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Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: more smart alarm than speaker
4:51 pm | July 15, 2024

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

Amazon Echo Spot (2024): Two-minute review

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 review: Price and release date

Amazon Echo Spot on a tabletop

(Image credit: Future)
  • List price: $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$149

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

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

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

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

  • Value: 3/5

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Specs

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Design

Amazon Echo Spot on a tabletop

(Image credit: Future)
  • Three control buttons for volume and microphone control
  • Stylish semispherical design with bright and vivid 2.83-inch screen
  • No 3.5mm port, no camera

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

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

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

Amazon Echo Spot on a tabletop

(Image credit: Future)

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

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

  • Design: 4.5/5

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Display and features

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

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

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

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

Amazon Echo Spot on a tabletop

(Image credit: Future)

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

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

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Amazon Echo Spot on a tabletop

Echo Spot seen from the side, where its display begins to dim (Image credit: Future)
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Amazon Echo Spot on a tabletop

... compared to full-frontal, when it is bright and vibrant (Image credit: Future)
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Amazon Echo Spot on a tabletop

(Image credit: Future)

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

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

  • Display and features score: 3.5/5

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Sound quality

Amazon Echo Spot on a tabletop

(Image credit: Future)
  • Decent audio for its size
  • Struggles with complex textures and mids
  • Great for spoken-word

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

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

Amazon Echo Spot on a tabletop

(Image credit: Future)

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

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

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

  • Sound quality: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Amazon Echo Spot (2024)?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy them if…

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Also consider

How I tested the Amazon Echo Spot (2024)

Amazon Echo Spot on a tabletop

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

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

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

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

  • First reviewed in July 2024
Eufy Clean X8 Pro review: powerful robotic vacuum with a great app
9:00 am | July 9, 2024

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

Eufy Clean X8 Pro robot vacuum: two-minute review

The Eufy Clean X8 Pro is a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner and mop with LiDAR for smart navigation and a self-emptying bin for hands-free cleaning. The setup process is seamless, with quick and accurate mapping. The app works very well indeed; it is quick, intuitive and makes it easy to adjust your maps and tweak settings, as well as create cleaning schedules and adjust the suction strength.

The vacuum performs well, with very high suction strength, intelligent navigation and the ability to drive over relatively high door thresholds and through medium-thickness carpets and rugs without getting stuck. However, the anti-tangle roller brush can’t handle human hair, and requires frequent manual cleaning.

We also encountered an issue where the robot got confused and added phantom rooms to the map, which required a factory reset. The mopping function is rather basic, since it requires manual fitting and doesn’t move or self-clean. It’s fine for frequent, low-intensity wipes of hard floors, but isn’t suitable for removing dried-on stains.

Overall, the X8 Clean is a compact but powerful robotic vacuum with a top-drawer smartphone app and impressive cleaning abilities, but it falls short compared to today's best robot vacuums when it comes to dealing with human hair. 

Eufy Clean X8 Pro

The Eufy cleaning a wooden floor (Image credit: Future)

Eufy Clean X8 Pro review: price & availability

  • List price: $649.99 / £599 / AU$999.95
  • Availability: US, UK, Australia

The Eufy X8 Pro hit the market with a US retail price of $649.99, but at the time of writing (July 2024) Eufy’s own website has $250 off, taking the price down to a far more affordable $399.99. At that lower price it feels like excellent value for money.

Elsewhere, the vacuum is priced at a rather steep £599 from Eufy’s own UK website, but at the time of writing it’s just £290 from Amazon. Eufy’s Australia website has it priced at AU$999.95.

As with other robotic vacuum cleaners – and non-robotic ones too – there are some ongoing costs to consider. This includes the dust bags used by the self-emptying system, as well as consumable components like the robot's side brush and roller brush.

In a world where four-figure robotic vacuums aren't uncommon, some of the deals we've seen make the X8 Pro feel like very good value for money.

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Eufy Clean X8 Pro review: design

  • Self-emptying charge dock
  • Mop attachment fitted manually
  • 4.5-inches / 11.4cm tall

The Eufy Clean X8 Pro is a circular robotic vacuum cleaner with an attachable mop. It can be bought on its own or, as reviewed here, with a self-emptying station for an even more hands-off experience.

As with many other robotic vacuums, the X8 Pro has a circular vision system on top. In this case the system is called iPath and it uses lidar and infrared technology to view its environment and work its way around your home. The top panel is also home to buttons for starting/pausing the robot, activating the spot cleaning function, and instructing it to return to base and charge its battery.

Eufy Clean X8 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

The robot measures 13.5 in (34.3 cm) in diameter and is 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall, including the top-mounted sensor module. This makes it slightly taller than some other robotic vacuums, especially those with their vision system on the front instead of on top, so you’ll want to bear this in mind if you have any particularly low furniture. Eufy recommends creating no-go zones in the app to prevent the robot driving under furniture that is lower than 12cm. You'll also need to set no-mop zones in carpeted areas.

The hinged top cover lifts up to reveal access to the dust bin, which lifts out for manual emptying and filter replacement. Handily, the robot says 'dust bin removed' and 'dust bin inserted' to let you know what you’re doing.

Turn the robot over and you’re greeted by the centrally-mounted roller brush, single spinning brush for flicking debris out of the corner of your rooms, and two wheels.

Eufy Clean X8 Pro

The underside of the Eufy, showing the mop and debris collector (Image credit: Future)

Since this X9 Pro also works as a mop, the water tank is removed by sliding it out from the rear. You’ll need to fill and empty this manually, and also attach the included mopping pad when you want to use that mode.

The charging and self-emptying station measures approximately 15in (38cm) tall, and is 7.5in (19cm) wide and 6.5in (16.5cm) deep. It is designed to be placed up against a wall, and although not compulsory, it comes with a clear plastic mat onto which the robot and charge station can sit. The mat has sticky pads for fixing it to hard floors, or it can help protect carpets from the damp mop.

Eufy Clean X8 Pro

The robot comes with a mat for protecting your floor from the damp map (Image credit: Future)

The station is more compact than some other models, not least that of Eufy’s S1 Pro, since that model also houses tanks for clean and dirty water. All you'll find in the X8’s base station is a compartment for the included 2.5-liter dust bag, which Eufy says should need replacing roughly every six weeks, depending on usage.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5 

Eufy Clean X8 Pro review: performance

  • Powerful but quiet suction
  • Solid navigation capabilities, but sometimes fail to spot all debris
  • Mopping is basic

My first task for the X8 Pro was for it to map my apartment. It did this very well, and soon beamed a floor plan back to the Eufy Clean smartphone app (free for iOS and Android). From there it’s easy to split the floor up into rooms and name them accordingly, and you can also have the robot create a map for each floor of your home, if applicable.

After that, it’s easy to either start the robot right away, or create a custom cleaning mode for each room. You can, for example, tell the robot to always use Turbo or Max suction power for the kitchen, pass through the bedroom twice at Standard suction, then clean the lesser-used guest bedroom once with Quiet mode, the least powerful of the four vacuum settings.

A mopping mode can also be assigned to each room, with three options – low, medium and high – on offer. These refer to how much water the robot uses, but since the mop doesn’t actually move (the robot simply drags it around), water quantity is the only variable on offer.

Alternatively, you can draw a specific zone for the robot to clean in, which is useful when you need to vacuum a certain bit of carpet, or when perhaps only the rug needs attention on an otherwise clean hard floor. For the most part, you’ll likely just set the suction power, enable BoostIQ (which increases power depending on debris quantity and floor type) and hit the Auto button. The robot will then vacuum the entire floor plan, before returning to base to empty its bin and recharge.

Eufy Clean X8 Pro

The Eufy X8 Pro has four suction levels for carpet and hard floor (Image credit: Future)

The robot can even be driven manually, using directional buttons in the app, but you’ll likely only use this once for the novelty value.

Before performing specific tests with carefully measured amounts of debris, I used the Eufy X8 Pro as if it were my own for a couple of weeks. This meant setting it up, then having it clean my flat on automatic mode every couple of days – and let me tell you, its vacuum performance was seriously impressive.

Unlike the (much) more expensive Eufy Omni S1 Pro, the X8 never failed to climb up from the floorboards of my hallway onto the bedroom carpet. The S1 was a bit hit-and-miss in this aspect, and would sometimes get stuck in a relatively thick rug, but the X8 just soldiered right on, turning up the suction when it encountered said rug, or clambering onto the bedroom carpet from the bare floorboards of the hallway. It sometimes got stuck among the frankly embarrassing amount of stuff under the sofa, but never failed to eventually free itself and carry on with the job.

I was also impressed with the X8 Pro’s ability to judge tight gaps, as it would pass through a half-opened door with just 0.4in (1cm) of clearance on either side. That said, it likes to gently bump into its surroundings, seemingly feeling its way around. This is mostly fine, and didn’t cause any damage, but it had a habit of squashing shoes under a bookcase in the hallway.

Eufy Clean X8 Pro

The self-cleaning system empties the robot's own bin into a dust bag (Image credit: Future)

At one point it spent several minutes fighting with the power cable of a floor lamp. I can’t decide if it’s smart enough to repeatedly try and break free, or dumb enough to not realize what was going on. I suspect the latter, so while I admire the X8 Pro’s ability to keep on going without calling for help – as the S1 Pro does more frequently – I urge buyers to exercise caution and clear away cables before letting the robot loose. Incidentally, if it gets tangled up and needs your help, it stops cleaning as soon as you pick it up, then resumes when you tap the play icon in the app.

Eufy describes the X8 Pro as offering 'tangle-free cleaning', thanks to a roller brush and comb that 'detangles hair automatically', meaning there’s apparently 'no more need to manually clean the roller brush yourself'. This is not entirely true, however, as even in my pet-free home the brush became tangled with human hair after just a couple of cleans, resulting in the robot stopping and asking for help. This only took me a moment to fix, but had I not been at home it would have aborted its cleaning job and headed back to base.

Just 30 minutes later, and the X8 Pro again asked for its brush to be de-tangled, before failing for 15 minutes to find its way back to the charger. Even after I told it to head home via the app, it pondered around a couple of rooms before eventually finding the base station. I thought all was well, but the next morning realized it hadn’t parked properly, despite there being no obstacles, and therefore failed to charge.

I was disappointed by how the robot became tangled up with just a small amount of hair. It seems most hair manages to pass through the brush and into the bin successfully, but when just a small amount remains on the brush the robot stops and calls for help. Eufy promotes the X8 Pro as a vacuum for dealing with pet hair, but in my experience just a small clump of (admittedly long) human hair is enough to render it disabled. This is a shame, because it otherwise performed very well.

Eufy Clean X8 Pro

The X8 Pro is better at clearing thresholds than the pricier Eufy S1 Pro (Image credit: Future)

Now for the more specific tests, and to see how the X8 Pro’s twin, 4,000Pa turbines get on. My first test was to see how effectively the vacuum sucks up a dry, dusty mixture of flour and biscuit crumbs from a hard floor. The lowest suction mode (recorded at 65 decibels) did a respectable job and picked up most of the debris, but left a few patches. The X8 also managed to flick debris away with its rotating brush, rather than push it into its own path. 

I repeated the test with the next most powerful setting, called Standard and recorded at 68 decibels. It did a better job, but still failed to collect debris from in front of its base station. This is a common theme with the X8 Pro, as it seems unwilling to produce any suction while maneuvering in and out of the charger.

The same thing occurred when using the Turbo (67db) and Max (69db) settings. I found the solution was to set the vacuum to perform each clean twice, which is easy to do thanks to a '2x' icon in the app. That way, any debris flicked around on the first pass is collected the second time around. Smartly, instead of just following the same route twice, the robot covers the majority of the floor by zig-zagging left to right on its first pass, then up and down on its second.

I then tried to repeat this test on carpet but, bizarrely, the robot failed to find its way from the charger in the kitchen to the neighboring bedroom, a journey it had made many times before. Instead it drove around aimlessly for several minutes and began adding new, made-up rooms to the map, compounding the confusion. Since map editing only goes as far as merging, dividing and naming rooms, I had to delete the map for my entire flat and create a new one. There’s a ‘revert’ button in the app, but since this was grayed out it couldn’t be used.

Eufy Clean X8 Pro

The mop is attached manually when needed (Image credit: Future)

I don’t know what went wrong here, as nothing was relocated or otherwise interfered with between tests. I had to perform a factory reset and have asked Eufy for input on what they think went wrong. I’ll update this review if I get a response.

With the flat remapped, the robot did a great job of vacuuming up debris from carpet, with standard suction and the two-pass technique working a charm, even on hair.

Next, I tasked the vacuum with clearing up larger debris, in the form of oats. I repeated this on the same hard floor and carpet as before, and it did a good job. The rotating brush still had a habit of flicking debris around the room, especially on hard floors, but this is a fault of pretty much all robotic vacuums. Perhaps they should only use their rotating brushes when driving along a wall, instead of in open space.

Finally, the mop. Unlike the much pricier Eufy S1 Pro, the X8’s mop feels like a bit of an afterthought. It has to be attached manually and, unlike the S1’s, it doesn’t move or clean itself in any way. You also have to fill and empty the robot’s water tank manually. In my tests it did an acceptable job of keeping hard floors clean, but this robot should not be used to mop up fresh spillages, as it vacuums first, then mops. Also, because the center of the mopping pad is thicker than the outer edges, it doesn’t clean evenly.

Instead, this is a machine for frequent cleaning – a little-and-often approach, instead of being called upon to tackle something more substantial. I imagine most buyers will relegate the mop attachment to a cupboard and accept that that’s a job they’ll have to do manually for best results. If you want a great robotic mop, the Eufy S1 Pro is far better suited.

Eufy claims up to 180 minutes of battery life, but I found half that is more realistic. As an example, 30 minutes of cleaning took the battery from 90 to 62 percent.

  • Performance score: 3.5 out of 5 

Eufy Clean X8 Pro review: app

  • Easy to set up and use
  • Can schedule cleans and target individual rooms
  • Offers lots of configurability

As with the pricier S1, the X8 Pro is controlled via the Eufy Clean app, which is intuitive to use and works really well. It’s easy to control how the robot functions (suction strength, which rooms to clean, etc.) and there are plenty of settings to adjust to help you get the most out of the robot. You can set a daily or weekly schedule, tell it to only clean a specific room, or clean a designated area of your choice. All that’s missing is the option to have the robot mop and not vacuum. Instead, no matter which setting you pick, it’ll first vacuum then mop.

Eufy Clean app with X8 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

The app also acts as a service center for your robot, clearly showing how far through their lifecycle each of its components are, including the dust bag, filter, side brush and rolling brush. The app tells you how many hours of cleaning each item is still good for, and there are links to purchase replacements. There’s even a tool to help find your robot, should it have somehow got itself lost under the sofa.

My only wish is that the phantom rooms plotted by the X8 Pro during my testing could be removed without creating a whole new map.

  • App score: 4.5 out of 5 

Should you buy the Eufy Clean X8 Pro?

Buy it if… 

Don’t buy it if… 

How I tested the Eufy Clean X8 Pro

I set up the Eufy Clean X8 Pro in my apartment and used it as my only vacuum cleaner for a couple of weeks. After this, I conducted several specific tests to see how well it worked in each of its four suction modes. I also tried out the mopping feature and recorded the volume of both the vacuum itself and the self-emptying bin.

I closely observed how the robot tackled different types of debris and how it navigated between rooms with different flooring. 

  • First reviewed: July 2024
Eufy Omni S1 Pro review: outstanding mopping and an excellent app
12:00 pm | June 30, 2024

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

Eufy S1 Pro robot vacuum: two-minute review

The Eufy Omni S1 Pro (or just Eufy S1 Pro if you're not in the US) is a robotic vacuum cleaner and mop with a docking station that automatically empties the dust bin, replenishes the water tank with clean, ozonated water, dries the mop and charges the battery after each clean. It uses lidar to help with navigation around your home, creates accurate maps of every room (even across multiple floors) and employs the Eufy Clean smartphone app to let you set schedules and customize how you want the S1 to clean. I tested one out to see how it performs in practice, how it compares to the rest of today's best robot vacuums, and if it justifies its premium price tag.

On test, I found the S1 to mop hard floors incredibly well, thanks to its rotating mop that spins at high speed and pushes down onto the floor with 2.2lbs (1kg) of force. The S1 also does a good job of vacuuming, with four suction strengths available and two rotating brushes for getting into the corners of every room. The Eufy Clean app works very well, and so too does the docking station, which adds a cleaning solution to water before it’s pumped into the robot.

The S1 navigates effectively, driving close to walls without crashing into them and avoiding steps, while automatically raising its mop when driving over rugs and carpets. Its ability to clear raised room thresholds can be inconsistent, however, with the robot sometimes failing to enter rooms it has previously driven into without a problem. This can be fixed by turning off an anti-drop function. It also struggled a little when tasked with vacuuming up fine, engrained debris, and it sometimes failed to spot obvious, medium-sized debris.

The lower suction modes are quiet, the app is quick and responsive, and the battery life is excellent. Eufy insists that only its own cleaning solution is used with the mopping system, adding to the ongoing costs. It also sits in the premium price bracket – 

Eufy Omni S1 Pro

The Eufy in its base (Image credit: Future)

Eufy Omni S1 Pro review: price & availability

  • List price: $1,499 / £1,499
  • Launch date: June 2024
  • Availability: US, UK, 

Eufy took the unusual move of launching this robotic vacuum and mop as a crowd-funded Kickstarter project. It raised a whopping $3.5m from almost 3,200 backers at the time of writing, with many backers paying $999 for their S1 Pro. The actual retail price is significantly higher, at $1,499 / £1,499 (it's not currently available in Australia, but that's equivalent to AU$2,699) from when the vacuum robot went on sale on 19 June 2024.

Being a vacuum cleaner and mopping system, there are several parts that can be replaced over time. Eufy includes several spares in the box – more on which later – but buyers should bear in mind that they’ll need to pay for replacement dust bags, filters, mops and brushes when the included ones wear out. Eufy also insists S1 Pro owners buy the company’s own hard floor cleaner, which comes in a $19.99 bottle specifically shaped to fit the S1 Pro. Other cleaners, Eufy says, may cause 'irreversible damage' to the machine.

The idea of a four-figure vacuum might be shocking to some readers (and it does sit in TechRadar's premium price bracket), but it's not so unusual these days, at least when looking at flagship models. The Roomba Combo j9+ by iRobot costs a similar amount, while the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra isn’t far off $2,000.

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Eufy Omni S1 Pro review: design

  • Self-emptying charge dock handles dust and water
  • Rotating mop applies pressure and self-cleans as it goes
  • 3.78-inch / 9.6cm tall

With the S1 Pro, Eufy has gone against the trend for robotic vacuums with smaller, more compact docking stations. Instead, this is a robot with a large, imposing base station that houses the dust bin, as well as tanks for clean and dirty water, and a cleaning solution.

The base station is 67 cm tall and has a footprint of 38 x 47cm. I was able to tuck it into a corner of my small flat for a few weeks to conduct this review, but had to move a table to make sure the base station had the required 50cm of clear space either side. It’ll function without this clearance, but the robot won’t be able to clean between its charger and the nearby wall.

The control panel and water tanks of the Euro's charge base

(Image credit: Future)

The robot itself is broadly similar to most other automated vacuums, albeit slightly taller than the Roomba Combo J9 Plus. The Eufy measures 9.6cm tall, 32cm wide and 34cm long. Turn it over and you’ll find a pair of heavy-duty wheels, a 290 mm rotating mop, a pair of spinning brushes for clearing dust and debris from the corners of your floor, and a rubber roller brush for scooping dust and debris into the suction system. This is all easily accessible without tools, by simply removing the top cover (which is held in place magnetically) then lifting out the robot’s dust bin.

Handily, the robot speaks aloud when items have been removed and installed. It’ll say things like 'dirty water tank removed' and 'dust bin installed' to help you quickly identify each component.

Eufy Omni S1 Pro

The underside of the Eufy, showing the mop and debris collector (Image credit: Future)

The charge base has a control panel on the top, complete with buttons for operating the robot and a display that shows animations to help with maintenance, such as how to replace the water tanks. It also says when filters and other components need cleaning. This means you can use the robot without even touching the smartphone app (once it has been set up, anyway). Printed instructions make the setup process very simple, and you’ll be up and running in just a few minutes.

The S1 Pro's design means it empties its dust bin into a larger bag in the base station at the end of each cleaning session. It also fills its onboard tank with clean, ozonated water from the base station’s larger tank before each session, then empties itself into the base’s dirty water tank when finished. Eufy says the dust bag should only need replacing every couple of months, while the water tank managed half a dozen mopping sessions before running dry. Naturally, this will depend on your floor space and how much is mopped.

Eufy Omni S1 Pro

A demonstration of how much space the Eufy requires at either side (Image credit: Future)

I was impressed with the quality of the Eufy’s hardware. It all feels very sturdy, but takes up plenty of space. I would have liked to see storage space in the dock for spare parts, as with the iRobot Roomba Combo J9 Plus, but that isn't the case here. To its credit, Eufy suggests the taller base station makes it easy to pick up and replace the water tanks, since smaller base stations mean stooping over.

Lastly, there's no option to plumb the base station into your home’s water supply, but Eufy says 'water accessories' for the S1 Pro are currently under development.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5 

Eufy Omni S1 Pro review: performance

  • Superb mopping abilities
  • Solid navigation capabilities, but could fail to spot even larger debris
  • Vacuuming is good but not great

As with any robot vacuum, its first task was to map my apartment. Our property has a lounge, hallway, kitchen and bedroom, plus a bathroom with a step, so the robot has access to every corner of the property, except for part of the bathroom. If I wanted to map that small section, I could have, since the app lets you save maps of multiple floors.

The S1 Pro quickly plowed into a relatively thick rug and got stuck, before calling for help. My bad. I’d not reviewed a robotic vacuum in this property before and, while the style of rug isn’t uncommon, it’s a little higher than the 25mm maximum carpet height Eufy says the S1 Pro can cope with.

Lesson learnt, rug rolled up and robot restarted, it quickly mapped the entire flat and returned to base, having not slipped down the bathroom step.

The Eufy Clean app now shows a very accurate map of my home, and it takes just a few seconds to separate the rooms into different zones and give them each a name. That way, you can tell the robot to go clean one room, or vacuum all rooms but one.

Eufy claims 8,000 Pa of suction power, which is the same as some of the brand’s cheaper robotic vacuums, like the Eufy X10. There are four suction levels to pick from, called Quiet, Standard, Turbo and Max, plus mopping settings of Soft, Standard and Deep, and the option to clean an area once or twice in each session.

You can also tell the robot to vacuum and mop an area, or just vacuum – since you won’t want it to mop your carpets. And on that note, the robot automatically detects carpet, then lifts the mop to keep it clear of the floor. There’s no option to mop only, so it shouldn’t be used to clear up large liquid spills, since it’ll try to vacuum the floor first.

Eufy Omni S1 Pro

The Eufy S1 Pro has four suction levels for carpet and hard floor (Image credit: Future)

Before giving the S1 Pro a set of specific challenges, I used it for a week as a normal robotic vacuum and mop. I found it very easy to use and the mopping results were fantastic. It really does a great job of cleaning wooden floors, administering just the right amount of water to not leave puddles or streaks, and cleaning the mop as it goes. Eufy says the mopping roller spins at 170 rpm and pushes down onto the floor with a force of 2.2lbs.

My varnished floors shone clean and, if more proof were needed, the murky contents of the waste water tank looked like it had been scooped out of the River Thames.

After vacuuming and mopping, the S1 Pro returns to its charger and empties its dust bin and water tank, then dries the mop. The emptying takes just a few seconds (but is rather loud, peaking at 79dB, compared to just 62dB when vacuuming on the quietest mode and 76dB on max suction), then the mop is cleaned and dried over a period of about 4.5 hours. There’s a quiet humming during this time, but at just 50dB it isn’t really noticeable.

As for intelligence, the S1 Pro’s ability to drive around obstacles is good. It uses what Eufy calls its 3D MatrixEye Depth Perception System to understand its environment. This comprises a camera with a 120-degree lens and a lidar system. I found the Eufy does a great job of driving close to walls and furniture while very rarely crashing into anything. It even uses a set of icons on the map to indicate where it has avoided some common items, like shoes and cables.

Moving to more specific tests, and the results were mixed. First up, I tested the S1 Pro on a mix of biscuit crumbs and flour. It had no trouble picking this up from a hard floor, even with the lowest and quietest suction mode, but had a habit of flicking debris into the corners of the room with its spinning brushes, which it then failed to collect. It also struggled to clear a floor threshold strip that had previously caused it no problems; I noticed how the robot tried a few times to drive over it, then drove more quickly and succeeded.

I repeated this test on carpet but the higher Turbo and Max suction settings were needed, and even then some of the flour and crumb mix was left behind.

During these tests the robot sometimes failed to enter one room. There’s a small, ~2cm threshold to clear between the wooden hallway and carpeted bedroom, and the Eufy managed this just fine on numerous previous cleans, but failed on this occasion, before succeeding on a subsequent clean.

I later learnt this hesitancy is solved by digging into the settings pages of the Eufy Clean app and disabling a function called Visual Anti-Drop. After that, the robot drove over thresholds with more confidence.Pictured below, this must be right on the threshold, so to speak, of what it’s capable of clearing.

Eufy Omni S1 Pro

The S1 Pro can, just about, clear this roof threshold (Image credit: Future)

I expected a little more from its vacuuming abilities during this test, and was left with the impression that, while good at performing a daily clean of an otherwise tidy home, the S1 Pro can’t be relied upon to clean a specific area of dirt, or a recent spill of food or other debris. I instead reached for my Dyson V10 and had the carpet spotless in just a few seconds.

Next up, I tasked the Eufy with clearing larger dry debris from the same wooden floor and carpet as the previous test. For this I used oats, and thankfully the Standard mode was enough to pick up almost every single piece from a wooden floor. The rotary brushes still flung some dirt into the corners, but it was mostly a success.

It performed similarly well on carpet, with most of the oats picked up and just a few left behind. Frustratingly, the robot declared the clean complete and shut down the vacuum with a bunch of oats right in front of it.

The large oats also highlighted a problem with the S1 Pro’s self-emptying system. It appeared to have done everything correctly, but when I picked it up a couple of hours later a load of oats, dust and fluff fell out from under the robot. I couldn’t see an obvious blockage and the dust bag in the base station was only around 20 percent full, but contained only half the oats it should have. The rest were caught up in the rotor, having not made it to the bin, and fell out.

Eufy Omni S1 Pro

How the Roomba Combo J9 Plus empties and refills itself (Image credit: Future)

I’ve now realized you need to set the robot to empty its dustbin every time it returns to the charger (an option in the app), instead of less frequently. Otherwise, debris will spill out when you pick it up, for example to move it to a different floor.

All that said, I need to reiterate just how good the mop function is, and how thoroughly it cleans both the floor and itself. I hope a future software update will suggest owners turn off the Visual Anti-Drop function if the robot struggles with thresholds.

Finally, the battery life seems very good indeed. On one particular clean, the charge level fell from 100 percent to 94 percent after 22 minutes of vacuuming an area of 140 square feet. Eufy says the robot can run for 3.6 hours and cover a space of up to 1,976 square feet on one charge.

  • Performance score: 4 out of 5 

Eufy Omni S1 Pro review: app

  • Easy to set up and use
  • Can schedule cleans and target individual rooms
  • Offers lots of configurability

The Eufy Clean app is impressive and makes it easy to control the vacuum, create schedules and split your home into zones. The latter works especially well, with the robot quickly mapping our flat and correctly splitting up the rooms and hallway. Once that’s done, it’s easy to tell the robot to clean an individual room, or draw a box over a specific area that needs vacuuming or mopping.

Eufy Omni S1 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

The app gives access to all four suction modes, both mopping modes, and lets you tell the robot how you’d like each room cleaning. For example, you could ask it to do an extra thorough job of the kitchen and hallway, while going easy on the spare bedroom. There are lots of settings to fiddle with, but it’s all intuitively laid out and neatly explained. The app is also used to create virtual walls and set up no-go zones to stop the robot entering certain areas of your home.

  • App score: 5 out of 5 

Should you buy the Eufy Omni S1 Pro?

Buy it if… 

Don’t buy it if… 

How I tested the Eufy S1 Pro

I lived with the S1 Pro for a few weeks before writing this review. I let it map my home, then used it to keep on top of the vacuuming and mopping, leaving to clean every room on the standard setting every few days. After this, I carried out several specific tests to see how well it picks up different types of dry debris from both hard floors and carpet.

I observed how the robot navigated, how it avoided objects and steps, and how it managed with raised thresholds. I also kept tabs on battery usage and used an app to test how loud it is in all of its various cleaning modes. 

  • First reviewed: June 2024
I didn’t get it at first, but Nanoleaf’s Umbra Cono Portable Smart Lamp has won me over with its design-first approach
4:30 pm | June 29, 2024

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

One-minute review

If you’re in the market for a smart lamp with a bit of personality, look no further than the Nanoleaf x Umbra Cono Portable Smart Lamp. With interest in smart bulbs growing, many of the brands behind some of the best smart lights are moving towards different form factors, but such lamps have, thus far, been broadly uninspiring. 

The Cono Portable Smart Lamp, on the other hand, not only offers some decent specs and lots of different software applications for immersive gaming, film and audio to help you make the most out of your smart lighting, but its unique design also makes it stand out from the competition.

Still, it’s not for everyone; when I first saw the Cono at CES 2024, I wasn’t quite sure what the fuss was about. However, seeing it ‘in the flesh’ and using it around my home has completely won me over. Available in both grey and orange (listed as Sierra), the Cono features cross-shaped feet that support the cone-shaped light casing, topped off with a beautiful, curved surface through which the light shines. Above the stem of the feet are its USB-C charging port and a simple, discreet, and touch-sensitive button, which you can use to control the light if you don’t fancy using its smart controls. These touch controls are a little disappointing, sadly, with a cheap finish that belies the lofty list price of $95 / £110. 

Nanoleaf Umbra Cono

(Image credit: Future)

Like other smart lights in Nanoleaf’s sprawling range, the Cono offers 16+ million colors, tunable whites, and 0-100% brightness control, and can be operated either with its physical controls, by using the Nanoleaf app or by using voice assistants in one of the best smart speakers or best smart displays. Out of the box, the device is compatible with Apple Home, Google Home, and Razer Chroma, but also plays nice with Matter, meaning it’ll work in tandem with most of the best smart home devices. It’s super easy to pair the Cono in Nanoleaf’s app, and just as easy to add it to any compatible smart home ecosystem. In the app, you can change the color with a color wheel or with one of eight customizable presets, create your own scenes, or select one from Nanoleaf’s sprawling library.

Nanoleaf Umbra Cono

(Image credit: Future)

It’s not the kind of lamp that will entirely illuminate an unlit room; nor would I expect it to be at its size and price point, but it throws a decent spray of vibrant color into the room when turned on. However, the fact that you can angle it in so many directions (or even hang it off of things!) makes it excellent for setting the mood, highlighting a design accent in your room, or just for using it as an objet d’art lamp that you can control with your voice or phone. I’d like for it to be a little brighter, though, as the output lumen sits at just 130 lumens. 

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Nanoleaf Umbra Cono

(Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 4

Nanoleaf Umbra Cono

(Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 4

Nanoleaf Umbra Cono

(Image credit: Future)
Image 4 of 4

Nanoleaf Umbra Cono

(Image credit: Future)

My only real qualm is its battery life. Depending on the brightness and color, the lamp lasts roughly four hours when unplugged, and only comes with a cable, meaning you might have to buy a USB plug if you were planning on having the lamp on regularly. Compared to something like the Philips Hue Go portable table lamp which offers up to 48 hours of battery life, or even the Philips Hue Go 2 which offers up to 24 hours, its marketed four-hour battery is measly. Thankfully, however, I found during my testing that it regularly exceeded this by a couple of hours. Still, I’d love to see it at least hit the 10-hour mark like the Wiz Luminaire portable lamp can for the price. 

Overall, the Nanoleaf Umbra Cono Portable Smart Lamp is easily my favorite smart light in my setup right now. During my three weeks of testing, I found myself reaching for it instinctively rather than as a necessity for this review, and it’s one of my most commented-upon fixtures when I have guests. However, would I pay $95 / £110 for it? No, I would not. As much as I appreciate its design, performance, and ease of use, this is the kind of light I’d be keeping an eye out for during seasonal sales. 

Nanoleaf Umbra Cono

(Image credit: Future)

Nanoleaf Umbra Cono: Price and availability

  • List price: $95 / £110

As mentioned above, the Nanoleaf Umbra Cono Portable Smart Lamp will set you back $95 / £110, and is available directly from Nanoleaf as well as third-party retailers. 

That’s a lofty price point for what is broadly speaking an aesthetically pleasing albeit middling portable smart light. If you adore the design and want it for exactly its intended use (being good-looking and as an additive light), it might just be worth it. However, considering there are plenty of (admittedly blander) smart lamps out there for far less that offer more brightness and additional features, I’d wait for seasonal sales before jumping on the cone-shaped bandwagon.

Out of the box, it comes with the lamp itself and a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, and there is no power supply included. Its lifetime is 25,000 hours.

Nanoleaf Umbra Cono

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy?

Buy it if...

You want something simple and sweet for your setup

Not only is pairing super simple and easy, but the Cono portable smart lamp itself is easy to use even for smart home beginners.

Don't buy it if... 

Nanoleaf Umbra Cono review: Also consider

How I tested the Nanoleaf Umbra Cono

  •  I tested the Nanoleaf Umbra Cono for a month 
  •  I used it as part of my smart lighting setup  
  •  I paired it via Bluetooth and Alexa via. Matter

I used the Nanoleaf Umbra Cono portable smart lamp for three weeks, using it throughout my home for mood lighting, spotlighting, and general use. I tried positioning it in various locations, leveraging the full potential of its versatile design and used the full range of its brightness, color, and tunable white settings to test how well it performed in different situations.

I paired the Cono in my Nanoleaf app as well as my Alexa-based smart home (possibly thanks to the light’s Matter compatibility) and found the device worked as expected and was easy to control.

I’ve been testing smart home tech for a living for two years now, but I’ve been passionately writing about all things smart and the Internet of Things for over five years. I’ve spent hours learning the ins and outs of Alexa, throwing shade on smart lights, and reading up on new technologies that matter, all of which helps to inform my review approach and buying advice. 

Earzz review: AI-powered gadget alerts you to doorbells, alarms, crying babies and more
12:58 pm | June 27, 2024

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

Earzz: One-minute review

Smart Home Week

This is review is part of TechRadar's Smart Home Week 2024, where we're giving you all the latest news, tips and tricks to help you make the smart home of your dreams. 

The Earzz sensor uses a microphone, smartphone app and AI to alert you to specific sounds, from a baby crying or a dog barking, to a doorbell, the beep of an appliance or broken glass. The result of a successful Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign, the Earzz is designed as much for the smart home (with IFTTT integration) as it is for helping carers respond to dependants and their needs in a reliable but anonymous way.

It offers around eight hours of battery life, so for most use cases you’re best leaving it plugged in with the included USB-C cable. You can set the Earzz to listen out for up to six of the 20-or-so available sounds. Phone notifications come through quickly, often in just a couple of seconds, and the app keeps a record of every time the device is triggered.

Earzz

(Image credit: Future)

Imagination is key to getting the most out of Earzz. It can buzz your phone when there’s someone at the door, or let a care home worker know when a resident might have fallen. Add IFTTT integration and the Earzz could flash a smart light when your washing machine is finished.

The hardware is pretty basic, but it feels well made. It’s simple to set up and use, and there’s plenty of functionality to be explored. However, it doesn’t always perform as well as I'd hoped, and cannot always be relied upon to deliver accurate alerts promptly. A work-in-progress for now, but the AI will surely improve with training.

Earzz app

(Image credit: Future)

Earzz: Price and availability

  • How much is it? £79.99 (about $100), plus subscription
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where is it available? In the UK, with shipping to US available

At £79.99, or about $100, the Earzz isn't cheap, especially when you factor in the subscription; the company advertises this as £7.99 a month but it's billed at £95.88 annually (about $120). The high costs means this perhaps isn't the sort of gadget you'd buy on a whim to experiment with in your smart home.

Instead, it's aimed at people who are perhaps hard of hearing and need a way of being notified about things such as knocks at the door or a smoke alarm. Naturally, there's a lot of value in such a product, but the high price means casual smart home fans might think twice.

Earzz: Specs

Should I buy Earzz?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested Earzz

  • I lived with Earzz for a couple of weeks
  • I tried out almost all of the 20 different sound alerts
  • I connected the Earzz to my IFTTT account

I created an Earzz account and connected the device to my Wi-Fi network. I then went about testing the Earzz using a variety of real and recorded sounds. This included my intercom buzzer and washing machine; but, unfortunately, the Earzz failed to recognise either. To help things along, I sent a recording of my buzzer to the Earzz team, which added it to their sound catalog. It now works perfectly, but I appreciate this isn't the sort of service a regular customer can expect.

In better news, it responded quickly to two different smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide monitor. It also worked well with IFTTT, and it was easy to create a routine where my Hue lights turn on when the door buzzer is rung.

The app lets users provide feedback for every sound the Earzz hears. I dutifully did this, telling the app what it got right and, more importantly, when it got things wrong, and what the sound should have been. This should help the AI improve over time.

I also played a range of doorbell sounds and dog barks from a computer. These were mostly recognised – but, sometimes, the notifications arrived slowly. I’m told Wi-Fi strength is a factor here, but since the app claimed the Earzz never had more than around 65% signal strength, even when right next to a router or network extender, I couldn’t improve this.

Smart Home Week

This is article is part of TechRadar's Smart Home Week 2024, where we're giving you all the latest news, tips and tricks to help you make the smart home of your dreams. 

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar review
5:50 pm | June 26, 2024

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

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar review: One-minute review

The Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar takes some of the best features from its range of video doorbells, and combines them into a device that can keep watch over more than just your front door.

I've been reviewing it for the past couple of months. At first I was dubious about how effective the solar panel is; would it actually keep the Cam charged? And it absolutely did. Not once did I need to remove the single battery for recharging, even after a rainy week. I am also a fan of the wide-angle, 140-degree horizontal, 80-degree vertical field of view because it consistently monitored the entire width of my front lawn. This is much the same as the top-of-the-range Ring Video Doorbell Pro, formerly known as the Video Doorbell Pro 2.

Another familiar feature to this doorbell is that the Cam also boasts the two-way talk and siren. Thankfully I didn't need to use either of these to scare away intruders, but I did have some fun communicating with my husband from inside the house.

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro with solar panel above on roof

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro with solar panel above on roof (Image credit: Future / Jennifer Oksien)

It's these advanced features that make the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar a candidate for one of the best home security cameras but also the most expensive security camera in Ring's range. The security camera can either be bought bundled with the solar panel as the power source, or as a battery, plug-in or hardwired option.

While I did find the solar-panel to be bulky and the loss of footage in the app after 30-days annoying (because I didn't fancy paying $4.99/£4.99/AU$4.95 every month), having rolling surveillance where and when I wanted it was extremely helpful. I could watch live footage in the app, and I received notifications each time motion was detected – even it was just a spider on its way across the lens to build a web.

motion notification from the Ring app while using the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Spotlight

Notification banner (Image credit: Future / Jennifer Oksien)

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar review: Price and availability

  • List price: $249.99 / £249.98 / AU$418

The Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar is available from Ring for $249.99 / £249.98 / AU$418 and is available directly from both Amazon and the Ring website. 

The best comparison is to the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus Solar, which will save you $80 / £50 / AU$99 when it's not in the sale. The key points of difference is that the Plus Solar lacks 3D Motion Detection (which enables more accurate detection), Bird's Eye View, and Audio+ and Noise Cancellation. Aesthetically the Plus Cam Solar looks a little less bulky than the Cam Pro Solar, measuring 3.01 x 3.2 x 4.96 inches rather than 3.1x 3.2 x 5.7 inches, although I'd still personally take the upgrade for better specs. 

You can opt to receive the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro with one of four power sources, not just solar – including battery powered, wired and plug-in – giving you more freedom to choose the best fit for your household.

If you already own the battery-powered Cam Pro and don't fancy having to keep recharging it, then you can always add a Solar Panel USB-C for $59.99 / £34.99 / AU$59.99 at a later date. This is also compatible with the Stick Up Cam, Stick Up Cam Pro and Spotlight Cam Plus.

Price score: 4 out of 5

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar review: Specs

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar review: Design

  • Two-part set
  • Compact cam, bulky solar panel
  • Weather-resistant

Spec-wise, the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar is at the top of its game. However, it's not the most refined to look at

It's a two part set with the cam being one half, and the solar panel being the other. The cam measures 7.8 x 8.1 x 14.4cm (3.1 x 3.2 x 5.7 inches) and the solar panel measures 17.5 x 11.1 x 1.2cm. The two are connected via a 2-meter, USB-C cable that discreetly plugs in to the backend of each part, but when mounted in position and in use the cable is visible.

The Cam is relatively compact with a centrally positioned lens, light strips either side of it and what looks like an upside-down mic on the base. This lookalike mic unclips to reveal two available slots for a battery – only one is supplied, but a back-up can be purchased for $34.99/£24.99/AU$49 direct from Ring.com if you feel you need.

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro underside

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Oksien)

Comparatively, the solar panel is bulky. This is a case of function-over-style, though, because the panel needs to be broad and flat enough in order to capture enough daylight to keep the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro fully charged. It needs to be positioned in direct sunlight for at least a couple of hours. I'd suggest thinking about the mounting position carefully because it'll be a nuisance having to keep moving the panel around; secure the Cam and the panel in the same space, where there's enough sunlight throughout the day. I secured the panel to a hefty stone and positioned it on an unobscured, flat roof of the garage.

Ring Solar Panel on flat roof

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Oksien)

Both the Spotlight Cam Pro and panel are well protected against the elements; the former has an IP65 rating, while the latter is just listed as 'weather resistant'. Either way, on testing, they withstood snow, frost, heavy rain and a couple of storms and remain unscathed. 

At checkout when buying the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar, you can select your preferred choice of color: black or white. I tested it in white. When you receive it, you'll get the following inside the box; Spotlight Cam Pro (Battery), Solar Panel (2nd Generation), a camera mount, quick release battery pack, installation accessories and screws and a USB charging cable.

Design score: 4/5

Ring Spotlight Cam Plus Solar review: Performance

  • Consistently clear HDR 1080p Video, with occasional color night vision
  • Security siren, two-way talk and LED spotlights
  • No need to charge the battery, ever again

There are few key things that one would expect from a security camera, and the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus Solar has them all – and more.

The footage, day and night, is crystal clear. It's captured in 1080p with HDR, which meant I could work out what caused a motion notification easily, and clearly watch "live view". Its lens has a 140-degree horizontal, 80-degree vertical field of view, and is super sensitive – I watched a spider that was hanging around the right-hand side and under-side of the Cam build its web for brief spell . 

The color night vision is not always a given, though. It can only be activated when you turn on the spotlights of the camera, which will only be for 30 seconds before automatically switching off. I'd find it helpful to have this color night vision without having to switch on the Cam lights. Recorded footage is only in black and white during the night, too.

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Ring Spotlight Cam Pro solar at night

Black and White night vision (Image credit: Future / Jennifer Oksien)
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Ring Spotlight Cam Pro at night with light switched on

Color night vision activated (Image credit: Future / Jennifer Oksien)

For the purpose of this Ring Spotlight Cam Plus Solar review, I tried out the security siren and two-way talk; without any security incidents, I fortunately had no other need to use them. That said, if the Cam does alert you to a trespasser, or you want to quickly communicate to a friend, family or neighbor, then don't hold back using these features. The siren is piercing and has a sound meter reading of 92dB, equivalent to a high-pitched food blender, and the two-way talk enables you to have a conversation, wherever you are.

And as for the battery, I set up the Cam with 80% charge and, with the solar panel plugged in, it maintained a battery reading of between 98 - 100%. However, I do note that on the Ring website it says that "with maximum sunlight, the device’s battery will not exceed 80%" in order to extend the battery life. Other Ring devices I've either owned or tested have achieved 100% battery charge, too, so this statement is surprising.

Regardless, this means that the solar panel is positioned perfectly and charges my Cam adequately. Unlike other battery-powered Ring devices I've used, there will be no need for me to (ever) remove this security camera to recharge it, which will save me some hassle.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Ring Spotlight Cam Plus Solar review: App

  • Easy to use and follow
  • Free plan expires after 30 days, and you lose all recorded footage
  • Share device access, and add other devices to the same app

The Ring app is the hub of activity for the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar. It's where you set up the device, check the battery status, monitor and record footage as well as engage the siren and two-way talk.

By following the instructions, the set up is super easy. You will just need to ensure that you are connected on a 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connection at 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz, and a stable one. Any Wi-Fi drop-outs can delay the set-up process, and hinder the overall performance of the Cam should the connectivity issues continue.

Ring app

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Oksien)

All the main functions, such as activating the siren, two-way talk and lights, only appear when you "tap to go live" in the app. When you end "live view", these functions become hidden again.

It is here in the Ring app that you can review recorded footage, too. All new Ring devices come with a free 30-day / 1 month trial to Ring Protect, which grants access to that recorded footage, as well as enabling you to share and save videos and claim an extended warranty. When this free trial period ends you either have to pay a starting price of $4.99/£4.99/$4.95, or you lose all event history. For security purposes you may feel more comfortable to pay this monthly fee, but remember that it is an ongoing cost.

Additional Ring devices can also be used in the app, and you can share access to devices with other members in your household. When sharing access, users won't get all the settings as the main user, such as the ability to share access, access event history and tweak mode settings, but you will have everything you need for day-to-day surveillance. To share, just follow the on-screen instructions in the app for the additional user to review an email notification inviting them to join. It's that easy.

App score: 4.5/5

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar review: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

If the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar isn't for you, below we've listed some alternatives to consider.

Want to expand your Ring network? Try adding a Ring doorbell so you can keep a look out for deliveries making their way to your door...

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar review: How I tested

  • I directly used the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar
  • I viewed live footage and historic footage, and used the Ring app
  • I used it as our main security camera for two months

I installed the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro to the side of our adjoined garage, and securely positioned the solar panel on the top of garage roof. The positioning meant that we had the best view of the wrap-around yard, while keeping the battery sufficiently topped up with charge – even on cloudy days.

I also used the Ring app to control the Cam Pro. It was here that I tweaked settings such as the spotlight and two-way talk, and watched live or historic footage (before the free trial period expired). I shared access to the camera with my husband who although didn't have all the functions as I did, such as event history, power settings, shared accesses and mode settings, was still able to get notifications and view footage.

The Cam Pro was used in the same app I used for the Ring Pro 2 Wired Video Doorbell.

Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum review: a fuller cleaning solution
4:44 pm | June 21, 2024

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

Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum two-minute review

The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo reviewed here may be the closest I’ve gotten with a robot vacuum to not feeling like I also need one of the best vacuums on standby for deep cleaning purposes. Part of that is the fact that it does a great job vacuuming and mopping including edges – it has a retractable mop pad – but another factor is that the Combo and Combo Complete versions of the new T30S model come with extra vacuuming capabilities. 

In the case of the Combo reviewed here, it comes with a handheld vacuum (plus attachments) that has its own dock in the base station. The Complete version also has a stick vacuum.

Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robovac

(Image credit: Future)

No matter which version you end up with, you’ll find a feature-filled affair including its own voice assistant. Whether it's the best robot vacuum for you will depend on whether you’re willing to spend the money for it. After all, most of my issues with it, outside of price, are fairly unimportant, such as the fact that its foot control (a light tap should set it off to clean) doesn’t always register and that it’s not great with cables (like most robot vacuums).

The only bigger issue I’ve had is with the hot water mop pad washing and its ability to wash out coffee concentrate before continuing cleaning, and even that was easily remedied. I’ll discuss that a bit more at length later.

If you don’t flinch at the high price, however, you will end up with an excellent robot vacuum system.

Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum specs

Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum review: price & availability

  • List price: $1,199.99 (about £950 / AU$1,800)
  • Available only in the US at the time of writing

Though Ecovacs has plenty of products available in the UK and Australia, the new family of T30S robot vacuums seems to only be available in the US at the time of writing. While unfortunate, let’s hope that it’s temporary as it’s a worthy upgrade from the Ecovacs DEEBOT T20 Omni robot vacuum I reviewed in 2023. Like that vacuum, it’s also expensive.

There are three tiers in the Ecovacs Deebot T30S family. There’s the basic Ecovacs Deebot T30S, the Combo and the Combo Complete. The basic model goes for $999.99 (about £790 / AU$1,500), while the Combo reviewed here goes for $1,199.99 (about £950 / AU$1,800) and the Combo Complete goes for $1,299.99 (about £1,020 / AU$1,950). The difference between these three models comes down to the inclusion of external cleaning tools. The basic model is still fully featured but doesn’t come with an additional hand vacuum or stick vacuum. The Combo comes with a hand vacuum and attachments. And the Combo Complete comes with the hand vacuum and attachments as well as a stick vacuum, all of which dock on the base station. That’s pretty cool considering the difference in price between the different tiers is quite minimal.

All in all, the pricing is not bad for what you get, even if it sits squarely in the premium camp. For comparison’s sake, the Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni mentioned above retailed for $1,099.99 / £951.65 / AU$1,799 when it was released. In fact, it technically still does, though you’ll find it regularly on sale for much less. But the T20 doesn’t include the extra handheld and hasn’t mastered cleaning the edges as well as the T30S.

There are options that cost even more, such as the Narwal Freo, which retails at $1,399.99 / AU$1,999 (about £1,100) and doesn’t offer quite the same level of vacuuming performance.

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum review: design

  • Base station a little on the wide side
  • Mop pad washing and drying
  • Comes with a handheld vacuum

Robot vacuums seem to come in one of two colors, black or white. In the case of the Ecovacs Deebot T30S, it’s matte black. Regardless of where you place it, it will probably blend in as long as you have the space for it. Measuring almost 22" wide and 20" tall, it does require a little more floor space than most robot vacuums that come with a base station.

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Everything that comes with the Ecovacs Deebot T30 S Combo

Everything that comes with the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo (Image credit: Future)
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Controls on the Ecovacs Deebot T30 S Combo robot vacuum

Controls on the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum (Image credit: Future)
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The Ecovacs Deebot T30 S Combo robot vacuum's dust bin

The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum's dust bin (Image credit: Future)
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Ecovacs Deebot T30 S Combo robot vacuum on a hardwood floor

(Image credit: Future)

The robot vacuum itself looks like most robot vacuums these days. It has the typical round shape with a raised cylindrical area, which I always assume is for navigational purposes like a bridge on a ship. The front of the unit has a bumper that registers presses for the foot control (a light press will start a cleaning cycle). There’s one side brush that feeds debris into a roller brush with v-shaped bristles designed to keep tangles at bay. And there are two mop pads at the back of the unit that can retract over carpeting. Oh, and one of them can extend out to clean edges.

Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo's water reservoirs

(Image credit: Future)

The base station contains two water reservoirs, one for clean water and one for dirty, a dock for the robot vacuum as well as the handheld vacuum it comes with, and a compartment for the handheld vacuum's attachments. 

There’s also a front panel that pops open for access to the dust bag into which all the contents of the robot vacuum and handheld vacuum automatically empty when they’re docked. Also of note is that the base station will wash the mop pads during and after use and then dry the mop pads for the next cleaning.

A hand holding the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo's handheld vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

As far as the handheld goes, it has a somewhat bulky shape. However, it’s not cumbersome to use. There are three attachments: a mini power brush, a flat brush, and a crevice tool.

  • Design score: 5 out of 5

Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum review: performance

  • Great job vacuuming and mopping
  • Mopping can sometimes spread certain liquids
  • Handheld works like a charm

When it comes to vacuuming and mopping, I have been generally impressed with the recent crop of robot vacuums that I’ve gotten my hands on, and the Ecovacs Deebot T30S is no different.

In regard to the vacuuming, one of my tests was to pour a bunch of bay seasoning on the floor. It vacuumed it up in one go. I also ran it after a birthday party with some small bits of food and small bits of trash and it managed to pick everything up. I’ve also not had to worry about untangling anything – an issue with some cheaper vacuums.

The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum cleaning a spill

(Image credit: Future)

The Ecovacs Deebot T30S mops in an even and orderly fashion as well, leaving my floors spotless. I do have to share one experience that highlights the pros and cons of its mopping capability. When I put down the bay seasoning, I also poured a bunch of coffee concentrate on the floor for it to mop up. The good news is that the coffee concentrate was swiftly whisked off the floor. However, since it is a concentrate, it permeated the mop pads and ended up leaving a thin layer of coffee-flavored water all over my floors. Even after the hot water mop pad washing, it still would make my floors smell like coffee.

Luckily, the mop pads pop right off so I just washed them with some dish soap. After that, no more coffee smell. Of course, most (but not all) of the robot vacuums that I’ve used don’t require or ask you to put any kind of cleaning solution into the clean water reservoir, so this is not going to be unique to this robot vacuum.

Edge cleaning with the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

On a brighter note, one of the mop pads extends out during use so this vacuum is able to clean the edges of my flooring, making the need for a regular vacuum for deep cleaning a little less necessary. The inclusion of the handheld vacuum also makes investing in extra cleaning tools a lower priority. It has plenty of power and a useful range of tools. I was able to quickly and easily suck up leaves and debris from some windowsills that had accumulated a few months of pollen, dirt, and small, fallen leaves.

The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo's handheld vacuum in action

(Image credit: Future)
  • Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum review: app

  • Fully featured app
  • Automatically partitions mapped spaces
  • Relatively basic mapping

Having reviewed a few robot vacuums that are stellar in almost every regard but fall short with their software, I’m particularly sensitive to app-related issues. Thankfully, I have yet to experience anything bad with the Ecovacs Deebot T30S.

It has all the regular functionality of choosing whether to vacuum, mop, or both, and at what strength each function runs at. You can schedule cleaning or start a cleaning cycle remotely. You can adjust the voice assistant controls here as well along with plenty of other fine-tuning.

Screenshots of the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo's app

(Image credit: Ecovacs)

Really, where apps have failed me in the past is with the ability to partition a mapped space into rooms. Not only did I have no issues with that here, but the robot vacuum automatically partitioned all the spaces into their own spaces. It almost did a perfect job, though it did think that my living room is actually two rooms since I have a couch that cuts it in half (and with no space underneath for a vacuum to go). That makes selecting a room to clean very easy. You can also create a zone to clean if you wish.

The only thing I will mention is that the mapping looks a little rudimentary compared to the detailed maps I’ve seen with some other robot vacuums. However, this is more of an observation than a complaint.

  • App score: 5 out of 5

Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum review: battery life

  • More than enough battery life
  • Uses fast charging

Though the battery life runs between 200 and 290 minutes depending on the settings that you run it at, you’ll probably never see it run out of juice. Part of that is the fact that it employs fast charging and regularly returns to the base station to wash the mop pads, during which it will start to charge back up.

I tested the Ecovacs Deebot T30S in a one-bedroom apartment, where it would clean a large living room, bedroom, and kitchen. While it returned to the base station to wash those mop pads, it never needed to return just to charge. And I almost always ran this robot vacuum with vacuuming and mopping capabilities. If you have a larger space, you might experience it having to spend some time charging, but unless it gets stuck somewhere, you won’t have to deal with it. Just give it a little extra time to charge and continue its job.

  • Battery life score: 5 out of 5

Should you buy the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum review: also consider

How I tested the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo robot vacuum

To test the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo, I used it for a couple of weeks to vacuum and mop the hardwood floors and carpeting in my apartment. I also tested all the features listed in the app, from mapping to scheduling. I took note of how well the vacuum cleaned the edges of a room as well as around obstacles, not to mention running how the handheld vacuum performed.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024

Aura Walden review: probably the best digital frame available
2:22 pm | May 10, 2024

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

Aura Walden: Two-minute review

The Walden is Aura's biggest and best digital photo frame yet, but it's also the priciest; it's only available directly for shoppers in the US. Those outside the US can find the Aura Walden from other retailers, and their efforts will be rewarded – the Aura Walden is exquisite, and one of the best digital photo frames available today. 

With a similar frontage to the Aura Carver Mat, the Walden boasts a larger 15-inch display that makes it Aura's largest digital photo frame display, encased in a classic textured white border and black frame.

It comes with a slick metal stand for resting on a sideboard in both horizontal and vertical positions, plus simple wall fittings, too, for horizontal and vertical mounting. Truly, the overall look and feel of the frame is top drawer.

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Aura Walden digital photo frame box

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura Walden digital photo frame unboxing

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura Walden digital photo frame unboxing

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Supporting frame for the Aura Walden digital photo frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Closeup of the Aura Walden digital photo frame's finish

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Rear of the Aura Walden digital photo frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Closeup of the Aura Walden digital photo frame's rear and mounting options

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Touch bar panel of the Aura Walden digital photo frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Rear of the Aura Walden digital photo frame on a wooden sideboard

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Closeup of Aura Walden digital photo frame charging cable

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

The Walden may feel too big to rest on a sideboard, shelf or any surface, while it can also feel a little small when mounted on a wall – 15 inches is an awkward middle ground.

That said, I do prefer the size of display over the smaller 10.1-inch Aura Carver Mat, since it allows you to shows off your photos and videos on a larger scale – and having the option to wall mount or have it freestanding can only be a good thing.

For a digital photo frame, Aura's app is as good as they come: simple to use and to share with friends and family, who can also upload images to the frame from anywhere there's an internet connection, and with unlimited photo and video storage included.

Aura Walden: design

  • Slick frame with neat touch bar panel
  • 4:3 aspect ratio display
  • Aura's largest frame yet, and it can be wall mounted

Most digital photo frames – like Aura's own Carver series – are around 10 inches, and designed to stand on any surface; but the Walden is a different proposition, dwarfing those frames with its 15-inch display. 

You probably won't quite be able to squeeze it onto bookshelf, and your sideboard will need to be generously sized to accommodate the frame comfortably. But if you have the space then the Walden will be the preferred choice; plus it's also easy enough to mount it to a wall instead. 

The frame's power cable is covered in a cream-colored fabric, which is more likely to blend into the background than a black cable. Trailing cables can spoil the effect of a digital wall-mounted display, but this shouldn't be a problem here. 

That said, while 15-inches feels big on a sideboard, it comes up small on a wall. For around twice the outlay, the 27-inch Vieunite Textura Digital Canvas is much more at home on a wall, plus that frame offers free and paid-for digital downloads of famous artworks and those from upcoming artists.

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Aura's app for the Walden digital photo frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura's app for the Walden digital photo frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura's app for the Walden digital photo frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Touch bar panel in use of the Aura Walden digital photo frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Touch bar panel in use of the Aura Walden digital photo frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Touch bar panel in use of the Aura Walden digital photo frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Touch bar panel in use of the Aura Walden digital photo frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Touch bar panel in use of the Aura Walden digital photo frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Supporting bracket of the Aura Walden digital photo frame on a wooden sideboard

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura Walden digital photo frame on a wooden sideboard alongside the smaller Aura Carver Mat

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

Design-wise, the Walden is eye-catching. It's slicker than the similarly sized Netgear Meural Wi-Fi art frame, sporting a matt-black frame and classic white border, for a total diagonal dimension of 15.7 inches.

At the rear, there's a recess to attach the metal triangular stand, or in which to rest the supplied wall mount hook. You can position the Walden in both landscape and portrait formats.

There are two touch bar panels, one on the top and the other on the side of the frame. You barely notice they're there, and they're super responsive for functions such as swipe to next image, plus press and hold to reveal image information such as who uploaded the picture – handy, if you have a lot of "members" with access to the frame.

Aura's free app is available for both iOS and Android devices, and is needed to set up the frame and upload images. It's also through the app that you can invite other "members" – such as family and friends – to upload their own images. 

You can add multiple Aura frames to the app and take control of all of them, plus Aura wants to tempt you to buy several frames through multi-purchase deals. For example, at the time of writing, if you buy two Walden frames then there's a $15 discount. 

Aura Walden: performance

  • Relatively low pixel density
  • Wide viewing angle in daylight and at night-time
  • 4:3 aspect ratio suitable for most smartphone cameras

I have a sideboard at home that's big enough to accommodate the Walden frame, and I've found its size far more preferable to the standard 10-inch displays of most other digital photo frames. 

It has an anti-glare finish that delivers a wide optimum viewing angle before reflections get in the way – or, indeed, before the luminosity of the backlit display is reduced when viewing the frame at night. Compared to the Aura Carver Mat, the viewing angle of the Walden is much wider. 

The display's 4:3 aspect ratio suits most phones that natively shoot in this ratio. However, if you're uploading photos from a proper camera that's more likely to shoot in 3:2 aspect ratio, you'll have to choose between losing part of your shot or having a black border on the top and bottom of the display – as is the case for 16:9 videos.

The resolution of the frame is 1600 x 1200 pixels, making for a modest 133 pixels per inch density. However, I found the display packed enough detail unless I was up close – which you don't need to be given the size of the display.

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Aura Walden digital photo frame on a wooden sideboard alongside the smaller Aura Carver Mat

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura Walden digital photo frame on a wooden sideboard alongside the smaller Aura Carver Mat

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura Walden digital photo frame on a wooden sideboard

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura Walden digital photo frame on a wooden sideboard alongside the smaller Aura Carver Mat

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura Walden digital photo frame on a wooden sideboard

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Night mode of the Aura Walden digital photo frame on a wooden sideboard

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura Walden digital photo frame on a wooden sideboard at nighttime

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura Walden digital photo frame on a wooden sideboard alongside the smaller Aura Carver Mat

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

As mentioned, it's possible to load videos to the Walden frame, too, although remember that the frame's aspect ratio is much narrower than the standard 16:9 format for video. There's a speaker on the back for audio, although don't hold any great expectation on audio quality – it's pretty basic. 

A nice touch with Aura frames is that you can purchase them as a personalized gift and preload images onto the frame ahead of time. 

Aura Walden: price and release date

  • Available in the US for $299 (currently on sale for $259)
  • Not directly available outside the US

The Aura Walden is available now, although do note that it's often sold out. It has a list price on the Aura website of $299; at the time of writing, it's reduced to $259. If you click onto other regions on the Aura website, such as the UK, then the Walden is unavailable. However, if you search the internet there are other retailers, such as Nordstrom, that will ship the Walden internationally. We'll update this review if and when the Aura Walden becomes available globally.

Aura Walden: should I buy?

Aura Walden digital photo frame on a wooden sideboard

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Aura Walden: How I tested

  • At least two months of regular use
  • Image uploads through the Aura Android app
  • Viewed in daylight and at night

The Aura Walden has been a fixture in my home for a couple of months, positioned on a window-lit sideboard. The mains-powered display is automatically active during the day, and can power off at night to conserve power. 

I’ve uploaded digital photos and videos through the Android version of Aura's app. I've scrolled through the gallery of images using the frame's touch panel and regularly updated the images in the gallery through the app. 

I’ve checked out the quality of the display in daylight and at night, close-up and far away, plus viewed it straight on and from the side to check the viewing angle of the anti-glare display. 

  • First reviewed May 2024
Aura Carver Mat review: a gorgeous but flawed digital photo frame
8:16 pm | May 8, 2024

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

Aura Carver Mat: Two-minute review

Aura is a well-known name in our best digital photo frames guide, regularly making an appearance. A leading name in home displays, the brand is responsible for the budget-friendly Aura Carver. The Aura Carver Mat on review here shares many similarities with the regular Carver, only it comes with a more classic finish.  

It's a tablet-sized 10.1-inch display designed to sit on a sideboard rather than being mounted to a wall, featuring an approximate half-inch border that takes the total diagonal dimension up to 10.5 inches.

I prefer the classic-frame look of the Carver Mat over the Carver – it's super-slick and looks the part positioned on anything from a desk to a bookshelf or a piano. The ridged frame of the Carver, on the other hand, looks cheaper in my opinion.

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Box of the Aura Carver Mat digital frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura Carver Mat digital frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Side of the Aura Carver Mat digital frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Rear of the Aura Carver Mat digital frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Power cord of the Aura Carver Mat digital frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura Carver Mat digital frame power cord

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Edge detail of the Aura Carver Mat digital frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

The quality of the Carver Mat's 16:10 aspect display is superb. Photos are punchy in dim light and natural in daylight, with the 1280 x 800-pixel display rendering crisp detail. However, there are two things that make other frames a more tempting proposition, including Aura's own Mason frame. First, the display is landscape format only, and second, the optimum viewing angle is narrow. 

I'll discuss those to limitations further down; but in every other regard, the Carver Mat is a gorgeous little frame that's super easy to use, and even allows you to share photos with loved ones, who can upload their own photos onto the frame remotely through Aura's slick app. 

The Carver Mat is a hit in the looks department and in terms of user experience; it's just a shame that it's limited to landscape format viewing.

Aura Carver Mat: design

  • Well built and a classic look to suit many a home
  • Landscape format only
  • Neat touch bar panel

The Aura Carver Mat frame is superbly crafted with its matte-black frame and white border, while its generous 10.1-inch display is of a size that many people will be familiar, given its dimensions are roughly the same as the classic iPad, if a little smaller.

It features a thicker underside so it can stand up independently, although therein lies its fundamental design flaw: the Carver Mat can only be positioned in landscape format. In 2024, when so many images are shot in portrait format, particularly on phones, the Carver Mat's design feels particularly limiting. 

You can display portrait format pictures on the Carver Mat, but they won't fill the frame. Other models, such as Aura's own Mason and Walden models, allow you to flip the frame between landscape and portrait format and use the whole display; the Mason is only a fraction pricier than the Carver Mat, which makes it the better choice.

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Aura's digital frame app

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura's digital frame app

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura's digital frame app

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura's digital frame app

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura's digital frame app

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Aura Carver Mat digital frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Closeup of the Aura Carver Mat digital frame display

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Touch panel of the Aura Carver Mat digital frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
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Touch panel of the Aura Carver Mat digital frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

Aura frames feature a neat touch bar panel – here, on the top of the frame – that allows you to turn the frame on and off and includes functions such as swipe to next image, plus press and hold to reveal image information such as who uploaded the picture.

Elsewhere, I welcome the choice of power cable – it has a cream-colored fabric exterior that will easily blend into the background of many a home's decor. An ugly trailing cable along a wall or a side could have proved an eyesore. 

Getting started with the frame is fool-proof. You download the free Aura app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices, follow the pairing instructions to become a "member" and, once you're connected to the frame, you can start uploading images from your phone / tablet's gallery. 

Multiple Aura frames can be added to your Aura app, and you can invite family and friends as members to upload images to the frame, too. 

The whole image upload experience is seamless, and the collaborative aspect is superb, too, making Aura frames a brilliant gift. For example, as a member, I could upload the latest photos of my kids to my parent's Aura frame from anywhere with an internet connection. 

Aura Carver Mat: performance

  • Crisp and natural-looking display
  • Decent for daylight and night-time viewing
  • Narrow viewing angle

So how good is the display itself? Well, the 16:10 aspect display has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, which is roughly 150 pixels per inch. That's a decent enough display, rendering crisp detail when viewed from an optimum distance of around a few feet away. 

The display itself has a glossy finish and suffers from reflections, more so than the Aura Walden. If you look at the two images below, you can see the difference when viewing the Carver Mat straight on or to the side – position yourself at an angle and reflections can impede clear viewing. 

Image 1 of 2

Aura Carver Mat digital frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)
Image 2 of 2

Reflections in the Aura Carver Mat digital frame's screen

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

In addition, at night when the backlit display is luminous, it loses its luminosity when viewed from an angle. Again, for the brightest and punchiest viewing experience, you'll need to be straight on to the frame. 

Otherwise, there's little else to say – the Carver Mat packs good detail with punchy and faithful colors, while it's simple to modify the images that are on display and for what length of time through the app, although you'll need to edit your images to taste before importing them. 

Aura Carver Mat: price and release date

  • Available in the US and UK for $179 / £179
  • Look out for deals 

The Aura Carver Mat is available now and costs $179 / £179 on the Aura website – although, at the time of writing, it's reduced to $149 in the US. 

US and UK shipping is free. The Carver Mat is also available in Canada, France and Germany, although it isn't currently available in Australia.

Aura Carver Mat: should I buy?

Aura Carver Mat digital frame

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Aura Carver Mat: How I tested

  • A long-term fixture at home
  • Image uploads through the Aura Android app
  • Viewed in daylight and at night

The Aura Carver Mat has been living in my home for a couple of months at the time of writing this review, positioned on a window-lit sideboard. The display is mains-powered and is automatically active during daylight hours, and automatically powers off when it's dark to conserve power. 

I’ve uploaded digital photos through the Android version of Aura's app – although, sadly, the frame is limited to landscape format orientation. I've scrolled through the gallery of images using the frame's touch panel and have regularly updated the images in the gallery through the app. 

I’ve checked out the quality of the display in daylight and at night, from close-up and from far away, straight on and from the side to check the viewing angles and also if the frame suffers from reflections. 

  • First reviewed May 2024
Nanoleaf Skylight starter kit review: Nanoleaf is looking up
4:00 pm | April 27, 2024

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

One-minute review

The Nanoleaf Skylight is an alternative indoor lighting solution that can provide everything from strong white lighting to subtle mood lighting in whatever brightness or color you desire, and easily sits among some of the best smart lights. The simple square panel design belies the true nature of the device, which reveals itself once it’s brought to life in brilliant technicolor via the app or PC/Mac software. 

It’s not all sweetness and light though. The installation is a bit more involved than the usual Nanoleaf ‘stick the LEDs onto something and plug them into a power outlet’ scenario. 

The main panel is the same as any other ceiling light, in that it’s hardwired into the lighting circuit. If you have experience installing traditional light fittings, you shouldn’t find it too challenging, but, as always, get a professional to install it if you’re at all unsure; this is dangerous work.

Once the lights are up and running, you can control them with the free Nanoleaf software for PC, Mac or phone app, and it soon becomes apparent just how flexible the system is. I put it through its paces for a couple of weeks and its performance impressed me. I can see a broad range of uses within my home, but the cost seems prohibitive and I did have a fair few teething issues. So, is it worth the asking price? Read on.

Nanoleaf Skylight mounted on the ceiling

(Image credit: Future)

Nanoleaf Skylight review: price and availability

  • List price: starts at $249 / £229 / AU$469 for a three-light starter kit. Other options include;
    • Expansion pack (1 panel): $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$139.99
    • Starter kit (6 pack): $459.96 / £418.61 / AU$609.90
    • Starter kit (9 pack): $669.93 / £623.64 / AU$889.90
    • Starter kit (12 pack): $879.90 / £828.66 / AU$1,309.90
  • Available in the US, UK and Australia 

The Nanoleaf Skylight was released in February 2024 and the starter kit is available for $249 / £229 / AU$469 directly from Nanoleaf’s US, UK and Australian websites and Amazon

The starter pack consists of one main unit, which is wired directly into the mains electricity, and two expansion panels. Larger kits are available from Nanoleaf consisting of six, nine, and twelve lights, and there’s also a single-panel expansion pack. 

Nanoleaf Skylight review: Specs

Nanoleaf Skylight components

(Image credit: Future)

Nanoleaf Skylight review: Design

  • Minimalist and unobtrusive (when they’re off)
  • Modular design allows for a multitude of configurations
  • Unique ceiling-mounted lighting system

Anyone who enjoyed playing on the Atari 2600 in the 70s will get a kick out of the look of these lights. I like the pixel-esque aesthetic and would love to create some huge ceiling icons with a 9x9 square - if only it were possible to control the color for each square individually. I mean, who wouldn’t want a 2.7-square-meter Space Invader or Pac-Man on their ceiling? Unfortunately, that would set me back approximately £5.5k and 1300 Watts, so this vision will forever be a dream.

The combined equal depths of the housing and diffuser are nicely proportioned to the 300 x 300 face but I’m not completely sold on its shiny surface. Maybe a matt finish wouldn’t diffuse the light so well or look any better, though.

The cable management inside the units is well-designed but a little fragile. Each side has two cable routing holes that allow for some more interesting offset configurations if you don’t just want a symmetrical layout. The rubber bungs for these holes can be left in situ as the cables can be passed through slits in them. 

Little features like this make it feel like Nanoleaf spent a great deal of time and effort getting the hardware design right, but then rushed the component selection and software testing. I’ll cover this in more detail in the performance section. 

As is the running theme with this review, the Nanoleaf Skylight’s design is akin to the troubled second album by your favorite band. You buy the record because you love what they do but feel they have let you down.

Nanoleaf Skylight review: Installation

If you skipped over the one-minute review, I will reiterate: if you have experience installing traditional light fittings, you shouldn’t find it challenging, but, as always, get a professional to install it if you are unsure.

Your existing wiring will likely be too inflexible to follow the path to the connectors in the Skylight and it only requires two wires. The rest of the wiring must be out of the way above the ceiling. I replicated the connections within the existing light fitting and increased the size of the hole in the ceiling to do this. 

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Nanoleaf Skylight wiring rework

(Image credit: Future)

This bundle of wires was never going to fit in the Nanoleaf Skylight.

Image 2 of 2

Nanoleaf Skylight wiring

(Image credit: Future)

 Up, up and away. 

The next hurdle is the rather poor installation instructions, which erroneously show the plasterboard self-drilling fittings as being screwed through the housing, for example. In reality, the fittings should screw directly into the ceiling and the screws should go through the housing and into those fittings. I say “should screw directly into the ceiling” as during my installation, two of the supplied fittings broke off in the ceiling before I gave up with them. 

Fortunately, I had some more robust metal fittings to hand, which saved the day. To be fair, my ceiling is ‘mature’, and perhaps drilling a 4mm guide hole first would have reduced the mortality rate of the plastic fittings. There are, however, plenty of other inaccuracies in the installation instructions, which add to the confusion. If these instructions were a cake, the missing ingredient would be “care”.   

A bit more wiggle room in the screw holes would also be of benefit as screwing or drilling into a ceiling is prone to error unless you are Spider-Man. Usually, fittings have a combination of horizontal and vertical slots that allow for errors made during drilling or screwing. I’d also recommend ensuring that someone is available during installation to provide placement directions, as it’s not easy to get things straight on a ladder facing upwards. 

Once the primary unit is up, the others are very straightforward. I found it much easier to install the data wires (the short wires with square connector blocks at the ends) between the light units first, and then push through the power wires. Alternatively, the rubber grommets can easily be removed but they may be needed at a later date, should you want to move or reconfigure the lights. Routing the cables between the lights is made easier by the numerous clips built into the unit for this purpose, but, as I learned when I managed to break one, they are a little fragile.

After restoring power at your dwelling’s fuse box and flicking on your light switch at the wall, the Skylight will initially come on at low brightness. It will then increase in brightness to signify that it’s ready to pair with the Nanoleaf app.

Nanoleaf Skylight review: Performance

The first thing that struck me about the Skylight was how much light it gives off. If you sometimes need a bright, even white light while assembling something or taking things to bits, this light is your friend. It’s reminiscent of old-school fluorescent lighting without the irradiation and mercury poisoning. 

The Skylight can, of course, emit any color you wish, but be warned that the color is not uniform across the surface of the diffuser. Inevitably, though, you will need to address the elephant in the room – the Nanoleaf app.  

In previous reviews of Nanoleaf products, I’ve described the Nanoleaf app as “wayward”. Perhaps I am just unlucky, but every time I add a new Nanoleaf product to my network there is a period of chaos. Some of the mayhem may be due to the many and varied devices that I have, and the synchronization between the home automation systems and their cloud accounts. Whatever the root cause, there will be a couple of days of rebooting, deleting, and adding devices until everything works again. The app will invariably have a different view of reality, which may or may not change depending on whether you look at it. Schrödinger’s app.

App issues shown in the Nanoleaf app

No, I do not have any Nanoleaf devices in the entrance or kitchen. No, I do not have three hall lights and no, I cannot delete them. An example of the app's version of the truth.  (Image credit: Future)

The sense of frustration was further compounded by the hardware itself misbehaving. I had a period where the light was flickering when set to white light at full power. Following this, the unit then point-blank refused to switch on even after I removed the face plate to press the reset button. Flash forward to the time of writing, I can’t replicate the flickering and it has behaved itself consistently for a few days. 

It’s like having a cat on your ceiling; you ask it to do something and it will ignore you, show you its backside, and walk away. Schrödinger’s app and cat… On the plus side, the supplied scenes are good, you can create your own or use scenes created by others, and these can all be synchronized and used in Apple Homekit. You could avoid using the Nanoleaf app altogether, but you would miss out on firmware and app updates. It’s a necessary evil. 

I have spent many hours with the Nanoleaf app thanks to one of my favorite bits of kit, the Nanoleaf 4D. I was looking forward to using Sync+ to extend the screen colors to the Skylight but, no, it does not work. So, I have two products that support Sync+ but do not support each other… right. 

Not to worry, as Nanoleaf should be applauded for developing a desktop app for both PC and Apple Mac (both Intel and Apple Silicon), which offers screen mirroring. The screen mirroring via the desktop app is a great idea and works well with the 3-pack starter kit laid out in a straight line, but I do wonder how the app would know if you have offset your units in a stepped layout. It also didn’t work with all of the games I tried. I wanted to watch a film via Apple TV+ while mirroring the screen to the Skylight, but the Mac was unhappy about sharing. Thank you, Apple. 

It’s a similar state of affairs with the rhythm feature – a great idea but it falls at the last fence. You can select which source the sound is coming from, but that doesn’t seem to work as well now as it did when I first received the device. Having said that, it is good enough and as I write the Skylight is gently pulsing color along to the music. Wonderful.

Unlike dumb lights, the best smart lights offer a host of control options but that’s not always a boon with wired lights like the Nanoleaf Skylight. When the Skylight has been powered off at the wall, it will take about a minute to appear online within your home automation system or the app when you flick the switch on again. 

Normally that’s not an issue with smart lights, but the problem with the Skylight then becomes the almost imperceptible little ticking noise that the skylight makes when it has power but is not on. It’s akin to Chinese water torture and drives you nuts after a while. I’d strongly recommend using one of the best smart switches for easier control and happier ears.

On top of all this is the lack of Matter support and no built-in thread border router as promised at CES 2023. I like Nanoleaf, I like its ideas and that it makes these feature-rich products happen, but a simple thing like testing could make them so much better. 

Nanoleaf Skylight: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

The Nanoleaf Skylight is, as far as I’m aware, a unique product, so it is difficult to find a direct equivalent. Here are some alternatives if you want to dip your toe into smart lighting, but don’t want to give it the full beans.  

Nanoleaf Skylight: How I tested

  • I used the Skylight for work and play for over a month.
  • I tested the PC/Mac application on both platforms where possible. 
  • I controlled the device from both the Nanoleaf iPhone app and Apple Homekit.

I installed the Skylight in the room where I spend the majority of my time during the dark winter months. I tried to understand what each feature within the application does and how reliable/repeatable they are. Any inconsistencies were investigated but I have yet to find any form of event logging to help me understand exactly what it thinks it is doing.

I powered down my whole house to simulate a power cut to see how it would recover and also rebooted the Wi-Fi router and other devices in my smart home setup at various points.

I kept a log of any updates to the versions of the applications and the device’s firmware. I avoided using Beta versions of the application.

For the majority of the time it performed as expected but it is not bulletproof.

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