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Blink Mini 2 review: this home security camera is good price, but unimpressive performance might make you think twice

7:30 pm | November 16, 2024

Blink Mini 2 review: two-minute review

The Blink Mini 2 is a home security camera that can be used indoors, and outside when combined with the Blink Weather Resistant Power Adapter sold separately. It has a list price of $39.99 / £34.99 / AU$69 and is available to buy at Amazon.

Blink has followed in many other brands footsteps and requires you to pay a subscription fee to access recordings and most of the Blink Mini 2’s features. However, the camera does have the benefit of manual recording backup, though this will require an additional purchase of the Blink Sync Module 2 and a compatible USB drive.

The setup process was blissfully straightforward, and the Blink Home Monitor app worked well for the most part, aside from a couple of random glitches and the over-complicated process of getting to the device settings from the homepage.

A close-up of the front of the Blink Mini 2, shows the camera and spotlight. — (Image credit: Future)

The design of the Blink Mini 2 is small and simple; the camera is cube-shaped and sits on a ball joint that connects it to the compact circular base slash bracket, depending on whether it’s placed on a surface or fixed to a wall or ceiling. The ball joint only allows for manual repositioning, so regrettably, unlike many of the best home security cameras, there’s no capacity for remote control movement, meaning I could only view one static area at a time. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a privacy cover, so while camera and audio feeds can be disconnected in the app, if multiple people have access there’s no guarantee of privacy while the camera is operational.

The activity and privacy zones did their job well. However, the process to select the areas was basic and was limited to a square or rectangular shape, which isn’t ideal if you want to block off your neighbor's yard but the boundary isn’t straight or at the right angle. The privacy zones were also unsightly on the feed and recorded footage, replacing the area with an expanse of grey.

In terms of performance, the Blink Mini 2 didn’t bowl me over. The video and audio quality were disappointing, but not bad considering how cheap the hardware is. The footage was grainy on the default standard image quality setting, and the picture pixelated when there was movement on the screen. The best picture quality setting fared better, with little pixelation and a slight improvement to the graininess.

The round base and ball joint of the Blink Mini 2. — (Image credit: Future)

For the most part, motion detection and person detection worked well. I needed to up the motion sensitivity from the default level of five to seven as it didn’t detect me on my return to the room. The Blink Mini 2 didn’t detect my cats when it was set to this sensitivity level, but there were a few occasions when it recognized my cats as people when I upped it to the maximum setting of nine.

Overall, I wasn’t blown away by the Blink Mini 2, but for the price, it’s a good basic camera for those who don’t require crystal-clear footage or audio, and are just looking for something that won’t cost the earth to keep an eye on a particular area. If you’d like to check out some alternatives I recommend checking out our best home security cameras buying guide, which features several alternatives tailored to specific requirements.

Blink Mini 2 review: price and availability

List price: $39.99 / £34.99 / AU$69
Availability: US, UK, and Australia
Release date: May 2024

The Blink Mini 2 is available at a list price of $39.99 / £34.99 / AU$69, which is fairly low cost for a smart indoor/outdoor home security camera. It was released in May 2024 and is available to purchase at Amazon, which is no coincidence when Blink is in fact an Amazon company.

An upgrade to the previous generation, the Blink Mini, the Blink Mini 2 has been given some welcome new features including color night view, a wider field of view of 143 degrees and a built-in spotlight as standard. Additionally, it offers person detection and can be used outdoors, but additional purchases are required.

It’s a big positive that it’s possible to store recordings locally, which requires an additional Blink device and a compatible USB drive. As with other smart home security cameras, it also offers a cloud subscription service that gives access to recordings and additional features via the Blink Home Monitor app, downloadable from the App Store, Google Play, or Amazon Appstore.

If you intend to store your recordings locally, you’ll need to purchase a Blink Sync Module 2, and a suitable USB flash drive, which will save photos and videos from up to ten Blink cameras. Without a subscription plan, you’ll have access to your recordings if you’re backing them up via the Blink Sync Module 2 (but you’ll have to back them up manually), will receive motion-activated notifications, and can access the live view for up to five minutes at a time. It’s worth stressing here that if you choose not to continue with the initial free trial all recordings will be deleted, so make sure to back them up first if you take this route.

Value score: 4 / 5

Blink Mini 2 subscription options

Blink Basic Plan:
In addition to the features available without a plan, you also get live view and motion event recording, unlimited cloud storage for up to 60 days, automatic local storage backup every 24 hours, instant video access, video sharing, person detection, and photo capture. Applicable to one device only.
Price: $3 / £2.50 / AU$4.95 per month, $30 / £24.99 / AU$49.95 per year

Blink Plus Plan:
Along with the benefits of the Basic Plan, you’re able to snooze notifications, get 10% off Blink device purchases at Amazon, and use the Blink Moments feature, which seamlessly stitches together multiple events into one video. Applicable to all Blink devices.
Price: $10 / £8 / AU$15 per month, $100 / £80 / AU$150 per year

Blink Mini 2 review: specifications

Blink Mini 2 review: design and features

Easy setup
No privacy cover
No remote control capabilities

The setup process was fairly quick and simple, I just needed to download the Blink Home Monitor app, scan the barcode on the back of the Blink Mini 2, and follow the step-by-step instructions. The only small stumbling block was when the app claimed that my phone failed to connect to the Mini 2’s Wi-Fi hotspot automatically and to select it manually in my Wi-Fi settings. Before I got to my settings, the app pinged me a notification to let me know that the camera had connected successfully, so we got there in the end.

Available in black or white, the Blink Mini 2 is similar in size to its predecessor and has a rather dazzling spotlight above the camera lens that can be toggled on or off from the app. The camera sits on a sturdy but easily adjustable ball joint that connects it to the base, but this is only for manual positioning, meaning it cannot be moved remotely.

The Blink Mini 2 is angled as far back as it can go, pointing up towards the top right corner of the image. — (Image credit: Future)

As an indoor/outdoor camera, the Blink Mini 2 can sit happily on a flat surface on its stand or can be screwed to a wall or ceiling using the bracket that's integrated into the base. It’s worth noting that to use outside it will require the Blink Weather Resistant Power Adapter, which is sold separately.

Along with the Sync Module 2, the Blink Mini 2 can connect to other Blink devices, such as the Blink Video Doorbell, transforming the Mini 2 into a plug-in chime every time the doorbell rings.

Unlike some other indoor cameras, such as the 4.5-star rated Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam, the Blink Mini 2 doesn’t feature a privacy cover, so there’s no way to manually cut the audio and visual feed to the camera short of just unplugging it. It was possible to block the camera view via the app if necessary by setting a privacy zone, though.

A close-up of the front of the Blink Mini 2, showing the camera and spotlight. — (Image credit: Future)

When I set one of these zones up myself to check how efficient they were, the live feed kept showing me the spinning-wheel-of-doom and wouldn’t load, so it seemed to struggle with this extra requirement initially. The video clips still recorded when spotting movement, however, and it was undoubtedly clear where the privacy zone was, as the image in this area was covered by a grey rectangle. By the time I’d finished testing this, the live feed had gotten itself back together, and the privacy area was again marked by a grey block, so nothing was viewable within that area.

It’s also possible to disable video recording and, as promised, it didn’t record anything after I switched it on. There’s also a setting to disable the audio connection, and true enough after applying this setting it cut off the feed to the microphone both on the live view and in recorded footage, so it was still possible to see what was going on but no sound was present. So while these are good features, privacy cannot be guaranteed if others can access the camera feed.

Design and features score: 3 / 5

Blink Mini 2 review: performance

Some lag and pixelization
Privacy areas work well, but they’re unattractive
Standard IR night vision performs better than best daytime setting

I used the Blink Home Monitor app to enable the different settings for testing and to view the live feed and recordings. In my opinion, the process required to get to the camera’s settings is somewhat inefficient. To access the camera settings for the Blink Mini 2 from the homepage I had to go into the settings menu, into device and system settings, then into Office (which is what I’d named my location), click on an inconspicuous all devices button, then click on TechRadar Office (the name of my Blink Mini 2), before I’m finally shown the device settings that I need. Admittedly, if I clicked on the three dots icon from the live view and then tapped device settings, it got me there too, but if you install a few cameras or devices at once, getting to the devices' settings all gets a bit long-winded.

Video quality is set to standard by default, and although I wasn’t impressed with it, it was acceptable for the low price. The footage and live view were quite grainy, and some pixelization occurred when movement was present on the screen. This isn’t what I expected to see after viewing the marketing material, but at a $40 price tag, I suppose you get what you pay for.

The other two settings available were saver mode, which reduces video quality, and best, which is meant to be higher quality. The best footage was still grainy – but not as severely as it was in standard mode – and it did seem to pixelate less when there was movement present, so there was some improvement.

A black-colored Blink Mini 2 sits on a light wooden surface against a pink background. The camera is angled up towards the top right corner of the image. — (Image credit: Future)

As was the case with the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam, the Blink Mini 2’s Night View in Color was only functional with enough ambient light. I found that I needed an LED lamp on in the corner at medium brightness for the image to be colored, and it did a good job of that. But if the environment was any darker than this it reverted to the standard black and white mode that we’re used to from other indoor security cameras. The black and white infrared night vision picture quality was great, and an improvement on the normal quality that’s recorded in daylight.

The audio quality left me unimpressed. There was loud static noise when there wasn’t any sound to relay, and voices weren’t particularly clear – but it was adequate enough for a cheaply priced security camera.

It was frustrating that clips didn’t auto-record if I happened to be viewing the live feed when an event happened. There was a button to save the recording on the bottom right of the screen, which is helpful and means that the clip can be saved. But I can err on the forgetful side, so if I happened to be looking at the feed when a burglar broke in, for example, I might well forget to hit save before coming off the feed to call the police.

The back of the Blink Mini 2 showing the USB-C power-in port and scannable QR code. — (Image credit: Future)

I tested out the privacy and activity zones and found that the selection process is a little more restricted than in other brand’s apps, like Ring, for example. Instead of having adjustable multi-point areas, the Blink Home Monitor app only offers square privacy zones, with just four adjustable points. The activity zone area selection was even more basic, with an 8x8 grid of selectable rectangles. There was an advanced button I could click, but this only zoomed in on the image and offered more rectangles, so setting up the activity zones proved far more laborious than I’m used to. Nonetheless, the privacy zones worked, although it meant dealing with large grey squares over the live view and footage where I’d set them, which wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing.

Although my iPhone 12 Pro worked fine for viewing recorded content, and I could view it on my iPad too, I would have liked the option to view it on a browser as I could with some other brands' camera feeds. So if you wanted to use Blink cameras to watch over your business, or to keep track of your pets around the house, you’re limited to smaller screens to do this.

I kept the motion sensitivity on the default setting of five, to begin with, and for the most part, it worked well. Unfortunately, though, it missed me a few times when I came back in from leaving my living room. It had detected me each time I left, but despite me facing the camera each time I reentered a little while later, it didn't react upon my return. I raised the sensitivity level to eight, and it detected me that time, so it’s worth testing out which sensitivity works best for you if you purchase a Blink Mini 2.

At the same time, I was testing the motion detection, and I also tested out the person detection setting, which is meant to limit motion recordings and alerts to only trigger when a person is present. My two Maine-Coon-cross cats were the perfect test subjects for this experiment. They didn’t set off the motion recording when the motion sensitivity was set to seven; however, when it was set to nine, which is the highest setting available, it detected my bigger cat, Mr Jinkx, on a few occasions that he wandered through the viewing area. On the other hand, it only detected his daintier sister, who is only slightly larger than the average cat, on one occasion when she jumped onto the TV cabinet (and made a lot of noise while doing it). So I’d wager that you may get away with not receiving unnecessary notifications if you have a standard-sized pet cat, but it could be a different story if your pets are any larger.

It was really easy for me to share recorded videos. I simply had to swipe left on the clip I wanted to send from the list, and it showed me the options to share or delete. Unfortunately, though, the first time I did this it caused the app to fall over. It returned to the clip list with the share screen still visible, and wouldn’t acknowledge any of my taps, so I had to force quit the app and reopen it. The recording did send, however, so that’s a positive, and the camera continued to detect my movements. I’m pleased to say I didn’t experience any further issues sharing clips after this occasion, though.

When I tried to share a clip of Mr Jinkx sitting on the window sill, I found I couldn’t unlink it from the next clip, which also included me, having to tell him that he can’t jump through a closed skylight. Eventually, I found that the icon of a film snippet and a clock on the “cloud storage” bar at the bottom of the screen was to switch the list of recorded footage from moments to separate events. I’m glad the function was there, but as it looked more like a scheduling icon I didn’t find it very clear.

Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Blink Mini 2?

Buy it if...

You want to store your footage without paying monthly
Although there’s an extra cost involved, as you’ll need to purchase the Blink Sync Module 2, it’s reassuring to know that you won’t need to tie yourself to a subscription plan in order to back up the recorded footage.

You don’t want to blow your budget
Although the Blink Mini 2 may not have all the bells and whistles we’d like, at this price it’s a good option if you just want a lower-cost camera that’s quick to set up and easy to view the live feed.

You want a compact outdoor camera
Thanks to its IP65 rating, the Blink Mini 2 is all good to use outdoors, and its small size means it’s less likely to stand out to passers-by. It’s worth keeping in mind that the camera still requires plug-in power though, so you’ll need to purchase the Blink Weather Resistant Power Adapter for peace of mind.

Don't buy it if...

You want a 360-degree view
Unfortunately, the Blink Mini 2 doesn’t possess remote movement functionality, so you’re limited to the static view from where the camera is placed.

You value your privacy
There’s an unfortunate lack of privacy cover on this home security camera, which may not be an issue for some, but if multiple people have access to your feed it would be reassuring to have a manual privacy cover for peace of mind when you’re home.

You want a perfect picture
It’s still clear to see who people are and what they’re up to on the Live feed and recordings, but the image quality isn’t the best. The footage I viewed and recorded was often a bit grainy, and the feed often pixelated slightly when there was movement onscreen.

Blink Mini 2 review: Also consider

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam
This camera will require a little more investment, and sadly doesn’t allow for any kind of local storage, but it has fantastic image quality that didn’t present any lag or pixelization during testing, and you have access to a vast viewing area thanks to its 360-degree rotation and 169-degree tilting capabilities. If you’d like to read more, check out my full Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam review by clicking on the link.

Wyze Cam v3
Another example of an indoor and outdoor security camera, except you don’t have to make an additional purchase to use it outside, as it already has a rubber sleeve to protect the camera's inlet, along with the IP65 water resistance rating. You can learn more about it in the full Wyze Cam 3 review.

How I tested the Blink Mini 2

I tested it for a week at home and in a busy office
I tested the sound and video quality, live and recorded
I tested the ease of setup, usability, privacy settings, and motion detection

I reviewed how easy the Blink Mini 2 was to set up, and tested its app and features.

I tested the Blink Mini 2 in our busy TechRadar reviews office along with a quieter area of my home to establish how sensitive the motion detection was, and how efficient the privacy and activity zones were.

I tested the frequency of notifications and reviewed live and recorded footage, paying close attention to the visual and sound quality, and evaluating how well the camera handled movement.

I observed how well the Night Color Vision worked in different environments, testing how well it performed in darkness and with varying levels of ambient lighting.

I compared the Blink Mini 2 against our previous camera reviews, and benchmarked it against other indoor cameras I am currently testing.

Linxura Smart Controller: one-minute review

Smart switches are still a fairly burgeoning smart home technology, meaning it’s a rife space for creativity; enter the Linxura smart controller, a unique smart switch featuring an e-ink display and four-button clickable dial controls.

Slightly reminiscent of Apple’s iPod, the Linxura smart controller has a lot going for it, from its portability to its display and the small fact that it can be programmed with a whopping 52 individual devices across a range of smart home ecosystems and manufacturers. While these qualities do set it apart from many of the best smart switches available today, they aren’t without their drawbacks.

It works over 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, meaning there’s no added cost nor hassle from installing proprietary bridge or hub devices, and is compatible with Philips Hue, Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, Sonos, SmartThings and more, though there’s no HomeKit availability. However, not all pairings are made equal with Linxura; I had real difficulty setting up some, and others offer restricted toolsets.

It’s unique, and definitely useful for those who need a device that’s fairly ambivalent and offers a multitude of configurable commands, but ultimately it’s not possible to recommend the device unreservedly when the performance is so mixed depending on the ecosystem it’s paired with and the overall product quality when compared to its price.

Linxura Smart Controller mounted on wall — (Image credit: Future)

Linxura Smart Controller: price and availability

List price: $99 / £80 (about AU$150)

The Linxura Smart Controller is fairly pricey for a smart switch at $99 / £80 (about AU$150) versus the average $50 / £40 / AU$80 price tag of its competition, though given that you can program so many devices you might be able to get by with just one Linxura device rather than four or five simpler smart switches.

It’s available in three different colorways; Snow Pearl (white), Midnight Onyx (black) and Sterling Moon (greige). There’s one accessory sold for the Linxura smart switch: a magnetic base plate, which costs $14.99 / £16 (about AU$25) and comes in the same colors.

Value score: 2 out of 5

Linxura Smart Controller: design

Linxura’s smart controller is shaped like a rounded disc which can be attached to a wall-mounted magnetic base plate (sold separately) or carried around the home for easy access, making it a great option if you don’t want to use one of the best smart speakers to control your home but still want the semi-hands free smart home benefits.

The palm-sized dial is great for versatility and portability, but ultimately it looks slightly 80s sci-fi-inspired, which may or may not be the vibe you’re going for at home. Clad in all-plastic, the outer ring of the device is a clickable dial used to control the circular e-paper display it surrounds. It charges through a USB-C port placed on its bottom side, and attaches magnetically to the base plate.

Side of Linxura Smart Controller with USB-C port — (Image credit: Future)

The wheel isn’t quite as satisfying as Apple’s iPod despite their passing similarities, though I did delight in the little clicky sound as the wheel spins. To operate the dials, you need to press and hold and then turn the wheel, which led to some confusion when I first tried it. Otherwise, your options are to click and double click the wheel.

Because of the puck’s size, it’s not exactly discrete, and protrudes quite noticeably from the wall. Granted, in my home I affixed it with double-sided renter-friendly tape rather than the included screws, but even without the 2mm added by my tape, Linxura’s smart controller could do with being at least a little slimmer for a more contemporary, less obtrusive look.

Linxura Smart Controller mounting plate on wall — (Image credit: Future)

The display shows four devices at once, and has thirteen pages you can flick through using the wheel - for all my criticisms of this smart switch, this is a huge boon, with many smart switches relying on stickers or tactile labelling to distinguish between buttons. In dim environments, a backlight will kick in, triggered by the in-built light and capacitive sensors; however, it’s uneven and cheapens the device further.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Linxura Smart Controller: performance

To set up the Linxura smart controller, you’ll need to download the app and follow the instructions to pair; a fairly painless process to begin with. However, once paired, the switch is a bit of a hassle to set up.

It’s worth noting right off the bat that your Linxura experience will at least to some extent be characterized by the ecosystem you set it up in. For instance, on Alexa, it’s a bit of a nightmare, because the way it works is to register each combination of icon and action in the Alexa app as a unique ‘switch’ in your smart home.

That means for each of the 52 devices you can control with the Linxura smart controller, you’ll have to program the single click, double click, anti-clockwise wheel and clockwise wheel controls as separate triggers. If you’ve used Alexa-based automations before, you’ll know the suffering proposed by the necessity to manually configure over 200 triggers.

Linxura Smart Controller in hand — (Image credit: Future)

First-party software like the Philips Hue app work a lot more effectively, because once you’ve paired the two platforms you can configure everything directly in the Linxura app.

Furthermore, you get a very different experience in terms of the level of control between different platforms. When paired with Philips Hue’s platform directly, I could use the clockwise and anticlockwise dial spin to increase and reduce the brightness and color temperature by a set parameter; on Alexa, it just tuned the light to a set level.

Lag proved to be an issue, too, though during my testing seemed to fix itself. Using the Linxura to turn on my fan when I first began testing took anything from five to twenty seconds to trigger the response, though when I retested just before writing up my review it seemed to consistently change its settings within a few seconds.

Linxura Smart Controller illuminated at night — (Image credit: Future)

However, I must say its portability did come in extremely useful, and I was impressed with its battery life. The advertised three months battery isn’t quite the case if it’s in regular use, but I found that with moderate use it lasted almost two months, and with frequent use just over a month. There are thoughtful inclusions like the ‘find my controller’ beeper in the app, and compared to display-less smart switches I’ve used in the past, the Linxura was far easier to use and remember which controls were bound to which action.

Conceptually, it’s a fantastic idea, and had it come out just a few years earlier I’m sure it would have scored more favorably. As it is, however, the Linxura feels too limited and too overpriced to compete with the best smart speakers and mobile apps it's up against.

Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Linxura Smart Controller?

Buy it if

You want one controller to rule them all

If your priority is having one puck to operate all of your smart home devices, you’re in luck - the sprawling 52-device menu on the Linxura smart controller is unparalleled. View Deal

You want something portable

Linxura doesn’t need a constant power supply, and can comfortably last a month on a single charge with frequent use. View Deal

You use multiple platforms

With an ever-growing compatibility list, the Linxura offers control comparable to some major platforms across a wide range of ecosystems and manufacturers.View Deal

Don't buy it if

You value svelte design

It’s not ugly, but the puck-shaped Linxura has a distinctly dated feel to it, not aided by its e-paper display and cheaper build materialsView Deal

You're on a budget

Value for money isn’t the Linxura smart controller’s strong suit, and it’s an expensive choice of smart switch, coming in at almost double the cost of its competitors.View Deal

First tested November 2024

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum review

4:00 pm | November 7, 2024

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

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus: two-minute review

The Yeedi C12 Pro Plus is great for what it is – a mid-tier robot vacuum that will help keep your floors mostly clean between deep cleanings. If your budget is limited to around $600, it might even be among the best robot vacuums for you. Of course, robot vacuums have come a long way so, if you're able to splurge, it might pale in comparison to some of the competition, though you'll have to pay much more for those other options.

It can't get right up to the edges of rooms, it's limited in the smart home department, and it's a little louder than other options. However, its vacuuming and mopping is good otherwise, and Yeedi seems to finally have cracked the code on mapping open-floor spaces, something I've been harping on since I first reviewed the Yeedi Cube and have continued to have issues with just about every other manufacturer since.

While the eye-catching design of the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus' base station is certainly a plus, the more important factor here is the affordability of this robot vacuum. Even disregarding the fact that it's going to see plenty of deals – as is the nature of Yeedi and Ecovacs products – this is a relatively affordable model. While I consider it mid-tier, it's among the most affordable options out there that include mopping functionality.

So, if you're on a budget but still want that mopping ability and can live with some compromises, then this could be the robovac for you. Read on for my full Yeedi C12 Pro Plus review, where I'll dive deeper into its design and how it performs, so that you can decide for yourself.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum and base station in reviewer's home — My review model, ready to start testing (Image credit: Future)

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus review: price & availability

List price: $599.99 (about £470 / AU$900)
Available: US
Launched: July 2024

Even though Yeedi is owned by Ecovacs, this brand (or sub-brand, rather) seems to only be available in the US. At least this model is slightly more accessible than the Yeedi Cube, not to mention much cheaper than many of the Ecovacs robot vacuums out there.

You will have to make a few concessions for that lower price point. There's no clean and dirty water reservoirs in the base station, and the mopping pad is a flat semicircle rather than spinning discs (which are generally more effective).

You'll also live without quality of life features like mop pad washing and drying – although you can easily remove the mop pad and clean it yourself. So, if you're on a little bit of a budget, you might forgo some conveniences, but this robot vacuum is still a strong contender.

The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop, which has a similar form factor, will set you back just a little more at $699 (about £559 / AU$1,054). Having reviewed that Shark robot vacuum, I do have to say that it runs a little quieter than the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus. But, it doesn't look quite as cool.

If you want to put the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus' value in context, consider the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo, a robot vacuum I gave a nearly perfect score to for its great performance, feature set, and wonderful mapping, not to mention the fact that it comes with a handheld vacuum. While the Yeedi is missing a lot of the features, and isn't quite as good when it comes to performance, it's also about double in price at $1,199.99 (about £9500 / AU$1,800).

Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus specs

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus review: design

Attractive and unusual looking base station
Anti-tangling brushroll
Have to manually switch out backplate for mopping function

Since the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus is mid-tier, it's a bit more stripped down and a little less automated than many brands' newest, flagship models. Despite that, this robot vacuum has some aesthetic appeal.

Available in black or white colorways, the base station's dust bin is actually transparent, showcasing the red metal filter inside that just demands attention. Instead of trying to be discreet, the base station is bold, and that's something I appreciate.

Close up of transparent dock dustbin on Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum — Unusually, the dock dustbin is clear, so you can see the filter and debris (Image credit: Future)

Since it doesn't have water reservoirs, it also doesn't take up a ton of space. There's just a dustbin into which the (small) onboard dust cup self-empties after every use. At 1.5 liters, the dock bin is smaller than many competitors', but should still hold a decent amount of dust and debris. It pops right out with a push of a button, making it easy to empty out every few weeks.

As far as the robot vacuum itself, it has the usual round shape with the protruding center. There's a bumper on the front for when it runs into stuff – I'll talk about object avoidance below, but let's just say it needs the bumper. And there are three buttons on top for basic controls.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum flipped upside down to show underside, along with mopping and vacuuming backplates — There are separate backplates for mopping and vacuuming (Image credit: Future)

There's just one side brush here, but at least the roller underneath is of the anti-tangling variety. There are actually two backplates that come with the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus – one if you just want to vacuum and one to add mopping functionality. The latter adds a 0.4 liter water reservoir and a flat mopping pad that will vibrate and apply downward pressure on the floor as it goes about its business. Since it can't retract this mopping pad, unlike more expensive models that have the spinning mop pads, it will just avoid carpeting when in mopping mode.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus review: performance

Surprisingly good vacuuming, including pet hair
Solid mopping but doesn't get to the edges of rooms
Is a bit louder and has mediocre object avoidance

While I did test the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus with various debris to see how it would do, I was surprised to see it pick up a bunch of dust, dander, and pet hair on its first couple runs on what I thought were already clean floors. That's a testament to how well it vacuums up (it boasts 8,000Pa of suction, which is actually higher than you'd usually find on a robovac at this price point).

Beyond that, it did well vacuuming up larger pieces of debris. Just to test that, I threw a bunch of cereal in front of it (a Lucky Charms knock-off, if that's important to you) and it sucked it all right up.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum sucking up breakfast cereal — The C12 Pro Plus had no issues sucking up breakfast cereal (Image credit: Future)

On top of that, the brushroll, even after a good number of cleaning runs, was mostly tangle-free. Keeping in mind that this is a full household with a few people with long hair and a couple of dogs, along with a cat, that's impressive.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum flipped over to show brushroll — This anti-tangle brushroll works well (Image credit: Future)

It only has one side brush – not unusual, although you will find some robovacs double up here. Also worth noting is that it's a bit louder than some other robot vacuums, with a volume of around 62db if you're a foot or two away.

The mop pad is a wide semicircle that vibrates, as opposed to the spinning disc variety (which tends to perform better). However, on test I was quite impressed. I found this robovac delivered a nice, even mop that dries quickly and it quickly cleans up small spills – I threw a bit of Diet Coke right in front of it to test, and it was wiped up in one pass.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum approaching a puddle of diet Coke on a hard floor — The robovac did a good job of clearing this diet Coke spillage (Image credit: Future)

Mopping the edges of rooms is a common issue with robovacs. A handful of premium models feature extra side mops or pads that can shift outwards to get close to the edges of rooms; unsurprisingly there's nothing like that here. That means the mopping can't get right up to the edges of rooms.

Also unsurprising at this price point is the fact that there are no mop pad washing and drying capabilities built into the dock. That means you'll have to manually clean the mop pad if it gets dirty, or you risk tracking soy sauce or, worse, mold, across your floors. There is an extra mop pad supplied, so you can swap it in as you leave a dirty one to dry out.

It's worth noting that, as long as you’re not trying to vacuum carpets, you can leave the mopping backplate on and still do a great job vacuuming. As mentioned before, when in mopping mode, it will avoid carpets. I threw a bath mat in front of the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus, and it cleaned right up to the edge and then backed off.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum pushing squirt bottle out of the way — The C12 Pro Plus successfully identified and avoided mopping the bathmat, but ran straight into the bottle (Image credit: Future)

One area where the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus fell down a little was its object avoidance. Now, it didn't get stuck on anything despite there being plenty of dog toys sitting around, though it did bump into them. But, when placing a squirt bottle in front of it, instead of going around, the robot vacuum just pushed it out of the way.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus robot vacuum stopping next to a step down — Cliff sensors ensure the robovac doesn't take a tumble down stairs (Image credit: Future)

In terms of battery life, this robot vacuum has 300 minutes of use on a single charge on anything but the most basic of vacuuming operations, you'll still get a lot of use out of this before it needs to charge. On test, I found it could manage 170 minutes when mopping as well as vacuuming, which is pretty impressive. However, like most robot vacuums, it seems to return the base station somewhat frequently (to self-empty usually, so I never saw its battery life dip particularly low.

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus review: app

Easy to use and navigate
The mapping is very good, even with open floor plans
Not much in the way of smart home features

Getting the robot vacuum set up in the companion app for testing was clean and straightforward. As with most apps these days, I found the app easy to use and navigate, although it did take a minute of poking around to figure out where everything is – some of the functionality, particularly anything map-related, is tucked behind picture icons in the top right.

There are a number of noteworthy things in the app. Of course, there's the basic ability to set up a schedule and adjust some settings, such as a child lock and 'do not disturb' modes. But what really stands out is the fact that not only does it automatically section off the different rooms when mapping, but it allows you to partition each room into smaller areas as well. Many companion apps that use a line tool can get stuck on this, but even though Yeedi's app uses the same approach, here I had no issues cutting off half or a quarter of a space into a new 'room'.

As great as that is, anyone hoping for smart home features will be sorely disappointed to see that there's no voice assistant or voice assistant support. You'll either need to use the app or the physical buttons on the robot vacuum itself.

App score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus?

Buy it if...

You want a combo robovac without breaking the bank

Even though it's about $600 / £500, you can't really go much cheaper and still get quality mopping performance to go along with good vacuuming in a robot vacuum.

You have pets

This robovac packs a surprising amount of power for the price, and I found it handled pet hair well. The anti-tangle brushroll worked as advertised, too. However, do note my comment below regarding object avoidance.

You have an open-plan space

The mapping ability here fixes many of the frustrations I’ve experienced with other models – namely, it has no issues separating open plan rooms into smaller spaces. It’s easy to use and manipulate so that you can more easily spot clean.

Don't buy it if...

You want voice control

Since this is a more budget model (when compared to other models with the mopping feature), it doesn't have voice assistant support. If you want to use Alexa, Siri, etc. to control your robot vacuum, you'll have to look elsewhere.

You want the very best cleaning performance

Though the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus gets 90 per cent of the way there compared to more expensive models, it struggles with things like getting up to the edges of rooms.

Good object avoidance is important

The Yeedi C12 Pro Plus didn't always identify or avoid objects in its way, which might be an issue if you have a pet that isn't reliably house trained, for instance.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus review: also consider

Not sold on the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus? Here are some alternatives to consider.

Narwal Freo X Ultra

The Narwal Freo X Ultra is expensive (very expensive) but has, like the C12 Pro Plus, a more striking base station design, looking like it came out of a sci-fi movie. It also is filled to the brim with features, such as the ability to use the robot vacuum as a mobile security cam, not to mention it can reach the corners of a room, though it's strangely not quite as good with the edges.

Read our full Narwal Freo X Ultra review

Yeedi Cube

The Yeedi Cube may be a bit longer in the tooth, but it comes with some features that the C12 Pro Plus doesn't, such as mop pad drying, which helps avoid mold and bacteria. Just be aware that the Cube is going to cost you a little more for the extra features, which does include a voice assistant.

Read our full Yeedi Cube review

How I tested the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus

To test the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus, I used it for a week to vacuum and mop the hardwood floors and carpeting in my house. I focused on how well the vacuum cleaned the edges of a room as well as around obstacles. I also tested the features listed in the app, most notably the mapping.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024

SwitchBot K10+ Pro Mini Robot Vacuum review

7:16 pm | November 4, 2024

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

SwitchBot K10+ Pro: two-minute review

If you want a compact robotic vacuum cleaner, the pint-sized SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ Pro could be just what you're looking for. Don't be put off by the diminutive design – this robot vacuum is packed with tech, from intelligent room-mapping and app control, to self-emptying and some of the quickest navigation we've ever seen.

It squeezes with confidence – and often at speed – between furniture legs, cleaning carpet inaccessible by larger robots, and the equally compact dock will appeal to those with small apartments, too. It also taps into SwitchBot’s existing smart home ecosystem, and can be controlled by voice via Alexa or Google Assistant.

However, this small robot's suction power isn't a match for bigger, pricier rivals, and the mopping function – which merely drags a disposable wet wipe across the floor – failed to impress. As with many robot vacuums, you need to watch out for high doorway thresholds, as anything over 20 mm will be a struggle for the K10+ Pro to clear consistently (although some of today's best robot vacuums don't have such an issue with this, thanks to some new and innovative engineering solutions) .

Those factors aside, this compact vacuum is still a good option for smaller, mostly carpeted homes, or for focusing on specific zones of larger properties. Install it upstairs, away from the tougher challenges of the kitchen and hallway, and your guest bedrooms will be spotless, while giving up precious little space for the robot and its dock.

That's the short version; read on for my full SwitchBot K10+ Mini Robot Vacuum review.

SwitchBot K10+ Pro mini robot vacuum in its dock — (Image credit: Future)

SwitchBot K10+ Pro review: price & availability

List price: $599.99 / £599.99
Launched: August 2024
Available: US / UK

The $599.99 / £599.99 K10+ Pro sits above the regular $399.99 / £399.99 K10+ in SwitchBot's lineup of mini robotic vacuum cleaners, but some way below the flagship S10, which costs $1,199.99 / £1,099.99.

It looks almost identical to the K10+ but the Pro model gains a set of useful extra features, including a PSD distance sensor for more accurate navigation, a silicon anti-tangle brush, and a 3,000Pa suction system (20 percent more powerful than the K10+). It also benefits from an antibacterial dustbag, which the regular K10+ lacks.

A price difference of $200 / £200 is fairly significant at this end of the robotic vacuum market, especially when the two robots look almost exactly the same. But pet-owners will surely be drawn to the anti-tangle brush of the Pro, along with the extra suction power.

The K10+ Pro’s price puts it roughly on par with other mid-range robotic vacuum like the Roomba Combo J5 Combo from iRobot. That model also works as a mop, but it too requires the user to manually swap the mopping attachment in and out to switch between the vacuum and mop functions. Unlike the SwitchBot and its disposable wet wipes, the Roomba has a washable and reusable (then eventually replaceable) mopping cloth.

The SwitchBot’s price falls between the Eufy Clean X8 Pro (which acts only as a vacuum with self-emptying bin), and the pricier Eufy X10 Pro Omni, which has a rotating and self-cleaning mop.

While not uncomfortably expensive, the SwitchBot K10+ Pro feels like it charges a premium for its compact size. Instead of being a smaller and therefore cheaper model, it sells its dimensions as a benefit rather than a byproduct. That’s mostly fine, but this price point causes the SwitchBot to fall between two categories of robot – ones that only vacuum, and ones that also mop. At 3,000Pa, the suction is fine but a little below what other models at this kind of price point offer.

Buyers will need to decide if they value the compact size above all else. Or, if they would rather spend less and lose the mop, or pay more for a robot that puts a greater emphasis on mopping.

Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

SwitchBot K10+ Pro specs

SwitchBot K10+ Pro review: design

Shallow and compact design
Self-empties dust into the (also compact) dock
Unusually, the mop relies on disposable wet wipes

Based on photos alone, you might think the K10+ Pro looks like any other robotic vacuum, but when you see it in person you realize just how compact it really is. It's a circular robot with a diameter of just 9.76 in (24.8cm) – compared to 13.39 in (34cm) for the SwitchBot S1 Plus – and a height, including the top-mounted radar, of 3.62 in (9.2cm). These diminutive dimensions help the SwitchBot drive between and under furniture in ways larger robots cannot.

The docking station and dust bin is also smaller than most of its rivals. It's so compact, SwitchBot suggests you could even tuck it under a chair. The all-round diminutive size makes the K10+ Pro ideal for smaller homes, or even as a second robotic vacuum tasked with cleaning lesser-used parts of a larger home, such as the spare bedrooms or office.

The robot itself has a radar on top, plus sensors on its front and side, and a cliff sensor underneath, to help navigate without crashing, getting stuck or falling down the stairs. There are just two buttons on the robot, for powering it on or off and telling it to go back to its charger. Every other function is controlled by the SwitchBot smartphone app, which is free for iOS and Android.

SwitchBot K10+ Pro mini robot vacuum, with mop wipe and onboard dustbin taken out — (Image credit: Future)

The top cover is secured by magnets, and when removed reveals a power switch that's only needed during the initial setup process, and the dust bin. The bin's filter is easy to remove and clean, and handily the smartphone app notifies you when the bin has been removed or replaced.

Turn the K10+ Pro over and you'll find a spinning side brush for flicking dust and dirt out from corners of the room, and a rotating anti-tangle brush made from rubber. During my month of testing the brush didn't once get tangled up, although a fair bit of hair collected at either side. Thankfully this doesn't restrict its movement, and is easy to extricate by removing the roller and snipping at the hair with some scissors.

The robot comes with a mopping attachment, which is fitted manually to its underside and, rather unusually, uses wet wipes instead of a washable pad or cloth. SwitchBot says this is an improvement over robotic vacuum cleaners that use washable towels for their mops, since it employs a clean wipe every time. I can see the logic here, but fitting a new disposal wipe after every mop seems wasteful.

Either way, the K10+ Pro won’t give your hard floors a particularly deep clean, since the wipes are simply dragged over the surface with no real pressure behind them. If you need a mopping robot, I'd recommend upping your budget if possible and going for a model with a mechanical spinning mop, like the Eufy X10 Pro Omni or Eufy Omni S1 Pro.

Dock for SwitchBot K10+ Pro with lid open to show dust bag — (Image credit: Future)

Back to the K10+ Pro, and the compact charge station houses a generous 4-liter dust bag that should last for months before it needs taking out and replacing. The robot automatically empties into the dustbag when its own bin gets full (at a brief but rather loud 83dB), but there's no water supply for the mop, since it uses wet wipes instead.

Although compact, the top-opening charge dock is plenty large enough to house a spare dust bag and filter, plus a pack of wet wipes and a brush for detangling the robot – all of which is included in the box. It makes for a handy way of storing everything associated with the K10+ Pro, instead of inevitably losing its various components in a cupboard elsewhere.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

SwitchBot K10+ Pro review: performance

Quiet, with moderate suction power
Mop function is not worth the effort
Good but not infallible navigation

Before I conducted a set of controlled tests with the K10+ Pro, I set it up and simply used it as my vacuum cleaner. The setup process is quick and easy. Just download the SwitchBot app, follow the instructions to connect the robot to your Wi-Fi network (this step failed at first, then worked fine when I tried again), and let it map your home.

I used the app to name each room and adjust the room boundaries slightly. The robot did a decent job of working out where room thresholds were, but got a bit confused by a hallway connecting the kitchen, bathroom, lounge and bedroom. A couple of minutes of tinkering in the app, and the map was perfect.

I was particularly impressed by how it confidently drove under a bathroom cupboard with less than 0.4 in (1cm) of clearance without even a moment of hesitation. I also liked how it could drive itself between the three legs of a table I have next to my sofa. Other, larger robots can't fit through here, or between the legs of my office chair, so the floor between the legs is always missed. Not so with the smaller SwitchBot.

However, while its navigation is mostly very good – and it really is capable of getting to places larger vacuums can't – it repeatedly drove at full speed into a fireplace hearth. This made me question the SwitchBot's intelligence, but I saw no other collisions during the mapping and cleaning process.

SwitchBot K10+ Pro mini robot vacuum struggling to get over a room threshold — (Image credit: Future)

The K10+ Pro is quite good at driving over high thresholds, which have been a problem for much more expensive robotic vacuums in the past, like the Eufy S1 Pro. The SwitchBot sometimes had to back up and try a different angle, but it very rarely failed to clamber over what is a rather high threshold between my hallway and kitchen.

The same gung-ho approach couldn't be replicated in the lounge, however, where it repeatedly got stuck in a thick rug. I had to mark this area as a no-go zone in the app, which was disappointing but hardly a surprise. Only one robot that I've tested, the Eufy X10 Pro, has so far managed to successfully wade through the rug without calling for help.

As with other robotic vacuums, the K10+ Pro can be configured to clean each area once or twice, and there are four suction modes to pick from, called Quiet, Standard, Strong and Max. Via the app you can create a room-by-room cleaning plan, with the ability to set a suction strength and cleaning time (once or twice) for each room, before you set the robot on its merry way. It automatically increases suction power when driving from a hard floor to carpet, but doesn’t ramp up the power specifically when there’s more debris to tackle, as some more advanced robovacs can.

For everyday cleaning the K10+ Pro performed well. The app is easy to use and it takes just a couple of taps to tell the robot to clean a specific area, a certain room or the entire floor. It's also easy to create a schedule, which is where robots like these work best. Configure it to clean high-traffic rooms frequently, and this little-and-often approach will keep your floors looking their best. Alternatively, I can see a compact robot like this being perfect for giving your spare bedrooms a weekly clean, or even taking charge of the entire upstairs, while you use a conventional vacuum in the kitchen, hallway and lounge.

Time for the more specific tests. This involves using a mix of oats and flour on hard floors and carpet, then seeing how the robot performs as we cycle through all of suction strengths and cleaning modes.

SwitchBot K10+ Pro mini robot vacuum on hard floor, with crumbs from pickup tests alongside — (Image credit: Future)

Quiet mode is fine for a light, frequently vacuum of low-traffic areas, and at just 64 dB it is remarkably quiet. It'll pick up larger debris like oats, but as with other robotic vacuums the K10+ Pro tends to flick everything around on its first pass, rather than pick it all up. You really need to set the vacuum to pass every area twice. That way debris gets flicked around a bit initially, but is mostly collected on the second pass.

Cranking the power setting up to Max increases the volume to 70 dB, and there's a noticeable difference in suction power. More debris is picked up on the first pass, then almost everything else is picked up the second time around. That said, the K10+ Pro still isn't as powerful as some pricier rivals, since it offers just 3,000 Pa of suction, compared to 5,000 Pa or even 8,000 Pa for more expensive options from the likes of iRobot and Eufy. Even on maximum power it failed to suck up flour from the shallow grooves between floorboards, and had a habit of leaving arcs of flour on the floor every time it turned around.

It performed similarly on carpet, where maximum strength wasn't quite enough to pull every bit of flour out of the floor. During this test I also found it failed to clear a circa-2cm threshold between the exposed floorboards of the hallway and the bedroom carpet. This is a common stumbling point for robotic cleaners of all prices, and despite trying for several minutes, the SwitchBot eventually failed to climb onto the carpet and called for help via the app. You'll need to bear this in mind if you're shopping for a robot vacuum, since very few manage this journey from floorboards to carpet reliably.

Close up of buttons and camera on SwitchBot K10+ Pro mini robot vacuum — (Image credit: Future)

The K10+ Pro is one of the quickest robotic vacuums I've ever reviewed, driving faster than most others when it has the space to do so. I reckon it would easily clear the challenging thresholds if it gave itself a run-up, but SwitchBot doesn't seem to have programmed it to do so. One for a future software update, perhaps – just so long as it can reliably distinguish between a tricky threshold and a staircase.

Generally, and thresholds aside, the K10+ Pro does a decent job of navigating between rooms. However it will occasionally drive straight into objects, like chair legs and door frames, and do so repeatedly, as if feeling instead of seeing its way around, until a clear path is discovered. Its behavior sometimes reminded me of older, less intelligent robotic vacuums. It's unlikely to damage anything, but this headbutting approach makes the robot seem less smarter than it claims to be.

As is often the case with robotic vacuums, the K10+ Pro is good at light, frequent cleaning, but struggles to pick up absolutely everything when tasked with fixing a specific problem, like the spilled cup of oats and flour used in our tests. The debris left behind was completely removed by a regular handheld vacuum in a matter of seconds.

SwitchBot K10+ Pro mini robot vacuum flipped over to show underside, with rubber roller removed — (Image credit: Future)

Moving to the mopping function, and this is really more of a quick wipe than a thorough scrub. More expensive robots have motorized mops that spin and push down onto the floor with real force, but here it's just a case of fitting an included wet wipe and telling the robot to get to work. I like how the wipe holder stores neatly inside the charging dock, but fitting a fresh wipe each time is a bit of a pain.

Attaching the mop switches the robot from vacuum to mopping mode, but this is very much a manual process. You have to fit the mopping attachment (which covers the rotating rubber brush) and tell it to go mop a specific room or area, then detach it to turn the robot back into a vacuum cleaner. The rotating side brush operates in both modes.

While handy for a quick wipe, the mop isn't capable of lifting any serious stains. In fact, it failed to fully remove some freshly split hot sauce from the kitchen floor, despite passing twice over the liquid. The wipe became dirty, so it had clearly done something, but this is really no more than a very light clean. A pack of 30 wipes is included in the box, each with a couple of holes for fixing to the mop attachment, but I can't see many owners buying another pack when they run out.

Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

SwitchBot K10+ Pro review: app

Easy to use
Lots of functionality
Apple Home requires additional hub

This robot uses the same app as other devices made by SwitchBot, which is handy if you want to build out your smart home with the company's devices, like door locks, motorized window blinds, security cameras and the Bot from which the firm gets its name.

You'll need to buy a SwitchBot Hub for some of these, but the vacuum works fine on its own – although you will need that hub if you intend to control it from Apple Home via the Matter wireless standard. Incidentally, voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant works without the hub.

The setup process is quick and easy, with the robot mapping your home on its first exploratory outing. You can then use the app to split the map into rooms and name them accordingly. With that set, you can ask the robot to go clean a specific room, or create a cleaning plan where a different suction setting is used for each room. It's also possible to draw no-go zones (such as a thick rug that the robot will get stuck in), or draw a specific area you want cleaning.

These are all common features across various robotic vacuums. There's nothing that really makes the SwitchBot app stand out from the crowd, but it's nice to see how the ‘Mini' name doesn't mean it's lacking in features.

App score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the SwitchBot K10+ Pro?

Buy it if...

You're tight for space

This robot is much smaller than many of its rivals. This means it can be tucked away more neatly, but also that it can drive into tight spaces inaccessible by others, producing a more thorough clean – especially between furniture legs.

You plan to buy more SwitchBot devices

SwitchBot makes a wide range of smart home devices, all of which can be controlled from the same app as the robotic vacuum. You'll need the company's hub to get the most out of it, but the products can create a nice little home automation system.

You're happy to mop manually

This robot's mopping function is perfunctory at best, so only consider it if your priority is vacuuming.

Don't buy it if...

You need a good mop

The mopping function of this robot is little more than a wet wipe. You're best doing the mopping yourself, or picking a robot better-suited to the job, like one with powered rotating mops.

You want massive suction power

This robot is great for light, frequent cleans, but it lacks the suction power of larger rivals. We found it struggled to lift flour out from a wooden floor, so if it's outright power you need, we suggest you look elsewhere (and possibly also up your budget).View Deal

You have high doorway thresholds

Like some other robotic vacuums, the K10+ Pro struggles to clamber up from a hallway with exposed floorboards to the higher carpet of the next room. It just can't climb over doorway thresholds with confidence, so if you have lots of those we suggest you give this model a pass.

How I tested the SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ Pro

I set up the K10+ Pro and used it as my only vacuum for a couple of weeks before starting the review. I then carried out a range of specific cleaning tasks to assess its mapping, navigation, suction and mopping abilities.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2024

Reolink Doorbell (Battery) review: well-constructed, weather-resistant and attractive subscription-free battery video doorbell

6:00 pm | November 3, 2024

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

Reolink Doorbell (Battery): one-minute review

The Reolink Doorbell (Battery) is a wireless video doorbell that's solidly built and works without a subscription, but has a few drawbacks when it comes to video latency and smart home compatibility.

The built quality of the Reolink Doorbell (Battery) impresses as soon as you take it out of the box. Reolink has years of experience making external security cameras (including the recently launched Reolink Altas PT), and has brought that experience to bear on this product.

It feels substantial and purposeful when compared to something like the Aqara video doorbell G4 or the Ring Battery video doorbell Plus with its wafer-thin metal front cover. Superior weather protection is most welcome here in the UK, especially if you have a front entrance exposed to the elements.

It boasts a feature set that we've come to expect from the best video doorbells, including package detection, head-to-toe field of view, night vision, and 2K resolution. Plus, unlike some competing products, it works subscription-free; there is no need to store your video in the cloud as you can keep it on a microSD card within the unit (purchased separately).

With its rechargeable battery and Wi-Fi capabilities, installation can be as simple as downloading the app to your phone, drilling two holes, and attaching the doorbell to the door or wall. Reolink produces a range of devices including security cameras, hubs and network video recorders, and the lineage of this battery-powered doorbell is easy to trace.

However, The Reolink Doorbell (Battery) misses the mark in a few key areas; it has limited home automation connectivity and a slow and unreliable connection between the app and the doorbell, plus it’s easily removed from the wall.

Image of driveway captured by Reolink Doorbell (Battery) — (Image credit: Les Watson)

Reolink Doorbell (Battery): price and availability

List price: $145.99 / £159.99 / AU$186.99
Chimes and smart hub sold separately

The Reolink Doorbell (Battery) launched in September 2024 for $145.99 / £159.99 / AU$186.99, and at the time of writing the company is holding a sale that knocks around 10% off its list price. It can be bought direct from Reolink's online store (which ships worldwide) or from Amazon.

There are also Reolink chimes that let you hear the doorbell easily from anywhere in your home. These cost $19.99 / £23.99 / AU$49.99 each.

Reolink offers a compatible hub for $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$199.99, but I was disappointed that the brand’s solar panels do not appear compatible with the doorbell. It's also not clear how to hardwire the doorbell if you do not have an existing doorbell circuit.

Reolink Doorbell (Battery): specs

Reolink Doorbell (Battery): design

Sleek and attractive design
Battery is not removable

The Reolink Doorbell (Battery) is a pill-shaped device topped by the camera and sensor housing with a sizeable round button on the lower half. It’s simple and unobtrusive, opting for a less boxy form factor than the market-leading Ring doorbells have to offer. It’s robustly built with long-term outdoor use in mind but has a few quirks that make it a less-than-optimal choice for some households.

It's possible to tell quite a lot about a product and the company that produces it from the box that it comes in. I like a good box, and appreciate the time and effort required to design it; Reolink 'gives good box'.

The manual with readable text larger than that found on microfilm impressed me, but the paper template for drilling the holes in your door/wall is a curious inclusion. If you can't figure out where the holes need to go using the provided plates and screws I would suggest that you put the tools down, hold your hands aloft, and step away from the power drill.

The USB-C charge port is sensibly placed about halfway up the back of the doorbell under a protective rubber flap. Lifting the flap also revealed the MicroSD port into which I inserted a spare card and the supplied USB-C cable.

Diagram of Reolink Doorbell (Battery) — (Image credit: Les Watson)

I admired the nicely illuminated doorbell button and then…

“Welcome to Reolink, please install the Reolink app and scan the QR code on the camera,” said the nice lady on the doorbell.

“No thank you, I am going to bed now,” said I, but the doorbell had other ideas. “Willkommen bei Reolink, bitte installieren Sie die Reolink-App und scannen Sie den QR-Code auf der Kamera“, sagte die nette Dame an der Türklingel.

I replied to the now very annoying lady using all of the four-letter Anglo Saxon words I could think of, hoping that it would shut up after a while, but no - it repeated the same message in six languages again and again and again. Further frustration ensued when I searched for a QR code to scan since the message did not specify “scan the QR code from within the app”.

Eventually, I found the rather hidden power button and consulted the manual to find that it needed holding down for a few seconds to power down. All the while the doorbell is bellowing like a Eurovision score round. Who thought all of that was a good idea?

Installing the doorbell in battery mode after charging it was simple enough, but I did notice that the mounting plate does not allow for powered installation where a power cable does not present itself directly behind the doorbell. It’s unlikely that existing doorbell wiring will be at the correct height, let alone the right location, meaning the power wire will most likely need to enter the unit from one side or the other and there are no slots in the mounting plate to allow for this.

The two major design flaws are the non-removable rechargeable battery and the ease with which the doorbell can be removed from the wall. I appreciate that using widely available removable rechargeable batteries restricts design choices, but everything else about the doorbell is built to last except for the battery.

Far worse is the ease with which the doorbell can be removed from the mounting plate. Yes, Reolink provides a sturdy removal tool, but you can remove it with a paperclip and, more worryingly, you can also remove the MicroSD card.

Reolink Doorbell (Battery): performance

Mobile app is easy to navigate, but a little clunky
Connecting to doorbell via app is slow
Battery life is shorter than many other doorbells

As much as I like the build quality and Reolink’s attention to detail, it has to be said that connecting to the doorbell through the application is very slow. While the app is uncluttered and easy to navigate, some of the settings could be labeled more clearly. For instance, why are the video quality settings called 'Clear', 'Balanced' and 'Fluent', especially when the onscreen icon uses the unpretentious 'High', 'Mid' and 'Low' descriptors?

Drawing the privacy mask for your location is a pain, as you can’t see exactly what you’re doing when your comparatively large finger is blocking the screen. Reviewing video is also a bit clunky as it only displays the current day’s captures. If you want to see what happened the previous day you need to change the date and then wait for it to load.

The doorbell has been designed to conserve the battery wherever possible by only capturing video when the unit detects movement. This is a laudable design principle but as is often the case, it affects the performance; its standby mode leads to a longer connection time as it boots up. Two or three seconds is the usual connection period on other video doorbells and cameras that I have experienced, but the Reolink takes 5-10 seconds. Occasionally, it does not connect at all, which is very frustrating.

The seeds of doubt germinate as the battery also doesn't seem to last as long as the other doorbells that I have tested. The Reolink website states “the 7,000mAh built-in battery provides up to five months of protection,” although they do caveat that this conclusion is based on testing “under lab conditions with 20 triggers per day, each recording lasting eight seconds.” I'm willing to accept that the battery won’t last quite so long once I have finished my testing, but five months is, at best, optimistic.

Images captured by Reolink Doorbell (Battery) — (Image credit: Les Watson)

Reolink provides software for both Windows and OSX which is commendable; I spend most of my day at the computer and interacting with the doorbell through the phone app is less than ideal. It’s much easier to see the video output on a larger screen and the aliasing is not such an issue when the camera quality is set to high (or 'Fluent'). It goes some way toward redemption for having such limited home automation capabilities. The night vision is darker than on other doorbells which is a bit of a double-edged sword. It is sometimes difficult to see what has been captured, but on the other hand, it does not trigger unnecessarily when the security light on the house opposite lights up like other doorbells I’ve tested.

I have mixed feelings, ultimately, about the Reolink doorbell (battery). I want to believe in this product but at its price and with its software being so middling, it’s likely to be a somewhat disappointing purchase.

Should you buy the Reolink Doorbell (Battery)?

Buy it if

You want a quick and easy way to add a video doorbell

If like me, you do not have an existing chime in your house, battery-powered video doorbells are a quick and easy solution.

You have other Reolink devices but their hard-wired doorbell is not suitable

The Reolink doorbell battery will work with the Reolink hub, Reolink Network Video Recorder and other Reolink security cameras.

You want a subscription-free device

Most other video doorbells either have limited storage capacities or constantly capture the video stream which fills the storage up (or both). The Reolink supports MicroSD cards up to 256GB and only captures video when movement is detected. In theory, this should mean that you will have video that goes back a long way.

Don't buy it if

You use Apple HomeKit

There are options available (like Homebridge) that can usually allow you to easily include non-Homekit devices in your Apple home via a plugin or other ecosystems like Samsung SmartThings. Reolink’s limited home automation options make that difficult.

You need to investigate every notification

The slow response will annoy and the battery will drain quickly.

You are concerned about porch security

If you live in an area where you think someone might have the bright idea to remove, steal and reset your video doorbell, avoid this easily swiped device.

Reolink Doorbell (Battery): also consider

Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2

The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is a premium video doorbell that not only looks the part, but offers a wider field of view and sharp video quality. It is, unfortunately, wired only and is pricey as well, though it often goes on sale since it’s a bit older.

Read our full Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 review

Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wireless)

While the Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wireless) doesn’t have HDR, it still has that sharp 2K resolution, not to mention it’s a little less expensive than the Philips. It also can be used without a subscription, though one is on offer. This model is wireless only.

Read our full Eufy Video Doorbell 2K (Wireless) review

How I tested the Reolink Doorbell (Battery)

I tested the phone application and OSX application
I tested package recognition
I compared response times and video output to other smart video doorbells
I attempted to add it to Google Home
I attempted to add it to Apple HomeKit using Homebridge
I accessed the doorbell remotely via 4G and Wi-Fi

The test environment consisted of three smart doorbells (including the Reolink) all connected to the same Wi-Fi network. All doorbells were accessed via their accompanying applications during the testing for this review. The contents of the MicroSD cards were compared for file size and capture frequency (how often the doorbell captures video). The attempts to connect to Google Home and Apple HomeKit via Homebridge were time-limited to an hour each.

The drawback of the 'only capture when detecting movement' paradigm is that it is not possible to review the whole day's video to investigate detection misfires or failures. The privacy mask seemed to work really well, for example, but conversely, maybe it was not picking up everything that it should. Still, I checked to my best ability when I knew there was outside activity and by acting out my own doorbell-ringing scenarios.

I’ve been using smart home devices for several years now, and have a whopping 30+ years of tech enthusiasm and experience under my belt. Read more about how we test.

First reviewed November 2024

Reolink Altas PT Ultra review: a security camera that’s great for continuously monitoring your property

8:00 pm | October 27, 2024

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

Reolink Altas PT Ultra: two-minute review

A brand new model from a company that has been producing security solutions since 2009, the Altas (not Atlas) PT Ultra is intended for those who are serious about security. A bulky model featuring a 355-degree pan and 90-degree tilt camera, it’s ideally suited for small businesses and individuals wanting to monitor their premises on a regular, or even constant, basis.

However, it’s not the most straightforward to install, requiring a little bit of DIY skill to mount the bracket which the camera then slots into. Thankfully though, mounting templates, screws, and wall plugs are all provided in the box. Various mounting options are catered for, including a ceiling and wall mount. It’s even possible to install on a tree using the tree mounting strap provided.

Reolink Altas PT Ultra camera and accessories removed from box — (Image credit: Chris Price)

As with most of the best home security cameras these days, the Altas is controlled via your smartphone. Simply download the Reolink app and scan the QR code printed on the device to go through the setup instructions, complete with voice commands. Unlike many security cameras, the Reolink Altas PT Ultra supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi frequencies. It can also store footage on a MicroSD card up to 512GB (not supplied) or the company’s Home Hub/Home Hub Pro server (also not supplied).

Alternatively, you can pay for a subscription to store footage in the cloud. Currently the standard plan costs $6.99 / £3.49 / AU$4.99 per month or $69.99 / £34.49 / AU$49.99 a year for 30-day cloud video history, 30GB video storage and support for up to five cameras.

Using the app, you can set the pan and tilt camera both to record and track different types of movement automatically (human, animals, cars etc.) or you can control the camera manually via the app using the up and down arrow keys. There’s even a 10-second pre-record option which, like a body-worn camera or dashcam, constantly records in the background (this can be switched off if the battery falls to below a certain level).

Reolink Altas PT Ultra camera mounted outside — (Image credit: Chris Price)

Notifications can either be pushed to your mobile phone or via email if you want to go old school. If you want to record more than just motion-triggered events, you can set the camera up for continuous recording. Alternatively, it’s possible to set up a timer schedule of when you want recordings to take place using the slider controls in the menu.

Finally, in addition to recording footage there’s also the option of talking to potential intruders via the built-in microphone. And if reasoning with them doesn’t work there are also options to trigger the onboard alarm or switch the camera’s bright lights on all at the touch of a button.

Reolink Altas PT Ultra: subscription options

Reolink Cloud, Classic Plan Series. Standard Plan: Up to 30-day cloud video history, up to five cameras supported, up to 30GB cloud storage. $6.99 / £3.49 / AU$4.99 per month or $69.99 / £34.49 / AU$49.99 per year.

Reolink Cloud, Classic Plan Series. Premier Plan: Up to 30-day cloud video history, up to 10 cameras supported, up to 80GB cloud storage. $10.99 / £6.89 / AU$9.99 per month, $104.99 / £68.19 / AU$99 per year.

Reolink Altas PT Ultra: price and availability

How much does it cost? $229 / £229 / AU$359
When is it available? Available since October 2024
Where is it available? UK / US / Australia

Given you can now get an outdoor security camera for under £100 (such as the £89 Ring Stick-Up Cam) the Reolink seems very expensive at first glance. But then this device isn’t just intended for personal use. It’s also ideal for small businesses who want to keep an eye on their premises.

Another benefit is that you don’t have to pay the monthly subscription fee which often helps to subsidise the price of security cameras, rather like expensive printer cartridges subsidise cheap printers. Instead, you can use a MicroSD card or a ReoLink home hub to store footage rather than paying to store it in the cloud.

Also, unlike other models, the Reolink Altas PT Ultra combines a very large integrated lithium ion battery with a stand-alone solar panel as standard whereas often this is an optional extra. And while the solar panel didn’t prove particularly useful in the UK during a rainy and overcast couple of weeks in Autumn, it’s a great way of supplementing the device’s power in sunnier times.

Of course, the Reolink Atlas PT Ultra isn’t for everyone. There are much certainly much cheaper models on the market if you just want to track occasional motion. But if it’s constant monitoring combined with high performance video you are after then it’s certainly worth paying the premium.

Value score: 3.5/5

Reolink Altas PT Ultra: design

Solidly built
Hefty mounting bracket provided
Large integrated camera

The first thing you notice about the ReoLink Altas PT Ultra is just how big and heavy it is. Not that this is a criticism necessarily, just that it feels much chunkier than other models on the market. It also requires some DIY skills to drill all the necessary holes to install the mounting bracket into which the camera slots.

We installed the ReoLink Atlas on the front of a back garden office, but equally it could have been mounted on a ceiling. The only thing you need to be mindful of is leaving enough room for the built-in antenna which is designed to be angled directly upwards from the pan and tilt camera.

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Rear view of Reolink Altas PT Ultra camera — (Image credit: Chris Price)

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Reolink Altas PT Ultra camera — (Image credit: Chris Price)

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Side view of Reolink Altas PT Ultra camera — (Image credit: Chris Price)

A waterproof cover beneath the lens hides the MicroSD storage while above the lens are the powerful white lights. These lights are triggered by motion when it’s dark or can be switched on by pressing a button on the app. A microphone hole and daylight sensor are also provided in the main camera housing with a large speaker and USB-C charging port located on the underside of the unit close to the mounting bracket.

You can simply slide the camera out of the mounting bracket to charge it via the mains using the USB-C cable provided (you will need your own USB plug as this isn’t supplied). Alternatively, you can connect the camera via the same USB-port to the solar panel for additional power on sunny days. A generous amount of cable is provided for the solar panel and it’s surprisingly easy both to install (just three screws required), as well as angle towards the sky.

Design score: 4/5

Reolink Altas PT Ultra: performance

4K ultra high-definition resolution
Large battery for continuous recording
Color night vision

Undoubtedly, it’s when it comes to performance that the Reolink Altas PT really comes into its own. Testing the video quality during the day, I was impressed with the 4K resolution which displayed the flora and fauna of my garden in rich detail as well as capturing family members and pets in high resolution (no intruders were spotted during the test period!)

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Footage from Reolink Altas PT Ultra camera on an iPhone screen — (Image credit: Chris Price)

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Screen grabs of Reolink Altas PT Ultra camera app on an iPhone — (Image credit: Chris Price)

However, it’s at night where the camera really excels. Whereas most security cameras only display poor black and white images at night, the Reolink features ColorX technology enabling full-color footage without the need for spotlights (though in extremely dark environments the built-in spotlights will come on to enhance visibility).

Obviously, because the Reolink Altas PT is a 355-degree pan and 90-degree tilt camera it’s able to track and record movement from various sources without worrying about any blind spots. Another bonus is the large built in 20,000 mAh battery – over twice the size of the battery in the Eufy 4K S330 security camera, for example. This enables continuous recording 12 hours a day for over a week.

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Solar panel for Reolink Altas PT Ultra camera — (Image credit: Chris Price)

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Reolink Altas PT Ultra camera and solar panel mounted outside — (Image credit: Chris Price)

Reolink claims that the 6W solar panel can charge up to 35% of the battery with just one day of sunshine. However, we found that the solar panel actually contributed very little during rainy Autumn days in London – certainly not more than a couple of percent in a day. Nevertheless, even without the solar panels contributing much power, we found that during a 10 day period outdoors we didn’t need to remove the camera from its mount once for charging.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Reolink Altas PT Ultra?

Buy it if

You want to monitor your property constantly

The large rechargeable battery combined with solar panel means that can record footage 12 hours a day for over a week.

You want high quality video footage

The Reolink offers exceptional video quality, particularly at night thanks to its color night vision facility.

Don't buy it if

You want a lightweight plug and play solution

The Reolink is a bulky unit which requires DIY installation.

You're on a limited budget

Featuring a wealth of features, the Reolink is more expensive than some of its lower-specification competitors.

Reolink Altas PT Ultra: also consider

Not completely sold on the Reolink Altas PT Ultra? Here are two more options to consider.

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (Battery)

Available in black or white, this outdoor security camera from Amazon-owned Ring boasts two 3,000K spotlights. You can also buy a mains-powered version as well as a separate solar panel.

Read our full Ring Spotlight Cam Pro review

Eufy 4K S330 Security Camera

An extremely innovative battery and solar-powered camera, the Eufy can be used with the supplied 4G Sim card to capture recordings, making it ideal for those who live in areas with poor Wi-Fi/broadband.

Read our full Eufy 4K S330 Security Camera review

How I tested the Reolink Altas PT Ultra

I used the Reolink every day for two weeks
I set it up myself using the fittings provided by the manufacturer
The security camera was installed on the outside of my garden office (the solar panel was set up temporarily)

I installed the Reolink Altas on the front of my garden office for around 10 days so it could capture footage from the garden. After this period I then brought it indoors so I could use it to track movement a little more and also check battery usage.

Before setting up I made sure that the camera only focused on my own property by excluding parts of the frame that could capture the neighbour’s garden using the app. I also switched off the siren and only used the powerful spotlights briefly outdoors. Both the siren and spotlights were tested more thoroughly indoors.

Because it was autumn in the UK and the solar panel was largely ineffective, this was installed only temporarily on an outdoor table and also on the garden office door for a few days.

Learn more about how we test on TechRadar.

First reviewed October 2024

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam review: would make the perfect indoor security camera if it wasn’t missing this one key thing

8:00 pm | October 26, 2024

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

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam review: two-minute review

The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam is suitably priced at $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$129. It offers a range of customizable features and can rotate and tilt, providing a good insight into the goings-on at home.

The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam is available in black and white for all regions, but the US has the added benefit of Blush, Charcoal, and Starlight color options, too. As the name suggests, the rotating and pivoting mount beneath the camera allowed 360-degree panning and 169-degree tilting, providing a larger viewing area than static cameras.

The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam has many things in common with the Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen), which at the time of writing holds the top spot in our selection of the best indoor security cameras. Although its days may be numbered, as the Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam can do the same job, plus is capable of viewing a far wider area.

The privacy cover worked well, cutting off the camera feed and audio instantly whenever required, then sending word via the Ring app, meaning I’d know straight away if it was being tampered with.

The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam sits on light-colored wood surface against a pink background. — (Image credit: Future)

There is no way to store recordings locally, so if one wanted to see an occurrence after the fact, paying for a subscription would be the only way to do this. Without a subscription, the Ring app can still send instant notifications, show a live view, and access the two-way talk feature.

The pan and tilt functions worked well, and I got a clear view thanks to the 1080p HD resolution, but the Color Night Vision didn’t live up to its name. Unlike some cheaper cameras, the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam had no problem handling movement, with no visible pixelation or lag, but it’s a real shame that the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam is missing motion-tracking.

The audio wasn’t exceptional, but I was still impressed with the quality on the live view and recorded footage; conversations were easy to decipher and I didn’t find the sound not aligning with the image at any point.

The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam isn’t the cheapest option out there, but it’s suitably priced for the features and app support it offers. It’s regrettable that there’s no way to store footage locally so an extra fee is required for access, and that Ring has missed a trick by not including a motion-tracking function, but overall it’s good value for money.

If you’re in the market for something different, such as an outdoor-suitable camera or one with motion tracking, we have some highly-rated recommendations in our pick of the best security cameras.

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam review: price and availability

List price: $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$129
Availability: US, UK, and Australia
Release date: mid 2024

Released in 2024, the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam has a list price of $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$129, putting it toward the premium end for a single indoor camera. However, with its ability to sync with multiple other Ring home security devices, great picture quality, and good audio, it’s not overpriced. The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam is available at Amazon, Ring, and other third-party retailers.

Something to bear in mind when considering the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam is that there is no option to store recordings locally, so if you want to review footage after the event has happened, you’ll need to pay for a subscription. You do get a complementary 30-day subscription to Protect Plus, though. If you intend to use your Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam without a subscription, you’ll still have access to Instant notifications, the live view, and the two-way talk feature via the Ring app or website, plus a one-year limited warranty.

Value score: 4.5 / 5

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam subscription options

Ring Protect Basic:
Up to 180 days of video storage, download up to 50 videos at once, snapshot capture, package alerts, person alerts, and rich notifications.
Price: $4.99 / £4.99 / AU$4.99 per month, or, $49.99 / AU$49.95 per year per, Ring device.

Ring Protect Plus:
Has the same benefits as Protect Basic, plus (no pun intended) advanced video features, enhanced notifications, Home and Away modes, and extended warranties.
Price: $10 / £8 / AU$15 per month, or $100 / AU$150 per year. Covers all Ring devices at one location in the UK and Australia, or all Ring Home cameras and doorbells at one location in the US.

Ring Protect Pro (currently US only):
Offers everything in Protect Plus, as well as 24/7 alarm monitoring, alarm cellular backup, 24/7 backup internet with optional extra data, digital security by Eero Secure, and Ring Edge with local video storage. Please note an additional purchase of the Ring Alarm Pro is required to make use of some of these benefits.
Price: $10 per month or $100 per year, for all Ring devices at one location, US only.

A close-up of the pan and tilt mount and USB-C port. — (Image credit: Future)

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam review: specifications

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam review: design and features

360-degree panning and 169-degree tilting
Efficient privacy cover
No motion-tracking

In the UK and Australia, the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam is available in either black or white. I’m a little jealous of our friends over the pond because in the US there are additional options like Blush, Charcoal, and Starlight, which is a cream color.

Setting up the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam was blissfully quick and simple, in essence, all I needed to do was install the Ring app, scan the barcode on the back of the camera, connect it to my phone via Bluetooth, and then connect it to the Wi-Fi. Voila.

Unsurprisingly, as Ring is owned by Amazon, the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam can be linked to an Amazon account, and accessed through devices like the Amazon Show 8 (3rd gen).

Being able to access the camera through a browser is a big plus in my book because it enabled me to see the live view and recorded footage on a bigger screen. I had no problem viewing things on my phone though, as it was easy to zoom into areas on the app, on both live and recorded footage.

The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam is shown attached to the wall and ceiling mount. — (Image credit: Future)

The camera itself doesn’t look dissimilar to the Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen), except now it has the new mount that allows it to, you guessed it, pan and tilt, offering a far broader coverage when viewing live. The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam has a couple of placement options, either on a flat surface, or attached to the wall or ceiling using the included mounting plate, bracket, raw plugs, and screws.

I was surprised there isn't a motion tracking feature on the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam; some older and cheaper indoor cameras have this function. It’s curious to me that the camera has the benefit of being able to see almost anywhere, but there’s no way for it to be set to track a potential intruder (or a mischievous pet) unless it’s moved manually using the directional arrows through the app.

Despite this, the motion sensors proved effective on the lowest sensitivity setting out of the three available. I would quickly get a ping on my phone and Apple Watch whenever a person was spotted in the space, and I was able to set privacy and activity zones so that I wouldn’t get constant notifications when I was testing the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam in our busy office.

A close-up of the connectors of the wall and ceiling mount and the base of the Ring Pan-Tilt indoor camera. — (Image credit: Future)

Customizable home and away modes are available as part of the Plus subscription, so I could change the settings using just one button on the dashboard. By default, Home mode is set to stop detection motion, and recording, and Away mode enables these settings again.

The attached privacy cover was easy to open and close, instantly disconnecting the video and microphone feed when shut and notifying me whenever it was shut or reopened. In addition to this, for added privacy, there was another handy feature available that enabled me to disable the microphone at all times so only visual footage was captured.

In all, the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam is feature-packed and well-designed, but I can’t help but wonder why Ring neglected to include a motion-tracking feature, considering the scope of view this camera has to offer.

Design and features score: 4 / 5

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam review: performance

Good quality audio and video
Notifications kept me well informed
Efficient activity and privacy zones

The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam kept me in the loop with all the comings and goings at home and in the office, and once I’d mastered the settings, I could pretty much be left to do its own thing.

Speaking of the settings, the app wasn’t the most user-friendly in that respect, but otherwise, it’s responsive and worked well. There seemed to be a few ways to access similar things, and occasionally it took some hunting around to find a specific setting that I wanted to change.

Setting up the privacy and activity zones was straightforward; unlike some other cameras that can be limited to square zones, the Ring app offers a six-point selection area, so I had a bit more control to fit the zones around awkward spaces. There was one occasion when the app had a wobble, and got stuck on updating the snapshot to apply the zones onto, but the simple trick of turning the app off and on again solved the issue. These zones did their jobs well in action and helped to stop constant notifications of a person being detected, as I was working within view of the camera.

A close-up of the top of the camera and privacy cover. — (Image credit: Future)

The recordings were easy to access through the history button on the dashboard. Each recording was labeled; for example, it stated if it was recorded through live view, or a person was detected, and the device the recording came from, which would come in handy if I had a complete Ring setup. The event history can easily be filtered from tabs at the top of the screen, making it easy to view certain event types, such as motion or person detection, device types including alarms and smart lighting, and single devices.

I was pleased with the picture quality on the live view and recorded footage. A slight fisheye distortion was present toward the edges due to the wide lens, but apart from this, the images looked clear and high-quality. The camera handled movement well, with no lag or pixelation.

I tested out the siren, which was easily enabled by pushing a button on the app via the device's home screen; this caused the camera to make a loud security alarm sound, which I imagine could be capable of scaring off an unwanted guest.

A view of the camera and privacy cover against a pink background. — (Image credit: Future)

The name Color Night Vision is a little misleading; in low light, say, when shutting the blinds and turning off the lights in the office, it enhanced the colors on the live view really well, but we had the ambient light from our monitors to help this along. In full darkness, the feed is black and white just like many other night-vision-enabled cameras. The image quality is still great, but it is not in color like the name of this feature suggests.

I was pleased with the audio quality, other than a little bit of tinniness. Words and activities were easy to identify, and I didn’t experience any issues with the alignment of the audio and footage; whereas with past cameras I’ve encountered misalignments between what’s happening on screen and the audio recordings.

Overall, the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam did a great job, though I’d have preferred to have the ability to track motions, rather than staying static. A decent amount of customization options were available for me to fine-tune, and it detected and recorded everything I expected it to, providing me with a high-quality visual and satisfactory audio representation of what had been going on in its vicinity.

Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam?

Buy it if...

You want a good view
With the Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam, you get a better view of its surroundings thanks to its 360-degree rotation and 169-degree tilting, making it a better option than static cameras for keeping an eye on things.

You want a built-in alarm
If you’re looking at the live view and you spot something untoward, this camera has a siren built in that can be enabled through a button on the app. It makes a lot of noise, so should make for a good deterrent.

You want to see the details
The picture quality is really good on the live view and recordings, and it’s possible to zoom in with both. The footage didn’t display any lag or pixelation from movement either, which is a big plus.

Don't buy it if...

You require motion-tracking
Surprisingly, the Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam doesn’t have motion-tracking capabilities. Considering its impressive viewing range when moved manually, it seems that Ring really missed a trick here.

You don’t want to pay a subscription fee
While the subscription makes sense if you have a range of Ring security devices, giving access to stored footage in one place, if you want a one-off camera for a single purpose, it would be beneficial to have a local storage option such as a microSD card.

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam review: Also consider

Wyze Cam v3
A good alternative if you want to store footage without needing to pay, the Wyze Cam v3 has the added benefit of local storage of up to 128GB via a microSD card. However, the footage is limited to twelve seconds without a subscription. It also offers sound detection, though its sensitivity is limited, and audio quality was unsatisfactory. It also has IP65-rated water resistance and a rubber sleeve around the camera's inlet, so it can be used outdoors too. You can see the full review of the Wyze Cam v3 here.

Imou Rex 3D
Another alternative with local storage is the IMOU Rex 3D. It offers 355-degree rotation plus 90-degree tilt capabilities, so is a great option to consider if you’re looking for well-performing motion tracking, something that the Ring Pan–Tilt Indoor Cam is sadly lacking. Unfortunately, this camera only appears to be available in the UK at present, although it looks to be available from third-party retailers in the US. Why not take a look at how the Imou Rex 3D performed in the full review?

How I tested the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam

I tested it for a week at home and in a busy office
I tested the sound and video quality, live and recorded
I tested the ease of setup, usability, privacy settings, and motion detection

I reviewed how easy the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam was to set up, and tested its panning and tilting capabilities.

I tested the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam in our busy TechRadar reviews office along with a quieter area of my home to establish how sensitive the motion detection was, and how efficient the privacy and activity zones were.

I tested the frequency of notifications and reviewed live and recorded footage, paying close attention to the visual and sound quality, and evaluating how well the camera handled movement.

I observed how well the Night Color Vision worked in different environments, testing how well it performed in darkness and with varying levels of ambient lighting.

I compared the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam against our previous camera reviews, and benchmarked it against other indoor cameras I am currently testing.

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: one-minute review

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

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

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

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

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

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: price and availability

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

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

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

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

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: specs

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: design

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

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

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

Aqara Video Doorbell G4 with Lego astronaut minifigure — It had to be done (Image credit: Les Watson)

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

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

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

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

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: performance

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

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

Footage from Aqara Video Doorbell G4 and Ring Battery Pro doorbells — Footage from Aqara G4 on the left, Ring Battery Pro on the right (Image credit: Les Watson)

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

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

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

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

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

Performance score: 3.5/5

Should you buy the Aqara Video Doorbell G4?

Buy it if

You want a different look from other video doorbells.

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

You are invested in the Apple ecosystem

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

You want to store video footage without a subscription

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

Don't buy it if

You need to see your doorstep for package deliveries

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

You need a weatherproof doorbell

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

You need higher-quality video

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

Aqara Video Doorbell G4: also consider

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

Arlo Video Doorbell

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

Read our full Arlo Video Doorbell reviewView Deal

Eufy Video Doorbell Dual

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

Read our full Eufy Video Doorbell Dual reviewView Deal

How I tested the Aqara Video Doorbell G4

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

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

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

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

First reviewed September 2024

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO review: a smart, illuminated modular display system

7:00 pm | October 5, 2024

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

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO: one-minute review

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

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

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

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO display cases with action figures inside, illuminated white and blue — (Image credit: Les Watson)

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

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

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO display cases in packaging — (Image credit: Les Watson)

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO: price and availability

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

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

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

Display case pricing

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

Accessory pricing

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

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO: specs

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO: design

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

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

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

Printed instructions for assembling Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO display cases — (Image credit: Les Watson)

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

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

Side of Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO display case, showing connector — (Image credit: Les Watson)

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

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

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

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

Power supply for Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO display cases — (Image credit: Les Watson)

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

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

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO: performance

Software proved temperamental
Rhythm Source feature works well

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

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO display cases with collectibles inside illuminated red — (Image credit: Les Watson)

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

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

Should you buy the Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO?

Buy it if

You need a flexible storage system for your treasured possessions

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

You have other Nanoleaf devices

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

Don't buy it if

You're on a budget

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

You need a bookshelf

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

Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO: also consider

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

Govee LED Light Strip M1

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

Read our full Govee LED Light Strip M1 review

Twinkly Line

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

Read our full Twinkly Line review

How I tested the Nanoleaf x Fantaqi EXPO

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

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

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

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

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review: a robot vacuum that detects dirt

9:00 am |

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

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop two-minute review

Product info

There are a few versions of this product.

With NeverTouch Pro base:
US: RV2820ZE
UK: RV2800ZEUK

With NeverTouch base:
US: RV2820YE
UK: RV2800YEUK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop in its charging station — (Image credit: Future)

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review: price & availability

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review: design

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

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

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

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

Everything that comes with the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop — (Image credit: Future)

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

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

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

A hand lifting the water tank out of the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop's charging station — The NeverTouch Pro base houses water tanks and a larger dust cup (Image credit: Future)

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

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

Design score: 4 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review: performance

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

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

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

Edge cleaning with the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop — The robovac didn't get quite as close to the edges of rooms as I'd like (Image credit: Future)

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

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

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

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop climbing over a raised threshold — (Image credit: Future)

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

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

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

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

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

Cleaning tests

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop cleaning under furniture — The robovac is shallow enough to be able to clean underneath furniture (Image credit: Future)

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

Maintenance

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

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

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review: app

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

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

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

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

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

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

App score: 4 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop specs

Should you buy the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop?

Buy it if…

You like to keep your house clean between deep cleanings

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

You prefer a hands-free vacuum and mopping experience

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

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

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

Don't buy it if…

Your home has a lot of carpets

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

You have historic hardwood floors

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

You like a lot of customization options in an app

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

How I tested the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop

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

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2024

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