Organizer
Gadget news
Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI review: a great robovac that will be even greater with software fixes
8:00 am | October 13, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances Vacuums | Comments: Off

Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI: two-minute review

Samsung has come out swinging with its Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI robot vacuum and mop. It comes packed with cutting-edge, onboard intelligence tech for navigation, obstacle detection and identification, as well as some upgraded hardware and a self-cleaning base station.

I've been eagerly awaiting the Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI ever since it was first announced, hoping its highly commended on-board intelligence might provide a serious challenge to the likes of iRobot.

Having tested the robot vacuum for three weeks on a variety of floor types and against a litany of obstacles and messes, I, unfortunately, don't think it's quite the best robot vacuum on the market – though I do think it has the potential to shake things up.

I actually had to call in a second unit for review, as the issues I had with the original unit I tested (randomly dropping and abandoning its mop pads, not being able to detect them in the cleaning station, navigation issues and refusing to let me access the live monitoring, being among the most problematic). Largely, I couldn't replicate these issues in my replacement model, so definitely do reach out to Samsung if you spot any major problems after purchasing. My review below reflects my experience with the second, replacement model.

The Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI's greatest enemy is its own software, with some in-app faults and missing features that lead to a frustrating user experience and unfinished cleans (although, in fairness, throughout my testing, many of these bugs seemed to resolve themselves). My overall impression was that of a fairly accomplished, albeit occasionally buggy, robot vacuum that can deliver a competent clean despite slightly lower-than-average suction power for its price point. That's not to say it's lacking in power, mind you – it's still very much capable, and performed fairly well in both its vacuuming and mopping tests.

What you're really paying for is Samsung's on-board intelligence and native compatibility with the wider SmartThings ecosystem, which is a real boon if you own some of Samsung's large appliances and other home products. This sucker's smarts are pretty impressive, especially when it comes to object avoidance, mapping and value-adding features like pet and home monitoring – though unfortunately, my second review unit still wouldn't let me use this feature in iOS.

It's hard to settle on a score for the Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI. If I was to judge on raw potential, assuming every software feature was behaving properly, I'd say it was a brilliant robot vacuum, with its only real weaknesses being its suction power and edge cleaning. However, the difficulties I've had with software have been a little off-putting. Still, it's worth highlighting that throughout my testing many of these bugs have been fixed, and I imagine the remaining issues will continue to be ironed out. Read on for my full Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI review.

Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI review: price & availability

  • List price: $1,699.99 / £1,299
  • Launched: July 2024

Samsung's Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI robot vacuum sells for $1,699.99 / £1,299, and is available directly from Samsung as well as third-party retailers like Amazon. Even though that's very much in the premium price bracket, it's actually more affordable than I'd expect – in the UK at least – for a combination robot vacuum and mop with so many next-generation features. Compare this price to, for example, the Roomba Combo 10 Max, which launched in August 2024 at a list price of $1,399 / £1,499.

It's unfortunately quite pricey in the US right now, but it does offer some attractive features above and beyond much of its competition, such as mop pad steam sterilization, stain detection, pet care and a roller brush featuring Samsung's patented Hair Grinder technology. It also offers great specs, as well as easy integration into SmartThings ecosystems – and even onboard Bixby functionality.

Samsung often runs some pretty appealing deals, and especially during major sales events. However, I wouldn't put money on this particular robovac featuring in the 2024 winter sales, given how close its release date is to the start of the Black Friday sales.

  • Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI specs

Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI review: design

  • Modern, minimalist and sophisticated design
  • Rather a large dock with water tanks and dust bin
  • Camera isn't recessed, risking damage

Clad in all-greige, the Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI and its self-emptying, self-cleaning base make for a modern and slick-looking package that keeps things simple with its design.

On top of the vacuum is the dToF (direct time of flight) LiDAR scanner, a raised ovoid that increases the height of the robovac by 0.6 inches / 15mm, as well as two touch controls. The first commands the vacuum to return to its base, and the other begins or pauses its cleaning cycle. These are only really necessary in an emergency where you don't have your phone or a smart home controller handy. You can lift the rear half of the robot vacuum to reveal the onboard dust bin, reset button and the QR code you'll use for setup. It's unlikely you'll need to remove the dust bin unless there's something stuck, given the clean station automatically empties dirt when the robovac docks.

Samsung Jet Bot Combo AI robot vacuum in its dock

(Image credit: Future)

The front of the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI houses its two 3D depth cameras and its main camera, as well as the built-in microphone for controlling Bixby and detecting sounds around the home. It's worth highlighting these are all active by default, and the vacuum won't work without the cameras, so for those privacy-conscious users, you'll need to manually switch off the microphone. There's also a status light indicator on the top of the robovac's face, as well as another smaller light strip below the camera to help the robot illuminate dark spaces.

View of dust bag and water tank inside Samsung Jet Bot Combo AI dock

(Image credit: Future)

On the rear of the vacuum you'll find the chutes for emptying the water and dust bins, and on its underside are the roller brush, side brush, two circular mop pads and its wheels. The roller brush is secured with an easily removable casing and is made of plastic with coiling rubber wings and soft brushes. The mop pads are fabric and attach magnetically to the robot vacuum. However, unfortunately after just a few uses, the right rondel magnet on my first review unit jammed, abandoning a mop pad mid-clean. Thankfully, simply replacing the mop pad in the cleaning station and commanding the robot vacuum to clean its pads seemed to fix the issue.

Underside Samsung Jet Bot Combo AI robot vacuum, showing two circular mop pads

(Image credit: Future)

When in use, the mop pads can rotate at 170rpm. Overall, I prefer this rotating mop solution over the static mop pad strips found in many Roomba and Roborock devices – the latter can't polish out tough stains as well as rotating rondels can.

To avoid cross-contamination and stinky carpet, the robot vacuum will intelligently lift them when transitioning from hard floors to carpets, or, if you're not mopping at all, the vacuum will discard its mop pads into the base. The latter is a pretty rare feature, but a welcome one, if you want to remove all danger of damp carpets.

Underside of Samsung Jet Bot Combo AI robot vacuum, showing rollers and side brush

(Image credit: Future)

The Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI's side brush is made from individual bristles rather than the rubber material found in many robot vacuums. Personally, I prefer this, finding bristles far less prone to flicking debris. However, they are far more easily damaged and tangled with hair, especially on wet floors after the vacuum has made its mopping rounds. The side brush does not extend to reach tougher spots, but the vacuum is, broadly speaking, intelligent enough to hunt down any wayward messes.

This robovac is also equipped with cliff sensors, surface detectors, stain detectors, and dirt detectors, which it uses to intelligently navigate and thoroughly clean your home without damaging any surfaces.

Samsung Jet Bot Combo AI robot vacuum in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

The dock is a bit of a behemoth at 17.5 x 21.5 x 20.1" / 44.4 x 54.7 x 51 cm, but given that it's basically the robot vacuum equivalent of a car wash, I can understand why. It houses three containers; an 88oz / 2.5L dust bin, a 106oz / 3L water tank and a 127oz / 3.6L dirty water tank in the main body of the base, from which the robot vacuum is emptied and refilled when docked. These are easily removed: simply grip the lid, pull them out, and unclip the tank's lid to empty or refill the water tanks, or remove the lid and slide out the full dust bag.

The vacuum itself ascends a small ramp into a neat little alcove in the dock, at the base of which are the washing plates. After a mopping session, the base station will steam clean the mop pads with high-pressure steam, before drying them with hot air. On the rear of the base you'll find the port for the power supply, which is 59 inches / 1.5m long. You'll need to clear as much space as possible to the sides of the machine to ensure the robovac's navigation is unhindered.

  • Design score: 4 out of 5

Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI review: performance

  • Let down by app software
  • Decent suction, excellent mopping
  • Obstacle detection and onboard intelligence are great

Samsung's Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI positions itself as a high-spec, high-performance automated home cleaner, but does it fit the bill? Well, kind of – with some software updates, it certainly would, but at the moment it's slightly impeded by its beautiful-looking but semi-functional in-app experience and dodgy mop pad connectors.

Once paired, I was very impressed by the app's design and wide array of features, which I'll talk a little more about later in the review, but I was less pleased with the default settings. For some reason, the robot vacuum by default is set to continually clean until it runs out of battery, which led to an admittedly hilarious but confusing first clean for me. I always run my standardized pickup tests in the smallest room in my home, and asked the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI to just clean that 6.5 x 6.5-foot / 2x2m space. Two hours of solid cleaning later, I realized something was up.

For the avoidance of hilarity/frustration, I'd definitely recommend poring through Samsung's extensive list of settings and options before your first clean. Otherwise, the robovac's first pass around my home to map the layout was broadly a success, with the app creating a fairly accurate floor plan.

Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI on a patterned rug, trying to pick up oats and cornflower

(Image credit: Future)

Onto vacuuming performance. The Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI isn't the most powerful sucker on the market, offering 6,000Pa of suction. Today's most powerful models can achieve almost double that (for example, the Deebot T30S Combo has 11,000Pa on max mode, $1,199.99 or about £950 / AU$1,800). In contrast, Samsung's robot vacuum sits in the comfortable mid-range overall, and while its pricing doesn't necessarily reflect that, its onboard intelligence carries the brunt of the value.

Despite this lower suction, it delivers a great clean. A litany of onboard sensors help the vacuum not only to identify different floor types and obstacles but also spot dirtier areas – whether that's due to stains and spillages or dust and debris – and adjust its cleaning accordingly. The Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI will also lift and lower its mop pads based on the surface area it's cleaning, which I found worked perfectly throughout my testing.

I sprinkled cornflour on my hard floors and low-pile carpet to see how well the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI could pick up fine debris, treading in some of it to create more real-world scenarios. On hard flooring, the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI performed well, collecting a majority of the fine powder. On carpet, however, with its first pass, Samsung's newest robovac didn't really impress me, leaving about 80% of the cornflour on the carpet, even when the machine amped up its suction to tackle the issue.

However, it's a stubborn bot with solid dirt detection technology, and throughout the rest of its clean returned to the fine powder to have another go. After about three attempts during one cleaning job, it did manage to clean up a vast majority of the powder, leaving roughly 20% behind.

On the other hand, the oats I sprinkled to test larger debris pickup on hard flooring were almost entirely suctioned by the robot vacuum in its first pass, including some of the grains closer to the obstacles I had set up for the vacuum to avoid. Thicker-pile carpets present more of a challenge; my rug was left with a fair amount of large and fine debris still in situ.

Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI edge cleaning

(Image credit: Future)

Its bristled side brushes are far superior to the more commonly utilized rubber side brush arms, at least in my opinion, and proved very efficient at sweeping lighter debris straight into the mouth of the robot vacuum. However, they don't offer a great edge clean. It would have been good to see Samsung incorporate an extending side arm to help in this area – a feature offered by a few rival models in this premium price bracket.

As for the hair-grinding technology, I was fairly impressed, but not quite awestruck by the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI. Samsung promises an 880% improvement compared to “a brush without a hair grinder” based on its internal testing, but it's worth highlighting we don't know enough about the brush it was compared to validate that claim, and it really is quite the claim.

That being said, I was very pleased with how few of my long hairs tangled around the roller's brushes. They did, however, wrap around the midsection of the roller (which is usually covered by its casing and therefore wouldn't impact the cleaning), and my hair also made a right mess of the side brush, leaving some of the brush strands permanently bent out of place. For pet owners, however, I imagine the Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI could just be one of the best robot vacuums for pet hair, as shorter hair is far less likely to tangle up either brush.

The onboard dust bin is a little small, so expect your vacuum to regularly empty itself at the base if you're cleaning larger spaces or dealing with higher levels of dirt and debris – thankfully, the battery life is above average for its price, so that will save some time from the cleaning cycle.

Samsung Jet Bot Combo AI robot vacuum cleaning a hard floor

(Image credit: Future)

On the other hand, the Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI's mopping performance is most impressive, with its rotating rondels making quick work of wet spills (coffee), dry spills (also coffee) and sticky spills (dried fruit juice). Plus, thanks to the bot's stain detection, there was scarcely a mark left on my floors after it made its rounds – although the dried-on and sticky spills did take a few laps. Once the robovac has completed its cleaning mission, it returns to the base to have its mop pads steamed, removed, and dried in a two hour-long cycle that leaves them good as new.

I was very impressed with the Samsung Jet Bot AI Combo's navigation system, which deftly avoided all obstacles while still making its way into and around some tight spots to give the most thorough clean it could muster. That includes the fake dog poop I placed on the floor; pet owners will be pleased to learn that this robovac never so much as nudged it. When you first map your home, however, it's important to have floors as clear as possible, as the bot will assume even the smallest obstacle is, in fact, a wall.

Its onboard intelligence can identify a variety of household objects (though Samsung doesn't seem to list these anywhere), both in terms of obstacles and furnishings, which proved to be impressively accurate when I checked in the app.

Object avoidance is a real highlight for the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI. As well as identifying the obstacle, it's pretty clever when it comes to cleaning around it, managing to poke itself in and around non-hazardous obstacles like the cable and sock I left on my multicolored carpet. Broadly speaking, it was capable of recognizing each specific obstacle, though it did repeatedly identify a non-existent plate on my floor. I guess the local ghosts are having a tea party without me…

  • Performance score: 4 out of 5

Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI review: app

  • Managed through the very well-designed Samsung SmartThings app
  • Lots of customization options, but a few too many bugs at time of writing
  • Samsung Bixby voice assistant built in, but no list of supported commands

This presents a good opportunity to pivot to discussing the app, which is a bit of a beautiful mess. I've tested a fair few robot vacuums, but Samsung's SmartThings app is by far the best designed and offers plenty of easy ways to set up your robovac and customize it just to your liking. That is, of course, provided the in-app features are working, and as of writing this review, many of them aren't.

Let's start with the positives. You can also take more control of your cleaning by adjusting the in-app settings, manually selecting the suction power, cleaning type, driving mode, and water level to ensure your floors are sparkling by the time the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI is done. For instance, you might prefer that your robovac cleans the main part of the room then the edges (or the 'walls' as they're referred to in the Samsung app), or vice versa, or instead focus on quick cleaning in a zig-zag fashion. You can also opt for vacuuming and mopping to occur simultaneously, or instead ask the bot to vacuum first, then come back to mop the room.

Using the map function, you can also set specific settings for different rooms, identify key pieces of furniture and adjust how the vacuum approaches these, highlight areas where the vacuum may need to breach a raised surface and set up no-go zones. When I first began my testing, sometimes editing the map at all would cause it to crash, but thankfully as of writing, it seems to have been fixed. It will, however, room-shame you if you have a smaller area you want to zone – such is the case with my kitchen, which the app won't recognize as a room.

Screen shots of the Bespoke Jet Bot AI companion app

(Image credit: Samsung)

You can also download extension packages to the app to allow pet monitoring and more advanced smart home features. The pet monitoring in particular is pretty useful, allowing you to hunt down your furry friends remotely, instruct the bot to listen out for barks and even play calming music to assuage rowdy pups. I tried this using recordings of dogs barking, which worked well, but when I forgot to switch off the pet detection mode, it continued to alert me that my 'dog' was barking for hours every night.

Similarly, you can program the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI to monitor your home or family when you're away. There's an area in-app where you can also manually control your robot vacuum and view a live stream, too, but in my experience, this works very sporadically at least on iOS, and rarely when you're dialing in on a different Wi-Fi network or using mobile data.

Samsung's Bixby voice assistant is also built into the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI, meaning you can command your robovac with relative ease. There's no list of commands provided, so it's a little hit or miss whether it will understand your instructions. I found being very direct and simple with my wording helped massively, though I'd probably sooner use the app than my voice.

  • App score: 3.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI?

Buy it if...

You run a SmartThings smart home
If you're a Samsung home appliance fan, the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI is a no-brainer. It integrates effortlessly, and paired with Samsung's wider array of devices offers some excellent added value features.

You're home is a little messy
If there are lots of obstacles around your home, the Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI offers fantastic detection and identification, meaning you won't have to worry so much about tidying up before a cleaning cycle.

You want a more hygienic mop
With its self-cleaning station, the Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI can steam and dry its own mop pads, meaning less bacteria will be left to fester when your vacuum is out of use.

Don't buy it if...

You want something truly hands-off
At least as of writing, I can't in good conscience call the Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI truly hands-free. By all accounts, it should be, but the software just isn't up to scratch right now.

You want powerful suction
With only 6,000 Pa bolstering the Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI, it's just not quite powerful enough for deeper cleans without running several cycles.View Deal

You want to make the most of every intelligent feature
Until Samsung fixes the litany of bugs plaguing the Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI, I wouldn't view many of its intelligent selling points as a given.

How I tested the Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI

  • I used this as my main vacuum for 3 weeks
  • I tested all the different modes and features
  • I ran specific cleaning tests using different types of spillages

For my Samsung Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI review, I used the device as my main vacuum cleaner for three weeks in order to assess how it lives up to its specs and marketing, including its suction power, mopping capability and onboard intelligence.

I tested various substances and stains (cornflour, oats, dried-on and wet messes) as well as obstacles (socks, bags, wires) to see how well its AI features detect and treat different obstacles, and also used the app to try its various intelligent features like home and pet monitoring.

For comparison, I used my experience testing robot vacuums like the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+ and other TechRadar reviews to judge how well it lives up to its price tag and Samsung's own claims about its performance.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2024

Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K review: the sync box gamers have been waiting for
5:00 pm | October 12, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: | Comments: Off

The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K is the second generation of the Hue entertainment product, following on from the 4K Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box. It’s designed to synchronize your Hue smart lighting system with the on-screen action in movies, games and with music, and it works with a wide range of different lights and lamps: simply create an entertainment area in your Hue app, add the bulbs or lights you want to sync, and the Sync Box 8K does its thing. It works very well and has an excellent app, but as ever with Hue it’s quite expensive.

The 4K version is still for sale and works fine, but if you’re using games consoles or just want to get the most future-proof option this is the one to go for even if an 8K TV is not currently in your home or on the horizon.

Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K: price and availability

  • List price $349.99 / £299.99 (about AU$520)
  • More expensive than 4K Sync Box

The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K launched in September 2024. The UK price is £299.99 and the US price is $349.99. That’s about AU$520.

That's a slight price increase over the previous model, the Sync Box 4K, which is £229.99 / $229.

Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K

(Image credit: Signify)

Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K: specifications

  • Very similar design to previous version
  • Supports 8K at 60Hz, and 4K at 120Hz

While the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K looks almost identical to its predecessor bar its slightly larger dimensions, there are some key differences.

The first and most important difference is that the four HMDI ports are HDMI 2.1b with HDCP 2.3. The previous version has HDMI 2.0b with HDCP 2.2. Both versions support HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos and CEC for device control.

The 4K version delivered resolutions of up to 4K at 60Hz and 1080p and 1440p at 120Hz. The new 8K model has 8K at 60Hz, a gaming console-friendly 4K at 120Hz, plus 4K/60Hz and 1080p/120Hz.

The 8K version has Bluetooth 5 compared to the Bluetooth 4.2 of the 4K box.

There are some minor changes to the power consumption too: standby power is down from 1.5W to 0.8W and maximum power consumption is down from 7.3W to 7.0W. The USB connector is now USB-C rather than micro-USB.

Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K connections

The box is slightly larger than before but retains the familiar shape and setup, with four HDMI inputs and one output. (Image credit: Signify)

Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K: setup

  • Requires Philips Hue Bridge
  • User-friendly app makes setup straightforward

As before, the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K requires a Hue Bridge to connect to your lights. It can only sync with audio-visual devices that are connected to its HDMI ports, which rules out the apps already installed on your TV. However, it will happily sync with apps on HDMI-connected devices such as an Apple TV 4K.

If you have a Samsung TV, you can sync your lights with your TV's apps via the Hue Sync TV app on compatible TVs. That doesn't require this sync box; your TV connects to your Hue Bridge via the app. The app is $2.99 per month in the US or £2.68 in the UK, and requires a Q60 QLED TV or a later QLED model.

You can connect your various devices directly via the HDMI ports. If you have them connected to an AV receiver, that connects to HDMI 4: that’s the HDMI port where you can enable CEC pass through so that your devices can control your TV. Whichever connection option you choose, you can set the Sync Box to detect a video signal and turn itself on automatically.

The original Sync Box required a separate Hue app, but the sync functionality is now in the core app to keep things simpler. It’s more user-friendly than before, but gives you the same options: game, movie or music modes, four levels of intensity and a brightness control. Pairing the sync box, adding it to your Wi-Fi network and checking for software updates are all handled by the app and work efficiently.

Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K app

The sync features no longer require a separate app: it's all in the core Hue app (Image credit: Future)

Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K: performance

  • Effectively 'expands' your TV screen when connected to smart lights
  • Much better than previous version for gaming
  • No noticeable lag between images on TV and lights changing

With the best smart lights, the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K works exceptionally well: it’s very fast and very accurate, so for example my gradient lightstrip didn’t just blast the wall with one or two colors but a mix that followed the on-screen visuals very well. It’s best suited to lights that are in the immediate vicinity of your TV; you can have the whole room synced if you wish, but I felt it distracted from the effectiveness.

For me, the lighting was at its best when it seemed to expand my TV to the entire wall behind it and the objects and furniture on either side. It really does make your TV feel much bigger and immersive, and the response speed means it looks very natural.

I noticed a big difference in gaming, especially on PS5: the glitch that would frequently give me a black screen for a moment at the worst possible time in intense games such as Helldivers is gone, and input switching issues that previously confused my TV were absent too. If you have a PS5 or Xbox X, that alone is a big reason to go for the 8K model rather than the older one.

For me, this is one of those products that you tend to take for granted almost immediately: the effect it produces is great but you soon stop noticing it, in part because the response rate is so fast that there isn’t a lag between what you see on screen and how your lights respond. That means after a short time you only really notice it when you turn it off: the room seems awfully bare and the TV awfully small without it.

Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K watching TV

The lighting effects don't overpower the on-screen colors; instead, they make the TV feel bigger (Image credit: Future)

Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K: verdict

There's no doubt that the Sync Box is expensive, even more so than its predecessor, and functionally it's not very different from the 4K box. If you're not a gamer, that's the one to go for here unless of course you have an 8K TV.

For gaming, though, this is a vast improvement: HDMI 2.1 is a must-have for modern consoles, and the upgrade addressed issues that have been annoying me for years – so while an 8K TV is not in my foreseeable future, this is still the box I'd recommend for Hue gamers.

Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K: how I tested

I’m a long-time Hue Sync Box 4K user, so I swapped the new model with my existing one. It’s connected to a Sony AV receiver, which in turn is connected to a PS5, an Xbox Series X, an Apple TV 4K and a Sony Blu-Ray player. I used the Sync Box to control a Hue Gradient Lightstrip on the back of my Samsung TV, and also added other Hue bulbs around my living room to check the syncing worked with multiple Hue products. Read more about how we test.

First reviewed October 2024

Aqara Video Doorbell G4 review: a keenly priced smart doorbell with subscription-free Apple Homekit Secure Video storage
7:00 pm | October 6, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Smart Home | Comments: Off

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: one-minute review

The Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 is a smart doorbell that allows you to remotely monitor and talk to visitors outside your property via your phone or desktop using Wi-Fi.

The main selling point for those of us who predominately use the Apple ecosystem is its HomeKit compatibility, in addition to the more common Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility. It’s a viable option, given its competitive price, and doesn’t try and sell you a subscription service by ringfencing features as is the case with other video doorbells.

It offers the standard array of features found in some of the best video doorbells such as customizable zones for refining motion detection and facial recognition, which you wouldn’t typically expect for a video doorbell at this price point. It can distinguish between a car, a person, or an animal as opposed to the usual generic “movement was detected” type of message.

In addition to the doorbell, the G4 comes with a chime repeater, a real boon if you’re not always next to your phone - though I was a little incredulous at the inclusion to begin with. Added to that, it can house a microSD card for locally storing video footage which needs to be safe inside your home as opposed to on-device as with some video doorbells. It’s also a logical way to improve battery life, providing a separate mains-powered unit with Wi-Fi access and other services. I stand corrected.

Having a variety of options is good, and the Aqara G4 provides a subscription-free alternative to the ubiquitous Ring Doorbells. There is room for improvement, though; its paltry IPX3 rating means it’s best kept under cover from the elements, and the field of view was much too high for my liking. Read on for the full picture.

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: price and availability

  • List price: $119.99 / £119.99 (about AU$180)

The Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 was launched in the US in February 2023 and UK in December 2023, and is available from the Aqara website as well as Amazon for $119.99 / £199.99 (about AU$180). At the time of writing the price was reduced by 20% to $95.99/£95.99 (about AU$140) in a limited time deal, which seems to be a bi-monthly occurrence that might be worth holding out for.

There are three accessories available for the G4 if you do not have the desire to shop around for what is pretty standard stuff. The power supply boasts of a 1.5 metre cable which is not long enough given that it is recommended that the Doorbell be mounted between 1.4 metres and 1.5 metres from the ground.

At its sale price, the Aqara G4 compares favorably with something like the Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro and its associated subscription fee, even when the extra purchases of a power adapter and MicroSD card are taken into account. At full price, less so.

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: specs

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: design

  • It’s big, it’s dark - it’s a mini monolith
  • It is easy to spot which circular feature is the button and which is the camera
  • The location of the case-securing screw is strange

The G4 has an appealing design, clad in slate grey with glossy black accents. On the front are two large circles; one is the button, and the other is the camera mount. It’s a little quirky, and upon unboxing, it chimed with me but I could not put my finger on why (both puns intended).

It wasn’t until I had to measure the Aqara G4 after discovering that the dimensions on the website were wrong that I began to think about ratios, noticing that it’s sides measure not too far from 1:4:9. That’s when it hit my nerdy sci-fi-riddled brain; those are the proportions of the sides of the monolith in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the camera on the doorbell even resembles HAL 9000. If you have no idea what I am blathering on about, please go and watch the film - it’s a classic.

Aqara Video Doorbell G4 with Lego astronaut minifigure

It had to be done (Image credit: Les Watson)

Installing the doorbell can be as simple as affixing the baseplate, connecting the chime unit to the mains (you’ll need to use your own USB power supply), pairing it in the app and completing the necessary updates, and lastly inserting the doorbell’s batteries before slotting and securing it to the baseplate.

I added my review unit to HomeKit, and through doing so I was able to make use of my Apple One subscription and save HomeKit Secure Video output to the cloud - a pleasant surprise. However, the video quality was not great; anything that moved was painfully pixelated. Now, I like 8-bit video games, but I need to be able to distinguish between the postman and Super Mario.

Be warned, when you install the batteries, both the doorbell and chime repeater’s alarms will trigger, and both devices will begin to howl like a banshee. The doorbell will stop when it is slotted into the baseplate, but the chime repeater will keep on howling away until it is power cycled. It’s a good anti-tampering feature but an off switch in the app that snoozes the tripped alarm would suffice to stop this slightly annoying quirk. Another poor design decision is the case-fastening screw on the side of the unit, which I found difficult to tighten when it’s in situ.

It has been designed to facilitate hard-wired mains electricity either from an existing doorbell circuit or via a power supply transformer that plugs into a standard UK electrical socket. Another design flaw is that there’s no slot on the sides of the baseplate to run the cable through; Aqara seems to have assumed that the power cable will come straight through the wall and directly into the device, which for me was impossible. It is easy enough to create an opening in the bracket, but an unnecessary hoop to jump through.

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: performance

Having used Ring doorbells for two years, it was immediately apparent that the video quality and field of view of the Aqara G4 are inferior. In fairness, Aqara is cheaper, and you do get what pay for. The stored video does seem to be less pixelated when using the local MicroSD as opposed to iCloud storage.

I installed a Ring Battery Pro alongside the Aqara to compare them and you can see what you are paying for with the Ring. As far as I am concerned the Aqara is good enough for my home, but your needs may differ depending on your entryway.

Footage from Aqara Video Doorbell G4 and Ring Battery Pro doorbells

Footage from Aqara G4 on the left, Ring Battery Pro on the right (Image credit: Les Watson)

Its object recognition is consistent, although it has yet to detect an animal for me to review. The feature would be even more useful if it were possible to filter the videos based on object type in the app.

Speaking of which, the app is pretty good. It’s uncluttered and offers automation facilities if you don’t want to connect it to one of your smart home hubs. As is the theme of this review, it does have its quirks; for instance, I’m a bit puzzled as to why it’s necessary to create an automation to play a sound on the external doorbell when the button is pressed rather than it being a built-in feature. Even more puzzling is that it is not possible to use the stock ring tones; you need to import a sound file.

For some reason, I’ve frequently received an error stating that “The network connectivity is poor. Please set to auto”. Set what to auto, you may ask? I have looked through the settings and the only thing with an auto setting that I have found so far is “Infrared Night Vision”, which is on already; the mystery continues.

The facial recognition is surprisingly good given that I have only supplied it with one photograph of me. Heck, I get up in the morning and look in the mirror and sometimes I don’t recognize myself. This opens up all sorts of automation possibilities. Why would you not want your house to say “Hello Les” when you walk up to your front door?

In saying that, maybe we’re getting a little too close to HAL with that one.

  • Performance score: 3.5/5

Should you buy the Aqara Video Doorbell G4?

Buy it if

You want a different look from other video doorbells.

It is a refreshing change from the standard Ring doorbell and other video doorbell devices, and I think it looks better than similarly priced products from Aqara’s competitors.View Deal

You are invested in the Apple ecosystem

If you are a HomeKit user and already have an Apple iCloud subscription, it’s an absolute no-brainer. View Deal

You want to store video footage without a subscription

It needs to be powered by a transformer to enable local storage, which does mean you will need to spend some more money to make it work - but you won’t be forking out every month.View Deal

Don't buy it if

You need to see your doorstep for package deliveries

It is unlikely that the camera will cover your doorstep due to its limited field of view. Wouldn’t it be nice if it were possible to turn the camera to portrait mode…View Deal

You need a weatherproof doorbell

If you do not have “a porch or other shaded area” this device might not survive the winter or regular heavy rain, given its low IP rating. View Deal

You need higher-quality video

The video quality of the Aqara G4 is good enough, but you may need more.
View Deal

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: also consider

Not completely sold on the Aqara Video Doorbell G4? Here are two more options for you to consider. We've also got lots of tips on how to buy a video doorbell.

Arlo Video Doorbell

Arlo's doorbell currently ranks top in our roundup of the best video doorbells, with impressive picture quality compared to similarly priced rival devices.

Read our full Arlo Video Doorbell reviewView Deal

Eufy Video Doorbell Dual

If you want to see packages when they're delivered to your doorstep, this doorbell has a secondary camera that's aimed at the floor to give you a better view.

Read our full Eufy Video Doorbell Dual reviewView Deal

How I tested the Aqara Video Doorbell G4

  • I tested both battery-powered and mains-powered configurations
  • I tested storing captured video in iCloud and locally
  • I reviewed all video footage to assess accuracy
  • I compared video output with a rival manufacturer

There is no existing doorbell circuit in my house or an electrical outlet in the hall, so the transformer was plugged into a socket in the lounge. Luckily (for you, not me) I am renovating my house and can easily get under the floor to run the cable.

I investigated the phone application automation options and tried out the various in-app features and functionalities.

I’ve been using smart home devices for several years now, and have a whopping 30+ years (gulp) of tech enthusiasm and experience under my belt.

First reviewed September 2024

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO review: a smart, illuminated modular display system
7:00 pm | October 5, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Smart Home | Comments: Off

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO: one-minute review

The Nanoleaf EXPO is the latest clever home contraption from they company behind some of the best smart lights around: a modular smart case solution that will see your collections displayed in glorious technicolor.

If you are one of those people who collect things (I am one of those people) you will inevitably end up with more things than places to put them. Shelves are fine, but you’ll need to dust every week (I am not one of those people), and the situation can get really out of hand if you ever move house, as most of your collections remain in the attic for months/years while you figure out where it is all going to go. Nanoleaf comes to the rescue with its attractive modular smart illuminated display case system.

Nanoleaf collaborated with US company Meeni Inc on its Fantaqi product, which is sold by Nanoleaf as the Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO. What this collaboration has produced is one of those rare things that is both eye-catching and useful, even if only to collectors and smart home nerds. Each case measures 38 x 29 x 22cm (W x D x H), but you’ll want to shave off roughly 3cm to account for the thickness of the walls. To give you some idea of its scale, a DVD case will stand perfectly inside, but will need to be inserted at a slight angle to get past the lip on the front of the box.

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO display cases with action figures inside, illuminated white and blue

(Image credit: Les Watson)

I must admit to initially being skeptical about these boxy smart lights, but once I saw them in my house brimming with some of my favorite collectibles and objet d’art, I was sold. As with the iPad and the Apple Watch, I just didn’t 'get it' until I got one. I’ve enjoyed liberating my stored collections and being reminded of why I collected all this stuff in the first place. These are a quick and easy solution to my storage problem.

Yes, they are expensive and the petulant software drives me nuts, but alternative Perspex display cases are not cheap and the EXPO’s modular design allows you to try them out in different places easily. Add to that their smart capabilities; totally worth it.

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO display cases in packaging

(Image credit: Les Watson)

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO: price and availability

  • Starter kits from $299.99 / £299.99 (about AU$440)
  • Expansion kits from $69.99 / £69.99 (about AU$100)

The Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO launched in August 2024 and is available from the Nanoleaf website, or from Fantaqi.

There are two accessories for the EXPO if you need more of the inter-case connectors or are expanding to a stack of more than 8 cases. The 75W power supply can power up to 14 cases.

Display case pricing

  • EXPO Smart LED Display Case Starter Kit (4 Pack): $299.99 / £299.99 (about AU$440)
  • EXPO Smart LED Display Case Starter Kit (8 Pack) $536.45 / £549.99 (about AU$790)
  • EXPO Smart LED Display Case Expansion (1 Pack) $69.99 / £69.99 (about AU$100)
  • EXPO Smart LED Display Case Smarter Kit (12 Pack) $ 800.01 (US only)

Accessory pricing

  • EXPO Display Case Rigid Linkers (9 Pack): $8.99 / £7.99 (about AU$15)
  • EXPO Display Case 75W Power Supply: $39.99 / £34.99 (about AU$60)

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO: specs

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO: design

  • Quick and easy to assemble
  • Cases are connected electrically by push-fit Linker strips
  • Magnetic door latch
  • Top panel of the box contains the LEDs

Aesthetically, the Nanoleaf EXPO isn’t much to write home about; each white display cube is simply designed. The real magic begins when you flick the switch to light up your life.

The system has been designed so that only the top case containing the LEDs and back panel (which has the connector slots) is 'live'. As long as you follow the provided assembly diagram you should find it easy enough to connect properly.

Printed instructions for assembling Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO display cases

(Image credit: Les Watson)

The rest of the cases are simply push-fit, but they do require a bit of force, so I would recommend that they are assembled on a non-slip surface. I worked along all of the seams with my thumbs just to make sure the seams were seated properly.

Each case has four feet, which fit into the recessed top of the case below to provide some vertical stability. Each case is electrically connected to the next one using the supplied linker strips which slot into holes midway along the sides of each case. It can be a bit tricky to get the Linker in the hole when coupling two cases but it’s a minor irritant.

Side of Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO display case, showing connector

(Image credit: Les Watson)

I was not convinced of the stability of the Nanoleaf Expo when configured in an 8-box vertical stack, but once loaded with your collectible contents, the whole thing became more and more stable. However, it might not survive the onslaught of a small child, but why would you let them near something so precious? Are you mad?

Each case has slots running up the sides to provide a channel for the power supply lead. A slight constriction somewhere along the channel to hold the lead in place would have been nice, but it is possible to put the lead under a bit of tension by curling it under the back of the bottom-most box of the stack.

Fortunately, the power lead is 2.5 meters long which gives you the option of placing them on a shelf, and as each case weighs in at around 2kg, the shelving need not be industrial strength like mine.

I was initially puzzled by the clear back panel until I switched them on and noticed it effectively creates a pleasing halo on the wall around the stack. I also love the magnetic front door latch, as all too often fixtures like interference-fit door latches can make a whole unit wobble wildly when you open a door, or there’s some form of mechanical push-in opener that invariably fails over time. The stack does still move a little when you open a door but all is forgiven when it closes with such a resounding ‘thunk’ noise. Yes, I am one of those people who enjoy the rich sound of a high-quality car door closing.

Power supply for Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO display cases

(Image credit: Les Watson)

My only gripe is with the power supply plug. It’s quite attractive and it’s very cool that it has three different snap-in plug converters, but the three-pin one is upside down.

Look, Nanoleaf, most of us have so many electrical appliances that we need to use electrical extension plugboards; a lot of them. We cannot lay them flush against the wall if someone has decided to provide a plug with a lump on top with the power lead coming out of it. It makes even less sense when plugged directly into the wall, as all the weight is above the socket.

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO: performance

  • Software proved temperamental
  • Rhythm Source feature works well

Having reviewed several Nanoleaf products in the past, I knew that reaching the point at which you can power the hardware up is usually the easy bit. In comparison, while the universe descends cyclically from order to chaos over billions of years, the Nanoleaf app will give you a sneak preview of that chaos in just a few hours. After six wasted hours of crashes and bugs (including the infamous 'Accessory already in another home' message from HomeKit) I decided to give up on the EXPO for the day.

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO display cases with collectibles inside illuminated red

(Image credit: Les Watson)

I am sure it will come to pass that it will start working but it’s frustrating that Nanoleaf specifies features that initially do not work. There is better news for the rhythm source feature of the Nanoleaf desktop application on Mac; it now works as it should, much to my delight. The Mac app still crashes regularly though.

I love this product and I want Nanoleaf to continue coming up with original, if somewhat niche, products, but I do hope the company begins to do a little more software quality assurance before products launch and not after. I am willing to accept that some of my problems may be PICNIC problems (problems in customer not in computer), but not the majority of them. What troubles me is that people will stop buying Nanoleaf products if they have the same experience.

Should you buy the Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO?

Buy it if

You need a flexible storage system for your treasured possessions

They can be quickly tried out in different positions and configurations around the home.View Deal

You have other Nanoleaf devices

If you’re already pretty stocked up with some of Nanoleaf’s other brilliant bulbs, strips, and shapes, then the Nanoleaf EXPO makes for a perfect addition.View Deal

Don't buy it if

You're on a budget

These are entirely unique products, yes, but that comes at a price. Head to a flat-pack furniture store and stock up on smart light strips for a DIY solution. View Deal

You need a bookshelf

The Nanoleaf EXPO is not really strong enough or big enough for books.View Deal

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO: also consider

As was the case when I reviewed the Nanoleaf Skylight, there isn’t an equivalent product for the Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO that I am aware of. However, if you want to create a DIY system using smart LED strip lights instead. there are a few options available.

Govee LED Light Strip M1

These super bright LED strip lights could be used to liven up an ordinary bookcase or display case. It's easy to install and a great option for beginners.

Read our full Govee LED Light Strip M1 review

Twinkly Line

These fun smart lights come in short strips ideal for small areas, and you can sync them with other Twinkly products to create a larger 'canvas'.

Read our full Twinkly Line review

How I tested the Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO

  • I tested the cases in different configurations
  • I tested the Nanoleaf applications for known existing problems
  • I tested its compatibility with Apple Homekit
  • I tested EXPO in conjunction with other Nanoleaf devices

I ensured that my test environment was up to date and working with the latest versions of firmware and software for all devices before even unpacking the Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO. I visually checked the status of Apple Homekit every time the application crashed and visually checked the status of the application itself on restart and investigated any anomalies.

I investigated the phone application automation options and tried out the various in-app features and functionalities.

I’ve been using smart home devices for several years now, and have a whopping 30+ years (gulp) of tech enthusiasm and experience under my belt.

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review: a robot vacuum that detects dirt
9:00 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Robot Vacuums Smart Home | Comments: Off

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop two-minute review

Product info

There are a few versions of this product.

With NeverTouch Pro base:
US: RV2820ZE
UK: RV2800ZEUK

With NeverTouch base:
US: RV2820YE
UK: RV2800YEUK

For this review, I tested the US model with the NeverTouch Pro base. There may be minor differences between different countries' models.

The Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with NeverTouch Pro Base isn’t the first robot vacuum on the market that can mop and vacuum at the same time, but the fact that it’s outfitted with lots of smart technologies makes it stand out. In fact, it has wide range of detection capabilities, some of which are borrowed from today's best Shark vacuums, including the ability to detect what kind of floor it's on and how dirty it is, as well as being able to spot wet or dry spillages and stains, and automatically adjust its cleaning behavior to suit.

In my testing, I found the PowerDetect robot vacuum did a great job with different types of stains and debris of varying sizes, and the detection features worked as advertised. Expect the best clean when the vacuum and mop work together. Unfortunately, the suction wasn’t strong enough to completely pull up super-fine materials like flour from hard floor or a thick rug, and you'll almost certainly need to supplement it with a manual vacuum for occasional deep cleaning – but that's not unusual, even with the very best robot vacuums.

The mopping is effective, but left my wood floors wetter than I would have liked. Unfortunately, you cannot opt out of the automatic cleaning and instead manually choose vacuum or mopping settings, which is frustrating in situations like this.

One standout feature is this robovac's ability to roam over high thresholds; I've never seen a robovac that can lift itself as high as the PowerDetect can. It also has a novel approach to edge cleaning: when it gets near an edge, the robot blasts air to move debris into the cleaning path. Unfortunately, over-sensitive object avoidance means that it doesn't always get close enough to the edges of rooms to make this feature as effective as it could be. On the plus side, the companion app is easy to use and very accurate.

Shark launched its PowerDetect robot vacuum in summer/fall 2024. The combination robot vacuum-and-mop is available with a NeverTouch Pro base, which self-empties, cleans its own mop pads, and refills its own water tanks. That's the priciest option and the one I tested for this review, and I appreciated how it took care of so many maintenance tasks for me. However, if you're on a budget, you can opt for a model with a NeverTouch base (no 'Pro'). It's the exact same robot vacuum, but the dock doesn't self-clean and it doesn't have an anti-odor puck.

(Also in the PowerDetect range is an even cheaper robovac that doesn't have mopping capabilities at all, and various manual vacuums – head to TechRadar's Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum review to see how we got on with one of those.)

Read on for my full Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review.

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop in its charging station

(Image credit: Future)

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review: price & availability

  • Price with NeverTouch Pro Base: $999.99 / £799
  • Price with NeverTouch Base: $899.99 / £699
  • Launch date: September 2024
  • Availability: US and UK

The Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop launched in the US and UK in September 2024. It's available to buy direct from Shark, as well as via third party retailers like Amazon.

For this review, I tested the most expensive option: the PowerDetect robot vacuum and mop with NeverTouch Pro base. This has a list price of $999.99 / £799.

Alternatively, you can pick up the same robovac but with a slightly less advanced base (the NeverTouch base – no 'Pro'). This one doesn't self-clean its mop pads, and there's no anti-odor puck. This is currently available in the US for $899.99 and the UK (although, weirdly, not currently on the Shark UK website) for £699.

There's also a basic version, which still self-empties but doesn't mop. In the US this costs $599.99 (product code RV2820AE). It's also available in the UK for £499.99 (RV2820VEUK).

On my review model, an extra mop pad, odor neutralizer cartridge, and multi-surface cleaning solution were included. Further replacements are available direct from Shark.

At TechRadar, a robot vacuum that costs more than $800 / £650 is considered a premium model, so the 2-in-1 PowerDetect falls into that band. Generally, self-empty robovacs, and combination vac-mops do sit at the upper end of the market, although it is possible to pick them up for as little as $350.

Overall, this robot does a great job in a lot of areas, especially in terms of mapping and ease of use. Do I think the model I tested is worth $999? I’d say a fairer price might be $799, as I’ve tested other robot vacuums with more features, such as live camera, voice control and so on.

Even though it's very new, you might still be able to snag a discount. The Black Friday deals often deliver particularly good robot vacuum deals, and until then it's worth keeping an eye on TechRadar’s Shark coupon codes for other ways to shave a few dollars off.

  • Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review: design

  • Circular robovac with vacuuming and mopping abilities
  • Base charges, self empties and (if Pro version chosen) self-cleans
  • Robot controlled via companion app

The Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with NeverTouch Pro Base is a black circular robot vacuum that’s 13 inches in diameter and has a cleaning path width of 5.69 inches. At 2.7 inches tall, it can fit under most cabinets.

My review model came with the NeverTouch Pro base, which is has a dark gray – almost black – in color. It stands 17.5 inches tall, 18.8 inches wide, and 14.33 inches deep. This dock charges the robovac, cleans its mop pads, empties its onboard dust cup and dirty water, and refills the onboard water tank. It also has an anti-odor puck to prevent bad smells building up.

The Pro base is pretty compact compared to other robovac-mops I've tested, but if you'd prefer something smaller, take a look at the regular NeverTouch base (RV2820YE). It lacks self-cleaning capabilities and doesn't have the anti-odor puck, and it looks a little different in that the water tank on the base is visible.

Everything that comes with the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop

(Image credit: Future)

The robot itself has a side brush (an extra is included in the box) for gathering dirt and debris, as well as a half-circular mopping pad and a dust cup with a capacity of 0.33 quarts. It’s also outfitted with LED lights and has NeverStuck Technology which means the robot is designed to be able to lift itself over obstacles, thresholds, and thick carpets; I’ve never seen a robot vacuum lift itself as high as this one can.

When mopping, the robot also lifts the pad when moving over rugs. To assist with edge cleaning, the PowerDetect robovac blasts air to pushes debris from the edges of rooms and into its cleaning path. It can also extend the mopping pad up to an inch out from its sides for better edge mopping.

The base itself has a bin designed to last 60-days (no actual capacity is provided), while the water tank is capable of filling the robot with water for 30 days (again, no specifics from Shark). Thanks to felt and washable foam filters, as well as a HEPA filter, you can rest assured that the vacuum contains the dust and allergens it picks up.

A hand lifting the water tank out of the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop's charging station

The NeverTouch Pro base houses water tanks and a larger dust cup (Image credit: Future)

Setting up the robot was fairly easy. It doesn’t take more than connecting the ramp to the base, filling the tank with water, attaching the side brush to the bottom of the robot, inserting the odor cartridge on the top of the base, and leaving everything to charge. I downloaded the app and connected the robot vacuum to my Wi-Fi. It took a few tries but not so many that I was concerned or frustrated. This is pretty typical for me during the testing of products with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity.

Although it's far from basic, this Shark robot vacuum lacks some features I'd expect in the premium price bracket – for example, voice control (it will emit voice commands to let you know when it needs to charge or if it gets caught on something, but you can't issue instructions back), the ability to move the robot vacuum with controls in the app, and live camera footage.

  • Design score: 4 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review: performance

  • Great at object avoidance and climbing thresholds
  • Decent job at vacuuming and mopping
  • NeverTouch Pro base takes care of most maintenance

After connecting the Shark robot vacuum to the app, it mapped my house. I was very surprised by how quickly it mapped the house and how accurate the map was. I think it’s the most accurate initial map that I’ve seen from a robot vacuum, especially considering that the robot didn’t go to every room in my house. While I’ll go more into detail about the app in the following section, I found it really easy to control the Shark robot vacuum in the app.

To begin my testing, I set the Shark robot to vacuum and mop my entire house so I could get a good sense for how it would work on a regular basis. I noticed a few things during this process. For one, the robot does a great job of object avoidance. I never saw it hit a wall or any of my furniture. This was impressive. I think the only drawback to this aspect is that it may impact the edge cleaning.

Edge cleaning with the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop

The robovac didn't get quite as close to the edges of rooms as I'd like (Image credit: Future)

The robot seemed intent on not hitting a wall or an object, and because of that, it didn’t get as close as I would have liked it to get for superior edge cleaning. Yes, with EdgeDetect technology, the robot vacuum blasts air to move debris near the edges into the cleaning path. However, it needs to get closer to an edge to even effectively use such technology.

EdgeDetect is just one of a range of detection capabilities offered by this robovac. Another key one is 'DirtDetect', which essentially means the vacuum can sense how dirty a floor is and automatically adjust suction in response. However, on Shark's manual vacuums, you also have the option to manually set a suction level, whereas there's no manual control option here.

As someone who has a house with a lot of tall thresholds, I was curious to see how well the robot would be able to climb over them. It easily lifted itself over all my thresholds except for one, which I’ve never seen a robot able to do (it’s about two inches tall, so that's understandable).

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop climbing over a raised threshold

(Image credit: Future)

The base took more time than I expected to fill the robovac's onboard water tanks. Since it’s a hands-free process, it’s not the biggest concern but something I wanted to note. I didn’t think I’d be impressed by the Shark’s robot’s mopping capabilities, because I am not a fan of the type of mop pad this robot uses. It’s a half circle pad that sticks to the bottom with Velcro. I prefer rotating circular pads as I think they clean better.

That said, I was pleasantly surprised with the Shark PowerDetect robovacs mopping abilities. This is due in part to the fact that the robot can move the mop pad from side to side offering enough friction to pull up dirt and stains from the ground. Thankfully, the robot lifted the mop pad significantly when it went over the rugs.

One of the biggest drawbacks of this robot vacuum is that it left behind too much water on my floors. Because I have historic wood floors, I have to be especially careful when it comes to mopping (water can damage wood floors). I was disappointed that I could not adjust the water level of this robot vacuum in the app.

The Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop leaves a lot of water on the floor

The Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop leaves a lot of water on the floor (Image credit: Future)

Because the robovac is able to vacuum and mop simultaneously, it can clean your entire house in half the time it would normally take (for instance, if you had to vacuum first and the mop after). In most cases, it's actually better to instruct the robovac to mop and vacuum at the same time, because vacuuming doesn't always completely remove fine dust, and the mop can deal with any remnants.

Cleaning tests

To accurately gauge the Shark's cleaning prowess I ran some standardized tests. I placed a ground coffee and flour mix on my laminate floor and the same mixture on a rug and used the spot cleaning feature of the robot to send it to both spots to see how well it vacuumed the area. I like that there is a spot cleaning option, but unfortunately, you can’t adjust the size of the spot in the app.

Image 1 of 3

The Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop about to clean up flour and coffee on a hard floor

The Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop about to clean up flour and coffee on a hard floor (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 3

Results of the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop cleaning a hard floor

Results of the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop cleaning a hard floor (Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 3

The Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop cleaning up flour and coffee

The Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop cleaning up flour and coffee (Image credit: Future)

On the laminate flooring, the robot had a sound rating of 69dB. It picked up the coffee with ease. When it came to the flour, it did a pretty good job, though it wasn’t completely perfect. Rather, it left behind a small dusting of flour, which leads me to say that, if you drop fine materials on hard flooring, such as flour, you should probably use the vacuum and the mop function in conjunction to clean it completely.

Image 1 of 3

The Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop about to clean flour and coffee on a rug

The Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop about to clean flour and coffee on a rug (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 3

The Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop cleaning up flour and coffee

The Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop cleaning up flour and coffee (Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 3

Results of the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop cleaning a rug

Results of the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop cleaning a rug (Image credit: Future)

When I sent the robot to the rug, the noise level increased to 70dB. It actually did a better job of vacuuming the rug than I thought it would. Like on hard floor, the robot picked up all of the coffee, but it left a round patch of flour. The brush also flung some of the flour out of the spot-cleaning zone, and thus it was not vacuumed.

Next, I tested the mopping capability by placing a puddle of water and some dried syrup on the floor. With a sound rating of 69dB, the robot picked up the liquids easily. I couldn’t tell if the robot pushed the water around as it leaves a good amount of water behind anyway, but it seemed to clean the syrup well. After the floor dried, I noticed a very slight (and I mean very slight) stickiness to the floor, and just to be safe, I had the robot mop the spot once again.

This Shark robot takes about 3.5 hours to fully charge and then runs for about 2 hours and 20 minutes before it needs to recharge again. If it runs low on power in the middle of a cleaning job, it just recharges enough to finish cleaning your house. The robot isn’t able to clean my 1,600-square-foot home completely on a single charge. This is not really a concern for me since the robot vacuum takes itself to the base, recharges, and then finishes the cleaning job when it’s ready. I don’t have to do anything but sit back and let it clean on its own time.

The Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop cleaning under furniture

The robovac is shallow enough to be able to clean underneath furniture (Image credit: Future)

My favorite aspect of this Shark vacuum is the hands-free cleaning. The NeverTouch Pro base lived up to its name. It not only pulls the dirt and debris from the vacuum and stores it in a sealed 60-day capacity bin, but it washes and dries the mopping pad after every clean. I should also add that the water tank holds 30 days’ worth of water, which is impressive considering how small the base appears from the outside.

Maintenance

As for other elements of maintenance, the vacuum and base need to be cleaned about every 30 days. You’ll have to use a dry dust rag to clean the sensors and charging contacts on the robot and in the base. The base can be cleaned with a wet rag and then dried with a cloth. The brushroll and side brush need to be cleared of hair, string, or debris. The mop pad should be washed and/or replaced every three months. The base’s dustbin should be emptied once a month.

The filter in the robot and the filter at the top of the base should be cleaned once a month, by shaking them free of dust and debris over a trashcan and then rinsing the foam filters with cold water and allowing them to air dry for 48 hours. On the bottom side of the base there is another filter, the post-motor filter, that can be cleaned every 6 months. You’ll also want to clean the water container with soap and water before refilling it.

  • Performance score: 4 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review: app

  • Easy-to-use app with great mapping and instructional tips
  • Whole house clean, room clean, or spot clean options
  • App contains schedule and cleaning history

I love a simple and easy-to-use app, and the Shark app is just that. The map that was created of my house is quite accurate. Take note that it’s only 2D; there are no 3D mapping options. The map shows the different rooms in my house and even has some shadow areas that indicate furniture or things like a bathtub.

I can easily adjust the map – which I did by merging two rooms together that the robot separated and then splitting two rooms that the robot determined as one. I can also label my rooms and create no-go zones. Unfortunately, you can’t customize a no-go zone. For instance, I would like to create a no-go mopping zone for a specific area of my house, but the app doesn’t allow that.

The app is where you can see the battery life and instruct the robot to return to the dock, pause, or set it to vacuum, mop, or vacuum and mop at the same time. I can choose to have the Shark robot clean the entire house, one room, or to spot clean in a certain area. Unfortunately, with the spot clean feature, I can’t adjust the spot cleaning box to be smaller or larger. It seems to be a set size that I have to move on the map to the area I want cleaned.

Not only can I schedule the robot to clean and look at the cleaning history, but there is a support section that answers all of my questions related to the use and care of the robot vacuum. I also like the little notifications found on the main page as they can be helpful in knowing if there was an issue while cleaning or if the robot used some particular function to improve the cleaning experience.

This app would benefit with a few additions, such as the ability to adjust the water flow and vacuum suction power. As it is, the vacuum adjusts the suction and mopping functions based on its ability to detect dirt on the ground. While this is impressive, it would be nice to have some more control in some situations.

  • App score: 4 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop specs

Should you buy the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop?

Buy it if…

You like to keep your house clean between deep cleanings

This robot vacuum is the ideal partner in keeping your house clean on a daily basis, whether it’s picking up dirt brought in from the kids or sucking up a spill in the kitchen. You may need other tools for a deeper clean, but it can handle the daily dirt and wear in a home.

You prefer a hands-free vacuum and mopping experience

This robot’s charging station pulls the dirt and debris from the vacuum, inserts the water into the vacuum, and even cleans the mop pad. You’ll do very little maintenance and cleaning of this vacuum.

You want a robot that won’t bump into your furniture

Some robot vacuums knock things down, run into walls, or get stuck on furniture. This Shark does a great job avoiding obstacles and preventing any mishaps as it cleans.

Don't buy it if…

Your home has a lot of carpets

While this Shark robot does a decent job with large rugs, it’s not the best choice for someone with a lot of carpets, as it doesn’t have the suction capability to clean deep pile carpets.

You have historic hardwood floors

As someone who has historic hardwood floors, I was cautious in using this robot on them as it tends to leave behind far more water than I would like.

You like a lot of customization options in an app

Unfortunately, there aren’t as many customizable features in the app as you might expect. For instance, you can’t adjust the spot cleaning size or create no-go zones in your house for vacuuming or mopping specifically. Water flow and suction power can’t be adjusted either.

How I tested the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop

I tested the Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with NeverTouch Pro Base for over a week in my historic home. My house is outfitted with laminate and historic wood flooring, and some large thick rugs. To adequately rate and review the vacuuming and mopping capabilities of this robot, I ran the robot vacuum throughout my home and used various features like spot cleaning. I also conducted controlled tests where I had the robot vacuum flour and coffee from hard floors and rugs, as well as mop flour, water, and sticky materials from the laminate floor.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2024

Molekule Air Mini+ review: high-grade filtering doesn’t offset this air purifier’s performance problems
5:00 pm | October 2, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: | Comments: Off

The Molekule Air Mini+ is a small but innovatively designed air purifier. It boasts medical-grade materials and patented PECO filter technology, using UV radiation to help further destroy airborne pollutants.

I tested it to see whether it could compete with our pick of the best air purifiers on the market. It's simple to use and has an aesthetically pleasing app, but the only data that gets recorded is the air quality, in a range running from Good to Very Bad. This means that, unlike some cheaper air purifiers, there's no breakdown of the type of particles contaminating the air. In addition, the Molekule Air Mini+ can't detect VOCs (volatile organic compounds), making it hard for this purifier to tackle odors without manual intervention.

Note: the Pro version of this purifier does detect VOCs and is particularly good at tackling odors, but that model is significantly bulkier and more expensive (read my Molekule Air Pro review for more on that one). Alternatively, read on for my full Molekule Air Mini review below.

Molekule Air Mini+ review: price & availability

  • List price: $359.99
  • Only available in the US at present

At $359.99, the Molekule Air Mini+ isn’t cheap. You’d be forgiven for thinking that this must mean it’s packed with features, but Molekule has kept things seemingly simple with this model. Perhaps too simple, in my opinion, as cheaper alternatives can give more detailed readings.

What this purifier does have in comparison to these lower-priced alternatives, however, is patented PECO technology. This allegedly breaks down organic matter at a molecular level. While I can neither confirm nor deny that this is accurate, this, along with the use of medical-grade polycarbonate, would go some way to explain why the price point is as high as it is.

But I found myself asking: is this quality filter being used to its full potential if the Air Mini+ can't detect VOCs in order to respond appropriately in the first place?

The Air Mini+ is available to purchase directly from the Molekule website and on Amazon, but only in the US at present.

  • Value for money score: 3 out of 5

Molekule Air Mini+ review specs

Molekule Air Mini+ review: design

  • Simple aesthetic
  • Redundant handle
  • One-button control

Air purifiers can vary aesthetically: some look utilitarian while others make a statement, and the Molekule Air Mini+ sits somewhere in the middle. It has some fancy little design elements but, overall, I’ve gotta say, it’s kinda giving bathroom trash can vibes. That being said, it is at least a fairly compact size, standing at 12 inches tall, with a diameter of just over 8 inches. It’s surprisingly heavy for its size, weighing 7.3 lb, which is 4.8 ounces heavier than the much larger Shark NeverChange air purifier.

The white medical grade polycarbonate outer has a textured matte finish, with the word Molekule inlaid in shiny silver. On the right-hand side, a somewhat redundant tan-colored vegan leather handle is fixed in place by a large silver metal pin. It wasn’t easy or practical to carry it around using this, so it appears to be more of a design choice to keep it in line with the design concept of its larger sibling, the Molekule Air Pro.

Picture shows the side of the Molekule Air Mini Plus air purifier, mainly focussing on the tan faux-leather handle held in place by a large metal pin at the top.

(Image credit: Future)

There’s an inset gray band toward the bottom of the unit where the base meets the top section, and slanted gray slats at the top of the purifier circling the gray touch panel in the center. The control panel is subtle as no lights are on show until you touch the center to awaken the purifier. This center button is used to turn the power on and off, cycle through Auto Protect and manual fan modes, and reset the Air Mini+. In the middle of this button is the indicator light for the air quality in the room, it shows green for good, yellow for moderate, red for bad, and blue for very bad.

Picture shows a the top of the Molekule Air Mini Plus air purifier, with a finger nearly pressing the illuminated auto protect button.

(Image credit: Future)

A series of white dots indicate the fan level, so one dot for the lowest fan speed, and five for the highest. It also shows an interlinked symbol when it’s in Auto Protect mode. There’s a Wi-Fi symbol that flashes up upon startup or if there are connectivity issues and a filter symbol that communicates the filter’s health.

In terms of packaging, the Air Mini+ comes in a shipping-style corrugated cardboard box, with consideration going into the cardboard fitments, eliminating the need for single-use materials like polystyrene. For extra protection, the purifier comes in a good-quality reusable drawstring bag.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Molekule Air Mini+ review: features

  • Aesthetically pleasing app
  • Lacking detailed air quality data
  • Impressive (but expensive) filter

The Air Mini+ is compatible with the Molekule app, which has an attractive and easy-to-use interface with a cool-toned color palette and animations. Despite the app being simple to use, setting up the Wi-Fi connection was a bit of a headache, but I’ll regale my woes further in the performance section.

Once everything was connected, the Purifier tab on the app told me what the current IAQ was, from good to very bad. From this tab, I could also change between Auto Protect mode, or manually select a fan speed from one to five. There's also a percentage rating to show the PECO-Filter condition: when pressed, it provides further information on the filter capabilities and details on how to change it. In the More tab, you can connect to Alexa, add more air purifiers to the app, and enable or disable notifications.

Picture shows the base and cable spool of a Molekule Air Mini Plus air purifier.

(Image credit: Future)

The Indoor Air tab shows a timed graph spanning 24 hours or one week. Unlike this purifier’s larger (and much more expensive) sibling the Molekule Air Pro, there is very limited information provided by the Air Mini+. You simply see a graph that notes the IAQ using the same color-coded system as shown on the purifier itself, and the length of time the air quality was at that level. There's no details on whether the IAQ was affected by dust particles, pollen, smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and so on. Perhaps this is enough information for some users, but when air purifiers that cost at least $100 less can provide more detail, it’s quite disappointing that the readings are so basic from the Air Mini+.

Picture shows the Molekule Air Mini Plus air purifier with its top removed, revealing the PECO-HEPA Tri-Power filter sitting within the base.

(Image credit: Future)

The Molekule Air Mini+ has received FDA clearance and is classed as a device intended for medical purposes. It’s stated that it can capture 95% of particulate matter and destroy bacteria and viruses by exposing them to ultraviolet radiation – though only when in manual mode on fan speed three or above.

The Air Mini+ comes with a PECO-HEPA Tri-Power Filter, which Molekule states can destroy bacteria, mold and allergens, and reduce odors and toxic gasses, with a 99.97% particle-capture efficiency rate. Molekule recommends changing the filter every six months, which doesn’t sound excessive, but it’s important to note that a replacement filter costs $99.99, or $79.99 if you subscribe to bi-annual deliveries.

  • Features score: 3 out of 5

Molekule Air Mini+ review: performance

  • Buggy Wi-Fi connectivity
  • IAQ tracking not accurate
  • Does not clear odors automatically

Having tried out many lower-cost purifiers and the Air Mini+’s highly talented sibling, I expected great things from this little purifier. The results from everyday use didn’t blow me away, unfortunately.

Upon initial setup at home, I couldn’t connect the Air Mini+ to my iPhone 12 Pro. I found that I needed to manually go into my Wi-Fi settings to find the Molekule Wi-Fi the purifier was trying to connect to. This action wasn’t prompted or made clear; on the app, a button just appeared asking to connect to the Molekule network, which would then throw up an error saying that it was unable to join. Once I’d discovered that I needed to join this network manually, my phone connected to the purifier.

Sadly, this wasn’t the end of the frustration. When it came to connecting the Air Mini+ to my Wi-Fi router, I was left with the spinning wheel of doom until I had to give up. I tried resetting the purifier, reinstalling the app, and restarting the Wi-Fi, but to no avail. I ended up admitting defeat late in the evening, which meant that even though the Air Mini+ was running overnight, it was not collecting any data. The only indication of the air quality was the colored indicator light on the top of the unit, which turns off until you touch it, so it wasn't easily visible from my bed. It’s unusual not to have Bluetooth backup available. I found this alternative connectivity option helpful when the lower-priced Welov P200 Pro wouldn’t connect to Wi-Fi, as at least it could still record data and be controllable as long as the device was in range.

Picture shows a Molekule Air Mini Plus air purifier sitting on a glass bedside table with a candle, cosmetic bottle, and potted plant to its right.

(Image credit: Future)

I decided to test the syncing process with our OnePlus Pad Go, to see if this was an iOS, app, or firmware issue. Upon installing the Molekule app, it became clear that it wasn’t optimized for Android tablets, or certainly not in this instance anyway. The Auto Protect and Manual button on the Purifier tab went beyond the edges of the screen, and the chart in the Indoor Air tab didn't display properly, in either screen orientation. I couldn't use the OnePlus Pad Go to connect the Air Mini+ to the Molekule app again, as the page was too large for the screen, so it wasn't possible to go through the connection process.

When I tried to connect it to the Wi-Fi in the office the next morning, it was the same fun and games, until eventually, the app said that there was an issue connecting to the network and to try to reconnect. When I pressed the button to continue, it successfully connected to Wi-Fi and I was able to name my purifier on the app. I had the same issue when setting up the Molekule Air Pro, but it surrendered much quicker than the Air Mini+.

The biggest issue with the Wi-Fi not connecting was that, despite the price, the Air Mini+ doesn’t use Bluetooth, so if you can’t connect over Wi-Fi, the IAQ isn’t tracked and you can’t adjust settings hands-free.

One element that's been a cause of irritation for myself and my colleagues is that when switching between manual mode and Auto Protect, the fan speed builds up to its highest (and loudest) setting, even when the air quality is good. This isn’t great at the best of times, but if you’ve forgotten to set it onto auto when your baby is napping, or you’re in a quiet shared office, say, it’s very inconvenient. It was particularly off-putting when going to bed late at night, as it became more apparent to me that it took the fan some time to reduce to its final speed when I put it onto auto, even though it had only been on manual for a moment and the IAQ was good, meaning that the fan noise is loud for longer than it needs to be.

Image shows screenshots of the Molekule app showing bad and very bad air quality readings, but the graph is still showing good coloring.

(Image credit: Molekule)

When using it in the TechRadar reviews office, the readings did not correspond with the Molekule Air Pro I had running simultaneously. The Air Pro detected a substantial drop in air quality on two occasions, which was when there was a lot of activity in the office. The reason that the two Molekule purifiers didn’t correspond with one another is simple – the Air Pro can detect an increase in VOC, but the Mini+ lacks this ability. While this can’t be held against the Mini+ due to the massive price difference between the two, before settling on a purifier you should consider the contaminants you want to be detected so that your purifier can react and clear the air fast.

I sprayed dry shampoo toward the Air Mini+ and it detected it quickly. The fan sped up gradually as a result, changing the IAQ from bad back to good within two minutes. The fan speed slowed gradually, even though the fragrance remained strong in the air. I manually set the purifier to full fan speed to clear the fragrance from the dry shampoo, it took the Air Mini+ about 30 minutes to clear the air. This is more than double the time it took the AiDot Welov P200 Pro, which left the air smelling fresher after just 10 minutes of running on full power.

One issue that became apparent is that the app does not always correspond with the reading on the purifier itself. When performing the dry shampoo test in the TR office it relayed the change in air quality after some time, but when I retested at home, it didn't register that the Air Mini+ was detecting bad air quality at all, relaying a fairly flatline reading of “good” over the whole day. While this isn’t the end of the world, as the purifier itself still reacted, it’s not ideal if you want to keep track of the air quality remotely or in the morning after a night's sleep, as the data does not feel reliable.

  • Performance score: 2.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Molekule Air Mini+?

Buy it if...

You don’t want a visible display
The light-up control panel turns off promptly following inactivity, so you’re left with what simply looks like the top panel of the air purifier.

You prefer a minimalist, Scandi design
With a simplistic color palette of white and gray and a tan-colored faux leather handle, the Air Mini+ could easily fit into many homes.

You want a simple-to-use app
Attractive and user-friendly, you can use the app to easily control the Air Mini+, review the filter life, connect to Alexa, and change notification settings.

Don't buy it if...

You want to keep noise to a minimum
Curiously, the Air Mini+ insists on increasing the fan speed to its maximum when Auto Protect mode is switched on, so if you want to change to this setting quietly, you’re out of luck.

You’re on a budget
There’s no doubt about it, this air purifier isn’t cheap. I could forgive this if it had more features or performed particularly well, but it didn’t impress any more than purifiers I’ve tested that cost $100 less.

You’d like to see what’s contaminating your air
The readings provided on the Molekule app from the Air Mini+ are disappointingly basic. Where other air purifiers can tell you the different particle types, VOCs, CO2, humidity, and so on, the Air Mini+ simply shows you whether the overall air quality was rated between good or very bad throughout the day or week.

Molekule Air Mini+ review: Also consider

Levoit Core 300S True HEPA air purifier
Less than half the price but very highly rated, we loved the Levoit Core 300S when we reviewed it, scoring it four and a half stars out of five. The readings aren’t the most detailed, only showing the PM2.5 level, but we were impressed with the performance for the cost.

Shark NeverChange Air Purifier
If the sky-high cost of the Air Mini+ replacement filters is putting you off, then the long-lasting filter capabilities of the Shark NeverChange might suit you better. Two washable DebrisDefence filters add another layer of protection, meaning that the HEPA filter could last for years.

How I tested the Molekule Air Mini+

  • I used the Molekule Air Mini+ for one week
  • I tested it in multiple environments
  • I observed its reaction to aerosols

I tested the Molekule Air Mini+ in the TechRadar reviews office and music testing room, as well as in my bedroom at home.

I monitored how effectively it detected and purified airborne contaminants such as dust and dry shampoo, and how well it tackled the strong fragrance left by the latter.

I left it running in my bedroom overnight to determine whether it disturbed my sleep. I tested the sound levels using a sound level meter on my phone and assessed the controls and how easy it was to change the filter.

Philips 5400 LatteGo review: your own personal barista
6:00 pm | September 29, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Coffee Machines Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: | Comments: Off

Philips 5400 LatteGo: two-minute review

The Philips 5400 LatteGo is a bean-to-cup coffee machine capable of making 12 different types of coffee. With its easy-to-use TFT LCD display, you can customize each cup by tweaking the amount of beans, milk and water you want. Best of all, the 5400 remembers these settings, giving you the option to save it to one of four profiles, saving you the hassle of adjusting the options every time.

Setting up the 5400 LatteGo is simple enough, though some important details are missing from the instructions. For example, it doesn’t mention that a rubber band must be attached to the filter in order to slot into the water tank. Once you’ve placed the machine in your kitchen or office, the 5400 is easy enough to maintain. The water tank, found on the right side, can be easily slid out from the front for refills.

Water tank removed from Philips 5400 Series Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

The machine's water tank is easy to remove, and you'll get an alert when it needs refilling (Image credit: Daryl Baxter)

Longevity is a big theme of the 5400, self-cleaning after each use to prevent any grime from clogging up its internal pipes. Though it’s worth noting that when it’s working, especially when grinding the coffee beans you’ve put in, it can be noisy. We measured noise levels of up to 79 dBA (about the same as a phone dial tone), so we’d recommend not making a cup during the night if others are sleeping nearby.

The 5400 offers plenty of customization options, such as different milk foam levels. However, the milk spout can’t be turned, so you have to carefully position your cup between the milk and coffee spouts. Nevertheless, the 5400 made a fantastic drink every time, and we didn’t experience any issues that dampered our experience of using it — apart from setting it up for the first time.

Overall, this mid-range coffee machine is designed to appeal to users with different skill levels when making coffee, and the 5400 succeeds in that regard. Granted, the Breville Barista Express Impress offers something similar, but it lacks a helpful LCD display and the useful modularity of the 5400 that makes it so easy to clean. If you’re new to machines like this, we can’t recommend the Philips 5400 LatteGo enough. 

Philips 5400 Series Bean to Cup Coffee Machine dispensing foamed milk

It's not possible to adjust the direction of the milk spout, so you'll need to be careful how you position your cup (Image credit: Daryl Baxter)

Philips 5400 LatteGo: price and availability

  • List price: £679.99 (around $900 / AU$1,320)
  • Launch date: December 2021
  • Availability: UK

At the time of writing, you can only buy the Philips 5400 LatteGo on Amazon UK, or the Philips website with a list price of £679.99 (discounted to £619.99 at the time of writing). The coffee machine isn’t available in the US or Australia, but the 3200 is a smaller version of the 5400 that's more widely available.

The best bean-to-cup coffee machines are never cheap, and considering what the Philips 5400 LatteGo is capable of, you’re getting a fantastic machine that sits comfortably at the mid-range price bracket, with a lot of features helpful for beginners.

  • Value for money score: 5/5

Philips 5400 LatteGo: specs

Philips 5400 LatteGo: design

The Philips 5400 LatteGo looks every bit like a £619 coffee machine — high-quality, big, and sleek with its chrome finish. However, taking it out of the box, we were surprised by its depth (14.6in / 37.2cm), and you may find it comes close to the edge of your kitchen counter.

Setting the machine up was straightforward. The instruction booklet outlined out how to put the right compartments in, such as the water tank and the waste tray. The 5400 LatteGo also comes with an optional filter, called AquaClean, which Philips claims can help avoid descaling for up to 5,000 cups of coffee. While the instructions explained how to install the filter, it left out an important point. You see, there’s a black elastic band that must attach to the filter - otherwise, it won’t slot into place. We only found this out after coming across a post on Reddit, as we were under the impression that the filter just had to be placed into the tank. Not so. Including this detail in the instructions would help prevent this frustrating moment for others.

Once set up, we switched on the 5400 LatteGo and followed the prompts on the bright TFT display to prepare it for its first cup of coffee. Putting in the coffee beans, bought from a nearby independent coffee shop, was easy enough. You simply pour them into the designated section of the machine, and the 5400 LatteGo does the rest. Every time you select a coffee from the display, you can choose how much coffee, water, and milk you want — even choosing whether or not to include milk foam.

Drink selection menu on Philips 5400 Series Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

The bright display makes the 5400 LatteGo very easy to use (Image credit: Daryl Baxter)

It’s worth noting that the colorful TFT display is very helpful, making it easy for beginners and advanced users to personalize their coffee. Best of all, the machine remembers your preferences, saving you the chore of tweaking the coffee, water, and milk every time.

When it comes to cleaning the 5400, everything is simple enough to take out, such as the water tank, the drip tray, and more. It makes the machine feel modular — almost like working on a car engine. Everything has its place, but it’s easy enough that you can put every part back in as before once they’ve been cleaned. The machine even takes care of its internals by rinsing its pips regularly. But the machine’s design ensures that cleaning never feels like a chore.

There’s little here we can criticize, except for the unclear instructions. Everything in the Philips 5400 has its place, and everything works as you expect. Just be sure to not put anything in the bin when you set up the machine for the first time.

  • Design score: 4.5/5 

Philips 5400 LatteGo: performance

When it comes to mid-range coffee machines in this price range, there are usually plenty of knobs and levers to get accustomed to - but not with the Philips 5400 LatteGo. Instead, the TFT display lets you easily pick the coffee you want, with a bunch of customization options to make sure the machine will brew the right amount of beans, foam the right amount of milk, and use enough water.

The Philips 5400 LatteGo offers 12 different drink options as standard:

  1. Americano 
  2. Cappuccino 
  3. Café au lait 
  4. Caffe Latte 
  5. Caffé crema 
  6. Coffee
  7. Espresso
  8. Espresso lungo
  9. Frothed milk 
  10. Flat white 
  11. Latte macchiato
  12. Ristretto 

It can also dispense hot water for making tea, and has a dedicated travel mug function.

First off, I picked a regular caffe latte from the TFT display, using the physical buttons on the machine to scroll through the list. Once selected, I could easily choose how much coffee, milk and water I wanted by tweaking the levels of each. After I pressed ‘OK’, the 5400 got to work.

It was noisy during the three minutes it took from pressing the button to having a fresh cup of coffee, but everything worked as expected. One important note is that the spout can’t be adjusted, so you have to make sure that the cup is lined up with both the milk spout and the coffee dispenser.

Drink selection menu on Philips 5400 Series Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

The color display is accompanied by physical buttons for selecting options (Image credit: Daryl Baxter)

Afterwards, I decided I wanted more milk foam, so I simply went back to the display, selected ‘milk foam’, and the machine delivered. The coffee tasted fantastic, especially using fresh coffee beans from Stokes Coffee in my home town of Lincoln. Once the machine finishes making a drink, it automatically self-cleans, which takes a minute, and is noisy. So, if you’re wanting coffee late at night, make sure there’s no one sleeping nearby.

Another useful feature of the Philips 5400 is its ability to save your preferences as one of four profiles. This allows you to quickly select your custom drink without having to manually adjust your settings every time. I found this very useful, setting up three profiles for the different types of coffee I usually have in the morning, afternoon, and when I need to get some urgent work done.

Refill beans and water notification on Philips 5400 Series Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

The 5400 LatteGo's interface is easy to understand and use, even for beginners (Image credit: Daryl Baxter)

Overall, I’ve been very happy with the Philips 5400 LatteGo. Although the initial setup process was frustrating in places, the daily routine of picking and choosing the types of coffee was a breeze. The water tank simply slides out from the front for easy refills, and maintaining the machine’s other parts were also straightforward when needed. Granted, the 5400 can be noisy, with sounds of up to 79 dBA when grinding beans and steaming milk. However, that’s admittedly part of the package when you want a freshly brewed cup with steamed milk. For everything it offers, the Philips 5400 is a fantastic buy for anyone looking for a high-quality coffee machine.

  •  Performance score: 4.5/5 

Should you buy the Philips 5400 LatteGo?

Buy it if

You love a variety of coffee-based beverages
The 5400 isn’t sparse on the types of coffee it can make. If you want a latte with extra milk foam or one with none but more coffee in, it can happen. There’s plenty of customization here, so you may discover a type of coffee you’ll end up loving.

You want to save a trip to Starbucks
A regular cup from Starbucks or another big chain soon adds up. With the 5400, there’s the potential to save a trip and some money for your coffee fix, especially with the many types of coffee it can make.

You want to explore the world of coffee beans
Using this machine is a perfect opportunity to try out a variety of coffee beans that many independent stores offer. For instance, we tried this variant from Stokes Coffee, based in Lincoln, UK, which had a fantastic berry aftertaste, perfect for this time of the year. 

Don't buy it if

You’re on a budget
A high-quality bean-to-cup coffee machine can be expensive, to be prepared to, not only buy the 5400 LatteGo at a high price, but to maintain it with good quality coffee beans, filters to prevent build up of grime, and more.

You’re looking for a small and simple coffee machine
There’s no escaping how long the 5400 is. If you’re short on space in your kitchen, you should reconsider where it’s going to be. 

You want to make large amounts of coffee for you and your family
Don’t expect to make a round for your workmates or family — the 5400 is meant to do one cup well, so take that into account. 

Philips 5400 LatteGo: also consider

Not completely sold on the Philips 5400 LatteGo? Here are two alternatives you should consider:

Smeg BCC13

The BCC13 is much pricier than the Philips 5400 LatteGo, but has a more stylish design and a boiler that can generate more pressure for better quality steamed milk.

Read our full Smeg BCC13 review

Casabrews 5700Pro

If you want more of the barista experience, this machine gives you the fun of inserting the portafilter, pulling a shot, and foaming your milk, but guides you through the process to make it straightforward.

Read our full Casabrews 5700Pro review

How I tested the Philips 5400 LatteGo

I used the Philips 5400 for several weeks at home in my kitchen, making three to four types of coffee every day via the display that allowed me to choose new variants every time.

With every coffee made, I noted the time it took for one to be made, the noise, and flavor, alongside what it was like to clean and maintain the coffee machine. I also made coffee with different levels of milk, water, and beans, as well as choosing different amounts of milk foam. Learn more about how we test.

First reviewed September 2024

Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Doorbell Chime: a complete home security system
6:00 pm | September 28, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Smart Home | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Doorbell Chime: two-minute review

The Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Doorbell Chime set lets you see and speak to visitors no matter where you are in the world, providing you have a mobile phone connection. Although the concept isn’t new (Ring pioneered the video doorbell concept a few years back), this is a very good alternative solution – and one that works out cheaper too. 

There are two options: either use your existing doorbell wiring, or charge the doorbell via its built-in rechargeable battery using the provided USB-A to USB-C cable. We chose the latter which means it does need to be unclipped from its bracket and topped up with power every couple of months, depending on how much it is used. 

Installation is surprisingly straightforward, thanks in part to the video installation guides within the Yale Home app that talk you through the various options. Simply attach the white mounting plate to the door frame with the screws/wall plugs provided, using the additional ‘wedge’ if you need to angle the plate slightly.

Side view of mounting plate for Yale Smart Video Doorbell

An additional wedge-shaped mounting plate lets you mount the doorbell at an angle, if necessary (Image credit: Chris Price)

Then, once charged, clip the video doorbell into the bracket. This can be removed later for re-charging using the security pin provided (the same kind of pin you use to take a SIM card out of your phone). For added security, a tamper alert notification can be sent to your phone if someone tries to remove the doorbell from its housing. 

After pairing the Yale video doorbell with your home’s Wi-Fi (a quite straightforward process via the Yale app), it’s then a case of customizing to suit your needs. For example, using the ‘house settings’ option you can name the house, even add a photo of it, as well as edit house owners so your partner, house mates or children get alerts if someone comes to the door.

Applying adhesive backing to Yale Smart Video Doorbell mount

The doorbell is supplied with screws and wall plugs, plus double-sided tape (Image credit: Chris Price)

In addition to house settings, there also options for adjust speaker volume (handy if you live on a noisy street), image brightness, night vision and video quality. Two recording options are available, either medium (720p) or high (1080p). In addition to operating as a video doorbell showing you who is at the door when pressed, you can also detect and record movement like a standard security camera. However, while human detection is provided as standard, you will need to subscribe if you want alerts for pets, packages and vehicles on your driveway.

Two subscriptions are available, both free for the first month. For £3.50 (about $5 / AU$7) a month the camera plan offers AI motion detection and cloud recording for one camera while for £9 a month (about $12 / AU$20) you get cloud recording for all cameras plus a cellular back up (see subscription options below). 

Yale Smart Video Doorbell chime in box

Adding the Yale Doorbell Chime lets you hear when a visitor calls from elsewhere in your house, and offers different chime options (Image credit: Chris Price)

Finally, the Yale Video Doorbell is designed to be connected to other home devices including Yale’s range of smart locks, smart alarms and home security cameras. We paired ours to Yale’s plug in door chime which comes with a volume button and multiple tones, much like a standard doorbell.

For added connectivity, we also linked the doorbell with Yale’s Amazon Alexa so we could receive alerts via a number of Echo Dot devices (support is also provided or Apple HomeKit and Google Home products). 

Yale Smart Video Doorbell: subscription options

Yale Camera Plan: AI motion detection, cloud recording for one camera, Yale home app. £3.50 a month.

Yale Secure Plan: Automated call alert, AI motion detection, cloud recording for all cameras, cellular back up, Yale home app. £9 a month.

Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Doorbell Chime: price and availability

  • RRP: Yale Smart Video Doorbell £129.99 (about $170 / AU$250), Doorbell Chime £29.99 (about $40 / AU$60)
  • Launched January 2024
  • Available in UK only

Although wired-only video doorbells are usually a cheaper option, a wireless (battery powered) doorbell is obviously much more convenient if you have less technical expertise, or don’t already have wiring in place. Considering it offers both wired and wireless connectivity, Yale’s Smart Video Doorbell and Chime therefore represents pretty good value for money at £129.99 (about $170 / AU$250) for the doorbell alone, and £29.99 (about $40 / AU$60) for the additional chime. 

The price of the hardware is broadly similar to its closest competitor, Ring’s Battery Video Doorbell Plus and Chime. You may also find bundled deals if you decide to buy the two components - doorbell and chime - together (though it is possible to just use the doorbell by itself if you so choose).

Of course, as with many home security products, it isn’t just the cost of the hardware you have to bear in mind, but also the subscription plans. Here, Yale fares quite well too. Its basic subscription is particularly good value for money costing £3.50 (about $5 / AU$7) a month for free cloud storage after a free month’s trial. This compares to $4.99 / £4.99 / AU$4.95 for the basic Ring subscription plan. 

Rather more expensive is the premium Yale subscription plan at £9 a month (about $12 / AU$20). However, this is probably only worth it if you have multiple cameras you want to monitor via the app - for example if you are the landlord of several AirBnB properties. It may also be necessary if you live in an area where WiFi is very patchy and need to rely on the cellular network to keep the security system going. 

Value score: 4/5

Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Doorbell Chime: design

  • Easy to install mounting bracket
  • Solidly built video doorbell
  • Simple plug-in chime 

Unlike smart cameras, even the best video doorbells usually require some level of DIY skill. Thankfully this is minimal with the Yale video doorbell given its wireless design. Just mount the bracket on the door frame using the wall plugs and screws provided, then clip the solidly built video doorbell inside. A tall, narrow weatherproof (IP65) design, the doorbell incorporates three elements – the wide angle (154 degrees) lens and sensor at the top and the large doorbell button marked with a chime symbol underneath. 

Yale Smart Video Doorbell and accessories on a wooden floor

The Yale Smart Video Doorbell is easy to install, and comes with all the fittings you need (Image credit: Chris Price)

As soon as you get within range of the doorbell this illuminates green and triggers motion recording while pressing the button will send a notification to connected smart phones and devices (Alexa, Google Home etc).  Just one thing you need to be careful of and that’s to mount the video doorbell at the right height. Because the camera is on top, it’s easy to place the doorbell a little higher than it needs to be. Best play around with the doorbell first before installing the bracket. Finally, the doorbell chime needs to be plugged in where everyone can best hear it – in our case the hallway was best.

  • Design score: 4.5/5

Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Doorbell Chime: performance

  • High quality 1080p image resolution
  • Stable connection
  • Slow video streaming

When it comes to performance, there are two aspects to a video doorbell. One is how it captures motion, the other – arguably more important – is how well it acts as replacement doorbell. If you live on a busy street then chances are you have a lot of passers-by and maybe quite a bit of passing traffic too. Unless you want to record everything going on (which will really use up the battery) we recommend adjusting motion detection settings. 

Using app to set motion detection zones for Yale Smart Video Doorbell

We recommend adjusting the motion detection settings to avoid accidental triggers from passing pedestrians and traffic (Image credit: Chris Price)

Thankfully the Yale isn’t overly sensitive. Nevertheless, for optimum results we found it best to keep motion sensitivity to low or medium and to use to use Detection Zone settings so that the camera only tracks motion within a certain area (and doesn’t pick up people walking or driving past your house). Clip length can be adjusted between 10 seconds and one minute, or ended as soon as motion stops. In low-light situations, the camera automatically switches to night vision and there are both 720p and 1080p recording options. 

Once the camera has recorded movement, notifications are pushed through to the user’s mobile phone (either via text or text with image). Alternatively, you can go in via the app and click the Activity tab at the bottom to view them. Our only criticism is that they tend to take a few seconds to load even with a fast internet connection. Recordings can be downloaded onto your device or a snapshot taken from them. 

Footage archive in Yale Smart Video Doorbell mobile app

You can review footage from the doorbell in the mobile app (Image credit: Chris Price)

When it comes to using the Yale Video Doorbell to speak to people coming to the door, results are a little more mixed. Video is very good and sound is generally OK (though we found we needed to turn it up to higher levels because of traffic noise). However, there can be a slight delay ‘waking the camera up’ before talking to someone at the door. One time, a courier who rang the bell didn’t wait for the call to be connected and decided just to leave the parcel on the porch rather than take it next door (thankfully it wasn’t stolen).  

  • Performance score: 4/5

Footage of delivery person from Yale Smart Video Doorbell shown on phone

Video quality is good, but there's a noticeable lag if you want to speak to a caller (Image credit: Chris Price)

Should I buy the Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Doorbell Chime?

Buy it if

You want to track movement around your property
Thanks to customizable detection zone settings, the Yale is great for capturing motion

You want easy installation
It’s a versatile security solution offering mains and battery powered options

Don't buy it if

You regularly need to speak to people on the doorstep
We experienced a delay answering calls from people ringing the doorbell.

You have a poor Wi-Fi connection
Like most video doorbells, you will need a good Wi-Fi connection unless you want to pay a premium subscription for cellular backup. 

Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Doorbell Chime: also consider

Not sold on the Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Chime? Here are two alternatives you should consider.

Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus

Amazon-owned company Ring has firmly established itself as the ‘go to’ company for video doorbells and now has several including this latest wire-free model. 

Read our full Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus review

Arlo Video Doorbell

An affordable wired video doorbell, the Arlo device offers a lot of useful features, but you will need to pay for a subscription to benefit from many of them.

Read our full Arlo Video Doorbell review 


How I tested the Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Doorbell Chime

  • I used the doorbell every day for several weeks
  • I set it up myself without any assistance (expert installation is available for £90)
  • The doorbell  was set up on the front door facing towards the road

To put the Yale video doorbell to the test, I installed on my front door for over two weeks, covering up my existing entry-phone system. During this period it captured hundreds of clips, most of which were generated from delivery people and friends coming to the door. 

On most occasions when the doorbell was pressed we were in the property and the chime in the hallway was triggered. However, on a few we were out. Unfortunately on at least occasion the courier left a parcel on the doorstep on full view because it took too long to connect the call from the video doorbell to my smartphone!

First tested: September 2024

Molekule Air Pro review: an air purifier that filters well, but it’s very pricey
9:00 am | September 26, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Air purifiers can be considered yet another unnecessary gadget adding to the clutter in our homes, but if you want to dull strong odors, or try to reduce levels of hayfever-causing pollen indoors, the Molekule Air Pro could actually prove helpful.

I had the pleasure of testing a unit to see how it compared to the best air purifiers on the market. I loved its simple and aesthetically pleasing app, which kept me well informed with real-time and historical indoor air quality readings, but, at this price point, I expected more features. Check out my review below for the full story.

Molekule Air Pro review: price & availability

  • List price: $1,014.99 / £799.99
  • Available in the US, only available via Amazon in the UK

Listed at $1,014.99 on the official Molekule website, and £799.99 on Amazon, the Air Pro is, without doubt, a premium-priced air purifier. During my time reviewing it, I did see it discounted on the Molekule website and Amazon US, with a sale price of $749.99 initially, further dropping down to $649.99 over the Labor Day sales – so it’s worth keeping an eye out for deals if you’re in the US.

I won’t lie, I winced the first time I became aware of the Molekule Air Pro's price. I felt sure it must be massively overpriced; but its FDA 510(k) Class II medical device clearance, impressive detection and responsiveness, and informative companion app have changed my tune, albeit begrudgingly.

It’s worth bearing in mind that Molekule recommends that the filters are changed every six months, with replacements costing $174.99 / £159.99, so this cost will need to be factored in, too.

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Molekule Air Pro review: specs

Molekule Air Pro review: design

  • Medical grade without the medical aesthetic
  • Satisfying opening mechanism
  • Touchscreen display

The aesthetics of the Molekule Air Pro are simple yet satisfying. The outer housing is made from substantial-feeling aluminum and medical-grade polycarbonate. A tan-colored faux leather handle is attached at the front and back of the purifier using large metal pins.

As is to be expected of a metal-cased appliance standing at 23 inches / 586mm tall and 11 inches / 278mm wide, the Air Pro weighs a fair bit at 23lbs / 10.4kg. It comes packaged in a large cardboard box with cardboard fitments – and, helpfully, the reusable pull-string bag has handles that make it easier to take out of the box.

The faux leather handle on the unit itself can happily take the Air Pro's weight, but it still isn’t the easiest to carry around. As a shorter-than-average woman with limited upper body strength, I was able to lift it and carry it up and down stairs, but I certainly didn’t look the most dignified doing it.

Image shows the Molekule Air Pro air purifier being lifted by its faux leather strap.

(Image credit: Future)

The top face of the Air Pro is encircled by slanted vent holes, with a black circular touch display at the center. There are five screens to swipe between. The first is color-coded according to the IAQ (indoor air quality) level: green for good; yellow for moderate; red for bad; and blue for very bad. On the second screen, the levels of VOC (volatile organic compounds), particle matter, carbon dioxide, and relative humidity in the air are detailed. Screen three has Auto Protect mode and five individual fan speeds. The filter condition can be found on the fourth screen and, finally, screen five offers various functions and settings including standby, languages, purifier details, and so on. While this method of operation is efficient, and at first the shiny finish looks nice, after some time you'll notice fingerprints on the screen and dust and debris on the Air Pro's shiny surface and inside the vent fins – which is particularly visible over the white.

The display screen automatically goes to sleep when it isn’t being used and takes a touch or two to awaken again. There isn’t a Dark mode on the Air Pro, or the option to turn off the blue light when the fan is operational. This is because it isn't possible to contain all of the UV-A light from the PECO technology, meaning that there's a subtle blue glow visible beneath the slanted vent holes.

Image shows the top panel being lifted out of the Molekule Air Pro air purifier revealing the filter inside the base section.

(Image credit: Future)

Access to the filter is simple: gently push down on the top of the air purifier and twist counter-clockwise. This top piece will slowly rise up, allowing you to remove it and reach the filter. To replace it again, I simply needed to align the red lines on the top section and the inside of the main purifier body, before gently pushing and twisting the top section in a clockwise direction to fix it in place again.

Overall, other than being somewhat cumbersome and a bit of a fingerprint and dust magnet, the Air Pro looks and feels premium, which is only fair given its high price.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Molekule Air Pro review: features

  • Good range of contaminants detected
  • FDA Class II medical device clearance
  • Lack of features in the app

The Molekule Air Pro offers a greater number of features than its smaller and lower-priced companion, the Air Mini+. Not only can the Air Pro detect particle matter, but it can also identify, record, and tackle more airborne nasties, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene. The levels of VOCs, PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10 are detailed on the display on the top of the purifier and in the Molekule app.

The Molekule app allowed me to view the current air score, and switch between fan modes. These included Auto Protect, which has the option of running on Standard, or Quiet for night-time use, and manual speeds from one to five. It was pretty straightforward to keep an eye on air quality using the daily and weekly history, which is plotted onto a graph using colored lines to indicate the indoor air quality (IAQ) at that time. There are also colored rings below the graph that represent the different air scores, which note the number of minutes or hours the air quality was at that level over the time period.

Image shows the top display panel of the Molekule Air Pro air purifier, which is sitting on a mustard colored rug in a living room.

(Image credit: Future)

It’s only a shame that the app settings are quite basic. With much cheaper purifiers such as the AiDot Welov P200 Pro, it’s possible to adjust display brightness, enable screen lock, and set timers and schedules without the use of third-party smart tools such as Alexa. At this price point, I expected a greater number of features. I was happy to see that there were notification settings – until I discovered that this was only to notify when the filter is nearing the end of its life. It would have been helpful to have notifications about changes in air quality, which cheaper purifiers such as the Levoit 300S provide.

One big selling point of the Molekule Air Pro, and a bit of an explanation for the sky-high cost, is the PECO-HEPA Tri-Power filter. Photo Electro Chemical Oxidation (PECO) is Molekule’s patented technology that it states can destroy viruses, bacteria, mold, allergens, VOCs, and more. This technology supposedly creates a powerful chemical reaction, which occurs when the filter is exposed to the built-in UV-A light located in the center of the Air Pro’s body, to destroy organic pollutants. This is teamed with a true HEPA filter, which is said to have a 99.97% particle-capture efficiency rate, along with a layer of carbon to help reduce odors and toxic gases.

Image shows the filter being lifted out from the inside of the Molekule Air Pro air purifier.

(Image credit: Future)

The Molekule Air Pro has been granted FDA 510(k) Class II medical device clearance, which means that it’s suitable for medical purposes since it can capture 95% of particulate matter and destroy contaminants by exposing them to UV radiation. It is caveated on the Molekule website that this is when the purifier is operated in Standard Auto mode, or on at least fan speed two when using manual settings.

The Air Pro has an impressive working range, capable of purifying spaces up to 1,000 sq ft / 93 sq meters. This is the biggest range we’ve seen in all of the air purifiers we’ve tested to date.

  • Features score: 4 out of 5

Molekule Air Pro review: performance

  • Cleared odors quickly
  • Some app glitches
  • Slow but steady air purification

Setting up the Molekule Air Pro was relatively straightforward, I simply needed to unwind the power cable and plug it in, following the instructions on the Molekule app to get it connected. It took a couple of attempts to connect the purifier to the app, and then further attempts to get the purifier connected to Wi-Fi since it kept getting stuck, leading me to have to restart the app multiple times. It got there eventually, though.

It’s curious that an air purifier at this price doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity as well as Wi-Fi. The AiDot Welov P200 Pro is over $800 cheaper than the Air Pro, and yet it arrives with Bluetooth for instances where a Wi-Fi connection isn’t possible, meaning that you don’t miss out on IAQ data when you’re within range of the purifier.

I used the Air Pro for a couple of weeks, both in the office and in my bedroom at home. Its readings aligned with our air quality monitor, and it reacted quickly to changes in the office environment and at home. It was clear to see the changes in air quality when there were more people in the office, or when we were eating our lunch. Variations were also picked up by the purifier at home, with the air quality dipping when I sprayed on some perfume, for example.

Image shows the base of the Molekule Air Pro air purifier, revealing the cable reel that is concealed underneath the unit.

(Image credit: Future)

Other than a few little niggles, the Molekule Air Pro performed well when I tested its reactions following air contamination from dry shampoo. I left the purifier on Standard Auto Protect mode to see how quickly it would detect the change in air quality, and how quickly it could clear the air. After I sprayed some dry shampoo around the Air Pro, it took a few seconds to detect the reduction in indoor air quality, causing the air score to change to Very Bad.

Unlike the Molekule Air Mini+, this change in IAQ was accurately recorded on the air quality graph in the Air Pro’s app, showing a clear spike in the level of particulate matter and VOCs within a minute. That said, it doesn’t show the reading of "very bad"; but this is likely because it was at this level for less than a minute.

A little side note: I liked how the app shows the “Top 3 offenders in your air”, which after the dry shampoo assault showed Chemicals (VOC), Microfine particles (PM1.0), and Fine particles (PM2.5).

Image shows the Molekule Air Pro air purifier sitting on a mustard colored rug in a living room.

(Image credit: Future)

The fan upped its speed gradually in response to the "very bad" air score, dropping to "bad" in less than a minute. At this point, the air quality graph in the app had a little wobble. Whenever I tried to view which contaminants were affecting the air score, the graph would revert to the "good" reading from earlier that hour, while still showing that the current air score was "bad" up above. This wasn’t the end of the world at the time, since I could view the detailed readings on the purifier itself; but this glitch wouldn’t be ideal if you were trying to view this detail away from home.

The fan didn’t speed up as high as I'd expected. Other air purifiers I’ve tested tended to go up to the max fan speed when a similar IAQ rating had been recorded. The fan speed of the Air Pro seemed to remain at a moderate level, so it took about 20 minutes for the IAQ to return a "moderate" reading; and a further half an hour for it to return to "good".

While other air purifiers I’ve tested have returned a reading of good IAQ within minutes, it’s worth remembering that while many of these cheaper models have the ability to filter VOCs, they can’t detect them, so their readings aren't as in-depth as given by the Molekule Air Pro.

Image shows fingers scrolling through information of the control panel of the Molekule Air Pro air purifier.

(Image credit: Future)

In terms of odor control, the Air Pro did a decent job of removing the strong fragrance of the dry shampoo within 15 minutes. In the first few days of testing, I agitated an old rug in our music testing room to see how the Air Pro would respond. Its was similar to when it encountered the dry shampoo, seemingly taking a low-and-slow approach to clearing the air. As part of this test, the purifier was left on Auto Protect for a few hours, which in my opinion left an odor similar to a freshly painted room, although my colleague said it just smelt of fresher air to him. It could be the filter that gives off this odor during its first few hours, or perhaps that’s actually what our unventilated little testing room smells like once the dusty air has been handled!

Unlike the Air Mini+, I was able to sleep with the Air Pro on Standard Auto Protect mode without issue. There were no surprise increases in fan speeds that interrupted my slumber, gaining it some bonus points from me. I did find a similarity to the Air Mini+ in that when it changed from manual speed three via Standard Auto Protect to Quiet Auto Protect, it took a couple of minutes for the fan speed to reduce to a low level, despite the air score being "good".

I used a decibel meter on my iPhone 12 Pro to measure the sound level of the lowest, middle, and top fan speeds. Fan speed one gave a reading of 38dB, which is equivalent to light rain; fan speed three was 51dB, which is roughly the same volume as the noise from a refrigerator running, and the highest setting, fan speed six, was 78dB, which is as loud as a coffee grinder.

  • Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should I buy the Molekule Air Pro?

Buy it if...

You want an FDA-recognized air purifier
The Air Pro has FDA 510(k) Class II medical device clearance, offering some added reassurance that your air quality is genuinely being improved.

You want easy-to-decipher IAQ readings
Thanks to the color-coded line graph and associated timings displayed below, it’s really easy to view real-time changes to your air quality, as well as a clear timeline and summary of when the quality changed and the duration.

You want more than just particle detection
The problem with budget air purifiers is they're often limited to detecting particle matter. VOCs can have a big impact on air quality; the Air Pro can detect changes to VOC levels and react accordingly. This can be better for clearing odors that cheaper purifiers might miss.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
This probably goes without saying, but this air purifier is not cheap. While it does a good job and looks good for the money, it’s an awfully large investment.

You want something portable
The Air Pro would work well in an open-plan living space, but it won’t be so convenient if you intend to use it in different rooms, such as your living space during the day, and the kitchen when cooking, due to its size and weight.

You have unreliable Wi-Fi
For some strange reason, the Air Pro doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity. While this isn’t the end of the world, it can prove frustrating if you’re encountering Wi-Fi issues, because there’s no way to record the air quality data as the purifier can no longer communicate with the app.

Molekule Air Pro review: Also consider

Levoit Core 300S True HEPA air purifier
A fraction of the price, this four-and-a-half-star-rated air purifier comes with a range of controls and features on its useful companion app. The Levoit Core 300S is perfect for smaller spaces, and it keeps you in the loop at home or away, thanks to the push notifications informing you of significant drops in air quality so you can choose to power it on or adjust the settings from wherever you may be.

Shark NeverChange Air Purifier
If the capabilities of the Molekule Air Pro go above and beyond what you need, and you’d rather not pay out twice a year for pricey filters, then the Shark NeverChange may be more up your alley. With a washable DebrisDefence filter on either side, the life of the HEPA filter can be extended by up to five years, plus a replacement filter is only $89.95 / £39.99.

How I tested the Molekule Air Pro

  • I used the Molekule Air Pro for two weeks
  • I tested it in multiple environments
  • I observed its reaction to aerosols

I tested the Molekule Air Pro in the TechRadar reviews office and music testing room, as well as in my bedroom at home.

I monitored how effectively it detected and purified airborne contaminants such as dust and dry shampoo, and how well it tackled the strong fragrance of the latter.

I left it running in my bedroom overnight to determine whether it disturbed my sleep. I tested the sound levels using a sound level meter on my phone and assessed the controls and how easy it was to change the filter.

Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum review
4:00 pm | September 24, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances Vacuums | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

PowerDetect Cordless: two-minute review

Product info

This is the vacuum on its own:

US: Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum IP1251
UK: Shark PowerDetect Cordless Pet Vacuum Cleaner IP1251UKT
AU: Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum IP1251

There's also a version with an auto-empty base:

US: Shark Cordless PowerDetect Clean & Empty System IP3251
UK: Shark Detect Pro Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Auto-Empty System 1.3L IW3510UK
AU: Shark Cordless PowerDetect Clean & Empty System IP3251

For this review, I tested the IP3251. There may be minor differences between different countries' models.

The Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum comes with a whole host of smart detection features. It knows whether it's on a hard floor or carpet, how dirty said floor is, whether it's near the edge of a room, and whether it's going into a dark corner, and will respond accordingly by adjusting suction, speeding up its roller or brightening its headlights. New to this model is a redesigned floorhead will clean just as well on the pull-back as it does when being pushed forwards.

The PowerDetect Cordless also incorporates the most popular features from today's best Shark vacuums, including a wand that bends forward to help you get under furniture without having to stoop down. Within the wider Shark range, it's designed to combine the smarts of the Detect Pro range (which has almost all the same detection capabilities) with the outright suction power of the Stratos line, theoretically making it the best cordless vacuum for most people.

On test, I was very impressed. It delivered great suction, and had no issues picking up fine materials like flour, and larger ones like bits of dried dirt, cereal, leaves, and more, from both hard floor and a thick rug. All the detection features worked as advertised and meant an efficient, low-effort cleaning session. I was interested to note that it doesn't seem to be an option to use the lower-powered Eco mode on soft flooring; the vacuum automatically kicks into a higher mode. It's good but not amazing at tackling hair, and while the 'suction in reverse' feature worked well, plenty of other (non-Shark) vacuums do this but don't advertise it as a special addition.

Price-wise, it sits in the mid-range of the wider market, and I think the quality and features more than justify that price (similar detection features from Dyson will set you back a lot more).

The review model I tested was the version with an optional auto-empty base, where the onboard dustbin automatically empties into a larger bin when the vacuum is docked. I think it's well worth investing in this extra, because it's a great effort-saver – and it might be a particularly good choice for allergy sufferers who want to minimize potential for particles to make their way back into the air.

That's the short version; read on for my full Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum review.

Note: Shark has released a robovac in the same range, but other than the name, there aren't too many similarities. Read about that one in our Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review.

Shark PowerDetect Cordless vacuum cleaner

Everything that came in the box for my review model (with auto-empty dock) (Image credit: Future)

Shark PowerDetect Cordless review: price & availability

  • List price (vacuum-only): $429.99 / £499.99 / AU$849.99
  • Launched: Summer 2024
  • Also available with optional auto-empty base

In the US, the Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum sells for $429.99, or $499.99 if you go for the version with the auto-empty base.

In the UK, it's £499.99 for just the vacuum, or £549.99 for the version with the special base.

Australian shoppers can pick up the vacuum for AU$849.99 or with an upgraded base for AU$999.99.

Based on TechRadar's price brackets, this is around the lower-premium / upper mid-range band (anything over $500 / £400 is counted as premium). Overall, I feel like the build quality and the features make this a well-priced vacuum. The DirtDetect system alone is well worth the investment. If you're on the fence about whether to shell out for the auto-empty base, I think the added convenience is well worth the slightly higher price.

Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum in its auto-empty base

(Image credit: Future)

In general, Shark vacuums are much more affordably priced than, for instance, the best Dyson vacuums on the market – the Dyson V15 Detect has similar dirt-detection features, and a list price of $749.99 / £649.99.

In terms of comparable models within the Shark range, the Shark Detect Pro Cordless costs $379.99 / £349.99. It's a bit less powerful than the PowerDetect and it doesn't have the reverse-suction feature, but otherwise the detection/auto features are similar.

Alternatively, there's the Shark Stratos Cordless, which costs $499.99 / £349.99. It doesn't have the same detection / auto features as the PowerDetect, and I found the suction comparable too, so I'm not sure why you'd opt for a Stratos over a PowerDetect.

Shark offers discounts on occasion for its products. However, at time of writing this model is new out, so you might not see it discounted except during holiday and special sales events. Till then, look to the TechRadar Shark promo codes page for a deal.

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Cordless specs

Shark PowerDetect Cordless review: design

  • Operated by button; battery and mode info provided on a screen
  • Bendable wand lets you effortlessly clean under furniture
  • Optional auto-empty base

If you’ve used a Shark cordless vacuum before, you’ll quickly realize that the PowerDetect Cordless has many of the same Shark vacuum technologies that appear on other models, with a few improvements. Like most cordless vacuums, you can remove the wand and swap in another attachment for use as a handheld vacuum.

In stick vacuum mode, the PowerDetect Cordless is 46.3 inches long with a cleaning path width of 10.19 inches, and it weighs around 8 lbs. That's on the larger and heavier side for a cordless stick vac, although not excessively so.

The wand itself is unique among vacuums in that it is bendable (this is one of the most well-received Shark features, and it's included on many of its vacuums – not just the expensive ones). Click a button and it’ll bend forwards, allowing you to vacuum further under beds, couches, and other low furniture.

Control panel on Shark PowerDetect Cordless vacuum

A screen indicates mode, dirt levels and battery life (Image credit: Future)

The Shark Cordless PowerDetect vacuum has a host of different detection features. The DirtDetect system can recognize hidden dirt and automatically boost the suction power in response. You can see when the floor is dirty and clean based on the colors – purple or white – that appear on the screen and around the vacuum head. With EdgeDetect, this Shark vacuum can sense edges and double the suction power along the side of the floorhead when it’s moving alongside an edge.

FloorDetect recognizes the differences between carpets and hard floors and adjusts the power depending on which one you’re vacuuming. Then there is LightDetect, which automatically increases the light on the vacuum when you clean in dark spaces (they're not as bright as you'll find on the – far more expensive – Dyson Gen5detect, though).

New to this model is 'reverse cleaning' – namely, while most vacuums just push larger debris around when the floorhead is being pulled backwards, the PowerDetect has some patented teeth that are designed to actively pull it in.

Image 1 of 2

Close up of floorhead on Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum

The floorhead has been redesigned (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 2

Close up of underside of floorhead on Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum

It's meant to work just as well going forwards as backwards (Image credit: Future)

The vacuum is operated by a one-press button, and there's a trigger under the handle that lets you switch between the three modes. There's a low-powered Eco mode, high-powered Boost, and a DirtDetect, which is the one that auto-adjusts suction based on how dirty the floor is. The other 'detect' features, like EdgeDetect and LightDetect will kick in on any mode.

When the vacuum is turned on, the a circular screen shows which mode you’re in (a green leaf for Eco mode, red circle for Boost, or a radar graphic for DirtDetect), as well as a rectangular symbol noting battery life. It's not quite as clear as Dyson's version, which will literally spell out how many minutes of cleaning you have left in the mode you're currently using, but it's still useful.

Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum in its auto-empty base

The version I reviewed came with a charge base that the vacuum empties into when docked (Image credit: Future)

Tools can vary by region – my review model came with an 8-inch Crevice Tool and a Pet Multi-Tool. It's worth flagging that that there is an optional auto-empty base that I tested out. This is a new thing that Shark has been embracing lately. Dock the vacuum and the dirt from the bin will automatically be sucked into a larger chamber in the base, so you don't need to do it manually nearly so often. It also creates somewhere to store the vacuum, and charges it too.

Detail tools included with Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum

Some of the PowerDetect's detail tools (these may vary by region and version) (Image credit: Future)

If you like the sound of the PowerDetect's features but want something slightly different, there's a PowerDetect Upright and a PowerDetect Corded Stick also in the range.

  • Design score: 4 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Cordless review: performance

  • Auto adjustment features work well
  • Good suction on both hard floors and carpet
  • Comfortable to use; floorhead pivots pretty well

To determine the vacuum’s performance capabilities, I started by vacuuming my entire house, which is made up of historic hardwood floors, rugs, and laminate flooring. I noticed right away that the vacuum floorhead lights up automatically when the machine is running.

I found the vacuum easy to use, no matter whether I was using it as a handheld or in its typical cordless stick form. It switches on with the single press of a button, so you don't have to worry about holding down a trigger while vacuuming (a perpetual complaint with all but the very newest Dyson vacuums).

Despite being on the heavier side, it's comfortable to use and doesn't feel unbalanced. The floorhead pivots well and it's pretty easy to maneuver, although noticeably less nimble than the lighter Shark Detect Pro. It's also worth flagging that overall the vacuum is really quite tall. The wand provides a lot of length, which is nice for someone like me with 10-foot ceilings, although a little unwieldy in tighter spaces like hallways.

Part of the reason for the taller build is that the wand has a hinge built in to allow it to bend forwards with the push of a button. With this feature, I could reach under couches and chairs without having to lean over or squat down. The lights on the floorhead also got brighter when I vacuumed in low light spaces, which made it easier to see dirt, dust, and debris.

My favorite aspect of this vacuum is the DirtDetect system, because it increases the suction automatically when it detects dirt or debris. When this happens, the loop around the screen changes colors from white to purple (Shark claims the color is blue and not white, but I guess it could be a light gray blue), and the LED lights on the vacuum head match the colors on the screen. It is assumed that when the suction power returns to normal, the floor is free of dirt.

One of the advertised features is that this vacuum is meant to be able to vacuum just as well in reverse as forwards. On test, this worked very well, as you can see in the video clip above. The only time it struggled was with chunky breakfast cereal.

Whether this reverse cleaning it's a feature that's exclusive to the PowerDetect is another thing. It's noticeably better than the Shark Detect Pro, which has a floorhead that pools debris into little piles when pulled backwards, but I've definitely tested other stick vacuums that are just as good at vacuuming forwards as backwards, but it's not advertised as a specific feature.

With the 'EdgeDetect' feature, the vacuum will boost suction automatically near the edges of rooms. On test, I could hear the power ramping up when the floorhead reached a baseboard, and the lights on the relevant side would brighten to show what was happening, too.

Suction tests

It was important for me to run a number of tests to see just how well the vacuum could pick up various items from the ground. To do this, I taped a four-by-four-foot square on my laminate floor and on one of my large, thick rugs. I sprinkled each square with flour and then used the vacuum’s lowest setting – Eco – to suck up the flour.

When it came to the laminate floor, the vacuum picked up nearly every bit of flour on a single once-over. I saw only three specks of flour remaining when I was done. I didn’t notice any difference when vacuuming forward or backward over the flour.

Image 1 of 2

Shark PowerDetect Cordless vacuum cleaner trying to pick up flour from a laminate floor

The PowerDetect did a great job of clearing fine dust from laminate floor... (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 2

Shark PowerDetect Cordless vacuum cleaner clearing flour from a thick rug

(Image credit: Future)

When doing this same test on a thick rug, I realized quickly that I was not able to use Eco mode, even though that was the setting I'd selected. The Shark vacuum recognized that I was vacuuming a rug and increased its suction automatically. There does not seem to be any way to prevent this. However, the vacuum did an even better job removing the flour from the rug in a single pass than it did on the laminate floor, as I didn’t see any flour remaining behind when I was done.

Image 1 of 2

Shark powerdetect cordless vacuum cleaner

The PowerDetect also handled chunkier debris well... (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 2

Shark powerdetect cordless vacuum cleaner

... although some debris did get stuck under the wheels (Image credit: Future)

Next, I crunched up breakfast cereal (Cheerios, to be precise) and sprinkled them in both squares. Whether it was laminate flooring or the rug, the vacuum did a similarly superb job, especially when I vacuumed forward. If I pulled the vacuum backwards over the grinded cheerios, some of the larger pieces got stuck behind the wheels and thus were not suctioned up until I made a forward pass.

Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum in handheld mode, being used to clean a sofa

Like many cordless stick vacuums, it can be used as a handheld (Image credit: Future)

I didn’t notice any change in the suction capability of the vacuum when I switched it from a stick to a handheld with or without the wand attached. Two attachments were included with my review model – a Pet Multi Tool and a crevice tool. I don’t have pets, but a lot of my dark brown hair gets on my cream-colored couch. I used the Pet Multi Tool to remove my hair, and it did an average job.

I found myself scraping the hair a few times before it was suctioned into the machine. The Pet Multi Tool performed better on Boost mode. Admittedly, I’ve never tested a vacuum that could easily pull my hair off the couch, but I still wouldn't necessarily recommend it to pet owners (TechRadar's best vacuum for pet hair list has some alternative suggestions here).

Pet hair tool on Shark PowerDetect Cordless vacuum cleaner

The pet hair tool was okay, but couldn't pull all the (short-ish, human) hair from my cream couch (Image credit: Future)

As for the crevice tool, I used this one quite a lot as I have a lot of furniture set in the corners of rooms. I was glad to see that the tool also has a brush. I used it to clean my baseboards and blinds with great success.

In DirtDetect mode, the vacuum has a 72-80 dB sound rating when cleaning hard floors and a 76-79 dB rating when moving over my rugs (this is due to the fact that the suction automatically increases when dirt is detected, which makes it noisier). The dB rating on Eco mode is 74 (you can’t use Eco mode on carpets, only hard floors). Boost mode has an 82 dB and 83 dB rating on hardwood and carpet respectively.

While not everyone will necessarily need it, I was so thankful for the convenience of the auto-empty system. When I was finished vacuuming, I placed the vacuum on the station and not only did it start charging automatically, but it emptied the dust and dirt from the vacuum into a sealed container. Whenever the container is full, I can remove it and dump the dust and dirt in the trash. It would be a strong recommendation for allergy sufferers, because there are fewer opportunities for particles to escape back into the atmosphere.

(Note that is it possible to store the vacuum freestanding without the dock: you can fold it over, using the bendy wand, for a more compact storage option.)

If you don't have the auto-empty dock, you'll need to remove the wand first and then hit a button when the bin is placed over a trash can.

Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum with bin open for emptying

(Image credit: Future)

Maintenance is easy enough, even if there are a few tasks that you’ll need to do about once a month, like cleaning the brushroll and checking the wand for blockages. The onboard dust cup will need to be cleaned out, and you should also check the HEPA filter on the handheld to see if it needs to be rinsed or replaced. The filter on the auto empty station should also be rinsed and dried once a month and replaced regularly too.

Lastly, you’ll need to occasionally clean the sensors – the DirtDetect system sensor is inside the dust bin of the vacuum, while the LightDetect sensor is on top of the vacuum head, and the two EdgeDetect sensors sit along the sides of it.

  • Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Cordless review: battery

  • 4 hours to fully recharge the battery (using auto empty station)
  • Battery lasts 14 mins in Boost, 1hr 7 mins in Eco
  • Eco option not possible on carpet

One of the most impressive aspects of this vacuum is the battery life. Shark claims it'll last a maximum of 70 minutes in Eco mode, although that's in handheld mode. On test, it managed almost that long: I clocked 67 minutes, although that was with a wand attached. Anything over an hour is a really strong battery time for a cordless vacuum (assuming the suction is still decent, which is true here). However, remember that Eco mode won't work on carpets or rugs, so if you have a home with soft flooring you won't achieve these times.

When I ran the PowerDetect entirely in Boost mode, the battery lasted 14 minutes. That's actually not bad for a maximum power mode; it's only designed to be used on the toughest, ingrained dirt. If you use DirtDetect mode, runtimes will vary based on how dirty your floors are an how much suction the vacuum needs to use.

On an average clean, I found this vacuum lasted around 47 minutes, which involved me switching between the lowest and highest power settings. That'll be more than enough time to clean most homes in one go.

It took about four hours for the vacuum to completely charge. Shark doesn't provide recharge times, but a listing on Best Buy said it'd take 6 hours. I was glad to discover that charging did not actually take that long. Over time, it’ll likely take longer for the battery to charge. It’s not unusual among vacuums on the wider market to take 4-6 hours to charge.

  • Battery life score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark PowerDetect Cordless?

Buy it if...

You want a hassle-free cleaning experience
With the DirtDetect technologies, this vacuum automatically increases suction when it detects dirt and debris, or even just the edges of rooms. That means an efficient clean without having to manually switch suction modes.

You have a lot of furniture to clean under
The bendable wand allows you to reach further under furniture without having to move it or bend over.

Don't buy it if...

You need a vacuum that's great for pet hair
While the Pet Multi tool does a decent job vacuuming pet hair, there are vacuums on the market better designed for pet owners.

You're just need something basic
While the PowerDetect is good value for money, you're paying extra for those clever detection features. If you just want something with good suction, there are cheaper options on the market.

How I tested the Shark PowerDetect Cordless

I tested this vacuum for over a week in my house, which has a mix of historic hardwood and laminate flooring, some of which is covered in large, thick rugs. I ran a number of tests such as using the vacuum to pick up flour and crushed Cheerios, and utilized the attachments to clean my couch of hair and dust from hard-to-reach places. I compared the results to other vacuum cleaners I've reviewed in the past. By running these tests and others, I was able to provide an in-depth review.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2024

« Previous Page — Next Page »