Security teams log 54% of successful attacks and alert on just 14%. The rest move through your environment unseen.
The Picus whitepaper shows how breach and attack simulation tests your SIEM and EDR rules so threats stop slipping by detection.
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CISA warns of cyberattacks disrupting U.S. water utilities
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is warning of a significant increase in attacks targeting internet-exposed programmable logic controllers (PLCs) in the water and wastewater systems sector.
The agency’s urgent alert comes after hackers disrupted more than 30 community water systems in Minnesota in attacks that started last Sunday and continued through Monday.
CISA’s alert refers to threat activity involved hackers targeting exposed programmable logic controllers (PLC) and changing passwords to lock operators out, modifying IP addresses to disconnect devices from the internet, and other actions that disrupted operations.
“CISA urges critical infrastructure owners, operators, and integrators to remove publicly exposed PLCs and other operational technology (OT) from the internet as soon as possible.”
Organizations of all sizes running water and wastewater systems are being targeted, including some with mature cybersecurity programs.
The bulletin notes that exposed operational technology (OT) may include undocumented cellular modems installed by operators, vendors, or system integrators.
Internet-facing assets are exposed to defacement attacks, configuration changes, operational disruptions, and even physical damage, the agency said.
CISA recommends immediately removing these assets from direct internet exposure. If this is not possible, organizations should use a VPN connection or gateway devices for secure access.
Additionally, default passwords should be changed, and access should be limited to an IP address allow-list.
The agency also pointed owners of Rockwell Automation MicroLogix 1400 PLCs to vendor guidance for recovering access if passwords have been changed.
Cybersecurity search company Censys published a blog post where it quantifies internet exposure, estimating that currently there are more than 4,100 internet-exposed Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley hosts, 4,100 Siemens hosts, and over 2,000 Schneider Electric hosts.
Source: Censys
However, it should be clarified that the map above shows devices reachable over the public internet, not systems that are necessarily being targeted or compromised.
Regarding the MicroLogix 1400 controllers mentioned in CISA’s bulletin, Censys notes that many appear to be running EoS (end-of-sale) firmware versions.
The cybersecurity company also highlighted the problem of undocumented cellular modems as a common blind spot, reporting that nearly half of the exposed Rockwell devices are reachable via Verizon Business, AT&T, T-Mobile, Comcast, Charter, and Starlink networks.
Source: Censys
Censys also provided an expanded set of indicators of compromise (IoCs) in its report, along with threat-hunting guidance.
Earlier this week, the Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) agency activated the state’s cybersecurity incident response plan after identifying what it described as “a coordinated cyberattack targeting operational technology at more than 30 Minnesota community water systems.”
Multiple municipalities reported disruptions caused by the cyberattack, with equipment malfunctions forcing some utilities to temporarily switch to manual operations.
MNIT has shared threat intelligence collected from the affected systems and provided guidance and best practices to help impacted utilities restore normal operations.
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Siri AI is coming soon. The redesign of Apple’s voice assistant was first unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in June. Since then, the buzz has been all about what to expect from the new Siri 2.0.
But Siri AI may cost you, at least if you use it a lot.
Outgoing CEO Tim Cook hinted at a possible upcharge during Apple’s quarterly earnings call on Thursday.
Cook was asked about iOS 27, Apple Intelligence, feedback from the public beta and how Apple is thinking about compute costs and the ability to recover those costs through iCloud Plus. He suggested the possibility of charging for Siri AI as a part of the iCloud Plus application stack.
“We do believe there will be people that want to use it a lot, and so we will have some kind of upgrade possibilities on iCloud Plus,” Cook said.
He added that those ideas are in the early stages and did not discuss a complete plan. Apple’s team is “off-the-charts excited about Siri AI,” he added, saying feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far.
The earnings call, Cook’s last before John Ternus takes over as CEO, comes weeks after Apple announced price increases for Apple Music and Apple One subscription bundle.
Apple has said the new AI-powered virtual assistant will be available on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, MacOS 27 and VisionOS 27. You can expect Siri AI to have its own app, customization, Visual Intelligence and a new design.
Examples of Siri’s new capabilities include being able to find out about the latest concert, how to get tickets and remind you when it’s time to buy them. Other features include finding information in your messages (e.g. “Call the eye doctor who messaged me”), creating a photo album specifically for a loved one that includes photos of them, and even identifying a place from a picture.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
HDMI has emerged as one of the most ubiquitous audio/video standards to ever be adopted in consumer electronics. According to the HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc. (HDMI LA), almost 14 billion HDMI-enabled devices have shipped since HDMI 1.0 was introduced in 2002. The latest HDMI 2.2 was announced in 2025, and we expect to see HDMI 2.2 devices in 2027. You can find an HDMI port on something as small as a Raspberry Pi single-board computer, or as big as something like Samsung’s The Wall 130″ smart display. Somewhere on that spectrum is graphics cards, which have been incorporating HDMI ports for years.
The first graphics cards that made use of HDMI hit the market in 2006, and have continued to evolve alongside HDMI, as well as other technologies like DisplayPort. Modern graphics cards usually ship with only one HDMI port alongside usually 2 or more DisplayPort ports. As far as why so many graphics cards ship with only one HDMI port is a question many users have pondered, and there isn’t a single answer. The truth is that the decision comes down to equal parts business costs, user needs, and engineering.
In the world of monitors, DisplayPort is king
Graphics cards are built for PCs, and PCs are predominantly going to use monitors. Monitors favor DisplayPort, as the format has become an incredibly robust and PC-centric standard that can carry video, audio, data, and power along a single cable. DisplayPort also enables multi-monitor setups by daisy-chaining monitors with Multi Stream Transport (MST), with only a single cable from the source. DisplayPort is also better equipped to consistently handle higher refresh rates, and also supports VESA Adaptive Sync, which is what variable refresh rate technologies like AMD’s FreeSync are based on. Importantly, Nvidia’s G-Sync is limited to DisplayPort, but G-Sync Compatible will work over HDMI in addition to DisplayPort.
On a graphics card, HDMI is treated more like a compatibility port, ensuring the card can be used across a variety of potential outputs, monitors included. The bandwidth roadmap for DisplayPort has also routinely exceeded that of HDMI, though HDMI 2.2 looks to change that with a top end bandwidth of 96 Gbps –- but HDMI 2.2 ports will come with a catch in the form of certified cables and ports that will likely be expensive and confusing to buy into. DisplayPort 2.1 can already accommodate up to three 4K monitors at 90 Hz or two 4K monitors at 144 Hz without using compression, all while being the more versatile interface.
The slight bandwidth lead HDMI 2.2 enjoys likely won’t make a huge impact, as resolutions beyond 4K have yet to break into the mainstream consumer market. And based on the history of DisplayPort’s roadmap, we can expect the next version to leapfrog HDMI 2.2.
HDMI is expensive to implement
Compared to DisplayPort, HDMI is costly to build into a graphics card. An HDMI port has a higher physical complexity than DisplayPort, and can take up more PCB space –- which is already premium real estate on graphics cards. Depending on the version, HDMI ports can also require additional hardware and board space to meet the electrical and bandwidth requirements. For instance, an HDMI 2.1 port that supports the newer Fixed Rate Link (FRL) encoding will cost more than an HDMI 2.0 port that relies on Transition-minimized differential signaling (TMDS).
GamersNexus covers this in a tour they took of a Taiwan factory that manufactures Intel Arc GPUs for Sparkle. In that video, it is also revealed that HDMI ports cost about $1/port for Sparkle’s Intel Arc GPUs, with most of the cost going to licensing fees. This is because HDMI is not an open standard; HDMI adopters (companies paying to license HDMI) have to pay annual adopter fees and royalties on devices. For something like Sparkle’s Intel A310 Omni View SKU that has 4 HDMI ports, that’s $4 in HDMI costs for a card that’s targeting a $100-$110 price point. Sparkle’s Taiwanese factory produces over 1,000 Intel Arc GPUs per day, so you can see where the math is going. Then there’s mandatory compliance and certification testing according to HDMI’s Compliance Test Specification, which has to be completed by an Authorized Testing Center. HDMI 2.1 –- and eventually HDMI2.2 –- will compound these costs further.
DisplayPort is an open and royalty free standard, which is another huge difference between HDMI and DisplayPort, and manufacturers can implement the ports at no cost. The VESA DisplayPort Compliance Program is also not tied to licensing agreements like HDMI, and is driven by VESA members and the DisplayPort ecosystem.
WIRED is obsessed with what comes next. Through rigorous investigations and game-changing reporting, we tell stories that don’t just reflect the moment—they help create it. When you look back in 10, 20, even 50 years, WIRED will be the publication that led the story of the present, mapped the people, products, and ideas defining it, and explained how those forces forged the future. WIRED: For Future Reference.
Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? A few of the clues are tricky. Read on for all the answers.
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: Something you might ask for while staying over at a friend’s house
Answer: WIFI
5A clue: Genre for “Stranger Things”
Answer: SCIFI
7A clue: Unlikely pants to wear to a wedding
Answer: JEANS
8A clue: Octagonal sign word
Answer: STOP
9A clue: Where sows are housed
Answer: STY
Mini down clues and answers
1D clue: Newspaper that covers the stock market, for short
Answer: WSJ
2D clue: Puts a cold pack on
Answer: ICES
3D clue: Official decrees
Answer: FIATS
4D clue: “Otherwise …”
Answer: IFNOT
6D clue: Words before “with my little eye,” in a game
Answer: ISPY
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The Danish TV audio specialist is expanding beyond direct sales, giving American buyers a chance to hear, install, and service its premium systems through authorized dealers. Spending $5,000 or more on a TV audio system you have never actually heard requires confidence, disposable income, and a rather trusting relationship with international freight.
CANVAS HiFi is attempting to make that proposition somewhat less adventurous.
The Danish manufacturer has appointed Playback Distribution as its exclusive U.S. distributor, opening the door to a broader network of specialty audio dealers and custom integrators across the country.
That might not sound as exciting as a new amplifier, larger woofer, or proprietary acronym involving spatial audio, but it could be one of the more important developments for the brand in the United States.
CANVAS is not a $399 soundbar that can be carried out of Costco between the paper towels and frozen dumplings. Its products are large, heavy, configurable audio systems designed to visually integrate with televisions ranging from 55 to 85 inches; and eventually even larger screens with the forthcoming CANVAS L.
For American consumers, the ability to hear one before buying it, confirm that it will work with a specific television, and have somebody else install the thing properly has considerable value.
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What Playback Distribution Brings to CANVAS
Playback Distribution was founded in 2023 by industry veteran Rob Standley and represents a growing collection of premium audio brands, including Advance Paris, Amphion, AudioSolutions, AVID HiFi, Esoteric, PMC, TEAC, Velodyne Acoustics, Vicoustic, and Vienna Acoustics.
That portfolio gives CANVAS access to dealers already selling expensive loudspeakers, electronics, subwoofers, room treatments, and custom-installed home-theater systems.
More importantly, Playback already has the sales, logistics, dealer-support, parts, warranty, and customer-service infrastructure required to support products that are considerably more complicated than their minimalist appearance suggests.
CANVAS combines loudspeakers, amplification, DSP, streaming, room correction, television mounting, and interchangeable furniture-grade front panels in one rather substantial enclosure. When everything works, the result can be visually striking and far less intrusive than a conventional collection of speakers, racks, amplifiers, and cables.
When something does not work, buyers will probably prefer calling a local dealer rather than holding an international video conference while kneeling behind a 77-pound audio system with a flashlight between their teeth.
CANVAS has already sold directly to American customers, with shipping and import costs included in its pricing. The Playback agreement adds something the direct-sales model could not easily provide: local demonstrations, professional installation, and support from somebody who has actually seen the product outside of an Instagram reel.
What Is CANVAS HiFi?
The original CANVAS is an active stereo speaker system built into a structure designed to align visually with a television. Calling it a soundbar is technically convenient but somewhat misleading.
Most soundbars use multiple small drivers packed into a shallow enclosure and rely heavily on digital processing to create the impression of a larger presentation. CANVAS takes a more traditional loudspeaker approach.
The system uses two 6.5-inch SB Acoustics bass and midrange drivers, two 29mm silk-dome tweeters, and two passive radiators inside a 24-liter braced MDF enclosure. Four channels of Class D amplification deliver a combined 250 watts, while a Burr-Brown DAC and Analog Devices DSP handle digital conversion, crossover functions, and signal processing.
CANVAS also uses BACCH 3D crosstalk cancellation to produce a wider and deeper stereo presentation without rear speakers or a conventional Dolby Atmos speaker layout. Room correction can be performed using an iPhone microphone or the company’s optional Zen Microphone.
Connectivity includes HDMI eARC, optical digital, analog audio, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Roon, and DLNA.
Magnetically attached front panels are available in multiple fabric and wood finishes, allowing the system to match different screen sizes and room designs. The television, despite the rather persuasive product photography, is not included.
CANVAS L Is the Larger Prize
The distribution agreement also gives CANVAS a stronger U.S. foundation ahead of the arrival of CANVAS L, which the company unveiled at High End Vienna 2026.
CANVAS L is considerably more ambitious than the original model. It uses custom Scan-Speak midrange and bass drivers, SB Acoustics ring-radiator tweeters, four 8-inch woofers, matching passive radiators, and 1,500 watts of Class D amplification.
It also adds BACCH 3D+, upgraded DSP, room correction, HDMI eARC, analog and digital inputs, and compatibility with televisions ranging from 65 to 115 inches.
A 115-inch television is not something most people install casually on a Tuesday evening after dinner. Products of that size and price need dealers and integrators who understand wall construction, television mounting, cable routing, network configuration, room acoustics, and why drilling into a water pipe tends to end the demonstration rather abruptly.
CANVAS expects the L to reach authorized retailers during the fourth quarter of 2026. European pricing begins at €5,999, while final U.S. pricing and configurations have not yet been announced.
Why This Matters for U.S. Buyers
CANVAS has generated considerable attention at CES, High End Vienna, and other international events. It has also earned multiple eCoustics Best in Show selections.
The problem has been access.
Reading about BACCH processing and Scandinavian industrial design is one thing. Hearing whether the system actually produces a convincing stereo image from beneath a television is another. And it’s something that has left a very positive on members of the press who have been able to try it at home. This sounds nothing like the soundbar systems you’ve tried so far — and for these prices, it needs to be significantly better.
That does not mean a CANVAS display will suddenly appear in every audio showroom from Manhattan to Missoula. Dealers will still have to decide whether local customers are interested in a premium product that occupies the space between an active loudspeaker system, a soundbar, a television mount, and a piece of Danish furniture.
But CANVAS is precisely the kind of product that benefits from being demonstrated in person.
Playback Distribution gives CANVAS a better opportunity to explain that proposition to American consumers—and allows those consumers to decide whether the performance justifies the price before an extremely large crate appears in the driveway.
Pricing & Availability
CANVAS HiFi products are now available in the United States through Playback Distribution’s network of authorized dealers.
Current U.S. pricing begins at approximately $4,999, depending on the size, finish, front-panel material, and configuration.
Final U.S. pricing and availability for CANVAS L will be announced closer to its expected fourth-quarter 2026 launch.
For more information: canvashifi.com
Related Reading:
Apple’s second-generation iPhone Air is beginning to take shape, and if the latest supply chain report is accurate, the company isn’t simply refreshing the hardware. Instead, it appears to be refining the formula that made the first iPhone Air stand out. According to analyst Jeff Pu, the iPhone Air 2, expected to launch in early 2027, will retain its slim profile while introducing a smaller Dynamic Island, an upgraded camera system, and Apple’s next-generation silicon.
Unlike the Pro models, which often chase headline-grabbing camera upgrades or new materials, the Air lineup appears to be evolving through careful iteration. None of the rumored changes are individually revolutionary, but together they suggest Apple is addressing some of the biggest compromises of the original device.
Apple appears to be refining, not reinventing, the Air
According to Pu, the iPhone Air 2 will retain the 6.55-inch display found on its predecessor, but Apple is reportedly reducing the size of the Dynamic Island. While the difference may seem subtle on paper, a smaller cutout would free up more usable screen space and make the display feel cleaner during everyday use.
The camera system could also receive one of the biggest upgrades in the Air lineup so far. Pu claims the phone will feature the existing 48-megapixel main camera alongside a new 48-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, giving the Air a far more versatile imaging setup than the first-generation model. That addition would narrow one of the biggest gaps between Apple’s premium and mainstream iPhones.
Under the hood, Apple is expected to introduce the A20 Pro, reportedly built on TSMC’s 2nm process using Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) packaging. The technology integrates memory closer to the processor, which could improve both performance and power efficiency without increasing the chip’s physical footprint. The report also points to 12GB of RAM, a titanium frame, and Apple’s next-generation C2 modem, replacing the original Air’s C1X modem.
Small upgrades could make a meaningful difference
On paper, none of these upgrades dramatically change what the iPhone Air represents. That’s arguably the point. The first-generation iPhone Air established itself as Apple’s answer for users who wanted something lighter and thinner than a Pro model without sacrificing flagship performance. If these reports prove accurate, Apple isn’t trying to reinvent that identity. Instead, it’s strengthening it by fixing practical shortcomings that users notice every day, whether that’s gaining a little more screen real estate, improving ultra-wide photography, or squeezing better efficiency from next-generation silicon.
The timeline also fits Apple’s broader roadmap. Pu expects Apple to unveil the iPhone Air 2 alongside the base iPhone 18 during the first quarter of 2027, while the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone are expected to arrive several months earlier.
As always, these details remain based on supply chain intelligence rather than official announcements. But if Apple is indeed focusing on refinement over reinvention, the iPhone Air 2 could become a stronger example of something the company often does well: making a familiar product noticeably better through a series of thoughtful, incremental upgrades.
Tech
Ayaneo’s new handheld revives the Game Boy Advance. Nintendo probably wishes it had done it first
The Game Boy Advance is celebrating its 25th anniversary in the US, and while Nintendo has largely chosen to honor the handheld through its Switch Online library, another company has decided to recreate the hardware itself. Chinese handheld maker Ayaneo has unveiled the Konkr Pocket Advance, a modern reinterpretation of the iconic Game Boy Advance that updates almost every part of the original while preserving the horizontal design that made Nintendo’s console so beloved.
Rather than building a nostalgia piece that simply looks like the original, Ayaneo is targeting the growing retro gaming market with modern hardware. The Konkr Pocket Advance features a higher-resolution display, additional controls, USB-C connectivity and wireless support, making it less of a replica and more of a contemporary handheld inspired by one of gaming’s most influential consoles.
The announcement also arrives at a time when retro handhelds are becoming a serious product category rather than a niche hobby. Companies such as Anbernic, Retroid, Miyoo and Ayaneo have spent the last few years proving that there is sustained demand for devices designed around classic games instead of cutting-edge graphics.
A familiar design with modern hardware underneath
At first glance, the Konkr Pocket Advance is unmistakably inspired by the original Game Boy Advance. It retains the signature horizontal layout while introducing a 3.5-inch display with a 960 × 640 resolution, considerably sharper than Nintendo’s original hardware. Ayaneo has also added a full set of ABXY buttons, additional menu and shoulder buttons, USB-C, microSD expansion, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and even a dedicated volume wheel.
The handheld will initially launch in two color options: a navy blue inspired by the classic Indigo Game Boy Advance and a coral orange reminiscent of Nintendo’s Spice Orange edition, which was originally exclusive to Japan. Ayaneo has not announced pricing or a release date but says the device will arrive later this year. Unlike some of its earlier limited-production handhelds, the company also expects broader availability for the Pocket Advance.
Retro gaming is no longer just about nostalgia
Ayaneo’s latest handheld highlights a broader trend that Nintendo itself has been surprisingly cautious about. Despite the enduring popularity of the Game Boy Advance and a library that includes classics such as Advance Wars, Golden Sun, Metroid Fusion, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap and WarioWare, Nintendo has shown little interest in producing dedicated retro hardware beyond occasional emulation through Switch Online. The accompanying retrospective in Engadget underscores just how influential those games remain two and a half decades later.
That has created an opportunity for third-party manufacturers. Modern retro handhelds no longer appeal only to collectors; they attract players who want sharper displays, rechargeable batteries, wireless connectivity and ergonomic designs without sacrificing access to classic games.
The Konkr Pocket Advance won’t replace Nintendo’s original hardware in the hearts of longtime fans. But it does reflect something increasingly clear about the gaming industry: while Nintendo owns the memories, companies like Ayaneo are becoming remarkably good at selling the hardware people wish Nintendo still made.
Brazil ordered Jair Bolsonaro to stay silent. Last weekend, a giant AI version of him addressed a campaign rally anyway.
At the launch of his son Flávio’s presidential bid in São Paulo on Saturday, a video avatar of the jailed former president loomed over the crowd. The clever part was the confession. “What you see here is not me,” it said. “This is a simulation of my image and my voice using artificial intelligence.”
Then it campaigned. “As everyone here knows, I am imprisoned and silenced by an unjust and arbitrary decision,” the avatar said, before asking the crowd to back Flávio, “blood of my blood.” Bloomberg timed the clip at 46 seconds, and both Reuters and AFP reported the appearance.
Why this is not a normal deepfake
The debate over AI in elections has focused on lies: fake videos that trick voters into believing something false. This clip does the opposite. It announces that it is synthetic. That honesty is the whole gambit.
Bolsonaro is under house arrest, serving 27 years for plotting a coup after he lost the 2022 election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. A condition of that arrest is a ban on public communication, on social media or by any other means. He cannot phone, post or speak to a rally.
An avatar can. That is the loophole the courts must now weigh: not whether the video deceived anyone, but whether a disclosed simulation lets a court-silenced man keep campaigning through a screen.
The legal fight
The challenge came fast. On Sunday, a coalition of Lula’s campaign and other left and centre-left parties petitioned the Superior Electoral Court, the TSE. They argued Brazil’s rules bar synthetic content that reproduces a real person to sway voters.
Flávio’s team fired back a day later. The video broke no rule, they said, because it disclosed its use of AI, caused no harm and never mixed fabricated footage with real images. On that reading, it is not a deepfake at all.
Jair Bolsonaro, through his lawyer Paulo Cunha Bueno, denied authorising anything. He “did not authorise the use of his image and voice,” the lawyer wrote, and “could not have done so,” since he is barred from seeing visitors. He added that the former president had never objected to his children using his image.
A court he helped build
The judges are split in tone. The TSE’s president, Justice Kássio Nunes Marques, whom Bolsonaro appointed to the Supreme Court, said using AI to campaign is permissible. What is forbidden, he added, is using it to harm someone.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes was sharper. Authorising the video could be a “serious violation” of the house-arrest terms, he warned, and using Bolsonaro’s image to imply he is campaigning could amount to electoral disinformation.
The stakes are steep. The TSE could disqualify Flávio’s run if it finds the clip broke the rules. Bolsonaro himself is unlikely to be punished, said Insper law professor Ivar Hartmann, because he can argue he neither recorded nor approved it. One Lula coordinator predicted the most heavily litigated election since Brazil returned to democracy.
The rules are already behind
Politicians are reaching for avatars faster than the law can frame them. Malaysia’s prime minister has fielded his own AI stand-in, and regulators are scrambling to respond. France plans to triple the penalties for AI-driven election disinformation.
Most of those rules turn on disclosure. The EU’s AI Act will force a label on synthetic media, and Brazil’s own code targets fabricated content that misleads. The Bolsonaro clip met that bar and marched straight through it. India is wrestling with the flip side, opening a case over altered videos of its prime minister.
That is the gap this stunt exposes. A label tells you a video is fake. It does not tell you whether a jailed politician should be allowed to speak through it. Brazil votes on 4 October. Its court has until then to decide.
Looking to upgrade your fitness tracker, or even get one for the first time? You’re in the right place with our collection of the best fitness trackers on the market.
One of the best goals you can set for yourself at any point of the year is to lead a healthier lifestyle, but the problem is that unless you’re signing up with a personal trainer, it can be tricky to know where to start or how to keep tabs on your progress. With that in mind, having a dedicated fitness tracker on your wrist is a great place to start.
Not only can these devices track your heart rate and effort during workouts to get a look at how your body reacts to certain exercises, but they can also suggest workouts to try and guide you towards getting a better night’s sleep, which is crucial for recovery. Of course, if you’ve had even a cursory glance at the amount of fitness trackers available, the sheer degree of choice can feel a bit overwhelming.
Luckily for you, we’ve personally tested countless fitness trackers, observed how they perform in the real world, and documented our results. Off the back of that testing, we’ve put together the following list to let you know which fitness trackers impressed us the most, and why they’re worth buying.
We’ve taken out plenty of other wearables beyond the realm of fitness tracking, so if you want to see the best smartwatches, best cheap smartwatches, best Apple watches and the best Wear OS watches, then we’ve got you covered. If you do want to see a few more fitness-related options however then our best running watch, best Fitbit and best Garmin watch round-ups are well worth a look.
Best Fitness Tracker at a glance
Find out more about how we test fitness trackers
We use every fitness tracker we review as our primary wearable for at least a week – or longer, if the battery life lasts beyond that point or we need more time to trial its features.
During that time we will test it on a variety of different activities. These will range from basic step tracking, to how well it tracks runs, swims, cycling and more.
For distance tracking, we assess how accurately the device records runs on tracks we know the length of. We also evaluate the level of battery life lost per hour using features such as built-in or connected GPS. To check heart rate accuracy, we compare the results from the wearable to a dedicated HRM strap.
Next we combine the data recorded with our general experience of using the wearable day-to-day, revealing whether the device proved comfortable to wear, alongside any issues we may have encountered with unexpected bugs over the review period.
We then evaluate key metrics including app support, usability and battery life.
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Slim and very comfortable to wear
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Goes well beyond claimed seven days of battery
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Google Health app is fantastic
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Some of the best, most helpful uses of AI yet
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No on-wrist charging
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No bicep strap accessories
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Lacks built-in GPS
If you want a fitness tracker that stays completely out of your way and never pesters you for attention, the Google Fitbit Air is the best screenless option you can buy right now, and the Google Health app is a big reason why.
The screenless design keeps your focus on your day rather than your wrist. It’s genuinely slim, sliding under a shirt cuff without any bulk, and light enough that you’ll forget you’re wearing it overnight. Sleep tracking held up well in our testing, catching the disturbances we remembered and closely matching how rested we actually felt the following morning.
The real draw here isn’t the hardware itself; it’s how the Air connects into the new Google Health app. There are no cluttered dashboards or walls of numbers you’ll never read. The app runs on both iOS and Android and points you toward things you can genuinely act on, largely through Google’s AI-driven Health Coach.
That coach genuinely surprised us during testing. Tell it you work from home, or that Mondays start at 6am, and it shifts its workout and sleep suggestions to match. You can also log meals or extra activity by voice or by snapping a photo, which is a handy shortcut if food tracking is already part of your routine.
There is a catch worth knowing about. Full access to the coaching features requires a Google Health Premium subscription at £7.99/$9.99 a month. Given the Air itself costs £84.99/$99.99, we think that’s a reasonable ask, particularly when you put it next to what a Whoop membership demands. Skip the subscription and you still get the core fundamentals: heart rate, steps, and sleep data.
For workouts, the Air logs heart rate, calories, and steps, but with no screen you’re either reaching for your phone mid-run or going by feel. Some people will prefer that simplicity. Others won’t.
Battery life is a genuine highlight, with close to ten days per charge in our testing, well beyond the seven days Google claims. There’s no bicep strap option, but 5ATM water resistance means swimming is covered, and replacement straps are reasonably priced.
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Welcome addition of LTE connectivity
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MicroLED brings sharper, brighter display technology
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Same great Fenix sports and outdoor features
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Big jump in cost
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You need to pay for an inReach subscription
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New sensors equal a thicker case
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MicroLED battery drain
The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro takes everything that has made the Fenix series a firm favourite among endurance athletes and layers on a set of useful additions that push it even further ahead of the competition.
At its core, you get the same multi-band GPS, Elevate Gen 5 heart rate sensor with ECG readings, and Garmin’s mapping and navigation stack that remains the best in the business. The training analysis tools go deep enough to satisfy even the most data-obsessed athletes, with Training Readiness telling you when to push hard and when to ease off, Garmin Coach now extending to strength plans alongside running ones, and Daily Suggested Workouts giving you a structured training week without having to build one yourself.
Preloaded topographic maps are ready straight out of the box, with Up Ahead and Dynamic Round-Trip Routing proving particularly useful on race day or during longer adventures, flagging waypoints and rebuilding routes on the fly.
Where the Pro really distances itself from the standard model is in connectivity. Built-in LTE allows for calls, messages, location sharing, and live tracking without needing a phone in your pocket, while integrated InReach satellite technology picks up coverage the moment you venture properly off-grid. SOS functionality and Garmin Response back everything up if things go wrong.
There is also a 51mm MicroLED variant available which is brighter and sharper than the AMOLED, making maps and data noticeably easier to read in strong sunlight.
For those who want the deepest training tools, the finest mapping available, and the peace of mind that comes from LTE and satellite messaging, the Fenix 8 Pro is exceptionally hard to beat.
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Most of that good Garmin sports tracking
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Useful big screen for viewing maps
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It’s really light to wear
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Misses out on Garmin dual-band GPS and ECG
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Square design isn’t all that eye-grabbing
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Battery life in always-on display mode
It’s taken Garmin a while to embrace the direction of the smartwatch industry at large fully, but the wait has very much been worth it thanks to the brilliance of the Garmin Venu X1.
Unlike the more rugged, adventure-focused Garmins of old, the Venu X1 charts a new path to serve as a more direct competitor to the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Even just by looking at it, you can tell that the Venu X1 is nothing like Garmin’s usual batch of devices – its square design is straight out of the Apple playbook, and instead of the chunkier frame that you might see on the Fenix 8 or the Enduro 3, this fitness tracker is incredibly slim, being just 7.9mm thick.
Alongside the revamped design is a new screen that really shows off Garmin’s operating system in its best light. This two-inch panel isn’t just massive, with plenty of room to show off the watch face and any workout metrics, it’s also wonderfully bright with a colourful AMOLED panel.
When you are diving into that data, it’s very much the same experience that we’re used to seeing with Garmin’s very best watches. From our testing, heart rate data was largely in sync with a dedicated chest-worn heart rate strap, and you can see exactly which parts of a run had you struggling, giving you insight as to where you need to improve in the future.
All of this is great, but one of the key reasons why you’d want to choose the X1 over the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the inclusion of an eight-day battery life. That destroys the two-day stint of Apple’s wearable, which also happens to be a fair bit more expensive. Throw in the fact that the watch also has a built-in torch which can be used to find your way on a trail, and it’s easy to see why the Garmin Venu X1 is among our favourite fitness trackers right now.
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Good overall fitness and sports tracking
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Improved user interface
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Slimmer than the Vivoactive 5
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Largely the same design as Vivoactive 5
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Doesn’t include the latest sensor technology
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Just one case size option
While the absolute top-tier Garmin wearables will always be worth picking up for those who spend almost all of their time exercising, the company’s entry-level/mid-range options are now so good that they’re a far better buy for the majority of people. With that in mind, if you enjoy going to the gym, attending the local park run or are simply tempted to start making moves towards a healthier lifestyle, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is the ideal wearable companion.
Even though it packs a relatively affordable price point of £279.99/$299, the Vivoactive 6 still has the same great fitness and sports tracking software that has made Garmin such a mainstay in this industry. Daily step tracking is reliable, as is the Body Battery monitor which gives you an idea of how much energy you have left in the tank so that you can tweak your next workout accordingly.
There’s GPS tracking for when you’re delving into an outdoor workout, letting you see after the fact which parts of your route had you struggling, and there’s even onboard storage so that you can listen to your go-to running playlists offline and without needing your phone with you.
All of this is shown to you via a gorgeous 1.2-inch AMOLED display that not only makes Garmin’s watch faces pop with an eye-catching level of contrast, it’s also incredibly easy to read in darker scenarios, which couldn’t always be said for some of Garmin’s older displays.
Compared to its predecessor, the Vivoactive 6 is now slimmer, so it can sit on your wrist and feel less obtrusive than before. The upgraded UI also feels like a step in the right direction, making the Vivoactive 6 feel far more intuitive and closer In style to what you’d get with more traditional smartwatches. As a final note, the Vivoactive 6 manages to decimate competing devices from Apple and Samsung where battery life is concerned, reaching up to 11-days of use on a single charge.
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Comfortable to wear 24/7 with strong quality display
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Nice array of features for the price
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Gets new mini-workouts feature
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More limited app store access
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Inconsistent feature support across iOS and Android
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Agreeing to consent on every feature
Budget-conscious athletes who can live without the premium extras found on more expensive wearables should put the Huawei Watch Fit 5 near the top of their shortlist.
For something sitting at £149.99, it packs in a great deal. The 1.82-inch AMOLED display is bright and punchy, and it sits alongside two physical buttons that work in tandem with the touchscreen to help you navigate HarmonyOS 6.10 without any fuss.
An optical heart rate sensor handles real-time tracking while also running Pulse Wave Arrhythmia analysis, which can flag serious conditions like atrial fibrillation. Runners and cyclists benefit from deeper workout metrics too, with the added option to pair external sensors such as power meters, which is an impressive inclusion at this price point.
A standout addition is the new mini-workouts feature. These are short, simple sessions that can be completed pretty much anywhere, with each one taking just 30 seconds, making it easy to sneak some movement into your day without a great deal of effort.
Rounding things out, the Watch Fit 5 tracks sleep quality and general wellbeing alongside dual-band GPS, 5 ATM water resistance, and up to 10 days of battery life on a single charge. For those taking their first serious steps into fitness tracking, it’s a compelling package.
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Added ceramic case model
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Lovely, sharp and vibrant AMOLED display
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Good GPS and heart rate tracking accuracy
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Remains a button-free band
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No Bluetooth calls
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Mi Fit app could be slicker
Xiaomi has taken what made the Smart Band 9 Pro a solid budget pick and pushed things noticeably further with the Band 10 Pro.
The design feels more premium this time around, there’s even a ceramic edition for those who want something a bit more special. The AMOLED panel has grown to 1.74 inches with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, meaning it’s genuinely readable in direct sunlight in a way that cheaper trackers often aren’t.
Like the Smart Band 9 Pro, the Band 10 Pro also brings built-in GPS, so you can head out for a run or ride without your phone in your pocket. A new PPG module and reworked algorithms have sharpened heart rate and sleep tracking, too, which were areas where the Smart Band 9 Pro could be hit-or-miss.
There are over 150 sports modes on board, and 5 ATM water resistance means swimming is no problem, with dedicated pool and open water modes included. If contactless payments matter to you, there’s an NFC version available at a slightly higher cost.
Battery life reaches up to 21 days, though leaning on GPS and the brighter display will bring that figure down. The companion app remains fairly bare-bones, particularly around workout breakdowns and sleep analysis, but it handles the basics without getting in the way.
At £69.99, the Band 10 Pro is one of the strongest cases for spending just a little more than the absolute minimum on a fitness tracker.
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Screen is nice and bright
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Sapphire glass for added screen protection
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Some useful new running metrics
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Battery drop from the the 965
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The price has increased massively
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Garmin heart rate monitor needed for new metrics
The Garmin Forerunner 970 is the best option for cardio tracking on this list, earning that spot by packing a sharp AMOLED display, best-in-class sensor accuracy, and a suite of running-specific tools into one seriously capable sports watch.
Garmin’s shift to AMOLED has been gradual, but the 970 shows the company has fully found its footing with the format. The panel is notably brighter than what you’d find on older Forerunner models, and the addition of sapphire crystal protection means it holds up better against scratches than most rivals in this category.
The software side runs on Garmin’s own operating system, which works smoothly with both iPhones and Android devices. Garmin Connect remains the hub for syncing data and adjusting settings, and a new optional Connect+ subscription adds AI-driven insights on top of the standard experience. The watch itself gets a reworked interface that tries to blend sports and smartwatch functionality more naturally than previous generations managed.
Where the 970 really separates itself is in tracking depth. Multiband GPS and an upgraded sensor array put it near the top of the field for accuracy, and two new running-specific metrics, running economy and running tolerance, give you a clearer picture of how your training is actually affecting your body over time.
The one genuine drawback is battery life. At roughly 4 to 5 days of moderate use, it falls a long way short of the 15 days delivered by its predecessor, the Forerunner 965. If runtime is your main concern, the 965 remains the smarter buy. For anyone else who wants the most advanced cardio tracking on this list, the Forerunner 970 is an outstanding pick; just be prepared for the premium asking price that comes with it.
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Fantastically compact, premium design
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Great overview of health and fitness
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Polished, clutter-free app experience
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Excellent battery life and rapid charging
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No real changes to the app
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New software features are region-locked
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Requires a monthly subscription
The Oura Ring 5 is our top pick for the best smart ring you can buy right now, and it earns that spot in large part because of how far Oura has pushed the design.
Where the Ring 4 came close to looking like genuine jewellery, the Ring 5 is the first version that actually pulls it off. At 6.09mm wide and 2.28mm thick, it sits among the slimmest rings available anywhere, and the titanium build not only keeps things lightweight but also offers noticeably better scratch resistance than before. The gold version we tested came across as convincingly premium, which isn’t something you could say about every smart ring out there.
Beneath that refined exterior, the Ring 5 delivers the same sharp sleep and wellness tracking that built Oura’s reputation. The readiness score and sleep breakdowns remain some of the best you can get from any wearable, giving you a clear picture of how your body is recovering and where adjustments are worth making.
The one consideration worth flagging is that, unlike some rivals, Oura still operates on a monthly subscription model. At £5.99/$5.99 per month, you get access to a clean, polished app with smart food tracking and an AI health coach built in, but it is an ongoing cost you will need to factor into your decision before committing.
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Attractive and very comfortable design
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Bigger display doesn’t feel huge on the wrist
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Fun addition of mini-workouts
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Not a radical upgrade on the Fit 4 Pro
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Android users will enjoy stronger smartwatch support
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Huawei Health app is still full of bloatware
The Watch Fit 5 Pro is the best pick on this list for those who want a Huawei fitness tracker with serious stamina and a genuinely useful set of health monitoring tools, even if it doesn’t always steal the spotlight from flashier models in the range.
At first glance, the 44.5mm case bears a resemblance to an Apple Watch, and Huawei has stuck closely to the design language of its previous Pro model. The lug-style connector makes swapping straps a much less fiddly process than the pin mechanisms found on other Huawei smartwatches.
Where the Fit 5 Pro starts to diverge from the competition is in its software. iPhone users will feel boxed in, unable to act on notifications or access the full app library, while Android users get a better deal with a handful of useful extras. That said, Huawei’s own wellness tools are genuinely worth having. Sleep tracking and stress monitoring both performed well during our testing.
Fitness tracking is where the Fit 5 Pro really earns its place on this list. A wide range of sport modes covering walking, running, and hiking are all backed by dual-band GPS for accurate route and pace data.
The 5ATM water resistance rating extends to recreational diving at depths of up to 40 metres, which is a genuinely impressive spec for a fitness tracker at this level. There is also a new mini-workout feature that nudges you into simple exercises during periods of inactivity.
Battery life came in at around a week during our testing, which is a strong showing for stamina among fitness trackers in this category.
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Same great swim tracking and AR display
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Adds tougher display material
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Battery life remains strong
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No software differences from Swim 2
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Added a process to protect against lens fogging
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The hardware and subscription combo still isn’t cheap
Form’s smart swimming goggles have earned a loyal following for good reason, and the second-generation Smart Swim 2 Pro remains one of the most compelling options on the market.
Any swimmer who has tried tracking their sessions with a wrist-based watch will know that glancing down mid-lap is less than ideal, and that is precisely where these goggles carve out their niche. The built-in AR display puts your pace, distance and heart rate directly on the lens, so you can check your metrics without breaking your rhythm for a second.
Stroke detection proved accurate during testing, picking up different techniques without issue, and lap counts stayed reliable throughout. Battery life sits at 14 hours, which is enough to cover several sessions before you need to reach for the proprietary magnetic charging cable, though that is one area where Form asks you to play by its own rules.
The Swim 2 Pro’s tougher Gorilla Glass 3 lenses make it the better choice for swimmers who spend more time in open water or regularly train in more challenging conditions. They should stand up better to knocks and wear than standard plastic lenses, adding extra reassurance for anyone who is harder on their kit.
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Comfortable to wear 24/7
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Solid heart rate tracking accuracy
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Useful for daily activity and sleep tracking
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Overly sensitive exercise recognition support
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Zepp Health app still needs refining
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General sports tracking could be improved
The Amazfit Helio Strap is one of the most compelling subscription-free fitness trackers you can buy right now, and it earns that distinction by delivering a deep feature set without asking for a penny beyond the upfront cost.
There is no screen, which will immediately put some buyers off, but for anyone who finds constant wrist notifications a distraction during training, that absence is actually a selling point rather than a shortcoming.
The feature list is impressive for the price. You get 27 sports modes, 25 strength exercises that the strap detects automatically, and a dedicated Hyrox race mode for tracking combined running and effort. That kind of sports coverage would be noteworthy on a device priced twice as much.
Accuracy is where the Helio Strap really justifies its place on this list. Heart rate tracking held up well throughout testing, and VO2 Max estimates were similarly reliable. BioCharge Wake, Zepp Health’s take on a readiness score, tracked closely with readings from an Oura Ring worn simultaneously, which is no small feat.
Sleep tracking was a highlight too, with wake and sleep times, sleep stages, and overnight heart rate data all consistent with what the Oura Ring recorded on the other wrist. Battery life is rated at up to 10 days by Amazfit, but expect closer to a week once continuous stress monitoring and blood oxygen tracking are switched on.
At £99/$99 with no subscription required, the Helio Strap is an easy pick for anyone who wants capable, out-of-the-way fitness tracking without an ongoing monthly commitment.
FAQs
Do you need in-built GPS for a fitness tracker?
GPS is a key functionality we recommend any buyer who regularly exercises outdoors invest in. The feature uses satellite networks to offer reliable location and distance tracking. This lets most trackers with it provide better analytics on activities like hiking, outdoor running and cycling.
How much should you spend on a fitness tracker?
The answer to this depends largely on what you want to use the tracker for. If you want a top-end multi-sports tracker to help you train for a triathlon, then you’ll want to spend a little more on a tracker with a decent water resistance rating, reliable in-built GPS and lengthy battery life. These tend to cost $400/£400-plus. But if you’re just getting started and only need basic features like step tracking and heart rate zones, there are plenty of decent, affordable trackers, many of which cost less than $150/£150.
Which is better, Fitbit or Garmin?
Whether a Fitbit or a Garmin smartwatch is better for you will depend on your usage. Generally speaking, a Fitbit will likely suffice for beginners, those looking for a more general overview of their health and fitness, and those who don’t necessarily have over £400/$400 to spend on a wearable.
However, if you’re looking for a smartwatch that offers a closer, more in-depth look at your health and fitness and want to benefit from additional features, such as a built-in LED torch or accurate GPS tracking, then a Garmin is likely to suit you better – as long as you have the budget.
Plus, as Garmin offers such a varied range of smartwatches, you’re bound to find a wearable that suits your lifestyle best. Our list of the best Garmin smartwatches offers more insight.
For a closer look at the differences between the two smartwatch brands, visit our Garmin vs Fitbit guide.
Full Specs
| Google Fitbit Air Review | Garmin Fenix 8 Pro Review | Garmin Venu X1 Review | Garmin Vivoactive 6 Review | Huawei Watch Fit 5 Review | Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Pro Review | Garmin Forerunner 970 Review | Oura Ring 5 Review | Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro Review | Form Smart Swim 2 Pro Review | Amazfit Helio Strap Review | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Garmin | Garmin | Garmin | Huawei | Xiaomi | Garmin | – | Huawei | Form | Amazfit | |
| Screen Size | 0 inches | 1.4 inches | 2 inches | 1.2 inches | 1.82 inches | 1.74 inches | 1.2 mm | 0 mm | 1.92 inches | – | – |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 | Not Disclosed | IP68 | IPX6 | IP68 | Not Disclosed | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| Waterproof | 5ATM | 10ATM | 5ATM | 5ATM | 5ATM | 5ATM | 5ATM | 5ATM | 5ATM | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Battery | – | – | – | – | – | 350 mAh | – | 22 mAh | 471 mAh | – | 232 mAh |
| Size (Dimensions) | 17 x 34.9 x 8.3 MM | 47 x 16 x 47 MM | 46 x 7.9 x 41 MM | 42.2 x 10.9 x 42.2 MM | 42.9 x 9.5 x 38.2 MM | 32.2 x 9.7 x 42.8 MM | 47 x 12.9 x 47 MM | 6.09 x 6.09 x MM | 44.5 x 9.5 x 40.8 MM | x x INCHES | 34 x 10.6 x 24.3 MM |
| Weight | 12 G | 73 G | 37 G | 36 G | 27 G | 28 G | 56 G | 2 G | 30 G | 70.5 G | 20 G |
| ASIN | – | – | – | B0F38GK1QZ | – | – | B0F8QZ7233 | – | – | – | – |
| Operating System | – | Garmin OS | – | Garmin | HarmonyOS | HyperOS | – | – | – | – | – |
| Release Date | 2026 | 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2026 | 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2026 | 2025 | 2025 |
| First Reviewed Date | 26/05/2026 | 06/10/2025 | 02/07/2025 | 14/05/2025 | 23/07/2026 | 05/06/2026 | 03/07/2025 | 08/06/2026 | 07/05/2026 | 08/09/2025 | 15/09/2025 |
| Colours | – | – | Black | Lunar Gold, Slate, Metallic Jasper, Metallic Pink Dawn | Silver, Purple, Green, White, Black | Black, White, Pink, Silver | Black, Green, Purple | Black, Silver, Stealth, Brushed Silver, Gold and Deep Rose | Orange, White, Black | – | Black |
| GPS | – | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | – | – |
| UK RRP | £84.99 | £1029.99 | £679.99 | £279.99 | £149.99 | £69.99 | £629.99 | £399 | £249 | £279 | £99 |
| USA RRP | $99.99 | $1199.99 | $799.99 | $299.99 | TBC | – | $749.99 | $399 | Unavailable | $329 | $99 |
| EU RRP | – | – | – | – | – | €79.99 | – | – | – | – | – |
Anyone with a keen interest in the European car market will know that Cupra parted ways with its sister company Seat way back in 2018 to become the high-performance, funky standalone brand to attract the attention of a more youthful buyer.
The gamble paid off, as Cupra now outsells Seat in most regions, thanks to its heady line-up of handsomely styled SUVs and sporty hatchbacks, all with a fine selection of electrified powertrains.
This latest edition to the family, the relatively diminutive Raval, is the first of its kind to sit on parent company VW’s MEB+ platform, which will also underpin the upcoming and equally spicy ID Polo (including the GTI), the ID Cross and Skoda’s more crossover focused Epiq.
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But Cupra being Cupra has seen fit to endow the Raval with almost comically sporty proportions, a fabulously appointed interior and the sort of electric powertrain that is designed to have true driving fans won over.
Having driven the top spec VZ models out on the beautifully flowing roads of northeastern Spain, it’s clear that there is still room for the compact, agile hot hatch in the often soulless world of modern EVs.
Seriously styled
You only have to take a look at one of the many recent Cupra events to realize that the company approaches new product launches a little differently.
These shindigs are typically held in warehouses and other industrial settings, often involve world-class DJs and incorporate faces from fashion, sports and culture.
The overemphasized creases on the bonnet, super aggressive front lamps and chunky rear diffuser on this VZ model signal its racy intentions.
The Raval is all of this stuff distilled into a diminutive hatchback, with copper accents and contrast flourishes on the outside, myriad on-trend materials throughout the cockpit and the latest technology taking care of infotainment duties.
On the outside, the Raval rides low to the ground (well, as low as any modern EV can) and wears its squat proportions with pride.
The over-emphasized creases on the bonnet, super aggressive front lamps and chunky rear diffuser on this VZ model signal its racy intentions.
It also rides on 19-inch ‘Rebel’ rims and crams vegan leather bucket seats into the cockpit, as well as a 12.9-inch Android Automotive central display and a separate 10.25-inch digital cockpit that takes care of speed and whatnot.
Considering the Raval VZ starts at £34,9995 in the UK (that’s around $47,000 / AU$65,000), it feels like a generous dose of premium car for the money.
But for those happy with the smaller wheels and smaller battery pack (more on that later), the range actually starts from £23,785 (around $32,000 / AU$45,000) for the 115hp, 37kWh models.
Nice and spicy
Clearly, the VZ version driven here is a little ‘spicier’ when it comes its performance credentials, as it features the larger 52kWh battery pack and a powertrain that delivers 222bhp and 214lb ft to the front wheels in proper hot hatch fashion.
Prod the accelerator and the little Raval wants to move, whisking drivers and passengers from rest to 62mph in a respectable 6.8 seconds.
It even has a quasi launch control mode that sends little shudders and vibrations through the seat to make the process of accelerating feel more exciting.
Prod the accelerator and the little Raval wants to move, whisking drivers and passengers from rest to 62mph in a respectable 6.8 seconds.
Granted, it feels a little gimmicky but Cupra has done an excellent job of making the Raval feel as sprightly as its exterior lines would suggest.
Flick it into Cupra mode via a dedicated button on the steering wheel and, alongside a growling synthesized soundtrack, you’re treated to massive levels of grip.
This results in the ability to round corners with all the thrills of a go-kart, while the dynamic chassis control fitted to this VZ model keeps things flat and firm when the mood takes. Thankfully, it is adjustable through 15 stages, so you can easily get a set up that suits.
But when settling back down into Eco of Comfort modes, the Cupra does its best impression of a sensible, grown-up VW Group product, proving almost perfectly quiet and comfortable when cruising along the highway. The ride quality really is excellent.
Fuel for thought
Having driven almost too many EVs to remember, I have got into the habit of always checking battery efficiency after an event like this.
It’s a great indication of real-world driving, often taking in faster, flowing sections of road (where the regen will help top-up batteries), slower city driving and battery-sapping highway miles.
The Cupra Raval revealed that we averaged around 4.5 miles per kWh after a day of driving, which means we could have happily racked up over 200-miles from a single charge of the relatively small 52kWh NMC battery packs.
Cupra’s official WLTP rating has this pegged at 239-miles, which feels honest and achievable if driving sensibly… which I wasn’t during this particular test.
Raval’s recharging game is strong too, with a 10-80% session taking just 24-minutes from a 105kW DC public charger. It’s slightly longer than close rivals, such as the recent Renault 5 and Kia EV2, but neither of those cars can really be described as feisty.
But perhaps the most striking thing to note from the small, sporty hatchback is that there’s a decent amount of room inside. Two adults can very comfortably sit up front and there’s just enough room in the back for a few friends.
Admittedly, leg room in the rear isn’t exactly generous, but it’s very good in this segment, while the rear trunk is positively cavernous. Mounting the motor at the front results in an impressive amount of space to store bulkier items.
There’s even a clever folding floor that can be set at various levels, making it easier to throw in shopping when space isn’t required or free up a deeper hole for those weekend trips away.
The Cupra Raval offers a beguiling mix of sensible, grown up elements — such as the responsive Android Automotive-based infotainment system, practical interior space and premium-feeling fabrics — and laces it with a hefty dose of fun.
Granted, this isn’t the all-out hot hatch that we might be used to from the ICE era, but it gets very close.
Plus, with VW set to unleash an ID Polo GTI later this year with eerily similar performance figures, it makes you wonder if it’s worth holding out for that revered badge when the Raval VZ is this good.
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