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Reviews

Here at Cult of Mac, we regularly review Apple products and other tech gear and accessories. We also frequently write about Apple TV+ offerings. If we receive a review unit, we disclose it. (Read our reviews policy.) We frequently employ affiliate links. If you purchase a product after clicking a link from our website, we might earn a commission.

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on Reviews:

These are my top 8 must-have Vision Pro accessories

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M5 and M2 Vision Pro sitting side by side, one of them turned around, in front of a fake palm tree.
Trick out your Vision Pro with these essentials.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

After shelling out well over $3,499 for a Vision Pro, I hope you have some money left over to buy some of the must-have accessories that make Apple’s headset even better. 

The experience out of the box is great, but to start, you’ll probably want a case to put your Vision Pro in. If you want to use the headset for browsing the web, messaging, writing or any amount of work, you’ll want a keyboard and trackpad. And for games, you’ll need a controller.

If you don’t have pockets (or the pockets you have prove insufficient), you’ll want a battery holster for walking around. And if you’re walking around, you’ll definitely want a protective cover for that expensive curved piece of glass. 

Here are all the accessories I use to make the most of my Vision Pro. 

This smart telescope changed the way I look at the stars [Review] ★★★★

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DwarfLab Dwarf Mini Smart Telescope review★★★★
The DwarfLab Dwarf Mini captures gorgeous pictures of the cosmos, despite its small size.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Dwarf Mini smart telescope from DwarfLab cooperates with your iPhone to help you take amazing pictures of the stars — even in locations where you probably think it’s impossible. And it’s all thanks to the miracle of long-exposure images.

Even better, the telescope is comparatively tiny and sets up in minutes.

As a long-time stargazer, I was thrilled to test out the Dwarf Mini. And even more thrilled with the results.

I tried the most powerful Thunderbolt dock ever made [Review] ★★★★★

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Photo of the Ivanky FusionDock Ultra on a desk, used to illustrate a review of the unique Thunderbolt 5 dock.★★★★★
The iVanky FusionDock Ultra currently ranks as the king of Thunderbolt 5 docks.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

With plenty of ports, power and bandwidth, Thunderbolt docks form the backbone of a modern MacBook-powered workstation — and the iVanky FusionDock Ultra takes things to the extreme. It packs an absurd number of ports and promises enough bandwidth to handle just about anything you can throw at it.

Find out what makes the iVanky FusionDock Ultra so special in our review.

Highly adaptable Edifier M90 speakers earn a spot in any Apple setup [Review] ★★★★

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Edifier M90 speaker review★★★★
Edifier M90 speakers in white replace the inexpensive sound bar I was using to boost my Roku TV's audio. They'd be great with Apple TV, too.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Apple’s ecosystem has never sounded better — AirPods, HomePods, Apple TV with Dolby Atmos — and yet the humble desktop speaker often remains an afterthought. For Mac users who spend long hours at a monitor or in front of a gaming console or smart TV, the audio situation can range from mediocre built-in speakers to a rat’s nest of half-compatible gear. But this Edifier M90 speaker review explains how the stellar new boxes do a great job of solving any number of audio problems in different settings. They bring potent audio power to practically any gear. 

Value-packed EarFun Clip 2 open-ear earbuds put awareness first [Review] ★★★★☆

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EarFun Clip 2 earbuds review★★★★☆
EarFun Clip 2 open-ear earbuds clip gently on your ears for secure comfort.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

First announced at CES 2026 in January and released Monday, EarFun Clip 2 open-ear earbuds arrive with an unusually ambitious spec sheet for $79.99 (or less with launch discount). EarFun says Clip 2 is the world’s first Hi-Res comfort ear-clip earbuds with built-in AI translation priced under $80 — a claim that would sound like marketing bluster if the hardware didn’t largely back it up. After spending time with them, here’s my EarFun Clip 2 earbuds review with an honest verdict.

This Anker 3-in-1 charging stand quickly powers up your iPhone [Review] ★★★★

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Anker Prime Wireless Charging Station review: for iPhone, Apple Watch and more★★★★
Juice up your iPhone, Apple Watch and more with the Anker Prime Wireless Charging Station.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

No patience for slow wireless chargers? Then you need to check out the Anker Prime Wireless Charging Station. It delivers up to 25W, and so can give an iPhone 17 a nearly 50% charge in half an hour. There’s even a fan to keep things cool.

At the same time, the accessory boasts charging mats for an Apple Watch and an AirPods wireless charging case. And it folds up for easy travel.

I put the 3-in-one charger through its paces. Here’s what I learned.

Soundcore Space 2 headphones: Supreme sound, comfort and features [Review] ★★★★★

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Soundcore Space 2 headphones review★★★★★
I loved Soundcore's Space One Pro headphones from 2024, and the new set improves on them.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Soundcore, Anker Innovations’ audio brand, quietly built a reputation as the go-to name for people who want serious headphone performance without the flagship price tag. Its Space One headphones earned a following as one of the best budget ANC options on the market, and that set the bar for their successor quite high. The new Soundcore Space 2, which launched at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona before going on sale Tuesday, clears that bar with room to spare.

Top new Tozo earbuds bring near-AirPods quality for much less [Review] ★★★★

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Tozo NC20 Pro earbuds review★★★★
Tozo's new NC20 Pro earbuds come with a wireless touchscreen case and fantastically long battery life.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Apple users are trained to reach for AirPods. It’s Pavlovian at this point. But at a regular price of $79 or less — roughly the price of a single AirPods replacement bud — the new Tozo NC20 Pro does things AirPods 4 won’t. And Tozo launch deals get you these excellent buds for much less than the list price — currently $59.49 on Amazon, for example.

Slim MagSafe iPhone power bank is made for wireless charging haters [Review] ★★★★

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Clutch Pro review: Slim power bank without wireless charging★★★★
With Clutch Pro, you can have a slim power bank while avoiding wireless charging.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Clutch Pro is for anyone who wants a very slim power bank that magnetically attaches to their iPhone, but who doesn’t like wireless charging. This tiny 5,000mAh external battery includes a USB-C connector on a cable for easy charging.

I tested it with my iPhone 17 and my iPad too. Here’s why I like it.

Origami case/stand elevates your iPad for easy viewing [Review] ★★★★

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The Moft Dynamic Folio Case does tricks other iPad case/stands can't.★★★★
The Moft Dynamic Folio Case protects your iPad, and is also a brilliant stand for it.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Moft Dynamic Folio Case does tricks other iPad case/stand combinations can’t. Most notably, it can lift the iPad up several inches, making the screen easier to see.

Beyond that, the accessory can be folded into shapes that support the tablet at a range of angles. It can even hold your iPhone next to your iPad. It’s very flexible, and it protects the tablet, too.

I’ve been using Moft’s latest for several weeks. That’s a lot to like here.

AirPods Max 2 are gorgeous, dreamy headphones — for now [Review] ★★★★☆

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Purple AirPods Max 2 hanging on a banana stand in front of a fake palm tree★★★★☆
The purple AirPods Max 2 are gorgeous.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

AirPods Max 2 are the surprise update to Apple’s premium over-the-ear headphones. Now offering feature parity with the regular AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 — thanks to the H2 chip inside — the headphones’ $549 price tag makes some kind of sense.

The design and controls remain unchanged from the originals, for better and worse. That includes the silly “Smart Case.” But the signature beautiful, booming sound and excellent noise cancellation are better than ever. If you’ve never tried AirPods Max before — only the lesser AirPods and maybe a few pairs of cheaper headphones — you are well and truly unprepared for the remarkable music these cans will pump into your ears.

You don’t need to be a big audiophile to love the AirPods Max 2. But considering how Apple has mistreated the product line so far, you have to be a little bold to buy them yourself. 

Viewer beware: Worst-rated Apple TV shows and movies

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The Family Plan 2 movie
Mark Wahlberg and Kit Harington star in The Family Plan 2. But maybe leave it off your viewing queue.
Photo: Apple TV

Apple TV built a reputation as a quality-first streamer. It gave us Severance, Ted Lasso, Slow Horses, and the first Best Picture Oscar from a streamer, 2022’s CODA. But even Apple can’t promise a universal guarantee of quality. Over the years, a handful of originals have landed with a thud, panned by critics, dismissed by audiences or both. See the eight worst-reviewed Apple TV shows and movies below.

This power strip clamps onto your desk and won’t let go [Review] ★★★★☆

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Photo of the Anker Nano Power Strip (10-in-1, 70W, Clamp) used to illustrate a review of the product★★★★☆
Anker's new Nano Power Strip attaches firmly to the edge of your desk.
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

Anker’s new Nano Power Strip (10-in-1, 70W, Clamp) thoughtfully reinvents one of the world’s most common electrical accessories to make it play nice with desks.

It comes with some caveats, but for anyone needing to tame cable clutter, it makes a solid addition to a setup.

Super-slim MagSafe power bank is the best I’ve ever used [Review] ★★★★★

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BMX SolidSafe Air with iPhone 17★★★★★
The BMX SolidSafe Air keeps my iPhone 17 going for an extra day.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The BMX SolidSafe Air is the MagSafe power bank we’ve been waiting for. It’s a mere 0.27 inches (6.88mm) thin — slimmer than the iPhone 17 I tested it with.

The 5,000mAh iPhone accessory features a semi-solid-state cell design to reduce fire risk and a lightweight titanium build.

Here’s why it was such a pleasure to test out. This is the best MagSafe power bank I’ve ever used.

This Ugreen Thunderbolt 5 dock does almost everything right [Review] ★★★★★

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Ugreen Maxidok 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 dock★★★★★
Ugreen's latest Thunderbolt 5 dock delivers on almost every front.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

While most Thunderbolt docks focus on either an expansive port selection or providing great value for money, the Ugreen Maxidok 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 dock offers the best of both worlds — especially with launch discounts that slash 22% off the price.

Plus, it packs a hidden port that solves a common complaint among heavy-duty Mac users. After using it as the centerpiece of my work desk, here’s how it holds up.

Satechi’s new iPad stand does double-duty as 5-port hub [Review] ★★★★

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Satechi OntheGo Foldable Stand Hub with iPad Pro★★★★
Don't settle for an iPad stand or travel hub. Not when Satechi combined them.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Your iPad is fun and relaxing, but it can also be the heart of a compact workstation with the Satechi OntheGo Foldable Stand Hub. This holds up your tablet while simultaneously expanding its connectivity with five additional ports.

It’s so useful in the office, it’s easy to forget the accessory folds down so you can take it with you. Satechi says it’s made for creatives on the move.

I tested the stand+hub in my home office and when traveling. Here’s what I found.

This travel adapter replaces every charger in your bag [Review] ★★★★

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The Tessan Voyager 205W travel adapter is one-of-a-kind.★★★★
The Tessan Voyager 205W travel adapter is one-of-a-kind.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

The Tessan Voyager 205 Universal Travel Adapter combines a global plug adapter with a powerful 205W GaN charger with seven ports. It’s bigger and heavier than your usual travel adapter — but also far more capable.

Does the Voyager deserve a spot in your travel bag? Find out in our review.

The iPhone 17e, now a solid budget phone with minimal compromise [Review] ★★★★

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Pink iPhone 17e sitting on a blue shiny background★★★★
A budget model phone has no business being one of the most gorgeous iPhones ever.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 17e may be a subtle upgrade, but it’s a slight change that makes all the difference. Now with MagSafe, the budget smartphone doesn’t suffer much in the way of compromises. Storage capacity is doubled, making the base model an exceptional choice; the blistering A19 chip is even faster than its predecessor.

Although the lack of a Dynamic Island makes it feel like an older phone than it really is, unless you really care about photography or giant screens, there’s not a lot that seems missing. It’s just as gorgeous as before and still highly practical.

Here’s my full review.

Studio Display XDR is the final boss of all Mac displays [Review] ★★★★★

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The Studio Display XDR showing a space Aerial screensaver★★★★★
The Studio Display XDR is the best monitor that money can buy. But it takes a lot of money.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple’s new flagship desktop display, the Studio Display XDR, is what you get out of a blender when you combine a mini-LED with the high adaptive refresh rate of a MacBook Pro and the 27-inch 5K screen size of the regular Studio Display. 

It’s a brilliant combination. Starting at $3,299, it’s significantly cheaper — and unfortunately a little smaller — than the Pro Display XDR, the $5,000-plus monitor it replaces. However, it supersedes its high-end predecessor in all other specs. Apple made incredibly smart choices about what to include and what to cut.

Ironically, now the $1,599 regular Studio Display is the bunk product in Apple’s monitor lineup. It misses out on the Studio Display XDR’s top new feature — 120 Hz Adaptive Sync. And it’s about twice as expensive as competing monitors from Asus, BenQ and ViewSonic

Now, the Studio Display XDR stands in a class of its own. And for, like, half as much money as Apple’s previous top monitor. 

The MacBook Neo is the fantastic new Mac for the masses [Review] ★★★★☆

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MacBook Neo in Blush and Indigo showing the desktop on a wood table★★★★☆
The two best colors.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The MacBook Neo exceeds all expectations and defies all logic. It’s a $599 computer that’s not slow. The cheap laptop sports a light aluminum unibody with exceptional fit and finish, along with a gorgeous, bright Retina display. It runs on an iPhone chip, yet it’s incredibly fast with unbelievable battery life.

The name itself, Neo, reminds you that this is not a computer made out of spare parts. It’s a bespoke industrial design with a brand-new display and feature set. That feature set excludes things that longtime members of the cult consider quintessential Mac features — a backlit keyboard, an ambient light sensor and a MagSafe connection.

Nonetheless, the MacBook Neo will be a lot of people’s first exposure to the Mac. I wanted to know what their experience will be like — and I think they’ll be very happy.

This great-looking MagSafe iPhone battery is built for life on the go [Review] ★★★★

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Twelve South PowerCapsule review★★★★
The Twelve South PowerCapsule can juice up your iPhone anytime, anywhere.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

When my iPhone battery needs a quick boost, the Twelve South PowerCapsule is ready to keep it going for the rest of the day. It conveniently clings to the handset magnetically so no cable is needed.

As a bonus, the accessory looks great. It closely matches the look of my iPhone 17. And it fits easily in a pocket.

I tested the PowerCapsule in my home and on the go. Here’s how it stands up in real-world use.

Why my new M4 iPad Air is such a meaningful upgrade [Review] ★★★★

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M4 iPad Air review★★★★
With a 2-inch bump in screen size that looks and feels like more, this is a nice upgrade for me.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

The 11-inch Apple M1 iPad Air (5th generation) I used for the past few years was a great device — fast, light, capable and well-integrated into the Apple ecosystem. Yet after just a couple days with the 13-inch iPad Air powered by Apple’s M4 chip, I can say this trade-in for an upgrade isn’t just incremental. It’s the kind of shift that quietly changes the way I use a device.

This beautiful portable monitor doesn’t break the bank [Review] ★★★★

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Espresso Lite 15 portable monitor: Review★★★★
This portable monitor from Espresso Displays can make you more productive.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Espresso Lite 15 portable monitor includes a gorgeous LCD for work or entertainment when you’re away from your usual desk. It’s a more affordable option from a company previously known for premium screens, but it keeps up the quality.

It comes in a range of vibrant case color options, which really helps it stand out from its rivals. Plus, there’s Stand+, a brilliant ergonomic stand that can hold the 15.6-inch, 1080P LCD above your laptop.

I tested the Espresso Lite 15 in my home office and on the road, and came away quite pleased. Here’s why.

Apple: The First 50 Years is the best all-in-one history of Apple [Review] ★★★★★

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Apple: The First 50 Years book sitting on a pine table next to a fake tree★★★★★
A comprehensive history of Apple.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple 50 Years graphic Apple: The First 50 Years by David Pogue is a comprehensive retelling of the most influential tech company in history and the people behind it. The book covers the early hobby projects of teenage Steve Wozniak to Apple Intelligence, and the lifetime’s worth of everything in between, in about 600 pages.

It’s just the right amount of detail and depth to tell the whole story of Apple’s rocketing rise to power, years of tumult and insanely great turnaround. It’s an easy and highly entertaining read. You don’t need a technical or nerdy background at all. And there are hundreds of full-color pictures. 

Apple: The First 50 Years is now the definitive all-encompassing book I would recommend for anyone interested in the company that changed the world … at least three separate times. 

New Belkin 3-in-1 foldable charger gives your iPhone a full 25W [Review] ★★★★

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Belkin UltraCharge 3-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Charger review★★★★
This Belkin charger wirelessly juices up an iPhone at the full 25W, and powers two other Apple devices as well.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Belkin UltraCharge 3-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Charger quickly juices up your iPhone, plus it can power up your Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time. And with a folding design, it can stay on your desk or go on vacation.

I put the multidevice charger to the test in my home office. Here’s how it stood up in real-world use.