Mobile menu toggle

Reviews

Here at Cult of Mac, we regularly review Apple products and other tech gear and accessories. We also frequently write about Apple TV+ offerings. If we receive a review unit, we disclose it. (Read our reviews policy.) We frequently employ affiliate links. If you purchase a product after clicking a link from our website, we might earn a commission.

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on Reviews:

New Belkin 3-in-1 foldable charger gives your iPhone a full 25W [Review] ★★★★

By

Belkin UltraCharge 3-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Charger review★★★★
This Belkin charger wirelessly juices up an iPhone at the full 25W, and powers two other Apple devices as well.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Belkin UltraCharge 3-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Charger quickly juices up your iPhone, plus it can power up your Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time. And with a folding design, it can stay on your desk or go on vacation.

I put the multidevice charger to the test in my home office. Here’s how it stood up in real-world use.

This tiny 45W charger is smarter than it has any right to be [Review] ★★★★★

By

Anker Nano Charger (45W, Smart Display, 180° Foldable) in a wall socket★★★★★
Anker's new miniature wall charger sports a smart display and other innovation.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Anker Nano Charger (45W, Smart Display, 180° Foldable) — that’s its actual name — is the smartest wall charger I’ve ever used. It recognizes my iPhone and iPad when I plug them in and even displays the device’s current battery level.

I can set it to quickly or slowly juice up my device, helping to protect its battery. Or order it to slow charge my handset overnight.

Here’s why I love Anker’s tiny new charger after testing it for several weeks.

This app makes switching apps on my Mac ridiculously fast [Awesome Apps]

By

rcmd running on a Mac
A quick tap of a letter is all it takes to bring any app to the front with rcmd.
Photo: ChatGPT/Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
Awesome Apps

I switch between apps on my Mac dozens of times every hour. For years, Command-Tab seemed good enough, but then I started using rcmd, a fantastic alternative app switcher for Mac.

This nifty piece of software completely changed how I move between apps on my Mac. It made the process faster, more precise, and far less disruptive to my workflow.

Every display should have this iPhone MagSafe mount [Review] ★★★★★

By

Belkin Display Mount mounted on a display★★★★★
The pictures in this article aren’t very good because I couldn’t use the iPhone 12 Pro (pictured) to take the picture.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe for Mac Desktops and Displays, despite what its lengthy product name may imply, is a simple and straightforward product that does one thing remarkably well. It mounts your iPhone to a desktop display with MagSafe.

It’s straightforward to set up; it’s easy to plop your phone on and pull it off; it’s well made and feels nice in the hand. It’s great for Continuity Camera. The Belkin iPhone Mount with… no, I’m not writing all that out again. The Belkin iPhone display thing is an easy recommendation.

Upgrade iPhone gaming for cheap with GameSir X5s controller [Review] ★★★★☆

By

Playing Asphalt 8 on an iPhone in a GameSir X5s controller, in front of an NES★★★★☆
A better way to play games on your iPhone.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The GameSir X5s is a great and affordable way to upgrade your mobile gaming. Your phone, whichever model you have, slides right in the middle, and suddenly you have console-quality physical controls. It’s lightweight, ideal for traveling, and comes with a simple plastic travel case. 

It even works with the Nintendo Switch — its ergonomic grips are far more comfortable than the flat Joy-Cons. There’s also a matching accessory, the FX5 cooler, that adds active cooling to your iPhone. It’s great for high-performance pro gaming over long periods of time. 

All in all, the GameSir X5s is a great way to take mobile gaming to the next level, whether you’re playing full 3D games or 40-year-old ROMs in Delta

Belkin’s power bank is the perfect iPhone backup [Review] ★★★★

By

Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 10K w/ Integrated Cable: review★★★★
Belkin's hassle-free BoostCharge Power Bank is all you need to keep your iPhone going and going.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 10K with Integrated Cable is an absolutely simple product that does one thing very well. It charges an iPhone or other device without the user needing to worry about a separate USB-C cable.

I tested it with my iPhone and iPad, looking for problems. Here’s what it’s like in real-world use.

There’s a new best all-around iPhone game controller [Review] ★★★★★

By

Ohsnap Mcon with iPhone 17★★★★★
The Ohsnap Mcon uses an innovative design that makes it portable and flexible.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Ohsnap Mcon doesn’t just rethink the mobile gaming controller — it practically throws the old playbook in the trash, delivering one of the most flexible and genuinely portable ways to play on the market today.

Even better, you can easily use it with your iPhone, but also your iPad and Mac.

I spent many hours playing games with the innovative controller — here’s why I love it.

Big screen, no cable: Belkin’s wireless HDMI adapter cuts the cord [Review] ★★★★☆

By

Belkin ConnectAir Wireless HDMI Display Adapter review★★★★☆
The Belkin ConnectAir Wireless HDMI Display Adapter is so much less clutter than a cable, but does the same job.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Stop connecting your Mac to TVs with a cumbersome cable. The Belkin ConnectAir Wireless HDMI Display Adapter saves you from needing to stretch a wire across your living room, classroom or conference room.

All it takes is plugging one component into the USB-C port on your Mac, iPad or iPhone and the other component into the HDMI port on any TV. Now you’re ready to watch a movie.

I put the new accessory to the test, including its promise of plug-and-play connectivity. Here’s how it performed.

3 reasons to watch suspenseful Apple TV spy thriller Tehran

By

Tehran Apple TV series review
Tehran may be the most gripping thriller on Apple TV.
Photo: Apple

In the crowded landscape of spy shows and movies, Apple TV’s Tehran cuts through the noise with a visceral intensity few titles can match. This Israeli thriller, which started airing season three on January 9, doesn’t just tell a spy story. It grabs you by the throat from the first frame and doesn’t let go until the credits roll.
For anyone who’s ever found themselves disappointed by the too-fast or too-slow pacing or predictable plotting of typical spy dramas, Tehran, now streaming season three (with a fourth on the way), offers a masterclass in sustained tension and genuine surprise. That makes it easy to forgive the subtitles, which most people will need for the Farsi (Persian) and Hebrew spoken on the show. 

I thought voice typing on Mac was broken — until I tried Wispr Flow [Awesome Apps]

By

AI-generated image of a desk with a mouse and a MacBook, with Wispr Flow voice translation for Mac running on the screen
Wispr Flow turns your Mac into a voice-first writing workspace.
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Awesome AppsThe way I type on my Mac hasn’t changed in years. But then, I started using Wispr Flow — an AI-powered voice-to-text app for Mac. It has reshaped how I write on my Mac, making me more efficient and faster.
It’s not just about typing faster. Using your voice for typing also feels more natural in many cases. Here’s how Wispr Flow has changed how I write on my Mac, and why I can’t go back. 

Why Apple’s AirTag 2 is way better than the original [Review] ★★★★

By

Apple AirTag 2 review★★★★
The new AirTag 2 improves on the original in almost every way.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple just launched the long-awaited new version of its AirTag. The upgraded tracking tag is easier to find, with much longer range when using either a Bluetooth or Ultra Wideband connection from your iPhone. It also includes a louder, shriller speaker.
I put the improvements in the AirTag (2nd generation) through real-world testing for this hands-on review.

Say hello to the combo iPad/iPhone stylus of your dreams [Review] ★★★★

By

Tinymoose Pencil Pro Ultra review★★★★
This affordable iPad stylus has a trick no Apple Pencil can match.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Stop feeling frustrated that Apple Pencil works with iPad but not iPhone. The Tinymoose Pencil Pro Ultra supports Apple tablets and handsets.
Beyond iPhone support, the stylus offers iPad users palm rejection, zero lag, Scribble support, magnetic attachment to the tablet and more.
I tested the affordable accessory with both iPad and iPhone — here are the results.

This free app beams massive files quickly across the internet [Awesome Apps]

By

Image showing how to do Blip file transfers
Blip, a handy app for Mac, iOS, Windows and Android, is a better way to transfer files.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Awesome AppsThe Blip file transfer app is a delightful utility that lets you move extremely large files and folders quickly across the internet — directly from your computer to somebody else’s.
With Blip, there’s no middleman uploading to and downloading the file from a cloud, and no pesky web app to sign into. It’s like beaming your files onto someone else’s computer.
It’s the easiest, most straightforward way to send someone large folders of files or complex projects from your Mac, iPhone, PC or Android device. And best of all, it’s totally free and secure. You can get it from blip.net.

Acefast 6-in-1 GaN charging station trades raw power for a cleaner desk [Review] ★★★★☆

By

Acefast 6-in-1 charging station★★★★☆
This compact iPhone charging station can also top-up your AirPods and Apple Watch wirelessly.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

With the ever-growing number of devices on my desk, a charging station has become a non-negotiable accessory. Instead of juggling multiple chargers, cables and adapters, a charging station can keep everything organized.

That’s where Acefast’s 6-in-1 80W foldable GaN charging station shines. Despite its compact size, it can charge up to six devices simultaneously, all while reducing the clutter and chaos on my desk. 

Hands-on with a folding iPhone mock-up: This thing is weird

By

Orange folding iPhone model sitting on a pine table in front of a fake palm tree
An iPhone that’ll be like no other.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

After the purported dimensions of the first folding iPhone leaked a few weeks ago, it didn’t take long for mockups to hit MakerWorld, a popular site for people with 3D printers to share their models. I got my hands on one of those models, and I have lots of thoughts. If the rumored folding iPhone looks anything like this, it’ll be weird.

For one thing, it’s almost as short as the original iPhone, but wider than the widest iPhone ever. Lots of design questions remain unanswered, too. Where will the volume buttons go, since there isn’t any room on the left side? Will it only have one speaker, like the iPhone Air? Will the two cameras arranged horizontally across the back mean the camera sensors are in landscape, not portrait?

I’ve been fiddling with a 3D model of the first folding iPhone all week. Here are my thoughts and observations.

You can use this tiny SSD anywhere — no adapter required [Review] ★★★★

By

Kingston Dual Portable SSD review★★★★
This portable SSD bridges the gap with both USB-A and USB-C connectors.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Kingston Dual Portable SSD brings up to 2TB of storage to anyone in the process of transitioning from the old USB-A to the smaller USB-C standard. It’s small enough to easily carry around, and fast enough to quickly handle large files.

I ran tests on the drive to see how the portable SSD fares in real-world use. Read on to see how well it performed.

Tiny Soundcore AI recorder redefines note-taking for iPhone users [Updated] ★★★

By

Soundcore Work AI Note Taker review★★★
This tiny recorder can transcribe and summarize meetings.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Update: Anker renamed the Soundcore Work AI Voice Recorder reviewed below as Soundcore Work AI Note Taker to more directly reflect the main use of the product, the company said Tuesday. Its listings tend to put it down now as “note taker/voice recorder.” Soundcore also noted the problem I had with Find My functionality should be fixed now on production units. 

Original review: In an ecosystem where seamless integration matters most, the new Soundcore voice recorder and note taker arrives with a compelling proposition for Apple users. As this Soundcore Work AI Note Taker review finds, the coin-sized device promises to transform how iPhone and Mac users capture, transcribe and organize voice recordings.

After examining its features through an Apple-centric lens, here’s what you need to know about whether this $159.99 recorder deserves a spot in your productivity arsenal.

Block all YouTube ads with the best Safari extension ever [Awesome Apps]

By

Block YouTube Ads on iPhone
No ads. Picture-in-picture. Background play. All in one extension. Perfect, no notes.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Awesome AppsIf you love YouTube but hate YouTube ads, Vinegar is the best Safari extension you can download. It can block YouTube ads on your iPhone and Mac and restores many native system features like playing videos in the background, picture-in-picture, and more.

YouTube ads are freaking insufferable. But if you don’t want to plunk down the dough for YouTube Premium (currently $13.99 per month), you can pay a one-time fee of just $1.99 to buy Vinegar and block YouTube ads on all your Apple devices.

If you ever watch YouTube, Vinegar is life-changing. Get it now on the App Store for iOS, iPadOS and macOS.

3 apps to help you with your New Year’s resolutions [Awesome Apps]

By

Finish Your Goals with these New Years Resolution Apps
You can actually get it done — with these apps.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Awesome AppsIt’s the new year! I have three apps that’ll help your New Year resolutions, to make sure you don’t break your streak within the very first week. 

Whether you’re trying to exercise more, work more efficiently or change your daily habits, these three apps will help you make a better 2026. Apple Fitness+ is a truly excellent service that serves up slick, highly produced videos that will help you work out. Toggl Track can help you stay focused at work, with running timers you can tag with projects and native calendar integration. And Goal Streak Calendar can help you achieve something new or break a nasty old habit, with daily reminders and streaks.

Check out our list to see how you can transform your 2026 with just three apps.

7-port magnetic mini hub makes your iPhone way more useful [Review] ★★★★

By

Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter review★★★★
Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter helps creators and travelers do what they need with their iPhone.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Your iPhone is a powerful computer held back by its single port. Connect the Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter, and you can connect to a wide range of accessories — external monitors, SSDs and more — all without adding too much bulk. It really builds upon the phone’s capabilities.

I’m not saying it’ll turn your iPhone into a mini MacBook, but if you’re toting a laptop on trips simply to watch TV shows or give a presentation on a large screen, this hub is for you.

Plus, it stands out by connecting to the MagSafe magnets built into your iPhone, so the accessory conveniently clings to the back of your device.

I tested it out with my iPhone 17 to see what the multiport adapter has to offer. Here’s what I found.

This ultrawide display is a productivity powerhouse for Mac [Review] ★★★★

By

Alogic Edge 40-inch 5K2K Monitor review★★★★
This ultrawide display has Mac-friendly look, feel and functionality.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

After testing the Alogic Edge 40-inch Ultrawide 5K2K monitor with my M4 Pro MacBook Pro, I can confidently say the display represents one of the most compelling alternatives to Apple’s own monitors for productivity-focused users. The expansive high-res screen real estate and the sleek design are beautiful — and at a pretty reasonable price point of $1,349 (marked down 10% from $1,499). 

Top 10 Apple ads of 2025 showcase creativity, emotion and tech prowess

By

best Apple ads of 2025
A Critter Carol is a delightful holiday treat from Apple.
Photo: Apple

Apple delivered some of its most memorable advertising campaigns in 2025, blending storytelling, humor and technical innovation. From emotional tributes to playful satire, the tech giant demonstrated why it remains a marketing powerhouse.

Here are the best Apple ads of 2025, which really helped define Cupertino’s creative year.

Best and worst Apple products of 2025

By

The best and worst Apple products of 2025
Apple got a lot right and wrong this year.
AI Image: Google Gemini

2025 was a busy year for Apple. The company launched multiple new products, some of which pushed its lineup forward in meaningful ways. However, others left plenty to be desired. Looking back, it’s clear that Apple delivered both standout successes and some head-scratching misses.

Here’s a look at the best and worst Apple products of 2025 — the ones that got everything right, and the ones that missed the mark completely.

5 Mac apps that turbocharged my 2025 workflow (and why you need them)

By

My favorite Mac apps of 2025
These apps helped me get more done on my Mac in 2025.
AI image: Google Gemini/Cult of Mac

Awesome AppsmacOS is powerful out of the box, but with the right apps, the experience gets even better. In 2025, several Mac apps became essential to my daily workflow, reducing friction and boosting my productivity.

Here are my five favorite Mac apps of 2025. All of them are free (or at least free to try), although some require payment to access advanced features.

Why you should binge the 12 best Apple TV shows of 2025

By

Best Apple TV shows of 2025
Best Apple TV shows of 2025
AI image: Grok/Cult of Mac

Apple TV delivered another stellar year of television in 2025, cementing its reputation as a home for premium storytelling across genres. From stellar sci-fi to sharp Hollywood satire, here are 13 standout series that defined the best of the streaming service’s 2025 lineup of new and returning shows.

You should binge them because they’re great. And what better time to do so than during holiday downtime?