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Eureka J20 robot vacuum review: outstanding mopping

6:18 pm | September 2, 2024

Eureka J20 robot vacuum two-minute review

The Eureka J20 provides the next generation of mopping technology thanks to its RollRenew mopping system. This is one of the best mopping solutions I’ve seen on any robot vacuum. It achieves superior performance by not only mounting the mop pad onto a roller but also spraying fresh water onto it as it rotates around. This helps to ensure the mop is always cleaning the floor with a clean pad. This leaves oscillating mopping solutions in its wake and seems likely to become become the go-to option for customers prepared to pay a premium for the best robot vacuum.

As well as excellent mopping capabilities, the J20 is also very capable when it comes to vacuuming. My tests with crushed digestives biscuits, flour, and oats were adequately dealt with when I increased the suction power to either Turbo or Super Strong. There were times when I needed to carry out a small follow-up sweep, but this was only on larger and more stubborn debris. All in all, the vacuuming performance of the J20 is up there with the best.

LiDAR mapping and AI obstacle detection performed incredibly well, leading to an accurate and reliable map of our house. It handled table legs and other furniture with ease, although this did add to the amount of time required to map the space. Eureka’s app is equally good, with outstanding mapping technology and customizable cleaning schedules.

Eureka J20 robot vacuum in its base station — (Image credit: Future)

The robot vacuum is only half the story, though. The J20 is backed up by an impressive base station that fulfils a range of duties, including charging, self-emptying, and refilling the vacuum water tank. It carries all of these out with very little fuss; all you have to concern yourself with is making sure the base station is filled up with water and the debris receptacle is emptied every so often. The station is a little on the large side, however, so you’ll want to make sure you have enough room for it before investing in this product.

The design of every part of the vacuum and base station is well considered and perfectly engineered. Premium materials are found throughout, helping not only to improve the user experience but also increase the longevity of the device.

There’s little not to love about the J20. This is a premium robot vacuum solution that delivers great vacuuming and mopping performance. The €1,399 price point will put a lot of people off but if you have the money to cover the investment, there aren’t many better alternatives on the market.

Eureka J20 robot vacuum review: price & availability

Launched: Summer / fall 2024
Price EU $1,399 / $1,399 (equivalent to £1,100 / AU$2,075)
Available in Europe, US and Australia launches to follow, no launch date for UK

At the time of writing the Eureka J20 is available in four European countries: Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. The €1,399 price tag puts it at the higher end of robot vacuum cleaners and TechRadar's premium price bracket, but that's reflected in the feature set. Robot vacuums do tend to attract discounts around major shopping events like the Black Friday sales, though, so there's a chance you might be able to avoid paying that full list price.

In North America the J20 will be available on eureka.com with a retail price of $1,399, although during the US launch period there will be a $300 coupon, making the final price $1,099. An Australian launch is expected but there's no word on pricing, and so far there's no mention of a UK launch from Eureka.

Value score: 4 out of 5

Eureka J20 robot vacuum specs

Eureka J20 robot vacuum review: design & features

8,000 PA vacuum
RollRenew mopping system
Bagless self-emptying base station

The Eureka J20 vacuum and base station are relatively compact, especially considering the overall functionality and number of features. That doesn’t mean it’s particularly small, though. With dimensions of 423 x 462 x 452.5mm, you’ll need a fairly good amount of space to keep it out of the way. I was fortunate to have a space in my utility room that meant it wasn’t in the way of foot traffic. If you’re tight on space and have a small hallway or kitchen, you’ll need to look for a smaller unit.

Everything was safely packaged, guaranteeing nothing was harmed in transit. After unboxing everything, I plugged the base station in, placed the robot inside, and waited for it to be fully charged. The robot connects to the charging point through two metal plates, which automatically line up without any requirement for human intervention.

In the meantime, I downloaded the Eureka app, which is essential for use as well as for maximizing all the features. Connecting the robot to the app was a breeze, and my phone was able to find it with no problems at all.

While the robot is off mapping your house, the app displays all the progress in a simple and straightforward floor map. It is only after mapping the whole space that rooms can be labelled and zones specified. All in all, the app is incredibly intuitive and easy to navigate. If you’ve never owned a robot vacuum before, then controlling it from a phone will take a bit of getting used to, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.

Controls on the Eureka J20 robot vacuum base station — (Image credit: Future)

All parts look and feel premium, helping to ensure durability when moving around the house. The reality is that at times it might have to interact with children or pets, but there are no concerns that the J20 won’t be able to withstand the test. The units are made from powder-coated dark grey plastic, helping to hide any scuffs and marks that will inevitably come their way. All parts of the robot and base station are easy to wipe clean.

The robot itself is fairly simple in design, with two buttons located on the top of the unit. One is for sending the robot back to its base station for charging, while the other starts and pauses the cleaning process. The same two buttons are also located on the base station for ease of access.

Underside of the Eureka J20 robot vacuum — (Image credit: Future)

Underneath the robot is where all the magic happens. Sensors and brushes help to keep the robot on track as well as pick up dirt. The mop assembly is the crowning feature of the vacuum. Engineering it onto a belt means the mop pad stays cleaner for longer and that fresh water is regularly applied to the surface being cleaned. This sets it apart from a lot of traditional robot vacuums that only vibrate a mop pad across the surface.

Water tank for the Eureka J20 robot vacuum — (Image credit: Future)

One of the best things about the base station design is how easy it is to remove and insert the various tanks, including the clean water and waste water tanks. These fit seamlessly into the casing and are super easy to fill up/empty.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Eureka J20 robot vacuum review: performance

Great vacuuming capabilities
Roller mop picks up spills nicely
Fantastic mapping technology

The biggest evolution for Eureka and for the industry as a whole is the proprietary RollRenew mopping system. This did a fantastic job of cleaning up spills, as long as you got the vacuum to work on them pretty quickly; if it was left for a while, the J20 found it harder to take care of them in the time it was gliding over them. More water would have helped but that’s not usually desired, especially on real-wood floors. The J20 performed better than the Eureka E10s, thanks to the roller mop functionality.

Moving onto vacuuming, my tests involved sprinkling a mix of crushed digestives and flour, as well as oats, onto my carpet and hard floor before seeing how the Eureka J20 performed on its Quiet, Standard, Turbo, and Super Strong suction strengths. The lower settings didn't pick up anywhere near enough debris to make them worthwhile, either on carpet or hard floors.

The Turbo and Super Strong settings were much more capable of picking up the flour and biscuits to a satisfactory standard, although you’ll have to be prepared to put up with nearly 70dB of noise while it’s happening.

Eureka J20 robot vacuum on a carpet — (Image credit: Future)

After testing the core elements of vacuuming and mopping, I turned my attention to the amount of noise the device was making. This is important because the quieter the vacuum, the more likely users are going to be able to utilize it at the end of each day without the fear of interrupting a quiet night in.

The audio volume of the J20 increases from 60dB on its lowest suction to 70dB on its highest. This is comparable with Eureka’s other models, such as the E10s, which had an almost identical audio range. The audio levels are not particularly comfortable, especially if you’re trying to relax at the same time. I prefer to put the robot to work either while I’m out during the day or when I’m doing other jobs.

After performing a clean, the J20 will return to its base station and empty its contents. The advertised capacity of the base station receptacle is 75 days, a length of time that is obviously dependent upon your home and how much dirt needs cleaning. In reality, it will need emptying as regularly as any standard upright vacuum would.

Eureka J20 base station opened to show the dust bag — (Image credit: Future)

Eureka has always done a fantastic job of integrating state-of-the-art mapping and navigation technology into its robot vacuums. The same is true for its J20 model. Despite taking a while to map out our home and making a number of wrong turns in the process, the resulting map was incredibly accurate. Our rooms have a lot of table legs, which I thought would confuse the robot, but instead it gradually and methodically worked its way around.

The overall performance of the J20 among the best I have ever seen. It effectively picks up dirt, mops up spills, and requires very little human intervention to finish cleaning tasks.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Eureka J20 robot vacuum review: app

Intuitive to use
Specific room and zone mapping
Ability to schedule cleans

Eureka has managed to create an app that is not only remarkably easy to use but also offers a lot of functionality. Having used the app with the Eureka E10s, I continued to be impressed by all that the app offers.

Downloading and installing the app was an absolute breeze. After connecting the vacuum, I proceeded to carry out an initial mapping of the space. The vacuum and app linked seamlessly to provide a usable scan of the house, including a map of scanned rooms. Each of these can be labelled for easier navigation and customization as well as the ability to set no-go or no-mop zones, perfect for carpeted floors.

Eureka E10s App — (Image credit: Future)

Eureka provides a number of different ways to get your space cleaned. The first is to select specific rooms on the map and hit the clean button. This is ideal if you know you have mess in a set number of rooms but don’t want to carry out a full clean. Alternatively, zones can be specified, which is perfect for cleaning those high-use areas.

By far the easiest and most hassle-free option is to set up scheduled cleans and let the vacuum just crack on with doing what it does best. The app lets you specify a time, a repeat schedule, and a number of cleaning cycles. Each scheduled clean can also include the rooms that you want cleaned.

I found all of these features to be incredibly easy to use but I would understand if someone less tech-savvy needed a little bit of help getting everything set up. There were also occasions when troubleshooting was required and if you weren’t able to work through these problems yourself, then I could see how it could become a little frustrating.

App score: 4.5 out of 5

Eureka J20 robot vacuum review: battery life

Battery lasts up to three hours
Takes around three to four hours to recharge

The 6,400mAh battery is advertised as lasting 180 minutes. This running time is only remotely achievable when used with the lowest level of suction power. You can expect this to reduce by as much as half when using the highest power setting.

Given the fact that this level of suction is required almost all the time, you’ll want to weigh up whether you’re happy with this battery performance. Measuring your space is a good start. I found the robot able to cover in the region of 750-850 square feet per charge.

Recharging the robot from empty takes around three to four hours, which is more than easily achieved between cleans. The robot is also intelligent enough to know when it needs a boost and will return to the base station accordingly.

Battery life score: 3.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Eureka J20 robot vacuum?

Buy it if...

You want a roller mop

The selling-point of the Eureka J20 is the mop that is mounted to a roller. This helps to ensure that fresh water is applied to each new stain, thereby improving the overall performance of the mop.

You want a self-emptying base

The J20 robot vacuum transfers all of its debris into the base station every time it returns. This reduces the number of times the main dustbin needs to be emptied.

You love great design

The J20 really looks the part. Every individual element has been expertly designed and crafted to provide a beautiful looking unit.

Don't buy it if...

You are on a budget

At €1,399, the Eureka J20 is far from affordable for most people. The benefit of paying this much money is that you’ll get to enjoy a range of premium features that are not available on cheaper alternatives.

You need a long battery life

The J20 provides a reasonable battery life but at the highest suction power, the battery does begin to struggle a little. If you have a particularly large home and want to complete it in one charge, you might run into some problems.

You want a tried and tested model

The J20 is a relatively new entry into the world of robot vacuums and despite the great features, it hasn’t built up a sufficient track record to make it one of the greats.

How I tested the Eureka J20 robot vacuum

Tested with several full cleans of my home
Used all vacuum and mopping settings
All floor types, including carpet and hardwood

My 600-foot home was perfect for testing the Eureka J20. The mix of carpets, hardwood floors, and a low-pile rug meant I could test all the features of this impressive robot vacuum. After setting it up and mapping the space, I endeavored to let the robot get on with its cleaning, independent of my involvement. There’s no use having a robot vacuum if you’re always going to have to intervene.

More specifically, I included a fine dust and larger debris test to check its vacuuming capabilities. The former was made up of crushed digestives and flour, with the latter consisting of oats. These helped me see how well the vacuum was able to handle different types of mess.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: July 2024

US version of HMD Barbie to feature a better camera, extra memory

8:55 am | August 29, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: US | Comments: Off

Yesterday, HMD announced the Barbie phone – a customized variant of the Nokia 2660 Flip with bright pink design and a new theme. We already knew the global version that is already on sale runs a different OS compared to the US, which is coming in October, but it turns out there are more changes in there. The changes include more RAM and storage, better camera, a domestic chipset and even Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) connectivity. The US version of HMD Barbie comes with Qualcomm 215 chip running KaiOS 3.1 on top, instead of the Shanghai-made Unisoc chip with the basic S30+ operating system....

Fairphone 5 review: the premium eco-friendly smartphone

5:00 pm | August 26, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phones | Tags: Google Pixel, US | Comments: Off

Fairphone 5 two-minute review

Android phone maker Fairphone has long enjoyed thriving in a niche it built for itself: its mobiles are second to none in terms of their eco-friendly credentials, with each and every model boasting sustainably sourced materials in their respective designs, upgrade-preventing longevity, and recyclable packaging.

The Fairphone 5 brings all that and more – perhaps too much more, given that it’s the brand’s most premium smartphone yet with a price tag that fits.

Released two years after the Fairphone 4 in 2021, this new Android phone continues Fairphone’s schedule of biennial device updates, though there was no Fairphone 4 Plus, so the brand’s usual trend wasn’t strictly followed.

All of Fairphone’s typical promises are back here in force: the fifth-gen mobile is easily repairable, with parts you can remove with a screwdriver and replace with equivalents bought via the brand’s store. The company is set to support the Fairphone 5 with at least five years of software updates, too, so you can keep using it for half a decade, at least. Plus, many of the parts used in the Fairphone 5's design are from renewable sources, or reused from recycled phones.

So, for the Fairphone 5 – more so than any other mobile on the market – you can rest assured that you’re picking the greenest option.

The Fairphone 5 in a hand — (Image credit: Future)

That’s important because, besides the eco credentials, the Fairphone 5 is like its predecessors in that it’s not very competitive for its price. You can spend the same amount on another Android phone and get better cameras, a more powerful processor, or a bigger screen. So, you do need to balance these factors when considering this device.

What’s new here, and slightly surprising, is that Fairphone is eschewing its previous design choices. Previous phones from the brand have typically had specs on par with low-end or mid-range rivals, but the Fairphone 5 is grasping up towards the top end – a move it partly, but not wholly, pulls off.

That’s best illustrated with the cameras, as the front-facing and both rear sensors each sport a 50MP resolution, and you can see clear improvements in the handset’s AI scene optimization too. But the latter goes much too far on one of the cameras, resulting in ultra-wide snaps that are a hideous mess.

Not all of Fairphone’s premium attempts are as mixed a bag: the screen has seen a significant spec improvement, making it wonderful to watch content on, while the chipset is also a lot more powerful than we've typically seen in previous Fairphone handsets; you can finally play games without taxing the hardware too much.

The improvements across the board are matched with a fairly significant price hike over the Fairphone 4, to shift the Fairphone 5 into the premium territory.

It feels as though Fairphone is trying to court a new audience with its latest mobile, one which typically picks the new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy and wants top-end phones. This may work out, though it means some fans of the brand, those with limited funding, might be left behind.

Fairphone 5 review: price and availability

The Fairphone 5 on the ground — (Image credit: Future)

Went on sale in the UK & Europe in September 2023
£649 (roughly $800 / AU$1,250) for 8GB RAM & 256GB storage
US availability is unlikely

The Fairphone 5 was announced at the end of August 2023 and released in September, roughly two years on from its predecessor. That follows Fairphone’s biennial cycle.

The handset costs £649 (roughly $800 / AU$1,250), which is a fair step up over the £499 (around $670, AU$930) entry price of the Fairphone 4, though that entry had a £569 (about $770, AU$1,060) equivalent with a more comparable 8GB RAM capacity and 256GB storage (this mobile received a price cut when the 5 was announced). Either way, you’re paying more for this phone than for its predecessor.

That price hike puts the Fairphone 5 much closer to – but not quite on par with – the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S23 and iPhone 15. It lives in a no-man’s land between premium and mid-range mobiles, a category that doesn’t see as many entries as it should. As a result, this feels like a cost-saver’s alternative to the current batch of premium smartphones.

There's no word on a US or Australian release date, but the Fairphone 4 was released in the US two years after it came out in Europe, so there is a chance that its successor could repeat that approach.

Value score: 3.5 / 5

Fairphone 5 review: Specs

The Fairphone 5 provides some spec increases over its predecessor, for a mixed bag of mid-range and premium features.

Fairphone 5 review: design

Repairable and moddable design
Made from sustainable and recycled materials
Fairly chunky in the hand

Fairphone is harking back to the noughties with the design of its newest phone. The Fairphone 5 unit that we tested has a see-through back, so you can peer into the inner workings of the device (well, to its battery mainly, but that’s still something!). To my judgemental eyes, this isn’t quite as attractive a look as the olive green of the Fairphone 4 we previously tested, but luckily there are black and blue versions of the phone on sale too.

It’s fair to give Fairphone devices quite a lot of leeway when it comes to design, and that’s because they’re doing something quite different. The Fairphone 5 has a modular design that lets you remove and replace broken components, and it’s really simple to do, whether or not you’re an expert engineer. Plus, you can remove the back of the phone and battery with your hand (remember when all smartphones let you do that?).

This is a rugged phone too, one that’ll survive tough bumps or drops. It has a MIL-810H durability rating – that’s a military-grade standard, so you know it’s solid – and the phone also has IP55 certification against splashes and dust ingress. So, don’t take it for a dive, but this handset will survive all of life’s unexpected accidents otherwise.

I say all this to acknowledge the justification behind some of my issues with the phone’s design.

The Fairphone 5 is big and heavy, perhaps big and heavy enough to put off users with smaller hands. Measuring 161.6 x 75.8 x 9.6mm, and weighing 212g, this handset is surprisingly hefty, and we can imagine that some might not like the way it feels in the hand.

The phone has a USB-C port – no 3.5mm headphone jack, as Fairphone is one of the many brands to drop this – and on its right edge, it has two volume keys as well as a power button embedded in a fingerprint scanner. The sensor for this scanner is hair-pullingly unreliable, mind, and I often found myself rubbing my thumb on it as though it was a magic lamp about to grant me a wish.

Design score: 4 / 5

Fairphone 5 review: display

The Fairphone 5 leaning on a tree stump. — (Image credit: Future)

6.46-inch Full HD+ display
Bright and vibrant screen
Big upgrade over the predecessor

The Fairphone 5 has a 6.46-inch display, so you’ve got more screen real estate than the 6.3 inches of the Fairphone 4, but that size increase is just one of the many improvements.

The display is OLED now, with Fairphone having ditched LCD, and it also has a higher refresh rate at 90Hz. There’s a maximum brightness of 880nits and a higher resolution of 1224 x 2700 too.

All of these changes combine to ensure that the Fairphone 5 is great for watching shows, scrolling through social media and playing games; with a noticeably better viewing experience across the board than its predecessors.

The display is broken up by a ‘punch-hole’ cut-out for the front camera, with Fairphone finally moving into the future and ditching the notch, and while this doesn’t really provide much of a user experience benefit (on this or any other phone!), it does give the Fairphone 5 a more modern look.

Display score: 4 / 5

Fairphone 5 review: software

Stock Android 13 is nice and clean
Five years of software upgrades
8-10 years of security updates

If you’re a fan of clean software, then you’ll like the Fairphone 5. Like the best Pixel phones and Nokia phones, Fairphone’s mobiles use near-stock Android, just as Google intended.

The handset runs Android 13, and the main perks of this most recent version of Android is a remodeled Google Wallet (for all your payments) and improved connectivity with Android tablets. Plus, you’re getting the nice clean look of stock Android with little bloatware, smart circular icons and a handy app drawer.

While many phone makers pledge two or three years' worth of software updates to their new devices, Fairphone wants to make sure you keep using your Fairphone 5 for as long as possible, so it’s bumping that figure up. It’s pledged to update the Fairphone 5 for at least five generations of updates (so, until Android 18 at least) and, between eight and ten years worth of security updates.

So, if you’re the kind of user who really likes to have the newest build of Android, the Fairphone will be perfect for you.

Software score: 4 / 5

Fairphone 5 review: cameras

50MP main + 50MP ultra-wide
50MP front-facer
Noticeable AI processing improvements, but some issues

One upgrade the Fairphone 5 brings over its fourth-gen predecessor comes in the camera department: the two rear cameras are now both 50MP (over 48MP) and the front camera is also 50MP (over 25MP).

An upgrade was needed, as the Fairphone 4’s weak camera performance was one of our main gripes with it. And the fifth-gen model really is an upgrade – as long as you steer clear of one of the three cameras.

Pictures taken on the 50MP f/1.9 main camera don’t quite compare with snaps you’ll take on the best camera phones, but they look decent for the price, and you've likely got the AI processing to thank for this.

The Fairphone 4 didn’t have much to offer in the scene optimization department, but that’s different here. Pictures look rich, vibrant and appealing, and the camera offers sufficient detail too.

By default, snaps are taken at a 12.5MP resolution, but you can bump that up to 50MP if you'd prefer. That’s the case for all the cameras, though we’re not sure you’ll want to do so for the ultra-wide…

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A Fairphone 5 camera sample — A 1x zoom picture - swipe along to see how this looks as an ultra-wide (Image credit: Future)

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The Fairphone 5’s secondary camera is a 50MP f/2.2 snapper with a 121-degree field of view, and it’s absolutely horrendous for photography. I could – and will – explain why, but checking out the camera samples above will show all.

Many of the ultra-wide pictures taken featured startling amounts of over-smoothing, with significant detail lost in a way that plasters over textures; not to mention, lots of grain in darker (and sometimes even lighter) parts of images.

I took pictures in Starfield’s photo mode that looked more realistic than these photos. It’s possible that these issues are from the Fairphone 5’s AI optimization being a little overzealous, an issue which could be fixed with software updates, but at the time of my testing… well, you can see the results for yourself.

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Luckily this isn’t an issue on the front-facing camera; selfies look detailed and reasonably bright. One interesting quirk is that, if you switch to portrait mode, the camera zooms in to 2x – you’ll need to stretch your arm in order to frame your snap well. Portrait shots had impressive depth perception, so the bokeh background blur was accurate, though some of our selfies were a little desaturated compared to non-Portrait alternatives.

Video recording goes up to 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps, and thanks to having the same sensor resolution, the front camera lets you record in 4K too.

There’s a fairly limited selection of other modes on the phone: slow-mo video recording, night mode, pro mode and panorama. No time-lapse, then – a surprising omission, given how commonplace this option is with many other smartphone cameras.

Fairphone 5 camera samples

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Camera score: 3 / 5

Fairphone 5 review: performance and audio

Qualcomm QCM6490 is fit for purpose...
... but no powerhouse for gaming
Stereo speakers but no 3.5mm headphone jack

Fairphone mobiles have never been performance powerhouses, but the Fairphone 5 does at least have a good enough processor to handle light gaming and similarly intensive processes.

The mobile packs the blandly-named Qualcomm QCM6490, a chipset that hasn’t been used on a smartphone before – it’s not one of Qualcomm’s mobile-first offerings, and is actually intended for IoT devices, rather than smartphones.

So, we turn to Geekbench 5 to evaluate the chip: the average multi-core score was 2940, which is on par with a top-end phone from yesteryear (read: 2020) or a mid-range phone nowadays.

When I put the Fairphone 5 through my ‘gaming tests’ (i.e. hours of gaming), it mostly performed well – there was the occasional stutter or lag, but it didn’t have much of an effect on performance. The handset isn't perfect for gaming, but it’ll do.

Unlike its predecessor, there’s only one variant of the phone: it has 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. There is, however, also a microSD card slot to expand that storage, so you don’t need to worry if you're ever running low on space.

The phone has stereo speaker output, though the down-firing one is noticeably louder than its earpiece equivalent. This performs how you expect for a smartphone speaker: fine for gaming or streaming, though missing the soundstage of an actual loudspeaker, and getting tinny at higher volumes.

Performance score: 3 / 5

Fairphone 5 review: battery life

Fairphone devices always seem to have limited battery life on paper, yet they often outperform those figures in practice, and that’s the case here.

You’ll find a 4,200mAh power pack inside the Fairphone 5, which is smaller than the 5,000mAh unit that every new phone and its mother seems to be equipped with these days (though that's nothing to turn your nose up at). However, between the battery-efficient software, small screen and sprinkling of Fairphone magic, the handset does fare better than you'd expect.

In the testing period, the phone generally lasted through a day of ‘standard’ use (i.e. how a non-phone-tester uses their device). If you're an intensive user, you might struggle to get the device to hit the 24-hour mark, but given the chipset, the Fairphone isn't really a phone for that kind of user anyway.

If you're struggling with battery, a lunchtime boost will suffice to see you through to that second evening. It'll have to be left on charge for the entirety of your lunchtime, because the Fairphone 5's recharge speeds aren't exactly rapid. At 30W, there’s technically been a speed boost here over the 20W fourth-gen mobile, but it’s still a far cry from the fast charging you'll find on the latest phones from Xiaomi or Oppo. You’ll have to plug the device in for over an hour to go from empty to full.

Battery score: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the Fairphone 5?

Buy it if...

You care about the planet
The eco-friendly credentials of Fairphone and its devices make the Fairphone 5 the device to buy if you consider yourself an eco-warrior.

You want a long-lasting phone
Between its durable build, five years of security updates and the fact you can remove and replace parts of the phone, the Fairphone will serve you for years.

A good screen is important
One of the biggest improvements over the Fairphone 4 is the 5's display; it's higher-res, bolder and quicker to refresh than its predecessor.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget
Because of its spec upgrades, the Fairphone 5 isn't as affordably priced as its predecessors, which may put off people who want a green yet low-cost handset.

You don't use facial recognition
The Fairphone's fingerprint scanner is fiddly and annoying to use. However, if you use facial recognition unlocking (or a PIN or password) you'll be fine.

The Fairphone 4's specs are okay for you
The Fairphone 4 saw a price drop when its successor was announced, and it has similarly impressive environmental credentials to the Fairphone 5.

Fairphone 5 review: Also consider

The Fairphone 5 is hard to compare to rivals, because of its unique niche, but here are some other mobiles you might want to consider.

Fairphone 4
The Fairphone 5's predecessor is slightly weaker in most areas specs-wise, but it's just as good for the environment and is cheaper too.

Google Pixel 7
At a similar price to the Fairphone 5, the Google Pixel 7 is slightly smaller and doesn't impress in the battery department, but it has a fantastic camera.

How I tested the Fairphone 5

Review test period = 2 weeks
Testing included = Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback

I've used several Fairphone mobiles before and really respect what the company is doing, so I was excited to test this newest phone. I was given the transparent version in its only configuration: 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage. I was also sent the official Fairphone screwdriver, which you can use to remove its parts.

For two weeks I used the phone as my normal driver: I played games on it, took photos with it, texted from it, and so on. Y'know, everything you do every day on your phone!

I worked on TechRadar's phones team for several years and so have lots of experience using smartphones of all shapes and sizes. I conducted the site's review of the phone's predecessor and also spoke to Fairphone about its development. Since leaving TechRadar, I've continued writing freelance reviews of gadgets for the site.

AiDot Welov P200 Pro review: price & availability

List price: $159.99
Available now, but only in the US

The AiDot Welov P200 Pro Smart Air Purifier is available for $159.99 from the AiDot website and Amazon. While reviewing, there was a flash sale on the AiDot website where the price was reduced to $59.99, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for future sales.

The $159.99 price isn’t bad for an air purifier that comes with Matter 1.2 connectivity and useful in-app features. However, value for money is impacted by the fact that the P200 Pro only reports on PM2.5 – particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter, such as dust or pollen – so the data provided is nowhere near as detailed as some other air purifiers in this price bracket.

At present, AiDot only supplies the Welov P200 Pro within the US, and it's only available via Amazon US.

Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

AiDot Welov P200 Pro review specs

AiDot Welov P200 Pro review: design

Cheap-feeling, flimsy design
Easy-to-use controls
Underlighting

The AiDot Welov P200 Pro looks pretty utilitarian – although its dark grey cuboid shape has been jazzed up to a degree by spacing out the ventilation holes into a geometric pattern. It has a square footprint with rounded corners and dimensions of 9.5 x 9.4 x 20 inches. Its dark grey color sees it stand out in the crowd of other air purifiers we’ve tested, which are often white. It's only a shame then, with its decision to opt for a dark color, that AiDot doesn't appear to have used any recycled plastic in the design, since darker plastics are less likely to show any discoloration or impurities that may be present.

Overall build quality feels cheap and flimsy. The unit sounded particularly hollow when handled, and the surrounding panels feel thin and flexed easily. This flimsiness was even more apparent when removing the HEPA filter through the screw-in hatch in the base, which also felt low quality.

The warm white underlighting of the AiDot Welove P200 Pro air purifier. — (Image credit: Future)

The screen on the top of the air purifier uses a mixture of printed-on symbols and LEDs. This is a little different from many of the purifiers I’ve tested, which often rely only on LEDs for the controls. Having permanently visible control symbols is useful, allowing you to find them easily even if the LEDs are off for Sleep mode. Speaking of the touch controls, they’re very responsive and easy to use.

Note that the unit displays a warm white underlight around the base. This could prove useful if the purifier is placed somewhere that it could pose a trip hazard in the dark, for example, but it can be switched off if desired.

Image shows a finger pressing the middle fan setting of the AiDot Welove P200 Pro air purifier which is on a mustard rug in a living room. — (Image credit: Future)

Design score: 3 out of 5

AiDot Welov P200 Pro review: features

Useful app
Limited IAQ data
Matter 1.2 connectivity

The AiDot Welov P200 Pro has some useful features for the price, but it’s somewhat limited in areas that we'd expect more when it comes to air purifiers. One of its more nifty features is the Matter 1.2 functionality, enabling it to connect to Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit and others. The Matter QR code for pairing is located on the back panel, and my iPhone 12 Pro had no issues scanning it before subsequently linking it to my Alexa app.

The P200 Pro only detects and reports on PM2.5 – fine particles, such as dust and bacteria – so I was only able to gain part of the story about my indoor air quality (IAQ). There are no readings for microfine particles, such as soot, smoke and some bacteria, nor coarse particles such as pollen, mold and dander. There’s also no measure of the relative humidity, temperature, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or carbon dioxide, figures that many other air purifiers provide.

The top panel and air quality indicator light of the AiDot Welove P200 Pro air purifier on top of a mustard rug in a living room. — (Image credit: Future)

The PM2.5 readings themselves didn’t tell me much, but the air quality level was communicated via the indicator light on the top of the purifier’s front panel, and the color of the line in the graph in the AiDot app. I found that the graph wasn't particularly responsive, failing to show the P200 Pro detecting that the IAQ reduced to moderate levels when I conducted a test with dry shampoo. The PM2.5 levels didn’t align during the dust test, either; however, after a while, the graph indicated a brief spike in airborne particulates, although this only reports a level of 25 PM2.5, when the reading direct on the P200 Pro stated 50 PM2.5.

Aside from the less-than-informative graph, I found the app useful for controlling the P200 Pro remotely. I could easily change the fan speed and enable Sleep mode, turn off the night light or display, and enable the child lock. I could also set a timer so that the unit would automatically turn off after a set amount of time, and create automations so The Welov would turn itself on and off without me needing to do anything.

Screenshots of the AiDot app showing the indoor air quality readings, the settings, and the outdoor environment section for the Welov P200 Proair purifier. — (Image credit: AiDot)

There is an Outdoor Environment section in the app that provides ratings of environmental factors based on your geographical location, rather than monitoring the air via the P200 Pro. Once your mobile device's location has been shared, this section shows the risk of wildfire, the humidity and pollen levels in your area. According to this feature, in Bath, where our head office is based, there's a high level of mold, but low levels of grass, ragweed and tree pollen. Since this feature used my phone's location, I could update this at home, or while out and about. It was interesting to learn which pollen types were the most prolific wherever I was.

Features score: 3 out of 5

AiDot Welov P200 Pro review: performance

Lowest fan speed is whisper-quiet
Purified contaminated air in under 2 minutes
Readings on app don’t often align with display

While the lackf of labs means I can't present any scientific data on the impact of the AiDot Welov P200 Pro on air quality, what I can tell you is the results from day-to-day use and the odd curve-balls that I threw its way – such as bombarding it with dust and dry shampoo.

I found that the Welov P200 Pro wasn’t very sensitive to ambient dust levels; the readings remained low in both the TechRadar reviews office and my home, despite dust being visible in both locations. It was more sensitive than the Shark NeverChange purifier, however, which regularly stated that there were zero levels of PM2.5 in the air. In contrast, the P200 Pro detected small levels at all times. These levels never rose above 5 PM2.5, however, and continuously bounced randomly between readings of 1–5 every two seconds, so I can’t vouch for the reliability of this reading.

The picture shows the HEPA filter being removed through the base of the AiDot Welove P200 Pro air purifier. — (Image credit: Future)

I sprayed dry shampoo around the air purifier. This change in IAQ was quickly detected and the reading on the app and the LED screen rose above 350 PM2.5; this caused the indicator light on the purifier to turn red, indicating that the IAQ rating was poor. While the app reading aligned on this occasion, the color reference and classification on the graph didn’t change from "Good", which suggests that the app needs some improvements in order to be considered trustworthy. Since the Welov was in Auto mode, the purifier’s fan sped up to its top speed in response to the presence of dry shampoo, and the reading lowered to 7 PM2.5, within two minutes.

However, our benchmarking air quality monitor was still showing air quality as poor. This was because the P200 Pro can't detect VOCs in the air, only particles of 2.5 microns or larger, meaning that the fan speed reduced as a result of the positive reading, when it ideally should have continued on the higher speed. After manually setting the fan back to max speed, the P200 Pro was able to clear the strong fragrance of the dry shampoo from my bedroom in 10 minutes.

To determine whether the Welov P200 Pro could detect higher levels of dust, I repeatedly kicked up the corner of the rug in our music testing room. This stirred up a fair amount of dust and the purifier detected this increase in about 30 seconds. With the P200 Pro in Auto mode, the fan sped up automatically once the particle levels raised above 50 PM2.5 on the LED screen, and it took the purifier about a minute to bring levels back down to 1 PM2.5.

The AiDot Welove P200 Pro air purifier is pictured on top of a mustard rug in a living room. — (Image credit: Future)

I tried out the Sleep mode feature overnight and found it sufficiently quiet to not impact my ability to fall asleep. Welov advertises that the P200 Pro can be as quiet as 23dB; on measuring noise levels using an app on my iPhone 12 Pro, I saw a reading of 27dB, which wasn’t as quiet as AiDot suggested; but it wasn’t miles off. Although the Welov was quiet enough, the purifier's sound was a little high-pitched, reminding me of the high-pitched noise of crickets you hear in remote-location horrors, when everything goes quiet right before a jump scare. This wasn't a thought I needed popping into my head at 1am.

On awaking, I didn’t notice that the air felt different to any other morning, which is in contrast to my tests of the Shark NeverChange, where the air felt noticeably fresher upon waking. Personally, I feel this could be due to the very low fan speed in Sleep mode, meaning the rate of air being pulled through is fairly low.

I tested the air purifiers sound levels from the lowest to the highest manual fan speeds. The lowest speed gave a reading of 35dB, which is equivalent to a whisper. Meanwhile, the middle speed registered at 62dB, which is similar to the noise of a normal conversation, and the highest fan speed was 71dB, which is close to the sound emitted by a washing machine.

Performance score: 2.5 out of 5

Should I buy the AiDot Welov P200 Pro?

Buy it if...

Easy to use app
While the app may not provide the most detailed data on air quality, it’s useful for controlling the purifier remotely, enabling you to easily switch between fan modes, enable a child lock, and set up automations.

You want Matter connectivity
Thanks to the QR code on the back of the purifier, it’s really easy to connect the unit to Google Home and the like. There are also options in the device settings in the app to create Siri shortcuts or connect to Alexa.

You want to know about outdoor air quality
Share your location with the AiDot app and it shows a really helpful breakdown of the Outdoor Environment readings, including the humidity, wildfire status and various types of pollen levels.

Don't buy it if...

You want detailed insights into the IAQ
The only data available on the display screen and on the app is the PM2.5 reading, which covers particles such as dust or pollen. There appears to be a lack of communication between the display screen on the purifier and the data in the app, as the graph didn't depict the change in air quality that occurred during testing.

You want high-end design
The P200 Pro looks pretty utilitarian, and even when it comes to build quality, the cheap-looking, thin plastic doesn't make it appealing. However, if the simple design is in a bid to keep the price down, I can't complain.

You want a compact purifier
Standing at just over 20 inches, this air purifier is better suited to being placed on the floor rather than on a table top. Due to the nature of air purifiers, it can't be put in a corner out of the way, so be prepared for it to become part of the furniture.

Welov P200 Pro review: Also consider

Levoit Core 300S True HEPA air purifier
Slightly cheaper but with a lot more going for it, we rated the Levoit Core 300S True HEPA air purifier an impressive four and a half stars, and for good reason. We were really pleased with its performance and smart features, and the useful companion app was informative and easy to use.

Shark NeverChange Air Purifier
If you want more coverage, but don’t want to sacrifice more space for the privilege, take a look at the Shark NeverChange. It's capable of purifying up to 650sq ft in an hour, and is slightly smaller than the P200 Pro. The downside? It hasn’t got a companion app to keep tabs on your air quality.

How I tested the Welov P200 Pro

I used the Welov P200 Pro for one week
I tested it in multiple environments
I observed its reaction to dust and aerosols

I tested the Welov P200 Pro in the TechRadar reviews office and music testing room, as well as in my bedroom at home.

I monitored how effectively it detected and purified airborne contaminants such as dust and dry shampoo, and how well it tackled the strong fragrance left over from the latter.

I left it running in my bedroom overnight to determine whether it disturbed my sleep. I tested the sound levels using a sound level meter on my phone and assessed the controls and how easy it was to change the filter.

First reviewed: August 2024
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Mobile Pixels Geminos T: A vertical stacking monitor solution that needs perfecting

7:00 pm | August 24, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Monitors Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: UK, US | Comments: Off

Mobile Pixels Geminos T: Two-minute review

The Mobile Pixels Geminos T delivers when it comes to productivity. Having two monitors stacked vertically allows for multiple windows to be open at the same time without the need for either a single widescreen monitor or multiple monitors laid out side by side. The Geminos T is therefore an impressively compact solution for desks that lack width. On the flip side, because the bottom display tilts forward, you really do need a deep desk to accommodate both the display and a keyboard/laptop.

The displays themselves unfortunately top out at 1080p, which is fine for most productivity tasks but nowhere near enough for creatives craving 4K resolution. Each display also has only a 60Hz refresh rate so gamers will want to stay away. Mobile Pixels has purposefully created a set of monitors that are designed for productivity and not for creativity or gaming.

The base doubles up as a hub with plenty of connectivity, including an SD/TF card slot, two USB-A ports, and a USB-C port. Being able to ditch your existing hub further tidies up your desk setup. I would have liked to have seen more USB-C ports rather than USB-A, especially with an increasing number of devices utilizing the latest technology. The hub functionality does make the base rather cumbersome and larger than most monitor stands but that's the trade-off for having a built-in hub.

Mobile Pixels Geminos T — (Image credit: Future)

The hub provides 100W USB-C pass-through charging capability, enabling users to charge a laptop in just a couple of hours. The only cables you'll need trailing out of your laptop will therefore be the two you need for connecting to the displays. As long as the top display is connected via USB-C, you can make use of the extended capabilities.

The hub also includes two speakers, which provide superior audio quality to most laptops or monitors I've ever used. The audio is loud, sharp, and surprisingly even provides enough bass for enjoying music and videos.

Touch-screen functionality left a lot to be desired. I was able to use the Windows bar to open and close apps but the rest of the display seemed to lack touch-screen capability. This could have been amazing for enhancing productivity and essentially turning the bottom display into a laptop display. Unfortunately, I couldn't benefit from this, although that should be possible.

Ergonomically, the dual-stacked display is okay but not great. The only position in which the top display is natural is if the bottom display is angled at around 45 degrees. I found having the bottom display angled so acutely a little unnatural and uncomfortable for my neck.

For the price of $699.99 / £859.97, I think I would lean towards buying two superior 24-inch monitors and a separate vertical mount system. The 1080p resolution and 60Hz refresh rate really limit the versatility of these displays, effectively restricting users to a purely productivity-focused workflow.

Mobile Pixels Geminos T: Price and availability

$1,099.99 / £859.97
Available in US and UK

The Geminos T from Mobile Pixels retails at $1,099.99 in the US and £859.97 in the UK. At the time of writing, the US version was reduced to $699.99 - a pretty hefty discount.

If I'm honest, I think the initial price will put a lot of people off, and I have to wonder how much of a market there is for a high-end productivity-focused monitor solution like this. If you want everything in one neat package, no matter the cost, then this is a great option. But if you're prepared to buy two monitors and a separate vertical mount, then you'll be sure to get displays with better specifications.

Value score: 3 / 5

Mobile Pixels Geminos T: Specs

Mobile Pixels Geminos T: Design and features

Top monitor slides up/down, bottom monitor tilts
Built-in hub
100w pass through power

When it comes to design, the Geminos T is a really intriguing product. Most people who want two displays tend to put them side by side. This requires a desk-width that accommodates it but it has generally been the go-to setup for users needing more screen real-estate. Ultra-wide monitors have also been born out of this phenomenon. Mobile Pixels is trying to shake things up, especially for those seeking greater productivity.

The Geminos T is a vertically stacked dual-screen desktop monitor connected via a linkage system, with the bottom display supporting multi-touch to provide an efficient and user-friendly way to interact with the computer. We'll come back to the touch screen later.

The top screen shifts up and down, which then forces the bottom screen to tilt. I've never experienced anything like it but I did find it difficult to find a natural position for both. When I had the bottom display perfectly positioned, the top display was too high. When I dropped the top display to make that line up with my eyes, the bottom display was angled too acutely to make it useful. They can even be completely collapsed thanks to the robust hinge system.

Adjusting the monitor positions is fairly straightforward, although you'll want to handle it with care. Mobile Pixels plasters the entire unit with stickers giving instructions and warnings, which is a little over the top. Unfortunately, the removal of these stickers left a number of residue marks on parts of the monitor and on the webcam. This could easily have been avoided by using some sort of card or alternative labeling solution.

The displays are connected via independent HDMI/USB-C ports, which makes it possible to connect two separate laptops or computers. That being said, considering the hub is only connected to the bottom display, I think this has been primarily designed for use with a single device.

Other than the displays, there is also a built-in hub located in the stand. This is a well-implemented solution for users who have multiple devices and has the added benefit of furthering productivity. Connectivity includes 2 x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 2x HDMI ports, 3.5mm headphone jack, RJ45 Ethernet, TF and SD card slots. This is a good spread of options, although I would have liked to have seen more USB-C ports to ensure the device stays current in the years to come.

Also included in the hub are a pair of very capable speakers. I was surprised by the level of volume achievable, which was significantly better than my on-board laptop speakers. Even though there are two speakers, they are very close to each other and therefore lack the ability to convert into anything resembling surround sound.

The hub continues to deliver great functionality with 100W passthrough charging through USB-C. This reduces the number of cables you need coming out of your laptop and provides a fast way of getting your devices charged up quickly. In terms of hub capabilities, the Geminos T is indeed very capable, which is probably part of the reason for the inflated price of the product.

The final design element to mention is the webcam, which is located at the top of the upper display. There is a small amount of tilt available on the webcam, making it usable at whatever height you have the top display set to. Unfortunately, due to a label being plastered over it, I was left with glue residue that couldn't be easily removed, rendering the webcam useless - a frustrating flaw with the packaging rather than the product design itself.

Design and features score: 4 / 5

Mobile Pixels Geminos T: Performance

Well-performing 1080p monitors
Poor touch screen
Great hub functionality

The Geminos T performed pretty well in almost all areas, especially if you limit your concerns to productivity applications and workflows rather than gaming and creativity.

The 1080p displays are clear, bright, and vibrant—everything you need from monitors that are not required to represent color 100% accurately. Whenever I test monitors at this resolution, I am always left wanting more, even if I'm only using a document editor or writing emails. At 1080p, everything lacks the sort of crispness that is present in 4K or even 3K displays. In my opinion, we're so used to amazing clarity on our mobile phones at this point that not seeing that same quality on our monitors can leave us feeling a little disappointed.

The 60Hz refresh rate is no major problem in general, but gamers will likely want to steer clear. I think if Mobile Pixels just increased the resolution and refresh rate a little, then they would significantly open themselves up to other markets. There is also no HDR functionality, which might be a limiting factor for some, especially anyone looking to do creative work.

The bottom display on the Geminos T is advertised as a touchscreen, although I didn't have a great time with it. I only seemed to be able to find touch sensitivity on the bottom Windows bar and not anywhere else on the screen. Considering this is one of the selling points for productive workflows, I was amazed at the problems I was facing. Note that touchscreens are only available on the Geminos T and X models.

The other disappointing part of my experience was with the webcam. After removing one of the stickers that was placed on the webcam, I was left with glue residue on the camera and I couldn't get rid of it. I was therefore unable to effectively test the quality of this part of the device.

I think the Geminos T is so close to being worthy of its high price tag. High-resolution displays, quicker refresh rates, and a better touchscreen would really help cement this stacked monitor solution as a productivity-enhancing machine.

Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Mobile Pixels Geminos T: Score card

Should I buy the Mobile Pixels Geminos T?

Buy it if...

You need a vertical mount

There aren't too many options on the market for a built-in vertical stacked monitor so the Geminos T is one of your only choices.

You want a foldable monitor solution

The Geminos T enables users to shift the top display up and down while at the same time tilting the bottom display. Both are connected so a change to one monitor affects the other. The two displays can also be completely collapsed flat.

Don't buy it if...

You need a 4K monitor

The Geminos T displays are both 1080p, which is enough for many but not for creatives working with 4K footage or gamers playing 4K games.

You're a gamer

A 60Hz refresh rate is nothing near what is required for modern gaming. The Geminos T is not designed for this market so you'll need to look elsewhere for an alternative solution.

Also consider

BenQ PD2725U

A pricey monitor with excellent color accuracy and a wide range of connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C. It has a sleek design with thin bezels and an adjustable stand.

Read our full BenQ PD2725U review

InnoCN 27M2U

A budget-friendly monitor with superb color reproduction and impressive peak brightness. The inclusion of 90W Type-C power delivery makes it useful for minimizing cables out of your laptop.

Read our full InnoCN 27M2U review

How I tested the Mobile Pixels Geminos T

The packaging for the Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2P gaming monitor — (Image credit: Future)

After setting up the Mobile Pixels Geminos T, I had it as my main monitor for a number of weeks. It's quite imposing so I had to clear my desk first. Knowing that the monitor stack is designed primarily for productivity, I made sure to utilise office applications and web browsing most of the time. I also tested it using other creative applications and watching videos.

I’ve been reviewing computers, peripherals and components for many years for multiple different publications around the world.

JBL Go 4 review: Price and availability

$49.95 / £39.99 / $59.95
Available now in the US, UK, and Australia

Released in May 2024, the JBL Go 4 is the latest model in the JBL Go range, following on from the Go 3. It’s available for purchase from the official JBL website for $49.95 / £39.99 / AU$59.95, and from Amazon for $49.95 / £34.99 / AU$59.95 at the time of writing.

As mentioned, it has plenty of competition in this price range – in particular, there’s the five-star rated Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 that massively impressed our reviewer considering the $59.99 / £59.99 price tag. However, if your budget maxes out at $50 / £40 and you just want something small, durable, and a bit jazzy, then the JBL Go 4 is a good choice.

JBL Go 4 review: Specs

Should I buy the JBL Go 4?

A red JBL Go 4 pictured against a pink background. It is sitting on a dark stone surface with puddles of water around it. — (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

JBL Go 4 review: Also consider

How I tested the JBL Go 4

I tested the speaker over several months
I listened to a variety of music genres and podcasts
I played music continuously to test the battery life

I tested the JBL Go 4 over a few months. I listened to a variety of music genres, as well as the TechRadar testing playlist, which includes tracks that feature a range of musical styles and textures, including complex and layered instrumentals, deep bass, and delicate vocals, to enable me to determine the speaker's ability to handle different frequencies.

I played our TechRadar playlist on Tidal continuously at 50% volume using the default JBL signature EQ preset to test whether the battery could last up to the claimed seven hours.

I also used it to listen to music and podcasts in the TechRadar office, our music testing room, and at home, using Spotify and Tidal from an iPhone 12 Pro and a OnePlus Pad Go.

First reviewed: August 2024
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Shark NeverChange review: a scented, but insensitive, air purifier

10:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: Australia, UK, US | Comments: Off

Product info

This air purifier has different names and product codes, depending on territory:

US: Shark NeverChange Air Purifier HP152

UK: Shark NeverChange5 Air Purifier HP150UK

For this review, I tested the UK version. Please note, there may be minor differences between different countries' models.

The Shark NeverChange (or if you're in the UK, the NeverChange5) is an air purifier with a difference, thanks to the washable outer filters, which, in theory, will extend the life of the HEPA filter to five years. As well as this, it has the novelty of scented purifying thanks its Odor Neutralizing Technology, which is in essence a fragranced cartridge that fits into the top of the purifier.

I tested one out to see how it compares the rest of the best air purifiers on the market. It's quiet and easy to use, but while there were noticeable improvements to the air quality, its lack of air quality tracking and inability to detect smaller particles or volatile organic compounds meant that it wasn't efficient in clearing the air or reducing odors when left to its own devices. Read on for my full review of the Shark NeverChange below.

Shark NeverChange review: price & availability

List price: $249.99 / £249.99
Available now in the US and UK; not available in Australia

At $249.99 / £249.99, the Shark NeverChange isn’t a budget air purifier. It’s available for purchase in the US and the UK via the Shark website and Amazon; but it's not currently sold in Australia. It’s sold under two different product names – the Shark NeverChange Air Purifier HP152 in the US, and Shark NeverChange5 Air Purifier HP150UK in the UK.

The Shark NeverChange air purifier doesn’t have a companion app, which is often offered by cheaper alternatives. The potential $300 / £200 saving from longer-lasting filters and the innovative odor-control cartridges could explain the higher price; but unfortunately, these don’t make up for the Shark NeverChange's somewhat lackluster performance overall.

Value for money score: 3 out of 5

Shark NeverChange review specs

Shark NeverChange review: design

Anti-Odor technology
HEPA filters last up to 5 years
No handles

There were several comments made around the office regarding the Shark NeverChange Air Purifier's looks. Some likened it to a futuristic plant pot, others a waste paper bin, and one of my teammates thought it looked more like an explosive device from a sci-fi game. The NeverChange isn’t the most unattractive appliance in the world, but Shark doesn’t appear to have been concerned about the NeverChange blending in. It has a space-age aesthetic about it, with two round LED screens – one on the top, and the other on the front – and an angular shape thanks to the extra filters that live on the sides of the purifier's body.

For this review, I tested the UK version, which is available in white. The US version is available in charcoal gray. The shoulders of the air purifier body are a bit of a dust-magnet, and the gloss-black LED screen on the top panel also attracts dust and fibers, as does the black plastic grate on which it sits.

On a positive note, the setup process was quick and simple. Before powering the air purifier on, the HEPA filter first needed to be removed from its plastic bag. The NeverChange was easy to turn over as it is lightweight, and the locking mechanism felt sturdy but was easy to undo. Once the filter had been replaced, it was just a case of plug-and-play.

The size of the Shark NeverChange is neither oversized nor subtle. It’s about the size of a large plant pot, measuring 9 x 10 x 15 inches / 237 x 266 x 385mm, and it weighs around 7lbs / 3.4kg.

The top panel of a white Shark NeverChange air purifier showing the odor-control cartridge and touch control panel. — (Image credit: Future)

Sitting on the top of the air purifier is the circular control panel, which was responsive and simple to use. From here, I could adjust the fan speed, or engage Auto mode, which is supposed to adjust the fan speed based on real-time air quality. For peace of mind, there's a child lock and a shut-off timer. The status of air purity and the life remaining on the dust filters are available via the information button.

The Anti-Odor dial and cartridge came packaged inside a cardboard box and a ring-pull tin can, which is a good solution for sealing in the fragrance while remaining recyclable. The cartridge and dial housing were easy to unpack and install. To set the intensity of the fragrance, I just needed to twist the dial counterclockwise until it was at the desired setting.

Due to its size and shape, the lack of handles on this air purifier proved frustrating. At first glance, there appear to be some on either side; but these are in fact the DebrisDefence filters. These pull out easily for cleaning, so I wouldn’t recommend using them as handles. There are holes near the base that are also tempting to use to pick the purifier up, but these are only made of thin plastic and aren’t comfortable to hold.

A white Shark NeverChange air purifier showing the odor-control cartridge and touch control panel. — (Image credit: Future)

The LED display's brightness could be altered using a button on the control panel, which I could cycle between three different intensities. The brightest setting was easy to see in both daylight and indoor lighting, but when using the NeverChange at bedtime, I found the dimmest light setting wasn’t ideal. While it worked well to dim the display, the bright blue ring indicating the air quality was over 85% wasn’t good for sleep hygiene purposes. The only other option was to have the LED displays off completely, which I doubt will be an issue for most, but isn’t ideal if you want to keep an eye on air purity readings overnight.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Shark NeverChange review: features

Long-lasting filters
Dust filter monitor incorrect
No app support

The standout feature of the Shark NeverChange is undoubtedly the potential longevity of the HEPA filter. This is achievable thanks to the additional mesh DebrisDefence filters located on either side of the HEPA filter; these are washable, so they’re essentially reusable barriers that take some of the strain off of the HEPA filter. Thanks to this feature, Shark claims it’s possible to save up to $300 / £200 in replacement filter costs over five years.

Another unique feature is the 'Odor Neutralizer Technology'. This one of this brand's USPs, and also appears in today's best Shark vacuums. Technically, it's designed to remove bad odors rather than create a fragrance per se, and it takes the form of a lightly scented puck, which is inserted into the top of the air purifier. The intensity of the fragrance / neutralization can be easily adjusted by twisting the canister using the integrated handle.

The fragrance of the odor-neutralizer canister is pleasant enough; it reminds me of a subtle masculine aftershave. It helps keep things fresh, but I think I'd prefer if Shark embraced the scent side of things a bit more, and offered some different options, such as a linen or floral scent.

The Shark NeverChange can purify up to 650sq ft / 60sq m in one hour.

A white Shark NeverChange air purifier showing one of the DebrisDefence filters being removed. — (Image credit: Future)

The ambient air is monitored by the air purifier’s Clean Sense IQ, which is supposed to automatically react to changes in the environment – an increase or decrease in dust, pollen, and smoke levels, for example. However, it cannot detect or relay humidity, temperature, carbon dioxide, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like some air purifiers can. The NeverChange filter does contain activated carbon, though, which by nature is supposed to absorb VOCs, so these should still be filtered out.

The Dust Filter Life button didn’t seem to do much. Having used the Shark NeverChange for only a short time, it would just say “check dust filters” when pressed; but the dust filters were clean. I tried pulling them out and replacing them a couple of times, but it made no difference.

It’s disappointing that there’s no app support with the Shark NeverChange. You have to be physically close enough to the unit to view the reading or change the settings, which can be inconvenient. Plus, this is unhelpful for tracking the air quality throughout the day and night. This lack of app and Bluetooth connectivity is surprising, since cheaper air purifiers such as the Levoit 300S offer near-live air quality data and remote control of the settings.

Features score: 3.5 out of 5

Shark NeverChange review: performance

Unreliable IAQ readings
Did not tackle odors
Filtered dust and aerosol during testing

It’s hard to say for certain how well an air purifier works without some scientific testing, but I tested the Shark NeverChange in different environments and considered its reactions when presented with dust and dry shampoo.

I’ll start by saying that I had a major niggle with this purifier. That niggle was that the NeverChange seemed to be overly optimistic with its readings. The air-quality readings were 100% most of the time, and when this figure did drop slightly on occasion, the different particle readings still read as 0. I struggle to believe that there are no dust particles in our busy office or in my home – and, since I live in the countryside, there will most certainly be pollen in the air, so I wasn’t impressed by this lack of particle detection.

I performed a direct comparison with the Welov P200 Pro in the TechRadar reviews office. The NeverChange maintained that all particle readings were at 0; however, the Welov P200 Pro gave a reading of 10 PM2.5 – particles such as dust or pollen, which the NeverChange is supposed to detect and respond to.

We wanted to be sure that the purifier was actually capable of detecting contaminants, to ensure that it wasn’t a faulty unit. To do this, we took it outside and placed it directly behind my car's exhaust pipe. I can confirm that it had no problem detecting the drop in air quality here, as one would hope it would! At least now I knew that it wasn’t stuck on 100%, which I’d noticed some consumers claiming in their reviews.

The main issue with the reading sitting at 100% is that when the purifier is in Auto mode, with a reading of 100% for more than five minutes, the Eco feature puts into standby. While I welcome this energy-saving feature, when the purifier seemed convinced the air quality was always 100%, it rarely did anything without manual intervention.

A white Shark NeverChange air purifier showing the HEPA filter being removed through the base. — (Image credit: Future)

When we introduced dust into the atmosphere around the Shark NeverChange, by repeatedly kicking up the corner of a rug in one of our testing rooms, it took the unit around 40 seconds to register it. The unit dropped the reading to 92%, leading the fan to increase to speed 2. Since the fan was running at a low speed, volume levels didn’t rise too much; however, it took several minutes for the air quality to return to the 96% it started on. This was slower than the Welov P200 Pro, which – although far noisier – purified the air to pre-dust levels in around a minute.

I also sprayed dry shampoo near the sensor on the back of the NeverChange to test it. This rise in airborne particulate matter was detected within seconds, dropping the air quality on the LED screen to 81% and showing the red indicator ring to communicate that the air quality was poor. The purifier automatically upped the fan speed to level 3, returning a reading of 100% within two minutes.

Experimenting further to see how the NeverChange would deal with cooking smells, I microwaved a BBQ calzone (don’t judge me) with the air purifier set to Auto mode; it made no difference to the level of odor. I then left the purifier on the highest fan setting for a few hours – again, the odor in the room remained unchanged. Apart from the strange overlapping scent of the fragrance canister from the NeverChange, which actually just made the smell more unpleasant.

A white Shark NeverChange air purifier showing the odor-control cartridge being removed. — (Image credit: Future)

I tried leaving the NeverChange on Auto when I went to bed. When the reading occasionally dropped under 100%, the unit would kick up to fan speed level 2, the noise from which made it more difficult to fall asleep. So I manually set it to fan speed 1 instead; this wasn’t the end of the world, as at least this would guarantee that the purifier wouldn’t go into Eco mode overnight. Thankfully, on the lowest fan speed, the NeverChange was pleasingly quiet and din't disturb my sleep. On waking, the air in my bedroom felt fresh, and I noticed that I had been less snuffly than usual, which made a nice change.

Using a decibel meter on my iPhone 12 Pro, I recorded the quietest fan speed at 38dB, which is comparable to light rain. Fan speed 3 was 55dB, a sound level similar to a dishwasher; the highest fan speed was 68dB, the same as the noise of traveling in a car at 60mph.

Performance score: 2.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Shark NeverChange?

Buy it if...

You don’t want to regularly change filters
The key selling point of the NeverChange is the long life of the HEPA filter, thanks to the DebrisDefence feature. So if you’re the type of person who never quite gets around to ordering a replacement, this would be a good option for you.

You want some subtle fragrance
The NeverChange has an integrated cartridge that can be easily turned to adjust the level of scent that it releases.

You want quiet purification
With the lowest fan speed being no louder than the sound of light rain, the NeverChange shouldn’t disturb your sleep. At top fan speed, it’s only about as loud as a vacuum cleaner.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t want extra parts to clean
While the dust filters help prolong the life of the HEPA filter, for the air purifier to work efficiently, they'll need to be regularly checked and cleaned.

You want to be kept informed
There are cheaper air purifiers on the market that offer app support, so it’s a shame that Shark doesn't do the same –especially considering the NeverChange's high price.

You’re on a budget
If you were hoping for a lower-cost solution, or the NeverChange is missing some of the features you’re looking for, take a look at our list of the best air purifiers for alternatives that may be better suit your needs.

Shark NeverChange review: Also consider

Levoit Core 300S
Competitors such as the lower-priced Levoit Core 300S True HEPA air purifier come with a companion app that will inform you of a drop in air quality remotely, allowing you to change the settings or perform other functions even when you’re away from home. It’s worth noting that it only purifies about half the area of the NeverChange unit; but with a four-and-a-half-star rating, it’s a great option.

Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact
It’s more expensive, but if you have the money to spend then the four-star-rated Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact could be a satisfying alternative. With control solely via remote control, it offers an impressive 10 fan speeds, and the integrated sensors analyze the air every second using an algorithm. This higher-end aesthetic purifier doubles as a cooling fan and offers up additional info such as ambient temperature and humidity level, too.

How I tested the Shark NeverChange

I used the Shark NeverChange for one week
I tested it in multiple environments
I observed its reaction to dust and aerosols

I tested the Shark NeverChange in the TechRadar reviews office and music testing room, as well as in my bedroom and kitchen at home.

I monitored how effectively it detected and purified airborne contaminants such as dust and dry shampoo, and how well it tackled food odors when using the microwave.

I left the NeverChange running in my bedroom overnight to assess its noise levels, using a decibel meter on my phone to gauge levels, and evaluated its controls and how easy it was to change the filter.

First reviewed: August 2024
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Shark NeverChange review: a scented, but insensitive, air purifier

10:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: Australia, UK, US | Comments: Off

Product info

This air purifier has different names and product codes, depending on territory:

US: Shark NeverChange Air Purifier HP152

UK: Shark NeverChange5 Air Purifier HP150UK

For this review, I tested the UK version. Please note, there may be minor differences between different countries' models.

Shark NeverChange review: price & availability

List price: $249.99 / £249.99
Available now in the US and UK; not available in Australia

Value for money score: 3 out of 5

Shark NeverChange review specs

Shark NeverChange review: design

Anti-Odor technology
HEPA filters last up to 5 years
No handles

The size of the Shark NeverChange is neither oversized nor subtle. It’s about the size of a large plant pot, measuring 9 x 10 x 15 inches / 237 x 266 x 385mm, and it weighs around 7lbs / 3.4kg.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Shark NeverChange review: features

Long-lasting filters
Dust filter monitor incorrect
No app support

The Shark NeverChange can purify up to 650sq ft / 60sq m in one hour.

Features score: 3.5 out of 5

Shark NeverChange review: performance

Unreliable IAQ readings
Did not tackle odors
Filtered dust and aerosol during testing

Performance score: 2.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Shark NeverChange?

Buy it if...

You want some subtle fragrance
The NeverChange has an integrated cartridge that can be easily turned to adjust the level of scent that it releases.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t want extra parts to clean
While the dust filters help prolong the life of the HEPA filter, for the air purifier to work efficiently, they'll need to be regularly checked and cleaned.

Shark NeverChange review: Also consider

How I tested the Shark NeverChange

I used the Shark NeverChange for one week
I tested it in multiple environments
I observed its reaction to dust and aerosols

I tested the Shark NeverChange in the TechRadar reviews office and music testing room, as well as in my bedroom and kitchen at home.

I monitored how effectively it detected and purified airborne contaminants such as dust and dry shampoo, and how well it tackled food odors when using the microwave.

First reviewed: August 2024
Read TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee

JBL Clip 5 review: an affordable portable speaker with fantastic sound

4:54 pm | August 14, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: Australia, UK, US | Comments: Off

The JBL Clip 5 is reasonably priced at $79.95 / £59.99 / AU$89.95 and is available in the US, the UK, and Australia. Considering that the JBL Go 4 costs $49.95 / £39.99 / AU$59.95, if your budget can stretch to the JBL Clip 5 the extra investment will return big gains in sound quality and volume levels.

From minute one I was impressed with what this compact Bluetooth speaker had to offer. The Clip 5 is a satisfying mix of durability, practicality, and enjoyable sound in a small package. Is it one of the best Bluetooth speakers around? All in good time.

The JBL Clip 5 is covered in woven fabric on the front and back, with a silicone mid-section. It has a large plastic carabiner on the top that's easy to open and clip onto things. I’ve had it hanging from door handles, the bathroom mirror, and shelving units amongst other places, and could easily change up its position to allow for the best listening experience.

There are silicone strips on the back of the speaker body for added stability when the speaker is placed face-up on a surface, and the JBL logo on the front of the speaker is also made from silicone. Above the logo are the play/pause button and the volume up and volume down buttons. These have icons that represent the respective functions – so, a triangular 'play' icon, and plus and minus signs – and I found them satisfying to press. Within the silicone area on the left-hand side of the speaker sit the power, Bluetooth and Auracast buttons.

A close up of the carabiner on the top of the JBL Clip 5, pictured leaning against a sand coloured rock against a pink background, — (Image credit: Future)

This pint-sized speaker measures just 3.4 x 5.3 x 1.8 inches / 86 x 134.5 x 46mm, but at 10 ounces / 285g, it feels a little heavy for its size. It’s a shame that it's only possible to hang the Clip 5 or lie it on its back; there was many an occasion when it would have been more convenient to stand it on its base, but its pebble-like shape makes it unstable.

The speaker has IP67 water and dust protection, meaning I wasn’t limited to where I could listen to tunes. It quickly became my favorite bath-time companion, and the steam was no issue for it. We also did a dunk test in the TechRadar testing tank, after which the Clip 5 continued to function quite happily, so whether you want to listen to tunes on the beach or do karaoke in the shower, it looks like this speaker can handle it. JBL has adopted a sustainable approach with the Clip 5 by incorporating some post-consumer recycled materials in the design. Great stuff.

A close up of the back of the JBL Clip 5, pictured leaning against a sand coloured rock against a pink background, — (Image credit: Future)

If you’ve read my JBL Go 4 versus feature, you’ll already know I’m a fan of the JBL Portable app's user-friendly interface. It has an attractive, easy-to-use design that makes it a snap to view the battery level, use Stereo Group mode to play in stereo from two speakers, or use the PartyTogether mode to add other JBL speakers into the mix for amped-up sound.

Further features on the app include PlaytimeBoost, which is designed to boost the volume of the music without consuming more battery power, a Product Information section, and an EQ settings section. There are four equalizer profile presets: JBL Signature, Chill, Energetic, and Vocal, as well as a customizable EQ profile.

I tested out the Clip 5’s Auracast capabilities by connecting it with a JBL Xtreme 4 and Go 4 speaker. The connection process was easy thanks to PartyTogether mode, and the resulting surround sound effect was impressive. I must admit that my colleague, audio expert Harry Padoan, and I couldn’t help but bop along to the tunes in our music testing room.

A closeup of the control buttons on the side of the JBL Clip 5, pictured leaning against a sand coloured rock against a pink background, — (Image credit: Future)

The battery is said to last up to 12 hours on the JBL website. When I tested it by playing our TechRadar testing playlist non-stop at 50% volume, it lasted just under eleven-and-a-half hours, which isn’t bad considering how obnoxiously loud the Clip 5 is when playing at this volume level.

The sound quality of the JBL Clip 5 is pretty impressive considering its size and price. It’s capable of some surprisingly deep bass and delivers this without losing the detail, even when just using the default JBL Signature EQ setting.

When I laid the speaker down, I could feel the bass pounding through the surface it was on. Not only was the bass impactful and dynamic in tracks like Black Eye by Allie X, but it also delivered low-frequency bass impressively well when I listened to Angel by Massive Attack.

A close up of the USB C charging port on the JBL Clip 5, pictured leaning against a sand coloured rock against a pink background, — (Image credit: Future)

Unfortunately, there was a shortcoming that became apparent when listening to Black Eye. The vocals came across slightly strained and overpowering when listening to the track at 75% volume. They were brought more into proportion when the volume was reduced to 50%; the bass continued to bounce dynamically across the track, and I could still hear the detail in the vocals. I changed to the Energetic EQ preset to see if this made any improvements. While it did what it said on the tin and added some energy to the instrumental element of the track, the vocals continued to have a sharp edge to them. As was also the case with the JBL Go 4, changing over to the Vocal EQ preset just results in all the elements sounding distorted, as if they were recorded underwater.

When listening to Hit the Road Jack by 2WEI and Bri Bryant, the delivery was satisfyingly atmospheric and immersive considering the size of the Clip 5. The different elements layered together well. The bass was dramatic and impactful, and I could hear the finer details in the background of the track as the beat was building up.

The JBL Clip 5 in black is pictured being held by the carabiner against a pink background, — (Image credit: Future)

Cheaper speakers can struggle with the treble and intensity of some vocal sections on this track, making them sound tinny and strained. The Clip 5 handled it well, but the tinniness did appear at around 75% volume, which seemed to be a running theme when I listened to various tracks. The song Boom Boom by the same artists sounded good at 75%, with plenty of detail and drama, but the highs again began to feel a little harsh; at 50% volume, everything blended together a bit better. So this definitely wouldn’t make a replacement for a party speaker if you wanted to blast out the tunes at a get-together.

Adagio Per Archi E Organo In Sol Minore by the London Philharmonic Orchestra was a satisfying listen with this speaker; there was a clear distinction between the different notes and instruments, but a slightly tinny edge to the sounds of the organ. This will likely only be noticed by audiophiles who are scrutinizing the sound quality, however. I don’t imagine anyone expects perfection at this price point but, actually, outside of the treble troubles, the Clip 5 is certainly reaching for it.

Another enjoyable listen was I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness. The guitar and vocals sounded great, and everything was well-proportioned. I could easily hear the detail and depth in Justin’s voice, and the instruments layered together well, with nothing stepping out of line or trying to steal the limelight when it shouldn’t have been.

A close up of the play, pause and volume buttons on the front of the JBL Clip 5, pictured leaning against a sand coloured rock against a pink background, — (Image credit: Future)

The difference between the sound quality of the Clip 5 and the cheaper JBL Go 4 is certainly noticeable. While there is of course a $30 price difference to consider, I'd say it’s worth it if you want deeper bass and the ability to blast out some tunes without lugging about a bigger speaker – though there's naturally some sacrifice when it comes to sound quality at the higher end of the volume scale.

If you're still undecided whether the JBL Clip 5 covers all your bases, we’ve curated a list of the best Bluetooth speakers with alternatives suitable for varied budgets and requirements. We also keep track of the best cheap Bluetooth speaker deals, so it's worth checking back now and then to see if there’s money to be saved.

JBL Clip 5 review: Price & release date

List price: $79.95 / £59.99 / AU$89.95
Available now in the US, UK, and Australia

The JBL Clip 5 was released in June 2024 and is one of JBL’s first speakers to include Auracast capabilities, along with the Xtreme 4 and Go 4. It’s available directly from the JBL website in the US, UK, and Australia for $79.95 / £59.99 / AU$89.95.

JBL Clip 5 review: Specs

Should I buy the JBL Clip 5?

The JBL Clip 5 in black is pictured leaning against a sand coloured rock against a pink background, — (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

JBL Clip 5 review: Also consider

How I tested the JBL Clip 5

I tested the speaker over several months
I listened to a variety of music genres and podcasts
I played music continuously to determine battery usage

I tested the JBL Clip 5 over a few months. I listened to a variety of music genres, as well as the TechRadar testing playlist that includes tracks ranging from complex and layered instrumentals to deep bass and delicate vocals. This enabled me to determine the speaker's ability to handle different frequencies.

I played our TechRadar playlist on Tidal continuously at 50% volume using the default JBL signature EQ preset to test whether the battery could last up to 12 hours.

I used it to listen to music and podcasts in the TechRadar office, our music testing room, and at home, using Spotify and Tidal from an iPhone 12 Pro and a OnePlus Pad Go.

First reviewed: July 2024
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