An Apple duo, Sennheiser HDB 630, Lenovo Legion Go 2 and extra

Techtober could have come to an finish, however our reviews crew continues to be onerous at work with this fall’s haul of latest gadgets. Over the past two weeks, we’ve examined two new Apple merchandise, a robust gaming handheld, some significantly spectacular headphones and Meta’s sporty sensible glasses — and that’s simply the beginning. Learn on to atone for all you would possibly’ve missed, together with our picks for the best of 2025.

Apple MacBook Professional M5 (14-inch)

In relation to the brand new M5-powered MacBook Professional, the query isn’t whether or not it’s a succesful machine or not. The actual dilemma is whether or not to purchase now or anticipate much more muscle from the upcoming M5 Professional and M5 Max chips. “In case you completely want a workhorse MacBook Professional as we speak, you will need to accept the M4 Professional and M4 Max (that are nonetheless far sooner than the bottom M5 chip),” senior reviews reporter Devindra Hardawar explained. “However for many creatives, the M5 MacBook Professional gives a powerful stability of energy and portability.”

Sennheiser HDB 630

Sennheiser/Engadget

Sennheiser strikes nearer to open-back efficiency in a set of closed wi-fi headphones with the HDB 630, however they give the impression of being extra midrange than high-end.

Execs

• Excellent sound high quality
• Excessive-res streaming dongle included
• Lossless audio over USB-C
• Extraordinarily lengthy battery life

Cons

• Costly
• Primary design with a number of plastic
• Finest audio efficiency requires additional steps

$500 at Sennheiser

Sennheiser makes use of a USB-C dongle to bridge the hole between wi-fi comfort and audiophile-grade sound high quality with the HDB 630. The issue is that they don’t actually appear like a set of high-end headphones and the $500 asking worth is steep. “Nearly as good because the HDB 630 is sound-wise, I also can respect that these aren’t the most effective headphones for everybody,” I wrote. “In case you crave the most effective sound high quality that also gives the comfort of wi-fi headphones — and also you’re okay with just a few additional steps — the HDB 630 is a worthy funding. Simply don’t depart house with out that dongle.”

Lenovo Legion Go 2

Lenovo / Engadget

Whereas it is not tremendous reasonably priced beginning at $1,100, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 is just like the SUV of gaming handhelds because of its mixture of sturdy efficiency and unmatched adaptability.

Execs

• Good efficiency
• large 8.8-inch OLED show
• Removable controllers and built-in touchpad
• Comes with a case

Cons

• Costly, particularly the Z2 Excessive mannequin
• Huge and hulking
• Finicky fingerprint sensor

$1,100 at Best Buy

Generally it’s higher to have a utility participant as a substitute of a specialist. In line with senior critiques reporter Sam Rutherford, that’s precisely what you get with Lenovo’s Legion Go 2. You encounter nice efficiency from a tool with an enormous 8.8-inch OLED show, however the handheld is dear and hulking. “Identical to an SUV which may go off-road a few times a 12 months, you won’t use the Legion Go 2’s full capabilities on a regular basis, however while you do and every little thing comes collectively, you notice all that utility is not only for present,” he said. “Whereas the ROG Xbox Ally X is the higher worth, I respect how Lenovo’s handheld was made to deal with a wide range of battle circumstances.”

Apple iPad Professional M5 (13-inch)

Apple / Engadget

The iPad Professional stays maybe essentially the most spectacular piece of {hardware} Apple sells, and it’s extra highly effective and succesful than ever. Too unhealthy it’s so extremely costly.

Execs

• M5 chip is a big replace for some GPU-powered duties
• Probably the most effective display screen I’ve ever seen
• Extraordinarily skinny and light-weight
• First iPad with quick charging
• iPadOS 26 is a serious enchancment

Cons

• Prohibitively costly
• Equipment just like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Professional make it value much more

$1,249 at Amazon

The M5 iPad Professional is spectacular, but it surely’s additionally totally too costly. Whereas the brand new chip gives a large improve, the display screen is great and quick charging has lastly hit the iPad, this mannequin additionally requires you to spend extra on equipment. “Except you will use it as your predominant pc — all day, day-after-day — and know precisely what advantages you’ll get from the iPad over a extra conventional laptop computer, you’re in all probability higher off shopping for an iPad Air and saving your self some huge cash,” deputy news editor Nathan Ingraham wrote.

Oakley Meta Vanguard

Engadget

Wraparound frames aren’t for everybody, however the brand new look allows some distinctive capabilities that may attraction to even informal athletes.

Execs

• Higher battery life, audio system and sturdiness than Meta’s different glasses
• Redesigned digital camera makes images and movies extra usable
• Motion button means you are able to do extra with out saying “Hey Meta”

Cons

• Hyperlapse clips are sort of jittery
• Extra third-party app integrations, please

$499 at Meta

Meta’s sportier collab with Oakley has arrived, with a slew of options which may persuade you to switch your motion cam with a set of sensible glasses. “In case you’re a devoted bicycle owner, runner, hiker or [insert outdoor activity of your choice], there’s loads to love,” senior reporter Karissa Bell said. “The digital camera makes much more sense for motion cam-like POV footage, and higher video stabilization means you are extra prone to get pictures you really wish to share.”

Different current critiques

In different critiques, deputy shopping for recommendation editor Valentina Palladino put the marginally up to date Powerbeats Fit by their paces and senior reporter Igor Bonifacic went on a gaming spree with the Fractal Design Scape. Igor additionally spent a while with the Galaxy S25 FE and I check drove Amazon’s fully rebuilt Echo Studio. Senior author Sam Chapman compiled an inventory of the best free VPNs and revealed an in-depth evaluation of Private Internet Access VPN.

Engadget’s better of 2025

In case you missed it, we introduced our best of 2025 earlier this week. We made our picks based mostly solely on the best evaluation scores in a wide range of classes, so there’s a variety of gadgets that made the reduce. Our editors additionally defined why every one was the most effective in its class, so it is a good alternative to get reacquainted with this 12 months’s crop of devices and providers.