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Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: this ereader’s color screen is its only redeeming feature
8:58 am | June 15, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C: two-minute review

I take my hat off to ereader maker Onyx for trying to do something different with its Boox E Ink tablets – making them a little more multimedia-friendly. It did that with the Boox Tab Ultra and didn’t quite hit the mark. The company has tried again with a color version of the same tablet – the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C. 

The color screen makes quite the difference, particularly when you’re reading something that’s supposed to be viewed in color. As with other color ereaders, however, the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C uses the E Ink Kaleido 3 screen that has some significant limitations. It can only display 4,096 colors without a lot of saturation, so what you see is rather muted. Still, even that little bit made my reading experience more enjoyable, particularly when I’m absorbed in something like a Sandman graphic novel. “You can enjoy them better on an iPad,” I hear you say. As true as that may be, the Tab Ultra C is first and foremost a note-taking ereader and I’ll refrain from comparing it to an actual multimedia tablet.

As great as having the color screen is, the ghosting here is really significant. Despite Onyx bringing over the multiple refresh rates from the Boox Tab X, even the fastest Regal option can be disappointing. 

Despite a decent processor – for an ereader that is – performance was generally slow and laggy, even for simple tasks like page turns – something my colleague also noticed when he tested the monochrome Boox Tab Ultra. Battery drain is also rather high when compared to other 10.3-inch notetaking ereaders, including the Onyx Boox Note2 Air Plus, with the whopping 6,300mAh pack draining away in a week.

While access to the Google Play Store is great, I think using Android 11 as an operating system feels dated. It’s not really an issue here, but there will be some apps you might want to use that are no longer optimized for this version and Onyx doesn’t offer a way to update to Android 12 or 13 on its ereaders.

The writing experience, however, is good and on par with the other Onyx tablets I’ve tested. Like its monochrome sibling, the Boox Tab Ultra C can also be used with a keyboard – the folio can be purchased separately. While I enjoyed typing on this keyboard, there was the occasional lag to deal with, which was a little disconcerting when typing at speed.

If it’s just the color screen that is its main selling point, then the Tab Ultra C can be a rather expensive proposition.

A color graphic novel page displayed on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: Price and availability

  • Available in two bundles directly from Onyx or select retailers
  • Standard bundle list price: $599.99 / €649.99 (around £559) / AU$979
  • Keyboard cover bundle: $665.99 / €715.99 (around £615) / unavailable in AU

Onyx has priced the color version of its Tab Ultra E Ink tablet the same as its monochrome counterpart, at least in the US. The Tab Ultra C retails for $599.99 / €649.99 (around £559) / AU$979 for what is called the Standard bundle – this includes a magnetic case and the stylus in the box.

While you can buy the keyboard folio separately, there’s a bundle for that as well and it will set you back $665.99 / €715.99 (around £615). The Keyboard Cover bundle is unavailable in Australia, but the folio costs AU$179.99 to purchase separately. 

You can get both bundles directly from Onyx’s Boox Shop in the US and Europe (UK customers can choose the EU storefront). In Australia, only one retailer, Elite Electronics, stocks Onyx products.

While the price point might seem fine given it’s a large, color E Ink screen, it is an expensive tablet. And the value diminishes further as its performance is subpar. 

As much as I hate making this comparison, a 10.9-inch iPad would be a better (and potentially cheaper) investment if it’s a color screen you’re after. Throw in an Apple Pencil and you wouldn’t be spending too much more either. If a color screen isn’t important and you want a really capable note-taking ereader, then I’d recommend the Kobo Elipsa 2E in a heartbeat and you’ll save a lot of money too. 

• Value score: 2/5

Drawing with the stylus on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C: specs

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: Design

  • 10.3-inch color E Ink screen
  • Thicker and heavier than other large-screen ereaders
  • Features a rear camera

In terms of overall design, nothing has changed from the Tab Ultra. The Tab Ultra C is still a “black slab” as we called the black-and-white model and is really quite thick and heavy. Compared to other 10.3-inch note-taking ereaders, it really is chunky and heavy. Pick it up and you instantly feel every bit of its 490g bulk – it’s perhaps one of the heaviest ereaders I’ve tested. Add in the weight of a case, particularly the keyboard folio, and this is not a very comfortable ereader to use on the go or read while lounging in bed. However, the sharp corners give it a sleek look.

Branding on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C pen

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

A rear camera bump – for scanning documents – means the tablet doesn’t lie flush on a table, but it's not as pronounced as it is on other multimedia tablets. And it won't be an issue if you use the magnetic or keyboard case. There’s no front-facing selfie camera here. 

The front bezels are free of any embellishment with the sole exception of a barely-visible Boox branding in one corner. On the side of the top bezel is the power button and a speaker, while the bottom bezel houses the uSB-C port, mic and microSD card tray. This supports up to 1TB of expanded storage in addition to built-in 128GB. 

There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack here but the speakers don’t sound too bad. However, connecting to your favorite Bluetooth headphones or speaker will be better if you’re listening to music (two audio files are supported, so you can sideload some MP3s).

The rear camera on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

I was sent the Keyboard Cover bundle for this review, so I don’t quite know how the magnetic case looks with the device, but I do like the keyboard. This attaches via the five-pin connector on the side of the tablet. Despite its compact size, the keys are comfortable and there's good feedback from them. Some users might find the keys clacky, but I didn’t mind it at all. Likewise, the stylus that ships with the Tab Ultra C is also great and it attaches magnetically to empty side of the Tab Ultra C. I’ve used it before with the Onyx Boox Note2 Air and the Tab X, and it works really well. I personally love the eraser on the top as it actually manages to erase more surface area than the Kindle Scribe’s pen.

• Design score: 3/5

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: display

  • Large 10.3-inch color e-paper screen
  • 150ppi resolution in color
  • 300ppi resolution for black and white

A finger highlighting a passage in pink on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

The main talking point here is the 10.3-inch color screen… there aren’t too many such options on the market. Using E Ink’s Kaleido 3 screen tech gives the Tab Ultra C a nice display for comics and ereaders. All your ebook covers will be displayed in color at a resolution of 150ppi, which is standard for most color ereaders. Screen resolution for black and white is 300ppi. 

Having a color screen also means you can choose to highlight text in different colors if you are in the habit of adding annotations and notes. And you can draw in color too.

Don’t expect bright colors like you would on an iPad or any other multimedia tablet. E Ink Kaleido tech has limitations and can only display about 4,096 colors that appear washed out on screen. A new tech called Gallery 3 is ready for mass production which promises better saturation, but we still haven’t seen a single color ereader with this screen yet. Soon perhaps. Even with muted colors, it’s a pleasure reading on the Tab Ultra C’s screen.

• Display score: 4/5

The four refresh rates on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: performance

  • Powerful processor for an ereader, but sluggish performance
  • Heavy ghosting
  • Bad battery management

The color screen is sadly where all the good things end with the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C. While I loved reading on it, simple tasks like page turns are occasionally slow – whether you use the screen to navigate to the next page or the keyboard (the PgDn key). And this happens on both the default reading application and on the Kindle or Kobo apps that I downloaded from the Google Play Store.

The Tab Ultra C has multiple refresh rate options like the Tab X. And while they work really well on the bigger 13-inch tablet, they don’t seem to function as well here and that means there’s heavy ghosting on most of the applications. It’s very noticeable when reading, which disappears as soon as you change the refresh rate, only to reappear a few pages later. The same occurred when using the built-in web browser or any other downloaded application.

Drawings can be in color on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Using the on-screen keyboard is a laggy experience. I’ve used other 10.3-inch ereaders that have faster response times than the Tab Ultra C, and this includes other Onyx tablets. Switch to the keyboard and, while I was expecting a lag there, it’s not as significant. Still, text doesn’t appear in real time and can be a little disconcerting when you’re typing at speed. 

It’s a similar experience my colleague had when he tested the Tab Ultra, so Onyx hasn’t done anything different here except to use a different screen. In both cases, this disappointing performance for basic tasks is surprising as the devices have powerful processors in the form of an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 662… well, it’s powerful for ereaders. It’s possible that an over-the-air firmware update might sort a lot of this out – although the two that I did get pushed through to my device didn’t help.

Interestingly, using apps downloaded from the Google Play Store – including some mobile games – run quite well. I even watched YouTube videos and didn’t think they were too bad! And yet basic tasks aren’t being handled well, go figure.

Typing via the keyboard case on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

There’s also something not right with the battery management on the device. The drain on the 6,300mAh battery pack seems significant even when you’re just reading. The Onyx Boox Note2 Air Plus has a 3,700mAh battery and lasts about 5-6 weeks while reading, writing, browsing the web and playing mobile games. Similarly, the Kindle Scribe’s 3,000mAh battery goes on for weeks at a time too. The Tab Ultra C, on the other hand, drained in a week while mostly reading with a few minutes of typing via the keyboard cover thrown in…and this is both before and after the firmware update.

Topping up the battery also takes a while but that’s expected from a massive 6,300mAh pack – it took about 4.5 hours to go from 7% to full when plugged into a 9W USB-A wall adapter. For me, it was easy enough to let it charge overnight after I’d finished reading for the night to wake up to a fully topped up ereader. 

However, general performance is just not up to scratch, something I did not expect from an Onyx device – pretty much every other one from ereader maker I’ve tested has impressed.

• Performance score: 2.5/5

The Control Center of the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: Camera

  • 16MP rear camera
  • Used for scanning documents
  • Feels superfluous

Like the Tab Ultra, there’s a 16MP rear camera on the Tab Ultra C too. Its main task is to help you scan documents and it does that well enough, but not consistently enough. The good thing about the scans are that they’re in full, saturated color… once you’ve shared them to yourself via Dropbox, Boox Drop or cable transfer (or any other method – you link you Google Drive and OneDrive accounts). 

The advantage of having this scanning facility is that you can sign the digital copy using the stylus and directly email it as an attachment to whoever needs the document (you can download the Gmail app from the Play Store).

That said, the scanned documents aren’t of the best quality and I occasionally found some copy looking a little fuzzy. That could perhaps be because my hand was shaking too. The device is heavy and you have to hold it two hands to keep it focused on the sheet you’re trying to scan. I found using my iPhone 13 Pro to scan to be a lot easier, rendering the camera on the Tab Ultra C superfluous.

This isn’t a camera you’d use to take regular photos. While it can, what you see is a pixelated, fuzzy rendering of the scene that’s saved in PDF format, not JPG. So you can’t even edit in post-production like you would a regular photo.

• Camera score: 2.5/5

The TechRadar website displayed on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C browser

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: Software

  • Runs Android 11 with basic interface
  • Access to Google Play Store

Software is where Onyx’s tablets shine, with all of them running on Android 11. This gives you access to the Play Store, so you can download pretty much anything… as long as it will run on the E Ink device.

More importantly, though, Onyx has done a marvelous job of adapting the OS to suit the device. The company’s tablets arguably have the most number of settings parameters for you to tweak of any ereader out there and it’s the same here again. In fact, there are times when I feel the adjustments are overkill, but they all work well and once you’ve used them, you wonder why other such devices don’t have something similar. And this goes for the multiple refresh rate options accessible via the E Ink Center (swipe down from the top right corner to bring up the Control Center)… but strangely enough they don’t seem to work as well here.

However, Android 11 is now nearing its use-by date. While security updates may not be important for an ereader, there are going to be apps that no longer run on Android 11, and there’s no way to update to Android 12 (or 13 for that matter).

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C home screen

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Moreover it’s not the easiest of user interfaces to come to grips with. There’s so much going on – take the default notes application as an example – that it will take someone with a decent amount of technical knowledge to become comfortable with it quickly. The note-taking app looks like a stripped back version of an Adobe application with lots of tools at your disposal. You’ll need time to familiarize yourself with them all to make the most of them. On the other hand, Kobo’s Advanced Notes – despite also offering a lot of features having – is actually a little easier to get to grips with. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with the UX, it’s just… complicated and is a steep learning curve.

Still, I am a big fan of having Android as the OS on my ereader… I’d really like a newer version though. Android 11 on an ereader released in 2023 feels very dated.

• Software score: 3.5/5

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C propped on its keyboard case with a highlighted page displayed

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Should I buy the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

It’s hard to consider the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C as a contender for one of the best ereaders on the market, so if you’re looking for similar alternatives, take a look at a few other options below. There aren’t any other 10.3-inch note-taking ereaders with a color screen, so all the alternatives below have a black-and-white E Ink display.

How I tested the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

  • Tested for about two months, which included a new firmware update
  • Used extensively for reading, writing, drawing and typing using the keyboard folio
  • Also used to listen to music and browse the internet often
  • Compared with Amazon Kindle Scribe and Onyx Boox Note Air2 Plus

A color page displayed on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

I’ve had the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C for a while and, during my testing, I’ve had a firmware update rolled out. I began my testing from scratch after this update, in case there were new features or improvements to performance. All told, I spent two months with the device before I started writing my review and used the Kindle Scribe and Onyx's own Note Air2 Plus at the same time to make comparisons.

During this time, I used the Tab Ultra C as my primary ereader, to make notes – particularly for this review – using both the on-screen keyboard and the case, and creating hand-written todo lists and other notes.

While reading, I used different colors to highlight passages of interest to me and also attempted to draw something using different colors. My reading was primarily on the Kindle and Kobo apps that I downloaded from the Play Store – I have accounts for both with purchased ebooks that I could read. 

I even spent a lot of time browsing the internet on the default browser. I also watched a few YouTube videos to test the different refresh rate options. I also used it to listen to music by sideloading MP3 files to the default player.

Read more about how we test

[First reviewed June 2023]

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: this ereader’s color screen is its only redeeming feature
8:58 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C: two-minute review

I take my hat off to ereader maker Onyx for trying to do something different with its Boox E Ink tablets – making them a little more multimedia-friendly. It did that with the Boox Tab Ultra and didn’t quite hit the mark. The company has tried again with a color version of the same tablet – the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C. 

The color screen makes quite the difference, particularly when you’re reading something that’s supposed to be viewed in color. As with other color ereaders, however, the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C uses the E Ink Kaleido 3 screen that has some significant limitations. It can only display 4,096 colors without a lot of saturation, so what you see is rather muted. Still, even that little bit made my reading experience more enjoyable, particularly when I’m absorbed in something like a Sandman graphic novel. “You can enjoy them better on an iPad,” I hear you say. As true as that may be, the Tab Ultra C is first and foremost a note-taking ereader and I’ll refrain from comparing it to an actual multimedia tablet.

As great as having the color screen is, the ghosting here is really significant. Despite Onyx bringing over the multiple refresh rates from the Boox Tab X, even the fastest Regal option can be disappointing. 

Despite a decent processor – for an ereader that is – performance was generally slow and laggy, even for simple tasks like page turns – something my colleague also noticed when he tested the monochrome Boox Tab Ultra. Battery drain is also rather high when compared to other 10.3-inch notetaking ereaders, including the Onyx Boox Note2 Air Plus, with the whopping 6,300mAh pack draining away in a week.

While access to the Google Play Store is great, I think using Android 11 as an operating system feels dated. It’s not really an issue here, but there will be some apps you might want to use that are no longer optimized for this version and Onyx doesn’t offer a way to update to Android 12 or 13 on its ereaders.

The writing experience, however, is good and on par with the other Onyx tablets I’ve tested. Like its monochrome sibling, the Boox Tab Ultra C can also be used with a keyboard – the folio can be purchased separately. While I enjoyed typing on this keyboard, there was the occasional lag to deal with, which was a little disconcerting when typing at speed.

If it’s just the color screen that is its main selling point, then the Tab Ultra C can be a rather expensive proposition.

A color graphic novel page displayed on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: Price and availability

  • Available in two bundles directly from Onyx or select retailers
  • Standard bundle list price: $599.99 / €649.99 (around £559) / AU$979
  • Keyboard cover bundle: $665.99 / €715.99 (around £615) / unavailable in AU

Onyx has priced the color version of its Tab Ultra E Ink tablet the same as its monochrome counterpart, at least in the US. The Tab Ultra C retails for $599.99 / €649.99 (around £559) / AU$979 for what is called the Standard bundle – this includes a magnetic case and the stylus in the box.

While you can buy the keyboard folio separately, there’s a bundle for that as well and it will set you back $665.99 / €715.99 (around £615). The Keyboard Cover bundle is unavailable in Australia, but the folio costs AU$179.99 to purchase separately. 

You can get both bundles directly from Onyx’s Boox Shop in the US and Europe (UK customers can choose the EU storefront). In Australia, only one retailer, Elite Electronics, stocks Onyx products.

While the price point might seem fine given it’s a large, color E Ink screen, it is an expensive tablet. And the value diminishes further as its performance is subpar. 

As much as I hate making this comparison, a 10.9-inch iPad would be a better (and potentially cheaper) investment if it’s a color screen you’re after. Throw in an Apple Pencil and you wouldn’t be spending too much more either. If a color screen isn’t important and you want a really capable note-taking ereader, then I’d recommend the Kobo Elipsa 2E in a heartbeat and you’ll save a lot of money too. 

• Value score: 2/5

Drawing with the stylus on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C: specs

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: Design

  • 10.3-inch color E Ink screen
  • Thicker and heavier than other large-screen ereaders
  • Features a rear camera

In terms of overall design, nothing has changed from the Tab Ultra. The Tab Ultra C is still a “black slab” as we called the black-and-white model and is really quite thick and heavy. Compared to other 10.3-inch note-taking ereaders, it really is chunky and heavy. Pick it up and you instantly feel every bit of its 490g bulk – it’s perhaps one of the heaviest ereaders I’ve tested. Add in the weight of a case, particularly the keyboard folio, and this is not a very comfortable ereader to use on the go or read while lounging in bed. However, the sharp corners give it a sleek look.

Branding on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C pen

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

A rear camera bump – for scanning documents – means the tablet doesn’t lie flush on a table, but it's not as pronounced as it is on other multimedia tablets. And it won't be an issue if you use the magnetic or keyboard case. There’s no front-facing selfie camera here. 

The front bezels are free of any embellishment with the sole exception of a barely-visible Boox branding in one corner. On the side of the top bezel is the power button and a speaker, while the bottom bezel houses the uSB-C port, mic and microSD card tray. This supports up to 1TB of expanded storage in addition to built-in 128GB. 

There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack here but the speakers don’t sound too bad. However, connecting to your favorite Bluetooth headphones or speaker will be better if you’re listening to music (two audio files are supported, so you can sideload some MP3s).

The rear camera on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

I was sent the Keyboard Cover bundle for this review, so I don’t quite know how the magnetic case looks with the device, but I do like the keyboard. This attaches via the five-pin connector on the side of the tablet. Despite its compact size, the keys are comfortable and there's good feedback from them. Some users might find the keys clacky, but I didn’t mind it at all. Likewise, the stylus that ships with the Tab Ultra C is also great and it attaches magnetically to empty side of the Tab Ultra C. I’ve used it before with the Onyx Boox Note2 Air and the Tab X, and it works really well. I personally love the eraser on the top as it actually manages to erase more surface area than the Kindle Scribe’s pen.

• Design score: 3/5

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: display

  • Large 10.3-inch color e-paper screen
  • 150ppi resolution in color
  • 300ppi resolution for black and white

A finger highlighting a passage in pink on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

The main talking point here is the 10.3-inch color screen… there aren’t too many such options on the market. Using E Ink’s Kaleido 3 screen tech gives the Tab Ultra C a nice display for comics and ereaders. All your ebook covers will be displayed in color at a resolution of 150ppi, which is standard for most color ereaders. Screen resolution for black and white is 300ppi. 

Having a color screen also means you can choose to highlight text in different colors if you are in the habit of adding annotations and notes. And you can draw in color too.

Don’t expect bright colors like you would on an iPad or any other multimedia tablet. E Ink Kaleido tech has limitations and can only display about 4,096 colors that appear washed out on screen. A new tech called Gallery 3 is ready for mass production which promises better saturation, but we still haven’t seen a single color ereader with this screen yet. Soon perhaps. Even with muted colors, it’s a pleasure reading on the Tab Ultra C’s screen.

• Display score: 4/5

The four refresh rates on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: performance

  • Powerful processor for an ereader, but sluggish performance
  • Heavy ghosting
  • Bad battery management

The color screen is sadly where all the good things end with the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C. While I loved reading on it, simple tasks like page turns are occasionally slow – whether you use the screen to navigate to the next page or the keyboard (the PgDn key). And this happens on both the default reading application and on the Kindle or Kobo apps that I downloaded from the Google Play Store.

The Tab Ultra C has multiple refresh rate options like the Tab X. And while they work really well on the bigger 13-inch tablet, they don’t seem to function as well here and that means there’s heavy ghosting on most of the applications. It’s very noticeable when reading, which disappears as soon as you change the refresh rate, only to reappear a few pages later. The same occurred when using the built-in web browser or any other downloaded application.

Drawings can be in color on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Using the on-screen keyboard is a laggy experience. I’ve used other 10.3-inch ereaders that have faster response times than the Tab Ultra C, and this includes other Onyx tablets. Switch to the keyboard and, while I was expecting a lag there, it’s not as significant. Still, text doesn’t appear in real time and can be a little disconcerting when you’re typing at speed. 

It’s a similar experience my colleague had when he tested the Tab Ultra, so Onyx hasn’t done anything different here except to use a different screen. In both cases, this disappointing performance for basic tasks is surprising as the devices have powerful processors in the form of an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 662… well, it’s powerful for ereaders. It’s possible that an over-the-air firmware update might sort a lot of this out – although the two that I did get pushed through to my device didn’t help.

Interestingly, using apps downloaded from the Google Play Store – including some mobile games – run quite well. I even watched YouTube videos and didn’t think they were too bad! And yet basic tasks aren’t being handled well, go figure.

Typing via the keyboard case on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

There’s also something not right with the battery management on the device. The drain on the 6,300mAh battery pack seems significant even when you’re just reading. The Onyx Boox Note2 Air Plus has a 3,700mAh battery and lasts about 5-6 weeks while reading, writing, browsing the web and playing mobile games. Similarly, the Kindle Scribe’s 3,000mAh battery goes on for weeks at a time too. The Tab Ultra C, on the other hand, drained in a week while mostly reading with a few minutes of typing via the keyboard cover thrown in…and this is both before and after the firmware update.

Topping up the battery also takes a while but that’s expected from a massive 6,300mAh pack – it took about 4.5 hours to go from 7% to full when plugged into a 9W USB-A wall adapter. For me, it was easy enough to let it charge overnight after I’d finished reading for the night to wake up to a fully topped up ereader. 

However, general performance is just not up to scratch, something I did not expect from an Onyx device – pretty much every other one from ereader maker I’ve tested has impressed.

• Performance score: 2.5/5

The Control Center of the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: Camera

  • 16MP rear camera
  • Used for scanning documents
  • Feels superfluous

Like the Tab Ultra, there’s a 16MP rear camera on the Tab Ultra C too. Its main task is to help you scan documents and it does that well enough, but not consistently enough. The good thing about the scans are that they’re in full, saturated color… once you’ve shared them to yourself via Dropbox, Boox Drop or cable transfer (or any other method – you link you Google Drive and OneDrive accounts). 

The advantage of having this scanning facility is that you can sign the digital copy using the stylus and directly email it as an attachment to whoever needs the document (you can download the Gmail app from the Play Store).

That said, the scanned documents aren’t of the best quality and I occasionally found some copy looking a little fuzzy. That could perhaps be because my hand was shaking too. The device is heavy and you have to hold it two hands to keep it focused on the sheet you’re trying to scan. I found using my iPhone 13 Pro to scan to be a lot easier, rendering the camera on the Tab Ultra C superfluous.

This isn’t a camera you’d use to take regular photos. While it can, what you see is a pixelated, fuzzy rendering of the scene that’s saved in PDF format, not JPG. So you can’t even edit in post-production like you would a regular photo.

• Camera score: 2.5/5

The TechRadar website displayed on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C browser

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C review: Software

  • Runs Android 11 with basic interface
  • Access to Google Play Store

Software is where Onyx’s tablets shine, with all of them running on Android 11. This gives you access to the Play Store, so you can download pretty much anything… as long as it will run on the E Ink device.

More importantly, though, Onyx has done a marvelous job of adapting the OS to suit the device. The company’s tablets arguably have the most number of settings parameters for you to tweak of any ereader out there and it’s the same here again. In fact, there are times when I feel the adjustments are overkill, but they all work well and once you’ve used them, you wonder why other such devices don’t have something similar. And this goes for the multiple refresh rate options accessible via the E Ink Center (swipe down from the top right corner to bring up the Control Center)… but strangely enough they don’t seem to work as well here.

However, Android 11 is now nearing its use-by date. While security updates may not be important for an ereader, there are going to be apps that no longer run on Android 11, and there’s no way to update to Android 12 (or 13 for that matter).

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C home screen

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Moreover it’s not the easiest of user interfaces to come to grips with. There’s so much going on – take the default notes application as an example – that it will take someone with a decent amount of technical knowledge to become comfortable with it quickly. The note-taking app looks like a stripped back version of an Adobe application with lots of tools at your disposal. You’ll need time to familiarize yourself with them all to make the most of them. On the other hand, Kobo’s Advanced Notes – despite also offering a lot of features having – is actually a little easier to get to grips with. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with the UX, it’s just… complicated and is a steep learning curve.

Still, I am a big fan of having Android as the OS on my ereader… I’d really like a newer version though. Android 11 on an ereader released in 2023 feels very dated.

• Software score: 3.5/5

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C propped on its keyboard case with a highlighted page displayed

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

Should I buy the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

It’s hard to consider the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C as a contender for one of the best ereaders on the market, so if you’re looking for similar alternatives, take a look at a few other options below. There aren’t any other 10.3-inch note-taking ereaders with a color screen, so all the alternatives below have a black-and-white E Ink display.

How I tested the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

  • Tested for about two months, which included a new firmware update
  • Used extensively for reading, writing, drawing and typing using the keyboard folio
  • Also used to listen to music and browse the internet often
  • Compared with Amazon Kindle Scribe and Onyx Boox Note Air2 Plus

A color page displayed on the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C

(Image credit: TechRadar / Sharmishta Sarkar)

I’ve had the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C for a while and, during my testing, I’ve had a firmware update rolled out. I began my testing from scratch after this update, in case there were new features or improvements to performance. All told, I spent two months with the device before I started writing my review and used the Kindle Scribe and Onyx's own Note Air2 Plus at the same time to make comparisons.

During this time, I used the Tab Ultra C as my primary ereader, to make notes – particularly for this review – using both the on-screen keyboard and the case, and creating hand-written todo lists and other notes.

While reading, I used different colors to highlight passages of interest to me and also attempted to draw something using different colors. My reading was primarily on the Kindle and Kobo apps that I downloaded from the Play Store – I have accounts for both with purchased ebooks that I could read. 

I even spent a lot of time browsing the internet on the default browser. I also watched a few YouTube videos to test the different refresh rate options. I also used it to listen to music by sideloading MP3 files to the default player.

Read more about how we test

[First reviewed June 2023]

Huawei Watch Ultimate review: the Apple Watch Ultra has nothing to worry about
5:47 pm | May 18, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Huawei Watch Ultimate: One minute review

This is TechRadar’s Huawei Watch Ultimate review. We’ve gone hands-on with the Apple Watch Ultra rival to test its mettle as a day-to-day smartwatch, a workout device, a health companion, and a tool for outdoor pursuits such as diving and hiking. The end result is a watch that’s designed to go toe-to-toe with the best smartwatches from Apple and the best Garmin watches. 

In many ways it succeeds: the physical build quality is nothing short of spectacular, and the watch looks great – with the right watch face. The Expedition mode, designed for outdoor pursuits such as hiking, trail running and orienteering, is a brilliant piece of UX design, and Huawei Health is a great-looking and very functional companion app. 

However, the typical and all-too-familiar Huawei frustrations prevent this from beating the top outdoor watches at their own game. There’s no Google Maps or GPX files: instead, the Huawei Watch Ultimate works on Huawei’s own Petal Maps service. There’s also no LTE option, which is frustrating for a watch at this price point, as it means you need to remain coupled to your phone for internet access. Some of the better watch faces cost money from Huawei’s online store. And, without a Huawei phone, there’s no contactless payment option, as it won’t support Google Wallet, Apple Pay or other competing digital wallet services. 

I understand Huawei’s instinct to keep things locked down end-to-end in the same way that Apple, Google and Samsung do, but as Huawei devices aren’t as ubiquitous as those of the other brands, it makes recommending the watch more difficult. While the watch will record your running routes using GPS, the omission of on-wrist directions and the inability to stream music without cellular data or a phone nearby are pretty damning. At least it looks nice, it’s tough as nails, and the Expedition mode is ace.  

Huawei Watch Ultimate: Price and availability

  • £699 (Expedition Black)
  • £799 (Voyage Blue)
  • Unavailable in US, not confirmed for AU

Huawei Watch Ultimate currently starts at £699 (around $870 / AU$1,300) for the Expedition Black version of the watch, which has the standard zirconium liquid metal watch face and casing but a plain black silicone strap. It clearly competes directly with the Apple Watch Ultra at this price, and occupies a similar niche and matches the watch in build quality.

The next level up in price, the Voyage Blue, is designed to look more like a traditional diving watch, something along the line of the Omega Seamaster series. Its segmented deep-blue bezel is complimented by a lighter-coloured case and matching aviation-grade titanium strap, and it costs £799.

Unfortunately, availability is a big part of where this watch falls down: it’s unavailable in the US due to the US government’s ongoing dispute with Huawei. Not having the latest phones with Huawei’s own operating system, EMUI, means that even if you get your hands on the watch, some of its features can’t be used. 

Although Huawei technology is currently available in Australia, the Watch Ultimate isn’t yet on sale. It is available in the UK and Europe, and select Asian markets. Is is available in Europe for €749 euros in Expedition Black, and €849 in Voyage Blue.

  • Value score: 4/5

Huawei Watch Ultimate: Design

Huawei Watch Ultimate

(Image credit: Huawei)
  • Top-notch build quality
  • Big and heavy
  • Unimpressive UX

The Huawei Watch Ultimate takes its cues from other premium outdoors watches such as the Garmin Enduro 2 and its principle rival, the Apple Watch Ultra – they’re all big watches with large faces and super-tough cases. The Huawei Watch Ultimate’s case looks great: it’s made of a super-tough, super-hard zirconium ‘liquid metal’ alloy that’s said to be harder than titanium, and finished in a darker grey for the Expedition Black model and shiny silver for the Voyage Blue, which comes with a matching titanium strap. 

The Voyage Blue model especially is a thing of beauty, looking for all the world like a smart version of a premium dive watch like a Seamaster. The Expedition Black is a bit more sporty, with its black silicone strap and more demure case, but both still look like fantastic watches – providing you choose the right face. Many of the default options really spoil the look of the watch, and, frankly, make it look cheap: I went through five or six of the ‘free’ watch faces on the AppGallery store before settling on one I actually liked. 

Elsewhere the watch is comfortable on the wrist (we tested the Expedition Black model) but it is big and heavy, weighing in at 76 grams – that’s useful when surviving bangs and scrapes, but less so if you’re wearing it to bed, as you might accidentally clobber yourself or your partner with it. By the time my testing period was over and I swapped to my smaller Casio F-91W digital watch, I felt like I’d been weight training. If you’re in the market for a daily wearer, this is a big, heavy, and occasionally inconvenient option. 

On the software side, the Huawei Health app is a very good, comprehensively designed companion app, with well-presented data and bags of granular graphs to sink your teeth into, a real treat for health info nerds. I was less impressed with the UX on the Huawei Watch Ultimate: it’s essentially the same layout as on the Huawei GT 4, and if you pinch and zoom, the app layout zooms out into a basic rectangle, with no effort to conform the layout to the screen. It’s a small thing, but very telling, and despite the watch’s beautiful construction, Huawei’s operating system isn’t quite as ergonomic to use as something like watchOS 9. 

The similarities with the Huawei Watch GT 4 continue in the physical design, with the exception of the Ultimate mode button on the left-hand side. Pushing this button takes you to Expedition Mode or Dive Mode – I used Expedition Mode most often – with the other buttons acting as controls to select options for individual apps. However, it would be nice if Huawei made the Ultimate Mode button fully programmable, in the same way the Apple Watch Ultra’s action button is.

  • Design score: 3.5/5

Huawei Watch Ultimate: Features

Huawei Watch Ultimate on-wrist

(Image credit: Future)
  • Lots of workout modes
  • New Expedition and Dive Modes
  • Some features locked away for non-Huawei users
  • Lack of LTE is frustrating

Fortunately, the Huawei Watch Ultimate excels at workout tracking, with loads of modes, just like the Huawei Watch GT series before it. Runs are easily and comprehensively tracked –they’re divided into outdoor and indoor runs, with outdoor run tracking rivaling that of Garmin and Polar watches when it comes to the level of granular data you can pull from a run. From Recovery time and aerobic/anaerobic stress to VO2 Max, GPS and Pace Segment information, it’s all here. There’s no heat map of running power laid over your route, as there is on Garmins, which I’ve always found useful, but combined with Expedition Mode this watch is going to be a great trail-running companion. 

Speaking of which, Expedition Mode is great. I cover it in more detail in a separate article, but essentially it’s one of two new modes that allow you to see and measure specific vital statistics, use the watch’s torch functionality, set GPS waypoints, and tell you how far away you are from each waypoint. By chaining waypoints together, you can stay orientated, and not have to glance at a GPX map every few minutes. 

The Watch also has a heavily-advertised Dive Mode, which we’ve been unable to test yet. Splitting between recreational and free dives in both seawater and fresh water, Huawei says it can operate in and show you accurate depths at up to 100 meters; it can also interface with your air tank to show you readouts on-wrist, and carries a compass for reorienting yourself. I’ve asked a professional diving instructor about the Apple Watch Ultra’s dive credentials, and I’d be fascinated to have the Ultra and the Huawei Watch Ultimate tested alongside each other. 

The Watch is stacked with apps and features, from stress readouts and breathing exercises to maps, texting, voice call functionality with the in-built speaker, and Huawei’s AI assistant, which is only available on EMUI phones. Additional third-party apps like Spotify will need to be downloaded via the Huawei AppGallery, which could again be a problem depending on the phone you’re using. Maps uses Huawei’s Petal Maps rather than Google Maps, which is available as a browser download if you can’t get on AppGallery, but it works fine and offers on-wrist directions. Just make sure that you enable permissions on your phone, as without the right permissions okayed, the app will close on-phone and the on-wrist directions will stop. 

The most frustrating missing feature here is the lack of LTE or real offline GPS options. If I want streamed music, maps or even the ability to call someone from my watch when I go for a run, I have to take my phone with me. The lack of on-wrist maps or directions independent of my phone is especially egregious for a self-professed outdoors watch – yes, you can set GPS waypoints with Expedition Mode, but you can’t call up a decent map or contact someone if, for example, you twist an ankle. Such omissions are fine for a mid-range watch, but at this price point it’s a real kicker. 

  • Features score: 3.5/5

Huawei Watch Ultimate: Performance

Huawei Watch Ultimate Expedition Mode

(Image credit: Matt Evans)
  • Excellent battery life
  • Expedition Mode is awesome
  • Obnoxious notifications

The Huawei Watch Ultimate’s battery life meets expectations fully. Over two weeks of moderate use, the battery lasted around 11 days – slightly less than the claimed full two weeks – in smartwatch mode, with regular GPS functionality draining the battery. I tested the watch’s GPS against a Garmin Forerunner 265 and the GPS on my Oppo phone during one particular run, and I’m satisfied with the Huawei’s dual-band GPS accuracy, accounting for the time it took to activate and deactivate all three devices before and after running. 

The watch’s stand-out feature was the Expedition Mode, which performed better than expected on-wrist. The waypoint finder syncs with the compass to create easy-to-follow directional prompts, and a press of the button switches the readouts to a dim-orange night mode in order to save your eyesight. As long as you remember to drop waypoints to follow regularly enough, your adventures will be unmarred by your getting lost, and the Expedition Mode even has SPO2, barometer and heart rate widgets easily accessible to check your performance at altitude, along with a light for signaling. 

One of my biggest gripes with the watch in day-to-day use is the notifications you get during a run, with reminders on how far and fast you’ve run, speeds, and more. On other apps I’ve used, such as Garmin’s or Polar’s, the notifications automatically sync with the headphones you’re wearing. Not so with Huawei – the default, inexplicably, is blasting the bizarrely-accented AI voice at full volume from the watch’s impressively loud speaker. A jog around the park or a workout in the gym can get very embarrassing, very quickly for the uninitiated. 

While you can lower the volume, and disable the notifications in the settings, getting the reminders through to the headphones is a frustrating, counterintuitive process. You have to pair the headphones with the watch rather than the phone, which isn’t how it’s done with other services, which means that unless I was playing my own music from my watch, I either didn’t get Spotify, didn’t get the helpful mid-run voice prompts, or had to suffer through the infamous Huawei voice yelling “Workout started!”, “Workout paused!”, “Time: five minutes, fifteen seconds per kilometer!” out to the world. 

Otherwise, I was happy: things performed as expected from a premium watch, with all the accuracy and power such a device promises. It’s just a shame that the outstanding build quality and excellent innovations are let down by some frustrating, quintessentially Huawei flaws. 

  • Performance score: 4/5

Huawei Watch Ultimate: Should I buy?

Huawei Watch Ultimate Expedition Mode

(Image credit: Matt Evans)

Huawei Watch Ultimate: Buy it if...

Huawei Watch Ultimate: Don't buy it if...

Also consider

First reviewed: April 2023

Cyrusher Ranger review: A big, green, hulking beast of an all-terrain electric bike
8:14 pm | March 29, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Cyrusher ranger: Two-minute review

The Cyrusher Ranger is a full-package, premium electric bike that’s shares genes with a mountain bike about as much as it does with a dual-purpose motorcycle. It’s not a cheap e-bike, but it’s making sure you get a lot for your money.

Many of the best electric bikes simply embed a little bit of motor power in an otherwise standard bicycle, like the Ribble Hyrbid AL e or Marin Sausalito E1. Some take a different tack. With front and rear suspension and fat tires, the Cyrusher ranger provides a supremely smooth ride, which is great given the 28mph top speed you can find yourself cruising along at with ease using the 750W motor. Even when you’re flying, the bike offers plenty of range from its 52V20Ah battery. With a half-twist throttle that can pull the bike along at 20mph, it really is much like a motorcycle.

The Cyrusher Ranger might be a bit over-the-top for some. If you live somewhere that doesn’t allow Class 2 or Class 3 ebikes, you’d be spending a lot for tech you can’t tap into. If you just want a casual commuter and are largely riding on smooth pavement, the Ranger suspension and big tires will be less useful while playing a large part in the pricing. 

But, if you want an e-bike that’s happy to zoom down city streets, hop up and down curbs, and then hit trails all while enjoying plenty of motor assistance and range, the Cyrusher Ranger makes a competent option that’s not a bad value. 

Cyrusher Ranger: Specifications

Cyrusher Ranger

(Image credit: Mark Knapp)

Cyrusher Ranger: Price and availability

  • $2,799 in US
  • £2,799 in UK
  • Unavailable in AU

The Cyrusher Ranger is available now directly from Cyrusher for $2,799 in the continental United States or Alaska and Hawaii with extra shipping charges. It is also available in the UK for £2,799. Discounts are often available on the site, and it’s as-yet-unavailable in Australia. 

Cyrusher Ranger: Design

  • Big, bulky and robust
  • Heavy-duty off-roading wheels
  • Removable battery

Electric bikes come in all shapes and sizes, but the Cyrusher Ranger’s shape and size are both decidedly big. From its monstrous wheels and motorcycle-esque dual-crown fork to its giant battery compartment and expanded bottom bracket, everything goes big on this bike. That goes especially for the weight. While Cyrusher rates the bike as weighing 66 pounds before jumping to 74 pounds with its battery installed, we weighed our test unit at 78.2 pounds before finally hitting a total of 90.4 pounds with the battery installed and all included accessories accounted for — a confusing discrepancy.

The Cyrusher Ranger makes sense of all that size with the gear it’s packing on. It squeezes in supple, grippy 26” x 4” offroading wheels, which are held on with a curious axle that connects with a bolt threaded onto each side — not your typical thru-axle or skewer. It has a deep Cyrusher-branded spring suspension fork in front (we’re told it’s a YISHUO Kunshan Yishuo Strong-DH/P171-26 suspension fork, but can find no details on this model online) with preload and compression adjustment dials, and a comfy soft tail with air suspension in the back that can also lock out. 

The rear suspension is also Cyrusher branded but we’re told shares much in common with this DNM shock system. The bike uses Logan dual-caliper hydraulic disc brakes and includes motor cut-off circuitry with the brake levers. It’s even tacked on a 9-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain It fits a large LCD display with a USB port for charging extra gadgets onto the handlebars, though sadly most of the screen is taken up by a large green and gray arc that doesn’t actually indicate anything. 

Even the controls are stacked. There’s a two-button controller for the headlight-horn combo unit, which has a decent headlight but seriously lackluster beeping noise that’s neither loud nor attention-getting. Next to that is the control unit for the bike’s assist modes and power. Meanwhile, the right handle has a half-twist throttle. This does result in quite a bit of cable mess at the front end of the bike, but it’s well-grouped with cable ties.

Cyrusher Ranger

(Image credit: Mark Knapp)

The beefy downtube is housing the bike’s 52V 20Ah battery, which is about as large as you’ll find on standard e-bikes before breaking into the sort that is really not even pretending they're not motorcycles anymore. The battery has a latch to keep it from falling out and has a keyed locking pin. 

Unfortunately, the battery comes out the bottom of the frame, which can see make it tricky to remove around the front tire, and it doesn’t provide any easy spots to get a grip and pull it out. Still, it’s good the battery is removable because the bike is incredibly unwieldy to carry as large as it is and at XX pounds, so anyone who can’t plug it in to charge in a garage will desperately want to just take the battery alone in for charging.

The Ranger comes in a few different colors, all of which use a different color for the rear triangle. Cyrusher goes a little overboard with accents on the bike, giving a bit of a gaudy appearance to a bike that already has a loud presence due to its size.

Despite all that the bike has going on, it’s fairly easy to put together. The handlebar needs attaching, and the front wheel needs to be seated in the fork (a job best for two people), the pedals need attaching, and then a few accessories need to be connected. But it’s a quick job and Cyrusher includes the necessary tools.

One problem with the bike’s size that we don’t want to overlook is how hard this can make it to safely lock up. A U-lock can really only effectively go around the top tube, and it will take a long tether to get around both wheels. Locking through the fork is possible, but less secure. You’ll likely want a long, robust chain lock for this bike, which is going to add considerably to the amount of weight you’re already dealing with.

  • Design score: 4/5

Cyrusher Ranger: Performance

  • Frame and seat awkwardly sized
  • Powerful motor and throttle
  • Holds charge well

As a bike that’s tuned for offroad riding, the Cyrusher Ranger is supremely comfortable on pavement. There’s a major confluence of comfort from the bikes various components. The front and rear air suspension combine to soak up substantial amounts of shock. That’s on top of the exceptional absorption offered by the bike’s enormous tires. 

In comparison, the saddle and handlebars feel like weak links. Part of this comes from the available riding positions. The Ranger comes with an exceedingly short seatpost, so even though the bike is advertised as fitting riders up to 6’6”, taller riders will be stuck with a very low seated position that puts more weight into the saddle and will have to stand to pedal comfortably. The handlebars have basic, cylindrical grips that feel surprisingly comfortable, but that may simply be because we don’t get to put a lot of weight into our hands given the riding position.

For those who want a more natural riding experience, a new seatpost is an inexpensive upgrade. Though Ranger is styled like a mountain bike, it’s more of an urban all-terrain vehicle, so the out-of-saddle riding that’s common for mountain biking doesn’t seem all that appropriate for the Ranger. No less because the Ranger’s hub motor doesn’t have the same smooth response of a mid-drive, which would be preferable for trail riding where a jerky motor could be hazardous.

That’s not to discount the motor on the Cyrusher Ranger. The 750W Bafang hub drive is a blast. On throttle alone, it takes little time to cruise up to the bike’s 20mph cap. Even at that speed, the motor hums along quietly while the large wheels are responsible for the bulk of the noise coming from the bike. Even more speed is available by pedaling. The bike will zoom up to 28mph with ease. The system uses a torque sensor, responding to the force we put into the pedals to ramp up the motor. 

The result is far more natural than a cadence sensor, which just measures how fast the pedals are spinning. The sensor may be a little oversensitive, though, as we often find it kicking in when we’re making small maneuvers at stoplights.  That can be a concern since there’s a lot of motor power to wrangle after it unexpectedly kicks on. 

Cyrusher Ranger

(Image credit: Mark Knapp)

Thankfully, the bike has motor cut-offs built into the brake levers. The 180mm hydraulic disc brakes are also predictably effective. Our ability to come to a quick stop has never been a concern even with a payload of around 330 pounds between our weight and the bike’s.

Between its speed and super-smooth ride, the Cyrusher Ranger has more appeal as a low-cost motorcycle alternative. While the Super73-R Brooklyn was more overt in its attempt to make a “bike” that was as close to a motorcycle as possible, the Cyrusher Ranger stays closer to a true pedal bicycle while still being able to bleed over into that motorcycle-like category. Part of that comes from the 9-speed gearing, which makes it possible to easily find a gear where pedaling is actually useful, unlike the aforementioned single-speed Super73.

For those looking to tool around on a motorcycle, the roughly 1kWh battery provides plenty of juice for doing just that. Cruising around on the Ranger largely using the throttle and set to its highest assist level, we’re able to go over 33 miles before the battery is on its last legs and giving too little support to continue providing an enjoyable, electrified ride. As fun as e-bikes are to ride while they’re powered, they’re nearly equally un-fun to ride when that power runs out because of all their added weight.

Gearing on the Ranger makes it fairly easy to continue riding at low speeds, getting up to 12mph casually even when the battery gives up. It’s worth noting that we tested the Cyrusher Ranger in winter conditions, including some freezing days, which negatively impacts the battery performance. The 33.8-mile range we got is all the more impressive as it's effectively a worst-case range. Lighter riders, better weather conditions, and less stop-go city traffic should all make for an even longer range.

  • Performance score: 4/5

Cyrusher Ranger: Buy it if...

Cyrusher Ranger: Don't buy it if...

Also consider

First reviewed: March 2023

Shark Stratos Cordless vacuum cleaner review
7:56 pm | October 11, 2022
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances Vacuums | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Shark Stratos Cordless: two-minute review

Product info

This model has slightly different names and product codes in different territories:

US: Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum IZ862H
UK: Shark Stratos Anti Hair Wrap Plus Cordless Vacuum IZ400UK
AU: Shark Stratos Cordless Pet Pro Vacuum With Clean Sense IQ IZ400

In the UK, there's also a version with added Pet Tool (IZ400UKT) and a Pet Tool plus extra battery (IZ420UKT). For this review, I tested the US version. There may be minor differences between different countries' models.

The Shark Stratos Cordless comes with Clean Sense IQ technology, which automatically adjusts the suction to pick up dirt and debris that you may not be able to see, and tells you when the floor is clean.

In my testing I was greatly impressed with the suction capabilities, especially the vacuum’s ability to remove hair from my couch when used in handheld and Boost mode. In fact, it holds a spot in TechRadar's best Shark vacuum guide as the top pick for people with a lot of carpet in their homes, as well as ranking highly amongst the best vacuums for pet hair. The MultiFLEX wand makes it easy to clean under furniture, and the flexible rotating head proved effective at picking up dirt in corners and around awkward pieces of furniture such as chairs.

The Stratos is reasonably priced for a high-performance cordless vacuum, although less of a strong prospect following the 2024 launch of the Shark PowerDetect Cordless vacuum, which promises the same suction but with added automation features. However, Shark deals are common, and it's still a good pick if you can find a good price-drop – and and it’s more affordable than some models with similar dust-detection technology like the Dyson V15 Detect.

Keep scrolling to find out more then, head to TechRadar's best cordless vacuum guide to see where it ranks the Shark Stratos Cordless vacuum cleaner.

Shark Stratos Cordless vacuum cleaner review: price & availability

  • List price: $499.99 / £399.99 / AU$999.99
  • Heavily discounted in all territories at time of update

At full ticket price, the Shark Stratos Cordless is $499.99 in the US, £399.99 in the UK, and AU$999.99 in Australia. At that price, it's right at the boundary between mid-range and premium price brackets. (Note that the AU version comes with a wider range of accessories.)

However, at time of update, it was significantly discounted in all territories when purchased via Shark – $399.99 in the US, £249.99 in the UK and AU$499.99 in Australia. That puts it into the middle of the mid-range price bracket.

That's not a bad price at all for a vacuum of this quality. However, it's less appealing when you consider the newer PowerDetect has a list price of $429.99 and promises the same amount of suction, with more advanced detection features.

The other line worth considering is the Detect Pro (read about the closest model for comparison in TechRadar's Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum cleaner review). The Detect Pro is slightly cheaper all round: $379.99 (discounted to $249.99 at time of updating), £349.99 (down to £229) and AU$799.99 (down to AU$499.99). This model is less powerful, but lighter and more advanced in terms of features than the Stratos – see exactly how the two compare in our Shark Stratos vs Detect Pro vacuum article.

Two brands you'll often find yourself comparing in this area is Shark vs Dyson. While the latter is typically pricier – and sometimes considerably so – there are reasons to factor Dyson into the equation. It's vacuums are unmatched when it comes to maneuverability, and technologies like the floorhead lights and dirt detection capabilities are more advanced than what Shark's vacuums offer. However, I'd still say Shark offers better value for money.

Vacuum cleaners often attract deals around major shopping events like the Black Friday sales or the Amazon Prime Day deals, and it's also worth keeping an eye out for a Shark promo code to take the price down.

  • Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Shark Stratos Cordless vacuum cleaner specs

Shark Stratos Cordless vacuum cleaner review: design

  • Flexible hose and option to convert to handheld
  • Floor head designed to prevent hair wrap
  • LED display shows battery level and lets you swap cleaning modes

At 8.9lb / 4kg, the Shark Stratos Cordless is fairly lightweight as cordless vacuums go, and the floor head can be removed to turn it into a handheld. Rather than an extendable wand it has a flexible wand – a popular feature referred to as 'MultiFLEX technology', which appears in a few of Shark's vacuum cleaners.

Releasing a catch on the back of the wand enables you to fold it forward for compact, freestanding storage, or for cleaning under furniture. The vacuum head swivels, and can effectively turn at a 90-degree angle with just a simple twist of the handle. Between this swivel action and the flexible wand, you can clean pretty much any place that the head can fit.

Shark Stratos Cordless in use

The Shark Stratos Cordless helpfully has a MULTIflex wand which bends to increase the reach under furniture (Image credit: Future)

An odor-neutralizing puck is inserted into the top of the vacuum head to keep it smelling fresh, and an LED headlight lets you see dirt and dust in dark corners. But the most significant aspect of the vacuum head design is the Clean Sense IQ indicator. When you’re vacuuming, a strip of light becomes illuminated on the top of the vacuum head. The longer the strip of light, the dirtier the floor. When the strip of light recedes, it means the floor is clean.

The Shark Stratos Cordless is designed for use on either carpet or hard floors. On the underside of the floor head you'll find two brush rolls, with fins designed to boost cleaning power. The rolls are designed to detangle hair and direct it into the dust cup as you clean, so you don't end up with a matted mess to remove from the floor head at the end of each vacuuming session.

Shark Stratos Cordless

The floorhead houses the Odor Neutralizer Technology, Clean Sense IQ indicator and LED headlights (Image credit: Future)

To empty the 0.72qt / 0.68L dust cup, which is fitted with a seal to prevent dust and allergens escaping into the air, you detach the main unit from the wand, and release a catch on the cup to deposit the contents into a bin.

At the top of the handle is a LED screen that displays the selected power mode and the remaining battery life. Built into this are buttons for turning the vacuum on and off and switching between Eco, Clean Sense IQ, and Boost mode. The vacuum doesn't have a charging station or base, making it easy to store it away in a closet or other space between uses (newer Detect Pro models add a self-empty base that doubles as a charging stand, but that's not an option with the Stratos Cordless at time of updating this review – see TechRadar's Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum cleaner review for an example).

The tools provided vary depending on which territory you're in, but with the US version I tested, there was a Duster Crevice Tool (which can be used as a crevice tool or a brush), and a flat Anti-Allergen Dusting Brush.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Shark Stratos Cordless vacuum review: performance

  • Excellent suction; automatic power adjustment works effectively
  • Flexible hose is a revelation for getting under furniture
  • Anti hair wrap works well

The Shark Stratos Cordless performed impressively during my testing. I used the vacuum in both stick and handheld mode on various surfaces including hardwood floors, vinyl floors, thick low-pile rugs, baseboards, a couch, and window treatments. The suctioning capability of this vacuum was superb, and I never had to run over the same area more than twice.

That said, cordless vacuums can rarely match corded options when it comes to sheer power, so if you really need to be able to deep clean, consider a corded option. There are a few options in this same range – read TechRadar's Shark Stratos Corded vacuum cleaner review for a closer look at our favorite.

While I did test out the Eco and Boost power modes, I generally used the vacuum in Clean Sense IQ mode as I wanted to get a good feel for how the automatic adjustment technology worked. When there was lots of dirt or debris on the floor, the suction was increased automatically and then returned to normal when the area was clean. It's a useful feature if you want effective cleaning that's kind to your battery; check out our Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum review to see a newer, similarly-priced model with more advanced dirt detection.

Shark Stratos Cordless vacuum flexing to fit under furniture

The floorhead can twist at a 90-degree angle (Image credit: Future)

Because I live in a period home with lots of nooks and crannies, it can be difficult to vacuum in certain corners or tight spaces. The vacuum head has a 10-inch cleaning path width and its low profile makes it easy to push it under cabinets. I appreciated that the floor head has an LED headlight and could twist at a 90-degree angle with just a slight twist of the handle. This made it far easier to clean corners, under dining room chairs, and around stands, in a way that's not possible with other vacuums.

I had never used a Shark cordless vacuum before, and the biggest revelation was the MultiFLEX wand. With a click of the button on the back of the wand, it bends in half, so you don’t have to squat down or lean over to vacuum under a bed or couch. When bent, the vacuum isn’t as easy to control as it is when it’s locked into a straight position, but you can still steer it well enough.

Shark Stratos Cordless bending under coach in living room

Testing out the Shark Stratos Cordless in my living room (Image credit: Future)

The Shark Stratos Cordless vacuum converts easily to handheld for cleaning furniture and upholstery. In boost power mode, it seemed to pick up hair from furniture much more effectively than other, similar vacuums I've tested.

Thanks to the self-cleaning dual brushroll, hair never wrapped around the brush. The 0.72qt / 0.68L dust cup is large enough to hold quite a bit of dust and debris – I didn’t manage to fill it even after vacuuming my entire house three times. I also found the lack of charging station a benefit, because it makes the vacuum easy to store in a closet or other space between uses.

Shark Stratos cordless folded making storage easy

The Shark Stratos Cordless can be neatly folded for storage, and stays upright (Image credit: Future)

The extra attachments vary depending on which territory you're in. For my review, I also tested out the Duster Brush Tool on my floorboards, switching to the Crevice Tool when I needed to get into tight corners. In this configuration, the vacuum was light enough to use the to clean the corners of my 10-foot ceilings and atop door frames. I was excited to try the Anti-Allergen Dusting Brush on my window blinds as they get very dusty, although it wasn't as effective as I'd hoped.

  • Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Shark Stratos Cordless vacuum: battery life

  • Up to 60 minutes of runtime on ECO mode
  • Battery recharges in three hours
  • LED display shows remaining battery life

The vacuum’s battery is housed in the back of the handle. You don’t need to remove it from the vacuum to charge it, but you can do so if you find that more convenient.

It takes three hours for the battery to charge, and on a full charge you can get up to 60 minutes of runtime in ECO mode. Other modes sap the battery quicker – including the Clean Sense IQ mode, in which the vacuum senses how much dirt is on the floor and boosts the suction power as necessary.

Shark Stratos Cordless showing battery display

Battery display on the Shark Stratos Cordless (Image credit: Future)

When testing the vacuum, I never came close to running down the battery when vacuuming my 1,600sq ft / 150sq m home, and I'd often end a vacuuming session with about 40% of battery left.

The only time I got close to running down the battery was when I vacuumed the whole house on Clean Sense IQ mode, and then followed it up by using the Anti-Allergen Dusting Brush to clean the dust off four large window blinds, before using the duster crevice tool to clean floorboards in two rooms; even then I still had 20 per cent left in the tank.

  • Battery life score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark Stratos Cordless vacuum?

Lasts long enough to clean most mid-to-large-sized homes, and automatic mode adjusts suction based on how dirty the floor is, for efficient battery use.

Buy it if...

It's difficult to see dirt on your hard floors or carpet

The vacuum's Clean Sense IQ technology uses an infrared sensor to spot dust and dirt, and automatically boosts the suction power for a better clean.

You want to be able to easily get into nooks and crannies

The wand bends in half, making it easy to clean under furniture without having to bend down or move items.

You want a vacuum that can be used handheld

The Shark Stratos Cordless with Clean Sense IQ converts to a compact and lightweight handheld vacuum for cleaning pet fur off furniture or a long handheld vacuum that can be utilized with other attachments.

Don't buy if...

You dislike having to use attachments to reach into narrow spaces

The vacuum head for the Shark Stratos Cordless is fairly bulky, so you’ll have to either break it down into a handheld vacuum, use it without the main vacuum head, or utilize one of the extra tools to get into narrow spaces.

You want a vacuum that comes with a self-emptying station

You need to empty the Shark Stratos Cordless dust cup manually. Shark does have a self-empty dock, but it's not currently available with this model.

Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus review
12:42 pm | May 5, 2022
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances Vacuums | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+: two-minute review

This model has slightly different names and product codes in different territories:

US: Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ CH951
UK: Shark Classic Handheld Pet Vacuum CH950UKT
AU: Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro CH950

We tested the UK version. Be aware there may be minor differences between different countries' models.

Shark has become a popular choice in the home cleaning market in recent years, offering a range of vacuum form factors from uprights to cordless models, and the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus (known as the Shark Classic Handheld Pet Vacuum in the UK) is one of its dedicated handheld models. 

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus has a compact, lightweight form factor that makes it perfect for cleaning cars, as well as being on hand for quick clean-ups around the home, such as on worktops, tables and soft furnishings.

It comes with three accessories: a motorized brush aimed at collecting pet hair, a crevice tool and a dusting brush, which cover most use cases. It promises 10 minutes of battery (although actually performed better than that in our tests) and has a 15fl oz / 450ml bin, which is fairly generous in this market.

Considering its low price, the CH950UKT / Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus offers tremendous value. Despite only having one power setting, it proves plenty powerful enough for the majority of tasks asked of it, and it has sufficient battery life to do a good clean of your whole car on a single charge. Its versatility with the included tools makes it flexible in use too, making it perfect for busy families, particularly those with pets.

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus handheld vacuum resting on a car seat

(Image credit: Future)

Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ review: price & availability

  • List price: $99.99 / £59.99 / AU$149.99

The CH950UKT costs $99.99 / £59.99 / AU$149.99, and is available directly from Shark in the UK and US, as well as from Amazon and other online retailers, while Australian buyers will need to go to home retailers like Domayne or Harvey Norman.

Just be careful to search for the Pet Pro Plus model to ensure that you’re getting all the tools we talk about here if that’s important. There are a couple of cheaper models (CH900/CH901 – both without the “Plus” in the name) that are available from some retailers but come with fewer tools and in different colors.

That might be a great option if you’re on a really tight budget, but this is already a great-value handheld vacuum, made even better by the fact it’s also one of the best all-rounders we’ve tested. It could be even better value depending on the Shark promo codes currently available too.

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus handheld vacuum yellow bin-release button

(Image credit: Future)

Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ review: design

  • Cordless design
  • Comes with three attachments
  • 15fl oz / 450ml bin

Measuring  20.5 x 3.7 x 4.3 inches / 52 x 9.5 x 11cm, the CH950UKT / Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus is on the larger side of compact, and is probably better suited to being stored in a cupboard rather than on a countertop. It’s still an ergonomic design though, and feels good to hold, with the handle built into its main body. 

The power button sits at perfect thumb height on the top of the vacuum and offers a single level of suction, while the yellow bin-release button (pictured above) sits towards the nozzle end and releases the bin downwards with a single firm press. The 12.8fl oz / 450ml bin feels plenty big enough for general car cleans, as well as cleanups around the house. 

Considering that I have two dogs, two children under four, and very little time to keep my car in an acceptable state, I managed to get through testing without needing to empty the bin, which is pretty good going. The bin mechanism isn’t the smoothest when you do need to empty it though, and we often needed to use both hands to help the bin to open. 

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus handheld vacuum adjustable heads

(Image credit: Future)

This style of handheld vacuum cleaner gives good control over your cleaning, while the three different attachments (motorized pet hair tool, crevice tool and dusting brush) provide versatility too, giving you all the tools you need to tackle tougher dirt and pet hair, as well as harder-to-reach areas. It’s a pretty comprehensive package considering the low price.

At 3lb / 1.39kg it’s lightweight enough for you to be able to perform a full car clean without tiring your arm, and as handheld vacs go it looks pretty sleek too. The model we’ve reviewed is available in black only, though in the US you’ll find some similar models from Shark in a wider range of colors, with fewer tools and for a little cheaper too.                                         

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus handheld vacuum in use on a car seat

(Image credit: Future)

Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ review: performance

  • Good pick up
  • Easy to use
  • Averagely noisy

The Shark CH950UKT / Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus is one of the better handheld vacuums we’ve tested, so it’s easy to understand why it’s so popular. Its size, shape and weight make it perfect for cleaning your car, with its range of tools helping to ensure it’s always best suited for the task at hand.

We found the motorized pet hair tool and the crevice tool the most useful for car cleaning. The crevice tool was particularly helpful, as even though the CH950UKT is relatively compact, its all-in-one design still means getting into the harder-to-reach areas behind foot pedals or inside door bins would be tricky without it. It’s not the longest crevice tool we’ve used, but it’s helpful at getting into tight spots all the same.

The motorized tool is a great size for more widespread clear-ups on carpets and upholstery, and made quick work of both smaller and larger debris in our standard tests. It’s the perfect size for the job at hand too, collecting a wider surface area than the crevice tool without becoming unwieldy or imprecise. Its one power setting means that sometimes we needed to go over an area again to get the finer crumb or remnants of the debris, but overall the single power setting copes well with most tasks.

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus handheld vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

Outside of our standardized tests, a more generic clean around my car found the Shark CH950UKT / Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus did best when clearing up more surface-level debris, and couldn’t entirely shift older dirt that had been more worked in, particularly in carpet. It also struggled with picking up the wiry hair from my Jack Russell in the boot carpet, but that’s a hard job even for more professional tools.

For what you can realistically expect from a vacuum of this size and power, the Shark CH950UKT performs admirably, and considering its handy form factor, it’s easy to have on hand to clear up any mess before it gets worked in. 

In terms of noise, the CH950UKT / Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus measured at 88dB, which is about average for this kind of vacuum, and suction power stayed pretty consistent until right at the end, when you could hear it start to waver as the battery depleted. 

Do take the time to wash out the filter after any particularly heavy-duty clear ups though, and regularly otherwise, as this will help to ensure the vacuum’s suction stays as strong as possible. Simply remove the filter and run it under warm water, then allow it to dry completely before using it again.

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus handheld vacuum on switch, with a light indicating that the vacuum is powered on

(Image credit: Future)

Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ review: battery

  • Better than the quoted 10 minutes
  • Around three hours to recharge
  • Battery is non-swappable

The Shark CH950UKT / Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus promises a 10-minute battery life, but we found the battery performed better than that, and we squeezed out almost 15 minutes from it on a single charge. You can expect that to drop a little with the motorized tool attached, but we had plenty of time to make our way around our car on a single charge, with even a little power to spare at the end. 

Shark also seems to have been liberal with its quote of four hours for a full recharge, as in our tests we found it charged from flat to full in around three hours. You can’t swap out the battery though, so you will need to make sure you keep it charged so it’s ready when you need it.

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus handheld vacuum dust bin

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if..

First reviewed: April 2022

KitchenAid 13 cup / 3.1L Food Processor review
12:30 pm | March 28, 2022
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

KitchenAid KFP1318 / KFP1319: two-minute review

Product info

This model has slightly different names and product codes in different territories:

US: KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor KFP1318 / KFP1319
UK: KitchenAid 1.7 L Food Processor 5KFP1318 / 5KFP1319
AU: KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor KFP1319

The products with 319 in their codes have an extra dicing accessory and storage lid. For this review, we tested both of the UK models. There may be minor differences between different countries' models.

When it comes to countertop kitchen appliances, KitchenAid is a firm and trusted favorite, so it should come as no surprise that the KitchenAid 13 Cup / 3.1L food processor has left an impression on us.

This KitchenAid 13 Cup / 3.1L food processor is available in two different configurations – the standard 13 Cup / 3.1L food processor (KFP1318), and an identical version but with an extra dicing accessory and storage lid (KFP1319). In the US and the UK,  you can buy both versions, whilst only the dicer iteration is available in Australia. The current price of the KFP1318 is $169.99 / £237.15, and the KFP1319 is $239.99 / £239 / AU$369.

With both models, you’ll get an adjustable slicing disc, a reversible shredding disc, a multipurpose stainless steel chopping blade, and a dough blade. These all slot into a plastic storage caddy that fits inside the main bowl, providing a neat and easy storage solution. The size of this food processor is in line with similar models, it’s not exactly compact but it doesn’t take up a ton of space either.

A close up of the 13 cup work bowl of the KitchenAid 13 cup food processor, the black handle is on the right hand side. It is photographed against a pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

Removing and replacing the work bowl is delightfully easy, the one-click system means you can simply push it down to fix the bowl in place, which is more convenient than the conventional twist closures. Unlike most food processors, the main lid is hinged, but is also removable. In the case of the KFP1319, this can be replaced with the included refrigerator lid, to store food without tipping it into a separate container.

The 13 cup / 3.1L food processor offers two speeds and a pulse button, and the lid contains three removable pushers for inserting different-sized foods. As an added bonus, everything is top-rack dishwasher safe so cleaning is a doddle. The parts are easy to hand wash, too. However, it proved tricky to remove the dried pastry mixture from the little indents and crevices in the fitment ring of the chopping blade. We found that ingredients with smaller particles, like the almond dust, and ingredients from the pastry mixture liked to migrate inside the fitment ring of the chopping blade. This didn’t cause any issues, but we had to pay particular attention to this area when we hand-washed the chopping blade between tests.

A close up of the button controls on the front of a white KitchenAid 13 cup food processor.

(Image credit: Future)

On test, it coped well with most foods, slicing, shredding, and dicing with ease. The sharp stainless-steel blade and the dough blade work well, but there are limitations to the quantity of foods like dough and beef that can be processed, despite it being one of KitchenAid’s largest food processors. With this in mind, perhaps it’s best suited to smaller households or people who don’t want to process big batches of food if these are ingredients that are used often.

Overall, we were happy with the performance of the KitchenAid 13 Cup / 3.1L food processor. It breezed its way through most of what we threw in it, is not as loud as some other food processors we’ve tested, and has a well-considered and convenient design. It gets a thumbs-up from us.

KitchenAid KFP1318 / KFP1319 review: price & availability

  • KFP1318 list price: $169.99 / £237.15
  • KFP1319 list price: $239.99 / £239 / AU$369
  • Model available varies by region

The KitchenAid 13 cup / 3.1L Food Processor models available will vary depending on your location.  Both models are available to purchase directly from KitchenAid in the US, and they can both be purchased in the UK too, but only KFP1318 can be bought from KitchenAid directly. Only KFP1319 is available in Australia. There are no optional accessories available to buy separately.

A white KitchenAid Classic 13 cup / 3.1l sitting on a stone effect surface and against a pink background, with the storage caddy containing a reversible slicing disc on the right side, and the reversible grating on the left.disc

(Image credit: Future)

The current price of the KFP1318 is $169.99 / £237.15, and the KFP1319 is $239.99 / £239 / AU$369. Some of the KitchenAid products are on sale currently, and it's worth keeping an eye out for KitchenAid promo codes to help take the price down.

Small appliances like this often attract discounts during major shopping events like the Amazon Prime Day deals and Black Friday sales, so if you aren't looking to invest this much in a processor right now, it's worth coming back during those events to see what deals are available.

  • Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

KitchenAid KFP1318 / KFP1319 specifications

KitchenAid KFP1318 / KFP1319 review: design & features

  • Two speeds and pulse
  • Easy to assemble
  • All attachments can be stored inside main bowl

The KitchenAid 13 cup / 3.1L Food Processor itself is no bigger or smaller than other similar capacity models, measuring 8.75 x 8.75 x 18 inch  / 222 x 222 x 464mm. What makes it feel smaller and more compact is the clever storage solution that we mentioned earlier. All of the accessories slot into the caddy which goes inside the main bowl, except in the case of the KFP1319 as the refrigerator lid will need to be stored separately.

The main hinged lid has three different size removable food pushers, ideal for lots of different foods. The lid removes easily from the bowl and can be replaced with the refrigerator lid to allow you to store food without decanting it into a different container if you have the KFP1319.

Image shows the black plastic storage caddy from the KitchenAid 13 cup food processor. It has the adjustable slicing disc on the top, and the reversible grating disc on the grey stone-effect surface on the right. It is photographed against a pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

As we’ve already noted, the accessories include a stainless steel blade and dough blade. The slicing disc is adjusted via a knob on the lid, making it very safe and simple to adjust, and there are six thickness options to choose from. The reversible shredding disc offers thick as well as thin shredding. And the dicing accessory cleverly cubes all manner of foods to about 0.4 inches / 1cm dice. Setup is simple and apart from the dicing accessory, we rarely had to consult the manual to work out how to put it together. All removable parts are dishwasher-safe on the top rack.

The round base looks nice on the counter and it’s not too imposing. The KFP1318 is available in White, Contour Silver, Empire Red, Black and Matte Black in the US, but is only available in White in the UK. For the KFP1319 the same range of colors are available in the US. The same colors are available in Australia too, but instead of the White option there is Almond Cream.

 A few design features are immediately noticeable, including a hinged lid that clips shut with a latch. Additionally, the bowl sits directly onto the base thanks to the one-click system, no awkward twisting motion to get it into position like you’ll see on many other food processors. Our only complaint is that the handle can only be positioned to the right, making it less comfortable for left-handed cooks, and less accessible for some, as they may be unable to use it due to this limitation.

  • Design score: 4 out of 5

KitchenAid KFP1318 / KFP1319 review: performance

  • Not too loud
  • Excellent chopping, slicing and dicing
  • Can only process smaller batches of meat and dough

We used the large side of the shredding disc for carrot and cheese and it sped through both, producing even shreds fast. A small disc of carrot was left un-shredded and a piece of cheese which amounted to about 13% of the total, but otherwise we were happy with the results. 

The slicing disc is really easy to use and we like that the adjustment knob is on the lid, making it super easy to adjust the size of the slices. It sliced through half a cucumber in seconds, producing pleasingly even slices.

A close up photo of neatly sliced cucumber inside the KitchenAid 13 cup food processor work bowl.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

To try out the dough blade, we made a bread dough, but the instruction manual advises against processing quantities of dough larger than 13.5 oz / 384g, which isn’t even enough for a standard size loaf. We adjusted our recipe down to the right quantity but the dough blade was quite slow to combine the ingredients into a dough and required an extra splash of water to help it come together. The food processor wobbled a little when mixing the dough, but it wasn’t unstable.

The stainless-steel blade aced almost every task we gave it, finely and evenly chopping onion and breadcrumbs as well as mixing a smooth cake batter. Hazelnuts were very finely chopped but with a little powder. Almonds on the other hand were chopped unevenly, with large and small pieces and a fair amount of powder.

A close up photo of some onion that was chopped by the Kitchen Aid 13 cup processor.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

Cubed beef was no match for this blade, it took just seconds to turn it into finely ground meat. But the instruction manual advises that only 0.5lb / 225g can be chopped in one go, which is half as much as we intended to chop and quite a small quantity given the food processor's overall capacity.

Finally, we tried out the dicing accessory and we were impressed with how fast it diced two potatoes. We had to chop the potatoes in half to fit in the feed chute, but the results were excellent nonetheless and it really does make short work of this labor-intensive task.

The KitchenAid KFP1319 food processor having just been used to grate cheese

(Image credit: TechRadar)

It was loudest when shredding with our noise meter maxing out at 84dB, which is the equivalent to the noise experienced when a truck is traveling at 40mph, but during the other tasks, it averaged around 75dB, which is similar to sound level when a toilet is flushed.  

  • Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should I buy the KitchenAid KFP1318 / KFP1319?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

KitchenAid KFP1318 / KFP1319 review: also consider

How we tested the KitchenAid KFP1318 / KFP1319

We spent time assembling the KitchenAid 13 cup / 3.1L Food Processor, reading the instruction manual and assessing the design and accessories.

To put the food processor through its paces we used the chopping blade and different speed settings to chop carrot, cucumber, onion, and almonds. We also used it to process bread to make breadcrumbs and combine flour, margarine, and water to make pastry.

We tested how easy it was to clean the processor parts by hand-washing, and using the dishwasher to establish how well the parts cleaned with either method.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed March 2022, re-tested June 2024
Shark Vertex Pro / Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Vacuum review
1:00 pm | September 23, 2021
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances Vacuums | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK: two-minute review

Product info

This model has different names and product codes in different territories:

US: Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins IZ662H
UK: Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Vacuum IZ300UK / IZ300UKT
AU: Shark Cordless Apex Pro X2 Pet Stick Vacuum IZ320

For this review, I tested the UK version. There may be minor differences between different countries' models. See Specs section for more details. 

Shark Vertex Pro (known as the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless in the UK, and Shark Cordless Apex Pro X2 Pet Stick Vacuum in Australia) is a powerful cordless stick vacuum cleaner. I tested it out to see how it compares to the rest of today's best cordless vacuum cleaners, and the best vacuums in general. 

The Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK's cleaner head has two brush rollers that spin at the same time. One roller is hard, with flexible silicon fins (known as PowerFins) to dig deep into carpets to dislodge dirt. The second roller is a soft, fluffy unit to tackle fine dust. Both benefit from Shark's handy anti-tangle feature, which stops human and pet hair from becoming wrapped around the brush roller; instead, it’s whipped straight into the dust canister. On test, I was impressed with how effective this design feature is.

There are a couple of features designed specifically to help you clean dark and difficult corners. The cleaner head features six LEDs that light a path and make it easy to clean in dark corners or beneath furniture. This model also has Shark's popular bendable wand, which enables the cleaner to reach under low-clearance furniture, while also making the unit more compact for easy storage. It can also be used as a handheld, although it's fairly heavy, so I don't think it's ideal for this. 

There are three levels of suction, and I found this vacuum powerful and effective on both hard floor and carpets – although the heaviness means it can be a little sticky to use on deep pile carpet. Note, too, there's no auto-adjust suction, as you'll find on Shark's newest vacuums. 

In a nod to rival, the Dyson V15 Detect, the cordless cleaner also has an LED display that can show the remaining battery level, as well the suction mode selected, and whether the hard floor or carpet setting has been activated. 

Price-wise, it sits it TechRadar's mid-range price band. If you want a powerful cleaner, or have lots of nooks and crannies around your home, the flexibility this model would make it a good choice. You can see how it compares to other products from this brand in our best Shark vacuum cleaner guide.

The Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins & Flexology in stick vacuum mode resting against a grey wall

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Before I start the review properly, a note on naming conventions. You may have noticed, this product has different names. In the US, it's the Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins (IZ662H). In the UK, it's the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Vacuum (IZ300UK), and there's also the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Pet Vacuum (IZ300UKT), which is the same base model with added Pet Tool. Be especially careful here because there's another product with the same name, but a different product code. In Australia, you're looking for the Shark Cordless Apex Pro X2 Pet Stick Vacuum (IZ320). I tested the UK version, and I'll flag any differences in specs throughout my review.

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK review: price & availability

  •  List price: $449.99 / £399.99 / AU$899.99
  • Launch date: 2021

In the US, the Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins is $449.99 at MSRP. The UK's version – the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Vacuum – is £349.99, or if you opt for the version with the extra Pet Tool, £379.99. That puts it in TechRadar's mid-range price bracket, and it's excellent value for that price. 

Shoppers in Australia can pick up the Shark Cordless Apex Pro X2 Pet Stick Vacuum for AU$899.99. Based on rough exchange rates, that's a fair bit more expensive than the US and UK versions, but that's partly because the AU version comes with a lot more tools and accessories, as well as an extra battery. However, at time of update, it was out of stock at Shark. 

Vacuum cleaners (and home appliances in general) often attract discounts during major shopping events, so it's worth keeping an eye out for an Amazon Prime Day deal or Black Friday deal if it suits when you want to buy. You might also get lucky and snag a Shark promo code.

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK vacuum cleaner review: design

  • 0.7L / 1-quart dust canister
  • Converts into a handheld cleaner, and tools vary by territory
  • Flexible stick and anti hair wrap floorhead

The Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK vacuum cleaner is one of the heavier cordless vacuums we've tested, weighing in at 8.82lbs / 4.58kg. The US version has a 1qt dust cup, while the UK and AU models are marginally smaller at 0.7L.

The design is fairly standard for a cordless vacuum cleaner, with the motor, filter and dust canister at the top. This is attached to the wand, with the floorhead at the bottom. On the main unit you'll find a 2.5 inch LCD screen that displays the remaining runtime, along with the power button, suction level control, and the carpet or hard floor selector. The swappable battery sits in this section, too, with three LEDs that indicate the remaining power.

There are three different suction modes, including a carpet setting that sees the brush roller rotate faster to help suck up ground-in dirt from carpet pile, and a slower setting that ensures hard floors aren't damaged when vacuuming. Note that this model doesn't come with Shark's Clean Sense IQ technology, where the vacuum can sense how dirty the floor is and adjust its suction automatically in response. (For a models that can do this, head to TechRadar's Shark Detect Pro Cordless review.) 

The Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins & Flexology being used in flexible mode

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Rather than the wand being a single section, it has a flexible extension tube in the center. When you press the catch on the back of the wand, it can bend by up to 180 degrees, enabling the vacuum to be easily maneuvered under furniture or made more compact for storage.  

The main floorhead features a hard brush roller with flexible silicon 'PowerFins', as well as a soft, fluffy roller; both rotate when the vacuum is switched on to improve pickup. Six LEDs at the front of the head light a path, and Shark's Anti Hair Wrap technology stops hair from becoming tangled around the brush roller, and instead removes it from the roller and directs it into the dust cup as you clean. 

The Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins & Flexology being used in handheld mode to clean stairs

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Detaching the wand and floor-cleaning head turns the cordless stick vacuum into a handheld cleaner, to which you can connect any of the included tools. These vary by territory. In the US, the standard model just comes with a Crevice Tool. In the UK, it's that plus a Multi Surface Tool, and if you opt for the Pet version, there's also a Pet Tool. In Australia, there's a wide selection of tools included.

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK vacuum cleaner specs

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK review: performance

  • Powerful and effective suction, but can flick about larger debris
  • Smooth to use on hard floors; could get stuck a bit on carpet
  • Flexible wand great for getting under furniture
  • Noisy in use

The Shark Shark Vertex Pro / Anti Hair Wrap Cordless is certainly a powerful cordless vacuum. During testing, it sucked up fine dust and larger debris on both carpet and hard floor with ease on all power settings. However, when it came to hard floors, I found the wheels on the back of the cleaner head flicked some of the oats around the floor, rather than collecting them. This meant I had to make several passes to ensure the mess was cleared. 

The vacuum cleaner glided easily across hard floors, although there was some resistance on carpet since it's a heavy cordless cleaner. The flexible wand proved useful for reaching under furniture, as did the six LED headlights on the floor-cleaning head – they made it easier to see the area I was vacuuming. 

The Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins & Flexology being used with the stick in angled mode

(Image credit: TechRadar)

I was impressed with the Anti Hair Wrap technology, which ensures hair doesn’t become tangled around the brush roll. When vacuuming up a clump of hair I'd removed from a hair brush, it was whisked straight into the canister without becoming stuck.

I also found the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner was easy to empty. Just disconnect the wand and use the button on the left-hand side of the canister to activate the mechanism that ejects the debris into the bin in one swift move. Some newer Shark vacuums come with an auto-empty base option, but that's currently not available with this model. 

The Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins & Flexology being used in handheld mode to clean up high

(Image credit: TechRadar)

What I wasn't so enamored by was the noise – it's one of the loudest vacuums I've tested, with my decibel meter registering 88db when using the vacuum on its most powerful setting on carpet. This is the same level of noise as when using a blender. The vacuum cleaner also proved cumbersome to use in handheld mode, as a result of its weight. It made my arms ache when I cleaned up high, so I wouldn’t recommend using it in this way for very long periods. 

If you need something primarily for use as a handheld, head to our Shark WandVac System review – the suction is lower, but this model is far easier to wield.

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK review: battery life

  • Ranges from 11 to 60 minutes, depending on the power setting 
  • Battery takes up to four hours to fully recharge
  • Swappable battery reduces interruptions to cleaning

Shark claims the battery lasts up to 60 minutes between charges. As always, this is on the lowest powerful power setting, and you can expect it to drop considerably in higher suction modes – in my tests, when used on the most powerful setting, the cleaner managed only 11 minutes of vacuuming before the battery required recharging.

The battery took four hours to fully recharge. Handily, the unit is swappable, for minimal interruptions to your cleaning session. Some versions come with two batteries included, but if yours doesn't, they can be purchased separately. 

Should you buy the Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK vacuum cleaner?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: September 2021

Shark WandVac System review
5:04 pm | June 24, 2021
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances Vacuums | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Shark WandVac System: two-minute review

This model has slightly different names and product codes in different territories:

US: Shark WandVac System Lightweight Cordless Vacuum WS642
UK: Lightweight 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum WV361UK
AU: Shark WandVac System WS632

We tested the UK version. Be aware there may be minor differences between different countries' models. It's also available as a handheld vacuum only – see Alternatives section for more on that.

The Shark WandVac System (called the Lightweight 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum in the UK) is a lightweight handheld vacuum that converts in to a very lightweight and maneuverable stick vacuum. It packs a punch when it comes to power, offering impressive suction. I found it performed better on carpet than hard floors, although it's good at both. Because it's so lightweight, it's great for tricky areas, and the included attachments make it nice and versatile, too. 

However, the small bin and short battery life mean it's really only for small cleanup jobs – if you want something to tackle your whole home, look elsewhere in our list of the best cordless vacuums. It’s best to think of the Shark WandVac as something you’d grab if you’ve just spilled flour all over the floor and needed to quickly clean it up.

If you don't need the floor head, then it is possible to buy this model as just a handheld. In the US it's the Shark WandVac Cordless Handheld Vacuum WV201, in the UK it's the Shark Cordless Handheld Vacuum WV200UK, and in Australia it's the Shark Wandvac Handheld Vacuum WV203.

Shark WandVac System review: price & availability

  • List price: $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$499.99

The Shark Wandvac System is available in the US, UK and Australia, and at list price it'll set you back $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$499.99. That puts it into TechRadar's budget price bracket for cordless vacuums. It's decent value for money, and an especially good choice if you need something lightweight. 

If you're primarily wanting to use it as a handheld, you can save by opting for the version without the stick and floorhead – that one costs $129.99 / £129.99 / $249.99 – or check out TechRadar's guide to the best car vacuums for some alternatives. If you need that versatility, though, you'd arguably be better off opting for something like the Shark Detect Pro. It's currently only a little more expensive than the WandVac System, and offers much more power.

Seasonal events like the Black Friday sales are often a good time to shop for a new vacuum, and it's worth keeping an eye out for Shark promo codes to take the price down, too. 

Shark WandVac System specs

Shark WandVac System review: design

  • Very lightweight, and can be used as a handheld or a stick vacuum 
  • Anti-hair wrap cleaner head
  • Small, easy-empty dust bin

The Shark WandVac has been designed for those times when you need to clean up a mess and you need to do it fast, and it can be used as a handheld cleaner with various attachments, or in stick mode with the 11.2-inch / 28cm-wide floor head to clean larger areas.

It weighs under 1kg in handheld mode, and is easy to maneuver in stick mode – in this mode, according to Shark, the US model weighs 5.9lbs, while the UK model is 3kg – that makes the US model a little lighter, which may be down to the slightly different head design. 

Putting the vacuum together is simple, and you can add attachments by slotting them in until they click into place. If you're using the Shark WandVac as a stick vacuum, the anti-hair-wrap floor head has self-cleaning silicone 'Powerfins', rather than conventional bristles, which prevent pet or human hair from getting stuck. 

Shark WandVac cleaning flour from a kitchen floor

(Image credit: Future)

To convert the WandVac to a handheld vacuum, all you have to do is remove the wand and floor head and you’re good to go. If you're cleaning your car or other awkward spaces, a crevice tool is included, and with the UK version I tested, there's also a fluffy brush head that's ideal for cleaning blinds or delicate surfaces. In the US and AU, that's replaced by a Pet Multi Tool. 

The dust canister capacity on this Shark vacuum is just 0.25qts / 0.13 liters, which is more in line with what you'd expect on a handheld than a general cordless model (i.e. small). It means this vacuum is better suited to small spills rather than full-house  cleaning. 

Emptying the bin is simple – you just push down a lever with one hand and the dust cup cap opens at an angle to let the contents fall into your bin. It took me a few attempts to make sure the opening of the dust cup was right over my bin, but because the action is quite fast the dust cloud is minimal.

There are two ways to charge the Shark WandVac. The first is by simply plugging the handheld part of the vacuum into the charger. The second method is by using the charging dock, which comes as standard – this way you can simply finish cleaning and place the vacuum on the dock, and it’ll start charging.  

Shark WandVac System review: performance

  • Noticeably loud in use 
  • Good suction; performs better on carpets than hard floors
  • Lightweight and good to awkward jobs
  • Bin fills up quickly – not for cleaning a whole house

The first thing I noticed is just how loud this vacuum cleaner is. In its standard cleaning mode with the floor head on it hit 82 decibels – the average vacuum cleaner is around 75 decibels. And when you use the Boost mode the volume increases even more, so this is worth bearing in mind if you prefer a quieter model. 

I tested the WandVac on hard floors with a flour mixture that resembled fine dust and dirt, and the vacuum sucked up everything in its path with ease, although it did cause some small crumbs to scatter further away. On carpet, the cleaner also coped very well with the mixture, and I didn’t need to use the Boost mode. 

Shark WandVac

(Image credit: Future)

Next, I tested the Shark with larger debris on hard floors and found that the machine again did a good job, although it did take a few sweeps back and forth to scoop up all of the mess. I also noticed at this point that the dust cup filled up very quickly, which may have been impacting its ability to pick up.

Shark WandVac

(Image credit: Future)

I found the WandVac actually performed better on carpets – in standard mode it was able to pick up large pieces of debris, but it was even better in Boost mode, as you’d expect. I did notice that after cleaning up just one pile of larger debris (I used oats) the dust cup was pretty much full. This machine is designed primarily for cleaning up spills and other smaller cleaning jobs, so as long as you’re not expecting to be able to clean your whole home without a trip to the bin this shouldn’t be an issue.

I found the Shark WandVac was very light and easy to use with the crevice tool attached, and the suction was strong enough to provide a thorough clean, making it ideal for awkward jobs like cleaning your car or stairs. 

Shark WandVac System review: battery life

  • 16 minutes run time
  • Choice of charging options
  • Full charge takes approx 3.5 hours  

Shark claims the WandVac can run for 16 minutes as a handheld vacuum cleaner, which is definitely on the short side as vacuums go, but should be long enough if you just need to clean up a spill of crumbs or give your car a quick spruce-up. 

When you attach the floor head the cleaning time is reduced, which Shark does state, and I found that the battery only lasted 12.5 minutes, without using the Boost mode. For most people (myself included), that's not long enough to clean the entire home from top to bottom; however, that’s not what the WandVac is designed for. 

The battery takes around three and a half hours to fully charge – you can either plug the charger into the handheld section, or use the charging dock that comes with the machine as standard. LED lights on the WandVac’s handle tell you how much battery you have remaining: three lights are illuminated when the cleaner is fully charged, and I found in my tests that one light signaled roughly five minutes of cleaning time left. 

Should I buy the Shark WandVac System?

Buy it if… 

Don’t buy it if… 

How I tested the Shark WandVac System

I tested the Shark WandVac thoroughly, in each mode, on different floor types, and with all the supplied attachments. I ran the standard TechRadar tests to see how it performed across a variety of tasks, including cleaning up food debris and also finer dirt and dust. I also used the vacuum around the house as a general cleaner to see how it fared, and I was impressed with the amount of dust it picked up. Finally, I put the battery to the test to see if it lived up to the promised run time. 

First reviewed: June 2021

Amazon Echo Spot review
3:22 pm | November 19, 2019
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Smart Home Smart Speakers | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off
Editor's note

There's a new Echo Spot in town! Following the quiet discontinuation of the original Echo Spot from 2019, Amazon has rejuvinated the product with an all-new design, some clever features and improved hardware.

- Josephine Watson, Managing Editor of Lifestyle, 27/12/2024

Amazon first launched the original Echo smart speaker in 2014, but since then its Echo range has expanded to include the high-end Echo Plus, the screen-packing Echo Show and the teeny, tiny Echo Dot. There are now Echo devices to suit every mood, every room and every budget. But one of our firm favorites is still the Echo Spot.

That's because it has everything we could want from a smart speaker: cute looks, portable design and a video screen, which means it looks just as at home on your desk, your kitchen counter and your bedside table.

The Spot doesn't quite have the monopoly on compact smart displays as it used to, though. The new Echo Show 5 apes the rectangular shape of the larger Echo Show, but with a 5.5-inch screen around the size of a smartphone. At a lower price tag, too, it can be hard to justify the Spot in its stead – though if you're sold on its cute and quirky appearance, this is likely the model you'll want.

The best things about the Amazon Echo range in general apply to the Echo Spot too, including a decent price tag, heaps of functionality, and a voice interface easy enough for complete tech beginners to get a hold of. With that in mind, it’s no wonder the Echos have become essentials in a smart home setup over the last five years. 

The new Echo Studio may be best suited to audiophiles who want to blast their tunes, and the Echo Show is probably best in the kitchen, allowing cooks to watch recipe videos on YouTube – but the Amazon Echo Spot is the sort of device that can fit in just about anywhere.

Of course this is all subjective, and depends on how your home is set up, but if you do want our styling as well as our tech recommendations, then the Echo Spot is ideal for sticking next to your bed, much like the recently launched Echo Dot with Clock.

But enough about its looks. Let's explore how the Echo Spot is to use, whether its circular screen is useful day-to-day and how well its audio quality shapes up against its rivals. 

Amazon Echo Spot: design

With features and performance, Amazon's Echo Spot is much, more more than a smart alarm clock – even if that's the impression it gives off. For a lot of Echo Spot owners, chunky alarm clock may become the device's default use, but you'll find it's a lot more versatile than that.

In fact, the Amazon Echo Spot carves out its own niche in the Echo line up, and that's to its credit. The gadget's neatly curved shell does more than enough to make up for some of the design failings of its siblings.

So where the big, bulky and brash Amazon Echo Show tends to take over any area you put it in, for example, thanks to its black slab look and large screen, the Echo Spot is much more refined in its compact, circular design.

  • Try Amazon Music Unlimited with a FREE trial: US | UK | AU

Amazon Echo Spot review

Amazon Echo Spot review

The Echo Spot is proof that the best way to do a desk-based video device is to forgo the TV-lite look, and just go with something that's compact and well designed instead. Tech companies, please take note.

If you had to place this in context in the Echo line-up, it's a cross between an Echo Dot and a smaller version of the Amazon Echo Show – the rectangular video-driven gadget that looks a lot like a miniature TV. 

This is no Echo Dot replacement, though: the price puts it out of contention for that, and it's also a lot more versatile. To say it's a Dot with a screen would be doing it a disservice (sorry, Dot, we love you really). 

Size-wise, it's about the equivalent of a mango. Sure, mangoes may not be the most scientific way to measure things, but at least it gives you an indication that it’s a pretty compact device with a curved back and screen that's angled up, making it easy to view. 

The Amazon Echo Spot is a great-looking device, certainly something you won't mind having on show in your home... unlike the, er, original Show, which we always felt like tucking away on the kitchen counter.

Amazon Echo Spot: features and setup

The Echo Spot unit we reviewed was black but there's also a white one available. The screen is relatively small at 2.5 inches, with a 480 x 480 pixel resolution.

On the top of the screen there's space for a camera and on the top of the Echo Spot as a whole there are three buttons, which all sit flush against the surface for a really streamlined look. 

Anyone familiar with the Echo range will know what they are: volume up, volume down, and a mic mute button – that last one disables the camera too, so it's the button to press for a little added privacy. 

Plus, there are four small pin-prick holes too, housing the four-array mics that listen out for the wake word and for you barking commands at Alexa. 

Amazon Echo Spot review

Amazon Echo Spot review

On the back of the Echo Spot you have the standard Amazon branding, a slot for power and a 3.5mm audio jack.

The speaker grill for the Echo Spot is right at the base of the device, which makes it invisible when viewing the device face-on. Bluetooth functionality is also available for streaming audio to or from another device.

Setup is similar to other Echo devices, except for this one you can type in your Wi-Fi details straight on the screen instead of going through the Alexa app, thanks to that handy built-in display. 

Admittedly, it's a little bit fiddly putting in your details that way (it asks for your Amazon account password too) but the whole process should take less than five minutes. Then your Amazon Echo Spot is really ready to go.

Amazon Echo Spot review

Amazon Echo Spot review

Once your Echo Spot is up and running, you have the option to watch Amazon's promo video, which tells you what you can do with the device and gets you started. It's not a masterpiece, but it's worth sitting through so you get an idea about what you've just bought.

Then you get that warm chime sound, which means Alexa is online and ready to take orders. Once this appears it's a good time to read our best Amazon Alexa skills article, as well as follow the prompts that come up on the screen to find out what your new Echo Spot can do.

Swipe right on the screen at any time to bring up a whole load of Alexa commands you can use, which is a really nice way to learn what to do with the digital assistant. If you're looking for some fun and silly extras, give our Alexa Easter Eggs list a try, too.

Amazon Echo Spot review

Amazon Echo Spot review

These prompts can be turned off in the Spot's settings, and it's here in the settings where you can toggle home cards on and off as well (little blurbs of information that come up on the home screen).

You can have the home screen include your messages, weather, notifications, upcoming events, reminders, drop ins and trending topics. 

Amazon Echo Spot review

Image Credit: TechRadar

Amazon Echo Spot: performance

What you get from the Amazon Echo Spot in terms of performance depends on what you actually use it for. Like the rest of the Echo range, the smart Echo Spot is extremely versatile – in fact it may be the most versatile of the lot.

If you do use it as an alarm clock, then it's got everything you need. There are a myriad of clock faces to choose from on the Echo Spot, both analog and digital, and they're mainly color-based – so you have the choice of things like Tangerine, Onyx, Bold Teal, Modern Fuschia and Copper (there are a couple of themed ones thrown in too). 

We really liked the Record face, so give that a whirl, and there's an owl one available as well if you prefer something a bit more natural. 

The Echo Spot also has a night mode, which is really handy and works well: put this on and it will dim the screen for the hours that you choose. 

The Echo Spot can wake you with a song or a radio station. For the latter, made possible by the TuneIn skill, you need to say "Alexa, wake me up to [radio station] at [time]."

You can also read your messages on the screen and make calls. This is a new-ish addition to the Alexa smart commands in the UK that's been in the US for some time now. 

When we used the Echo Spot on our desk, it made us veer more towards the video functionality of the device. You can use the Amazon smart speaker to get your daily briefings, so BBC News (for example) will show you its briefing in video form.

Amazon Echo Spot review

Image Credit: TechRadar

At first, trying to watch a 16:9 video on a small, round screen looks a little strange, but Amazon has given the Echo Spot the option to 'zoom' the picture to fit the round shape. This probably wouldn't work on a larger display but we preferred using this mode on the Echo Spot.

Amazon Echo Spot review

Image Credit: TechRadar

The round screen is also perfect for room-to-room calling. This is functionality that Alexa has been able to do for a while and it works really well, turning the Spot smart speaker into an intercom of sorts. 

Ask Alexa to drop into another Echo Spot speaker, and a face pops up on the screen so you can have a chat, much like FaceTime. 

You can also 'drop in' on people in your phone book (if you and they allow it). This works really well on the Echo Spot – there's a blurred image for 10 seconds or so, just in case you need to make yourself decent, and then the screen appears clear.

Like the Echo Dot there's an integrated speaker and we were surprised with how good it sounds, considering the speaker's compact size. 

Unlike the Echo Dot, which is only really passable for things like voice, the Amazon Echo Spot had a nice sound to it. You will probably want to hook it up to a better speaker system via Bluetooth or aux if you're an audiophile, but if it's on your bedside table, then you won't complain about the sound. 

Amazon Echo Spot review

Image Credit: TechRadar

If you listen to something with Amazon Music, then you also get the added bonus of having lyrics come up on the screen. 

This can get addictive, watching the lyrics flow – and when it comes to swear words, we can confirm that Alexa kindly stars them out so your eyes aren't unduly offended.

Another way Amazon wants you to use the Echo Spot is as a smart cam monitor. 

We saw a demo where you could get a smart cam video link up on the screen – from a compatible smart cam – where it was streaming from a nursery. The stream on the demo was clear and bright. 

Unfortunately, our current setup at home is Hive and at the time of this review, the Hive View wasn't compatible (but might be soon).

In theory, this is a fantastic idea, especially if you have the camera set up in a nursery as we do. It will also work with a number of smart home brands, including Netgear Arlo, Logitech, Nest and smart doorbell manufacturer Ring (now owned by Amazon of course).

Amazon Echo Spot review

Image Credit: TechRadar

When it came to using the Echo Spot in the kitchen, we found it great to watch something on Amazon Prime while cooking our food. It synced really well with our Prime Video account and knew which episode of Red Oaks we were watching.

Having the ability to call up recipes and times and actually see them on the screen was a real boon, too – the ability to have multiple timers running at once really helped when cooking a roast dinner. 

Amazon Echo Spot review

Image Credit: TechRadar

Again, this is functionality you can have on other Echo devices but having it at-a-glance on the screen is great and means you don't have to whip your phone out for this sort of stuff.

The Alexa digital assistant continues to get smarter across all these Echo devices too, including the Echo Spot. Vague requests can now be directed to the appropriate skill, so you don't have to remember the exact wording every time. 

Another recent update means Alexa can more naturally understand what you're blabbing on about. It can also now keep listening and keep responding to questions even if you don't say "Alexa" each time.

Amazon Echo Spot: final verdict

The Amazon Echo Spot does everything the Echo Show does, but it all feels better in this smaller form factor. The design is great – it's available in black and white – and we can easily see the Spot being used in the bedroom, kitchen or even on a desk. In fact, you may want it in all of these places.

That's the thing with the Amazon Echo Spot – much like other Echo smart speakers, Amazon wants you to have a multitude of them in your home so you always have access to video chat and Alexa no matter where you are.

But the added screen enhances the look of the Spot and opens up the possibilities for it being much more than just a smart speaker – even if it Amazon hasn't nailed the video capability as of yet. The lower price of the Echo Show 5, too, makes the Spot harder to justify, but it has enough design charms to keep it in the runnings.

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