Home - Organizer

KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender review: enjoy the freedom of a battery-powered hand blender

9:02 am | July 22, 2024

KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender two-minute review

The KitchenAid brand needs little to no introduction, but the concept of battery-powered kitchen appliances like the KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender might be unfamiliar to many people.

The beauty of the KitchenAid Go range of appliances is that they all use the same removable, swappable battery. This means if you invest in several appliances from the range they can share batteries, so you can save some cash and buy some of them without a battery included.

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender is designed to be used just like any other hand blender. But because it doesn’t need to be near a power outlet, you have a lot more freedom to blend soups on the stove or blitz a fruit puree on the dining table, something you'd struggle to do with any of the best blenders.

KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender in its box — (Image credit: Future)

On test it certainly proved it was up to the job, creating smooth soups, milkshakes, and pureed vegetables. But I did manage to break the pan guard on the first use, which was a bit of a negative. You can read more about that in the performance section below.

Overall though, I found it easy and comfortable to use. And if you get frustrated by the lack of available power outlets in your kitchen, it could be a game-changer.

KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender with battery for $99.99 at KitchenAid

KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender review: price & availability

List price: US$129.99 / £179 / AU$268
Availability: US / UK / AUS

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender is currently available in the US, UK and Australia. It can be purchased directly from KitchenAid.

It’s available with or without the battery. The prices above are for the model that includes a battery. Without a battery it’s around $30/ £30 / $69 cheaper at $99.99 / £149 / AU$199.

It’s important to point out that while KitchenAid does sell the compatible battery as a standalone accessory, it costs $49.99/ £69 / AU$69. Therefore if you're in the US or UK it's always cheaper to buy the appliance with the battery bundled in.

KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender with battery for £179 at KitchenAid

Being cord-free does come with a premium price tag. A standard variable speed corded hand blender from KitchenAid will cost significantly less at around $60/ £109.

Whether or not a cordless hand blender is worth the additional investment does depend on your individual budget as well as your kitchen setup. But for many people it does solve a frustrating problem of working around the position of power outlets.

Discounts are sometimes available, so if the premium price tag is a sticking point for you, it’s worth keeping an eye out for a discount. For example at the time of writing there was a $10 reduction on the hand blender on the US KitchenAid website.

Value for money score: 4 out of 5

KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender review: design

Built-in safety feature
Well balanced
Straightforward controls

The main hand blender features a removable blending arm with a stainless steel blade. This twists easily onto the main body of the blender. At the very top of the body, above where you hold it, is where the battery attaches.

The blender dimensions when assembled, including the battery are: 16 x 2.8 x 3.1" / 40.5 x 7 x 7.9cm (h x w x d). The weight is 1.9lbs / 880g which will feel weighty for some people, but it’s pretty well balanced so that the weight is distributed down through the blender and not into your arm.

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender with all its accessories — (Image credit: Future)

As well as the main hand blender, in the box there’s also a 23.6oz / 700ml BPA free blending jar, with a handy lid, so you can easily store your creations in the fridge. There's also a plastic pan guard that clips onto the end of the blender to avoid damaging pans if you’re blending something directly in a non-stick pan.

There’s one main power button and the firmer it’s pressed, the higher the blending speed. However, the blender won’t work unless the unlock button beneath it is pressed simultaneously. At first this can feel like a bit of pain, but you soon get used to it and it’s a great safety feature - something that’s often lacking with hand blenders.

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender's battery — (Image credit: Future)

The removable battery comes with a USB charging cable, but no plug, so you’ll have to supply your own or buy the separate charging dock for $29.99 / £29. The battery itself features four small lights that each represent 25% power. So by pressing a button on the side of the battery, you can get a rough idea of how much power is left depending on how many lights illuminate.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender review: performance

Speedy blending
Comfortable to use
Good battery life

For my first try with the KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender I made a protein shake. I added 8oz milk, a sliced banana, a scoop of protein powder and a heaped teaspoon of peanut butter to the blending jar and blended until it appeared smooth.

I stopped blending after 40 seconds and the drink was well mixed and pretty smooth. There was still a slight graininess so it wasn’t as smooth as if I'd made it in a high powered blender, but it was a pleasant texture nonetheless.

Image 1 of 2

KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender about to make a protein shake (Image credit: Future)

Image 2 of 2

Making a protein shake with the KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender (Image credit: Future)

I tested the noise level when blending the protein shake and it hit 94dB on my noise meter, which is pretty loud and equivalent to a motorcycle at 50ft. But I must admit that I didn't think it was loud during use, I’ve certainly used louder hand blenders over my years of kitchen appliance testing.

I was concerned that with the battery on top, the hand blender might feel weighty or unbalanced, but thankfully that wasn’t the case. I actually found it very comfortable to use.

To test out its ability to puree I used it to make pureed potatoes. Now, to clarify, this is essentially a mash potato, but when you blitz the cooked potato with a hand blender it creates more of a silky puree texture than a fluffy mash.

This is where I had a bit of a mishap. I’d attached the pan guard so that I could puree the hot, freshly cooked potatoes in the pan. However, during blending I heard a funny noise and when I checked, the pan protector had come off and subsequently been chopped by the blade.

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender's pan protector comes off and gets chopped while making potato puree — (Image credit: Future)

While I am pretty certain I had attached it correctly, I can’t say for definite whether it was the thick gloopiness of the potato puree that dislodged it, or incorrect installation. Either way though, I would urge you to exercise caution when using it in thicker foods. And it was disappointing to break it on the first use.

After retrieving all the broken plastic, I carried on pureeing the potatoes, which took around 90 seconds in total for a small pan of potatoes. I wouldn’t advise using this method for a big batch of potatoes though.

Next time I used it in a pan, I had to do so without the broken pan guard. This time, I was blitzing a homemade pea and mint soup. This task was a breeze for the hand blender and the soup was smooth after just 2 minutes of blending.

Image 1 of 2

Making pea and mint soup with the KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender: before (Image credit: Future)

Image 2 of 2

Making pea and mint soup with the KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender: after (Image credit: Future)

The variable speed button does noticeably increase the blending speed the firmer it’s pressed. But to be honest, I found that I naturally tended to press it all the way in and had to really think about loosening my grip for a slower speed.

Image 1 of 3

Pancake batter made with the KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender (Image credit: Future)

Image 2 of 3

Raspberries before meeting the KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender (Image credit: Future)

Image 3 of 3

Raspberries after meeting the KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender (Image credit: Future)

Pancake batter was no match for this hand blender. In just 15 seconds my egg, milk, and flour were combined into a lump free batter. Similarly, 6.6oz of fresh raspberries were liquified in just 20 seconds. The seeds weren’t pulverized, but I’d have been very surprised if they were.

The battery takes around three hours to charge. But after all of the above tests it still showed 75% power on the battery level indicator lights. I had to use it for a further 6 minutes at full speed before the battery level was drained to 50%. It’s encouraging to know I could use it for several blending tasks and not need to recharge it too often.

The main blade is the only part that can’t go in the dishwasher. But on the whole, as long as I rinsed it immediately after use, it came clean very easily. The blending cup, lid, and pan guard can all go in the dishwasher. That said, none of it is too tricky to wash by hand either.

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender?

Buy it if…

You want to blend at the stove

Trailing power cables across your stovetop to reach into a pan of hot soup is dangerous from a number of perspectives. So if you want to blend soups and sauces on the stove, a battery operated hand blender is the answer.

You want an in-built safety feature

Having to press a safety lock button in order for the main power button to work might not seem like a big deal, but if you’ve got small children around, this added step is an important one when dealing with sharp blades.

You don’t have space for a full size blender

A hand blender is a great compromise for a smaller kitchen. You can still blend soups, sauces, and shakes, but you don’t have to find space for a massive blender.

Don't buy it if…

You’re looking for the best value for money

Just a glance at the price should tell you this isn’t the one for you if you’re on a budget. If that’s the case, opt for a corded hand blender and you’ll get much more bang for your buck.

You don’t have the best hand or finger dexterity

Holding in two buttons to operate the hand blender might be a great safety feature, but not everyone has the hand or finger mobility to allow this. If you suffer with hand or finger mobility issues it might not be the model for you.

You won’t remember to charge the battery

A cordless appliance relies on you periodically checking and charging the battery. If you’re likely to forget about it, you’ll kick yourself when you come to use it and there's no charge left. In this case a corded model might be a better option.

How I tested the KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender

I set up the KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Blender in my own kitchen at my house. I used it several times for a variety of foods, including soup, pancake batter, protein shakes, pureeing potatoes, and pureeing raspberries.

I used it in hot food in a pan as well as for smaller volumes in the supplied blending cup. During this time, I was paying attention to the ease and comfort of use, as well as any issues or problems that arose. I also kept an eye on the battery to see how quickly it was drained.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024

Eufy X10 Pro Omni review: powerful robotic vacuum with a great app

2:00 pm | July 21, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Robot Vacuums Smart Home | Comments: Off

Eufy X10 Pro Omni review: two-minute review

The Eufy X10 Pro Omni is a quality robotic vacuum and mop. It has excellent suction power, while also being pleasantly quiet in all but its most powerful setting, navigates around obstacles very well indeed, and even reports back with photos of objects it has avoided. The mopping system is especially good, with two rotating pads that press down onto the floor with 2.2lbs of pressure and spin at 180rpm. The result is a top-notch clean with no puddles or streaking.

The base station is larger than some others, including that of the Eufy X8 Pro, but is nicely designed and houses tanks for both clean and empty water for the mop. The robot's navigation system uses a camera and LiDAR to precisely map your home and quickly creates a floor plan that can be edited in the Eufy Clean app – it's then easy to name rooms and create no-go or no-mop zones.

As with other Eufy robots, the X10 can struggle to climb over larger doorway thresholds. This in itself isn't a major problem, but the issue is how the robot sometimes manages (more often than not, to be fair), yet sometimes fails. Some adjustments to your thresholds might be required if your floors are particularly uneven.

Overall, the X10 Pro Omni is a high-end robotic vacuum with excellent performance, especially when it comes to mopping hard floors. The base station is large, but offers a complete, hands-off cleaning experience.

Eufy X10 Pro Omni review: price & availability

List price: $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,699.95
Availability: Available now

The X10 Pro Omni sits above the Eufy X8 Pro but below its new flagship, the Eufy Omni S1 Pro. At $800 / £800 it's a little more expensive than the X9, but falls comfortably below the S1, to the tune of over $500 / £500. The X10 Pro Omni’s list price is also comfortably below that of the four-figure Roomba Combo J9+.

Splashing out a four-figure sum on a robotic vacuum might sound absurd – especially when entry-level models start below $300 – but such figures have quickly become table stakes, and at $800 the X10 Pro Omni feels like fairly good value. Especially when the new S1, which is also a robotic vacuum and mop with self-emptying of both its dustbin and water tank, costs a whopping $1,500.

Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Eufy X10 Pro Omni review: design

D-shaped vacuum with single side brush
Two rotating mops
Charge station empties bin and water tank

The Eufy X10 Pro Omni is a D-shaped robotic vacuum with a roller brush and two spinning mops underneath, plus a single rotating brush on its side for flicking dirt out from the corners of your room. When in use, the two mops push down with a force of 2.2lbs (1kg) and spin at 180rpm to scrub dirt away from hard floors.

The robot’s vision system includes LiDAR technology, so it can see just as well at night as it can during the day, and the mops automatically lift when it drives onto carpets to avoid getting them wet. A specially designed comb is intended to automatically remove hair from the roller brush, preventing it from getting tangled up.

A base station is included and charges the robot and also empties the dustbin, dries the mops with warm air and swaps out the robot’s dirty water for clean. Eufy says the base station's 2.5-liter dust bag only needs replacing every two months, based on a three-person household without pets, or 45 days with one pet and 30 days with two. It also states that the 3-liter water tank provides enough water to mop a 1,500-2,000sqft home two or three times.

Everything feels well made and it’s easy to get the robot set up and ready for its first clean. The base station isn’t particularly attractive – and it's also quite large. That said, I prefer the X10’s simple design over the transparent, glowing water tanks of the Eufy S1 Pro Omni.

The base station measures 18.1in (460mm) tall, but requires an extra 13.7in (350mm) above that to access the dustbin and water tanks. The station is 14.4in (366mm) wide and 18.9in (480mm) deep, including the ramp used by the robot to drive into its charging dock. The robot itself is 4.47in (113.5mm) tall, including the sensor housing, and has a footprint of 12.87 x 13.9inc (327 x 353mm).

As ever with Eufy robots, the base station needs about 20in (50cm) of free space either side, so it can drive up against the wall, and 59in (150cm) in front, where it needs space to drive out from the charger and orient itself before each clean. In reality, you can get away with placing the charge dock in the corner of a room, right next to a wall. The robot still works just fine, but won’t be able to clean between the station and the wall.

Lastly, the robot’s dust bin is easily accessible by opening the lid (which is held closed with magnets) and pulling it out. From there you can retrieve any debris that's got stuck and access the filter, which requires occasional cleaning. Water is automatically fed in and out of the robot when docked at the base station, so there’s no removable tank (as there is with the cheaper Eufy X8), and the mop pads can be removed to be cleaned and eventually replaced.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Eufy X10 Pro Omni review: performance

Intelligent navigation
Scales uneven thresholds (most of the time)
Excellent cleaning performance

Before I tested the X10 with a set of specific tasks, I used the robot for a couple of weeks as any regular customer would. This included setting it up in my kitchen and using it to periodically clean individual rooms, along with the occasional whole-home deep clean.

Right away, the X10 impressed. The robot quickly and accurately mapped my apartment during its first exploratory clean, using the LiDAR sensor to work out where all the walls and furniture were, and even splitting the floor plan into rooms. I then used the app to name each room and set a no-go zone under the sofa, since there’s so much stuff back there I’m always worried about robotic vacuums getting stuck. The X10 never did, but I’d rather it doesn’t try picking a fight with the random DIY tools, paints cans and pieces of wood from our recent kitchen installation still lurking under there.

I also initially set no-mop zones for the carpeted bedroom and a large rug in the lounge, but soon learned to trust the X10’s ability to spot the difference between hard floors, carpets and rugs. A couple of weeks later, and it hasn’t once tried to inadvertently mop the carpet.

I’ve also been impressed with the robot’s navigation, and how it stops instantly if something gets in its way. Step in front of it and it stops on a dime, before quickly working out an alternative route. It’s also good at climbing over uneven doorway thresholds. Eufy’s newer and far more expensive S1 Pro Omni really struggled with thresholds and climbing from exposed floorboards to carpet; so much so that it sometimes completely failed to enter certain rooms.

The X10 is far better in this regard, but was still inconsistent in its ability to clear raised thresholds. When tasked with a whole-home clean it would manage just fine, but when asked to clean only the kitchen it would drive down onto the floorboards of the hallway, then repeatedly fail to climb back over the circa-2cm threshold. Sometimes it would succeed, only to drive back down and get stuck again.

As with the S1, I wouldn’t mind if the robot accepted defeat and admitted failure every time, but instead its ability to clear the threshold is inconsistent.

The vacuuming performance felt about on par with the S1, especially when turned up to Turbo or Max settings. While a fair bit louder than the Quiet and Standard modes, the more powerful settings produced a deep clean, reliably sucking debris, dust, hair and fluff out of carpets. I also found it works best when configured to vacuum each room twice with either the Standard or Deep intensity setting. I would say the X10’s vacuum performance is about on par with my Dyson V10, and I was especially impressed with its ability to pull fluff and hair out of carpet. That said, the Dyson still picked up some extra dust and hair when used right after the X10 had completed a job at maximum suction.

You’ll also still need a manual vacuum for areas that robots like the X10 simply can’t reach, such as tight gaps between furniture and the stairs. As ever, these robots are great for light, frequent cleans – and free up a nice chunk of your time in the process – but can’t replace a manual vacuum entirely.

I found a single pass with the Fast setting is fine for a quick daily clean, and I can see this working great for little-used spare bedrooms. But for my one-bed flat, where every room is used frequently, a more intensive clean works best. I also found it did a great job of avoiding all manner of obstacles. Eufy says the robot can recognize over 100 types of objects, from toys and cables, to clothes and the all-important pet mess. However, during one clean it mistook a small plant pot for a bin and a stray sock for a shoe. It also labeled a fireplace hearth as a "base" and steered well clear of it, missing a patch of carpet in the process.

The X10’s mopping performance is particularly good, thanks to how the mops press down and spin quickly. This is far more effective than the static mopping pad of the Eufy Clean X8 Pro, which is simply dragged around. The X10 gives hard floors a proper clean, and I like how it drives in a pattern that ensures the mops, which are at the rear of the robot, are pushed into corners and up against the walls at every opportunity.

Now for the specific tests, where flour, biscuit crumbs and oats are used to see how robotic vacuums perform in controlled conditions. First, I combine flour with biscuit crumbs and sprinkle the mix on a patch of hard floor, then ask the X10 to clean that area with its least powerful suction setting, which I recorded at about 62 decibels.

The X10 did an okay job, and took just a couple of minutes to vacuum the whole kitchen, but missed a few obvious patches of crumb mix. I tried again, this time using Standard suction (64dB) and with it set to clean the same area twice instead of once. I’ve found from other vacuum reviews that this makes a huge difference, as debris flicked around on the first pass is often collected on the second. The result this time was better, but some debris remained.

Finally, switching up to Turbo suction (66dB) and enabling deep cleaning, where it drives a more thorough route across each room, completely cleared the crumb mix and left the floor perfectly clean. As for other sounds, the vacuum briefly hit a rather loud 82dB while emptying its bin into the base station, then settled down to 62dB for a minute to clean the mop, and a barely audible 42dB while the mop was dried with hot air.

I then performed the same test on carpet and saw similar results. The less powerful suction modes are best for frequent, light cleans of lesser-used parts of your home (like the spare bedrooms), while the more powerful settings work great in higher-traffic areas or for spills. I was again impressed with how well the X10 sucks debris out of carpet.

I was less impressed by how it handled larger debris. Like other robot vacuums, it had a habit of flicking oats around the room instead of collecting them up. The rotating brush does a decent job at collecting dust and hair, but fails to pull larger debris, like the oats, away from the edges of a floor and into the robot’s path. Instead it often does the opposite, pushing debris into the corners and up against furniture where it is more difficult to reach, especially on floors where the carpet slopes downwards at the edges.

Larger debris like this requires maximum suction, as even Turbo mode struggled to pick everything up – not including the oats flicked to the corners of the room. As ever, the conclusion is that robotic vacuums are great for simple cleaning but can’t match a manual vacuum for clearing up specific spillages.

Finally, I tested the mopping function by spilling a sugary drink and some hot sauce on a wooden floor and leaving the mess to dry. I set the robot to mop the kitchen and it did a fantastic job, completely removing the stains and using just the right amount of water to clean the floor without leaving any streaks or puddles. It then took just a minute or so to clean the mop, and spent a couple of hours drying them. As with the Eufy S1, the X10’s mopping function is flawless, and far better than the static mop of the X8.

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Eufy X10 Pro Omni review: app

Easy to use
Lots of configuration available
Handy pre-set cleaning scenarios

Just like the X8 and S1, the X10 is controlled by the Eufy Clean smartphone app for iOS and Android. It’s one of the better smart home companion apps I’ve used, thanks to it being intuitive and easy to use, but with lots of customization available to those who want it.

Such configurability includes setting the X10 Pro Omni to clean whichever rooms you want, however you like. For example, you can ask it to vacuum and mop the kitchen with deep intensity, Turbo suction and medium water usage, and for it to make two passes on each stage of the clean, then head into the lounge and do a standard vacuum.

I especially like how you can create shortcut icons for specific cleaning scenarios. For example, you can create a scenario called Post-Meal Clean, where the robot will perform a quick, low-intensity clean of your kitchen (or whichever bit of floor space you want) with just a tap. There are also scenarios for deep or daily cleans for the whole home, and you can make your own too.

It’s also easy to split your home map up into sections and name each room accordingly, and to create no-go or no-mop zones to stop the robot doing anything wrong. The Eufy Labs section includes a couple of experimental features, including one called Smart Track Cleaning, where pressing the robot’s front bumper with your foot for three seconds turns it on and has it follow you, cleaning as it goes.

Lastly, the app can be used to manually control base station functions. This is handy for if you’ve had to pick the robot up and return it to its charger for whatever reason, or if you have disrupted its cleaning routine. With a couple of taps it’s easy to have the station empty the robot’s dustbin and wash then dry the mops – which it does very effectively by blowing them with air heated to 45C for around two hours.

App score: 5 out of 5

Should you buy the Eufy X10 Pro Omni?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

How I tested the Eufy Clean X10 Pro Omni

I set up the X10 Pro Omni and used it as my only vacuum and mop for a couple of weeks. During this time I let it create a map of my own, then named rooms and created no-go and no-mop zones.

I then experimented with all of the various vacuuming and mopping modes, before conducting several specific tests to learn exactly how well each mode performs, and how buyers can get the most out of their robot.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024

KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper review: ditch the power cable and chop anywhere

12:00 pm | July 20, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Juicers & Blenders Small Appliances | Comments: Off

KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper two-minute review

KitchenAid is a trusted kitchen appliance brand that already offers a range of food choppers, but the KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper stands out for being battery-powered. Moreover, the same battery can be used across the KitchenAid Go range of appliances.

Whether you’re short on space, short on power outlets, or you simply want the best blender to use wherever you choose, having a battery-operated food chopper can offer the convenience you crave.

The size and functionality is similar to KitchenAid’s plug-in 5 cup food chopper, except the KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper offers two speeds and the freedom of not having to place it near a power outlet. But with this convenience comes a higher price tag.

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper in its box — (Image credit: Future)

On test, it reliably chopped, mixed and whipped its way through a variety of ingredients. I was relieved that the battery lasted long enough for several uses and didn’t need charging at all during testing. Plus all the accessories can be easily washed in the dishwasher.

It’s compact and easy to move around, which also means it doesn’t take up too much storage space. But the flip side of this is that its capacity won’t be enough for everyone. Read on further for my in-depth review of its design and performance.

KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper with battery for £179 at KitchenAid

KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper review: price & availability

List price with battery: US$129.99 / GBP £179 / AU$228
List price without battery: US$89.99 / GBP £149 / AU$159
Availability: UK / US / AUS

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper can be purchased with or without the battery. This makes a lot of sense because the KitchenAid Go Cordless Collection is a range of battery-powered small kitchen appliances that all work using the same removable, swappable battery.

The prices above are for the version that includes the battery, and buying it without the battery will save you $30/ £30 / AU$69. A word of warning though, a spare battery will cost $49.99 / £69 / AU$69. So if you're in the US or UK and think you may need it, then it makes sense to buy it bundled in with the appliance itself.

Being cord-free does come with a premium price tag, however: a standard variable speed corded food chopper from KitchenAid will cost significantly less at around $70/ £109 / AU$159.

Whether or not being cord-free is worth the extra investment will depend on your circumstances. For example, in a kitchen that lacks power sockets it’ll be worth considering spending the extra for the convenience of battery power.

Of course, you can always keep your eyes peeled for a discount. In the US it was on sale at the time of writing for $99.99 including a battery, so if it’s not discounted when you look, check back again later.

Value for money score: 4 out of 5

KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper review: design

Compact and easy to store
Streamlined appearance
Simple to use and assemble

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper is a 39.9oz / 1.18 liter capacity food chopper. In addition to a chopping blade, it comes with a plastic whisking accessory.

There are two speeds to choose from, each speed represented by a button that has to be held down for the duration of the chopping or whisking task. Alternatively, the buttons can be pressed briefly but repeatedly, for a pulse action. There are no other controls to worry about, so using it is very straightforward.

KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper with all its attachments — (Image credit: Future)

The removable, swappable battery is charged via the supplied USB cable, but you’ll have to supply your own plug. Or, you can invest in a charging dock if you prefer.

In terms of dimensions, it measures 10.4 x 5.7 x 7.2" / 26.5 x 14.5 x 18.4cm (h x w x d) and weighs just 2.9lbs/ 1.3kg. It’s compact compared with a standard food processor, but still a usable size for chopping small to medium quantities and portions. It’s small and light enough to store neatly away in a drawer or cupboard, without being a hassle to move around.

The BPA free clear plastic bowl slots directly into position without a twisting or locking action. The lid however, does have to be twisted to lock it into place. On top of the lid there’s a handy little hole for drizzling oil or water in during mixing.

Unlike many other KitchenAid appliances, it doesn’t come in a multitude of colors, just the matte black finish. The appearance overall is streamlined and inoffensive.

Design score: 5 out of 5

KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper review: performance

Fast, efficient chopping
Copes well with all ingredients
Useable capacity for smaller batches

For my first test I added roughly 7oz of a mixed whole nut selection including brazil nuts, hazelnuts, and pecan nuts. I was looking for a chopped, not ground nut texture, so I pressed the lower speed button for quick one second bursts to pulse the nuts.

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper chopping nuts — (Image credit: Future)

I stopped pulsing once there were no large nut pieces left, which took about 20 pulses. The finished texture of the nuts was a combination of chunkier chopped pieces and some powder. But in my experience it’s quite difficult to achieve a consistent chopped nut texture, especially when chopping a variety of nuts at once. With that in mind, this wasn’t a bad result.

When I needed to chop some whole dried apricots, I started off trying to pulse them like with the nuts, but it was quickly obvious this wasn’t doing a lot. So instead I kept the lower speed button pressed.

Apricots chopped in the KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper — (Image credit: Future)

The apricots were chopped up in just 30 seconds and the pieces were impressively even given how sticky and difficult-to-chop dried apricots can be.

To make hummus, I put all the ingredients into the chopper and blended on the lower speed setting. It took just 25 seconds to create an evenly textured, slightly coarse hummus. It did wobble a little during blending but not so much that I felt the need to put a hand on the top to steady it.

Pouring olive oil into hummus made in the KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper — (Image credit: Future)

Just before the end, I poured some extra olive oil in through the drizzle hole at the top. It’s very convenient to be able to do this without taking the lid off.

It’s not too noisy and since it’s generally only used for short bursts, I didn’t find the noise offensive. My noise meter registered 84dB on the lower speed setting and a slightly louder 88dB on the higher speed setting. These are pretty average noise levels for a blender or one of the best food processors.

A small red onion chopped in the KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper — (Image credit: Future)

When making a falafel mixture I used the chopper for several stages. First I chopped a small red onion. I peeled and quartered the onion before adding it to the chopper, then chopped on high speed for five seconds. I scraped down the sides and chopped for a further five seconds, which was all that was needed for a finely chopped texture.

Next I added roughly 1oz / 30g of parsley and cilantro including stalks, and again it speedily chopped the fresh herbs in just five seconds on the high speed setting. Finally I added all the falafel ingredients back into the chopper and blended it for 30 seconds on the lower speed, followed by 30 seconds on the higher speed.

Making a falafel mixture in the KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper — (Image credit: Future)

The falafel mixture is relatively dry and heavy, so I had to stop mixing every 15 seconds and scrape down the sides. But the end result was beautifully evenly mixed and chopped.

To try out the whisk accessory I whipped up a ½ pint / 300ml carton of heavy cream on the high speed setting. After just 20 seconds I switched to the lower speed and it took only another five seconds before it was thick and whipped.

Whipping heavy cream in the KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper — (Image credit: Future)

The battery life will vary somewhat depending on the type of use. But to give you a realistic observation from my time using the chopper, after all the chopping, mixing and whisking I’ve described above, the battery level still displayed 75%. After a further two minutes chopping on high speed, it was down to 50%, but I think that’s still pretty impressive, given how much I used it.

A full charge takes around three hours, but you can buy more batteries if you’d prefer to always have a backup charged and ready to go.

A hand holding the KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper's battery — (Image credit: Future)

Any appliance with a sharp blade is always going to be a bit of a pain to clean. But all in all I didn’t find cleaning the parts by hand to be too tricky. In part this is because everything is small and cleans quickly. Additionally, though, after making particularly messy or oily mixes I just popped all the parts into the dishwasher, which was an easy and convenient way to clean up.

Performance score: 5 out of 5

Should you buy the KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper?

Buy it if…

Your kitchen lacks convenient power outlets

With so many appliances in our kitchens, the battle for a power outlet is real. And even if you do have enough, they aren’t always located where you need them. If these problems are familiar to you, then cordless, battery-powered appliances might be the answer.

You don’t have space for a full-size food processor

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper is much more compact than a big food processor, but it still has the ability to chop, mix, and whisk. The 39.9oz / 1.18 liter capacity is enough for smaller portions.

You want to take the hard work out of chopping

Having a food chopper really speeds up mundane tasks like chopping herbs or onions. Even if you own a large food processor, most people wouldn’t bother to use it for such simple tasks, but that’s where a smaller food chopper comes in super handy.

Don't buy it if…

Budget is your priority

Thanks to the battery technology, the KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper is more expensive than a plug-in equivalent. So if budget is driving your decision, opt for a food chopper with a cord and save some cash.

You’ll forget to charge the battery

Being cord-free is all well and good, but if you don’t remember to charge the battery, this appliance will quickly become more frustrating than it is useful.

You need to chop large quantities

If you regularly batch cook, or feed a crowd, you may find that this food chopper doesn’t have the capacity to meet your needs. In which case, a full size food processor might be more appropriate.

How I tested the KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper

I used the KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper in my own home. I kept it on my kitchen counter for several days and used it to chop a variety of single ingredients, as well as to mix up hummus, and even whip cream.

I kept a keen eye on the battery to see how much I could use the chopper before it needed a re-charge. And I also noted how easy it was to clean, as well as any other design quirks or ease of use issues that I came across during normal day-to-day use.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024

Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler flat iron review

2:00 pm | July 19, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Tags: Australia, UK, US | Comments: Off

Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler review: two-minute review

There are a number of ways in which the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler stands out from the crowd, and the majority are positive. Firstly, there's its unique blue ombre design with a matte finish which is a welcome change; not only from the typically basic black and white models seen elsewhere, but even among the small but growing number of single-color stylers.

It measures 11 x 1.5 x 1.7in (28 x 3.8 x 4.3 cm), and it's lightweight at 10oz (285g). It has two buttons near the base: one for power and temperature control (280 - 430F / 138 - 221C), and another for the built-in cooling fan, which reduces heat damage and sets the style. This temperature range has been designed to suit various hair types, but I found the default 350F (180C) setting to be more than sufficient, so I rarely took full advantage of this range.

Controls and temperature gauge on the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler — (Image credit: Future)

Instead of a traditional hinge, the AirGlide uses buttons to control the 1.5in (3.8 cm) tourmaline plates, which are clamped shut by default. This design is another standout feature and helps manage the amount of hair styled at once, not to mention the fact that the plates deliver smooth, sleek results with reduced frizz. Plus by holding your hair in place, coupled with the AirGlide's rounded edges, this design gives you much more freedom and precision, especially when creating curls and waves.

Finally, the use of cooling vents is a nice touch because they help to set your style, so this sleek finish lasts much longer than with other stylers I've used. However, these pros are accompanied by a couple of cons. The styler doesn't have an automatic shut-off feature, which I've become accustomed to during my years testing the best hair straighteners. I missed the peace of mind this gives.

The narrow plates and cooling vent feature can significantly increase styling time. For instance, it takes about 15 minutes and 35 seconds on average to straighten long, thin hair, compared to just over three minutes with other stylers like the GHD Chronos. Curling takes even longer, around 20 minutes. If you then add the fact you need to hold the hair in place for 5-10 seconds to set the style with the cooling vents, you're looking at long styling times.

The Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler has a lot going for it. It's not the cheapest styler on the market, but it's also far from the most expensive and offers great, long-lasting performance which goes a long way. My only concern is that it will be a hard sell for many now there is a newer, redesigned model called the Calista AirGlide Pro Cool that only costs $10 more.

Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler for $99 / £78 / AU$150 at Calista

Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler review: price & availability

List price: $99 / £78 / AU$150
Available in US, UK, Australia
International shipping comes with fees

The Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler costs $99 / £79 / AU$150 and is available in one color – Brilliant Blue. It was previously sold in other colorways including Peach Mai Tai, Bluewater Green, Berry Spritzer and Cool Blue Pink but these are no longer available on the official Calista site, and you can only seemingly buy them from eBay and similar second-hand retailers.

The styler is not to be confused with the Calista AirGlide Pro Cool Breeze Styler , a newer, redesigned model released in June 2024 that costs $109 / £88 / AU$166, comes with more vents and plates that open wider, and is available in Rose Quartz, Blue Topaz, White Pearl and Lavender Topaz.

The price of both the original, and newer AirGlide Cool Breeze stylers puts them in the lower-to-mid-range flat iron category, alongside the CHI Original Digital flat iron and just below the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin straightener.

There isn't a huge selection of flat irons at this price point and the closest, like-for-like stylers I found range from the $69.99 VAVOOV Pro Airflow Styler to Conair's $79.99 Cool Air Styler Luxe, all the way up to the Cortex Beauty $249.99 AirGlider. All of these Calista rivals double up as curling tongs; a feature the AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler is missing, despite the fact it costs more than the majority of these alternatives.

You can buy the styler from Calista, or Amazon in the US. It is possible to buy it in the UK and Australia, but Calista ships it from the US and this comes with additional costs. At the time of writing, shipping to the UK adds £30 to the price. To ship it to Australia, you'll pay an extra $70 on top of the styler's price. Any relevant customs charges are then applied separately.

In my opinion, the Calista AirGlide and AirGlide Pro sit a little higher on the price range than they should, especially considering the lack of the explicit curling tong functions seen on rivals. That said, you can still use the AirGlide for curling, as you can all straightening irons. It also looks more stylish than some of its cheaper alternatives.

All things considered, it's decent value for money, but not great, especially given that you can now get a newer, redesigned model for almost the same price.

Value score: 3.5 out of 5

Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler review: design

Smooth, sleek ombre design
280 to 430F (138 to 221C) heat range
Cool air button and vents for setting hair

In a sea of black, white and even one-tone stylers, the Calista AirGlide's ombre design stands out, as does its smooth, matte finish. Colored stylers have a tendency to look cheap or child-like, but Calista has managed to make the AirGlide look and feel premium. It's an incredibly attractive straightening iron that sets off against the white cord brilliantly. It's a shame that only one color seemingly remains because the peach, pink and berry-colored versions all look equally great.

Controls on the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler — (Image credit: Future)

Near the base of the 11 x 1.5 x 1.7in / 28 x 3.8 x 4.3cm (L x W x D) body are two buttons – one to turn the AirGlide on and off, and the other to control the built-in fan. You press and hold the Power button to switch the styler on. You can then press this button to cycle through the different temperature settings, from 280 - 430F / 138 - 221C. If you don't want, or need, to change these settings, the styler's default temperature is 350F / 180C.

You can then choose to have the cool air vents running, by pressing the fan button, or leave them off. The purpose of these vents is to run cool air over your style to both reduce heat damage, and set your style in place. I had expected the addition of a fan to add to the weight of this styler, but it's instead incredibly lightweight at 10oz / 285g. The vents aren't designed to dry your hair, like the vents seen on the GHD Duet Style or Dyson Airstrait; they're purely for cooling the hair. Don't be tempted to use the Calista AirGlide on wet hair because you'll destroy the strands.

Instead of the hinge seen on the majority of flat irons, which causes the straightener's arms to stay in the open position, the AirGlide's 1.5in / 3.8cm plates are controlled by buttons positioned either side of the body. When you're not using the AirGlide, these plates are clamped shut by default. To open them wide enough to place your hair inside, press these buttons together.

The Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler's plates — (Image credit: Future)

On first impression, I couldn't see how the hair could fit inside such a narrow gap but not only does it fit, this feature helps you control the size of the hair sections you're styling. Calista recommends styling sections that measure 2in / 5cm and 1in / 2.5cm thick but you can't get much more hair than that inside the plates anyway so this is slightly moot. The AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler doesn't have an automatic shut-off feature, which is becoming increasingly standard of hot tools, but the contained design of the plates does at least add a layer of safety.

The plates themselves are made of tourmaline and are floating, meaning they can respond and move based on the hair's thickness. This prevents them gripping the hair too hard and causing unnecessary damage.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler review: performance

Fiddly and lengthy styling
Straightens and curls
Style lasts hours

If you're looking for a quick styler or have long thick hair then I'd give the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze a miss. The narrow gap between the plates is great for controlling how much of your hair you style each time, which – if you have time and patience – adds a welcome level of precision. However, if you're short on time or have a lot of hair to style, this design adds a significant amount of time to the styling process. To put this into perspective, it takes an average of 3 minutes and 15 seconds to straighten my long, thin hair with the GHD Chronos. It took me almost five times longer – 15 minutes and 35 seconds on average – with the Calista. This is even with only needing to pass the straighteners over your hair once to achieve the desired finish.

Curling my hair took longer, unsurprisingly, at 20 minutes, but the actual process of creating the curl was straightforward. This was, in large part, because the design of the AirGlide's plates means you don't have to grip the styler tightly to keep them clamped on the hair. Once you let go of the buttons, the plates come back together. This gives you more freedom to move the styler around your hair – a particular benefit for curling or adding waves – because you don't have to grip and twist. This frees up your other hand for greater control. It also prevents you accidentally clamping the hair too tight and causing unnecessary damage.

Despite these long styling times, though, whether I was using the AirGlide to straighten, curl or create waves, the results always looked great. My hair was smooth and sleek, and thanks to the cool air vents setting the style, frizz was vastly reduced and the style held its shape for hours. Even when I left the house. I'm not sure it's quite worth the extra styling time but it softens the blow considerably.

Air vents on the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler — (Image credit: Future)

I also appreciated the fact that the styler ranges from 280 to 430F (138 to 221C), but my hair is too thin for the highest temperature setting and I didn't want to unnecessarily fry my hair. At the same time, the lower temperatures weren't hot enough to create the desired styles. The default 350F / 180C setting was more than enough for my fine hair, so if you're like me, you may end up paying more for a specification you don't need. However, if you have damaged, thick or natural hair, or if it's naturally straight, you'll likely get more use out of this temperature range than I did.

I had worried that the air vents on the Calista would blow the hair in all directions and cause flyaways, but the airflow is gentle enough to simply cool and set, living up to the use of the word 'breeze' in the styler's name. If you want to get the most out of this feature, the brand recommends you hold the hair in place for between five to 10 seconds to set the hair properly. This can add to the already long styling times, not to mention expose the hair to potentially more damage, plus in my experience it's not entirely necessary, but it's worth noting.

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler

Used as my main styler for four weeks
Experimented with different heat settings
Created curly and straight styles

To test the Calista AirGlide Cool Breeze Styler, I used it as my main styler over the course of four weeks. Initially, I straightened my long, thin hair to test its basic functionality and performance. I timed each session to compare it with other stylers, like the GHD Chronos. I also used it to create waves and curls.

Throughout those four weeks, I experimented with a range of temperature settings, to see how the styler performed and how long the style lasted. I made a note of how well the cooling vents reduced frizz and set different styles. Throughout the testing period, I tracked the styler's ease of use and overall performance in achieving smooth, sleek results, and monitored how my hair felt and looked at the start and the end.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024

Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum review: almost great but with one big flaw

4:41 pm | July 17, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Robot Vacuums Smart Home | Tags: Australia, LED, US | Comments: Off

Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum two-minute review

If you have cash to splurge, the Narwal Freo X Ultra is an easy robot vacuum to recommend. That is, if your space isn’t an open floor plan. One of the main issues that I come across with a lot of the up-and-coming competition vying for best robot vacuum status is that they come with all sorts of interesting, cutting edge features and functionalities – and that’s certainly the case here – but somewhere along the line, they drop the ball on something fundamental.

And more often than not, that issue relies on how the app differentiates, or allows you to differentiate, between different rooms. In fact, if you look at most of my recent reviews, they all seem to have an issue with this whereas I didn’t have this issue with the mid-range Shark 2-in-1 robot vacuum I reviewed over a year ago.

Still, I’m not discounting the Narwal Freo X Ultra. I said it was an easy robot to recommend, after all. In fact, the only other real issue with it is that it’s pricey. In fact, if you don’t have an open floor plan, you might find it to be the best vacuum cleaner for your needs. It does a fantastic job of vacuuming and mopping, and, unlike most other models, comes with actual cleaning solution.

The Narwal Freo X Ultra going to work — (Image credit: Future)

On top of that, it has an unusual space-age look that makes it a bit more attractive, or at least striking, compared with many of the other robot vacuums that come with a large base station in tow. So, anyone with an open floor plan, either skip this robot vacuum or be prepared to just run it throughout your whole space every time. Everyone else with the cash for it, you’ll be happy with the Narwal Freo X Ultra.

Narwal Freo X Ultra at Amazon for $1,299.99

Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum review: specs

Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum: price & availability

List price: $1,399.99 / AU$ 2,299.00 (about £1,110)
Available in the US and Australia

The Narwal Freo X Ultra is expensive. There’s no way around that. Sure, it might have some interesting incremental improvements over other models that come with a base station – it has two side brushes instead of one, it comes with cleaning solution, it washes and dries its own mop pads, and so on. But a lot of the models in this price range can do the same. so spending $1,399.99 / AU$ 2,299 (about £1,110) on this robot vacuum doesn’t necessarily offer the best value out there.

The Ecovacs Deebot T30 S Combo I recently reviewed does most of that and comes with a handheld vacuum, though it skips the cleaning solution and the second side brush (more on why that’s important later), and does a slightly better job of mopping. And it’s just a little cheaper at $1,199.99 (about £950 / AU$1,800), although it’s only available in the US at the moment.

You can spend even less on something like the more price-conscious and almost as fully-featured Yeedi Cube, approximately $699 (about £559 / about AU$1,054). Of course, that robot vacuum can’t manage edges nearly as well as the Narwal Freo X Ultra. If you want to push your deep cleaning as far as possible, that feature alone is worth the extra cost.

Value score: 3.5 out of 5

Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum review: design

Robot vacuum has two side brushes instead of the usual one
Base station comes with LED panel for easy control
Comes with cleaning solution

The Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum comes with a few design features that set it apart from the rest. To start, if you’re looking at just the robot vacuum itself, it comes with two side brushes instead of the typical one along with the two mop pads. Both mop pads lift up off the ground when just vacuuming, and the brush roll for sucking everything into its dustbin is made so that hair won’t get tangled around it.

Underside of the Narwal Freo X Ultra — (Image credit: Future)

The base station has a sleeker look than most, offering a deeper cavity for the robot vacuum so that the unit is completely engulfed when at rest. In my opinion, it has a bit of a space-age aesthetic.

But it differs from other high-end base stations in more than just looks. For starters it'll wash and dry mop pads automatically. Then there’s a small, round LED panel on top that offers some control without having to whip out your phone or push a button on the robot vacuum itself. Just a press and off it goes to vacuum or mop. This panel also comes with a child-lock feature, which is nifty.

Everything included with the Narwal Freo X Ultra — (Image credit: Future)

Probably even more important, hidden inside where the clean water tank resides is an area to put cleaning solution, which Narwal has thoughtfully included. If you do buy the Narwal Freo X Ultra, however, note that the cleaning solution container is inside the dirty water reservoir – something that’s not mentioned anywhere in the literature and I don’t make a habit of checking the dirty water reservoir until I need to empty it.

Narwal Freo X Ultra's water reservoirs — (Image credit: Future)

Regardless, it’s a nice feature that most robot vacuums seem to skip, going with just water to mop your floors. While I’ve had good results with those other robot vacuums with mops, I appreciate the ability to use actual cleaning solution on my floors to clean them.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum review: performance

Excellent vacuuming, especially with edges
Almost as good mopping, though not as good with edges
Can take a long time since it washes its mop pads frequently

I may have come on a bit strong at the beginning of this review about the Narwal Freo X Ultra, but I can’t fault its performance one bit. It has multiple levels of vacuuming and mopping at its disposal, and can handle both hard flooring and carpeting.

When vacuuming, it’s able to get dust and debris just fine, but it’s also able to scoop up larger bits as well. I actually threw a handful of cheerios right in front of it to test. Some of them were scooped by a certain French Bulldog, but everything that was in its path was swept up in a single pass, probably thanks to its 8200 PA of suction power. Likewise, after running this robot vacuum, I don’t see any remnants left.

Narwal Freo X Ultra cleaning edges — (Image credit: Future)

That includes the edges. Since it has side brushes on both sides and they stick out a bit more than I’ve seen on other robot vacuums, it’s able to sweep up debris on the edges of a room.

Its ability to avoid objects is pretty good. I haven’t seen it have any issues with anything other than cables and cords, which is kryptonite for every single robot vacuum I’ve encountered. Essentially, it’s as good as it’s going to get with a robot vacuum – it even avoids the dogs.

Narwal Freo X Ultra mopping a floor, watched by a dog — (Image credit: Future)

The mopping performance is almost as good. While I can’t confirm that it actually uses more pressure with its mop pads than other robot vacuums, it does an efficient job cleaning up stains and anything sticky. Besides using this robot vacuum to clean up after a couple of French Bulldogs who like to track in all sorts of stuff, I also poured a bunch of soy sauce in front of it (not to worry, it was the low-sodium stuff). It took about two passes to completely pick it all up. Plus, the floor didn’t smell like soy sauce after. This might be due to that cleaning solution that Narwal included.

Image 1 of 2

Narwal Freo X Ultra cleaning a soy sauce spill (Image credit: Future)

Image 2 of 2

Results of Narwal Freo X Ultra cleaning a soy sauce spill — Narwal Freo X Ultra cleaning a soy sauce spill (Image credit: Future)

Where the mopping is not quite as good is on edges. Since this model doesn’t have one of those mop pads that extends out, it relies on the robot vacuum to angle itself in a way that the mop pad gets to the edges and corners of a room. However, I regularly saw that it didn’t quite get to those edges as it should.

While I was happy with the way the Narwal Freo X Ultra cleaned, it did take a long time as it regularly went back to the base station to wash those mop pads. Not that that’s a bad thing, though; just something to bear in mind.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum review: app

App is intuitive to use
Separating rooms in mapping is impossible in certain situations
Seems to have a mind of its own when trying to clean only certain areas

My biggest hangup with the Narwal Freo X is going to be here. First, however, I do want to mention that the app in general is intuitive and easy to use. Pulling up the menu to adjust vacuuming or mopping strength is a breeze, and it’s just as easy to create a schedule to have it clean on its own. In fact, adjusting all sorts of settings for the robot vacuum and the base station, such as drying intensity, is straightforward.

Where I have issues is in using the map. The robot vacuum does a fine job actually mapping the necessary space, but Narwal decided to make it so that you have to use a line tool when separating the space into different rooms. Just like every other app that does this, you can’t use one line to go across another, meaning I basically can’t separate the four rooms that make up the accessible space on the ground floor into those four rooms.

Narwal Freo X Ultra app screenshots — (Image credit: Future)

My workaround is to cut the space into two rooms so that I can just clean half if I need a more localized cleaning. My issue here as that, while the Narwal Freo X Ultra did a fine job cleaning that half of the space, or what I designated as “room one,” it decided that after it finished cleaning “room one” that it would continue to clean everything, meaning I and my family had to spend another two hours listening to it slowly mop its way back and forth.

When I run the Narwal Freo X Ultra, as well as the other robot vacuums that suffer similar issues, I end up just running it over my entire space.

App score: 3 out of 5

Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum review: battery life

210 minute battery life
Due to the way it runs, you won’t see it run out of battery

The battery life on the Narwal Freo X Ultra is advertised as 210 minutes, but I haven't managed to run it for 210 minutes straight as it regularly returns to the base station to empty its contents and wash its mop pads. However I have seen it go for three hours without any issues or needing to stop for a significant time to charge.

Narwal Freo X Ultra at rest in its base station — (Image credit: Future)

The only time I’ve really experienced it running out of battery is just like I have with any other robot vacuum, in that it gets stuck somewhere for a few hours while I’m not around, and needs to be returned to the base station to charge back up.

Battery score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum?

Buy it if…

You want to get to those edges

While it’s not great at mopping the edges, it does a great job of vacuuming them, something that many robot vacuums can’t do.

You want a fully featured robot vacuum

From the mop pad washing and drying to various other quality of life features, particularly that cleaning solution, you’ll get just about everything you could ask for here.

You want something unique-looking

The Narwal Freo X Ultra’s base station looks a little futuristic, giving it some character in comparison to a lot of the robot vacuums out there.

Don’t buy it if…

You don’t have the money

This is an expensive proposition. If it’s outside your budget, there are plenty of cheaper options that you’ll probably be almost as happy with.

You have an open floor plan

The way the Narwal Freo X Ultra deals with separating rooms when interacting with the map means that you basically won’t be able to do just that if you have an open floor plan.

Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum review: also consider

Ecovacs Deebot T30 S Combo

The Ecovacs Deebot T30 S Combo has that extendable mop pad to mop edges, and extra handheld vacuum that auto-empties and stores in the same base station and is just a little cheaper. However, it doesn’t look quite as interesting and doesn’t come with cleaning solution.

Read our full Ecovacs Deebot T30 S Combo review

Yeedi Cube

The Yeedi Cube is not quite as good as the Narwal, but it gets you 90% of the way there for half the price. It still has very good mopping functionality and is one of the first robot vacuum and mops to do the whole mop pad drying thing to avoid mold and bacteria. Also note that it suffers from the exact same issues when it comes to the map.

Read our full Yeedi Cube review

How I tested the Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum

To test the Narwal Freo X Ultra, I used it for a couple of weeks to vacuum and mop the hardwood floors and carpeting in my house. I also tested all the features listed in the app, from mapping to scheduling. I took note of how well the vacuum cleaned the edges of a room as well as around obstacles, not to mention running how the handheld vacuum performed.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: more smart alarm than speaker

4:51 pm | July 15, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Smart Home Smart Speakers | Comments: Off

Amazon Echo Spot (2024): Two-minute review

Seven years on from the release of the original Echo Spot, Amazon has surprised fans of its smart home ecosystem with a revival of its smart alarm product line, announcing the Echo Spot (2024) just a week ahead of Prime Day 2024.

Amazon is known for making some of the best smart speakers, but the original Echo Spot was discontinued just two years after release with little fanfare from Amazon. The new model differs from its predecessor in a few key ways, and elsewhere we’ve compared the original Echo Spot and the Echo Spot 2024 in detail.

For one thing, the original had a camera, video-streaming capabilities, and a 3.5mm audio jack, as well as a quirky round screen that really gave the device personality and played cleverly on its clockface inspiration.

The new model, on the other hand, feels a lot more streamlined, resulting in a lower list price, and offers improved audio quality and some fun customization options for its now-rectangular 2.83-inch display, as well as a more contemporary design and connectivity specs (although annoyingly it doesn’t offer a built-in Eero Wi-Fi extender like other devices in the Echo range).

I really want to love the Echo Spot (2024), and I think I would if its price didn’t feel so inflated for what you’re getting. I’m not upset to see the removal of its built-in camera, which felt out of place in a bedroom-based device, nor am I too bothered by the lack of video-streaming support.

However, its rethought design, while appealing, is missing the fun and character of the original, and the display is far too limited overall. The viewing angles aren’t great, especially from the side, and the fact that the screen doesn’t fill the top half of the ‘clock face’ makes the whole thing feel cheap and unfinished.

Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 review: Price and release date

Amazon Echo Spot on a tabletop — (Image credit: Future)

List price: $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$149

Launched just ahead of Amazon Prime Day 2024, the newest Echo speaker is priced at $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$149, which makes it considerably cheaper than the original was at launch with its list price of $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$199. It’s available in blue, white and black.

That price drop sounds appealing, given there are plenty of similarities between the 2017 original and the new model; however, that drop does come at the expense of the camera (although that’s arguably a good thing, given it’ll be used mostly in bedrooms), video-streaming capabilities and 3.5mm audio jack, as well as the distinctive and appealing round screen.

Given that Amazon is pitching this more as a smart alarm than a smart speaker, I was unpleasantly surprised by the price of the Echo Spot, much as I was by the price of the Echo Pop when I reviewed it last year. The new Echo Spot is an improvement upon the original in many ways, especially its audio quality and more contemporary design. Still, its features, design and performance really don’t warrant the high list price when there are plenty of small, high-performing speakers available at a lower price point; and especially considering that the powerhouse Apple HomePod mini is just $20 / £20 more expensive, and the same price in Australia.

With its release coinciding with Amazon Prime Day we’re seeing immediate discounts on the Echo Spot – it’s available for $44.99 / £49.99 in the US and UK in an introductory deal, which feels like a more reasonable price. Still, it’s frustrating to see the continued trend of Amazon’s devices being overpriced outside of its own major sales.

Value: 3/5

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Specs

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Design

Three control buttons for volume and microphone control
Stylish semispherical design with bright and vivid 2.83-inch screen
No 3.5mm port, no camera

Amazon has hearkened back to the original in the Echo Spot (2024)’s angled, semi-spherical design, but with a few modernizations that result in a chic and clean look that’s a lot more contemporary than the quirky original.

The new Spot measures 113 x 103 x 111mm, making it a little larger than the original (104 x 97 x 91mm). Where the original featured a round 2.5-inch display on the device’s clock face with a 480 x 480 resolution and a thick bezel, the 2024 model has a rectangular 2.83-inch 320 x 240 resolution display that occupies most of the top half of the face, while the bottom section’s speaker grille is home to the 1.73-inch forward-facing driver, and is encircled by the thin bezel of the device’s plastic casing. There’s a motion sensor at the very top of the face.

Broadly speaking, the glossy top half and display make for a classy and attractive clock face, but it’s disappointing that the display doesn’t occupy more of the top half – especially given that you’ll often catch a glimpse of its rectangular edges.

On top of the device are three buttons for controlling the volume and toggling the microphone on and off, as is standard on most Echo speakers, as well as a pair of microphones. As a daily snooze-smacker I was initially disappointed that there was no snooze button, but – to my delight – you simply need to tap anywhere on the top of the Echo Spot (2024) to temporarily silence the alarm. At the rear is the power port, and the flat base is steadied by a rubber foot to stop it from slipping no matter how hard you hit ‘snooze’.

Overall, I think the redesign is largely effective. It takes the Spot from being a quirky product with a neat gimmick to something that feels a little more sophisticated and at home in non-techy households – but in doing so, the Spot loses much of the original’s charm. Still, it’s a more mature look and feel that befits its larger size and more slick display, and it looks wonderful in the white colorway I received for testing.

Design: 4.5/5

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Display and features

Fun and vibrant customizable clock face
…but the viewing angles aren’t the best
Lacks features and functions from the wider Echo line and original Spot

As with all devices in Amazon’s Echo lineup, the Echo Spot (2024) houses the brand’s voice assistant, Alexa, and as such is designed to be mostly used hands-free. Under the hood is the same MT8519 processor as in the Echo Dot 5th Gen and Echo Pop, meaning Alexa’s responses are fairly zippy but still a little slower than on the standard Echo. The Echo Spot (2024) is also Matter-compatible but unfortunately doesn’t work as an Eero Wi-Fi as other Echo devices can.

There’s also no temperature sensor as on some other Echo devices to help create temperature-based automations, but a motion sensor on the clock face will allow for motion-based automation mapping, such as turning on your smart lights when you enter a room and turning them off when no motion has been detected for a given amount of time. Unlike on the original Echo Spo, there’s no camera in the newer model; however, the idea of having an inbuilt camera in a smart device designed for use in bedrooms never quite sat comfortably with me.

Broadly speaking, the screen is discreet in its semicircular housing, blending fairly seamlessly with the black glossy surface surrounding it; however at certain brightnesses and angles its rectangular borders become very clear, spoiling the effect somewhat. At the time of writing, there are no ads on the Echo Spot, but as with any service-based product you have to keep in mind the possibility that the service provider might at any point change the rules of engagement, whether that’s by gutting software or removing key perks unless you pay for a subscription.

The real standout is the Spot’s 2.83-inch touch display, which primarily services as a clockface. It’s sharp and smooth, even at its size and middling 320 x 240 resolution. There are six customizable animated clock faces in six different color themes available in the Alexa app, along with four new alarm sounds, giving you some freedom to express yourself with the Echo Spot.

The screen will also display different visuals depending on your queries; I particularly enjoy the music visualizer and weather animations, which feel a lot more understated and finessed than Amazon’s usual cluttered screens (I’m looking at you, Echo Show 5). There are also a handful of widgets for other functions like smart home control, including a brightness slider for smart lights.

Image 1 of 3

Image 2 of 3

Image 3 of 3

The screen is fairly bright, at least when viewed straight-on, but it’s a little hard to read if you’re at an angle to it, which will likely frustrate in larger rooms; mine lives in the corner of my bedroom, and I have a pretty good view of the screen at all times. With night mode activated (either manually or by setting a schedule), the display switches to a dark mode and the colors are muted, and you can also toggle settings like Do Not Disturb from within the Alexa app.

For me, it’s no great issue that the Echo Spot (2024) doesn’t offer video streaming or video calls, but I am disappointed that it doesn’t show video feeds from the best video doorbells. I appreciate that the Echo Spot isn’t intended to be one of the best smart displays, but there are some very simple and useful features, like recipes and location information, that l’d like to see added in the future – and I for one would like to know if whoever’s knocking at my door is worth getting out of bed for. The Echo Spot does, however, support voice calling.

Display and features score: 3.5/5

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Sound quality

Decent audio for its size
Struggles with complex textures and mids
Great for spoken-word

While Amazon is branding the Echo Spot as more of a smart alarm than a smart speaker, that’s not to say you can’t reap the benefits of its 1.73-inch speaker and listen to some of the best podcasts, best music streaming services, or other audio broadcasts using the best Alexa Skills and commands.

As long as you’re in front of the Echo Spot (2024), as its speaker is front-facing, you can enjoy the improved audio quality compared to the original Echo Spot. This is definitely not a party speaker, and nor is it for audiophiles, but that’s generally to be expected from smaller speakers. You can expect a decent audio performance overall, though; Alexa’s voice cuts through crisply and cleanly, and in general spoken-word audio sounds very pleasant, which is good news if you’re a podcast-lover.

For music, the Echo Spot offers an energetic sound that’s impressive for its size, but not without fault. Without tweaking its equalizer settings in the Alexa app, the bass is fairly dominant, but lacks depth; Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain sounded hollow without its thumping rage and resonance, and the opening bass line of Led Zeppelin’s Dazed and Confused lacked its evocative trudging, bluesy depth.

The mid-range often becomes muddied, with pieces like Hans Zimmer’s Time from Inception sounding uncharacteristically unbalanced, while tracks like Radiohead’s 15 Step feel fuzzy and sluggish, with the Echo Spot (2024) unable to reproduce the track’s crisp and rich textures.

As highlighted above, none of this is really a surprise given this speaker’s size, but it’s worth noting if you’re passionate about hi-fi. Much like many of Amazon’s smart speakers, the Echo Spot is best enjoyed at low-to-mid volume, as from 70-80% volume and above it begins to distort.

Sound quality: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Amazon Echo Spot (2024)?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy them if…

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Also consider

How I tested the Amazon Echo Spot (2024)

I tested the Echo Spot for a week
I used it as part of my Alexa-based smart home set-up, testing all of its features, functionalities and companion software.
I used it to play music, set alarms, control my smart home, and as a main voice assistant

To put the Amazon Echo Spot (2024) through its paces I used it as my main smart home speaker for a week; and given that I’m both constantly using smart home devices for work and chronically lazy enough to lean on voice control, that means a lot of testing.

I used all of its key features to test how well the device measured up against its marketing, ensuring that the audio, speed, voice controls and display all performed as expected. I compared it to the Amazon Echo Pop and Echo Show 5, as well as the Apple HomePod mini, to see how well it stacked up against the competition, as well as referencing it against TechRadar’s coverage of some of the best smart home devices.

I’ve been testing smart home devices for two years, but I’ve been an enthusiast for far longer. When testing tech, I try to consider not just the specs, but the lived experience I have with different devices, using this and my market knowledge, as well as a keen sense of value for money, to inform my opinions.

First reviewed in July 2024

Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD robot lawn mower review

9:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: UK, US | Comments: Off

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD two-minute review

If you’re in the market for wire-free robotic lawn mower that cuts grass as well as a human using a good-quality mower, the new Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD is an absolute shoo-in. I’ve been using this F1 racing car-inspired mowbot for the past three weeks and I’m struggling to come up with anything negative to say about it.

The LUBA 2 AWD’s inch-accurate GPS RTK navigation and grass-cutting technology is so dependable that every time I look at the finish of my lawn I wonder how on earth an autonomous robot could be so capable of such a flawless job without me having to endure any major technical shenanigans. If you want unswervingly straight and wide 15.7" / 40cm grass stripes 24/7, this is the lawnbot for you. Yes, it’s extremely expensive but then again the level of engineering on display here is near Formula One spec.

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD climbing an incline — (Image credit: Future)

The LUBA 2 features all-wheel drive and has the ability to scale inclines up to a ridiculously steep 80%. It can also traverse very rough terrain, turn on a sixpence and negotiate borders and obstacles with aplomb. It is, to all intents and purposes, one of the very best pieces of technological kit this reviewer has seen over the years.

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD review: price & availability

Price: from $2,099 / £2,149
Available now
On sale in the US and UK

Are you sitting down? Good, because even the cheapest model, the LUBA 2 AWD 1000, costs a whopping $2,099 / £2,149. However, given the huge amount of advanced technology on board, the enormous amount of time saved mowing the lawn yourself and possibly the cost of employing a human gardener to do it for you, this seemingly high price is actually pretty reasonable, especially given how well it does the job.

So where can you buy one of these sci-fi machines? If you’re in America, try Mammotion, Amazon or Walmart where the LUBA 2 AWD costs from $2,099. If you’re in the UK, head to the Mammotion store or Amazon where prices start at £2,149.

Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD specs

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD review: design

Formula One styling
3D camera
Omni-directional front wheels

Robotic lawn mowers have been around since the early 90's but they’ve always been regarded as a bit of a niche product, due to the fact that they have all required having a long, complicated boundary wire installed to prevent them from straying into flower borders, ponds, swimming pools and other no-go zones. But that’s all set to change with the advent of the latest slew of self-navigating robot mowers that no longer need a perimeter wire.

Not only do the latest autonomous wire-free lawnbots require very little setup, they’re also incredibly efficient at keeping a lawn and, in many cases, several interconnected lawns perfectly manicured on a daily basis. With their advanced sensors, GPS navigation and smart connectivity, these cutting-edge sward scythes will negotiate a wide variety of complex lawn designs with ease, leaving you to get on with some of the more important things in life. I have one such technological marvel mowing my lawn right now, so let me tell you more about it.

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD in front of a house — (Image credit: Future)

I’m a sucker for a well-designed piece of kit and the sterling LUBA 2 AWD is right up there when it comes to looks. Just seeing a photo of this robot mower’s striking Formula One-inspired body makes you want to rush out and buy one. And should you do that, you’ll doubtless be thrilled to discover during the unboxing process that it’s not just the body that screams high-end quality but practically every on-board component, too.

Let’s start at the beginning. After you’ve manhandled the giant box onto your lawn and sliced through the sealing tape, you’re presented with the gleaming robot in most of its glory. I say most because you will need to screw on the provided 3D camera and clip in the front bumper – but more on that in a moment. Reach down to the sides of the robot to get a hold of its two hidden grab handles and haul the 38.9lb / 17.12kg beast out of the box. Spend a little time at this juncture to admire what might turn out to be one the best purchases you’ve ever made.

Before I get to setting it up, here are a few tantalizing specs that make this mower such a stand-out product. Firstly, because this model uses ultra-accurate RTK GPS and a camera to navigate, there are no perimeter wires involved so you won’t need to spend hours on your knees digging silly little trenches around the edge of the lawn – a major bonus that cannot be ignored. Secondly, the LUBA 2 comes with a 15.7" / 40cm motorized cutting deck with remote-controlled height adjustment from 1 to 2.7" / 25 - 70mm in 5mm increments. The deck itself comprises two spinning discs, each equipped with four razor blades that cut and mulch grass almost as well as a cylinder mower, and as close to the edge of the lawn as any conventional mower.

Since the deck is the same size as a standard medium-sized push lawn mower, it means that the specific LUBA 2 model on review here will cut lawns up to 0.25 acre / 1,000 square meters in next to no time. Fear not if your lawn is on the large size because the same unit is available in three other variants – 0.75, 1.25 and 2.5 Acres / 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 square meters.

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD on a lawn — (Image credit: Future)

The LUBA 2 AWD is renowned for its ability to traverse even the gnarliest of terrain and inclines up to a phenomenal 80% (38˚) – trust me, that’s steep! It manages this feat by dint of its all-wheel drivetrain, a pair of wide ribbed wheels on the rear, two grippy omnidirectional front wheels designed for zero turns and front suspension to help keep all four wheels on the ground.

Since practically all functions of the LUBA 2 are controlled via an app, there are just five buttons on the unit itself – on/off, mow, home, start and emergency stop. Facing straight ahead is the all-important 3D camera which is used for three levels of obstacle avoidance – direct touch, slow touch and less touch – plus self navigation when there is poor satellite reception. Meanwhile, various onboard sensors on the body and in the bumper help with further navigation, obstacle avoidance and detection of rain.

The LUBA 2 AWD features a long-lasting battery that provides ample runtime for extensive mowing sessions – up to two hours. When it runs low, the robot makes a bee-line for the charging station in readiness for the next task or, if the plot is extra large, completion of the current mowing session.

Most wire-free lawnbots are equipped with a range of security features. While there’s no guarantee this model won’t be lifted off the lawn, it does at least securely lock itself to the individual’s wi-fi network making it redundant to anyone beyond the wi-fi range. Mammotion also provides a slot for a 4G sim to further enhance its security by making the LUBA 2 trackable, though I haven’t been able to test that. For extra peace of mind, Mammotion also suggests fitting an Apple AirTag under the camera housing.

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD with all its accessories — (Image credit: Future)

When it comes to setting it up, the LUBA 2 arrives with what seems like a daunting bunch of accessories. However, you’ll find the setting up process a veritable breeze. For the record, the package includes the robot, a top-mounted camera and obstacle bumper that need to be screwed into position, a charging base station (optional roof advised to keep sun off the bot), a 12v transformer for the charging base, a circular satellite receiver on a 1.7m pole with ground spikes for positioning next to the charging base, two lengths of 10m low-voltage cable, a bunch of ground screws to hold the base in position and a box of eight spare razor-style cutting blades.

Once you’ve mounted the aforementioned camera and bumper, installed the charging station and satellite receiver as instructed, and logged into the Mammotion app (iOS and Android), it’s time to map your lawn – or lawns, as the case may be, since this mowbot can handle up to 10 different lawns (or zones) by linking them all together using virtual passageways.

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD app — (Image credit: Mammotion)

To map a lawn, simply tap ‘map’ in the app and create an area. Now drive the LUBA 2 around the perimeter of the lawn using the app’s virtual joysticks – just like an RC car. And that’s all there is to it – the LUBA 2 is now ready to roll out and do its first cut. I should add at this point that you should first mow the lawn yourself using your old-fashioned lawn mower so the grass is down to about 40mm in height. That way, the LUBA 2 can continue cutting the lawn at a height of, say, 35mm on a regular basis, without the sight of grass clippings littering the lawn. Instead, these tiny clippings will work their way into the soil, adding lots of lovely nitrogen which in turn will keep the lawn looking swanky throughout the summer.

There are two main types of navigation that today’s wireless robotic mowers employ: an HD camera like the Worx Landroid Vision and, as in the case of the LUBA 2 and others like the Segway Navimow iSeries, military-style RTK GPS which provides unerringly accurate navigation to within a few centimeters. This amazing pin-point accuracy allows RTK GPS-enabled mowbots like the LUBA 2 to mow the lawn in perfectly straight lines, leaving beautiful Wimbledon-style stripes in their wake. GPS guided lawnbots also work in a very logical manner, rather like a human being.

However, a good line of sight to at least 20 satellites is imperative for the system to work as advertised; the good news is that, even on a garden like mine where nearly two sides of the lawn are completely surrounded by tall trees, the LUBA 2’s RTK GPS aerial and the receiver in the bot itself have been able to see between 20 to 26 satellites at any given time, so all is not lost.

Design score: 5 out of 5

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD review: performance

Game-changing navigation
Creates pristine stripes
Excellent obstacle avoidance

When it comes to cutting performance, the LUBA 2 AWD truly excels. Its powerful but surprisingly quiet 60dB motor and AWD capabilities enable it to tackle steep inclines and grass as tall as the unit itself, though the latter isn’t advised unless you don’t mind clumps of grass littering the lawn. Crucially, the LUBA 2’s intelligent RTK GPS navigation system ensures extraordinarily efficient and very logical mowing patterns which cover every inch of the lawn without the mower ever venturing off into the flower beds. This beast’s wide 40cm cutting deck can handle large areas quickly, making it an ideal choice for sizeable properties.

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD cutting stripes into a lawn — (Image credit: Future)

My main lawn is about half the size of a tennis court and pretty much square so it posed no challenge to the LUBA 2. It has been out every two days and, aside from one anomaly where it would stop in front of a border bush, it has performed impeccably well, cutting right to edge with its wide rear wheels leaving incredible pseudo stripes in their wake. And by stripes I mean truly stunning, perfectly straight lines that have been noticed by every guest who’s popped in for a visit.

It turns out the aforementioned hiccup was due to my poor mapping in that area so I pulled up the app and edited it by steering the bot around that area once more, this time leaving more space to the border. I have had no stopping issues since.

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD cutting along the edges of a flowerbed — (Image credit: Future)

My next test involved programming the LUBA 2 to cut our smaller front lawn and that of our adjoining neighbor, whose small lawn is much more complex and separated by a driveway. Unfortunately there’s a set of steep stairs between my main lawn – where the charging station and GPS receiver are situated – and the front lawn, so I wasn’t able to connect the two unless I created a permanent ramp between them. Had I done that, I could have theoretically connected all three lawns together by creating a set of different zones and connecting them all using the app’s clever virtual passageway function.

Instead I simply carried the LUBA 2 to the other side of the house and drove it RC-style around the perimeters of both lawns to create two different maps. I then created a virtual passageway between them. Given that the RTK GPS station was on the other side of the house I was amazed that it seemed to make no difference to how the LUBA 2 performed. Just like my main lawn, it cut the front section in straight lines, then did a perimeter lap before raising its cutting deck and crossing the driveway to my neighbour’s lawn where it dropped the deck again and performed the same exquisite cut while negotiating the curvy borders without its wheels falling into the flower bed. This truly amazed me because I spent very little time on the mapping of both lawns and didn’t expect the LUBA 2 to perform nearly as well as it did when used on my main lawn. In the pantheon of autonomous lawnbots, this thing is astonishingly competent and a bit like being thrust into the future.

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD on a gravel driveway — (Image credit: Future)

Another thing that has impressed me is the noise level, or rather the lack of it. Like most robot mowers, the LUBA 2 is unbelievably quiet. It can be passing you within a few feet and all you might here is the sound of grass being snipped – the motor itself is practically silent. This means you can mow the lawn at any time of day and your neighbors need never know.

In terms of any improvements to the overall cutting system, I personally would like to see Mammotion offer a similar automatic method like the Segway Navimow iSeries I recently reviewed for TechRadar’s sister publication T3. Without asking, the Navimow cut my lawn differently each time it went out. For instance, day one was vertical as expected but on sessions two and three, it cut the lawn horizontally and then diagonally. This method of cutting is thought to be good for the lawn so it would be great to have a feature like that with the option to turn it off if not required. You can still perform a multi-directional sequence like this with the LUBA 2 but you will have to program it yourself to cut in different directions each time and therefore create several different schedules in the process.

Performance score: 5 out of 5

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD review: Mammotion app

Provides full remote access
Highly customisable
Perhaps too complex for some

Like most modern wire-free lawnbots, the LUBA 2 AWD is best used with the Mammotion app which allows you to control and monitor the bot, schedule mowing sessions, adjust an insane amount of settings including cutting height, angle of cut, speed of cut and the number of perimeter laps. You can even drive the LUBA 2 around FPV-style while viewing the image from the front camera. Furthermore, a brand new feature was recently launched that enables the user to create patterns and even words on the lawn.

Lawn printing with the Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD app — (Image credit: Mammotion)

It’s called ‘lawn printing’ and, although I haven’t tried this function, it shows just how accurate the LUBA 2 is at inch-perfect navigation. The app also provides the wherewithal to install firmware updates and these should not be ignored because they not only address known minor issues but chances are they will also include some features that will enhance the experience of using the mower.

However, while I find the app relatively easy enough to navigate, some users consider it too complex and confusing, especially with some of the terminology used. I agree that there is room for improvement in this regard. Nevertheless, like the comprehensive Roborock app for its robot vacuum cleaners and DJI’s Fly app for its drones, it's definitely worth spending time in the Mammotion app so you can familiarize yourself with its myriad features and functions. At first it may seem overly convoluted with all its customizable settings, but judicious scrutiny of the app will bear fruit and you’ll soon be setting the LUBA 2 up in exactly the way you want it.

App score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD?

Buy it if…

You want reliable performance

The LUBA 2 AWD comes with rock solid hardware and receives regular software updates for increased reliability.

You want beautiful lawn stripes

This mowbot leaves stunning grass stripes – and at any angle you prefer.

You want full remote control

Control LUBA 2 from anywhere in the world and even drive it around the lawn using the FPV camera.

Don't buy it if…

Your lawn is too small

If your lawn is of typical small urban size, the LUBA 2 may be overkill.

You want to keep to a tight budget

The LUBA 2 is expensive with a capital E.

You are a bit of a technophobe

The LUBA 2’s app may be too comprehensive for some users.

How I tested the Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD

I’ve been putting the LUBA 2 AWD 1000 through its paces for the past three weeks on a simple large square lawn layout plus a test of its multi-zone functionality and ability to pass from one zone to another without any input by the user. In many respects, the LUBA 2 has been one of the easiest of products to test because it hasn’t thrown up any conundrums or done anything out of the ordinary. It has just worked – and that’s quite a rarity.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024

Miele Classic C1 vacuum cleaner review

9:00 am | July 13, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances Vacuums | Tags: UK | Comments: Off

Miele Classic C1 Flex two-minute review

The Miele Classic C1 vacuum cleaner comes in three very similar and identically-priced options: a Junior version with a sectioned suction tube, a standard version with a telescopic tube and XXL handle, and a Flex version with a telescopic tube and an extra long, flexible crevice nozzle for cleaning difficult-to-reach places. In this review I tested the Miele Classic C1 Flex vacuum cleaner.

Although the Miele Classic C1 Flex is very well engineered and comes with an enormous amount of suction power – 800 watts of it – one questions whether a corded cylinder vac of this nature still has a place in the 21st century, let alone among the best vacuum cleaners. Aside from having to keep plugging it into different power outlets around the home and the extra baggage of having a long suction hose that makes it tricky to carry, the most awkward facet of this vacuum cleaner is the static brush head that makes it very strenuous to push on anything other than smooth hard flooring.

Miele Classic C1 Flex and a cuddly toy — (Image credit: Future)

Budgetary concern may sound like a very valid reason for opting for a corded model like the Classic C1 Flex but when you bear in mind that today's marketplace is filled with many modern cordless alternatives from the likes of Shark, Samsung, Vax and Tineco that cost roughly the same while performing just as well on hard floor and even better on carpet, it starts to look like the Classic C1 Flex may have passed its sell-by date.

Miele Classic C1 Flex review: price & availability

Price: $349 / £199 / AU pricing varies
Available in a few variants (C1, C1 Flex, C1 Junior) for the same price
Flex version only available in the UK

The pricing and options for the Classic C1 depend on where you live. In the UK, there are a few variants – the C1, C1 Flex, C1 Junior – all for the same price of £199. In the US, there's a Classic C1 for a list price of $349 or a C1 Turbo Team PowerLine for $469 (this one comes with an added 'Turbobrush' aimed at tackling pet hair specifically). In Australia the range isn't as clear-cut because it's not listed on the official Miele website, but there are various options available at third party retailers, at a range of prices.

In terms of value for money, it's acceptable but not amazing. There are plenty of competitors' options in a similar ballpark, which I think offer better performance.

Value for money score: 3 out of 5

Miele Classic C1 Flex specs

Miele Classic C1 vacuum cleaner review: design

Excellent build quality
Easy to pull around
Disappointing multi-floor head

Ask any modern tech-savvy householder whether they would ever consider buying a corded vacuum cleaner and they will probably tell you that that ship has sailed. I would tend to agree given that I am now so fully invested in everything cordless, from my stick vacs and robot vac to every outdoor garden power tool I have in the shed, including the lawnmower. Let’s face it, a corded cylinder vac like the Miele Classic C1 Flex I have on review here could never match a cordless stick for outright convenience and the ability to quickly vacuum a room before guests arrive.

On the flip side, corded cylinder vacs are quite often cheaper to buy than their equivalently powered cordless brethren and they'll never run out of power, which means you could vacuum every floor of a country mansion and then do the gatehouse and the rest of the neighborhood while you’re at it. Try that with a cordless stick vac and see how far you get.

Miele Classic C1 Flex and accessories on a rug — (Image credit: Future)

When it comes to household items, Miele is unquestionably one of the most prestigious brands around, and this is due in no small part to the overall quality of everything the company’s design team turns its hands to. After all, German-made Miele products are known to last for years – decades even – and this is testament to both the quality of materials used and the way they’re put together.

Take the Classic C1 Flex. Miele doesn’t advertise the types of plastic used in its vacuum cleaner bodies, but take it from me, this model is tough enough to withstand a fall down the stairs. I know this because I accidentally pulled my test model down a short flight and the body survived unscathed, even after clouting the wall at the bottom.

However, I am also mindful that there are are couple of oddities with the Classic C1 Flex that I find disheartening given Miele’s generally impeccable design ethos. For instance, other Miele cylinder vacs I’ve reviewed or owned have always had a handy little hideaway area under the lid to store away the provided detail tools. By contrast, this one comes with a plastic tool holder that clips on to the base of the concertina hose.

The Miele Classic C1 Flex's cylinder — (Image credit: Future)

This not only looks incongruous but the tools have a tendency to fall off if snagged against furnishings when pulling the unit along. I have since resorted to removing the holder and storing the tools in a bag along with the other 1,001 detail tools I’ve gathered over the years. For the record, the Classic C1 Flex ships with a rectangular upholstery nozzle, a crevice nozzle, a dusting brush and, as the ‘Flex’ moniker suggests, a long flexible nozzle tool for cleaning in hard-to-reach places.

Another element I’m not at all keen on is the main brush head. This is a much more serious anomaly in my opinion because this sole item is key to how well the cleaner works and how easy it is to push and pull, especially when used on carpet. Where most modern vacs are equipped with an optimally-positioned motorized brush head that swallows most larger items while beating its bristles deep into carpet pile, the Miele Classic C1 Flex ships with an old-fashioned static head comprising a single layer of stiff bristles at the front and two flexible plastic strips just behind it.

Underside of the Miele Classic C1 Flex's floor head — (Image credit: Future)

I’ll tell you more about this floor head in the performance chapter but, in short, it is extremely grippy when used on carpet and very difficult to push without breaking into a sweat. Given that its stablemate, the Miele Complete C2 Cat & Dog, ships with an easier-to-push motorised head for just £40 more, it seems like a missed opportunity on Miele’s part to not to equip all of its corded vacs with a motorised floor head.

The Classic C1 Flex features six levels of suction power which are accessed via a dial on the rear. Each setting is illustrated with an icon – curtains, upholstery, rugs, energy-saving, carpet and hard floor – but you can ignore that and just go for the most suitable level of suction for the task in hand. You can also reduce suction power further by opening the vent on the handle, though this increases the vac’s volume from a standard 71dB in full-power mode to an unpleasant 84dB.

Since this is a mains-powered model, you get 5.5 meters of spring-loaded cable tucked away inside its rear housing and this amounts to an operating radius of around 9m. To release the cable you simply pull it out to your required length and it will lock itself automatically. When finished, give the cable a short tug to release the locking mechanism and it’ll scoot back into its housing with the speed of an angry snake. However, you’re advised to hold the main unit in position with your foot when pulling the cable on hard floors or the whole vac will roll towards you. This is because the spring mechanism itself is strong enough to counteract the vac’s three extremely smooth-rolling, multi-directional micro castors. It’s not ideal, I know, but virtually every self-retracting cylinder vac I’ve ever used has had this very same issue.

Mains cable housing on the Miele Classic C1 Flex — (Image credit: Future)

At 12lbs / 5.8kg, the Classic C1 Flex is light enough to carry from the under-stairs cupboard to its place of work and it can be stored either horizontally or vertically. Crucially, the floor head with ungainly hose attached can be clipped to the main unit in either orientation though it’s still a cumbersome package to transport from room to room.

One of the main highlights of all Miele cylinder vacs, including this one, is the way their stainless steel suction tubes can be lengthened or shortened by pulling on a sheath. It’s inarguably the most tactile element on this machine and a system I’d love to see on all vacs, including sticks.

Heading into the enclosed bin section, the Classic C1 Flex is fitted with a substantial 4.76qt / 4.5L microfibre HyClean GN dust bag and just behind it, Miele’s excellent AirClean filter which helps keep carpet dust smells to a minimum. As I explain in my Bagged vs Bagless article, I’m a big fan of bagged vacuum cleaners because they produce almost zero dust when emptying, are better at collecting fine dust particles like ash and they require very little filter maintenance. That’s true of the Classic C1 Flex. However, you only get one dust bag with this model and a set of four extra bags will set you back $22.99 / £13.99.

Design score: 2.5 out of 5

Miele Classic C1 vacuum cleaner review: performance

Excellent suction power
Too difficult to push on carpet
Dust-free emptying

I remember the days before cordless stick vacs took hold and you had to wrestle with a snake-like hose while pulling the main unit around behind you, which in turn was connected to a mains plug. It was a system of many foibles, including the cable getting snagged on furniture and the main unit turning turtle because you yanked it so hard out of frustration. You also had to keep unplugging it and plugging it back in every time you changed rooms.

Sorry to report, but this is one such model. However, the Miele Classic C1 Flex isn’t totally devoid of merit because it’s a sterling dust sucker on hard floors, even though it’s not great at collecting larger pieces of detritus like biscuit crumbs.

Power is something the Miele has in spades – all 800 watts of it. In fact, even in lower ‘carpet mode’, this vac’s limpet-like suction is strong enough to lift a rug off the floor. Which is why I say to ignore Miele’s power level guidance and just use the most suitable power level for the job in hand.

Miele Classic C1 Flex sucking flour and crushed biscuits off a wood floor — (Image credit: Future)

As per usual, my first hard floor test involved a good sprinkling of flour and crumbed biscuit with the main brush head set to ‘hard floor’ mode – i.e. with the front-mounted stiff bristle brush engaged. This brush is constructed like a castle battlement with nine small 5mm gaps positioned at regular intervals so larger items can slip through and up the suction tube.

Miele Classic C1 Flex sucking corn flakes off a wood floor — (Image credit: Future)

As anticipated, the floor head snowploughed most the flour and larger biscuit crumbs on the forward stroke so I simply lifted the rear of the head by a few centimeters and pulled it backwards. Everything vanished up the tube. I then tried it using a handful of Crunchy Nut corn flakes and, again as predicted, the head simply pushed everything ahead of it with no evidence of even a single flake making its way to the suction area. Again, I was able to collect every last flake when using the head in reverse and lifted at a short angle. No it’s not ideal, but that’s generally what happens when you don’t use a motorized head with a decent gap between the front of the head and the floor.

Miele Classic C1 Flex gripping a rug while trying to clean up flour — (Image credit: Future)

I then proceeded to perform the same test on a medium pile rug and had to reduce the suction to level three – two levels lower than the recommended setting – because the head was impossible to budge. Despite still being very stiff to push, the brush head made a surprisingly good fist of collecting most of the crumbs and all the flour, though I did have to perform a few back and forth sweeps to collect the cornflakes. I also tried the same test with the handle’s suction reduction vent open and this made it easier to push at the expense of a massive increase in volume – from 71dB to 84dB – that made it sound like a jet engine during take off.

As it stands, Miele’s universal floor head is perfectly useable on most hard floors bar, say, delicate polished concrete or premium wood. After all, it picked up all dust – right to the very edge – and most items smaller than an oat flake. However, I’m not convinced that this is the right type vac for carpets or rugs of any depth because it takes far too much effort to push. In fact, I can’t see anyone other than the very fittest managing to finish a single carpeted room without needing to have a little lie down. By comparison to most cordless stick vacs, this specific model’s brush head felt outdated and of another age.

On the plus side, the Miele has oodles of suction power for tasks like vacuuming down the side of sofa cushions, while its extra long and flexible suction tool is one of the very best for sucking up crumbs and crisps between car seats and the center console.

Performance score: 2.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Miele Classic C1 vacuum cleaner?

Buy it if...

You have a lot of hard flooring

The Classic C1 Flex is a decent performer on hard floors.

You have a lot of rooms to clean

This vac will vac till the cows come home.

You want reliability

Miele is renowned for the high quality of its products.

Don't buy it if…

Your home is mostly carpeted

The Classic C1 Flex’s static brush head is not suitable for carpet.

You don’t want to be tethered to a mains plug

You will need to keep plugging this vac in from room to room.

You don’t have much storage space

The hose and long suction tube make it ungainly to store.

How I tested the Miele Classic C1 vacuum cleaner

Having hauled all parts out of the box, I first tested this model on hard engineered wood flooring using a combination of fine flour and crumbed biscuits, a handful of raw porridge oats and some Crunchy Nut corn flakes.

I then carried out the same test on a medium pile rug. I also gauged the amount of hassle it posed when using it, plugging it into various power outlets and carrying it upstairs and storing it away.

First reviewed: July 2024

Nutribullet 600 Series blender review

8:00 am | July 12, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Juicers & Blenders Small Appliances | Comments: Off

Nutribullet 600 Series: two-minute review

The Nutribullet 600 Series is a simple, affordable and effective model from the brand behind many of the best blenders on the market. It offers one blending speed and a twist-to-blend mechanism that works well, although some might prefer a good old-fashioned button instead.

On test, I found it tackled frozen berries, fibrous fruit and nuts with ease, although wasn't powerful enough to crush ice. If that's a priority, you should opt for the 900 Series (which you can read about our Nutribullet 900 review), which is identical except for having a more powerful motor (900W vs 600W for the 600 Series), and being more expensive as a result.

It's not ideal for creating chunkier blends, because the single, fast speed means the lower ingredients immediately get pulverized into a paste, while the higher ones never reach the blades at all. I managed to use it to make a (rather wet) hummus, with a bit of shaking up in the middle on the process, but it was pretty useless when it came to pesto. (Really, blenders are designed to be used for creating liquids – if you want to be making salsas, pestos and the like, you're much better off reaching for one of the best food processors instead.)

The build quality is solid, as I'd expect from Nutribullet. And because it's a well-known brand that specializes in blenders, you have the benefit of a wide range of compatible accessories – cups of different sizes, and assorted lid options. Some are included with certain configurations of the 600, but if not they're available to buy if you need them.

This budget model is pared-back in terms of functions and features, but it does the essentials (blending, even tough ingredients) really well. If you just want something reliable and effective for your morning smoothie, then it's a good shout. Read on for my full Nutribullet 600 Series review.

Nutribullet 600 Series review: price & availability

List price: $69.99 / £59.99 /AU$99.95
Available: US / UK / AU
Lower-middle of the Nutribullet range, and budget price bracket overall

Price-wise, the 600 sits towards the lower-middle of the Nutribullet range, and in the budget price bracket overall. For the price, I think it's excellent value. It's simple in design and function, but does the essentials well.

In the US, there's only one option. It comes with a blending cup and separate takeaway cup with lid and handle, and has a list price of $69.99.

In the UK, you can choose the 'starter kit' version with just the blending cup, which costs £59.99. Alternatively, the 600 Series comes with an extra takeaway cup and costs £69.99. I'd actually recommend this second version, because it's super useful to have a lid, and not to have to decant your smoothie into a separate cup.

In Australia, the version with a cup is called the 'Essentials set' and costs AU$109.95, while the no-cup version is AU$99.95. The takeaway cup is a little different with that version compared to the UK and US versions.

The main difference between the different Nutribullets is the wattage – which translates roughly to 'how powerful is it?'. The 600 Series has 600W of power. The Magic Bullet To Go is cheaper ($58.95 / £34.99 / AU$59.95) but has only 200W of power, which means it's for very basic blending jobs only.

The version up is the 900, with 900W of power, and a list price of $109.99 / £89.99 / AU$99.95 (read our Nutribullet 900 review for more on that one). Head to the comparison table in this review for a basic rundown of how the different models compare.

Small appliances often attract discounts around major shopping events like the Black Friday sales or Amazon Prime Day deals, so that can be a good time to shop if it suits when you need to buy.

Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Nutribullet 600 Series specs

Nutribullet 600 Series review: design

Twist-to-blend, no presets or pulse option
To-go cup / lid included with some packages, or can be purchased separately
BPA-Free cup is dishwasher-safe, but blade isn't

The Nutribullet 600 Series has the classic Nutribullet design. The motor that powers everything is built into the base, while the extractor blade that does all the hard work comes in its own separate unit that screws onto the blending jug. The jug and blade then twist on to the base, which is weighty (so it won't go juddering across your countertop as you blend) but smartly designed.

Rather than having buttons, this twisting mechanism is what starts and stops the blending. It's straightforward and works well, but some people might find a button easier to operate. If you're seeking presets or different blending speeds, you'll need to look elsewhere – this is an on/off situation only.

Nutribullet 600 Series in reviewer's kitchen — (Image credit: Future)

Nutribullet as a brand has a few different sized blending cup options, as well as handles, lids, sip rings (to cover the screw threads for more comfortable drinking) and drinking lids, that can be used with the Nutribullet blender range. Some 600 Series packages come with to-go accessories included, but if yours doesn't then they can be purchased separately to increase the versatility of your blender.

Cleaning

In terms of cleaning, the cups can be popped into the dishwasher on the top rack, but the blade isn't dishwasher-safe. Nutribullet recommends rinsing it under warm water to clean it, but I think this is one of the trickier blenders to clean. Mixture builds up around the edge of the blade section, and when the cup is removed, spills into the screw threads, which are very difficult to get properly clean. Food also gets stuck in crevices between the wide, flat blades.

Hummus stuck in blades of Nutribullet 600 Series in reviewer's kitchen — (Image credit: Future)

Even if you rinse (or, as I find most effective, add water to the cup, screw on the blade, and vigorously shake) straight after blending, there'll often be a bit of residue left in the nooks and crannies. And if you leave food to dry on the blade... forget about it.

Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Nutribullet 600 Series review: performance

Effectively blends frozen berries to a smooth consistency
Drier mixes often leave paste at the bottom and unblended mix at the top
Not powerful enough for making crushed ice

I tested the Nutribullet 600 by making a smoothie and some hummus. Let's start with the smoothie. I added a puck of frozen spinach, frozen blueberries and frozen banana, alongside almond milk. It blitzed the fruit fine, but struggled with the frozen spinach. I'm not surprised, as it was a fairly large and solid chunk. After leaving it to melt slightly, it managed to break the spinach up fine. I'd surmise from this that it would be powerful enough to create crushed ice.

For the hummus, it worked effectively, but required just the right amount of liquid. Too little liquid and it blended the ingredients next to the blade too effectively, leaving a paste at the bottom and never reaching the ingredients at the top. I had the same issue with pesto. I tend to reach for a food processor (or even just a mini-chopper) when I need to create a chunky blend, and to be fair that is the tool that's designed for the job.

I'd say the fact that this model is powerful enough to blend frozen berries to a smooth consistency means it'll be plenty powerful enough for most people's needs. If you're regularly needing to tackle larger chunks of hard ingredients, you might consider one of the models with higher wattage. Smaller, handheld models often don't have the power to tackle anything hard (so while I haven't tested the To-Go blender from Nutribullet yet, I suspect it wouldn't have enough blending power for frozen berries).

There's only one blend speed here, but it'll work for most blending jobs. It's also easy to 'pulse' by just twisting the cup quickly, although some people may prefer buttons and presets.

Like all blenders I've tested, it's noisy, although it doesn't feel overly so, and it's not at a particularly ear-splitting pitch. If you're very sensitive to noise, the pricier Ultra is designed to be quieter and operate at a more ear-pleasing pitch, relatively speaking (read TechRadar's Nutribullet Ultra review for more on that model).

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Nutribullet 600 review: comparison table

Keen on the Nutribullet brand, but not sure which model is right for your needs? Here's a quick run-down of the differences between them...

Should you buy the Nutribullet 600 Series?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Nutribullet 600 Series

Made a smoothie, hummus and pesto, and tried crushing ice
Assessed how easy it was to clean
Compared performance to other blenders and choppers

To test the Nutribullet 600 Series, I used it to make hummus, a smoothie and pesto, as well as seeing if it could crush ice. I made a note of the consistency of results and whether it needed a mid-blend shake-up. I also assessed the build quality, how easy the blender was to use and if it was overly or unpleasantly noisy. I hand-washed the cups and blade after each test to see how easy it was to get clean. I compared my results to other blenders and choppers I've used.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024

Dyson Supersonic Nural review: tech-packed and time-saving

9:00 am | July 11, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

Dyson Supersonic Nural: two-minute review

The Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer is the most hi-tech hair dryer I've ever used. The headline feature here is the 'Scalp Protect mode', which senses how far away your head is, then heats up or cools down to maintain what feels like a constant temperature on your scalp. All that means less heat damage; even if you put it right up to your head, it won't burn.

The Nural can also sense when you put it down, and drop into low-power mode in response, and when not using Scalp Protect mode, it also remembers your airspeed and temperature preference for each specific attachment. On test, I found these techy features all worked as they were meant to. While I guess they're not strictly essential to the hair drying experience, they're not just a gimmick either – each helps streamline and speed up the styling process.

Alongside these new innovations, the Nural also has all the things that made the original Supersonic – widely considered the best hair dryer on the market (read about it in our Dyson Supersonic review) – so popular. Namely, very fast and efficient airflow, a design that's comfortable and easy to wield, and a range of well-designed, magnetic attachments that clip easily on and off. These attachments cater to a range of different hair types (short, long, straight, coily and curly) and include a unique Flyaway tool, which tames stray hairs with alarming effectiveness.

While the attachments are broadly the same as with the original Supersonic, I would like to give a special shout-out to the redesigned diffuser, which can now be used without the prongs in so-called Dome mode, designed to define your curls. I have natural slight curls, and it's the only diffuser I've ever been able to use that hasn't transformed my hair into a frizz-ball of epic proportions.

Of course, it's far from cheap. In fact, so far that 'cheap' isn't even a dot in the distance. The Nural's list price of $499.99 / £399.99 / AU$750 puts it firmly beyond the reach of many, and will perhaps make you question the necessity of owning a hair dryer that glows like a UFO and knows how close it is to your head at any time. But if you want the best of the best and have the budget for it, I have basically no complaints about how well the Nural works.

That's the short version; read on for my full Dyson Supersonic Nural review. Alternatively, for more on this brand's haircare range, head to our Dyson AirWrap review, Dyson Airstrait review or Dyson Coralle review.

Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer — (Image credit: Future)

Dyson Supersonic Nural review: price & availability

List price: $499.99 / £399.99 / AU$750
Available: globally
Launch date: spring 2024

The Supersonic Nural was announced in March 2024, and became available across the US, UK and Australia shortly after.

Regardless of territory, it's expensive. At TechRadar, we consider any hair dryer over $200/£200 to be a premium product, and at list price, the Nural is twice that. In the US it's $499.99, in the UK it's £399.99, and in Australia it's AU$750.

It's the priciest hair dryer I've tested, but then it's also the most high-tech – by some margin. You're not paying just for the Dyson name, you're paying for the innovation and the engineering. (Okay, and a little bit for the Dyson name.) While I'm not especially mad at how expensive the Nural is, I do think it would be useful to be able to pick a cheaper option with fewer attachments. With their individual sensors and magnetic design, these are presumably driving up the price, and most people will only need two or three.

For comparison, at time of writing the original Dyson Supersonic is $429.99 / £279.99 / AU$649. So the price jump between the two models is biggest if you're in the UK.

The most expensive GHD model is the GHD Helios, which is significantly cheaper, with a list price of $279.00 / £159 / AU$280. But it's nowhere near as intelligent as the Nural; you're definitely not getting like-for-like.

Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Dyson Supersonic Nural specs

Dyson Supersonic Nural review: design

Scalp Protect mode adjusts temperature based on distance from head
Wide range of magnetic attachments for different hair types
Light and easy to wield, although handle could be a bit longer

At time of launch, there are two different colorway options: Vinca Blue/Topaz (which I would call purple and orange) and Ceramic Patina/Topaz (turquoise and orange – the version I tested for this review). Otherwise it looks very similar to the original Supersonic – a streamlined version of a hair dryer, with a relatively small and lightweight barrel at the top, with most of the weight in the handle.

While Dyson seems to be getting into the habit of adding tiny, largely unnecessary screens to its new releases (looking at you, Airstrait), the Nural has escaped the curse. Instead, it's operated via buttons – a sliding on-off switch and cool shot button on the handle, and temperature, airspeed and Scalp Protect mode buttons on the barrel. All are small and unobtrusive.

Close up of temperature and air speed controls on Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer — Air speed button and indicator lights run around the left side of the barrel, and temperature switch and lights on the right (Image credit: Future)

At the bottom of the handle is a filter cage. To clean, Dyson recommends snapping the cage off (it's magnetic), soaking it for 30 minutes in soapy water, rinsing and drying. The filter can be wiped with a dry cloth to get rid of anything that may have built up there.

At time of writing, the Vinca Blue colorway comes with a cushioned 'presentation case', but there isn't one with the turquoise – sorry, Ceramic Patina – option that I tested. I felt both slightly short-changed, and a bit sad, that I couldn't put my Nural to bed like a little prince, but it's not a major issue.

Settings

You have three temperature settings (high, medium, low), plus a cool shot. There are also three airflow speeds – high (for when you're in a rush, or if you're a generally impatient person), medium (for regular use, if you're not an impatient person) and low (for diffusing).

Air speed and temperature are adjusted by pressing little buttons on the main barrel of the hair dryer, with three tiny LEDs to indicate which setting you're using. The Nural also has sensors that recognize which attachment is connected. When you snap on each one, it'll automatically swap to your last-used temperature and speed settings, to save you having to manually adjust as you go through your routine.

Close up of scalp protect button Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer — Scalp protect mode adjusts temperature depending on how close the dryer is to your head (Image credit: Future)

As well as the manual settings, there's the all-new Scalp Protect mode, activated via a button on the barrel with a hair follicle on it. When activated, the Nural uses a Time of Flight sensor to measure how close to your head the hair dryer is, and adjust so it maintains a consistent temperature. So when you have the Nural right up to your scalp, it'll lower the temperature, and if it's further away, it'll increase it. The idea is to minimize heat damage to the hair, was well as helping you avoid burning your scalp if you want to have the dryer right next to your head for precision styling.

To hammer home how space-age this feature is, the whole inside of the main barrel will illuminate to indicate the temperature – bright red for the hottest setting, down to blue for the cool shot. Is it strictly necessary? No. Is it cool? Yes. Is it hard to photograph effectively? Absolutely.

Finally, there's a Pause Detect function, which uses a motion sensor to identify when you've put the dryer down, and automatically cut the heat and minimize the airflow in response. There's intentionally a slight delay so the Nural doesn't cut out every time you pause slightly mid-style. This function is automatically on, unless you have a diffuser attachment connected.

Attachments

All versions of the Dyson Supersonic Nural come with the full selection of styling attachments. These are magnetic, and snap on and off the barrel of the dryer. They're broadly the same (save for some slight design tweaks) as those included with the original Supersonic, with the exception of the Diffuser, which has been redesigned more thoroughly.

Wave+Curl diffuser

This is the large diffuser, for waves and curls. It has been redesigned for the Nural, and can now be used in two ways. The central part, with the prongs, can be removed (it's magnetic) to leave a bowl-shaped attachment that Dyson calls 'Dome mode'.

'Diffuse mode' (with prongs), is designed to add volume at the root, whereas Dome mode is designed to help define your curls. Dyson recommends you use the diffuser attachments with medium heat and medium airflow. It's the only attachment not to be compatible with Pause Detect.

Gentle air attachment

This has crimped edges, and is designed to very slightly diffuse the airflow, for gentler drying compared to using it without. This one is a little confusing – a Dyson community page states it's 'engineered to be kinder to fine hair and sensitive scalps' but creating a 'gentle, cooler airflow', but then suggests it's used with high heat and high air flow. It is compatible with scalp protect mode.

All the styling attachments that come with the Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer — Clockwise from left: flyaway attachment, Styling concentrator, Wave+Curl diffuser (Dome mode), diffuser insert, Wide-tooth comb, gentle air attachment (Image credit: Future)

Styling concentrator

Like your standard concentrator, this channels the air into a wide, thin blade, for smooth styles. It's designed for use with high heat and medium airflow, but can also be used with Scalp Protect mode.

Wide-tooth comb

A broader concentrator, with a comb extension, this attachment detangles your hair as it dries it. Dyson says it's for shaping and lengthening curly or coily hair, and it's designed to be used with high heat and high airflow.

Flyaway attachment

This is for use on dry, straight hair. It uses 'Coanda airflow' – the same hair-bending phenomenon that powers the Airwrap – to flatten down flyaways. It's designed to be used with low heat and high airflow.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Dyson Supersonic Nural review: performance

Fast and effective drying; well-designed attachments
Scalp Protect mode works well and doesn't impact drying time too much
Auto-pause is useful

If Dyson really knows how to do one thing well, it's move air about. That's a more impressive specialism than it sounds – it's what earned Dyson reputation as the brand behind the best vacuum cleaners and the best fans around. And I wasn't surprised to find that the hair drying part of the Supersonic Nural is extremely effective. For rough drying, it gets the job done, and fast.

Because of the more compact shape and the fact that most of the weight is in the handle, it's more comfortable to hold, and easier to wield, than a traditional dryer. My only real complaint with the design is that the handle is a touch short for me – I'm either in danger of accidentally activating the cool shot button or getting my own 'cool shot' to the hand courtesy of the fan grille at the base of the handle.

Concentrator nozzle being snapped on to Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer — The Nural detects which attachment is added and adjusts its settings to those last used with that attachment (Image credit: Future)

As someone who has a habit of defaulting to the maximum settings on any haircare gadgets, I wasn't sure if Scalp Protect mode would be one of those features I'd end up neglecting, having prioritized extra sleep time over my long-term hair health. However, that hasn't been the case so far.

I found that there was no appreciable difference in how long it took to rough-dry my hair in this mode compared to my usual blast-it-with-heat approach. This might be partly to do with the fact that the airspeed is so effective that it means you're not relying so much on cranking up the heat to get your hair dry. Scalp Protect mode has become my go-to for whenever I just want to quickly dry my hair.

When comes to styling, the magnetic attachments snap on and off with just the right amount of effort – not so much it's a struggle, or requires the gripping of anywhere other than the dedicated stay-cool sections of the attachment, and not so little that there's a danger the tool will fall off mid-style.

The Attachment Learning tech worked as intended – in use, the Nural reliably remembered my last-used temperature and airspeed preferences. This feature will be useful for anyone who regularly uses a few different attachments for styling. Like many of Dyson's tech innovations here, it's not essential, but it does remove one of the annoying, fiddly parts of hair styling and streamline the process that little bit more. It's not just a gimmick. Exactly the same goes for the Pause Detect when the dryer is put down.

I also appreciate Dyson branching out past your standard diffuser-and-concentrator package to offer attachments for different hair types, although it has taken a bit of experimenting to figure out exactly how some of them work and what they're for (this Dyson community page has come in handy). The Flyaway attachment is a standout, using the same hair-bending Coanda airflow effect that the Airwrap is based on to flatten out flyaways and leave a smooth finish with absolutely minimal effort.

As someone with naturally slightly curly hair, I was also impressed with the redesigned Diffuser. Regular diffusers leave my hair super-frizzy, but the 'Dome mode', created by removing the central prongs, gave me smoother, more defined curls. (You can see how it works in the video above.)

Overall, minor niggle about the length of the handle aside, I really have no complaints about the Supersonic Nural's performance. It's by far the best hair dryer I've used.

Performance score: 5 out of 5

Should you buy the Dyson Supersonic Nural?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Dyson Nural Supersonic

I used it as my primary hair dryer for a month
I tested all the attachments and features

For this Dyson Supersonic Nural review, I used it as my primary hair dryer for a full month. I tried out all the various attachments and settings, using it to create a range of different styles and finishes. I compared it to other dryers I've used, including the original Supersonic, in terms of how long it takes to dry and style, and how easy it is to use.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024