Tested with 9to5Toys: Reviews of everyday essentials

Welcome to Tested with 9to5Toys, your home for reviews and hands-on coverage of everyday essentials. From charging cables, batteries, and cases, to Mac accessories, and more, you’ll find our thoughts on products you case use each day.

At 9to5Toys we regularly feature the best prices on products we ourselves use. This is where you’ll find all of our thoughts on the latest products from mainstream brands like Anker, Aukey, Satechi, Twelve South, and many more. Those add-on products that we all need to make our lives a little bit easier. However, some times find a trusted source with hands-on experience with these products can be hard to find.

That’s where Tested with 9to5Toys comes in.

Tested: Are flash drives still useful? Here’s our hands-on impressions of the new PNY Elite-X USB 3.2 model

Justin Kahn - Jan 19th 2024 12:43 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

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Today we are testing out the latest PNY Elite-X USB-C flash drive. As a regular user of both portable SSD storage and cloud options, I thought it would be a good idea to put one of these old school-style flash drives to the test for a month or so to see if it was even useful. PNY’s latest release landed at the tail end of 2023 and I immediately thought to myself, are these tiny drives still something that can come in handy? Head below for our hands-on impressions.

Tested: Anker’s first 3-in-1 Qi2 charger packs 15W MagSafe into an ultra-compact design

Rikka Altland - Jan 18th 2024 11:55 am PT @rikkaaltland

Best of 9to5Toys Tested with 9to5Toys News Anker Reviews

Buy now $110

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Anker’s first wave of new Qi2 chargers have officially begun shipping after months of waiting. I’ve been trying out a few of them for the past few weeks, and out of everything, the new MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station has been my favorite. It’s the first from the company, and has won me over by shipping all the bells and whistles like 15W MagSafe, Apple Watch fast charging, and a compact build – all for $110.

Tested: Upgrade your work surface with Harber London’s handmade leather desk mats

Justin Kahn - Jan 15th 2024 12:56 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys News Reviews Harber London

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After getting a chance to go hands-on with the Harber London leather tech pouch, iPhone 15 sleeves, and more, we thought it would be a good idea to also check out its leather desk mats. The brand, for those unfamiliar, handcrafts gorgeous leather goods covering just about all tech accessory categories, and now it’s time to give its at-home or office space work surface accoutrement a run for its money. Head below for our hands-on impressions of the Harber London Leather Desk Mat.

Tested: Secure your new accessories in Harber London’s sumptuous Leather Tech Dopp Kit

Justin Kahn - Dec 26th 2023 9:35 am PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Harber London

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Today we are taking a hands-on look at the Harber London Leather Tech Dopp Kit. We have come away impressed with the brand’s higher-end leather carriers this year, including its MacBook backpacks, MacBook sleeve, as well as the iPhone 15 leather pouches, and now it’s time to test out the brand’s tech accessory solution. Head below for our hands-on impressions of the Harber London Leather Tech Dopp Kit as part of the latest entry in the Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Tested: Read this before you buy a SANDMARC leather MagSafe wallet [Deal]

Justin Kahn - Dec 21st 2023 1:12 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Smartphone Accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews SANDMARC

Hands-on 10% off

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After getting a chance to go hands-on with the brand’s gorgeous leather iPhone 15 case, it’s time to weigh-in on the new SANDMARC Leather MagSafe wallet. The brand unleashed its very first foray into the leather MagSafe wallet business at the tail end of September, shortly after the debut of the new series 15 handsets, to expand its growing lineup of iPhone accessories. Considering how much I love its leather iPhone cases I had high hopes for the new wallet add-on, but you’ll definitely want to review our hands-on impressions below before dropping any cash down on one.

Tested: Hands-on with MUJJO’s genuine leather and microfiber MagSafe wallet…it’s a good one

Justin Kahn - Dec 13th 2023 1:30 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Smartphone Accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews MUJJO

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After getting a chance to try out the brand’s new iPhone 15 cases, it’s now time to give the MUJJO leather MagSafe wallet a run for its money. The brand issued some new iPhone case colorways this year and, in turn, did the same for its leather MagSafe wallets that match perfectly. We came away pleased with the brand’s iPhone 15 cases this year, and now it’s time to see if its leather MagSafe wallets can leave us with the same impression. Head below for the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Tested: Anker’s new 250W USB-C Prime Power Bank is the ultimate MacBook battery pack

Rikka Altland - Dec 11th 2023 12:32 pm PT @rikkaaltland

Tested with 9to5Toys News Anker

Buy now $180

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Anker launched its most capable personal power banks yet earlier in the year with the new Prime lineup. These hefty portable chargers fully embraced GaN tech in order to serve as the ultimate way to refuel your entire Apple kit away from home – and yes, even your shiny new M3 MacBook Pro. I’ve been so improved by the 27,650mAh model with its 250W power output and companion charging dock.

Tested: SANDMARC’s metal and leather iPhone 15 cases – my personal favorite option [Deal]

Justin Kahn - Dec 8th 2023 12:37 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Smartphone Accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews SANDMARC

From $45

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It’s time to go hands-on with the SANDMARC leather iPhone 15 cases. The brand took home my pick for the best leather iPhone case last year and, not to completely spoil the review here, it might very well again. SANDMARC’s cases have quickly become one of the more popular options among 9to5 readers and for good reason. They deliver real genuine leather covers with metal button covers and look great doing it – not to mention the unique metal camera array cover on the back. Head below for our hands-on impressions of this year’s SANDMARC leather iPhone 15 case collection.

Tested: elago’s new MagSafe stand delights with a StandBy-first build and Macintosh design

Rikka Altland - Dec 7th 2023 1:00 pm PT @rikkaaltland

Tested with 9to5Toys News

Buy now $27

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elago launched a new MagSafe charging stand last month, bringing its fascination with the classic Macintosh to your setup as an iPhone 15 companion. I just had to have it, for the past week or so it’s been hanging out on my nightstand as my overnight docking station. With a design that is geared towards StandBy mode, I take a closer look at if this accessory is worth its homage to Apple’s old school Mac.

Tested: Spigen’s latest 2-in-1 MagSafe charging station delivers reliable StandBy action at $40

Justin Kahn - Nov 15th 2023 1:05 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Smartphone Accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Spigen

20% off

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Today we are taking a closer look at Spigen’s latest affordable MagSafe charging stand. The new Spigen ArcField Dual debuted shortly before the launch of its epic iMac-style iPhone 15 MagSafe case as another piece of notable bang for your buck tech for folks not looking to spend over $100 or more for a desktop or nightstand charging station. Ready to support your StandBy habits and daily desktop charging needs, we have been putting the new ArcField Dual through its paces over the last couple weeks to see if it was actually worth spending the $40 on it or not. Head below for the latest entry in the Tested with 9to5Toys series to find out.

Tested: Harber London’s leather iPhone 15 covers are utterly gorgeous, if you’re into the sleeve vibes

Justin Kahn - Nov 9th 2023 1:07 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Smartphone Accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Harber London

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After recently going hands-on with the brand’s gorgeous M3 MacBook-ready leather and wool felt magnetic sleeve as well as its luxurious leather backpacks, we thought it was time we gave the Harber London leather iPhone 15 sleeves a run for their money. Available in a range of styles and colors, Harber London has decided to side-step the usual case form factor altogether, instead offering up a series of premium leather sleeves for your latest Apple device to rest in. And as beautiful as they indeed are, the real question is whether or not that sleeve form factor is going to work for your needs anyway. Head below for our hands-on review of the new Harber London leather iPhone 15 sleeves.

Tested: Hands-on with CASETiFY’s wicked new official Disney Villain iPhone 15 cases

Justin Kahn - Nov 6th 2023 12:57 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Smartphone Accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews CASETiFY

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Today, we are taking a closer look at the new CASETiFY Disney Villains iPhone 15 cases. The brand has quickly become one of the biggest out there, and its Co-Lab crossover collaborations with major IP, from Spider-Man and Evangelion to Star Wars: The Mandalorian and now Disney’s most wicked villains, is just one of the major reasons. The brand has been developing wonderful, if not a little bit pricey, iPhone, Samsung, and Google handset cases for years, but there’s something about its officially licensed editions that stand out from the crowd. Head below for some hands-on impressions of the new CASETiFY Disney Villains iPhone 15 cases.

Tested: Is the ‘world’s first 4-in-1’ MagSafe MacBook sleeve from Journey actually useful?

Justin Kahn - Nov 3rd 2023 1:01 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

mac accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Journey

20% off

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Today, we are taking a hands-on look at the new Journey NEXA MacBook sleeve with MagSafe charging. Just recently unveiled by the brand as the “world’s first 4-in-1” MacBook sleeve, it not only charges two devices at once, but it also houses your laptop and doubles as a MacBook sleeve. The question is, does anyone actually need this sort of thing? Well, the short answer is yes, some folks might. But you’ll want to read on to see if you’re one of them.

Tested: Peak Design’s Action Button-less fabric iPhone 15 cases + FREE store credit program

Justin Kahn - Nov 2nd 2023 1:09 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Smartphone Accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Peak Design

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Today, we are taking a hands-on look at the new Peak Design Everyday fabric iPhone 15 cases. The brand is back again this year with an updated design of its Everyday case, this time with some new color options in the form of a nice Midnight Blue, a Sun yellow, and Redwood brown treatment. The MagSafe case also features a bonus SlimLink connector to integrate with the rest of the brand’s accessories alongside metal buttons, but you’ll most definitely want to head below for more details on those before dropping any cash down. Our hands-on review of the new Peak Design Everyday fabric iPhone 15 case awaits after the jump.

Tested: Harber London’s gorgeous M3 MacBook-ready leather and wool felt magnetic sleeve

Justin Kahn - Oct 31st 2023 12:44 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

mac accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Harber London

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After debuting its new iPhone 15 sheaths, Harber London’s leather MacBook sleeves are now ready to protect and carry your Apple laptop in style, be it the new M3 models or an older machine (basically all 13-, 14-, 15-, and 16-inch models). Today we are focusing in on the Harber London Magnetic Envelope Sleeve for MacBook, as that is the model I have been testing out for a couple weeks here, but much of my impressions will apply to all of the designs in the brand’s leather MacBook sleeve lineup. The short form version here is that it is a gorgeous and luxurious option that, while indeed a bit pricey, could have been a lot more so. Head below for our hands-on impressions of the Harber London magnetic MacBook sleeve as part of our ongoing Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Tested: Anker’s Prime 240W USB-C charger should be a day-one buy for M3 MacBook owners

Rikka Altland - Oct 31st 2023 12:31 pm PT @rikkaaltland

Tested with 9to5Toys News Anker Reviews

Buy now $200 or less

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Apple is fully embracing USB-C with just about all of its latest devices and accessories, and Anker’s new Prime 240W charger has been the perfect power station to ease the transition. With dynamic power allocation and a dedicated 140W USB-C port, this is perfect for the new M3 MacBooks, iPhone 15, and any other gear you can throw at it.

Tested: Hands-on with Alto’s exotic wooden iPhone 15 cases and laser-engraving technique

Justin Kahn - Oct 30th 2023 12:53 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Smartphone Accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Alto

15% off $45

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Today, we are heading out into the woods for our hands-on review of the new Alto wooden iPhone 15 cases. Complete with sustainably sourced natural wood treatments, customers can also make use of the brand’s unique laser-engraving technique to customize the wooden panel with one of the preset designs or one entirely unique to them by way of the online uploader tool. After adding some new wood types this year and landing in our roundup of the best iPhone 15 cases, it’s time to serve up some hands-on impressions of the new Alto wooden iPhone 15 cases as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys.

Tested: UAG’s latest protective cases bring the armored military vibes to iPhone 15

Justin Kahn - Oct 27th 2023 12:58 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Smartphone Accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews UAG

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Today, we are serving up some hands-on impressions of the new UAG protective iPhone 15 cases. The brand’s military-grade solutions launched shortly after the iPhone 15 did for folks looking to add some extra protection to their shiny new Apple handset with designs coming straight out of Orange County, California. With several different models to choose from across various price ranges, starting at $40 shipped, anyone into the more armored military-like vibes will want to scope out our impressions of the new UAG protective iPhone 15 cases down below.

Tested: Anker’s new Nano Power Bank with USB-C is my favorite portable iPhone 15 charger

Rikka Altland - Oct 26th 2023 1:24 pm PT @rikkaaltland

Tested with 9to5Toys News Anker Reviews

Buy now $30

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I have a new favorite iPhone 15 charger – at least when it comes to a portable solution. Anker’s new Nano Power Bank is as compact as they come, and now is even more versatile with the adoption of USB-C.

Tested: Check out Longvadon’s elegant Caiman crocodile-style leather Apple Watch Bands [Deal]

Justin Kahn - Oct 26th 2023 9:18 am PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Longvadon

Now live 20% off

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Today we are taking a hands-on look at the Longvadon leather crocodile Apple Watch bands known as the Caiman series, just in time for the sitewide Halloween sale to go live. The brand, a new one to us around here, just recently updated its croc-style leather strap collection with the new Double Tour wrap around-style strap so we thought we would give them a hands-on look to see if they are nice in person as they are in pictures. Looking to add a serious touch of elegance to any Apple wearable, dive in below for our hands-on impressions of the Longvadon leather crocodile Apple Watch bands.

Tested: Neatly stow your gear in Aer’s new Pro Kit tech accessory organizer pouch

Justin Kahn - Oct 25th 2023 12:41 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Aer

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After coming away impressed with some of the brand’s other carriers, when Aer launched its new Pro Kit tech organizer, I was keen to get my hands on it, and that is I have done. For the past few weeks, I have been putting the new tech accessory pouch to the test both on the road and at home to see if its price of entry is worth it or not. You can check out my hands-on impressions down below as part of the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Tested: Is Samsung’s new 2,000MB/s USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 T9 Portable SSD worth the price tag?

Justin Kahn - Oct 23rd 2023 1:03 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

mac accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Samsung Reviews

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The next-generation Samsung T9 Portable SSD was officially unleashed on the world at the beginning of the month. The previous-generation 1,050MB/s T7 and T7 Shield were among some of the most popular options among 9to5Toys readers, and Samsung has now updated the internals and specs to deliver its very first USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 and (potentially) much faster speeds. The question is, how many users out there have the gear to actually take advantage of this tech at this point? Head below for some hands-on impressions of the new Samsung T9 Portable SSD as part of our Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Tested: Every nightstand should have Anker’s new Nano 67W USB-C charging station

Rikka Altland - Oct 20th 2023 12:58 pm PT @rikkaaltland

Tested with 9to5Toys News Anker

Buy now $66 or less

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Not enough chargers these days have cords that give you a little extra slack away from the wall outlet. But Anker’s new Nano 67W Charging Station does, and that’s why it has earned itself a spot on my bedside table as the perfect nightstand charing solution.

Tested: A closer look at the perforated leather and canvas Incipio cru iPhone 15 cases

Justin Kahn - Oct 17th 2023 1:38 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Incipio

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In our continued hands-on coverage of this year’s broad range of covers for Apple’s latest handsets, next up, we have the Incipio cru iPhone 15 cases. After the initial launch and landing in our roundup of the best iPhone 15 cases, the new 2023 Incipio collection has arrived with a completely new lineup known as “cru.” Featuring fresh new designs with various patterns and material inlays to choose from, we have now had enough time to put them to practice in real-life situations and weigh in accordingly. Head below for the latest entry in the Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Tested: ZAGG’s Pro Stylus 2 with magnetic iPad charging is a far better value than Apple Pencil

Rikka Altland - Oct 17th 2023 12:39 pm PT @rikkaaltland

Tested with 9to5Toys News Reviews Zagg

Buy now $61

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Earlier this summer, ZAGG launched its new Pro Stylus 2 for iPad. I’ve been using it for the past few months as my iPad Pro companion of choice, but today’s reveal from Apple with a new and more affordable Apple Pencil has me even more ready to share thoughts about how good the experience is.

Tested: Caseology delivers affordable iPhone 15 cases worth your time starting from just $10

Justin Kahn - Oct 6th 2023 12:51 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Smartphone Accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Caseology

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We are now ready to take a look at the Caseology iPhone 15 cases that launched in mid September. The brand comes under the Spigen fold to deliver some affordable alternatives for Apple’s latest handsets. We have featured Caseology for years for that very reason and its latest collection continues that trend after landing in our roundup of the best iPhone 15 cases. Now after giving a few of the models a run for their money over the last week or so, some clear standouts have emerged and we are ready to weigh in as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys feature.

Tested: Bellroy makes nice leather iPhone 15 cases, but you’ll have to wait for the Action Button cover

Justin Kahn - Oct 4th 2023 1:25 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Smartphone Accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Bellroy

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Bellroy unleashed its 2023 leather iPhone 15 cases shortly after the latest Apple handsets debuted on stage, and now it is time to take a closer look. The latest from Bellroy offers fans of Apple’s now defunct leather solutions an option for wrapping iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max in genuine leather despite Cupertino’s move over to the divisive FineWoven treatment. New colorways and similar treatment as last year’s offering are back again for the latest Apple handsets, but are they worth the cash? Head below to find out in the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Tested: SANDMARC makes the best steel and titanium Apple Watch bands I have ever seen [Exclusive deal]

Justin Kahn - Oct 3rd 2023 9:56 am PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews SANDMARC

10% off

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It’s time go hands-on with SANDMARC’s beautiful titanium Apple Watch bands. After the release of its more affordable stainless steel variants and just before the launch of its amazing new iPhone 15 cases, SANDMARC unleashed a high-end take on the Apple Watch Ultra bracelet-style strap. And not to spoil this entire review, it’s absolutely gorgeous. Made from Grade 4 titanium and now joining its stainless steel models, head below for a closer look and some hands-on impressions of the SANDMARC Titanium Apple Watch Ultra Band – you’ll also find an exclusive discount.

Tested: Hands-on with Spigen’s translucent vintage iMac-style iPhone 15 MagSafe case

Justin Kahn - Oct 2nd 2023 10:02 am PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Spigen

20% off

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Spigen’s 2023 cover collection debuted shortly after the Apple handsets did, but the brand took everyone by surprise when it revived its C1 collection to deliver the epic new iMac iPhone 15 cases. Featuring a design directly inspired by Apple’s tear drop iMac circa 1998, it delivers a semi see-through approach and a heavy dose of nostalgia for iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users. We have now had a chance top test it out hands-on wrapped around the iPhone 15 Pro and are ready to weigh in as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys review below.

Tested: Is the Oakywood natural wood and steel Headphone Charging Stand worth the $100 price tag?

Justin Kahn - Sep 29th 2023 1:20 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Oakywood

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Today, we are taking a closer look at the Oakywood 2-in-1 Headphone Charging Stand. The brand is known for its use of natural materials mixed with robust metal accents, much like the MagSafe stand collection and desk shelf we reviewed previously, and the 2-in-1 Headphone Charging Stand lands on your work surface with much the same attention to detail. I have always been a fan of office and tech accessories with this sort of design approach and thought it was time to see if Oakywood’s 2-in-1 solution is worthy of carrying my headphones of choice. Head below for some hands-on impressions.

Tested: Spigen returns with some of the best bang for your buck iPhone 15 cases in 2023

Justin Kahn - Sep 28th 2023 1:04 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Smartphone Accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Spigen

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Spigen’s iPhone cases have been featured around for years, and for good reason. They provide good quality covers for the price and offer a ton of different style options to meet a wide range of needs without breaking the bank. The new iPhone 15 collection looked to be much of the same as year’s past at launch and, after giving a number of the cases a run since my iPhone 15 arrived, I can personally back up these initial impressions for the latest models. Head below for some more hands-on details and a look at some of our favorite options in the lineup.

Tested: Anker’s new 10,000 mAh power bank is perfect for iPhone 15 with integrated USB-C cable

Rikka Altland - Sep 26th 2023 1:20 pm PT @rikkaaltland

Best of 9to5Toys Tested with 9to5Toys News Anker Reviews

Buy now $50

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Revealed just last month, Anker launched a new collection of gear in anticipation of Apple’s switch to USB-C for iPhone 15. The new handsets have officially arrived with that universal port in tow, and today, we’re taking a hands-on look at what is now an essential part of my everyday carry. Meet the new Anker Nano USB-C Power Bank.

Tested: MUJJO wraps your iPhone 15 completely in genuine leather with clicky metal buttons

Justin Kahn - Sep 26th 2023 12:30 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys News Reviews MUJJO

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It is now time to take a closer look at the MUJJO leather iPhone 15 cases. The brand sat somewhere at the top of the heat in the category last year and is once again in 2023. With Apple’s leather covers going the way of the Dodo this year, brands like MUJJO offer up some of the only ways to wrap your new device in a proper leather cover. The same collection we reviewed last year is making a return for iPhone 15 alongside a new burgundy colorway and the all-new Shield model that combines leather and recycled plastic for a more protective option in the lineup. Head below for our hands-on review of the new MUJJO leather iPhone 15 case as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys.

Tested: Hands-on with Samsung’s brand new flagship 200MB/s PRO Ultimate microSD cards

Justin Kahn - Sep 18th 2023 11:00 am PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys News Samsung Reviews

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After going hands-on with the latest PRO Plus lineup earlier this year, the brand new Samsung PRO Ultimate microSD card lineup was unveiled late last month, and it’s now time to weigh in. The new lineup enters as the brand’s fastest consumer memory cards out there, giving the best options from other storage brands a run for their money at notable price tags. We have had a chance to test out the 256GB model along with the USB card reader for a couple of weeks, and now we are ready to dish up some impressions as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys review.

Tested: Aer’s new City Tote Bag carries it all, including your MacBook and iPad

Justin Kahn - Sep 8th 2023 9:32 am PT @justinkahnmusic

mac accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Aer

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It’s time to take a closer look at the new Aer City MacBook Tote bag that launched for the first time a couple weeks ago. It came alongside the brand’s new Dopp Kit 3 and just after we reviewed its Travel Pack 3 as the latest addition to the brand’s City collection. Designed as an all-in-one universal tote bag, it cradles your MacBook and iPad alongside whatever else you might need to lug around or pick up while running errands. While I was a big fan of its Day Sling 3 – it quickly landed in our roundup of the best sling packs out there – it’s time to put the new City MacBook Tote bag through its paces for review as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys feature.

Tested: Make sure this solid metal 2,800MB/s OWC Envoy PRO portable SSD is on your radar

Justin Kahn - Aug 24th 2023 9:15 am PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews OWC

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We feature loads of different portable SSD options around here, but there are so many out there a few models will inevitably slip between the cracks and the OWC Envoy PRO portable SSD is one of them that really shouldn’t. Clocking in with pro-grade speeds faster than most of the competition out there and a build quality reminiscent of the robust metal offerings we have seen from the brand time and time again, the OWC Envoy PRO portable SSD should be on your radar and we have recently been giving it a run for its premium price tag to see if it’s worth the cash.

Tested: Aer Travel Pack 3 doubles as a MacBook backpack and a carry-on suitcase

Justin Kahn - Aug 23rd 2023 9:15 am PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Aer

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After coming away impressed with the brand’s Day Sling 3 bag, I was expecting much of the same when it came to the Aer Travel Pack 3 hybrid carry-on backpack and that, for the most part, is exactly what happened. The brand’s TP3 sits somewhere between a larger backpack and a carry-on suitcase – something that, at least on paper, is just what I need for most of my travels – and features plenty of organization pockets, carrying options, and a mostly subtle design aesthetic free of ugly logos and branding. Needless to say, despite not being exactly perfect, I do like this thing quite a lot. Head below for a closer look to find out if it’s right for you in our hands-on Tested with 9to5Toys review of the Aer Travel Pack 3.

Tested: Sennheiser HD 660S2 Headphones – wonderful hi-fi sound with brilliant mid-range response

Justin Kahn - Aug 22nd 2023 9:15 am PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Sennheiser

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The Sennheiser HD 660S2 audiophile-grade headphones launched earlier this year and it’s time to put them through their paces for review. I am, admittedly, not overly picky when it comes to these sorts of hi-fi cans. I can certainly appreciate the sound quality, but not I’m not type to spend thousands on a pair of cans and that’s where the Sennheiser HD 660S2 come in. They, at least for me, seem to hit the sweet spot between really high-quality sound reproduction without being so expensive than I just can’t bother caring all that much. And I’m happy to say I’ve come away (mostly) quite impressed with the experience thus far. Head below for a deep dive into our time with the Sennheiser HD 660S2 headphones.

Tested: Anker’s new Nano Lightning Power Bank is better late than never

Rikka Altland - Aug 8th 2023 1:12 pm PT @rikkaaltland

Tested with 9to5Toys News Anker

$30

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Anker just launched its new Nano Lightning Power Bank. It’s a simple and yet equally peculiar charging accessory for iPhone 14, with a compact build, 5,000mAh internal battery, and the signature fold out Lightning connector. All of which are reasons why it hasn’t left my everyday carry since I unboxed it.

Tested: Grovemade’s desktop Note-Taking bundle is utterly gorgeous, but is it useful?

Justin Kahn - Aug 4th 2023 12:54 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Grovemade

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Grovemade introduced its latest collection of desk accessories in mid July, and we have been testing it out ever since. This time around it is offering customers the new Display Rail for perching up notes, smartphones, and the new Notebook that also debuted in the bundle. A small Vertical Organizer is also making its debut with the Note-Taking Kit to organize paperwork and things of that nature. All of it, as anyone who knows the brand will have guessed, is beautifully crafted from natural and premium materials, but is it actually useful? Dive into our hands-on review as part of our ongoing Tested with 9to5Toys series below to find out.

Tested: Samsung’s latest 180MB/s PRO Plus microSD is another competitively priced workhorse

Justin Kahn - Jul 31st 2023 1:22 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys Samsung Reviews

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It’s now time to take a closer look at the latest model Samsung PRO Plus microSD cards. The brand’s storage business has had a solid run over the last couple years delivering the T7 Shield portable SSD we went hands-on with previously – an updated version of the standard issue T7 that’s easily one of the most popular models among 9to5Toys readers – alongside its popular range of microSD cards. Earlier this year back in April it refreshed its top-of-the-line memory cards with the latest-generation PRO Plus models, pushing the transfer speed capabilities to keep up with the competition and once again offering tech users another compelling choice for gaming consoles, Android handsets, camera rigs, and more. Head below for a closer look at the latest Samsung PRO Plus microSD memory cards in the latest addition to the ongoing Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Tested: Hands-on with Plugable’s new USB4/Thunderbolt Dual Monitor Dock [Deal]

Justin Kahn - Jul 28th 2023 12:39 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

mac accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Plugable

Reg. $200 $185

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Plugable, a brand known for producing well-made and competitively-priced docking stations, hubs, and more, unleashed its latest Thunderbolt 4/USB4 dock last week, and it’s time for some hands-on impressions. Its latest comes in the form of an 11-port hub complete with USB4 specs for Windows users, Thunderbolt 4 action, dual HDMI display support (more on this below), card readers, and just about everything else you might expect from something in this category. Alongside an ongoing launch price drop on Amazon, we have now had a chance to give the new Plugable USB-C Docking Station a run for its currently discounted money and we are now ready to hit you with the latest entry in the ongoing Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Tested: Belkin’s new BoostCharge Pro is the perfect Apple Watch travel companion with built-in fast charger

Rikka Altland - Jul 27th 2023 1:09 pm PT @rikkaaltland

Best of 9to5Toys Tested with 9to5Toys News Reviews

Buy now $100

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Earlier this year, Belkin launched a new addition to its lineup that looks to simplify traveling with your Apple Watch. The new Belkin BoostCharge Pro at first glance looks to arrive with some pretty unremarkable specs at first glance – 10,000mAh batteries with 20W USB-C are hardly anything to be excited about. But where the new release does standout from everything else on the market is the built-in Apple Watch fast charger.

Tested: Aer’s Day Sling 3 bag takes your EDC tech organization up a notch

Justin Kahn - Jul 14th 2023 9:30 am PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Aer

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One thing we take pretty seriously around here is our EDC kits. I, for one, am always on the hunt for the best possible way to carry my day-to-day tech as well as something that can support traveling abroad, day trips, and things of that nature. In need of a new crossbody or belt bag-style solution and after hearing more and more about the brand Aer over the last few months, I decided to test out its Day Sling 3 to see if it was up to the task. Head below for our hands-on review of the Day Sling 3 as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys.

Tested: Journey’s sturdy new EZMO vegan leather MagSafe kickstand wallet [Deal]

Justin Kahn - Jul 3rd 2023 12:49 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Smartphone Accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews Journey

20% off $56

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Today we are taking a hands-on look at Journey’s new vegan leather MagSafe kickstand wallet for iPhone 12, 13, and 14 users. After getting a chance to go hands-on with its 3-in-1 MagSafe charging stand boasting a removable USB-C Apple Watch charger and the unique ALTI MagSafe charging desk mat before that, we thought we would give the brand’s new EZMO wallet a run for its money. It marks the first time the brand has stepped into the MagSafe card carrier category, and now it’s time to see how it stacks up alongside a 20% discount. Head below for our review of the new Journey Ezmo vegan leather MagSafe kickstand wallet in the latest entry of Tested with 9to5Toys.

Tested: Totallee’s new 100% recycled logo-free MagSafe AirPods cases with a clean matte finish

Justin Kahn - Jun 26th 2023 12:47 pm PT @justinkahnmusic

Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews totallee

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It’s time to take a closer look at the new Totallee matte AirPods cases that debuted back in early May of this year. Once again delivering on the branding-free minimalist approach we have seen on its iPhone cases for years, the new Totallee AirPods cases feature a similar vibe in three different colorways with models available for both the latest AirPods Pro 2 and the 3rd generation of the standard model Apple earbuds. We had a chance to give them a try over the last couple weeks and it’s time to let everyone know how it all went in the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series down below.

Tested: Carry thousands of sounds anywhere with IK’s Tonex smart FX guitar pedal and interface

Justin Kahn - Jun 13th 2023 11:00 am PT @justinkahnmusic

Smartphone Accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews IK Multimedia

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IK expanded its AmpliTube amp and guitar tone creation ecosystem earlier this year with the Tonex Pedal. A hardware multi-FX stomp box unit made to allow guitar players and sound designers to load up and design their own amp and tone rigs onto a stage- and studio-ready unit, it also doubles as an audio interface for recording and is backed up by thousands of premade amps patches. We have had a chance to crank this thing up to 11 over the past few weeks, and it’s time to break down the experience for folks interested in this sort of hybrid guitar sound design experience as part of the latest entry to our Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Tested: OWC’s 11-port Thunderbolt 4 Go Dock is built like a tank and performs even better

Justin Kahn - Jun 9th 2023 7:14 am PT @justinkahnmusic

mac accessories Tested with 9to5Toys Reviews OWC

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First unveiled at CES 2023 earlier this year, it’s time to take a closer look at the OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock – the “first full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power adapter.” OWC is one of the better Apple gear accessory brands out there, from docks and hubs to memory solutions, portable storage, and more. Much of its gear borders on enterprise-grade quality that carries over to its consumer and prosumer lines in the best way possible. Just about every piece of kit from the brand I have got my hands on over the years has impressed me in terms of overall build quality and performance, and the Thunderbolt Go Dock is no exception. But now, after getting a few weeks to put it through its paces, let’s dive in and take a closer look to see if it’s right for your setup. Head below for our hands-on review of the OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock as part of the latest entry in the Tested with 9to5Toys series.

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