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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:

Folder Quick Look fixes an all-time Mac grievance for free [Awesome Apps]

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Folder Quick Look on the Mac App Store
A simple app that solves a big problem.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

Folder Quick Look is a totally free Mac app that scratches an irritating itch the Mac has had for a long time. It lets you preview the contents of a folder when using Quick Look.

It’s a great utility that does one thing, does it perfectly, and doesn’t cost you a dime — it’s free and collects no data! There’s no reason not to try out Folder Quick Look. Find out why it’s an instant must-have Mac utility in our Awesome Apps review below (or watch our video demo of the app).

Halo Collar 5 is simply the best GPS dog tracker [Review] ★★★★★

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Halo Collar 5 review★★★★★
Stop worrying about losing your furry friend — get Halo Collar 5.
Photo: Halo

You won’t find a better way to track your dog than the new Halo Collar 5. It uses GPS to accurately locate your pup anywhere on Earth and can show you the location on your iPhone (or Android). Plus, it offers two days of battery life.

As a bonus feature, you can set up a “fence” so the collar warns your pet to stay in its yard. And you can place virtual fences anywhere you go.

I did real-world testing of the GPS dog tracker and came away very impressed.

This great-looking 4K portable monitor is pleasantly affordable [Review] ★★★★

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QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor review★★★★
The QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor looks beautiful showing video… just not perfect.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The QQH Z12-4 4K Portable Monitor shows that there’s no reason to get a 1080P screen for travel when a 4K one is so affordable. The 15.6-inch screen can make you more productive on business trips, or let you enjoy movies and games on a high-resolution display. All without straining your budget.

Don’t be concerned if you haven’t heard of QQH before. I hadn’t, so I went into this review with a skeptical eye. I tested the 4K portable monitor for weeks with my iPad Pro, and it also supports MacBook and even my iPhone. Here’s why I’m pleased with it.

Especially as there’s a deal that knocks 29% off the cost of the QQH Z12-4.

These 6 apps will change how you use your Mac

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Photo of an M4 MacBook Air sitting on a desk with lights glinting off it, used to illustrate a guide to best Mac utilities.
I can't use my Mac without these utilities.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The best Mac utilities can make a great computer even better. From smarter window management to easier automation and cleaner navigation, a few well-chosen tools can dramatically improve your workflow.

I’m a longtime Mac user, and I can’t do my job without these six essential Mac utilities. In this guide, I’ll show you how they can make everyday tasks faster and simpler.

Anker’s Nano Power Bank is the iPhone battery pack Apple should have made [Review] ★★★★★

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Photo showing Anker Nano Power Bank on back of iPhone 16 Pro in bright yellow silicone case★★★★★
Anker's slender new power bank can give your iPhone the battery boost it needs.
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

With the Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim), thin is definitely in. Measuring just 0.34 inches deep, the Qi2 power bank attaches magnetically to MagSafe iPhones and delivers enough juice to get you through a frantic afternoon on the go.

At just 5,000 mAh, it won’t take modern iPhone batteries all the way to 100%. But it will power up a dead iPhone from zero to 20% in a little over 20 minutes. And it does so while attached comfortably to the phone, without the excessive heat generated by some competing power banks.

Top 10 power banks for Apple users in 2025

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Ugreen MagFlow Qi2.2 power bank
With fast Qi2.2 (25W) wireless charging, faster wired charging and an informative display, this is our top choice.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Ever been stranded with a dead iPhone in a crucial moment? Finding the best power banks for Apple devices can be the difference between staying connected and watching your screen go black. Thankfully, the market is loaded with great portable power banks that can keep your iPhone and other Apple devices powered up on the go. We rounded up the top 10 power banks for Apple users, including two of the fastest Qi2.2 models available so far. 

Apple Watch SE 3 is all the smartwatch you need [Review] ★★★★★

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Apple Watch SE 3 review★★★★★
The Apple Watch SE 3 can probably save you $150.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch SE 3 is a huge upgrade, packing an always-on display, a new processor, fast charging, gesture support and many more improvements. It’s so good that it presents a problem for Apple Watch buyers: is there a reason to pay more to get a Series 11?

After a week with the SE 3, I’m blown away at how much I got for $249. Here’s why.

Why AirPods Pro 3 are my new favorite headphones [Review] ★★★★★

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AirPods Pro 3 and their charging case on a silver aluminum background★★★★★
They look familiar at first glance.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

In testing the latest AirPods Pro 3 for this review, I found Apple’s high-end earbuds deliver remarkable audio quality and practically unbelievable active noise cancellation. Add to that a heart rate monitor that’s on par with the Apple Watch’s sensor, and Apple has made the best earbuds around even better.

The biggest upgrade is the AirPods Pro 3’s new foam-infused ear tips. They help increase the earbuds’ noise cancellation to uncanny levels. Plus, somehow, the audio quality sounds punchier than ever. I get better sound out of Apple’s tiny earbuds than from some over-ear headphones.

Here’s how the AirPods Pro 3 stack up to their predecessors.

iPhone 17 Pro is a powerhouse without functional compromise [Review]

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An iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange, on a desk surrounded by objects with orange accents
The iPhone 17 Pro finally brings some chromatic excitement, and extremely pro features to the lineup.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

For the first time ever, Apple released a Pro iPhone where “pro” means professional, not premium. The wafer-thin iPhone Air swiped the coveted premium device seat this year, but the iPhone 17 Pro still sits at the head of the table.

With its upgraded pro features and a new, no-nonsense design, the iPhone 17 Pro delivers the goods for people who need maximum power.

If you touch an iPhone Air, you’ll want to buy it immediately [Review] ★★★★

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iPhone Air floating in front of a fake palm tree in a beige room★★★★
Light as air.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The iPhone Air is what the people say they’ve been asking for: something new. This is the first iPhone in a long time that will truly shock you when you take it out of the box and hold it in your hand.

That means cutting a few things you’ve come to expect from the iPhone: the second speaker, the second (and third) rear cameras … but also, the thickness and weight. And the more time I spent with the iPhone Air, the more I appreciated what was still there: the super-bright and big display, the improved front camera and, most surprisingly, the battery life.

Here’s my experience switching from the iPhone 16 Pro to the iPhone Air. It’s a path I think you might enjoy taking, too. Keep reading or watch our video review.

Screen and camera upgrades make iPhone 17 Apple’s best base model ever [Review] ★★★★★

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iPhone 17 review★★★★★
The base model iPhone 17 is so good you might forgo the Pro version.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple put an always-on screen in the iPhone 17 and improved the display’s refresh rate to 120 Hz. Plus, the selfie cam got a brilliant new feature. There are plenty of other enhancements too — including double the storage capacity! — which all combine to make Apple’s new base-model iPhone a welcome upgrade for those ready to move up from an aging device.

This is the first time I’ve regularly used a basic iOS model in almost a decade. I’m impressed with what Apple offers for $799. It’s really made me question the need for a Pro model. Here’s why.

See pro photographer’s dramatic high-altitude iPhone 17 Pro pics

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Austin Mann iPhone 17 Pro camera system review
Austin Mann delivered his iPhone 17 Pro camera system review from Italy's Dolomite Mountains.
Photo: Austin Mann

Professional photographer Austin Mann dropped another edition of his annual iPhone Pro camera reviews Wednesday. He took his new iPhone 17 Pro up into northern Italy’s Dolomite Mountains during a biking, cycling and paragliding trip. Stunning photography resulted.

“At Apple’s keynote last week, I was most interested in the new 48-megapixel 4x telephoto lens, the 8x telephoto lens, Center Stage selfie mode, 4K ProRes Log at 120FPS and the new Photographic Style, Bright,” he wrote. “As always, Apple’s presentation is full of flashy new tech, but I always have one question: How will this new tech make our pictures and videos better?”

Find his in-depth video and a link to his full review with many more photos below.

Super-solid Uplift Standing Desk V3 makes all the difference [Review] ★★★★★

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Uplift Standing Desk V3 review★★★★★
Uplift Standing Desk V3 makes the most of my M4 Pro MacBook Pro and dual-display computer setup.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

With my history of back trouble, I relied on standing desks and kneeling chairs way back when you hardly ever saw such things in offices. But since then standing desks have become essential in the modern workspace, offering flexibility and health benefits for anyone who spends long hours at a computer. This Uplift Standing Desk V3 review looks at the latest in Uplift’s well-regarded line of adjustable workstations, released Wednesday. 

In a nutshell, if you can afford it, this thing rocks. And the base version is actually pretty affordable. It’ll lift up any Mac setup in more ways than one. 

Early reviews rave about Apple’s biggest iPhone upgrades in years

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iPhone Series 17 lineup
This year's iPhone lineup includes the iPhone 17 Pro, the super-slim iPhone Air and the "regular" iPhone 17.
Photo: Apple

Early reviews of the iPhone 17 lineup say the 2025 models bring Apple’s most significant generational upgrade in years, despite some caveats here and there.

The series spans four models, each targeting different user priorities, from the newly capable base model to the ultra-thin iPhone Air and the two powerhouse Pro variants.

Apple Watch Series 11 reviews: Nice battery boost but not much more [Updated]

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Apple Watch 11 reviews roundup
Extended battery life is the biggest upgrade over Apple Watch 10.
Photo: Apple

Early reviews of Apple Watch Series 11 seem to agree that while it looks just like its predecessor, this incremental update delivers meaningful improvements in some areas.

The biggest upgrade: longer battery life. But those with an Apple Watch Series 9 or 10 can skip this round unless you really want the six-hour battery boost. Check out review notes and review videos below.

Take 4TB of super-fast USB4 storage anywhere with LaCie Rugged SSD4 [Review] ★★★★★

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LaCie Rugged SSD4 review★★★★★
The LaCie Rugged SSD4 is rugged, fast and holds up 4TB.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The just-launched LaCie Rugged SSD4 from Seagate is for “creators working beyond the four walls of a studio.” It’s designed to stand up to punishment while offering terabytes of storage and USB4 data transfer speeds. That’s fast enough for iPhone Pro users to record ProRes 4K video.

I put the SSD through real-world testing. Here’s how it came out.

AirPods Pro 3 review roundup: A ‘no-brainer upgrade’

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AirPods Pro 3 in use
Reviewers love AirPods Pro 3.
Photo: Apple

Early reviews of AirPods Pro 3 are out, and wow, are they positive. Engadget calls Apple’s latest a “comprehensive update to its best set of earbuds.” Cnet‘s headline perhaps said it best: “Big improvements, same price, no compromises.”

After poring over AirPods Pro 3 reviews from a wide variety of sources, it’s hard to find a negative comment anywhere.

Best iPhone 17 cases you can buy right now

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best cases for iPhone Series 17
With the iPhone 17 models out, you can have your pick of tough and stylish cases.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Totallee

There’s no need to wait: Shop the best iPhone 17 cases available now so you can slide your new device directly into one when it arrives. As you may know, new iPhones are pretty tough. And sure, lots of people go caseless to show off their handset’s sleek lines and cool color.

But imagine you drop it and break it, or crack the edge of the glass without even knowing how it happened — like I did recently with my iPhone 16 Pro (and just weeks ahead of likely trade-in!).

Yes, breakage can be crushing. But fortunately, even though the iPhone lineup 17 just came out, you can already choose from plenty of protective new cases — and avoid my sad fate.

Case makers plan for the new iPhone every year, with plenty of timely new releases. You could go minimal with a thin case that works well with iPhone Air’s sleek design. You might seek extreme impact resistance for the most damaging drops for your iPhone 17, or maybe you’d pick a luxurious leather that only looks better with age. For those looking for durable yet stylish protection for an iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max, you can find a variety of well-crafted options.

We gathered the best iPhone 17 cases you can buy right now — in addition to cases by Apple and its subsidiary Beats — with prices starting as low as $19.

Ugreen MagFlow Qi2.2 power bank juices up iPhone fast [Review] ★★★★★

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Ugreen MagFlow power bank review★★★★★
The battery display, built-in USB-C cable/strap and additional USB-C port all come in handy.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Finding a reliable power bank that actually delivers on its promises isn’t always easy. For this Ugreen MagFlow power bank review, I put the potent, 10,000mAh Qi2.2 power bank through about two weeks of real-world testing with my iPhone and other devices. Whether you’re getting a new iPhone Series 17 model or not, this cutting-edge power bank could be a good choice.

Good-looking iPhone stand also charges Apple Watch and AirPods [Review] ★★★★

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Lululook Ultra-Rise Qi2 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for Apple review★★★★
Simplify your device charging with this iPhone stand from Lululook.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Put your iPhone on the Lululook Ultra-Rise Qi2 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station to charge it at up to 15W, or to watch videos, make calls… whatever you need. Plus, the stand powers up your Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time.

And it looks great on your desk while doing so.

I tested out the multi-device charger in my home office. There’s a lot to like, but there’s a limitation, too.

These are the best games on Apple Arcade

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All The Best Games
These are all the best games on Apple Arcade.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

It’s hard to know where to start on Apple Arcade because the service offers so many titles. But we scoured the catalog and found all the best Apple Arcade games so you can get right to the good stuff.

Check out our latest video or keep reading below to see the best Apple Arcade games. And if you like what you see, you can pick up a subscription here.

Why I love this leather notebook case [Review] ★★★★★

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Casemade Leather Laptop Case★★★★★
The Casemade Leather Laptop Case combines elegant design with a protective wool interior.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Love doesn’t have to be complicated. I can fall for a product just because it’s simply perfect, even though what it does isn’t very complex. That’s what happened with the new Casemade Leather Laptop Case.

It’s made of top-quality cowhide leather, with a wool interior… including a pocket. It zippers closed and cushions the computer without unnecessary bulk.

I’ve been happily carrying my notebook in this case because it’s simply beautiful and designed exactly right for what it does.

Try Røde’s studio-worthy wired on-ear headphones for $99 [Review] ★★★★

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Rode NTH-50 headphones review★★★★
The headphones and cable bring some serious quality.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

While Røde built its reputation on microphones, the Australian company’s first on-ear wired headphones deliver surprising audio quality for everything from studio monitoring to casual listening. This Røde NTH-50 headphones review finds the $99 wired cans challenge what we expect from professional headphones at this price point.

Is Røde’s entrance into the headphone market worth your attention? Let’s find out if these newcomers deserve a spot in your audio setup.

Ingenious iPad charger leaves USB-C available for other accessories [Review] ★★★★★

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Kuxiu M30 Magnetic Smart Connector Charger for iPad Pro/Air★★★★★
Charging your iPad doesn’t mean taking up the USB-C port with the Kuxiu M30.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Kuxiu M30 Magnetic Smart Connector Charger for iPad Pro/Air helps solve the irritating problem of limited iPad ports. It clings to the back of Apple tablets and charges them without taking up the computer’s sole USB-C port. It also reduces wear on the port.

I put the 35W charger through testing in my home office and came away quite satisfied.

And it’s on sale: 20% off!

Supertiny USB-C charger pumps out big power [Review] ★★★★

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Rolling Square Supertiny review★★★★
We went hands-on with the wee little Rolling Square Supertiny.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Rolling Square claims, “Supertiny is the smallest 65W GaN Charger ever.” It’s definitely very small, but can still quickly power up a MacBook or other full-size computer.

I put the claims to the test and came away impressed. I do have one caution, though.