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Holy Stone HS900 review: should DJI be looking over its shoulder?
12:00 pm | May 19, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Cameras Computers Drones Gadgets | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Holy Stone HS900: one-minute review

I’ve reviewed almost every Holy Stone drone available and its latest model, the Holy Stone HS900, represents a significant improvement across the board which makes it the Chinese drone manufacturer’s best drone to date. So much so, that what’s on offer competes directly with the DJI Mini 3 and the Potensic Atom – two impressive mid-range sub-250g drones that come in at two price points.

In terms of price, the HS900 single battery kit costs $330 making it marginally more expensive than the Potensic Atom and significantly less expensive than the DJI Mini 3. Is it better than the Mini 3? No, but if you’re on a budget, it offers an enticing alternative to the Potensic Atom and also provides additional features that could be a deciding factor on which drone to choose, and firmly cements it as one of the best beginner drones available.

Holy Stone HS900 specs

Camera: Sony 1/2.3 in 48MP CMOS sensor / fixed focus f/2.6 lens
Video resolution: Up to 4K
Frame rates: 4K 30 fps / 1080p up to 60 fpsVideo transmission range: 1.86 miles / 3 kmFlight modes: Stable, Normal, Sport
Battery: 2250 mAh Li-ion / up to 30 minutes
Charger type: USB-C cable
Weight: 8.7oz / 249g
Dimensions: 5.63x3.26x2.44in / 143×82.8×62mm folded / 6.59x 8.57x2.44in / 167.4x217.8x62mm unfolded

We’ll go into much more detail later, but some of the features and functionality you can enjoy with the HS900 include a camera with a Sony 1/2.3 in 48MP CMOS sensor and a fixed focus f/2.6 lens, up to 4K 30fps video, subject tracking, time-lapse capture, cruise control, automated flight patterns and much more. Image quality is also very good, not perfect, but the minor issues here could be resolved with a future firmware update.

All-in-all, the HS900 slips into a burgeoning sub-250g drone category which is fiercely competitive, where less expensive options are now hacking at the heels of the DJI. It’s unlikely that they’ll succeed in catching up or overtaking the market leader – although DJI is facing a potential ban in the US – but with the trickle-down of features and improvements in flight performance and image quality with budget drones, it’s pilots who are ultimately benefitting from greater choice.

Holy Stone HS900: Release date and price

  • Released May 2024
  • Only available in the US at launch
  • Available in other regions soon

At launch in May 2024, the Holy Stone HS900 was initially only available in the US. The drone will become available in the UK and other regions shortly. At the time of writing, US residents can purchase the HS900 single battery kit from Amazon for $369.99 after applying a $100 voucher, although the price regularly fluctuates. For UK-based and Australian pilots, this converts to £280 / AU$550 respectively, but official pricing for these regions is yet to be announced so this price could vary.

The single-battery HS900 kit includes the HS900 drone, a controller, one smart battery, phone connection cables, a USB-C charging cable, a set of spare propellers, spare screws, a screwdriver and a carry bag. 

Dual and triple battery kits are suggested on the Holy Stone website, so we could see additional battery kits becoming available in the future. We have been told that a battery charging hub is also due to be released, allowing multiple batteries to be charged at once rather than one at a time in the drone via USB-C.

We'll update this page with any price and availability updates. 

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Holy Stone Sirius HS900 unfolded viewed from above

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Holy Stone Sirius HS900 folded showing the top of the airframe

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Holy Stone Sirius HS900 folded showing the bottom of the airframe

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Holy Stone Sirius HS900 battery being slotted into the battery bay

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Holy Stone Sirius HS900 battery

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Holy Stone Sirius HS900 carry case

(Image credit: James Abbott)

Holy Stone HS900: Design and controller

  • Lightweight folding design
  • New controller
  • Great build quality

Most drones these days feature a folding design to reduce size for transportation and storage, and the HS900 is no exception in this regard. It’s a tried, tested and ultimately successful approach to drone design, so it makes perfect sense in every way. The dark gray drone is just 5.63x3.26x2.44in / 143×82.8×62mm when folded, with an unfolded size of 6.59x8.57x2.44in / 167.4x217.8x62mm and a weight of 8.7oz / 249g. So, all pretty standard for a drone of this type.

Build quality is very good, and there’s nothing to indicate the relatively low cost of the HS900. In fact, it looks more expensive than it actually is, even if looks don't ultimately impact performance. The drone is made of lightweight plastic so it doesn’t feel substantial in the hand, but to be fair this is the case with even the most expensive sub-250g models – it’s just a way of keeping weight down. Durability certainly isn’t an issue.

Flight times are respectable, averaging around 22 minutes in moderate to gusty wind before Return to Home was initiated at 20% battery, as opposed to the advertised flight times of up to 30 minutes. However in reality, with lower winds and warmer temperatures, flight times would likely increase. The 2250mAh battery takes just over an hour to charge in the drone via USB-C, which is quite fast, and you can also charge batteries this way using a USB power bank when out in the field.

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Holy Stone Sirius HS900 P2 controller

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Holy Stone Sirius HS900 P2 controller with smartphone attached

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Holy Stone Sirius HS900 P2 controller stick storage

(Image credit: James Abbott)

The HS900 uses a new P2 controller which sports a simple yet functional design with all of the direct access controls you need to control the drone, the camera and the gimbal. This includes a small joystick for adjusting specific camera settings and a dual-function Fn button that can be customized with two different functions.

For the review, I set the button to tilt the gimbal between 0-degrees and 90-degrees with a single press, and to initiate Cruise Control with a double press. The build quality of the controller can’t be faulted, and although the bottom-mounted folding phone holder arms have a slightly flimsy feel to them, they securely accommodate smartphones of all sizes, so no worries here.

Holy Stone HS900: Features and flight

  • Smooth flight controls
  • Includes subject tracking
  • Multiple flight modes

Holy Stone drones have always been pretty good flyers, but they have also lacked the finesse of more expensive drones. With the HS900, this has all changed and the flight performance on offer is greatly improved and puts the drone comfortably among its rivals. Flight controls are also smooth and responsive, so it’s possible to perform positive maneuvers when capturing video.

What’s more, the gimbal tilt, which has a range of 30 to -90-degrees, allows you to shoot upwards slightly as well as straight down, and has a smooth so you can confidently incorporate it into maneuvers for more dynamic video shots. Image stabilization is highly effective, using a combination of the 3-axis mechanical gimbal and Electronic Image Stabilization to produce shake-free video footage.

With GPS positioning, provided by GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou systems, hovering is generally stable with drift mostly noticeable at higher altitudes. With GPS, pilots can also take advantage of Return to Home functionality which can be initiated manually by the pilot, or automatically when the battery reaches 20% charge / when the connection between the drone and controller is lost. It can also be cancelled when the battery reaches 20% if you want to increase flight time slightly.

Despite being a small and lightweight drone, the HS900 offers level 5 wind resistance, which equates to wind speeds up to 24 mph. The HS900 was flown in wind gusts of 22mph during testing and showed no signs of struggling in any of the three main flight modes/speeds, so this claim appears to be correct. The flight modes include Stable with a top speed of 11mph, Normal with a top speed of 22mph and Sport which offers the maximum flight speed of 31mph.

Being a mid-range sub-250g drone, like its direct competitors, the HS900 doesn’t offer obstacle avoidance, so you do have to take care when flying close to obstacles and when using automated flight patterns. It does, however, have a downward vision system that’s used to determine the ground in situations when a GPS signal is unavailable, such as when flying indoors.

Holy Stone HS900 Time-lapse

The automated flight patterns on offer include Point of Interest, Spiral up, Tap Fly (waypoints), Gesture Selfie, One-key Ascension and Catapult, which work as intended. Plus, there’s subject tracking where you draw a box around the subject to be followed and the drone will do just that. This works well for the most part, but there are times when the HS900 loses the subject so it’s not perfect.

A fun and easy to use feature is Time-lapse, with manual control over the interval and video length, plus exposure and shutter speed to maintain consistency in your videos. Unlike DJI's Time-lapse feature, the HS900's version works independently from flight and you simply hover instead. If you wish to create a moving sequence, also known as a hyper-lapse, you have to judge flight distance and speed yourself, which is extremely tricky. It’s much easier to simply select a composition and shoot with the drone in a hover.

Cruise Control is another useful feature and one that, as the name suggests, allows you to set the drone on a course and maintain it without having to hold the control sticks. This provides greater consistency for videos thanks to a consistent speed. I did try to use Cruise Control when shooting a Time-lapse, but each time it adjusted the gimbal tilt making it unusable in this situation, unfortunately.

Holy Stone HS900: image quality

  • Sony 1/2.3 in CMOS sensor
  • Up to 48MP photos
  • 4K 30 fps & 1080p 60 fps video

Holy Stone Sirius HS900 close-up of the camera and gimbal

(Image credit: James Abbott)

Once again, like overall performance, the image quality produced by the HS900 beats all other Holy Stone drones hands down. The camera features a Sony 1/2.3-inch 48MP CMOS sensor with a fixed focus f/2.6 lens providing a 100-degree field of view, and sharp video and photo quality. 

Fixed focus may sound like a step down from autofocus, which it is in a way, but it uses the principle of hyperfocal distance to provide the maximum depth-of-field possible for the combination of focal length and aperture – meaning much of the scene will be in sharp focus.

Overall image quality is very good for both photos and videos, which can be captured with the camera set to auto or manual exposure. Image quality is best in brighter conditions, like all drones with a small image sensor, but white balance is a little quirky and could benefit from adjustments in a future firmware update. The white balance presets are a little off what you would expect, with Auto providing the best, yet not always perfect results.

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Photo of a pier taken with the Holy Stone Sirius HS900

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Photo of a coastal town taken with the Holy Stone Sirius HS900

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Photo of a beach and groyne from above taken with the Holy Stone Sirius HS900

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Photo of a circus from above taken with the Holy Stone Sirius HS900

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Photo of a cirus tent in a field taken with the Holy Stone Sirius HS900

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Photo of a bridge from above taken with the Holy Stone Sirius HS900

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Photo of an industrial area taken with the Holy Stone Sirius HS900

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Photo of a town taken with the Holy Stone Sirius HS900

(Image credit: James Abbott)
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Photo of a water treatment facility taken with the Holy Stone Sirius HS900

(Image credit: James Abbott)

Photos can be captured in 4K resolution  (3840x2160 pixels) and 48MP with image dimensions of 8192x4608 pixels – these are in 16:9 format rather than the more common 4:3 format used for drone photos. 

Photo capture is currently only available in JPEG format, but raw capture will be added in a future firmware update. Video can be captured in 4K at 30 fps and 1080p at 60 fps in a Normal/Standard color profile for straight-out-of-camera use, and is saved in MP4 format. A flat color profile for increased dynamic range and color grading is, unsurprisingly, unavailable.

My short wish list for a firmware update would be to build on the well-featured camera control by including a histogram and Automatic Exposure Bracketing (AEB). The former is invaluable for assessing exposure, while the latter makes shooting in high-contrast situations, such as around sunrise and sunset, much easier because you can capture bracketed exposures for HDR photography.

Holy Stone HS900 video in 4K / 30 fps

Should I buy the Holy Stone HS900?

Holy Stone Sirius HS900 unfolded on concrete

(Image credit: James Abbott)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Holy Stone HS900

  • Several days and flights
  • Used in mixed weather, including moderate wind
  • Various flight modes and video and photo settings

The Holy Stone HS900 was tested over several days of flying in a range of locations, environments and weather conditions (excluding rain) to test flight performance, flight features, overall handling and image quality for both photo and video capture. All testing is conducted in a way that meets local aviation laws and restrictions to ensure that all flights are safe and legal.

Drones are always tested using manual flight patterns for video that are typical of professional aerial video capture to shoot visually interesting footage. This also provides the opportunity to test aspects such as the connection between the drone and controller, latency between the two and the accuracy of the controls and flight in general.

With nearly 30 years of photographic experience and 15 years working as a photography journalist, I’ve been covering drones in terms of shooting and editing techniques, alongside writing drone reviews for a number of years. As well as flying most consumer and prosumer models, I’ve previously held a PfCO (Permission for Commercial Operations) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority in the UK, and now fly under an A2 CofC (A2 Certificate of Competency).

First reviewed May 2024

Smeg Professional Blender review
1:25 pm | May 17, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Juicers & Blenders Small Appliances | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Smeg Professional Blender: two-minute review

The Smeg Professional Blender is a sleek, high-end appliance with an impressive array of functions: nine blending speeds, four presets, plus a Pulse and Auto Clean mode. It comes with 1.5 liter Tritan jug, a fixed blade, vacuum pump attachment, tamper, spatula, and cleaning brush. I tested one out to see how it compares to the rest of the best blenders on the market. 

This model is known by different names in different territories: 

  • US model: BLC01BLMUS Professional
  • UK model: BLC02BLMUK High Performance
  • Australian model: BLC02BLMAU High Performance

For this review I tested the UK model; note there might be minor differences between different countries' versions. 

Smeg as a brand is perhaps best known for its juicers and espresso machines, but it also makes a small selection of blenders – elsewhere in the range you'll find the entry-level Smeg personal blender and a mid-range Smeg jug blender. The model I tested for this review is the brand's high-end jug blender.

Unlike the brightly-colored and bubble-shape of the majority of the Smeg appliance range, the Professional blender is more sleek and subtle. It's powered by a 1400W motor, and has a row of preset buttons along the top of its aluminum and plastic base. These are then controlled via an intuitive LCD dial on the front. 

Thanks to the blender's slim design, it fits comfortably under kitchen cupboards, even with the jug attached. While its relatively low weight makes it easy to move around your countertop, and store. However, the fact the blades aren't removable makes things tricky when it comes to cleaning and getting blended food out of the jug.

Smeg BLC01 Professional Blender in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

For this review, I used the blender to make a range of drinks and food, including a smoothie, a sauce and hummus. I also used it to crush ice. For the items that had preset functions, namely the smoothie and the ice, the performance was near-perfect. However, for the items for which I had to use the blender's Manual mode, the performance was hit-and-miss. For its premium price ($429.95 / £499.99 / AU$799), I expected slightly more consistent results.  

However, all things considered, the Smeg Professional Blender looks great and works well. If you can afford it, and especially if you've previously been put off by the bright designs of the rest of the Smeg range, it will be a decent investment that should last you a long time. 

Smeg Professional Blender review: price & availability

  • List price: $429.95 / £499.99 / AU$799

At time of writing, there are three models in the Smeg BLC01 blender range and the Professional version is the most expensive, with a list price of $429.95 / £499.99 / AU$799. For this price you get the blender base with a fixed blade, a 6 cup / 1.5 liter Tritan jug, a vacuum pump attachment, tamper, spatula and cleaning brush.

This price makes the Professional model significantly more expensive than other high-end models from the likes of Ninja and Nutribullet. In fact, many rival models, including Ninja's Foodi Power Blender system, offer a much wider range of accessories, blades and settings for half the price. 

In the US, the Smeg Professional Blender is available in black (BLC01BLMUS) or white (BLC01WHMUS) and is sold at Crate & Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, plus a number of third-party retailers. You can see the full-range of retailers on the Smeg website.

In the UK, the appliance is known as the Smeg High-Performance blender and it's available directly from Smeg, AO, Robert Dyas and Amazon. Its black model is sold under code BLC02BLMUK, while its white version is BLC02WHMUK. 

In Australia, the black (BLC02BLMAU), and white (BLC02WHMAU) models, plus an emerald green (BLC02EGMAU) version are sold as the High-Performance blender from Smeg, and Amazon. 

If you want a Smeg blender but can't stretch to the Professional model, the entry-level PBF01 Personal blender costs $169.95 / £109.95 / AU$199. It only makes single serve drinks and has just two blending speeds but it's more compact. Alternatively, the mid-range, 50s style Smeg BLF03 Jug Blender costs $299.95 /£179.95 / AUS $362. It has the same 1.5L BPA-free Tritan Jug seen on the Professional model, and a range of presets, but only four blending speeds. It also lacks the vacuum, and Auto Clean feature of the Professional.

With the Smeg Professional blender you're largely paying for the brand and style. The performance is solid, the range of blending options is good, and the vacuum attachment and Auto Clean features are welcome. Yet none of these are revolutionary. This does mean the price of the Smeg Professional blender is a little excessive, but at least you know you're getting a quality appliance from a trusted manufacturer. 

  • Value for money score: 3 out of 5

Smeg Professional Blender specifications

Smeg Professional Blender review: design & features

  • 1400w motor, 1.5 liter BPA-Free Tritan jug
  • 9 blending speeds + 4 presets, Pulse, and Auto Clean
  • Sleek design, but blades are fixed

Smeg is as renowned for the design of its appliances as it is for their functionality. The BLC01 blender is no exception. However, unlike the bubble-shaped, brightly colored designs seen across the majority of the Smeg range, the Professional blender looks much sleeker and more high-end.  

There are hints at the iconic 'Smeg' shape, but they're more subtle. The base has smooth, curved lines with either a white or black plastic panel on the back, and an aluminum panel on the front emblazoned with the Smeg logo. I was sent a black model to review and it fit in seamlessly with my other metal and black appliances and cream units. 

Inside the base is the 1400W motor which produces a max spin of 22,000 RPM. Below the Smeg logo is a circular dial with an LCD display. The power button is on the left-hand side of the base, and along the top is a row of buttons that each relate to the blender's different presets. 

From left to right these buttons are:

  • Smoothie
  • Green smoothie
  • Frozen dessert
  • Ice Crush
  • Autoclean
  • Pulse

In addition to these presets, you can manually select from one of nine blending speeds in Manual Mode. 

Smeg BLC01 Professional Blender in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

Size-wise, the blender measures 16.6 x 6.6 x 8.9 inches / 42.1 x 16.8 x 22.5 cm (H x W x D) and this means it should fit comfortably under most kitchen cupboards, even with the jug attached. Adding the vacuum pump to the top of the jug extends its height to 20.5 inches / 52.1 cm. 

Weight-wise, the base and jug together weigh 14.5lb / 6.6 kg and this makes it easy to move around your countertop, or if you want to store it in a drawer or cupboard. It then has anti-slip feet on the bottom of the base, and a 3ft / 1m cord. 

Smeg BLC01 Professional Blender in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

The jug slots on and off the base easily; there is no fiddly twisting or locking it into place like on most blenders. I was concerned it would move during use but it never did. A lid with a silicone seal slides on top, with a small, twist-off cap that is used to add ingredients mid-blend. 

When making green smoothies, or any drink where you want to retain the nutritional value of your ingredients, the battery-powered vacuum is attached in place of the twist-off cap. 

Smeg traditionalists may not like the sleeker, less conspicuous design of the Professional blender but I'm a big fan. It looks more professional and the small touches such as the smooth dial and discreet controls make it feel premium and closer in design to what I'd expect for the price point.

In fact, my only real complaint about the design is that the blades aren't removable. This means that cleaning the Smeg Professional Blender can be tricky, and somewhat dangerous. I couldn't guarantee that the jug and undersides of the blades were as clean as I'd like when washing by hand. Thankfully, the jug is dishwasher safe and the blender comes with a dedicated Automatic Cleaning mode. So this is a minor point.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Smeg Professional Blender review: performance

  • Didn't fully blitz kale or seeds 
  • Makes perfect crushed ice
  • Presets perform better than manual settings

With each of the appliances I review, I begin by seeing if I can navigate the different controls and settings without looking at the Quick Start guide or instruction manual. This gives me an idea of how intuitive they truly are and the Smeg Professional blender passed the test. 

The icons on each of the buttons are fairly obvious. My only confusion came from knowing what the difference was between the standard Smoothie button and its Green Smoothie equivalent. Pressing each of these presets brings the LCD display to life and it shows the blending time for the selected setting and an icon of either a single person (for Single Serve drinks) or a group of people for the Family Serve option. You can turn the dial to switch between these two modes before pushing the dial in to start the blend.

Smeg BLC01 Professional Blender in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

The default time for a Single smoothie is 30 seconds. This increases to 45 seconds on Family Serve mode (other default settings are listed in the manual). You can, at any point, turn the dial to increase or decrease the speed. If you'd rather use the Manual mode, simply turn the dial (without any presets selected) to cycle through the nine speed settings. Then push to start.

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Making a kale, blueberry and banana smoothie in the Smeg BLC01 Professional Blender

(Image credit: Future)
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Making a kale, blueberry and banana smoothie in the Smeg BLC01 Professional Blender

(Image credit: Future)

For my first test, I made a kale, blueberry and banana smoothie mixed with almond milk. I pressed the Green Smoothie button, due to the presence of kale, turned the dial to select the Single Serve mode and pushed the dial to start the blend. The resulting smoothie looked far from appealing, but it tasted delicious. 

The texture was thick and slightly gritty, and I could see small flecks of kale floating in the drink but this didn't take away from the enjoyment of drinking it. I had worried I'd be able to feel the kale in my mouth, but the overall texture of the smoothie meant the whole thing went down, well, smooth. 

Making crushed ice in the Smeg BLC01 Professional Blender

(Image credit: Future)

Next, I used the blender to create crushed ice using the Ice Crush setting. This setting causes the blender to operate in short bursts for 35 seconds to crush the ice to a powder. It worked fantastically and created perfectly even and smooth powdered ice that was perfect for margaritas, or slushies.

Lastly, I used the Smeg blender to make tahini, before using the tahini to make hummus. I toasted sesame seeds, poured them into the jug and blended them at Speed 6 in Manual mode for 20 seconds, until they had a crumbly texture. I added olive oil and blended for a further two minutes until the tahini was smooth. I then added the tahini, garlic cloves, oil, lemon juice, drained chickpeas, a pinch of ground cumin and sea salt into the blender and blitzed the mixture for 10 seconds on Speed 4. I removed the lid, used a spatula to scrape the mixture from the sides and blended for another 10 seconds. 

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Making hummus in the Smeg BLC01 Professional Blender

(Image credit: Future)
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Making hummus in the Smeg BLC01 Professional Blender

(Image credit: Future)

After 20 seconds, the mixture had barely blended. I repeated the above step five more times – and even then there were still lumps of chickpea and an inconsistent texture. What's more, trying to get all of this mixture out from beneath the blades was difficult and I ended up having to wash a large portion away because it wasn't possible, or safe, for me to remove it, even with the provided cleaning brush. 

Smeg BLC01 Professional Blender in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

Finally, in terms of noise, the blender averaged around 80dB on lower speeds. During my hummus test, this increased to 85db, on average, and during the Ice Crush test, the decibels soared to 95db+. On Manual Mode, Speed 1 produced around 69db, while on Speed 9 the average reading was 90db. 

From my experience, this blender performs much better when you use the presets than when attempting to make something manually. If you only plan to use the blender for these set purposes – smoothies, frozen desserts and crushing ice – I can barely fault it. If you want it to function closer to a food processor, you may be disappointed.

  • Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should I buy the Smeg Professional Blender?

Buy it if...

Don’t buy it if...

How I tested the Smeg Professional Blender

  • I used it to blend drinks and food
  • I checked the noise level
  • I assessed how easy it was to clean

I used the Smeg Professional blender in my own home for two weeks, making smoothies, sauces, hummus and crushed ice. 

I assessed how simple it was to set the blender up, how easy and intuitive it is to use, how well it performed different tasks, its noise levels and how easy it was to clean. 

I’ve been reviewing home and kitchen appliances for more than 15 years and have a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw on when assessing how well a product such as a blender performs. 

Read more about how we test.

  • First reviewed May 2024
Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner review
9:00 am | May 15, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances Vacuums | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner: two-minute review

The Miele DuoFlex HX1 is part of the European brand's HX1 range, pitched as the brand's most affordable cordless vacuum cleaner. The DuoFlex HX1 is available in five different iterations. They're the same core vacuum with the same main cleaner head, but in a range of colors and with varying tools and accessories included. That means you can choose the model that suits you, without having to shell out for extra tools that you don't really need.

Miele is a European brand that has a long history of designing practical vacuums that stand the test of time. It's still best known for its plug-in vacuums, but will no doubt be hoping the HX1 range will earn it spot on TechRadar's best cordless vacuum ranking.

On test it felt well-built, sturdy and robust, but heavy and cumbersome. It's designed to be as powerful as Miele's bagged vacuums, and I found the dirt collection was good on the higher power level. The HX1's ability to automatically detect different floor types and adjust its suction in response takes the fuss out of vacuuming around your home. I also appreciated the clever self-cleaning filter. 

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum laid out on the floor, surrounded by attachments

(Image credit: Future)

However, these innovative features are let down by some issues with the basics. The small dirt bin, messy emptying process and the short battery life are frustrating and mean this vacuum cleaner is best suited to smaller homes and those with predominantly hard floors. 

For this review, I tested out the HX1 Cat & Dog version, the USP of which is a handheld 'Electro Compact' brush. I found this did a great job of removing hair from pet bedding and thoroughly cleaning upholstery. However, the small dust bin limits this vacuum's suitability for pet owners, especially if their four-legged friends shed a lot. Read on for my full Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner review.

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner review: price & availability

  • UK: from £449, available now (launched summer 2024)
  • US: from $599, launching June 2024
  • Australia: price and launch date TBC

Each of the five models in the Miele DuoFlex HX1 range is priced slightly differently. It's the same base model for all versions, but the accessories included differ. Hop to my model comparison table to see exactly how they compare, but price-wise the UK range runs from £369 to £499, with the Cat & Dog model I reviewed is £449. There's plenty of scope to choose the model that's right for your home and lifestyle.

The Miele DuoFlex HX1 range launched in summer 2024 in the UK. At time of writing, that's the only territory it's available in, but it is due to launch in the US in June 2024, at $599 for the standard HX1 model. It will also be available in Australia, but we don't have pricing information yet.

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner specs

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum model options

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner review: design

  • Sturdy build, tools supplied vary by model
  • ComfortClean system removes the need to wash filter
  • Dust cup is small at 0.3L

The various models in the range are available in different colors. The Miele DuoFlex HX1 Cat & Dog comes in obsidian black and space gray, which is just a fancy way of saying it's essentially a black and gray vacuum – arguably a bit dull. That being said, not everyone wants a bright and lurid vacuum. And while the look is understated, the vacuum itself has a sturdy quality. It feels well built, as do all the tools.

The 'MultiFloor electrobrush' is the HX1's standard cleaning head. Additionally, all models come with a dusting brush and crevice nozzle – both of which can be stored on the wand of the vacuum so they're always to hand when needed – and a large upholstery nozzle. 

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner with tools attached

(Image credit: Future)

Beyond those tools, the extras depend on the model you go for. The special addition for the Cat & Dog version I had on test is a small 'Electro Compact brush', designed specifically for tackling pet hair on upholstery. 

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner in use in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

The vacuum switches on via a button on the front of the handle, so there's no uncomfortable trigger to worry about. A second button below it enables you to switch between the two power levels. 

The charging cable can be plugged directly into the vacuum, or, if you're installing the wall bracket it can be included in this setup so the vacuum automatically charges every time it's docked on the bracket. 

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner in use in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

While many vacuums now include washable lifetime filters, Miele has developed an even better solution with what it calls the ComfortClean self-cleaning function. By turning the ComfortClean cap, the fine dust filter is cleaned in place. Any dirt that's removed from the filter makes its way into the dust bin and gets emptied out with the rest of the debris into your trash.

The dust bin is emptied easily via a flap that releases the dirt into the trash. But the small 0.3 liter dirt capacity will definitely be off-putting for some households.

  • Design score: 4 out of 5

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner review: performance

  • Dirt bin fills up frustratingly fast, and emptying it can be messy
  • Feels heavy and a bit cumbersome, but maneuvers well
  • Suction is good and auto power switching is effective

When reviewing the Miele DuoFlex HX1, a few things were obvious even from the first use. This vacuum feels weighty, and I'm not just talking about vacuuming overhead. It has a heaviness even when vacuuming floors, which I think is down to the balance and the position and/or the angle of the handle.

Furthermore, the handle felt pretty chunky in my small hands, verging on uncomfortable. But I'm a 5ft 3in woman, so I got my 6ft 2in husband to try it out. He found the handle size to be more appropriate to his hand size. Though he felt there was less space under the handle and his fingers were a bit squashed. He also commented on the appearance of the vacuum which he liked, but I'm less keen on.

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner in use in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

Maneuverability was good on all floors. The main floorhead automatically detects carpet and increases the suction in response. This auto switching function works effectively, and I found it really took the thinking out of maneuvering between floor types, though the down-side it that it drains the battery (more on that later).

Edge cleaning along baseboards is fine on the lower power setting, but much better on the higher setting. Even when I deliberately sprinkled debris along baseboards, it was thoroughly sucked up on the higher suction, which isn't always the case with cordless vacuums.

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner sucking up oats near the skirting board of the reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

I've got both carpeted and wood stairs and the HX1 coped well with both. However, in general, even on hard floors, it was rare that I could vacuum a whole room on the lower suction. Generally, I felt the need to increase the power to the higher level to be certain of a thorough clean. And again, this impacts the amount of cleaning time you get before the battery dies.

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner in use in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

After just five minutes of vacuuming a bedroom carpet, that wasn't all that dirty, the small dust bin was full up. The loose carpet fibers quickly fill the small bin, and while it doesn't fill up this fast on hard floors. If you've got a very busy house with children and pets, the dirt bin is not likely to be big enough. Similarly for larger homes, the frequent need to empty the bin will become very tedious.

Further to that, emptying out the dirt wasn't always straightforward. While the catch releases the base of the dust bin, the dirt doesn't always fall out. Often hair gets tangled around the pre-filter and sometimes debris gets stuck behind it. The pre-filter then has to be pulled out by hand to fully release everything, so it can certainly be a messy task.

The ComfortClean system is great for unclogging the filter, but every three months the filter has to be removed and tapped on the side of the trash. Once again, this is very messy to do.

Miele DuoFlex HX1 filter

(Image credit: Future)

The noise level is pretty typical for a vacuum. When using the hand tools it's around 70dB, rising to 80dB on the higher suction level. With the multi-floor brush in place you can expect a noise level in the region of 75-80dB depending on the floor type and power level.

Miele DuoFlex HX1 tools

The main floor cleaner head is referred to as the MultiFloor ElectroBrush, but there are a range of supplementary tools, which I'll comment on more here. The tools you get will depend on which version of the HX1 you opt for. The smaller of these tools can be attached directly to the vacuum for use as a handheld vacuum, or they can be fitted to the end of the wand for a longer reach. However, as a handheld vacuum in the car the HX1 felt bulky.

Image 1 of 7

Dusting brush for Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner

Dusting brush (included with all models) (Image credit: Miele)
Image 2 of 7

Upholstery nozzle for Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner

Upholstery nozzle (all models) (Image credit: Miele)
Image 3 of 7

crevice nozzle for Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner

Crevice nozzle (all models) (Image credit: Miele)
Image 4 of 7

Electro Compact tool for Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner

Electro Compact tool (Cat & Dog / TotalCare versions) (Image credit: Miele)
Image 5 of 7

Universal brush tool for Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner

Universal brush (Extra / TotalCare versions) (Image credit: Miele)
Image 6 of 7

Flexible crevice nozzle XL tool for Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner

Flexible crevice nozzle XL (CarCare / TotalCare versions) (Image credit: Miele)
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Flexible suction hose tool for Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner

Flexible suction hose (CarCare / TotalCare versions) (Image credit: Miele)

The dusting brush (included with all models) was handy for dusting shelves, but depending on the angle and the height of the shelf, isn't always the most comfortable method of dusting. I also used it on some of my car dashboard, but it couldn't reach into tighter spots. 

The wide upholstery nozzle (all models) means you can cover large surfaces at speed. I quickly vacuumed two sofas, but did need to increase the power to the higher level to effectively remove all the dust clinging to a velvet sofa.

Vacumming a sofa using the crevice tool on Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner

(Image credit: Future)

The crevice nozzle (all models) is a good length and the rubber end is a nice touch that means it won't damage or scratch anything. I found it particularly helpful for getting into hard-to-reach spots in the car.

The Electro Compact handheld brush is only included in the Cat & Dog version I tested, and the TotalCare version. On test, I found it was good for thoroughly cleaning my carpeted stairs. I also used it on my car mats, but found it couldn't reach everywhere in the foot wells. It works well on upholstery too and is designed for vacuuming up pet hair.

The nozzles from the HX1 range that I didn't test were the universal brush (Extra and TotalCare models) for cleaning sensitive surfaces, and the flexible crevice nozzle XL and the flexible suction hose (both CarCare and TotalCare only) designed to help you reach further into awkward areas in the car and the house. 

  • Performance score: 4 out of 5

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner review: battery life

  • Short run times
  • Vacuuming carpet drains battery
  • Only three lights to indicate battery level

Vacuuming carpeted floors on the higher power setting is the fastest way to drain the battery. The Duoflex HX1 managed 11 minutes of vacuuming carpets on high power before the battery needed a full recharge. However, the surprise came when vacuuming carpets on the lower power level. Despite being on a lower suction, the battery lasted for a pretty pathetic 13 and a half minutes. 

On hard floors I was able to vacuum continuously on the lower power level for 21 minutes before the HX1 ran out of juice. This is the longest run time you'll get on floors, which is only enough time to blitz round two to three rooms, depending on the size of your rooms and how thorough you're being.

Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner, shot of the upper side showing battery life indicator lights

(Image credit: Future)

You'll get a longer vacuuming time when using the non-motorized hand tools, such as the dusting brush and crevice nozzle. But it still only offers up to 55 minutes, which will be on the lower power level.

When switching between all the hand tools, including the mini motorized tool, as well as switching between the power levels, the battery lasted just long enough for me to fully vacuum a Volkswagen Golf. But the car wasn't super dirty and if it had needed a more thorough, detailed clean, I would have had to do it in stages.

During testing, the battery recharge took between three and three and a half hours, which is in line with Miele's specs (which state 210 minutes).

Should you buy the Miele DuoFlex HX1 vacuum cleaner?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Miele DuoFlex HX1

  • I tried every tool supplied
  • I used it on multiple surfaces throughout my home, as well as in my car
  • I timed the battery life

I used the vacuum in my own home for around a week. During that time, I tried all the various tools on a variety of surfaces. I vacuumed area rugs, carpet and hard floors, as well as upholstery, stairs, and even hard surfaces like shelving.

In addition to simply vacuuming, I took notice of ease of use, maneuverability and comfort. I also tested its performance on very specific tasks, like picking up that hard-to-reach debris along baseboards and in the corners of the room.

I reviewed my first vacuums over 15 years ago at the Good Housekeeping Institute in London. Over the years I've reviewed well in excess of one hundred vacuums. It really doesn't take me long to assess a vacuum and pinpoint its good features, as well as the less desirable qualities that are worth knowing before you buy.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2024

Google Search rolls out AI Overviews to everyone in the US
10:34 pm | May 14, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

Google's Search Generative Experience experiment has reached the point where one of its features is now ready to graduate and be offered to everyone - at least everyone in the US at first. We're talking about AI Overviews, which was available as an experiment before, but is now rolling out to all Google Search users in the US. More countries will follow at some point in the future. Google expects the feature to reach a billion people by the end of the year. AI Overviews, like the name implies, will give you a quick overview of a topic with links to learn more. This was already available in...

OnePlus Watch 2 review: Finally, a Wear OS watch with staying power
7:34 pm | May 13, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness Smartwatches | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

OnePlus Watch 2: One minute review

After a less-than-stellar introduction to the world of smartwatches with the original OnePlus Watch in 2021, OnePlus is back with its second effort, and it’s a different beast entirely. Rather than relying on its own software, OnePlus’ latest wearable uses Google’s Wear OS platform to deliver a comprehensive set of features that will satisfy even the most demanding user.

Anyone who’s familiar with Wear OS will know that poor battery life is its biggest hurdle, and OnePlus manages to leap right over it with an ingenious solution. This watch has two processors and two operating systems working in tandem, one handles all the basic functions like telling the time and counting steps, while the other tackles the more complex stuff. Depending on your usage, you really can achieve 100 hours on a single charge.

The OnePlus Watch 2 offers a tasteful design, but its large dimensions mean that it’s less suited to those with petite wrists. It feels quality throughout, but I can’t help but wish for a functional rotating crown. This one can be rotated, but it doesn’t do anything. It’s just a circular button.

When it comes to features and performance, I have no complaints whatsoever. Fitness tracking data seems accurate, it pairs easily and remains connected to your phone, and the Wear OS ecosystem means you can install a wide variety of applications to achieve all sorts of tasks. I managed three days on a charge with the always-on display enabled, too.

As it stands, I think it’s one of the most compelling Wear OS options available today, and certainly one of the best smartwatches outside of Apple. It’s reasonably priced, well-designed, feature-packed and lasts for a long time. What more could you need?

OnePlus Watch 2: Specifications

OnePlus Watch 2: Price and Availability

OnePlus Watch 2 worn on man's wrist

(Image credit: Luke Baker)
  • £299 in the UK
  • $299.99 in the US
  • AU$459 in Australia

The OnePlus Watch 2 is available to purchase now globally with an MSRP of $299.99 / £299 / AU$459. It originally launched in Black Steel and Radiant Steel, but a Nordic Blue variant was introduced more recently in Europe, too. The specs and features are the same across all variants, it’s only the colour of the chassis and strap that changes.

The OnePlus Watch 2 is very reasonably priced compared to its Wear OS rivals. The Pixel Watch 2, TicWatch Pro 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro are all slightly more expensive at full retail, but frequent discounts mean that they can be found at similar prices.

  •  Value score: 4/5 

OnePlus Watch 2: Design and screen

OnePlus Watch 2 worn on man's wrist

(Image credit: Luke Baker)
  • 1.43-inch AMOLED display
  • Steel chassis with sapphire crystal face
  • Black Steel, Radiant Steel and Nordic Blue options

The OnePlus Watch 2 immediately gives the impression of quality, it's dense, heavy and shiny, as you’d expect a high-end watch to be. However, the downsides to this design are immediately apparent, too: it’s a big, thick watch, and it’s only available in a single 46mm case size. This means it’s not going to be for everyone. I’m a big guy, and even on my wrists it felt a little large and heavy; I can certainly imagine it looking ridiculous on those with slim wrists.

The OnePlus Watch 2 is mostly circular, but it has a flat edge on the right-hand side. The buttons are offset at an angle, which means they’re never accidentally pressed by the back of your hand when you lean on a table. It’s a thoughtful touch.

OnePlus says the design is inspired by classic stopwatches, but it equally reminds me of the camera surround on the OnePlus 12, it’s a nice bit of design synergy if you happen to own both. On the whole, though, I think it’s lacking in personality. There’s nothing wrong with the design, it just doesn’t do much to stand out, either.

The uppermost button is circular and sticks out from the main body, like a watch crown. However, while it can be rotated, rotating it doesn’t do anything, it’s just a normal button. I found this a bit disappointing, most of the Watch 2’s competitors have functional crowns, and even the budget-oriented Huawei Watch Fit 3 manages to include one.

The display has an ample 466 x 466 resolution and it’s bright enough that I never had trouble seeing it in direct sunlight. The bezels are fairly chunky, but a selection of predominantly dark watch faces do a great job of disguising this. The screen is coated with sapphire crystal and has a hardness rating of 8+ Mohs, which essentially means that it’s highly scratch-resistant. After wearing it for a few weeks, the glass is still spotless (despite taking a few knocks).

The watch also has a MIL-STD 810H rating for durability, and it's completely waterproof up to 5ATM. So, no matter how adventurous your lifestyle may be, the OnePlus Watch 2 should be up to the task.

  • Design score: 3.5/5

OnePlus Watch 2: Features

OnePlus Watch 2 worn on man's wrist

(Image credit: Luke Baker)
  • 32GB of onboard storage
  • Great flexibility with Wear OS apps
  • Over 100 built-in exercise modes

Since the Watch 2 runs Wear OS, it integrates seamlessly with all of Google’s services like Google Calendar, Google Fit, Google Wallet, Maps and more. As someone who relies on Google for most of my digital life, it’s blissful not having to manually link any of these services.

The other big advantage of Wear OS is that it has an app store. As an example, I like to track my rides using Strava. Most watches will require a (sometimes complex) linking process to share data with Strava, but on the OnePlus Watch 2 you just tap the Play Store, install Strava, and you’re ready to track. 

It’s not just fitness stuff that you’ll find here either. You can find all manner of functionalities on Wear OS: I love having the ability to control my smart lights from my watch using Google Home or IFTTT, for example. That’s the kind of function that proprietary operating systems struggle with, but Wear OS handles like a breeze.

The downside to this system is usually the battery drain. Wear OS is a notoriously demanding smartwatch platform, and Wear OS watches with multi-day battery life are few and far between. Brands have tried various techniques to get around this, the TicWatch Pro 5’s dual-layer low-power display is a great example, but none are quite as seamless as the OnePlus Watch 2’s approach.

This watch is essentially two watches in one, and that’s probably why it’s so chunky. It has a Snapdragon W5 to run Wear OS and all the smart bits, while a low-power BES2700BP chip and RTOS system runs all the basics, like telling the time and capturing health data. The watch switches between the two systems depending on what you ask it to do, so you get all the features, without the usual battery woes. It’s a brilliant workaround.

You get 32GB of storage built in, ample space for offline Spotify listening if you want to leave the phone at home. Meanwhile, the default fitness tracking application can track over 100 different types of exercise. Of course, if your favorite is missing, you can always install a different app instead.

The watch uses the OHealth Android app to pair with your smartphone, but there’s no equivalent for iOS, so iPhone users need not apply. In the app, you can check out your fitness metrics, customize your watch face and settings, and start tracking a workout. It’s a little barebones, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. It keeps everything simple, and if you want to do something more advanced, you can do that on the watch itself.

  • Features score: 4/5

OnePlus Watch 2: Performance

OnePlus Watch 2 screen

(Image credit: Luke Baker)
  • Up to 100 hours of battery life
  • Heart rate, sleep, stress and SpO2 monitoring
  • Multi-band GPS tracking

The big thing that sets this watch apart is its battery life. I like to use my smartwatches with everything enabled, and the always-on display active, essentially the worst-case scenario for battery life. Even still, I was able to manage around three days per charge when I wasn’t using GPS, and around two days when I was.

If you’re fine with raise-to-wake, and maybe disable some of your more frequent notifications, then you’ll be able to achieve much longer. Kick it into power-saving mode and you can go 12 days between charges, and you’ll still get notifications and track your steps and heart rate, too. Of course, the more advanced features are disabled in this mode.

When it’s time to charge, it's done with a magnetic puck that attaches to the watch with some pogo pins. It’s a nice, compact unit with a removable USB-C cable, I found it much nicer to travel with than a lengthy proprietary cable. Wireless charging support would have been even nicer, though.

The connection between my phone and the OnePlus Watch 2 was rock-solid throughout my testing. Notifications came through reliably and quickly, and if I left the phone somewhere and came back to it, the two devices would reconnect without any hiccups.

It’s hard to gauge the accuracy of the watch’s many fitness sensors, but the readings I got were in line with most of my other wearables. The step count was continually a little higher than my phone’s built-in pedometer, but much of that can be attributed to leaving my phone at my desk as I get up and run errands. Heart rate readings matched those that I’m used to seeing from my TicWatch Pro 5, too.

The watch can track your sleep habits, too. The metrics include everything from sleep stage breakdowns to heart rate changes and even breathing patterns. I hate sleeping in a watch, especially one as chunky as this, but I was on a couple of overnight flights during my testing and managed to capture some data. I did, in fact, not get much sleep, as the watch kindly reminded me.

  • Performance score: 4.5/5

OnePlus Watch 2: Scorecard

OnePlus Watch 2: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

OnePlus Watch 2: How we tested

Our reviewer wore the OnePlus Watch 2 as his primary smartwatch for over two weeks, and it accompanied him on some international travels and during regular workouts. It was paired to a Vivo X100 Pro for the majority of the testing period but was also tried with the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra.

The tracking results were compared to historical results from the Huawei Watch Fit 3 and TicWatch Pro 5, as well as the built-in step counter on the smartphone to assess accuracy.

OnePlus Watch 2: Also consider

First reviewed: May 2024

Motorola Edge 40 Neo review
2:52 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phones | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Moto Edge 40 Neo two-minute review

The Motorola Edge 40 Neo straddles the line between the type of fantastic cheap phone that Moto is known for, and a more esteemed breed of mid-range mobile. And while it manages to be a respectable jack of all trades, it’s a master of none.

The handset is ostensibly a more affordable spin on the Motorola Edge 40, released in the early months of 2023, but with some compromises and corners cut in order to save you a bit of money. The three main distinctions are that the chipset is weaker, it has no wireless charging and the body is made from less premium materials.

Offering a ‘budget’ version of a flagship is standard practice in mobile-making, but the Neo offers very few weaker areas than its more premium compadre – in fact, it’s actually a more powerful phone in a few areas, with a bigger battery and more RAM. If you gave me the phones and didn’t tell me which was which, I wouldn’t be able to identify which of them cost over £100 more.

Many of the Edge 40’s impressive features are here in force. The charging is very quick for a Moto phone, with 68W powering getting your phone full in 30 minutes or less. Moto’s spin on stock Android continues to offer loads of customization options and handy shortcuts. The phone has a good-looking display, a range of attractive Pantone-designed color options and more storage than you’ll find in many other mobiles of this price.

The Motorola Edge 40 Neo

(Image credit: Future)

Unfortunately, though the Moto Edge 40 Neo is an attractive alternative to its premium sibling, it doesn’t quite justify its higher price compared to members of the Moto G range of affordable Android handsets. We tested the Neo alongside the Moto G84 which costs less and is more impressive for what it offers, with similar specs, improved gaming capabilities and many features in common with the Neo.

One issue with the Edge 40 Neo is the curved-edge display. This is a feature that used to be commonplace in premium phones, and even some mid-rangers that were positioning themselves as neo-premiums. A display like this lets the phone sit more comfortably in the hand, and lends it a more refined feel, though it’s very easy to accidentally touch the edge and trigger some unintended function. That was the case with the Neo, and it made gaming an absolute pain.

Motorola’s continued Achilles’ Heel returns too in the form of the Edge 40 Neo’s cameras. The 50MP main and 13MP ultra-wide combo looks fine on paper, but the pictures are unremarkable and a little dull. This handset isn’t for the impassioned mobile photographer.

Overall the feature set here is solid, especially considering the low cost of the handset, but a few stumbling blocks stand in the way. Issues with the curved-edge display mean that gaming is more of a pain than it’s worth, making the powerful specs and good-looking screen redundant for gamers. And people who like the software and display will find contemporary Moto G handsets equal in function yet cheaper in price.

Motorola Edge 40 Neo review: price and availability

  • Released in September 2023
  • Costs £299.99 (roughly $375, AU$575) 
  • Not for sale in US or Australia

The Motorola Edge 40 Neo

(Image credit: Future)

The newest member of Motorola’s Edge family was announced in mid-September, alongside the Moto G84 and Moto G53. It went on sale shortly afterward in the UK – we don’t have any information on releases elsewhere, but judging by precedent, it could show up in the US down the line under a different name. 

The phone costs just £299 (roughly $375, AU$575) which is surprisingly cheap for an Edge phone, given that some of the brand’s budget Moto G handsets have sold for more. 

For comparison, the main Edge 40 costs £529 (roughly $690 / AU$1,015) while the Edge 30 Neo went for £349 (about $400, AU$500), so this is one of the cheapest Edge mobiles Moto has released. 

  • Value score: 3.5 / 5

Motorola Edge 40 Neo review: specs

Is the Moto Edge 40 Neo a budget phone, or a mid-ranger? Let's look at its specs...

Motorola Edge 40 Neo review: design

  • Four Pantone-designed color options
  • Curved-edge display makes phone feel premium
  • USB-C port but no 3.5mm headphone jack

The Motorola Edge 40 Neo

(Image credit: Future)

The Moto Edge 40 Neo looks surprisingly premium given its price tag. Between the curved-edge display, vibrant color options and svelte body, this could be confused from a distance for a Samsung or Xiaomi blower.

The Neo is one of several recent Moto phones that have had their color options designed by Pantone, and so three of the four you can pick between look distinct and unique. It’s the Caneel Bay model that you can see in pictures but there’s also Peach Fuzz, Soothing Sea (light green) and Black Beauty. This latter is the only one that looks rather basic — it’s just black.

Moto has also continued to use a design feature that used to be commonplace in premium mobiles, but is now sadly rare: the curved-edge display. This rounded screen makes the phone sit nice and comfortably in the hand, and it’s another element of the mobile that seems pinched from a much pricier model. While the angle isn’t as dramatic as the ‘Waterfall’ display used on the original Edge series, that just means it’s less slippery.

Unfortunately, some of the negative traits of premium mobiles are here too; there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, for example, despite Moto continuing to feature this in most of its handsets. The only port, then, is the USB-C adaptor.

On the right edge of the phone is the volume rocker and power button, both in fairly easy-to-reach positions. The handset is lightweight at just 170g and measures 159.6 x 72 x 7.9mm.

It’s a well-protected handset with an IP68 rating. That means it’s nice and snug from dust particles and submersion in water.

  • Design score: 3.5 / 5

Motorola Edge 40 Neo review: display

  • Large 6.5-inch screen
  • Resolution of FHD+ (1080 x 2400)
  • High max brightness and snappy refresh rate

The Motorola Edge 40 Neo

(Image credit: Future)

The phone’s screen is 6.55 inches across — fairly standard for a smartphone in this day and age. As mentioned in the design section it’s a curved-edge display, which makes it look a little larger, though this feature has a big drawback (head to the ‘Performance and audio’ section to learn more).

There’s nothing surprising in the resolution department: FHD+, or 2400 x 1080 pixels as the vast majority of smartphones are. This is all you really need, though, as popular games and streaming services output at this resolution or lower.

The phone has a nice snappy refresh rate of 144Hz, so motion looks lovely and smooth, and a fairly high max brightness of 1,300 nits too. As budget phone displays go this ticks all the boxes and puts a second tick in a few of them too, so you won’t be disappointed by it.

  • Display score: 4 / 5

Motorola Edge 40 Neo review: software

  • Uses Google's stock Android
  • Only two confirmed years of updates
  • Lots of navigation and customization features

The Motorola Edge 40 Neo

(Image credit: Future)

The Motorola Edge 40 Neo comes running Android 13, the newest form of Google’s operating system as of its release. Moto tends to be reticent on future update plans though, so its promise for only two years of updates seems a little shallow compared to the longer update spans many other Android phones get. However, not everyone cares about getting the newest version of Android for years to come, and your phone will still work for many more years whether or not you get these updates.

The Neo uses near-stock Android, which means it’s as Google designed it, with no visual or functional overlay like many other Android brands use. Stock Android is generally regarded as having a pretty clean-looking interface with easy navigation.

Motorola has been slowly pulling stock Android in its own direction, though, by bringing more and more of its own features to the phones. These are all welcome additions. A long-running one is Moto Actions, little gestures you can do for shortcuts, including a double-karate-chop action to turn on a torch, or two rotating shakes to turn on the camera. They can take some getting used to, but they’re fantastic time-saving tools once you’ve got the knack.

In Moto’s recent phones it’s also been offering an expansive suite of customization options, more so than most rival mobiles. You can change font, color scheme, app icon shape, display edge light, and a lot more; if you love tinkering settings to your heart’s content, the Edge 40 Neo is going to let you do just that.

  • Software score: 4 / 5

Motorola Edge 40 Neo review: cameras

  • 50MP main and 8MP ultra-wide cameras
  • Some extra features like Spot Color
  • 32MP front-facing camera for selfies

The Motorola Edge 40 Neo

(Image credit: Future)

You don't buy a Moto phone expecting Samsung- or iPhone-level photography chops, and there's no change in the Moto Edge 40 Neo. 

The phone has two rear cameras, headed up by a 50MP f/1.8 snapper, which is joined by a 13MP f/2.2 120-degree ultra-wide. A fairly standard duo, all things considered.

The main camera is fit for purpose, but it won't wow. I took snaps that would be perfectly suitable for dropping onto Instagram or WhatsApp, but nothing that was fantastic enough that I was enthused to hunt down amazing scenes when I wasn't trying to test the cameras.

My main issue is that the snaps look a little grainy, even when well-lit, as you can see in the below cookies picture, which was taken with help from a professional photography light. The phone's processing sometimes added an odd color tint too, which you can see in both the pineapple and houseplant snaps.

Switch over to the ultra-wide camera, and you're getting pictures that are fairly low-res, and also a little duller than those taken on the main camera.

Selfies are... fine, that's the most descriptive word for these pictures. Portrait mode bokeh was fairly light-touch but sometimes gentle is better. Quality was lost in darker areas.

Moto has added a few extra camera modes beyond the standards, the main of which is a Samsung-esque Spot Color that lets you pick one color from the frame and remove all the others. It's a fun extra mode that not many phones offer, even though it wasn't always flawless in execution (it confused skin tone and wood colors on several occasions). It works both for photography and for videography.

You can record video in 1080p at 60fps or 4K at 30fps, and can drop the frame rate down to 240fps in slow-mo mode.

  • Camera score: 3 / 5

Motorola Edge 40 Neo camera samples

Image 1 of 6

A tray of biscuits taken on the Moto Edge 40 Neo

Some home-made jammy dodgers taken on the Moto's main camera. (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 6

A house plant taken on the Moto Edge 40 Neo

A houseplant taken on 1x camera mode, with an odd green tint (Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 6

A selfie taken on the Moto Edge 40 Neo

A selfie taken in standard mode. (Image credit: Future)
Image 4 of 6

A selfie taken on the Moto Edge 40 Neo

A selfie taken in portrait mode (Image credit: Future)
Image 5 of 6

A pineapple taken on the Moto Edge 40 Neo

A picture of a pineapple taken on the main camera. (Image credit: Future)
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Another Moto phone taken on the Moto Edge 40 Neo

A picture of the Moto G84, another Pantone-colored Moto phone. Head over to that review to see a snap of the Neo taken on it. (Image credit: Future)

Motorola Edge 40 Neo review: performance and audio

  • Powerful Dimensity 7030 chipset plus 12GB RAM
  • Curved-edge display brings gaming problems
  • Bluetooth 5.4, tinny speakers and no headphone jack

On paper, the Moto is a budget gaming champ. It has the mid-range yet relatively powerful Dimensity 7030 chipset running under the hood, paired with an impressive 12GB RAM.

Those lend themselves to power, and a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 2,513 shows that this certainly is a powerful phone compared to same-price contemporaries.

Unfortunately, the phone’s curvy screen makes gaming a frustrating experience. When I played Call of Duty: Mobile, I’d repeatedly accidentally tap the top edge of the display, bringing up the mini-map if it was on one edge or looking wildly around if it were the other. This same experience occurred on other titles too, depending on the buttons that their UI house right at the top.

There’s evidently little accidental-touch recognition here, despite this being a feature that Moto Edge phones have previously boasted. It’s a curious omission or flaw but it means the handset just isn’t great for gaming fans.

It’s a shame too, because the specs are fantastic for a phone of this price. A 144Hz display and 12GB RAM feels wasted in a phone like this.

As stated, there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack on the Moto Edge 40 Neo, so for music you’ll have to rely on connecting to the phone with Bluetooth 5.4 or using the stereo speakers. If you’re going for the latter, be warned that they’re a little tinny, especially if you crank up the volume louder. Fine for bangs and explosions for games, not so much for enjoying your favorite symphony on Spotify.

  • Performance score: 3 / 5

Motorola Edge 40 Neo review: battery life

  • Chunky 5,000mAh battery
  • Phone easily works into second day
  • Lovely fast 68W charging for half-hour power

The Motorola Edge 40 Neo

(Image credit: Future)

As with the vast majority of its phones, Moto has put a 5,000mAh battery in the Edge 40 Neo, which is the largest-capacity power back you’ll find in the vast majority of smartphones.

In testing, the phone had no issues in lasting a full day of use, and often lasted until mid-way through a second day before it needed to be plugged in. Frugal phone users might even see the mobile last a whole second day.

So what’s that charging like? Well, Moto fans might do a double take here, but it’s 68W; given that Motorola generally sticks to slow charging for its phones, that’s a surprisingly snappy speed that we’re happy to see.

You can power the phone to full from empty in just over half an hour; Motorola’s selling the phone on its ability to charge to 50% in under 15 minutes, which our testing concurred with. Just don’t expect wireless charging, on the Neo or any phone at this price!

  • Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Motorola Edge 40 Neo?

Buy it if...

You like funky phones
Coming in four Pantone-designed color options, the Edge 40 Neo is one for you if you're bored of the typical 'black or blue' options you get for most Android phones.

You're a curved-edge display fan
Curved-edge displays have their fans and their detractors, and if you're in the latter camp you have few options. The Edge 40 Neo is a definite consideration for you.

You like customizing your software
Colorful phone options, colorful phone interface: Moto's phones are rife with ways to customize the look of your handset's interface.

Don't buy it if...

You're a mobile gamer
The curved-edge display's accidental touch issues nearly had me pulling my hair out when I was testing the Neo on online games. This is not one for mobile gamers!

You’re a phone photographer
Motorola's phones rarely have anything in the way of photography chops, and that's definitely the case here too. Fit for purpose, but won't wow.

You care about software updates
If you care about how long your smartphone will see new features for, you might find the Edge a little limited compared to some other brands' phones.

Motorola Edge 40 Neo review: also consider

Considering other mobiles beyond the Moto Edge 40 Neo? Here are some others you could look into:

Moto Edge 40
You're getting a more powerful chipset here as well as a slightly smaller phone made with more premium materials, but it costs more and is pretty much the same (or weaker) in all other departments.

Poco X5
For the same price as the Edge 40 Neo, gaming fans can get this powerful Android phone with a big, bold display. Don't expect as many features as on Moto's phones but its gaming chops far exceed the Neo's.

How I tested the Motorola Edge 40 Neo

The Motorola Edge 40 Neo

(Image credit: Future)
  • Review test period = 2 week
  • Testing included = Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
  • Tools used = Geekbench 5, Geekbench 6, Geekbench ML, GFXBench, native Android stats

I tested the Motorola Edge 40 Neo alongside the G84 and G53, which were announced and released alongside it. I used the Caneel Bay color variant of this mobile, and I've never been to Caneel Bay itself so I can't attest to the color's accuracy.

Since the Edge 40 Neo was not the first of the three phones I tested, it enjoyed an extended testing period, as for two weeks I set it up to let the battery settle, and for the occasional gaming or photography session. The 'true' testing time was two weeks, and I used the mobile as my own handset for this time.

I've been testing smartphones for TechRadar for almost five years now. In fact, after joining the team in early 2019, my first-ever review was a Motorola handset. I left TechRadar in late 2022 but continue to contribute freelance reviews of mobiles as well as speakers, running gadgets, headphones and more. That is to say, I have a long track record of testing devices like the Motorola Edge 40 Neo.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed December 2023

Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 review: A superb choice for wider feet
3:30 pm | May 11, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Inov-8 F-Lite G 300: One minute review

Stepping into the realm of cross-training shoes, the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 is a standout choice for those with wider feet. This shoe blends durability and stability in a package that can be applied to a range of fitness environments. 

The shoe boasts a lovely, striking design. It’s made with durable graphene, yet remains surprisingly light at only 300g – a balance of strength and lightness which is a rare find in cross-training shoes. The F-Lite G 300 offers a range of color selections, including a stylish black-and-white cow print, appealing to those who value aesthetics alongside performance.

Performance-wise, the F-Lite G 300 impresses. Its cushioning and flexibility are apt for diverse workouts, from weightlifting to cross-training. However, it's not without its quirks that prevent it from being given an elusive five stars: the laces don’t tighten as much as I’d like, and the black tab bled color on my ankle during initial uses. Comfort is generally good but not always consistent during testing. 

Ideal for individuals with a wider foot, the shoe supports a transition between running and lifting seamlessly. Yet, it’s worth mentioning that it might not be the perfect fit for everyone, particularly those with narrow feet or people who prefer a completely flat-bottomed shoe.

Overall, the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 stands as a robust option in the world of cross-training shoes, especially for those prioritising durability and a wider fit. Its unique blend of materials and thoughtful design make it a worthy consideration for your next athletic shoe purchase.

Inov-8 F-Lite G 300: Specifications

Inov-8 F-Lite G 300: Price and availability

The Inov-8 F-Lite G 300

(Image credit: Future / Lee Bell)
  • Around $150 in the US
  • £145 in the UK
  • AU$159 in Australia

The Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 is competitively priced, catering to a global audience with varied regional pricing. In the United States, the cross-training shoes are available for approximately $150. For fitness enthusiasts in the UK, they can be purchased for £145, while in Australia, the price is set at around AU$159. 

This is about the going rate for a good pair of fitness shoes, especially those that support a wide range of athletic pursuits, from gym workouts to outdoor activities, like these do. However, it’s not outstanding enough value to recommend on price alone.

  •  Value score: 3.5/5 

Inov-8 F-Lite G 300: Design

The Inov-8 F-Lite G 300

(Image credit: Future / Lee Bell)
  • Robust graphene construction
  • Lightweight, weighing only 300g
  • Wide range of color options

When it comes to cross-training shoes, design isn't just about good looks; it's about crafting a shoe that meets the demands of varied workouts. The Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 makes a good first impression thanks to a blend of functionality and style.

One of the first things you'll notice about this shoe once it's on your foot is its durable graphene construction. Graphene is renowned for its strength, but don't let this toughness fool you – these shoes are surprisingly lightweight at just 300 grams. This delicate balance of durability and weight is quite the design feat, in my opinion, catering to the needs of cross-trainers who need both resilience and agility from their kicks.

Available in a variety of color combinations, the F-Lite G 300 can match just about any gym outfit. For those who prefer understated elegance, the black/white variant is the color I reviewed and proved to be a solid choice. If you're more about making a statement, then the black-and-white cow print could be your go-to. 

As for the fit, these shoes are specially designed for those with wider feet, providing ample room without compromising on support. The knit upper of the shoe adds to the comfort factor, ensuring breathability during intense workouts. However, it's worth noting that the laces might not tighten to everyone's liking since their design tightens to the cage of the shoe, not your foot. Something to keep in mind for those who prefer a snugger fit.

  • Design score: 4/5

Inov-8 F-Lite G 300: Performance

The Inov-8 F-Lite G 300

(Image credit: Future / Lee Bell)
  • Versatile performance across multiple activities
  • Stable base for weightlifting
  • Mixed bag comfort-wise

After putting the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 through its paces, it's clear these shoes are a strong contender in the cross-training category, albeit with a few caveats.

Let's start with the positives. The graphene-enhanced durability means these shoes can take a beating, whether it's from rope climbs, box jumps, or sprints. Their resilience in varied training scenarios is commendable. Also, their lightweight nature is a pleasant surprise, especially given their robust build. During quick runs, the shoes felt agile and didn't weigh me down, a vital aspect for any cross-trainer.

The grip is another plus. The graphene outsole ensures excellent traction, giving that extra bit of confidence during workouts, particularly in lifts and quick directional changes. It's one of those features you don't realise you need until you experience it.

However, the F-Lite G 300 isn't without its drawbacks. The laces don't provide the tightness some athletes prefer, which could be a dealbreaker for those who need absolute stability, especially in dynamic movements. This was a notable concern during high-intensity workouts where foot security is paramount.

Comfort-wise, they're a mixed bag. The shoes don't require a lengthy break-in period, which is a significant plus. They're comfortable out of the box, a rarity in training shoes. Yet, for narrow-footed individuals, there’s risk they could be a bit too roomy: yet another reminder that these shoes are best suited for those with wider feet.

In terms of versatility, the Inov-8 F-Lite G 300 shoes do a decent job of balancing between lifting and cardio. While they aren't the best for specialised activities like Olympic lifting or long-distance running, they perform well in a general cross-training setting. A decent buy for those who like to do a bit of everything, if you ask me.

  • Performance score: 4/5 

Inov-8 F-Lite G 300: Scorecard

Inov-8 F-Lite G 300: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

Aura Walden review: probably the best digital frame available
2:22 pm | May 10, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Smart Home | Tags: | Comments: Off

Aura Walden: Two-minute review

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

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

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

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Aura Walden digital photo frame box

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

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

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

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

Aura Walden: design

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

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

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

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

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

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Aura's app for the Walden digital photo frame

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

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

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

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

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

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

Aura Walden: performance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

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

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

Aura Walden: price and release date

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

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

Aura Walden: should I buy?

Aura Walden digital photo frame on a wooden sideboard

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Aura Walden: How I tested

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

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

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

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

  • First reviewed May 2024
Nutribullet Ultra blender review
12:38 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Juicers & Blenders Small Appliances | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

UK: view at Nutribullet.co.uk

US: view at Nutribullet.com

AU: View at Nutribullet.com.au

Nutribullet Ultra review: two-minute review

The Nutribullet Ultra is the brand's most advanced, and expensive, personal blender. Compared to the others in the range, it's more powerful, quieter, and boasts a touchscreen operation with 30-second and pulse functions, rather than the usual twist-to-blend approach.

I tried it out to see how it compared to the rest of the best blenders on the market right now. For this review, I tested the UK version. This model is also available in the US under the same name, and Australia as the Ultra 1200. (Note: there may be minor differences depending on territory.)

Overall, I was impressed. The lower-frequency noise it emits is certainly not whisper-quiet, but it is noticeably quieter than the model down (read about that one in my Nutribullet Pro 900 review). 

The 1200-watt motor and improved blade design worked as intended, blitzing ingredients instantly, creating silky smoothies and textured dips. It performed well for all recipes I was making, but I did have to intervene on occasion, with the ingredients lower down being blended smoothly, but those at the top never reaching the blades. On the occasions that this happened, I added more liquid and gave the cup a shake to get things moving again.

The design is still recognizably 'Nutribullet', but an updated version, complete with a glowing interface that only comes alive when the cup is clicked onto the base. Press the solid circle icon for a 30-second blitz, or hold the dashed circle to pulse. Although cool to look at, I found these controls a little too sensitive – I had to make sure my fingers didn’t accidentally touch them when I was putting the cup on the base.

At ticket price it costs $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$189.95, but there are discounts to be have if you buy at the right time. It's the priciest individual Nutribullet blender, but it looks and feels premium, and I think the upgrades are worth the expense. Read on for my full Nutribullet Ultra review. 

Nutribullet Ultra review: price & availability

  • List price: $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$189.95
  • Launch date: 2023
  • Availability: worldwide 

Nutribullet sells a wide range of personal blenders, jug blenders, food processors and juicers. The cheapest option, the Nutribullet Go portable blender, costs from $15.99 / £29.99, but the Nutribullet Ultra is the brand’s premium blender, and more expensive. At list price, it's $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$189.95, although at time of writing, discounts were available in some territories. At the time of writing, you can purchase it direct from Nutribullet, or via third party retailers like Amazon.

I think its price is reasonable for a personal blender that has a high-end finish. It feels well-made and the improvements over the rest of the Nutribullet range feel worth the extra investment. The blade is designed to last longer than an entry-level Nutribullet blender, so you could be making savings in the longer term, too. 

  • Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Nutribullet Ultra review: design

  • Redesigned 'Rapid Extractor Blade' for fast and effective blending
  • Includes two Tritan Renew cups, made from 50% recycled materials 
  • Stylish glow interface for pulsing and blending 

The Nutribullet is very easy on the eye. It comes with a sophisticated graphite finish base with touch interface (other personal Nutribullets don't have this), and it looks high-end on the countertop. Suction cup feet stop it from shifting about when in use. Setting up the Nutribullet is easy and intuitive – all the parts twist or click into place nicely.

It comes with a 1200-watt motor and a ‘Rapid Extractor’ blade, with a stainless-steel platform and titanium coating. This is designed to increase longevity of the blade – Nutribullet says it'll last for up to five years – as well as ensuring your blends are fast and effective. This blade is sharp, so you’ll need to take care when washing it, but its design makes it very effective at breaking up ingredients. 

Nutribullet Ultra blender in reviewer's kitchen

(Image credit: Future)

The included cups both come with to-go lids, which is great for smoothie-lovers who want to just blend and go, without having to decant to another container. They are at the larger end of Nutribullet's range – you don't get the single-serve 'Short' cup (18oz / 511ml), but you do get the 'Tall' (24oz / 680ml) and 'Oversized' (32oz / 900ml) cups. That's good news if you want to tackle larger blending jobs, but you can purchase all cups separately, so it shouldn't be a decision-maker when choosing which Nutribullet to go for. 

Cleaning

In terms of cleaning, the cups and blade are dishwasher-safe. However, it's worth rinsing everything off immediately after use, because if you leave food to dry on the blade, it can be tricky to get off. There have been times when I haven’t rinsed the cups before popping them in the dishwasher and they’ve come out dry with caked-on pancake mixture residue left on the inside, and the inner nooks and crannies of the blades are tricky to get into if food gets dried on, too (a small brush would be useful for this).   

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Nutribullet Ultra review: performance

  • Quieter in operation than your average blender 
  • Excellent for smoothies and hummus, struggled a little with ice
  • Food can get stuck to the sides

The Nutribullet Ultra is one of the most satisfying personal blenders I’ve tried. It looks and feels premium, and this is reflected in the performance too. To give it a good trial, I made both homemade humus and a berry smoothie to see how well it could blend to a smooth finish and pulse for a more textured finish. The berries were frozen to get a good indicator of how well it crushes frozen ingredients, but I also tested it to see how well it could grind a batch of ice cubes too. 

Nutribullet highlights how quiet this blender is. While it's not something you’d want to turn on next to a sleeping baby, I did find the Nutribullet noticeably quieter in operation compared to other blenders I've tested. While making a berry smoothie on the 30-second blend setting I measured it at an average of 88.9 decibels using the Decibel Meter App. Comparatively, I measured the Nutribullet 1200 Pro+ at around 93.3 decibels on a similar blend, and my Ninja 3 in 1 Food Processor with Auto-IQ at a lofty 99 decibels.

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Nutribullet Ultra blender in reviewer's kitchen

(Image credit: Future)
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Nutribullet Ultra blender in reviewer's kitchen

(Image credit: Future)
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Nutribullet Ultra blender in reviewer's kitchen

(Image credit: Future)

I adapted Nutribullet's own recipe for Easy Hummus to see how well the Ultra performs when tackling chunky chickpeas, garlic and combining them with smoother ingredients such as tahini and oil. Unlike other Nutribullets I’ve tried, which start blending when you twist the cup and into place, the Ultra waits for you to press the start buttons before it turns on. If, like me, you’re someone who likes to go at their own pace when prepping in the kitchen, this is something you’ll no doubt appreciate. 

The blender has a ‘glow interface’ and the two touchscreen buttons appear when you click the cups into place on the base. It’s worth noting that the buttons are quite sensitive and I did find myself accidentally starting the blender on the odd occasion. The main blend setting only runs for 30 seconds, however, so if you do accidentally press it, it won’t run for long and is easy to stop. 

On my first go, the chickpeas got stuck at the top of the cup and I realized I hadn’t included enough liquid for it to blend effectively. After adding a bit more oil and a splash of water, I was able to tap the pulse setting to create short, intermittent pulses until the humus reached the semi-smooth texture I was aiming for. 

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Nutribullet Ultra blender in reviewer's kitchen

(Image credit: Future)
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Nutribullet Ultra blender in reviewer's kitchen

(Image credit: Future)
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Nutribullet Ultra blender in reviewer's kitchen

(Image credit: Future)

Next up, I made a Triple Berry Smoothie using frozen berries, almond milk, nut butter and banana. I popped in all the ingredients and pressed the blend button, which whizzed for 30 seconds. I made sure I put in enough liquid to stop the frozen berries getting stuck, although the spoonful of peanut butter wasn’t playing ball and got stuck to the side of the cup. I managed to scrape this off the side (unfortunately there’s no spatula in the kit) and pressed blend for another 30 seconds. The result was a super silky smoothie, with all the berries nicely broken down. 

Nutribullet Ultra blender in reviewer's kitchen

(Image credit: Future)

Finally, I filled the larger 900ml cup with a batch of ice to see how well the device could handle frozen cubes. I pressed the start button and within 30 seconds of blending only the base of the cup had managed to crush any ice. I gave it a shake, but the ice wouldn’t move, so a little water was needed to loosen the ice and ensure all the ice got crushed. 

  • Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

How do the Nutribullet personal blenders compare?

Should you buy the Nutribullet Ultra?

Buy it if...

You want a fast and quiet blender 

The 1200-Watt motor and base on the Nutribullet Ultra is designed to operate at a lower sound frequency. While it’s not completely silent, it’s one of the less offensive designs I’ve tried in terms of noise levels. 

You want to make smoothies for two

The Nutribullet Ultra comes with both a 900ml and a 700ml cup, which each have 'to-go' lids. A generous smoothie serving is around 300ml, so you've got room for two and blending space in there. Alternatively, one mega protein shake. 

You want a blender that looks stylish on the worktop

With its streamlined charcoal grey finish and touch interface, the Nutribullet Ultra looks and feels premium. Rather than hiding it away in the cupboard after use, it’s a design you’ll be happy to keep on display on the countertop.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget 

There are cheaper Nutribullet blenders available if you're happy to sacrifice the fancy touch interface, extra power and quieter motor. The original Nutribullet 600, for example.  

You want simple and fast control  

Other Nutribullet blenders start blending as soon as they're twisted into place, but the Ultra has two control buttons. This is a pro or con depending on how simple you want the blending process to be.  

How I tested the Nutribullet Ultra

I have tested an array of blenders before, including the Nutribullet 900, and know what makes for a good design – be it a personal blender or a traditional jug blender. To get a good feel for the Nutribullet Ultra, I used it to make a smoothie and dip. I was keen to see how well the hard ingredients such as chickpeas and cold ingredients such as ice and berries could combine in their respective recipes. The Nutribullet Ultra claims to have optimised blades for quieter blending so I also measured its noise levels using the Decibel Meter App on my phone to see just how quiet it can perform. Finally, I wanted to know whether the device was easy to maintain and so I washed each part after use and wiped down the base.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2024

Counterpoint: US smartphone sales keep declining, Apple still comfortably on top
8:44 am |
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

Counterpoint Research posted its analysis of the smartphone market in the United States for the first three months of 2024. According to the report, shipments declined 8% on a yearly basis, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of YoY decline. Apple's market share remained flat, with 52% of all sales going to Cupertino, while Samsung slightly increased its share from 27% to 31%. Americans do not want to upgrade their phones yet, revealed Jeff Fieldhack, Research Director for North America. Shipments are down, compared with Q1 2023 mostly because of high iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max...

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