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

Techtober might have come to an finish, however our reviews crew continues to be laborious at work with this fall’s haul of latest units. During the last two weeks, we’ve examined two new Apple merchandise, a strong gaming handheld, some severely spectacular headphones and Meta’s sporty sensible glasses — and that’s simply the beginning. Learn on to atone for all you may’ve missed, together with our picks for the best of 2025.

Apple MacBook Professional M5 (14-inch)

On the subject of 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 await much more muscle from the upcoming M5 Professional and M5 Max chips. “For those who completely want a workhorse MacBook Professional immediately, you may must accept the M4 Professional and M4 Max (that are nonetheless far quicker than the bottom M5 chip),” senior reviews reporter Devindra Hardawar explained. “However for many creatives, the M5 MacBook Professional affords 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
• Fundamental design with plenty of plastic
• Greatest 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 may admire that these aren’t the very best headphones for everybody,” I wrote. “For those who crave the very best sound high quality that also affords the comfort of wi-fi headphones — and also you’re okay with a couple of additional steps — the HDB 630 is a worthy funding. Simply don’t go away dwelling with out that dongle.”

Lenovo Legion Go 2

Lenovo / Engadget

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

Execs

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

Cons

• Costly, particularly the Z2 Excessive mannequin
• Large and ponderous
• Finicky fingerprint sensor

$1,100 at Best Buy

Generally it’s higher to have a utility participant as an alternative of a specialist. In accordance with senior evaluations 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 pricey and ponderous. “Similar to an SUV that may go off-road a couple of times a 12 months, you won’t use the Legion Go 2’s full capabilities on a regular basis, however once you do and all the things 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 admire how Lenovo’s handheld was made to deal with quite a lot 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 major replace for some GPU-powered duties
• Presumably the very best display screen I’ve ever seen
• Extraordinarily skinny and lightweight
• 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 price much more

$1,248 at Amazon

The M5 iPad Professional is spectacular, but it surely’s additionally solely too costly. Whereas the brand new chip affords a large improve, the display screen is superb and quick charging has lastly hit the iPad, this mannequin additionally requires you to spend extra on equipment. “Until you’re going to use it as your most important pc — all day, each day — and know precisely what advantages you’ll get from the iPad over a extra conventional laptop computer, you’re most likely 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 can enchantment 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 form of jittery
• Extra third-party app integrations, please

$499 at Meta

Meta’s sportier collab with Oakley has arrived, with a slew of options that may persuade you to interchange your motion cam with a set of sensible glasses. “For those who’re a devoted bike 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 truly need to share.”

Different latest evaluations

In different evaluations, deputy shopping for recommendation editor Valentina Palladino put the marginally up to date Powerbeats Fit by way of 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 take a look at 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 quite a lot of classes, so there’s a variety of units that made the minimize. Our editors additionally defined why each was the very best in its class, so it is a good alternative to get reacquainted with this 12 months’s crop of devices and providers.