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SimpliSafe SimpliCam review: The perfect indoor security camera for beginners
4:08 pm | February 13, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

One-minute review

Originally founded in the US in 2006, SimpliSafe sells a range of home security products that are designed to be easy to install and easy to use. These include indoor and outdoor cameras, video doorbells and smart locks that are all available to buy online. The SimpliSafe SimpliCam indoor security camera is just one of the intuitive products in its growing lineup. 

SimpliSafe offers homeowners a professional monitoring home security service alongside its systems, "with no long-term contracts and at affordable prices".  Relatively new in the UK, the company has recently undergone a brand refresh, so I was keen to try out one of its latest products in my own home. 

I tried out the SimpliCam indoor camera, to see how well it performed and how precisely it alerted me to any potential intruder or disturbance. I wanted to see how easy it was to use and install, and whether it could offer peace of mind when I was away from home. I’m not overly keen on the idea of having an indoor security camera in my home, but I did want to see whether the SimpliCam was as straightforward to use as other indoor cameras that I've tried in the past, such as the Ring Indoor Cam and Y-Cam. 

Keep scrolling to find out how the SimpliSafe SimpliCam got on in our home then, head to our best home security cameras guide for more comparisons. 

SimpliCam SimpliSafe review price & availability

  • List price: $99/£69 
  • Available in US & UK

It isn't the cheapest indoor security camera you can buy online, but the SimpliSafe SimpliCam is reasonably priced for a stylishly designed indoor camera with smart functionality. It's sold both in the US and UK. 

You'll need to sign up to a SimpliSafe plan to make full use of the recording functionality and for enhanced monitoring – although you can opt in or opt out at any time. Terms and conditions and prices for these plans vary in the US and UK, depending on which plan you choose. This is because emergency responses work differently in both countries. 

When installing the camera in the US, you should expect to pay $9.99 per month for instant access for up to three days of recording and storage, with you able to add up to five cameras to the plan. A standard plan costs around $17.99 per month, which provides help from professional monitoring agents. The highest plan with 24/7 monitoring and police dispatch costs around $27.99 per month. 

If installing this camera in the UK, you can expect to pay around £4.99 per month for a standard recording plan that includes unlimited recording, 30 days of storage and up to 10 cameras. A more comprehensive professional monitoring plan with camera recording, guard response and police response costs £24.99 per month. 

  • Price: 4.5/5

The specs of our SimpliSafe SimpliCam review unit

  • Price: $99 / £69 
  • Subscription plan required: Yes 
  • WiFi set up: Yes
  • Viewing range: 120-degree field of vision
  • Live HD video and audio alerts: Yes 
  • Optional recording plan: From £4.99 per m / $9.99 per m 

These specs are the same for US and UK SimpliSafe SimpliCam models.

SimpliSafe SimpliCam

(Image credit: Future | Emily Peck)

SimpliCam SimpliSafe review design

  • Internal microphone
  • Privacy shutter
  • High-power infrared LED cut filter

In terms of aesthetics, the SimpliSafe comes neatly presented and simply styled in a navy and orange box. Inside the box you'll find the camera, cord and set of basic instructions. Finished in black, the camera is minimally styled, and the base on which you can stand it up comes attached as part of the design. 

I’ve owned indoor cameras in a white finish, but I believe this black design is more discreetly hidden in a room; although the blue light that indicates the unit is powered on is quite bright. The camera arrives with a stand; there aren’t any screws in the box for mounting the camera onto the wall, but this is something that could no doubt be easily done with your own tools, should you wish. 

Setting up the camera was straightforward. I simply removed the cap protecting the tip of the micro-USB cord, and slid it through the stand. You'll have to use your own plug to set it up since one isn't included in the box. 

The camera was already attached to its base, so I just needed to find a decent position with flat surface for it to stand – with a plug nearby. The fact that it isn’t wireless does limit where you can position the camera, although on the plus side you won’t have to fiddle around recharging it when it runs out of power. I ended up lacing it on a sideboard, opposite the back door. 

I moved it around the house a bit, trying it on a bookcase and on top of the mantlepiece, too, which all seemed to work well in terms of stability and getting a good view of the rooms in my home.

  • Design: 4.5/5

SimpliSafe SimpliCam

(Image credit: SimpliSafe SimpliCam)

SimpliSafe SimpliCam review performance

  • Live feed and recording of video and audio
  • Wi-Fi Connection (2.4GHz)
  • Two-way talk and night vision

The camera doesn’t have an "on" switch, so I received an alert that said, ‘Your camera is ready for set up. You’ll find all the instructions to get you started in the Simplisafe App’, as soon as I plugged it in.

Once I'd downloaded the SimpliSafe app on my iPhone (it's both Android and iPhone compatible), I had to connect to my home Wi-Fi, get the camera to scan a QR code on my phone, and sign up with my email address to create an account. After going through the password verifying process, I could set up fingerprint and face recognition to quickly and securely log in.

There’s a choice of security plans you’ll need to sign up for to make use of unlimited recording and video storage (outlined above). I chose the entry-level plan that offers unlimited recording and 30 days of storage. Up to 10 cameras can be added to this plan, which would work well if you wanted to use it as part of a whole home security system. For those wanting to make use of voice assistants such as Alexa, you’ll need to sign up to the Pro Premium professional monitoring plan.

Within the app, you can instantly access live HD video footage from your camera, whether you’re home or away. The camera won’t follow an intruder around the room, so you're somewhat limited when it comes to being able to view the entire room. However, it does give you a 120-degree diagonal field of view, which I think works well to showcase half the room – or, for instance, if you've targeted an area such as a back door to keep a watch on. 

With motion detection, the camera will pick up any movement or noise in the room and send an alert to your smart device. It comes with built-in motion detection algorithms that are calibrated to detect the unique heat signature of humans, so you won't receive unnecessary alerts – should a book fall off the shelf or a pen drops onto the floor, for example. 

Setting up the SimpliSafe camera

Setting up the camera was relatively easy and it also sent me alerts when it had trouble connecting (Image credit: Future | Photo by Emily Peck )

After adjusting it to focus on the back door, I could start to monitor any comings and goings. I used it over a month-long period to capture any action. When the camera detects motion or audio, it will send an alert to your smart device and also start recording a short clip that you can then view in a timeline on the app. These can be downloaded or shared, if desired, too.

Once set up, alerts came through to my phone when anyone walked passed the camera or entered the room. A useful feature in the app is the privacy shutter, which allows you to open and close the camera shutter remotely. This meant I could turn it off when we were at home, avoiding alerts pinging to me every time someone walked past. The only downside of using this button is that you'll need to remember to turn it back on afterwards. The app also pushed out alerts when my internet connection was poor, so I could adjust it accordingly. 

I tested the effectiveness of the alerts when I was out of the house, too. I asked a family member to walk past the camera and I timed how long it took for me to receive an alert on my phone. Of course, you need a good phone signal to receive an alert, but I was suitably impressed at how quickly the alert came through. I could then go into the app and view the video recording and access live footage. I could also press the record button to start live recording myself. 

In terms of picture quality, the HD footage is clear enough to see what’s going on. As mentioned, there is a button to record live footage, but I'd also have welcomed a button to capture stills. If I wanted to capture a picture or the room, I had to manually screen-grab a shot instead.   

SimpliSafe SimpliCam footage

I set up the SimpliSafe SimpliCam to record footage of the back door (as pictured here) (Image credit: Future | Photo by Emily Peck )

The app is basic in design and it’s easy to press watch live to view real-time footage. However, I did take some time to work out what the control icons in the app do. The clock icon took me to a timeline of previously recorded motion footage, for example. Videos captured at night when light levels were low are shot in black and white. Although relatively clear, they obviously aren't as clear as the shots captured in daylight. 

I could use the mute button to switch the sound coming from the live feed off or on. Above that is the microphone control for two-way talk – this meant I could simply press it to make use of the camera’s built-in microphone to speak to anyone on the other end, shout at an intruder, or say a reassuring hi to the dog.

  • Performance: 4.5/5

Should you buy the SimpliSafe SimpliCam home security camera?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

SimpliSafe SimpliCam review: also consider

If you want a indoor security camera but want to shop around before you buy, here are a couple more options to consider...

How I tested the SimpliSafe SimpliCam home security camera

  • I used the SimpliSafe SimpliCam in my home for one month
  • I used it at all times of the day to see how well it performed 

I set up the SimpliCam indoor home security camera in my UK home and trialled it over the course of a month. I placed it in different areas of the room – up high and low – to see how clearly it could capture different areas.

I also monitored how speedily and successfully it sent alerts to my smartphone when it detected human motion both day and night, when I was out of the house (over 4G) and also when at home (over the Wi-Fi).  

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2023

CR: iPhone 14 Pro Max BoM is $464, nearly 4% more than 13 Pro Max
3:35 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

The latest report from Counterpoint Research estimates the blended bill of materials (BoM) on the baseline 128GB iPhone 14 Pro Max at $464 average. The figure is a mere 3.7% more than the BoM of the iPhone 13 Pro Max with the new Apple-designed chipset, AOD display, and 48MP main camera marked as the main drivers of cost. The mmWave model meant for the US market is estimated to cost $474 while the sub-6Ghz version sold in other markets is estimated to cost $454. For reference, the US MSRP of the 128GB iPhone 14 Pro Max is $1,099. iPhone 14 Pro Max BoM share comapred to 13 Pro...

MediaTek Helio G36 announced – G37 with 100MHz lower CPU clock
2:21 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

The latest entry-level chipset from MediaTek is here with the Helio G36. For most intents and purposes it’s a rebranded Helio G37 with a 100Mhz clock reduction on its Cortex-A53 cores which now operate at 2.2GHz instead of 2.3GHz. The rest of the provided specs show no difference between the old chip and the newly released one. The MediaTek Helio G36 is expected to debut on a budget gaming phone set to launch in India soon. Last year’s Helio G37 debuted on the Moto G22 but there’s no indication which maker will debut the newer Helio G36. Source

MediaTek Helio G36 announced – G37 with 100MHz lower CPU clock
2:21 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

The latest entry-level chipset from MediaTek is here with the Helio G36. For most intents and purposes it’s a rebranded Helio G37 with a 100Mhz clock reduction on its Cortex-A53 cores which now operate at 2.2GHz instead of 2.3GHz. The rest of the provided specs show no difference between the old chip and the newly released one. The MediaTek Helio G36 is expected to debut on a budget gaming phone set to launch in India soon. Last year’s Helio G37 debuted on the Moto G22 but there’s no indication which maker will debut the newer Helio G36. Source

Oppo Watch Free review: A cheap smartwatch with a great 14-day battery life
2:06 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

Oppo is well-known for its smartphones which are usually on the cheaper end, and the Oppo Watch free follows suit. It positions itself as one of the best cheap fitness trackers a cost-effective alternative to some of the best Fitbit watches: a mix between a fitness tracker and a smartwatch, it’s a comfortable, streamlined fitness watch that shows your progress in multiple exercises including running and cycling. 

Its main attraction is how light and easy the watch is to wear. I forgot I  was wearing it when I slept with it on, which is rare. I also loved its battery life: most trackers at this price point need to be charged again after four-to-six days, but the Oppo lasted for a full two weeks, giving me one less thing to worry about. 

The watch features a built-in six-axis motion and optical heart rate sensor, and you can get more detailed readouts of the data collected in the companion app, especially when it came to sleep. The data wasn’t as extensive as what we’re used to, nor quite as accurate as it should be. It's unfortunate, but it's a reminder that you’ve opted for a cheaper watch, so don't set too much store by it.

Other highlights include tracking your blood oxygen levels (if you dip below 95-90%, your heart, lungs, and circulatory systems aren't going to be at peak performance, so good to see the feature at this price point). It's also got a snore detector built into its sleep-tracking software, which is neat. 

Oppo Watch Free: Price and release date

The Oppo Watch Free hasn't been officially released in the US, but it is available on third-party websites like eBay. It's available officially on the UK store at a cut price of just £49 (cheaper even than the Fitbit Inspire 3!) and on the AU store for AU$169.00

Oppo Watch Free: Design

  • 1.64-inch smooth AMOLED screen
  • Clear and colorful
  • Breathable and comfortable strap

The slimline black watch, which I tested, fits well on our wrist, and can also be bought in a lighter-colored version, which has a cream strap and gold detail. A cross between a tracker and a smartwatch, the touchscreen watch has a long rectangle watch face, complete with black chrome details. 

The large 2.5D curved watch face, along with a 1.64-inch AMOLED screen, gives you a clear and colorful picture when tracking your fitness goals, sleep, and heart rate. At 33 grams, it's featherlight, with its aluminum casing giving way to lighter plastic backing.

The watch face can thankfully be changed, via the app - I was originally presented with quite a basic look, which only showed the date and time. The seven playful designs only have two options which show steps and heart rate, and we settled for the activity circles watch face, which gave us the time and steps, calories burned and heart rate. 

The breathable and comfortable silicone strap and clasp sat well on the wrist and looked attractive. The straps can be clipped on and off for cleaning, but they were a little niggly to get on and off so I wouldn’t recommend it. Overall, a classic, clean design, which is easy to use and read: it looked slick and we wore it regularly outside of the gym. 

Oppo Watch Free

(Image credit: Oppo)
  • Design score: 4/5

Oppo Watch Free: Features

  • No physical button controls
  • 100 sports profiles and lots of health metrics
  • No GPS

The watch was easy to set up and linked to its app, HeyTap Health, where you can see more detailed stats, change settings and find out more about your watch. I spent a couple of weeks trying the different functions, including the sleep and exercise functions to see how accurate they were. 

Tracking your steps is easy on the OPPO watch as it automatically shows up on your home screen, along with heart rate and calories. If you swipe to the left you can select settings such as exercise, blood oxygen levels, and sleep. For a more detailed picture or to activate each setting you simply tap them on-face, where you can see more detailed metrics. It's all controlled via the touch screen, with no physical buttons.

The Exercise setting features 100 sports profiles (although a few key ones like Indoor Cycling are missing) and four are automatically recognized and logged: walking, running, rowing, and elliptical training. Workout metrics are well laid out, with heart rate zones and running 'courses'. They're not courses in the same sense as Garmin's generated running maps, as there's sadly no GPS, but rather it sorts your run into categories such as 'endurance' and 'interval' depending on your training goal. 

One cool design feature is the customizable "AI outfit" watch face: if you take a photo of your outfit with your phone within the app, AI will customize the watch face to match the colors of your clothes. Neat! 

  • Features score: 3/5

Oppo Watch Free on wrist

(Image credit: Sarah Finley)

Oppo Watch Free: Performance

  • Inaccurate calorie tracking
  • Lack of cycling options
  • Good sleep metrics

A big downside for me was the lack of an indoor cycling workout profile, and despite the lack of GPS, the cycling setting wouldn’t record my activity when I was stationary. I had to use the freestyle workout mode instead.

The app gives you a breakdown of your heart rate zones, from fat burning to threshold, for each exercise class you complete, along with calories burned and your real-time heart rate. I found some of this data less specific than other watches we’d tested: when I recorded a run with both the Oppo Watch Free and a control tracker from Fitbit, there was a clear calorie burn discrepancy. The lack of GPS also meant it didn’t track my routes either. However, the watch is 5ATM waterproof for swimmers. 

If you want to improve your sleep you can set reminders, telling you when to go to bed, while it will record your sleep when you wear it and give you reports, via the watch and the app about your sleep health. 

The app gives you a report by showing you your deep, light, and awake stages of sleep, which I thought was a good baseline, but other sleep trackers, such as the Oura ring Generation 3, give you more detailed information on how you can improve your sleep. If you’re a snorer, you can also monitor how much you snore – it measures your blood oxygen levels and combines them with your average heart rate.

  • Features score: 3/5

Oppo Watch Free: Battery life

  • Listed as lasting 14 days on a full charge
  • Lives up to expectations with moderate use
  • Charger doesn't always fit well

The battery life is very good for a watch at this price point, as it is listed at 14 days. 

Charging is done via the back of the watch, by placing the charger on the top two magnetic strips – I found the charger quite sensitive though, and had to keep it as stable as possible while I charged it. However, the watch's charge, which took a couple of hours for a full charge, lasted for longer than some of the other smartwatches we’ve tested at higher price points, living up to its 14-day promise. 

  • Battery life score: 4/5

Oppo Watch Free: Buy it if...

Oppo Watch Free: Don't buy it if...

Also consider

Samsung is currently seeding the OneUI 5.1 update to the Z and S series
1:28 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

That took shorter than expected! Samsung is rolling out the OneUI 5.1 update to the Galaxy S22 series, the Galaxy Z Fold4, and the Galaxy Z Flip4 right now. Earlier today we reported that the update is coming next week but some units (including our own here at HQ) are being updated right now. Here's a full changelog of the update. Here's a snippet of our earlier report: One UI 5.1 brings new widgets, Expert RAW mode, improvements to the gallery, connectivity, DeX mode and more. You can check out our Galaxy S23 Ultra review to read more about the new One UI 5.1 features. Based on...

One UI 5.1 update is coming older Samsung flagships next week
11:34 am |
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Canadian MVNO carrier Fido revealed a preliminary One UI 5.1 update schedule for older Samsung flagships on its network. The Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy Z Flip4 are scheduled to receive the big Android 13-based update on February 22. The carriers specific update also includes a February SMR (Security Maintenance Release) patch. Galaxy S22 series phones are getting updated to One UI 5.1 on February 22 Galaxy Z Fold4, Z Flip4 are getting the One UI 5.1 update next week One UI 5.1 brings new widgets, Expert RAW mode, improvements to the gallery, connectivity, DeX mode...

One UI 5.1 update is coming older Samsung flagships next week
11:34 am |
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

Canadian MVNO carrier Fido revealed a preliminary One UI 5.1 update schedule for older Samsung flagships on its network. The Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy Z Flip4 are scheduled to receive the big Android 13-based update on February 22. The carriers specific update also includes a February SMR (Security Maintenance Release) patch. Galaxy S22 series phones are getting updated to One UI 5.1 on February 22 Galaxy Z Fold4, Z Flip4 are getting the One UI 5.1 update next week One UI 5.1 brings new widgets, Expert RAW mode, improvements to the gallery, connectivity, DeX mode...

EcoFlow Delta Max 2000 review
9:38 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

EcoFlow Delta Max 2000: two-minute review

The Delta Max is a portable power station – basically a huge battery and inverter that've been stuffed into a box along with a solar controller and an AC/DC charger. It can be used for everything from powering your fridge and other home appliances during a blackout, taken on the road, for camping, at a work site, or it can become the basis of a mini off-grid system.

The Max has a battery capacity of 2,016Wh (aka 2kWh), which is enough to keep the average phone running for about a year. The Max can also have two external batteries connected for a total capacity of 6kWh, or be linked up to a smart generator for total off-grid power. There’s also a cheaper Max 1,600Wh version with a smaller battery.

The Max includes four 230V sockets, which share 2,400W (4,600W surge) of pure sine wave output, and can be used like an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). You also get two 100W USB-C Power Delivery (PD) spec ports that can charge things like phones or laptops, as well as four normal USB-A ports, and various 12V outputs. In other words, you can plug just about anything into the Max and charge it.

Recharging the power station from a wall socket can be done at up to a very impressive 2,000W, and in testing we found that from dead flat it will hit 80% full in a bit over an hour. Alternatively you can charge at up to 800W from solar or from a 12 or 24 volt car accessory port at up to 8A. So in a nutshell, it allows you to store power from a range of sources, and use it when needed most.

While the Max itself has a small screen, the main control for the Delta Max is via a slick phone app that lets you see everything at a glance, or delve into deeper settings. There’s a range of customization possible, including important options such as setting the maximum charge and discharge levels to increase cycle life. You can also adjust charge rates, set minimum and maximum charge values, turn outputs on and off, and configure extras such as automatic generator charging. It connects via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and with the later you can also remotely access the Max via the internet.

The Delta Max isn’t perfect of course. We found it a little noisy under load, the accessories are pricey. We also wish the app had more options for data logging and automation. Still, for those who need its specific features and capacity, the compact all-in-one nature and incredibly fast charging make it a solid buy. And if the Delta Max doesn’t suit, EcoFlow has a large range of smaller and larger portable (and not so portable) power stations.

The inputs and outputs on the rear panel of the EcoFlow Delta Max

On the rear the Delta Max has a number of inputs and outputs, including four 230V AC sockets that can provide 2400W of power. (Image credit: Future)

EcoFlow Delta Max 2000 review: price and availability

  • How much does it cost? $2,099 / £1,999 / AU$3,599
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in most major markets including the US, UK and Australia

Availability for the EcoFlow Delta Max 2000 is generally excellent, but pricing does vary a lot across retailers, so make sure you shop around and keep an eye out for promotions.

Value wise, the Delta Max 2000 is a mostly very positive mixed bag. There are cheaper options (and DIY can be much more affordable) but for a ready-to-go, all-in-one power solution with incredibly fast charging, the Delta Max is hard to beat. It’s still a premium price, but the matching features mean it is well worth it for those who need the specific functionality it provides. 

• Value score: 4 / 5

EcoFlow Delta Max 2000 review: design and features

  • X-Boost for high wattage appliances
  • Very fast charging
  • Solar over-provisioning
  • 24 + 12 month warranty

Our primary frustration with the Delta Max is noise. Packing so much gear in a compact body means the heat builds up quickly, and four fans are needed to keep the Max cool under load. With the fans running it sounds like a particularly noisy laptop, and certainly can ruin the mood of a clear quiet night camping. With fans needed for cooling, dust build up is a reasonable concern and the Delta Max doesn’t have filter grills, and there is no easily accessible user option for cleaning things out. 

EcoFlow Delta Max key specs

Capacity:  2016Wh
AC Output: 2400W (Surge 4600W) Pure Sine Wave 230V
Solar Charging: 800W charge rate, 1300W max input
Cycle Life: 800 cycles to 80% capacity
USB Charging: 2x 100W USB-C, 4x USB-A
Other Outputs: 12V, 3A
Dimensions: 50 x 24 x 31 cm
Weight: 22kg
Warranty: 24 + 12 month

A key advantage of the Delta Max is the very impressive 2,000W charge rate, which is many multiple times faster than most of its competition. Delta Max uses NCM (nickel, cobalt and manganese) lithium-ion batteries, and can recharge from near empty to 80% in about an hour when plugged into a wall socket. This makes it ideal for usage scenarios where fast charging is important, but the downside is a lower overall cycle life. The Max is rated for 800 recharge cycles down to 80% capacity, which is as expected for the chemistry, but means if you want to do daily cycles of the full capacity, a power station using LiFePO4 cells (such as the Delta Pro) is better suited.  

The 2,400W AC output includes an additional feature called X-Boost. This allows you to run higher-wattage products at low power – basically, the power station will limit power to 2,400W rather than overload and cut out. You can turn the AC inverter on and off via the remote or with a button on the Max, and adjust options such as inverter timeout when not in use, to save power.

For solar charging, the Delta Max accepts a 11-100V input, with a short circuit current of 13A – giving 1,300 total. The actual MPPT solar charger inside has a maximum charge output of 800W. This means you can overprovision solar by a large amount, which (it's claimed) enables collecting up to 62% more power during cloudy weather.

The EcoFlow Max is backed up by an excellent 2 year warranty, with an extra year if you register online.
 

• Design and features score: 4.5 / 5

The display and ports on the front of the EcoFlow Delta Max

Direct USB charging is handled by two USB-C PD spec 100W ports, two USB-A fast charge ports, and two normal USB connections. (Image credit: Future)

EcoFlow Delta Max 2000 review: performance

  • Excellent surge capacity
  • Proficient UPS functionality
  • Plentiful USB outputs

At 22kg, the Max is pretty heavy, but thanks to the large handles, most able-bodied individuals should be able to move it around easily. It’s built tough, and we have no concerns about it standing up to ongoing use.

In testing, the AC sockets provided 2,400W of smooth sine wave power, and happily handled repeated surges. The X-Boost function made it easy to run multiple high wattage devices that would normally trigger an overload. On the load tester, the USB ports all managed their rated spec – including both USB-C ports providing 100W at the same time.

During testing, we could charge the Max from 20% to 80% in around 53 minutes. Solar charging worked well, and while the app options were a little limited for detailed monitoring, we didn’t notice any issues with efficiency. Car charging is handy but slow (due to the car's limited output), and only adds about 5% battery per hour of driving. 

One important feature is using the Max as a UPS. It offers a 30ms max switch time, which is fine for most devices, and didn’t cause an issue for a desktop computer or network-attached storage appliance we tested in normal use, but some lower power devices (such as a TV) tended to power off and then back on during the switch.

It’s not possible for us to get any meaningful test of cycle life in the short period over which a review like this one takes place, but we can report that we didn't notice any anomalies. We found the unit tended to self discharge a bit faster than the rated 1-year standby time, so it’s best to make sure it is plugged in every few months. 

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Extra ports on the side of the EcoFlow Delta Max

On the side, the Delta Max includes two ports that can be connected to extra batteries, for a total capacity of 6 kWh. (Image credit: Future)

EcoFlow Delta Max 2000 review: upgrades and accessories

  • Bi-facial solar
  • Battery add-ons
  • Smart generator connection

For the Delta Max, the available accessories include a variety of solar panels, extra batteries, an air-conditioner, a smart generator, and a gaggle of extension and charging cables, and a padded bag. Beyond that there are associated products, such as a smart generator, a portable air conditioner and even power kits designed for off grid setups. Some of the accessories are decently priced, but others such as the solar panels can be on the expensive side – albeit with high build and design quality. The Delta Max uses standard solar panel connectors, so you can use whatever combination of solar panels you want, provided they meet the maximum input voltage and short-circuit current ratings. 

EcoFlow supplied us with an interesting 220W bi-facial fold-out solar panel for testing. It comes with its own carry bag that acts as a case. It has panels on the front as normal, but also extras on the rear to collect ambient light to boost overall collection. It worked well, and by using a white or reflective surface behind it, it’s easily possible to boost power production by 20% or more. The downside is the bifacial panel is almost as heavy as a 400W solar setup. At $549 / £549 / AU$799 it’s also not the cheapest, and while fake output panels are rife in online marketplaces, it’s possible to buy good quality, name brand fold-out panels with a similar rating for much less. 

EcoFlow Bifacial 220W solar panel

We tested the Delta Max with the EcoFlow Bifacial 220W solar panel, which can fold up for easy transport. (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the EcoFlow Delta Max 2000?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Final verdict

As a solar DIY enthusiast, I had a healthy skepticism that the flashy, all-in-one Delta Max could live up to its premium price tag. But after extensive testing, it won me over with its well-balanced featureset and simple all-in-one package. It’s big but portable, and has a power output which is suitable for running most normal appliances. That’s not to say you should take a TV and microwave camping... but if you did, the Delta Max could run them.

It’s a bit noisy when at heavier use, and we worry about dust buildup inside or accidentally getting it wet. We also look forward to app upgrades, but these minor issues don’t mean much in the face of all the Max does well.

[First reviewed February 2023]

Top 10 trending phones of week 6
5:03 am |
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Comments: Off

After a dominant performance by the Samsung Galaxy S23 series in its launch week this week sees a bit more diverse trending chart. The S23 Ultra is still on top, but newly announced Poco X5 Pro claimed second ahead of the Galaxy S23. The OnePlus 11 capitalized on its global debut to capture fourth and edge the Galaxy S23+, which is down to fifth now. The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max gains a spot to place sixth, followed by the Galaxy A53 in seventh. The other half of Poco's new duo - the X5 - places eight, while the Galaxy S22 Ultra has slipped to ninth. The final spot goes to the Oppo...

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