Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

Motsmann Outranger’s camper trailer gives you off-grid comfort without the size and hassle of an RV

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Camping has a way of making us rethink how much we actually need. A tent can be wonderfully simple, but inclement weather, uneven ground, and the lack of a comfortable place to sleep can quickly make the romance of sleeping outdoors wear thin. Larger RVs solve those problems, but they also bring more complexity and restrictions to the journey. The Motsmann Outranger is different, as it packs the essentials for a comfortable two-person escape into a compact trailer that can venture well beyond paved roads.

At first glance, the Outranger looks like an unusually squared-off interpretation of the classic teardrop trailers. That shape is deliberate, though, as Oregon-based Motsmann Engineering combines the compact footprint of a teardrop with the more upright proportions of a squaredrop, then wraps it in a molded composite body. The result is a camper trailer that feels familiar yet distinctly modern, with smooth exterior surfaces and a slightly automotive character. Measuring 13.5 feet from hitch to rear bumper, the Outranger is small enough to remain manageable behind a pickup, SUV, 4×4, or crossover. It weighs 1,450 pounds dry in the base configuration, making the relatively low weight one of its biggest advantages for off-grid travel.

Designer: Motsmann Outranger

Motsmann has also taken an unusually durable approach to construction, with the body assembled from six molded composite structural panels rather than traditional wood-based construction. Beneath the rig sits a bolted, fully galvanized 3-mm steel chassis. The bolted frame is intended to make repairs and future upgrades easier, while the absence of wood throughout the camper eliminates concerns about swelling and warping from moisture. The lower body receives a Raptor polyurethane coating for additional protection. Underneath, a Timbren 2000 HD independent suspension and 15-inch wheels wrapped in 30-inch Falken Wildpeak tires give the little trailer considerably more confidence away from smooth roads. It is still a compact camper rather than a full-size expedition rig, but its proportions and hardware are clearly designed with rougher terrain in mind.

Inside, the Outranger keeps things intentionally simple. The cabin is only 50 inches high, so standing isn’t possible, but there is enough room to sit comfortably on the 82-inch memory-foam mattress. The sleeping area widens from 50 inches at the feet to 57 inches at the head, making the compact interior feel less restrictive than its exterior dimensions suggest. Two large side doors with opening windows also bring ventilation and easier access. The rear hatch opens onto a full-width galley that can be left largely empty for owners who already have their own camping equipment. Those wanting a more complete setup can add a two-burner Dometic cooktop, drawer refrigerator, sink, and water system. A fold-down side table extends the countertop outdoors, creating additional space for food preparation or serving.

Power comes from a 12-volt electrical system with a 200-Ah Renogy lithium battery, LED lighting, USB charging, and shore power. The battery can be upgraded to 600 Ah, while optional solar charging, a 2,000-watt inverter, and tow-vehicle charging make the Outranger better suited to longer stretches away from campsites. A roof rack can carry up to 200 pounds dynamically, with a 650-pound static capacity, adding another layer of utility for outdoor gear.

Motsmann will open preorders for the Outranger on September 1, with the starting price of $25,950 before options. Rather than forcing every buyer into the same fully equipped package, the company lets owners add equipment according to how they actually camp. For just under US$2,450, you can get a sink basin with a gravity faucet, an inset Dometic dual-burner gas stove, a 53-L fresh water tank, a 30-L waste water tank, and a Vitrifrigo drawer fridge. Those needing extra refrigeration can also add a second 30-L drawer fridge for US$494, tucked neatly into the compartment behind the fold-down side table.

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Heart Aerospace X1 takes flight as the world’s largest battery-electric aircraft

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Electric aviation has reached a milestone that once seemed reserved for much smaller aircraft. Heart Aerospace’s X1 demonstrator has completed its first flight, becoming the largest battery-electric aircraft ever to take to the skies. The aircraft flew from Plattsburgh International Airport in upstate New York on August 12, marking a significant step toward bringing electric propulsion to the scale of regional air travel.

The X1 is not intended to become a passenger aircraft itself. Instead, it is a full-scale technology demonstrator for Heart Aerospace’s ES-30, a 30-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft currently under development. Its purpose is to validate the propulsion system, aerodynamics, flight performance, and other technologies that will eventually be carried into the production aircraft.

Designer: Heart Aerospace

For a prototype, the X1 is quite substantial. It has a 106-foot wingspan, measures 76 feet from nose to tail, and weighs more than 25,000 pounds at takeoff. Four electric motors provide propulsion, drawing their energy entirely from onboard batteries during the test flight. The maiden flight lasted 27 minutes and included taxiing, takeoff, climb, maneuvering, and landing. The aircraft reached 1,100 feet above ground while its electric propulsion system delivered more than one megawatt of power. The test was conducted under an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Experimental Category, with the flight kept within a controlled test envelope.

Perhaps the most striking detail is the reported energy cost. Heart Aerospace says the flight used approximately $5 worth of electricity. That figure covers the battery-powered flight operation, while some reporting notes that electricity consumed during ground taxiing would need to be considered separately. Even with that distinction, the demonstration offers a tangible illustration of the potential operating-cost advantage of electric propulsion over conventional aircraft fuel.

The limitations, though, have still to be kept in mind, as batteries still cannot provide the energy density required for longer regional flights. That is why the production ES-30 will use a hybrid-electric architecture rather than relying entirely on batteries. Heart Aerospace is targeting an all-electric range of about 124–125 miles, while hybrid operation is expected to extend the range to roughly 497–500 miles. The aircraft is designed to carry 30 passengers and has a battery recharge time of around 30 minutes.

Heart expects the ES-30 to reduce operating costs by more than 40 percent compared with legacy regional aircraft, combining lower energy costs with simpler electric propulsion, reduced maintenance requirements, and potentially greater reliability and aircraft availability. Airlines including United Airlines and Air Canada have committed to the program, with total customer commitments reported at $9.4 billion.

The first pre-production ES-30 is already being developed at Heart Aerospace’s Los Angeles pilot manufacturing plant, with flight testing scheduled for 2028 and entry into service targeted for 2031. The X1’s 27-minute flight does not make electric commercial aviation a finished proposition, but it unearths something more fundamental. Battery-powered propulsion can now lift an aircraft approaching regional-airliner scale off a runway and enable a controlled flight. That is a feat in itself!

 

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Ruka Studio’s TD-1 Vertical Turntable Turns Your Vinyl Collection Into Stunning Part of Your Room

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For a very long time, the world was fixated on horizontal vinyl players that took up a premium space on a table. Just recently, the tide has started shifting in favor of vertical record players that are designed to stand out instead of blending in. The new entrant in the category already explored by designer Fatih Demirci, CoolGeek, and Dutch Hi-Fi maker Miniot, is Ruka Studio – a Los Angeles-based company that was founded in 2024.

Relatively new in its existence, Ruka makes its presence felt with the wealth of experience that forms the DNA of the brand. Reportedly, Ruka Studio was founded by a group of former Apple engineers and designers, so a high-end turntable with a premium finish would be a given. But that’s not where it’s stopping; the company has launched its first vertical turntable called the TD-1.

Designer: Ruka Studio

Designed as a turntable that mounts vertically on the wall, or stands upright on a floor stand, it becomes part of the room instead of taking over a table. The TD-1 can spin a vinyl record vertically, which is a treat to the eye and food for thought for your mind. The design is pretty seamless, and you’re left wondering how the giant disk is actually spinning without gravity acting upon it.

If you’re someone who holds your record collection dear and as a reflection of who you are. The TD-1 is conceived with the idea of enhancing that experience like no other has done before. Yes, there have been vertical record players we have seen in our time, but the Ruka’s model is a standout, thanks to its aluminum body and visibly enticing mechanical switches and knobs that turn and click to control playback, adjust the record’s rotational speed, and also to pair the device with a speaker system over Bluetooth. It also comes with wired output to connect with a hi-fi system.

When everyone is trying to integrate AI and convenient remote control via dedicated apps, the TD-1 remains as analog as the record playing was meant to be. The most it gets away from the analog commitment is to stream your vinyl records to a wireless Bluetooth speaker or compatible earbuds.

To make how it looks placed vertically more exciting, the TD-1 arrives with a rubber-coated magnetic plate that holds the record against the wall to appear as if it were floating in mid-air. To ensure you are not hassled with getting the placement straight, it comes with a built-in spirit level. The player features a swappable moving-magnet cartridge, which the company says should allow users to select the cartridge they want, of course for an additional cost from the device itself. The TD-1 turntable itself is belt-drive. The motor has been de-coupled from the acrylic platter to minimize vibration, ensuring smoother and quieter playback.

Ruka Studio TD-1 is available to preorder now starting at a reserve price of $100 on the company’s website. It is priced at $1,399, and preordered models are expected to ship in 2027. The $100 credit is fully refundable or will be adjusted in the final price when a device is shipped.

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You can now drive Koenigsegg’s 1,600-HP GT1 racecar that never saw the grid

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Some cars are born to race, and the Koenigsegg CCGT was built for that very purpose, yet never got the chance to compete. Nearly two decades later, the Swedish brand has turned that unfinished chapter into something extraordinary. This is the CCGT1, a road-legal megacar that brings the spirit of the abandoned GT1 project to modern roads and racetracks. The limited-edition model is based on the CC850 and pays homage to the original CCGT, of which only one was ever built.

The original CCGT was conceived as a GT1 competition machine with a lightweight 1,000-kg chassis and naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8. It showed considerable promise in testing, but changes to FIA regulations made the car ineligible before it could fulfill its racing destiny. The CCGT1 effectively gives that lost idea a second life, although in a radically more powerful and road-usable form with the signature Koenigsegg flair.

Designer: Koenigsegg

Almost every body panel has been redesigned, with the doors and removable roof being the notable exceptions. Its most dramatic feature is the enormous active rear wing, which works alongside the front splitter, sculpted underfloor and active aerodynamic systems to generate up to 800 kg of downforce at 250 km/h. Integrated NACA ducts and a bespoke roof scoop also help keep the car composed and cool during extended track sessions.

Power comes from the in-house twin-turbo V8, producing 1,280 hp on pump fuel and 1,600 hp on E85, with the engine capable of running on blends of the two. Power reaches the rear wheels through the Light Speed Transmission, paired with Koenigsegg’s new Sequential Shift system. The setup brings a race-inspired sequential lever, clutch pedal and clutchless ignition-cut shifts, while buyers can alternatively choose the Engage Shift System, which combines a gated six-speed manual interface with automatic operation. Paddle shifting remains available with both configurations.

The cockpit follows the same uncompromising philosophy. Lightweight carbon-fiber seats, six-point harnesses, a third-generation Chronocluster display and a driver-focused layout give it a distinctly competition-inspired character. Koenigsegg also introduces Ghost Fibre, a proprietary white carbon-fiber material derived from the Trevita project that combines reduced weight with greater strength and sound-deadening properties.

For owners seeking an even more focused experience, the optional factory-designed track package adds a carbon roll cage, racing seats, fire suppression, race exhaust, air jacks, track-oriented suspension and brakes, enhanced aerodynamics and dedicated track wheels and tires. Buyers also receive access to exclusive CCGT1 track days with factory support.

Koenigsegg will produce just 70 examples of the CCGT1, and all have already been allocated. The provided official and referenced sources do not disclose an official price, so no confirmed figure can be stated. What is clear, however, is that the CCGT1 is more than another extreme hypercar. The racer is Koenigsegg’s way of finally allowing an idea that never reached the starting grid to live out its racing ambitions – this time with a license plate!

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Wellhouse Leisure’s Tiny Mitsubishi Delica is a Solo Camper With Pop-Up Roof and Full Kitchen

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I’m not a huge fan of traveling or camping solo. That’s me. Many out there – if you’re reading it, you could be one of them – prefer to go solo. If you have the cash and the desire to go camping in a van designed just with your solitary adventures in mind, then this latest one from Wellhouse Leisure is worth your time. This is a Mitsubishi Delica D2, also badged as Suzuki Solio, which has been tuned into a micro camper van with a pop-up roof.

Measuring only 3.7 meters long, the van is a compact deception. From the outside, it gives out nothing. But when the doors are flung open, the versatile interior can leave you mesmerized. The van has been equipped with a swivel passenger seat and a solo, crash-tested seat at the back. The two can lie flat to combine into a bed when the night calls. The interior is complete with an L-shaped kitchen and a portable toilet; you can use it indoors.

Designer: Wellhouse Leisure

The vehicle itself is an affordable entry into mobile living space. Priced roughly around £19,500 (approximately $26,000), varying based on the model. According to Wellhouse Leisure, the camper van comes in 2WD and 4WD hybrid powertrain options and essential motorhome features to go with it. Prioritizing storage and functionality, the 3.7-foot-long van opens up significant headroom with the pop-top roof. Approximately 6.5 feet of headroom, allowing a tall adventurer to stand up comfortably to change clothes and stretch their legs.

For safety and cross-ventilation without allowing bugs inside, the pop-up section includes mesh screens. This also permits natural light into the van, which houses an L-shaped rear kitchenette accessible with the open tailgate. To make it functional, it comes with a hob, sink, and a 20-liter drawer fridge is provided as well. The swiveling passenger seat and the rear chair can together be paired with a pop-up table to create a dining and lounging area. And when it’s time to sleep, the passenger seat and the rear seats fold flat, and the padded infill cushion creates a long single bed that can accommodate a 6-foot person with ease.

Just behind the driver seat is the chemical toilet seat. It can be used by slightly turning the driver’s seat forward even when the bed is laid out. It can be emptied after use from the outside of the vehicle; this nifty hack means you don’t have to carry it through the interior. The storage inside is taken care of with under-seat compartments and a special bedding storage section created above the portable toilet. For its ability to square up for more than a weekend, it features a removable water tank, solar panel regulator, and full electrical system.

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LEGO x Nike Air Force 1 is set for take-off with a 360° dunking minifig onboard

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LEGO and Nike are back with their new themed set. This time it’s the Air Force 1 Space-Themed Building Set that seems en route to orbit and beyond, leaving nothing but its exhaust plume behind. If you’ve been following, this is not the first such collaborative model. LEGO x Nike started their collaboration of kicks, bricks, and a whole lot of fan love with the co-branded Nike Dunk x LEGO Set.

Since then, the inspiring duo has not looked back. Giving sneakerheads, builders, and those who live in the spirit of basketball, a new set with playful details almost every year. Ideal for kids aged 9+ and adults alike, over the years, Nike Slam Dunk and the Nike Dunk Trickshot, the bright yellow Air Max Dn, and the iconic Air Max 95 LEGO sets have swayed us big time, and now the AF1 is here with similar intention.

Designer: LEGO x NikeLEGO x Nike

The LEGO x Nike Air Force 1 building set was officially announced with its first look on the LEGO website just recently. A nod to the Nike Air Force 1 sneaker, first launched in 1982, the set comprises 1,093 pieces and measures over 10.5 inches high, 14 inches wide and 4 inches deep. Alongside the sneaker, the interactive set features other antics to make it really interesting to see and fun to build. The space-themed build has the basketball sneaker as the highlight, but it shares base with kinetic display elements that are, of course, an eminent part of the build.

The Air Force 1 itself, ready for launch, comes in a clean white colorway with an orange Swoosh logo. The Swoosh is removable and replaceable with a silver logo, which resembles the heel collar ascent of the sneaker. The set, as mentioned, is not about the sneaker alone. Assembled on a base with traction patterns resembling the Air Force 1 outsole, it is centered around a large blue-colored AF1 sign.

The basketball setting on the base is made interesting with a LEGO spaceman minifigure, with Nike styling, mounted onto a mechanical rig and stationed on the AF1 sign with a basketball hoop just in the front. The minifigure features an interchangeable head and is attached to an integrated dial, which can be turned to let the minifig pull off one of the most difficult basketball moves. It can do a full 360-degree dunk by spinning mid-air before slamming the ball through the hoop.

An eye-pleasing conglomeration in white, blue and yellow, this LEGO x Nike Air Force 1 set will begin shipping from September 1, 2026. It will be available through LEGO for $100; a price point that should push you to get this streetwear decor for your desk, shelf, or bedside table.

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Pixel Watch 5 arrives with incremental upgrades and Gemini Intelligence, but are you willing to pay more?

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It’s that time of the year for Google to introduce its line-up of smartphones, smartwatches, and everything else that is destined for greatness. Samsung showed off last month what’s in their kitty, Apple’s going to reveal all the excitement next month, and bang in between is Pixel, right now. We already revealed our initial impressions of the Pixel 11 and the Pixel Tag, so now it’s the Pixel Watch 5 under the scanner.

The new wearable from the Google camp was making all the news in the weeks leading up to the final announcement, and most of those leaks have come true. Just like the Pixel Watch 4, the new wearable gets the same 360 domed Gorilla Glass 5 and more or less the same material composition from which the chassis is constructed. Last year’s Pixel Watch was good, and this one is an even better upgrade if you want to roll into the Google ecosystem.

Designer: Google

The watch designed for Gemini Intelligence gets a 320ppi AMOLED LTPO display supporting DCI-P3 color, but still has the same 3,000 nits brightness level as the predecessor. Under the hood, this wearable gets a clocked-up version of the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 (claimed to be 12 percent faster than last year’s offering) mated to an upgraded 3GB RAM (from 2GB last year) and 64GB storage, which again is an upgrade from the 32GB on the Watch 4. However, I was expecting the Snapdragon Wear Elite (based on the 3nm manufacturing process) to grace the smartwatch, just like on the new Galaxy watches. That said, it isn’t a deal breaker in any way.

Just like with all the newer gadget offerings, this one improves on the health tracking and claims to bring accurate sleep tracking for loyal users. Other reliable features include the loss of pulse detection (called the Breathing emergency detection) and skin temperature tracking. SpO2 monitoring and ECG tracking also come standard with both the models.

Improvement of life features include recovery recommendations based on heart rate and sleep metrics, custom strength routines, and the Google Health Coach with custom workouts. According to Google, the route tracking accuracy on the Pixel Watch 5 has improved by almost 100 percent. Do look out for the Blood Pressure Trends and non-invasive Insulin Resistance Trends, which could be a deal-maker if you are looking for exactly those kinds of features in a smartwatch.

Quite predictably, Google is offering the IP68 and 5ATM-rated Pixel Watch 5 in 41mm and 45mm sizes, in both Wi-Fi-only and LTE variants. The 41mm version gets a 332mAh battery pack while the 45mm variants have a beefier 465mAh battery on board. Both are slight bump-ups from last year’s version for a few hours more of juice. The 41mm version lasts for around 30 hours, and the 45mm version for 40 hours on one full recharge. According to Google, the Quick charge dock adds 15 hours of runtime with just 15 minutes of charge.

Google is offering the 41mm model in Matte Black, Polished Silver, and Champagne Gold colors, whereas the bigger 45mm variant will be available in just the Champagne Gold hue. The prices on both the Pixel Watch 5 models and their variants have gone up slightly. The 41mm version for the Wi-Fi model costs $399, and the LTE variant goes for $499. The bigger 45mm version is priced at $29 for the Wi-Fi model, and the LTE version costs $529.

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JCB Hydromax sets a new hydrogen land speed record at 406.320 mph

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A pair of hydrogen-powered engines developed for construction machinery has just been pushed into territory normally reserved for purpose-built speed machines. JCB’s Hydromax has reached an astonishing 406.320 mph (653.6 km/h) at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats, becoming the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle of any kind and setting a new world land speed record for a hydrogen internal-combustion car.

The 32-foot-long streamliner is powered by two production-based JCB hydrogen combustion engines, each tuned to produce 800 horsepower for a combined 1,600 bhp. Rather than using hydrogen in a fuel cell to generate electricity, Hydromax burns hydrogen directly in its internal-combustion engines. The engines are manufactured at JCB’s factory in Foston, Derbyshire, and are based on the same production engines powering JCB machines in the UK.

Designer: JCB

Its record-setting run was completed under FIA rules, requiring two passes in opposite directions within an hour. Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, Hydromax recorded 400.623 mph on its first run and 412.135 mph on the return, producing the official average of 406.320 mph. The result comfortably surpassed the previous FIA-officiated hydrogen internal-combustion record of 185.5 mph, set by the BMW H2R in 2004. It also moved beyond the 303 mph hydrogen fuel-cell record, making Hydromax the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle in history. The record remains subject to formal FIA ratification.

According to project lead, JCB Engineering Director Ryan Ballard, “This record belongs to the engineering team which took a hydrogen digger engine and made it the fastest of its kind on earth. This has been an amazing challenge from the outset, with it being set in February last year. We came here fully prepared, and the car delivered.”

The achievement follows an earlier milestone at the 2026 Bonneville Speed Week, where Hydromax averaged 368.347 mph over two runs to establish an SCTA record in the Blown Gas Streamliner class. Its first run reached 367.141 mph, followed by 369.554 mph on the return. That result surpassed the previous 348.342 mph class benchmark, while giving JCB an important test of the car before its FIA attempt.

Much of the car’s engineering focuses on making extreme speed controllable. Hydromax drives all four wheels through twin transmissions and clutches, while its body was shaped around aerodynamic efficiency and stability. JCB says the suspension, traction control, aerodynamics and camera placement were all stress- and simulation-tested before the attempt. Prodrive handled the car build, Ricardo worked on engine tuning and Xtrac supplied the transmission expertise.

The record also carries a strong sense of continuity for JCB. Exactly 20 years after Andy Green drove the JCB Dieselmax to a 350.092 mph diesel land speed record at Bonneville, he has returned to the same salt flats to establish an even faster mark using hydrogen. The Hydromax project was conceived in 2025 as a demonstration of JCB’s hydrogen combustion technology, turning engines developed for working machines into a record-breaking powertrain.

 

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Casio upgrades the classic F-91W watch with smart functions, and it’s already sold out in Japan

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Without a doubt, the Casio F-91W is a legendary timepiece that is still available to buy for $20. While the digital watch has retained its nostalgic charm all these years, it is indeed a little left behind when it comes to smart functionality. Casio is set to change that now with the F-B100W timepiece, which adapts the modern functions expected in a smart timekeeper. The classic 1980s digital watch in the rectangular silhouette, upgraded with the goodness of step counting – I’ll take that any day!

On the outside, this Casio timepiece looks like the trusted F-91W, but inside it has more to offer, making it a sweet deal. For now, the watch is available in Japan for ¥8,800 (around $55), and it’s not surprising it has already been sold out, at least for now. That’s almost double the price tag of the original, which is still up for $22, but you’ll also have to factor in the generational leap in smart features this new model touts.

Designer: Casio

Most of the F-B100W’s functions are fairly straightforward, and the specifications are also very close to the original, measuring 41.9 × 38.1 × 8.8 mm and weighing 26 grams. The timepiece retains features including an amber LED backlight with adjustable glow, water resistance, an hourly time signal, and five daily alarm options. For improved comfort during long hours, the bio-based plastic strap now has improved ventilation slits. Major changes come in the form of a watch battery (as opposed to a rechargeable cell), which lasts for almost two years.

What’s making this Casio timepiece a big buzz already is the inclusion of Bluetooth, which automatically syncs time or toggles the alarms or dual time display. In the mix is the phone finder feature, which can be a really useful addition without all the unwanted nuances. What I’m most excited about is the addition of the step counter and lap split time function, which can be directly synced to your phone with the companion app. You can set goals, record up to 200 laps, and monitor the progress on the watch screen as well. For times when you get too engrossed in work, the F-B100W also sends an inactivity alert via a beep and on-screen prompt. Of course, that is an optional feature that can be turned off as well.

It doesn’t have any other smartwatch features like a heart rate monitor, sleep diagnosis, or even BP monitoring, but that’s the point. The retro-modern Casio watch has all the timekeeping functions, and the most essential smart features without making the wearer too finicky about the vitals. F-B100W comes in three color variants: 1AJF, 1BJF, and 3AJF, which have a black case with a positive LCD and retro blue, red, and yellow dial accents, and all black with a negative display and gray text, respectively.

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JBL Pulse 6 portable speaker is also an ambient lamp designed to set the mood anywhere, anytime

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A Bluetooth speaker usually asks you to choose between sound and atmosphere. JBL’s new Pulse 6 is designed to make that choice feel unnecessary. Wrapped in a transparent cylindrical body, it turns music into a moving field of light, while a newly illuminated handle adds another glowing element to the object.

Launched today, the Pulse 6 portable speaker builds on JBL’s signature see-through aesthetic, surrounding its audio hardware with a 360-degree lighting system that responds to whatever is playing. Sixteen lighting patterns are available through the JBL One app, where the visual experience can be adjusted alongside basic EQ controls. When the music stops, the speaker can still remain a focal point of the room. A double-tap activates its ambient light, while the volume control doubles as a convenience to adjust brightness.

Designer: JBL

That idea of the speaker as an environmental object extends into Sunset Mode. Rather than simply switching off, the Pulse 6 can gradually fade its illumination and stop playback after a timer of up to 60 minutes, making it particularly suited to winding down at night. There is substance beneath all that glow. The 40W system combines a 30W RMS woofer with a 10W RMS tweeter, covering a 42Hz–20kHz frequency range. JBL’s AI Sound Boost continuously analyzes the audio and adjusts the output to help keep distortion under control as the volume climbs. For wired listening, a built-in DAC enables lossless audio through USB-C when connected to a Mac or Windows PC.

The wireless side is equally current, with Bluetooth 6.0 and support for SBC, AAC, and LC3 codecs. Auracast allows compatible JBL speakers to be connected for a larger synchronized listening setup, turning several individual glowing objects into one shared light-and-sound environment. Despite its sculptural appearance, the Pulse 6 is meant to leave the living room. The IP68 rating makes it dustproof and capable of surviving submersion in water, while the 34Wh battery delivers up to 12 hours of playback. Playtime Boost can extend that by another two hours, although USB-C charging at 15W takes around 4.5 hours for a full recharge. At 1.49kg and 131.7 x 264.1 x 106.4mm, it remains portable enough to carry from one setting to another.

JBL is initially launching the Pulse 6 in China for 2,499 yuan (roughly $370), with availability expected to expand gradually to other regions. The dual functionality and the striking aesthetics have sold me on the portable speaker, as it stands out from any other option on the market.

 

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