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Aujourd’hui — 28 mars 2024Lifehacker

The Ring Battery Doorbell Pro Is Better (and Pricier) Than Other Brands

Video doorbells have become quite common since their arrival on the market 10 years ago: 20% of American households currently use one. The cost of owning and operating a video doorbell has plummeted, so how does Ring, which offers relatively expensive video doorbells and an almost required subscription plan, remain on top of the market? After testing the new Ring Battery Doorbell Pro ($229.99 plus subscription), I think the answer is that Ring continues to solve some of the most common problems with video security.

Ring's software is the least buggy of any doorbell or security camera I’ve tried. It connects quickly when notified; allows you to interact with whoever is at the doorbell; and grabs clips that respect the zones you’ve set up. Ring has added new functionality to the Doorbell Pro, and features exceptional video quality—but I believe it’s Ring’s ability to deliver on the most basic needs of a video doorbell that keep it so popular. 

Traditional details and lots of accessories

Over the last year, I’ve tested doorbells from Google, Aqara, and Blink; while each had pros and cons, they helped prime me to appreciate the new Ring. In the 10 years of Ring’s market presence the design of the doorbells has barely shifted, and the Ring design is the most stately and substantial of the video doorbells out there. Ring wraps their doorbells in brushed metal with black plastic and metal accents—they tend to look and feel more substantial. The Doorbell Pro continues that tradition: The top half of the doorbell is shiny black plastic and metal, and the bottom half is wrapped in brushed silver metal (that you can swap for another metallic finish). The large circular button with blue light that Ring is known for is present, and the Ring ships with a wedge mount for your door, but there are tons of mounts available online if you need a different kind. There's also a solar charger available now as well as indoor chimes.

A more labor-intensive installation results in a more secure doorbell

While Rings aren’t hard to install, they are harder to install than many of the brands I’ve mentioned above. In all of those cases, the doorbells mount very simply, but also insecurely. The Ring has always had a mounting system that is supposed to provide security for the doorbell itself, and ships with its own specialty screwdriver. The doorbell itself has to catch onto the mounting plate and is then secured with a number of small screws to the mounting plate. Physical installation took about 10 minutes, and setup took another 15. Once the Ring app is installed and the doorbell was plugged in via USB, the app easily found and added the doorbell. You can spend a lot of time configuring the Ring, but I advise you to live with the doorbell for a few days to see what settings you need. 

Ring continues to conquer response lag time

Once up and running, Ring will begin sending you a raft of notifications. There are two types—notifications of activity in front of the doorbell and of the doorbell actually being rung. In both cases, you’re likely to decide to click on the notification and see what the activity is. This is where Ring differentiates itself from other doorbells: With all the other brands, I experienced connection errors, delays, and time outs. Ring, on the other hand, connects quickly and painlessly to show you the clip of what happened—or the live view, so you can monitor or interact in real time. While there's always a slight delay based on your wifi signal, Ring’s response time is far and away the best of all I’ve tried. 

This means that the other feature people buy video doorbells for—interacting with someone at your door—works better on a Ring than other models. That response time is important—your UPS driver isn’t waiting around for a 30-second response delay.

Subscriptions are pricey and essential to using the doorbell

Seeing those clips (not the live view) is dependent on having a Ring subscription. While the subscription is optional, not being able to watch those clips renders the Ring almost worthless, in my opinion. The doorbell ships with a free 30-day trial, but once that expires, it’s on you to re-up. Plans start at $4.99 a month for one device and quickly go up from there. Generally, I prefer products that do not require these subscriptions and allow you to store clips locally, like Eufy.

Great video clarity with an assist from new features

The clarity on the new Ring is top notch, and it’s not just the resolution, which clocks in at a reasonable HD 1536p. Ring has designed the lens to get a complete head-to-toe view of whoever is at your door, which means you can also see packages waiting at your door. I was surprised how useful this was. That clarity extends to far-view video—you get remarkably clear details about the delivery person even as they get out of the car. I was impressed at how much better the Ring had gotten at respecting the zones I set up in the app to ignore or pay attention to. I was easily able to set it so I wasn’t bombarded with notifications of people walking by the house—a previous issue I’d had with doorbells. This is likely due to Ring's 3D mapping—a new feature—and Bird’s Eye View, which uses motion detection to determine if the action in front of it is relevant to you or not. I was also impressed by the night vision, which provided clear, color images even once I turned off the porch light—without the graininess you usually see. Some of the other doorbells I’ve tested provide higher resolution, but I hardly noticed the difference. 

Ring has worked hard to layer on new features. The most useful is that Ring can now use AI to help tell if there’s a package at your door. If you tend to leave things at your door, this feature works less efficiently, but it did correctly identify packages most of the time if they were left directly in front of the door, and only twice misidentified a neighborhood cat as a package. Additionally, the doorbell will work with your other Ring devices to track someone’s movement over your property. 

Batteries are now more accessible and more powerful

A real upgrade, in my opinion, was the battery. While you can, of course, buy a wired version of the doorbell, an awful lot of people buy the stick-up battery version, and previous incarnations have required unmounting the whole doorbell to recharge the battery. The process was arduous enough that I was apt to leave the doorbell uncharged often. Now you simply remove the metal faceplate and remove the battery, leaving the doorbell behind. This has two benefits, it’s a lot less work, and you can purchase a backup battery and swap them, so you’re never out a doorbell. The battery life has gotten much better, too. Over a month, the battery only lost one bar, remaining at 75% charge. For comparison, I used to charge my Ring once every eight weeks. 

Bottom line: an expensive but superior video doorbell

There is simply no denying that the cost difference between Ring and competitors is substantial. This Ring model is $229 before the subscription, compared to a Blink doorbell, at $41.99 or Aqara at $119.99. There are lesser Ring models, like the Video Doorbell at $59.99 and Doorbell Plus for $119.99; you can get most of the benefits of the Pro at a lesser cost. Despite my hesitation on cost, there is just no denying that Ring delivers on the original premise of a video doorbell better than other brands—good-quality video of what is happening at the door, in real time. 

Hier — 27 mars 2024Lifehacker

Why I Still Choose Android Over iOS

The first iPhone was unveiled on Jan. 9, 2007, the first Android handset (the HTC Dream) showed up on September 23, 2008—and though it's impossible to know for sure, I assume the very first Android vs. iOS article ran very soon after that.

It's a debate that's spanned the decades, like Windows vs. macOS or Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi, and it tends to attract a lot of interest. Both of these mobile operating systems get refreshes every year too, which means there are always new talking points to discuss.

As a tech journalist writing guides, news, and reviews, I'm not a normal phone user: I spend a lot of time using both Android (specifically at the moment, a Google Pixel 8) and iOS (an iPhone 15 Pro Max right now). I'm not switching from one to the other—I'm using both regularly, and extensively.

That means I know the ins and outs of both platforms when it comes to day-to-day operations, and the phone I make use of the most—for personal messaging, social media, web browsing, music, podcasts, and everything else not to do with work—is the Pixel 8. So I thought I'd add to the Android vs. iOS discussion by trying to explain why.

Bear in mind that I don't hate iOS or the iPhone—I'm actually quite a fan of the slick combination of hardware and software that Apple has put together. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a great smartphone, no doubt. However, I'd rather use Android for my regular device, and these are the reasons why.

Android offers more customization

Android vs iOS
Rotating Home Screens is one feature Android has that iOS doesn't. Credit: Lifehacker

You'll see this mentioned in every Android vs iOS comparison out there, and it's still true. You can still do more with the Home Screen, the Lock Screen, and the app icons on Android—you can even reskin the entire interface with a tool like Nova Launcher. To a certain extent, iOS has caught up, but the customization options on the iPhone still aren't as comprehensive or as easy to use.

Get this: The Home Screens on Android actually rotate and work in landscape mode too. I like having pixel-by-pixel control over how my phone looks, whether it's having one single app on a Home Screen or stretching widgets in all directions. The rumor is we'll see more Home screen customization once iOS 18 rolls around, so Apple clearly agrees with me that it's lagging behind Google in this area.

I find the current iOS home screen and app library set up rather clumsy. Why can't I just see a simple list of all the apps I've installed? To find an app that's not pinned to the Home Screen, I have to swipe all the way to the last of these screens, and then figure out which category Apple has decided to drop the app into.

Google apps work everywhere

Android vs iOS
Google TV works fine in iOS. Apple TV on Android? Not even available. Credit: Lifehacker

To each their own, but I find Google's suite of apps much more appealing than Apple's, with a couple of exceptions. When it comes to Gmail vs. Apple Mail, Google Docs vs. Pages, Google Maps vs. Apple Maps, and Google Photos vs. Apple Photos, I'm choosing Google every time (though I do love Apple Music).

There's no space here to go into all of the individual reasons why, but Google's apps are speedy, reliable, and—crucially—available everywhere. If I rent a movie from Google, I know it'll play on just about every device out there, pretty effortlessly—but have you tried getting Apple TV running on Android? It's a bit of a mess.

Admittedly, this is more about the apps and services that Google and Apple offer, rather than Android and iOS. But if you split your time between Apple and non-Apple devices like I do, your life is clearly going to be easier if you pick Google—and if you're picking Google's apps, then it follows that they work best and are updated quicker on Android.

Apps get more control on Android

Android vs iOS
You can change more of the default apps on Android. Credit: Lifehacker

Speaking of apps, Android lets developers get their hooks deeper into the operating system than iOS does—which Apple would say makes Android less secure. As an app like Tasker, which lets you create all kinds of automations and routines, shows, Android is the better pick for tinkerers and hackers (and I'd include myself in that group).

As a result of this, there are entire app categories you can find on Android that don't exist on iOS—apps to check battery health and usage, apps to run wifi network diagnostics, apps for managing files on your phone (beyond Apple's own options). As with the customization options, it's fair to say a lot of users might not want these extras, but I do.

Beyond the individual apps themselves, on Android you're able to do much more with them: You can install multiple instances of the same app, you can run two apps side by side on the screen, and you can change more of the default apps. You can even install a different app to manage your text messages—something I wouldn't expect to see on iOS for quite a while (if ever).

Android feels more intuitive

Android vs iOS
Two things you won't see on iOS: Notifications in the status bar, and gaps on the Home Screen. Credit: Lifehacker

This might be partly because I'm more used to Android at this point, but some of the key ways for getting around the software work better for me on Google phones than they do on Apple phones. The universal back gesture is a case in point: one swipe, go to the previous screen. This works in some apps in iOS, but not every app, and it's not consistent across the whole system—on my iPhone, I'm often reaching for the little back button or the app switcher (or just staring at the screen, confused).

Then there's notifications. This is partly personal preference, but I much prefer the Android system—including the way unread notifications stick around in the status bar and on the Lock Screen on Android, rather than disappearing away to the Notification Center in iOS. Expanding and dismissing notifications feels quicker on Android too, though there's not much to choose between the platforms here.

Of course, if you've used every iPhone since the first one and never tried Android, switching would probably disorientate you, and leave you pining for the ways of iOS. However, having used both, I'd say Android makes more sense in quite a few ways—such as actually being able to see that you've set an alarm on the Lock Screen, which you need to add a widget for on iOS.

You Really Shouldn’t Buy a 'Cheap' Smart Ring

Smart rings are becoming more and more popular, and with the Galaxy Ring set to debut in late 2024, they are likely only going to get more so. Unfortunately, as tech becomes popular with the masses, cheaper versions often become available. Sometimes, this can be a boon—competition is a good thing in the tech industry, after all, and not everyone can afford to drop several hundred dollars on a piece of tech. The downside, though, is that it also opens the door for shady companies to get involved in the tech space, and that’s exactly what seems to be happening with smart rings right now.

If you look up lists of the best smart rings on the market right now, you’re going to see a few good options, like the Oura ring 3 and the Ultrahuman Ring Air. You’ll also likely see a ton of other lesser-known brand names, especially if you start looking at places like Amazon. The downside here is that these cheaper rings can open the door for companies to seriously mishandle your private health data.

Of course, smart rings aren’t the only wearable device with some concerns over the ethics of data collection and storage. Fitness trackers and smart watches all carry some of the same concerns, though on a much larger scale. This wasn’t as big of a deal with smart rings previously because there just wasn't as many options out there. However, because we’re seeing an uptick in the number of smart rings on the market, there are bound to be more companies pushing devices that don’t fully respect your data. Many of them appear to be building off the potential that companies like Oura have showcased, but underneath, they’re more like a cheap fitness tracker or smartwatch—not overly accurate, and riddled with a lack of information about what they do with your health data.

In short, purchasing a cheap smart ring might save you money, but it could also be putting your health data in danger. That’s because many of these smart rings are based on license deals, which allow the brand company to purchase the ring from someone else, then add their brand to it and ship it as their own product. This happens a lot with other parts of the industry, too—most notably the phone case industry (in case you’ve ever wondered why all those random brands on Amazon all look the same).

This is something that TechRadar covers really well in a report by author Becca Caddy, who details her investigation into the cheaper side of smart rings. Caddy notes that when talking to different smart ring providers and trying to get to the bottom of whether or not their products are licensed, many of them like to play coy and never really answer the question. That creates a lot of room for the company to abuse your trust in their systems, which is a good reason to steer clear of anything they are offering.

It’s because of these license deals that you really need to be careful about what kind of smart ring you’re purchasing. See, when you choose to buy something like the Oura Ring 3, you’re signing up to the Privacy Policy that Oura supports, which says that Oura can collect your data, but that it won’t share or sell that information to third parties or data aggregators. Other companies, like Samsung, also take a strict approach to data, and when the Galaxy Ring releases, it’s likely we’ll see some strict protection plans in place for your health data there.

Additionally, there’s also the question of accuracy and just how well the sensors included in the cheap smart ring you are buying will work. Many of the cheaper smart rings boast about their multitude of features, but they never really break down how accurate they are. This is a problem, as one of the biggest reasons to buy a smart ring right now has to do with its ability to act as a health and fitness tracker. If you aren’t getting accurate readings, it doesn’t really do you any good. 

If you do want to buy a smart ring, there are still some really great options out there right now. The Oura Ring 3, as I noted above, is one of the top smart rings. Oura does a great job of protecting your privacy, and the accuracy of the ring’s various reports are great, too. The Ultrahuman Ring is also another solid option for those who want more of a fitness-focused smart ring, so make sure to check out both of those and compare any cheaper smart rings you might be eyeing to the features, accuracy, and privacy policies those more expensive rings offer.

Now, this isn't to say that there aren't going to be good smart rings that fall into a cheaper price range. Inevitably, we're going to end up with some quality and more affordable smart rings. But if you’re going to buy something that gets access to your data, make sure you’re always aware of the risks that come with it.

Philips Hue Lights Can Now Sync With Your Samsung TV

SmartThings, Samsung's brand for controlling smart home tech, has announced a new partnership with smart light brand Philips Hue. In essence, if you buy into the Hue line of smart lights, specifically color-capable lights, they will sync with Samsung televisions (models from 2022 and newer) via the Philips Hue Sync TV App, without the need for any kind of external hub.

Hue lights are exceptional, but they’re not the cheapest—the light strip you’d use behind your TV is $94.99. Govee’s and Nanoleaf’s are comparative, but Hue requires you also pay for the Sync app. Previously, this was only offered via a one-time $130 charge. Today it announced a monthly subscription for $2.99, but that still means you’re paying for a service on top of the cost of lights, which neither Govee or Nanoleaf require. 

Samsung and Philips have specifically called out that the television is the center of many homes—it is, in effect, the “hub,” whether you mean it to be or not, and this integration seems to double down on that narrative. I have and love a similar system by Nanoleaf called 4D, and Govee and other producers also have these systems. They give your TV an “aura” that backlights against the wall based on the colors on the TV at any time, and can react in real time to sound. From what I can tell, Philips is going to be able to do this without the camera that both Govee and Nanoleaf require, and will instead rely on cooperation from other apps present on the TV.

In addition to the Hue integration, the SmartThings app now has a 3D spatial mapping feature, which was first announced at CES 2024. I was already impressed with MapView (the whole home 2D layout of my home with all my devices) that appeared in my SmartThings app back in January. This morning, a 3D option appeared and it, too, is pretty impressive.

That said, it's not super accurate right out of the box: If you don’t have a Samsung mapping device like the Bespoke Jet AI Bot, the Samsung robot vacuum, it requires some input from you in the app to get the rooms and items lined up just right. This is not such a big deal, but given that I play with LiDAR mapping robots and motion sensing lights that can just figure this stuff out without my input, it’s not super exciting, either.

I’m also not entirely sure the benefit of taking the time to customize the map, unlike the benefits you might get from spending the time to nail down your robot vacuum map. But if you enjoy Minecraft, I expect you might enjoy laying out your smart home in the app. Samsung envisions benefits beyond the home to apartments and office spaces where real estate partners might create specific user experiences based on the space. 

Roborock’s Q Revo Max V Is the Ideal Robot Vacuum for Daily Upkeep

I recently reviewed the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, which has remained the best of the floorbots I’ve tested over the last year. I was excited by Roborock’s announcements at CES 2024 that they’d be releasing a literal fleet of new bots this year. This week I’ll be reviewing two of those robots: the Q Revo Max V and the S8 MaxV Ultra, both of which mop, vacuum, and self-fill and empty. I’m pleased to say that while the S8 Pro Ultra is still an incredibly well-built bot, there are improvements in both new robots that make these new releases worthwhile, without losing any of the features that made me love the S8. The Roborock Q Revo Max V ($1199.99, available in April) is an upgrade to previous models with extending brushes that can hug a wall or corner, upgraded suction power, and a new AI voice assistant that brings more fun to the experience. 

New extending brushes offer more reach

The unit itself is two parts: the base, which houses the vacuum bag, the clean water tank, dirty water tank, and the entire cleaning mechanism for the robot, and then the robot itself. The entire footprint of the tower is a little smaller than bots I’ve recently tested like the Ecovacs Deebot and the Eufy X10 and came in a gleaming white (it’s unclear if it will be available in black as well). The actual bot looks like its predecessors: Roborocks are round, with a protruding round “button” on top. One of the reasons I enjoy this brand is the lids on their bots are magnetic, so they come off and on easily for cleaning or accessing the inside of the bot (which you’ll really only need to do for setup and possibly, later, for maintenance).

One major differentiator between the S8 and Q Revo lines are the mop itself. The S8 line features a mop pad, while the Q Revo has spinning disk mops—in this case, two of them on the backend of the bot. At the front are the rollers for the vacuum. The Q Revo has one roller and the S8 has two, but I haven’t found the number of rollers to correlate with the efficiency of vacuuming. If anything, the Q Revo was a little easier to unclog when something got caught—accessing the rollers just requires flipping the robot over, and then squeezing two clips to release the cover. I found the process easy compared to other robots like Roombas, where it was often hard to make the pieces fit back together. Roborock does a great job making the ends different enough that you always understand how to put things back together.  The familiar rotating brush is also present, to help sweep debris into the robot’s path, and it certainly seems larger than other bots, which should help get more debris closer to the wall. The water tanks each hold just over 4 liters of water. Over the two weeks I used the Q Revo on the highest setting, at least once daily, I didn’t need to refill the water tank, which was an improvement over the S8 Pro Ultra and all the other bots I’ve recently tested. 

Easy installation and mapping

I found the Q Revo easy to unpack and install; something worth noting as I routinely install and uninstall these robots is that Roborock plans their packaging thoughtfully, and this tower required little more than attaching the docking ramp to the base, and it was ready to go. Installation was painless and took about ten minutes. Under the lid is a wifi indicator light; you load up the Roborock app, push two buttons on the robot itself to send the wifi into open mode, and the app located it within seconds. At that point, the app pushes some updates and wifi connections that are mostly hands off. I didn’t experience any disconnections during the time of testing—the Roborock remained online the whole time. Notably, it came back online quickly after two power outages, which you’ll know because it announces itself through the voice assistant, known as Rocky. (More on that in a bit.) Like other LiDAR-based robots, which use laser for guidance and mapping, the Q Revo mapped the entire space within seconds of leaving the dock, which will never fail to impress me. The map of your space is generated in the app, where you can manipulate it. On the first outing, you can choose whether to have the robot clean or just map, and I always recommend sticking to mapping so the robot is less likely to get stuck as it scopes out your space. While the LiDAR is immediate, the robot will still roam the space, almost confirming what the lasers saw.  

Q Revo Max V Dock
Credit: Roborock

Customizable settings

Once in cleaning mode, Roborock has expanded the previously available options to now include four levels of vacuuming and mopping intensity, and the brushes or mops will raise and lower based on the floor type detected below it. For those concerned about robots accidentally mopping your rugs, this is not something I’ve encountered being problematic on any model I’ve tested with LiDAR. Modern robots do an incredible job detecting floor textures, and the Q Revo is no different.

The Q Revo has 7000Pa of suction, which is substantially more than previous models. One of the ways these latest models are differentiating themselves is the sheer number of options available via the app to customize your vacuum experience, and here is where I think you can make or break your floorbot experience. Unlike iRobot, which is notorious for the inexplicable pattern the robot takes across your floor, Roborock allows you to choose the pattern, either back and forth or slightly more randomized. On top of the intensity, you can also choose if the bot should make one or two passes on the space. However, the setting that will likely affect your vacuum the most, I believe, is the obstacle avoidance. In this panel of settings, you can tell the robot you have a pet, which means it will detect both the pet and said pet’s poop. There is a “less collision” mode, that means the bot will try to foresee walls and furniture so it’ll bump into them less, and AI Environment recognition and obstacle avoidance. With the pet details and collision modes on, the floor simply wasn’t as well-cleaned, but turning them off improved effectiveness. I quickly realized that keeping the robot set at max suction and the back and forth pattern resulted in such a dramatically cleaner floor there was no reason to reduce the settings.

The Q Revo didn’t absorb the fluff from inside stuffed pet toys the way the S8 did—and that's something I'm often battling, so I’d need to remove it manually with some frequency. A note of appreciation for the brand is that the roller being stuck on debris does not render the bot immobile—you can still return it to the base so it’ll reveal itself for easy grabbing, or use the remote control in the app to direct it to you. You can generally tell when the bot has something in it, because it will rattle or sound off, but again, I appreciate it will keep trucking along anyway. The vacuum is definitely the better of the two modes; the Q Revo did an impressive job on deep pile carpets, low pile rugs, tile and wood floors, and it has a sizable enough container on board that it rarely had to return to the base mid-vacuum to empty itself. The base got an upgrade on power, too. This is important as it determines how well the base pulls all the debris out of the bot. 


Other robot vacuums to consider:


A good mop for daily cleaning

I am impressed with how effective newer bots with a mop pad are at getting the floor clean with just a pad, but the Q Revo features two beefy spinning brushes. While they provided an admirable clean, it wasn’t as effective as the S8 line in deep cleaning. It got rid of muddy paw prints, a spilled drink, and other big messes effectively, but did not give the deep scrub I’d hoped for on my white tile. In that way, these mops are good for everyday maintenance, but you’ll still need to go in for a weekly deep clean with something manual. What I did like was the way the spinning brushes extended out from the body of the bot to get right up to the wall and around obstacles. It is the best mop for wall-to-wall coverage that I’ve tested and did a great job under toe kicks in my kitchen, a notoriously tough spot to get really clean. Like other bots, it struggles with inside corners, so those will be part of your weekly manual cleanup. The Q Revo gives you an additional layer of setting tools as well, and in some cases, they helped. For instance, with the mop on the highest intensity, you can even adjust how much water is used to make it even more effective. You wouldn’t want to leave it on high water use all the time, but I did find it was helpful for more stubborn spots on the tile and wood. 

An app with several different settings

While the Roborock app offers a substantial amount of settings, it was still relatively easy to find what I needed, and to affect the settings I wanted. In particular, the mapping options remain one of the best experiences out there. You can easily split spaces, merge them, create zones on the fly, or tell the app where floors or furniture change or are present, if the LiDAR got it wrong. Like other newer machines, this model offers remote viewing, which is just an onboard camera that lets you watch live video from the robot. This is mostly helpful if the robot is stuck somewhere or you want to monitor how well it’s cleaning—a few robots now offer this option and I struggle to find the necessity. 

An onboard voice assistant needs more time to bake

The most delightful new feature, if not fully cooked, was the voice assistant named Rocky onboard the robot. It lacks some of the flexibility of other assistants like Google and Alexa—you can only summon it with “Hello Rocky,” and if you have more than one robot in the house, you’ll do a lot of whispering to get the attention of the right one, since the app won’t let you differentiate them. Once you have its attention, you can issue Rocky a very specific set of commands, like “start cleaning,” clean a specific room, or my favorite, “clean here,” which will then try to locate your voice. Spoiler: It wasn’t great at this, but it was charming watching Rocky try. I assume Rocky will improve and Roborock will issue updates over time, and it was useful to be able to ask the robot to clean areas on the fly if you can remember the very specific wording of the command. Siri would use AI to try to understand if you meant "start cleaning” when you said “clean now,” but Rocky doesn’t yet. 

Overall I was happy with the Q Revo Max V. While I maintain that even the best floorbot is a maintenance tool rather than a complete vacuum/mopping solution, this model delivered on that premise. When the settings were dialed in, I got good coverage and great vacuuming from wall to wall, though I did have to clear the vacuum rollers occasionally. The mop is great for surface-cleaning, particularly to the edge of walls, but isn’t for deep cleaning, and may require more passes and adjusting the setting occasionally to get it right. Rocky, as an AI assistant is a fun addition that I look forward to future developments with. At $1,199, the Q Revo Max V is still an expensive machine, but seems worth the value comparatively to other floorbots, including the new S8 Max V at $1,599, which I'll review later this week. The Q Revo Max V will be available via the Roborock website and other retailers like Amazon in early April. Of course, details around price and availability are subject to change before the actual release. 

À partir d’avant-hierLifehacker

Seven Ways to Boost Your Gmail Productivity

Dealing with emails isn't the most fun way to pass the time, which is why most of us are looking to get in and our of our inboxes as quickly as possible—and through the years, Gmail has continued to add more and more features to help with that goal.

Try some of these hacks on for size and see if they help in cutting down the time you spend inside Gmail. From making emails more actionable to giving you a better overview to the messages you've got to deal with, you should find at least some of these useful.

Convert emails to tasks

Gmail web
Build up a task list, right from your inbox. Credit: Lifehacker

Google Tasks is built right into Gmail on the web, via the right-hand sidebar that you can open or hide with a click. If you need to quickly turn emails into a task, it's easy to do: With an email open, or one or more emails selected in a list, click the Add to Tasks button at the top (it looks like a checkmark in a circle).

The email gets added to the list in Google Tasks you used most recently (you'll notice there's an Email Tasks list, if you need it). If it's not already open, the Google Tasks sidebar appears, enabling you to change the details of the new task, and add a time and date if required. A link to the email in Gmail is embedded in the task too.

From there, the new entry acts like a normal task—you can star it, mark it as done, move it between lists, and add a subtask. It's a helpful way of remembering emails you actually have to do something about.

Label important emails

Gmail web
Tell Gmail what's important to you. Credit: Lifehacker

Gmail will try its best to figure out which emails are most important, based on a variety of signals. This is then used to decide which emails appear in the Priority tab in the default view, and it can also help with notifications on mobile, because you're able to switch off alerts about less-important messages.

To help the Gmail algorithm, you can click the importance marker next to an email title to mark it as important or not important—it's a small arrow shape that may already be shaded yellow to indicate importance (if it is already shaded, hover over it to see why the email was marked as important).

Over time, manually flagging emails like this should mean Gmail gets better at figuring out which emails are top priority—meaning you have to spend less time sifting through messages that don't really require much attention.

Show more chats on screen

Gmail web
See more messages (or fewer messages) on every screen. Credit: Lifehacker

File this under "simple but effective": Click the gear icon in the top right corner of the Gmail interface, then See all settings, then open the General tab. Next to Maximum page size, you can change how many conversations are shown on screen at once, from 10 to 100.

Which end of that spectrum is best for you depends if you'd rather focus on a few emails at a time or see a more comprehensive overview of what you've got to deal with, but increasing or decreasing the number can make a big difference to your Gmail productivity.

Increase the undo send time

Gmail web
Give yourself more time to get an email back. Credit: Lifehacker

Gmail's "undo send" feature is one of the most useful features the email client has, saving you from sending emails with missing attachments and obvious typos—not to mention, protecting you from mistakes that are much more serious. Most importantly for our purposes here, it means you don't have to redo or follow-up on emails as often.

You can give yourself some more time to bring an email back, beyond the default five seconds (which is not much time at all). Click the gear icon in the top right corner, then See all settings. Under the General tab, next to Undo Send, ramp the timer all the way up to 30 seconds—giving you a whole half-minute to retrieve an outgoing message.

Get nudges about older emails

Gmail web
Gmail can nudge you about neglected emails. Credit: Lifehacker

It's difficult to get away from artificial intelligence in our apps and gadgets at the moment, but Gmail has been using basic AI in our inboxes for years. One of the ways this tech is used is to identify emails that need following up on, something Google calls "nudging."

You can turn this on (or off) by clicking the gear icon (top right), then See all settings, then the General heading. Next to Nudges, you can have both incoming and outgoing emails that might need chasing up brought to your attention—these emails will reappear at the top of your inbox, with suggestions next to them.

Turn on auto advance

Gmail web
The auto-advance feature changes how your inbox works. Credit: Lifehacker

This is one of those small changes that can make a big difference: If you click the gear icon (top right), then See all settings, you'll find an Auto-advance feature under the Advanced tab. Enable this, and when you delete, archive or mute a conversation that you're in, you'll be taken to the next or previous message in the current view, instead of the main conversation list.

It means you can deal with a bunch of emails in a row more quickly. To set whether you're auto advancing forwards or backwards in time, look for Auto-advance under the General tab on the settings screen.

Drag emails between tabs

Gmail web
Drag emails between tabs to organize them. Credit: Lifehacker

By now you're probably quite familiar with the tabs that Gmail shows in its default view, which can be customized by clicking on the gear icon (top right), then choosing Customize under Default. You get a Primary tab for your most important emails, for example, and a Social tab for emails related to social networks.

What you might not know is you can drag emails between these tabs: Just click and hold on an email, then drag it to a tab header. Not only does this improve Gmail's algorithms in terms of which emails go where, you'll also get a prompt asking if you want to apply the same sorting rule to emails from this sender in the future.

These Yeti Solar Panels, Power Banks, and Whole Home Battery Backups Are 20% Off

Between more folks living off the grid or nomadic lifestyles and an increasing number of extended power outages due to extreme weather events and an unstable power grid, the market for battery backups has continued to expand in recent years.

Whether you are looking for a small unit that will keep your phone and laptop charged through an emergency, or are considering whole-home backup solutions, you have more options than ever. Many of these products are included in an ongoing sale on Yeti products that extends through the end of the month. Here are my top picks from the sale, with items discounted up to 20%.

Yeti200X Portable Power Station

One of the most petite Yetis, a station of this size is a great first venture into battery backups. With limited capacity, it won’t power a 1,000-watt heater or your microwave, but it can comfortably keep your phone charged through a multi-day outage, or run your laptop for at least a few hours. It’s also small enough to throw in the car when you go camping. 

Yeti1500X + Boulder200 Briefcase Solar Generator

If you have multiple devices you need to run during an outage or on the go, a Yeti 1500x is a good choice. It effectively acts like a wall plug, and is able to power high-need devices like a sleep apnea machine or a bottle sterilizer, or even a small heater or air conditioner. You can pair it some solar panels to recharge during the day.

YetiPRO 4000 Portable Power Station

If you’re considering a whole-home emergency backup, this portable power station offers dramatically more power, and its LiFePO4 battery promises 10 years of use, even when used daily. You can use it to run a fridge or freezer, or power your entire vanlife. You can expand your power bank using Tank Pro 4000 units, which are also on sale. 

Nomad 400 Portable Solar Panel

If you've already got a power bank, a big sale is the perfect time to grab more solar panels. They are the powerhouse of your backup solution, and they’re pricey, so any significant discount is going to be worth jumping on. Almost all the solar panels at Yeti are on sale right now, but this is the one I’d grab, because with one setup, you’ve got the power of four solar panels, usually just 100 watts each. This allows you to easily charge up super fast. Fold it up and toss the lightweight panel in the car for easy power on the go, or just keep it at home for that next snowstorm. 

Prevent Smart Devices From 'Ghosting' You in Your New Home

If I am leaving my home for longer than two weeks, I bring some of my smart gear with me—most of it plugs into the wall. But as smart tech digs a deeper foothold into the very structure of our homes, from smart doors and windows to garage door openers and light fixtures, those products are less likely to move with you. Instead, your smart blinds and hard-wired smart speakers remain behind, and a new owner is left to figure out how to how to operate products whose controls may not be wall switches, but apps and automation dependencies set up by a system they don’t run. This premise was explored in a Verge piece that posits the notion of smart-home "ghosts"—those smart devices that seem to haunt new owners by running on their own and without logic. While this is an interesting product of modern times that I’m sure will continue to grow, there are some simple ways we can become ghostbusters. 

Document your automations and devices

I am already an advocate of keeping a home journal—a place you document your paint colors, wallpaper names, appliance names and models, and maintenance records. This makes it so much easier the next time you need to get a replacement part, repair a chip in the wall or prove to the insurance agent what you owned. Included in that journal should be a record of your smart home: what devices are hardwired into your home, and their manufacturer and app name. Briefly note which devices have automations attached to them and if they’re in the native app or your voice assistant. Should you sell the house, the journal stays with the house, giving the new owners an actual guidebook to the property. 

If that sounds over the top, consider every person who has bought a home and inherited a wonky sprinkler system with no documentation or guidance, or an HVAC system that has some eccentricities. This kind of journal is helpful to you, yes, but also feels like a responsibility we owe the house itself. 

Ask about smart devices in the sales process

Asking about that sprinkler system or HVAC is part of the sales process; now we need to add smart devices to the mix. Will the owner be leaving any devices, and if so, which devices, and how are they controlled? 

Moreover, don’t assume the old owners are no-contact. Once you’ve bought the house, you can ask your agent to pass along a thank-you note and, hopefully, keep open a line of communication with the previous owners. They put a lot of love into the home (unless it was a flip, and it’s doubtful flippers left smart devices) and might be invested in ensuring the new stewards know how to use everything. 

Replace the smart device

If you’re haunted by old smart devices, and you simply can’t get to the bottom of why a specific light comes on and off at noon, or what triggers all the locks to deadbolt, you can just replace them—it removes the problem entirely. If it’s a specific kind of device, like a garage door opener, you can hire a specialist to suss out the problem, but it may not be worth it. This is your house now, and you can change it as you like. Spending a lot of time frustrated over some part of your new home that you can’t figure out isn’t how you want to spend your first year in a new home. 

In most cases, a new router will fix the problem

The reality of smart devices is that they usually need wifi, unless they’re on some special local network. When people move, they move the modem and router, and not being able to connect to the wifi network that’s programmed will knock most smart devices offline. In fact, that may well be the problem you’re having with left-behind devices you can’t get to work: They need a hard reset, to be registered to the app on your devices and given access to your new wifi network. 

Govee Just Released a New Neon Rope Light

I grew up in the the '80s—the golden age of neon—so naturally I always dreamed of owning a neon sign from Hot Topic. This week, Govee, my favorite brand for LED light chaos, released its latest version of neon rope, and from all reports, it’s exactly as fun as you’d think.

We’ve reviewed a number of Govee products, and they all work fine. In particular, they make a whole variety of LED lights for indoor and outdoor and usually at (comparatively) affordable prices. My complaint lies mostly with the overwhelming app experience for their products. By trying to let the user do absolutely everything, it's a challenge to do almost anything, which is OK if you like their out-of-the-box light color themes. (I find them a little garish and loud, but then, that's precisely what neon demands.)

The rope itself is like a lot of LED strips, except that instead of wrapping the strip around things like shelves and cabinets, you bend it into a shape and then adhere it to the wall with the backing. Bend clips (included) keep the curves you create in place, and this new version has a softer material than the first iteration, so it’s easier to get into soft curve shapes. The rope comes in 16- and 9-foot lengths, and black or white.

There are lots of competitors in this space, so there are other neon LED light strips, but this is the first entry from a well-known brand. These lights are Matter-enabled, which is great since it means you don't need a hub, but you’ll need the Govee app regardless.

Govee Neon Rope Light 2 app interface
Credit: Govee


Govee offers “shape mapping” with this release—you take a picture of your neon creation and Govee maps the outline, which you can then use to design the lighting theme, assigning colors to segments. The segments will then, apparently, blend into a perfect ombre. Screenshots seem to imply new motion offerings, too, and I will be excited to see if they’re more subtle than previous iterations. 

A New International Standard Aims to Make Smart Tech More Secure, Less Creepy

It may surprise you to learn there is a certified braintrust that aims to make life on the internet better for us all. This group, the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) is made up of basically every big company in the "internet of things," and its goal is to create standards that all smart tech manufacturers will adhere to. In theory, this should result in better, more stable experiences for consumers.

For example, the CSA is the group responsible for the Zigbee and  Matter standard, which is a set of parameters that smart tech can and should subscribe to in order to make all products compatible with all multi-system hubs, and hopefully, eliminate the need for separate hubs and apps for each system.

In addition to making smart tech work better, the CSA is working to make it more secure. To that end, this week the CSA announced a new international security standard for smart home tech.

Smart home products battle stigma over security in the face of attacks

It's hard to ignore the bad reputation smart security systems have taken on in the last few years. Breaches have been reported at major brands like Eufy and Wyze, and  in the last month, wifi jammers have been reported to present a additional challenges to wireless security systems. 

It’s not just security devices that are at risk, either: If your wifi can be hacked, so can your robot vacuum, and your smart speakers, and your smart toaster (you might say that’s an argument against having a smart toaster, but that’s only because you don’t have one yet). If a bad actor can remotely turn on your smart heater or turn off your smart fridge, they can cause some serious havoc. Uniform security standards should, in theory, make that harder.

Certification standards can help reassure consumers

In a press release, CSA head Tobin Richardson made the argument that by stitching together and streaming disparate international standards, "the Product Security Certification Program...provides manufacturers with a singular, respected avenue for certifying their devices globally.” If all goes according to plan, that should result in better, more secure smart home devices across the board.

That said, the new standards appear to cover only the U.S. and U.K. for now, so calling them “global” feels like a stretch. The press release offers specs for Matter, Zigbee, and Product Security, and demands the following compliance to meet certification: 

  • Unique identity for each device

  • No hardcoded default passwords

  • Secure storage of sensitive data on the device

  • Secure communications of security-relevant information

  • Secure software updates throughout support period

  • Secure development process, including vulnerability management

  • Public documentation regarding security, including support period

Manufacturers can submit to a certification process if they adhere to the standard, and if they pass, their products will receive a "Product Security Verified Mark" that will tell consumers the device can be trusted to be relatively secure. 

The Participation of major brands will hopefully lead to widespread adoption

The CSA has assembled a Product Security Working Group made up of more than two hundred member companies, including Amazon, Arm, Comcast, Google, Infineon Technologies AG, NXP Semiconductors, Schneider Electric, Signify (Philips Hue and WiZ), and Silicon Labs. What’s notable about the group, and the standard they created, is that while the Matter and Zigbee guidelines include security for the protocols themselves, the new security standard applies to the products themselves, and can be adopted by products that don’t have Matter or Zigbee. 

The new standards are a good start

These standards appear to be a pretty basic set of requirements, and notably, feel like the security standards version 1.0 they’re labeled as. It’s good to have a foundation and recognize the problems the industry has faced, not to mention the stigma smart tech has developed with some consumers. My hope is that this announcement is just the start of a process that deliver truly strong, actually global standards that address product security in a real way.

At the same time, I can’t ignore the rough rollout of Matter, which also sought to standardize smart tech security across manufacturers. They were originally touted as almost precisely the same kind of global standard, but for connectivity protocols rather than products, and you would be hard-pressed to find anyone in the tech world who has been impressed by the adoption rate.

Instead of fulfilling the promise of removing the need for multiple hubs and extraneous apps, the companies who originally pledged to support the Matter standard have been slow to roll it into actual product releases. Just this week, I reviewed a light that requires a Zigbee hub to provide Matter support, negating the entire point of Matter, which is supposed to free you from hubs altogether. I hope this new security standard fares better.

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 Is One of the Best Gaming Laptops I’ve Ever Used

Gaming laptops are commonplace these days, but not all of these pricier, more powerful PC alternatives are worth paying a premium for. To my delight, that's not the case with the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, which manages to stand out from the crowd thanks to an absolutely brilliant display and the latest power-packed hardware. There isn’t much to complain about, and if you have a few thousand dollars to drop, this is the gaming laptop to beat.

It's big, but not oversized

One of the first things that you’ll notice about the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 is just how big it is, even though it never feels oversized. Despite the 18-inch screen size and a chassis large enough to fit a ton of souped-up hardware that wouldn't fit into a slimmer and more modern design, the laptop actually does a great job of managing its size and weight.

Despite its big footprint, the ROG Strix Scar 18 only weighs in at 6.77 pounds. That sounds like a lot, especially compared to the weight of my normal daily driver, a MacBook Air 15-inch that weighs roughly half as much, but we’re also talking about a gaming machine with a lot more oomph, thanks to the 13th-Gen Core i9 processor and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 strapped inside.

The 18-inch 2560 x 1600 IPS display is a big part of that size equation, but it isn’t hard to justify the associated extra weight (and cost) once you get a good look at it. Not only is it 2K resolution, but the display is brilliantly colored and offers a blazing 240Hz refresh rate. 

All things considered, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 isn’t a very portable laptop. You can certainly tote it around, but the almost 7-pound body, as well as the hefty power brick required to charge it, make it a bit too much to handle—but that’s likely to be a problem with any laptop with a large display, and this one feels trim compared to its capabilities.

Killer specs justify the weight (and the cost)

If you're worried that weight won't be worth it, the specs might change your mind. The particular variation I tested runs to around $4,000 and some change, based on my best estimates after fiddling with the customization tools on Asus' website.

For $4,000, a gaming laptop has to deliver a lot of performance to make it worth purchasing. This one definitely does. Here are the specs for the system that I tested out, but you can pick and choose from the configurable options on the Asus website.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 specs:

  • Processor: Intel Core i9-14900HX at 2.20 Ghz

  • Ram: 32GB

  • Drive type: SSD

  • Screen Size: 18 inches

  • Resolution: 2560 x 1600

  • Panel type: Mini LED

  • Refresh rate: 240Hz

  • Variable refresh support: G-Sync

  • GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090

  • Graphics memory: 16GB

  • Wireless: 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2

  • Weight: 6.77 lbs

  • OS: Windows 11 Pro

Asus has loaded this laptop up with everything you need to succeed in any game that you throw at it. With a gaming laptop like this, performance isn’t an issue—and it likely won’t be for a good few years. That’s a nice perk when you're spending this much. The ROG Strix Scar 18 also comes equipped with two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, as well as a microphone port.

Plastic everywhere

Despite my praise of the weight and the specs, there is one aspect of the ROG Strix Scar 18 I don't love: There’s just so much plastic. I get it; building a high-powered gaming laptop equipped with all the latest and greatest hardware while balancing materials cost and weight has got to be a challenge. However, Asus relies on plastic for pretty much every visible component of the ROG Strix Scar 18. 

Rog Strix Scar 18 plastic body
Credit: Joshua Hawkins

It’s a really disappointing move, especially considering the costs we're talking about, and the fact that more metal is used in other similarly priced laptops, such as the new MacBook Pros. (No, the MacBook Pro isn’t exactly a “gaming machine,” but it does fall into the same high-powered category of laptops.)

The nice thing, at least, is that the plastic doesn’t feel cheap. The exterior of is covered from top to bottom with RGB and both real and fake grilles for the cooling system. It gives the machine a unique look that screams “I’m a gamer" (which could be a plus or minus, depending on your point of view). Personally, I’m enamored of simpler, more understated design language, but not everyone is like me, and Asus has always tended to favor a bit of a flair when it comes to its ROG lineup.

These quibbles aside, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 still feels like a premium device in all the important ways. The keyboard is smooth to type on, and gaming on it is a dream. Even the trackpad performs well, though serious gamers will definitely want to opt for a proper gaming mouse.

Performance and battery life

As you’d expect from a laptop as packed to the brim as this, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 is an absolute beast. I tested it with multiple games, including Cyberpunk 2077, Star Citizen, and Helldivers 2, all of which performed exceptionally well, which isn't always the case—especially with a title as resource-intensive as Star Citizen

wallpaper on Asus rog strix scar 18
Credit: Joshua Hawkins

I never experienced dips in performance while gaming, and I was easily able to connect my SteelSeries headset without issue, allowing me to team up with my friends on Discord. I tested online gaming mostly via wifi, and the connection was always stable and speedy. While running the Strix Scar 18 connected to an external 4K monitor, I was able to get fantastic performance even with the most demanding games.

The tradeoff for all that power is battery life. This thing sucks up a lot of juice, and if you’re not running it in one of the lower power modes—like balanced or power saver—then you’re going to need to top up often. Running solely on the battery, I was able to play Cyberpunk 2077 for just over two and a half hours before I started having to look for an outlet. If you really want to eke more out of the battery, you’ll have to fiddle with the settings—but I wanted to see how hard I could push it during my tests.

When you're not gamily, the performance is more typical. Our friends at PCMag have conducted an intensive breakdown of the battery, and report the machine can run for around 8 hours when you stick to video playback. 

The bottom line

When all is said and done, I'm very impressed with the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18. Yeah, the design choices can be less than stellar—I really wish there was more metal in the build—but it never feels like the price tag is less than justified either. 

Battery life could be better, but that display is stunning, and the hardware packed into even the cheapest variant is more than enough to keep you gaming at top-level settings for years. However, if you do plan to invest in a ROG Strix Scar 18, I recommend splurging a little on more RAM and additional internal storage.

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 starts at $3,587 on Amazon, with the price varying based on your choice of storage and RAM.

This article was updated Tuesday, March 26 to correct the specs for refresh rate and panel type.

'Psst' Is a No-Nonsense Spotify Player

Par : Justin Pot

Spotify is a bit of a mess. Sure, you can customize the Spotify interface to change the color scheme and clean things up a little, but that doesn't change the fact that the interface is full of audiobooks, podcasts, and other non-music things that you might not care about. Plus, it's just kind of ugly.

Psst is an alternative Spotify player that's focused on the music. The open-source desktop application only works for Spotify premium users, who can use it instead of the default Spotify app on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Launch application, log in, and you'll see nothing but your playlists in the left panel and your daily mixes in the right. You can browse your saved artist, albums, and tracks, if you like, or run a quick search to find something you haven't saved yet. And that's it.

There are no calls to action, no promotions, and nothing but your music. It's refreshing, after using the overly A/B tested application full of irrelevant algorithmically recommended playlists to just, like, listen to music.

There's not a lot in the way of settings—you can choose between a dark and light mode and select what kind of audio quality you want. And the app is relatively early in its development: You can't yet do things like subscribe to or edit playlists or view your current queue. Those features are coming, according to the developer, so you might want to hold up if those features are important to you.

If not, though, give Psst a chance. It turns Spotify from an Overly A/B Tested Audio Experience™ back to what it should be: a music player. Start listening to something, minimize the application, and get on with your life.

A Bunch of Nanoleaf Smart Lights Are 20% Off

I'm a fan of Nanoleaf. Sure, you can use the 16 million color combinations the LEDs provide for all kinds of party-ready light schemes, but Nanoleaf does calming and subtle light schemes exceedingly well, too. They're hella fun, and right now almost the entire store is 20% off through the weekend with the code SUPERSPRING2024. The sale excludes bundles, Umbra lamps, and Skylights (which is a shame, because I love mine). Still, here's what I'd grab.

Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit

Position the included camera over your television, and add the light strip to the back of your TV; the result gives your TV an aura that actually made me giggle with delight. When the TV is on, the lights can emulate the colors on the TV, changing subtly. When the TV is off, you can have the lights move to music or just choose from one of the preloaded themes. More importantly, the 4D can be the base for all the other lights in the room, so they all tune to the same color and motion band and work in unison.

Hexagon and Triangle Wall Panels

Nanoleaf's light shapes attach to the wall and can be infinitely expanded on to create any shape you can imagine. They're also touch sensitive, so you can adjust the light theme with a swipe of the finger.

Elements Hexagons Smarter Kit

If you prefer a different look than the matte white or black plastic of the shapes, the wood finish of these elements provide a completely different look with the same functionality.

Canvas Smarter Kit

These square wall panels can be expanded on like shapes, but that's not their main charm. They are touch sensitive as well, but also programmable so the touch can result in different actions. These are incredible tools for kids to work with.

These Portable Generators and Solar Panels Are up to 40% Off During Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

This year, friends and I lost power for days during an ice storm the area hadn't seen in the 15 years I've lived here. And in the summer, "heat domes" now cause brown outs on the regular, and the way it causes my wifi to reset all the time makes me batty. Sure, I go camping, too, but I'm now of the belief that almost anyone could benefit from having a power bank in their home—the stronger, the better. I have owned a portable Jackery generator for the past few years and it has served me really well, so I was pleased to see that several of its generators are included in Amazon's ongoing Big Spring Sale. I've rounded up a few of the notable deals below.

Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 3000 Pro

The latest and strongest of the Jackery banks can support 3,000 watts, which means everything from a fridge to your Instant Pot is covered. Yes, the more capacity the bank has, the bigger it is, and this is a lot to cart around camping. At home, though, this could carry you through a storm.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro with 2xSolarSaga

With slightly less capacity than the 3000 Pro, you can pair this bank with the two 100W solar panels it comes with to recharge on the go. The Pro line charges faster than their main line of banks—even in snow, my panels were able to take in enough power. This is still a hefty boy, but has a handle to take it on the go.

Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240

This was my first power bank and it is clutch for camping. With this wattage, you won't power much, but it's just enough for your laptop, phone, or a few hours of a heated blanket. It's also very easy to transport. If you're using it indoors during an outage, it's perfect to top off some cell phones.

Jackery 1000 Plus Solar Generator with 2xSolarSaga

An ideal midsize bank, still transportable, but enough to power your 1,000-watt devices. That includes small heaters, cooking devices, and your laptop. Coming with the solar panels, this is the ultimate camping package.

Jackery SolarSaga 100W Portable Solar Panel

This sale is worth it—grab extra panels if you already have a Jackery unit. You can chain them together to charge your power bank faster.

These Switchbot Smart Home Devices Are up to 53% Off Right Now

Spring sales are here, and lots of Switchbot products are 25-30% off right now (with one as much as 53% off). I've become a real fan of Switchbot's brand, which makes chunky, functional smart home products that are aimed at retrofitting homes. That makes them perfect for renters—you don't have to cut into any walls, ceilings, or floors. While almost all their products are on sale, here are the deals I think are really worth grabbing.

Switchbot K10+ Robot Vacuum (and mop, kind of)

I test a lot of robot vacuums, and the K10+ is one of my favorites. It's smaller than other bots, so it navigates between chair legs, under tables, and toe-kicks much more easily than larger bots. But more importantly, it is a spectacular vacuum, and I liked the simple Switchbot interface. While it is also technically a mop, this function is not fully baked. However, the vacuum is so good, if you just forget about the mop and allow it to shine at what it's good at, you'll be happy. Perfect for small spaces, the price was already great at $499, but right now it's on sale for $349.

Switchbot Pan/Tilt 1080p Babycam Indoor Camera

Though listed as a baby monitor on Amazon, this is actually just Switchbot's indoor pan and tilt cam, but you can use it for whatever you'd like. It's 53% off right now. Marked down to $18.99 from $39.99, this camera will give two-way audio and night vision, and it works with Google Home and Alexa. If you're currently working with a static camera, try a pan-and-tilt; the 360 degrees of coverage horizontally and 115 degrees vertically is useful, sure, but it's also a lot of fun to control them remotely.

SwitchBot Hub 2 Wifi Thermometer Hygrometer

Some companies have figured out no one wants an extra piece of hardware around just to serve as a hub, and have added other functionality to make them more valuable. This is one of my favorite implementations of that idea, a temperature and humidity display that just happens to also be a hub. I keep it on my desk, and it's small and innocuous. It's 25% off, marked down to $52.49 from $69.99.

Make your blinds and curtains smart

If you've got curtains or blinds, Switchbot has tools to make them wirelessly smart. Attach controllers for almost every kind of blind or curtain, and solar panels to power them, and you can then control them from your phone or through Google and Alexa.

The Best Android Smartphones Deals During Amazon’s Spring Sale

Amazon is currently having a big Spring Sale across its entire site. Of course, that means plenty of tech deals to be had. If you're in the market for a new Android smartphone, Amazon has sales on some of the best phones from both Google and Samsung.

Google Pixel

Amazon is running deals on four different Google Pixel devices. If you're looking for the least expensive of the bunch, you could check out the Pixel 7a: Google's "budget" phone from 2023 comes with a 6.1-inch 1080p display with a 90Hz refresh rate, the Tensor G2 chip, 8GB of RAM, and a 4385 mAh battery. Google says it will support the 7a with software updates until at least May 2026, and with security updates until May 2028, so for $374 (originally $499), this is a pretty good deal.

If you want something slightly newer, look at the Pixel 8. Amazon currently has it listed for $499 (originally $699) for the 128GB model, or $559 (originally $759) for the 256GB model. Since this is a flagship Pixel phone, you'll get updated features, like the Tensor G3 chip, an upgraded camera with Macro Focus, a 6.2-inch 1080p display that reaches 120Hz, and a 4575 mAh battery.

For the best of the best that Google has to offer with the Pixel smartphone line, there's the Pixel 8 Pro. Amazon is selling Google's premiere flagship for $749 (originally $999) for the 128GB model, $809 (originally $1,059) for the 256GB model, and $919 (originally $1,179) for 512GB. With that, you get a 6.7-inch 1344p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Google's best dual-camera system, 12GB of RAM across all variants, and a 4950 mAh battery.

Finally, if you're more interested in foldable phones, there's the Pixel Fold. Google's foldable phone is on sale at Amazon for $1,289.99 (originally $1,799) for the 256GB model, or $1,740 (originally $1,919) for 512GB. Despite the higher price tag, it does come with Google's Tensor G2 chip, so it's one generation behind the Pixel 8 line. However, you do benefit from two different displays: One 5.8-inch 1080p on the front of the device, which opens up to reveal a 7.6-inch 1840p display. Both displays reach 120Hz. In addition, you get 12GB of RAM, and a 4821 mAh battery.

Samsung Galaxy

On the other side of Amazon's Spring Sale are deals on Samsung Galaxy phones. Kicking things off, let's look at the Galaxy A25. This is Samsung's "budget" Galaxy phone, but you really get a lot of phone for a good price. The A25 comes with a 6.5-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 128GB of storage (with optional expandable storage) and 6GB of RAM, as well as a tri-camera system, one with a 50MP sensor. Amazon lists this phone for $264.99 (originally $299.99), so while it's not a huge savings, the overall price makes this a solid deal.

Jumping up in scale, Amazon has spring deals on the Galaxy S24+: $849.99 (originally $999.99) for the 256GB model, or $969.99 (originally $1,119.99) for the 512GB model. This phone comes with a 6.7-inch 1440p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, 12GB of RAM, and a tri-camera system with a 50MP sensor.

If a flippable smartphone is more your speed, check out the Galaxy Z Flip 5. This flip phone comes with a 3.4-inch front display, which opens to reveal a 6.7-inch 1080p display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. It also comes with a 3700 mAh battery, 8GB of RAM, and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. You can pick one up for $849.99 (originally $999.99) for the 256GB model, or $969.99 (originally $1,119.99) for the 512GB model.

Finally, there's the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung's latest foldable smartphone. This smartphone has a 6.2-inch front display, which opens up into a 7.6-inch 1812p display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and comes with 12GB of RAM, a tri-camera system with one 50MP sensor, and a 4400 mAh battery. You can get it for $1,499.99 (originally $1,799.99) for the 256GB model, or $1,619.99 (originally $1,919.99) for 512GB.

Aqara’s New Smart Ceiling Light Can Do More Than Just Brighten a Room

A year ago, I’d never heard of Aqara. Then they released a well-reviewed sensor no one else had, the FP2, a “presence” sensor. A quick perusal of their site will confirm they are, indeed, the sensor company, with a deep bench of smart sensors no one else has. Moreover, having tested many of them, they work when competitors’ simply do not. Now, a sensor is a small thing to install and set up, but my trust in their sensors is what made me willing to install their new Ceiling Light T1M ($149.99). A smart ceiling light might not seem exciting, but this is one of the first light fixtures we’ve seen from well-known brands. It boasts many smart features like visual notifications based on other Aqara products, too. The best reason to trust the T1M was simple: It is huge, and my kitchen desperately needed more light. The product is so popular it sold out in the first week, but Aqara says it will have more in stock in the coming weeks. 

A large but low profile light fixture with two separate lights

The first thing to know about the T1M is that it is a spaceship of a light fixture. A massive 19.5 inches wide, the light takes up some real estate on your ceiling. The rather innocuous main light is a spherical disk, and it adjusts to a range of white from warm to cool. Then, a ring of RGB IC LEDs encircle the white light, and you can control those separately. It installs pretty flush, standing short of three inches from the ceiling. The light is molded plastic, but it doesn’t feel cheap. Installation was quick—it's light in weight, making it easy to hold one handed. The light arrived with all the parts you need to hardwire it to existing fixture wiring. 

Even with Matter, you’ll still need a hub

The T1M supports Matter over Threads and Zigbee, but it requires an Aqara hub, which is going to act as a bridge. This device works with Google, Alexa, and Siri.  Normally needing a hub would be a bummer, but Aqara currently offers the most entertaining hub on the market: a 2k wired indoor security camera that looks like a cat. (There are hubs with a more standard design to consider, as well.)

An impressive light array to program

It took no work at all to get the light online in the Aqara app, and from there it was just a matter of customization. White is easy—you just tune it to the white range you have in your home (people usually either gravitate towards warm or cool white). Now, there are tons of smart LED light products on the market, and most of them allow you the same overwhelming amount of color possibilities these lights do. Nanoleaf has done a great job of offering subtle, tasteful light schemes you’d actually want to use, and I think Aqara managed the same here. Essentially, the T1M acts like a sun—you can replace the white in the center sphere with subtle color profiles based on different times of day. You can even set schedules so the light will mimic the time of day inside and come on slowly with the sunrise: They call this “adaptive lighting.” You don’t need the same brightness all day, so the light can adjust. The exterior lights get a little more wild, but can still stay subtle if you choose, with themes like meteor, sunset, and autumn. It’s all completely customizable, from colors to motion, speed, and brightness. My only complaint here was that the slowest motion setting was still too fast for my taste. 

A key to remember is that even without the ring of color LEDs, the light is still plenty bright enough to fill a space, and you don’t ever have to turn the ring on. That’s the benefit of the two lights having separate controls. Over the time I’ve had it installed, I've mostly just left the interior light on, and eventually made a theme for the ring of white LEDS to augment it. 

Automations are what make this light extra smart

There are now smart bulbs and smart switches, which give you flexibility in which aspect of your lights you’d like to make controllable. It begs the question why you’d want or need the fixture itself to be smart, and here is where automations become key. Aqara lets you build powerful integrations with other Aqara products that offer both convenience and accessibility. If the doorbell rings, your lights can flash an alert. If another Aqara product hits a trigger, the lights can visually alert you. Consider your fire alarm: If you can’t hear it, a visual cue can be critical. I have a tendency to wear my earbuds while doing dishes and I have missed the doorbell a few times that way, and a visual cue would have helped get my attention. You can also extend this capability via IFTTT and your home assistant or hub, but staying within the Aqara ecosystem has some benefits. One of their suggested automations is, “if a window or sensor is triggered, use the security camera to scan for any unidentified faces, and if it finds one, turn the light red.” This automation depends entirely on Aqara products like the cat hub and window and door sensors.  You could set this up as an automation using other products through IFTTT or your hub, but you're unlikely to get the same breadth of triggers and actions the Aqara app has for their own products. 

Control your light using quirky Aqara options

While you can control this light with a voice assistant and a regular wall switch, Aqara also sells a wireless mini switch you can install anywhere to use as a controller, which would also allow you to program custom actions from the mini switch buttons. There is also a curious controller called the Cube, which is wireless and allows you to program each side of it to control many Aqara products through automations and actions you define. These allow you to control the T1M remotely, even without a light switch, if you don’t want to use your phone. 

Look, I’d be satisfied with the T1M if it was just a light fixture: The LEDs were incredibly effective at brightening up a room a few traditional bulbs hadn’t. That they can be scheduled and programmed to emulate natural lighting and motion is a real delight, though, and what really impressed me—that I didn’t know I wanted or needed—is the smart functionality of using that light as notifications for other things going on in my home.

How to Choose Between an MSI Claw and a Steam Deck

The PC gaming handheld market continues to expand, with the latest handheld coming from MSI, a well-known and trusted name in the PC market. Sporting a more powerful set of specs and Windows 11, the MSI Claw is a solid handheld PC, but is more power enough to unseat the Steam Deck from its place as one of the best handheld gaming PCs? Here’s what you need to know.

Design and specs

When put side-by-side, the Steam Deck and the MSI Claw share a lot of similarities. Both feature large 7-inch displays in the center of their bodies (with a 7.4-inch display in the Steam Deck OLED). They also both feature the same two-sided controller system, though they look a bit different as the Steam Deck’s joysticks and buttons are situated differently. The Steam Deck is also the only of the two to offer the touchpads on the controllers, making it easy to simulate mouse movements with just a swipe of your finger.

From there, though, things start to deviate a little. The MSI Claw, for instance, has much more pointed corners, while the Steam Deck remains rounded at the edges. Depending on what style you prefer, one may be more comfortable than the other. I personally prefer the more rounded look of the Steam Deck, and it has never felt uncomfortable to hold, even when I’ve played for hours at a time. Those pointy corners on the Claw, though, may dig into your hands a bit if you hold onto the console tightly.

As for specs, I’ve already mentioned that the MSI Claw features more impressive specs, taking notes from the ASUS ROG Ally. Despite those improved specs, the Steam Deck offers easier gaming access thanks to its more streamlined Linux-based SteamOS system. Here’s a complete look at the specs for each handheld.

MSI Claw specs:

  • Intel-based Ultra Core processor

  • CPU: Intel core CU7 155H-Intel Arc, Intel core CU5 135H-Intel Arc

  • GPU: Intel Arc Graphics

  • RAM: 16GB LPDDR5

  • DISPLAY: 7-inch, 1920 x 1080 LED display with 120Hz refresh rate

  • SD CARD SLOT: Yes

Steam Deck specs:

  • AMD APU (upgraded 6nm APU in the Steam Deck OLED)

  • CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)

  • GPU: 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.0-1.6GHz (up to 1.6 TFlops FP32)

  • RAM: 16GB LPDDR5

  • DISPLAY: 7.4-inch, 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display, with 90 Hz refresh rate and 1,000 nits peak HDR brightness (Steam Deck OLED); 7-inch 1280 x 800 LCD display with 60Hz refresh rate)

  • SD CARD SLOT: Yes

As you can see, both devices feature some key differences, with the most notable being the higher refresh rate on the MSI Claw, as well as the much more powerful Intel processor. The Steam Deck’s included AMD APU is already aging, and it doesn’t offer as much power, but it does come with some perks, which we will discuss shortly. Not much on the original LCD Steam Deck is different than the upgraded Steam Deck OLED (the display is the biggest upgrade), but you can see the full list of Steam Deck OLED upgrades if you want a more in-depth look.

Just looking at things from a technical and hardware perspective, there’s almost no reason to choose to Steam Deck over the MSI Claw. But, as we all know, what is written down on paper is not always the full story.

Ease of gaming

To truly get the most out of your handheld gaming PC, you’re going to want something that is easy to work with and that you can easily navigate. In that respect, the MSI Claw and the Steam Deck could not be anymore different. Sure, if you decide to do any kind of modding or emulating, you’re going to need to get more familiar with Linux. But, if you just care about installing Steam games and playing them, the Steam Deck offers the easiest pick-up-and-play options.

That’s because SteamOS is built from the ground up to make it as easy as possible to jump in and start gaming. And it does that really well. On the other hand, the MSI Claw, because it uses Windows instead of SteamOS, requires you to bumble your way through the clunkiness of Microsoft’s prized operating system. It isn’t necessarily the most difficult thing to do, but it does require more clicks and movements to get games downloaded and to launch them. 

Those extra steps do come with a bonus, though: Because the Claw works off Windows, it is compatible with a lot more games, like those outside of the Steam marketplace. This means games like Fortnite, Genshin Impact, and any other game that hasn’t released on Steam are much easier to download and play on the MSI Claw. You can still play them on the Deck, but it will require a lot more work to get it taken care of.

Also, the Steam Deck has a ton of performance profiles freely available on the web to help you optimize your games for the Deck, and many are even starting to launch with “Steam Deck” setting options that help you get the most performance without losing too much visual quality. Not all games are quite to that point yet, but it is a leg-up that the Deck has over the Claw. However, the more powerful CPU and GPU found in the Claw will absolutely provide better performance and visuals in most games. Ultimately, it’s about choosing which operating system you prefer to work out of. If you just want the quickest and smoothest option that lets you jump into games as quickly as possible, the Steam Deck is the clear winner, though.

Price

When it comes to price, the Steam Deck and the MSI Claw aren’t all that different. The Steam Deck OLED retails for $549 for a 512GB storage option, but there is also a 1TB storage option that you can pick up for $649 if you feel you need the extra space. The MSI Claw, on the other hand, begins at $699.99 for a model with an Intel Core CU5 135H and 512GB of storage but goes up to $799.99 for the best model, which features an Intel Core CU7 155H with 1TB of storage. There’s also a middle option with the CU7 that only has 512GB of storage for $749.99.

Both the Steam Deck and the MSI Claw offer solid PC gaming experiences, and both come with expandable memory via SD cards that can help you carry more games around. If you want the most powerful of the two and don’t mind paying a little more, the MSI Claw is a surefire bet that will pay off in the long run. But, if you just want the easiest-to-use gaming PC handheld on the market, the Steam Deck remains my clear recommendation.

The New Airthings Smart Air Purifier Is Worth Its $400 Price Tag

The past two years have seen a real explosion of smart devices in the HVAC arena, from smart heaters to smart ACs, so it was only a matter of time before smart air purifiers entered the space. To start, we’ve seen recent entries from IKEA, which has an entire line of air purifiers integrated into furniture that are controllable via the IKEA TRÅDFRI gateway. There have been other entries in the last year, including the Coway AirMega line, BlueAir, and others. But there are lots of reasons the Airthings Renew is the smart air purifier I’m most excited about. 

Unlike a lot of companies making air purifiers, Airthings really only focuses on air quality, and it’s not just in the consumer market. Airthings supplies to businesses as well, where there’s some liability in ensuring clean air, particularly during a pandemic. The specs on these purifiers look pretty great, filtering down to .3 micron, which is the size of aerosolized SARS COV-2. It will scrub the air in a room up to 525 feet square in thirty minutes through a series of medical grade HEPA and carbon filters that pull particulates, gasses, virus, and odors out of the air.  

Screenshot from the Airthings app
Credit: Airthings

The Renew is about the size and shape of a desktop computer tower, although a lot more chic, and costs $399. This may seem expensive, but it's a fair price for this size and quality of air purifiers. Usually where most air purifiers strain people financially is the replacement filters—these are going to run you $70. While usually the rule is to replace filters every six months, the major benefit of the smart app here is that you’ll be notified exactly when it’s time to replace the filters based on usage. If you live in fire country, you may go through them more often, and if you live someplace with little pollution, you might be able to stretch it longer.

I like the idea of a smart purifier for all the functions the Renew has: You can turn it on and off remotely and make it part of your home automations. Just turning it on remotely would be a big help if you’re coming home from a trip, or when the monitor on the purifier notifies you that air quality has dipped. The app will also give you graphical stats on what the purifier is pulling out of the air, which is more interesting than useful.

Everything the Rumors Say About the PS5 Pro

The PlayStation 5 has only been out for four years and still has a lot of life in it, but Sony may be eyeing a mid-cycle refresh of the console in the form of a more powerful PS5 Pro. In fact, some rumors suggest we could see the new console as soon as this year, and that it will include some pretty hefty upgrades.

Of course, Sony has yet to officially confirm anything, or even admit it is working on a successor to the PS5. But based on the timing of the release of the PS4 Pro in November 2016, three years into the life of that machine, it seems likely Sony is also looking to iterate on its newest console.

Until we get official news, of course, at's all rumor and speculation, but that can be fun too. Here’s everything there is to know (assuming there's anything at all to know) about the PS5 Pro so far.

Potential specs for the PS5 Pro: Increased performance and 8K gaming

There isn't much to go on when it comes to the PS5 Pro's potential price and specs. However, recent rumors and possible leaks suggest the PS5 Pro will offer 33.5 teraflops of power. Yes, that is actually the name of the measurement, and that's nearly three times the power as the PS5 today. 

Additionally, the scuttlebutt is that the GPU in the PS5 Pro will offer 45% higher rasterization performance, and that it could utilize AI upscaling in a method similar to Nvidia’s DLSS, which would result in smoother gameplay and optimization across even the most demanding titles (DLSS absolutely saved Star Citizen’s performance on PC, and it would be great to see similar functionality on the PS5 Pro).

The source of this newest leak, Inside Gaming, suggests that the PS5 Pro will also offer system memory speeds up to 28% faster than the base PS5 (an increase to 576 GB/s from the current 448 GB/s). The new system is also said to feature a “high CPU frequency mode” that will offer a 10% increase in performance over the existing console.

Further rumors hint that the PS5 Pro will be future-proofed to handle 8K gaming after a firmware update, and will be equipped with a custom machine-learning architecture

When will the PS5 Pro be released?

With the PS5 already in the latter half of its lifecycle, at least according to Sony’s financial results call in February, it makes sense for the PS5 Pro to release sooner rather than later. Speculation suggests that we could see a release of the beefier PlayStation 5 as early as fall of 2024. Like the PS4, which was superseded by a Pro model three years in, the base PS5 was released in the fall, so it seems sensible to assume Sony will likewise try to position the PS5 Pro as a must-have holiday gift. Analyst Colin Moriarty has revealed that publishers from third-party studios have already been briefed on the specs for a PS5 Pro, offering more support for an imminent release.

Of course, all of this is subject to change, as Sony has yet to offer up any official confirmation of or information about the PS5 Pro, though the rumors are definitely widespread enough to suggest it's not entirely wishful thinking. Of course, there have also been rumors about a followup to the Nintendo Switch since before the Switch OLED dropped, so rumors and speculation don’t always play out like you might assume.

The Best SSDs You Can Buy for the PS5

The PlayStation 5 is one of the best gaming consoles you can buy right now, but it just doesn’t come with enough storage space if you plan to keep a lot of games installed. Thankfully, you can upgrade the amount of storage that your PS5 offers by adding in your own SSD. Choosing from the myriad of great SSD options out there isn’t easy, but if you’re looking for some of the best PS5-compatible M.2 SSDs, these four will help narrow things down.

Acer Predator GM7000 1TB M.2

Acer Predator SSD for PS5
Credit: Acer

Those looking for a great SSD that won’t break the bank will find a lot to love with the Acer Predator GM7000. This M.2. SSD is available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB storage options, giving you a lot of room to work with. It offers read and write speeds up to 7400 MB/s and 6400 MB/s, respectively, and comes with great heat dissipation to help ensure your PS5’s internals keep running smoothly no matter how hard you push it.

Acer also backs the GM7000 with a 5-year limited warranty. This SSD typically retails for $78 for the 1TB model, though you can often find it on sale for as low as $49.99 on Amazon.

Samsung 980 Pro PCIe 4.0 NVMe 

samsung 980 pro SSD for PS5
Credit: Samsung

Samsung remains one of the most trusted electronics brands, and for good reason. The company continues to deliver solid products, often at affordable prices, and the Samsung 980 Pro PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD is no different. 

Typically priced at $154.99 for 1TB, the 980 Pro can be purchased in 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB variations. It’s a great SSD with read and write speeds up to 7,000 MB/s and 5,100 MB/s, respectively. It also features a reliable heat spreader label, which helps provide great thermal control within your PS5, ensuring great temperatures even during long gaming sessions.

Crucial T500 Gen4 NVMe M.2

Crucial T500 SSD for PS5
Credit: Crucial

Another trusted name in the SSD game, Crucial remains one of my personal go-to options for new SSDs. These SSDs offer great speed and reliability while also remaining relatively affordable, depending on the model. The Crucial T500 Gen 4 NVMe M.2. SSD typically retails for around $143.99, though it is often found on sale for as low as $80.99. 

With read and write speeds up to 7,300 MB/s and 6,800 MB/s, respectively, the Crucial T500 Gen4 is one of the absolute best SSDs you can buy for your PS5. The T500 is available in a 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB options, and if you want a no-frills, easy-to-install SSD that you can count on, this is the place to look. Our friends at PCMag also love the Crucial T500, calling it an outstanding SSD that “shines at both general storage and gaming tasks.” There’s also an option to buy it with the heatsink already installed, making it even easier to upgrade your PS5.

Samsung 980 Pro with Heatsink

Samsung 980 pro SSD with heatsink
Credit: Samsung

Those who want to ensure they’re getting the absolute best temperatures while gaming intensively will find that the Samsung 980 Pro with a Heatsink is a great go-to option. It’s slightly more expensive than the base 980 Pro I’ve already spotlighted on the list here, but the added price gets you a fantastic heatsink that helps distribute heat even better than the 980 Pro’s base thermal system.

It still sports the same 7,000 MB/s read and 5,100 MB/s write speeds found on the base 980 Pro, but that more efficient heat system will ensure you can keep it performing at optimal levels even when you’ve pushed your PS5 to the max. It’s only available in 1TB and 2TB options, and it typically retails for $164.99 for the smallest storage option. Sony also requires a heatsink for your SSD when you’re putting it into your PS5, so this option saves you the trouble of having to attach one later on.

It’s currently on sale at the time of this article’s posting, making it one of the best options available right now.

What do I need to upgrade my PS5’s SSD?

If you’re planning to install a new SSD into your PS5, you’ll need two things. First, you’ll need the new SSD. All of the options we’ve included above are great. You’ll also need a heatsink to help with heat dissipation, though sometimes these are included with the SSD itself. These usually attach with some kind of adhesive to the M.2 SSD that you’re installing, so you’ll want to make sure you have one in hand to use if you don’t buy an SSD with a heatsink. Luckily, you can add a heatsink like the Sabrent M.2. NVMe PS5 heatsink to any SSD you install into the PS5, giving you that much-needed extra heat dissipation.

Eufy’s Latest Wireless Camera Uses LTE and Solar to Go Anywhere

I never thought I was someone who'd have security cameras outside my home. I didn’t have the electrical wiring, so that just left battery-powered cameras; I was skeptical at how good could they be, and whether they would be worth having to regularly change the batteries. Then there are the subscription fees that most security camera brands charge, which add up over time.

Having tested outdoor security cameras for a number of brands, I have become a real fan of the Eufy Solocam line, which manages to dodge the subscription and battery problems. (Unlike a lot of its competitors, Eufy cameras don't require a subscription to view and save clips.) Eufy's latest release, the Eufy 4G LTE Cam S330 ($249.99) is an addition with some notable new features, including the ability to switch between a 4G LTE card and wifi.

The S330 builds on previously well-received Solocams

A few months ago, I reviewed two other cameras in this line, the hardwired Floodlight Cam E340 ($219.99) and the wireless Solocam S340 ($199.99). What I really liked about this line above other outdoor cameras I’d tested were the dual lenses: A macro lens and micro lens survey your space in conjunction with each other, and you can easily flip between them. While even the macro lens offers great detail, the micro lens allows you to really home in on specific areas. While I tested the wired and wireless versions, the wireless impressed me most, and with a diminutive solar panel above it, it hasn’t lost power once—not through weeks of cloudy PNW weather, not through the week-long ice and snowstorm. It continued to produce exceptional 360 degree views of the yard. The solar panel allows you to place the camera almost anywhere—the only limitation is that you need wifi.

This new 4G LTE Cam takes the same wireless camera base and adds 4G capability to it, meaning you can quite literally place it anywhere so long as it gets a minimal amount of sunshine and has 4G coverage. Since Eufy doesn't provide LTE coverage, the unit ships with a promotional card from EIOT and 100gb of free data so you can test out the 4G capability, and separately, a micro SD card for storage. I imagine most people will simply get a SIM from their wireless provider on an unlimited plan to use in their S330—the EIOT card is just so you can try the 4G LTE functionality out. Topping off the card at their rates made no sense given how much data you'll go through, though you certainly could.

It's worth noting that Eufy has, in the past, experienced a security breach. Realistically, any camera system, hardwired or wireless, is susceptible to hacking, but wireless models seem much easier to breach. Using any security camera in the modern era is to accept a certain amount of risk, but to Eufy's credit, it has responded to vulnerabilities when they've appeared, and there hasn’t yet been a repeat.

Easy, if slightly insecure installation

The S330 looks exactly the same as the S340: it has a modern lens set mounted on a white plastic swiveling base that can tilt up, down, and around. The back of the camera has an input for USB-C power for charging in the home, for a direct wire (if you have it), or to connect to the solar panel. The solar panel can attach to the top of the camera or be mounted as much as 10 feet away, and can be adjusted to tilt in any direction needed. As mounts go, the Eufy wireless cams are some of the easiest to mount, but I do worry about their security since they’d be just as easy to remove. This is generally true of wireless cameras. In either case, the mount can be used in a few different orientations, secures with a few screws, and then you just slide the camera on until it clicks. 

The Eufy app is great at guiding you through setup. It’s easy to set up your EIOT account and install the LTE card in the device, and the same is true for the SD card. You’ll be guided to set up zones that the camera should pay attention to, zones it should ignore, and you can even set up four points that the camera should default to. There are a wealth of notification options, and you can tell the app if you have pets, and whether it should try to identify people in your yard using AI.

All told, installation took me less than 15 minutes. Eufy does not require subscriptions to save clips, which is a huge bonus, and I connected this unit to my HomeBase, which allows me to store saved clips locally.

Improved solar notifications on the S330

While solar performs just as well on the S330 as the S340, the LTE model has one improvement: The app tells you how well the solar is charging at any time, a feature I appreciated. Like its predecessor, I’ve had no issues keeping the camera fully charged, despite getting quite a bit more activity in my front yard than my other Eufy wireless camera. 

LTE lags, and switching between wifi and LTE is painful

While all wireless cameras suffer from lag time (notably, I've experienced the least lag time with Ring cameras) it was noticeably worse when I was on LTE. It was bad enough that it timed out once or twice while I was away from home while trying to summon the live view. It didn’t matter much since I burned through those 100gb in fewer than four days, despite settings to minimize my recording. Unwilling to pay the price to add on more data at the rates offered, I switched the camera to wifi. I wish I could say that was a painless process, but after timing out many times over a few days, I finally had to take the camera off the mount, bring it inside and reinstall it entirely to switch to wifi. Once I did, connection times improved dramatically. 

Same great video as previous dual-lens Solocams

The video for the S330 is just as great as previous models. This is the only camera line I’ve tested with the dual lenses. I took advantage of the LTE and solar to place the camera on the edge of my wifi range in the front yard, aimed right at the spot where a neighbor has not been cleaning up after their dog. Within a day, I’d nabbed the offender, but the dual lenses took it from a video with a quick glimpse of the offender's face to being able to provide a screenshot with enough clarity to be above reproach. I mean, the detail on the micro lens is so flawless I caught the dog giving his owner the side eye as they walked away. 

Bottom line: A solid camera with expanded range if you need LTE

If you’re within wifi range, it seems a no-brainer to use the wifi here, even if you have unlimited LTE through your carrier. But the LTE aspect gives you tremendous freedom, if you need it—I imagine this allowing you to place a camera on a trail on your property, or at the front of a long drive. Still, if you are planning to use wifi, I'd just go with the S340 and save yourself $50.

Everything You Should Consider Before Buying Smart Home Tech

Each time I write about a new smart home product, I can count on a few commenters to question the need to add smart functionality to a product they’ve used for years. “What’s wrong with a washing machine that doesn’t talk to me,” “I can do a better job than any robot vacuum,” or “Hope you enjoy being spied on through your smart air purifier!” There’s nothing inherently wrong with the “dumb” products we learned to use—they’re not dumb at all, they just require more work on our part. The promise of smart products is vast. Sure, they save time, because they work without your input. And they save money because you can program them using intelligence—both yours (experience) and theirs (AI). And they’re fun. I’ll never get over the joy of voicing a request into the air and having lights turn on, doors lock, the dryer spin, or a robot mop. But the best reason—the reason you really can’t refute—is that smart home products make the world accessible. We will all be using them in a few short years; but for now, there are important considerations to make before leaping in. 

You need strong and consistent wifi

Smart home devices need internet. You can eventually run them on local signals like Bluetooth, Z-wave, and Zigbee, but that’s not standard. Setup is almost always going to require wifi, and usage is often also dependent on the internet. It’s not just that you want strong wifi, you want consistent wifi throughout the areas you’ll use smart products. That’s not always easy to achieve if the space is large or you have barriers like metal in your walls or large appliances in the way. The solution is often engaging mesh routers, which do a better job distributing your wifi signal across a space. 

Some smart home tech won't move with you to the next home

Some smart products are easier to hit the road with than others. You can pick up Tiles and go anywhere, and I’ve found it pretty easy to relocate floor bots and smart plugs. But if you want to move your voice assistant speakers or your hub, that’s a big pain. The same goes for lightbulbs and smart appliances. As people begin to choose smart switches over smart hubs, you have to consider whether you’re investing in products you’re not likely to uninstall and bring to the next home. Your robot pool cleaner might come with you, but the smart garage opener won’t; consider the longevity of your choices. 

There will be smart home tech privacy breaches

We should be able to have smart products and expect privacy at the same time. But we know that companies are fallible, networks are hackable, and security breaches happen. I’m not saying we should just accept the privacy breaches that now seem standard, but I stand by the unpopular opinion you need to be aware it’s likely to happen and not let it make you anxious. The reality is that many people struggled with the security of entering your credit card online or using your social security number as identification. Ultimately, younger generations accepted that online transactions were simply how things were done now, and the occasional risk was the price of doing business, and fraud protections evolved from the banks to deal with it. 

You'll need to choose one main hub

There are now many multiple system hubs out there, and the ecosystem is always growing. While you can run multiple systems in your home (HomeKit and Alexa, Alexa and Google Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant, etc.) the reality is that you want to choose one voice assistant (Siri, Google, or Alexa) and really try to stick with one hub. Consolidation will make it easier to manage your products through automation and the hub's app, and it’ll help you choose between smart speakers and displays. The best way to choose is to consider the most important products to you, and also what kind of tinkerer you are. If you are an Apple fan, HomeKit makes sense—but a lot of products don’t work with HomeKit. Alexa has the strongest ecosystem, in my opinion, but if you like absolute control, Home Assistant might be for you. New hubs like Hubitat and Brilliant offer varying levels of control and product integration. 

Start adding smart home tech in layers

Don’t go hog wild on smart products. Choose a hub, and then choose one layer of utilities: Lights, HVAC, or cleaning. If you choose lights, choose between smart switches, fixtures, or lightbulbs (or all three), but try to stick with as few brands as possible, and go slowly. Experiment with automations along the way, voice control, and what to do when you lose connection. Slowly add on more layers as you get more comfortable with the technology. 

A byproduct of smart home life that no one loves is the additional apps and physical hubs you end up with. Locate the hubs in one spot and label them so its clear from the front what they control. Keep a doc or spreadsheet somewhere with all the apps on your phone and what they control. This is my favorite hack, because so many of these apps don’t have the name of the company in them, and all look and sound very familiar (My SmartLife, Smart Home, Homelife, etc.). 

The New Blink Mini 2 Camera Works Outside, Too

Almost anytime I notice a camera in a friend’s place, it is a Blink Mini. I myself have found them super useful—inside, that is. That was the headline on the Mini, a small, affordable, easy-to-install indoor cam from Amazon. You could mount them on a pan and tilt base, free stand them, or hang them on a wall. They just worked without a lot of frills or fanfare. What they didn’t do was go outside, which wasn’t a real problem, since Blink has a wealth of outdoor cameras for that purpose—and they worked well, too. But yesterday, Amazon announced the new Blink Mini 2, and unlike its predecessor, it can go anywhere, indoors or out. 

According to Amazon, the team rebuilt the Mini from the ground up, but promises it kept everything customers love. The price certainly remains stable: the Mini 2 is an affordable $39.99, although the price jumps to $49.99 if you add on the weather-resistant adapter. This is comparable to the original Blink, which has dipped to $29.99 and is still, in my opinion, a great buy, particularly when paired with the pan-tilt mount. 

The new Mini 2 includes a computing overhaul and now uses a custom-built chip. Using on-device computer vision, new functions are now possible, like smart notifications and person detection. This allows the user to know, via notifications, whether the camera detects a person, pet, or package, so long as you have a Blink subscription plan

On previous Blink models, you could avoid the subscription plan by using the Blink Sync Module ($49.99) with a USB stick for local storage, and the same is true with the Mini 2, making it a lot more appealing. I generally prefer cameras without cloud storage or subscription fees, but you do get AI features with the Blink subscription, so you might find it worthwhile. Plans start at $3 per month for one device and go up to $10 per month for multiple devices. 

The video quality has also gotten an upgrade, which is nice, and that includes low-light performance. The new Blink model also has a wider range of view than the original and a built-in LED spotlight for color video at night, even in the dark. I’m excited to see this in practice, as I’ve found seeing color instead of black-and-white in nighttime video to be very pleasing. 

The ability to have a reliable camera under $50 that is weather resistant appeals to me. It can go in places larger cameras can’t, and since it’s a plug in, you just need access to electrical, rather than a hardwire. To me, this feels like it will serve specific situations really well, but most people’s outdoor camera needs might be served better by other cameras on the market.

Intel’s Newest CPU Boasts Impressive Performance, But You Shouldn’t Buy It

A CPU that can hit 6.2 GHz max turbo frequency right out of the box might seem like a dream come true, but Intel’s newest CPU is a far cry from the best option on the market right now.

Intel officially revealed the Core i9-14900KS this week, boasting an impressive and milestone-setting 6.2 GHz turbo frequency. Sure, the CPU is impressive with its 24 CPU cores and 32 threads, but there’s a reason you’re probably not going to see this CPU in many high-end systems: it just isn’t a feasible option in terms of heat and power consumption.

There are, of course, a number of reasons why this CPU might seem enticing. For starters, it’s the most top-of-the-line Intel product on the market. And, of course, that max turbo frequency is a huge accomplishment. However, benchmarks from TechPowerUp paint a sobering picture of what you can expect with this CPU if you were to add it to your build.

First, you’re looking at some wild power consumption. According to TechPowerUp’s benchmarks, the new Intel i9-14900KS draws more than three times as much power based on a 13-game average power consumption test. Considering these high-end CPUs are often acclaimed by gamers, that probably isn’t something that any gamer is going to want to put anywhere near their PC. 

Whether you care about how much energy your PC uses or not, though, that much of a power draw means that this CPU is going to create tons of heat that you’ll need to pull out of your PC somehow. Sure, a water cooler might do the trick, but you’re going to be running that bad boy at the highest possible settings to keep things cool. And, if you pair this with one of the newer Nvidia 4090s, you’re looking at even more power consumption and heat output.

There’s also the fact that even with these high-powered specs, the Intel i9-14900KS isn’t likely to provide any huge performance boost compared to other processors on the market right now. In fact, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D often saw slightly higher scores for relative gaming performance in TechPowerUp’s benchmarks, and it's priced at roughly half of the I9-14900KS’ recommended $699.99 price tag—though some listings on Amazon already have it at over $1,000 at the time of this article’s writing.

There’s no doubt that what Intel has accomplished with this new CPU is exciting. A CPU hitting 6.2 GHz out of the box is impressive. Unfortunately, Intel has a long way to go with how it handles heat and power consumption before this kind of CPU is actually feasible for gamers and high-end PC users.

I Tested Four Smart Espresso Makers, and Here’s What I Found

I have a simple dream: I awaken in the morning, and somewhere in the kitchen a coffeemaker begins brewing a solid espresso or latte. By the time I arrive in the kitchen a few minutes later, this cup awaits me, so my feet barely stop moving as I grab it and move to the couch to start the day. A smart espresso maker feels like it could make this dream a reality, right? After testing the brands that make smart espresso makers, I can say it isn't always the perfect realization of my dream, but all of these machines are exceptionally well made. (And expensive. And not without their own eccentricities.)

Miele Milk Perfection 6360

Miele Milk Perfection 6360
Credit: Miele

Price: $2715.99
Water Capacity:
60oz
Milk Steamer: Glass container with lid and metal and silicone piping, additional metal pipe for milk container
What drinks it produces: ristretto, espresso, coffee, long coffee, cappuchino, latte machhiato, hot milk, milk froth, espresso macchiato, cappuccino italiano, flat white, cafe au lait, cafe latte, hot water
Works with: Alexa, Google Home

The Miele name is synonymous with high-end quality appliances. I tested their most expensive standalone machine with wifi capability. In my review of the Miele Milk Perfection, I noted how much I enjoyed the coffee itself. While the list of drink possibilities wasn’t endless, it covered all the basics you’d expect or need to build your own drink off of, and it did so flawlessly and quickly—probably quicker than any other machine I've tested. Although all the machines produce hot water for tea, only the Miele has four specialty settings for different teas. I really liked the quality of the milk container, and how easy it was to store it in the fridge between uses. The grinder had five different settings and you could affect how rich your coffee was not only by grind, but by adjusting the amount of coffee in any drink. Of all machines I tried, this produced the best milk of the bunch, creating spectacular foam, but also the option for hot milk separately, which meant a wealth of drinks like hot chocolate. 

I did not love the UX of the machine itself. Despite the machine itself being beautiful, the unlabeled buttons were cumbersome. The screen wasn’t touch-sensitive and was hard to use, with very small buttons. Changing the size of drinks or canceling a drink midway was entirely too complicated—another side effect of bad UX design. 

The Miele app is not as useful as I’d like it to be, but it does allow you to turn the machine on, get status reports, and set up coffee profiles you can send to your machine. But ultimately, you had to be at the machine to execute any of the drinks, regardless of the app. I also did not like that once you changed settings for a single drink, it was changed universally. If you and your partner both like a ristretto, but with different settings, good luck. 

While I was generally annoyed by how often the Miele insisted on cleaning every part of itself, that ended up being true on most machines I tested. The Miele did have the best cleaning apparatus for the milk piping—you could attach the piping to the drip tray and the machine would clean it for you. Of all the drip trays I emptied, this was maybe the least annoying. 


Jura ENA8

Jura ENA8
Credit: Jura

Price: $1699
Water Capacity: 37oz
Milk Steamer: Plastic container and lid, silicone and metal piping, but you can put the pipe into any open container.
What drinks it produces: ristretto, espresso, espresso doppio, coffee, macchiato, latte macchiato, cappuccino, flat white, milk foam, and hot water.
Works with: none

Jura, a long trusted brand in the coffee space, actually has a lot of smart espresso makers. It’s important to note that this is the lowest-priced model with wifi capabilities, and Jura has many coffee makers with wifi that are likely to have more capacity, capabilities and features than the ENA8. In my review, the most concerning part of the coffee experience was the temperature, which seemed to be unchangeable and too cool for my personal taste—cool enough that drinks with milk foam were downright chilly. I also found the drink menu limiting, and spent the month trying to create a café latte out of the possibilities offered to me. Larger drinks don’t have the ability to adjust the richness of the coffee, so they ended up watery. Smaller drinks like the ristretto and espresso were ultimately the best bets, with a delicate head of foam, and the coffee wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t the best that I tried of the bunch, either. It was, however, easy to change the size of the drink—probably easier than any other machine—and I liked that you configured the drink on screen while making it.

While the Jura machine is beautiful and solidly made, the touchscreen experience was disappointing. Instead of swiping, you advanced screens through three tiny dots in the corner of the screen. This machine boasted the smallest water capacity of all, at 37 ounces—I consistently needed to refill it.  

Like most of the machines, the ENA8 cleans itself constantly, and as such, you need to empty the drip tray once a day, at least—and of course, refill the water tank, too. It did include a function to clean the milk piping, but it wasn’t “push a button and walk away”; you had to monitor it and push more buttons halfway through. 

The Jura app often had trouble connecting, and once it did, it had almost no capability. It only worked when the machine was on, and while you could theoretically push drink orders from the app to the machine, I was never successful doing so. The wifi module on this machine is actually an add-on, and the J.O.E. app felt like it was bolted on, as well. 

While the Jura wasn’t my favorite machine, it’s worth noting that you’re stacking the least expensive model they had against every other brand’s flagship machine, and overall Jura has a great reputation in this space. I’ve used other Jura machines I really enjoyed, and a number of commenters defended the machine as being loved in their home. 

SPINN All in One Espresso Maker and Milk Frother

Spinn Coffeemaker
Credit: Spinn

Price: $849.99
Water Capacity: 40oz (can purchase larger 80oz tank or direct connect to water line)
Milk Steamer: Separate metal machine with removable frother that you place on heating puck
What drinks it produces: ristretto, espresso, lungo, doppio, americano, coffee, nitro, pour over, hot water, affogato, cafe romano, guillermo, barraquito, iced cappuccino, pumpkin spice, espresso martini, vanilla latte, macchiato, cortado, latte, flat white, cappuccino, mocha, moonlight fomo. (ability to create new drinks)
Works with: Alexa, Google Home, Apple Homekit

Spinn only has one model—and it only needs one, if you ask me. They nailed it. Spinn has done the best job of marrying technology to the coffee experience in a way that makes the whole thing more enjoyable and usable. The Spinn produced delicious espressos, ristrettos, and any kind of coffee drink you can imagine. In fact, it is the expansiveness of the drink menu that most impresses. Absolutely any drink is possible, and the app for the machine takes you through making each drink, step by step, allowing you to adjust the drink in the moment. This is the only machine where the milk is produced in an entirely separate apparatus, which had upsides and downsides. You have to choose, at the get-go, whether you’ll be making hot milk or foam by taking the small coil out of the milk frother. This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but if you leave milk in the frother between uses (to store in the fridge) it’s messy to go in and get the coil out, and you worry about losing it. The frother is lightning fast. But it also overflowed on multiple occasions, despite being only one-quarter full. Being separate also meant that you were responsible for adding it to the coffee, rather than the machine dosing for you. 

The Spinn has a less intimidating design than the other machines, looking more like your standard coffeemaker. It also features unlabeled buttons, of which I am not a fan, but unlike the Miele, you’ll never need to use them. The Spinn, unlike the other machines, really requires the app to produce coffee. You could program the buttons for your personal favs, but anything else would require your phone at your side. While I loved the water capacity and that you can buy a gigantic 80-ounce tank, the tank is on the back of the machine, with an awkward filter that just kind of bobs in the water tank. It made it harder to refill, but that’s really not a bother if you pipe the machine to your water line, which is possible out of the box. 

The Spinn app is fun, easy to use and essential to the process. Without a doubt the most fully cooked of the bunch, the app allows you to make any drink you can imagine, and fine tune them easily. I also loved that you could scan the bag of coffee beans, and it would store that info in the app. The Spinn is my personal choice, since it is the only machine of the bunch that you can order a coffee from bed, and so long as there’s a cup in place to receive it, it will be ready when you arrive in the kitchen. 

This is possible because the Spinn doesn’t self clean at the pace of the other machines, meaning that its first action on turning on isn’t to steam clean (which makes it impossible to order a coffee from afar). In fact, the Spinn takes care of cleaning without your input or participation, entirely. I found this quite enjoyable, and the time spent emptying the drip tray was dramatically reduced. On the downside, it also did not clean the milk frother, since it’s separate. This container was harder to store in the fridge due to size, too. But a quick hand wash was all that was needed, and there isn’t any milk piping to clean, which may be a bonus. 


Terra Kaffe TK-02

Terra Kaffe TK-02
Credit: Terra Kaffe

Price: $1495
Water Capacity: 75oz |
Milk Steamer: Plastic container with lid and silicone piping
What drinks it produces: latte macchiato, cortado, macchiato, flat white, latte, cappuccino, americano, expresso, drip, steamed milk, hot water (ability to create new drinks)
Works with: Alexa

The TK-02 is the newest of the machines that I tested. If you’re looking for exceptional coffee drinks, with a nice pop of technology assist, this is the machine I’d go with. The coffee itself was my favorite, and this was likely the result of the amount of fine tuning you can do to the grind size, the amount of coffee you can use for any individual drink, and the size of the finished drink. The drink menu isn’t the most extensive, but you can create new drinks from what it offers, and the building blocks are certainly flexible enough to make almost any drink you could imagine. The milk frother makes great foam, and while not as heady as other machines, the quality was high. The pour over coffee feature produced my favorite cup of straight coffee of all the machines—however, the TK-02 is slow. It's thoughtfully taking its time while brewing drinks, and you will be waiting while it does.  

Of all the machines, the TK-02 is the most attractive. It has the perfect blend of modern and stateliness, and looks like a quality build. The shiny black exterior has the right blend of curves and lines, with a huge digital touchscreen. The tasteful display uses a lot of white space and is easy to manipulate via touch. There are no random buttons to wonder about. While the app offers a number of controls that the machine interface doesn’t, you don’t need your phone at your side to use the machine, either. You can simply choose from the drinks offered, using the settings you’ve previously input in the app. I do not like how the milk frother attaches to the machine, using a plug at the end that is hard to place visually. Each and every time I’d have to feel for the location, which isn’t sanitary. The plug was hard to remove after you were done, too, but the foam and milk it produced was excellent. 

The Terra Kaffe app is second only to the Spinn app, and I really liked how easy it was to adjust drinks, but more importantly, the drink menu that appears on the screen. You can edit it, add your own drinks, change the name of drinks, etc. It’s a huge benefit that no other machine offered. The app also offers some fun stats about money saved while brewing at home. While you can’t turn the machine on and off, you can put it into sleep mode and set an on/off schedule. One of my major complaints was that it only integrates with Alexa, which is a miss, I think. Hopefully Homekit and Google integration are coming soon.

The TK-02 cleans itself when it comes online and right before it goes to sleep. The noise will freak you out a bit if you aren’t planning for it—the first few days I thought something had blown up. However, it offers no function to clean the milk piping for the milk container, so that’s on you to do manually. While the capacity of the water tank meant I didn’t have to refill it everyday, I did have to dump the tray every other day, at least. 


This Alexa-equipped Smart Wall Dimmer Switch Is Almost Half Off

Lights are an obvious place to jump into smart home technology, and more and more, I lean into smart switches. With a smart switch, it doesn’t matter what type of bulb or fixture you have—the control comes from the switch itselt. I find these switches to be more stable than lightbulbs and cost effective over the long haul. Leviton, a well-known name in the lighting space, has a notable wall switch almost half off right now: The Leviton Decora Smart Voice Dimmer Switch with Amazon Alexa, normally $108.99, is just $66.99. Here’s why it’s worth grabbing right now. 

This is a single pole light switch, meaning you need to actually replace an existing wired wall switch. Don’t let that intimidate you, though; replacing a wall switch is one of the most basic electrical jobs you can do around a house, as long as you turn off the circuit first. Leviton provides clear instructions.

The switch itself is self explanatory: Tap the top button to turn on the light, and hold it to make the light brighter. Tap the bottom button to turn the light off or dim it. The magic is in the top and bottom light indicators. Leviton has basically put an entire Alexa speaker in the switch itself. Tap the top button to engage Alexa, or hold it to mute Alexa; the LED lights will change color to show if Alexa is actively listening. The bottom LED above the speaker at the bottom will stay illuminated in case the lights are off so you can find the switch. 

Leviton has an app that this switch pairs with that will allow you to further customize routines in conjunction with Alexa. It’s worth noting that the switch works with other assistants like Google and Apple, but is specifically designed for Alexa. When I reviewed Leviton switches last year, one of the notes I had was that the switches could only be used to control Leviton devices, which isn’t a huge ecosystem unless you could access your other devices through an IFTTT integration. Since then, I’ve noticed more brands becoming available on IFTTT, which makes this easier. 

These Meross Smart Plugs, Sensors, and More Are up to 30% Off

I've been using smart devices for years, and of all the smart plugs I've tried, Meross remains my favorite. Right now, Meross is discounting plugs, along with almost everything else, up to 30% off. Here are some items I'd go grab now.

Meross Water Leak Sensor

Possibly the first sensor I ever bought, I now have water sensors under my water heater, indoor planter, and a corner of the garage that tends to get wet when it rains. These sensors send an early alarm that there's a problem before it gets out of hand.

Meross Temperature/Humidity Controller

If you're growing seeds, trying to control a beer fridge, or really anything else where the trigger is temperature or humidity, this controller will help. Plug the device (whether it's a humidifier, A/C, heater, or fridge) into the receptacle, then set your temperature and humidity thresholds. The probe will give a constant read, and when the temperature and/or humidity are outside of range, it will kick on the device that's plugged in.

Meross Smart Wifi DIY Switch

This controller allows you to turn almost any "dumb" wired device into a smart one, and it works with Apple HomeKit. Imagine any lamp, alarm, humidifier, or fan smart-enabled. This will allow you to control it through your favorite hub—in this case, HomeKit.

Meross Smart Wifi Essential Oil Diffuser

No one was more surprised than myself when I tested a smart oil diffuser and found that adding smart functionality was a welcomed feature. Really, it just means you can turn it on and off from your phone or voice assistant rather than setting a schedule or leaving it always on, so you get a small boost of scent rather than a headache. For that reason, these adorable Meross versions are worth a look.

Meross Smart Plugs

Flat out, this is the plug I go to over and over again. They're great to have around just in case you need to make something smart in your home or set a small appliance to a schedule. These plugs consistently stay online, which is my main issue with competitor brands.

LG’s New High-end Gaming Monitors Look Nice, and Are Very Expensive

LG first unveiled its new UltraGear gaming monitors in December of 2023, showcasing the new 32-inch LG UltraGear 32GS95UE, which will allow gamers to switch between a 480Hz refresh rate at 1080P and a 240Hz refresh rate at 4K. Now, the company behind the new UltraGear lineup has finally shared how much these monitors will cost, as well as when we can get our hands on them.

In total, there are four new monitors in the UltraGear lineup, which will include the 32-inch UltraGear 32GS95UE, the first VESA-certified Dual Mode gaming monitor. It's this feature that makes the monitor such a big deal, as you can easily choose between higher resolution or faster response times depending on the game that you're playing. The LG UltraGear 32GS95UE will retail for $1,399.99, and is expected to start shipping in April.

While there are four monitors in total, the 32GS95UE appears to be LG's baby at the moment, as it will include new "Pixel Sound" technology designed to deliver a three-dimensional soundscape from the front-facing sound system. It features two main woofers and has full support for DTS Virtual: X. With Pixel Sound, LG says the new monitor will drive gaming audio directly from the screen at the player, which should result in a richer and more powerful sound experience compared to the usual speaker setup found in gaming monitors.

The lineup will also include new 34-inch and 39-inch ultra-wide models, the UltraGear 34GS95QE-B and the 39GS95QE-B, which will retail for $1,299.99 and $1,499.99, respectively. Both of these models will have an OLED panel with a resolution of 3440 x 1440, 800R curvature, and a 240Hz refresh rate.

On the higher end (yes, it gets higher), the new LG UltraGear 45GS95QE-B will include a 45-inch OLED panel, 800R curvature, 240Hz response time, and a maximum resolution of 3440 x 1440. It will be the most expensive option in the lineup and will retail for $1,699.99. All models aside from the 32-inch UltraGear 32GS95UE and the 45-inch UltraGear 45GS95QE-B are expected to start shipping in March. The 32-inch and 45-inch models will begin shipping in April.

LG's new UltraGear lineup will also include a few key features across the board, including VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400 with up to 98.5 percent DCI-P3 color gamut expression and a 0.03ms response time. This should provide beautiful visuals with a low response time.

All of LG's new UltraGear monitors are available to preorder today, and LG says that it will provide all preorders of the 34GS95QE-B, the 39GS95QE-B, and the 45GS95QE-B with a $200 virtual prepaid Visa card, though some conditions do apply.

How Smart Home Tech Is Evolving

Smart light bulbs were one of the first smart products on the market, and as such, the first foray most of us had into the smart home. The number of brands that now offer bulbs is extensive, and your option for size and style of those bulbs has also expanded from the simple A19 or can light to grow bulbs, stylish retro options, and holiday lights. But the biggest leap over the past year is how many brands are now diving into smart fixtures, and beyond. Two new releases this month—the Nanoleaf Skylight and the Aqara Ceiling Light T1M—really nail the message home: smart fixtures are here, and they're not going away. If anything, they signal a shift toward more essential home features.

Smart devices are beginning to focus on end points

Both Nanoleaf and Aqara have LED light strips you can use as architectural lighting detail around the home, and they can expand on your smart lighting scheme. But the move to essential lighting, away from decorative lighting, indicates where the industry is going.

This also follows a trend in the last year to focus less on start points, like smart plugs and bulbs, and more on end points. Why bother with the bulb when you can make the entire fixture smart and skip the need for disposable bulbs altogether.  There are now smart ceiling fans, smart windows—and, as we recently covered, smart doors

Smart technology baked into the home's utilities

Although we still think of the "smart home" as a series of neat but inessential features—smart blinds that raise and lower, or a washer and dryer that are connected—the latest wave of smart tech speaks more to the essentials of a home. A scroll through the award winners at the International Builders Show, held in late February, shows a focus on how smart tech can integrate and benefit you and your home. For instance, the overall winner was a smart solar shingle that integrates with your "dumb" shingles, and Watercube, a smart water system for homes. The Masonite M-PWR smart door was also a winner; IBS's interior awards almost all went to smart switches.

The "plug and play" smart home

The International Builders Show also shined a spotlight on the growing “plug and play” smart home: the home you move into will already be fully loaded with smart tech, and the power to control it is transferred to you. It’s not just for home owners, either: Developers are taking the smart tech that has controlled how tenants access buildings, parking, and various amenities to their single-family offerings.  Of course, the process of transferring administration of the smart home from one person to the next has been productized. Cox Communications made some news at the show talking about Cox Communities, an offering that will marry Cox Communications high speed network with plug-and-play smart home systems. 

A few months ago at CES 2023, Home Depot unveiled their own smart-home platform, specifically designed for all the home appliance brands under the Home Depot umbrella. I noted then that their platform, too, like a "middle man" to deliver the smart home services you could easily leverage on your own.

The Nanoleaf Smart Ceiling Light Mimics a Skylight

One of my favorite smart finds of the last year was Nanoleaf smart light panels, which I called “light dopamine.” I’ve now got a home with Nanoleaf LEDs scattered around, filling the house with color, and I extended it to the outside over the holidays. With Nanoleaf’s latest offering, the Skylight ($249.99 for a set of three panels) they dive into hardwired products. Like all products that rely on smart technology, there are occasional hiccups, but overall, I’ve been incredibly pleased with the Skylight and I suspect it can fill a lighting void in your home. 

Expand your lighting beyond the hardwiring location

Nanoleaf has been teasing the Skylight since the second quarter of 2023, and I’ve been itching to try it. I had a hallway begging for more light, and I foresaw a string of Skylights straight down the center. I’ve had them installed for a few weeks, and they have illuminated the hallway enough that I can now see it’s time to paint the baseboards. Unlike the previous fixture, which illuminated one spot, the Skylight can expand well past the original fixture down the hallway, without additional wiring. Think about that for a second: If you have wiring in the center of your room's ceiling, your fixture is likely going to radiate light from that one spot. With the Skylight, you start at the spot of the wiring and expand outward. As smart lights, these can wake you up by gently coming on over a few minutes. I have set them to dim in the evening and only come on at 10% when I get up in the middle of the night. They also coordinate with the rest of my Nanoleaf lights for a subtle light theme that moves with whatever music I’m playing. As fixtures go, they’re pretty innocuous when off, but pack a punch when turned on. 

Low-profile lights

Each of the Skylight panels is just short of a 12x12 square. As they link together from any side, you mount them flush up against each other. While made of plastic, their matte finish looks dramatically more expensive. That said, I imagine the higher your ceilings, the better effect these will have. At a low height, they did feel like a throwback to fluorescent kitchen lights I grew up with. 

The Nanoleaf wall panels that come in many shapes and sizes have been hacked for years to work on the ceiling, and I can easily imagine that Nanoleaf might expand the Skylight into other shapes. Their website shows a number of configurations that show how the lights can be arranged more organically than my straight line to help dress the room. 

Each individual panel is 1400 lumens; the LEDs that make up that brightness are capable of 16 million RGBCW colors or any white from 2700-6500K, which encompass the entire cool and warm band. Nanoleaf says they’re good for 25,000 hours of use, which is on par with most LED fixtures. 

More installation steps required

Fair warning: Installation is a few ticks more complicated than your average fixture—but not more difficult. Nanoleaf has done a great job of providing clear video instruction, and after watching it once for the overview and then step-by-step during installation, I was successful on the first go. Installation of the first three panels took about 30 minutes. In addition to matching up the basic wiring in the ceiling, you have to disassemble the first panel and then install a base plate to the ceiling and do some wire configuration in the panel itself. While the panel is open, you install the mates in any configuration you want (the additional panels are a breeze), and then test and close them all up with the top panels. Pair them easily by just scanning the QR code on the instruction manual (a feature of Nanoleaf products that I love and works flawlessly each time). 

Nanoleaf color schemes are a vibe

Nanoleaf products integrate with all the major hubs: Google, Homekit, Alexa, SmartThings and worth mentioning: IFTTT (so you can do all kinds of integrations between Nanoleaf and brands that aren't in your hub of choice). Moreover, within Nanoleaf’s native app, you can group lights together in rooms and assign color schemes to an individual product or the whole room. These aren’t just light schemes that remain static; they move according to 10 or more motion schemes, or can move along to music. This isn't like a flashing marquee, but more the way a fireplace subtly shifts colors in an ombre pattern. That’s how Nanoleaf is different from other brands in the space like Govee. While you can set up a brighter color scheme, the calming ambers of “Date Night” or cloudy blues and grays of “Clouds” are built for chilling in your living room, dinner parties, working late night in the office or lying in bed reading. An entire shared library of schemes from other users are available, and you can DIY your own using tools that keep your choices looking professional. And you don’t have to set them to colors—you can simply set them to the white of your choosing.

Connectivity is still an issue

My main complaint about Nanoleaf products: They can go offline. The solution is usually just restarting the app. Restarting the app is a solution to getting the product back online in the Nanoleaf app, but not in Google Home, which is important if you want the lights to go on and off as part of an automation. With Nanoleaf making this leap to more integral parts of the home, not just ornamental lighting, this is a problem they’ll need to tackle.

My second complaint is that these lights are not Matter- or Threads-enabled, which makes little sense because as a company, Nanoleaf has been very Matter-forward. Within the Nanoleaf world,  there are two groups of products, those that work together with their 4D system—which includes most of the wall shapes—and then their Matter/Threads line, which don’t sync to 4D (the system that mirrors the colors on your TV and abstracts them around the room). In my opinion, the ability for all the lights to work together in sync is a feature Nanoleaf is missing out on.  

Bottom line: a delightful addition to the Nanoleaf lineup, with hopes for future upgrades

If I had the right room, I could imagine Skylights sprawling organically across the ceiling and playing the Pixies and Vivaldi on music sync.  If you think of these light panels as pixels, the more you have, the clearer a picture they paint. The cost of the first three is comparable with what you’d spend on a decent light fixture, but to get serious with a 12 pack, you’re in for almost $750. While I don't love the connectivity issues, Nanoleaf has always been proactive about updating their products, so I'm hopeful we'll see improvements.


These Smart Home Products Can Help Older People Live Independently

More than anything else, smart home technology is about accessibility: Being able to control your home through your phone or voice means more people can live independently. The average age of Americans has risen to the highest it’s ever been, and our aging population is going to explode over the next 25 years. Smart home technology can help older folks stay in their homes longer.

Three challenges to using smart-home tech to age at home

There are two obstacles that smart tech will need to overcome to truly be part of the solution. The first is power. Smart systems don’t work without power (and to a lesser degree, internet, since they can utilize Bluetooth and local networks, even if not all do). If you’ve created an entire home that relies on smart tech, and then you lose power, you leave the dependent in arguably a worse place for the duration of the outage than they would have been without the assistant. Backup power solutions could be part of the solution, and companies like Jackery, EcoFlow and Solix are creating powerful whole home battery backup systems and subpanels that can be an essential part of the smart home. 

The second obstacle is the imperfection and fallibility of each individual product in the smart home. When I ask my floorbot to vacuum, it usually does the job without a problem. But it will eventually have a problem, so now I have a tripping hazard in the house—and one that, at an unwieldy 10+ pounds, can be hard for people with limited physical abilities to pick up. This problem is true for almost every product I can think of, and when the product is the hub itself, the problem multiplies. I rely on Alexa and Google every day, but at least 15% of my requests end in dead ends—the product is non-responsive or the assistant claims it can’t perform the action or just mishears me. Regardless of how far smart home technology has come, we’re still in its beginning phase. 

The final challenge is the eternal one: cost. Whether you are retrofitting a home or considering smart tech in the cost of new construction, it means additional financial burden on the family, making smart tech a privilege in an increasingly financially divided economy.

Still, if you can afford it, even piecemeal, smart tech can make extend the time someone can remain in their own home. 

Take full advantage of a voice assistant

The three major ecosystems, Homekit, Alexa and Google, all have voice assistants, with Samsung edging in as well. If you choose one and leverage that voice assistant and ecosystem, you can essentially control everything in your home, from the lights, to the security system, A/C and heating, to cleaning via robot vacuums and washing and drying machines all by simply asking your assistant for help. This can be extended to mowing the lawn, opening curtains, opening and closing doors, windows, garage doors and even remote starting your car. Heck, a self-driving car is an extension of your smart home. If I were trying to help an aging parent live independently, those are the products I’d consider.

First, choose an ecosystem from the four listed above (Google, Apple, Amazon and Samsung). Make sure you have a great signal throughout the home by extending the signal via wifi mesh  as needed. Next, install voice-assistant speakers throughout the house; since many of them are inexpensive, this is perhaps the cheapest part of the list. You want a voice assistant within earshot of your loved one (or barely tolerated one) at all times, ideally mounted to the ceiling or wall. Remember that Google assistant won't call 911 (though you can set up a personal security check that will notify trusted contacts) or do so via associated Nest products. Siri will try, using the associated iPhone, and Alexa will only do so via an add-on service.

Start with major home systems, like utilities

You need to choose whether to add “smartness” to the startpoint or the endpoint. In other words, you can make the light switches smart or the lightbulbs themselves. You can make a humidifier smart by adding a smart outlet or plug, or just buy a smart humidifier. Consider that there are now several A/C and heating products with smart functionality, and even products to retrofit your A/C and heater to be smart. With the essentials out of the way, adding in smart home security via window and door sensors and a smart door lock make sense. A door that is unlocked by voice or keypad is less physically stressful than manipulating a key and you can’t lose or forget it. A video doorbell allows you to deal with people at your door without having to physically answer it and provides a layer of safety.

From there, you need to identify the routines that matter to the aging person and what products will make it easier to be sustainable. This can include a smart coffee maker or smart bird feeder; a smart oven or microwave; or even a smart indoor garden. 

Leverage cameras, sensors and automations to help and monitor remotely

The aspect I hadn’t previously considered was how these products can help people assist their aging family—for instance, using interior cameras to help communicate with a relative and monitor them.  Most indoor cameras we’ve reviewed include two-way communication; the pan-and-tilt models allow you to remotely access a full view of any room (assuming you've resolved the privacy issues between you and your kin). I also suggest adding in presence sensors, which can be set up to help identify if someone has fallen.  Use sensors to get a sense of the environment as well as to use as automation triggers.

Remember, automations mean that you can ask for notifications remotely of situations, rather than using them to just set up in-home actions. You can keep an eye on things remotely via these notifications. A phone is essentially a personal tag that can be used for location tracking and identification in automations. Use automations to notify you if your loved one hasn’t returned home by 11 pm or hasn’t gotten to the kitchen by 10 am, etc. 

Keeping health and medical needs on track

The recent boom in smart health products means you can also leverage tech to help people take care of themselves, and monitor it remotely. There are smart, automated pill dispensers, and Withings has developed an entire ecosystem of health products that are connected, from sleeping monitors to scales. Add in a smart watch and you can have an alert system for your family member's health and safety. 

How to Decide Between a Roku and a Fire Stick

As streaming devices go, Roku and Fire TV Stick both seem similar from the outside. They’ll both cost you around $20 to $40 depending on the device (and if there’s a sale going on). They both do a good job of turning your regular TV into a smart TV where you can stream your favorite shows, as well as watch live TV online, and you can install apps to further enhance your TV experience.

But that’s kind of where the similarities end. Both Roku and Fire TV Stick have their own ways of doing things when it comes to hardware, software, and how their own services work.

What both Roku and Fire TV Stick get right

As I mentioned above, there are things that both devices do well right out of the gate. 

  • Budget-friendly: You can get either streaming device for around $30, and they're often on sale for even cheaper. 

  • Robust app support: Both devices feature thousands of TV apps and are popular enough that you’ll find apps for even obscure channels and utilities. 

  • Fast and responsive: If you’re buying the 4K versions, then both Roku and Fire TV Stick are pretty quick to use, and as long as you have a good internet connection, you won’t face any issues. 

  • One remote control: Except for the cheapest Rokus, both devices offer a TV remote with HMDI CEC support, which lets you control the TV volume and turn the TV on or off. This means you can stream anything using a single remote, enhancing the TV experience even further. 

  • Voice control: Both devices feature remotes with voice control built in. 

Best for UX, menus, and ease of use: Roku

Roku interface on a TV
Credit: Roku

Roku’s overall interface, especially the menus, is far better designed than Amazon Fire TV Stick. Roku has a simple app-based navigation system that you can customize however you like. Getting to Netflix or Prime Video can happen in just a couple of clicks. 

Fire TV Stick’s Home Screen, by comparison, is a mess. Amazon focuses more on TV shows and movies in addition to the apps, which are given just a thin strip between all the other content. Right on top, you’ll find an autoplaying trailer (thankfully you can turn off autoplay) for a new TV show from Amazon. 

Fire TV Stick Interface
Credit: Amazon

In day-to-day use, this becomes quite annoying. A couple of apps in the top bar fall short, and opening the full App Library takes extra clicks. 

Overall, Roku’s experience is faster, seamless, and far less annoying. Fire TV Stick’s interface is also not slow, especially when you get the 4K Max model, but it takes longer to wade through all the unnecessary promotions and tiles.

Best for voice assistance and home theater: Fire TV Stick

Amazon fire stick
Credit: Picturesque Japan/Shutterstock

If you like using your voice to control your TV— especially if you already have Amazon’s Alexa devices in your house—you’ll get more out of the Fire TV Stick 4K ($29.99) or Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($39.99) as your streaming device. 

Fire TV Stick has Alexa built in, and is much better at launching apps and looking for content than Roku is. That said, Roku’s search feature overall is faster. But when it comes to voice assistance and integration, the Fire TV Stick is superior. 

If you have an Alexa speaker, you can use the entire Fire TV interface without even picking up the remote. You can just ask Alexa to launch Netflix or to watch a show, and Fire TV Stick will turn on the TV, and launch the show. This is also a neat way to sidestep the entire issue of Fire TV Stick's home screen interface.

Roku can integrate with Alexa and Google Nest speakers, but you have to add “on Roku” to the end of each query, and it doesn’t support TV control options.

And if you have a home theater setup with an AV receiver or a sound bar, you might be better off using a Fire TV Stick. Fire TV Stick will let you control your audio devices using the same remote, so you can truly use one remote for your TV and your sound system. Roku doesn’t have this feature. 

If you want to go for a Fire TV Stick, I would suggest spending a bit more for the $39.99 Fire TV Stick 4K Max. It comes with a new 2.0 GHz quad-core processor, Dolby Vision support, DHR10+ support, 16GB storage, and more.

Best overall pick: Roku Streaming Stick 4K

Roku streaming
Credit: renata colella/Shutterstock

When all is said and done, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is my overall best pick. It’s small, fast to use, and fast to boot up. Plus, it supports 4K, HDR10/10+, and Dolby Vision content. It comes with a feature specific to Rokus: You can listen to audio via your smartphone using the Roku app. 

If you don’t want to spend the $39 for the Roku Streaming Stick, Roku Express 4K+ is also a great option. It’s $10 less, and you miss out on a sleek form factor, and HDR, but you get the same fast interface, and all the great Roku features. 

Best budget option: Fire TV Stick Lite

Sometimes, a $19.99 streaming stick is just too hard to beat. If you’re on a budget, or if you want to buy a streaming stick to keep in your travel bag, you can’t go wrong with the Fire TV Stick Lite. It can’t do 4K, but it will run Full HD content just fine. It also doesn’t have a remote with volume or TV controls, but it will run all your apps and channels. Just don’t expect a super-fast experience like with the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, or Roku Express. 

Even Doors and Windows Can Be Smart Now

The next boom in smart technology products is focused on builders and new construction. It was only a matter of time, but smart doors and windows are now a reality. Previously, windows and doors presented a challenge in the smart home. Sure, you could have a smart lock and window and door sensors, but actually opening and closing—that was left to smart garage doors alone. But recently, Marvin, a longtime manufacturer of traditional doors and windows, announced they were expanding their line into smart products. They join Masonite, another legacy door builder that has, until now, had the only smart door on the market. 

Smart front doors are already here

Masonite released the M-PWR smart front door last year—you can order one from Home Depot. It connects to house power, so it’s most likely to be part of a new build, and it comes with a Ring doorbell and smart Yale lock pre-installed. Since it’s connected to power, you’ll never run out of battery juice on any of the parts and ,according to Masonite, you can simply connect it to a light source or plug nearby. The doors are fiberglass, and have other smart functionality baked in, like motion activated lights. Prices start around $3,500 and climb to over $6,500 depending on your configuration. Another issue? You’ve got to deal with multiple apps to control the door. One app opens and closes it, another unlocks it and a third runs the video doorbell. When I inquired in November about using Matter to create a more seamless experience, Masonite said there were no current plans, but they hoped to better integrate the experience in the future. While an incredibly exciting concept, it’s a lot of money for what seems like a very early stage product. I’d also be concerned about the technology of the lock and doorbell aging out: How hard will it be to replace these parts? 

Smart windows and patio doors are coming

Marvin is primarily a window company, so their focus is on a variety of window options. While your standard double- or single-hung windows aren’t represented, casement and awning windows are, which make sense if you think of how they articulate. Also interesting is a skylight, which feels like the most useful product. Imagine a skylight that closes when it begins to rain, or opens when humidity in the house reaches a threshold so the house can vent. But the showstopper is a giant automated folding glass door. No pricing or availability details have been released, but you have to imagine they’re a premium product. 

Usually, we talk about smart home technology in terms of the convenience and cool factor, but that conversation leaves out a very important feature of smart tech: accessibility. While it’s certainly easier to have doors that open and close for you when holding groceries, and windows that can respond to temperature shifts or danger, in truth what these advancements offer is the ability for people to live independently—if they can afford the expense of such products. In a world that is going to support more aging populations, being able to operate the basic parts of your home using only your voice or phone is a big deal. 

The trouble with the premise is that these products will likely add to the already skyrocketing costs of new construction, which means the people who might benefit the most from them will be the least likely to obtain them.

Switchbot's New Smart Lock Retrofits on Any Deadbolt

The world of smart-home technology is quickly dividing into two sectors: retrofit devices that help existing homes participate in the Internet of Things, and the rapidly expanding market of tech for new homes. While it’s exciting to consider homes that come with smart tech baked in, retrofit tech will always be more important to me, since the tech changes so quickly. While a door lock might not seem newsworthy, Switchbot is releasing a new retrofit lock today that simply fits onto your existing deadbolt and has a few features I think are worth some buzz. The Switchbot Lock Pro goes on sale today for $119.99.

Retrofit locks are a great solution for renters

Most smart locks on the market require you to replace your lock entirely. That’s not usually all that hard, but presents two issues. First, what if you can’t replace the lock for legal reasons, like being a tenant instead of an owner? A retrofit lock like the Switchbot Lock Pro can solve that problem: It goes over the lock itself and can easily be removed later. The second issue is that many old doors (like every damn one of mine) are a little sticky or problematic, and sometimes smart locks aren't powerful enough to lock; they just don't have the torque your hands do. The Pro seems to have taken this problem into account. 

Switchbot has constructed the lock with tons of adapters so you can change out cylinders as often as you need for any single cylinder deadbolt. Their new lock also packs in a staggering 20 kgf/cm² of torque. It can actually power multiple locks with the single motor. 

A staggering number of unlocking methods

Switchbot has 15 unlocking methods. That mix includes common methods like passcodes, Bluetooth and Apple Watch, and less-common methods like NFC cards and voice unlocking. My neighbors already think I’m weird enough, and I haven't even asked my front door for permission to enter my home (yet).

Switchbot promises insane battery life longevity

The buried lede on this lock is the battery life. Since smart locks are never plugged into an energy source, they rely on batteries and battery life is still a pain point. The Switchbot Lock Pro claims to run six to nine months on four AA batteries, which would be a dramatic improvement over any other I’ve seen. You can apparently opt for a Dual Power Pack, which is rechargeable and extends the battery life to nine to 12 months. The Dual Power allows for a feature that means you can still access the lock when one of the batteries is down, since the other will remain active. 

Matter-enabled, sort of

While Homekit is one of the big three hubs, it doesn’t have the same support from products that Google and Alexa do. This is due more to Apple than the products themselves, but Matter opens the door to Homekit support, and Switchbot has embraced it. Rather than simply relying on Matter, the integration would require a mini hub that acts as an IR remote. This feels imperfect to me since the whole point of Matter is to help you ditch the hubs, but if you’re really sold on Homekit, it might be worthwhile.  Switchbot is deploying the Lock pro with AES-128-CTR encryption and an auto-lock feature. You’ll be able to get notifications and status updates wherever you are and remote unlocking is one of the methods you can use for this lock.

Switchbot remains one of my favorite smart-home brands. I find their products innovative and well-built. They focus on functionality over form, but from what I've seen, the Lock Pro still looks pretty modern and sleek. 

The Best Non-Kindle E-readers You Can Buy Right Now

If you're looking for a great e-reader but don't want to buy into the Amazon Kindle ecosystem, you've got a few good options. Sure, there are some off-the-wall brands out there that you can pick up, but if you truly want to get the best non-Kindle e-reader, you're going to find three brands that really fit the bill and offer a ton of compatibility.

Kobo

Kobo Libra 2 e-reader
Credit: Rakuten Kobo

Perhaps one of the best and most well-known Kindle alternatives is Kobo. Part of the Rakuten ecosystem, Kobo e-readers feature a lot of the same design schemes as the Amazon Kindles, making them a perfect alternative for users who like the way Kindle's look and work but want something that isn't tied to Amazon.

The Kobo Libra 2, more specifically, fits all the same bills as a Kindle, and it offers support for a slew of different document types, including EPUB, EPUB2, EPUB3, PDF, FlePub, MOBI, PDF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF, CBZ, and CBR.

The Kobo Libra 2 has a seven-inch display CARTA 1200 e-ink display, 32GB of storage, and access to Rakuten's massive Kobo ebook store. It isn't as hefty of an offering as Amazon's Kindle Store, but it has most of the big-name books you can expect to find in an e-book store. And, since the Kobo Libra 2 offers tons of compatibility with multiple format types, you can read just about anything on the device by sideloading it.

The Kobo Libra 2 retails for $189.99, putting it on par with the Kindle Paperwhite. Oh, and did I mention it also comes with page-turn buttons?

Boox

Boox Note Air3 C tablet e-reader
Credit: Boox

Another popular name that tends to fly under the radar when you're talking e-readers with Kindle fans is Boox. While a bit more expensive than your average Kindle, Boox offers a ton of compatibility for different formats, and most of the offerings the company has are for larger displays. The Boox Note Air3 C, for example, offers a 10.3-inch display that can feature color as well as black and white imagery.

The Boox Note Air3 C sports a massive amount of compatibility, including support for formats like PDF(Max 2GB), DJVU, CBR, CBZ, EPUB, AZW3, MOBI, TXT, DOCX, DOC, FB2, CHM, RTF, HTML, ZIP, PRC, PPTX, PNG, JPG, and BMP. It's also an Android-based tablet, which means you can take advantage of multiple types of reading apps to gain access to tons of books, comics, and more.

It's also great for taking notes, as the larger display gives you plenty of room to work off the screen. If you're looking for an e-reader that can also double as a tablet in a lot of ways, then the Boox Note Air3 C is a great option. It typically retails for $499.99, making it one of the more expensive options out there.

PocketBook

PocketBook Verse e-reader
Credit: PocketBook

The final brand I want to highlight here, and another one that I find especially promising, is PocketBook. The PocketBook Verse ($129) is one of the closest options the company offers to the Kindle, and it features a six-inch glare-free E-Ink Carta display. What's even more enticing about the PocketBook is that it offers an expandable SD card slot, allowing you to upgrade the storage from the internal 8GB memory with an SD card up to 128 GB.

The PocketBook Verse also comes with support for 25 formats, including ACSM, CHM, DJVU, DOC, DOCX, EPUB, EPUB(DRM), FB2, FB2.ZIP, HTM, HTML, MOBI, PDF, PDF (DRM), PRC, RTF, TXT, AZW, CBR, AZW3, and CBZ.

Why choose a non-Kindle e-reader?

Deciding to ditch Amazon can be a tough call, especially since Amazon offers the largest e-book store on the market. Sure, you could also go with another brand, like Nook, but if you're trying to avoid Kindle, then chances are you're also trying to avoid Nook, too. If that's the case, then going with one of the three brands we've listed above can give you a lot of access to great books while also setting you free from the clutches of Amazon's Kindle experience.

The downside to a lot of these non-Kindle e-readers, though, is that you'll be using much smaller online stores or you'll be side-loading books onto your device instead. That isn't all that difficult, however. If you want to abandon the Kindle ecosystem but don't want to fully forgo the ease-of-access the Kindle Store offers, then I highly suggest checking out Kobo. It's a solid brand with a great ebook store, and all of the company's e-readers are priced similarly to Kindles, so you won't be paying much more to make that break.

How to Choose Between Shopify, Squarespace, and All the Other E-commerce Sites

In the early days of e-commerce, users were limited to the few content management systems that were set up specifically for those purposes, like Zencart, Bigcommerce and Spree. Now, people starting out rarely use a content management system of their own, and instead use a hosted platform like Shopify or Square. There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing which platform is best for you—and consider them carefully, because once you make a choice, you’ll find it’s hard to switch.

Before you even start your search, simplify

Setting up e-commerce, in a word, sucks. Every part of it, from pricing, to taxes, to fulfillment, and customer service is complicated and hard in a unique way. There is a reason so many companies are trying to remove pain points, but they often simply add more. The best way to find the right hosted platform and to get off on a good foot is to simplify your offering as much as humanly possible in all the major aspects of selling: Have simple products that have a simple pricing and discount structure, simple shipping options, and are easy to fulfill.

The platform you choose probably won’t work for all your needs out of the box

However much you simplify, you will still likely need to install plugins, add-ons, extensions or whatever your particular platform calls the bolt-on services you’ll pay additionally for. There are extensions for marketing, shipping, lead development, customer service and every other aspect of your store. They can connect your store to other services you use for payment or shipping. When you are researching the various platforms, you should also be exploring their extensions, and ensure they offer the functionality you need at a price you find acceptable. All of these platforms let you have your own domain name, which you can register with them directly or from the registrar where you purchased it. 

Shopify

Best for: Businesses that plan to scale and are primarily e-commerce based
Price: $29-299/month
Customizability:  You can customize the content and the basic colors and fonts. You have to know a little coding to adjust the layout and affect things like padding. 
Flexibility of e-commerce: Out of the box you can configure basic products, shipping, and payment. It’s very hard, or requires finding just the right extension, to support complicated pricing, configuration or shipping schemes. 
Ease of use: One of the easier dashboards to use, with many tools that offer basic support, you need to add on modules for more functionality. 

If you are primarily building a store—not a website that sells a few things, but a store that has a few webpages—you should choose a platform that specializes in e-commerce. Shopify has been built around selling products, and features that help you do that job better. Out of the box, there are reporting tools that aren’t overwhelming (they also might not be robust enough for most people), marketing recommendations, customer service tools and templates that are built for sales. 

Generally speaking, if people are building a store, I recommend they look at Shopify first, and only look at other platforms if there’s good reason not to use Shopify. Some of those reasons might be that Shopify templates are fairly basic; if you want to get a highly customized experience, you need to hire a developer who specializes in the platform. If you intend to have a blog in addition to your store, Shopify doesn’t make it particularly easy. This is also true of landing pages, which are an essential part of marketing your store. There is also, like with Squarespace, no backwards compatibility. So if you are on an older version or theme of Shopify, you can’t upgrade to a newer one easily without rebuilding a lot of the site.

Shopify works on a codebase called liquid that isn’t hard to pick up if you use any other coding language. It does a decent job of separating CSS and layout from the actual content of the site.

Square

Best for: Companies with an in-person or store experience in addition to online
Price: $29+/month
Customizability:  Basic themes are offered, and you can customize the content of that theme using a block system that focuses mostly on selling products. 
Flexibility of e-commerce: If you have a single outlet (online only vs. online and in-person) you’ll have an easier time. Otherwise, Square offers roughly the same flexibility as Shopify, with a far less robust extension library. 
Ease of use: The dashboard is like being lost in a Vegas casino.

Square has a foothold on many businesses for the most basic reason: Square was the first to product a mobile card reader. Square also invested heavily in POS (point of sale) displays for small businesses like coffee shops and restaurants, so when they introduced websites, people chose to build a site where their inventory already was.  The problem is, from the dashboard of Square, these two functions (website and products) live in entirely different parts and feel totally separate. 

Square does a good job of allowing for configurable products with many variables. However, I find the dashboard absurdly hard to understand and use; it feels like features are built on without any relationship to previous features. For instance, if you sell wine in your restaurant, and also for pickup, you can’t use the same product, since in the restaurant you sell by the glass and bottle, but for pickup, you’d only sell by the bottle. In fact, setting up your store is, despite there being a quickstart guide, almost impossibly difficult.

Still, if you are going to sell your products primarily in person or in person and online, Square may still be the best choice, because the integration between the two is better than any other platform. If someone purchases a product at a craft fair, if you use the app and the reader, it will come out of your collective inventory.

Squarespace

Best for: Companies that have a website that sells a few items, rather than a store with a few webpages
Price: $16-49/month
Customizability:  A really robust template marketplace exists for Squarespace, and these themes run on stock html, css and javascript, so they are more tweakable than other platforms. Still, if you’re just a non-coding user, you’ll be limited to changing basic layout within blocks and colors. The Squarespace color system could make you crazy. 
Flexibility of e-commerce: All marketing aside, Squarespace isn’t really built for products. The product customizations are fairly limited compared to other engines, and do best for highly visual products with a few variations, like t shirts. 
Ease of use: The Squarespace dashboard doesn’t do much, and as such, is pretty easy to use. 

People choose Squarespace because they’ve heard of it. Tons of marketing money went into that endeavor, and Squarespace has done a good job of making it easy to have a good-looking website. They do that by locking down how much you can change anything, so pages have a lot of white space, and lots of visuals. If you want to build pages for any reason, whether that’s a blog or landing pages, it’s pretty easy. You can also set up paid memberships fairly easily, which will lock down selected site content for everyone except those with a paid subscription. However, setting up tiers of subscription is not out of the box, so it’s all or nothing. 

It’s quite hard to get products on a page, except in the limited way Squarespace wants you to, and it offers little control of the look of those products compared to other websites. Squarespace wants you to have a products page, and direct people to it. For that reason, Squarespace is not my first choice for an e-commerce store, but rather for a website that might sell a few things, like a subscription to a blog. Squarespace is another platform with no backwards compatibility: If you’re on a specific version of Squarespace, going to a new version requires a rebuild. 

Having built many Squarespace sites, I can tell you that the biggest quirk is that there is a universal style guide that follows you around, but it’s absurdly hard to just change the color of one block or button or headline on your page, and you will inevitably end up screwing up other parts of your site. This is a routine headache I hear about from Squarespace users.  

The dashboard is delightfully simple, which I appreciate, but doesn’t offer a lot of data about your customers or hints about marketing. 

WordPress with WooCommerce

Best for: Companies that have highly specialized needs that other platforms can’t accommodate, and have money for monthly maintenance/support
Price: Free, but prices can skyrocket based on the number of extensions your site and store need
Customizability:  Infinitely customizable
Flexibility of e-commerce: Even out of the box, WooCommerce has the most customizable product configuration options, but also features the most robust extension market on the internet.
Ease of use: WordPress offers the most functionality and flexibility, but that also means the most possibility for problems. While the WordPress and WooCommerce dashboard are both well organized, it is best to have professional support in place.

WordPress actually has many highly functional e-commerce plugins available for use including Easy Digital Downloads for virtual products and ShopWP which will integrate your Shopify products on your WordPress site. But WooCommerce, which got so popular it was acquired by Automattic a few years ago, has the top slot as the go-to e-commerce plugin for WordPress sites. 

This is a little complicated, so bear with me. WordPress is the platform, and WooCommerce is a plugin for WordPress. Additionally, WooCommerce has its own very robust marketplace of extensions to give it lots more functionality. Out of the box, WooCommerce can create almost any kind of product with almost unlimited variations. Because e-commerce isn’t really WordPress’s main feature, the area you build out those products isn’t as prominent as it is on other platforms.If you need any additional functionality, you go looking for add ons that do so, either in the WordPress plugin directory, which might yield a free possibility, or in the WooCommerce directory, which is more likely to yield a paid, but supported add-on. 

Since the codebase is WordPress (a mix of html, php, CSS and a hefty dose of javascript), and the codebase is open source, you can customize the look and functionality to your hearts content without “hacking” it. With 40% of the world’s websites using WordPress, it’s not hard to find a developer, but you’ll definitely want one to help you. You can host WordPress almost anywhere, but you’ll do well to choose a specialized WordPress host like Flywheel. 

All of this aside, one of the main benefits of WordPress is that you don’t have to choose between being mostly a store or mostly a website—you can easily build as many pages as you need for any reason, host a blog that is highly functional, and add on infinite functionality on top of all of that. All the data is neatly structured and portable, but again, all that freedom carries a lot of responsibility. 

Choose a platform for your e-commerce website that fits where you are now

You will likely be rebuilding your website or at least re-theming it every few years.  The choice you make today isn’t locking you down forever, but based on the number of products you have, migration becomes more labor-intensive. Still, choose the platform that fits your needs today (and in the next 24 months) based on the above criteria. Almost all these platforms have free trials and free demos. Talk to people who’ve used those platforms and find support before you start building from someone besides the platform itself. 

You Can Add New Fonts to Google Docs

Par : Justin Pot

Google Docs came out 18 years ago—it's old enough to vote—and yet by default it only offers a couple dozen fonts. But it's easy to add more.

The bad news: you can't download a TTF or OTF file and use it in Google Docs. The good news: Google offers over 1,600 fonts and you can add any of them to your documents and presentations. To get started, click the font drop-down. At the top you'll see a More fonts button.

I didn't realize that button was there until I started writing this article. What does that say about me?
Credit: Justin Pot

Click this and scroll through Google's complete font collection.

Access to 1600 fonts from inside Google Docs
Credit: Justin Pot

The left panel has all the fonts you can add—click any font and it will be added to your list of usable fonts in Google Docs. The smaller panel on the right includes all of the fonts currently offered in Google Docs—click the "X" next to any of them to remove them from your font book.

There are also a few filtering options. I recommend setting Scripts to "Latin," unless you specifically want fonts that focus on other character sets. From there, you can filter by type.

The limited filtering options for custom fonts in Google Docs
Credit: Justin Pot

Display features decorative fonts, like the kinds of things you'd use in a banner, or a novelty headline. Handwriting includes only fonts that resemble human handwriting (if you're looking for a replacement for Comic Sans, it's in there). Monospace fonts are all the same width, which is useful in many cases. And then there's the classic Serif and Sans Serif divide; choose a category depending on how much you enjoy decorative lines at the tips of your letters.

You can add as many fonts to your list as you like. The problem: it can be a little hard to find the good ones.

A couple easier ways to browse Google's fonts

The interface for browsing fonts in Google Docs isn't great, to say the least. The preview isn't very big and there's not a lot in the way of filters. That's why I recommend you head to fonts.google.com instead.

You can quickly preview any font you like at fonts.google.com
Credit: Justin Pot

Every font has an extensive preview—it's at size 40px by default but you can increase the size to see more detail. You can type whatever you want for the preview. There are also more options for filtering. Once you find one you like, you can head back to Google Docs and search for the ones you like in order to add them.

If you'd rather have an interface like this built into Google Docs, though, there's Extensis Fonts.

Send help. Please.
Credit: Justin Pot

This free extension adds a sidebar that allows you to try fonts on the fly. Just highlight some text and click a font. Note that any font you try this way will be added to your font list in Google Docs—you might need to clean them up later.

Google Tasks Now Has a Kanban View

Par : Justin Pot

Every once in a while Google remembers that it runs a to do list app. Last month, it would seem, was one of those times: the tech giant re-vamped the web version of the application, changing the main interface to resemble a kanban board.

I say "resemble" because this isn't a general-purpose kanban board like what's offered by Trello, or a custom view of an existing list, like what Todoist offers. Those tools are made with the assumption that you will drag things from left to right as you make progress on them. (For example, in my writing work I use a kanban board to track my ongoing projects. I have columns for things like "Outline," "Writing," "Editing," and "Published," in that order. I drag my project cards from left to right as I make progress.)

Google Tasks isn't quite built for this this use case. The new interface simply presents all of your lists as columns as the default view in your browser. If you're already using your lists to differentiate projects or categories of task, this won't be helpful, unless you were really hoping for a quick way to move tasks from one list to another. But if you haven't used multiple lists until now, you could use this new interface as a general-purpose kanban system—just name your lists after different stages of your workflow and drag away.

It's worth noting that this kanban view is only offered on the web version of Google Task, which you can find by heading to tasks.google.com or by clicking the tasks icon in the top-right corner of Google Calendar. It hasn't made its way to the mobile version yet.

Google Tasks can be accessed by clicking this new button in Google Calendar
Credit: Justin Pot

It's worth noting that you can still find a different version of Google Tasks in the right-hand sidebar of both Google Calendar and Gmail; this view shows only one list at a time, as does the mobile app.

There's two buttons for Google Tasks in the same user interface. This makes sense. Google is good at design.
Credit: Justin Pot

Basically, it's all a little inconsistent at the moment, which makes sense: It's still a Google product. Maybe Google will add the kanban view to the app the next time they remember they own a to do list app (my guess for when that will happen: January 2026).

How to Choose Between NordVPN vs ExpressVPN

Check just about every list of the best VPNs (including ours), and you're likely to see NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or both names mentioned. These two packages have been providing top-tier VPN services for years at this point, so I wanted to take a closer look at what each one had to offer.

Choosing the right VPN is something to take your time over, because the best VPN for one person isn't necessarily the best VPN for someone else—it depends on the features you need and how much you're willing to spend.

NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN: the basics

I've provided a quick overview of these two services below—note that the choices of Panama and the British Virgin Islands are meant to keep users outside various pieces of data-monitoring legislation and beyond the reach of certain organizations, in order to protect your web browsing from governments and law enforcement agencies.

I've written out the pricing based on figures being displayed at the time I was writing this guide, but both services regularly tweak their pricing, especially in terms of discounts and special offers—and you can save a lot if you pay for a year or two in advance. The NordVPN and ExpressVPN websites will feature the latest prices.

NordVPN

  • Operates from: Panama

  • Pricing: from $11.95 a month

  • Server coverage: 61 countries

  • Maximum connections: 6

ExpressVPN

  • Operates from: British Virgin Islands

  • Pricing: from $12.95 a month

  • Server coverage: 105 countries

  • Maximum connections: 8

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: setup and software

NordVPN VPN
NordVPN offers a simple interface ... Credit: Lifehacker

It's reassuring to note that both NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer 30-day money back guarantees if you're not completely happy with the service offered, and the apps provided by both these VPN providers are easy to set up: You're covered on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and even some smart TVs—including the Apple TV and Fire TV devices.

When it comes to NordVPN's desktop client, you'll be up and running with just a few clicks, and I appreciate the quick connect option (and the quick pause option). It's the sort of software you can leave running in the background, though there are plenty of more advanced options here—like split tunneling (for excluding some apps from the VPN)—if you dig a little deeper.

ExpressVPN VPN
... and the ExpressVPN interface is even simpler. Credit: Lifehacker

ExpressVPN setup on a desktop computer is even quicker and easier, and you're basically just presented with an on/off button for your VPN. As with NordVPN, you can find more advanced options (such as split tunneling) if you open up the full interface—the software isn't quite as polished in terms of its visuals as NordVPN, but it does the job.

I found ExpressVPN slightly quicker at connecting and switching between servers, but there's really not much in it. If you really value simplicity and speed, then ExpressVPN just about edges it, but NordVPN is no slouch either and offers a software experience that's a little easier on the eye.

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: performance and features

NordVPN VPN
NordVPN offers a few more advanced features Credit: Lifehacker

You can rely on both NordVPN and ExpressVPN for speedy access to the internet from dozens of countries: ExpressVPN offers more country locations, though NordVPN offers more connection options within each country. Both services apply a "no logs" policy, audited by an independent party, so they're not keeping records of what you're doing on the internet.

In my testing the two services hit the same sort of speeds: The variations weren't huge, and depended on the country, but I didn't notice much slowdown from my broadband speeds without a VPN. It's worth noting that I couldn't connect to Netflix from "abroad" on either NordVPN or ExpressVPN—these apps are in a constant cat-and-mouse game with the streaming platforms.

ExpressVPN VPN
Both VPNs can start up with your computer. Credit: Lifehacker

Reliability is good across the board too, and I haven't noticed any problems with dropped connections or sluggish speeds on either NordVPN or ExpressVPN. Performance in your part of the world may vary of course, and you might want to think about giving both of these options a try to test them out for yourself, before using the 30-day money back offer on the one you like the least.

I've mentioned split tunneling, and you'll also find built-in ad blocking, a choice of VPN protocols, private DNS options and a kill switch (for cutting your connection if the VPN access breaks) on both NordVPN and ExpressVPN. On a more advanced level, NordVPN does offer some features that ExpressVPN doesn't, like connections via the Onion network. You can also get a dedicated IP address from NordVPN, but that costs extra.

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: verdict

NordVPN VPN
The familiar NordVPN map view. Credit: NordVPN

When you're comparing two of the best, most well-established and well-reviewed VPNs in the business, clearly the margins are going to be small ones. Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are going to give you affordable, speedy, reliable, and secure internet access—and you can be confident that your browsing activity will be securely encrypted and won't be logged.

After testing out both products, I'm very happy to recommend both. Head out on to the wilds of the web and you'll find a host of speed tests out there—most finding NordVPN in the lead—but in the time I spent with the VPN clients, I found them more or less equal. Importantly, there wasn't too much of an impact on speed compared with not using a VPN.

ExpressVPN VPN
You get desktop and mobile apps with both services. Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is slightly simpler to use, while NordVPN offers one or two more advanced features—so perhaps that's one way to choose between them. With the dedicated IP and Onion/Tor network options, NordVPN certainly does more to cater for those who really want to dig deep into what an internet privacy package can offer.

In the end your choice might come down to pricing: Take a look at what ExpressVPN and NordVPN are offering for their monthly and annual pricing options, and what you get included. It's a good idea to sign up for a month first, to see how you get on with NordVPN or ExpressVPN, before committing in the longer term.

Did You Know Microsoft Excel Has a Hidden Camera?

It's easy to take screenshots in Excel. But what if there was a way to take a snapshot of anything on a spreadsheet, paste it anywhere in the workbook, and automatically update the snapshot later by changing the underlying data? Excel's hidden Camera can create these sorts of linked images.

From using INDEX MATCH to XLOOKUP, different methods exist to insert and display images, depending on the data involved, but the Camera tool in Excel is the uncomplicated and formula-less way. It's a simple button on the Quick Access Toolbar, and incredibly useful—but it's not enabled by default.

Note: This isn't the same as Excel's Screenshot tool, found on the Insert tab under Illustrations. The Screenshot tool can take screen clippings, but cannot create linked images like the Camera tool.

How do you enable the camera in Microsoft Excel?

The Camera tool in Excel is a hidden feature, so you have to mess about under the hood to add it to your Quick Access toolbar. To do so, launch Excel and follow the steps below:

  1. Go to the Home screen (the Backstage view) on Excel from File on the menu bar.

  2. Select Options from the bottom of the left sidebar. In Excel Options, open the settings for the Quick Access Toolbar from the list on the left.

  3. Select the dropdown for Choose commands from and pick All Commands.

  4. Under All Commands, go down the alphabetical list and select Camera.

Add the Camera from the list on the left to the box on the right in Microsoft Excel
Credit: Screenshot by Saikat Basu -- No attribution required
  1. Click the Add button between the two boxes to include the Camera tool in the Quick Access toolbar.

  2. Go to an open spreadsheet, and you can see the Camera button on the Quick Access toolbar.

The Camera button on the Quick Access Toolbar
Credit: Screenshot by Saikat Basu -- No attribution required

Alternatively, you can customize the Quick Access Toolbar by clicking on the tiny Customize Quick Access Toolbar down-pointing arrow. Select More Commands... in the menu and follow the same steps as listed above.

How to use the Microsoft Excel Camera

Now, with the Camera as a part of your Excel toolkit, you can use it to take quick dynamic screenshots of your data. Here's a basic example of how it functions:

Open a spreadsheet with data you want to capture and paste somewhere else. Select the data range or chart and click the Camera button on the Quick Access Toolbar.

Open the worksheet you'll be pasting the data into and select the location you want to paste to. The cursor will change to a tiny crosshair. Drag and release the crosshair to paste the data.

Data pasted as a snapshot with the Camera feature in Excel
Credit: Screenshot by Saikat Basu -- No attribution required

As you're pasting in a picture, you can use any formatting option available on the Picture tab on the Ribbon to customize the appearance of the data.

The notable feature of the Camera tool is that it isn't a simple screenshot feature, but a way of linking the two worksheets. Here's how to use it to save time and create better spreadsheets.

How to use the Camera button in Excel for linked snapshots

The camera button makes working with your data across spreadsheets much easier. Try it out with a range of data cells or a chart in a spreadsheet; the Camera button allows you to copy that data and paste it as a linked image in the same spreadsheet, another sheet in the same workbook, or an entirely different workbook.

Once you've pasted the image into the new spot, try changing something in your original data or chart. The snapshot pasted in the other locations will also update instantly.

Here are some possible use cases:

  • Collect data from different sheets and paste them as a dynamic snapshot on a common sheet for presentation or printing.

  • Make dynamic dashboards that display real-time information as the linked data is updated behind the scenes.

  • Create micro-charts by taking a linked snapshot of a small section of a more extensive chart and sharing only specific information.

  • Manage large datasets spread across many sheets and workbooks by monitoring important cells with their snapshots.

  • You can use the Camera to paste data into Word and PowerPoint documents, but they won't be linked. But it can help you create presentations and reports faster.

These Are the Best Wi-Fi 6 Routers

Par : Emily Long

First things first: If you aren't having issues with your wifi, you don't need to upgrade your router. But if your connection is poor—it frequently cuts out or is slow even when you're nearby—and troubleshooting your device hasn't fixed it, it may be time for a replacement. With several wifi standards currently in use, choosing the right router for your needs can be confusing. Here's a guide to the best Wi-Fi 6 routers on the market now.

What is Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6 is a Wi-Fi standard released in 2019 with several major upgrades over the older Wi-Fi 5. It increased bandwidth access with dual-band support on 2GHz and 5GHz networks and expanded the maximum effective range for routers. This resulted in significantly faster internet speeds, including for streaming 4K videos.

Why you should choose a Wi-Fi 6 router

Since the introduction of Wi-Fi 6, the Wi-Fi Alliance has rolled out two newer standards. Wi-Fi 6e, made available in 2020, expanded access to the 6GHz network band to reach speeds up to 16Gbps, which is useful in crowded areas that see a lot of wireless traffic. The upcoming Wi-Fi 7 uses the same bands as Wi-Fi 6e but increases the width for even faster speeds, among other upgrades.

If you're in the market for a new router, you're probably wondering, why not go with the newest standard? Wifi is certainly improving with every evolution, but Wi-Fi 6 is still the most ubiquitous, reliable, widely compatible, and fast enough for most home networks for now—plus, Wi-Fi 6 devices are likely more affordable than those built for Wi-Fi 6e and Wi-Fi 7.

The best Wi-Fi 6 routers to buy now

These are five of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers out there right now.

TP-Link Archer AX55

The TP-Link Archer AX55 ($129.99) gets high marks for its balance of price and performance, making it one of the best overall Wi-Fi 6 routers available. It's reliable with relatively fast speeds and very little lag, easy to set up, and has a solid warranty—and it's affordable compared to many other devices on the market.

Synology WRX560

The Synology WRX560 ($219.99) is another top pick for overall performance in small- or medium-sized homes, especially for users who pay for gigabit internet service and those who want to run multiple networks simultaneously (one for guests and one for smart home devices, for example). Check out its "excellent" review from PCMag. It also works well as part of a mesh network with other Synology routers.

TP-Link Archer AX21

You don't need to splurge on the most expensive router, nor should you go for the cheapest—and the TP-Link Archer AX21 (currently $70.31) is a budget-friendly, high-value Wi-Fi 6 choice with consistently fast speeds for small homes. There aren't any fancy features, and it's not the best option for gigabit plans, but like other TP-Link Archer models, it's easy to set up and use.

Reyee RG-E5

The Reyee RG-E5 ($105.99) is another affordable yet fully featured choice for Wi-Fi 6. It has excellent range and solid performance and can easily integrate into a mesh network. While it does allow basic parental controls and the creation of separate networks, it lacks some security features like WPA3 encryption. It also received an "excellent" rating from PCMag.

Asus RT-AX86U

If you're a gamer, Asus routers should get strong consideration. The Asus RT-AX86U ($299.99) has fast, consistent speeds, low latency, and gaming-specific features like a dedicated gaming port and the ability to prioritize mobile gaming traffic. The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 ($229.99) is another top choice for gaming.

HP Wants You to Subscribe to Your Next Printer

For as long as they've been around, inkjet printers have sucked. They're difficult to keep a consistent connection to, and they're always running out of ink. They're the bane of any home office setup: If you hit the print button, you need to mentally prepare for some issues.

HP's vision for the future is ... different, to say the least. Rather than push you to buy one of their expensive, anti-consumer printers, they'd rather rent it to you through their "HP All-In Plan" service. And if you try to cancel, you'll wish you bought the printer from the outset.

What is the HP All-In Plan?

HP's new subscription service lets you, essentially, rent a printer. You pay a monthly subscription fee, and with it, you get your choice of one of three HP printers: the HP Envy, HP Envy Inspire, or the HP OfficeJet Pro.

With the printer, HP also sets you up with automatic ink delivery: When setting up your All-In Plan, you choose how much ink you want for the monthly period, as well as whether you want color or black and white. (Both cost the same.) When your printer detects you're running low on ink, it'll ping HP, which will subsequently ship you the ink. So if you thought it was a pain to have a printer stop working when it ran low on ink, imagine how fun it'll be to have the printer decide when you need more ink at all times!

To be fair, you do get 24/7 customer support, and if something is wrong with your printer, you can request a replacement with next-day delivery.

How much does the HP All-In Plan cost?

Depending on which printer you choose, your starting subscription price will vary:

  • HP Envy ($6.99 per month)

  • HP Envy Inspire ($8.99 per month)

  • HP OfficeJet Pro ($12.99 per month)

However, this is just the starting price. From here, you need to choose a monthly page allowance. Each plan comes with a default 20 page per month allowance, which is laughably low for anyone who prints a reasonable amount. The amounts increase from here, depending on the plan:

  • HP ENVY

    • Light: 20 pages for $6.99/month

    • Occasional: 50 pages for $8.99/month

    • Moderate: 100 pages for $10.99/month

    • Frequent: 300 pages for $16.99/month

  • HP ENVY Inspire

    • Light: 20 pages for $8.99/month

    • Occasional: 50 pages for $10.99/month

    • Moderate: 100 pages for $12.99/month

    • Frequent: 300 pages for $18.99/month

    • Frequent plus: 500 pages for $25.99/month

    • Business: 700 pages for $31.99/month

  • HP OfficeJet Pro - for 1-24+ months

    • Light: 20 pages for $12.99/month

    • Occasional: 50 pages for $14.99/month Moderate: 100 pages for $16.99/month Frequent: 300 pages for $22.99/month

    • Frequent plus: 500 pages for $29.99/month

    • Business: 700 pages for $35.99/month

    • Business plus: 1500 pages for $60.99/month

So the more you need to print, the pricier this agreement gets. Plus, if you go over your allotment, HP will charge you $1 per 10–15 additional pages, which is tacked onto your monthly bill. On the flip side, unused pages get rolled over to the following month.

While there is a 30-day free trial, you won't want to go over that if you're uncertain about your commitment. If you cancel after the trial but within 12 months from enrolling, you'll need to pay $120, $180, or $270 for the HP Envy, Envy Inspire, or OfficeJet Pro, respectively. After 12 months and before 24 months, you'll pay $60, $90, and $135, respectively. If you cancel after the two-year subscription, you can do so without paying, so long as you return the printer within 10 days.

Should you subscribe?

In many ways, subscriptions for hardware do make some sense. For devices you tend to upgrade frequently, it might make sense to leave the ownership up to the company, and reap the benefits of "renting." But it's not like the things that suck about printers are going to improve with this plan: I imagine you'll still have issues with ink levels, even if HP will ship you ink automatically, and depending on how much you print, you may end up spending more on "page allotments" than you would've if you bought your own printer.

You also need to keep your printer connected to the internet at all times. Yikes. You might already do this for wireless printing, but if you like to wire your printer to your computer, there's no need to plug another device to the internet. HP is watching you at all times, and may cut off service if you disconnect your printer from the internet. Seeing as the TOS also says HP owns your non-personal data and can send this data to ad partners, my advice is to stay away from this. We're all monitored too closely already: Do you really need to hand over the data generated by your printer, too?

The Difference Between WordPress and WordPress.com

If you were troubled by yesterday’s news that Automattic, the company that owns WordPress.com and Tumblr, is selling your data to AI modeling companies, it's probably not worth stressing about. As shady as the company profiting off of its users' content may sound, the vast majority of what we put into the internet right now is already being consumed by hungry AI bots as language training.

However, the news did bring up a common confusion that emerges whenever discussion turns to WordPress matters, and one that’s important if you are concerned whether this data brokerage will affect you: What is the difference between WordPress, the content management system, and WordPress.com, the web hosting site—and is your personal WordPress site included in the data being sold?

What is WordPress?

As noted, WordPress is a content management system (CMS) used on about 40% of all websites. The simplest way to describe a CMS is as the database where all a site's content is stored, connected to standard web code—whether that’s html, php, javascript, ruby, or django—that tells the data what to look like and how to function when accessed.

To break it down in practice: The content of, say, a blog post—the words, pictures, links and titles—is stored in the database. The web code (often verbalized as “the theme”) tells the site what color the background should be, and whether to align the text and images to the left or the right, and what font to use, and where to put the images and how big to make them, and what the general layout should look like.

The reason people use a CMS like WordPress is simple: Coding webpages by hand sucks, and the results can be wildly inconsistent. Using a CMS means you can make universal changes to the theme, and ensures the data itself is portable, meaning it’s easy to export and use elsewhere. You can always change your theme, and thus change the layout, colors, fonts, and everything else, but the data in the database remains unchanged.  

WordPress launched about 20 years ago, and became a popular choice among competitors like Moveable Type and Drupal for a variety of reasons. While it was for a short time thought of as simply a blogging tool, WordPress and other CMS were quickly found to be useful tools to create fully functional websites for businesses. These days, blogs make up a small portion of CMS content.

WordPress also became popular for the simplest reason: It is (technically) free. 

WordPress itself—meaning the files that make up the underlying framework of the CMS—is available at no cost under an open source license called GPL. In short, you needn't pay for the WordPress code, nor any derivative products. You can simply download it from WordPress.org and install it on any web host you’d like, or locally on your computer. This is what people often call “self-hosted WordPress”, and at this point, almost every web host has a utility where they’ll install WordPress for you.

While you can’t charge for WordPress itself, a massive industry has grown up around custom WordPress themes and plugins, and developing all kinds of functionality around the software.  

What is WordPress.com?

These days, WordPress is maintained by a steady community of volunteer developers, and the trademark is owned by the WordPress Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit. The website WordPress.org is affiliated with the WordPress Foundation.

Meanwhile, the folks who invented WordPress started their own company, the aforementioned Automattic, and their first product was to sell hosted WordPress sites. In other words, you can self host a WordPress site anywhere, or you can get it direct from the source at WordPress.com

If you’re confused, don't worry; it’s been confusing everyone for two decades, and is a frequent topic of debate. To make it simple, think of it this way: If you go to WordPress.com to sign into your site, your site content is at risk of being used to train AI models. If your site is hosted anywhere other than WordPress.com (like on GoDaddy, Bluehost, or Siteground), then you have a self-hosted WordPress site.

The differences between self hosted and .com hosted WordPress

While based on the same underlying technology, there’s a difference between the two WordPress experiences, and not just in who you’re paying for hosting your site. WordPress.com is a much more tightly controlled experience, with limited plugins, themes and options. Most importantly, it offers customer support. You can also pay for various upgrades in utility, like your own domain name or backup services. 

Self hosted WordPress has no constraints, which is both a blessing and a curse. You can install any plugin you want, or write your own. You can use any theme you want, or code it yourself. It is, theoretically, yours, from the data to the domain name and host. But if you break it somehow, you're going to have to figure out how to code your way out of it.

Is your WordPress data really at risk? 

The AI concerns are, as far as we currently know primarily confined to WordPress.com sites—those that are hosted at WordPress.com. You can opt out of your data being included in the program by adjusting to the settings on your WordPress.com site. If you are self hosting, it seems that your data is not being sold to Automattic's AI partners.

However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t being used to train AI models, simply because it is on the internet. AI bots troll for content the same way search engine spiders troll for content. And as Lifehacker Senior Tech Editor Jake Peterson noted yesterday, many self hosted WordPress sites use a plugin called Jetpack. Jetpack is a collection of services that Automattic can provide to self hosted WordPress including a CDN, backup, spam monitoring, and lots more. Since Jetpacks is a cloud based service that connects your database to Automattic, it could potentially be used in the same way that Automattic is using WordPress.com sites.

Yesterday, Automattic X’d (formally known as tweeted) that WordPress.org was not included in the content for AI modeling, but it did not address the specific question of Jetpack being used as a gateway for that content.

How to Create a Modern Mixtape

Anyone else miss mixtapes and mix CDs? Those custom-made, carefully curated pieces of physical media that you could share with other people in an attempt to expand their musical horizons? Amid the switch to first digital and then streaming music, crafting the perfect mixtape has become a lost tradition.

As the film High Fidelity explained so well, a mixtape can be used to subtly express your feelings to someone you've got romantic feelings for—but I used to push them on friends, family, and just about anyone who I thought might benefit from my eclectic, wide-ranging musical taste (which, in my own inflated opinion, I was rather proud of).

And they were so much fun to assemble. Thoughtfully choosing artists and tracks, refining the order, thinking about how the recipient would experience it, and using all kinds of tricks along the way—like choosing a cover version of a song instead of the original, which offered the added bonus of introducing two bands in one slot.

The ultimate reward was introducing someone to—and seeing them fall in love with—a band I loved. It worked both ways: I got a lot of mixtapes back in return, mixtapes that introduced me to artists that I still listen to today. It was an age of getting your recommendations from real people, rather than algorithms.

In 2024, of course, sharing playlists is a breeze—you can do it in any music streaming app with a couple of taps. However, some of the magic is admittedly lost without the physical media aspect, not to mention the effort of making the recording. With those caveats in mind, if you want to make a modern day mixtape, these are your best options, and the ones I turn to.

Create a YouTube playlist

YouTube playlists
You can share YouTube playlists just about anywhere. Credit: Lifehacker

The benefit of the YouTube playlist approach is that these playlists work just about everywhere, on any device, and can be accessed without a subscription to any music streaming service. As an added bonus, YouTube offers a whole host of music—rarities, live versions, b-sides—you won't find anywhere else.

To get started, head to YouTube on the web, and find one of the tracks you want to include. Click Save under the video (you might need to click the three dots to see the option), then select Create a new playlist. Give it a name and make it Unlisted; this means it'll come with a shareable link that someone else can view, but it won't show up in YouTube searches.

Continue to add more tracks in the same way. (Another reason I like creating YouTube playlists is that I can drop in the occasional bit of movie dialog or music snippets, if needed—assuming they're on YouTube or you're able to upload them to your own channel. You can really get creative about what's included.)

To find your playlist, select it under the You heading in the left-hand navigation pane (click the three horizontal lines, top left, if you can't see it). From here, you can change the order of tracks by dragging the handles on the left. Click the three dots on the right for more options, including deleting tracks and setting the playlist thumbnail.

YouTube will helpfully offer recommendations for your playlist if you're stuck for inspiration. When you're satisfied with your work, click the Share button on the left to generate a link to send to someone else. If you really want to impress, you can get an embed code that you use to drop your playlist anywhere on the web.

Create a Spotify playlist code

Spotify codes
Download a unique Spotify code to give to someone. Credit: Lifehacker

As I noted, every music streaming service has its own share playlist feature, and they usually aren't hard to find. You can simply use this link to share a modern day mixtape with someone, assuming you both subscribe to the same service. But Spotify's playlist sharing feature is a bit more interesting, incorporating a QR code-style system.

They're more like sound waves than digital barcodes, but the idea is the same: You get a visual code that can be scanned to bring up a playlist. That means you can share it physically, perhaps in a card or a letter, giving you something more tangible to offer than a link sent over email or via text.

Ie'll give you the instructions for the Spotify desktop apps, but you can do this on the web and in the mobile apps too. To start, in the left-hand navigation pane, click + (plus) next to Your Library, then Create a new playlist. Click on its name to give it a title, then click the three dots underneath and make sure it's set as public so you can share it.

To add new songs to the playlist, click the three dots next to any track in the Spotify desktop app, then choose Add to playlist and choose your mixtape playlist. Back on the playlist itself (you'll find it in the left-hand sidebar), you can rearrange songs by dragging and dropping them into place, and remove them via the three dots on the right. Click the playlist thumbnail, and you can drop in your own cover image, which is neat.

To generate the Spotify code, click the three dots under the playlist title, then Share to get a playlist link or an embed code (to put the playlist somewhere on the web). That playlist URL can then be pasted into the Spotify Codes site to get your graphic, to be downloaded to use anywhere you like.

If you're doing this on mobile, open the playlist, then tap the three dots (on iOS, the code is shown right away, and on Android you need to choose Show Spotify Code.)

Windows 11 Has a Free Video Editor Again (and It's Pretty Good)

Once upon a time, Windows came with a rather capable video editor called Movie Maker, but it was discontinued back in 2017. After something of a delay, Clipchamp arrived to serve as the new default video editor in Microsoft's operating system, and it comes with a variety of useful features that can help you put together impressive-looking footage.

If you want to get started with Clipchamp for the first time, or dig deeper into what it offers, I've put together some tips for getting the most out of it. It's suitable for any kind of basic movie making—from collecting your family vacation highlights package, to creating your first short film—and it's not difficult to get a handle on.

Unfortunately, unlike Movie Maker, Clipchamp isn't completely free. A lot of the basic features can be used without paying, but you need to pay to export videos in 4K and without a watermark, and a premium subscription gets you loads more filters, effects, and stock content too. The premium package is $12 a month, or $99 a year.

Get started with templates

Clipchamp video editor
Templates are a great way to get started. Credit: Lifehacker

As friendly as Clipchamp is, jumping into a blank timeline can be a bit daunting—and a better way to get started could be to load up one of the templates (like TikTok or Birthday) that you can get to from the Templates tab on the front screen.

Once you've selected and loaded a template, you'll be taken to the editing screen, where the timeline is filled up with sample content. Any of these elements can be tweaked or replaced as needed—in the case of text boxes, for example, just double-click them on the timeline to enter your own text.

Up in the top-left corner you've got the Import media option for loading in images, videos, and audio, and you can see everything that's already been imported too. Hover over an item here to get the options to delete it or to add it to the timeline.

Managing the timeline

Clipchamp video editor
Right-click to get to more options. Credit: Lifehacker

Once you've got an element down on the timeline—you can drag and drop it from the media panel, or click the + (plus) button on it—you'll see handles at either end when you hover over it. Drag these in either direction to have the element show up in your video for a longer or shorter period of time.

You can't extend video and audio clips longer than their actual length, or course, but you can trim them at either end. Static elements like images and text boxes, meanwhile, can be visible for as long as you like.

To reposition something, simply drag it around. Right-click on an element, and you get options to Duplicate, Copy, Paste, or Delete it, and to Split it—handy if you want to get an audio or video clip separated into several chunks.

Adding fades, filters, and more

Clipchamp video editor
Filters change the look of your clips in an instant. Credit: Lifehacker

When you've got the basic building blocks of your project in place, you can start to get a bit more creative. Select an element in the timeline, and Fade in and Fade out options should appear on the right—these do exactly what you would expect, and can work on audio as well as video and static images.

Further to the right you've got options for Filters and Effects: This is where you can change up the colors and the style of what's in your timeline. Under Effects, for example, you've got options such as Blur, Slow zoom, and VHS (for making something look a bit old-school)—there are lots of options to play around with.

Underneath those icons you've also got Adjust colors (a more basic version of Filters), and Speed, where you can speed up or slow down video or audio. As you tweak the speed of an element, its length on the timeline will shrink or grow accordingly.

Dropping in text and transitions

Clipchamp video editor
You can create title cards for your movies. Credit: Lifehacker

Over on the left of the edit screen you've got your Transitions panel, which gives you a whole host of options for creating a smoother link between clips and other elements: You can pick from wipes, slides, spins, and plenty more. Just click and drag a transition to a border between two elements to apply it.

Just above Transitions is Text, which is where you can drop in your title cards and your text overlays. Again, you've got a lot of different sizes and styles to pick from: Click the + (plus) button to add a text element into the timeline, or drag it into place.

With a text element selected on the timeline, you can then switch to the Text tab on the right to change the font style, size, and color, as well as the actual text itself. The handles that show up inside the preview window let you change the size and the position of your text box too (just drag around using the mouse).

Exporting your work

Clipchamp video editor
Clipchamp gives you plenty of options for exporting videos. Credit: Lifehacker

That all gives you a quick introduction to the world of Clipchamp and what it's capable of, but there's more to explore: Like the Content library tab (on the left of the edit screen) that gives you a choice of stock elements), or the Create a video with AI option (on the front screen) that can quickly make a movie out of your choice of clips and images.

When you've got something that you think is good enough to share with the wider world, click Export in the top right corner of the edit screen, then choose your export resolution (4K won't be available unless you're a premium subscriber).

The next screen lets you choose where your exported video file goes: You can save it directly to various cloud service lockers (like OneDrive and Google Drive), or upload it straight to YouTube or TikTok. You also have the option to save it to a local folder, via Save to your computer.

The Boox Palma Is a Nearly Perfect Phone-sized E-reader

If you've ever owned a dedicated e-reader with a grayscale e-ink screen (as opposed to a tablet with a backlit LCD screen), chances are good it was one of the many varieties of the Amazon Kindle. Barnes & Noble is still making Nooks, but few people buy them, and you have to have done your research to have even heard of wannabe Kindle killers from the likes of Kobo (a Canadian company owned by the Japanese retail giant Rakuten).

But if you're going no farther than the latest iteration of Amazon's e-reader, you're missing out on some of the best devices on the market—even if they're from companies you've never heard of, like Onyx International, a Chinese tech firm that's been making e-ink devices since 2011. I still remember the first time I saw someone reading an Onyx Boox tablet on the subway; my assumption was that it was a cheap knockoff (c'mon...Boox?). I was wrong. Not only are companies like Kobo and Onyx regularly trumping Amazon when it comes to variety and innovation in their e-readers, their devices are regularly just better: not locked down to a proprietary operating system or a particular e-book store, and much more flexible and customizable, without the need to jailbreak the onboard software as you would a Kindle's.

With all of that said, for the past month or so I've been testing out the Boox Palma, the phone-shaped, Android-based e-ink device Onyx dropped last year, and it's the best e-reader I've ever used.


Buy the Boox Palma from Amazon:


An e-reader that looks (and almost works) like a phone

A Boox Palma ereader held in a hand with a pool in the background
Credit: Joel Cunningham

I've owned a lot of e-readers over the years, ever since my parents gifted me a third-generation Kindle (the one with the keyboard) way back in 2010. I've always found the proportions of the standard 6-inch e-reader screen a little awkward—too squarish to feel like an actual book, and too big to easily fit into a pocket. For a while I used a larger 7.8-inch Nook Glowlight Plus, and while the extra screen real estate was nice, it was hampered by slow software and difficulties loading library books.

All of my device hopping means my e-book library is split across retailers and devices. Thus, like many people, I often found myself reading on my phone, which is always with me, can handle both the Kindle and Nook apps, and is well-integrated with my library's app-of-choice, Libby. The downside: It's my phone, which means it's constantly pinging me with notifications or distracting me with social media when I mean to be reading.

Enter the Palma, which is basically the same size as an iPhone 15 Plus. It's easy to slip into my pocket, it mirrors the screen size I've gotten used to from my years of reading on a phone screen, and yet it still has the benefits of a black-and-white e-ink display—which for me means more immersion into whatever I'm reading, and less risk of distraction.

Android gives you freedom

My biggest beef with my various Kindles and Nooks was the fact that I don't particularly love the user experience for either device—generally, I think the Kindle and Nook iPhone apps work a lot better than the stodgier e-reader versions.

The beauty of the Palma is that on the operating system level, it basically is a phone, running a straightforward version of Android 11. This means instead of resigning yourself to an on-device OS for reading and sorting your books, you can choose whichever app(s) you like best, as long as they're available for download in the Google Play store (sorry, Apple Books readers), no jailbreaking or side-loading required (though you can certainly do the latter if you like).

Palma home screen displaying the Kindle, Nook, Libby, and Moon Reader+ app logos
Credit: Joel Cunningham

I currently have installed the Kindle, Nook, and Kobo apps, as well as the Libby app (for reading library books from the Brooklyn Public Library), plus a format-agnostic app called Moon+ Reader that I highly recommend if you want more customizability in your reading app, from font choice to kerning to file sorting and more. The point is, any and all of these apps are open to you—though Onyx has its own default reading app, you are in no way railroaded into using it.

Listen to your audiobooks and podcasts too

Android support means you can also use the Palma to listen to your audiobooks—there's no headphone jack, but it will pair with your Bluetooth headphones easily enough. I tested out syncing audiobooks via Audible and the Kindle app, and it worked as expected, and there's enough onboard storage—128GB—to hold an awful lot of audio material. (I'm not a heavy audiobook listener, but I did download Pocket Casts to try out the Palma as a podcast machine. In short: It works well, but I still prefer my iPhone for that, as it syncs with my Apple Watch and more readily connects to my Beats earbuds.)

Add fonts, screensavers, and more with ease

My favorite thing about the Palma is I can plug it into my laptop and easily sideload books, upload new fonts, and anything else you can accomplish via drag and drop. The Android OS isn't shy about letting me see the file structure and put things exactly where they need to go. The end result is, if you're willing to put in a little effort, you can create a truly custom experience. Set your own lock screen, choose your own wallpaper, read in Wingdings: The possibilities are endless.

Snappy performance

With 6GB of onboard RAM, the Palma is certainly fast enough to deliver your e-books at a clip, and turning pages or skipping through chapters rapidly is no problem. Navigating around a PDF is pretty smooth too: Provided the app allows it (as does the native PDF reader, Neo Reader), you can pinch to zoom in and out and enjoy near-instantaneous performance, which is much more than I can say for trying to magnify a PDF on my old Nook.

The device also lets you browse the internet with minimal lag, and apps load quickly enough that I never felt like I was using a lesser device.

Good (but not exceptional) battery life

One of the benefits of e-readers is that their basic displays sip power instead of gulping it. And while the Palma will go a lot longer between charges that your smartphone, in my anecdotal experience (I didn't run a dedicated battery test) it doesn't last quite as long as a Kindle. Using it for an hour or two a day with the frontlight on throughout would drain the battery by half in less than a week. Once plugged in (via USB-C), it charges pretty fast.

More than an e-reader (but still not a true phone)

Android support means you can download more than reading apps. You can also download Goodreads, or Gmail, or Chrome, or X/Twitter, or Reddit, or anything else you want. And unlike the extremely clunky screens on most e-readers, which suffer from severe lag that makes even scrolling a webpage unpleasant, the Palma offers four different refresh modes, from HD (best for reading super-crisp text on a static screen, as when reading a novel), to Balanced (for scrolling through PDFs), to Fast or Ultrafast, which can handle scrolling through your social media feeds with responsiveness close to what you'd get with an LCD screen.

On a Kindle, doing anything but reading feels like a chore, but it actually is feasible to browse the web and even watch videos on the Palma. Everything will still look a bit grainy, and of course it's all in grayscale, but considering I could barely read my email on my first Kindle's "experimental" web browser, I'm still pretty impressed. I even downloaded a Tetris app, which functions surprisingly well in Ultrafast mode.

I would never suggest that using any non-reading app on the Palma is a great experience, but they will work, and in a way, their comparable ugliness to how they'd look on a full-color LCD is almost a boon—I'm using the Palma because I want to read more books, after all. If I wanted to be distracted by an immersive social media experience, my iPhone has me covered.

No SIM support

Though it looks and functions like an Android phone, the Palma can't replace yours, as it lacks SIM support (though it has a side-loading card tray, it accepts only memory cards up to 1TB). You can use it for phone calls over wifi via a supported app (like Google Voice)—the device has both speakers and a microphone in addition to supporting Bluetooth headphones. It will also run most messaging apps via wifi, though you may need a SIM-less phone number to get them up and running.

The lack of SIM support is hardly a dealbreaker for me, as I wasn't looking to replace my phone with an e-ink device. (If that's your goal, look to Hisense, another Chinese company that makes a number of e-ink mobile devices.)

No significant waterproofing

Also very un-phonelike, at least when it comes to modern flagship devices: Unlike the iPhone and most Android phones, the Palma isn't significantly waterproof. Yes, technically even iPhones are only "water resistant," but that translates to "they can survive being immersed in water for half an hour. The Palma is "water resistant" in that a few raindrops on the display won't hurt it, but the speakers and power port are sealed, which means if you drop this thing in the tub or the pool, there's a good chance it won't survive.

Waterproofing is hardly a universal e-reader feature—the entry-level Kindle doesn't have it—but it would be a welcome addition to such a pricey device.

A great one-handed reading experience

My mixed reactions to the Palma as an Android device aside, it excels as an e-reader. The form factor is what it is—I personally find the 6.13-inch screen very pleasant, and the 1648 x 824 screen resolution at 300 ppi means the text is always super crisp and readable, especially at HD resolution. The build quality feels good: the screen is "micro-etched glass" that mostly avoids issues with glare, the physical buttons are responsive and easy to click, and the back cover is lightly textured and easy to grip.

You have the choice of turning pages by either tapping the touch screen or using the physical buttons on the right hand side of the device, making it easy to read one-handed (especially considering how light it is—around 170 grams). Though support varies from app to app, most of the reading apps I've tried will turn pages forward and backward using the volume up/down button. You can also change your settings to read via infinite scroll using either your fingertip or the volume button.

An additional button on the left side can be mapped to a number of different functions based on a quick press, a long press, or a double tap. By default a single press will refresh the screen, which is handy if you frequently find yourself annoyed by the faint ghosting that can plague any E Ink screen, but you can also use it to turn pages, skip to the next chapter, and more.

A comfortable frontlight

The frontlight options menu on the Boox Palma
The ghosting you see here can be solved for with a quick tap of the refresh button on the side of the Palma. Credit: Joel Cunningham

The frontlight on the screen is comparable to what I've experienced with other modern e-readers—you can adjust the brightness and the warmth to suit your comfort level—with perhaps a bit more of a visible "ring" around the edge of the screen than you'd see on, say, a Kindle Paperwhite.

I wasn't super impressed by the auto-brightness option, which purports to set the best brightness level based on your current lighting conditions. I found it tended to waffle back and forth between too bight and too dark, even as I sat unmoving in a dark room. It's easy enough to adjust the lighting manually that I wasn't much bothered by this, but it's worth noting (and turning off).

What else can it do?

After a month of testing, I feel like the Palma does everything I want it to very well, and a bunch of stuff I don't really need it to do surprisingly well. It also can do a lot more that I haven't even really tried, including scanning documents and taking photos and shooting video via the 16 megapixel rear camera (provided you download a camera app; there's no native default, which is odd). The pictures will look like crap on the device itself, but if you hook it up to your laptop to access them, they look as good as anything you'd take with a basic smart phone camera—not iPhone quality by any stretch, but why does an e-reader have a camera at all?

Risks to consider

The nice thing about a Kindle is if yours breaks, you can just call up Amazon customer service to get it fixed or replaced. With a Boox Palma, you won't have that luxury: Parent company Onyx is based in China, and Reddit's e-reading communities are riddled with reports of less-than-ideal customer service (though keep in mind most people don't post to Reddit about good customer service experiences). There's also the fact that, as a Chinese company, Onyx isn't subject to the same privacy restrictions and laws as Apple or Amazon, but that's a well of paranoia I'd rather not dip into. (As it is, the only thing anyone would learn from looking at my Palma is that I read a lot of science fiction.)

That said, if you're in the U.S., I would definitely recommend buying the device from Onyx's Amazon store. It's the same price and you get the usual benefits of Amazon, including Prime shipping and the option to reach out to their customer service if you have an issue with a shipment.

The bottom line

All of this functionality does come at a price—the device retails for $279, which is obviously much more than entry level Kindles, and in the same ballpark as the high-end (and now discontinued) Kindle Oasis. But all of these features, along with the form factor, also mean the Boox Palma is the best e-reader for me, and certainly the best e-reader I've ever used.



Boox Palma specs

  • Display: 6.13-inch, 824 x 1648 (300 ppi)

  • CPU: Qualcomm Octacore processor

  • RAM: 6GB

  • Storage: 128GB

  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5 (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0

  • Lighting: Frontlight with temperature adjustment

  • Camera: 16MP rear camera

  • Operating system: Android 11

  • Battery/charging: 3,950mAh via USB-C

  • Size: 159 x 80 x 8mm

  • Weight: 170g

  • MicroSD card support

The OnePlus Watch 2 Is Almost Ready to Take on Apple

After a three-year hiatus, OnePlus is finally back with a new smartwatch. The aptly named OnePlus Watch 2 promises a return to form for the company that originally made its name by offering flagship-like devices at much more affordable prices.

While I won't say that the OnePlus Watch 2 blows the other Android smartwatches out of the water, and there are a few things that it could improve on, it does feel like a drastic improvement from the first OnePlus Watch—something that long-standing OnePlus fans will be happy to hear.

OnePlus Watch 2 specs

First, the basics. The numbers and items seen here are exactly what you'd expect from a flagship-class smartwatch, including 2.5D Sapphire Crystal glass and a stainless steel chassis:

  • Size: 47mm x 46.6mm x 12.1mm

  • Weight: 49g without strap / 80g with strap

  • Display: 1.43-inch AMOLED panel at 60Hz, 1,000 nit brightness, 466 x 466 resolution

  • Case: Stainless steel

  • Chipset: Dual Engine Architecture SnapdragonTM W5 + BES2700

  • Storage: 32GB

  • RAM: 2GB

  • Sensors: Acceleration, Gyroscope, Optical Heart Rate, Optical Pulse Oximeter, Geomagnetic, Light, Barometer, Dual-frequency L1 + L5, Beidou, GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS

  • LTE: No

  • Battery size: 500mAh

  • Water resistance: 5ATM+IP68

  • OS: Wear OS 4

  • Compatible Phones: Android 8.0 and up, GMS 23.45.23 or later

As you can see, all of these specs are solid options, and on paper, they look like they would offer a premium smartwatch experience that's more than capable of keeping up with the Pixel Watch 2 and the latest Galaxy smartwatches. Of course, if you're running an iOS device, then you're not going to want to purchase this: The OnePlus Watch 2 continues the trend of many recent Wear OS devices and doesn't support iOS in any way.

I've spent the past week with the OnePlus Watch, and here's what I've learned.

Doubling down

OnePlus Watch 2 battery estimations
Credit: Joshua Hawkins

Perhaps the most intriguing thing about the OnePlus Watch 2, and what initially caught my attention when OnePlus reached out to me about it, is the dual-engine architecture. With this dual architecture, OnePlus promises that it will deliver up to 100 hours of power on a single charge.

These kinds of battery claims aren't uncommon for the company, as the first OnePlus Watch had amazing battery life but not much else going for it. By putting both a Snapdragon W5 and BES 2700 chipset into the watch, OnePlus says the watch can easily swap between the two to utilize the more powerful Snapdragon W5 when it's needed. And overall, I'd say the company really delivered here.

While using the OnePlus Watch 2, I never felt like the watch was lagging behind, even when messing around with third-party apps. Operating between the various tilesets was always snappy, and the charge held really well. I charged the watch on Tuesday and was able to use it until Friday without having to put it back on the charger. Even then, the watch hadn't completely died, and with Power Saver mode on, I could eke another day out of it, giving me almost four days of charge with mild usage.

Charging it is also extremely easy, with the watch only taking around 30 minutes or so to fully charge when using a OnePlus power brick. The charging rate might vary if you aren't using a OnePlus brick, though it shouldn't be that drastic of a difference. I did notice that charging the watch was a bit annoying—the band gets in the way, so I had to turn the watch over on its side to get it to sit flush on my desk. But since you don't have to charge it for longer periods of time, it isn't a huge issue.

Ultimately, I'd call the dual-engine design a huge win for the smartwatch, especially considering my usual daily driver (the Apple Watch Ultra 2) usually has to be recharged every other day.

Getting smarter

OnePlus Watch 2 on blue wavy background
Credit: OnePlus

The key to delivering this battery life is what OnePlus calls "Smart mode." It's turned on by default, and it doesn't lock you out of any of the watch's various capabilities, according to OnePlus. I didn't notice anything missing from the watch's functionality while using it, and I was easily able to start up workouts and check my heart rate, stress, and other health parameters with ease.

Overall, OnePlus really seems to have pulled out all the stops this time following the OnePlus Watch in 2021. Workouts are easy to start, and OnePlus has included a few additional workout choices—including Badminton, Tennis, and Skiing modes, just to name a few of the more niche options. There are, of course, the other usual workout options, like running, walking, and so on.

OnePlus brings all of its health tracking and smartwatch functionality into the new OHealth app, which is launching alongside the smartwatch. The app is easy to set up, and it provides a lot of detailed information. It's not groundbreaking, as smartwatch apps go, but it does the job well, and I don't have any complaints about it. Most people should find it perfectly usable.

Like most smartwatches these days, you'll get a bit more out of the watch if you pair it up with your similarly branded smartphone, though while testing the watch with the OnePlus 12 and Pixel 8 Pro, I didn't notice any distinct features or anything missing. It mostly seems to be tied to the performance of the device.

As far as the sensor accuracy goes, I didn't notice any big issues with anything OnePlus was measuring. Sleep tracking seemed to work well enough compared to other smartwatches I've used, like the Apple Watch Ultra 2. However, I will say that the stress monitoring can get a bit annoying to deal with at times, so if you use one of the complications for it, you might find yourself getting a good few notifications if your levels jump from the "moderate" range.

The watch uses an eight-channel optical heart rate sensor, so it should provide accurate responses, and anytime I checked my heart rate, nothing looked off or it appeared like it was struggling to get the job done.

There's no period tracking or body temperature tracking here, either. Users looking for that in a smartwatch will need to look elsewhere. It also doesn't have fall detection, though the way OnePlus talked, that might come later down the line. But that's just speculation on my part.

Design and feel

OnePlus Watch 2 face design
Credit: OnePlus

But performance and smartness aren't everything. Sure, the OnePlus Watch 2 has great battery life and performs really well, but how does it look? To put it quite frankly, the watch is beautiful. It's honestly one of the more appealing Android smartwatches on the market right now, and the stainless steel casing really helps deliver a solid and premium feeling device.

It never felt too heavy on my wrist, and the fact that OnePlus includes a "one size fits all" style watch band with a lot of wiggle room is nice. The bands are also easily removable, which should make it easy for those who like to customize their bands to find new ones once they're available.

Overall, using the device felt good. There's a lot of room for customization, from watch faces to the various tiles you can set up on the main screen, and I think a lot of users will be happy with what OnePlus offers this time around. The company says it supports 80 downloadable first-party watch faces along with third-party faces. However, the third-party faces won't work with the Power Saver mode. So that's definitely something to keep in mind.

The bottom line

At the end of the day, the OnePlus Watch 2 feels like a clear improvement from what the company offered with its first smartwatch. The design is great, the features deliver, and I didn't notice any big turnoffs that Android users will need to look out for. The lack of any support for iOS is disappointing, especially as someone who uses an iPhone as their daily driver. I'd love to be able to pair this up with my iPhone and use it instead of my Apple Watch, but this divide is nothing new in the smartphone/smartwatch industry.

I don't have a lot of gripes with the watch. The various management and health monitoring systems can be annoying to deal with, but that's true of just about every smartwatch these days. The sensors might not be the most accurate on the market, but they provide solid measurements that should more than do the job in most cases. The GPS worked well in my testing, and while I'm not really a runner, the test run I did seemed to offer a lot of functionality for runners that should put this watch on par with others on the market right now.

The OnePlus Watch 2 is a solid smartwatch, especially for OnePlus fans. It continues the company's recent successes, and at $299.99, it's hard to beat its premium design and great battery life. It goes on sale today, Feb. 26, and is available to preorder on OnePlus.com.

The Eufy X10 Pro Omni Is a Pretty Good Mid-Priced Robot Vacuum

Although vacuums seem fairly complicated, particularly robot vacuums, almost every smart home company makes one. Take Eufy, for instance, a company generally known for security cameras. Their new flagship, the  Eufy X10 Pro Omni, is a pretty great mid-range model at $799, and only shows its hand to high-end models in a few areas. This model will begin shipping this week.

Spinning scrub brushes replace the usual mop head

I've found that the newer floorbot docks take up more space—they hold a vacuum bag as well as two chambers, for fresh and dirty mop water. The bases clean mop heads and dry them. All that requires some bulky hardware, and the Eufy isn’t different from any other model I’ve tested in size and footprint. While I don’t think the X10 looks as expensive as some other models I’ve tested, it doesn’t look cheap, either. Matte molded plastic and lots of soft corners make the tower un-intimidating. The X10 only comes in black (for now), and although the specs ask for a few feet of space around the tower, I didn’t experience any issues with less than a foot on each side where I tucked mine away. I didn’t love that Eufy has gone out of the way to label the top of the dock to make it easier to understand which container holds clean water vs dirty water. I understand the point, but these containers are usually hidden behind panels on high-end models, to make it more visually appealing in your space. 

The big difference between the X10 and my current favorite robot, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, is that the X10 swaps a mop pad for two continuously spinning scrubbers. While the idea of scrubbers evokes a deeper cleaning experience, I’ve been burned thinking the same of upright mops. The scrubbers tended to just throw water and dirt everywhere, and a plush mop pad with enough pressure generally does a better job. Meanwhile, the vacuum in the X10 uses one roller with brushes on it, instead of the dual roller combo seen in many floorbots. 

Easy set up, pairing and voice commands

Note: I was sent a pre-release model for testing from Eufy, and used a beta version of the app because of this, so some functions may be different in the final shipped product. 

Like most floorbots, there wasn’t much to put together upon arrival—the dock comes in two pieces and snapped together easily. The pairing process was not as seamless as I’ve found with other brands, I had to run through the process more than once (which could be due to the beta app I was using) but it still took less than 10 minutes. Eufy uses a range of apps for all its devices rather than one unified app, so you’ll need a whole separate app—Eufy Clean—to use the machine. While it works with assistants like Google and Alexa (but not Homekit/Siri) the controls you have there will be limited to on and off.

Robot apps have a wealth of functionality, and Eufy Clean is no different. Eufy will store a number of different maps, and you can manipulate those maps by splitting a room, combining a space or setting up zones for a one-time clean (or avoid). One of my greatest annoyances with most modern floorbots is that you can’t save these zones, as you could with Roombas. You are left to hack the room function by creating “mini rooms”—so if you want the robot to clean one area of a room every day, it will just clean this new mini room you’ve set up.

The X10 has a number of features you’d see in higher-end floorbots

One of my new favorite robot features that the Eufy included was the ability to set a spot on the map, and the robot will just head there and wait for more direction. In the same panel, you can direct the robot with a joystick—a surprisingly useful and fun feature. On more than one occasion, I just directed the robot to the floor next to me instead of getting up to retrieve it when it needed the brush cleared. 

You can customize the cleaning to your taste, changing the intensity of the mop and vacuum, or excluding one altogether, and manually tell the bot to empty itself or clean the mop. You can set up extensive schedules from the Clean app, and while you could add the bot to your home automation apps, it will lack granularity of control. As with some other models, you can now see exactly how much life each of the parts of your vacuum have left to them. 

No deal breakers, but a few annoyances

I’ve come to recognize how powerful the maps feature is on most floorbots. The LiDAR is amazingly functional in mapping your room, and being able to set up zones is critical. You mostly likely don’t need to clean the entire room every single day—you probably have an area that has more traffic, like walkways or under tables. The X10 doesn’t map as comprehensively as other models do, displaying furniture, rugs or floor changes to the room. Without landmarks, it's hard to set up a zone. The zone feature is also not very finger-friendly on the phone, so I ultimately had trouble getting the zone boundaries in the right place. 

The Eufy is good at avoiding obstacles and even labeling where they were so you can address them. However, it frequently suggested that there were many piles of dog poop on my floor when it was really just some dog toy fluff, which other robots have sucked up and moved on from.

A robot that won’t shut up

The X10 is a noisy roommate. In its passive state, moving around, I noticed it was louder than other bots. Moreover, the sucker talks—all the time. While other bots do communicate "starting” or “returning to station,” the X10 was wau more chatty. “Cleaning mop!” it would cheerfully inform me, followed by alerts that it was drying the mop and emptying the bin, superfluous information that made me feel it was trying to prove its worth. I eventually figured out how to shush the bot, but you can only do a master volume change, which means you might miss alerts you’d actually need. 

The X10 had trouble recovering from errors 

And unfortunately, I did need the alerts. Like most bots, stuff got caught in the rollers that needed to be cleared a few times a week. In most cases, a robot throws an error, you clear it, and the robot and you both move on with your life. Lower-end robots tend to have a hard time recovering, and experience a cascade of error codes and problems when one thing goes wrong. When even small debris is caught in the rollers, the Eufy made a racket unlike any other bot I’ve used—and the robot wouldn’t stop and ask to be cleared until it was a much bigger problem. I spent three days clearing the roller every five minutes, and sending it back to the base to empty, which would then declare itself stuck, too, clearing both, only to have the robot declare itself stuck again five minutes later. 

While debris got caught in the X10 as often as some other expensive vacuums, except the Roborock, the X10 struggled to get past it. This was also the first floorbot where I had to do work on the dock. In the first week, I was alerted that I had to clear a roller on the dock itself, and through a Reddit page and a Youtube video I was able to fix it, but I did not enjoy the experience. Docks are complicated, on the floor and dark inside—you’ve got to get down and get your hand into a small space you can’t see. The base just didn’t do as good a job evacuating the robot as other vacuums, so the robot would start back up and you could hear something stuck rattling around in it. The noise works as its own alert so you know to stop and fix the problem. 

Excellent navigation skills and pretty good cleaning skills

The X10 never became stuck, not once—and thus becomes the only floorbot to navigate the complicated underpinnings of my living room with no navigational issues. Cords were no problem; small radius turns around table legs did not deter it. Remembering the narrow passage to get out from under the couch did not seem problematic for the Eufy. If you’ve got a complicated layout, this is an important consideration. 

Overall, I thought the vacuum functioned fantastically on rugs. As long as the roller brushes were clear, it also did a valiant job vacuuming hard floors like my tile. When the rollers had something stuck in them (not enough to trigger an alert to clear them, but you could hear something bopping around in the chamber) the bot would lose all vacuuming ability and instead start spitting out debris over the floor. While there is a detangling function for the robot, and it’s a feature they mention often, I didn’t notice it having great bearing on the situation.

Again, most robot vacuums require human intervention, and the more crap on your floor, the more intervention. While dog hair or human hair did not deter the bot, it really struggled with anything larger than average floor dirt. To test this, I threw a half cup of cereal on the floor, and the robot was able to get most of it up, but had to immediately return to the cleaning base, where the cereal got stuck evacuating the robot. Still, that’s not a usual test case for a vacuum. When I repeated the experiment with dry couscous, it had no problem completing the job.

Eufy’s dual mop heads worked better than I expected, and worked specifically well in one way: The X10 got closer to the wall than any other bot I’ve tried. There’s a setting specifically in the mop panel called “edge hugging,” and it worked. Usually, bots leave a band of un-mopped space around objects and the wall, but not the X10. In terms of how well the mop actually cleaned the floor, I found that when I had it make two passes in a space, it worked very well to clean dirt, as the first pass worked as a pre-wash of sorts. While other bots tend to move in straight lines across the floor, the Eufy mops more effectively by using a wiggling motion as it moves around the floor. I had to empty and refill the water stations more often than other robots I’ve used, but it wasn’t cumbersome. The chambers just are slightly smaller than high end models. 

Bottom line: a good mid-range model for homes without a lot of floor messes

If you’ve got kids who drop food or a pet that drops a lot of fluff or other debris around, I don’t think this is the model for you. But if you have a house that mostly deals with dust, no matter how complicated the floor plan, the X10 is a promising model to vacuum and mop, at a competitive price.

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