Keeping an eye on your property remotely has become an obsession for many of us. No matter where you are in the world you can see exactly who is in your house and who has come to the front door. You can even use your camera to monitor the miserable weather back home while you are abroad enjoying sunshine.
Now owned by retailing behemoth Amazon, Ring was originally set up by US entrepreneur Jamie Siminoff as ‘Doorbot’ in 2013, but has since gone on to become one of the biggest names in the home security industry. As the name suggests, the Outdoor Cameras (previously known as Stick-Up Cameras) are designed for outdoor use, though there is no reason why you couldn’t use it indoors too – it can be just as easily placed on a table or desk as on the wall outside.
(Image credit: Chris Price)
The Outdoor Camera Plus is certainly a versatile model with several mounting options, including a wall bracket (with wall plugs) as well as a rechargeable battery pack if a power cable isn't feasible (this wasn’t provided). Plastic covers stop water getting into the USB-C power port and the model is ‘weather-resistant’, not waterproof, so shouldn’t be submerged in water!
As with most home security cameras, set up is straightforward. Simply download the Ring app and scan the QR code with your phone’s camera to add the device to the app (several Ring devices can be viewed within the app, including cameras, video doorbells, chimes and alarms). You will then be taken through a set of voice-based instructions for syncing the camera to your home’s Wi-Fi, naming the device and updating its firmware. Usefully this new model features dual-band support so you can add it to either your 2.4GHz or 5GHz network as well as Amazon Alexa compatibility. For added security, two-factor authentication is also now provided.
When it comes to features, the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus doesn’t disappoint. You can set motion detection zones to avoid the camera capturing footage from, say, the swaying of tree branches. And it’s also possible to set up privacy zones that allow you to block out certain areas of the frame, even in ‘live view’. Instead, all you see on the screen is a black rectangle. It’s an unusual feature but one which is quite useful if you have neighbours concerned your camera can view/capture recordings from their property.
(Image credit: Chris Price)
Another unusual feature in the menu is Smart Responses. This enables you to send out a warning message to people to tell them they are being recorded. However, it isn’t live on this device – at least yet. Other more conventional features include motion sensitivity for adjusting the amount of footage you capture (useful if you want to preserve battery life) and motion schedules for setting the times of day you want to record movement.
But that’s not all. For those who subscribe to Ring’s monthly subscription plans, other functions are available too. These include ‘smart alerts’ which filter different types of motion into categories – ie parcel, person and vehicles. Providing you pay for the £15.99 per month Ring Premium service, there’s also an AI-driven smart video search tool that can identify certain objects in your device's recorded motion events.
(Image credit: Chris Price)
For example, just enter ‘dog’ into the search bar you can see all the times your dog has been captured by the camera while ‘red top’ will bring up footage of anyone wearing a red top in the recorded events. Particularly useful is that you can log into your Ring account on the web so you can view footage of all your cameras while working on your laptop, something which isn’t possible with more basic models.
Ring Outdoor Camera Plus: price and availability
Prices start at $69 / £69 / AU$179
Additional solar panel costs extra
Launched March 2025
Ring security cameras certainly aren't expensive to buy compared to some of the best home security cameras. At the time of writing, you can pick up the Ring Outdoor Cam Plus for £69 / $69 / $179 (considerably cheaper than the launch price). However, just like printer companies make their money from selling expensive printer cartridges, home security companies make theirs from selling costly subscriptions.
And really you don’t get too much more expensive than Ring’s monthly subscriptions. Whereas some companies, such as Blink, charge under $5 / £5 / AU$10 a month for a subscription, with Ring you are looking at double that – and that’s just the entry level subscription. If you want all the bells and whistles, such as the Smart Video Search outlined earlier, it will set you back a hefty $19.99 / £15.99 per month (and this top-tier subscription isn't even available in Australia).
In my opinion that’s simply far too much money, unless you are using the Ring for professional purposes such as monitoring, say, high street shops (in which case there are more advanced video surveillance systems available). Far better if you need to keep the recordings is to choose a security camera which provides the option of recording footage locally on a USB stick or MicroSD card.
Value score: 3/5
Ring Outdoor Camera Plus: subscription options
Ring Home Basic:
$4.99 / £4.99 / AU$4.95 per month
$49.99 / £49.99 / AU$49.95 per year
Subscription for a single device. Includes up to 180 days of video event history, person and package alerts, video preview alerts, and 10% off Ring.com purchases.
Ring Home Standard:
$9.99 / £7.99 / AU$14.95 per month
$99.99 / £79.99 / AU$149.95 per year
Includes everything in Basic, plus all devices at one location, doorbell calls, extended live view, alarm cellular backup, and daily event summary.
Ring Premium:
$19.99 / £15.99 per month
$199.99 / £159.99 per year
Not currently available in Australia. Includes everything in Standard, plus 24/7 recording, continuous live view, and smart video search.
Ring Outdoor Camera Plus: design
Upgraded from Ring Stick Up Camera
Versatile mounting
Flexible power options
With the Outdoor Camera Plus, Ring has made a few improvements over its predecessor, the third generation Ring Stick Up Camera (now called the Outdoor Camera). Most notable is its improved design, particularly the versatile mounting options. The Ring Outdoor Cam Plus can be mounted on a desktop/table, on a wall or roof eave using the screws and wall plugs provided. It can be mounted on the ceiling with an additional accessory (not provided as standard) and easily angled for optimum use.
(Image credit: Chris Price)
Power is provided via the USB-C connector in the middle of the camera (a power cable wasn’t provided with our sample). Alternatively, you can take the Lithium-Ion battery out by swivelling the base to the unlock icon and removing it (ensuring you remove the card covering the charging points). You can then charge it via the orange Micro-USB cable provided until it’s ready for installation. Spare batteries are also available to buy online at Amazon of course.
(Image credit: Chris Price)
Available in black or white, the Outdoor Cam Plus features a lens on the front which provides a 160-degree diagonal, 140-degree horizontal, and 80-degree vertical field of view. Underneath is a speaker while above there’s a small microphone for two-way conversations with visitors. When movement is recorded a solid blue light is displayed at the top of the unit while during set up this flashes blue.
Design score: 4/5
Ring Outdoor Camera Plus: performance
2K image quality
Stable video connection
Overly sensitive camera
Ring claims the Outdoor Camera Plus offers ‘brilliant 2K video quality’ but in all honesty there’s not a massive leap in quality between this model and its predecessor, the Ring Stick Up Camera. Whereas the previous model offered 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, this one boasts 2,560 x 1,440 (2K). In other words, an increase of 360 horizontal pixels and 640 vertical pixels – enough to see the difference when you zoom in to an image, but probably not otherwise.
(Image credit: Chris Price)
That said, I didn’t have any complaints about picture quality at all. Images are sharp even at night thanks to the ‘low-light sight’ feature (although colour is limited in low light) and the field of vision is also quite wide: 140-degree horizontal compared to 115 degrees on the Ring Stick Up Camera.
Another benefit is having dual-band Wi-Fi support (2.4GHz and 5GHz) which ensured images recorded on the camera and viewed in Live View were extremely stable even though the camera was mostly located in the back garden, a significant distance from my broadband router.
(Image credit: Chris Price)
One thing worth noting is that the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus isn’t as sensitive as some models which record every bit of motion detected, even moving branches. Instead, you will probably need to turn the motion sensitivity option up a little bit just to capture all the footage you want. This will in turn use up more battery power so it’s worth considering either using the mains or a solar panel as a power supplement.
After nearly two weeks our sample model was already down to 50% so you will probably have to take the battery pack out for charging once a month – not the worst we’ve ever tested, but not the best either.
Performance score: 4/5
Should you buy the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus?
Ring Outdoor Camera Plus score card
Attribute
Notes
Score
Value
While the actual camera itself is relatively cheap, the subscription which gives you most of the added functionality is very expensive.
3/5
Design
Available in black or white, the Ring Outdoor Cam Plus looks OK and is both compact and reasonably well designed. Suitable for a number of locations (indoors or outdoors) it can be powered by mains, battery or even solar power.
4/5
Performance
Offering 2K video quality, the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus provides stable, good quality, images in record mode and live view. However, battery life isn’t the best and the motion sensor isn’t particularly sensitive.
4/5
Overall
A decent home security camera, but the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus loses points for its expensive subscription packages and so-so battery life. Performance isn’t that much better than its predecessor, the Ring Stick Up Cam
3.5/5
Buy it if
You need a versatile home security solution
With support for battery, solar and mains power, the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus is particularly flexible. It can also be used indoors and outdoors.
You want the latest features
There’s no shortage of handy features including Amazon Alexa compatibility and different motion and privacy zone settings, as well as smart video search (if you subscribe).
Don't buy it if
You already have the Ring Stick Up Camera
While picture quality and design are slightly better than the Ring Stick Up Cam there aren’t too many other benefits to justify the upgrade
You don’t want to pay for a subscription
Unfortunately Ring charges more than most other home security camera manufacturers for subscriptions, and you'll need one to get the most out of the Outdoor Camera Plus.
How I tested the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus
I used the camera both indoors and outdoors
I installed it myself
The camera was integrated into my home system with other Ring cameras
Like most manufacturers, Ring makes adding new cameras to its app very simple indeed. Because I already had several Ring security cameras and doorbells connected to my existing app, I simply added another using the QR code at the back of the device. However, starting from scratch would have been just as straightforward.
I started off using the device mostly indoors to get the feel of it and then moved it to my garden where I mounted it on top of the shed focused on the back door. There it has remained ever since (about 12 days at the time of writing), capturing people and pets who go out into the garden. Ring provides a 30-day trial for all the advanced features, such as smart video search and person/package/video alerts, but after this runs out you will need to subscribe online at Ring.com (you can’t do this via the app).
The Dyson Supersonic r began life as a professional-only hair dryer, but is now available to the general public. It looks unlike any other hair dryer on the market; there's no barrel to speak of, but instead the handle curves to a right angle, so the whole thing looks like a pipe – or a lower case "r", if you like.
I tested the model to see how it compares to the rest of the best hair dryers on the market, and overall I was impressed. It's lightweight and comfortable to hold, and the unusual shape makes it super-easy to direct the airflow with precision, even in awkward spots such as the back of your head. As I'd expect from Dyson, it's also impressively powerful, making speedy work of rough-drying hair.
The compromise of the design is that in order to achieve the ultra-streamlined shape, Dyson has shifted some of the mechanics into the plug, which in turn is so chunky, it likely won't fit into some sockets. I also found the controls – which are small and positioned on the back of the handle – slightly fiddly to use, and a little too easy to accidentally press while styling. It feels like a design that would work just fine for professionals, who have a clear view of the buttons as they hold the dryer in front of themselves; but it's a little awkward for drying your own hair.
The magnetic attachments are thoughtfully designed and work well. Sensors enable the dryer to recognize which attachment is snapped on, and automatically adjust to your last-used temperature and airflow settings, which helps streamline the styling process.
Price-wise, it will come as a surprise to no one that we're in ultra-premium territory here. While the Supersonic r's build quality is impeccable, and the design innovative, some customers might find themselves more inclined to spend that amount on the Dyson Supersonic Nural, with its hi-tech Scalp Protect mode and ability to auto-pause when it's put down (both of which are absent from the Supersonic r). Most of the Supersonic r's appeal is in that lightweight and streamlined shape, and on that front it really is a standout option, and unique on the market, too.
That's the short version; read on for my full Dyson Supersonic r review.
Dyson Supersonic r review: price & availability
List price: $569.99 / £449.99 / AU$799
Launched: April 2025 (consumer version)
Available: Worldwide
The original version of the Dyson Supersonic r hit the market in February 2024, but it was available to professional hairstylists only. The consumer version reviewed here launched in April 2025.
At list price it costs $569.99 / £449.99 / AU$799. That's firmly in the premium bracket for hair dryers, and one of the priciest on the market right now – possibly beaten only by Dyson's other dedicated dryer, the Supersonic Nural, which comes in at $499.99 / £399.99 / AU$749.
However, the outlay is perhaps a little easier to justify with the latter, because the Nural offers several features not found in other models on the market, whereas the Supersonic r, for the most part, is simply a very efficient hair dryer.
As I'd expect from Dyson, build quality is top-notch, and there's plenty of meticulous research and engineering that's gone into the development of this dryer. It looks and feels premium, and as mentioned, it's incredibly well suited to precision styling. Nevertheless, if the outlay is too much, there are plenty of excellent dryers available for a far lower price.
Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5
Dyson Supersonic r specs
Wattage:
1,700W
Dimensions (L x H x W):
9.4 x 1.5 x 3.1in / 24 x 3.8 x 8cm
Weight:
Confirming
Airflow settings:
3
Temperature settings:
3 + cool shot
Extra modes:
None
Cord length:
9.2ft / 2.8m
Dyson Supersonic r review: design
Lightweight, with a unique, ultra-streamlined shape
Some mechanics have been shifted into the plug, which is enormous
Magnetic attachments with setting memory
The Dyson Supersonic r looks nothing like the Supersonic that helped cement Dyson's status in the haircare market. In fact, it doesn't really look like a hairdryer at all – it looks like a pipe. It's tubular in build, with a top end that curves to a stubby right-angle.
The only difference compared to the professional version is that the cable is shorter. It's now 9.2ft / 2.8m, which is still up there with the longest on the consumer market.
(Image credit: Future)
That diminutive build is made possible by some redesigned mechanics. On the inside you'll find a more streamlined air heater than the one found in the regular Supersonic hair dryers. Ten heater foils follow the curve of the dryer, apparently to offer more consistent temperatures, with no hot or cold spots. That sits alongside a Dyson Hyperdymium motor (unconfirmed whether this is the same / a version of the Hyperdymium motor that powers today's best Dyson vacuums).
(Image credit: Future)
Dyson has also redesigned the plug socket, which now "incorporates primary electronics" that would otherwise have been inside the dryer itself (it looks very similar to the one included with the Dyson Airstrait.) That shifts extra weight away from your arm, but it does mean the plug is now pretty chunky – the main part measures 4.8in / 12.2cm (excluding the wrap at the top of the cord), with a part that protrudes downwards from the pins and lies flat to the wall. If you have power outlets that sit close to the floor or above protruding baseboards, it might not fit.
There's a removable filter cage, with a flashing yellow LED to tell you when it needs cleaning.
(Image credit: Future)
The consumer Supersonic r is one of the first Dyson haircare gadgets to introduce the brand's new colorways (currently being rolled out across the full range). Rather than the tropical tones we're used to seeing, it's available in the more delicate Ceramic Pink and Jasper Plum.
Controls
In terms of settings, there's a rocker switch to increase and decrease temperature, and another for windspeed. There are three levels for each, indicated by lights. There's also a separate power button. All can be found on the rear of the handle. Round the front, beneath the curve of the dryer, is a cool-shot button.
(Image credit: Future)
Attachments
In terms of attachments, there's an impressive selection. Compatible attachments include a Professional Concentrator, Powerful Air Attachment, Gentle Air Attachment, Flyaway Attachment, Smoothing Nozzle, Diffuser and Wide-Tooth Comb. Beware, though, what's included in the box varies by region.
Personally, I'm a fan of the way the model is being offered in the UK: just as with the Dyson Airwrap i.d., you can choose between a Curly+Coily Supersonic r and a Straight+Wavy one. Both have a Powerful Air Attachment, Professional Concentrator and Flyaway Attachment, then the one for curls adds a Wide-Tooth Comb and Diffuser, and the other swaps in the Smoothing Nozzle and Gentle Air Attachment. That means you don't end up with a bunch of attachments that aren't suitable for your hair type, gathering dust.
(Image credit: Future)
As is standard for Dyson haircare products, the add-ons attach via magnets. And like the Supersonic Nural, they contain RFID sensors, which means the Supersonic r knows which one is attached. The recommended settings will kick in as default, and if you change them then the hair dryer will remember your preferences next time you snap that attachment back on.
Design score: 4 out of 5
Dyson Supersonic r review: performance
Comfortable to hold and incredibly easy easy to direct airflow
Controls a little fiddly and can be pressed accidentally
Attachment setting memory helps streamline the styling process
Dyson describes the r as being geared towards "fast, precision drying", with the unusual design making it easier to reach areas that would otherwise be tricky to tackle – namely, the back of your head. On test, that absolutely held true. It's comfortable to hold and extremely easy to direct; perfect if you want to be able to dry with precision. My only slight complaint is that I found the handle a touch too short.
Airflow is nice and powerful, drying my hair quickly; a rough-dry won't take long at all. However, the Supersonic r is really geared towards more complex styling tasks, where its light weight and easy-to-direct airflow come into their own.
The Supersonic Nural has a feature where it will automatically drop into low-powered mode if you put it down. That' isn't present here, and I missed it, although I will concede that it's a nice-to-have rather than an essential.
(Image credit: Future)
Moving on to the controls, the design of which I was a little less sold on. The switches to adjust speed and temperature are tiny and a little fiddly to use, and the positioning on the back of the handle means they proved fairly easy to press accidentally. I feel like they're better suited to professional use – where the person drying the hair can easily see the buttons; they're a little fiddly if you're trying to dry your own hair.
I was far more impressed with the cool-shot button, which sits on the inside of the handle, where it's comfortable to depress for setting your style.
(Image credit: Future)
Attachment performance
All the attachments are well designed and good quality, and the magnetic connection feels secure in use. Usefully, all the attachments have areas that stay cool, so you can comfortably remove them immediately after using if switching to another, for example.
Attachment memory is a welcome addition. It helps streamline the drying process, and means less fiddling about with controls as you dry. It will prove most useful for people who use multiple attachments throughout their styling routine. I guess it might alsohelp with hair health, if it makes you less likely to default to "hot and fast" for everything.
(Image credit: Future)
Curly haired users might miss the two-part Wave+Curl Diffuser, which was introduced with the Supersonic Nural but is absent here – you're just getting the standard all-in-one option instead.
A special shout-out should go to the Flyaway Attachment, which uses the Coanda effect (the same thing that makes the Airwrap work) to attract and smooth your locks once you've finished styling. It's unique to Dyson's dryers, and it made a noticeable difference to the sleekness of my hair.
Performance score: 4.5 out of 5
Should you buy the Dyson Supersonic r?
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value
Very much a premium buy, and while the quality is outstanding, the list of special features is relatively short.
3.5 / 5
Design
Lightweight with a unique, ultra-streamlined shape and a wide range of well-designed attachments. Plug is very bulky, though.
4 / 5
Performance
Powerful airflow that's extremely easy to direct, while automatic attachment recognition saves time. Buttons are a little fiddly.
4.5 /5
Buy it if...
You spend lots of time styling The lightweight-yet-powerful Supersonic r will really come into its own for those with long, thick hair and/or spend a lot of time styling as they dry.
You want precise control It's incredibly easy to direct the airflow from this dryer, even in tricky areas such as the back of your head.
You want a luxe option The Dyson Supersonic r looks and feels ultra-premium, and comes with a price tag to match.
Don't buy it if...
Your plug sockets are near to the floor The scaled-up plug protrudes downwards, which means that depending on the placement of your sockets and what's going on beneath them, you might not actually be able to plug in the hair dryer.
You need something for travel The voltage of the Supersonic r will match the country of purchase, and Dyson warns that it shouldn't be used abroad.
You're concerned about scalp health The Supersonic Nural has a Scalp Protect mode that adjusts the temperature based on how close the machine is to your head, meaning you can get right up close without burning your head. The Supersonic r is missing this mode.
Dyson Supersonic r: alternatives to consider
Dyson Supersonic r (reviewed)
Dyson Supersonic Nural
Laifen Mini
Wattage:
1,700W
1,600W
1,100W
Dimensions (L x H x W):
9.4 x 1.5 x 3.1in / 24 x 3.8 x 8cm
10 x 4 x 3.1in / 24.5 x 9.7 x 7.8cm
8.6 x 3. x 2.5in / 22 x 7.7 x 6.3cm
Weight:
Confirming
1.9lbs / 680g (with cord)
0.7lbs / 299g (no cord)
1.1lbs / 482g (with cord)
Airflow settings:
3
3
2
Temperature settings:
3 + cool shot
3 + cool shot
2 + cool shot
Extra modes:
None
Scalp protect
Child mode, auto-temperature cycle
Cord length:
9.2ft / 2.8m
8.5 ft / 2.6m
5.9ft / 1.8m
Dyson Supersonic Nural
The Nural is Dyson's other dryer option. It's heavier and bulkier, but has an innovative Scalp Protect mode that's absent on the Supersonic r. It will also automatically drop into low-powered mode when you put it down.
Laifen's original dryer was a blatant Supersonic dupe, but the newer Mini version is more unique. While not as streamlined as the Supersonic r, it's still super compact and lightweight, with a stylish matte design and some cool specialist modes, including temperature cycling. It's not as widely available as Dyson's dryers.
I used the Dyson Supersonic r as my primary hair dryer for over a month. During this time, I tested all the settings and explored the different attachment options. I paid particular attention to how easy it was to use, and how efficient it was at drying and styling my hair. I compared my experience with other hair dryers I've used.
The Roborock Saros Z70 is the first robot vacuum on the market to feature a robotic arm, which means it can tidy away your clutter as well as clean your floors. That's the theory, anyway – my initial tests found the tech still has a little way to go, at least when it comes to autonomous pincering.
Most people I talk to about this robovac seem afraid that the OmniGrip will be over-zealous, and try to tidy away the cat. I had quite the opposite problem: I couldn't get it to automatically tidy away anything at all. The current list of objects it can handle is very short, and the "conditions" have to be perfect in order for it to be successful. However, there's potential: controlling the robotic arm remotely via the app works very well, and Roborock is busy improving the service, with more functions, bug fixes, and supported objects in the pipeline.
Elsewhere, the performance is up there with the very best robot vacuums on the market. Suction is excellent, the setup painless, and the dock takes care of the vast majority of maintenance tasks for you, including washing the mop pads with hot water. Speaking of which, I was especially impressed with the Saros Z70's mopping ability. It comes courtesy of two spinning mop pads, one of which kicks out to the side to clean right up to the edges of rooms, as well as under the perimeter of cabinets.
This bot uses Roborock's StarSight system for navigation, which means no raised puck, enabling the robot to venture under low-sitting furniture. I'm happy to report I didn't see any compromise in performance as a result of this new(ish) system – the Z70 navigated accurately and reliably throughout my review period.
That's all great, but the reason to buy this model will be for the robo-arm tech. (If you don't need that, you could go for one of the sister models launched at the same time – the Roborock Saros 10 and Saros 10R – and get the same excellent performance at a much lower price.) And while it shows plenty of potential, right now it's a little difficult to recommend the Z70 on that basis. That's the short version; read on for my full Roborock Saros Z70 review.
(Image credit: Future)
Roborock Saros Z70 review: price & availability
List price: $2,599 / £1,799 / AU$3,999
Launched: Jan 2025 (on sale May 2025)
Available: AU, US
The Roborock Saros Z70 was announced at CES in January 2025, and went on sale in Australia and the US in May 2025. At list price it costs $2,599 / £1,799 / AU$3,999.
While it's common for flagship robot vacuums these days to cost over a grand in the US and UK, this is the most expensive robot vacuum we've tested to date. (It's worth noting that US tariff changes have had a negative impact on pricing; the Z70 is more expensive now than Roborock had planned.)
I'm not overly surprised by its high price. Roborock is introducing a completely new technology, alongside an additional mechanical component. Based on the prototype models we saw at CES in January, there may well be more arm-equipped robovacs hitting the market over the next year or two, but currently the Saros Z70 is your only option. In terms of quality and innovation, it's a standout robovac; but you're paying a premium for the newness of the tech.
However, if you don't need the arm then I'd give it a wide berth. There are plenty of premium robot vacuums on the market offering the same features. They'll just as good a job of cleaning your floors, they just won't be able to tidy away your socks. Arm-less alternatives include Z70's sister model, the Roborock Saros 10, which costs $1,599.99 / £1,499.99, or a model such as the Dreame L40 Ultra for $1,499.99 / £999.
New robot vacuums are being launched all the time, and the competitiveness of the market means you can generally avoid paying list price if you're willing to be patient. However, I'm not convinced deals will be quite so forthcoming with the Z70, just because the offering is currently so unique. That said, there is early bird pricing available at time of writing.
Pincer arm can extend to pick things up, or retract when not required
StarSight navigation means there's no raised LiDAR puck
Comprehensive dock takes care of most maintenance
Let's start with the obvious here: the Roborock Saros Z70 comes with a big mechanical arm known as the OmniGrip. On the end of it is a pincer that's designed to gently but securely grip and lift objects weighing up to 300g. To avoid unwanted pincering, OmniGrip features are switched off my default. You'll need to define exactly what you want the arm to do, or else it won't do anything at all.
The idea is that it can pick small objects such as socks and tissues off your floor, and either move them out of the way for more complete vacuuming, or tidy them to a location of your choosing. Alternatively, because Roborock has recognized most of us are basically big kids, you can remote control the arm via the companion app, just for fun and frolics.
There's also a camera mounted on the OmniGrip's arm, to supplement the one on the front of the robovac. This helps with locating objects for grabbing and also expands the bot's security capabilities by enabling you to switch to the arm camera to get a higher-level view of your home. When not in use, the arm folds neatly back into the main body of the bot, to be hidden beneath a hatch. You'd never even know it was there.
(Image credit: Future)
This bot uses Roborock's StarSight technology for navigation, which also appears on models such as the Saros 10R and Qrevo Slim. Essentially it means that the bot is no longer reliant on a raised LiDAR puck. So with the arm tucked into its hidey-hole, the top of this robovac is completely flush, making the whole unit just 7.98cm tall. That means it can clean under low furniture that's inaccessible to taller bots.
(Image credit: Future)
The rest of the robot looks rather like many of Roborock's other premium models. Flip over the unit and you'll find a single, all-rubber roller and a side brush, both designed to avoid becoming tangled with long hair. This is achieved in the latter simply by positioning the brushes at an angle to the central axis, rather than radiating directly outwards, so the hair can slip off easily (hopefully into the main suction path). In mopping mode, both can lift up into the body of the robot, so they don't end up full of gunk.
As mentioned, as a hybrid model the Saros Z70 also has mopping abilities. These are courtesy of two spinning mop-covered discs, one of which can kick out to clean right up close to your room's baseboards. The mop pads can also lift when traversing carpet, or be dropped off in the base, so there's no danger of damp rugs at all.
(Image credit: Future)
Over the past year or so, we've seen a focus on improving how robot vacuums tackle more raised room thresholds, and Roborock is included. Like most of the brand's newest models, the Saros Z70 has an "AdaptiLift Chassis" whereby the left, right and front wheels can all raise or lower independently, enabling the bot to traverse over thresholds up to 4cm in height.
(Image credit: Future)
On to the dock. The Saros Z70's dock contains two large water tanks – one for clean water, one for dirty water – plus a smaller tank into which you can add detergent. These sit at the top and are directly accessible, rather than being hidden behind a hatch. There's also dust bag, which is hidden away.
The base is designed to be able to take care of as much robot maintenance as possible. When the robot docks, it will automatically empty its small onboard dustbin, refill its water tanks with warm water, and dispense detergent (if you've added it). It can wash the mop pads with hot (176ºF/80ºC) water – intelligently determining how dirty they are and extending cleaning times if necessary – and dry them with warm (131ºF/55ºC) air. It will also clean itself with hot (176ºF/80ºC) water, and the base is detachable for when you want to give it deeper clean. Finally, it offers speedy charging in just 2hrs 30mins.
It's one of the better-looking docks on the market right now. I miss the mirrored front that features on sister model, the Roborock Saros 10, although this matte version does mean any mess or clutter isn't reflected back at you.
Design score: 4.5 out of 5
Roborock Saros Z70 review: performance
Arm works well when manually controlled, but automation is unreliable
Vacuuming, mopping and navigation all excellent
Review model emits a rattling noise when cleaning
I started by performing the "Quick mapping" process, which was fast and painless, as I've come to expect from Roborock. The bot wandered into each room, looked around a bit, and I could see the map forming on the app as it went. Once complete, it assigned suggested rooms. It was broadly correct, but I was able to edit to split the main living space into a kitchen and living room, and re-label any spaces that weren't quite right.
Then I sent the bot off on a whole-flat vacuum and mop, using the default modes. It did a stellar job of navigating its way around. Roborock bots are generally great at this, but this is the first one I've reviewed that uses StarSight for navigation rather than traditional LiDAR. I'm happy to report I couldn't see any compromises in performance with this new system.
However, less positive was the irritating rattling sound the Saros Z70 made as it went about its business. You can hear it in the video clip below. I assume this is the result of the retracted arm or the lid; either way, it's not ideal, and not a problem I've experienced with any of the other arm-less robovacs I've tested.
OmniGrip arm
It's the USP here, so let's get on to OmniGrip arm – and whether or not it does what Roborock says it will. At time of review, the list of items suitable for pickup is short: socks, sandals (not shoes, in general), crumpled tissues and towels under 300g. Roborock plans to add more objects in due course, via firmware updates.
I started by remote-controlling the bot over to a cloth. With the cloth in its peripheral vision, it had no trouble taking over the final part itself, successfully navigating over to it and picking it up, at which point I could resume control and move it over to where I wanted it. There's potential for this to be helpful for those with mobility issues.
For the most part, however, you'd want this robot to take care of moving things autonomously. These functions can be toggled on in the "Robotic Arm options" section of the app (all are off by default), and you can ask it to move objects out of its cleaning path, so it doesn't have to skip that area, and/or to move specific items into areas designated by you. At the moment, the suggestion is that you use a (provided) cardboard Roborock "bin" for socks and crumpled paper, and then set a "shoe zone" for footwear.
The trouble is that conditions need to be perfect for the bot to actually clear anything away... so much so, that I've yet to have a successful run. First, the robot has to correctly identify objects it can move. I found this was fairly accurate in bright light, but when I tried it one evening in a less well-lit room, it identified two sandals and a sock all as "Carry out bags" and thus didn't try to pick them up at all.
Next, it needs to be able to pick up said objects. It failed to pincer a strappier sandal, and on successfully picking up another, it swung it into a doorstop, causing the strap to become twisted. I had to reset it manually (on the robot itself) following a repeated warning message.
Finally, it has to find its way to the designated areas. It seems a little unsure on this front at the moment. On one more successful run, it identified, returned to and successfully pincered some socks – only to spin around once and then put them back down 14 inches from their original position.
As I said earlier, Roborock is working on improving the arm function and I'm optimistic about the potential of this tech and the brand's ability to deliver on it. This is a new technology and Roborock is the first to bring it to market, so it isn't surprising that there are kinks to be ironed out. However, these issues make the Z70 difficult to recommend.
I'll be continuing to test this robovac and will update this review with a more complete picture of the arm's functionality once I've had more time with it.
Vacuuming
Moving on to more mundane (but still important) functions. How well does the Saros Z70 clean?
Given that the Saros Z70 boasts a massive 22,00Pa of suction power – matching the very highest you'll see anywhere – I had high hopes for this bot's cleaning ability. In general use, it seemed to do a very efficient job of vacuuming my apartment's medium-pile carpet, low-pile carpet and lino.
For a more objective view of its cleaning powers, I ran TechRadar's standard suction tests. I started by sprinkling oats and loose tea on my carpet, and setting it on a selective zone clean. There are four settings to choose from: Quiet, Balanced, Turbo and Max.
I ran one clean on Turbo, with the bot clearing almost all the oats and most of the tea, leaving only a sprinkling nestled in the carpet fibers. (The tea test is purposefully very challenging.) I then bumped up the robovac's setting to Max for a second clean, and it sucked up all but a single oat flake, and a few particles of tea. This is an excellent result.
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Oats and loose tea on the carpet before the suction test (Image credit: Future)
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The remaining tea after a single pass in Turbo mode (Image credit: Future)
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The remaining oats after a single pass in Turbo mode (Image credit: Future)
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Close-up of the tea left after a second pass in Max mode (Image credit: Future)
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The whole are after a second pass in Max mode (Image credit: Future)
I repeated the test on a lino floor. Since clearing debris off a hard floor is far less challenging, this time I used Balanced mode. It cleared almost everything on the first pass, with the second required only to capture the remnants that had been flicked around on the initial run.
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Tea and oats on a lino floor before suction test (Image credit: Future)
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What was left after a single pass in Balanced mode (Image credit: Future)
Mopping
Next, I moved on to the mopping test. For this, I spread a tiny amount of ketchup on a lino floor and left it to dry a little. You can select Low, Medium or High waterflow levels, or for more control you can opt for a "Custom" mode, which lets you select a waterflow between 1 (Slight) and 30 (extreme). That level of control is excellent, opening this bot up as an option for cleaning delicate floors that can deal with only a tiny bit of water, for example.
I used "High" waterflow, and instructed the Z70 to clean the selected zone twice. It removed some of the ketchup on the first pass, and most of the remainder on the second pass. However, a light film of ketchup remained, and needed wiping away manually. I've yet to find a robot vacuum at any price that can deal with challenging or dried-on spillages.
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Ketchup smeared on lino before mopping test (Image credit: Future)
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Remainder of ketchup smeared on lino after one pass (Image credit: Future)
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Remainder of ketchup after two passes (Image credit: Future)
In general use, I found the Z70's mopping very effective. The pads saturated fully, and I could see they were cleaning the whole floor, without leaving any gaps. One of the mop pads would also regularly kick out to clean up close to the edges of rooms and under the edge of my fridge or cabinets. I found it far more effective than the static, D-shaped pads found on some robovacs.
I also appreciated the way the robot would automatically drop off its mop pads in the dock when embarking on a vacuum run. While the auto-lifting was reliable, I'm always just a little more comfortable when there are no damp mops in the vicinity of my carpet.
Dock functionality
The dock is designed to take care of most of the Z70's maintenance needs, and in my tests I haven't had any issues with its effectiveness, save for the fact some of the functions can be a little noisy.
I'm on the fence about whether washing the mops with hot water is something that's really required of the dock – I'd still give the pads a run through the washing machine periodically, regardless of whether or not this function is included. Self-cleaning takes around 3 mins 21 secs, although it's programmed to take longer if it senses the mop pads aren't clean at the end of that.
One benefit is that charging is remarkably speedy. I was recharging a Dyson manual vacuum at the same time, and found that the Saros Z70 juiced up far quicker than the Dyson.
Performance score: 3.5 out of 5
Roborock Saros Z70 review: app
Easy to use OmniGrip arm via remote control through the app
Well-designed and usable app with lots of customization options
So many options it can be a little tricky to find them all
Most control of the robovac is like to take place via the Saros Z70's companion app. One welcome addition here is the ability to use it to remote-control the OmniGrip arm. You drive it like a remote control car, navigating by using the view from the bot that you can see on your screen. If you spot something you want it to move, you can maneuver it into the vicinity and ask the bot to pick it up. It will do this automatically, but it's also possible to precisely adjust the angles of both the arm and the pincer, if required.
In my tests, I found all this reliable and straightforward, although the incessant repetition of "Remote viewing active" will mean you won't want to play with it for too long. (I haven't yet been able to find a way to switch this off.)
You can also switch views between the camera on the front of the robot and the mounted on the arm, which offers a view from higher up. The idea is to make it more useful as a security bot while you're out of the house.
In general, Roborock has done a great job of integrating the OmniGrip options into the app, making it as easy as possible to get started using the arm. The settings are simple to find and to switch on and off; they're straightforward to understand, even if the automated performance is still a little patchy.
(Image credit: Roborock / Future)
Elsewhere, the app is well designed and intuitive. There are plenty of precise customization options – so many, in fact, that it can take a while to explore them all. If you don't want to mess around in Settings, there's a "SmartPlan" mode that automatically analyzes the environment and cleaning history and uses that information to apply the settings it thinks will work best. There's also a built-in voice assistant, which you activate by saying "Hello Rocky".
App score: 4.5 out of 5
Should you buy the Roborock Saros Z70?
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value
Wildly expensive, but this isn't surprising given it's the only robovac with an arm right now. If you don't want the arm, you can get excellent bots for far less.
3.5 / 5
Design
Combines most of the advanced features from the best robot vacuums on the market and adds a retractible pincer arm for good measure.
4.5 / 5
Performance
Pincer works well when remote-controlled, but automation is unreliable at the moment. Vacuuming, mopping and navigation are excellent.
3.5 / 5
App
Well designed and intuitive, with arm functions front-and-center.
4.5 / 5
Buy it if...
You love a cutting-edge gadget This is the first robot vacuum on the market to feature a mechanical arm. At present, this tech doesn't feature on any other model of robot vacuum.
You have mobility issues The robotic arm has potential to be very useful for people with limited mobility. The remote-control options are straightforward and reliable.
You have a cluttered home While the arm is in need of some refining, and assuming that happens, this bot could prove very useful in cluttered homes. It has the potential to tidy as well as clean, provided your mess isn't too heavy.
Don't buy it if...
You don't need a robotic arm There's no reason to buy the Saros Z70 if you don't need the arm – Roborock (and other brands) make many other excellent arm-less bots that are significantly cheaper.
You want tried-and-tested tech The arm technology is fresh on the market, which means there are some kinks to be ironed out. For reliable performance, it might pay to wait for a later generation (or at least until Roborock has had a chance to push out some firmware updates).
Dreame L40 Ultra The L40 Ultra is far more affordable than the Z70, but is still an outstanding robot vacuum. There's no arm, but the cleaning powers are excellent and the dock will take care of almost all maintenance for you, too. The suction specs are lower than on the Z70, but ample for most people's needs.
Roborock Saros 10 The Saros 10 is the sister model to the Z70. It doesn't have a pincer arm and, as such, is cheaper (although still premium). This model uses traditional LiDAR navigation rather than the new StarSight system, but the navigation puck can pop up and down so it can still clean under low furniture.
I used the Roborock Saros Z70 over the course of two weeks as my main vacuum. During this time, I tested all the OmniGrip arm functions, as well as assessing the bot's general cleaning powers and usability. I ran TechRadar's standard vacuuming and mopping tests, using oats and loose tea, to see how its cleaning compares to other models. I also spent time digging into the app and exploring the options available. Through all this, I compared my experience with other robot vacuums I've reviewed, from other brands and at different price points.
The Aura Aspen is a 1600 x 1200 11.8-inch digital photo frame. Sitting slap bang in the middle of the market, it retails for $229 (around £175) – while it’s currently only available in the US, the company has confirmed it will launch internationally later in 2025. In return, it offers a polished performance, neat design and unlimited cloud storage, making it a pretty reasonable investment.
Setting up the Aspen could not be more straightforward. Once you’ve downloaded the Aura app, you just need to tap +New Frame and plug in the frame. To connect your frame to Wi-Fi, simply enter the numbers displayed on the frame into the app, and it’ll connect to your home network. You’ll then be able to add users to the frame or just get on with adding photos.
And that could not be easier. You can navigate through the app – just tap Add Photos and pick an unlimited number of snaps and videos from your gallery – or use the built-in share button in most photo apps to share directly with the frame. After a quick upload, they’ll start appearing on the frame's screen.
Once they do, you’ll immediately see how impressive the Aspen’s screen is. While its display isn’t the highest pixel density we’ve seen – at 11.8 inches and a 1600 x 1200 resolution, it sits at around 170ppi – its images subjectively look about as crisp as we’ve seen from any of the best digital photo frames. However, it does occasionally overstep the mark (it was pretty unforgiving of the artificial bokeh on some of my iPhone 16 Pro snaps), making me wonder if it subtly sharpens images to give them that extra-well-defined look.
(Image credit: Future)
One area it absolutely nails, however, is color reproduction. Whether it’s the marbled turquoise and azure of the Ionian Sea or the riot of peach and magenta of rhododendrons in full bloom, the Aspen made every hue in my photos look rich and enticing. And it never strays into looking artificial; it’s steadfast in its accuracy, not once overstepping the mark into that lurid oversaturation that some screens are susceptible to.
To top off this strong performance, the Aspen also has a pretty decent feature set. Alongside the ability for friends and family to share their shots to your frame, the Aspen automatically detects the orientation of the frame and rotates images accordingly. Unfortunately, while you can manually crop images to center them according to your preferences, you can’t crop them differently for landscape and portrait, or select which images you’d rather appear in either orientation. Still, few digital photo frames I’ve tested handle this perfectly, so I can absolutely forgive this here.
And the Aspen has some innovative features that few other frames offer. Perhaps the most attention-grabbing is its colorization feature, which adds color back to black-and-white photos. The results are, inevitably, a bit hit and miss, as it tends to default to the most conventional colors for everything. For example, it rendered the rock and sand of Fuerteventura in drab khaki and dull beige, rather than their true colors of ochre and gold. Meanwhile, its in-app scanner allows you to ‘digitize’ – read ‘take photos of’ – existing physical pictures. Both of these are a lot of fun to play with, even if I suspect you won’t end up using them that much.
(Image credit: Future)
When it comes to controlling the Aspen, you can, of course, use the Aura app. However, for those who prefer a more tactile method of control, the frame has two touch-capacitive bars that sit on top of the frame in either orientation. These allow you to swipe left and right to select photos from your playlist, tap to hide photos or double-tap to see image info. While this is less futuristic than the Netgear Meural Canvas II’s touchless gesture control, it also feels much more intuitive and foolproof. Put simply, it’s one of the best control mechanisms I’ve ever used when reviewing digital photo frames.
And this kind of pragmatic yet refined styling is a design language the Aura Aspen seems fluent in. Its white 1.4-inch (35mm)bezels have a matte, textured paper effect, making them feel convincingly like an authentic mounting board. Meanwhile, rather than the flimsy stick some digital photo frames rely on, its stand is a sturdy arrowhead shape fashioned out of weighty metal, meaning I never had to worry about it tipping over. The device showcases this kind of dependable, considered build quality throughout, making it feel suitably premium.
If you’re already convinced and ready to pick up the Aura Aspen, I doubt you’ll be disappointed. For those on the fence, there is one more factor to consider: its price. Yes, at $229, it’s marginally pricier than the similarly impressive Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame, which retails for $159.99 / £149.99 and offers a slightly higher 221 PPI pixel density. However, the Aura offers a more premium-feeling build and unlimited uploads and storage, so which frame edges out the other is a matter of your biggest priorities.
(Image credit: Future)
Aura Aspen review: price & release date
Launched April 16, 2025
Retails for $229 (around £175)
Currently only available in the US
Launched on April 16, 2025, the Aura Aspen is available in the US now. Customers elsewhere in the world will have to wait a little longer for it, as according to Aura, its international rollout is currently pencilled in for ‘later in 2025’.
The Aura Aspen retails for $229 (around £175), positioning it slightly above the $159.99 / £149.99 Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame and far more than budget options like the Aeezo Portrait 01, which you can currently pick up for as little as $39.99 / £53.19 from Amazon. The Aspen is subscription-free, however, and that price includes unlimited transfers and cloud storage, so there aren’t any hidden costs or upgrade fees included.
It's available in a single size, but offers two colorways: Ink, the charcoal-hued frame we tested here, or Clay, a neutral beige color.
(Image credit: Future)
Aura Aspen review: specs
Dimensions
12.7 x 10.1 x 1.1 inches (323 x 257 x 28mm)
Display size
11.8-inch
Resolution
1600 x 1200, 170 pixels per inch
Aspect Ratio
4:3
Touch Screen
No
Sound
Built-in speaker
Orientation
Portrait or landscape
Storage
Unlimited cloud storage
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Aura Aspen?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
From a streamlined, user-friendly app to innovative features like photo recoloring, the Aspen has a decent feature set.
4/5
Design
Excellent build quality meet gorgeous aesthetics – it’s a work of art in its own right
5/5
Performance
Colors are vibrant yet faithful, the screen is bright and glare-free and the resolution is decent, even if bokeh occasionally looks a little sharp.
4/5
Value
Not the cheapest frame on the market, but its sturdy build and excellent finish more than justify the price.
4/5
Buy it if…
You’re looking for a lush, detailed display While it doesn’t have the highest resolution on the market, what the Aspen is capable of is rather impressive, offering gorgeous color and crisp details.
You want a frame that looks as good as your snaps Aesthetically, the Aspen is a gorgeous frame – not only is it made of premium materials, but its textured mount makes it feel like an authentic, high-quality picture frame.
Don’t buy it if…
You want the best bang for your buck The Aspen is great quality, but in terms of sheer value, the $159.99 / £149.99 Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame offers similarly stellar performance for marginally less investment.
You want a massive screen At 11.8 inches, the Aspen is far from the largest screen on the market. If you want a frame that will occupy a decent amount of wall space, something like the gargantuan 27-inch Netgear Meural Canvas II might serve you better.
Aura Aspen review: also consider
Aura Aspen
Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame
Aura Walden
Dimensions
12.7 x 10.1 x 1.1 inches (323 x 257 x 28mm)
7.4 x 11.2 inches (18.9 x 28.4cm)
15.7 x 12.7 x 1.2 inches (399 x 323 x 30mm)
Display size
11.8-inch
11-inch
15-inch
Resolution
1600 x 1200, 170 pixels per inch
2000 x 1200, 212 pixels per inch
1600 x 1200, 133 pixels per inch
Aspect Ratio
4:3
5:3
4:3
Touch Screen
No
Yes
No
Sound
Built-in speaker
Built-in speaker
Built-in speaker
Orientation
Portrait or landscape
Portrait or landscape
Portrait or landscape
Storage
Unlimited cloud storage
32GB
Unlimited cloud storage
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi, SD card, USB-A, USB-C
Wi-Fi
Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame One of my go-to recommendations at this price point, the Pexar offers an excellent balance of performance and price. Its true 2K resolution means it offers a staggeringly sharp 212 PPI pixel density, while colors are striking yet faithful. It’s not quite as gorgeous to look at as the Aspen, though. Read our full Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame review.
Aura Walden If you love what the Aspen is all about but fancy a little extra screen estate, the Aura Walden is a great option. After all, we named it our best premium digital photo frame for a reason: it has a larger 15-inch display while still offering the same premium build quality and ease of use. Bear in mind, though, that the increased screen size means you get a lower 133 PPI pixel density. Read our full Aura Walden review.
How I tested the Aura Aspen
Tested the product over multiple weeks
Uploaded a wide variety of photos
Have many years of experience working with photography
I tested the Aura Aspen over several weeks. First, I used its app to set up the frame, upload images, and explore its various features. I tried sending both individual snaps and bulk uploading whole folders to see how it coped in terms of transfer times.
I uploaded a variety of shots, from brilliantly hued blossoms to detailed monochrome compositions designed to help assess resolution and color performance. I also tried the frame in a range of settings to help assess its capabilities at different angles and distances, and in different light levels.
When it comes to experience, not only have I tested a wide range of digital photo frames for TechRadar, but I’m an experienced photographer, having taken over 40,000 photos on cameras from my Canon DSLR to my iPhone 16 Pro. I also spent many years working in print publishing, giving me a keen eye for image resolution and color accuracy.
Not all robot vacuums live up to the promise of effortless cleaning – but the Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni gets pretty close.
As a premium all-in-one device that vacuums, mops and even cleans itself, the X5 Pro Omni is designed to keep your home clean day to day without any help. Unlike standalone robot vacuums that need more frequent attention, the X5 Pro Omni's base station handles (almost) everything – from emptying the dustbin to scrubbing and drying the mop pads. You will have to, of course, refill the clean water as necessary and clean out the dirty-water tank.
For this review, I tested the X5 Pro Omni in a 3-bedroom home for an extended period of six months, and it did a great job overall, despite dealing with two messy adults and an even messier Great Dane.
Setting up the X5 Pro Omni is quick and easy, and mapping is fast and pretty accurate, though I had to make minor room division adjustments after the first scan. The robovac navigates well around larger objects, but does sometimes suck up objects like cables or shoelaces, or other small items the sensors miss, meaning it’s best used in spaces that are relatively clear.
Performance is excellent across all floor types, including hard floors, carpets, and rugs. Higher suction modes work best to get dirt out of carpets or pick up heavier debris, while standard mode is fine for everyday cleaning on hard floors. Battery life is impressive and the bot has no trouble doing a full clean without needing to return to the dock and charge.
(Image credit: Future)
The X5 Pro Omni base station is one of its biggest strengths, and unlike competitors like the Dreame X40 Ultra, it reliably clears the robot’s dustbin completely, even with pet hair and heavier debris.
The mop washing system is equally effective, using 70°C hot water and scrubbing to keep the pads fresh, followed by hot-air drying to prevent odors. I also found that the 4L clean- and dirty-water tanks were large enough to only need emptying and refilling once a month.
The Ecovacs app offers fairly deep customization, and tracks details like where the robot has traveled, the amount of area cleaned and the total number of sessions, but doesn’t log obstacles detected like the Roborock app is capable of doing.
Unfortunately the app can be clunky to use at times, like having to navigate into advanced robot settings just to set a scheduled clean or different cleaning modes being triggered than what is selected.
The app prompts you to handle any long-term maintenance issues, replacement parts are easy to find, and consumables last more than a reasonable length of time. In my use, the dust bag typically lasted around 60 days (in my case, mostly being filled with dog fur) and the robovac filter needed cleaning at the same time.
The main brush, side brush and mop pads show the expected wear, and have plenty of life left in them after six months of constant use. Replacement-part costs are in line with other premium robot vacuums, but I found significant price variation across different markets.
While not perfect, the X5 Pro Omni is an excellent choice for those who want a robovac that takes care of itself, with great vacuuming and mopping performance, infrequent maintenance, and a powerful auto-emptying base station.
However, if your home has lots of cables or small clutter, or if you want a robovac with smarter object detection or a nicer app, you might need to look elsewhere.
(Image credit: Future)
Ecovacs X5 Pro Omni review: Price and availability
How much does it cost? Starting from $1,299 / £1,399 / AU$2,399
When is it available? Available to buy now
Where can you get it? You can get it in the US, UK, and Australia
Launched in late 2024, the Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni is available in most major markets, including the US, UK, and Australia. You can purchase it directly from the official Ecovacs website, Amazon and leading retailers.
At full price, the X5 Pro Omni costs $1,299 / £1,399 / AU$2,399. However, Ecovacs frequently offers discounts of around 20%, bringing the price down to a much more appealing amount. And, if you happen to shop on Amazon, you could potentially find even bigger price drops during major sales.
Of course, actually using the X5 Pro Omni will incur ongoing costs, particularly for consumables like dust bags, filters, mop pads and brushes. Based on replacing consumables as per the recommendations from Ecovacs, I estimate my annual maintenance costs at around $466 / £424 / AU$606.
Some parts, like the Anti-Tangle Main Brush, are significantly more expensive in the UK and Australia than in the US. Third-party alternatives are available but, as expected, Ecovacs recommends using official parts for optimal performance. That said, the most common cost will the dust bag.
Want to know more about consumable pricing, and how parts like the brushes hold up long term? Read through the rest of the review below, or jump to Consumables and Maintenance.
The Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni consumables kit (available to purchase separately) helps reduce running costs (Image credit: Future)
Premium robovacs from competing brands tend to be priced a bit higher than the X5 Pro Omni. For example, the Dreame X40 Ultra, which features detachable mop pads and 12,000Pa suction, is listed at $1,899 / £1,299 / AU$2,799. The less fully featured Dreame L40 Ultra costs $1,499.99 / £999 but isn’t available in Australia.
Similarly, the Eufy Omni S1 Pro, which has a slimmer design but a lower 8,000Pa suction, is priced at $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$2,699, while the Roborock Qrevo Edge comes in at $1,600 / AU$2,799 (currently unavailable in the UK).
Ecovacs also has the more affordable but still premium Deebot T30 Omni, which launched at £799 / AU$1,749 (but isn’t available in the US) and is often discounted to £699 / AU$1,199.
There are cheaper robot vacuums available, but the X5 Pro Omni balances premium features, powerful suction and fairly advanced automation at a price that makes it an appealing robot vacuum, especially when on sale.
Value score: 4 / 5
Ecovacs X5 Pro Omni: Specifications
Ecovacs X5 Pro Omni review: Design and features
Squared-off front, no LiDAR turret
Base station with auto-empty, mop washing and hot-air drying
Side-extendable mop pad
Where most robot vacuums are round, the Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni features a squared-off front (D-shaped) that's a little reminiscent of the Deebot X2 Omni. Ecovacs says this design helps the bot get the side brush into corners and improve edge cleaning. The shape also means it doesn’t use an extendable side brush.
Unlike many competing models, it doesn’t have a top-mounted LiDAR turret, making it shorter and better suited to cleaning under furniture.
The bot has a floating main brush that adjusts to different floor types, and a spinning side brush helps with cleaning along edges. It also features a 15mm (0.6in) mop lift, allowing it to vacuum carpets without transferring any dampness from the mop pads, and the right mop pad extends by 4cm (1.6 inch), improving coverage along walls and corners.
For navigation, the X5 Pro Omni uses dToF (Direct Time-of-Flight) laser mapping, combined with AIVI 3D 2.0 object recognition, an RGB camera, TrueDetect 3D sensors and anti-drop sensors. In other words, it uses fancy robot vision for navigation and obstacle avoidance, and has extra cliff sensors to avoid accidentally driving down the stairs. It can also use some of these sensors to spot stains that need another mopping pass to be fully cleaned up.
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(Image credit: Future)
The bot includes Ecovacs' Yiko 2.0 AI voice assistant, which lets you control a range of functionality, like adjusting cleaning tasks without pulling out the app.
The X5 Pro Omni can climb obstacles up to 22mm (0.87 inch), which means it can handle some thresholds and small lips in areas with slightly different floor heights. It also offers ZeroTangle tech, where the main roller brush features comb teeth for hair removal to avoid tangles.
The physical size and weight of the X5 Pro Omni are fairly typical, and the robot itself measures 31.3 x 34.6 x 9.5cm (12.3 x 13.6 x 3.7 inch) and weighs 4.3kg (9.5lbs), while the base station (or dock) is 39.4 x 44.3 x 52.75cm (15.5 x 17.4 x 20.8 inch), with a total weight of 11kg (24.3lbs). The dock needs 50cm (19.7 inches) of clearance on both sides and 150cm (59 inches) in front for proper operation.
The dock handles dustbin emptying, mop washing with hot water, and drying with hot air. It stores dust in a 3L (101oz) bag, which is accessed through a front-opening panel for easy replacement. The clean- and dirty-water tanks each hold 4L (135oz) and are located under a top lid, making them simple to refill and empty. The mop washing tray is removable and any buildup is easily cleaned, although the Roborock Qrevo Edge one-ups the X5 Pro Omni by also featuring a self-cleaning cycle for the tray as well.
Design and features score: 4 / 5
Ecovacs X5 Pro Omni review: Performance
Handles all floor types well
Struggles to get deep into corners
Mop pads lift high enough for carpets but not thick rugs
Overall, the Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni kept my floors clean just as well as I can with a stick vacuum and mop, and rarely required any help or intervention beyond normal maintenance. Once I had cleaning schedules set up, it handled most vacuuming and mopping automatically, and I only needed to step in for occasional spot cleaning or to pick up debris that was too large or in a corner it could not reach.
The bot works at a similar pace to other robot vacuums, taking around 1.5 minutes per square meter to vacuum and 2 minutes per square meter to mop, but since it can do both tasks at the same time, a full clean doesn’t take as long as it might seem.
According to Ecovacs, the 6,400 mAh battery provides up to 224 minutes of runtime, which is enough to clean up to 400m² (4,305ft²) per charge in optimal conditions. Ecovacs doesn’t break down battery life by suction level, but runtime will vary depending on settings and home layout.
Overall performance score: 4 / 5
Mapping and obstacle avoidance
The Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni created a detailed and mostly accurate map on its first run. It didn’t require any manual adjustments to the map itself, but I did need to tweak the room divisions in the app. Mapping is fast and easy to run a second time, which I had to do after the robot got lost and mistakenly added extra rooms that didn’t exist.
Obstacle avoidance is decent but not flawless. The X5 Pro Omni generally avoids larger objects, but isn’t great at recognizing cables, shoelaces or small items like pieces of paper towel. It will avoid some small obstacles, but anything lying flat on the floor is at risk of being sucked up or dragged along. It also tends to catch and tangle cables, so keeping the floor clear makes a big difference in how well it completes a cleaning run.
While it doesn’t have dedicated pet recognition, it does a good job of avoiding spills and larger debris. The app lets you set up no-go zones, though these aren’t pet-specific. Unlike the competition like the Dreame X40 Ultra, the X5 Pro Omni does not capture images of obstacles, so there’s no way to review what it avoided after a clean.
The Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni uses a wide range of sensors for mapping and navigation. Note how they get dusty over time – following the sensor cleaning reminders from the app is important. (Image credit: Future)
During testing, it rarely got stuck as long as the floor was relatively clear. When it did, it was usually due to cables, a thick rug or getting wedged behind a laundry basket or on a dog toy. It detects when it’s stuck and stops safely, rather than pushing forward and causing damage. If that happens, it has to be manually picked up and placed back on the dock, as pressing the power button doesn’t wake it. If told to return home via the app, it sometimes gets lost along the way and needs to be rescued by hand. On the plus side, these issues came up relatively rarely during use.
To test its ability to handle small steps, I made a simulated step between rooms using a section of plywood at the maximum 22mm height, and while it sometimes took two or three attempts, the bot made it across every clean.
The app includes a remote control mode that streams video from the onboard camera, and allows manual steering of the bot, which I found useful to check on my dog when not home. The video feature didn’t work the first time I tried, but functioned fine every other time I used it. Steering the bot feels slightly laggy but still usable, making it more suited for basic navigation adjustments rather than precision movement. The built-in two-way communication feature works for real-time voice interaction, though there’s no dedicated pet-tracking mode.
Despite the quirks covered above, overall the X5 Pro Omni handles navigation fairly well and happily adapts to changing environments. It moves effectively around furniture, shoes and baskets that shift between cleaning sessions, making it a solid choice for homes where the position of larger items may change frequently.
Mapping and obstacle avoidance score: 3.5 / 5
Vacuuming
I tested the Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni on wooden floors, tiles and rugs to see how well it handled different surfaces. Along with daily cleaning, I ran a series of controlled tests using flour, sand, rice, oats, dry dog food and dry leaves, scattering them in a corner on hard floors and then on a short-pile rug.
Performance across different surfaces was excellent overall. For most debris, the X5 Pro Omni was able to pick up nearly everything in a single pass, but two passes were best for thorough cleaning. Larger or heavier debris required additional cleaning cycles, and the side brush sometimes flicked smaller particles away before the main brush could capture them. The one downside was the robot vacuum consistently failed to get all the way into corners, or fully clean along edges.
The vacuum’s suction power can be set to Max, Strong, Standard or Quiet modes. Standard mode worked well for daily cleaning of pet fur, dust and light debris, but heavier dirt and sand needed Max suction to be fully removed. Carpets and rugs benefited from higher suction levels as Standard mode sometimes left behind some debris.
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Vacuuming test with oats (Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
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Some oats left after a single pass (Image credit: Future)
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The robovac dustbin needs manual cleaning once a month or so (Image credit: Future)
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The robovac dustbin filter can be replaced or cleaned when clogged (Image credit: Future)
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The filter responds well to vacuuming with a stick vac (Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
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After an extended test with no cleaning, hair builds up on the side brush, but it does not reduce performance (Image credit: Future)
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Hair builds up on the main brush over time, but vacuuming performnce remains decent (Image credit: Future)
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Removing the trapped hair is very easy and takes less than one minute (Image credit: Future)
My home has two people who shed a lot of long hair and, in my testing, hair buildup was manageable, but it still accumulated in the side brush and main brush over time, despite the anti-tangle feature. Both the side and main brush collected a noticeable amount of hair after just a week of use, but it doesn’t end up embedded and removal is easy. The wheels and mop pads remained tangle-free, making overall upkeep straightforward, and even leaving it a month between cleaning caused no problems.
I measured the noise levels of the X5 Pro Omni with a decibel meter at a range of 1m, with multiple passes and the results averaged. Using Quiet mode, it produces 41dB, which is low enough to be unobtrusive, and the wheel-drive system is actually slightly louder than the vacuum motor.
Standard mode is only slightly louder at 42dB, making it suitable for cleaning while watching TV or having a conversation. Strong mode increases the noise level to 44dB, which is still reasonable but more intrusive. At Max suction, it reaches 52dB, which is significantly louder and comparable to a stick vacuum at moderate power.
While vacuuming, noise levels remain fairly steady, but auto-emptying at the base station is much louder, peaking at 63dB. Mopping is quieter at 40dB, and general driving noise sits at 41dB, meaning the robot isn’t exactly stealthy when moving between cleaning zones. Mop washing reaches 37dB, so while not silent, it’s quiet enough not to be disruptive.
If wanting to run the vacuum at night while sleeping, Quiet mode is an option, provided you have a closed door between you and the robovac and aren’t a light sleeper. The dock should be placed away from sleeping areas, as the auto-emptying noise is quite loud and could be disruptive if triggered at night. To avoid this you can set Do Not Disturb times, where the dock will not activate the auto-empty functionality, but this does limit vacuuming performance for larger homes as the small onboard dustbin in the bot fills up.
Vacuuming score: 4 / 5
Mopping
For mopping, the X5 Pro Omni uses water with the Ecovacs cleaning solution optionally added to the clean-water tank. I tested with plain water and adding a cleaning solution, but didn’t find the latter made a noticeable difference unless having the bot do a deeper scrub.
During my testing, I scheduled mopping once a week but found that adding extra runs during wet weather helped keep the front and back door areas free of muddy footprints.
The X5 Pro Omni does a good job on open spaces, but it doesn’t reach under furniture edges as well as a handheld mop. The right-side mop pad does extend slightly, helping it clean closer to edges, but some tight spots remain out of reach.
For tougher messes, I tested the X5 Pro Omni by spilling sauce, 'stepping' in it and letting it dry a little on my wooden floors. In most cases, one pass was enough to fully clean up the mess, but two passes were needed for the dried stains. Turning up the water-flow setting was helpful in making sure the mop pads were wet enough to tackle stubborn spots. The automatic re-mop feature worked reasonably well on tiles, but the bot struggled to tell the difference between a speck of dried sauce and darker patches of wood.
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A slightly dried sauce stain (Image credit: Future)
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The robovac moves in... (Image credit: Future)
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Mop pads deploy... (Image credit: Future)
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It swings back for a second pass (Image credit: Future)
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The sauce is entirely cleaned up (Image credit: Future)
The mop pads are washed and dried by the base station after each cleaning run, with drying time adjustable between 2, 3 or 4 hours. You can also set it to wash the mops after each room, or at 10, 15 or 20-minute intervals. The base station washes the mop pads with hot water, scrubbing them against a textured cleaning tray to remove dirt and debris. While I found that this process was very effective, the mop pads still benefit from being machine-washed periodically to give a deeper refresh. It’s also recommended to inspect the pads regularly for wear and replace them as needed.
The X5 Pro Omni isn’t designed to handle large liquid spills, as its mop pads are meant for scrubbing rather than sponging up a lot of moisture. I found that if the robot is picked up after or during mopping (for example, to extract a cable or shoelace), it may dribble water, so don’t do that over anything you need to keep dry.
One somewhat frustrating quirk is that vacuum-and-mop mode is the default setting, and it can’t be changed to vacuum-only by default. Worse, if a mop and vacuum cycle is accidentally triggered, even if canceled immediately, the robovac will still run a mop wash cycle that can’t be stopped.
Battery capacity alone isn’t the only metric though. For example, in my testing the X5 Pro Omni can do a full double-pass vacuum of a three-bedroom house (around 50 square meters of actual floor cleaning) and only drop to 73% battery capacity.
Doing a full vacuum and mop at the same time drops it to 65%, and doing a vacuum then mop takes it to 60%. This means you can expect up to around 140 square meters of vacuuming at maximum suction, and over 100 square meters of vacuuming and mopping. With the suction power set to Standard, the total amount of floor area that can be vacuumed almost doubles.
My results here also support the claim from Ecovacs that the X5 Pro Omni can handle up to 244 minutes of cleaning on a charge.
As a comparison, the Roborock Saros 10 needs to stop and charge after three rooms when set to the maximum suction. Part of the difference is that the Saros 10 has a higher maximum suction power of 22,000Pa, vs 12,800Pa for the X5 Pro Omni, and higher suction does mean higher battery consumption.
One annoyance is that the X5 Pro Omni does not give the exact battery percentage when cleaning, as the Ecovacs app just displays 100 in the battery indicator. It’s not until the vacuum returns to the dock and you start another clean immediately that it updates the remaining capacity. Other times, the indicator works as expected.
The X5 Pro Omni will return to the dock to top up the battery as needed when cleaning. While a full charge can take over 4 hours, getting back to 50% only takes about 30 minutes.
Battery life score: 4.5 / 5
Dock performance
The Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni comes with a 3L (101 oz) dust bag, rated for up to 60 days of use. How long it actually lasts depends on your home’s size and how much debris is collected, but in my case, the manufacturer’s estimate was fairly accurate. The robovac’s 250ml (8.45 oz) dustbin is emptied automatically when full, or you can set it to Extra mode for more frequent emptying – useful for homes with pets or a lot of dust buildup.
Unlike the underwhelming auto-empty suction from the Dreame X40 Ultra's dock, the X5 Pro Omni’s base station has a well-thought out airflow design and reliably empties the dustbin. During testing, I didn’t experience any clogging issues within the dock itself, but blockages inside the robot's dustbin occasionally prevented proper emptying which, in turn, affect vacuuming up more dirt until manually cleared.
The robovac is supposed to detect when the dock fails to empty the bin, but I found these warnings to be inconsistent. There were times when the bin was clogged but the app never alerted me, so I had to manually check the dustbin after cleaning to ensure everything was working properly.
Increasing the emptying frequency can help avoid any potential issues, but in my use, clogging wasn’t a frequent issue unless I had accidentally left larger debris that the bit could suck up.
In testing, the mop washing and drying system worked well to keep the pads clean and stop any odors forming between uses. The dock heats water to 70°C (158°F) and pumps it through a wash system to rinse the mop pads, scrubbing them against a textured cleaning surface to remove dirt and grime. After washing, the dirty water is stored in a container in the top of the base station, and it dries the mop pads with hot air, with drying times adjustable to two, three or four hours. The scrubbing system is highly effective, and the mop pads always came out looking fresh after cleaning cycles and there was never an issue with smell.
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(Image credit: Future)
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The dust bag is easy to replace via the front of the base station (Image credit: Future)
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The clean and dirty water tanks live under the top lid (Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
Emptying the dirty mop water is as simple as opening the top of the dock, lifting the container out by the handle and emptying it in a sink. I only did this once a month and the dirty water did tend to smell when being tipped out, but the container was easy to rinse out and didn’t retain any odor. The clean-water container uses the same design and can be topped up at a sink, then put back into the dock.
The dock's noise levels vary depending on the task. Measured from 1 meter away (3.3 feet) mop washing is noticeable at 37dB but not disruptive, though the pumps are briefly quite noisy (46 dB) when running. The drying fan produces a low hum for a few hours but isn’t intrusive. Auto-emptying is the loudest part of the process at 63dB and although it only lasts 10 seconds, it’s still very disruptive if the station is located in a main living area or if done at night.
For households with pets or heavy dirt buildup, the dock performs well and reliably empties debris, though owners should occasionally check for clogs in the bot’s dustbin since warnings aren’t always accurate. Smaller objects left on the floor can cause issues, but aside from that, the X5 Pro Omni’s base station is a very reliable and hands-free system.
Dock performance score: 4.5 / 5
Ecovacs X5 Pro Omni review: App control
Reliable scheduled cleaning
Quick access to cleaning reports and history
Certain settings are hidden in sub-menus
The Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni can be controlled using the physical buttons on top of the robot, but the app is critical for unlocking its full potential. It provides access to the home map, lets you adjust cleaning settings and offers deep customization of scheduled cleans.
The app includes a cleaning history and reporting section, which provides a visual map of where the bot traveled during each clean. It also records the time of each session, the area cleaned and the total duration. Over time, this builds into a comprehensive cleaning log, showing the total square footage cleaned across all sessions, the number of cleans completed and total runtime. However, one notable omission is that the app does not log obstacles detected during a cleaning session, which means there's no easy way to see what might have blocked the robot mid-clean.
Most frequently used settings are easy to access, but some features are buried in sub-menus. For example, scheduling cleans is hidden under Advanced settings, and certain options are locked while the robot is in operation – like when manually triggering a dustbin empty, other settings can’t be adjusted until the process is finished.
Scheduled cleaning is very reliable, and in my testing, the X5 Pro Omni only failed to start once without explanation. If a scheduled clean is missed, the robovac resumes correctly at the next scheduled time. However, one frustrating issue is that if you set a clean for later in the day, the app doesn’t indicate that it’s actually scheduling it for the next day – only showing this after the schedule has been set.
Perhaps my least favorite bug is when doing spot cleans. If I sent the bot to vacuum up a mess, then later wanted to do another one-off clean, the app would show the previous vacuum-only mode was still selected – but when hitting start, it would actually trigger a vacuum and mop, not vacuum-only. Even if you canceled it immediately, it would spend a few minutes running a mop wash cycle before you could get it to do the actual vacuum.
The app also sometimes didn't properly register where the bot was or what it was doing. This was frustrating, because if you tried to trigger a clean, it would say the bot needed to return to the dock first – even though it showed the bot already in the dock on the app. Force quitting and restarting the app would fix the issue, but it was an annoying extra step.
To rule out an issue with my phone (a Pixel 9 Pro XL), I also tried the app on other mobiles and saw similar problems. Apple users may have a different experience – my colleague didn’t run into the same issues when using the app on an iPhone during her Ecovacs T30 Omni review, for example.
The app looks good, but can be frustrating at times (Image credit: Future)
Another small but unnecessary annoyance is that even when Do Not Disturb times are set (muting the robovac), it mostly works, but still loudly makes some announcements. For example, if the bot gets stuck during the day, and you arrive home late and need to manually place it back in the base station during the Do Not Disturb time, it loudly proclaims “start charging”. Another issue is that after turning down the voice volume to a quiet level, the "task stopped" announcement is still made at the loudest setting.
During testing I found the Wi-Fi connectivity to be stable, but it’s worth noting the robovac only supports 2.4GHz networks. I had some quirks when using it with a mesh network, but the issues were hard to pin down to a specific cause. That said, setting up a dedicated 2.4GHz-only network for the robovac helped make it more reliable.
During testing, I went on holiday, leaving a family member to house and dog sit. The robovac initially worked fine, but eventually stopped performing scheduled cleans. Despite easy remote access via the app, I couldn’t identify the problem and had to manually trigger cleans each day remotely.
After returning, I discovered the Do Not Disturb times had mysteriously reversed from 8pm–8am to 8am–8pm, preventing morning cleans. The app does give error notifications (but does not save them to the log), but I was unaware due to a daylight-saving bug that meant the scheduled clean was being triggered an hour earlier than I expected.
In terms of usability, the app provides a similar level of control to other brands, though some robovacs with more features offer slightly more customization. However, occasional lag and loading issues make the experience feel less polished than it should be. The voice and volume inconsistencies are also quite jarring, and take a little of the premium shine off the experience.
I also wish it had an easy delayed start option – like a quick way to select a one-time clean at a set time later in the day – especially because setting same-day scheduled cleans is not possible.
Still, despite these frustrations, the app is mostly reliable and offers a good balance of customization and control, and hopefully Ecovacs will continue to work on improving the experience over time.
App control score: 2.5 / 5
Ecovacs X5 Pro Omni review: Consumables and maintenance
The Ecovacs Deebot X5 Pro Omni comes with one dust bag, two side brushes, and a set of washable mop pads in the box – but no cleaning fluid is included. While this is enough to get started, you’ll need to order replacement dust bags within 60 days, and other consumables including filters, mop pads and side brushes will need replacing on a set schedule.
Under normal use, the dust bag should be replaced every 60 days, side brushes and filters every few months and mop pads periodically based on wear.
Consumables can be purchased through the Ecovacs website and third-party retailers like Amazon, though availability varies slightly between regions. For example, the quarterly maintenance kit is not available in the US, while six-pack dust bag sets are only sold in the US and not in the UK or Australia.
The app tracks the lifespan of consumables by usage percentages and notifies users when replacements are recommended. These estimates tend to be on the conservative side and, in my testing, parts like the main brush and mop pads lasted longer than suggested, though this will of course depend on your usage.
Routine maintenance is straightforward, with the main brush and robovac dustbin checked weekly, side brushes and sensors every two weeks, and filters and mop pads cleaned or replaced monthly. Hair buildup occurs over time, but manual removal is simple, and no issues were noted with hard-to-reach areas during testing.
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Despite the anti-tangle features, hair builds up on the main brush over time (Image credit: Future)
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The side brush collects hair, but is easily removed and cleaned (Image credit: Future)
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The front wheel is well designed and does not trap hair (Image credit: Future)
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The main drive wheels do a great job of avoiding any tangles (Image credit: Future)
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Removing hair from the main brush is easy – just cut along one side and it slides free (Image credit: Future)
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The mop wash station is self cleaning, but does build up debris over time (Image credit: Future)
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The mop wash parts can be removed for a deeper clean in the sink every few months (Image credit: Future)
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The dust bag seals when removed, which avoids any mess (Image credit: Future)
Based on my usage in a small 3-bedroom home, I estimate consumables will cost up to $465.79 / £423.85 / AU$606.30 per year. For larger homes, costs will scale accordingly. Some notable price differences exist between regions – for example, the anti-tangle main brush is 88.9% more expensive in the UK and 54.9% more expensive in Australia compared to the US. However, Australia tends to have lower prices overall for consumables, while the UK has some of the highest accessory costs.
Third-party consumables are available, though Ecovacs advises using official parts for optimal performance. I did not test any non-official replacements.
With regular maintenance and timely consumable replacements, I found the X5 Pro Omni quite easy to keep in top condition and ongoing costs are similar to other premium robovacs. Be aware, though, there can be significant regional price variations.
Consumables and maintenance score: 3.5 / 5
Should I Buy the Ecovacs X5 Pro Omni?
Buy it if…
You want a powerful auto-emptying system
The X5 Pro Omni’s self-cleaning dock has strong suction and reliably empties the robot’s dustbin, and never clogged during testing.
You want a hands-free mopping system
With built-in water tanks, automatic mop washing and hot air drying, the X5 Pro Omni keeps its mop pads clean with minimal effort on your part.
You want the latest features in a robot vacuum
The X5 Pro Omni offers powerful suction, smart mapping and an advanced all-in-one dock, making it one of the more feature-packed robot vacuums in its class.
Don’t buy it if…
You have a lot of small objects on the floor
While the X5 Pro Omni can avoid most large obstacles, it struggles with cables, shoelaces or flat items like paper towels, and may get stuck if the floor isn’t kept clear.
You only have carpet
The X5 Pro Omni has a strong vacuuming system and mop lift, but if your home is fully carpeted, a vacuum-only robovac will save you money without sacrificing cleaning performance.
You want a polished app experience
While the level of customization and control is decent, the app feels clunky and unpolished at times, and I ran into many small but frustrating issues during my testing.
Also consider
Not sold on the Ecovacs X5 Pro Omni? Below are a few alternatives that are worth considering.
Dreame L10s Ultra This slightly older model doesn’t have quite as many features as the X5 Pro Omni and isn’t as powerful, but it’s still a great option and can often be found for less than half the price. Read our full Dreame L10s Ultra review
Eufy Omni S1 Pro One of the few robovacs that can compete directly with the X5 Pro Omni, the Eufy Omni S1 Pro is a feature-packed alternative with an innovative rolling cylinder mopping system. Read our full Eufy Omni S1 Pro review
Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo While not quite as good at dodging cables as the Ecovacs X5 Pro Omni, the Deebot T30S Combo stands out with a stick vacuum that slots into the side of the its dock, keeping it ready to go for any extra cleanup. Read our full Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo review
How I tested the Ecovacs X5 Pro Omni
I used the X5 Pro Omni as my main vacuum cleaner for six months
My testing space included hard floors and carpet
I performed specific grain-size and wet-spill tests
I used the Ecovacs X5 Pro Omni daily for six months in a home with a dog and two adults, and with polished wooden floors, tiles, carpet and medium-pile rugs. The weather during the test period included both wet and dry conditions. I started with an initial deep clean, followed by ongoing daily vacuuming, with mopping once or twice a week – plus extra spot cleans as needed. I tested both the automatic mode and manually customized cleans using schedules and shortcuts.
I documented cleaning performance over the testing period and conducted a range of specific tests with different debris sizes to further gauge vacuuming ability. I also tested dry and wet spills to evaluate the mopping prowess. Additionally, I strategically placed debris – including fur, leaves and hair – in problem areas like corners to assess the robovac’s effectiveness in daily use.
During my testing period, I changed the base station vacuum bag 4 times, manually cleaned the mop cleaning system in the base station, and performed the full range of maintenance checks as prompted by the app.
The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next is an upgraded version of the Magnifica Evo we reviewed back in 2021, further expanding the Italian brand's range of Magnifica automatic bean-to-cup coffee machines. As a brewer of coffee, it’s excellent, delivering a delicious espresso with a lovely crema.
It can make a comprehensive selection of coffee-based drinks, each of which can be personalized and saved to profiles to ensure you get your perfect cuppa each and every time. It also uses De’Longhi’s LatteCrema milk frothing technology for making cappuccinos, macchiatos and other milk-based coffee drinks. But, despite an increasing percentage of the world’s population turning to plant-based milks, there aren’t any separate profiles for these dairy alternatives.
Day-to-day use of the Evo Next should be simple for most people, particularly those who are familiar with how fully automatic coffee machines work, although anyone new to coffee making might have to overcome a steep learning curve to get to grips with it. I was coming to the Evo Next as a user of either Nespresso pod machines or manual espresso machines, so it took me a few uses to figure out exactly how to extract the best from the Evo Next. If you’re in a similar position or have never used an automatic bean-to-cup machine before, let it be known you’re likely going to pour a few bitter espressos before you find your ideal cuppa.
The combination of the machine’s clearly laid-out buttons and bright, colorful display, however, made navigating through menus and settings a piece of cake. The only setting that did cause me some initial trouble was adjusting the grinder. I assumed I could adjust it whenever I wanted, but De’Longhi says it should only be moved when it’s in motion, which is counter to previous machines I've tested. I would have liked this instruction to have been a bit clearer. I also think the user manual could be a little clearer with regard to the effect changing the grind setting even just one increment can make on the resulting espresso. Those well-versed in coffee machines will likely already know this, but newcomers may struggle.
It’s not the smallest nor the quietest automatic coffee machine ever, nor is it even the quickest to pour an espresso shot, but once you’ve learned your way around it, the results and generous selection of available drink choices go some way to making up for these foibles, putting in contention with the best bean-to-cup coffee machines currently available.
Also helping its cause to be your next coffee machine is its low cost in comparison to similar models from other brands – although, perhaps not in the US at the time of writing.
De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next review: Price & availability
List price $999.95 / £499.99 / AU$1,149
Cheaper than comparable competitor models
Can already be found with discounts
The price of the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next varies across the globe. In the UK, its list price is £499.99, in Australia it costs AU$1,149, but in the US it’s more expensive than a currency conversion or tariffs would suggest at $999.95.
It’s not the first time we’ve seen an inflated price for US customers, with the De’Longhi Eletta Explore – also an automatic coffee machine – priced higher in the US than its UK and Australian equivalents would suggest, and that’s from long before any tariff announcements were made.
When compared to the similarly specced KitchenAid KF6 ($1,199 / £1,299 / AU$1,799) though, the Magnifica Evo Next still represents remarkable value. The KF6 is much quieter in use and offers some extra maintenance features akin to professional espresso machines, but doesn’t include a milk carafe as standard, instead leaving you to place a tube into a jug or cup (or pony up for the official optional one).
Value score: 5/5
De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next review: Specs
De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next review: Design
Side water tank for easier refilling
Color display helps with navigation and setting changes
Space needed above for pouring coffee beans
The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next is a smart-looking coffee machine in a matte silver-and-black colourway. It’s the same size as other models in the Magnifica Evo range, including the Magnifica Evo, at 44 x 36 x 24cm (W x D x H), making it pretty big by espresso machine standards. I had it set up next to my trusted Nespresso Vertuo Pop pod coffee machine throughout the testing process and the difference in size was, well, sizeable, even on my relatively large kitchen counter. You will, therefore, need to make sure you have the space on your countertop to accommodate it.
The De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next is significantly larger than the Nespresso Vertuo Pop. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
As with other models in the series, the beans container is on the top, so you’ll need to allow for a bit of extra space above to comfortably pour in coffee beans. With wall-mounted cabinets sitting directly above the machine in my setup, there was just enough clearance to pour a 1kg bag into the hopper. Ultimately though, as the machine's hopper isn’t airtight, I settled on storing my coffee beans in a separate container and scooping them in as needed. If you’re only making a few (or less) coffees a day, I’d recommend putting in just enough for each use to preserve freshness.
There is also a small chute that accepts ground coffee, if you don't have access to whole beans – although freshly ground beans make such a huge difference that using pre-ground with a machine of this caliber is, frankly, a huge waste.
A manual control wheel for the 13 grinder settings is nestled within the beans container. It’s labelled 1 to 7 – 1 being the finest and 7 the coarsest – with increments going up by 0.5 in between. De’Longhi says the default setting of 5 should be fine for most users, but if you want to adjust the grind setting, you should only do so when the machine is grinding to avoid damage to the burrs. De’Longhi adds that you should pour at least two coffees after you’ve made any changes to make sure that they’ve taken effect.
This, coupled with the five intensity settings available for each drink (which I’ll talk about more in the performance section), can make finding the perfect combination for your own tastes quite tricky and will likely require some experimentation during your first few days of use.
(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
If you want a home espresso machine that reduces the grinding guesswork, the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch’s Bean Adapt Technology system recommends ideal settings based on your chosen drink, although the machine on the whole requires more manual input than the Evo Next.
I experimented a fair amount with grind settings and found that when I had it set to the finest setting of 1, the machine wasn’t able to pour coffee. Instead it displayed an error message and then dumped out the ground coffee into the internal waste container. Returning the dial to its default setting of 5 gave me much better results.
Coffee is poured from two nozzles that can be physically raised or lowered to accommodate a variety of cup or mug heights, and it can be used to pour two espresso shots at once. The drip tray that sits underneath your cup(s) slides out smoothly, and also pulls out the separate internal waste bin where used coffee pucks are collected.
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The spout can move up and down to accommodate a range of cup and mug sizes. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
The Magnifica Evo Next comes with a large 60.9 fl oz / 1.8L water tank on its right-hand side, and slides in and out of the front of the machine like a book from a bookcase. This makes refilling the tank incredibly easy when compared to models from other brands that put the tank on the rear of the machine.
However, I have also used manual coffee machines such as the Sage/Breville Oracle Jet which has an integrated water tank that you simply fill up using a jug of water via a hole in the top at the front, a method I ultimately prefer.
De’Longhi also supplies a water hardness testing strip so you can determine which water hardness setting to choose during the initial setup, as well as a water filter that screws into the bottom of the tank.
The Magnifica Evo Next comes with both a hot water spout and a 9.4 fl oz / 280ml milk carafe to froth milk using the company’s LatteCrema system. Both of these attach to a small connection slot on the front left of the machine, and you can only use one at a time. If you want to make a milk-based drink or a tea, for example, you’ll need to factor in time to swap the attachments around.
The milk carafe and its various parts are easy to remove and clean. They’re dishwasher safe, too, to make things even easier.
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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
You control the machine via an array of soft-touch buttons along the top, each of which has a symbol for a specific drink. There are also a couple of arrows that are used to adjust the size and intensity of your drink and an OK button to confirm your selections.
If you want to customize a drink, your options are extensive. Not only can you set a preferred intensity, but you can override the standard volumes poured for each style and size of coffee, including milk. This feature is accessed by pressing the ‘my’ button on the touch panel, and allows for three user profiles per drink.
When creating a custom profile, the machine will begin and continue pouring coffee until you tell it to stop when it reaches the desired level. The same goes for milk. With your settings saved, the next time you come to make the same drink, you’ll see ‘my’ listed next to the size. Press OK and the Evo Next will pour to your exact specifications.
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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
Your selections are displayed on a clear, central 2.4-inch TFT screen that provides a good range of information, including color images of what your coffee can expect to look like once it’s finished pouring. It also gives you remarkably polite written feedback, including telling you you’re becoming a pro after you’ve poured a large number of drinks.
As I’m based in Australia, I found some of the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next's drink names slightly unfamiliar, as they reflect the brand’s Italian heritage. For instance, my usual choice of a flat white isn't a standard Italian coffee and so isn’t an option. The closest alternative available is the Cappuccino Mix, which provides frothed milk, though it's less foamy than a traditional cappuccino.
Design score: 4.5/5
De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next review: Performance
Extensive selection of customization options
Delicious espresso with good crema
Noisy in use
As I’ve already mentioned, the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next will consistently produce great-tasting coffee, but only after you’ve figured out which settings are best for you. I experimented a fair amount with grind and intensity settings – initially with poor, unusable results – but once I found the best settings for my taste, there was no stopping me from making excellent coffee after coffee.
(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
I was happy with the thickness of the crema produced, and I think it will suit most coffee drinkers. If, however, you like a particularly thick crema on your espresso or coffee, then you may want to check out the KitchenAid KF6 instead.
The Magnifica Evo Next can make 11 different coffee-based drinks, each with its own options for customization, such as the strength, temperature and volume. The options offered are:
You can also dispense hot water and hot milk from the machine; however, unlike some other newer espresso machines we've tested, there’s no option for cold brewing.
During my testing, I found the default settings for my preferred cappuccino mix drink weren’t as strong as I would have liked – the intensity was set to 3, on a scale of 1 to 5. I had to increase it to the maximum 5 and this returned a much more flavorful brew.
The higher intensity setting refers to the fact that more beans are ground and packed into the internal puck, resulting in a stronger, more potent espresso.
There aren’t any settings to adjust the foam level or milk temperature, although the type of milk you use will dictate the level of foam returned. For example, I drink oat milk in my coffees and found that attempting to use standard (i.e. non-barista) oat milk produced disappointing results.
That’s not to say the results weren’t foamy – in fact I was impressed with what the Evo Next could muster – but it produced a thicker foam when I switched to a barista brand with higher fat content.
While I’m quite easygoing when it comes to milk, users who are particular will likely need to experiment with different milk types and brands yo achieve the desired results.
I was less enthused with the way the milk comes out the spout, though. It’s more a ‘spit out’ than a ‘flow out' – not something I’d expect from a more premium machine like this.
(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
For time-conscious coffee drinkers, you’ll want to know that pouring an espresso at intensity level 5 – which grinds the largest amount of beans – took around 40 seconds. Larger drinks, such as my cappuccino mix, took longer at nearly 1 min 30 seconds, including dispensing milk. This time is on par with the Magnifica Evo automatic coffee machine, but there are faster machines that are cheaper, so it's a slight shame that De’Longhi hasn’t been able to speed up the brew time with this model. If you want your coffee fast, a Nespresso machine can cut those times down considerably – my Vertuo Pop, for example, takes around 30 seconds to pour a 150ml pod.
I also found the Magnifica Evo Next quite noisy in use. It bothered me so much that I took a reading with the Decibel X app on my phone and, when placed next to the machine, it reached 82dB when grinding beans (nearly 20dB louder than the Quiet Mark-certified KitchenAid KF6), 72dB when tamping and emptying the coffee puck, and 66dB when pouring a coffee.
(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
Where the Magnifica Evo Next makes less of a fuss is maintenance. After each milk-based drink, the machine asks you to run a quick-rinse cycle, which uses water from the tank to flush any buildup from the carafe’s spout. You’ll also be notified on the display when it’s time to empty the drip tray and grounds container.
For more thorough cleaning, a dedicated Maintenance menu can be found in the settings, with options to run water through the machine to rinse it and run a descaling cycle (the machine will let you know if a descaling is necessary). You can also check the status of the water filter, run a more thorough cycle for the milk carafe when it’s connected, and drain any water from the system if you’re planning to transport it.
Finally, a panel on the right-hand side of the machine, accessible when you remove the water container, houses the brewing unit. This detaches easily with a pinch of the two red-colored clips and can be run under a tap to remove any buildup of coffee.
Performance score: 4/5
Should you buy the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next
Buy it if
You want some control over your coffee
While it’s automatic, the Magnifica Evo Next still gives you plenty of options for personalization, which can all be saved to multiple user profiles.View Deal
You enjoy a variety of coffee-based drinks
With 11 drinks to choose from, most coffee connoisseurs should be catered to, or it can even help you discover something new. View Deal
Don't buy it if
You’re short on counter space
The Magnifica Evo Next isn’t the biggest automatic coffee machine ever, but it certainly can’t be called compact.View Deal
You drink plant-based milk
This machine doesn’t discriminate against plant-based milks, but there aren’t any specific foaming or temperature profiles for dairy alternatives either.View Deal
De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next: Also consider
Smeg BCC13
This is our favorite bean-to-cup espresso machine due it being a joy to use. It’s truly automatic, delivers tasty coffee and looks the absolute business.
If you’re tempted by a manual bean-to-cup machine instead, the La Specialista Touch from De’Longhi is a great option, especially for beginners. It’s semi-automated but with the option for better manual control and helps guide you through the more complex processes of espresso brewing. Plus, it’s cheaper than the Evo Next.
I used the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next at home with the same supermarket-brand coffee beans that we use in the TechRadar Australia office (in a Breville Oracle Jet), so I’m already familiar with the flavor. I followed the setup instructions by first testing the water hardness (hard) and configured the machine accordingly, which included needing to insert the supplied water filter.
I used the machine to pour a variety of the available drinks to assess the crema, flavor and time required. I also used the LatteCrema carafe to froth fridge-cold oat milk, of both the barista and non-barista varieties.
Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer: two-minute review
The Revlon Airflow Control Dryer sports an innovative design and comes in at an extremely affordable price, but on test proved a bit of a disappointment. The USP is a head that rotates 90-degrees, enabling you to twist between locked vertical or horizontal positions to help you reach tricky angles. This head is then tapered, meaning it acts like a built-in concentrator – albeit an overly large one. With its bright red color, this dryer stands out but, in my opinion, not in an especially classy way.
At the rear of the dryer is a removable lint filter and a hanging loop, which make it easy to maintain and store. Inside, there's a 2000W motor and ceramic tourmaline technology that it promises to reduce frizz and add shine – although not very effectively, based on my tests.
Even with its powerful and directed airflow, this dryer left my long, naturally curly hair consistently frizzier than normal. In fact, I was repeatedly disappointed with how my hair looked and felt when using this dryer, and this was the case regardless of which of its three heat settings, or dual speed options, I tried. Some marketing materials position it as a travel dryer, in which case the fact it doesn't fold up for easier packing feels like an oversight.
On the plus side, the dryer's cold shot button – which actually feels cold, not just cool – is great at setting styles. And the inclusion of a diffuser attachment makes the Airflow Control dryer more versatile, opening it up to a wider range of different hair types.
Price-wise, it sits firmly in the budget price bracket, although I do feel you get what you're paying for – it really can't compete with the best hair dryers on the market right now. If you want something affordable and quick for everyday use, it’s a decent choice, but for anything more involved you'll need to invest a little more. Read on for my full Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer review.
(Image credit: Future)
Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer review: price & availability
List price: £35 / $38
Available: UK, US
Launched: August 2024
With a list price of £35 in the UK, and $37 in the US, the Revlon Airflow Control dryer sits firmly in the budget hair dryer category.
The Conair model ships with a concentrator and diffuser and is the classier, but larger, of the three, with its matte black finish and gold accents.
The BaByliss Pro Nano is closer to the Revlon in terms of its size, making it a good option for traveling, but it only ships with a concentrator and is missing the diffuser. It's also half as powerful (1000W vs 2000W) as Revlon's model.
All things considered, the Revlon Airflow Control dryer is good value, especially when you factor in the rotating head, built-in concentrator and diffuser included as standard. Other touches like the removable lint filter help too, yet you largely get what you pay for in terms of performance, as I'll get to shortly.
Value for money score: 4 out of 5
Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer specs
Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer review: design
Rotating head helps direct airflow, but feels gimmicky
Built-in concentrator is a nice touch but limits styling flexibility
Powerful, yet bulky and bold design
The Revlon Airflow Control Dryerhas a number of features that make it stand out from the crowd, but having used it for the past month, I have mixed feelings about most of them. The headline is its rotating head, which lets you switch the nozzle between vertical and horizontal positions by sliding a small lock button near the base, and twisting the head into place.
It’s a feature that's designed to reduce wrist strain and make it easier to style at different angles. It also doubles up as a built-in concentrator, which means there are no loose parts to clip on, or lose. For the most part, I like this feature. It definitely helps when you're drying the back of your head or using a brush, and its tapered design helps deliver a strong, focused airflow thanks to the 2000W motor.
However, in practice, it feels over-engineered for what it does. The concentrator is wide and fixed in size, and you can’t swap it for a narrower nozzle when you want extra precision for smoothing or root volume. As a result, once the novelty wears off, it starts to feel more like a design flourish than a game-changer. Especially when most detachable concentrators can be twisted and achieve similar results with less bulk and limitations.
(Image credit: Future)
Speaking of bulk, the dryer measures 22.8cm x 27.9cm x 8.9cm, and the proportions make it feel larger in the hand than necessary. It's sometimes pitched as a travel dryer, and while it's not overly heavy (30.6oz / 870g) the fact it can't fold means it'd be rather cumbersome to pack. All this, combined with the sporty design, means the Airflow Control doesn’t feel as premium as I’d hoped.
The diffuser snaps easily to the front of the barrel using magnets, although this attachment is huge and adds to the overall bulk. Elsewhere, the removable filter on the rear is a nice touch for keeping the dryer working to its best, the 1.8m (5.9ft) cord is a decent length too– although many models come with longer cables, I felt I still had enough freedom to move around the room.
Controls & modes
In addition to the lock button on the side of the barrel, there are two slider switches on the handle of the Airflow Control dryer – one to control its three temperature settings (cool, warm, hot), and one for its two speed settings (low, high).
These are well-positioned and easy to reach without knocking accidentally. More premium dryers will tend to offer more setting options, but this range and combination of controls is fairly standard, and well suited to a range of different hair types and styles.
Above these slider switchers is a cold shot button that also works well to set styles at the end of a blow-dry. Like with the slider switches, you can't accidentally activate this mode; you have to make a deliberate long press to turn it on, and this is welcomed.
(Image credit: Future)
CONTROLS
Aesthetically speaking, I'm not sold on this dryer. The red and black colorway gives it a bold, sporty look. This may appeal to some, but I personally prefer something more minimalist, or neutral.
In summary, the rotating head and built-in concentrator sound great on paper but fall short due to their bulk and lack of flexibility. If you blow-dry your hair a lot and want a comfortable grip with no attachments to juggle, it could work well. But if you’re looking for a sleeker, classier design, customisable attachments, or a more travel-friendly option, the design of this dryer won't be the best fit.
Design score: 3 out of 5
Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer review: performance
Dries hair quickly, even on low settings
Cold shot works well for setting styles
Finish was consistently disappointing and frizzy
Performance-wise, I was pleasantly surprised by the Revlon Airflow Control Dryer. At least at first.
On the highest heat and speed settings, it dried my hair impressively fast. I could get my long hair about 80 per cent dry in under three minutes, before taking around a minute more using a blow-dry brush to attempt to smooth out the top. Even on the lower settings, the airflow feels strong and consistent, and the built-in concentrator helps direct this power and airflow well. You can't fault the dryer for its efficiency, and it does its main job – getting moisture out of the hair – as well as any.
The cold shot button is another feature that performs well. Unlike some dryers where the cool setting just feels lukewarm, this one gives a genuine blast of cold air. With its button positioned conveniently above the sliders, you can easily press it with your thumb while styling, and it works quickly to cool down sections and lock in shape.
(Image credit: Future)
With extended use, though, things started to fall apart for me. While the drying time was quick, the finish just wasn’t there. At all. No matter what combination of settings I used – hot then cool, low speed for control, brushing in sections, even towel-drying beforehand – my hair always ended up looking frizzy and undefined. Even with the promise of the built-in concentrator and ceramic tourmaline coating, and even if I followed my drying session up with the cold shot, the result was consistently disappointing.
So much so, the time I saved on drying was lost by needing to go back over everything with straighteners or a hot brush just to get a polished finish.
(Image credit: Future)
Similarly, when using the magnetic diffuser on my natural curls, I was hoping for a soft, voluminous finish, but again the results were underwhelming. It dried my hair quickly, but didn’t enhance definition or reduce frizz. If anything, it made my hair puffier.
Given its budget price I wasn't expecting miracles with the Airflow Control, but considering the marketing specifically says it'll reduce frizz and boost shine, I couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Performance score: 2.5 out of 5
Should you buy the Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer?
Buy it if...
You want fast drying time
With a powerful 2000W motor and strong airflow, the Airflow Control dryer will get your hair dry nice and quickly.
You're on a tight budget
Not everyone can (or wants to) spend a small fortune on a hair dryer. This is one of the cheapest options around, and if you have basic styling needs it'll do the job just fine.
You struggle with wrist strain when styling
The rotating head helps adjust airflow angles without needing to twist your arm or strain your wrists. The built-in concentrator is also convenient and means there’s nothing to lose or clip on.
Don't buy it if...
You want a sleek, frizz-free finish
Despite its ceramic tourmaline coating, the Airflow Control dryer consistently left my hair frizzy.
You need styling flexibility
The concentrator is built-in and oversized, so you can’t swap it for more precise nozzles.
You prefer compact or folding tools for travel
The dryer is bulkier than expected and doesn’t fold, meaning it's not the best choice for slinging into a suitcase or backpack.
How I tested the Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer
For a month, I used the Revlon Airflow Control Dryer as the main dryer for my long, naturally curly and fine hair. During testing, I used all the different heat and speed settings, timed how long it took the combinations to rough-dry my hair from wet to dry, and I tested how well the cold shot and diffuser performed. I paid close attention to how easy it was to use day-to-day, including how it felt to hold, button placement, and whether the rotating head actually made a difference.
Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer: two-minute review
The Revlon Airflow Control Dryer sports an innovative design and comes in at an extremely affordable price, but on test proved a bit of a disappointment. The USP is a head that rotates 90-degrees, enabling you to twist between locked vertical or horizontal positions to help you reach tricky angles. This head is then tapered, meaning it acts like a built-in concentrator – albeit an overly large one. With its bright red color, this dryer stands out but, in my opinion, not in an especially classy way.
At the rear of the dryer is a removable lint filter and a hanging loop, which make it easy to maintain and store. Inside, there's a 2000W motor and ceramic tourmaline technology that it promises to reduce frizz and add shine – although not very effectively, based on my tests.
Even with its powerful and directed airflow, this dryer left my long, naturally curly hair consistently frizzier than normal. In fact, I was repeatedly disappointed with how my hair looked and felt when using this dryer, and this was the case regardless of which of its three heat settings, or dual speed options, I tried. Some marketing materials position it as a travel dryer, in which case the fact it doesn't fold up for easier packing feels like an oversight.
On the plus side, the dryer's cold shot button – which actually feels cold, not just cool – is great at setting styles. And the inclusion of a diffuser attachment makes the Airflow Control dryer more versatile, opening it up to a wider range of different hair types.
Price-wise, it sits firmly in the budget price bracket, although I do feel you get what you're paying for – it really can't compete with the best hair dryers on the market right now. If you want something affordable and quick for everyday use, it’s a decent choice, but for anything more involved you'll need to invest a little more. Read on for my full Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer review.
(Image credit: Future)
Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer review: price & availability
List price: £35 / $38
Available: UK, US
Launched: August 2024
With a list price of £35 in the UK, and $37 in the US, the Revlon Airflow Control dryer sits firmly in the budget hair dryer category.
The Conair model ships with a concentrator and diffuser and is the classier, but larger, of the three, with its matte black finish and gold accents.
The BaByliss Pro Nano is closer to the Revlon in terms of its size, making it a good option for traveling, but it only ships with a concentrator and is missing the diffuser. It's also half as powerful (1000W vs 2000W) as Revlon's model.
All things considered, the Revlon Airflow Control dryer is good value, especially when you factor in the rotating head, built-in concentrator and diffuser included as standard. Other touches like the removable lint filter help too, yet you largely get what you pay for in terms of performance, as I'll get to shortly.
Value for money score: 4 out of 5
Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer specs
Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer review: design
Rotating head helps direct airflow, but feels gimmicky
Built-in concentrator is a nice touch but limits styling flexibility
Powerful, yet bulky and bold design
The Revlon Airflow Control Dryerhas a number of features that make it stand out from the crowd, but having used it for the past month, I have mixed feelings about most of them. The headline is its rotating head, which lets you switch the nozzle between vertical and horizontal positions by sliding a small lock button near the base, and twisting the head into place.
It’s a feature that's designed to reduce wrist strain and make it easier to style at different angles. It also doubles up as a built-in concentrator, which means there are no loose parts to clip on, or lose. For the most part, I like this feature. It definitely helps when you're drying the back of your head or using a brush, and its tapered design helps deliver a strong, focused airflow thanks to the 2000W motor.
However, in practice, it feels over-engineered for what it does. The concentrator is wide and fixed in size, and you can’t swap it for a narrower nozzle when you want extra precision for smoothing or root volume. As a result, once the novelty wears off, it starts to feel more like a design flourish than a game-changer. Especially when most detachable concentrators can be twisted and achieve similar results with less bulk and limitations.
(Image credit: Future)
Speaking of bulk, the dryer measures 22.8cm x 27.9cm x 8.9cm, and the proportions make it feel larger in the hand than necessary. It's sometimes pitched as a travel dryer, and while it's not overly heavy (30.6oz / 870g) the fact it can't fold means it'd be rather cumbersome to pack. All this, combined with the sporty design, means the Airflow Control doesn’t feel as premium as I’d hoped.
The diffuser snaps easily to the front of the barrel using magnets, although this attachment is huge and adds to the overall bulk. Elsewhere, the removable filter on the rear is a nice touch for keeping the dryer working to its best, the 1.8m (5.9ft) cord is a decent length too– although many models come with longer cables, I felt I still had enough freedom to move around the room.
Controls & modes
In addition to the lock button on the side of the barrel, there are two slider switches on the handle of the Airflow Control dryer – one to control its three temperature settings (cool, warm, hot), and one for its two speed settings (low, high).
These are well-positioned and easy to reach without knocking accidentally. More premium dryers will tend to offer more setting options, but this range and combination of controls is fairly standard, and well suited to a range of different hair types and styles.
Above these slider switchers is a cold shot button that also works well to set styles at the end of a blow-dry. Like with the slider switches, you can't accidentally activate this mode; you have to make a deliberate long press to turn it on, and this is welcomed.
(Image credit: Future)
CONTROLS
Aesthetically speaking, I'm not sold on this dryer. The red and black colorway gives it a bold, sporty look. This may appeal to some, but I personally prefer something more minimalist, or neutral.
In summary, the rotating head and built-in concentrator sound great on paper but fall short due to their bulk and lack of flexibility. If you blow-dry your hair a lot and want a comfortable grip with no attachments to juggle, it could work well. But if you’re looking for a sleeker, classier design, customisable attachments, or a more travel-friendly option, the design of this dryer won't be the best fit.
Design score: 3 out of 5
Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer review: performance
Dries hair quickly, even on low settings
Cold shot works well for setting styles
Finish was consistently disappointing and frizzy
Performance-wise, I was pleasantly surprised by the Revlon Airflow Control Dryer. At least at first.
On the highest heat and speed settings, it dried my hair impressively fast. I could get my long hair about 80 per cent dry in under three minutes, before taking around a minute more using a blow-dry brush to attempt to smooth out the top. Even on the lower settings, the airflow feels strong and consistent, and the built-in concentrator helps direct this power and airflow well. You can't fault the dryer for its efficiency, and it does its main job – getting moisture out of the hair – as well as any.
The cold shot button is another feature that performs well. Unlike some dryers where the cool setting just feels lukewarm, this one gives a genuine blast of cold air. With its button positioned conveniently above the sliders, you can easily press it with your thumb while styling, and it works quickly to cool down sections and lock in shape.
(Image credit: Future)
With extended use, though, things started to fall apart for me. While the drying time was quick, the finish just wasn’t there. At all. No matter what combination of settings I used – hot then cool, low speed for control, brushing in sections, even towel-drying beforehand – my hair always ended up looking frizzy and undefined. Even with the promise of the built-in concentrator and ceramic tourmaline coating, and even if I followed my drying session up with the cold shot, the result was consistently disappointing.
So much so, the time I saved on drying was lost by needing to go back over everything with straighteners or a hot brush just to get a polished finish.
(Image credit: Future)
Similarly, when using the magnetic diffuser on my natural curls, I was hoping for a soft, voluminous finish, but again the results were underwhelming. It dried my hair quickly, but didn’t enhance definition or reduce frizz. If anything, it made my hair puffier.
Given its budget price I wasn't expecting miracles with the Airflow Control, but considering the marketing specifically says it'll reduce frizz and boost shine, I couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Performance score: 2.5 out of 5
Should you buy the Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer?
Buy it if...
You want fast drying time
With a powerful 2000W motor and strong airflow, the Airflow Control dryer will get your hair dry nice and quickly.
You're on a tight budget
Not everyone can (or wants to) spend a small fortune on a hair dryer. This is one of the cheapest options around, and if you have basic styling needs it'll do the job just fine.
You struggle with wrist strain when styling
The rotating head helps adjust airflow angles without needing to twist your arm or strain your wrists. The built-in concentrator is also convenient and means there’s nothing to lose or clip on.
Don't buy it if...
You want a sleek, frizz-free finish
Despite its ceramic tourmaline coating, the Airflow Control dryer consistently left my hair frizzy.
You need styling flexibility
The concentrator is built-in and oversized, so you can’t swap it for more precise nozzles.
You prefer compact or folding tools for travel
The dryer is bulkier than expected and doesn’t fold, meaning it's not the best choice for slinging into a suitcase or backpack.
How I tested the Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer
For a month, I used the Revlon Airflow Control Dryer as the main dryer for my long, naturally curly and fine hair. During testing, I used all the different heat and speed settings, timed how long it took the combinations to rough-dry my hair from wet to dry, and I tested how well the cold shot and diffuser performed. I paid close attention to how easy it was to use day-to-day, including how it felt to hold, button placement, and whether the rotating head actually made a difference.
The Philips Barista Brew is an espresso machine that can either hand-hold you through brewing espresso by automating part of the process, or leave you to do everything manually once you’ve built up your confidence. It’s a nice idea that should help smooth out the typical learning curve.
The machine heats quickly, and has a useful pressure gauge on the front that lets you see whether you’ve achieved the optimal pressure while pulling a shot of espresso. The controls are simple to understand and use, and although the Barista Brew takes longer to master than some other machines I’ve tested recently (such as the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch), once accustomed to its idiosyncrasies, you’ll be able to create consistently good coffee with minimal fuss (and only a scattering of grounds on your kitchen worktop).
For me, the Philips Barista Brew had two main drawbacks: the automatic dosing and the tamper. Both issues are solvable, though; but they do mean that this is a good coffee machine rather than a great one.
On its default settings, the Barista Brew ground far too much coffee for a double shot of espresso, and I needed to reduce the grind time by half to get an appropriate dose. Changing settings isn’t too difficult using the instruction booklet, but I can’t help but feel that the presets should be better configured, since making big changes to the standard settings may be outside the comfort zone of people new to coffee-making.
I found it hard to achieve the optimum pressure using the Philips Barista Brew with its "calibrated" tamper, and my coffee tended to extract too quickly – even when very finely ground. Swapping to a conventional solid tamper solved the problem, however. (Image credit: Future)
My other issue was the tamper, which is spring-loaded and limits the amount of pressure you can put on the coffee puck. Despite the coffee being finely ground, my shots often poured too fast, and the pressure gauge on the front of the machine showed that it was failing to reach the optimal nine bars.
I found a few solutions. Grinding the coffee more coarsely means it takes up more space (imagine the difference between a bucket full of sand and one full of rocks), with it usually resulting in a faster pour because water will find its way through the grounds more quickly. But here, if you dial the grinder just right, you may be able to tamp hard enough to cancel out that effect.
Another option is to simply grind more coffee, so there's more for the tamp to compress; but this feels like a waste of beans. As with any espresso machine, add too much to your basket and it will make contact with the brew head when you insert the handle, which will stop the water passing through properly.
(Image credit: Future)
Finally, you can stick with your preferred grind size and dose, and use a simple third-party tamper to compress the puck rather than Philips' spring-loaded unit. While this one feels nice in the hand, I can’t help but feel it’s over-engineered.
Nevertheless, it’s important to bear in mind the price of the Barista Brew when you’re comparing it to others in the same category. Although I found the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch easier to master, the Barista Brew is much cheaper at its currently reduced price when you buy direct from Philips. If you don’t get along with the "calibrated" tamper, you can buy a good-quality unit separately and still pay a lot less.
It’ isn't perfect, but the Philips Barista Brew is very good for the price, and is definitely one to consider if you’re looking for a compact, all-in-one espresso machine that won’t break the bank.
Philips Barista Brew: price and availability
List price $649.99 / £580.99 (about AU$1,000)
For sale in US and Europe
Dual-hopper version also available
The Philips Barista Brew launched in January 2024, with a list price of $649.99 / £580.99 (about AU$1,000). However, it can often be found at a discount if you shop around – for example, at the time of writing, it’s available direct from Philips for £449.99. You’ll find all today’s best prices below.
That’s about average for a semi-automatic espresso machine of this type, and is almost exactly the same price as the similarly specced De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo. If you want a machine that will hold your hand with features such as automatic milk texturizing or a color touchscreen (like the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch), for example, you should expect to pay a little more.
This version of the Philips Barista Brew comes with a single bean hopper, but there’s also a model with a dual hopper that can hold two different beans at once and switch between them on-the-fly. That model is slightly more expensive at $699.99 / £624.99 (about AU$1,100) before discounts.
Value score: 4.5/5
Philips Barista Brew: specs
Philips Barista Brew: design
Stylish-looking and compact
Easy-to-use controls for coffee and milk
Grinder is messy to use
The Philips Barista Brew is quite compact compared to most of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines, and surprisingly light, too. This is largely down to its chassis, which is made mostly from black plastic, with brushed stainless steel only on the front. It’s a stylish appliance, and will look quite at home in a modern kitchen.
The machine is operated using a series of buttons found along the front, with a dial on the side for dispensing hot water and steam. There are three drink options (single espresso, double espresso, and americano), and you can adjust the brew time and coffee dosage manually by following the clear guidance in the instruction booklet.
(Image credit: Future)
The version of the Philips Barista Brew I tested comes with a single bean hopper, but there's also a version with a two-part hopper that allows you to switch between different beans on-the-fly – a welcome feature for those of us who prefer decaf in the afternoon. The dual-hopper version is only a little more expensive, and is well worth considering.
The hopper sits on top of a ceramic burr grinder that offers 15 grind settings, which are adjusted by rotating the hopper. The burrs move smoothly, and dismantling the grinder for cleaning proved straightforward. The machine comes with a small cleaning kit that includes a brush for this purpose.
Even with the powder ring fitted on the handle, coffee tended to fly out of the grinder (Image credit: Future)
The grinder can be set to dispense a timed dose of coffee, or operated manually by pushing the portafilter handle against the back of the machine (tilting it slightly upwards to hit a switch).
The water tank sits on the back of the Philips Barista Brew, and is easy to lift off using its robust handle. Some other reviewers have called it narrow and difficult to clean, but it’s actually wider than those of many other coffee machines I’ve tested this year, and it was perfectly possible to get my hand inside with a cloth and towel. The only downside is that it isn't supplied with a water filter.
Look behind the drip tray to find a nicely designed pin tool for clearing the steam wand (Image credit: Future)
The steam wand has a good range of motion, and can be adjusted using a cool-touch silicone handle. Should it become clogged, you’ll find a double-ended pin tool for clearing any blockages tucked away behind the drip tray, where it’s unlikely to be found by children, or become lost. The sharper end of the pin even has a safety cap to protect your fingers.
The Barista Brew comes with a 48mm portafilter and four filter baskets – single and double-walled, for single and double shots. The double-walled (pressurized) baskets are more forgiving if you haven't quite nailed your coffee-making technique just yet, and make it easier to make a consistently well-extracted shot.
The calibrated tamper feels nice and weighty in the hand, but limits how much pressure you can put on the puck (Image credit: Future)
The portafilter handle has a rubberized area at the front of the basket, which makes it easy for you to stabilize it on the edge of your kitchen counter while tamping, without the need for a separate mat. It also has a powder ring that twists onto the basket that’s intended to keep things tidy during grinding, although I found it didn't prevent grounds flying out.
You also get the usual stainless steel milk pitcher, which is perfectly well made, and a "calibrated" tamper that only lets you compress the ground coffee a certain amount. It's an interesting idea, but in practice I struggled to get a properly extracted coffee because it wasn't tamped down hard enough.
Finally, the Barista Brew has a cup-warmer on top – something I always appreciate, but which is usually missing from espresso machines in this price bracket.
Design score: 3.5/5
Philips Barista Brew: performance
The Philips Barista Brew is fundamentally a very good coffee machine, and once you’re familiar with its quirks you’ll be able to make consistently good espresso. However, its guided brewing features aren't quite as straightforward as it might first appear – and in some cases, it’s easier to do things yourself.
The Barista Brew heats quickly, and its set of clearly labelled buttons are intuitive to use once it’s up to temperature. The standout design feature is the large central pressure gauge, which lets you see how well your coffee is extracted before you even taste it. Some higher-end coffee makers I’ve tested will determine whether the pressure was too high or too low and offer feedback on a color touchscreen, but the analog pressure meter does the job just as well.
The machine’s pump is quiet in operation, too, averaging 60dB during use (about the same as a dishwasher or normal conversation). Some coffee makers can reach up to 70dB, so the Barista Brew definitely sits towards the more comfortable end of the scale.
The powder ring is a nice addition, but doesn't fully prevent coffee spraying out during grinding (Image credit: Future)
My main issues with this machine involve grinding and tamping. The Philips Barista Brew offers a grind time setting to help with dosing. Just turn a dial on the front of the machine to decide how much coffee to dispense, hold the grind button to toggle between single and double shots, and tap it again to start grinding. Unfortunately, even when turned down to one of the lowest settings, the machine ground far more beans than I actually needed – even though I was using one of the finest grind sizes. I had to scoop out a good portion of grounds before I could consider tamping them down.
It was much easier to ignore the dosing button and do things the old-fashioned way: use a digital scale to weigh the handle, zero the scale, push the handle against the back of the machine until the dosage looked right (about 18g for a double espresso), weigh it again, and make any tweaks to achieve the correct weight.
The Barista Brew can pull a well-balanced espresso, once you're used to its quirks (Image credit: Future)
The grinder was also a bit messy. The Philips Barista Brew has a powder ring that twists onto the top of the basket before grinding, which should direct ground coffee inside. However, in use I found that ground coffee still had a tendency to shoot out onto my work surface and the rest of the machine. Coffee grounds were particularly prone to accumulating on the funnel directly below the grinder, which needed wiping after every use. It seems this issue is likely caused by static electricity.
According to Philips, the spring-loaded tamper is calibrated to help you create a perfect puck; but during my tests, I found it didn’t apply as much pressure as I'd like. As a result, water ran through the grounds too quickly, and the machine failed to reach the optimum nine bars of pressure, even with very finely ground coffee (as shown on the pressure gauge).
Therefore, the resulting drinks were often under-extracted and a little sour-tasting –something verified by my colleague Peter Berenski, the resident coffee-buff at TechRadar’s sister site, Tom’s Guide. The video below shows a typical under-extracted double espresso pouring in just 15 seconds rather than the ideal 28 seconds.
You can get around this issue by using a third-party 58mm tamper; the "calibrated" unit supplied with the machine feels like a solution in search of a problem. The machine would be better with something simple. You can also try grinding your coffee more coarsely, so that the same weight of grounds take up more space, or simply use more beans – but this feels like a waste.
On a happier note, the machine’s steam wand is excellent. You don’t have precise control over the pressure (the dial on the side of the machine simply lets you choose between steam and water), but once it’s up to temperature, it maintains good pressure for the length of time it takes you to texturize your milk.
Automatic milk systems can be a nice touch for new users, but a manual wand delivers more flexibility, letting you adjust your technique for dairy or non-dairy milks.
Performance score: 3.5/5
Should you buy the Philips Barista Brew?
Buy it if
You’re looking for an affordable espresso machine
The Philips Barista Brew is often available at a healthy discount, and is one of the most affordable bean-to-cup machines you can buy.
You’re already comfortable with the fundamentals
If you already know how to dose, tamp and steam, the Philips Barista Brew will be a piece of cake to use.
Don't buy it if
You’re intimidated by manual controls
The Philips Barista Brew offers guided brewing features, but in my experience it works best when you take coffee-making into your own hands. If you want more assistance, a model such as the Ninja Luxe Café may be a better option.
You want to keep your kitchen pristine
The Philips Barista Brew’s grinder has a tendency to propel coffee across your worktop, and grounds accumulate around the chute. A barista towel will be invaluable.
Philips Barista Brew: also consider
De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685
If you’re on a tight budget, this little manual coffee maker is one of the best you can buy. You’ll need a separate grinder, but that will deliver greater flexibility because you can choose one with a wider range of grind settings.
Want an espresso machine that offers more of a helping hand than the Philips Barista Brew? The Barista Touch Impress (branded as Sage in the UK) will assist you in creating the perfect puck, with a lever-operated smart tamping system. It’s much pricier than the Philips machine, though.
I put the Philips Barista Brew through its paces for a week, using both the pressurized and single-wall baskets to compare the results. I dialled in the grinder to achieve good extraction, and used both the automatic dosing system and manual grinding options. I used fresh arabica beans from a local coffee roaster, and chilled whole milk bought immediately before testing.
I compared coffee made using the Philips Barista Brew to coffee made with my own Gaggia Classic manual espresso maker and Dualit ceramic burr grinder.
As someone who has a house that's over 100 years old, my A/C and heater struggle to heat or cool down my rooms and it usually results in high bills at the height of summer or winter. I've tried many different ways to fix this problem – and I think I've finally found the answer in the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S.
Despite the name, the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S is more accurately described as an air circulator. While it has nine different wind speeds and can blow air long distances, it's not the best fan I've tested when used on its own. However, its ability to horizontally and vertically tilt 120-degrees makes it an outstanding tool for circulating cool or hot air from an air-conditioner or a heater around a room.
I used this air circulator in my house, running a number of tests to see how well it works, and I was beyond impressed. When paired with my air-conditioning, the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S cooled my living room faster than the air-conditioner could work. In fact, in less than 10 minutes, it cooled the living room down by five degrees – which I know because I monitored the temperature of the room in the Dreo app where I can easily control the various settings of the fan.
Beyond its air circulating powers, the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S offers more features and settings than most other fans or air circulators on the market. With five different specialty modes and ambient lighting with customizable color and brightness settings, it more than justifies its $119.99 price tag. Tack on the fact that you can schedule the fan, create custom specialty modes, and adjust the oscillation degrees, and this Dreo product feels slightly underpriced.
Read on for a fuller picture of how the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S performed during testing.
(Image credit: Future)
Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S review: price & availability
List price: $119.99 / £129.99
Launched: April 2025
Available: US, Canada, UK
The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S was part of an April 2025 launch of summer cooling products by Dreo. It's priced at $119.99 / £129.99 for all three color options. It can be purchased direct from Dreo, but it's also available on Amazon (although make sure you're buying the model you want here – the product codes are rather well hidden, and a lot of this brand's fans look very similar).
Considering this air circulator fan is stylish, can be controlled within an app, has ambient lighting, and vertical and horizontal oscillation, I would say the price is reflective of the features. I've seen fans with less features and cooling capabilities that cost more.
How does it compare to the competition? One of TechRadar's best-rated fans is the Shark FlexBreeze, which costs $199.99 / £199.99. That model does some things the 508S can't – it can be used cordless or taken outside, and has a misting function, for instance – and it's also more powerful as a standalone fan than the 508S.
Also highly rated is the MeacoFan 1056P, which costs $189.99 / £149.99. This is perhaps a better comparison point because, like the 508S, it can oscillate horizontally and vertically to circulate air. This starts to look poor value for money compared to the Dreo model – there's no app control with the Meaco option, and the vertical and horizontal oscillation range is smaller.
Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5
Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S specs
Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S review: design
Modern pedestal fan / air circulator with vertical and horizontal oscillation
Outfitted with ambient lighting in different colors
Controllable through display buttons, a remote, app, and voice control
The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S arrived in a few pieces that were easy to put together, even without the instructions provided. It took all but a few minutes to assemble the fan.
While I tested a white colored Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S, it comes in two other colors, silver and gold. The fan sits on a pole that goes into a round base. The pole itself is adjustable, and according to Dreo, it can be adjusted 0-5 inches. Oddly, I measured the full extension with a measuring tape, and found the pole extends up to nine inches for a maximum fan height of 40 inches.
On the pole, there is a digital screen that displays the different settings and fan speeds, indicated by the numbers 1-9. Below the display are a variety of touch buttons – power, fan speed/timer, ambient light, ambient light color, vertical oscillation, and horizontal oscillation/child lock button.
(Image credit: Future)
The fan itself has what Dreo calls 3D oscillation, which basically means that the fan head tilts 120 degrees vertically and 120 degrees horizontally. This is why the fan head feels a little loose around the area where it connects to the pole – to allow for movement.
In addition to the touch buttons, a remote control is provided, as well as a holder for it that clips onto the pole. The remote has the exact same buttons as is found on the fan itself.
(Image credit: Future)
The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S also connects to the Dreo app, meaning you can control the fan within the easy-to-navigate app. It has also the same buttons found on the fan and the remote, as well as a few others. For instance, in the app, you can adjust the vertical and horizontal oscillation degrees to anything between 0 and 120 degrees. You can also turn off the panel sound in the app and see the temperature of the room. In fact, the ambient temperature from the last 24 hours and past 30 days are recorded.
This fan is outfitted with five different specialty modes. While you can set the Turbo mode with the remote or the display buttons, you must use the app to set the fan on Normal, Auto, Sleep, or Natural mode. You can also create a custom mode that lets you set an ambient temperature goal and oscillation degrees. Users also have the ability to schedule the fan to turn on and run for a certain amount of time.
(Image credit: Future)
Equally as interesting is the amount of control you have with the ambient lighting. Not only can you adjust the brightness level of the light, but there is a gradient that lets you choose up to 1500+ colors, so you're not limited to just a set number of colors. You can even adjust how the light presents itself on the fan. There's the Constant setting – which means the light will remain constant. The Breath setting results in a breath-like pulse of light that can be set on low, mid, or high speeds. With the Circle setting, the ambient light changes cyclically in a set sequence at a low, mid, or high speed.
This is perhaps one of the quietest fans I've ever tested. I barely hear it, even when it's on Turbo mode. For reference, when placed on fan speed 1, it has a 40dB rating, while on Turbo mode, the sound rating is 67 dB.
Design score: 4.5 out of 5
Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S review: performance
Extremely effective as an air circulator used with air-con or a heater
Good airflow power, but there are more effective standalone fans
Tons of convenient control options, but voice assistant support unreliable
As mentioned above, my air-conditioning unit and heater struggle to cool and heat my house. I've had many technicians tell me that I could benefit from a second unit and more vents. I make do with what I have, but unfortunately, my house has little insulation, and the cool or hot air tends to seep out the ceiling, the windows, or the walls, and my units run longer and ultimately cost me more.
I think I've found a solution in the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S and I couldn't be more ecstatic. Before I explain how phenomenally this air circulation fan worked, I'm going to break down my use of a variety of other features it offers.
(Image credit: Future)
I typically alternated between using the remote and the app to manage the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S, as it really didn't make sense for me to walk over to the fan and use the touchscreen buttons. I was able to use the remote 30 feet away as long as the remote was in the sight line of the fan. Maybe it would work at farther distances, but this is as far as I could go based on the design of my house.
Most of the time I used the app, since you can't access all the settings with just the remote or display buttons. The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S can be voice controlled with Google Assistant and Alexa too. I tested this out by connecting to Google Assistant on my phone. It only took a few minutes to do within the app, though it was a little confusing, so if you're not tech savvy, you might need to rope in a tech-forward friend to help you out.
With voice commands, I was able to turn the air circulator or the oscillation on and off, increase or decrease the fan speeds, change specialty modes, and check the temperature of the room. While I was able to turn the ambient lighting on and off, Google Assistant couldn't change the color of the ambient lighting for me. There was also a point where I asked it to increase the fan speed to 5 and it increased the fan speed to 4. Clearly, there are some limitations to Google Assistant and Alexa. At least, Dreo provides voice command examples in the app, so you know exactly how to change the settings.
(Image credit: Future)
I didn't use the ambient lighting feature often, except at night when I placed the fan in my bedroom. I'd turn on the ambient lighting, sometimes switching to colored lights for the fun of it. It doesn't light up a room, but it kind of works like a soft night light. While this is not a necessary feature for me personally, I think it definitely adds value to the product.
Now to the most important feedback – is the air circulator actually effective? The answer is yes. Before testing the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S, I hadn't turned my A/C on yet as it wasn't quite hot enough outside to warrant it. That said, my home had grown pretty warm. In fact, it had reached 82F (28C) inside my living room. I know this because the fan can read the temperature in the room it's located, and you can see that temperature reading within the app.
I decided to turn on my A/C and set it to 72F (22C). I wanted to see how long it would take the air circulator fan to cool down my living room that much. I turned on the fan and set the vertical and horizontal oscillation degrees to 120 degrees and the fan speed to 9.
The A/C and the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S had only been running for one minute when the temperature in my living room dropped one degree. I felt the room cool almost immediately.
This is even more impressive when you consider the layout of my house. The dining room and the study are connected to the living room, and there are large walkways (like six feet of space) between them. The air circulator was placed in a corner of the living room. Because I didn't shut off the living room from the dining room or the study, the air circulator was probably working double time, and still the temperature dropped quickly in the living room.
Within seven minutes, the temperature had dropped by four degrees to 78F (26C). At the 15-minute mark, I decided to turn the fan on Turbo mode. After thirty minutes, the living room temperature had dropped to 74F (23C). It took 45 minutes for the living room to cool to 72F (22C), although when I checked my house's thermometer, it said that the house had only cooled to 76F (24C) in that time.
I was thoroughly happy with these results, and I could imagine all the benefits of using the air circulator in the future. In the winter, I'll put it in my bedroom before I go to sleep and use it to circulate hot air from the heater and effectively warm up the room quickly so that it's nice and cozy before I get under the bed covers. This summer, I'm definitely going to use it to circulate the A/C's cool air in the kitchen, so I don't overheat when I'm cooking dinner.
(Image credit: Future)
I can't say this for sure, but I think the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S could save me some money. For instance, rather than lowering the A/C, which will be expensive, I'm planning to set the A/C in the high 70s. That will still give me enough cool air for the air circulator to circulate the cool air in whatever room I'm sitting in and make that room cooler for me. I don't really care if the rest of the house is cool, only if the room I'm in is cool. Money saving idea? I think so!
If you don't have an air conditioner, the TurboPoly 508S can still be used a standalone fan. When it's set on the Turbo speed level, I can feel the airflow 29 feet away, and 12 feet away when it's set on speed level 1. However, I've recently tested three other fans (the Shark HydroGo desktop fan, and the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S and Shark TurboBlade tower fans), and I found their airflows much more effective at cooling.
I'll say this – there are times of the year when I don't have my air-conditioning or heater on but I'd still like a fan to cool me down. The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S will work just fine until I turn on the A/C or heater. But I wouldn't necessarily buy it with the plan to only use it as a fan. It's best designed to circulate air in a room, and I think I've explained above why I love this product for having that capability – and in fact, it assists in keeping me overall cooler or warmer than any fan actually does.
For the most part, I used the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S on Normal or Turbo mode. Sometimes I adjusted the oscillation so that the fan would direct airflow right on me, but as I said, most of the time, I used it as an air circulator.
(Image credit: Future)
I'm a big fan of the Natural mode, because it simulates the feel of a breeze. This is nice when I'm not super-hot but I just want some light air movement across my skin. The Sleep mode also worked fantastically. Like other Dreo fans, when in Sleep mode, the fan speed decreases once every 30 minutes, stopping after the second decrease. For instance, if I set the fan speed at 7 while on Sleep mode, the speed would reduce to 6 after 30 minutes and then 5 after another 30 minutes. It would remain on 5 the rest of the night.
The Auto mode is a smart feature that is super helpful. When set, Auto mode will increase the fan speed until the room temperature lowers. Once the room reaches a comfortable level (which is noted in the app), the fan speed decreases, maintaining that comfortable temperature. I used this feature sometimes, because it was nice not having to monitor the temperature reading within the app.
I didn't schedule the air circulator often, except when using the Sleep mode at night. Usually, I'd schedule the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S to turn on about 30 minutes before I went to sleep so that the air in the room could circulate and cool down before I went to bed.
A cool addition is the option to create your own custom mode, which essentially lets you choose temperature blocks and oscillation degrees. I like that I had the option to customize a mode, but I didn't really find much use for it, at least not at this time. Perhaps in the future, when I've used the fan for longer, I'll see how a specific custom mode might benefit me.
Performance score:4 out of 5
Should you buy the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S?
Buy it if...
You want a to boost your air-con
The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S is an air circulator fan, which means it's designed to circulate hot or cold air around a room, heating or cooling down a space faster than an A/C unit or heater could do on its own. This is all thanks to the vertical and horizontal oscillation capabilities of the fan. As an air circulator, the 508S is phenomenal.
You want a fan with smart features
Although it comes with buttons and a remote control, this Dreo fan is most conveniently controlled within the Dreo app. The app has so many customizable settings, from the color of the lighting to a scheduler and custom mode creation. Not only that, but it has some smart features like voice command with Alexa and Google Assistant and an Auto mode that increases or decreases the fan speed based on the temperature of the room.
You love cool lighting features
The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S doubles as a nightlight thanks to ambient light color settings. Not only does it have a white light that you can turn on at night, but in the app you can choose from over 1,500 colors within a color graph.
Don't buy it if...
You want a powerful standalone fan
I've tested a number of fans, and if it's a standalone fan you're after, there are more effective options than the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S. While it does have high fan speeds and a Turbo mode, it isn't the most powerful fan or the best on the market to keep you cool without combining it with an A/C.
You want a fan with 180-degree horizontal oscillation
This fan can oscillate vertically and horizontally 120 degrees, which is impressive. However, there are fans that oscillate 180 degrees horizontally, if you're worried the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S's oscillation won't be enough.
You're on a tight budget
There are some air circulator fans on the market that cost less than $100/£100. While they lack many of the features of this Dreo fan – like a wide range of speeds, specialty modes, app connectivity, smart features, and lighting – they still do a decent job at circulating air in a room, if you're happy to keep things simple.
How I tested the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S
Testing of the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S occurred in April 2025 in my house in North Texas. I used every specialty mode, the different fan speeds, and tested how far away I could feel the airflow. Not only did I test the fan in different areas of my house, but I used it in conjunction with my air-conditioning unit to see its effectiveness in circulating cool air around a room and how that impacted the room's temperature.
