. Still, we were able to capture a decent sample. 4K 30fps video seems to hit the sweet spot for this phone, delivering good image quality and contrast. However, the camera, for some reason, doesn’t maintain focus while panning and looks a bit blurry when panning. Low-light video capture isn’t as great for a smartphone in this price range, with footage showing noise and textures looking a bit blurry overall.

Google Pixel 8a Review: Verdict

Google’s Pixel 8a certainly seems like a strong contender at the lower end of the premium segment. But the phone does have some flaws. While the Tensor G3 processor handles everyday tasks without a hitch, it heats up too much under load. Battery life isn’t best in class, and wired charging is quite slow compared to competing devices at this price point. It’s also notable that the display is small compared to most smartphones at this price point. So, unless a compact form factor and timely updates are all you’re looking for in your next premium phone, it’s very hard to recommend this phone.

The situation is made worse by the Pixel 8a’s starting price of Rs 52,999 (8GB + 128GB), with plenty of devices from competing brands selling for less in India.

If you’re looking for a compact form factor, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 (reviewed, albeit a year ago) is a much better option, and it also features Qualcomm silicon (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC) that was dropped from this year’s model. The AI features of the latest S24 series are also included in the S23, so there’s no major lack in terms of features. The S23 also offers a more flexible camera setup, with a proper 3x telephoto camera. It also has an evaporative cooling system that manages heat, so it doesn’t slow down or get hot under load.

Sold for the exact same price, the iQoo 12 (Review) offers a bigger display, much better performance, better cameras and faster wired charging, and if you’re happy to spend a bit more, the OnePlus 12 (Review) isn’t too far behind at Rs 64,999 (12GB + 256GB) and is a great all-rounder in this price range.

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If you are on a tight budget, should you spend more than Rs 25,000 on a gaming phone?

Smartphone manufacturers usually offer one or two models aimed at gamers at different price points. These smartphones are usually performance-focused, with powerful chipsets and displays that support higher frame rates. The recently launched Infinix GT 20 Pro, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate SoC and a gaming-specific Pixelworks chip, is one of the gaming smartphones in the mid-range segment. We tested the smartphone for a few days to see if it lives up to the company’s performance and battery life claims.

Infinix GT 20 Pro Price in India

The Infinix GT 20 Pro price in India starts at Rs 24,999 for the base model with 8GB RAM and 256GB inbuilt storage. The phone also comes in a variant with 12GB memory and 256GB storage, priced at Rs 26,999. The company is selling the phone in Mecha Blue, Mecha Orange and Mecha Silver colour options.

The company sent me the Mecha Blue edition of the GT 20 Pro, with a charger and cable included in the box. The device also came with a GT Pro Gaming Kit, which includes a GT Mecha case, a GT cooling fan, and a GT finger sleeve. There’s a catch, though: Infinix says these accessories will ship with the phone at no extra cost, but for a limited time (to be determined).

Infinix’s latest GT series smartphones build on the cyber-mecha design introduced with the GT 10 Pro model back in August 2023. Both of these phones feature the company’s Mecha Loop Lighting, inspired by Nothing’s monochrome glyph interface for smartphones.

The back features a transparent panel over what appears to be a mostly metal finish, with the camera module having a similar shape and layout to its predecessor. The RGB LED lighting module on the back panel is shaped like a “G,” with a curved section that lights up for calls, notifications, charging, and music. There’s also a Party Mode that can be enabled to keep the lights on continuously, at the expense of battery life.

The Infinix GT 20 Pro has metal-like edges and gets scratched easily.

Infinix has equipped the GT 20 Pro with metal-look plastic sides that feel smooth to the touch and won’t slip out of your hand when you grip the phone. The power button and volume rocker are on the right side, while the SIM tray and USB Type-C port are at the bottom along with the speaker grille. There is no 3.5mm headphone jack.

The top edge of the Infinix GT 20 Pro features an infrared (IR) blaster that lets you control various devices and home appliances using quick settings shortcuts. There’s a second speaker grille and the text “Sound by JBL” in small letters.

The 6.78-inch screen feels vertical and is a bit difficult to use with one hand, but the phone’s slim design makes it easy to hold. My thumb could easily reach the power button. It’s also very comfortable to hold in landscape mode, which is good news for gamers.

The Infinix GT 20 Pro is equipped with MediaTek’s Dimensity 8200 Ultimate chip, a Pixelworks X5 Turbo chip for improved gaming performance, and up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM. The 4nm mobile processor is equipped with one Arm Cortex-A78 core clocked at 3.1GHz, three Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 3.0GHz, and four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0GHz.

The company’s latest GT series smartphone runs on Android 14 out of the box with XOS 14 for GT skin running on top of it. According to Infinix, the GT 20 Pro will receive two major Android version upgrades and a third year of security updates. It has an in-display fingerprint sensor which is extremely reliable and can unlock in less than a second .

The Infinix GT 20 Pro runs on XOS 14 based on Android 14.

The Infinix GT 20 Pro supports 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, and a USB Type-C port. It also has a range of sensors, including an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, electronic compass, gyroscope, and proximity sensor. The device is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that charges at 45W using the included charging brick. The phone also has an IR blaster that can control home appliances and works well with several Sony entertainment devices.

Infinix GT 20 Pro Review: Performance

The company claims that the Infinix GT 20 Pro can deliver up to 90fps in games that support higher frame rates, and I tested it with Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) and Call of Duty: Mobile. The phone easily handles titles like Genshin Impact on “medium” settings, and there were no stutters or glitches, unlike other phones in the same price range.

I didn’t notice any slowdown in the phone after gaming for over an hour, and I barely used the included GT cooling fan while playing with the phone. It’s worth keeping in mind that the gaming test was conducted in the summer, when temperatures were well above 40 degrees. The cooling fan attaches magnetically to the case, and keeps the back of the phone pretty cool, if you don’t mind extra wires getting in the way while you play.

There’s also an X-Boost mode that offers battery saving, standard power consumption, and performance modes. Other optimizations are available, including an HDR mode that subtly improves the visuals (mainly color) in games like Asphalt 9 and Genshin Impact. There’s also an eSports mode that optimizes notifications, performance, and other settings for a more immersive gaming experience.

The Infinix GT 20 Pro can handle games like Genshin Impact at the “Medium” setting.

The phone runs an optimized version of XOS 14 for GT, with very few pre-installed apps, which is surprising for a phone in this price range. There are no ads either. Browsing the web and social media apps is smooth, and other apps work fine too, although there were a couple of rare instances where some apps would reload when switching after loading another app.

The Infinix GT 20 Pro performed well in common benchmark tests, scoring 895,790 points in the AnTuTu v10 test, 1,000 points and 3,413 points in Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core tests respectively. In PCMark’s Work 3.0 performance benchmark, the GT 20 Pro scored 18,328 points.

Infinix GT 20 Pro benchmarks

The phone also performed well in graphics benchmark tests, scoring 6,514 and 6,441 points in the Wild Life and Wild Life Unlimited tests respectively. It scored 3,865 points in the Sling Shot test and achieved “Best” in the Sling Shot Extreme test. Similarly, the phone scored 54 fps in GFXBench’s Car Chase test, 101 fps and 144 fps in the Manhattan 3.1 and T-Rex tests respectively.

Infinix has equipped the GT 20 Pro with a 6.78-inch Full HD+ (1,080 x 2,436 pixels) AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of up to 144Hz and a peak brightness of up to 1,300 nits. The display is very responsive when using everyday apps and games, works well outdoors, and has good visibility, although it’s not as bright as other smartphones that boast the same peak brightness level.

According to the Digital Wellbeing app, the most frequently used apps and games on the Infinix GT 20 Pro were Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Genshin Impact, WhatsApp, and YouTube Music. With the device’s 5,000mAh battery, the screen-off on time was around 6 hours and 22 minutes (average).

The Infinix GT 20 Pro has a Bright Display

The Infinix GT 20 Pro lasted for 17 hours and 32 minutes in our HD battery video loop test, and it took about 63 minutes to charge from 0 to 100 percent using the included charging cable. After 30 minutes, about 48 percent of the battery was still charged. It also supports in-game bypass charging, which seems to help keep battery levels consistent during gaming sessions while preventing overheating without the need for a cooling fan.

Infinix GT 20 Pro Review: Camera

Powered by the Samsung HM6 sensor, it has a 108-megapixel main rear camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS) support, a 2-megapixel macro camera, a 2-megapixel sensor for capturing depth information, and a 32-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies and video chats.

Two of the Infinix GT 20 Pro’s rear cameras can be used to capture images using the default camera app. The 108-megapixel camera captures images with a fair level of detail, especially when there is enough natural light and you are close enough to the subject. The built-in camera app also has a Pro mode that lets you adjust various parameters such as white balance and ISO levels, but I got much better results using the default mode called “AI Cam.”

When taking photos with the main camera, you need to make sure there is enough light.

When taking photos of distant subjects in less than ideal lighting conditions, the Infinix GT 20 Pro’s main camera may capture images with slightly inaccurate colors – images with brown areas may appear dark or have a slight reddish tint.

The main camera can also capture images with 3x zoom using in-sensor crop, which works well when the subject is not too far away and there is enough light. If you take photos in low light or at night, the captured image will lose a lot of detail as the camera produces a smooth image to reduce noise.

Images taken in low light environments are very smooth.

The Infinix GT 20 Pro’s macro camera is very mediocre, even when taken in daylight. Edges of objects are blurred, colors are not as vibrant as those of the main camera, and images lack sufficient detail. Low-light images taken with the macro camera have even less detail and are noisy.

The default camera on the Infinix GT 20 Pro supports OIS up to 4K/30fps and can record videos up to 4K/60fps. To use OIS, you need to enable Ultra Steady mode in the camera app. We highly recommend using this feature if you plan on walking around while taking videos.

The Infinix GT 20 Pro’s macro camera struggles to capture detailed, sharp images.

On the other hand, the selfie camera on this phone is pretty good, but to get full resolution images you need to enable the 32MP mode from the camera interface. It’s good that I didn’t notice any “beautify” feature while clicking pictures. Images are very sharp in normal lighting conditions and average in low light scenarios too.

The Infinix GT 20 Pro also comes with a dual video mode in the default camera app, which lets you capture videos using both the main (rear) camera and the selfie camera simultaneously. There is no lag while capturing dual videos and you can also adjust the size of the videos captured using both the cameras.

Infinix GT 20 Pro Review: Verdict

Is the Infinix GT 20 Pro the best performance-oriented phone you can buy under Rs 25,000 right now? If you’re looking for a powerful phone that can handle most games and other intensive tasks, the answer is yes. No other phone offers the same level of CPU and display performance while gaming. The phone also comes with a neat operating system, which is becoming increasingly rare in this price range. The phone also gets two OS upgrades that make it an improvement over its predecessor.

Other smartphones available in the same price range include the Samsung Galaxy F55 (first impressions), Motorola Edge 50 Fusion, Nothing Phone 2a (review), Poco X6 Pro (review) and OnePlus Nord CE 4 (review). Of these, only the Poco X6 Pro beats the Infinix GT 20 Pro in benchmark tests. Meanwhile, the other smartphones offer a better overall experience, including better camera performance. This is worth keeping in mind if top-notch gaming performance isn’t the only consideration when buying a smartphone.

The post Infinix GT 20 Pro Review: Great performance at an affordable price appeared first on Review Products.

This Leesa mattress is simple, affordable and sturdy.

The Leesa Studio is an affordable memory foam mattress with a simple, lightweight and sturdy design. The firm feel means it’s best suited to back and stomach sleepers – many side sleepers will find it a bit too firm. I also found it could trap body heat, so those who run warm should look elsewhere. Strong motion isolation will appeal to bed-sharers and light sleepers, though.

Pros

• +Supportive for back or stomach sleepers
• +Absorbs movements well
• +Lightweight and easy to move

Cons

• -A bit firm for side sleepers
• -Lacks support for those >200lbs
• -Sleeps hot

LEESA STUDIO MATTRESS: TWO-MINUTE REVIEW

Leesa is a major player in online mattress retailers. The Leesa Studio mattress is its most affordable option, and has a simple design: it’s 10 inches tall and contains three layers of different foams. I slept on a king size Studio for three weeks, as well as running a series of tests, to see how it compares to the rest of the best mattresses on the market.

Many customer reviews rate the mattress as a moderately firm feel, and I agree – it’s around an 8 out of 10 on firmness. Although the mattress begins with a top layer of memory foam, don’t expect to sink in and have your body enveloped in the foam. There is some contouring, but when I press down on the mattress with my hand, the mattress snaps back into form in about a half second.

Not to say that it’s like sleeping on the floor – it’s still comfortable – but having tested several mattresses over the years from brands like Purple, GhostBed, Saatva, Brooklyn Bedding and others, this is the firmest mattress I’ve experienced. I found that sleeping on my side on this mattress led to a build-up of pressure in my shoulder, and I expect that will be the case for most side-sleepers.

However, the firmer feel makes it a great choice for those who sleep on their back and stomach, and it might also work well for those suffering from back pain. For context, I used to be a stomach sleeper, but eventually had to switch to sleeping on my side due to lower back pain. When I laid on my stomach for extended periods of time on the Leesa Studio, I didn’t experience any of that familiar pain. For me, it’s amongst the best mattresses for back pain.

There are a couple of caveats to that. Because it’s fairly thin, it probably won’t suit those who weigh over 200lbs, and I also had issues with it running warm. If you’re a naturally hot sleeper, the Studio won’t work for you. Read on for my full Leesa Studio mattress review.

We’d always recommend buying direct from the brand wherever possible, to make customer service easier. However, the Studio is also available via the Leesa Amazon store. Pricing will usually be the same but it’s worth double-checking before you buy, to make sure you’re not missing a bargain.

All-foam mattresses tend to be the most affordable mattress type, which means there’s tough competition in this price bracket. The top two models in our best memory foam mattress ranking both generally cost around $699 for the queen size. Read about those in our Nectar mattress review and Cocoon Chill mattress review.

Mattress sales happen all year round, but many brands increase their discounts around national holidays. Particularly good times to shop include the Presidents’ Day mattress sales in February, the Memorial Day mattress sales in May, the 4th of July mattress sales, the Labor Day mattress sales in September, and of course the Black Friday mattress deals at the end of November.

LEESA STUDIO MATTRESS REVIEW: DESIGN & MATERIALS

• 10-inch tall memory foam mattress with three layers of foam
• Lightweight for a mattress, king weighs only 83lbs
• Cover has a zip but shouldn’t be removed; no handles

The design of the Leesa Studio is simple but effective. Inside of the soft, removable mattress cover is three layers of foam. At 10 inches tall, it’s on the thinner side, and also pretty lightweight. The king-sized mattress that I tested only weighs 83lbs. For reference, a king-size Purple mattress weighs 120lbs. So, if you ever need to move the mattress from one bedroom to another, or from one home to another, it won’t be too heavy to deal with.

All three layers of foam are CertiPUR-US certified. This means the foam was tested by a third-party to ensure that no harmful chemicals are present in the foam and that it meets durability standards to last the lifetime of the mattress. Inside of the mattress cover begins with a 1.5 inch layer of memory foam. This layer is designed to provide a sink-in contouring feeling. Below the initial memory foam is another 1.5 inch layer of responsive foam. This is an airy foam designed to help dissipate heat and keep you cool during your sleep.

Finally, a 4-inch layer of base foam provides the support for the mattress. Essentially this provides firmness and stability, so you don’t simply sink through the top layers into the platform, which wouldn’t be comfortable at all.

The look of the cover is recognizable, clean, and modern, making it look appealing standing alone on laundry days when it’s time to wash bedding. There is a zipper, so you could take the cover off, but Leesa doesn’t recommend it. Adding one of the best mattress protectors is always a good idea, anyway. Overall, it’s a simple bed design that’s lightweight and easy to move around, even though the mattress doesn’t have any handles.

Design score: 4 out of 5

LEESA STUDIO MATTRESS REVIEW: COMFORT & SUPPORT

• Most comfortable on back or stomach sleeping positions
• Light sink in, returns back to form in about half a second
• May be too firm for side sleepers

When you scroll through the purchased views on Leesa’s website, virtually the only complaint about the mattress is that it is more firm than people expected. I can say that’s exactly what my wife and I experienced after sleeping on the bed for a few weeks. I would rate the firmness an 8 out of 10. Leesa rates the mattress as a medium/moderately firm mattress, which is about on-par with my assessment, and the assessment of many customers. Compared to the mattress we were previously sleeping on – a pillow-top, spring mattress – the Studio is a much firmer feel, and it took a few nights for our bodies to adjust.

When I placed a 25lb weight and in the middle of the bed, it sank in roughly 1.5-inches. The mattress returns to form about a half second after the weight is removed. I had two others try out the mattress, and they, like me, reported a responsive feel with minimal sink and just a tiny bit of contouring.

I weigh about 155lbs and I used to sleep on my stomach, but with my old mattress, I had to switch to my side because stomach sleeping was causing lower back pain. When I lie on my side for too long on the Leesa Studio, I wake up with a sore shoulder. My wife, who is much smaller than me, has the same issue; both of us have noticed that even if we fall asleep on our sides on this mattress, we end up on our backs by the time we wake up. A third member of my testing panel, who weighs just north of 200lbs, also found the mattress to be too firm, and lacking in pressure relief, especially when they laid on their side.

The best mattresses for side sleepers tend to be a bit softer, and often come with higher levels of contouring, to prevent pressure building up in the shoulder. The Leesa Studio doesn’t offer enough contouring for most side sleepers.

However, it’s pretty well suited to back and stomach sleepers. Generally, these positions require a medium-firm or firm mattress, to keep the sleeper’s back supported and prevent the pelvis from dropping too far into the surface and putting strain on the spine.

Even though I generally try and avoid rolling onto my stomach because of my back, while testing the Leesa Studio mattress I found myself getting comfortable again on my stomach, and without back pain. On my old mattress, when I would lay on my stomach, I could feel my back starting to bark within a couple minutes. On the Leesa Studio, there is plenty of lower back support to keep your lower back/stomach from sinking in and causing pressure that leads to discomfort or pain. (If you like the sound of a sturdy sleep surface and want to see what else is out there, our best firm mattress guide rounds up our favorite options.)

LEESA STUDIO MATTRESS REVIEW: PERFORMANCE

• Does not dissipate heat well
• Negates some motion transfer
• Slightly more sink on edge compared to center

I slept on the Leesa Studio mattress for three weeks during the coldest month of the year in northern Utah (January), with lows in the teens (Fahrenheit). During this time, I tested the mattress following TechRadar’s mattress testing methodology. Read on to find out how this mattress performed.

Temperature Regulation

I am a hot sleeper and my wife is a cold sleeper; I go to bed in gym shorts while she is fully clothed in bed. I found, even in the dead of northern Utah’s coldest month, that I was getting hot at night. My wife did as well, saying that she didn’t feel the need to ‘layer up’ before she went to bed anymore.

In short, this bed is not ideal for heat dissipation. Living in a dry climate that is especially cold right now, it makes me skeptical that I would be comfortable come summertime on this mattress.

Temperature regulation score: 2 out of 5

Motion Isolation

One of my biggest complaints about my normal mattress, which is a spring mattress, is motion transfer. Our 50 pound dog sleeps with us (don’t judge me), and I can feel every micro-adjustment he makes in the bed. The Leesa Studio all but eliminates that problem. My wife also mentioned she no longer feels when I get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

For an objective idea of how well this mattress isolates motion, I used a travel mug and dropped a 25lb weight from about 6 inches onto the mattress at varying distances away from the mug to measure motion transfer. Once the weight was about 9 inches away from the mug, the mug stopped falling over.

Motion isolation score: 4.5 out of 5

Edge Support

Edge support is important for those who have trouble getting in and out of bed. A mattress that doesn’t have proper edge support will be more difficult to climb in and out of – you might feel as though the bed is sinking and you’re sliding out.

I placed my 25lb weight on the edge of the bed to measure the sinkage. Remember, the middle of the bed recorded roughly 1.5 inches of sinkage. On the edge of the bed, the sinkage recorded was closer to 2 inches. When I sat on the edges of the bed I felt myself slightly sliding out of the bed. I do still feel supported – the bed isn’t collapsing under my weight – but there is definitely a bit more give. When I lay on the edge of the mattress, I don’t feel any sensations of rolling off. Edge sleepers shouldn’t be concerned about rolling out of bed, and getting in and out of bed wasn’t difficult, although there was a little more give than expected.

Edge support score: 3.5 out of 5

LEESA STUDIO MATTRESS REVIEW: CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

• Free standard delivery to doorstep
• In-home setup and old mattress removal available for a fee
• Standard 100 day free trial and 10 year limited warranty

You can request at checkout in-home delivery and old mattress removal. In-home delivery and setup costs an extra $159, while adding old mattress removal bumps it up to $199. All you need to do is ensure the bedding is removed from your old bed and the delivery company will either donate or dispose of the mattress sustainably.

Without those add-ons, the Leesa Studio arrived on my front doorstep rolled up, wrapped in plastic and boxed. Since the king mattress is lightweight and only weighs 83lbs, it was quick and easy for two people to move the mattress to the bed.

Once the mattress was on the bed, I unrolled several layers of plastic and the mattress started to expand even before all of the plastic was fully removed. The mattress seemed to be fully expanded after only 10 minutes or so. Once fully expanded, there is a slight plastic-like smell, but that smell was mostly masked by the fitted sheet, and completely unnoticeable after a day or two.

Leesa offers a 100-day trial period and a 10 year limited warranty on the Leesa Studio. This is considered industry standard in terms of trials and warranties (some brands, like Nectar, are more generous, and give you a full year’s trial and forever warranty). In order to be eligible for a return, you must have the mattress for at least 30 days, but no longer than 100. Leesa will encourage you to donate the mattress to a charity, but if that is not an option, you can call its return phone number and begin the return process. There are no fees associated with returns unless you live in Alaska or Hawaii, in which a $100 return fee is included.

When it comes to customer reviews, the majority of the people are pleased with the purchase. You’ll find a lot of ‘best night sleep ever’ from a number of user reviews on Amazon or Leesa’s website.

As I alluded to previously, the user reviews on the Leesa website provide an overall 4.2 star rating based on 58 reviews. The main culprit of complaints is the firmness of the mattress. Many users claim that it’s firmer than the ‘medium firm’ rating provided by Leesa. Even users who left positive, four-star ratings leave comments noting the firmness of the mattress.

At time of writing (Feb 2024), the mattress had received a 4.4 out of 5 star average rating on Amazon. Again, many of the most common complaints are about the firmness of the mattress, or if you are heavier than 200lbs, the mattress may not be supportive enough. I also found other reviews that mentioned the mattress being ideal for users under 200lbs. I did also find a few mentions of users accounting for the mattress sleeping hot. I had a similar experience, as noted above, and it appears other users second those experiences.

SHOULD YOU BUY THE LEESA STUDIO MATTRESS?

Buy it if…

You’re a back / stomach sleeper: The firm (8 out of 10) feel makes this a good choice for those who like to lie on their back or stomach. These positions require a sturdier feel, to keep the pelvis supported and ensure

You suffer from back pain: While my usual, softer mattress can aggravate my  lower back pain when lying on my stomach, I didn’t have that issue when testing out the Leesa Studio. I think that’s down to the firmer, more supportive feel.

You’re a cold sleeper: Heat retention is often considered a bad thing with mattresses, but my wife – who is a cold sleeper – found the fact that this mattress retains body heat was a benefit. It meant she didn’t need to bundle up at night. .

You share a bed: The Studio does a good job of absorbing movements on its surface, which makes it a strong choice for bed-sharers, especially if they’re easily disturbed at night.

Don’t buy it if…

You are a hot sleeper: If you’re searching for a mattress to help keep you cool at night, the Leesa Studio may not be for you. I found it ran warm at night. TechRadar’s best cooling mattress guide has plenty of alternative options – the top rated one is the Purple mattress, which I also tested and was the coolest mattress I’ve ever slept on.

You are a heavier (200lbs+) person: There are many user reviews across the web that mention that this bed isn’t supportive enough for heavier individuals. Something like the DreamCloud Hybrid mattress might be a better choice, or if you weight 250lbs or more, consider something built especially for bigger bodies – TechRadar’s guide to the best mattresses for heavy people has our top picks.

You are a side sleeper: Everyone who slept on the Studio for this review has issues with pressure building up in their shoulder when lying on their side. Something more contouring, such as the Nectar Memory Foam mattress, will be a better fit for most side sleepers.

HOW I TESTED THE LEESA STUDIO MATTRESS

I slept on the Leesa Studio mattress for three weeks during the coldest month of the year in northern Utah. Utah has a dry climate and during my testing, the lows were in the teens with highs in the 30s (fahrenheit). I used our normal bedding, which for us, consists of a mattress cover and comforter (my wife nor I sleep under a sheet). The bed was occupied every night by me, my wife, and our three-year-old, 50lb Aussiedoodle.

Standardized testing included sinkage testing, where I placed a 25 pound weight in the middle of the bed and measured how much the mattress sunk. For edge support, I placed the same weight on the edge and end of the bed and measured how much the mattress sunk. For motion transfer, I placed a travel mug on the bed and dropped the 25 pound weight from varying distances to see how well the mattress eliminates motion transfer.

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You no longer have to choose between memory foam and down-alternative pillows.

The Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillow contains memory foam and down-alternative fibers. I love both, so I consider this the best thing to happen since Hershey’s combined peanut butter and chocolate in a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. The ComfortFit comes in three options – Classic, Curved and Ultimate – so you can get a pillow that perfectly fits your needs, whether you’re a back, side, or stomach sleeper.

Pros

• +Memory foam plus down alternative
• +Two sizes and three models
• +Great for all sleep styles
• +Breathable and hypoallergenic

Cons

• -Spot clean-only
• -Non-adjustable loft

SLEEP NUMBER COMFORTFIT PILLOW: TWO-MINUTE REVIEW

I love to sleep, and I also love to sleep comfortably. As a result, I also love to test bed pillows, since they play a significant role in determining how comfortably I’ll sleep. And I could tell at first glance that I was going to enjoy testing the Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillows. Some pillows arrive compressed, and when they’re expanding, it’s a wait-and-see process. Will the pillows be flat, or will they be nice and fluffy?

Since the Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillows aren’t compressed, I knew as soon as I opened the shipping box that they were going to be a pleasure to review. As I unzipped the individually packaged pillows from their stylish fabric bags (with handles, no less), I knew this level of detail in packaging would probably extend to a high level of detail in making the pillows as well.

And I was not disappointed. The pillows were thick and plush (my favorite two adjectives when describing something that I’m going to lay my head on). The fill is made of memory foam and also down alternative fibers for a cushy experience that’s still firm enough to provide support. They’re available in three shape options: Classic, which is recommended for stomach and back sleepers; Curved, which fits to your contours and is best for side and back sleepers; and Ultimate, which features three removable inserts that can be configured for every sleeping position.

I tested a pair of the Sleep Number ComfortFit Classic Pillows for over two weeks to see how they compare to the rest of the best pillows on the market. And if you’re looking for ways to really boost your sleep comfort further, take a look at our guide to this year’s best mattresses for all budgets.

SLEEP NUMBER COMFORTFIT PILLOW REVIEW: PRICE & VALUE FOR MONEY

• Premium pillow, premium priced
• 100-night trial period, 1 year warranty
• Currently buy one, get one 50% off

At $99.99, the classic Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillow in the standard size is considered a higher-end pillow – although there are competitors with pillows that cost significantly more. However, it’s not a cheap or mid-range pillow. Having tested dozens of pillows, I consider the price to be fair, considering the quality design and materials – in fact, I think it’s a good value for what you get.

The Classic king size pillow is $119.00. Also, the various models have different prices as well. The standard Curved pillow is $119.99, and $139.99 for a king. And the Ultimate pillow, which has three removable inserts so you can find your perfect fit, is $139.99/standard, $159.99/king.

At the time of publication, the pillow was being sold (in every size and shape) as buy one, get one 50% off.

A relatively-comparable alternative is the GhostPillow Faux Down Pillow, which is regularly priced at $139 but on sale for $70. It has a microfiber gel fill, and a breathable cover made of 100% cotton. It’s a fluffy, squeezable pillow like the Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillow, and while it’s on sale, can save you quite a few bucks. However, it’s not available in different shapes and sizes

If you’d prefer a foam pillow and/or you tend to sleep hot, the Nolah Cooling Foam Pillow has cooling features, as well as a stylish design that allows it to be used without an additional pillowcase. In addition, the cover can be washed. It’s supportive, but not as squishy soft as the Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillow.

Sleep Number provides free shipping for the pillow. There’s also a 100-night trial, and a 1-year warranty. In comparison, GhostPIllow provides a 101-night trial period and a 5 year warranty, and Nolah provides a 30 day trial period and a 2 year warranty.

SLEEP NUMBER COMFORTFIT PILLOW REVIEW: DESIGN AND MATERIALS

• Memory foam and down alternative fibers
• 3 shape choices for side, back, and stomach sleepers
• Breathable Lyocell blend cover

I chose the Classic shape, which is recommended for stomach or back sleepers. However, there’s also an option to get the Curved pillow, which provides enhanced support and works best for side or back sleepers (I’m testing the curved pillows in a future review). In addition, the Ultimate shape has three removable inserts, which can be used for any type of sleeper since the inserts can be taken out (or left in) to customize the pillow.

The Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillow includes a blend of memory foam pieces and down alternative fibers. The memory foam pieces are moldable, so they fit the shape of my head and neck, and also bounce back when I move your head. The down alternative fibers are designed to imitate the luxurious feel of down. However, alternative or faux down tends to cost less. It’s also a great choice for people who may be allergic to down.

Delivery was uneventful, and set-up was quick and easy, since the pillows were not compressed, so they didn’t need time to expand, and I didn’t have to deal with any potential off-gassing. However, I do want to note that Sleep Number takes presentation very seriously. I was impressed with the individual cloth bags inside of the delivery box. These zippered bags added an extra layer of hygienic protection, and were convenient when storing or transporting the pillows.

SLEEP NUMBER COMFORTFIT PILLOW REVIEW: CARE AND ALLERGIES

The pillows cannot be machine washed (only the Ultimate shape pillow has a removable cover that can be machine washed).

Spot cleaning is recommended for the classic and curved shapes.

The down alternative material is quite suited for someone with allergies, since it’s not actual down – which serves as an allergen for some people. In fact, the pillows are actually hypoallergenic.

The pillow contains CertiPUR-US certified foam, which means that it was made without formaldehyde, ozone depleters, phthalates, mercury, lead and other heavy metals, and meets the low VOC emissions standard for indoor air. It’s also screened to be free for fire retardants and other chemicals that have been classified as mutagens or reproductive toxins, or carcinogens.

SLEEP NUMBER COMFORTFIT PILLOW REVIEW: COMFORT & SUPPORT

• Thick and plush, but not too plush
• Best for side or back sleepers
• Bounces back and does not need refluffing

For over two weeks, I slept on a pair of Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillows to see how comfortable and supportive they were. The pillows were very plush, akin to sleeping on a cloud. As a result of the memory foam, the pillows molded to the shape of my head and neck, and when I changed positions, they quickly bounced back and proceeded to cradle me in my next position. And since the pillows contains down alternative, they felt luxurious, and were breathable.

The pillows are a mid-loft version that’s not too high and not too low. In side and back positions, it supported me well. However, it may have been too high to provide consistent support for someone who always sleeps on their side. (The Ultimate shape would do a better job for side sleepers).

I did not need to re-plump the pillows, due to the combination of fill contents in it. This pillow would be great for the average customer who sleeps on their back or side. It may be too high for petite sleepers.

SLEEP NUMBER COMFORTFIT PILLOW REVIEW: TEMPERATURE REGULATION

The Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillows have a breathable Lyocell blend cover. Since neither the fill nor the cover trapped heat, the pillows didn’t get hot while sleeping – even though, as you can see from the photos, I was underneath plenty of bedding.

The pillows didn’t necessarily feel cool to the touch, but I was satisfied that they were not making me hot either, since they were breathable, which allowed any heat to escape. I tested the pillows during the fall season, which in Birmingham, AL is comfortable enough to turn off the HVAC.

SLEEP NUMBER COMFORTFIT PILLOW REVIEW: SPECS

• Fill:Memory foam pieces and down alternative fibers
• Cover: Fabric
• Dimensions (WxD) Classic Standard: 26 x 20” Classic King: 36 x 20”
• Loft: Medium
• Care: Spot clean
• Trial period: 100 days
• Warranty: 1 year
• Price bracket: Premium

SHOULD YOU BUY THE SLEEP NUMBER COMFORTFIT PILLOW?

Buy it if…

You want the best of both worlds: The pillow contains both memory foam and alternative down for a unique experience. It’s luxurious and smooth, while also being squishy, soft and supportive.

You prefer down alternative to down: If you’re allergic to down, you’ll appreciate that the pillow mimics down, but it’s hypoallergenic, so it doesn’t have any of the allergens that may cause you discomfort. Also, it doesn’t have any feathers to protrude and poke you.

You want a luxurious feel: These high-end pillows aren’t as expensive as many other types of high-end pillows, so this is an opportunity to upgrade your existing pillows without breaking the bank. You can get a pair of pillows that you won’t have to replace every year.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re strictly a side sleeper: The pillow works best for back sleepers and stomach sleepers. If you always sleep on your side, you might not find the height to provide the right combination of support and comfort. (However, the Curved shape is designed for side or back sleepers and the Ultimate shape is adjustable, so it can be customized for side sleepers as well.)

You like to adjust the fill: If you get the Classic shape, you won’t be able to unzip the cover and remove or add fill. So, if you don’t think the amount of fill is suitable for your needs, keep in mind that you’re stuck with that loft. The Ultimate shape pillow is adjustable, but if you want another option try the Layla Kapok Pillow.

You like to wash your pillows and covers: You can’t wash the pillow, and you can’t even unzip the cover and wash it (although I used to toss the pillows in the dryer on the sanitize setting and it didn’t appear to affect performance). The cover is hypoallergenic if that helps, but if you want a fully washable option the GhostPillow Faux Down Pillow could be a good alternative.

HOW I TESTED THE SLEEP NUMBER COMFORTFIT PILLOW

I slept on the Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillows for over two weeks, testing for performance, comfort, and support. These tests were conducted during the fall season. Since I tend to sleep hot – but I love all of the stylish fall and winter bedding – I slept with the HVAC off to avoid getting overly hot in my mild climate.

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