Techtober’s curtain may have fallen, but the reviews rage on! Our team’s been wrestling with a cornucopia of autumn’s tech bounty. Think: Apple’s latest unveilings, a gaming handheld that packs a serious punch, headphones that redefine “immersive,” and Meta’s foray into the world of stylish smart specs. And that’s just scratching the surface. Dive in to discover what you missed, and sneak a peek at our crystal ball predictions for the best of 2025.
Apple MacBook Pro M5 (14-inch)
Apple
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100
Expert Score
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
The M5-powered 14-inch MacBook Pro: all the professional pedigree you expect, now turbocharged with a graphics engine that redefines “power.”
Pros
- Faster GPU than M4
- Excellent design
- Wonderful keyboard and trackpad
- Useful port selection
- Long battery life
Cons
- No OLED screen option
- Upgrades can get pricy
$1,538 at Amazon
The M5 MacBook Pro is here, but before you smash that “buy” button, a serious question lingers: jump in now or hold out for the rumored M5 Pro and M5 Max beasts? It’s a classic power-user predicament. As Devindra Hardawar put it, if you’re chained to demanding workflows, the M4 Pro/Max are available and still kings. But for creatives craving a sweet spot of performance and portability, the M5 MacBook Pro might just be the Goldilocks solution you’ve been waiting for.
Sennheiser HDB 630
Sennheiser/Engadget
88
100
Expert Score
Sennheiser HDB 630
The Sennheiser HD 630 BT: Closed-back, Wireless, and Almost Open-Back Amazing. Sennheiser inches toward the airiness of open-back headphones in this wireless, closed-cup design. Forget flashy – these prioritize sound, even if their aesthetic plays it safe in the mid-range.
Pros
- Outstanding sound quality
- High-res streaming dongle included
- Lossless audio over USB-C
- Extremely long battery life
Cons
- Expensive
- Basic design with lots of plastic
- Best audio performance requires extra steps
$500 at Sennheiser
Sennheiser’s HD 630 seeks to harmonize wireless freedom with uncompromising audio fidelity, achieved through a USB-C dongle tether. However, the $500 price tag raises eyebrows, especially considering their understated aesthetics, which fail to scream “high-end.” As I noted previously, while the HD 630 delivers exceptional sound, it’s not a universal fit. If pristine audio quality, untethered from wires, is your paramount desire and you’re willing to embrace a slightly more involved setup the HD 630 justifies the expense. Just remember, that crucial dongle is your sonic lifeline; venturing out without it is a silent tragedy.
Lenovo Legion Go 2
Lenovo / Engadget
85
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Expert Score
Lenovo Legion Go 2
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 doesn’t come cheap, demanding a cool $1,100 to start. But think of it as the SUV of gaming handhelds: raw power meets unparalleled versatility, making it a worthwhile investment for gamers who demand the best of both worlds.
Pros
- Good performance
- massive 8.8-inch OLED display
- Detachable controllers and built-in touchpad
- Comes with a case
Cons
- Expensive, especially the Z2 Extreme model
- Big and bulky
- Finicky fingerprint sensor
$1,100 at Best Buy
Forget specialized tools. The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is your Swiss Army knife of handheld gaming, says senior reviews reporter Sam Rutherford. Packing a massive 8.8-inch OLED display, this beast delivers knockout performance, but be warned: it’s a hefty investment and a bulky companion.
Rutherford likens it to a rugged SUV: “You might not unleash its full potential daily, but when you do, the Legion Go 2 proves its versatility isn’t just for show.” Think of it as ready for anything. While the ROG Xbox Ally X might be easier on your wallet, Rutherford admires the Legion Go 2’s battle-ready design, built to conquer any gaming scenario.
Apple iPad Pro M5 (13-inch)
Apple / Engadget
85
100
Expert Score
Apple iPad Pro M5 (13-inch)
The iPad Pro: Apple’s gleaming, overpowered marvel. A tablet that laughs in the face of laptops… right before your wallet cries.
Pros
- M5 chip is a significant update for some GPU-powered tasks
- Possibly the best screen I’ve ever seen
- Extremely thin and light
- First iPad with fast charging
- iPadOS 26 is a major improvement
Cons
- Prohibitively expensive
- Accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro make it cost even more
$1,249 at Amazon
The M5 iPad Pro: a marvel of engineering, tragically locked behind a paywall. Yes, the chip roars, the screen dazzles, and at long last, fast charging electrifies the experience. But prepare for accessory sticker shock. Is it truly worth the plunge?
Unless you envision the iPad Pro as your daily digital workhorse, eclipsing your laptop entirely, its power remains largely untapped. Deputy News Editor Nathan Ingraham suggests a savvy alternative: Embrace the iPad Air, and let your bank account breathe a sigh of relief. The Pro is impressive, no doubt, but for many, its potential remains an expensive, unrealized dream.
Oakley Meta Vanguard
Engadget
82
100
Expert Score
Oakley Meta Vanguard
Wraparound frames aren’t for everyone, but the new look enables some unique capabilities that will appeal to even casual athletes.
Pros
- Better battery life, speakers and durability than Meta’s other glasses
- Redesigned camera makes photos and videos more usable
- Action button means you can do more without saying “Hey Meta”
Cons
- Hyperlapse clips are kind of jittery
- More third-party app integrations, please
$499 at Meta
Ditch the action cam? Meta and Oakley’s latest collaboration might just have you doing that. Forget bulky gear – these smart glasses are a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts. Imagine capturing your epic bike rides, trail runs, or mountain hikes, all hands-free. According to Karissa Bell, this isn’t just hype: “The camera makes a lot more sense for action cam-like POV footage,” plus, with vastly improved stabilization, you’ll finally get shareable footage worth bragging about. Get ready to see your adventures in a whole new light.
Other recent reviews
This week at Engadget, the team dove headfirst into the latest tech. Valentina Palladino revisited the Powerbeats Fit, finding a welcome sense of déjà vu. Igor Bonifacic traded the keyboard for a controller, exploring the immersive world of the Fractal Design Scape and later, dissecting the iterative Galaxy S25 FE. I cranked up the volume on Amazon’s reimagined Echo Studio. For the security-minded, Sam Chapman navigated the landscape of free VPNs before taking a deep dive into the features of Private Internet Access VPN.
Engadget’s best of 2025
ICYMI: The future is NOW! We dropped our definitive list of theBest of 2025earlier this week (catch the reveal here). Forget fleeting trends; these are the game-changers, crowned based onunflinchingreview scores across every tech category imaginable. Think a curated collection of tomorrow’s must-haves, from groundbreaking gadgets to life-altering services. Curious whythisdevice reigns supreme? Our editors break it all down, revealing the innovation and sheer brilliance that earned each winner its spot. Prepare to be amazed (and maybe update your wish list).
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