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The Roborock Qrevo Edge adequately handles regular cleaning, but this robot vacuum stumbles in the one area it should shine
8:17 am | April 15, 2025

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

Roborock Qrevo Edge: Two-minute review

Roborock has been making excellent robot vacuums for a while now, with the Qrevo series stepping it up over the Q and S series bots. With more suction power and a wider feature set compared to older models, the Roborock Qrevo Slim and Roborock Qrevo Curv performed really well in our tests. The Roborock Qrevo Edge joined its siblings in January 2025 and is quite effective at autonomous cleaning… provided you use it for the daily (or regular) cleaning tasks.

It’s essentially the love child of the Curv and the Slim: it uses the exact same technology as the former with an identical bot, but inherits the self-cleaning dock design from the latter. So instead of a curvy dock, it’s a more traditional design that’s simple to set up and use.

It’s a nice-looking dock, but I question its lack of proper sealing. The lid of the dirty-water tank in the unit sent to me for this review had tiny gaps even after being clipped closed and I found that if I didn't clean it out soon after a mopping run, it would begin to smell.

It’s similar with the dust bag too, wherein I found that it can emit a slight odor when the bin in the bot is being cleaned out automatically. That means you might have to replace the dust bag sooner than necessary which, in turn, will increase the ongoing costs of running the Qrevo Edge.

There’s not a lot to complain about when it comes to the robot vacuum’s cleaning prowess as long as it’s not expected to handle tough spills. There’s 18,500Pa of suction power, which I found to be good enough to clean up a carpet with hair or fur tangled in the fibers, although a few strands always get left behind as robot vacuums are meant as ongoing maintenance cleaners rather than being the primary cleaning appliance.

It’s also quite good at picking up fine powders and slightly larger debris like oats, but it regularly misses room edges. That’s not unique to the Qrevo Edge but, given its name, I was expecting slightly better edge-cleaning performance.

Mopping, too, is also good when it comes to day-to-day cleaning on hard floors and I found it was excellent at sensing the change in floor type to raise its mop pads when necessary. However, despite the extending mop pads, it often missed about an inch along the edges of a room during my testing, and it can spread tough wet spills (like ketchup or milk) across a floor if you aren’t careful with setting up the correct cleaning routine.

Roborock claims that the Qrevo Edge can handle thresholds of up to 4cm, which is true, but it's worth noting that it takes time to cross over, trying to determine the best angle for it and the amount of power it needs to push itself over.

While it excels at being an effective autonomous cleaner for the daily or regular cleaning tasks – and its SmartPlan feature is a game changer in those circumstances – its inability to tackle tough spills when doing a zone clean and get to room edges consistently makes it hard to recommend at its premium price point.

Roborock Qrevo Edge on a colorful carpet

The Roborock Qrevo Edge is a good bot, but it belies its name when it comes to edge cleaning (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Roborock Qrevo Edge review: price & availability

  • List price: $1,599.99 / AU$2,799 (“coming soon” to the UK)
  • Launched: January 2025
  • Available: In select markets, with wider availability later in the year

The Qrevo Edge was released a few days before the Roborock Saros 10 series was announced at CES 2025 in January. In fact, the Edge is now part of a duo, with the Qrevo EdgeC joining it in March at a lower price point and with some missing features.

The Roborock Qrevo Edge will set you back $1,599.99 / AU$2,799 in the US and Australia at full price, but it’s already discounted down to $1,299.99 / AU$2,499 when purchased directly from the Roborock online store. Some authorized retailers are also offering the same or a better discount in most markets where it’s already available.

UK pricing and availability is yet to be confirmed, but it’s definitely being added to the Roborock catalogue as it’s listed as “coming soon” on the British website.

Despite the discount, the Qrevo Edge is still an expensive robot vacuum cleaner. That’s exacerbated when you consider that the more powerful Roborock Saros 10 (22,000 Pa suction compared to 18,500 Pa in the Edge) is the same price in the US and AU$200 more in Australia. It costs £1,499.99 in the UK. In fact, the Saros 10 has a retractable LiDAR puck that allows it to go under furniture to clean, potentially making it a better investment.

You will need to consider ongoing costs as well. The dust bag will be the most frequent purchase you make but, at some point, you will need to replace the mop pads too due to wear and tear. These aren’t too expensive as you won’t need to replace them too often (the dust bag has a 2.7L capacity that could last you 2-3 months, depending on use), but if you take into consideration the Roborock detergent for mopping, that will quickly add up.

If you’re after good value, something like the Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni (or the T30 Pro Omni) would be ideal. It cleans just as well as the Qrevo Edge, if not better, although it lacks some of the features you’ll find on the Roborock. Still, the bang for buck you get from similar models to the Deebot is a lot more.

• Value score: 3.5 out of 5

Camera and navigation sensors in the front of the Roborock Qrevo Edge

The front of the robot has a camera and a light, alongside navigation sensors (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Roborock Qrevo Edge review: specs

Roborock Qrevo Edge review: design

  • Sleek, modern dock
  • Easy to set up, but may require frequent cleaning
  • Extending side mop and brush, anti-tangle split main roller

The Roborock Qrevo Edge’s design isn’t particularly standout – it’s nothing we haven’t seen before – however, its white body (dock and robot) makes it look sleeker than its actual footprint would suggest.

The robot is of a similar size to other models, and the dock’s tray – where it sits to get cleaned and recharge – barely extends out beyond its radius, giving the impression of not taking up too much space.

It’s quite a tall dock though, so you may not be able to tuck it under a countertop or kitchen island, like you can with the Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni, and you’ll need a good amount of clearance to lift the two tanks out of the dock. So it’s going to need a little open space around it.

Roborock Qrevo Edge dock from the top

The dock is nice looking, but just doesn't exude 'premium-ness' (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Robot design

The bot in particular will be very familiar to anyone who’s ever seen a robovac before, let alone used one. The most obvious feature on the circular robot is the puck-like LiDAR housing on the top. The puck has the Roborock logo in a silver-grey color that adds a touch of class.

Also on top is a magnetic cover to keep the 325ml onboard dustbin out of sight, with cutouts for the LiDAR puck and two buttons. You won’t need to access the dustbin much – only to clean the filter every once in a while or if the self-empty function fails. Even the buttons need to be used sparingly.

On the front there's a camera and additional navigation elements. You can use the camera to run security checks while you’re away or look in on your pets remotely. There’s also a light on the front that comes on automatically if the robot is cleaning in a dark area or room.

A semicircular bumper protects the front, and it’s got just enough give to absorb bumps into furniture and larger obstacles.

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The FlexiArm side brush on the Roborock Qrevo Edge

The side brush is attached to a flexible arm for better edge cleaning... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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The curved side brush of the Roborock Qrevo Edge

..and the bristle angle helps too (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

The undercarriage has a lot going on. Two large wheels catch your attention first and these help the Qrevo Edge traverse thresholds of up to 4cm high. Roborock calls this AdaptiLift, which has been inherited from the Curv and found its way into the newer Saros 10 as well. There’s also a smaller wheel towards the front of the robot for better maneuverability.

The main roller brush is quite unlike any other I’ve seen before. Instead of being a single bar, it’s made up of two pieces and split in the middle. Both halves have bristles and fins and, to avoid getting hair and fur tangled in said bristles, Roborock says the split design helps strands get pushed to the middle from where they’re sucked into the bin.

There’s also a spinning side brush and, again, it’s designed differently to what’s commonly seen on other brands. The brush has only two sets of long bristles (compared to the usual three), both curved to avoid hair entanglements and push dirt and debris towards the main roller.

The arm that the brush is affixed to can extend outward to give the bristles a longer reach. Roborock calls this FlexiArm technology and it’s also used to extend the mop pads as well.

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The central brush in the Roborock Qrevo Edge robot

The central brush is designed to push hair or fur towards the middle... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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The split central brush in the Roborock Qrevo Edge robot

..which means the roller is essentially two pieces (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Again, it’s a familiar design for the mops – two circular pads attached to the plates via some seriously strong Velcro. During my testing I found that the pads extend out individually, never both at the same time as I’ve seen on other brands, and both can be raised 10mm to avoid medium and high-pile carpets from getting wet.

Unlike other premium models like the Dreame X40 Ultra, the mops don’t detach if you want a vacuum-only run.

There is, of course, a small water reservoir tucked away somewhere inside the robot, but the design is such that you can’t see it at all. It gets filled automatically from the clean-water tank in the dock every time the bot needs to do a mopping session.

The dustbin, puck and buttons under the magnetic lid of the Roborock Qrevo Edge

A magnetic lid covers the onboard dustbin, but has cutouts for the LiDAR puck and the control buttons (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Dock design

Like many other premium all-in-one robot vacuums, the Qrevo Edge’s self-cleaning dock is a do-it-all pit stop.

It houses two water tanks inside, both of which can be pulled up from the top. They’re marked by different silver drops on a corner of their lids to differentiate them – one for clean water, the other collects dirty mop water.

Both look identical at first glance, but closer inspection reveals a small difference in shape, which allows the clean-water tank to have a larger capacity of 4L compared to 3.5L of dirty water. That’s quite a bit and should allow for two mopping runs of an average two-bedroom home, if not more.

If there's any issue with the tanks – whether the clean water needs refilling or one of them hasn't been placed back correctly – the indicator light on front of the dock turns red. You will occasionally get a voice prompt, plus there'll be a notification on the app.

The tanks close via a hinged lid that clips into place, but the seal isn’t as good as I’ve seen in other all-in-one robovac models. This allowed a bit of nasty odor to escape when I forgot to clean out the dirty water after one cleaning session, meaning you might want to ensure the left-hand tank is washed out as soon as possible.

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The inside of the Roborock Qrevo Edge dock

The internals of the dock are well designed, allowed it to be as low maintenance as possible (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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An empty tank in the Roborock Qrevo Edge dock

The lid of the dirty-water tank doesn't close properly, which could lead to you smelling nasty odors (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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The clean-water icon on a Roborock Qrevo Edge tank

Each tank is denoted by a droplet icon – one for clean... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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The dirty water icon on a tank in the Roborock Qrevo Edge dock

..and the other for dirty mop water (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Below the water tanks is a covered nook for the dust bag. The cover comes off very easily and replacing the bag is also just as easy.

As with other all-in-ones, the base tray that the robot sits on has ridged sides, which allows the mop pads to be scrubbed when they’re being washed. Not only can the dock refill the bot’s onboard water reservoir, empty the bin, wash the mop pads with hot water (167ºF / 75ºC), then dry them with warm air (113ºF / 45ºC), but it can also self-clean that tray.

Overall build quality isn’t too bad, but the lids on the water tanks not closing properly takes away from the premium-ness of the whole design. Moreover, the plastic dock – a material that's not uncommon – just doesn’t quite exude oomph despite the silver details. It’s not that it looks cheap, it just doesn’t look… well, premium.

• Design score: 4 out of 5

A dust bag inside the Roborock Qrevo Edge dock

Access to the dust bag is easy, as it changing it out. It's the same bag as used in the S-series Roborock robovacs (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Roborock Qrevo Edge review: performance

  • Excellent vacuuming on higher settings; can handle tangled hair in carpet fibers
  • Mopping also very good on higher settings, but regularly misses edges
  • SmartPlan is efficient in terms of navigation and battery life, but the automated cleaning may not suffice

If there’s one thing Roborock does well, it’s providing an easy setup for its robot vacuums. My colleagues have said previously that they’ve not faced any setup issues with other models from the brand and it was the same here. In fact, you don’t even need the manual to get you started, it’s all quite intuitive.

As soon as the robovac was connected to my Wi-Fi network, I checked how much battery it had and immediately sent it off on its initial mapping run. This took just six minutes to complete in a test space measuring approximately 40sqm and containing a carpeted bedroom and tiles in the rest of the apartment.

The initial map was quite accurate in the layout of the test space, and I was then able to edit the rooms: adding furniture and dividing open-plan spaces into their correct room names.

The test space was single-storey, so I wasn’t able to see how well the cliff sensors function. It also had no pets, so I can’t comment on how well the Qrevo Edge’s pet avoidance features work, but I conducted all the other standard TechRadar tests to see how it held up.

Roborock Qrevo Edge moving off a rug onto a tiled floor

The Qrevo Edge is very good at identifying changing floor types (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Vacuuming

The Qrevo Edge’s 18,500 Pa suction power shows itself off quite well when it comes to its vacuuming prowess. I found it very hard to fault it, even when on lower suction settings – albeit on hard floors that aren’t too dirty. The higher suction options are very effective on carpets, even those with entangled hair within the fibers.

As with other Qrevo machines, there are five power levels to choose from: Quiet, Balanced, Turbo, Max and Max+. Importantly, the app allows you to choose from just a single vacuum-only run or two, meaning it can take on some tough jobs.

As good as the Qrevo Edge is at vacuuming, I do have to note that you shouldn’t expect perfection. I found that hair on carpets are mostly sucked up – say about 98% of the strands – but some will remain. This is more so if you happen to have hair, fur or dirt along the edges of a carpeted room as the side brush just doesn’t have the force to gather these up and pull them towards the central roller.

The proof is usually in the pudding and when I looked at how much dirt the Qrevo Edge collected after its first vacuum-only run (done at the Max+ setting) in a single carpeted room, I was impressed that its higher suction did a far superior job than the 11,000 Pa Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni that it replaced in my home.

Even the Turbo and Max modes do a good job on carpets, provided you don’t have pets shedding on them copiously – they’re effective for the usual dust-sucking chores. And I had no issues with tangled hair on the main roller brush.

To test how well the Qrevo Edge can handle other kinds of dirt and debris, I conducted TechRadar’s standard tests by sprinkling some oats, tea dust (from a teabag) and tea leaves onto a mid-pile carpet.

I first set the Qrevo Edge to do just a Zone clean for the carpet only, which defaults to the SmartPlan setting wherein the bot chooses its own suction mode depending on floor type. As you can see from the video clip below, it does a pretty good job, although its navigation in this mode is a little erratic.

While all the oats and tea leaves were cleaned up, I could see some tea dust still on the carpet. As a comparison, I sprinkled a little more dust from a teabag and used my Dyson V15s Detect Submarine in Auto mode to clean it up and saw similar results. I repeated the tea dust test with the Qrevo Edge on the carpet in Max+ mode and found no reason to complain.

It’s a different story on hard floors though. For the exact same test performed on tiles, I found that the side brush scattered the larger debris (oats) when doing a Zone clean on the default SmartPlan settings. The scattering happens on all other settings, but when changed to doing a 2x vacuum at Max, it did a better job.

Where it fails quite badly is edge cleaning. I expected most of the tea dust I had scattered along a room edge on a hard floor to be picked up, but sadly that wasn’t the case. Even running it on a 2x vacuum-only run at Max+ made no difference. I had to use the crevice tool on my Dyson to clean up the tea dust remaining on the floor.

Moreover, if you have gaps between tiles or wood panels on your floor, fine dust will invariably get moved into the grouting or the gaps and even the Max+ setting does nothing to clean that up. Larger debris getting caught in those spots, though, will get cleaned, provided you use the maximum suction setting.

To be fair to the Qrevo Edge, though, robot vacuums weren’t designed to be your primary cleaner, but rather for ongoing day-to-day or regular cleans. You'll still want to have one of the best vacuum cleaners on hand for the more difficult jobs, particularly for carpets and sucking up dirt from nooks and crannies.

Mopping

Like its vacuuming prowess, the Qrevo Edge does a good job of mopping too – again, only if it’s not taxed by too many spills. The regular cleaning jobs of dusty footprints and spilt water is excellent.

This mopping performance is helped by four water-flow levels – Low, Medium, High and Custom/Gentle. I found the Low and Medium weren't very effective for the kind of tiles I had in my test space, as the pads didn’t saturate enough for my needs and barely dampened the floor. While this is excellent for sensitive floor types (like some wood panels), the High setting was perfect for me and that’s what I left it at for the various Routines I set up via the app.

The Custom setting, while allowing you to choose the water-flow level, doesn’t ‘scrub’ as well as the other three and that, again, is good for sensitive floor types. If you do need a better clean, you can set the robot to sense areas of excessive dirt and it will automatically return to do a second mop after it has washed the pads following the first attempt. During my testing, though, this feature failed most of the time.

Depending on your cleaning needs, you can set the bot to mop-only, vacuum then mop, or do both at once. Personally, I’m not fond of the last option as I'm a little paranoid that the mop pads will pick up more dirt and won't get washed properly.

I found that it was also a good idea to assign the order in which it cleans rooms as this can reduce track marks from its own wheels over an area it has just mopped – this can be done in the app by just editing the saved map.

Like I did for vacuuming, I performed a couple of mopping tests to see how well the Qrevo Edge does.

While we usually use ketchup in our standard mopping test, I had none at the time and used oyster sauce instead. I allowed a small spill to dry out a little, but also plopped some of the fresh viscous liquid on another part of the floor to test the scrubbing action on dry and wet messes.

Even with the water-flow rate set at High, the Qrevo Edge had minimal effect on the dried-out sauce on the Standard ‘route’. The route is how the robot moves through a space while cleaning and there are four options for both vacuuming and mopping. After setting the robot to do a 2x mop run in the Deep+ ‘route’ setting, though, most of the dried oyster sauce was cleaned, but not fully. I ended up wiping that spot myself.

A half-full dirty-water tank on the Roborock Qrevo Edge dock

No matter how often I mopped my floors, the dirty water was... very dirty (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Cleaning up a wet spill was another matter altogether. On a default Zone run (which uses the SmartPlan option), the sauce was mopped but, of course, got stuck on the side brush (I’m glad I was able to rinse it), smeared the undercarriage and the mop pads left long, brown streaks as the bot moved on.

After allowing it to go back to the dock for a mop wash, I immediately set the Qrevo Edge to a 2x mop at the High water setting to clean up the remaining mess, which it did well.

I’d expect situations like these are extreme and most users wouldn’t allow their robot vacuum to encounter such messes, but it’s worth noting that it doesn’t handle bigger dry messes well either. For example, I sprinkled copious amounts of talcum powder on a wet bathroom floor, then allowed that to dry completely. On a High water-flow setting, white streaks were left on the bathroom floor, much like the oyster sauce.

While I can’t fault the Qrevo Edge’s mopping issues as it’s not unique to it, I regularly found that it didn’t go all the way to the edge of a room despite the extended mop pads. More often than not, about an inch of floor space along skirting boards would remain unmopped. And that was disappointing, particularly since this robot vacuum comes at such a high price and, conspicuously, has 'Edge' in its name.

Roborock Qrevo Edge chewing up a cable

Obstacle avoidance could be better – the Qrevo Edge couldn't identify a cable in its path (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

For a day-to-day regular cleaning run, I found the Qrevo Edge’s navigation to be impeccable. There are two Routes (or paths) you can select in the app when it’s vacuuming or vacuuming and mopping at once – Fast and Standard – but you’re provided four when you opt for mop only – Fast, Standard, Deep and Deep+. These Routes determine how much of the floor gets covered and, after testing all of them, I found that the Qrevo Edge follows the chosen Route correctly.

The Route you opt for will, of course, affect battery life and the app gives you a warning every time you change navigation. Despite that, I personally preferred the Standard (for vacuuming) and Deep for mopping as the results were the best.

Importantly, selecting a 2x cleaning run will automatically prompt the Qrevo Edge to clean in the opposite directions for the two sessions, which I thought resulted in even better results than a single Deep mopping session.

A sock stuck in the central brush of the Roborock Qrevo Edge

The only reason it didn't chew up the cable was because it had already partially swallowed a sock (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

The only time navigation was erratic was if I had chosen a Zone clean for a quick session, which defaults to the SmartPlan navigation. This uses deep learning to determine which part of the zone or room the Qrevo Edge should clean first and I found its movements weren’t as precise on a carpet. It was slightly better on hard floors though.

Still, the SmartPlan navigation is quite efficient. Having learned that there is a medium-pile rug in my living room, for example, the Qrevo Edge always did a vacuum-only clean first on the rug, then went back to the dock to wash its mop pads to clean the rest of the tiled living-room floor. On the rug, though, it wouldn’t always move in straight lines, but I didn’t see that it missed any spots.

Roborock Qrevo Edge pushing a flip-flop on a carpet

A lightweight obstacle just gets pushed around as it moves (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

The Qrevo Edge’s obstacle avoidance could be better though. While it manages to identify some obstacles in its path and place a marker on the map, this functionality wasn’t consistent. To test this further, I placed its own packing box in its path once and it didn’t add a marker on the map, but it did so for a chair I had moved from its original location.

To check its effectiveness avoiding smaller objects, I ran the standard TechRadar tests of placing a cable, a sock, a slipper (aka flip-flop or thong, depending on which part of the world you live in) and a shoe in the robot’s path.

It nearly swallowed the little sock, which got stuck on the central roller, and because of the sock taking up space on the undercarriage, it ran over the cable without getting entangled. The first time it encountered the slipper, it went over it, but the subsequent times it just pushed the lightweight rubber footwear along in front of it. The shoe was the only obstacle it managed to avoid each time it encountered it on its path.

Camera view of the Roborock Qrevo Edge

Its camera quality isn't the best, but it's good enough for a security check (or looking in on your pets if you have any). You can even use the call button to speak to your kids or pets (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

This shouldn’t come as a surprise though as most robot vacuums have difficulty with the smaller obstacles and would chew up a slim charging cable or a sock. That’s why all brands recommend you pick up the smaller items before you do a cleaning run.

That said, Roborock does call out the Qrevo Edge’s obstacle avoidance, so I expected more. It’s perfectly fine for general cleaning, but the performance doesn’t quite match its high price tag.

The robot can use its onboard camera to take a picture of the obstacle and, when you tap on the corresponding marker (if any) on the map in the app, it will come up. Every time I wanted to try this feature with a specific obstacle, it didn’t place a marker on the map. The only time it worked was for a chair that is permanently a part of the map.

Dock performance

Other than the bit of bad odor I could smell when I hadn’t cleaned out the dirty water the day of the cleaning run, I can’t fault the dock’s performance. There’s plenty of suction that pulls out nearly every bit of dust, debris and hair from within the onboard dustbin.

The only thing I found in the bin after a self-empty was a thin film of fine dust along the sides, which is perfectly normal and can be washed out. Just be sure to fully dry out the bin before placing it back into the robot again.

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A white indicator light on the dock of Roborock Qrevo Edge

A white indicator light on the dock says everything is A-OK... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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A red indicator light on the Roborock Qrevo Edge dock

..but turns red when you've removed a tank or it's not sitting correctly, or there's something else the matter (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Even the washing seems adequate. At the time of writing, I’d used the Qrevo Edge for two months, running it a couple of times a week, and the mop pads still look good to me. That said, I found the mop pads looked a lot better after three months of using the Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni, and I also found the air drying to be more effective in the competition as it uses hot air rather than warm as in the Qrevo Edge.

This means the mop pads take longer to dry on the latter and, if there’s not a lot of ventilation in the area you’ve positioned the robot vacuum, you could smell the pads if there's even a little dampness left. During my testing, I had to increase the air-drying time to eliminate any smells.

Another indicator of how well the mop washing works is the color of the dirty water in the tank – it was always dark brown, even if I ran the robot on subsequent days, thinking the floor wouldn’t be too dirty. Boy, was I wrong.

The dock’s self-cleaning features also includes one for the tray the robot sits on (and uses to scrub the mop pads). That can get grimy too and the 5-minute self-cleaning session means you need the least amount of work to maintain this machine.

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Brand new mop pads in the Roborock Qrevo Edge

The brand-new mop pads before the first use... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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Washed mop pads on the underside of the Roborock Qrevo Edge

..and their condition after about 8 weeks of use, two to three times a week (not too shabby) (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Battery life

Battery life is where the Qrevo Edge truly shines. It’s got a 6,400mAh pack that easily did a full clean session on Max suction and Standard/High mop (on a vacuum-and-mop run) in one go in my test space and still had about 36% battery left.

If I set the robot to do 2x cleans at its highest settings, then it would run down to about 12% battery, head back to the dock for about three hours, top up till about 48% and finish the rest of its cleaning. That’s an impressive battery performance in my books considering it was doing power-intensive sessions.

Roborock says that the Qrevo Edge is capable of fast charging (up to 30% quicker than previous models apparently), but I saw no evidence of that during my testing. Considering it took about three hours to get just 40% topped up during my testing, I think the best time to run these kinds of modes is when you’re away for the day – that way, you can return to a clean home and not get impatient with half a job done.

• Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Roborock Qrevo Edge with a light on in a dark room

A light can automatically come on if the Qrevo Edge is cleaning a dark room or under the bed (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Roborock Qrevo Edge review: app

  • Very detailed app as compared to some of the competition
  • Offers plenty of precise control
  • Matches system dark mode that looks very classy

Roborock arguably has the best-designed app that I’ve used for a robot vacuum cleaner. When you first download it, it will ask if you want it to match your phone’s system settings, which means it will automatically convert into dark mode and I found that it looks very nice indeed – colors pop and everything is clearly laid out.

It will take time to get used to the app, though, but that’s only because there’s a lot going on. In fact, I kept discovering quirks and better ways to use the robot all through my two-month testing period and I don't think I've still completely figured it out at the time of publication. While my test space was a single-storey home, the Roborock allows you to save multiple floor maps and swap between them, although you will have to go through the Edit Map menu to do so.

Map editing is a lot more straightforward here than I’ve found with other robovac apps, and it identified carpets and hard floors in the test space correctly, requiring minimal intervention on my part. You can add furniture if you wish, but that can be fiddly. The usual features of adding no-go zones and virtual walls are also available.

Screenshots of the Roborock app for setting up the Qrevo Edge

The Roborock app is very detailed, starting from map building and editing (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Diving into what the robot can actually do is time consuming, particularly if you plan to set up custom Routines. The app gives you some default options that you can edit, but it’s not always as straightforward as its map editing.

For example, a couple of full-home routines I tried to set up refused to show me a vacuum-only option, but only gave me a vacuum-and-mop. I had to then break up that option and have two Routines for a full-home clean.

You can always edit those Routines as you learn more about the app, but it really shouldn’t be as difficult as it is currently set up.

Screenshots of the Roborock app for setting up the Qrevo Edge

There are also plenty of options in the settings to go through (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Perhaps the best part of the app is the SmartPlan option you’ll see as soon as you select the robot vacuum. While you can run this from the get go, you won’t get the best clean early on.

I found that it’s the most effective after you’ve run the robovac a few times throughout the home on specific Routines. It will use this information, leveraging some AI smarts, to customize the best cleaning path, suction and mop settings for subsequent runs.

There are some other advanced features in the app that you can use, including using the onboard camera to do a quick security check around your home while you’re away. You can guide it remotely using the app navigation, but you can also keep the camera on while it's cleaning.

Screenshots of the Roborock app for setting up the Qrevo Edge

You can set up custom routines or enable Rocky, the onboard voice assistant (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

You can even photograph obstacles or conduct a video call with your pet. The camera features are turned off by default, which is a good thing, and all photos and videos are saved locally, according to Roborock. Moreover, you’ll even need to be the primary account holder to enable these camera features, adding a layer of security.

Roborock has its own voice assistant called Rocky, which is available to use on the Qrevo Edge, but the prompts it can understand are very limited. There are more Siri voice prompts, but even these I found to be a little unreliable. You can connect the Qrevo Edge to Google Home or Alexa, which offers better control but, again, quite limited prompts. In general, I think the app itself should be your go-to for full control of the robot vacuum and its dock.

• App score: 4.5 out of 5

Roborock Qrevo Edge on a carpet

The mop pads lift up 10mm and I never found a damp streak on my living room rug (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Should you buy the Roborock Qrevo Edge?

Buy it if...

You have thresholds around the home

The Qrevo Edge can tackle heights of up to 4cm and, even though it might look like it’s struggling, it takes time to figure out how much power it needs and the best angle to get over the threshold.

You want an efficient robovac for day-to-day cleaning

Despite its impressive specs and features list, the Qrevo Edge is better at tackling the easier regular cleans, rather than handling the tough jobs. It's navigation, though, is arguably its best feature, arguably being one of the most efficient I've seen.

You want a low-maintenance robot vacuum for the most hands-off experience

Other than having to regularly clean out the dirty-water tank, the Qrevo Ege is arguably the most hands-off robovac I’ve tested. Its dock can take care of a lot for you, including cleaning up the mop-pad washing tray. Even the 2.7L dust bag won’t need replacing too often thanks to the larger capacity, but be wary of smells.

Don't buy it if...

You want value for money

Given its issues, I’d be hard pressed to recommend the Qrevo Edge at its full price. There are plenty of other cheaper options available that perform just as well, if not better. Although be aware that you will need to make a few sacrifices if you opt for cheaper models, like not having the same amount of suction or a self-cleaning mop-washing tray.

You want a simple robot vacuum

The Qrevo Edge is a do-it-all robovac with an app that has a heck of a lot of detail. If you don’t need all its bells and whistles, and would prefer a simpler self-emptying option, there are plenty to choose from and you’ll also save money in the bargain.

You want the very best in mopping and edge cleaning

While the regular mopping runs with the Qrevo Edge are very good, its penchant for creating more messes on the tougher spills is disappointing. Other models like the Eureka J20 (with a roller mop) and the cheaper Ecovacs T30 Omni are better moppers, and even handle edge cleaning more efficiently.

Roborock Qrevo Edge: alternatives to consider

Dreame L40 Ultra/X40 Ultra

If money is no object and you’re after one of the best in autonomous cleaning, consider the top-of-the-range Dreame L40/X40 Ultra. The L model is widely available in most markets, but the X option is available in Australia. Both offer similar specs and performance, including excellent suction and mopping, plus a few smart features that make cleaning as hands-off as possible.

Read our full Dreame L40 Ultra review
Read our full
Dreame X40 Ultra review

Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni

As one of the best robot vacuums representing excellent value for money, the T30 Omni might not have the same suction power as the Qrevo Edge, so it won’t be as good on a dirty carpet, but if you predominantly have hard floors, I can’t recommend this highly enough. The Pro model, which doesn’t cost much more than the standard, is just as good, but you get a couple of additional features – voice assistant support and better mopping.

Read my in-depth Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni review

How I tested the Roborock Qrevo Edge

  • Used in single-storey, one-bedroom apartment with mixed flooring
  • Used two to three times a week for eight weeks
  • Tried various settings and modes, with specific tests for fine dust and larger debris

Roborock Qrevo Edge robot moving from a rug to hard floor

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

I used the Roborock Qrevo Edge regularly for a period of two months in an approximately 40sqm one-bedroom apartment that has both full carpet and hard floors (tiles). This test space has no pets, but I did my best to make sure there was enough of my own hair on the carpet to make for tougher cleans.

I also set up several custom routines, running each at least two or three times to test for not just cleaning abilities, but also consistency. I even ran it on some default settings and modes, particularly testing the SmartPlan option several times for Room and Zone cleaning.

I ran TechRadar’s usual tests for suction, mopping and obstacle avoidance, plus did an extra test to test for cleaning fine dust and powder (using talc).

I compared its performance with other robot vacuums I’ve tested previously, having gone from the Ecovacs Deebot T30 Omni directly to using the Qrevo Edge.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners

[First reviewed April 2025]

I tested the Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum, and it takes all the hassle out of cleaning
1:31 pm | April 11, 2025

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

Roborock Qrevo Master: two-minute review

Originally launched in May 2024, the Roborock Qrevo Master is a high-end robotic vacuum and mop that produces an impressive blend of power, intelligence and convenience. Boasting 10,000Pa suction, dual rubber rollers and flexible side brush, the Qrevo Master effectively tackles dust, debris and pet hair on a variety of surfaces, while its dual spinning mops and consistent downward pressure ensure a very decent level of hard floor cleaning and light stain removal.

Navigation is always a key standout feature among Roborock models and this one's no different. The Qrevo Master's LiDAR mapping and AI-powered obstacle avoidance allows the bot to maneuver around furniture and most larger household objects. However, when it comes to small obstacle avoidance there are more efficient models out there that perform better in this regard.

The Qrevo Master's self-maintaining dock, meanwhile, adds an extra layer of convenience, automatically emptying the dustbin, refilling the robot's water tank and washing and drying the two mop pads. For those seeking a premium, low-maintenance floor cleaning solution, the Qrevo Master is an excellent choice, and holds its own against the best robot vacuums on the market, despite not being the very newest model out. Read on for my full Roborock Qrevo Master review.

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum in its dock

(Image credit: Future)

Roborock Qrevo Master review: price & availability

  • List price: $1,599 / £1,199 / AU$2,199 (regularly discounted in all territories)
  • Launched: May 2024

At list price, the Roborock Qrevo Master costs $1,599 in the US (although at time of writing, it was down to $899.99, which is the kind of price you should expect to actually pay for this model). In the UK it's £1,199, but again you should expect not to have to actually pay that – at time of writing it's down to £799.99. In Australia, the list price is AU$2,699 but it's currently discounted to AU$2,199.

Even at those discounted prices, it's still a premium robot vacuum. However, it's far from the most expensive model on the market – most brands' newest flagship models are well into the four figures in the US and UK.

At time of writing the Qrevo Master is still a relatively new model – it launched May 2024. However, the world of robovacs moves fast, and there are now several newer bots in the Roborock range. It occupies a spot somewhere in the middle of the Qrevo lineup, between the basic and budget-friendly Qrevo Q5 Pro+ and the expensive but excellent Qrevo Curv. The latest options to join the lineup are the Saros 10 and Saros 10R, both of which cost far more than the Qrevo Master and introduce some cool (if not wholly essential) new tech.

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

While not the best or most advanced robot vacuum in the Roborock lineup, the Qrevo master is still a mighty fine option that delivers on many fronts, not least its excellent navigation and vacuuming skills.

While there are other sterling robot vac manufacturers out there – namely Dreame, Eufy and Narwal – I personally always gravitate to the Roborock brand simply because the Chinese company's products are so reliable and usually ahead of the curve. Where Roborock goes, others follow.

Is the Qrevo Master good value? I'd say it sort of is given that most robot vacs with this level of smarts retail for around the same price. Nevertheless, there are some outstanding cheaper options around if you know where to look. (In the UK, the phenomenal Xiaomi X20+ performs almost as well as the Qrevo Master for around £500 less – it's the best budget robot vacuum I've tested, by some margin).

  • Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Roborock Qrevo Master specs

Roborock Qrevo Master review: design

  • Slightly basic looking hybrid bot, and a little on the tall side
  • Dual rubber brush rollers and rotating mop pads
  • Comprehensive dock, including mop cleaning and drying

I guess I've been spoiled by the clean Scandinavian-style design aesthetics of Roborock's latest premium models, the Saros 10 and 10R, because the Qrevo Master's robot unit looks a bit old fashioned with its large, plastic LiDAR unit and oversized bumpers. At 10.3cm in height, it's also quite tall which means it will have trouble passing under some low-slung furniture.

Roborock's newer (pricier) robots outshine the Qrevo Master in this area – the Saros 10 has a puck that can pop up and down, and the Qrevo Slim and Saros 10R don't have a puck at all. All look significantly slicker and more modern than the Qrevo Master.

I'm not too enamored of the medical white color scheme of my review model – I much prefer the back version that appears in the studio photos in this review.

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum with onboard dustbin being removed

(Image credit: Future)

Let's tackle this model's navigation system first. Like all the very best robots, the Qrevo Master uses LiDAR and an RGB camera to find its way around a home, and its accuracy is second to none. In fact you can see the results during its very first mapping run in real time on the Roborock app. The RGB camera can also be used to monitor a room by driving the robot around like a remote controlled car.

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

However, while the Qrevo Master's large obstacle avoidance (furniture legs, etc) is above par – its Reactive AI software can identify and avoid 62 objects across 20 categories – its obstacle detection isn't as precise as the company's very latest navigation systems. After all, today's technology moves at such a pace that something considered groundbreaking a few months previous is very soon superseded by another that's lightyears ahead.

You do get a very decent tranche of vacuuming tech with this unit, including very effective dual rubber brush rollers with an anti-tangling device and an automatically extendable side brush that pops out in corners of a room. This model boasts 10,000Pa which is short of its higher-end stablemates but still perfectly acceptable for practically all cleaning scenarios, bar perhaps very deep pile carpet.

There are five levels of power to choose from – Quiet, Balanced, Turbo, Max and MAX+. Since the robot's battery is more than up to the task of vacuuming a large space (it has a running time of about 60 minutes in Max mode) , I would always opt for Max or MAX+ because, well, why wouldn't you?

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum flipped over to show underside

(Image credit: Future)

On the mopping front this model comes with two circular toweling pads and, like many current high-end models, one of the mopping pads can also extend outwards to clean along skirting boards and around furniture legs. Both mops are pushed into the floor while they spin at 200rpm, giving any hard floor a good seeing to. This style mop tends to do a more effective scrubbing job than the static D-shaped pad still found on many robot vacuums – even the high-end models.

The mops themselves are pre-dampened by a small onboard 80ml water tank that is in turn filled in the dock just before going out on a mopping run. You can select up to 30 levels of water flow in the excellent Roborock app.

Of course, one wouldn't want any damp mops running slipshod over one's lovely carpets so the mops on this model lift by a few centimeters whenever the bot is traversing carpets or rugs. Likewise, its vacuum brush rollers also rise up whenever the robot is mopping or returning to base.

Dock design

At 521 x 340 x 487mm, the Qrevo Master's dock is considerably taller than many of its peers and that means it will be harder to position without it being too conspicuous. In fact this dock shares some design aesthetics with the Dreame L40 Ultra I reviewed a while back, including a very similar looking dust bag cover. But thankfully Roborock steered away from giving it any tasteless gold colored details.

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum in its dock

(Image credit: Future)

It's not the most unpleasant looking dock I've seen, but compared to the gorgeous mirrored finish Roborock has applied to its Saros range, it certainly could do with a bit of a facelift. Thankfully the black option doesn't look quite as ungainly because, well, it's black and therefore less noticeable in a room filled with wooden furniture.

Like all good contemporary hybrid robot cleaners, the Qrevo Master's dock offers a fully automated maintenance system that empties the contents of the robot's small internal 220ml bin into the dock's larger 2.2-liter dust bag whenever it has finished a vacuum session. Having a robot with a self-emptying feature is an absolute must, especially if you have shedding pets in the home. Without one you will need to continually empty the robot's tiny bin yourself, sometimes halfway through a cleaning session and, believe me, that's no fun.

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum dock with water tanks removed

(Image credit: Future)

Since this model also wet mops hard floors, it comes equipped with a mop cleaning facility that washes both mops with hot water at 60C to break down dirt and bacteria. Aside from emptying the mucky contents of the 3.5-litre dirty water tank, filling the 4-liter fresh water container, and very occasionally removing the entire mopping tray from the dock to rinse and scrub it under tap, there's very little human interjection required with this machine.

  • Design score: 4 out of 5

Roborock Qrevo Master review: performance

  • Very good vacuuming and mopping performance
  • Reliable LiDAR navigation but poor obstacle avoidance
  • Effective dock with minimal human interaction needed

This robot vacuum does a lot of different things, so to keep everything clear, I've separated this section into a range of different performance elements. I'll start with navigation performance, then move on to obstacle avoidance. Next I'll get into vacuuming and mopping performance and finally I'll cover how well the dock held up during testing.

Top marks as usual to Roborock for this bot's navigation prowess. From the moment you set it all up – a breeze, it must be said – the bot trundles off without getting lost and quickly maps your entire floor plan in about five minutes. It then returns to its charging station and proceeds to dock as accurately as a spaceship.

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum navigating furniture in a village hall

(Image credit: Future)

I've since placed the Qrevo Master in our village hall – an extremely demanding 127 square metres of wooden flooring – and the Qrevo Master has never once lost its way or missed a section. Sometimes very large spaces with lots of reflective windows can affect a robot vac's LiDAR navigation performance and this usually manifests itself as a strange anomaly on the app's map interface where the room is mysteriously multiplied in size. This happened on a couple of occasions with the Dreame L40 Ultra. By contrast, the Qrevo Master's complex three-room map hasn't altered at all in three weeks of regular use.

Obstacle avoidance

This is the only test where the Qrevo Master showed its Achilles Heel. For my test I used a collection of small and large dog toys, plus a phone cable. At first the Qrevo Master simply steamrollered even some of the larger toys. Activating the 'Pet' setting in the Reactive Obstacle avoidance menu in the app makes a big difference to Roborock bots' detection skills, but I double-checked and I had indeed already selected this option.

I then ran the test again and, for some bizarre reason, it behaved a little bit better – as if it was going through a learning process. Nevertheless, like the vast majority of bots I've tested, it ran right over the small nylon dog bone and failed to extricate itself. And, while it at first appeared to avoid the charge cable, it soon changed its mind and simply ran over it and then dragged it around the rug.

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum surrounded by obstacles during object avoidance tests

(Image credit: Future)

It's difficult to tell why this model had such issues with obstacle avoidance, but in its defense, its day-to-day schedules have always gone without a hitch – when it has encountered a stray dog toy, it's simply pushed them to the side when not actively avoiding them. However, I agree that this is not ideal given the cost of the machine in the first place.

Hence, if you have a messy home with small items littering the floor, you'd be better off with the Roborock Qrevo Curv, the newer Roborock Saros 10R or the Dreame L40 Ultra. All three of these bots excel at obstacle avoidance.

Vacuum performance

For my hard floor test I measured 22 grams of oats, uncooked orzo, cornflakes, flour and a crushed cheese cracker. I then set a cleaning zone in the kitchen and commanded the robot to perform two passes using Max power. While some of the debris was scattered by the spinning side brush (a common occurrence with all robot vacs), it generally performed extremely well, collecting 21g when measured on the scales.

Image 1 of 2

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum with debris sprinkled in front of it on a hard floor, for the suction test

Before the vacuuming test... (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 2

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum after running the vacuuming test on hard floor

... and after (Image credit: Future)

Granted, a few remnants of oats remained and some flour was left in the cracks but this was easily fixed by using a standard stick vac to finish the job. While not as successful as, say, the Roborock Saros 10R or Dreame L40, the Qrevo Master still proved to be very adept at hard floor sweeping.

Before and after the vacuuming test on a rug

Before (left) and after the vacuuming test on a rug (Image credit: Future)

I then set up a similar medium-pile rug test using the same 22g of ingredients. This test produced excellent results, with 22g back on the scales. However, it had also collected some extra pet hair and dust in the process so I would say pickup was nearer to 21g. That's an excellent result in my opinion. Best of all, I couldn't see any remnants on the rug from head height – and that's about as much as anyone could wish for.

Mopping performance

I'm not a big fan of robot vacs that also mop because I don't believe any of them are capable of replacing a human's ability to deeply wash a hard floor or target a specific area using either an old fashioned mop and bucket or one of those newfangled wet-and-dry cordless mops that are doing the rounds.

For instance, I would never consider going through the rigmarole of sending a robot mop to attend to an accidental spill when I can get the job done in a fraction of the time. However, I can see robot mops being useful at keeping on top of a pre-cleaned floor if programmed to run a series of regular mopping schedules.

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum mopping an engineered wooden floor

(Image credit: Future)

Since this model uses two circular spinning mop pads, I knew before even starting my test that it would be efficient enough for a pass. And sure enough it mopped up all traces of the milk and soy sauce mix I spilled on the floor – in a single sweep no less. It even continued to move over the same spot a number of times, just for good measure. However, like most robot mops I've tested, it did leave a slightly sticky but invisible residue behind after the floor had dried. After the cleaning test, the robot duly returned to its dock to have the mops cleaned and dried using hot air to help keep mold at bay.

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum with mop pad kicked out to clean close to the baseboards

(Image credit: Future)

Dock performance

Since I have two Labradors and three cats, my home is always full of hair. In fact, I often find odd strands of Labrador hair in the most surprising places. As a consequence of all this hair, some robot vac docks I've tested have become blocked due to an excessive amount of hair stuffed into the robots' tiny bins.

If the dock's suction isn't powerful enough, chances are a bundle of hair will block the air intake, either where the robot meets with the dock's suction tube or, more than likely, at the end of its travel where the suction tube connects with the dock's dust bag. This kind of anomaly is easily rectifiable but also unnecessarily messy, especially given the fact that you buy a robot vac to do all the graft so you don't have to.

Inside the mop cleaning section of the dock for the Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

Well I'm pleased to say that the Qrevo Master's dock suction levels are easily high enough to draw everything out of the robot's bin and into the dock's large 2.2-liter disposable dust bag with no issues whatsoever. (I'd rate it amongst the best robot vacuums for pet hair in this regard.) In fact, the dock's suction was powerful enough to draw a heavy snooker cue tip into the dust bag, and not many robot docks are capable of that level of suction.

Roborock Qrevo Master robot vacuum cleaning under a large table

(Image credit: Future)

As a postscript, I should add that this robot has been employed full-time in our village hall for several weeks now, and the hall's main floor, its kitchen and toilet area have never looked cleaner. The Qrevo Master vacuums this enormous 127 square metre space three times a week and mops it twice a week. At no time has it ever got stuck in five weeks of regular use. It deftly vacuums the entire hall (even beneath a pile of chairs in one corner), keeps the hall's loos spick and span and stays on top of any kitchen mess. This just goes to prove that robot vacs – and mops – are just as suitable for commercial use as they are for domestic settings.

  • Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Roborock Qrevo Master review: app

  • Highly customizable
  • Easy to navigate
  • Extremely comprehensive

I've said it before and I'll say it again – right now there is no better robot vac app for sheer comprehensiveness and ease of use than Roborock's. This app has it all, from scheduling and specific zone tasks, to a myriad of deep customization tweaks. That includes changing the amount of time the bot returns to the dock to have its dustbin emptied, editing the room surface and direction of wooden flooring, adding no-go zones, even adding furniture icons to the map so it looks like something out of the Sims.

Image 1 of 2

Screenshots from within the Roborock companion app

(Image credit: Roborock / Future)
Image 2 of 2

Screenshot showing video of inside the village hall via the Roborock app

(Image credit: Roborock / Derek Adams)

Another great thing about this app is that you can programme a set of ‘Routines' like ‘vacuum the lounge' or ‘mop the kitchen' and save them all on the home screen for instant access. Roborock's tech bods left no stone unturned when developing this app and the results speak for themselves.

  • App score: 5 out of 5

Should you buy the Roborock Qrevo Master?

Buy it if...

Your home has a complex layout

The Qrevo Master's navigation is top dollar.

You have pets in the home

This model handled my two dogs' and three cats' hair extremely well.

You need a robot that also mops

The Qrevo Master does a very decent job of mopping, and the comprehensive dock also takes care of various maintenance tasks.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best of the best

Newer Roborock models have more cutting-edge features, including things like retractible navigation pucks for cleaning under low furniture.

You have a cluttered home

The Qrevo Master isn't a master of obstacle avoidance, so you'll want to tidy up before sending this bot out.

You're on a tight budget

There are lower-priced options on the market, albeit with less comprehensive docks.

How I tested the Roborock Qrevo Master

I lived with the Qrevo Master for several weeks to get a real feel for its performance. I also TechRadar's standard robot vacuum tests to assess performance.

The first thing we're looking for is overall suction performance on different floor types. For this, I spilled a selection of loose ingredients on both hard flooring and carpet and observed the results. Did the robot sweep it all up in a single sweep or did it snowplough everything? Did it scatter the ingredients in the process? Did it leave anything behind after a few passes? I then ran similar tests using liquids, to test this hybrid robot's mopping efficiency.

Aside from performance, I also looked at the design of the robot and self-emptying dock, tested the effectiveness of its obstacle avoidance, and considered how quickly it mapped my home's floor plan when first taking it out of the box. I spent time digging into its app to see how extensive and usable it is, and if any improvements could be made.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners

  • First reviewed April 2025
I tested this robovac with a pop-up puck, and it could be a game-changer for cleaning under the sofa
3:00 pm | April 5, 2025

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

Roborock Saros 10: two-minute review

Launched in January 2025, the Roborock Saros 10 is a premium robot vacuum with some seriously cutting-edge features. Primary among these is a navigation puck that retracts down into the bot when it senses it's entering a low-height space. That, combined with a suspension system that can bounce it over tall thresholds, means this bot can reach places other robovacs can't.

On test, I found that both these features worked reliably well. And while the pop-down puck will only really come into play in homes with furniture that's a quite-specific distance off the floor, if you do fall into this category then this robotic will prove a game-changer. No more shifting the sofa once every six months to find a horrifying amount of dust sitting below it!

I was also impressed with the Saros 10's cleaning powers. Suction is strong enough to pull large volumes of dog hair off carpeted floors without fuss, and the anti-tangle roller does exactly what it's designed to do. Mopping is good, too, with the lowest mopping modes creating only the lightest mop; perfect for floors that are sensitive to too much moisture. On balance, I still think spinning mop pads (such as those that feature on the Saron 10's sister model, the Roborock Saros 10R) do a better job of scrubbing, but I did like how the additional mini side mop on the Saros 10 got right up to the edges of rooms.

I should also give special mention to the impressive hands-off dock, which not only empties dust and charges the bot (in double-quick time), but also dispenses detergent, washes the mop pads with hot water, and dries them with warm air. All this while looking far more stylish than basically any other dock I've seen in all my time reviewing robovacs.

At list price, the Saros 10 is far from cheap, but it's roughly in line with other brands' top-of-the-range models offering similarly advanced features. If you just want decent cleaning and are happy to take care of some of the maintenance tasks yourself, there are cheaper options to be found. However, if you're after an advanced model that makes use of the very latest tech and requires minimal intervention from you, this might be the best robot vacuum for you. Read on for my full Roborock Saros 10 review.

Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum in its dock, in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

Roborock Saros 10 review: price & availability

  • List price: $1,599.99 / £1,499.99 / AU$2,999
  • Launched: January 2025
  • Available: Worldwide

The Roborock Saros 10 was one of three new Roborock robot vacuums announced at CES in January 2025, alongside sister model Saros 10R and the Saros Z70, which has a mechanical arm.

At list price direct from Roborock, the Saros 10 costs $1,599.99 in the US, £1,499.99 in the UK, and AU$2,999 in Australia. At time of writing, it isn't available via any third-party retailers, but it may come to Amazon at some point.

That price puts it firmly into the premium bracket for robovacs. In fact, it's one of the most expensive models we've tested so far, although its price is roughly in line with many other brands' top-of-the-range models. Build quality, performance and featureset help justify that price somewhat, and I'm not going to score it down too much on price because I'm glad this kind of innovation exists in the robovac world – plus, it's a truly excellent robot vacuum. Having said that, I'd still hold out for a discount (or for the price to come down over time) before buying one.

This is a super-advanced robot vacuum, and you don't need to spend this much to get an appliance that will keep your floors clean. For most people's needs, there are models at even half the price that will do the job – especially if you're willing to sacrifice the mop washing / drying / self-cleaning dock functions, all of which will bump up the price significantly.

Note, however, that there are a couple of ongoing costs to factor in, too. The first is replacement dust bags, although with a 2.5-liter capacity, each bag should last a decent amount of time. The second is floor cleaner: Roborock recommends you use only its own branded detergent, and I'm disappointed to report it's very expensive.

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Roborock Saros 10 specs

Roborock Saros 10 review: design

  • Pop-up navigation puck and bouncy chassis for traversing thresholds
  • Bulky but smart mirrored self-empty dock, with mop cleaning
  • Side mop and brush, and split main roller for directing hair

The bot itself looks similar to your standard disc-shaped robovac, but the main difference here is that rather than having a fixed navigation puck, it has one that can pop up and down. It will generally be up (this allows for better navigation); however, it will retract when the bot is docked and if it senses it's entering a low-height space.

On the front there's also a camera and additional navigation elements. The camera can also be used as a security cam, or to check in on your pets while you're out.

Roborock Saros 10 from the front

(Image credit: Future)

Flip it over and you'll find two chunky wheels and a smaller front wheel, all of which can raise and lower independently to get the bot over tall thresholds. It's designed to be able to traverse thresholds up to a total of 1.6 inches / 4cm in height, including double-step thresholds, using the same AdaptiLift technology included with the Roborock Qrevo Curv. The bot learns the best process for each threshold in the mapped area.

The roller is rather unusual. It combines rubber fins and bristles, and is split in the middle to allow hair to escape into the bin, rather than becoming tangled and requiring you to then manually cut it off.

There's a spinning side brush that tucks itself away when it isn't in use. Again, the design is a little unusual: it has two arms, which sit near each other and extend at a slanting angle, to resist hair from becoming tangled.

Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum, flipped over to show underside

There's a D-shaped mop pad and anti-tangle roller design (Image credit: Future)

For mopping, the Saros 10 has a fixed, D-shaped mop pad. This has two vibrating zones that are designed to help dislodge dirt, and can also press down on the floor. (It's still not my preferred style – I find dual-spinning discs do a more thorough scrubbing job, which is the reason for docking a half-mark in this section).

There's also a tiny extra side mop designed to get closer to the edges of rooms. Cleverly, if you opt for a mode where the mop isn't needed, it can drop the mop off in the dock, so there's no danger of damp carpets.

Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum with top plate removed to show onboard dustbin

The onboard dustbin is hidden beneath a magnetic top panel (Image credit: Future)

The panel on the top of the robovac is magnetic, and can be removed to reveal the onboard dustbin. You shouldn't need to access this often – only if the self-empty process fails because something has jammed the mechanism. Presumably there's also a water tank in there, but I couldn't find it.

Dock design

The Saros 10 dock is one of those does-it-all units that not only charges the bot and empties its small onboard dustbin, but does a whole load more besides. It can refill its onboard water tank, disperse detergent, clean the bot's mop pads (at up to 176ºF / 80ºC), dry them (at 140ºF) over the course of a few hours, and also clean itself (at up to 176ºF).

It's designed to be able to recognize what's on the mop and adjust the temperature to suit; so it knows to use hotter water for grease and coffee stains than items such as mashed potato.

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Roborock Saros 10 dock with front door open to show dust bag

The dustbag sits between a press-to-open front hatch (Image credit: Future)
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Roborock Saros 10 dock with top open to show clean and dirty water tanks

Clean and dirty water tanks are beneath another door on top (Image credit: Future)
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Inside the dock for Roborock Saros 10 robovac

The dock has mop cleaning and self-cleaning capabilities (Image credit: Future)

As such, the Saros 10 is fairly bulky. However, it's one of the best-looking docks I've seen, with a smart, mirrored front that simply reflects the rest of your room back at you. So if it looks messy, that's on you.

The dustbag is hidden behind a front flap that opens when you press it, and two large water tanks (one for clean, one for dirty from cleaning the mop) are housed in the top, again behind a door.

There's a removable ramp up into the dock, and inside you can see the brushes for cleaning the mop pad.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Roborock Saros 10 review: performance

  • Excellent vacuuming on higher settings; can handle pet hair
  • Mopping also very good on higher settings – edge mop is useful
  • Navigation great but object avoidance unreliable

Setup was painless. I unpackaged the bot, left it to charge on its dock, and then was prompted to complete a quick mapping run. Here, the bot made its way briefly into each room, looked around a bit, then left. It then provided me with a suggestion of what it thought the rooms were, and their floor types.

Roborock Saros 10 navigating around tester's home

By default, the navigation puck is up while the bot is cleaning (Image credit: Future)

I was testing this bot in a town house with multiple levels, so I repeated the process for each floor, carrying the bot up to each level to do so (advanced though this robovac is, it still can't climb stairs).

The initial plans were generally very accurate. After they'd been created, I went back in and corrected room types, removed unnecessary areas (it included the stairs when mapping higher levels, although its cliff sensors reliably prevented it from trying to go down them), and added no-go areas.

Vacuuming

On the vacuuming front, there are five power levels to choose from: Quiet, Balanced, Turbo, Max and Max+ (there's a battery life warning with this mode). You can also opt to clean the space once or twice. I did find this bot a little noisy in vacuum-only mode, but it certainly wasn't any louder than a manual vacuum.

To try out vacuuming, I first set off the Saros 10 to clean each floor of the house, using a mix of different power levels, in vacuum-only mode. After cleaning, and before the bot returned to the dock, I inspected the onboard bin to see what it had gathered collected.

Roborock Saros 10 navigating around tester's home

The Saros 10 did a great job of pulling pet hair from the carpeted rooms (Image credit: Future)

I found Turbo mode was enough to extract plenty of dog hair from carpeted floors, and even more if I amped it up to a higher power mode. I was also impressed that the bot had no trouble auto-emptying, even when full with hair. I could hear the tell-tale "whoomph" sound as the wodge of dog hair made its way from the onboard bin to the dock dustbag.

I was also generally impressed by the roller design – there was next-to-none of my long hair wrapped around it at the end of a vacuuming session. That isn't the case with some of the robovacs I test.

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Carpet with tea and oats sprinkled on it, ahead of suction test

Oats and tea on carpet before the suction test... (Image credit: Future)
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Carpet with tea and oats remaining after one pass with the Roborock Saros 10

... and after one pass with the Saros 10 (Image credit: Future)
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Carpet with tea and oats remaining after two passes with the Roborock Saros 10

... after two passes with the Saros 10 (Image credit: Future)
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Carpet with a tiny amount of remaining tea and oats after four passes from the Roborock Saros 10

... and after three passes, bumped up to Max+ mode (Image credit: Future)

To test how the Roborock Saros 10 handles different kinds of debris, I ran TechRadar's standard suction tests. I sprinkled a teabag of dry tea on the carpet, alongside a handful of oats. I then ran the vacuum over them. On first pass in Turbo mode, the results were a little disappointing – the bot failed to pick much up, and what it did, it spat back out on a different area of carpet.

I ran another spot clean in Max+ mode and was far more impressed. This time, the bot picked up most of the debris, both large and small. To be clear, this is a tricky test. I went back over the tea spillage area with my Dyson Gen5detect vacuum and even that struggled to get the very last specs of tea from the carpet.

It's worth pointing out here that, in general, robot vacuums are designed for maintenance cleans – for deep cleaning, you'll still want to keep one of the best manual vacuums to hand. Among robot vacuums I've tested, the Saros 10's suction performance in general was very good.

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Oats and tea on a tiled floor, ahead of suction test

Oats and tea on a tiled floor, ready for the suction test (Image credit: Future)
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Saros 10 clearing oats and tea from a tiled floor

The results after one pass with the Saros 10 (Image credit: Future)

I ran the same test with tea and oats on a hard, tiled floor. This time, the bot picked up almost everything first time in Turbo mode, albeit with a fair bit of flicking around of debris. The only remaining bits were in the grouting cracks, and I managed to get those by remote-controlling the bot over the relevant area afterwards.

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Oats and tea on the edge of a tiled floor

Oats and tea sprinkled along the edge of a room (Image credit: Future)
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Saros 10 clearing oats and tea from the edge of a tiled floor

The Saros 10 did a decent, but not perfect job of clearing it (Image credit: Future)

To assess this bot's edge-cleaning powers, I sprinkled team and oats along the edge of the tiled kitchen. It did a pretty good job of clearing it, although it did ping everything around a bit, and there were a few remnants left that it was quicker to tackle with a manual vacuum that try and get the bot to handle.

Mopping

There are four mopping levels to choose from – Mild, Standard, Intense and Extreme. These increase not just the amount of water used, but also the enthusiasm of the scrubbing. Standard mode is really very light; I found the floor had almost completely dried by the time the bot had finished cleaning the room.

That's great news if you have floors that are sensitive to too much moisture – wooden floors, for example. However, if that's not the case and you want a more thorough mop, you'll want to deploy one of the higher mopping modes.

Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum in mopping mode

The Standard mopping mode is quite light (Image credit: Future)

You can choose for the bot to mop only, vacuum first and then mop, or do both at once. I tend to avoid combination mopping and vacuuming since it will often lead to messy rollers and side brushes, due to the combination of water and dry debris. In mop-only mode, the Saros 10 really is extremely quiet.

On test, I found it could take a while for the mop pads to fully saturate, and especially in Standard or Mild modes. Initially, I could see damp streaks on the floor where the bot had cleaned incompletely. However, the tiny extra side mop does a good job of getting right up to the edges of rooms.

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Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum in mopping mode

Smeared ketchup waiting to be cleaned (Image credit: Future)
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Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum in mopping mode

After a couple of passes, there was still a little left (Image credit: Future)

For my mopping test, I smeared a tiny bit of ketchup on a tiled floor and left it to dry. After one pass in Standard mode, the Saros 10 had hardly cleaned up any of it. Amping it up to higher mop levels yielded better results.

On balance, while this bot does a good job of mopping, I still prefer the spinning dual disc-shaped mop style when it comes to pure scrubbing power.

The pop-up puck is an interesting one, because in reality it's a very specific situation in which it's actually useful – you need furniture that's taller than 3.3inches / 8.2cm but shorter than 4.5inches / 11.4cm (the height where the puck wouldn't need to retract) off the ground. If you have that, though, it's super useful.

There's only one piece of furniture in my testing house that falls into the correct bracket, and the puck worked exactly as stated here. It also didn't impede navigation at all, although said piece of furniture is quite small, so it probably didn't present the biggest challenge.

I also ran TechRadar's standard obstacle avoidance tests, placing a sock, a charge cable, and a shoe on the floor, spread apart. I also added a box of tissues, for good measure. Results were mixed here.

The bot tried to eat the sock. It successfully identified and avoided the shoe, and at first also the tissue box, although it then went back and pushed it around a bit.

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Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum eating a cable

As expected, the Saros 10 didn't spot this cable (Image credit: Future)
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Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum avoiding a shoe

It did avoid my shoe, but pushed around the tissue box for a while (Image credit: Future)

The Saros 10 also chewed the cable. That isn't a massive surprise, because I've yet to come across a robot vacuum that can successfully spot cables. However, it's something Roborock specifically states the Saros 10 can do, so it's disappointing in this regard.

In general use, however, I found this robovac pretty good at obstacle avoidance. There are various bins, speaker bases and ornaments on the floor that it successfully avoided – but as mentioned, it isn't quite the "exceptional" obstacle recognition and avoidance promised by Roborock.

Advanced features include the ability to use the robot to hunt out, photograph, and even video-call your pet. I did not try these features, because I suspect the dog would find such an intrusion wildly unsettling rather than reassuring.

Any photography and video features are turned off by default. To enable, you have to manually press some buttons on the robot vacuum, and you also have to be the primary account holder.

Battery life

I can't fault the Saros 10's battery. While it's less of an issue with robot vacuums than a cordless stick vacuum – because the bot will automatically return to the dock to charge whenever it runs out of juice, before resuming its cleaning task – it's still helpful for a robot to offer decent runtimes. That's especially true if you're going to use it in a house with multiple floors, where it can't always get back to its charge dock without help.

The Saros 10 managed an impressive amount of cleaning on a single charge. I was concerned that the Max+ mode – which comes with a "battery draining mode" warning – would run the battery down super quickly, but on test it trundled through three complete room cleans in vacuum-only Max+ mode (from a not-full battery in the first place) before running out of juice. Impressive.

Roborock Saros 10 navigating around tester's home

(Image credit: Future)

Roborock also promises fast charging; it claims the dock will take the robovac from flat battery to full in 150 minutes. On test, I found this accurate. I went from 14% battery (at which point the bot told me it needed to return to dock to recharge) to 100% in under two and a half hours. If it goes flat mid-task, the bot will also figure out how much more power it needs to complete the task, and only charge to that point, for maximum efficiency.

Dock performance

Based on a couple of weeks of testing, the dock seems to be performing as stated. I've experienced no issues with the bin failing to empty completely, and the washing function seems to be working as claimed based on how clean the mop pads look and how dirty the water in the waste water tank is.

I'll update this section when I've been using the bot a little longer, and have a more complete view of the dock performance over time.

  • Performance score: 4 out of 5

Roborock Saros 10 review: app

  • Lots of settings for precise control
  • ... but will also figure things out automatically, if you prefer
  • Generally very usable, with a few usability quirks

The Roborock app is well designed and nice and usable, although it can take a little time to learn your options and explore all the settings at first – in part because there are so many of them. There are also a few areas I found unhelpful. For example, to swap between different floorplans in a multi-storey home, you need to go via the "edit map" menu, which feels unintuitive.

Otherwise, mapping is straightforward, and you have the option to set no-go zones and invisible walls, as well as removing sections that are added in error. You can also add furniture, and create cleaning preferences for different rooms and floors.

Strangely, you can't manually select the floor type for each room. You can create "carpet areas", but this is fiddly – no areas can overlap, making things tricky if the plan includes carpet rooms and hard floor rooms. The app will automatically identify floor type, but the areas that have been designated as carpet isn't always clear. I'd prefer to be able to set this as a backup – no one wants a mopped carpet.

Screenshots from companion app for Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum

Click to open large version (Image credit: Roborock / Future)

A relatively new addition to the setup is SmartPlan 2.0, which uses AI to customize the cleaning route, suction power and mop settings based on the bot's knowledge of its environment and previous use. Roborock says it can even reduce suction power during designated "quiet hours".

In short, you can have as much or as little control as you want here. If you don't want to get involved, you can basically leave the bot to figure out everything on its own, and it will do a very good job. Alternatively, you can really dig into the different features and set up everything exactly as you want it.

  • App score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Roborock Saros 10?

Buy it if...

You have low-sitting furniture
The retractible puck is a game-changer if you have furniture that's between around 3.3in / 8.2cm and 4.5in / 11.4cm off the ground. It means this bot will be able to successfully clean this space, no shifting of furniture required.

You have tall room thresholds
The Saros 10 can clear thresholds up to 1.6in / 4cm tall, and it will learn the best way to get over each one and replicate it each time, too.

You want a hands-off option
The dock takes care of pretty much all maintenance tasks, from cleaning and drying the mop pads to dispensing detergent. It looks good, too.

You have delicate hard floors
The lighter mop modes are very gentle and use only a little water, making them perfect for hard floors that are sensitive to too much moisture.

Don't buy it if...

You'd prefer no pop-up puck
It worked very well on test, but if you don't like the sound of the retractible puck then Roborock has a couple of models that use a newer navigation approach and don't require a puck at all: the Saros 10R and the Qrevo Slim.

You're on a budget
The Saros 10 doesn't come cheap, and there are plenty of lower-priced options on the market that will work perfectly well for many people's needs – especially if you're not fussed about advanced features such as the retractible puck and in-dock mop pad cleaning.

You want the very best mopping
I found the mopping very good here, but not as rigorous as the dual spinning disc-style mops. We were also very impressed with the roller mop found on the Eureka J20 robot vacuum, which continually siphons off dirty water and replaces it with clean water.

Roborock Saros 10: alternatives to consider

Eufy X10 Pro Omni

At time of writing, this bot sits at the top of our best robot vacuum ranking as the model we recommend to most people. It's significantly cheaper than the Saros 10 but not as cutting-edge. There's no pop-up puck here; threshold clearance is much lower; it can't dispense detergent; plus the dock is significantly less stylish. However, it still cleans extremely well, and the mop is great (it uses the dual spinning pads).

Read our full Eufy X10 Pro Omni reviewView Deal

Roborock Saros 10R

The 10R is the sister model to the 10, and it's extremely similar, except it uses a different navigation method. Rather than the retractible puck, it uses a new form of LiDAR that doesn't need a puck at all. We found it worked extremely well when we tested it. It also swaps the D-shaped mop pad for two spinning discs.

Read our Roborock Saros 10R reviewView Deal

How I tested the Roborock Saros 10

I used the Roborock Saros 10 regularly for two weeks in a four-storey town house that has a mixture of carpeted and tiled floors, and houses a very hairy cocker spaniel. I used it to map and clean each of the levels, exploring the different settings and modes. For a more objective performance review, I ran TechRadar's standard suction tests (using dry tea and oats on hard and carpeted floors), mopping tests (using ketchup and juice on a hard floor), and obstacle avoidance tests (using socks, a cable and a shoe). I compared my experience of the Saros 10 against other robot vacuums I've tested, in terms of both ease of use and cleaning performance.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners.

  • First reviewed March 2025
SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades review: Smart blinds that harness the power of the sun
5:56 pm | April 4, 2025

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

SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades: one-minute review

Setup of the SmartWings motorized shades definitely took some doing. The included screws were so soft that they were stripped right away. Still, we got them installed. Then, getting them up and running also took a bit of doing and required a call to customer service to get everything connected properly. Once all that was done, the blinds worked like a dream. They do everything you want smart blinds to do. You can connect them to just about any platform such as Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Google Assistant via Matter over Thread. Control them with your voice, tap to operate them on your phone, or set up automations. Open and close them all the way or just partially. You can also just use the included remote control.

The blinds are battery-operated, and can be recharged via a wall outlet or with a small solar panel that attaches to your window. I installed the blinds over a month ago, and I haven’t had to recharge the battery yet. I set up an automation in Apple HomeKit so the blinds open at sunrise and close at sunset, which works beautifully.

SmartWings Smart Blinds solar panel

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades: price & availability

  • Fairly expensive
  • Custom-sized
  • Requires a Wi-Fi hub to work remotely

You can order SmartWings Smart Shades directly from the SmartWings website or from Amazon. The price varies by size but starts at $154.99 (£119.50/245.92 AUD.) I selected the Zebra Blinds; the size and style you see in my photos goes for $424.95 (£327.74/674.13 AUD.) You will need to measure your window precisely before ordering; I’d recommend watching the video on SmartWings’ website to ensure you do it correctly.

There are many styles and colors from which to choose; I selected the "Zebra Shades 60% Blackout Translucent 75mm Eloise" style with the light grey fabric.

  • Value score: 4/5

SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades: design

  • Attractive
  • Smooth and quiet operation
  • Not the easiest to install

You will need a drill in order to install the SmartWings blinds. The included screws are soft and thread quite easily. If you're not careful, you may need to find alternative screws in order to get the blinds installed.

SmartWings Smart Blinds top view

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Other than the screw threading issue, installation is fairly straightforward with a power drill and the included instructions and hardware. The solar panel is a simple peel-and-stick application.

Then you'll need to set up the blinds with your smartphone or device of choice. You'll also need to have a home hub of some kind if you want to be able to control your blinds from outside the home. I used my iPhone to set it up in Apple HomeKit and my mini HomePod as a hub. This also took some doing, as the included instructions aren't the most clear. After talking to SmartWings' customer service, which was remarkably easy to get ahold of, I was able to get the blinds up and running.

SmartWings screenshots

(Image credit: Future)

The underside of the blinds motor has a small button and a USB-C port. The USB-C port is used for charging; you can charge up the blinds using the solar panel or directly to a wall outlet. The button is used during setup. It's hard to press and hold that button with a finger so the customer service rep I spoke with recommended using a pencil eraser to get the necessary traction. That worked great.

You may notice that the blinds seem a bit narrow for my window. That's entirely on me, since I measured the blinds for an "inside the frame" placement before realizing that my window frame doesn't allow that kind of installation. I had to install it on the outside of the frame instead, so the blinds don't fit perfectly.

SmartWings Smart Blinds underside showing charging port and button

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

I think these blinds look just fine. There are probably prettier smart blinds out there, but the simple, streamlined look works for my space. I do wish they'd been a little easier to set up and install, but luckily that only needs to be done once. Overall, they are well-designed blinds. Watching them open and close is actually kind of mesmerizing and soothing.

  • Design score: 4/5

SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades: performance

  • No app download necessary
  • Matter motor over Thread protocol allows you to use any platform
  • Motor is smooth and quiet

Because the SmartWings Smart Blinds have a Matter motor which uses the Thread protocol, they are platform agnostic. This means that you can set up the blinds to work with any platform, such as Google, Samsung, Amazon, or Apple. I'm Apple everything, so I set it up on my iPhone in Apple's HomeKit. You don't even need to download a SmartWings app; I just used the Home app on my iPhone.

If you only need to control your blinds from within your home, you could just set it up on your smartphone and leave it at that. However, if you want to be able to control your blinds from anywhere, you'll need some kind of home hub. I used my Apple HomePod mini.

Once you get everything connected, control is very straightforward. Just tap the controls on your smartphone. The iPhone Home app allows you raise and lower the blinds to a specific percentage, use Siri to control the blinds, and set up Automations so your blinds open and close automatically when you want. Of course, you can also just use the included remote control, which has its own holder that you can attach to the window frame.

SmartWings Smart blinds remote control

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Once you take the time to set up your SmartWings Smart Blinds with your platform of choice, the possibilities are endless. I used Apple HomeKit set mine to open at sunrise and close at sunset, but you could also set them up to open and close at specific times or when you're doing certain activities. I also frequently use my voice to tell Siri to open and close the blinds, fully, or part way. It all works quite smoothly and the mechanism isn't loud at all.

  • Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades?

Buy it if

You want to control your blinds from your phone or tablet

The SmartWings Smart Blinds allow you to do all the things you want from smart blinds from any platform you like.

You want custom blinds

You don't have to choose from just a few sizes; you can get the blinds to fit the precise measurements of your window. Plus, there are many color and style options.

Don't buy it if

You're on a tight budget

I don't think the price is unreasonable for custom smart blinds, but you might go another way if these give you sticker shock.

You want the easiest installation/removal

You do need a drill and some patience to install these. They may not be ideal for renters since you'll be drilling holes in the window frame.

SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades: also consider

Looking for something a little different? Here are two other options you might want to consider.

SwitchBot Roller Shade

SwitchBot makes a roller blind on a budget. It does work with a variety of platforms and SwitchBot's own app. Choose from a variety of sizes and you can even swap out the fabric for one of your choosing. View Deal

SwitchBot Blind Tilt

Save some serious dough using your existing blinds and adding this handy device. It's renter-friendly since there is no drilling required. Read our SwitchBot Blind Tilt review to learn more.View Deal

How I tested the SmartWings Motorized Smart Shades

I installed the SmartWings Motorized Smart Shade in an office window in my home. I set it up with Apple HomeKit on my iPhone and my HomePod mini as a hub. I spent several weeks with the blinds before reviewing. I controlled the blinds various ways during that time: the Home app on my iPhone, my voice and Siri, and the included remote control. I also set up an Automation in HomeKit to have the blinds open at sunrise and close at sunset.

First reviewed April 2025

I’ve used Blink devices for years, and its latest video doorbell is one of the best (and cheapest) around
6:00 pm | March 30, 2025

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

Blink Video Doorbell and Sync Module 2: two-minute review

Want to talk to whoever comes to your front door no matter where you are in the world? Then you will need a video doorbell. While Amazon-owned Ring is generally acknowledged as the market leader, another Amazon-owned company, Blink, offers a cheaper and, for some, more attractive option.

Now available with the company’s Sync Module 2 (a compact home hub), the Blink Video Doorbell can be used as part of a wider security system comprising several Blink cameras, or by itself without the sync module. However, its functionality without the sync module is restricted to live interactions including viewing recordings up to 60 seconds after they have taken place. If you want to watch and listen to recordings after this then you will either need to pay for a subscription starting at £2.50 a month or use the sync module with up to 256GB USB storage for storing recordings locally (sold separately).

Blink Video Doorbell mounted on doorframe

The Blink Video Doorbell can be used with the Sync Module 2 to create a larger ecosystem including extra Blink cameras (Image credit: Chris Price)

What I like about the Blink products is that they are generally easy to install. The Blink Video Doorbell is no exception. Two decent Energizer Lithium AA batteries are provided for wire-free connectivity. Alternatively, you can connect the video doorbell to your existing doorbell wiring, including a legacy doorbell chime (providing it's rated between 16 and 24 volts).

Unfortunately, the Blink device doesn’t come with its own chime. This means if you are using the device wirelessly you will need to use either a Blink Mini 2 camera as a chime, or connect to an Alexa-compatible device such as an Amazon Echo Show, Echo Dot or Amazon Fire TV stick via the Alexa app (support isn’t provided for Apple HomeKit and Google Home products). A speaker is also built into the video doorbell, though this may not always be loud enough to hear indoors, especially if you live on a noisy street.

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Blink Video Doorbell components laid out on table

The doorbell is easy to install and takes two AA lithium batteries (Image credit: Chris Price)
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Blink Video Doorbell open to show batteries

The doorbell is easy to install and takes two AA lithium batteries (Image credit: Chris Price)

Provided with the Blink are two mounting options: a standard mount for placing on a flat surface, and a wedge mount for a door architrave. We installed ours using the standard mount and the provided screws and wall plugs, which took about five minutes to complete. The video doorbell simply clips into the mount although if you want to remove it you will need to use the metal ‘key’ provided. This springs the unit out of the mount from underneath and helps to protect it from getting stolen.

As with all video doorbells, installation requires downloading the app and scanning the QR code on the back of the device (or entering its serial number manually) before pairing with your home’s Wi-Fi. Support is provided for 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, but it lacks the 5GHz connectivity of some other devices. Once installed, you can customise the camera to suit your needs. Options are provided for adjusting the video resolution of the camera, ranging from ‘saver mode’ to ‘best’ (1080p HD during the day, infrared HD night vision after dark). However, you will need to replace the batteries more often if recording in ‘best mode’

Blink Video Doorbell mounted on doorframe

There are two ways to mount the Blink Video Doorbell (Image credit: Chris Price)

Other actions you should take include editing ‘motion zones’ so you only record footage of people coming to the door, rather than people walking past or even cars driving by. As with all video doorbells, it seems, the Blink is a little overly keen to capture everything going on outside so it’s worth turning down the sensitivity. Not only will this help preserve your device’s battery, it will also help preserve your sanity as you really don’t want to get pointless alerts every time a dog-walker goes past your garden gate.

Finally, you can also adjust settings for the video doorbell itself, including the speaker volume (the speaker is located on the bottom of the device) and the ‘dingtone’ – the sound that the doorbell makes when you press it. For UK readers, this sounds remarkably similar to the Moonpig ad.

If you have an Amazon Echo speaker or Firestick it’s also advisable to connect the Blink app to Alexa so you can get additional chimes to choose from. These include clock sounds, jingle bells and even a funeral march – perhaps not the most welcoming chime for guests to hear when they come to your house.

Blink video doorbell with Sync Module in black supplied by Screwfix.

Blink Video Doorbell and Sync Module 2: subscription options

Blink Basic Plan: £2.50/month per device or save and subscribe via Amazon for £24.99/year.

Blink Plus Plan: £8/month for unlimited devices or save and subscribe via Amazon for £80/year

Blink Video Doorbell and Sync Module 2: price and availability

  • How much does it cost? Blink video doorbell and Sync Module $69.99/£59 (about AU$110)
  • When is it available? Available since November 2024 with Sync Module 2
  • Where is it available? UK/US

As with other Blink home security products, the Blink Video Doorbell represents very good value for money with a retail price of only $69.99 / £59 (even cheaper without the sync module but that’s probably a false economy). That works out at about AU$110, though it's not currently available in Australia.

It doesn’t offer the same range of features that more sophisticated doorbells offer, including those from Ring. Video resolution isn’t the highest, and it doesn’t come with its own chime. However, for most people it is more than adequate, especially if you use it in conjunction with other Blink home security products (the company makes some of the best home security cameras if you're on a budget).

Blink Video Doorbell attached to angled mounting plate with button illuminated

The Blink doorbell comes in black and white, so you can choose the option that looks best (Image credit: Chris Price)

It’s also quite a convenient option if you don’t want to remove the doorbell camera for charging every couple of months, or wire into your old doorbell system. And while functionality is limited to live alerts without paying a subscription, there is the always the option of storing video footage locally using a USB stick connected to the Sync Module 2 to avoid monthly costs.

Subscriptions start at $3 / £2.50 a month, which is much less than many video doorbell manufacturers charge (Ring’s cheapest plan is currently $4.99 / £4.99). This includes 30 days of cloud storage as standard in the UK (60 days in the US), person detection and photo capture (images are captured frequently for more coverage). Alternatively, for $10 / £8 a month you can get support for an unlimited number of devices as well as some additional functionality such as Moments, where multiple clips from several cameras are automatically grouped into one video.

  • Value score: 4.5/5

Blink Video Doorbell and Sync Module 2: design

  • Easy-to-install mounting bracket
  • Lightweight
  • Compact

While some of the best video doorbells, such as the Yale Smart Video Doorbell, are quite chunky, the same can’t be said of this Blink model. Available in a black or a white finish to suit your décor, it’s quite a lightweight and compact model – bigger than a standard doorbell, but not much bigger. It also comes with an IP54 rating which means that it offers protection against limited amounts of dust and water splashes but isn’t completely waterproof.

Opening Blink Video Doorbell with tool

A release key allows you to open the doorbell to change the batteries (Image credit: Chris Price)

Supplied are two mounts (one for placing on a door architrave and one for mounting flat) which can either be screwed or drilled into the door frame. The doorbell then just clips into the mount.

As with other devices, the Blink video doorbell features the camera on the top of the unit so it’s important not to mount the device too high. Around 1.5 metres off the ground is probably ideal. Underneath the lens is a microphone and beneath that is the actual round doorbell button. This boasts a stylish blue LED light around it that glows when pressed (it can also be set to glow when it senses motion).

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Blink Video Doorbell angled mounting plate on door frame

The doorbell comes with an angled plate (Image credit: Chris Price)
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Blink Video Doorbell mounting plate on doorframe

There's also a flat plate, so you can choose the one that suits your door (Image credit: Chris Price)

In terms of design that’s pretty much it, apart from a small speaker and the release key on the base of the unit for when you need to change the batteries. At the back is space for housing two Lithium AA batteries (supplied), screws for connecting doorbell wires if needed and a reset button. There’s also the QR code to scan with your phone after installing the app.

  • Design score: 4.5/5

Blink Video Doorbell and Sync Module 2: performance

  • Image quality not the best (especially in saver mode)
  • Stable video connection
  • Overly sensitive camera

If you're looking for the ultimate in video doorbell performance, then expect to be disappointed. While the Blink Video Doorbell is more than adequate, it’s not the best unit out there by a long way. Firstly, it lacks the functionality of some other devices, most notably the lack of support for Google Home and Apple HomeKit.

Footage from Blink Video Doorbell in iOS app

Image quality isn't the sharpest, but will be fine for most users (Image credit: Chris Price)

Images aren't quite as sharp as those from higher-end doorbells, either. Maximum resolution is 1080p, and that's in ‘best' mode, rather than standard mode, which Blink recommends in order to preserve battery life. The camera is also quite sensitive to motion, which means it has a tendency to record too much footage unless you turn the sensitivity down and limit the active areas to around your front door.

That said, I didn’t have too many complaints during testing. It only took around 5-10 minutes to set the video doorbell up properly and once set up the doorbell maintained a strong connection with the wireless router. Throughout the testing process, I was also able to get a relatively quick connection when talking to someone at the door which has proved to be a problem in the past.

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Blink Video Doorbell setup instructions in iOS app

Setting up the Blink Video Doorbell is quick and easy (Image credit: Chris Price)
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Blink Video Doorbell Plus subscription details in iOS app

You can access extra features with a Plus subscription (Image credit: Chris Price)

And while not having a chime to hear the doorbell indoors could certainly be an issue for some, I found it easy enough to connect the doorbell with Alexa in order to play doorbell sounds through my Amazon Echo speakers.

In summary, the functionality of the Blink Video Doorbell might be a little limited but, considering its very low price, performance is quite good.

  • Performance score: 3.5/5

Should you buy the Blink Video Doorbell and Sync Module 2?

Buy it if

You already have Blink cameras

The software makes it easy to use the video doorbell as part of a Blink home security system comprising indoor and outdoor cameras.

You're on a shoestring budget

Costing just $69.99 / £59 with the Sync Module 2, the Blink video doorbell is one of the cheapest and easiest to install models on the market

Don't buy it if

You need a separate chime indoors

The Blink doesn’t come with a chime so you will need to turn up the volume of the device or rely on either a separate Blink camera or connect to Alexa-enabled devices.

You don’t want to buy expensive batteries

If you opt for wire-free installation, you will need to buy two Lithium batteries every few months – much more expensive than standard alkaline batteries.

Blink Video Doorbell and Sync Module 2: also consider

Not sure whether the Blink Video Doorbell and Sync Module 2 is right for you? Here are a few other options for you to 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 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 

Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Doorbell Chime

A solidly built video doorbell, the Yale device offers good image and sound quality. However, streaming recorded content and speaking to people at the door can be a little slow.

Read our full Yale Smart Video Doorbell review

How I tested the Blink Video Doorbell and Sync Module 2

  • I used the doorbell every day for two weeks
  • I installed it myself
  • The doorbell was set up on the front door facing towards the road

To test a video doorbell properly you really need to use it as part of your home system for at least two weeks, which is what I did. Obviously, this isn’t long enough to test all aspects of the product, such as its battery life, which Blink claims to be up to two years (having used Blink products for several years it’s probably more likely to be around six months). However it is long enough to give me a good idea of the product’s functionality and performance.

On many occasions I was able to speak to people at the front door (usually the postman) and I recorded lots of footage from the front door that was stored both in the cloud and locally via a USB stick without any problems. I was also able to link the device successfully to the Alexa app to get alerts/view footage via my Echo devices, though it’s worth noting some people have reported problems with this.

Finally, I tested both white and black versions of the video doorbell to see how each looked when it was installed on the doorframe. Personally, I thought the white version looked much nicer, but it is largely a matter of taste.

First reviewed March 2025

The SwitchBot Blind Tilt is a quick, easy and affordable way to control your blinds from your phone – no DIY necessary
8:00 pm | March 29, 2025

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

SwitchBot Blind Tilt: one-minute review

Smart blinds can be set to open and close remotely on a regular schedule, or when triggered by an event, via an app or using voice controls. However, they’re pretty expensive – which is where the SwitchBot Blind Tilt comes in. Like many of SwitchBot’s products, it’s designed to be retrofitted, and means you can make your existing blinds "smart" rather than replace them. It offers the ideal solution for renters or homeowners on a budget.

The Blind Tilt works with venetian blinds, using a motor to twist the wand to open and close the slats completely, or open them partly to control the amount of light allowed into the room. It’s a very simple idea, but one that SwitchBot has executed well. Having installed a unit to one set of blinds, I found myself wanting to fit the Blind Tilt to every window in my home.

Operated via the SwitchBot mobile app, you can set the blinds to open and close remotely, or – even more helpfully – make adjustments to them on a schedule. If you don’t mind the sound of the motor, the Blind Tilt is an affordable alternative to one of the best wake-up lights for rousing you with natural light in the morning.

SwitchBot devices are also compatible with all the main smart home ecosystems, and the Blind Tilt worked almost seamlessly with Google Home in my tests. It wasn’t quite as responsive as a smart light, but integrating it into my smart home was a piece of cake. Best of all, it's a far more affordable solution that having to invest in a whole smart blind, and can be set up in about 10 minutes.

SwitchBot Blind Tilt: price & availability

  • Much cheaper than buying a whole smart blind
  • Bundle discounts and frequent sales
  • Requires an additional Wi-Fi hub

The SwitchBot Blind Tilt launched in 2022, and is available to buy direct from SwitchBot and major retailers including Amazon. It has a list price of $69.99 / £69.99 (about AU$110), with discounts available if you buy a set of two, three, or four units. SwitchBot also runs regular sales, with discount codes on its website that are applied to products in your basket automatically. You'll find all today's best prices below.

Even without discounts applied, the Blind Tilt costs far less than a full motorized smart blind. For comparison, the SwitchBot Adjustable Smart Roller Shade launched in early 2025 comes in at $199.99 / £169.99 (about AU$320) for the smallest size without a solar panel.

To use either the Blind Tilt or the Adjustable Smart Roller Shade, you'll need a SwitchBot hub, whose prices start at $39 / £35 (about AU$60).

  • Value score: 5/5

SwitchBot Blind Tilt: design

  • Quite chunky, visually unattractive
  • Can be fitted in 10 minutes
  • Very simple to install and remove

The SwitchBot Blind Tilt doesn’t require any drilling, and can be installed in about 10 minutes using the 3M adhesive pads included in the box. These hold the unit firmly in place (I’ve had one installed for several weeks without any sign of movement), but can be removed easily if necessary.

Replacement pads are available to buy directly from SwitchBot, so you can take the Blind Tilt with you when you move house.

SwitchBot Blind Tilt components on table

The SwitchBot Blind Tilt comes with all the fittings you need, but you'll need to buy a Wi-Fi hub (shown on the left) separately (Image credit: Future)

The Blind Tilt has several different components that have to be positioned in exactly the right place for the blind wand to rotate correctly, but it comes with templates that make this a piece of cake. There’s no need to use a tape measure or a level – just follow the instructions to the letter (there are printed directions included in the box and videos are available online), and you can have the whole system working in about 10 minutes.

Before installing the Blind Tilt, you’re instructed to make sure your blind header and wand are cleaned using the alcohol wipe included in the pack. With that done, you use a small plastic guide to measure the rough circumference of your blind wand and choose an appropriately sized connector. If your wand is on the cusp of two sizes, choose the larger one to ensure the connector clamps around it fully.

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Measuring pole for SwitchBot Blind Tilt

Use the measuring tool included with the SwitchBot Blind Tilt to choose the correct sized adapter (Image credit: Future)
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Using measuring template to fit SwitchBot Blind Tilt

The Blind Tilt also comes with a cardboard template that helps you position everything correctly in relation to your blind wand (Image credit: Future)
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Fitting SwitchBot Blind Tilt to blind using template

The motor unit slides into a connector that adheres to the blind rail (Image credit: Future)
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Attaching SwitchBot Blind Tilt to blinds

Once you've fitted the small, medium, or large adapter to the blind wand, this gray piece with cogs clips over the top (Image credit: Future)
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SwitchBot Blind Tilt to blinds

The main motor unit clips onto the cog piece, allowing it to rotate the wand (Image credit: Future)

The main part of the Blind Tilt is a white, cylindrical unit containing the motor and battery, which slides onto a connector stuck onto the header of your blinds. You’re provided with a cardboard guide that helps you position this at the correct distance from the wand, whether you want to fit it on the right or the left. Once that’s done, just clamp the main motor unit onto the wand, and you’re ready to start.

You can recharge the Blind Tilt via USB-C, but if your window gets enough sunlight, it will be far easier to use the solar charger included in the box. This attaches to your windowpane using 3M tape, and plugs into the Blind Tilt using a short cable. It isn't a particularly attractive solution, but it’s effective and will be mostly obscured by your blinds when you’re indoors.

SwitchBot Blind Tilt attached to blinds

The Blind Tilt is quite large when fully assembled (Image credit: Future)

The Blind Tilt isn't the most elegant solution, but that's the price you pay for retrofit smart home devices. If you want something more discreet, you'll need to part with more cash for a purpose-made motorized blind.

  • Design score: 4/5

SwitchBot Blind Tilt: performance

  • SwitchBot app works flawlessly and is attractively designed
  • Blind Tilt is easy to control using third-party smart home platforms
  • Motor is quite noisy, and may be too loud to use as a wake-up light

The SwitchBot Blind Tilt is very easy to use and should be compatible with almost any venetian blind. I attached it to a small blind on a door leading to my balcony without much space to maneuver, and it worked perfectly.

In order for the Blind Tilt to work, you need the SwitchBot Hub, which uses Bluetooth to connect the Blind Tilt (and other SwitchBot devices in your home) to your Wi-Fi network. Note that this isn't included in the box; it's a separate purchase. You might get one as part of a bundle if there’s a deal running; but otherwise, you’ll need to pay at least $39 / £35 (about AU$60) for the SwitchBot Hub Mini.

The SwitchBot Hub Mini with Matter compatibility costs a little more, and the SwitchBot Hub 2 is pricier still, but has a screen, physical buttons, and supports more devices than the other two models.

Setting up SwitchBot Blind Tilt within SwitchBot app

Connecting the SwitchBot Blind Tilt to the SwitchBot app is super simple. Just press the button on the motor unit and the app will locate it within a few seconds (Image credit: Future)

Linking the Blind Tilt to the SwitchBot Hub Mini via the SwitchBot app is straightforward. Just hold down a button on the motor unit to put the Blind Tilt in pairing mode, and the Hub Mini will find it automatically.

The trickiest part of the whole experience is "teaching" the Blind Tilt the degree to which it needs to rotate the wand to open and close your blinds. To do this, rotate the wand manually as prompted and the app will record how far it needs to twist, and in which direction. Just be careful not to turn the wand the wrong way – or you’ll need to restart the calibration from scratch.

The SwitchBot app is attractive and simple to use, with your devices organized into rooms. There are quick access buttons for opening and closing the slats (up or down), or you can use a slider to make minor adjustments. The app also lets you create a schedule (which is very useful) or set the blinds to open or close on a delay (less so).

Controlling SwitchBot Blind Tilt in SwitchBot app

You can adjust the angle of your blinds using a slider in the SwitchBot app, open or close them fully with a tap of a button, and set schedules (Image credit: Future)

Adding the Blind Tilt to Google Home was straightforward, too. Log into your SwitchBot account through Google Home, and you should be able to see your SwitchBot devices, add them to rooms, and control them using the app or a smart speaker.

The experience of using the Blind Tilt through Google Home didn’t feel quite as polished as operating it through the SwitchBot app (if you use the slider to open and close the blinds, there will be a noticeable delay before the change registers on-screen), but it integrated easily with the rest of my devices and was simple to open and close with spoken commands. You can even link it to a smart bulb so the blinds lower when the light is turned on.

Controlling SwitchBot Blind Tilt with Google Home

The Blind Tilt is operated the same way as a smart light bulb in Google Home, although it's a little slower to respond (Image credit: Future)

Other than the lack of a hub included in the box, my only real complaint is that the SwitchBot Blind Tilt is rather loud in operation. My husband could hear it in the next room, and having three working in sync to open all the blinds in a room simultaneously creates quite the cacophony. I like the idea of waking to natural light in the morning, but I’d have a hard time sleeping through it.

  • Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the SwitchBot Blind Tilt?

Buy it if

You're renting

The SwitchBot Blind Tilt doesn't require you to make any permanent changes to existing fittings, plus you can remove it easily and re-use it in your next place.

You're on a budget

The SwitchBot Blind Tilt is much cheaper than investing in a whole motorized blind.

Don't buy it if

You don't have venetian blinds

The Blind Tilt doesn't work with roller blinds, or shades that don't have a vertically hanging wand.

You're picky about aesthetics

This isn't the most attractive device in the world. If you want something clean and neat-looking, you'll need a purpose-made smart blind.

SwitchBot Blind Tilt: also consider

Not sure that the SwitchBot Blind Tilt is the right solution to your window-dressing needs? Here are two other options to consider.

SwitchBot Roller Shade

SwitchBot's smart roller blind comes in a wide variety of sizes, and you can replace the fabric with one of your choice. It's one of the cheapest smart blinds around, and works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, or SwitchBot's own nicely designed app.View Deal

SwitchBot Curtain 3

If you have curtains rather than blinds, this little bot will slide along the rail or pole to open and close them. It's more expensive than the Blind Tilt, but cheaper than a whole motorized curtain rail. View Deal

How I tested the SwitchBot Blind Tilt

I installed the SwitchBot Blind Tilt on the blinds in my bedroom at home, and used it for several weeks. I started out controlling it via the SwitchBot app, then connected it to the Google Home app and operated it via the Google Home app on a Google Pixel Tablet.

I used it with the SwitchBot Hub Mini, which was in the same room about four meters from the Blind Tilt.

First reviewed March 2025

I spent several weeks reviewing this massive 27-inch digital art frame – this is the reason I think it’s worth that high price
3:54 pm | March 24, 2025

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

Netgear Meural Canvas II review

The Netgear Meural Canvas II is a premium 27-inch digital photo frame that will allow you to show off your photos at a huge size. But that’s only half of its talent: it's also an art frame designed to screen a wide variety of visual art, offering an optional subscription that will unlock access to over 30,000 artworks. This will likely make it appealing to those who want to show off photos of their family, and also enjoy art by a range of artists from Katsushika Hokusai to Gustav Klimt.

Getting started with the Netgear Meural Canvas II is straightforward… for the most part. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll navigate to the Canvas tab, then click to add a new device. Scan the QR code that displays on the Canvas II’s screen and you’re good to go. However, it isn't always totally foolproof. On one occasion, I was forced to set up the frame again – after resetting the Canvas II, every time I scanned the QR code, it threw up an error about not being able to connect to the Wi-Fi. Eventually, I resolved the issue by connecting it via an Ethernet cable for initial setup; but it’s worth being prepared, just in case you experience similar setup gremlins.

Adding photos to the Meural Canvas II is a breeze. Select "upload" from the app and you can send either individual shots or even link whole albums, letting you easily add all your snaps of Ibiza 2022 in one go. Meanwhile, you can buy individual artworks from the Meural app for $3.95 / £3.99, or access over 30,000 free with a Meural membership. Again, adding these is as simple as selecting the artwork in question and tapping "Send to Canvas".

Once you’ve set up and loaded your Meural Canvas II with photos and art, the first thing you’ll likely notice about it is that substantial display, which can rival any of the best digital photo frames can offer. Netgear’s digital art frame is gargantuan – at 27 inches, it exists right on the nexus between a photo frame and the Samsung Frame, the gorgeous art-focused TV screen. Not only does this mean it will show off your favorite snaps and paintings at a large size, butunlike much smaller frames, it doesn’t look swamped by space when you mount it on your wall.

The Netgear Meural Canvas II in vertical orientation, showing a black and white photo of a rocky valley.

(Image credit: Future)

While such epic screen estate is a definite plus, it does have an impact on detail levels. Stretching its relatively modest 1920 x 1080 resolution over such a large area does mean the Meural Canvas II has a relatively low pixel density of just 80ppi. Compare this to the super-crisp 212ppi density offered by the Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame, and you can see that you won't be getting the sharpest picture on the market. However, to put this in perspective, this is no worse than a mid-market 4K 55-inch TV such as the LG C4 and, given the frame is designed to be viewed across the room, you’re unlikely to notice too much blurriness unless your face is basically pressed up against its display.

This was absolutely my experience living with the Meural Canvas II. Even on that expansive screen my photos looked crisp from most vantage points. Monochrome shots of the grand ceiling of the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba showed off the intricate filigree of its vaulting in exquisite detail, while a color macro photo of the head of a thistle displayed the fine threads of its wispy thistle-down. When it comes to art, Blossoming Acacia Branches by Vincent van Gogh looked so detailed that his daubs of thick yellow oil appeared three dimensional.

Color reproduction is also impressively accurate. Whether I was displaying snaps of fireworks exploding into a haze of violet sparks and smoke, or blooming rhododendrons in a riot of reds and amber, every hue was faultlessly replicated. Meanwhile, Hilma af Klint’s Altarpiece No. 1 showed every color and tone of her prismatic pyramid flawlessly, never causing them to become oversaturated. I honestly couldn't spot the difference between the images on my iPhone 16 Pro’s camera and on the Meural Canvas II, which is a definite compliment given the iPhone’s almost slavish commitment to precise color reproduction.

At 300 nits, the 27-inch model I tested also felt plenty bright enough, without losing the impact of its blacks. Rocky outcroppings and distant valleys in my snaps of Fuerteventura displayed impressive levels of contrast, perfectly balancing the bright sunlit highlights with the dark shadows. And the screen's brightness is sufficient to continue to enjoy your artwork in direct sunlight. Don’t get me wrong: the sun does dull the image slightly, but its ambient light sensor boosts the brightness to compensate and that matte, anti-glare finish assures there’s very little in the way of reflections or glare.

The Netgear Meural Canvas II showing a close up of its menu.

(Image credit: Future)

The Netgear Meural Canvas II’s beauty goes beyond that screen, though. Its overall design is gorgeous; the perfect blend of minimal chic and authentic materials. Those thick white bezels make a convincing mount for your images, further reinforcing its artistic cred, while the range of finishes in which it's available – matte black, matte white, dark wood and light wood – make it super easy to complement your decor.

When it comes to your mounting options, the Meural Canvas II doesn’t come with a stand, which is perhaps understandable, given I’m not sure I’d trust a plastic stand to support its substantial bulk. I wasn’t able to test out its wall-mounting system – I rent and can’t quite justify losing my security deposit in the spirit of journalistic curiosity. Nevertheless, its mount seems easy enough to use, and for $49.95 / £45.99 can be upgraded to a swivel mount that will allow you to spin the frame’s orientation without removing it from the wall.

When you’re not using the app, you can control the frame using hand gestures, swiping through the air in front of it to change between your artwork, view metadata providing additional info on artwork and photos, or to navigate through menus. It’s all very Minority Report… if Tom Cruise had spent half that film frantically waving his hands and getting increasingly bewildered like a technophobic relative trying to use TikTok. I’m being only slightly hyperbolic here: occasionally, the frame would pick up the return stroke of my gestures, recoiling in the opposite direction – this was fine when just navigating artwork, but occasionally became quite irritating when trying to tweak complex settings buried down in multiple submenus.

Ultimately, aside from the odd UI quirk and the slightly lower pixel density, the Meural Canvas II is a fantastic picture frame. But the big stumbling block for most people will likely be that price. Starting at $599.99 / £649.99, it isn't going to meet anyone’s definition of cheap, particularly when you factor in the optional $8.95 / £8.99-a-month art membership. So if you can’t afford this kind of outlay, you might be better off with one of the best digital photo frames. However, if you can stretch to it, the Merl Canvas II is a thoroughly worthy purchase, offering a window to a world of art in your living room.

The wood effect frame and white mount of Netgear Meural Canvas II.

(Image credit: Future)

Netgear Meural Canvas II review: price & release date

  • From $599.99 / £649.99
  • Announced ‎September 6, 2019
  • Meural membership costs $8.95 / £8.99 a month or $69.95 / £69 a year

First announced back on September 6, 2019, the Netgear Meural Canvas II retails for the not-insignificant sum of $599.99 / £649.99 for the 21-inch version or $699.99 / £822.99 for the 27-inch version. However, right now it’s reduced down to $399.99 and $499.99 respectively on Netgear’s US site right now.

For context, the Canvas II’s closest rival for the title of the best premium digital photo frame for art fans is the 27-inch Vieunite Textura Digital Canvas, which retails for £490 (around $620). That means even the smaller sized 21-inch Canvas II is pricier.

Meural membership is an additional cost. Costing $8.95 / £8.99 a month or $69.95 / £69 a year, it offers access to over 30,000 artworks, expands cloud storage from 4GB to 20GB, allows you to push images to multiple Canvas products, and offers up to 60% off premium content. However, if you’re happy just displaying your own photos and artwork, you’re by no means obligated to upgrade, so you shouldn’t necessarily let this put you off.

The reverse of the Netgear Meural Canvas II showing its fixtures and power cables.

(Image credit: Future)

Netgear Meural Canvas II review: specs

The wood effect frame of Netgear Meural Canvas II, showing a foldout section containing an SD card port.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Netgear Meural Canvas II?

Buy it if…

You want a huge digital frame
At 27 inches, the Meural Canvas II is the biggest digital photo frame you’ll find – at least without buying a full TV screen. If you really want to show off and make a statement with your photos and art, it really can't be beat.

You want easy, ethical access to art
Yes, you’ll need to pay an additional subscription to access the Meural’s full library of official artwork. But with a catalogue of more than 30,000 pieces and a scheme that remunerates artists fairly for their work, it’s a great way to celebrate art and artists in your home.

Don’t buy it if…

You want to save some money
The Netgear Meural Canvas II is unashamedly costly. While I’d argue it gives an adequate return on your investment, it’s one of the most expensive frames we’ve seen – and the 27-inch version even comes at a similar price to the $799.99 / £799 4K 43-inch Samsung Frame TV.

You just want to show off a few holiday snaps
As mentioned above, this is a premium art frame and comes at considerable cost. That means that if you’re not that excited about its art-displaying functionality, nor desperate to see your photos at maximum size, plenty of smaller frames will probably suit you just fine.

Netgear Meural Canvas II review: also consider

Vieunite Textura Digital Canvas
The Vieunite Textura Digital Canvas is one of the strongest arguments we can think of against buying the Canvas II. It’s similarly bright, crisp and colorful; it also comes with a 27-inch screen, yet is available for considerably less money. There are a few image cropping quirks that the Canvas II doesn’t experience, and there’s no membership that offers unlimited art access here. But you can buy pieces to display from around £4 ($5 / AU$9) each and there are plenty of free images available. Read our full Vieunite Textura Digital Canvas review.

Aura Walden
If you don’t necessarily need a massive 27-inch display, the Aura Walden is your best choice for a premium digital picture frame. Measuring 15 inches, it’s super crisp and bright; it has a gorgeous yet understated design; and its app is both easy to use and allows friends and family to share their snaps to your frame. Read our full Aura Walden review.

How I tested the Netgear Meural Canvas II

  • Tested the product over multiple weeks
  • Tried it out with a variety of photos and artwork
  • Have many years of experience working with photography

I tested the Netgear Meural Canvas II over a period of several weeks. I uploaded a wide variety of my own photos using the Meural app and also loaded a range of artworks onto the screen.

I made sure these images covered a wide variety of subjects, both portrait and landscape, and everything from monochrome landscapes to vibrant pictures of blossoms and leaves. I tested the frame in multiple positions to assess its performance in different lighting conditions, as well as trying it in both horizontal and vertical orientations.

I have extensive experience in photography, whether that’s the years I spent shooting on my Canon DSLR, or the snaps I now take on my iPhone 16 Pro. I’ve taken around 40,000 photos in the past and I’ve also got around a decade of experience preparing images for print, which has given me a lot of insight around spotting issues with image resolution and color reproduction.

I tested one of the cheapest Roborock robovacs and it still offers excellent vacuuming
10:00 am | March 15, 2025

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

Roborock Q5 Pro+: two-minute review

Product info

For this review, I tested the Q5 Pro+, which has a self-empty dock. There's also a cheaper Q5 Pro, which is the same bot but with a charge-only dock.

The Roborock Q5 Pro+ is an affordable robot vacuum that delivers strong vacuuming performance with one major trade-off – poor mopping. Despite having a slightly lower 5,500Pa of suction power, on test I found it excelled at picking up dirt and dust, especially on carpets – perhaps thanks to the dual rubber roller brushes borrowed from Roborock's higher-end models. It also handled the copious amounts of pet hair in my home extremely well. If you don't have loads of cash to splash and your priority is vacuuming, this could be the best robot vacuum for you.

This model uses LiDAR-based navigation, which allows for precise mapping and efficient cleaning paths. Its obstacle avoidance is a little basic, though, so it's one to avoid if you typically have lots of clutter on your floors. Other standout features include the extra large 2.5-liter bag in its compact but efficient dock, and an outstanding, intuitive app.

While the Q5 Pro+ performs admirably well at vacuuming floors of all types, its mopping system is simply comprised of a static mop pad with no mop-cleaning facilities of any sort. Hence, its mopping performance is very underwhelming when compared to much of the competition, including many of its own, admittedly more expensive, Roborock stablemates.

If you don't need mopping, however, this could be an excellent buy. It's slightly older now and discounts are easy to come by, taking the Q5 Pro into the budget price bracket and delivering strong value for money. It's not the latest and greatest model, but it delivers strong vacuuming performance, smart navigation and minimal dust-emptying maintenance. I'd include it amongst the best cheap robot vacuums around and the best robot vacuums for pet hair if you're on a budget.

That's the short version; read on for my full Roborock Q5 Pro+ review.

Roborock Q5 Pro+ robot vacuum in its dock

(Image credit: Future)

Roborock Q5 Pro+ review: price & availability

  • List price: $699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999
  • Launch date: October 2023
  • Availability: US, UK, AU (out of stock)

The Q5 Pro line was first announced at IFA 2023, and launched in October 2023. As of writing, the Q5 Pro+ with auto dustbin is available on the US Roborock site at a list price of $699.99, but reduced to $359.99. On the UK Roborock website, it's £499.99 down to £349.99. In Australia, if you go direct to Roborock the Q5 Pro+ costs AU$999, reduced to AU$799 but out of stock at time of writing. The Q5 Pro+ can also be purchased via Amazon, although at time of writing it was out of stock in both the US and UK.

If you don't need the self-empty dock, you can opt for the Roborock Q5 Pro, which is the same model but just with a basic, charge-only dock. That costs $429.99 (reduced to $179.99) or £299 (down to £199.99). In Australia it's only available via third party retailers, but has a list price of AU$899.

At TechRadar, a robot vacuum under $500 / £400 is considered a budget model. At full price, the Pro+ model is mid-range, but it's currently widely discounted into the budget bracket. The Pro version is a budget model even at list price, and really very cheap if you can snag a discount. If vacuuming is your priority, then it's well worth considering.

If mopping is a priority, then it won't be such a good pick, though. In which case, perhaps opt for the earlier high-end Roborock S7 Max Ultra model – which features a fully functioning mop system with self cleaning ability, and can be picked up for around $799.99 / £500 (although at list price it's more expensive),

Shoppers in the UK should also check out the excellent Xiaomi X20+, which retails for a ridiculously low price of £299, and is the best cheap robovac I've tested.

A quick note on availability. Given the rate of new releases in the robot vacuum world, the Q5 Pro and Pro+ are now considered slightly older models. That, combined with widespread discounts and some lack of availability makes me think that maybe this line may be discontinued in the not-too-distant future.

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Roborock Q5 Pro+ specs

Roborock Q5 Pro+ review: design

  • Excellent dual-roller vacuum system
  • Great dock with extra large dust bag
  • Disappointing mop pad

As much as I tend to gravitate towards Roborock as my brand of choice when it comes to robot vacuum cleaners, I'm also startled by the number of different models – 21 and counting – that the innovative Chinese manufacturer has launched in just the past year alone (at time of writing in March 2025). It's hard enough as reviewer of these little home helpers to differentiate between one model and the next, so I can only imagine the confusion it must cause for prospective buyers who don't know anything about all these models' respective suction power levels, navigation and obstacle avoidance systems, and their various mopping functions.

Close up of navigation puck and buttons on Roborock Q5 Pro+ robot vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

What I will say is that, though it's not necessarily the best in the Roborock range, if you're on a tight budget and wish to jump onto the Roborock bandwagon, the minimalistic Q5 Pro series is a good place to start. Available in two variants – the Pro+ I'm reviewing here with self-emptying dock and the standard Pro with no dock – the Roborock Q5 Pro+ is one of the lowest priced Roborock series currently on the market.

Robot design

Let's take a look at the robot itself. At 35 x 35.3 x 9.7cm it's about the same width as most robot vacs though, at a shade under 9.7cm, it's also one of the tallest, which means it won't be able to venture beneath some furnishings like its ultra-low stablemates, the Saros 10 and Saros 10R. In the pantheon of robot vacs, this one's not a bad looker, though its ribbed top and black plastic does attract dust instantly. Like within seconds.

Like so many robot vacs these days, the Q5 Pro uses LDS (Laser Distance Sensor) LiDAR and this means that the Q5 Pro will quickly map a home – usually in a matter of minutes – and present its floor plan in great detail on the accompanying Roborock app. LiDAR-equipped robots are excellent at general navigation – even in total darkness – and will almost always find their way back to their docks the very first time you use them, unlike old-fashioned camera-only models that don't know where they are half the time (here's more on how robot vacuums navigate, if you're interested).

Close up of navigation puck and buttons on Roborock Q5 Pro+ robot vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

This model isn't fitted with a front-facing camera, so obstacle avoidance of any item under around four inches in height will suffer. Instead, it uses its LiDAR and a bump sensor to help it avoid larger obstacles and furniture. While there is a sensor on the front, it's only used for navigation back to the dock.

Like all robovacs, the Q5 pro also comes with four under-body cliff sensors to prevent it tumbling down a flight of stairs (you can also set a virtual barrier in the app for extra peace of mind). The top part of the unit is completed with three instant-access buttons for some manual control – dock, start/stop and spot clean.

Roborock Q5 Pro+ robot vacuum flipped over to show underside

(Image credit: Future)

This model is fitted with Roborock's very effective Duo Roller rubber rollers for efficient pickup of carpet and hard floor debris, along with the obligatory fixed spinning side brush for sweeping matter from corners of the room into the path of the suction funnel. And speaking of suction, this model is rated at 5,500Pa which is a lot lower than some Roborock flagship models which boast up to 22,000Pa.

However, as you'll see in my tests below, its lower suction power doesn't impinge on the bot's ability to vacuum as well as the very best, especially considering the lower price point. This model doesn't feature an ultrasonic carpet sensor, and while the blurb does say it has carpet boost by default, I haven't heard anything from the motor to suggest it does.

One especially useful asset here is the inclusion of a larger-than-average 770ml internal bin for the robot – most others are around 270ml – and that means it will happily tackle pet hair on a grand scale before it trundles back to the dock to have it all emptied automatically into the dock's also larger-than-average 2.5-litre dust bag. But more on that below.

Roborock Q5 Pro+ robot vacuum with onboard dust bin pulled out

(Image credit: Future)

If you have a big home and are interested in battery specs, you'll be pleased to know that the Q5 Pro comes with a 5200mAh battery – the same as fitted to some of Roborock's earlier flagship models. This battery boasts a running time of up to 180 minutes, which is more than enough juice for a large floor plan.

Finally we come to this model's Achilles Heel – the dreadful moping system. Now I'm generally no fan of any robot with a mopping system and I know I'm not the only one. But, hey, the powers that be have decided that that is what most people want so all manufacturers continue to make high-end robots with mopping systems when all some of us want is a highly efficient vacuum-only system with a whopping 5-litre dust bag instead of the space in the dock being consumed by two large water containers. But what do I know?

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Small onboard water tank balancing against Roborock Q5 Pro Plus robot vacuum

(Image credit: Future)
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Mop pad from Roborock Q5 Pro Plus

(Image credit: Future)

So, what's so bad about this model's mop? Well it's a simple 35cm static pad for a start and, worse, it isn't really pushed down hard enough against the floor by the weight of the robot, which means poor contact and coverage. Also, since there are no water tanks in the dock, you will have to fill a tiny 180ml water tank above the mopping pad and select two levels of moisture – a lot and a little. Incidentally, this mop does not raise automatically when traversing carpet so tread carefully if you have a lot of rugs en route to the hard floor. You can read all about the performance of this mop in the, er, Performance chapter below, but suffice to say I wasn't impressed.

Dock design

The Q5 Pro+'s dock is a great bonus since it features an extra large 2.5-liter dust bag where most other bots can only manage around two liters. And since there are no water tanks to accommodate, the dock itself is only around 45cm in height, a svelte 30cm in width and 44cm in depth, which means it won't take up very much floor space.

Dock for Roborock Q5 Pro+ robot vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

The ribbed design of the dock's front fascia is reminiscent of some of iRobot's newer offerings and it's no shabby looker, especially when compared to some of the tasteless designs I've recently seen. However, I'm not too enamoured of the cheap-feeling lid one has to lift to access the dock's dust bag. Also, setting the dock up isn't quite as straightforward as most models since you will need to assemble the dock by using the supplied Allen key (under the platform) to attach it to the bin housing.

  • Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Roborock Q5 Pro+ review: performance

  • Excellent vacuum performance
  • Strong navigation but rudimentary obstacle avoidance
  • Very poor mopping

Let's take a look at the Roborock Q5 Pro+'s performance. It's a bit of a mixed bag here, so I've broken this section up into navigation, vacuuming and mopping so it's clear where this bot's strengths and weaknesses are.

All Roborocks navigate spaces extremely well and this model is no different. No it doesn't have the bells-and-whistles multi-point LiDAR navigation of the new Roborock Saros 10R, but it managed just fine in my open-plan home. Put another way, during my review period it never once got lost or found itself trapped under furniture. I'm not promising that'll never happen in the future – it's a robot after all – but it's a strong start.

Roborock uses something called Adaptive Route Algorithms for the Q5 Pro's navigation system and this means it will clean floors in a logical, linear way rather than randomly like most camera only-based models.

Crucially, this is another one of those modern bots that didn't seem to have any trouble traversing my rugs, even those of the loose, thin variety. And that's always a major bonus in my opinion.

Roborock Q5 Pro Plus bumping into dog toys

(Image credit: Future)

This model can be described as merely adequate when it comes to obstacle avoidance, so it's best suited to homes that are generally free of small items like loose socks, Lego bricks and phone cables. If this describes your home, you would be better off spending a lot more on a higher-end model – or avoid a robot altogether.

The Q5 pro uses very basic touch-and-run avoidance. This means it may gently push some larger items out of the way while dodging others. There's no rhyme or reason to its thought processes when faced with obstacles but, according to my tests, it didn't seem to see any items less than around 4 inches in height. Consequently, it gamely ploughed over the small nylon dog bone that has similarly caught out many other robot vacs and pushed some smaller dog toys that other models have avoided.

Vacuum performance

Vacuum cleaning of both hard floor and carpet is where this model really shines. But then that doesn't surprise me because very few Roborocks fail to impress in this regard.

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Roborock Q5 Pro Plus on a wooden floor with a pile of flour and larger crumbs in front of it

Before the suction test on hard floor... (Image credit: Future)
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Roborock Q5 Pro Plus clearing flour and crumbs from a wooden floor

... and during (Image credit: Future)

Test one took place on my kitchen floor with a buffet of different ingredients – a handful of orzo pasta, a crushed Hob Nob, half a teaspoon of brown sugar, a large pinch of flour and a scattering of cornflakes (I would usually also include some oats, but I ate them). Anyway, I set the unit to Max (one below full power) and selected two passes.

The results were excellent; indeed, as good as many of Roborock's high-end bots. Yes, there was some serious snow ploughing of ingredients (my bad for adding so many) but everything was eventually sucked up with no traces of any remnants. Top marks.

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Flour and crumbs on carpet in front of Roborock Q5 Pro Plus

Before the suction test on carpet... (Image credit: Future)
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Photo of carpet clear of debris after suction test with Roborock Q5 Pro Plus

... and after (Image credit: Future)

I then replicated the test on a medium-pile carpet rug using the app's Zone option and set the vacuum power to Max+ (its highest setting) plus two passes for good measure. I expected poorer performance for this test but was pleasantly surprised to see it collect the vast majority of the debris in a single pass. It then came back on itself and collected the rest. And just for good measure, it then proceeded to run over the same section horizontally until absolutely nothing remained. I call that a success.

Aside from the above tests, I also had the Q5 Pro running over a five day period and noted how well it collected all the hair shed by my two dogs and three cats. The great thing about this model is that it has a much larger internal bin than the majority of other robot vacs. This is a big bonus when it comes to collecting pet hair – not because it can cram more in during an average cleaning session, but because of the extra space in the bin which prevents bundling and compression when automatically emptying at the dock.

Many robot vacs I've tested have occasionally had issues during self emptying, where large clumps of hair become trapped in the outlet of the robot's bin and around the intake to the dock's dust bag. These issues are easily fixed but are also an inconvenience. Hence, if I'm in the same room as the dock, I always listen for the tell-tale ‘woomph' sound as the hair is sucked into the dock. In fact, I've also become accustomed to the tone of the motor fan during emptying so I can usually tell if there's a blockage issue.

Mopping performance

In short, there is nothing Pro about this robot's mopping system. In fact, I'm not sure why Roborock even considered a mopping system like this in this day and age, because it is pretty woeful at mopping up anything other than the very top layer of dust and some very light soiling. Worse, the mop cannot lift itself off the floor when crossing carpets so you would need to remove all rugs while in transit.

To set up the mopping system you need to fill the small 180ml water tank – preferably with hot water – and slide the switch under the mop pad to your preferred choice of wetness (I chose the lower amount since I have engineered wooden floors). Now wait a few minutes while the water saturates the mop and set it off on its way. Since the app doesn't show an option for mopping, you basically set the robot to do a standard vacuum and the mop pad simply drags along the floor.

Damp strips on wooden floor after it has been mopped by Roborock Q5 Pro Plus

Mopping merely left damp stripes on my floor (Image credit: Future)

In my test, the pad left a lot more moisture on the floor than other mopping models I've tried and, because some of my floor's wooden planks are fractionally bowed, the water was deposited as a series of stripes. Yes, it kind of mopped the floor as evidenced by the dirtiness of the mop but, really, this is no substitute for some proper elbow grease. Worse, you have to remove the mop pad when finished and clean it under a hot tap. That's just too much work for me.

Personally, I wouldn't bother using this model as a wet mop. Instead I would advise leaving the dry pad attached when sending the bot out on a vacuum run. It'll simply drag behind, collecting any remnants of dust while giving your hard floor a polish of sorts.

Alternatively, if you don't think you need a mop, perhaps consider the non-mopping Q5 Max+, which is ultimately a better overall choice for the money. And if your robot simply must have a mop attached, consider something like the Roborock S7 Max Ultra which, while more expensive, is way better at wet mopping hard floors.

Dock performance

I've been very impressed with the performance of this dock. For a start, it's got a much larger dust bag than most other models (2.5-litres) and a reassuringly loud suction process that never failed to remove all contents from the robot's larger-than-average bin, even when filled with pet hair. I also love its unobtrusively small size, which makes it perfectly suited to location in a living room if space is an issue.

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Roborock Q5 Pro+ robot vacuum dock, with bin section pulled up

The dock has a larger than usual bin (Image credit: Future)
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Full onboard bin from Roborock Q5 Pro Plus

The onboard bin before auto-empty... (Image credit: Future)
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Empty onboard bin from Roborock Q5 Pro Plus

... and after (Image credit: Future)

It's not as fully-featured as you'd find on pricier models – as discussed, there are no water tanks, let alone mop pad cleaning – but as a dust-emptying dock it's excellent. Despite some cheapness in the quality of the lift-off dust bag lid, I give this dock close to top marks.

  • Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Roborock Q5 Pro+ review: app

  • Intuitive and easy to set up
  • Feature filled
  • Not all setting options available

The Roborock app is essential for maximizing the Q5 Pro+'s potential. Setup is straightforward and the interface is clean and very intuitive. It also comes with tons of options, though some may be missing for this particular model of robot vac.

Screenshots from Roborock companion app

(Image credit: Roborock)

In general, you're provided with a decent range of parameters, including real-time mapping, cleaning schedules, zone customization, routine settings and various custom options regarding how the robot and dock behave during any cleaning session. I particularly appreciated the ‘no-go zones' for keeping the vacuum away from delicate areas and the way you can view your home in 3D. I also love the way you can set its voice notifications to your specific language and, if living in the UK, even choose a British accent.

  • App score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Roborock Q5 Pro+?

Buy it if...

You want reliable, efficient vacuuming

Roborocks rarely fail to impress when it comes to sweeping floors, and this model is no exception. Despite not having the highest outright suction on the market, its cleaning power is right up there with far pricier, higher-specced models.

You're on a budget

This is one of the cheapest Roborock bots available, and discounts are easy to come by. If mopping isn't your priority, this could be a great-value buy.

You want a compact dock

The dock is small for a self-empty option, despite having generously sized dust containers. I have no complaints about its functionality, either.

Don't buy it if...

You need a mopping feature

Although this bot does mop, it's pretty useless at it.

Your home is a little cluttered

While mapping is good, the obstacle avoidance here is basic. If there are often toys or other clutter on your floor, and you don't want to have to tidy before every vacuum session, this is one to avoid.

You have low furniture

The Q5 Pro+ is on the taller side for a robot vacuum. If you have low-sitting furniture, it might not be able to fit underneath. Roborock's newest models (including the Qrevo Slim and Saros 10R) are designed specifically with this in mind. View Deal

How I tested the Roborock Q5 Pro+

I let the Roborock Q5 Pro+ loose on my open-plan flooring and observed its behavior over a five-day period. I then ran a series of intensive tests to see how well it vacuumed both hard floor and carpet, which it passed with flying colours. I also tried out its obstacle avoidance using a variety of items, including small and large dog toys. I then put its mop to the test, knowing full well that it would be a sub-par performer simply by looking at it. And I was right.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners

  • First reviewed March 2025
I loved the aspect ratio of the Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell but not so much the battery
7:00 pm | March 1, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Home Security Smart Home | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell: two-minute review

The Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell is a very good video doorbell that’s held back a little by a limited battery life and one accessory omission. If you live alone and are willing to charge up the battery on a weekly basis or set it up in a wired configuration, its 9:16 aspect ratio, microSD reader (not to mention included 32GB SD card), and a host of features makes it among the best video doorbells for you to consider.

The battery life is not what one would want in a device that should take the place of the best home security cameras for your front door. It’s also a little disconcerting that the doorbell chime is a separate purchase. The only way to get notifications outside of your phone then is through Alexa or Google Assistant, so there are at least options.

At the very least, the 4K resolution extends to a 9:16 ratio so you can get a full view of whomever or whatever is at your front door. It also has color night vision as well as a night light and two-way talk. As mentioned, it has some voice assistant support as well.

The setup and installation is pretty straightforward as well. All in all, the Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell is a solid option, especially if you’re willing to wire it up. I would also suggest spending the extra cash for the doorbell chime, unless you already have an Alexa or Google smart home setup.

Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell

The Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell has a single camera with an impressive aspect ratio. Many other doorbells use two cameras to cover the same area (Image credit: James Holland)

Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell: specs

Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell: price and availability

  • List price: $199.99 (about £160 / AU$320)
  • Available in the US

The Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell has a price tag of $199.99 (about £160 / AU$320), which isn't bad, especially considering that something like the Phillips 7000 Series Video Doorbell is a bit pricier at $229.99 (about £180 / AU$350). Unfortunately it's only available in the US, so if you’re in the UK or Australia, you’re limited to the 2K Video doorbell at a $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$327 price point.

The Lorex model offers a 9:16 aspect ratio, while the Phillips uses a dual-camera design for a somewhat similar full body view. Both allow you to do wired and wireless power. However, the Lorex comes with a 32GB SD card compared to the 8GB built-in storage. Of course, the Phillips model does come with a Wi-Fi chime box, whereas the one for Lorex (which is, luckily compatible with quite a few of the brand’s video doorbells) requires a separate purchase of $49.99/ £59.99 / AU$69.00.

If we look at other 4K video doorbells, the Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell’s price tag seems to be about what one should expect. The SwannBuddy 4K goes for $199 / £169 / AU$299, however, it does offer a bit more value, as it not only also comes with a microSD reader and 32GB SD card so you don’t have to spring for a subscription, but it also comes with a doorbell chime included. The Lorex is a little easier to install, partially thanks to the use of plastic mounting brackets instead of metal. The Lorex is also more flexible since it comes with a couple angled brackets so that you can get a clear view of whoever is in front of the door.

  • Value score: 4/5

Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell: design

  • Has microSD reader for onboard storage
  • Comes with two different angled brackets
  • Straightforward installation

The Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell is available in black and white (the one reviewed here is black) and looks about the same and is a similar size to most other video doorbells you’ll come across. It is a little bit smaller than the Phillips Series 7000 I reviewed as it stands a little over five inches tall compared to the Phillips’ over six inches of height. Functionally, it doesn’t make much of a difference.

The front of the doorbell is composed of the camera on top, the logo etched across the middle, and the actual button lined by an LED indicator that lights up when pressed (or when the doorbell is triggered by someone or something passing in front of it).

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Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell

The package includes a mounting bracket and two angled plates (Image credit: James Holland)
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Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell

Installation is pretty straightforward (Image credit: James Holland)

The microSD card reader and a micro-USB port for charging sit on the side behind a silicon cover that’s actually a bit tough to pop out (and will be covered by the mounting bracket when installed on a door). While it takes some work to get out (unless you have long nails), it does help keep the integrity of this doorbell’s IP65 rating, meaning that you don’t have to worry about a heavy rain shorting the doorbell.

If you want to wire this doorbell up instead of going the wireless route, which you might want to once you read my thoughts on the battery life, the ports are on the back of the unit. And as is to be expected, the necessary wires are included in a little bag that also includes a pin used to remove the doorbell from the bracket.

Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell

The doorbell has a micro USB port and a microSD card reader, both of which are shielded from the elements (Image credit: James Holland)

Also included are three different mounting brackets. Or should I say, one flat bracket that must be used and then two additional ones that are angled to the side or downward to adjust the viewing angle of the doorbell if you don’t want it to just look straight ahead.

Since I’ve mentioned the brackets, I should mention that installation is pretty easy. Just charge up the doorbell, screw in the mounting bracket(s), connect the doorbell to the app (the usual follow-the-directions-on-the-screen situation), pop in the doorbell into the bracket, and you’re good to go.

  • Design score: 4.5/5

Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell: performance

  • Sharp 4K resolution with full-body 9:16 aspect ratio
  • Supports Alexa and Google Assistant
  • Battery life isn't great

The Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell offers an 8MP camera with 4K resolution (2160 × 3840p) in a unique 9:16 ratio. I appreciate the full body angle so that I can get a clear view of the front door. Someone would have to stand really close to the camera to hide something out of view. And since it has that higher resolution, everything comes through clearly.

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Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell

Video is clear and crisp during the daytime, with impressive viewing angles (Image credit: James Holland)
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Night vision footage from Lorex 4K Video Doorbell

Footage recorded at night is crisp as well (Image credit: James Holland)

It’s just as clear at night, if a bit more monochromatic. This is intentional as you can change a setting to see whatever’s at your door in color, though it’s not quite as crisp.

There’s a little bit of a lag but seems to be just a second or so – certainly not long enough to hamper a conversation. Speaking of, the microphone is adequate though it picks up more environmental noise than I would like. At least, there’s responsive two-way audio.

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Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell

(Image credit: James Holland)
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Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell

(Image credit: James Holland)

Since the doorbell chime is sold separately, it’s up to me (or whomever has the app on their phone) to keep an eye for notifications. While I miss the physical chime, I was able to connect the doorbell to Alexa to serve in that capacity (this video doorbell also supports Google Assistant). There’s also the option to share the doorbell with other users so other people in the household are also notified when there’s someone at the door.

Since the Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell is capable of wired and wireless power, I highly suggest you go the wired route. While it doesn’t take too long to charge up, it took about a week to go from a 100% charge to 20%. That means I have to charge it almost every week to keep using it.

Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell

There's no separate charm to notify you when someone is at the door, but connecting the doorbell to Alexa will let you receive alerts through a smart speaker (Image credit: James Holland)

Now, I will mention that we have dogs that need to be let out several times a day and multiple people in the home where this doorbell is being tested, so the Lorex is regularly triggered. Still, a weekly charge-up is not something anyone would expect for a video doorbell.

  • Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell?

Buy it if

You want to see everything in front of your door

Thanks to that 9:16 aspect ratio, not to mention the 4K resolution, you can get a full view of whatever’s at your front door and not just a headshot.

You don’t want to spring for a subscription

With some video doorbells, you need to pay for a subscription to get a decent amount of storage. You don’t need that here since it has a microSD card reader and includes a 32GB card.

You want voice assistant support

This doorbell works with both Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing easy integration into your smart home (if you use one of those two ecosystems).

Don't buy it if

You want a long lasting wireless doorbell

Whatever the reason, the Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell needs to get recharged almost weekly. This is not the doorbell for you, if you want something that’s set-it-and-forget-it.

You’re limited on funds

Not only is it a bit pricey for a video doorbell (though mostly on par with other 4K video doorbells), it doesn’t come with a doorbell chime, which is sold separately.

Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell: also consider

Phillips 7000 Series Video Doorbell

Not only is it easy to install and use, the video quality is crisp and the onboard storage is enough to forgo a subscription. It is on the pricey side, has a bit of a delay, and sometimes has audio issues. On the bright side, it can be used both wired and wirelessly.

Read our full Phillips 7000 Series Video Doorbell review

SwannBuddy 4K

The SwannBuddy 4K is about the same price as the Lorex, also offers superb video quality, and even allows you to communicate through pre-recorded voice messages. It comes with an included SD card and even a doorbell chime, but doesn’t have angled or plastic mounting brackets, which could be an issue for placement or antique door frames.

Read our full SwannBuddy 4K review

How I tested the Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell

To test the Lorex 4K Battery Video Doorbell, I used it for a couple weeks to not only answer the door, but to monitor all activity coming in and out (mostly my brother-in-law letting the dogs out to pee). I also played around with and tested the various settings in the app to see how they work, including the voice assistant and night vision settings.

Tested February 2025

The Echo Show 15 (2024) can’t decide if it’s a Fire TV or a smart home hub, and it fails to excel at either
11:01 pm | February 25, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Smart Home Smart Home Hubs | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Two-minute review

The Echo Show 15 is back, with some moderate hardware upgrades and quality-of-life improvements that make for a slightly more rounded offering. The original Echo Show 15 sat a little on the periphery of Amazon’s smart display range, with the more popular Echo Show 8, Echo Show 5 and the more snazzy Echo Show 10 taking center stage. So, does the new Echo Show 15 (2024) earn a place alongside its siblings on our list of the best smart displays you can buy today?

The first Echo Show 15 found itself on the sidelines following a slightly lackluster launch and early performance – at least that was the case until Amazon released a Fire TV update. Despite its weak sound and underwhelming display, that upgrade made the Echo Show 15 a far more interesting proposition as a smart display for kitchens, offices and other rooms where even a small TV might be too obtrusive.

The 15-inch smart display has always suffered from a bit of an identity crisis, having been designed to cater to the relatively small niche market of “small TV-shaped smart hubs” by offering app support for various streaming services in addition to the standard array of music streaming platforms supported by the best smart speakers, as well as some basic smart home controls.

Amazon Echo Show on a counter displaying the home screen, with sports news alongside the widgets panel.

(Image credit: Future)

However, following the release of the Echo Hub in early 2024, which arrived rocking a new user interface and features specifically designed for smart-home control, I had high hopes that some improved smart-home… well, smarts, from the Echo Hub’s user interface would make an appearance in the second-generation Echo Show 15 as well as the all-new Echo Show 21.

Sadly, that’s not the case. Instead, the Echo Show 15 once again serves the dual purpose of being an entertainment and smart-home hub, this time made complete with built-in Fire TV at launch, widgets, and an Alexa Voice remote and a few added hardware upgrades. It also totes an improved camera, display and audio, as well as connectivity supporting Matter, Thread and Zigbee, all in response to customer feedback from the first generation and to ensure that the hardware meets current smart home and entertainment needs.

By and large, Amazon has addressed the bare minimum upgrades needed to make the Echo Show 15 a more attractive option; unfortunately, not enough has changed for me to recommend the device as a must-have smart display. Especially with the release of the all-new Echo Show 21, the Echo Show 15 doesn't even have "being the biggest Amazon Echo Show" going for it anymore. It is, however, a nice-to-have screen that might fill a relatively small gap in your smart-home ecosystem, and is plenty capable for what it is.

Amazon Echo Show on a counter displaying the widgets library

(Image credit: Future)

Echo Show 15 (2024): Design

  • Simple picture frame design
  • Super easy setup
  • Includes Fire TV remote
Echo Show 15 (2024): Specs

Screen size: 15.6 inches

Dimensions: 15.8 x 9.9 x 1.4 inches / 40 x 25 x 3.5cm

Resolution: 1080p resolution

Connecivity: Matter, Wi-Fi, Thread, Zigbee, Bluetooth

Voice assistant: Alexa

Camera: 13MP

Weight: 4.85lbs / 2.2kg

The design of the Echo Show 15 (2024) is suitably unassuming for a device that’s intended to be functional rather than being a centerpiece, retaining the simple, picture frame-esque form of the original model. The main frame is black, with a white matte surrounding the 15.6-inch screen.

It’s wall-mountable out of the box, with a super easy sub-five-minute setup – or, if you owned the original model, you can switch it straight out as it uses the exact same frame – and it’s also compatible with standardized VESA mounts, which are widely available. It can be set up in either a horizontal or vertical orientation, but you’d need to re-fit the included bracket to do change the orientation. It’s a nice option, though I’d imagine most users would opt for horizontal to use its screen for TV and film, and you can opt to buy a third-party rotating wall mount if you regularly want to switch between the two.

A variety of stands are also available, including the official stand made by Sanus (sold separately for $33 / £34; it’s not yet sold in Australia) which allows you to use the Echo Show 15 in tabletop mode. Whichever way you set it up, the main thing to consider other than visibility is the camera field of view – this has seen a significant upgrade in the newer model, but if you want to make use of Vision ID and video calls you’ll need to make sure the camera is unobstructed and has a good view of the room.

Amazon Echo Show on a counter, with focus on its front-facing camera.

(Image credit: Future)

Along the top edge are the manual controls: a physical switch for the camera’s privacy shutter, as well as volume and mute buttons. At 15.8 x 9.9 x 1.4 inches / 40 x 25 x 3.5cm, its footprint is considerable, and that only increases if you opt to use the tilt stand, which adds a further 7.5 inches / 19cm to its depth. Along the top edge (in horizontal orientation), the camera is seated centrally in the white matte instead of in the top-left corner per its predecessor.

Also included is the Alexa Voice Remote, which can be used to control the new Fire TV interface – this is just a standard Alexa remote, which you’ll be familiar with if you own one of Amazon’s Fire TV sticks.

Amazon Echo Show on a counter displaying the widgets menu.

(Image credit: Future)

Echo Show 15 (2024): Performance

  • Bright and vivid screen
  • Improved audio and camera specs...
  • ... however audio quality is still lacking

Thanks to some moderate hardware upgrades, performance is the area where the Echo Show 15 (2024) stands above the first-generation device, although unfortunately not by enough to make it a meaningful upgrade if you already have the original Show 15.

Let’s start with the display. It’s bright and clear, and the 1080p resolution is perfectly passable for a screen of this size, and is well-suited to streaming, web browsing and reading from any distance. However, the lack of HDR is something we had a complaint about in the original model, and, unfortunately, Amazon didn’t deign to upgrade the display specs for the second generation to boost contrast and color saturation. Still, black levels are plenty good enough, and given that this isn’t the kind of screen I’d expect users to have their eyes glued to, it’s a forgivable omission.

Audio specs saw a significant upgrade in the second-generation Echo Show 15, with the newer model housing dual 2-inch woofers in addition to two 0.6-inch tweeters, versus the original model’s two 1.6-inch full drivers.

Does this change have a noticeable impact? Absolutely – the new Echo Show 15 is certainly louder than the first-generation model, and the bass is more pronounced. However, it suffers from issues that seem common to many of Amazon’s speakers: a lack of detail in the highs, muddy bass that’s lacking in dynamics, and boosted mid frequencies which mostly serve to create considerable distortion at high volumes.

Amazon Echo Show on a counter displaying the Spotify app.

(Image credit: Future)

Listening to Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain, there’s a whole lot of bass – enough to overpower the already-subdued vocals – but the audio lacks the drive and meat needed to compliment the track. Complex and textured tracks like Radiohead’s 15 Step are all too easily muddied, with the Echo Show 15 lacking the fidelity and stereo separation to handle the mix. The scratchy electric guitar strums and bass sit right up front alongside Thom Yorke’s mournful vocals for much of the track, which would be fine were it not for the fact that the rest of the track feels muddy and directionless, with dull highs and flat percussion letting down the Echo Show 15.

While its handling of music might not be the most balanced, I will say that the Echo Show 15 is well suited to the spoken word, and in this regard it’s again leaning into its role as a small smart TV rather than a smart display. Still, I’d have hoped to see a little more improvement and bang for your buck in this second-generation model, and a little more range.

Also upgraded in this new model is the now-13MP wide-angle camera, which is primed for improved Alexa video calls, using Amazon’s Drop In feature, as well as for calls using Zoom or Skype. It’s a notable step up from the previous model’s 5MP camera, especially thanks to the new auto framing and 3.3x zoom, and as with all camera-equipped Echo devices the Echo Show 15 doubles as an in-home security camera that you can check in on when you’re away.

Amazon Echo Show on a counter displaying the smart light brightness widget.

(Image credit: Future)

Echo Show 15 (2024): Software

  • Quick and clear Alexa responses
  • Fire TV support out-of-the-box
  • Customizable widgets make smart home control quicker

Alexa’s responses are zippy, offering all the usual Alexa Skills and commands we’ve come to expect from Amazon’s smart speaker and displays thanks to its Octa-core AZ2 system-on-chip. Much like other available Echo Show devices, by default the Echo Show 15 displays a customizable widget control center, framed by a rotation of content from default images to your own photos, news, and content suggestions.

In a similar vein, the screen UI is pretty clean and runs smoothly, benefitting from years of Echo Show software development despite using the same hardware as the original Echo Show 15. By comparison, the Echo Hub’s newer, smart home-first interface was a little on the buggy side, but I would still have much preferred to have the option to switch to a more smart home-device-oriented alternative.

The included Alexa Voice Remote is a nice touch that serves to drive home the fact that this screen is well suited for streaming, but a slight niggle I have is that it can only control the Fire TV interface and music. Especially during the evening, when I don’t want to quarrel loudly with Alexa, I prize manual control features that don’t involve me standing; I’d love if the remote was configured to control the entire UI, inclusive of smart-home devices to this end.

Amazon Echo Show on a counter playing Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away

Any excuse to re-re-re-watch Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away... (Image credit: Future)

However, the remote is handy for Fire TV navigation, especially given that the display doesn’t always play ball with touch controls. The Echo Show 15 comes pre-loaded with many of the best streaming services and support for a wide range of platforms, but Amazon again misses a trick hereby not leaning further into its smart TV functionality and incorporating Miracast/WiDi support for screen mirroring.

Widgets are great, but once again they’re underutilized in Amazon’s smart display interface. With woefully few customization options to reshape, resize, configure or create your own widgets, this feature still feels half-baked. Amazon’s first-party widgets are naturally the most useful, and there are a decent amount to choose from, but it’s not the magic bullet the Echo Show 15 very much needs for its smart-home offering.

However, I really appreciate the option to customize widgets and interfaces based on user profiles, meaning whole families and households alike can benefit from the assistive tech on board the Echo Show 15. During my testing, I switched out with my partner several times in an hour, and Vision ID correctly identified each time who had just walked in, showing them their personalized content suggestions.

Echo Show 15 (2024) setting up Visual ID

(Image credit: Future)

Echo Show 15 (2024): Price and availability

  • Release date: December 2024
  • Price: $299 / £299 / AU$549

The Echo Show 15 is available from Amazon in the US, UK and Australia for $299 / £299 / AU$549 respectively. That’s a small price increase over the original model, and while you do now get an included remote and slightly better specs, I’m very much ‘whelmed’ by Amazon’s efforts here, in terms of value for money.

That’s especially true of the stand situation; it would have been perfectly reasonable, given the volume of customers who don’t have the option or desire to wall-mount their screens, to include a small, stable kickstand. Instead, you have to opt for either the official Sanus stand (sold separately for $33 / £34. It’s not yet sold in Australia) or for one of the many alternative – and often pricey - VESA mounts.

Amazon Echo Show displaying home screen with shopping lists next to widgets menu.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Echo Show 15?

Buy it if...

You want a small, smart TV

If you fit into the relatively small niche of people who want a smart entertainment hub that also houses Alexa, this is the screen for you.

You mostly want to stream video

Between its moderate audio and display specs and the included Fire TV remote, the Echo Show is well suited to streaming TV shows and movies.

Don't buy it if...

You want to upgrade your original Echo Show 15

Unless you’re really desperate, not enough has changed nor improved from the original model to justify this upgrade.

You want a smart-home-first display

The Echo Show 15 leans more towards entertainment than it does granular, accessible smart-home control.

Amazon Echo Show 15: also consider

If you're not sure the Amazon Echo Show 15 is the right smart hub for you, here are further options to consider:

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)

The latest generation model boasts better audio, faster performance and added support for Matter, Thread and Zigbee. The only big thing that holds it back is its uptick in price.

Read our full Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review

Amazon Echo Show 21

The new 21-inch Amazon Echo Show offers much the same as the new Echo Show 15, but in a bigger frame.

Read our full Echo Show 21 review

Echo Show 15 (2024)

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Echo Show 15 (2024)

  • I used the Echo Show 15 as my primary smart home hub for one month
  • I tested its display, audio, and camera specs with real-world testing
  • I used all of its various smart-home control features

To put the Echo Show 15 through its paces I tested all of its significant feature and hardware upgrades against the first-generation model, other Echo displays and speakers in my home, and Google Nest devices.

I watched and listened to a variety of media to test the range and performance of the smart display, as well as trying out all of the various features and unique selling points. I incorporated the Echo Show 15 into my wider smart home ecosystem, which is also populated with smart security cameras, lights and appliances, and used it to control my home.

I’ve been testing smart-home devices for three years and using them personally for even longer, during which time I’ve learned everything there is to know about what makes a good smart display or speaker. I use Alexa and other smart assistants every day to run my home.

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