When I first opened the box the Oura Ring 5 comes in, my first thought was, “Wow, that’s tiny.” My second thought was that this is a smart ring a lot of people have been waiting for. 

As someone who got quite used to wearing the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic, I was surprised how noticeably smaller and lighter the new Ring 5 is.

The Ring 5, which Oura describes as the world’s smallest smart ring, is 40% smaller than its predecessor, measuring 6.09 mm wide compared to the Ring 4’s 7.90 mm, and 2.28 mm thick compared to the Ring 4’s 2.88 mm. Although the exact weight depends on your ring size, the Ring 5 weighs between 2 grams and 2.69 grams, while the Ring 4 weighs between 3.3 grams and 5.2 grams. 

I found that these changes dramatically improve the ring’s comfort, and also make it more aesthetically pleasing compared to its predecessor. The ring no longer screams smart ring, and blends in with the rest of your jewelry. Oura says the Ring 5 is designed to look and feel like any other ring, and I think the company has achieved that. 

The Ring 5 starts at $399.

Whenever I saw people discussing Oura’s smart rings, there always seemed to be two opposing viewpoints. One side swore the ring had changed their life, and the other argued that it was too bulky and that they would never consider getting one. I think the Oura Ring 5 changes the game and appeals to a larger audience, including those who shied away from smart rings due to their bulkiness. 

Oura was aware of the demand for a smaller ring. The company told me that users had been asking for a thinner and more compact design, prompting the company to comply. Of course, Oura has also had to update its rings in response to competition from subscription-free rivals like RingConn and Ultrahuman, both of which sell rings lighter than the Ring 4. 

While I never found the Oura Ring 4 overtly uncomfortable, the Ring 5 feels noticeably better on my finger. With the Ring 4, I was always aware that I was wearing it, but with this latest model, I often forget it’s there, which is great for people like me who don’t always wear jewelry. 

I also found that the ring’s smaller size makes it more comfortable to wear at night for tracking sleep and health metrics. A smart ring is more comfortable than a smartwatch for nighttime wear, and the Ring 5’s smaller design lets it be even less noticeable at night.

As for battery life, the Ring 5 lasts between six and nine days, compared to the five to eight day range on the Ring 4. In my experience, the improvement seems to hold up. The ring arrived 50% charged, and after about 30 minutes on the charger following the set-up process, it reached 75%. After five days of continuous wear, I still haven’t needed to charge it, and I’m down to about 25% battery. 

It’s worth mentioning that the Ring 5 comes in fewer sizes (sizes 6 to 13) than the Ring 4 (sizes 4 to 15). Oura told me that the fewer sizing options are due to the challenges of manufacturing smaller rings in the new form factor. The company said it chose to focus on the most popular sizes, and is monitoring demand for the discontinued sizes.

The Ring 5 comes in six finishes, including a redesigned Gold with a truer gold tone, an updated Deep Rose with a copper-like look, plus Silver, Brushed Silver, Black, and Stealth.

Oura sent me the Gold version, and I really like how it looks. Unlike previous gold Oura rings, this new color doesn’t have a yellow tinge to it, and instead has a subtler tone that feels closer to actual gold jewelry. It’s worth noting that the Gold finish, along with the Stealth and Deep Rose finishes, is priced at $499, exactly $100 more than the standard finishes. 

As for durability, Oura says the Ring 5 is more scratch-resistant than previous generations thanks to a new finishing technique, but I can’t fully speak to durability yet considering I’ve only had it for five days.
There was a moment when I thought I had scratched the ring’s alignment guide line when I’d grabbed a rusty swing chain, but it turned out that rust had only rubbed on to the ring, and I was able to clean it off with a cloth.

Oura says the Ring 5’s new physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating process ensures the wearable retains its premium “out-of-the-box” look for longer. It will be interesting to see how this promise holds up.

The Oura Ring 5 is being launched alongside new software features that are also coming to the Oura Ring Gen3 and later products, including Blood Pressure Signals and Nighttime Breathing. I can’t speak to those yet, as they’re set to launch later this month. 

Overall, the Oura Ring 5 is a notable upgrade over the Ring 4 in terms of comfort and aesthetics, making it a great choice for anyone who has yet to buy a smart ring. As for people who already have the Oura Ring 4, the decision to upgrade depends on your budget and how much you value aesthetics, especially since the Ring 4 will get all of the new software updates.

Cambridge Audio’s Evo Series has been one of the British manufacturer’s real success stories over the past three years, and not because it tried to make separates disappear with marketing fog and a nice volume knob. The Evo 75, Evo 150, Evo CD, Evo S, and more recent Evo 150 SE have shown that Cambridge can marry serious hi-fi performance, clean industrial design, flexible connectivity, and pricing that is definitely not out of line with reality.

The new Cambridge Audio Evo 300, making its debut at HIGH END Vienna 2026, pushes that formula into far more muscular territory. Rated at 300 watts per channel from Hypex NCOREx Class D amplification in a dual-mono layout, the Evo 300 is being positioned as Cambridge Audio’s most powerful and sonically advanced streaming amplifier to date.

We have covered the Evo Series in depth, including the original Evo 150 and the newer Evo 150 SE, and the appeal has been obvious from the start: real hi-fi performance, a very solid streaming platform, flexible connectivity, and industrial design that does not look like it escaped from a server rack. The Evo 300 builds on that formula with more power, a balanced pre-amplifier stage, dedicated analog volume controls for each channel, and a switch-mode power supply designed to keep things stable when the amplifier is pushed hard.

300 Watts Per Channel From Hypex NCOREx

The headline number is hard to miss: 300 watts per channel into 8 ohms from a Hypex NCOREx Class D amplifier stage. That is a significant jump for the Evo platform and clearly aimed at listeners using larger rooms, more demanding loudspeakers, or both. Cambridge has not turned the Evo 300 into a traditional heavyweight integrated amplifier with a heat sink complex, but the move to NCOREx gives it a much stronger power story than the Evo 150 SE.

Cambridge has also gone with a dual mono layout, which matters because channel separation is not just a marketing term to make you feel better about your purchase. Better separation can help with stereo imaging, focus, and control, assuming the rest of the system is up to the task. The Evo 300 also uses a balanced preamplifier stage and dedicated analog volume controls for each channel, which Cambridge says are designed to preserve focus, dynamic range, and low level detail at different listening levels.

A switch mode power supply is part of the design as well, and the goal is consistency when the amplifier is pushed for longer periods. That will matter for anyone driving lower sensitivity loudspeakers or asking one box to do the work of a more ambitious separates system.

StreamMagic Gen 4 Handles the Network Side

The Evo 300 uses Cambridge Audio’s StreamMagic Gen 4 platform, which remains one of the stronger reasons to consider an Evo product in the first place. Streaming support includes Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Amazon Music, Deezer, UPnP, Internet Radio, and Roon Ready operation.

That gives the Evo 300 a lot of flexibility without forcing users into one ecosystem. Ethernet and WiFi are both supported, and Cambridge’s in-house platform means updates and feature improvements are not entirely dependent on a third party app that may vanish at some point.

Cambridge has taken some heat online over the past year over StreamMagic Gen 4 stability with specific music streaming apps, and those complaints should not be dismissed. A streaming amplifier lives or dies by the quality of its software, especially when buyers are spending real money on an all-in-one platform.

That said, the recent move to Fidelity Imports as Cambridge Audio’s U.S. distributor appears to have brought more urgency to the software side of the business, and the volume of complaints seems to be easing. As someone who has invested a significant chunk of change in Cambridge Audio products over the years, and who uses the StreamMagic app daily for both review purposes and personal listening, I find the platform quite good overall.

It is not perfect, but Cambridge has not sat on its hands. The company is clearly paying attention, and that matters if the Evo 300 is going to succeed as more than just a powerful amplifier with a nice screen.

The Evo 300 also supports Google Cast, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Home, Apple AirPlay multiroom, and Roon multiroom systems, which makes it easier to integrate into a wider home audio setup. For a product trying to replace multiple boxes, that matters.

ESS Sabre DAC With Serious Hi Res Support

Digital conversion is handled by the ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DAC, with support for up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512. Those numbers will make the hi-res crowd happy, although most listeners will spend the majority of their time with streaming services that do not get anywhere near those ceilings.

The more important point is that Cambridge is positioning the Evo 300 as a proper digital hub, not just an amplifier with a streamer bolted on because someone in marketing found a WiFi antenna. USB audio, optical Toslink, and coaxial digital inputs are included, giving users enough digital flexibility for a server, disc transport, TV, or legacy digital source.

HDMI eARC Makes It Living Room Friendly

The inclusion of HDMI eARC is one of the smarter practical decisions here. It allows the Evo 300 to sit in a living room system and handle TV audio without requiring a soundbar or AV receiver. This is still a two channel amplifier, so nobody should expect Dolby Atmos fireworks or rear channel theatrics, but for listeners who care more about music and still want better TV sound, HDMI eARC gives the Evo 300 a real advantage.

That also makes the Evo 300 easier to justify as the center of a daily use system. Music, TV, streaming, vinyl, headphones, and external sources can all run through one chassis. Fewer boxes. Fewer cables. Fewer reasons to mutter at the back of the rack with a flashlight in your mouth.

Vinyl and Analog Inputs Are Not an Afterthought

Cambridge did not ignore analog users. The Evo 300 includes a built-in moving magnet phono stage, RCA line input, and balanced XLR input. The MM phono stage will be enough for a lot of turntable owners, although moving coil cartridge users will still need an external phono preamp.

The balanced XLR input is also worth noting because it gives the Evo 300 more credibility as a serious integrated amplifier. Anyone using a higher end DAC, phono stage, or source component with balanced outputs can connect it directly rather than being forced through RCA only.

Subwoofer Control and Speaker Flexibility

The Evo 300 includes an adjustable subwoofer output with independent level and crossover control, plus optional high pass filtering for the main speakers. That is a very useful feature for most rooms, especially smaller spaces where full range loudspeakers can turn bass into soup before the first chorus arrives.

The optional high pass filter also matters because it can reduce the low frequency burden on the main loudspeakers. Used properly, that can improve system clarity and give the amplifier and speakers a little more breathing room.

Cambridge also includes dual speaker binding posts per channel, allowing users to create two separate speaker zones. That adds some installation flexibility, although buyers should pay attention to impedance and speaker matching before treating the Evo 300 like a nightclub distribution amp.

Headphones, Bluetooth, and Daily Use Features

A dedicated 6.3mm headphone output is included for personal listening, which is the right choice on a product at this level. The press materials do not position the Evo 300 as a dedicated headphone amplifier replacement, but the inclusion of a full size headphone jack keeps it useful for late night listening.

Wireless support includes Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX HD, which is fine for casual listening, but it is not the reason to buy the Evo 300. There is no Bluetooth LE Audio, aptX Lossless, or LDAC support, so the better path is StreamMagic, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, or Roon.

Bigger Display, Interchangeable Side Panels

The Evo design language carries over, but the Evo 300 gets a wider and more substantial chassis. It also features Cambridge Audio’s largest Evo display to date: a 7.8 inch color screen that can show album artwork, track details, system information, a clock, or VU meters.

The interchangeable side panels remain part of the package, giving owners a way to better match the amplifier to their room. That may sound cosmetic, but Cambridge has understood something many hi-fi brands still treat as classified information: products that live in shared spaces need to look good from more than three feet away.

The Bottom Line

The Cambridge Audio Evo 300 is not just an Evo 150 SE with a bigger number on the box. The real news is the move to 300 watts per channel into 8 ohms from Hypex NCOREx Class D amplification, supported by a dual mono layout, balanced preamplifier stage, dedicated analog volume controls for each channel, and a power supply designed to keep the amplifier stable under load.

What remains unique is the overall Evo formula: serious power, StreamMagic Gen 4, HDMI eARC, MM phono, balanced XLR input, subwoofer control with crossover and optional high pass filtering, dual speaker zones, headphone output, and a large color display in a chassis that still looks like something designed for a real living space. Cambridge has been very good at making hi-fi feel less like homework, and the Evo 300 pushes that idea further without abandoning the people who still care about system building.

What is missing? Bluetooth support is limited to Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX HD, with no Bluetooth LE Audio, aptX Lossless, or LDAC. There is also no built-in moving coil phono stage, no home theater surround processing, and no claim here that it replaces a true separates system for every listener. At $3,999, it also moves the Evo concept into more serious territory, where buyers will expect StreamMagic stability, loudspeaker control, and long-term software support to be nailed down. The hardware looks ready. The app experience has to keep holding up.

Pricing & Availability

The Cambridge Audio Evo 300 will be available in June 2026 through CambridgeAudio.com and approved retailers for $3,999 USD, while international pricing is set at £3,499, €3,999, and HK$32,800.

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Google has been quietly reaching out to Android developers with an offer to buy access to their code. As reported by 404 Media, the company sent emails to a select group of Google Play developers, inviting them to join what it calls a “confidential content offer pilot.” 

The email frames it as a revenue opportunity, saying developers can “get paid for sharing the code powering your apps, as well as your archived projects.” Google adds that developers retain their intellectual property rights and that the license is non-exclusive.

So what does Google actually want the code for?

According to the report, the email never mentions artificial intelligence, but a link buried in it leads to a page titled “partnerships to improve our AI products.” On that page, Google openly states that it is paying for “non-public content in a range of media formats” to improve its AI models.

Connecting the dots isn’t hard. Google’s Gemini is excellent at image and text generation but has been falling behind in AI coding tools, while Anthropic has ridden the success of Claude Code to a valuation higher than OpenAI. 

OpenAI has also launched its own Codex app, focusing on developers. At the recently concluded Google I/O, the company showcased its Antigravity 2.0 IDE that can create entire apps. 

It seems that Google wants to train its AI with real code to improve its coding capabilities, so it can compete with the likes of Claude Code and ChatGPT’s Codex. Buying real-world code from developers is a shortcut to closing that gap.

Is there anything wrong with this?

While the long-term impact can be detrimental to developers, this approach from Google is not inherently wrong. At least it’s better than training AI on hundreds of thousands of books and online publications without permission, which is something most AI companies have done.

Developers retain their IP, the license is non-exclusive, and they get paid. That said, the lack of transparency in the email is worth noting. Framing an AI data acquisition program as a simple “revenue opportunity” without mentioning AI at all feels like Google is hoping developers won’t ask too many questions.

Between endless emails, factoring in the school run, making sure the fridge is stocked and any other responsibilities that keep you preoccupied throughout the day, there can oftentimes be so little space and energy left to tackle the dishes that having a dishwasher to hand feels like less of a luxury and more of a necessity. If you’re ready to claim black your free time, or upgrade from an existing appliance, we’ve got you covered with our guide to the best dishwasher you can buy.

In much a similar fashion to buying one of the best washing machines or the best fridge freezers, there’s a lot that needs to be taken into account before picking up a new dishwasher for your home, but your first port of call should be to decide whether you need a freestanding or an integrated model. The former can be placed anywhere with available space whilst the latter will need to adhere to your kitchen’s existing layout, so getting out the tape measure and pinning down the precise dimensions you have to work with is a must.

Once you’ve got the sizing and model pinned down, you can ignore any entries on this list that don’t fit that criteria and instead focus on the ones that apply, using our testing knowledge to better understand how they work when set up. We hook up each and every dishwasher in our dedicated testing facility, and we replicate standard cleaning scenarios that most households are likely to come up against, so we know exactly which dishwashers excel in what areas.

Because some dishwashers can cost well over £1000/$1000, we’ve made sure to include a variety of options across the entire price spectrum here, so if you are tied to a strict budget then you’ll still be able to find a model that works for your needs. Beyond the quality of the clean, we also make note of any additional features such as low-cost cycles to help you cut back on your energy bills, or smartphone connectivity that can let you know when a washing cycle is complete wherever you are.

There’s no denying that the world of dishwashers can feel like a crowded marketplace at times but thanks to the hard work of our tech experts, we’re able to cut out the noise and show you the appliances that are actually worth knowing about. If you’re curious to see more of the home appliance work that has been carried out by our team, then you can also read through our guides to the best cordless vacuum cleaners and the best hard floor cleaners.

Best dishwashers at a glance

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