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Dreame’s new mop-swapping robot vacuum is the most innovative and ambitious robovac I’ve ever tested
6:08 pm | December 4, 2025

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

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra: two-minute review

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra is probably the most advanced hybrid robot floor cleaner that I've ever reviewed. At the heart of the design is a unique mop-swapping system that works like a vending machine. Instead of having a single pair of spinning mop pads like its competitors, this model's docking station stores three sets of mop pads, each tailored for different surfaces or rooms.

These mops are swapped automatically, depending on the room or surface it has been tasked to clean. Oh, and there are three cleaning fluid options, which can auto-switch, too. The aim is to ensure each floor receives an appropriate type of cleaning, and to help prevent cross-contamination. Not everyone will feel the need for that, but if you're meticulous about hygiene, or have more extreme mopping needs, this could well be the best robot vacuum for you.

Mopping performance is reinforced by dual rotating mop heads that apply consistent pressure to deliver deeper cleaning. And, like all good mopping systems, water flow is adjusted based on floor type and the mops are always lifted when the robot transitions onto carpets. The base station also handles self-cleaning of the mops (with hot-water washing and drying) and auto-emptying of detritus into a larger-than-average 3.2-liter bin bag.

Given that this robovac boasts an industry-leading 30,000 Pascals of suction power, I had high hopes for its vacuuming ability. In practice, it handled its everyday tasks exceptionally well, including collecting an awful lot of hair shed by my two Labradors, and delivering thorough hard floor vacuuming. However, it struggled to pick up large debris from a carpeted floor – it made a decent fist of it, but it wasn't quite as thorough as I'd expect given those stunning suction specs.

Navigation and mobility are extremely impressive since the bot has a retractable navigation puck to sneaking beneath low furniture, AI-assisted obstacle avoidance, and a chassis that can launch it over thresholds and floor obstacles up to a total of 3in / 8cm total height, or 1.6in / 4.2cm if it's a single step.

The enormous dock will rule it out for smaller homes, where in any case, such a complex setup may not be necessary. It's a perfect model for residents of large houses with mixed floor types, hairy pets or a desire to maintain high hygiene standards. I think it's also worth considering for use in most commercial premises like single-level offices, village halls, or small sports halls.

That's the short version; read on for my full Dreame Matrix10 Ultra review.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum on a wooden floor

(Image credit: Future)

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra review: price & availability

  • List price: $1,999.99 / £1,399 / AU$3,499
  • Launch date: September 2025
  • Available: Widely, including US, UK, Australia

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra sits firmly in the premium end of the robot-cleaning arena and its standard price – $1,999.99 in the US, £1,399 in the UK, and AU$3,499 in Australia – reflects that position. However, I've already spotted big discounts that suggest you might not need to pay that kind of price – I've seen it on sale for $1,800 in the US, just £999 from the UK, and AU$2,499 in Australia. It's available to buy direct from Dreame, as well as via various third-party retailers.

Those discounts – in the UK and Australia, at least – bring the Matrix10 Ultra within reach of buyers who want high-end automation without tipping into the ultra-luxury tier. Granted, even at this reduced price it's still a substantial investment, but given the convenience and the ace level of autonomy it offers, I think it still delivers impressive value for money. I'd perhaps hold out for a better discount if you live Stateside, though.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum surrounded by all the accessories supplied in the box

(Image credit: Future)

The Matrix10 Ultra's high level of sophistication does come with trade-offs. For instance, the mop-swapping dock is enormous by comparison to others on the market, and the machinery is complex. Hence, if you live in a small space, have uniform flooring or don't need frequent mopping, its advantages dramatically shrink and the upfront cost feels harder to justify. But for large homes with mixed surfaces (and even some commercial properties), this type of hybrid bot starts to make a lot of financial sense.

If the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra seems like too big a financial commitment, perhaps give one of the Chinese company's earlier models some consideration. The L40 Ultra might not have swappable mops but it's still a cracking bot that now retails at a significantly lower price than the Matrix10 Ultra. Alternatively consider the equally excellent Roborock Qrevo Series, for a similarly affordable price.

  • Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra specs

Max suction:

30,000Pa

Robot size (L x W):

in / 35 x 35.1cm

Robot height:

3.5 in / 8.9cm

Dock dimensions (H x W x D):

23.2 x 16.4 x 17.9 in / 58.9 x 41.6 x 45.5 cm

Dust bin volume (base):

3.2L

Water tank volume (base):

5.5L (clean); 4L (dirty)

Mop type:

Auto-interchangeable dual spinning mop pages

Base type:

Charge, empty dust, wash mop pads with hot water, dry mop pads with hot air, automatically swap from three mop pad sets, auto-dispense one of three cleaning fluids

Max threshold clearance:

1.6 in / 4.2cm (one step) or 3in / 8cm (two steps)

Navigation:

Retractable LiDAR Pathfinder

Obstacle avoidance:

Double laser+AI+RGB+LED

Carpet detection:

Ultrasonic

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra review: design

  • Features include step-vaulting feet and a retracting LiDAR puck
  • Enormous dock vends different mop types and cleaning solutions
  • Hi-tech and advanced navigation and object avoidance systems

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra is a cutting-edge robovacs, starting with its navigation system, which is one of the most technically impressive I've come across. There's a retractable DToF LiDAR unit (complete with attractive blue ring light), 3D sensing and an AI-enhanced RGB camera that combine to deliver fast, accurate 360-degree mapping while still allowing the robot to lower its profile and slip under furniture with a clearance of just 3.5in / 9cm.

Like the Roborock Saros 10, this ability to retract its LiDAR turret gives the Matrix10 Ultra both the precision of high-end LiDAR mapping and the physical flexibility to reach recessed areas many robots miss.

Close up of front camera on Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

Its vision system, meanwhile, adds a second layer of intelligence: a structured-light 3D sensor paired with the aforementioned RGB camera. Together, these navigation tools identify and classify a wide range of objects, allowing the robot to plan collision-free routes that seem logical, at least when compared with some other models I've reviewed.

I've been astonished by how confidently and intelligently this model has mapped and navigated my home – and even a huge village hall – without any hiccups whatsoever. It just works.

Robot design

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra's industry-leading 30,000 Pascals of suction power is a major bonus, especially when it comes to removing most trapped dust particles in carpet and rugs. Couple this suction power with Dreame's dual rollers (one with added bristles) and and an extendable side sweeping brush for great pick-up coverage along skirting boards and furniture edges, and you have one very efficient floor sweeping system. Like most Roborocks, you're offered five levels of suction with this model – Quiet, Standard, Turbo, Max and Max+.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum flipped over to show underside

(Image credit: Future)

However, what really sets this model apart from almost all others bar the Mova Mobius 60 (a sub-brand of Dreame) is its advanced mopping hardware. Instead of using a single pair of spinning mop pads to clean the entire floorspace, the Matrix10 Ultra supports a range of three different mop types that can be allocated to different rooms, and these mops are swapped automatically in the charging dock (more on this in the section directly below).

Like all good modern hybrid robot vacuums, the Matrix10 Ultra automatically lifts its mops when moving over carpets, or leaves them in the dock if not required. And when it's mopping, it also raises both the twin brush rollers and the side brush so they remain muck-free.

Many high-end bots are capable of scaling thresholds and low steps but this one performs better than most. It's able to quite literally climb up a pair of steps, a sliding door track up to 3in / 8cm in height, or single steps up to 1.6in / 4.2cm, by raising its chassis and launching itself forward. (You can see the system in action on a different Dreame bot in TechRadar's Dreame X50 Ultra Complete review.)

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum cleaning a carpet-like rug

(Image credit: Future)

Because this model is equipped with a decent RGB camera up front, you can also use the Dreame app to manually steer the robot around like an RC car. I've always thought of this function as a bit of a gimmick, but I was proven wrong the other day in our village hall: the Matrix10 Ultra got stuck in a tight spot to the side of a toilet bowl and its sensitive sensors prevented it from jiggling itself out of trouble. I simply launched the app from my location, selected the camera icon and managed to steer it out manually. I then tasked it to continue cleaning and all was well again.

View from camera on Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum

(Image credit: Dreame / Future)

However, there is one genuine gimmick added to the camera function that I see no use for, aside from a bit of amusement. If you select the speaker-and-dog icon you can choose from a selection of noises – a cat meowing, purring, a dog bark, some footsteps and the ticking of a clock.

Dock design

Let's first address the elephant in the room – the size of the dock. While attractive enough to look at, it is huge by comparison to the majority of other models. In fact most people might ask why you elected to put an under-counter fridge in your living room. It certainly looks a bit like one.

At 23.2in / 58.9cm in height, a whopping 16.4in / 41.6cm in width and a depth of 17.9in / 45.5cm with robot ramp attached, this dock dwarfs most others on the market and that will most certainly be an issue for anyone with a smaller home. But then again, Dreame likely never envisaged this model being used in anything other than large homes – its unique multi-mop system bears this out.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum in its dock

(Image credit: Future)

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra's dock is one of the most technically sophisticated charging stations ever paired with a hybrid robot. Aside from automatically emptying the contents of the robot's tiny bin into its larger-than-average 3.2-litre dust bag, the dock can also store multiple mop types and automatically switch them using a jukebox-style system.

In a nutshell, the bot leaves the dock and waits a minute or so while a module behind the front door raises up to grab the required magnetically-affixed mops from their holding base before placing them face down on the dock's cleaning plate mechanism. The robot then returns to the dock where the mops are attached. It's a very clever system, no doubt, but the jury's out on the amount of moving parts involved and the reliability of the system in the long term.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

You get three sets of pads included and each one is slightly different and designed for a specific purpose: the yellow pads have scrubbers fitted for deeper cleaning in greasy areas like a kitchen; the grey pads are thicker and more absorbent for bathrooms or flooring where you want less streaking; and blue are for general-purpose mopping of living areas. However, you can use the Dreame app to set which types of mops you want used for each room.

Three sets of mop pads laid out on the floor

(Image credit: Future)

The million dollar question is whether you really need three sets of mops for different rooms. Dreame says it's mostly for hygiene purposes and the prevention of cross-contamination and I can see this being a valid reason for anyone with toddlers on the floor who doesn't want a toilet mop to then clean the living room floor, even if it's self-cleaned between tasks. But is avoidance of the possibility of cross-contamination really that important? If it is, then this model is unequivocally the one for you.

Given that this model is best suited to larger abodes, the dock houses two extra-large water tanks – a huge 5.5-liter tank for clean water and a 4-liter tank for the filthy stuff. Once a mopping task is completed, the bot returns to dock where the mops are thoroughly washed in hot water at 212F / 100C. This water is then purged into the dirty water reservoir ready for emptying at your leisure or whenever the app tells you to do so.

Water tank removed from dock for Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

This hot-water cleaning cycle does a far better job of breaking down grease, grime and detergent residues than the lukewarm rinses found in many competing systems. Once cleaned, the mop pads are dried with hot air to prevent bacterial growth and eliminate damp smells.

Meanwhile, the multi-solution compartment – a first in my book – lets the dock dose different cleaning fluids automatically, adjusting formulas to match floors or cleaning modes. You get three types of solution in the package – one liter of Dreame Floor Cleaning Solution, 200ml of Pet Odor Solution and 200ml of Wood Floor Care Solution.

I'm always slightly wary of gadgets with lots of moving parts, because the more complex the engineering, the more potential points of failure there are further down the line. However, I didn't experience any issues with the dock – or the robot itself for that matter – during my review period.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra review: performance

  • Expert navigation, accurate object avoidance and powerful mapping
  • Excellent vacuuming on hard floor, and very decent on carpet
  • Complex mop system works well and mopping is a cut above average

So how does the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra hold up in practice? Let's take a look at the performance. I've broken this section up into different parts to make it easier to digest.

I've been extremely impressed by this bot's navigation performance and its initial mapping sequence was insanely good. In fact, it's the first robot vac to ever accurately map my open plan home with all spaces highlighted correctly and with no dividing or merging of rooms required. It even automatically named four of the five rooms it had mapped. This means it was accurately spotting the dining table in the dining room, the sofa in the living room and the kitchen by its layout. Furthermore, it did all this in a smidge under five minutes.

I then installed the whole system in our huge village hall – 121 square meters – and it mapped the hall, kitchen and toilets in 10 minutes, and even correctly named the two toilets and dividing hallway. Moreover, unlike other models I've tested in the hall, the Dreame's main map has remained stable with no shifts in the map's perspective. LiDAR is known to struggle when mapping huge areas like a commercial hall, especially if it has many windows with bright sunlight pouring in. But this model has so far bucked that trend.

Screenshots from Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum app

Click to enlarge (Image credit: Dreame / Future)

During my tests the Matrix10 Ultra has planned efficient, seemingly logical cleaning paths rather than wandering around randomly. It's also adjusted dynamically when furniture was moved or when unexpected obstacles appeared, updating its routes mid-clean to maintain full coverage without wasting time or missing too many corners.

Unfortunately I wasn't in a position to test its ability to scale high thresholds and small steps because I don't have any access to them. However, I have seen demonstrations of this bot negotiating a threshold and roll-steel furniture legs and it has simply sailed over them.

Obstacle avoidance

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra's obstacle avoidance is one of its most impressive performance features, combining advanced sensors and AI to navigate real-world environments with finesse. As mentioned in the Design section, the robot uses a combination of retractable DToF LiDAR for precise distance mapping and structured-light 3D sensing paired with an AI-enhanced RGB camera. This fusion of sensors allows it to detect a wide range of objects, from small items like cables, socks, shoes, bags and pet toys to furniture legs and other household obstacles.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum navigating around obstacles on a wooden floor

(Image credit: Future)

In practice, this means the Matrix10 Ultra rarely bumps into or gets stuck on objects, though I'll admit that a loose pair of scissors caught it out on one occasion. In my first home test, it manoeuvred between a loose glove and tape measure without any touching, but rode slipshod over the scissors; and yet it avoided the scissors in a subsequent test. I put this first failure down to the robot having approached the scissors from an acute angle beyond the line of sight of its RGB camera.

I then set up another obstacle test in the village hall using a clutch of pens, a book, a plastic Dyson vacuum nozzle and the same tape measure. Remarkably, it negotiated all obstacles without any touching and you can see this in the attached demonstration video.

Would I rely on the Matrix10 Ultra to avoid a dog poop? No I wouldn't, though on evidence of my tests, I'd say that there's a much better chance of this bot avoiding it rather than smearing it all over the carpet.

Vacuum performance

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra delivers very decent vacuum performance. It dual-brush system lifted dust, debris and pet hair with ease on my hard floors, while its automatic edge brushes did a grand job of scuttling debris from corners into the path of its suction portal.

It has spent two weeks vacuuming my home with no glaring signs of it having missed anything and it's been absolutely faultless in the village hall, too, with a perfectly cleaned swathe of wooden flooring and very little evidence of any forgotten debris along the skirting boards. The Matrix10’s cleaning ability on hard floor is as good as the best I’ve seen from any robot vacuum brand.

However, I was a little underwhelmed by its performance on a medium-pile rug, even when I had the suction set to Max+. For this test I selected zone cleaning in the app and sprinkled a good dollop of oats, rice and small chunks of crushed dried pasta. The robot duly headed to the rug and proceeded to ramp up the suction power when its sensor detected extra debris. It then performed a series of tight circles in these areas before continuing in an up-and-down parallel fashion to finish the job.

It definitely left more debris behind than I expected, given the ultra-powerful 30,000 Pa suction spec. Despite the supposedly higher suction, it didn't perform as well on carpet as my Roborock 10R or Roborock 10 in this particular high-debris test.

I am mindful that this was an extreme task and one that would normally be performed to much better effect by a human with a decent cordless stick vac. The Matrix10 Ultra's day-to-day carpet cleaning has been perfectly acceptable – the robot’s bin has always been full enough to suggest it had collected a lot of pet hair – just not quite as outstanding as I'd hoped for. At just 54.9dB from about six feet away, it's also one of the quietest bots I've ever tested.

Mopping performance

The Matrix10 Ultra's mopping is genuinely among the most advanced of any hybrid combos. Its rotating Dual Omni‑Scrub mop technology applies consistent downward pressure, scrubbing hard floors deeply rather than simply swiping across them. Moreover, the base station supports a full cycle of mop‑pad care – heated water washing, drying and automatic water refill of the robot's smaller water tank. This level of automation keeps the mop pads hygienic, fresh and ready for repeated cleaning, without any manual scrubbing or pad wringing.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum mopping a wooden floor

(Image credit: Future)

Of course, one of this model's most clever touches is its ability to switch mop pad types automatically, depending on what the space demands. Water flow is also regulated automatically depending on floor type and expected dirt levels, which helps avoid over‑wetting.

In my daily tests, the mopping system delivered smooth, even results with no streaking. It also handled a spill of some milk with no issues to report. However, no hybrid robot is flawless when it comes to removing deeply ingrained grime, thick stains or sticky messes.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum mopping a wooden floor, with mop pad extended

(Image credit: Future)

While this model will tackle them to some degree, programming it to head to a specific spot by creating a zone in the Dreame app is a world of pain and takes more time to set it up and the robot to perform the task accurately enough than it does to simply grab a mop, kitchen towel of a decent cordless hard floor cleaner like the excellent Roborock F25 Ultra.

Dock performance

As previously mentioned, rather than just charging the robot, the Matrix10 Ultra's dock stores three sets of mop pads and automatically selects the correct one for each room. It also washes them in 212F / 100C water before drying them with hot air. The jukebox-style pad selection system is undeniably clever, but I can't comment on the long-term reliability of this complex mop-swapping innovation. I should add that I personally haven't experienced any issues, but who knows how well it will behave in a year or two.

Inside the dock for the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

What I will wholeheartedly praise is the dock's excellent bin emptying system. I've often experienced issues with some robot vac docks that have clogged up when faced with too much pet hair in the robot's smaller bin. To date this model has performed immeasurably well and I think I know why.

A bit like the Eufy Omni S1 Pro, this model's dock goes through a pre-suction process whereby it performs a full power suck for about a second to loosen any clumped hair in the robot's bin before pausing another second. It then goes into full suction for about 8 seconds. After umpteen emptying sessions, I have no blocked suction tubes to report and that's a major bonus in my book.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum in its dock

(Image credit: Future)

Another point in this dock's favor is the low volume it emits while going through the emptying process. I measured it at 64.2dB from about 10 feet away and this is pretty quiet for a dock of this nature. But perhaps more importantly, the low sound frequency of the emptying process is so much easier on the ears than many other docks, specifically some of those by iRobot which emit an ear-splitting high-frequency scream whenever emptying the contents of their robots' bins.

Battery performance

I was initially concerned about this model's battery capacity when first putting it through its paces. I'd fiddle with it for no longer than 10 minutes with pauses in between and the battery would show something in the region of 91%. Hence I didn't hold out much hope of the battery lasting for an entire vacuum clean of a 121-square meter village hall without having to recharge midway through the cleaning session.

But I was wrong, because I've checked the Dreame app's Care History section and, on average, the Matrix10 Ultra has completed every task – the hall, kitchen and toilets – in one go in around 117 minutes with +/- 28% of battery life remaining. And that's a very reassuring stat for anyone thinking of purchasing this autonomous hybrid vac for their country mansion.

  • Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra review: app

  • Extremely comprehensive
  • Slowish to respond
  • Not that easy to navigate

The Dreame app offers a highly capable and feature-rich experience, giving users minutely detailed control over their robot vacuum and mop. From the first LiDAR scan, it builds an accurate map of your home, allowing you to name rooms, create zones, set no-go zones, create multi-floor maps and adjust cleaning parameters like suction strength or mop water flow rates on a per-room basis. Scheduling, remote control and notifications help keep cleaning convenient, while smart-home integration with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant adds hands-free flexibility.

Screenshots from Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum app

Click to enlarge (Image credit: Dreame / Future)

However, it took me a while to get a handle on this app and an especially long time to work out how to set up routines. Even then, I needed to make sure I'd saved and tapped on any tick icons or it didn't save anything. I'd have preferred to see a system like that adopted by Roborock which saves its routines (a series of pre-programmed short cuts like ‘vacuum the hall', ‘mop the kitchen' and ‘clean the dog rug') on the homepage for instant accessibility. I've also noticed that the Dreame app is a bit slower to react to commands and send them to the robot – but we're talking seconds here.

Despite these small niggles, I've been mightily impressed by the huge wealth of customisation you can achieve in this app. However, I would advise spending a good deal of time learning about all the settings because, by ignoring them, you almost certainly won't get the most out of this sterling autonomous home helper.

  • App score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Ultra-premium at list price, but it looks like discounts won't be hard to come by – and it does boast an awful lot of tech.

3.5 / 5

Design

Ambitious and complex, with a mop-pad dispensing dock, feet for vaulting over steps and a retractable LiDAR puck.

4.5 / 5

Performance

Generally extremely impressive, with excellent mopping and hard floor vacuuming, and accurate navigation and object detection. Its carpet performance not as outstanding as I'd expect for those suction specs.

4 / 5

App

Perhaps a little too comprehensive for its own good – technophobes may have trouble getting a handle on it.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You have advanced mopping needs

The Matrix10 Ultra really shines when it comes to its mop setup, with multiple mop types and cleaning fluids (and the ability to swap between them automatically).

You're worried about cross-contamination

The Matrix10 Ultra provides different mops for different rooms, to keep things contained.

You have a big home with lots of obstacles

This model delivers some of the most accurate and efficient mapping and navigation I've experienced – perfect for large, challenging spaces.

Don't buy it if...

You don't have much room for the dock

The Matrix10 Ultra's dock is about the size of a small fridge, so not ideal if you're short on space.

You don't need auto mop pad swapping

Is the specter of cross-floor contamination really an issue? If you're not fussed about reusing your bathroom mop pads in the kitchen (with a clean in-between), there are plenty of cheaper and simpler alternatives to choose from.

You don't have that much hard floor

The USP here is really the mopping – if you're not going to be making the most of the different mop pad types and cleaning fluids, I'd pick a different bot.

How I tested the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra

I've had this model running on two separate floor spaces – at home and our large village hall, where it currently resides. Aside from evaluating both the robot and unique mop-swapping dock, I let it loose at home for two weeks and left it to its own devices using a series of daily cleaning schedules. I then performed a hard-floor pick-up and mopping test in the kitchen before hauling it up to the hall (it's heavy) where I performed a carpet cleaning and obstacle avoidance test before leaving it to run five scheduled vacuum and mopping sessions per week. It's been doing this for the past two weeks with no hiccups to report.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners

  • First reviewed December 2025
I tested the Aqara Camera G100, and it’s an extremely versatile security camera for indoors or out
9:00 pm | November 2, 2025

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

Aqara Camera G100: two-minute review

Security cameras now come in many different varieties, including those meant solely for indoor use and those meant mainly for outdoors. However, what the Aqara G100 offers is, on the face of it, the best of both worlds

Weatherproof with an IP65 rating, it can be used indoors (to keep an eye on pets and children), or outdoors (to see who is at the front door or in the backyard). It’s small too, perfect for placing on a bookshelf or mounting upside down in a porch using the screw and wall plug provided.

However, what really differentiates the Aqara G100 from many of its competitors is its comprehensive smart home compatibility. Whereas many of the best home security cameras are now compatible with Amazon’s Alexa (including the Amazon-owned Ring and Blink, of course), the Aqara G100 is also compatible with Google Home, Samsung SmartThings and – crucially for those invested in the Apple ecosystem – Apple HomeKit including Home KitSecureVideo (HSV).

Not only can the camera’s built-in motion sensor and spotlight be used within home automation routines, it’s also possible to stream a live feed from the Aqara G100 on Apple TV. The only technical limitation here is that Apple caps the video resolution at 1080p for some reason, despite the camera being capable of a more impressive 2K resolution (2,304 x 1,296 pixels). It’s even possible to hook up your Apple Photos library to the Aqara camera to recognize faces it captures via the motion sensor.

Nor is smart home compatibility the only trick up the Aqara’s sleeve either. It works perfectly well as a standalone security camera too. Indeed that’s how most buyers will probably use it. Mains powered via a USB-C cable, it usefully boasts a MicroSD card slot for storing up to 512Gb of footage. This means you don’t have to pay a monthly fee to store video in the cloud as you do with many cameras, especially some of the cheaper models (Apple users can also use their iCloud storage via HomeKit Secure Video).

Close-up of Aqara Camera G100

(Image credit: Chris Price)

You don’t even have to pay a monthly subscription fee for basic AI functionality. However, if you want the full shebang, including pet and parcel detection, then you will need to pay for Aqara’s HomeGuardian subscription service (see details below).

If you have multiple Aqara cameras, the HomeGuardian Unlimited package also includes an innovative Fire Detection feature based on a flame recognition function. However, this isn’t intended to replace conventional fire-detection systems such as smoke alarms and heat sensors

Finally, the camera offers two-way audio so you can reassure your pets if they seem distressed, or tell your family members when you’ll be home.

Aqara Camera G100

(Image credit: Chris Price)

Aqara Camera G100: subscription options

HomeGuardian Single Camera: £3.99 (about $5 / AU$8) per month, or £39.99 (about $50 / AU$80) per year for a single device. Includes: 90 days of video event history, person, animal, vehicle, package, fire detection.

HomeGuardian Unlimited: £7.99 (about $10 / AU$16) per month, or £79.99 (about $100 / AU$160) per year. Supports unlimited cameras in one home, 90 days of video event history, person, face, animal, vehicle, package, fire detection, Premium AI Event Detection, AI Video Summary, AI Video Search.

Aqara Camera G100: price and availability

  • Costs £34.99, $34.99, AU$89
  • Available since July 2025
  • Sold in the US, UK, and Australia

Generally, security cameras are not expensive to buy. Even the most advanced models offering solar power and mobile phone (4G/5G) connectivity tend to cost less than £200. However, many are priced quite cheaply because you need to pay a monthly fee to store video clips in the cloud.

The Aqara G100 is unusual in that not only is it very cheap, it also comes with a built in MicroSD card slot for video storage. Yes, you will have to buy a MicroSD card, but these only cost around $15 / £10 / AU$20 so you soon make your money back from not having to fork out the cost of a subscription. That said, you can pay a monthly fee for storage if you want (Aqara’s HomeGuardian costs from £3.99 (about $5 / AU$8) a month) if you want advanced AI functionality, such as the ability to differentiate between different people and objects.

Given its low price tag, it’s also worth noting just how well equipped the Aqara G100 is for the money. One of my criticisms of Aqara’s recently-launched G410 Video Doorbell is that, despite costing over £100, it didn’t incorporate waterproofing – unbelievably remiss for a product that’s going to sit on the outside of your house all year round.

Yet this G100 camera – which is intended for indoor and outdoor use – does feature decent IP65 water resistance. Not only that, but it also comes with other useful features that make it a very versatile piece of kit. These include compatibility with a number of smart home platforms as well as AI functionality.

  • Value score: 5/5

Aqara Camera G100: design

  • Versatile indoor/outdoor mounting
  • Available in black or white
  • Waterproof connectivity

Again, one of my criticisms of the recently reviewed Aqara G410 video doorbell was its design which was extremely big and bulky. In fairness, that’s partly because it is powered by four AA batteries, whereas the G100 only uses mains power. Nevertheless, it’s true to say that its stablemate, the G100, is a much more compact and better-looking piece of kit – similar in looks to a Nest camera, but not quite so sturdy.

Available in black or white (we tested the black), it comes with a simple mount for standing on top of a cupboard or bookshelf. Alternatively, you can do what I did and install it inside a cabinet using the wall plug and screw provided (remembering to change the viewing setting to upside down in the Aqara app). Usefully, the camera can be rotated 360 degrees within the mount to get the perfect angle, while the field of view is a decent 140 degrees.

Side view of Aqara Camera G100

(Image credit: Chris Price)

While most people will probably choose to use the camera indoors, there is the option for mounting it outdoors providing you have access to mains power (it doesn’t have a built-in rechargeable lithium battery). Unusually, the USB-C cable provided connects to the camera via a waterproof sleeve below the camera. This can easily be swapped over to a much longer USB cable if you're running the cable from an indoor power source.

A waterproof cover is also provided for the MicroSD card slot and reset buttons while at the back of the camera is a small speaker. On the front of the camera is the lens itself plus a surprisingly powerful spotlight, blue power light button and a microphone.

  • Design score: 4.5/5

Aqara Camera G100: performance

  • 2K image quality
  • Good night vision
  • Slightly complex menus

When it comes to performance it’s fair to say that the Aqara Camera G100 is solid, rather than spectacular. Certainly, the 2K camera won’t win any awards and the field of view isn’t the widest either. However, for the super-low price tag we didn’t have any major complaints – it simply does the job.

Night vision is actually quite good thanks to dual night vision modes that gives you a choice between color night vision (with the built-in spotlight) or black and white night vision which is the default mode. The camera isn’t overly sensitive either which is a good thing as sometimes they are triggered by the slightest movement.

Live video in Aqara Camera G100 app

(Image credit: Chris Price)

Less impressive is the two-way audio through the tinny speaker, but again this isn’t unusual and in reality you probably won’t use it that often (unless you want to have a chat with your dog while you are out!). One unusual feature is the voice disguising option which can turn your voice into that of a robot or clown, or otherwise disguise it.

This feature is also provided on Aqara’s recently launched G410 video doorbell where it makes more sense, especially for women who may want to protect their identity from those ringing the doorbell. However, it probably isn’t that useful on a general camera which is probably going to be used mostly indoors.

Using Aqara Camera G100 to speak with people

(Image credit: Chris Price)

One small gripe is around the onscreen menus within the app which take a little bit of getting used to, partly because there are so many different options. For example, as well as being able to see a Live View from the camera, you can view a Video Event history divided into different categories (person, motion etc). You can also program different actions, such as turning on the lights in the house when the motion sensor is triggered or opening and closing the curtains.

Face-recognition in Aqara Camera G100 app

(Image credit: Chris Price)

For advanced users, these are all useful perhaps, but if you want a simple plug and play solution, then there are easier cameras to use. That said, it's not difficult to set the camera up in the first place thanks to voice-based instructions, and we didn’t have any issues with broadband connectivity between the camera and router despite the device only working on the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi frequency, not 5GHz. It was also straightforward adding the Aqara camera to Apple HomeKit, although as previously noted, picture resolution is restricted to 1080p.

  • Performance score: 3.5/5

Should you buy the Aqara Camera G100?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Put simply, the Aqara is unbelievably good value for money. Featuring a MicroSD card slot you don’t even have to pay a monthly subscription for storing video clips.

5/5

Design

Available in black or white, the Aqara is a compact circular shaped camera with a versatile mount and waterproofing for installation either indoors or outdoors.

4.5/5

Performance

Offering 2K video quality, the Aqara Camera G100 provides reasonable quality images although sound quality from the built-in speaker isn’t the best.

3.5/5

Overall

An extremely versatile security camera with a very competitive price tag. Can be used indoors or outdoors and with multiple smart home platforms - including Apple Home.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You need a versatile home security solution

Undoubtedly this is one of the most versatile security cameras on the market, suitable for either an indoor or outdoor installation and compatible with multiple smart home platforms.

You have a limited budget

It’s difficult to imagine a security camera offering better value for money, especially when you consider you can store video clips on a MicroSD card rather than having to pay a monthly subscription.

Don't buy it if

You want to install outdoors but don’t have mains power nearby

The Aqara can certainly be used outdoors but will need to be connected to the mains as it doesn’t offer battery power. At the very least, you will probably need to invest in a new USB-C lead for outdoor use.

You want the highest sound and video quality available

Don’t get me wrong, the Aqara’s sound and video quality is OK, but there are much better performing security cameras around if you have a bigger budget.

Aqara Camera G100: also consider

Product

Aqara Camera G100

Blink Outdoor 4

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (Battery)

Eufy 4K S330 Security Camera

Subscription price

From £3.99 a month

From £2.50 a month

From £4.99 a month

None

Viewing angle

140 degrees horizontal

143 degrees horizontal

140 degrees horizontal

360 degree view

Network connection

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)

Wi-Fi (2.4G/5Hz)

Wi-Fi/4G

Audio

Two-way audio

Two-way audio

Two-way audio

Two-way audio

Video

2,304 x 1,296 pixels

1080p

1080p Full HD resolution

4K video resolution

Power

Mains

Battery

Battery

Battery, solar

Hardware price

£34.99

£69

£199 (battery model only)

£189 (with solar panel)

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (battery)

Available in black or white, this outdoor security camera boasts two 3000°K spotlights. You can also buy a mains-powered version as well as a separate solar panel.

Read our full Ring Spotlight Cam Pro review

Eufy 4K S330 security camera

An extremely innovative battery and solar-powered camera, the Eufy 4K S330 can be used with the supplied 4G Sim card to capture recordings - ideal for those who live in areas with poor Wi-Fi/broadband.

Read our full Eufy 4K Security Camera review

How I tested the Aqara Camera G100

  • I used the camera indoors
  • I installed it myself
  • The camera was connected to Apple Home

As is clear from the review, the Aqara Camera is a very versatile piece of kit, so I installed it in several places around the home – including the kitchen and my home office. However, it wasn’t installed outside because I didn’t have a suitable mains power connection outdoors.

Using the wall plug and screw provided I mounted the camera inside a cabinet to focus on a small balcony. I also adjusted the mount to focus on the door and other areas of the room to see how sensitive the lens was to movement (it is quite sensitive).

The camera was used over a period of seven days mostly via the Aqara app. However, I also connected it to Apple Home, where I was also able to control the camera’s functionality including switching the spotlight on and off, testing two-way audio and viewing live footage.

First reviewed October 2025

I really like Beyerdynamic’s newest on-ear headphones, but more for their looks, battery life, and portability than their sound quality
2:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Headphones Wireless Headphones | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100: Two-minute review

I really like the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 and have enjoyed my time reviewing them, but feel a little conflicted because their sound quality may actually be one of their least interesting qualities.

That’s not to say that they don’t sound good – in fact, I think anyone shopping for a pair of headphones for under $250 (and are used to cheaper headphones) will have nothing but great things to say about how these sound. They’re fun to listen to, just a little exaggerated in their tuning (a little hyped, if you will) particularly through the low end and not as detailed as I would expect, especially from an audio specialist such as Beyerdynamic.

But if their big brother, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300, can hang with the best wireless headphones in terms of audio quality, the Aventho 100’s best attributes have more to do with their design, from the cool old-school Aviator look to the fact that they fold up to a relatively small size for easy portability. They also come with a very healthy battery life that adds to their long-haul flight appeal.

Overall, these are fun headphones that are great for anyone looking for something a little distinctive or a bit more portable, where the last word in audio quality is not the most important factor (again, they sound good, but they don’t do anything particularly special on the audio front at this level either).

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 headphones on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100: Price and release date

  • Priced $229.99 / £199.00 / AU$314.00
  • Released on July 8, 2025
  • Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Beyerdynamic Aventho 100‘s price tag of $229.99 / £199.00 / AU$314.00 is firmly in mid-range territory. And that’s appropriate for these headphones. They have a solid feature set, but it’s not the full kitchen sink. And these on-ear headphones are meant a little more for those looking for a unique looking pair of 'lifestyle' headphones than those wanting the ultimate audio performance, which in the Beyerdynamic ecosystem are the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300.

The Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 are available in the US, UK, and Australia. If you’re in the EU, they’ve been available since July of this year whereas those in North America have been able to order them since September.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 review: Specs

Drivers

Not stated

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life

More than 60 hours (or more than 40 hours with ANC)

Weight

220g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive; USB-C charging

Waterproofing

N/A

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 headphones on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 review: Features

  • No proprietary spatial audio or headtracking
  • Supports lossless over Bluetooth
  • Adaptive ANC and transparency modes available via app

While the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 doesn’t have the full bag of tricks of more expensive headphones like head tracking or Dolby Atmos, they have enough to satisfy most people. To start, these headphones support lossless audio including aptX Lossless and the aptX Adaptive codec (which automatically balances quality and latency over Bluetooth) as well as the more vanilla AAC and SBC. Multipoint connectivity is on offer as well, which is useful.

Most of the Aventho 100’s adjustable features are accessible via the easy-to-use mobile app. The presses and holds on the action button can be remapped to a small number of different options, though I do wish Beyerdynamic could have facilitated the enabling / disabling of active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes here.

On that note, not only are both ANC and transparency modes available in the companion app, but both have three levels (low, medium, high). Both work reasonably well. I was able to use the ANC while working in a cafe and didn’t hear anything but the music I was listening to. The transparency mode does a good job as well, though as soon as I play music at anything but a low level, I can’t really hear my surroundings.

Overall, I appreciate the inclusion and think these profiles work well, particularly so given that these are on-ear headphones, but they aren’t going to be quite as robust as what you'll find in flagship Bose or Sony headphones – Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), I'm looking at you… 

  • Features score: 4.5/5

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 headphones on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 review: Design

  • Cool if not quite premium old-school Aviator aesthetic
  • Foldable with soft case
  • Very long battery life

The Beyerdynamic Aventho 100’s design are notable in comparison to other headphones not only because they’re on-ear as opposed to over-ear (as the majority of $200+ headphones tend to be these days), but because they sport an old aviator-style aesthetic that is marked contrast from the competition.

Of course, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 aren’t the only aviator-inspired on-ear headphones out there. The Master and Dynamic MH40 already fit the bill (see the heritage MW50 Wireless too), but are also often double the price. Unlike those M&D headphones, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 are half metal and half molded plastic, which keeps them from feeling as premium on my ears as they look in their advertising images. Still, whether you get the black, brown, or cream colorway, they do have quite the vibe.

Filling out the look are the removable ear cups and headband padding. Both have a relatively plush feel and are covered in what I can only assume is some kind of pleather-type material.

On that note, the feel and fit is comfortable. There is plenty of adjustment for different size heads via the ear cup yokes and that padding is soft enough that I’m able to wear the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 for long listening sessions without feeling fatigued. They do sit a little tight on the head initially, but this can be stretched out.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 headphones on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

The controls all sit on the right earcup (left and right are marked on the cloth inside the earcups) and consist of a volume up, action, volume down, and power / bluetooth pairing button. And they responded quickly and accurately, whether I’m adjusting the volume or pressing the action button twice to go to the next track.

One thing I appreciate about the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 is that they’ve been designed for easy travel. They not only come with a soft traveling case and USB and Aux cables (the former for charging), but have foldable ear cups so that they take up less space. That makes these much more attractive for those who travel light like myself over something like their big brother, the Aventho 300, or even bigger headphones like the Apple Airpods Max or Sony WH-1000XM6.

Lastly, the battery life on the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 is quite impressive. With ANC on, they still last 40 hours, and without, can last 60 without needing a recharge. Plus, if for some reason you get really low, 15 minutes of charging turns into 15 hours of playback. That kind of fast charging is very helpful.

  • Design score: 4.5/5

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 headphones on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 review: Sound quality

  • Lots of bass
  • Fun, but not very neutral or accurate sound
  • Has low latency for watching media

When using the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100, I listened to all sorts of music for a benchmark. This included rock, hip hop, electronic dance to acoustic and jazz. After my extended time with these headphones, I was struck by the amount of low-end the default audio profile has.

In fact, I had to go into the EQ settings in the app and use the “neutral” setting to get a more balanced sound. Simon & Garfunkel's Scarborough Fair doesn’t sound quite as good as Kendrick Lamar's DNA. It’s no surprise then that this setting cuts the bass quite a bit, along with an extreme high-end cut.

Speaking of that high end, the Aventho 100 have plenty of presence, sometimes even sounding a tiny bit harsh (also helped with that neutral setting). Somehow though, they don’t have quite the resolution that I’ve experienced with other Beyerdynamic headphones.

I appreciate that the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 support lossless audio, but these are not audiophile-grade listening headphones. I may sound a bit negative on these headphones, but they actually do sound fun to listen to. They’re just not accurate in the way the Aventho 300 are – and I also tested those.

Since many people also use headphones when watching TV and movies, it’s worth noting that these work well with streaming Netflix or Youtube. Not only do they use Bluetooth 5.4 but have a low latency mode available through the app. I didn’t notice any lag or latency when watching something on my phone or computer.

  • Sound quality: 4/5

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 headphones on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 review: Value

  • Not overpriced, but not exceptional value, either
  • Significantly cheaper than their big brother
  • Competition at this price will have other compromises

Some headphones punch way above their weight compared to their price tag and some come with a hefty price tag that are only really justified by their name or because they’re marketed as "premium".

The Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 fit into neither of those categories. At $229.99 / £199.00 / AU$314.00, they’re about what I would expect them to cost. As mentioned, they look cool but are partially molded plastic instead of more premium (and costly) materials. Their sound quality is also fairly middle-of-the-road. Of course, they’re a step down in terms of sound quality from the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300, but those have an MSRP of $399.99 / £359.00 (about AU$640). That’s almost double, and it's not lost on me – because the Aventho 300 do sound better.

I’ve also mentioned the Master & Dynamic MH40, a pair of headphones that takes similar influence from past headphones but use more premium materials, sound a little better, but also cost around $400.

At a similar price point, the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro focus less on style and more on value. They’re also slightly cheaper at $199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$300), though being an Anker product means it will see regular discounts below that price tag. They support high-res audio but aren’t any more detailed than the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100.

  • Value: 4/5

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 headphones on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100?

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

ANC, transparency mode, and multipoint connectivity are just some of the features on hand, only missing Dolby Atmos support.

4.5/5

Design

The Aventho 100 look cool and fold into a small package, making them fairly portable

4.5/5

Sound quality

The sound quality is good with plenty of bass, but doesn’t sound as detailed as one might hope from this brand.

4/5

Value

They cost about what they should, neither being overpriced or offering a particularly excellent value

4/5

Buy them if…

You want some cool looking on-ear headphones
If you don’t mind the half plastic build, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 look really cool with their throw-back vibes.

You want portability and a long battery life
These headphones last a long time and fold up pretty small making them ideal for on-the-road use.

Don’t buy them if…

You care about audio quality above all else
I feel bad that I keep saying this because they sound good, but you can find other headphones in the same price point with fewer features or stripped down in some other way that sound better.

You want premium
While these look very cool, they still don’t look like the premium headphones that their aesthetic presents them as. This is a small gripe, but worth noting since the Aventho 100 are big on style.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 review: Also consider

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro
The Anker Soundcore Space One Pro are just a little cheaper with a comparable audio quality. There’s plenty of bass and a decent (though not great) amount of detail. They also have have an impressive battery life. Of course, aesthetically, they’re a bit on the chunky side.
Read our full Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300
The Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 might be almost double the price, but they offer the kind of pristine audio quality that Beyerdynamic is known for. They’re also a little more feature-filled, mainly including Dolby Atmos, not to mention have a similarly long battery life.
Read our full Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review

How I tested the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100

  • Tested the various features over two weeks
  • Tested with different music as well as video streaming

I spent a week using the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 as my daily headphones. While using them, I listened to all sorts of genres from electronic and hip hop to rock and acoustic music to compare the frequency range and soundstage. I also tested them with streaming video and used the various settings such as ANC, transparency mode, EQ, and multipoint.

After testing, it seems that the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 are best suited for those wanting a pair of headphones that look and sound fun.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing audio equipment and have spent even longer using my critical ear as a listener and musician to understand what does and doesn’t sound good.

  • First reviewed in November 2025
Garmin Venu 4 review: Your do-it-all companion, from meetings to mountain biking
7:02 pm | October 22, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

One-minute review

The Garmin Venu 4 is a gem, and one that should satisfy moderate-to-serious exercise enthusiasts that want a great smartwatch with a generously sized battery and heavy focus on fitness. While it isn’t as rugged as the Forerunner, Instinct or Fenix range, this is a watch better-suited to people who want an unobtrusive, premium-looking watch for the office and a powerhouse for runs and rides, something between a Samsung Galaxy Watch and a regular Garmin.

The Venu 4 delivers on this promise, packing a suite of features from the best Garmin watches into its sleek-looking stainless steel body and bright screen. It’s missing a few features that you might expect to find on an Apple or Samsung smartwatch, such as LTE connectivity and full-color maps – and at this price tag, you might miss at least one of them.

The operating system, as slick as it is, also has a few cumbersome quirks: I’m so used to Google and Apple’s raise-to-speak voice assistants that to use the upper button and touchscreen to get to Garmin’s voice assistant functionality, which I use to set kitchen timers and the like, seems almost archaic and counter-intuitive.

However, these are small niggles: generally speaking, the watch performs admirably. While the lack of full-color directional maps is disappointing, the interface works just fine when following courses during runs, and the voice assistant is as responsive as Siri, if not as sophisticated as on-device AI such as Gemini. The battery, said to be up to 12 days of use in smartwatch mode, is an accurate measurement: I wore the watch for around 10 days before needing to charge it, with quite a bit of working out. The heart rate readings from Garmin’s Elevate V5 sensor are accurate enough for all but elite athletes, but I’ll touch on that more in the Performance section of the review.

New health tools such as Lifestyle Logging and Health Status are useful, especially the self-reporting Lifestyle Logging structure, which allows you to assign tags to your day (caffeine, alcohol, healthy meals, heavy meals and so on) to show the effects of different stimuli on your metrics.

Garmin’s usual suite of outstanding metrics are present and correct: as a regular runner, I find stride length, cadence and so on useful for tweaking my technique, and Garmin’s Race Calendar and Primary Race widgets are second to none. It’s a worthy buy for anyone who wants a Garmin, but doesn’t like the outdoorsy look so many of them share.

Garmin Venu 4: Price and availability

Garmin Venu 4

(Image credit: Future)
  • $549.99 in the US
  • £469.99 in the UK
  • AU$949 in Australia

The Garmin Venu 4 costs $549.99 / £469.99 / AU$949, and this is true for both the 41mm and 45mm sizes. You get the choice of Silver, Slate and Lunar Gold colors – I have the Slate option, and it looks great – and you can pay an additional $50 / £50 /AU$69 for other bands. I’m seriously considering splashing out on a brown leather band, which would really set off the look of the Slate.

Value-wise, this is around the price of a more expensive Apple or Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic, and I’d say that’s about right for where this sits in the market; what it lacks in smart communication credentials, it makes up for in battery life and fitness features. There’s no getting around this is a price rise over the older Venu 3, but the premium metal body and additional features make it worth the tradeoff.

Value score: 4/5

Garmin Venu 4: Specifications

Component

Garmin Venu 4 (41mm)

Garmin Venu 4 (45mm)

Price

$549.99 / £469.99 / AU$949

$549.99 / £469.99 / AU$949

Dimensions

41 x 41 x 12 mm

45 x 45 x 12 mm

Weight

46g with band

56g with band

Case/bezel

Stainless steel/Polymer

Stainless steel/Polymer

Display

390 x 390px 1.2-in AMOLED display

454 x 454px 1.4-in AMOLED display

GPS

GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, SatIQ

GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, SatIQ

Battery life

Up to 10 days

Up to 12 days

Connection

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Water resistant

Yes, 5ATM

Yes, 5ATM

Garmin Venu 4: Design

Garmin Venu 4

(Image credit: Future)
  • Stainless steel body upgrade
  • Redesigned UI
  • Brighter screen – but bezels are thick

If you’ve got this far in our review, you’ll know I like the look of the Garmin Venu 4. Whereas the stainless steel element of the 3 was confined to the bezel, with the case itself made of plastic, Garmin has expanded its use of steel to include the case as well, and it looks all the better for it. The dark metal of my Slate model is understated and classy, and I can’t wait to pair it with a leather strap. The screen is bright, but the bezels could be slightly thinner for my taste. Still, it’s hard to complain about the looks of this watch.

As opposed to its more outdoor-oriented watches such as the Fenix, Forerunner and Instinct series, the Garmin Venu 4 has two buttons instead of five. Its snappy and responsive touchscreen does most of the heavy-lifting when it comes to navigating, although you can configure the buttons to operate on long and short presses. A long press on my “back” button ignites the LED torch (a great addition on all the best Garmin watches now), while a long press on my upper “start” button summons the Controls tab, through which I can activate the Voice Assistant, Find my Phone, DND and other functionalities quickly. It’s a nice system.

The redesigned UI isn’t quite as smooth and seamless as watchOS or Wear OS, but it isn’t far off. Garmin used to look downright basic in comparison (which I think had a charm all by itself to be honest, and part of me misses it), but it looks great and works well in practice when you’re swiping through widgets or teeing up a workout. Garmin users who choose to upgrade will find the new setup intuitive to use, as will first-timers.

Design score: 5/5

Garmin Venu 4: Features

Garmin Venu 4

(Image credit: Future)
  • New Health Status and Lifestyle Logging
  • Usual suite of excellent fitness tracking features
  • Speaker, microphone and LED torch

Tons of great features abound here. The new Health Status feature looks at five key metrics during sleep: heart rate, HRV, respiration, pulse ox and skin temperature. It details whether all of your metrics are in their normal range, and if one or more is out of whack, something is afoot.

Often, this can be combined with the Lifestyle Logging feature to self-diagnose potential issues. Lifestyle Logging allows you to tag your day with the amount of caffeinated drinks, meditation, alcohol, healthy meals, heavy meals, cold showers, or other custom tags you might care to add. If your skin temperature is outside your healthy range and you logged some alcoholic drinks at a party the day before, or your HRV is off after a day of too much caffeine, you’ll know what to change to bring yourself back in line. Still, it will be a cold day in hell before Garmin makes me give up my morning coffee.

The usual suite of wellness and fitness features are present, with the Venu 4 – like the rest of the best Garmin watches – excelling at running and cycling, in particular. Training plans from Garmin Coach, local courses generated in the Garmin Connect app and upcoming races can be loaded onto your watch to turn it into a training powerhouse. Advanced metrics such as power for cyclists, and ground contact time or vertical oscillation for runners really empower the watch to be particularly helpful for connoisseurs. I also use it to time my rest periods in the gym between sets – a useful feature in the Strength workout profile to keep my mind on my workout. I’m missing full-color maps here, but the basic follow-along directional arrow for longer courses will be good enough for most.

Smarts-wise, the Controls tab features the Find my Phone and Voice Assistant functionalities, which are serviceable and useful but pretty basic. There are no on-device AI smarts here, but I can set a timer easily enough. The LED torch is eminently useful in three tiers of powerful white light and a less aggressive red option for night runs. A speaker and microphone allow you to take calls on-wrist, which is useful in a pinch. However, without the option to connect the watch to your network without a phone via LTE, it’s a convenience rather than a necessity.

Features score: 4.5/5

Garmin Venu 4: Performance

Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Garmin Venu 4 on the same wrist outdoors

(Image credit: Future)
  • Elevate V5 sensor is accurate compared to industry-standard heart rate monitor
  • Battery life performs as described
  • The watch was comfortable and useful throughout the testing process

I compared the Garmin Venu 4’s Elevate V5 heart rate sensor to a chest strap – the Polar H10, described as the most accurate heart rate monitor available to most people, and used by professional and amateur athletes alike – during a couple of workouts.

During my tests, after a brief bit of initial variation, the Garmin Venu 4 tightened up and matched the Polar H10’s readings very closely. After a 30-minute run, the Polar H10’s average beats-per-minute for my heart rate registered as 156bpm. The Garmin Venu 4 registered 151bpm.

For training purposes, that’s certainly close enough for most – it isn’t really a serious statistical outlier – although I suppose it could be closer. The Apple Watch Ultra 3, which I also wore during this run, registered 155bpm. Still, 5bpm out across the entirety of the workout isn’t anything to worry about, and a good enough estimation to indicate the Elevate V5’s accuracy.

Battery life performs as described, too: the watch lasted a full 10 days with multiple workouts before needing a top-up. The Venu 4 was comfortable to use and better to sleep in than a lumpy Fenix – I hardly took it off all week.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Garmin Venu 4: Scorecard

Attribute

Comments

Score

Value

About right for its place in the lineup, but not a huge bargain

4

Design

Looks great and is intuitive to use. Top marks

5

Features

I would have loved LTE and full-color maps, but they’re my only quibbles

4.5

Performance

Accurate, long-lasting and looks great on wrist in the office. Enough smarts for most.

4.5

Garmin Venu 4: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

You’re looking for an all-rounder

This smartwatch can be worn looking smart to social occasions, dressed up with a change of strap, and out on the trail.View Deal

You want battery life

Forty-two hours for the Apple Watch Ultra 3? Try 10 days with the Venu 4. View Deal

You’re a keen outdoor exerciser

While this will work fine for the gym, it’s a bit of a waste for gym-bunnies: it really shines on runs, hikes and rides. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You’re a rugged adventurer

Those who spend their lives in the wild might prefer an Instinct or Fenix instead. View Deal

You want the smartest watch

If you’re looking for LTE connectivity, an AI voice assistant and seamless phone connectivity, you might be better off with a Wear OS or Apple Watch. View Deal

Also consider

Component

Garmin Venu 4 (41mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm)

Samsung Galaxy Watch8 (40mm)

Price

$549.99 / £469.99 / AU$949

From $399 / £369 / AU$679

From $349.99 / £319 / AU$649

Dimensions

41 x 41 x 12 mm

42mm x 36mm x 9.7mm

42.7 x 40.4 x 8.6mm

Weight

46g with band

30.3g (42mm)

30g

Case/bezel

Stainless steel/Polymer

Aluminum with a metal back or Titanium (100% recycled)

Armor Aluminum

Display

390 x 390px 1.2-in AMOLED display

Always-on Retina LTPO3 display Wide-angle OLED at 374 by 446 (42mm)

1.3-in super AMOLED

GPS

GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, SatIQ

L1 GPS, GNSS, Galileo, and BeiDou

GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo

Battery life

Up to 10 days

24 hours, 38 hours in Low Power Mode

Up to 30 hours

Connection

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, second-generation ultra-wideband chip, and 5G (Optional)

Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3

Water resistant

Yes, 5ATM

WR50 and IP7X

Yes, 5ATM

Apple Watch Series 11

The best all-around smartwatch for iPhone users, and a solid Venu 4 alternative.

Read our full Apple Watch Series 11 review

Samsung Galaxy Watch8

A terrific smartwatch and the best for Samsung users. Great run tracking, although again, battery life suffers compared to the Venu 4.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch8 reviewView Deal

How I tested

I wore the Garmin Venu 4 for two weeks, drained the battery down while completing gym, running and hiking workouts. I used features such as Lifestyle Logging, tested the Voice Assistant, ECG functionality, ran at night with the torch enabled, and conducted an accuracy test against the Polar H10 heart rate monitor and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

I spent two weeks with the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System, and espresso and drip coffee don’t get easier than this
8:00 pm | October 19, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Coffee Machines Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Ninja Prestige DualBrew System: one-minute review

The Ninja Prestige DualBrew System (which is almost identical to the Ninja Espresso and Coffee Maker Barista System solid in the US) is a Swiss army knife of a coffee maker, with a drip brewer on one side, a single-serve pod machine for espresso on the other, a measuring scoop embedded in one side, and a milk whisk that flips out from the back. Its price is around upper-mid level for a drip coffee maker, but when you consider that you’re getting a Nespresso machine thrown in, too, it’s great value.

It’s a sizeable machine so you’ll need a decent amount of countertop space to accommodate it, but it’s well designed and full of thoughtful little touches. Highlights include a height-adjustable drip tray for the Nespresso pod brewer (with a grippy surface to prevent your cup slipping and avoid scratches), a bin for used capsules that has its own mini-drip tray so they can dry out ready for recycling, and a fold-out platform so you can brew a single portion of drip coffee straight into your favorite cup or travel mug.

The DualBrew System uses a hotplate to keep your fresh drip coffee warm rather than an insulated carafe, which won’t be to everyone’s taste; many people prefer to avoid hotplates for fear of stewing their coffee and spoiling the taste. However, this one is more gentle than most, with a choice of heat settings and times so you don’t overheat your morning brew.

Unlike a double-walled carafe, this glass pitcher is dishwasher-safe, as are the machine’s other removable components – and the DualBrew System will alert you when it’s time to run its cleaning program.

Ninja suggests the Prestige DualBrew System is a good option for entertaining, letting you cater to the whims of different guests – and it is, but personally I love it as a way to get coffee into my system as quickly as possible in the morning. Set the timer and wake to a freshly brewed, nicely extracted jug of drip coffee, or pick a pod and have a tasty espresso in your hand within two minutes.

Espresso purists will prefer the Ninja Luxe Café, which combines a drip coffee maker with a semi-automatic espresso machine, and has a proper steam wand rather than a little electric whisk, but for sheer convenience, the DualBrew System is hard to beat.

Ninja Prestige DualBrew System: specifications

Dimensions (H x W x D)

5.5 x 10.8 x 12.8 inches / 41.1 x 27.4 x 32.6cm

Weight

13.6lbs / 6.18kg

Water tank capacity

1.9 quarts / 1.8 liters

Filter baskets

One (cone)

Brewing modes

Drip and espresso (from capsules)

Timer

Yes

Insulated carafe

No

Hotplate

Yes

Ninja Prestige DualBrew System: price and availability

  • Sold in the UK, and almost identical model available in US
  • Not yet sold in Australia
  • Costs $279.99 / £249.99

The Ninja Prestige DualBrew System is sold in the UK for £249.99, and an almost identical model called the Ninja Espresso and Coffee Maker Barista System is available in the US for $279.99. As far as I can see, the only differences between the two are the style of the display, and the color of the plastic panel on the right-hand side. Their features seem to be exactly the same.

Both variants carry an upper-mid range price tag for a drip coffee maker, but when you factor in the extra single-serve capsule coffee maker, they suddenly become very good value for money. You'll find today's best deals on both versions below.

Neither machine is available in Australia at the time of writing, but the Ninja Luxe Café is a good alternative if you want a two-in-one drip coffee and espresso machine.

  • Value score: 5/5

Ninja Prestige DualBrew System: design

  • Thoughtfully designed by people who clearly love coffee
  • Milk frother isn’t perfect, but it's a nice extra
  • Dishwasher-safe components

The Ninja Prestige DualBrew System is quite a large unit, measuring 5.5 x 10.8 x 12.8 inches / 41.1 x 27.4 x 32.6cm (H x W x D), but there isn't an inch of wasted space.

Both the drip coffee maker and single-serve pod machine use the same water tank, which slots into the back of the machine. It’s easy to lift out for filling, and measurements are clearly marked on the side, although a handle would have been a nice extra touch for a more secure grip. There’s no water filter supplied with the machine, either.

Ninja Prestige DualBrew System water tank removed

The water tank is easy to remove, although it has no handle (Image credit: Future)

Both parts of the DualBrew System are controlled using a simple set of physical buttons on the machine’s face, plus a dial that has a pleasingly solid feeling when rotated and pressed. Information is conveyed via a monochrome LCD panel, which is clear and bright, and shows the current time when the machine is in standby mode.

The drip coffee part of the DualBrew (on the left-hand side) features a filter basket assembly that stands taller than the rest of the machine, so you may need to slide it forward to open the lid if you’re planning to keep it on a counter underneath a cabinet. It comes with a single cone-shaped filter basket, and a set of filter papers to get you started.

Ninja Prestige Dual-Brew System controls

Choose your brew size and strength, then set the timer or start brewing immediately (Image credit: Future)

Unlike some drip coffee makers (such as the Sage Luxe Thermal Brewer and Fellow Aiden Precision Drip Coffee Maker) there’s no flat-bottomed basket for large, strong brews. However, unlike these two premium machines, the DualBrew System has a handy drip-stop function that prevents coffee leaking out of the basket when the machine has finished brewing.

The carafe itself is a traditional-style glass pitcher rather than the insulated ones used by the Sage and Fellow machines, and unlike them, has a hotplate underneath to keep your freshly brewed coffee warm. A small LED on the bottom left of the machine warns you if it’s hot, for safety.

If you only want to brew a single serving, there’s a small fold-down drip tray behind the carafe, which is just the right size for a coffee mug.

Coffee capsule in Ninja Prestige Dual-Brew System

The DualBrew System takes Nespresso Original style capsules (Image credit: Future)

Moving to the right-hand side of the machine, you’ll find a slot in the top that accepts Nespresso Original style capsules (not the dome-shaped Vertuo pods). Nestlé no longer owns the patent to these top-hat-shaped capsules, so there’s a huge range available from big brands and indie coffee roasters alike.

Below this is a drip tray, which you can unhook and reposition to accommodate different-sized cups (anything from a tall mug to a tiny espresso cup). The tray has a rubberized surface to prevent your cup slipping, and although the sets of holes for repositioning it doesn’t look particularly stylish (it feels like a sliding system would look more sleek), it’s understandable that Ninja’s designers have taken a minimalist approach considering the waste bin for used pods is directly behind it.

Ninja Prestige Dual-Brew System dispensing espresso

Adjust the height of the drip tray to suit your cup (Image credit: Future)

That isn't all the DualBrew has hidden away. On the left-hand side you’ll find a two-ended coffee scoop with markings for brewing different quantities of drip coffee. There’s also a fold-out milk frother, which is activated by pressing a button on top. Unlike a steam wand, this doesn’t heat the milk, but it’s a nice addition if you want to use a coffee capsule as the basis for an espresso, and the machine has a sticker on the side providing estimated microwave and whisking times for different drinks.

  • Design score: 4.5/5

Ninja Prestige DualBrew System: performance

  • Extremely simple to use and maintain
  • Drip-stop is a particularly helpful feature
  • Excellent adjustable hotplate

The Ninja Prestige DualBrew System is a particularly great option if you’re looking for a coffee machine that will help give you a boost in the morning. Its drip machine has a timer so you can wake to a freshly brewed mug or jug of coffee, and its single-serve capsule machine will have you sipping an espresso within a minute. They’re the two most convenient forms of coffee-making rolled into one easy-to-use machine.

Setup is straightforward: just use the dial to set the current time (necessary for scheduling the drip coffee maker), then "prime" the DualBrew System following Ninja’s instructions. For the drip brewer, this means running a brew cycle using a full tank of water, without coffee in the basket, and for the single-serve coffee maker it means running the "lungo" program three times without a capsule.

Ninja Prestige Dual-Brew System with coffee capsule and cup of espresso

Your espresso will be ready to drink in about a minute (Image credit: Future)

As you use the DualBrew System, you’ll start to appreciate the various thoughtful touches Ninja’s designers have implemented. For example, used coffee pods drop into a bin with its own mini-drip tray underneath, which catches any mess from used capsules so they’re dry and ready to recycle.

The drip-stop function is particularly handy if you’re in a rush first thing in the morning, since it allows you to remove the carafe as soon as the machine has finished brewing without drips falling onto the hotplate (and making a mess). The machine will also display a warning icon and refuse to start if you try to begin brewing while the drip-stop is closed.

Person using Ninja Prestige Dual-Brew System drip-stop control

The drip-stop helps avoid mess when you've brewed a carafe or mug of coffee (Image credit: Future)

Another of my favorite features is the hotplate. Sometimes, drip coffee maker hotplates tend to become very warm and stew your freshly brewed coffee. However, this DualBrew System avoids this by offering a choice of temperatures (low, medium, or high), and can keep your coffee warm for up to four hours, which is the same performance you could expect from a coffee maker with an insulated carafe.

The glass carafe has a couple of key advantages: you can see how much coffee is left, and it’s dishwasher-safe, which isn’t true of double-walled pitchers. When you’re loading the dishwasher, you can also add the water reservoir and its lid, the brew basket, the cup tray and its base, and the milk frother, too, so you won’t need to spend time scrubbing by hand.

Ninja Prestige Dual-Brew System milk frother in jug of milk

The milk frother is nice to have, but can't compare with a steam wand (Image credit: Future)

As mentioned above, the frother is just an electric whisk (similar to the hand-held type that can be bought for $10 at Amazon), but it’s a nice extra, and adding a steam wand to the DualBrew System would have been impractical. During testing, the whisk worked better with dairy milk than plant-based alternatives, and I found that it took longer than suggested by the guide to achieve a thick foam. Nevertheless, the recommended heating times for milk were handy as a guide. The whisk tucks away out of sight when not in use.

  • Performance score: 5/5

Should you buy the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System

Ninja Prestige DualBrew System score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

A reasonable price for a drip coffee maker, and even better when there's also a Nespresso machine attached.

5/5

Design

Large, but thoughtfully designed and easy to maintain. The only weak point is the milk frother, which is nice to have but not amazing.

4.5/5

Performance

Makes brewing great coffee as close to effortless as possible, whether you're entertaining guests or just trying to jump-start your morning.

5/5

Ninja Prestige DualBrew System: also consider

If you're not quite sure whether the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System is the right coffee maker for you, here are two alternatives to consider:

Ninja Luxe Café

Another two-in-one coffee maker, the Luxe Café swaps the single-serve pods for a semi-automatic espresso machine. It also has a steam wand with automatic and manual settings for creating proper cappuccinos and lattes, and is still great value.

Read our full Ninja Luxe Café review

Sage Luxe Brewer Thermal

If you only want to brew drip coffee, the Luxe Thermal Brewer is my number-one pick right now. It has a small footprint, it's easy to use, and its thermal carafe keeps coffee piping hot for an amazingly long time (much longer than any others I've tested).

Read our full Sage Luxe Brewer Thermal review

How I tested the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System

I used the Ninja DualBrew system for two weeks in place of my usual espresso machine and V60 coffee dripper. I used the drip coffee maker with light roasted Honduras Swiss water decaf coffee (freshly ground using my Sage burr grinder). I used the single-serve brewer with the same coffee in alumnium capsules. For more details, see how we test, review, and rate products at TechRadar.

First reviewed October 2025

The CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing is an expensive-looking, super-cheap smartwatch
11:00 am | October 11, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness Smartwatches | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: One minute review

CMF Watch 3 Pro

(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)

The CMF Watch 3 Pro is Nothing's latest budget smartwatch, and no, that's not a typo. Bizarrely, the naming scheme has changed slightly, and the successor to the CMF Watch Pro 2 is the CMF Watch 3 Pro.

Naming confusion aside, the latest CMF watch brings with it some upgrades. The screen is now 1.42 inches up from 1.32 inches, and it's also slightly brighter, with slimmer bezels. In addition, there's now dual-band GPS onboard for improved workout tracking, a slightly bigger battery and it pairs to the new Nothing X app.

It's not all good news, though. The larger size makes the screen easier to use, but it also means that it may be too large for some wrists, with only one size available. Nothing has also ditched the swappable bezels on this model, and unfortunately, it costs more, too.

Overall, it's a stylish smartwatch with great software, extremely long battery life and plenty of features. Despite the higher MSRP, it's still very affordable. This higher price brings with it tougher competition, and unless you're a huge fan of the CMF styling, this one could be a tough sell.

It certainly doesn't seem worth a buy if you already own the CMF Watch Pro 2, but if you're coming from the original CMF Watch, this is a substantial upgrade. It's not perfect, but I've thoroughly enjoyed using it.

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Specifications

Component

CMF Watch 3 Pro

Price

$99 / £99 / AU$179

Dimensions

54 x 47 x 15.2mm

Weight

47g including strap

Case/bezel

Aluminum alloy

Display

466 x 466px AMOLED

GPS

Dual-band GPS / GLONASS / Galileo / QZSS / Beidou

Battery life

Up to 13 days

Connection

Bluetooth 5.3

Water resistance

IP68

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Price and availability

CMF Watch 3 Pro

(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
  • £99 in the UK
  • $99 in the US
  • AU$179 in Australia

The CMF Watch 3 Pro carries an MSRP of £99/$99, making it £30 more expensive than the Watch Pro 2, which launched at £/$69 last summer. That increase could be a tough pill to swallow, especially considering the value proposition was one of the key selling points of previous models.

That said, the CMF Watch 3 Pro is already discounted to £79 in the UK, and considering how new it is, you might expect that price gap to close even further in the coming months. Either way, it still remains very affordable for such a feature-packed watch.

  • Value score 4/5

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Design & display

CMF Watch 3 Pro

(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
  • 1.43-inch AMOLED display
  • Dark Grey, Light Grey and Orange options
  • Replaceable liquid silicon wrist strap

The CMF Watch 3 Pro features a 1.43-inch circular AMOLED display, a big increase over the last generation's 1.32-inch display. It also has slimmer bezels, and it's slightly brighter, rated at 670 nits up from 620 nits. This size increase is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it makes the display nicer to look at and easier to interact with. But it also makes the watch very large.

It's still super lightweight, weighing only 47 grams with the strap attached, but it's a chunky unit. I'm a pretty big guy, and I think it looks nice on my wrist, but I certainly wouldn't want to go any bigger. Those with dainty wrists need not apply.

The CMF Watch Pro 2 was a dramatic redesign compared to the original CMF Watch, but with the third iteration, the design feels very familiar. It still has a minimalistic circular design with a single rotating crown that can be pressed like a button on the right-hand side.

One thing that has changed, though, is that the bezel is no longer swappable, so it's crucial that you pick the style that you like best when you buy it. Like before, there are flatter, more angular bezel options, as well as a more curvy version. The Light Gray model I have in for testing has the textured curved bezel: the raised lip should help keep the screen free from scratches, and it looks quite fetching, too.

The body of the watch is made from aluminium, and I think the bezel is too, but it looks and feels a little plasticky, which detracts from an otherwise premium experience.

As for the display itself, it's pretty great. It has a 60Hz refresh rate, which looks smooth enough when you're swiping around the OS, and while most of the OS is black, white and orange, colours look very vibrant when they appear. It's not the brightest display around, but I never had trouble reading it, and given the budget price point, I think the performance is acceptable.

One thing I didn't like so much, though, was the brightness of the always-on display. I usually like to keep the always-on display active, as it means I don't need to raise my wrist to glance at the time. However, this one is so dim and hard to read that it doesn't really seem worth the battery drain.

Like its predecessor, the Watch 3 Pro has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. This means it's well protected against dust, and it can be fully submerged in freshwater, but Nothing doesn't recommend using it for swimming or in the ocean.

  • Design score: 4/5

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Features

CMF Watch 3 Pro

(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
  • 131 sport tracking modes
  • Nothing X app for Android and iOS
  • Essential News and Recording Transcription

The CMF Watch 3 Pro runs Nothing's proprietary software, just like previous models, and the way that it functions is largely unchanged. As with the older models, Nothing's unique design language is present throughout the OS, and if you're a fan, you're sure to love the library of monochromatic minimalist watch faces.

What has changed is the companion app. The CMF Watch 3 Pro pairs with the Nothing X app, rather than the old CMF Watch app. The experience feels more polished, and the app looks nicer, in my opinion, but functionally, it's not that different. I was pleased to see that there are more options for health monitoring now. Rather than just being able to toggle on or off all-day heart rate tracking, you can now choose how frequently the sensor reads your heart rate.

Nothing has continued to add additional exercise tracking modes to the watch, and there are now 131 different options to choose from. This includes extremely niche activities like parkour and parachuting, as well as some sports I've never even heard of, like sepak takraw (a volleyball-like game from Southeast Asia). No matter what you're into, there's a good chance it's here.

There's a new feature called Essential News, which is supposed to read you a daily summary of your preferred news topics using AI, but I just couldn't make it work. That's a shame, as it seems like a cool feature, but I tried on a couple of different phones, and it would always say "Playing", but nothing would happen.

Recording Transcription is another new feature, and thankfully, this one actually worked. Essentially, you can record a voice memo on your watch, and then you can transfer it to your phone, where it will be transcribed into text.

It seems very accurate, but I'm just not really sure what the purpose of it is. I guess if you have a brilliant idea while you're away from your phone, you could use this, but I think there are very few people who will find this feature useful.

Another slight tweak is the music controller now displays album artwork, which is a nice touch. Keep in mind that there's no onboard storage with this watch, though, so you'll need to be paired to your phone to take advantage.

  • Features score: 3/5

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Performance

CMF Watch 3 Pro

(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
  • Up to 13 days of battery life
  • Heart rate, sleep, stress and blood oxygen monitoring
  • Built-in dual-band GPS

One of the biggest functional changes with the Watch 3 Pro is that it now has dual-band GPS rather than single-band. How much this matters to you will depend on where you train, but whether you're in the built-up city streets or deep in the woods, you should be able to enjoy more reliable GPS tracking.

In my experience, mostly tracking walks and bike rides, the GPS was rock-solid. In fact, it was so accurate that it knew which side of the street I was on when I zoomed in on the map. Otherwise, while the array of sensors may have had some hardware upgrades, they perform the same functions as previous CMF releases.

Based on my heart rate readings from my other watches, my average and maximum BPM seemed to be correct. That said, there were a few times when the reading seemed way off, usually when I was wearing the strap slightly loose for comfort. I think you need this cranked down for the best tracking results.

The real star of the show here is the battery life. Nothing says it'll last up to 13 days on a charge, or around 4.5 days with always-on display enabled. I enabled as many features as possible, and used the watch extensively to test all its features, and I still managed well over four days per charge, so these estimations seem very accurate.

I usually wear the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro, so I'm used to exceptional battery life, but even still, the CMF Watch 3 Pro managed to impress with its longevity. If you hate charging your watch, this is an excellent choice.

Charging doesn't take too long either; it's around an hour and a half from flat to full. However, the magnetic charging puck could use a redesign thanks to an extremely flimsy connection, as the slightest of knocks can cause the watch to disconnect. It gets the job done, but it's among my least favourite charging cables.

  • Performance score: 3/5

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Value

It's more expensive than its predecessor, but it's still a very affordable smartwatch, with a more premium build than much of its competition.

4/5

Design

Stylish, minimalist design, solid build quality, and a spacious OLED panel. However, it may be too large for some.

4/5

Features

Loads of tracking modes, a decent app and some novel additions that may or may not work.

3/5

Performance

Incredible battery life, smooth performance, and fitness metrics that are good enough for casual users.

3/5

Total

It looks the part and it performs well, but with a significant price hike, it's up against some stiff competition.

4/5

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

You want a stylish watch that doesn't break the bank

The CMF Watch 3 Pro is very affordable, but it still looks very premium. That's true of both the software and the hardware. If you want to make a statement without spending a fortune, it's a good option.

You want long battery life

The battery life on this smartwatch is phenomenal. If you're a light user, it's certainly possible to go 13 days between charges, and if you're coming from a WearOS watch or Apple Watch, that's a serious luxury.

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Also consider

Component

CMF Watch 3 Pro

Amazfit Active 2

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro

Price

$99 / £99 / AU$179

$99 / £99

£62.99 / $75 / AU$99.99

Dimensions

54 x 47 x 15.2mm

43.9 x 43.9x 9.9mm

43.27 x 32.49 x 10.8mm

Weight

47g including strap

29.5g

24.5g

Case/bezel

Aluminum alloy

Stainless steel bezel, polymer frame

Aluminum frame, high-strength fibre polymer

Display

466 x 466px AMOLED

1.32-inch AMOLED touchscreen

1.74-inch AMOLED touchscreen

GPS

Dual-band GPS / GLONASS / Galileo / QZSS / Beidou

Yes

No

Battery life

Up to 13 days

Up to 10 days

Up to 21 days

Connection

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.2

Bluetooth 5.4

Water resistance

IP68

5ATM

5ATM

Amazfit Active 2

The Amazfit Active 2 has the exact same MSRP and yet comes with some seriously advanced features, including an on-board AI assistant, seriously advanced tracking modes and sleek, slim design.

Read our full Amazfit Active 2 review

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro

While not as advanced as the CMF Watch 3 Pro, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro offers a big, beautiful display and lots of fitness features at a significantly lower price.

Read our full Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro review

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: How I tested

Our reviewer wore the CMF Watch Pro as his primary smartwatch for over a week, while travelling, commuting and during regular workouts. It was paired with the Oppo Find X8 Ultra for the majority of the testing period, but was also tested with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 to compare.

The tracking results were compared to historical results from the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro, as well as the built-in step counter on the smartphone and the Strava app for GPS accuracy.

Nanoleaf’s first ever floor lamp has transformed my living room lighting – I just wish the app was easier to use
12:00 pm | October 4, 2025

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

Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp: Two-minute review

If there’s one thing I’ve come to appreciate about Nanoleaf’s smart lights since the release of the first-generation Essentials Smart Bulb, it's the company’s ability to offer excellent products at an affordable price. And that's been carried over to the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp, which was first revealed at CES in January 2025. It’s one of the cheaper smart floor lamps available at the time of writing and performs wonderfully well, which means you get good value for money here.

There’s nothing particularly standout about it – I suppose that might partly explain the lower price point – but it’s still packed full of features, including reacting to sound, screen mirroring and extensive customizable light scenes. There's even AI-enabled customizations here – just type a word and the app will spew out an appropriate light color palette.

It does require some assembly, which I was a little apprehensive about initially, but a little help from a short YouTube video from Nanoleaf had the lamp ready to be switched on in less than 20 minutes.

Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp displaying a green light hue

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

If you’re new to Nanoleaf, you’ll have an easy time of pairing it via the companion app – available for both iOS and Android – but I should mention that as someone who’s had multiple Nanoleaf products over the last few years, I ran into trouble as I hadn’t used many of them in a long time. I kept getting popup warnings that all my other Nanoleaf lights were offline, and that prevented me from connecting the floor lamp. Trying to pair each one back was a miserable experience, so I ended up deleting them – except for the Nanoleaf Essentials Light Strip that just refused to disappear (I still can’t figure out why) – which then made connecting the floor lamp via the QR code on the product (and its box) a lot easier.

When switched on for the first time, the Nanoleaf floor lamp defaults to a solid color light, but you can change that quickly enough in the app, where a plethora of user-created light combinations (or Scenes) are already available to preview and download. You can also create your own if you’re feeling adventurous.

Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp washing a wall with warm white light

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

It’s not the brightest floor lamp we’ve tested at TechRadar, topping out at 1,700 lumens. In comparison, the Philips Hue Signe Gradient lamp sits at 2,500 lumens (but costs a heck of a lot more too), while the Govee Floor Lamp Pro is 2,100 lumens. So while it won’t necessarily light up a large room brightly, the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp manages to create a moody ambience, even if you decide that a solid white (cool) or yellow (warm) light is what you prefer.

As with any other smart floor lamp like it, the Nanoleaf is best used as a wall washer – the light facing the wall – that’s what creates the atmosphere in the room and, if you happen to set it to full brightness with a white (or whitish) light, it can be very harsh on the eyes when you look at it directly.

The transition from one color to another is fantastic and I am yet to find a hue that I don't like – whether you prefer vivid and vibrant lights or pastel shades, the Nanoleaf floor lamp handles them just as well as all the other smart lights from the brand. It’s really quite lovely and I can’t complain about anything when it comes to its day-to-day performance.

LEDs inside the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp lit in a blue light

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

I’m amazed at how many features Nanoleaf has managed to pack into this lamp. It has 24 color zones with 72 LEDs spread along it (so you can really go crazy with the customizations); it works via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or can be controlled via a Matter smart home hub; and it inherits the Rhythm Mode from Nanoleaf’s light panels that make the lamp react to the beat of the music playing in the room. Screen mirroring is also possible if you already use the Nanoleaf 4D kit on your TV (you’ll need the Nanoleaf desktop app for PC screen mirroring).

While there's no lag when it comes to using the Rhythm Mode or screen mirroring, I will say that the light palette doesn't always shift with the exact beat. And if you happen to be talking loudly over the music, you'll definitely confuse the lamp which will react to the bigger sounds in the room.

There's no arguing that it's a versatile smart light that requires no pre-planning to install (like the Nanoleaf panels) and, once fully set up, is easy to use. What it misses out on is the speaker on the base that you’ll find in the Philips Hue Signe Gradient and the Govee Floor Lamp Pro, but that didn’t bother me at all.

Screenshots from the Nanoleaf app

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

My biggest issue is with the Nanoleaf app. I’ve complained about it when testing the Essentials range and in my Nanoleaf Lines review, saying the app is not intuitive. Sadly that situation hasn't changed in the last a few years and it needs to be a little easier to use. Don't get me wrong, it's got everything you need for smart lights, but how the whole thing is set up could be a touch convoluted for some users.

Take the Routines tab, for example: I wanted to set up a weekday and a weekend routine where it switches on and off at set times. You can easily add a start time for a specific action, but there's no option to add the end time in the same routine. Instead, I found I needed to create a separate routine where the start time was essentially the end time with the action being the light being off. Schedules and routines shouldn't be this hard to do.

The Philips Hue app, on the other hand, is so easy to use, where the same functionality is allows you to add the start and end time within the same pane. Other smart home applications I've used also offer the same seamless scheduling, including TP-Link's Tapo app and Australian company Laser's ConnectSmart app.

The physical controller for the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

The Nanoleaf app is necessary, though, particularly if you want to set up different Scenes (as the mixed-color lights are called) and customization is made easy via the AI Magic Scenes feature that allows you to type a word or short description to get a corresponding palette. You’ll also need it to integrate Google Home, Alexa, Samsung SmartThings or Apple HomeKit control. In fact, I much prefer using the Apple Home app on my iPhone 17 Pro, which also imports my favorite Scenes, while Siri automations makes it easy to control the floor lamp via voice commands.

If, like me, you’re frustrated with the app, there is a physical controller attached to the power cord and can be used to not just turn the lamp on or off, but also cycle through a few Scenes you’ve marked as your favorites. It also allows you to adjust brightness. That said, the controller is best used only after you’ve finished all your customizations on the app, or you may not like the color palettes that are set as default.

Despite my issues with the app, I can’t help but love the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp, and I applaud how affordable it is.

• Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp displaying a purple light hue

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp review: price & availability

  • List price: $119.99 / £69.99 / AU$149.99 in the US, UK and Australia respectively
  • Available now directly from Nanoleaf or authorized retailers

Nanoleaf debuted the Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp at CES in January 2025, but it only became widely available in most major markets much later in the year. While the company announced it would retail for $99.99 in the US, that price has since gone up and it's now listed for $119.99 / £69.99 / AU$149.99.

Despite the slightly higher price in the US, that’s still an affordable amount for most people looking for a smart lamp. In comparison, the Philips Hue Signe Gradient floor lamp will set you back a whopping $362.99 / £279.99 / AU$499.95. The Govee Floor Lamp Pro costs $199.99 / £219.99 (it's unavailable in Australia), but can often be discounted to around $159 / £169, which is still higher than the full price of the Nanoleaf. Even the cheaper Govee Floor Lamp 2 costs more at $159.99 / £149.99 / AU$349.99.

Sure, the Nanoleaf misses out on the speaker base of some of the more premium smart lamps, but that’s about all, which makes it excellent bang for buck.

• Value score: 5 / 5

Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp review: Specs

Height

1.4m

Thickness

19mm

No. of LEDs

17

Color zones

24

Max brightness

1,700 lumens

Color temperature

2200K-6500K

Lifetime

25,000 hours

Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp review: Design

  • Slim, simple yet solid build
  • Easy assembly
  • Good height, but lacks speaker base

The Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp comes in a few individual bits in the box that you'll need to put together. As I mentioned, I was a little apprehensive about that – DIY is not my forte – but Nanoleaf has easy-to-follow instruction videos online that provide better clarity than the diagrams in the user manual.

The main components are the circular metal base, the three sections of the semicircular pole (or stem) and the light strip that fits into the assembled pole. You screw the connectors to the sections of the stem, which then gets screwed to the tiny protrusion on the base.

The base houses a tiny connector, which is where you'll start pushing the bendy light strip into the pole. Nanoleaf suggests you fit the bottom, the top and middle, then push the rest of the strip in and not be afraid to tuck it into the base. It doesn't seem like the light strip will fit, but it surprisingly does.

Also in the box is the power cable that comes fitted with the controller. Once set up, the lamp stands 1.4 meters tall (4.59 feet), which I think is a nice height for a light like it.

I've lifted the lamp by the top of the stem and nothing has shaken loose, and neither does anything wobble despite being multiple pieces screwed together. It looks thin, but it seems quite sturdy to me. I do have to note that the base picks up dusty scuff marks easily, but those can be wiped off. I would, however, be a little concerned about scratches in the long run.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp

Attributes

Notes

Score

Value

It's feature packed and yet one of the cheaper smart lamps on the market, offering excellent bang for buck.

5/5

Design

There's nothing unique about its design, but it's sturdy for its slim build.

4.5/5

Performance

If you have no trouble with the app, then there's absolutely no issues when it comes to its colored lights, transitions or rhythmic beats.

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You want an affordable smart floor lamp

It's hard to argue with the value for money you get with the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp, with plenty of useful (or fun) features at quite an affordable price point.

You want a smart light that's nearly effortless to use

If you don't run into any trouble with the app, I think the Nanoleaf floor lamp is really simple to use. And it works very well, doing what it promises to do perfectly.

You want a versatile smart floor lamp

Not only does it offer colored lighting, there are specific Scenes that work with music and screen mirroring is also available, whether that's matching what happening on your TV or your PC. Please note that TV screen mirroring requires another Nanoleaf device to work.

Don't buy it if...

You want a statement piece

It's a demure light that's not the brightest in the business. If you smart lights that stand out, consider opting for one of Nanoleaf's amazing wall (or ceiling) light panels.

You want to light up a room

The Nanoleaf floor lamp will impart mood lighting only. If you want to light a room or a task lamp, you'll need to look elsewhere.

You want a seamless app experience

The Nanoleaf app works, and it has a lot going for it – it's just not as streamlined as other smart light apps.

Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp review: Alternatives

Not sure if the Nanoleaf floor lamp is right for you? Below are a couple of alternatives that you could consider instead.

Govee Floor Lamp 2

Available in most major markets, the Govee Floor Lamp 2 comes with a handy remote control so you don't need to be near the lamp to use a physical controller (or the app if your phone is in another room). It's not the brightest of lamps though and costs a little more than the Nanoleaf at full price.
Read our full Govee Floor Lamp 2 review for more details

Philips Hue Signe Gradient Table Lamp

If you want a floor lamp, but would still love changing light palettes, Philips Hue has a tabletop option, although it's a lot more expensive than the Nanoleaf. It's performance is par excellence, though, and the app experience is significantly smoother too.
For the full details, read our in-depth Philips Hue Signe Gradient Table Lamp review

How I tested the Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp

Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp displaying a yellowish light beside a picture frame speaker

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

As soon as I opened the box that the lamp came in, I began the assembly process. The user manual has diagrams only to help with the setup, but you can find videos on Nanoleaf's website or its YouTube channel if you're having trouble.

Once powered on, I paired it via the Nanoleaf app and, despite the issues I described earlier, I was then able to choose some light scenes to get me started. That done, I integrated it into the Apple HomeKit app as another accessory.

I created one of my own light scenes, but didn't try another as it can be quite time consuming. Instead, I browsed a variety of user-created options and downloaded about 10 that I really liked.

I was unfortunately unable to try the lamp with my other Nanoleaf lights as I had trouble re-pairing them to the app (due to inactivity), so I tested different features on the lamp alone. I placed it in different spots in my living room, finally liking it beside a console table that houses my Sonos Ikea Symfonisk picture frame speaker, which was ideal to test out the Rhythm Mode.

I finally tried setting up routines on the Nanoleaf app, but ended up setting up schedules via HomeKit instead, which works fine for my needs.

You can read more about how we test products at TechRadar for more details.

[First published October 2025]

Small but perfectly formed, the De’Longhi Dedica Duo is my new favorite entry-level espresso machine
4:00 pm | September 29, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Coffee Machines Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

De'Longhi Dedica Duo: two-minute review

The De'Longhi Dedica Duo is an excellent entry-level espresso machine that looks great and performs extremely well, despite its modest price tag.

It has a similar appearance to its predecessor, the De'Longhi Dedica Style, but with some key improvements – including a wider drip tray that can accommodate two espresso cups. The steam wand has been upgraded with a cool-touch handle and a knurled control dial for better grip, and the machine is available in a choice of four colors (including three gelato-inspired pastel shades).

The Dedica Duo's accessories, such as the color-coordinated portafilter handle, feel robust. It comes with two pressurized portafilter baskets, a coffee scoop, a pin tool, a descaler pack, a tamper, and a stainless-steel milk pitcher. The water tank is easily accessible at the back, with a hinged lid to keep water fresh, and it can be fitted with an optional water filter.

De'Longhi Dedica Duo espresso machine dispensing espresso

(Image credit: Future)

The machine is operated by illustrated buttons on top for single shot, double shot, cold brew, and steam. Colored lights on these buttons indicate the machine's status, requiring reference to the manual for full understanding.

Although it takes a little while to heat up, the Dedica Duo delivers a good shot with a fine grind consistently. There is some minor dripping after the pump finishes due to the absence of a three-way solenoid valve.

The Dedica Duo's cold-extraction mode, while slower than preparing hot espresso, is much faster than traditional overnight cold-brewing and produces a full, mellow flavor. This cold brew is versatile, suitable for drinking straight, with milk and ice, or in blended drinks and cocktails.

My only real complaint is that the system of lights to indicate the machine's current status and any problems (such as scale, or air in the system) can be confusing, and you'll find yourself having to refer back to the manual quite regularly while you're getting a handle on things. Other than that, though, this is an easy machine to recommend and worthy of a full five stars.

De'Longhi Dedica Duo: price and availability

  • Released in August 2025
  • List price of $299.95 / £279.99 (about AU$600)
  • Sold in the UK and US, but not yet in Australia

The De’Longhi Dedica Duo launched in August 2025 with a list price of $299.95 / £279.99. At the time of writing (September 2025), it isn't yet available in Australia, but hopefully that will change soon.

At that price, it's one of the most affordable espresso machines I’ve tested in the past year. The Casabrews 5418 Pro is in the same entry-level bracket with a list price of $299.99 (about £220 / AU$460), but it’s clear that Casabrews has cut quite a lot of corners, and it can’t compete with the Dedica Duo for build quality and performance.

  • Value score: 5/5

De'Longhi Dedica Duo: design

  • Updated design with refined details and new colors
  • Wider drip tray to accommodate two espresso cups
  • Accessories feel substantial and well made

The De’Longhi Dedica Duo is a compact, smart-looking espresso machine. At first glance it bears a strong similarity to its predecessor, the Dedica Style. It’s almost exactly the same size, but on closer inspection you’ll notice lots of refinements and improvements.

Most noticeably, the Dedica Duo comes in an updated range of colors, with classic stainless steel accompanied by soft shades of white, pink and green, which De’Longhi says were inspired by different flavors of gelato. Candy-colored appliances have become increasingly popular in 2025, and they look good, with a satin finish rather than gloss.

For me, one of the most notable updates is to the drip tray, which is now considerably wider, making it easier to fit two espresso cups underneath the portafiter when pulling a double shot. If you have a particularly tall cup, you can remove the stainless steel grille and place the cup directly on a removable ridged plate at the bottom of the tray. A nice touch, and one that helps make clean-up easier.

The steam wand now has a cool-touch handle, which is a nice upgrade, and its control dial sports a knurled texture that looks good and provides extra grip. The wand doesn’t bend, but it does pivot, and its angle makes it easy to achieve a good whirlpool movement when texturizing your milk.

All of the Dedica Duo’s accessories feel robust in the hand, unlike those of some other entry-level coffee machines I’ve tested recently (I’m looking at you, Casabrews). The portafilter handle is satisfyingly weighty, with a textured end that matches the steam wand dial, and is colored to match the body of the machine.

You get two pressurized portafilter baskets (one for single shots and one for doubles), a coffee scoop, a pin tool for clearing the hole of the steam wand if it becomes blocked, a pack of descaler, a weighty tamper that makes it easy to put sufficient pressure on your ground, and a stainless steel milk pitcher (with a fine spout ideal for pouring latte art).

De'Longhi Dedica Duo coffee machine accessories

(Image credit: Future)

The machine’s water tank slides onto the back, and has a sturdy-feeling hinged lid to keep water fresh. It can also be fitted with an optional water filter, but this needs to be purchased separately. The tank lifts out easily and is simple to slot back into place. You’ll need to pull the machine away from the wall to do this, but it’s so small and light, this shouldn't present a problem.

The Dedica Duo has a power switch on its right-hand side, and is operated using a set of illustrated buttons on top: single shot, double shot, cold brew, and steam. Pressing combinations of these buttons, or pressing and holding, provides access to certain menus, and the colored lights on them give you information about the machine’s current status, so it’s useful to keep the manual on hand for reference. For example, a solid white light on only the steam button means there’s probably air in the system that needs clearing.

  • Design score: 5/5

De'Longhi Dedica Duo: performance

  • Steady pressure for consistently extracted hot espresso
  • Cold-extraction works well, too, producing a smooth flavor
  • System of indicator lights can be confusing

The Dedica Duo is an excellent entry-level espresso machine, providing the steady pressure necessary for preparing consistently good coffee. The Casabrews 5418 Pro I reviewed a few weeks ago was so variable, it had me questioning whether I actually knew how to make espresso at all; the Dedica Duo has restored my faith in my own abilities. It takes a little while to heat up, but once it does, and the espresso buttons on top are illuminated, you can be confident that you're going to get a very good shot. I've been using a fairly fine grind for my coffee, and the results have been faultless.

There's no three-way solenoid, so you can expect a little dripping after the pump has finished, but that certainly isn't the end of the world.

Inserting portafilter handle into De'Longhi Dedica Duo espresso machine

(Image credit: Future)

The Dedica Duo’s star feature is cold extraction, and it works very well. Whereas some other espresso machines I’ve tested recently create "chilled" drinks by asking you to fill a cup with ice and then dumping a shot of hot espresso on top, the Duo’s cold brew mode bypasses the Thermoblock heater and uses ambient-temperature water direct from the tank.

This takes longer than brewing hot espresso (measured in minutes rather than seconds), but it's still a lot faster than preparing cold-brewed coffee in the traditional way (by infusing the grounds in the fridge overnight), yet the resulting flavor profile is very similar. The flavor is full and rounded, but more mellow than the same coffee extracted hot. Whether you drink it straight, add milk and ice, or use it in blended drinks and cocktails, it’s very tasty.

It’s worth noting that the Dedica Duo isn’t a quiet machine. Unlike some advanced machines from the likes of KitchenAid or Jura, the Duo has no space in its compact chassis for sound-deadening material, so you’ll be able to hear its pump working away at full volume. Pumping water doesn’t take very long, though; but if you’re sensitive to noise then it’s something to be aware of.

For me, the only disadvantage of the Dedica Duo is the system of lights that change colour and/or blink to indicate your machine’s status or any problems. These aren’t always self-explanatory, and until you’ve learned what they all mean, you’ll find yourself referring back to the manual regularly. Perhaps it would be better to have a small row of status lights for common issues in the interest of clarity.

  • Performance score: 5/5

Should you buy the De'Longhi Dedica Duo?

De'Longhi Dedica Duo score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Very reasonably priced, squarely in the "budget" bracket for an espresso machine of this type.

5/5

Design

Modern and stylish, with thoughtful touches such as a wide, adjustable drip tray and cool-touch steam wand.

5/5

Performance

Brews consistently well hot or cold, with steady pressure from the pump. Status lights can be confusing, though.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You're shopping for your first espresso machine

The De'Longhi Dedica Duo is much better made than most coffee makers in this price bracket, and the designers haven't cut corners to keep its price down.

You have limited space

At just 15cm wide, the Dedica Duo is one of the smallest espresso machines I've ever tested. It tucked in easily beside my toaster, and I'm sure you'll find space for it, even on a countertop that's short on space.

Don't buy it if

You don't want cold extraction

The biggest difference between the Dedica Style and Dedica Duo is the latter machine's cold espresso mode. If you're not intending to use that, you could save some cash by opting for the older Dedica Style instead.

You're an experienced barista already

The Dedica Duo only comes with pressurized filter baskets, so if you want the control of a single-walled basket, you might be better off looking elsewhere.

De'Longhi Dedica Duo: also consider

If the De’Longhi Dedica Duo doesn’t sound like quite the right espresso machine for you, here are two alternatives in the same price bracket, both of which come highly recommended.

De’Longhi Dedica Style

If you’re unlikely to use the Duo’s cold brew function, you could save a little cash by opting for the older Dedica Duo. It doesn’t look quite as modern, and we found it difficult to fit two espresso cups onto its drip tray, but it’s still an excellent little entry-level espresso machine that comes highly recommended.

Read our full De’Longhi Dedica Style review

Breville Bambino Plus

The Bambino Plus is another compact espresso machine that comes highly recommended for beginners making their first foray into speciality coffee. Unlike the two Dedica machines, it has an adjustable steam wand with three texture and temperature settings, making it easier for newcomers to prepare the right type of foam for lattes, cappuccinos and other drinks.

Read our full Breville Bambino Plus review

How I tested the De'Longhi Dedica Duo

I used the De'Longhi Dedica Duo for three weeks in place of my usual coffee machine, and brewed coffee using a blend of fresh Brazilian and Colombian arabica beans, freshly ground using a Sage Dose Control Pro grinder. I used the tamper provided with the machine to tamp the coffee. I tested the steam wand with chilled, full-fat dairy milk and oat milk.

I flushed the machine with hot water before and after brewing to make sure it was clean, and purged the steam wand and wiped it with a damp cloth after making each drink.

For more information, see how we test, rate, and review products at TechRadar.

First reviewed September 2025

The Nutribullet Triple Prep System is a blender and food processor combo that handled almost every recipe I could throw at it
8:00 pm | September 28, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Juicers & Blenders Small Appliances | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: one-minute review

True to its name, the Nutribullet Triple Prep System is a blender combo that provides the functionality of three kinds of kitchen appliances in one. Nutribullet as a brand may have made its start with personal blenders, but the lineup has expanded to include

Alongside a 1,500 watt motor base, the system includes a long list of accessories: a 64oz pitcher, two travel cups with lids, a food processor work bowl, a shredding/slicing disc, a tamper, a food pusher, and a dough blade. So, it’s pretty much a full toolkit for any home chef looking to whip up smoothies, shakes, soup, dips, and more.

Smoothie made using Nutribullet Triple Prep System

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

As expected, during my tests, there was almost no hurdle the Nutribullet Triple Prep System stumbled at. From chopping carrots to crushing ice, the machine proved to be an exceptionally useful assistant in the kitchen again and again. What’s more, it was more user-friendly than many

There are a few problems that held the Triple Prep System back from perfection though. For one, the blades in the pitcher can’t be removed, which makes hand washing a good bit more difficult than it needs to be. As well as that, it doesn’t perform well with very small batches, given its smallest container is 24oz.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: price and availability

  • List price: $244.99 / £229.99 / AU$349.95
  • Available in the US, UK, and Australia
  • Sold through Nutribullet’s website and other third-party retailers

The Nutribullet Triple Prep System is widely available to buy in the US, UK, and Australia. Across all three of these regions, you can pick up the Triple Prep System directly from the Nutribullet site or on Amazon. When it comes to third-party retailers in the States specifically, some of your other options are Target, Best Buy, and Walmart.

At over $200, the Triple Prep System is undoubtedly on the higher end of the Nutribullet range. It is one of the brand’s most multifunctional machines though, so it makes sense that it would set you back more than the rest. For context, you can get a basic Nutribullet personal blender for as little as $80.

Even with that higher price tag, if it saves you the cost of buying a blender and food processor separately, the Triple Prep System is incredible value for money. That said, it’s probably not a great idea to opt for it if you don’t plan to make use of its full suite of features.

  • Value score: 4/5

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: specs

Price

$244.99 / £229.99 / AUS $349.95

Weight

8.7lbs / 4kg

Size (H x W x D)

8.75 x 8 x 7.75 inches / 22.2 x 20.3 x 19.7cm

Travel cup capacity

32oz / 900ml or 24oz / 700ml

Jug capacity

64oz / 1.8 liters

Work bowl capacity

7 cups

Presets

Smoothie, puree, frozen drinks, nut milk, dressing, chop, dough, dip.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: design

  • Plenty of presets to choose from
  • Smart attachment recognition
  • Slightly large footprint, but accessories nest for storage

One of my favorite features of the Triple Prep System is how it smartly recognizes which container you have attached to the base, and changes which presets are available based on that knowledge. It even modifies the duration of presets depending on which attachment you’re using.

For example, the Smoothie preset runs for 50 seconds with the pitcher and 60 seconds when using the travel cups. More blending time for a smaller container may sound counterintuitive, but your ingredients having less space to move around means that the motor has to process for longer to ensure all of the mix comes in contact with the blades.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System and accessories

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

You wouldn’t have to know all that though, because the Triple Prep System makes that change for you. The touch button layout is clean and intuitive: you’ve got start/stop controls, a pulse button, and clearly labeled presets for smoothies, soups, frozen drinks, and food processing tasks. Any preset that isn’t suitable for your attached container conveniently disappears too, helping to make using the machine an almost foolproof experience.

The majority of parts are dishwasher-safe, which offers a welcome reprieve from having to scrub out smoothie remnants and soup leftovers by hand. The extractor blade isn’t suitable for dishwasher cleaning, but given the fixed pitcher blades caused me far more struggle when cleaning than the extractor blade, I didn’t find this to be too much of an issue.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System controls

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

Given the sheer number of functions this machine serves, its slighter larger footprint feels like a worthy trade. If you cook from scratch or make fancy drinks at home regularly enough, you can probably justify keeping the motor base on your kitchen counter between uses. When you go to store the Triple Prep System away in your kitchen cupboards, you’ll probably find its wealth of accessories and attachments more of a curse than a blessing.

Certain parts of the system (like the shred/slice disc) slot together or into each other so it does seem like there was some effort made to save space. However, it still is a system that requires some generous-sized kitchen cupboards.

  • Design: 4.5/5

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: performance

  • Consistently great results with smoothies and soups
  • Does a great job crushing ice
  • Struggles with very small batches

Blenders are Nutribullet’s bread and butter – particularly ones for making smoothies. With that in mind, it made a lot of sense to start my testing there.

The smoothie recipe that’s used during TechRadar’s testing processes is a doozy in a couple of respects. It includes blueberries, which have skin and tiny seeds for the blender’s blades to try to contend with. But it also contains kale: the fibrous leafy vegetable that’s the enemy of many at-home smoothie lovers. While kale is great for sneaking nutrients in your drinks, it can be really difficult to completely break down if your blender isn’t up to the task – and plenty of blenders aren’t.

Thanks to the Triple Prep System’s 1,500W motor and the guidance of its smoothie preset, I managed to blitz up a thick, tasty smoothie with virtually no off-putting ‘bits’. Any grittiness from the berries’ seeds disappeared entirely and no chunks of leaf remained.

Roughly the same was true when I tried to replicate the smoothie in one of the travel cups. Upon very, very careful inspection, there were minuscule flecks of unprocessed kale floating in the smoothie but these were few and far between, and weren’t large enough to detect in the mouth when drunk.

Crushing the ice in the travel cup gleaned far less than ideal results so I opted to try it in the pitcher instead. Don’t get me wrong, I was reasonably satisfied with what the travel cup produced: well-crushed ice with some little chunks that escaped the wrath of the extractor blade. However, I wanted to see if the added surface of the pitcher would produce a better end result.

Ice blended using Nutribullet Triple Prep System

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

Sure enough, without much fuss, the pitcher’s blades managed to pulverize the cubes into fine, icy grounds that were just perfect for a snow cone or daiquiri. The Triple Prep System’s volume output hit a peak of 96db during this part of the test (roughly equivalent to some power tools). While this level of noise is certainly not pleasant to be exposed to for too long, it is a good bit higher than the blender’s average which was closer to 87db.

As testing continued, the Triple Prep System continued to impress. After mixing up a hummus recipe in the food processor’s work bowl on the ‘dip’ preset and scraping the sides, I was treated to a creamy dip with zero unincorporated segments of chickpeas. Thicker blends sticking under the blades and on the edge of the container was a notable problem with the Nutribullet SmartSense that I found added extra time to making this simple, delicious recipe. Thankfully, the Triple Prep System avoids the same mistake.

Next, I put its shred/slice disc to work on a block of cheese and found that it provided a result that was really consistent. However, the slight inconvenience of chopping the cheese small enough to fit through the narrow gap in the food processor’s lid might make this a less attractive option in the future.

The only real disappointment I experienced during testing was how the Triple Prep System performed making mayonnaise. The pitcher was obviously too large to properly blend a batch, so I opted to use the food processor work bowl instead. The issue is that – even when I doubled the usual recipe – the container was still far too spacious.

Cheese grated using Nutribullet Triple Prep System

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

An alternative mayonnaise recipe written specifically for a Nutribullet suggested using a 18oz cup, but the Triple Prep System not only doesn’t include a container that small but doesn’t have any more compact attachments that would allow you to gradually drip oil into the emulsion as it’s blending. So, unless you’re anticipating mixing up an industrial-sized tub of mayo, it’s worth doing this recipe by hand or with an immersion blender.

  • Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Nutribullet Triple Prep System?

Nutribullet Triple Prep System score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

It’s far from the lowest-cost option when it comes to blenders. But given the breadth of tasks it can be used for, it’s very good value.

4/5

Design

Takes up more space than many blending solutions but attachments nest for storage. Build quality is very strong.

4.5/5

Performance

Excels in almost every test. Great for smoothies, hummus, and crushing ice. Struggles with small batches.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You want a complete food prep system

If you're in the market for a personal blender, jug blender, and food processor all in one, the Nutribullet Triple Prep System has you covered.

You’d like a blender with dishwasher-safe parts

Once you’re done blitzing up something tasty, you can just pop your pitcher, processor, or cup into the dishwasher. There’s no need to hang over the sink and wash them by hand.

You struggle with chopping or dicing

If your knife skills are lacking or you just want to save yourself some time and effort in the kitchen, the Nutribullet Triple Prep System is more than suited to stepping in as your sous chef.

Don't buy it if

You just need a blender for drink prep

If you’re not much of a home chef and solely see yourself using your blender for mixing up smoothies and shakes, the Triple Prep System is seriously overkill.

You’re on a super tight budget

At over $200, there are definitely lower-cost blenders you can opt for instead.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: also consider

If you’re on the look-out for options that are similar to the Nutribullet Triple Prep System, here’s some alternatives worth considering:

Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo

If you need a powerful base and multiple blender cup sizes but don’t care for having a food processor, this is a slightly cheaper and more pared back alternative from the same brand.

Read our full Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo review

Breville the Fresh and Furious

If you’re a home cook but don’t see yourself batch blending too often, it probably makes more sense to opt for a jug blender that’s on the smaller side. While you don’t get travel cups with this blender, it has a variety of useful presets and is ideal for singletons or small families.

Read our full Breville the Fresh and Furious review

How I tested the Nutribullet Triple Prep System

Alongside my usual kitchen tasks, my testing involved using the Nutribullet Triple Prep System to make TechRadar’s standard test recipes.

Throughout this process, I assessed the effectiveness of both manual and preset blending. I used a decibel tracker to determine how loud the blender is during use and after each blend, I cleaned the blender attachments and accessories by hand.

The Nutribullet Triple Prep System is a blender and food processor combo that handled almost every recipe I could throw at it
8:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Juicers & Blenders Small Appliances | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: one-minute review

True to its name, the Nutribullet Triple Prep System is a blender combo that provides the functionality of three kinds of kitchen appliances in one. Nutribullet as a brand may have made its start with personal blenders, but the lineup has expanded to include

Alongside a 1,500 watt motor base, the system includes a long list of accessories: a 64oz pitcher, two travel cups with lids, a food processor work bowl, a shredding/slicing disc, a tamper, a food pusher, and a dough blade. So, it’s pretty much a full toolkit for any home chef looking to whip up smoothies, shakes, soup, dips, and more.

Smoothie made using Nutribullet Triple Prep System

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

As expected, during my tests, there was almost no hurdle the Nutribullet Triple Prep System stumbled at. From chopping carrots to crushing ice, the machine proved to be an exceptionally useful assistant in the kitchen again and again. What’s more, it was more user-friendly than many

There are a few problems that held the Triple Prep System back from perfection though. For one, the blades in the pitcher can’t be removed, which makes hand washing a good bit more difficult than it needs to be. As well as that, it doesn’t perform well with very small batches, given its smallest container is 24oz.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: price and availability

  • List price: $244.99 / £229.99 / AU$349.95
  • Available in the US, UK, and Australia
  • Sold through Nutribullet’s website and other third-party retailers

The Nutribullet Triple Prep System is widely available to buy in the US, UK, and Australia. Across all three of these regions, you can pick up the Triple Prep System directly from the Nutribullet site or on Amazon. When it comes to third-party retailers in the States specifically, some of your other options are Target, Best Buy, and Walmart.

At over $200, the Triple Prep System is undoubtedly on the higher end of the Nutribullet range. It is one of the brand’s most multifunctional machines though, so it makes sense that it would set you back more than the rest. For context, you can get a basic Nutribullet personal blender for as little as $80.

Even with that higher price tag, if it saves you the cost of buying a blender and food processor separately, the Triple Prep System is incredible value for money. That said, it’s probably not a great idea to opt for it if you don’t plan to make use of its full suite of features.

  • Value score: 4/5

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: specs

Price

$244.99 / £229.99 / AUS $349.95

Weight

8.7lbs / 4kg

Size (H x W x D)

8.75 x 8 x 7.75 inches / 22.2 x 20.3 x 19.7cm

Travel cup capacity

32oz / 900ml or 24oz / 700ml

Jug capacity

64oz / 1.8 liters

Work bowl capacity

7 cups

Presets

Smoothie, puree, frozen drinks, nut milk, dressing, chop, dough, dip.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: design

  • Plenty of presets to choose from
  • Smart attachment recognition
  • Slightly large footprint, but accessories nest for storage

One of my favorite features of the Triple Prep System is how it smartly recognizes which container you have attached to the base, and changes which presets are available based on that knowledge. It even modifies the duration of presets depending on which attachment you’re using.

For example, the Smoothie preset runs for 50 seconds with the pitcher and 60 seconds when using the travel cups. More blending time for a smaller container may sound counterintuitive, but your ingredients having less space to move around means that the motor has to process for longer to ensure all of the mix comes in contact with the blades.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System and accessories

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

You wouldn’t have to know all that though, because the Triple Prep System makes that change for you. The touch button layout is clean and intuitive: you’ve got start/stop controls, a pulse button, and clearly labeled presets for smoothies, soups, frozen drinks, and food processing tasks. Any preset that isn’t suitable for your attached container conveniently disappears too, helping to make using the machine an almost foolproof experience.

The majority of parts are dishwasher-safe, which offers a welcome reprieve from having to scrub out smoothie remnants and soup leftovers by hand. The extractor blade isn’t suitable for dishwasher cleaning, but given the fixed pitcher blades caused me far more struggle when cleaning than the extractor blade, I didn’t find this to be too much of an issue.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System controls

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

Given the sheer number of functions this machine serves, its slighter larger footprint feels like a worthy trade. If you cook from scratch or make fancy drinks at home regularly enough, you can probably justify keeping the motor base on your kitchen counter between uses. When you go to store the Triple Prep System away in your kitchen cupboards, you’ll probably find its wealth of accessories and attachments more of a curse than a blessing.

Certain parts of the system (like the shred/slice disc) slot together or into each other so it does seem like there was some effort made to save space. However, it still is a system that requires some generous-sized kitchen cupboards.

  • Design: 4.5/5

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: performance

  • Consistently great results with smoothies and soups
  • Does a great job crushing ice
  • Struggles with very small batches

Blenders are Nutribullet’s bread and butter – particularly ones for making smoothies. With that in mind, it made a lot of sense to start my testing there.

The smoothie recipe that’s used during TechRadar’s testing processes is a doozy in a couple of respects. It includes blueberries, which have skin and tiny seeds for the blender’s blades to try to contend with. But it also contains kale: the fibrous leafy vegetable that’s the enemy of many at-home smoothie lovers. While kale is great for sneaking nutrients in your drinks, it can be really difficult to completely break down if your blender isn’t up to the task – and plenty of blenders aren’t.

Thanks to the Triple Prep System’s 1,500W motor and the guidance of its smoothie preset, I managed to blitz up a thick, tasty smoothie with virtually no off-putting ‘bits’. Any grittiness from the berries’ seeds disappeared entirely and no chunks of leaf remained.

Roughly the same was true when I tried to replicate the smoothie in one of the travel cups. Upon very, very careful inspection, there were minuscule flecks of unprocessed kale floating in the smoothie but these were few and far between, and weren’t large enough to detect in the mouth when drunk.

Crushing the ice in the travel cup gleaned far less than ideal results so I opted to try it in the pitcher instead. Don’t get me wrong, I was reasonably satisfied with what the travel cup produced: well-crushed ice with some little chunks that escaped the wrath of the extractor blade. However, I wanted to see if the added surface of the pitcher would produce a better end result.

Ice blended using Nutribullet Triple Prep System

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

Sure enough, without much fuss, the pitcher’s blades managed to pulverize the cubes into fine, icy grounds that were just perfect for a snow cone or daiquiri. The Triple Prep System’s volume output hit a peak of 96db during this part of the test (roughly equivalent to some power tools). While this level of noise is certainly not pleasant to be exposed to for too long, it is a good bit higher than the blender’s average which was closer to 87db.

As testing continued, the Triple Prep System continued to impress. After mixing up a hummus recipe in the food processor’s work bowl on the ‘dip’ preset and scraping the sides, I was treated to a creamy dip with zero unincorporated segments of chickpeas. Thicker blends sticking under the blades and on the edge of the container was a notable problem with the Nutribullet SmartSense that I found added extra time to making this simple, delicious recipe. Thankfully, the Triple Prep System avoids the same mistake.

Next, I put its shred/slice disc to work on a block of cheese and found that it provided a result that was really consistent. However, the slight inconvenience of chopping the cheese small enough to fit through the narrow gap in the food processor’s lid might make this a less attractive option in the future.

The only real disappointment I experienced during testing was how the Triple Prep System performed making mayonnaise. The pitcher was obviously too large to properly blend a batch, so I opted to use the food processor work bowl instead. The issue is that – even when I doubled the usual recipe – the container was still far too spacious.

Cheese grated using Nutribullet Triple Prep System

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

An alternative mayonnaise recipe written specifically for a Nutribullet suggested using a 18oz cup, but the Triple Prep System not only doesn’t include a container that small but doesn’t have any more compact attachments that would allow you to gradually drip oil into the emulsion as it’s blending. So, unless you’re anticipating mixing up an industrial-sized tub of mayo, it’s worth doing this recipe by hand or with an immersion blender.

  • Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Nutribullet Triple Prep System?

Nutribullet Triple Prep System score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

It’s far from the lowest-cost option when it comes to blenders. But given the breadth of tasks it can be used for, it’s very good value.

4/5

Design

Takes up more space than many blending solutions but attachments nest for storage. Build quality is very strong.

4.5/5

Performance

Excels in almost every test. Great for smoothies, hummus, and crushing ice. Struggles with small batches.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You want a complete food prep system

If you're in the market for a personal blender, jug blender, and food processor all in one, the Nutribullet Triple Prep System has you covered.

You’d like a blender with dishwasher-safe parts

Once you’re done blitzing up something tasty, you can just pop your pitcher, processor, or cup into the dishwasher. There’s no need to hang over the sink and wash them by hand.

You struggle with chopping or dicing

If your knife skills are lacking or you just want to save yourself some time and effort in the kitchen, the Nutribullet Triple Prep System is more than suited to stepping in as your sous chef.

Don't buy it if

You just need a blender for drink prep

If you’re not much of a home chef and solely see yourself using your blender for mixing up smoothies and shakes, the Triple Prep System is seriously overkill.

You’re on a super tight budget

At over $200, there are definitely lower-cost blenders you can opt for instead.

Nutribullet Triple Prep System: also consider

If you’re on the look-out for options that are similar to the Nutribullet Triple Prep System, here’s some alternatives worth considering:

Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo

If you need a powerful base and multiple blender cup sizes but don’t care for having a food processor, this is a slightly cheaper and more pared back alternative from the same brand.

Read our full Nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo review

Breville the Fresh and Furious

If you’re a home cook but don’t see yourself batch blending too often, it probably makes more sense to opt for a jug blender that’s on the smaller side. While you don’t get travel cups with this blender, it has a variety of useful presets and is ideal for singletons or small families.

Read our full Breville the Fresh and Furious review

How I tested the Nutribullet Triple Prep System

Alongside my usual kitchen tasks, my testing involved using the Nutribullet Triple Prep System to make TechRadar’s standard test recipes.

Throughout this process, I assessed the effectiveness of both manual and preset blending. I used a decibel tracker to determine how loud the blender is during use and after each blend, I cleaned the blender attachments and accessories by hand.

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