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reMarkable 2 review: still the best e-paper note-taking device money can buy

4:00 pm | August 27, 2020

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Tablets | Tags: UK | Comments: Off

reMarkable 2: Two-minute review

It was launched back in March 2020, but the reMarkable 2 is still one heck of an e-paper tablet. So I’m not surprised that the company hasn’t bothered to release a third iteration of this popular device, instead improving on the second-gen model via firmware updates.

When we updated our original review from 2020 in August 2022, the reMarkable 2 was already a vastly improved tablet over the original model and had features that didn’t exist when the second generation launched – like Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive integration, a document drawer, screen sharing, and notes for PDFs and ebooks. In December 2022, reMarkable rolled out version 3.0 of its firmware which, since then, has made the second-generation tablet even more, well, remarkable – prompting us to update the review again.

At its heart, it’s still the same device we fell in love with – designed for creating and syncing your ideas to the cloud so you can access them no matter where you are. All the features that got added to it over the years makes it hands-down the best note-taking tablet money can buy. Some of the newer features I’m particularly fond of include the handwriting-to-text conversion software, the checkboxes on todo lists that strikethrough tasks automatically, and support for the Type Folio that was announced in March 2023. This last accessory, in fact, makes the reMarkable 2 a fantastic E Ink laptop, complete with keyboard shortcuts, although the lack of a browser on the tablet limits its use.

The eraser on top of the Marker Plus stylus is also now more precise, and I think it’s the best e-paper tablet for signing documents, with absolutely no input lag. This is also what makes the reMarkable 2 a great digital sketch pad.

It’s also the most good-looking 10-inch tablet I’ve tested, arguably the thinnest too. The silver-grey trim on one bezel of the metal chassis and the barely-there power button make it look really sleek and premium. I also appreciate the little pads to protect the rear panel. And the matte finish on the rear camoflages most of the fingerprint smudges.

Without a bookstore or access to other applications, that’s essentially all the reMarkable 2 is good for and in its single-minded note-taking functionality, it excels. However, it takes time and patience to discover all the useful features. reMarkable has guides and tutorials online and on the device and they don’t even begin to scratch the surface.

What really sets its back is the lack of frontlighting for the screen, which means you can’t use it to read before bed with the lights off – something I love to do and am disappointed that the reMarkable 2 won’t allow for it.

It’s also an expensive device, especially when you take into account the cost of the accessories, including the replacement pen nibs – putting it out of reach of many users.

reMarkable 2 with Marker Plus stylus — (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

reMarkable 2 review: price and availability

Announced March 2020
Launch price of $399 / £399 / AU$679 for the tablet + pen bundle
List price of $299 / AU$499 tablet only; sold as bundle for £379 in the UK

When the reMarkable 2 launched back in 2020, it was only available directly from the company as part of a bundle that also got you a Marker (as the stylus is called).

Now you can purchase the tablet on its own directly from the company in some markets – it’s $279 in the US and AU$469 in Australia. The pens will set you back $79 / AU$119 for the Marker and $129 / AU$199 for the Marker Plus, the latter featuring a matte finish and an eraser on the top.

For the UK, however, reMarkable is still listing bundles only, with the Marker bundle setting you back £379 and the Marker Plus bundle costing £419. In the US and Australia, the bundles cost upwards of $378 / AU$618, depending on which pen you choose. Add in a folio and that price increases.

The good news is that the reMarkable works with other capacitive styli, so you can buy just the tablet and find a cheaper pen for it but the Markers are part of what makes the writing experience the best there is.

At this price, the tablet will be a hard sell for some – it’s more expensive than the entry-level iPad, for instance, which offers vastly more functionality through its color screen, App Store access and full multimedia support. Given the Amazon Kindle Scribe and the Kobo Elipsa 2E feature not just note-taking, but also access to bookstores on a front-lit screen, they offer more value than the reMarkable 2 at their respective prices of $339 / £329 / AU$549 and $399.99 / £349.99 / AU$629.95. They have more onboard storage too.

But for artists and note-takers, the ReMarkable 2 is a unique and focused experience worth considering – it doesn’t do as much as Apple’s tablet by a long shot, but what it does do it does incredibly well.

• Value score: 3 / 5

reMarkable 2 with keyboard folio and Marker Plus stylus — (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

reMarkable 2 review: specs

reMarkable 2 review: design and display

Sleek, minimalist design
Only 4.7mm thickness
Screen lacks lights

There was a time when the reMarkable tablet would have been a novelty, one of the first note-taking e-paper tablets to make it to market. Not so any longer with competition from Amazon, Kobo and Onyx. Despite that, the design of the reMarkable 2 is still arguably the best, making it one of the most beautiful e-paper tablets on the market with a minimalist aesthetic.

Measuring 187 x 246 x 4.7 mm, it’s still the world’s thinnest tablet and tips the scales at 403.5g, which is 30g lighter than the Amazon Kindle Scribe, although a smidge heavier than the Kobo Elipsa 2E that weighs in at 390g. You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference in real-world use though, with the white bezels and the dark silver edge of its aluminum frame giving it an airier feel over its clunkier-looking Kobo counterpart. The Kindle Scribe also sports a metal chassis and yet looks a touch bland compared to the reMarkable 2, which really does exude some serious oomph in the looks department.

The move to an aluminum frame from plastic in the original reMarkable is particularly handy, as it lets the reMarkable 2 make use of magnetic accessories, such as snap-on covers, as well as the more recent keyboard folio.

The rear panel features four tiny, slightly-raised rubber feet that stop the tablet slipping when writing on a table. A small power button sits on the top-left edge, while a USB-C port mars the bottom left corner.

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A book cover displayed on the reMarkable 2 — (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

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Branding on the reMarkable 2 Marker Plus stylus — (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

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Connector pins on the reMarkable 2 to attach to the keyboard folio — (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

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reMarkable 2 rear panel with pads and branding — (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

The flush screen is a 10.3-inch modified monochrome E Ink Carta display that reMarkable calls Canvas. It’s been optimized specifically for stylus input. With a 226ppi resolution, it’s decently sharp, although it now looks a little lackluster alongside the Kindle Scribe’s 300ppi E Ink Carta 1200 display. Still, it’s easy on the eye, with just enough friction to make you believe you could be writing on paper.

Where the reMarkable tablet disappoints is in the lack of lighting for the screen – there are no LEDs here, so you can’t use this in the dark like you can other e-ink tablets.

A stylus called a Marker is included if you buy a bundle and it magnetically secures to the right edge or on the top of the right bezel. It’s very finely textured to provide some grip and the more expensive Marker Plus includes an eraser on the top. Both pens are of a comfortable thickness and length, and superbly weighted for longer writing sessions. However, like a real pen, their tips don’t last forever. Though each pack comes with 10 replacements, you’ll need to change them out after three to seven weeks of use according to reMarkable’s website, or longer if you aren't constantly writing – but it's an additional cost that could soon add up.

• Design & display score: 4 / 5

Kindle Scribe and reMarkable 2 e ink writing tablets — Without a front-lit screen the reMarkable 2 (left) appears lackluster compared to the Amazon Kindle Scribe (right) (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

reMarkable 2 review: Software and user interface

Minimalist UX
Useful tools available to enhance note taking
Handy smartphone and desktop software

The reMarkable 2 has a near-singular purpose – to make writing on a digital device enjoyable and it pulls that off in great fashion. And its user interface reflects that singular purpose.

The Linux-based Codex operating system kicks off with a quick tutorial that has you set up a reMarkable account for cloud document syncing, and walks you through some quick tips on how to use the tablet, and then you hit the home screen.

It’s here where a grid of your documents is shown, which can be organized into folders, as well as letting you start off new Notebooks (which auto-populates with as many pages as you need) or a Quick Sheet which lets you quickly start jotting away in an instant.

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reMarkable 2 — (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

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Notes sharing feature on the reMarkable 2 — (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

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reMarkable 2 home screen setup — (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

All pages can start either blank, or have one of 35 preset page templates applied to them, ranging from storyboards to perspective grids, week planners and simple lined, margined pages. You’re then able to scribble all over them, add layers and more, with multiple pen types and sizes ranging from charcoal-effect pencils to paint-brush strokes at your disposal. As you’d find with a computer drawing application, there are buttons to zoom in to fine details, make area selections and undo or redo stay line strokes. It’s a great, well-featured drawing experience.

Perhaps even more impressive though is the experience when you start writing. The reMarkable 2 supports and recognizes 33 languages, and can not only identify block letters, but cursive input too. This means that it can read and interpret your scratchy handwriting, and convert it into a text document that you can email for editing in a word processor later. It’s not perfect, and the clearer your handwriting and grammatical marks the better. It was able to recognize my handwriting well, and it can handle some spidery scrawls, but I think Kobo’s handwriting recognition is superior.

Annoyingly, however, the handwriting-to-text function is only supported on the tablet, meaning you’ll have to decipher your scribbles manually if you’re viewing them on the mobile or desktop interface.

These apps speedily sync with your tablet, and are available on iOS, Android, Mac and PC. Though they don’t support any handwriting entry themselves, they otherwise more or less mirror the tablet interface, with the addition of being able to import and export files to and from the tablet wirelessly.

A person writing notes on the reMarkable 2 — (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Anything you make using the reMarkable 2 can be shared over a Wi-Fi connection, with the tablet supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz standards. While you can email documents directly from the tablet, you’re likely going to find the reMarkable mobile and desktop software more useful.

There are a heck of a lot of features that need a little delving into. For example, there's a Checklist feature that automatically strikesthrough an item you've finished when you select it, but figuring out how that works is not immediately clear. That said, reMarkable does have handy guides you can use to get started comfortably.

However, the reMarkable 2, like its predecessor, remains at its weakest as an e-reader. Though there are no complaints about the legibility of the screen, its feature set (beyond the novelty of being able to mark up a book) is limited – there’s no ebook store, so titles will have to be sideloaded using the accompanying apps. There are no bookmarking features, no dictionary definitions, nor any quick ways to jump back and forth between particular pages aside from scrolling through them as a list. Yes, you can read a novel on the reMarkable 2, and its large screen size will make it comfortable to do so – just don’t expect the mod cons you’d get from, say, an Amazon Kindle or a Kobo.

With no book store to tap into, it’s the apps that let you send eBooks and documents to your device too. But you’re limited to just ePUB and PDF file types – anything else will need to be converted prior to sending, which is a pain considering the prevalence of .doc file types in the workplace.

The reMarkable does support a Chrome Extension however, which will let you easily convert and send articles to your device for reading – a welcome, efficient way of getting new content onto your device.

• Software & user interface score: 4 / 5

Checklists feature on the reMarkable 2 — The Checklist feature on the reMarkable 2 is handy but it's not immediately clear how it works (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

reMarkable 2 review: Performance

Near-instant pen input
Works very well with keyboard folio
Good battery life

The reMarkable 2 excels in helping you go completely paperless when it comes to note-taking, whether it’s using the Marker pens or the optional keyboard folio. It’s a speedy interface overall, with even complex PDF files opening and ready to browse quickly.

The Markers are pressure sensitive and can work on a 50º angle for shading for those who want to get creative. There’s just enough friction here to make you believe you’re writing or sketching on paper.

Strokes are accurately inputted to the finest detail, and the lag between your movements being relayed on the screen is nearly nonexistent. That’s thanks to the combination of the 1.2GHz dual-core ARM processor under the hood and the 1GB of LPDDR3 SDRAM (or system memory if you’re wondering what all those letters mean) – these may not seem like much but, for just reading and note-taking, that’s plenty.

Even the Marker Plus’ eraser works a treat, although I found the Kindle Scribe’s Pen and the Kobo Stylus 2 to be a teensy bit more precise, but that’s me nitpicking.

Notebook settings on the reMarkable 2 — (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

While writing on the reMarkable is a wonderful experience, reading isn’t as pleasurable. The roundabout way to sideload ebooks is the first thing that put me off using it as an ereader, but the lack of a light is my biggest complaint with this tablet. Moreover, there is no tap-to-turn page function on the reMarkable, you need to swipe, which isn’t the easiest of gestures if you’re trying to use the 10.3-inch tablet in one hand. There aren’t very many customization options for reading either, which really goes to show the reMarkable 2 was made specifically for writing.

8GB of internal storage is good for about 100,000 pages of notes, while USB-C charging of the 3,000mAh battery can give up to two weeks of usage between charges, based on two straight hours of use per day with Wi-Fi connection over a five-day working week.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the reMarkable 2?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

If our reMarkable 2 review hasn’t sold you on the product, then consider the two other options listed below. We’ve also included a table comparing their respectives specs and prices alongside the reMarkable 2.

How I tested the reMarkarble 2

Used over a period of about 6 weeks for approximately 30 minutes to an hour each day
Made all my work-related notes on its during the testing period
Also typed an article using the optional keyboard folio

Given the reMarkable 2 is more a writing tablet than an ereader, I used it extensively to jot down notes while at work and at home. It was where I listed article ideas and also typed out an entire one that discussed the sustainability of ebooks vs paperbacks.

I did also sideload some ebooks in the EPUB format via the desktop interface, but the lack of a front-lit screen prevented me from using the reMarkable 2 as a reading tablet. I did spend about 45 minutes over my entire testing period using it as such though.

To test all the writing features, I created tags to search and filter my notes and articles and emailed documents to myself. I also used it to sign a work-related PDF document that I was able to email back to my work account.

Amazon Echo Spot: design

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amazon Echo Spot: features and setup

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amazon Echo Spot: performance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amazon Echo Spot: final verdict

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

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

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

Still not sure whether you want a Spot or a Dot? Check out our guide to which Amazon Echo device is best for you?

Dyson V11 review: still a supremely capable vacuum cleaner

7:40 am | August 12, 2019

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances Vacuums | Tags: LCD, UK | Comments: Off

Dyson V11 vacuum cleaner: two-minute review

The Dyson V11 is a powerful cordless vacuum cleaner, offering up to 60 minutes of untethered cleaning time. There are three suction modes: a lower-powered Eco mode that gives the maximum cleaning time, a powerful and battery-sapping Boost mode for when you need a bit of extra oomph, and an Auto mode that detects what kind of floor you're on and adjusts suction accordingly.

On test, I found that even in Eco mode the V11 packed a good amount of power, clearing small and large-sized debris, and pet hair, with ease. I also found Auto mode worked reliably and effectively when moving between carpet and hard floors. The LCD screen – a new addition here, but ubiquitous from this model onwards – is useful for letting you know how much juice you have left, and alerting you of blockages.

The V11 comes with Dyson's usual range of versatile and well-designed cleaning attachments for various cleaning tasks – although exactly which ones will depend on which model you go for and where you live.

Dyson is widely considered to be one of the very best cordless vacuum brands around (and one of the best vacuum brands in general), and even though it's not the most recent model, the V11 is still well worth your consideration. This is the successor to 2018's V10 (read TechRadar's Dyson Cyclone V10 review), and at time of update, several newer and higher-spec options have been released – head to our Dyson Gen5Detect review for more on the latest model.

There are a few iterations of this model – at time of update, a V11 Extra and a V11 Advanced. The base model is the same; the difference is the selection of included tools. There were more when it was initially released, and not all configurations are available in every country.

The fact that you're not getting the very latest features is reflected in the price. Most versions were originally in the premium price bracket, but have been discounted into the mid-range, making it a good pick if you're looking for that Dyson engineering on a smaller budget.

Dyson V11 review: price & availability

US / AU: Dyson V11, list price $569.99 / AU$1200
UK: Dyson V11 Advanced, list price £429.99 (reduced to £359.99)
Other versions available with different tools

Dyson has released different packages in the US, UK, and Australia. While there were more options at time of first launch, at time of updating this review (June 2024), the standard Dyson V11 is part of the current lineup in the US and Australia, with a list price of $569.99 (discounted to $469.99) / AU$1,199 (confusingly, in Australia there's the V11 Advanced, also at AU$1,199, which seems to be identical including the tools included).

In the UK there's only one version available: the V11 Advanced, for a list price of £429.99 (discounted to £359.99). The tools included are not the same as you'll find with the Australian V11 Advanced. Finally, in the US there's a V11 Extra, which has a list price of $599.99 adds a load of extra tools, compared to the base model.

Note, here I'm talking about what's available to buy direct from Dyson at time of updating this review – there may be other versions available via third party retailers. Simple!

What does all that mean in terms of value for money? Well, most versions were originally in the premium price bracket, but have been discounted into the mid-range. It's not the cheapest cordless vac in the current Dyson lineup (head to our Dyson V8 review to find out more about the model that takes that spot), but it's also far from the priciest – the Gen5Detect is $950 / £750.

Although brands like Shark are looming increasingly large in the vacuum cleaner space, Dyson is still widely considered to be leading the way in terms of innovation. You're paying for that meticulous engineering (and yes, a little bit for the Dyson name). It's probably worth keeping an eye out for a Dyson deal around major shopping events like the Black Friday sales if you're hoping to score a discount.

Dyson V11 vacuum cleaner — (Image credit: Future)

Dyson V11 review: design

Sleek and effective design, engineered to maximize suction
LCD display shows battery life, mode and any issues
3 power settings: Eco, Auto/Medium, Boost

The Dyson V11 looks very similar to most of its V-something siblings, with a sleek design that isn't an eyesore if you forget to stow it away in the cupboard. Because it's symmetrical, it's as easy to use left-handed as it is right-handed.

The mechanism is lined up so the air is drawn into the 14 internal cyclones in a straight line, to maximize suction. For this model, Dyson also re-engineered the motor to reduce turbulence, increase the overall airflow efficiency, and cut down on noise. It promises 20 per cent more suction power than the V10 and works in conjunction with the 80W High Torque cleaning head to collect significantly more debris.

The Dyson V11 has three different suction modes: Auto mode, Boost mode and Eco mode. Eco mode is best for long cleaning sessions. It's the lowest in power (although still packs a decent punch). At the other end of the spectrum is the ultra-powerful Boost mode, which is perfect for particularly stuck debris.

However, Auto mode is what you’ll use most often, according to Dyson’s user statistics. The V11 has sensors on the main cleaner head that measure brush resistance as an indicator of whether you're on carpet or hard floor. In Auto mode, it responds by raising or lowering suction accordingly. When I tested the Dyson V11, I tried alternating between a carpet and a wooden floor, and I could feel (and hear) the an instant shift in suction power as I moved between the two.

(Newer Dyson vacuums take this a step further by also monitoring how dirty your floor is and bumping up or lowering suction more precisely as required, but that's not included here.)

Perhaps the biggest change to the design of the V11 in comparison with its predecessor is the inclusion of an LCD display. This shows the current mode of the vacuum, the estimated remaining battery life and any other warnings or alerts that might be relevant. For example, this screen displays a warning if there’s a blockage, and even shows you how to clear it, which is especially handy.

The High Torque cleaner head features a mixture of stiff nylon bristles, designed to drive out ground-in dirt from carpets, and soft anti-static carbon fiber filaments, which work to collect dust from hard floors. There's also a manual adjustment on the head that allows you to open and close valves to suit the depth and type of carpet surface in your home.

It comes with an array of attachments. Exactly which ones will depend on the version you go for and where you live, but roughly expect a Motorbar Cleaner Head, Hair Screw Tool, Crevice Tool and Combination Tool (but double check when you buy). These can be attached directly to the motor unit for use in handheld mode, or to the end of a wand for further reach. Where it improves on the V10's design is that here, the accessories can be clipped onto the vacuum itself – a useful touch for anyone who's found they need another head when on the far side of the house.

There's a 0.2 gallon (0.75 litre) bin capacity, with a pump-action sliding mechanism that projects the bin out away from the cyclonic cylinder to enable you to dispose of its contents quickly and easily.

The V11 also includes a fully sealed filtration system, designed to capture even the tiniest of bacteria. It's designed to minimize the amount of allergy-triggering dirt, dust and pollen particles getting stirred up and released into the air. Anyone with allergies will also appreciate the added collection provided by an easily cleanable filter.

Dyson V11 specs

Dyson V11 review: performance

At 6.68lb (3kg), the V11 is lighter than most corded vacuums (although a little heavier than the V10), but it does carry a lot of weight in its handle. I found the High Torque and Soft Roller heads counterbalanced most of this weight when used with the extension barrel on the ground, but that it became quite an arm workout when I wanted to use a non-motorized attachment. However, a fellow tester found that it felt light and easy to use in any mode.

The V11 moves around easily on both carpets and hard floors, whether you're using the High Torque cleaner head or the soft roller cleaner head, and the articulated design of the heads makes it easy to get under furniture (Shark has since taken things a step further on this front – today's best Shark vacuum cleaners have a hinge to its vacuum wands, so they can bend to 90-degrees from the motor unit).

I started by seeing how the V11 tackled an oat spillage. I used the soft roller cleaner head, which is designed for hard floors, with soft bristles and a velvet-like material covering the roller, on the Auto/Medium power setting. Just one slow pass picked up 100 per cent of the oats, and the V11 repeated the feat on the Eco setting.

I also tried it on talcum power and carpet freshener on carpet, using the High Torque cleaner head on the Auto/Medium setting. Again, one slow forward and back pass cleared the whole spillage.

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Pet hair was the next test, and again the V11 performed impeccably, cleaning the hair from the rug with little effort. The results were equally evident from looking at the amount of hair collected in the bin.

Switching out the High Torque head and wand for the mini motorized tool, I tackled the sofas. While this configuration looks a little ungainly with the tool connected directly to the cylinder, it feels well balanced and light at just over 2kg, and again it picked up the pet hairs with ease.

The V11 Absolute also makes light work of the normally onerous task of cleaning stairs, thanks to the mini motorized tool, which can get right into the corners with no trouble.

During my tests, I occasionally found that the sticks and hair collected by the V11 would need to be dislodged from the airways and the spinning head later. Fortunately the V11's components are still easy to detach and clean when you need to, and a new motor sensor will now alert you to any blockages that may be reducing suction power (a surprisingly common support request).

In terms of emptying the regular bin, though, it was as easy as it initially appears. All the dirt and debris came out without any need to poke around and get my fingers dirty.

Dyson V11 review: battery

Officially, the Dyson V11 will last 60 minutes in Eco mode (with non-motorized tools attached), and just 12 minutes in Boost. In Auto/Med, the battery life will depend on how much suction is required (in this mode, it'll power up when on carpet) – I found it delivered just under 41 minutes with the soft roller cleaner head.

I found there was more than enough power to tackle a lightly soiled four bedroom house from top to bottom, crevices and all, but I would need to factor in a re-charge time if I wanted to embark on an intensive multi-hour spring cleaning sprees. Because the remaining battery life is clearly displayed on the LCD screen in terms of time, it's easy to see how much juice the vacuum has left, and adjust modes accordingly.

Cleverly, the remaining runtime will adjust depending on which attachment is connected – so it knows if it has a battery-sapping motorized tool attached, and this is reflected on the screen.

Should you buy a Dyson V11?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: 2019

Kobo Clara HD review

11:00 am | July 27, 2018

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: Australia, Kindle Paperwhite, UK, US | Comments: Off

[Update February 7, 2023: The Kobo Clara HD is no longer available in the US and has had a small price rise in both the UK and Australia, now priced at £119.99 / AU$189.95.]

Competing against the Amazon Kindle brand is a difficult task, but Kobo is attempting to do so with its new Kobo Clara HD, which has a similar specs list and price to the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite.

If you want an alternative to the big A’s biggest selling ereader, the Kobo Clara HD is here to offer you all of the same features but with a slightly different design and reading experience.

Below we'll talk you through everything we like and loathe about the Kobo Clara HD, plus everything you need to know about it.

Kobo Clara HD price and release date

The Kobo Clara HD price is £119.99 / AU$189.95
On sale in the UK and Australia
Currently unavailable in the US

The Kobo Clara HD's price has recently increased by £10 / AU$10 and is now £119.99 / AU$189.95, though the device is no longer available in the US. This aligns with the price of the 2018 Kindle Paperwhite, which comes in at £119.99 / $129.99 / AU$199.

While you can still pick up the Kobo Clara HD in both the UK and Australia, it's predecessor, the Kobo Clara 2E was released in September 2022 and is available for $139.99 / £129.99 / AU$229.95 in those two regions and as well as the US.

You can get it now in the UK and Australia from a variety of retailers including Kobo's manufacturer, which is called Rakuten. You can also buy it in the UK from a variety of other retailers including John Lewis and WHSmith.

Design

Lighter than the Kindle Paperwhite
Strange looking rear that won't appeal to everyone

Comfort is one of the most important elements of an ereader, especially when you'll likely be reading books for long periods.

So you’ll be glad to know the Kobo Clara HD is comfortable to hold for long periods of time without it becoming too heavy in the hand.

At 166g this is a similar weight to the standard Kindle model, and quite a bit lighter than the Kindle Paperwhite. That's pretty much ideal.

We found it was easy to hold for long periods of reading, but also wouldn’t blow away in the slightest gust of wind. The size of the device also means it's easy to hold in one hand.

There’s still room for a 6-inch screen though, which is the most common size on ereaders at the moment. All of Amazon’s range sports a 6-inch display, but if you want something a little larger there’s always the Kobo Aura One, which comes with a 7.8-inch display instead.

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Despite the 6-inch screen, this is still a very compact device with dimensions of 157 x 111 x 8.3mm. It managed to fit in the back pocket of men's jeans, and it's easy to slot this into your bag ready for your commute.

Basically, it's a lot easier to pick up, carry and read the Kobo Clara HD than it is most of George R R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series in paperback.

It’s made of plastic, so doesn’t feel as premium as the latest version of the Kindle Oasis, but it’s easy to grip, with the rear of the device having an odd effect that helps your fingertips hold on.

We don’t fully know how to explain it, but there are lots of little dots that looks similar to the pointillism style of artwork. It sort of feels perforated, but it's made of solid plastic rather than a pliable material that feels soft to the touch.

It may be comfortable to hold, but the effect on the back doesn’t look great compared to many other ereaders - including Kobo’s own range - so don’t expect this to be the best looking device on the market from the rear. It's also not waterproof - for that, consider the Kobo Aura H2O.

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On the front there’s the Kobo logo emblazoned just below the screen. There are then thick bezels around the edges of the ereader, and these don’t sit flush to the screen like on the Kindle Oasis.

The bezels are quite raised away from the screen, which doesn't look great. Those bezels give you lots of room to rest your fingers though.

You won’t find yourself tapping on any buttons around the edges while you're reading, as there’s only a power button on the bottom of the device that sits next to a micro USB charging port.

Display

There's a 6-inch Carta E Ink display that's 300 pixels per inch
Easy to read in bright sunlight and has customizable brightness too

On the front of the Kobo Clara HD there's a 6-inch Carta E Ink touchscreen display that is great for reading books, as it comes with the standard 300 pixels per inch, which we’ve seen on lots of other devices including the Kindle Paperwhite.

The screen is the perfect resolution for ebooks and even suits if you plan to read graphic novels on the display, but note this will only show them in black and white.

If you want to read comics in color, you'll have to opt for a reading app on a tablet.

The Kobo Clara HD has the perfect size display though, and you're easily able to navigate the books you're reading as well as having enough room to read at the same time. For example, you can hang your finger over part of the display ready to change page without having to stop reading and slowing down the action.

You can easily change the brightness on the display to make it easier to read in bright sunlight, or you can leave it on the auto-brightness mode, which we found worked well.

Kobo's own ComfortLight PRO technology will also change the color temperature and hue of the display depending on what time of day it is.

You can set your bedtime within the brightness section on the ereader and it will then switch to a more natural lighting that's easier on your eyes before you go to sleep. It turns down the blue light in the screen and brings forth the warmer, redder colors which are proven to help your brain switch off at night.

We had it set to come on at 10pm and it would immediately switch to a redder tint that's easier on the eye. You can also turn this on manually if you want, and there's a slider, so unlike some other products you can decide how much you want it to do.

Battery life

Should last for weeks without charging
You can recharge with micro USB at the bottom of the device

Ereaders generally have great battery life, lasting for around a month or so, and we’d expect a similar amount of time from the Kobo Clara HD.

We’ve used the ereader for a week now and found it dropped in battery by around 26%. With around an hour or so of reading a day you'll likely find this ereader to last roughly three weeks to a month, depending on how bright you have the display and whether it's connected to Wi-Fi.

Kobo has yet to provide an official estimate of how long the Kobo Clara HD will last from a single charge though. If you want to charge up the ereader, you’ll plug it in using the micro USB port at the bottom of it.

We found this will take a few hours to charge, but you won't have to do this that often so it's not much of an issue.

Software and Kobo Store

Comes running Kobo's own software that's easy to set up and use
Kobo Store is more limited than competitors, but still extensive

The Kobo Clara HD comes with the company's own software on board, and it's easy to get your head around and set up.

Once you've got the Kobo Clara HD set up, you can find all of the menus you'll need by tapping on the three horizontal lines in the top left corner of the display.

Here you'll be able to find shortcuts to your books, your saved articles, the Kobo Store (so you can buy books) and much more. You'll also find the Settings in here, where you'll be able to set up Wi-Fi on your ereader.

The Clara HD will automatically sync with your Kobo account, so if you've used an ereader from the company or bought books on Kobo before you'll get them all automatically connected to your account.

You can then just tap on them to download. Scrolling through books is just an easy tap on the left or right of the display as there are no buttons here to help you navigate through the menus.

When you're in the book, you can tap at the top of the display to view different elements of it. The percentage read appears in the top left, while the bottom right is where you can change the size of the font or skip to different chapters.

The software on the Kobo Clara HD is accomplished and is perfect for what it sets out to do. It's simple and easy to use, so you shouldn't have many issues with reading on the Clara HD.

The easiest way to read books on your Clara HD is buying them directly from the Kobo Store, but there are a few other routes you can use to get titles. You can upload EPUB files by connecting the ereader to your computer, and some libraries also allow you to borrow ebooks too.

Different libraries have different methods of supplying ebooks, so it's best to speak to your library about how to upload titles to the ereader.

It's worth noting the easiest way to read on your Kobo Clara HD is through the official Kobo store. You can buy and download them on the official website, connect them to your account and then access them from the ereader, or you can buy them directly on the device.

The Kobo Store is certainly more limited than the Amazon Kindle store. Kobo has over 5 million books on offer though, so you should be able to find the top-selling titles you'll want for the Clara HD, but more specialist titles may be missing here.

We tried to find ten popular books that people in the TechRadar office had read or planned to read and found that 9 out of 10 were available on Kobo's store. If you have particular favorite genres or authors, we recommend taking a look to see if they are on the Kobo store before buying this.

One thing worth pointing out is that the Kobo Clara HD comes with 8GB of storage. The Kindle Paperwhite only has 4GB, while if you want more than 8GB you'll have to opt for the 32GB and much more expensive Kindle Oasis.

That means there's lots of space on the Clara HD for ebooks, and Kobo expects there to be enough space for around 6,000 titles. It's unlikely you'll have that many, but it's good to know you've got enough space for as many as you want.

There's no 3.5mm headphone jack or Bluetooth audio on the Kobo Clara HD, which means you won't be able to listen to audiobooks on the ereader.

Considering this is a feature introduced on the Kindle Oasis and standard Kindle, and that Kobo launched its own audiobook service in 2017, we were hoping this device would be capable of playing titles. It can't though, so you'll have to opt for your phone and the Kobo app if you prefer the spoken word.

Verdict

There isn't much development in the ereader space at the moment, but that doesn't mean it's not a great time to upgrade your ereader if you bought one a few years ago. It's also a great time to get one if you've never owned one.

The top-end of the ereader market is where the more interesting developments are happening right now. That said, if you're just planning to read the odd book for an hour a day on your commute or you want a device you can load up with titles to be entertained by on your holiday and don't want lots of fancy features, the £110 / $130 devices on the market will suit your needs.

It's hard to compete against the behemoth that is Amazon in this space, but Kobo has done it here, offering a remarkably similar product for a similar price.

Who's this for?

This is for anyone who wants an ereader but doesn't need any top-end features such as a premium-feel metal design or audiobook integration. If you're looking for a mid-price device, it would be hard to go wrong with the Kobo Clara HD.

It features a great-looking 6-inch display that has the useful ComfortLight PRO features, an easy to hold design that's comfortable in the hand and tons of storage too.

The fact the Clara HD doubles the Kindle Paperwhite storage will be great for some as well, but it's very unlikely the average reader will have 6,000 ebooks to fill this up.

The software from Kobo is easy to use too, so this is perfect for anyone just starting out with an ereader who wants to get into reading ebooks instead of paper ones.

Should you buy it?

The Kobo Clara HD has a remarkably similar specs and feature list to the latest Amazon Kindle Paperwhite model, so your decision comes down to which design you prefer and which book store suits you better.

You do have twice the storage here, so if that's important for you go for the Kobo over the Kindle.

We do recommend inspecting both book stores though to ensure the sort of titles you'll want to read are covered by the option you go for.

If you're happy with both, it's then time to look at the design, see which one you prefer and make your decision that way.

First reviewed: May 2018

Hands-on review: MWC 2013: LG Optimus F7

3:01 am | February 26, 2013

Author: admin | Category: Cameras | Tags: Jelly Bean, LG, MWC, UK | Comments: None

Hands-on review: MWC 2013: LG Optimus F7

Possibly the worst-kept secret in midrange mediocrity, the 4G LG Optimus F7 was officially announced by LG last week. It’s a midrange handset that com[……]

Review: Updated: Sony Xperia Z

3:07 am | February 23, 2013

Author: admin | Category: Gadgets | Tags: Daily Mail, FM, UK, Wi Fi | Comments: None

Review: Updated: Sony Xperia Z

Introduction and design

With a cutting-edge camera, a super-slim design and the ability to withstand life’s knocks and bumps (and Android Jelly Bean to[……]

Hands-on review: In Depth: Agora 5.0" Dual-core Smartphone

3:00 am | February 21, 2013

Author: admin | Category: Cameras | Tags: AU, SIM, UK, US | Comments: None

Hands-on review: In Depth: Agora 5.0

You have to hand it to Kogan. You can criticise this part, or that part, of the company’s self-branded products (and we will in the full review, no do[……]

Hands-on review: Dyson Airblade Tap

3:00 am | February 6, 2013

Author: admin | Category: Cameras | Tags: Airblade Tap, Dyson Airblade Tap, UK | Comments: None

Hands-on review: Dyson Airblade Tap

If there’s one thing you should know about TechRadar, it’s that we don’t make a habit of covering industrial tap fittings.

But Dyson’s new device is s[……]

Review: Kobo eReader Touch

6:41 pm | April 21, 2012

Author: admin | Category: Gadgets | Tags: Amazon Kindle, Amazon Kindles, Kindle Touch, UK | Comments: None

Review: Kobo eReader Touch

Overview

For a while it was looking as if Amazon had the UK ebook market to itself: while rival booksellers offered a range of ebook readers from the l[……]

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