The busiest section of the holiday season is just two weeks away and we’re shoring up our reviews library with some of the products that might be on your list. We’ve got another well-rounded round-up this week, spanning multiple product categories and even taking another look at an older device. Read on for everything you might’ve missed.
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple / Engadget
Apple’s entry-level smartwatch has improved so much it basically delivers an experience that’s comparable to pricier Apple Watches.
- Comprehensive featureset for the money
- Relatively slower charging speed
$200 at Amazon
You don’t have to sacrifice as much as you used to if you want to save money on a current Apple Watch. Managing editor Cherlynn Low makes the case for the Apple Watch SE 3, laying out the specific items she missed from the Apple Watch Series 11. “In the end, it wasn’t the features like blood oxygen readings or hypertension notifications that I wanted back,” she explained. “It boiled down to physical components like a brighter display or bigger battery and more durable case that I wanted around for peace of mind.”
Apple Vision Pro M5
Apple
The revamped Apple Vision Pro is faster and more comfortable than the original, but its limited ecosystem still makes it better suited to developers than consumers.
- Faster M5 chip
- Excellent displays
- Hand and eye tracking work well
- Support for PS VR2 controllers
- Expensive
- Limited immersive video and apps
- Relatively heavy
$3,499 at Apple
Apple’s M5 refresh for the Vision Pro is an improvement, but the product still very much feels like it’s in the beta phase. The main problem? Price. “Once again, the Vision Pro feels like a proof of concept — a symbol of what Apple can do when it’s not constrained by traditional screens,” senior reporter Devindra Hardawar said. “But the company’s dream of spatial computing won’t go anywhere until it can deliver cheaper devices.”
DJI Neo 2
DJI/Engadget
DJI has added impressive tech to the Neo 2 that makes it the best personal drone on the market.
- Quieter
- LiDAR obstacle detection
- Fast for a small drone
- Improved battery life
- Impressive gesture controls
- No 10-bit LogM video
- Noise carries
- Subpar low light performance
$250 at DJI
The biggest problem with the DJI Neo drone was its deafening howl, and on the way to (somewhat) fixing that issue, the company added a host of new features for the Neo 2. The result is a highly capable drone that’s now the best budget option. “It retains everything I liked about the Neo, especially the ease of use and safety features,” contributing reporter Steve Dent wrote. “On top of that, it adds a host of useful functions like obstacle protection and, thank goodness, lower noise levels.”
Acer Predator Triton 14 AI
Acer / Engadget
If you prefer beefier rigs, the Predator Triton 14 AI might not be for you. But for anyone who appreciates a truly mobile gaming laptop, Acer’s latest pint-sized system is a triumph.
- Super sleek design
- Innovative cooling
- Colorful OLED display
- Touchpad features stylus support
- Lots of ports
- Sub-optimal speaker positioning
- A bit pricey
$2,500 at Acer
Gaming laptops are rarely actually portable. According to senior reporter Sam Rutherford, Acer has managed to fix that with the Predator Triton 14 AI. “In a lot of ways, this isn’t just a travel-friendly gaming machine, it’s a true do-everything ultraportable,” he explained.
OnePlus 15
OnePlus / Engadget
If you don’t mind a slightly underbaked camera, the OnePlus 15 is tremendous, offering among the best displays, performance and battery life you can find on a phone right now.
- Fast processor and display
- Long-lasting battery
- 80W charger included in the box
- Cameras could be better
- Derivative design
- Only four years of OS updates
$900 at OnePlus
There’s a lot to like about the OnePlus 15, including the processor, display and battery. What you have to contend with is a basic design and subpar cameras. “If you’re okay with a worse camera overall, the OP15 has a lot going for it, and provided OnePlus can successfully navigate an uncertain tariff regime, it will end up not just one of the best phones of 2025 but much of 2026 too,” senior reporter Igor Bonifacic said.
Other reviews you might have missed
Those devices aren’t all we’ve been testing over the last two weeks. I spent some time with Bowers & Wilkins’ luxurious Px8 S2 headphones. Reviews contributor James Trew put the Rodecaster Video S through its paces and deputy editor Nathan Ingraham met Alexa+ via the Echo Dot Max. Senior editor Daniel Cooper is keeping tabs on Framework’s modular, upgradable PCs and he reviewed the 2025 update for the Laptop 16.
Speaking of laptops, senior reporter Amy Skorheim took on the rare feat of reviewing a laptop charger, proclaiming the Anker Laptop Power Bank as an outstanding option for your gear bag. Sony recently gave the PlayStation Portal a big upgrade, so Devindra had a third review stint with the two-year-old gaming handheld.
