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Shark Vertex Pro / Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Vacuum review

1:00 pm | September 23, 2021

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

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK: two-minute review

Product info

This model has different names and product codes in different territories:

US: Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins IZ662H
UK: Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Vacuum IZ300UK / IZ300UKT
AU: Shark Cordless Apex Pro X2 Pet Stick Vacuum IZ320

For this review, I tested the UK version. There may be minor differences between different countries' models. See Specs section for more details.

Shark Vertex Pro (known as the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless in the UK, and Shark Cordless Apex Pro X2 Pet Stick Vacuum in Australia) is a powerful cordless stick vacuum cleaner. I tested it out to see how it compares to the rest of today's best cordless vacuum cleaners, and the best vacuums in general.

The Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK's cleaner head has two brush rollers that spin at the same time. One roller is hard, with flexible silicon fins (known as PowerFins) to dig deep into carpets to dislodge dirt. The second roller is a soft, fluffy unit to tackle fine dust. Both benefit from Shark's handy anti-tangle feature, which stops human and pet hair from becoming wrapped around the brush roller; instead, it’s whipped straight into the dust canister. On test, I was impressed with how effective this design feature is.

There are a couple of features designed specifically to help you clean dark and difficult corners. The cleaner head features six LEDs that light a path and make it easy to clean in dark corners or beneath furniture. This model also has Shark's popular bendable wand, which enables the cleaner to reach under low-clearance furniture, while also making the unit more compact for easy storage. It can also be used as a handheld, although it's fairly heavy, so I don't think it's ideal for this.

There are three levels of suction, and I found this vacuum powerful and effective on both hard floor and carpets – although the heaviness means it can be a little sticky to use on deep pile carpet. Note, too, there's no auto-adjust suction, as you'll find on Shark's newest vacuums.

In a nod to rival, the Dyson V15 Detect, the cordless cleaner also has an LED display that can show the remaining battery level, as well the suction mode selected, and whether the hard floor or carpet setting has been activated.

Price-wise, it sits it TechRadar's mid-range price band. If you want a powerful cleaner, or have lots of nooks and crannies around your home, the flexibility this model would make it a good choice. You can see how it compares to other products from this brand in our best Shark vacuum cleaner guide.

The Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins & Flexology in stick vacuum mode resting against a grey wall — (Image credit: TechRadar)

Before I start the review properly, a note on naming conventions. You may have noticed, this product has different names. In the US, it's the Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins (IZ662H). In the UK, it's the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Vacuum (IZ300UK), and there's also the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Pet Vacuum (IZ300UKT), which is the same base model with added Pet Tool. Be especially careful here because there's another product with the same name, but a different product code. In Australia, you're looking for the Shark Cordless Apex Pro X2 Pet Stick Vacuum (IZ320). I tested the UK version, and I'll flag any differences in specs throughout my review.

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK review: price & availability

List price: $449.99 / £399.99 / AU$899.99
Launch date: 2021

In the US, the Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins is $449.99 at MSRP. The UK's version – the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Vacuum – is £349.99, or if you opt for the version with the extra Pet Tool, £379.99. That puts it in TechRadar's mid-range price bracket, and it's excellent value for that price.

Shoppers in Australia can pick up the Shark Cordless Apex Pro X2 Pet Stick Vacuum for AU$899.99. Based on rough exchange rates, that's a fair bit more expensive than the US and UK versions, but that's partly because the AU version comes with a lot more tools and accessories, as well as an extra battery. However, at time of update, it was out of stock at Shark.

Vacuum cleaners (and home appliances in general) often attract discounts during major shopping events, so it's worth keeping an eye out for an Amazon Prime Day deal or Black Friday deal if it suits when you want to buy. You might also get lucky and snag a Shark promo code.

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK vacuum cleaner review: design

0.7L / 1-quart dust canister
Converts into a handheld cleaner, and tools vary by territory
Flexible stick and anti hair wrap floorhead

The Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK vacuum cleaner is one of the heavier cordless vacuums we've tested, weighing in at 8.82lbs / 4.58kg. The US version has a 1qt dust cup, while the UK and AU models are marginally smaller at 0.7L.

The design is fairly standard for a cordless vacuum cleaner, with the motor, filter and dust canister at the top. This is attached to the wand, with the floorhead at the bottom. On the main unit you'll find a 2.5 inch LCD screen that displays the remaining runtime, along with the power button, suction level control, and the carpet or hard floor selector. The swappable battery sits in this section, too, with three LEDs that indicate the remaining power.

There are three different suction modes, including a carpet setting that sees the brush roller rotate faster to help suck up ground-in dirt from carpet pile, and a slower setting that ensures hard floors aren't damaged when vacuuming. Note that this model doesn't come with Shark's Clean Sense IQ technology, where the vacuum can sense how dirty the floor is and adjust its suction automatically in response. (For a models that can do this, head to TechRadar's Shark Detect Pro Cordless review.)

The Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins & Flexology being used in flexible mode — (Image credit: TechRadar)

Rather than the wand being a single section, it has a flexible extension tube in the center. When you press the catch on the back of the wand, it can bend by up to 180 degrees, enabling the vacuum to be easily maneuvered under furniture or made more compact for storage.

The main floorhead features a hard brush roller with flexible silicon 'PowerFins', as well as a soft, fluffy roller; both rotate when the vacuum is switched on to improve pickup. Six LEDs at the front of the head light a path, and Shark's Anti Hair Wrap technology stops hair from becoming tangled around the brush roller, and instead removes it from the roller and directs it into the dust cup as you clean.

The Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins & Flexology being used in handheld mode to clean stairs — (Image credit: TechRadar)

Detaching the wand and floor-cleaning head turns the cordless stick vacuum into a handheld cleaner, to which you can connect any of the included tools. These vary by territory. In the US, the standard model just comes with a Crevice Tool. In the UK, it's that plus a Multi Surface Tool, and if you opt for the Pet version, there's also a Pet Tool. In Australia, there's a wide selection of tools included.

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK vacuum cleaner specs

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK review: performance

Powerful and effective suction, but can flick about larger debris
Smooth to use on hard floors; could get stuck a bit on carpet
Flexible wand great for getting under furniture
Noisy in use

The Shark Shark Vertex Pro / Anti Hair Wrap Cordless is certainly a powerful cordless vacuum. During testing, it sucked up fine dust and larger debris on both carpet and hard floor with ease on all power settings. However, when it came to hard floors, I found the wheels on the back of the cleaner head flicked some of the oats around the floor, rather than collecting them. This meant I had to make several passes to ensure the mess was cleared.

The vacuum cleaner glided easily across hard floors, although there was some resistance on carpet since it's a heavy cordless cleaner. The flexible wand proved useful for reaching under furniture, as did the six LED headlights on the floor-cleaning head – they made it easier to see the area I was vacuuming.

The Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins & Flexology being used with the stick in angled mode — (Image credit: TechRadar)

I was impressed with the Anti Hair Wrap technology, which ensures hair doesn’t become tangled around the brush roll. When vacuuming up a clump of hair I'd removed from a hair brush, it was whisked straight into the canister without becoming stuck.

I also found the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner was easy to empty. Just disconnect the wand and use the button on the left-hand side of the canister to activate the mechanism that ejects the debris into the bin in one swift move. Some newer Shark vacuums come with an auto-empty base option, but that's currently not available with this model.

The Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins & Flexology being used in handheld mode to clean up high — (Image credit: TechRadar)

What I wasn't so enamored by was the noise – it's one of the loudest vacuums I've tested, with my decibel meter registering 88db when using the vacuum on its most powerful setting on carpet. This is the same level of noise as when using a blender. The vacuum cleaner also proved cumbersome to use in handheld mode, as a result of its weight. It made my arms ache when I cleaned up high, so I wouldn’t recommend using it in this way for very long periods.

If you need something primarily for use as a handheld, head to our Shark WandVac System review – the suction is lower, but this model is far easier to wield.

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK review: battery life

Ranges from 11 to 60 minutes, depending on the power setting
Battery takes up to four hours to fully recharge
Swappable battery reduces interruptions to cleaning

Shark claims the battery lasts up to 60 minutes between charges. As always, this is on the lowest powerful power setting, and you can expect it to drop considerably in higher suction modes – in my tests, when used on the most powerful setting, the cleaner managed only 11 minutes of vacuuming before the battery required recharging.

The battery took four hours to fully recharge. Handily, the unit is swappable, for minimal interruptions to your cleaning session. Some versions come with two batteries included, but if yours doesn't, they can be purchased separately.

Should you buy the Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK vacuum cleaner?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: September 2021

Dyson V12 Detect Slim vacuum cleaner review

5:21 am | July 13, 2021

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

Dyson V12 Detect Slim: two-minute review

The Dyson V12 Detect Slim was only mentioned in passing during the official launch of the V15 Detect – it was almost as though Dyson didn’t really want much to do with the V12 because it wasn’t a flagship. But I've just spent a few weeks with both new Dyson stick vacuums and I'm pretty impressed with what the V12 Detect Slim can do… at a slightly lower price than the V15 Detect.

Compared side by side, the V15 flagship is the clear winner in terms of performance, with far superior suction, but given the V12 Detect Slim comes with the headline-making features like the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaning head and the piezo sensor that ‘listens’ to what’s getting sucked up, but in a slightly cheaper package, there’s not much to complain about here. While it's not the most powerful model from this brand, it still compares well to the best cordless stick vacuums when it comes to suction, and it might well be the best Dyson vacuum for people with smaller homes.

The smaller, lighter build includes a far smaller bin than you'd find on the average stick vacuum. It'll be annoyingly small if you have a larger house or shedding pets, and I also found the compact size meant hair and dust regularly got stuck when emptying.

If you're not too fussed about that, though, I found there were hardly any other compromises with the V12 Detect Slim. It packs a decent amount of suction power and boasts automatic suction adjustment when it detects a particularly dirty patch of floor. A digital display on the main body of the vacuum shows you everything that's being sucked up, in real time. Plus, it ships with its own version of the amazing Hair Screw Tool – a masterpiece of engineering capable of sucking hair and fur (even slim cables if you’re not too careful) of any length without tangles.

That's the short version; read on for my full Dyson V12 Detect Slim review.

Dyson V12 Detect Slim review: price & availability

List price: $649.99 / £499.99
Launched: 2021 (but not until 2022 in the US and UK)
Availability: US and UK, discontinued in Australia

The Dyson V12 Detect Slim was unveiled alongside the flagship Dyson V15 Detect and the Dyson Omni-Glide in May 2021. To start with, it was only available in Australia, New Zealand and Japan (in several other countries, Dyson initially introduced the now-discontinued Micro 1.5kg instead – an even lighter model with a maximum runtime of just 20 minutes). In June 2022 the V12 Detect Slim arrived in the US and UK.

It's not part of the flagship range and as such, seems to attract much less attention than the core range. At time of updating this review (April 2025), if you go direct to Dyson in the US, the V12 Detect Slim costs $649.99 (but has been discounted to $499.99). At Dyson UK it's the V12 Detect Slim Absolute, at a list price of £499.99.

This models in no longer available to buy direct from Dyson in Australia, but when it was it came with a list price of AU$1,199.

As a side note: Dyson told us that the company decided to jump a couple of generations when it comes to naming its vacuum cleaners because the numbers 13 and 14 are considering unlucky in some cultures.

Dyson V12 Detect Slim review: design

Lightweight cordless stick vacuum with tiny 0.35L bin
Operates via power button rather than a trigger
Screen provides information plus real-time dust reports

Dyson hasn’t veered from its design aesthetic in… forever, so the V12 Detect Slim looks very much like the rest. Except for a large red button on the barrel of the handheld unit. This is the power button that replaces the trigger we’ve seen in all the other V-series handsticks. For those who’ve used any other Dyson stick vacuum, you’ll know that the trigger needs to be constantly pressed when using the appliance and can cause wrist fatigue or pain, particularly when trying to maneuver the vacuum in different directions. (Dyson would finally switch from trigger to single-press button in its flagship line with 2022's Dyson Gen5detect.)

This power button, in my opinion, is a wonderful change as it removes the issue of wrist/hand pain – press once to turn on, press again to turn off. That said, it needs your free hand to press each time, so this V-series model isn’t as well suited to one-handed use as its other siblings.

Dyson V12 Detect Slim power button — (Image credit: TechRadar)

The only other major difference between the V12 Detect Slim and the V15 is the bin capacity. The V12 comes with a 0.35L bin – the same one used in the Omni-Glide. That's really very small for a cordless bin; on test I found it was just enough for a one-bedroom apartment. If you live in a larger home, especially one with wall-to-wall carpeting, then you’ll find yourself emptying the bin often.

The mechanism to empty the canister is the same as in the V11 and V15 models, but here it’s not as hygienic – I found I regularly needed to stick my fingers in to pull out hair, fur and fluff. If you’re not too fussed about that, then pretty much everything else about the V12 is like the V15, including the attachments that ship with it. That said, the Hair Screw Tool that comes with the V12 is slightly different from that of the V15 and they aren’t interchangeable.

Dyson V12 Detect Slim handheld unit side view — (Image credit: TechRadar)

Look closely, though, and you’ll find the flower-like arrangement of the radial cyclones is also slimmer than the V11 or the V15. Where these two models have 14 radial cyclones, the V12 Detect Slim only has 11. That means lesser suction as compared to the V11 or the V15. However, even on the lowest mode, I found it was still capable of doing a pretty good job.

The smaller bin and fewer cyclones means the V12 is lighter than the V11 or V15. It weighs just 2.2kg (as compared to over 3kg for the other two) with a cleaning head attached, and also happens to be 3cm shorter than the V15. The lighter weight makes it a lot easier to hold the handheld unit aloft for getting at ceiling corners as compared to the V15, and also makes it easier to move across a floor.

Dyson V12 Detect Slim and Dyson V15 Detect side by side — Dyson V12 Detect Slim (left) vs Dyson V15 Detect (right) (Image credit: TechRadar)

Despite the lower price tag, you still get the digital display with the graphical representation of particle size and number displayed, along with the remaining runtime on each power mode. The suction level selection button is elongated, though, as compared to the silver circle on the V11 and V15 models.

The clip-on battery pack from the V11 has also made its way here, so if you think 60 minutes of max runtime isn’t going to do it for you, you can always consider buying an extra one to swap out when necessary. The slightly uneven weight distribution I found on the V15 because of the clip-on battery is thankfully not an issue here.

Dyson V12 Detect Slim and Dyson V15 Detect digital displays side by side — Dyson V12 Detect Slim (left) vs Dyson V15 Detect (right) (Image credit: TechRadar)

The Laser Slim Fluffy that’s the headline act of the V15 has made its way into the V12 box as well. In both cases, I found that the casters used on the Laser Slim Fluffy tool aren’t great when trying to move the vacuum at an angle or backwards. As a result, the High Torque cleaning head (called the Motorbar cleaner head in some territories) was my favorite attachment for general use.

Dyson V12 Detect Slim review: performance

Automatic suction adjustment
Soft floorhead has a laser to highlight dirt
Great on hard floors; the more powerful V15 Detect better for carpet

While it's less powerful than the V15 Detect, if you happen to live in a home with mostly hard floors and you’re lusting after the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaning head, you won’t regret getting the V12 Detect Slim. When it comes to suction power, even the lowest setting – called Eco – is more than enough for general cleaning. There are two more higher power settings available, but you will be eating into the 60-minute battery life, especially when using the motorized cleaning heads.

Dyson V12 Detect Slim side view — (Image credit: TechRadar)

During my testing I found that the Eco mode did a good job on carpets, although if it’s a particularly ‘hairy’ task, it takes a few back-and-fro movements to get it all off (I wouldn't rate this amongst the best vacuums for pet hair). On hard floors, though, it's an excellent cleaner, working impeccably with both of the supplied floorheads, even on the lowest suction mode.

Dyson V12 Detect Slim digital display — (Image credit: TechRadar)

If you need proof of how well it can clean, all you need to do is use the Laser Slim Fluffy (designed specifically for hard floors) and watch as the illuminated dust and dirt get sucked up. Or you can keep an eye on the display and watch as the graph changes – although after a few uses I found myself barely looking at the display except to keep an eye on the remaining runtime.

Dyson V12 Detect Slim's Hair Screw Tool — (Image credit: TechRadar)

Be careful when using the Hair Screw Tool though. While it’s absolutely brilliant at sucking up hair and fur without tangling anywhere, it does also gobble up slim charging cables with ease. It’s best used on furniture or pet beds, but you can (theoretically) also use it on a floor. However, as with the V15 Detect, the attachment’s small footprint means it will take a long time to go over every inch of the floor space.

And because of the slightly unwieldy nature of the Laser Slim Fluffy casters, I found myself using the High Torque cleaning head the most, on both carpets and hard floors.

Dyson V12 Detect Slim review: battery

Up to 60 minutes
Recharges in 4.5 hours
Swappable battery pack

There are no compromises when it comes to battery life. Dyson seems to have used the same battery capacity on the V12 as it has on the V11 and V15 models, with a maximum runtime of 60 minutes, and it's fade-free. So if the appliance has run out of juice, it just stops, rather than gradually getting less sucky while the power runs down.

You get the full 60 minutes only when using the Eco mode with a non-motorized attachment. With the High Torque cleaning head, for example, I got about 46 minutes of power on the Eco mode, but the full hour when the Combination tool was attached.

On the Auto mode, I got a maximum of 40 minutes of power, while the Boost mode gave me no more than 20 minutes with the Laser Slim Fluffy. And that’s pretty much the same as what the V15 Detect offers.

If you think you may need more than 60 minutes, you do have the option of purchasing a second battery pack to swap out when necessary.

Should I buy the Dyson V12 Detect Slim?

Buy it if...

You want a laser-lit Dyson without paying top dollar

Although the Laser Slim Fluffy seems like a novelty, it does have its uses when trying to find dust and dirt gathered under furniture or in corners where you normally wouldn’t spot them. This is the headline-act of the V15 Detect and you get it by default with the V12 Detect Slim as well.

You live in a small home

The V12 Detect Slim’s bin capacity is enough for a single-bedroom home, but anything bigger, particularly if some (or all) rooms have carpets, then you’ll end up interrupting your vacuuming sessions just to empty the bin. If that doesn’t sound like something you’d want to do, you might want to consider opting for one of the Dyson V11 models instead, available for a similar price.

You really want the latest Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner

When it comes to vacuum cleaners, Dyson is arguably the most popular and, perhaps, the most coveted brand. So if the V15 Detect is beyond your budget, the V12 Detect Slim isn’t a bad alternative, if you can manage with the smaller bin and lower suction power.

Don't buy it if...

You need a more powerful vacuum cleaner

When it comes to suction power, not all Dysons are made equal. While the V15 Detect is the most powerful yet, the V11 – with its 14 radial cyclones – is also a touch more powerful than the V12 Detect Slim. And considering they both have better bin capacities, they’re both far better options for anyone looking for a great new Dyson machine.

You’re on a budget

Even though the V12 Detect Slim is cheaper than the V15 Detect, it’s still quite expensive. For those on a tighter budget, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Dyson V10 Cyclone, which matches the V12’s suction power, offers a bigger bin and comes in at a far lower price than any of the newer models.

You need a larger, more hygienic bin

Having to empty the bin often may not seem like a chore, but if you need to stick your fingers in to pull out clumps of fluff and entangled hair, that’s far from ideal. That’s my biggest complaint with the V12 Detect Slim.

First reviewed July 2021

Shark WandVac System review

5:04 pm | June 24, 2021

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances Vacuums | Tags: AU, US | Comments: Off

Shark WandVac System: two-minute review

This model has slightly different names and product codes in different territories:

US: Shark WandVac System Lightweight Cordless Vacuum WS642
UK: Lightweight 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum WV361UK
AU: Shark WandVac System WS632

We tested the UK version. Be aware there may be minor differences between different countries' models. It's also available as a handheld vacuum only – see Alternatives section for more on that.

The Shark WandVac System (called the Lightweight 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum in the UK) is a lightweight handheld vacuum that converts in to a very lightweight and maneuverable stick vacuum. It packs a punch when it comes to power, offering impressive suction. I found it performed better on carpet than hard floors, although it's good at both. Because it's so lightweight, it's great for tricky areas, and the included attachments make it nice and versatile, too.

However, the small bin and short battery life mean it's really only for small cleanup jobs – if you want something to tackle your whole home, look elsewhere in our list of the best cordless vacuums. It’s best to think of the Shark WandVac as something you’d grab if you’ve just spilled flour all over the floor and needed to quickly clean it up.

If you don't need the floor head, then it is possible to buy this model as just a handheld. In the US it's the Shark WandVac Cordless Handheld Vacuum WV201, in the UK it's the Shark Cordless Handheld Vacuum WV200UK, and in Australia it's the Shark Wandvac Handheld Vacuum WV203.

Shark WandVac System review: price & availability

List price: $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$499.99

The Shark Wandvac System is available in the US, UK and Australia, and at list price it'll set you back $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$499.99. That puts it into TechRadar's budget price bracket for cordless vacuums. It's decent value for money, and an especially good choice if you need something lightweight.

If you're primarily wanting to use it as a handheld, you can save by opting for the version without the stick and floorhead – that one costs $129.99 / £129.99 / $249.99 – or check out TechRadar's guide to the best car vacuums for some alternatives. If you need that versatility, though, you'd arguably be better off opting for something like the Shark Detect Pro. It's currently only a little more expensive than the WandVac System, and offers much more power.

Seasonal events like the Black Friday sales are often a good time to shop for a new vacuum, and it's worth keeping an eye out for Shark promo codes to take the price down, too.

Shark WandVac System specs

Shark WandVac System review: design

Very lightweight, and can be used as a handheld or a stick vacuum
Anti-hair wrap cleaner head
Small, easy-empty dust bin

The Shark WandVac has been designed for those times when you need to clean up a mess and you need to do it fast, and it can be used as a handheld cleaner with various attachments, or in stick mode with the 11.2-inch / 28cm-wide floor head to clean larger areas.

It weighs under 1kg in handheld mode, and is easy to maneuver in stick mode – in this mode, according to Shark, the US model weighs 5.9lbs, while the UK model is 3kg – that makes the US model a little lighter, which may be down to the slightly different head design.

Putting the vacuum together is simple, and you can add attachments by slotting them in until they click into place. If you're using the Shark WandVac as a stick vacuum, the anti-hair-wrap floor head has self-cleaning silicone 'Powerfins', rather than conventional bristles, which prevent pet or human hair from getting stuck.

Shark WandVac cleaning flour from a kitchen floor — (Image credit: Future)

To convert the WandVac to a handheld vacuum, all you have to do is remove the wand and floor head and you’re good to go. If you're cleaning your car or other awkward spaces, a crevice tool is included, and with the UK version I tested, there's also a fluffy brush head that's ideal for cleaning blinds or delicate surfaces. In the US and AU, that's replaced by a Pet Multi Tool.

The dust canister capacity on this Shark vacuum is just 0.25qts / 0.13 liters, which is more in line with what you'd expect on a handheld than a general cordless model (i.e. small). It means this vacuum is better suited to small spills rather than full-house cleaning.

Emptying the bin is simple – you just push down a lever with one hand and the dust cup cap opens at an angle to let the contents fall into your bin. It took me a few attempts to make sure the opening of the dust cup was right over my bin, but because the action is quite fast the dust cloud is minimal.

There are two ways to charge the Shark WandVac. The first is by simply plugging the handheld part of the vacuum into the charger. The second method is by using the charging dock, which comes as standard – this way you can simply finish cleaning and place the vacuum on the dock, and it’ll start charging.

Shark WandVac System review: performance

Noticeably loud in use
Good suction; performs better on carpets than hard floors
Lightweight and good to awkward jobs
Bin fills up quickly – not for cleaning a whole house

The first thing I noticed is just how loud this vacuum cleaner is. In its standard cleaning mode with the floor head on it hit 82 decibels – the average vacuum cleaner is around 75 decibels. And when you use the Boost mode the volume increases even more, so this is worth bearing in mind if you prefer a quieter model.

I tested the WandVac on hard floors with a flour mixture that resembled fine dust and dirt, and the vacuum sucked up everything in its path with ease, although it did cause some small crumbs to scatter further away. On carpet, the cleaner also coped very well with the mixture, and I didn’t need to use the Boost mode.

Next, I tested the Shark with larger debris on hard floors and found that the machine again did a good job, although it did take a few sweeps back and forth to scoop up all of the mess. I also noticed at this point that the dust cup filled up very quickly, which may have been impacting its ability to pick up.

I found the WandVac actually performed better on carpets – in standard mode it was able to pick up large pieces of debris, but it was even better in Boost mode, as you’d expect. I did notice that after cleaning up just one pile of larger debris (I used oats) the dust cup was pretty much full. This machine is designed primarily for cleaning up spills and other smaller cleaning jobs, so as long as you’re not expecting to be able to clean your whole home without a trip to the bin this shouldn’t be an issue.

I found the Shark WandVac was very light and easy to use with the crevice tool attached, and the suction was strong enough to provide a thorough clean, making it ideal for awkward jobs like cleaning your car or stairs.

Shark WandVac System review: battery life

16 minutes run time
Choice of charging options
Full charge takes approx 3.5 hours

Shark claims the WandVac can run for 16 minutes as a handheld vacuum cleaner, which is definitely on the short side as vacuums go, but should be long enough if you just need to clean up a spill of crumbs or give your car a quick spruce-up.

When you attach the floor head the cleaning time is reduced, which Shark does state, and I found that the battery only lasted 12.5 minutes, without using the Boost mode. For most people (myself included), that's not long enough to clean the entire home from top to bottom; however, that’s not what the WandVac is designed for.

The battery takes around three and a half hours to fully charge – you can either plug the charger into the handheld section, or use the charging dock that comes with the machine as standard. LED lights on the WandVac’s handle tell you how much battery you have remaining: three lights are illuminated when the cleaner is fully charged, and I found in my tests that one light signaled roughly five minutes of cleaning time left.

Should I buy the Shark WandVac System?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

How I tested the Shark WandVac System

I tested the Shark WandVac thoroughly, in each mode, on different floor types, and with all the supplied attachments. I ran the standard TechRadar tests to see how it performed across a variety of tasks, including cleaning up food debris and also finer dirt and dust. I also used the vacuum around the house as a general cleaner to see how it fared, and I was impressed with the amount of dust it picked up. Finally, I put the battery to the test to see if it lived up to the promised run time.

First reviewed: June 2021

Dyson V15 Detect review

2:01 am | May 21, 2021

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

Dyson V15 Detect: two-minute review

Product info

For this review, we tested a Dyson V15 Detect, and a Dyson V15 Detect Absolute. They are the same vacuum cleaner in different colorways.

The Dyson V15 Detect is a powerful, tech-packed cordless cleaner from perhaps most innovative vacuum brand in the world. The V15 (and the V15 Detect Absolute, which is the same vacuum in a different color) is able to sense the amount and size of particles it's sucking up, and adjust power in response. It'll even give you a real-time summary of this information, via the LCD screen on the main body of the vacuum. The other headline addition is a green laser on the hard floor floorhead, which illuminates dirt that might otherwise be missed. We're assuming that the new 'Detect' in the name is inspired by one or both of these additions.

Elsewhere, you'll find impressive suction power, even on the lowest 'Eco' setting. However, our favorite mode was Auto, which adjusts suction based on not only the floor type but also how dirty it is, to ensure a low-effort, efficient clean. In our tests, this vacuum sucked up everything we put in front of it, including handling tangled hair impressively well.

Both the regular V15 Detect and the V15 Detect Absolute (which is the same vacuum in a different colorway) ship with two floorheads: a Digital Motorbar head (the one that can be used with Auto mode) and a Fluffy Optic floorhead (the one with the laser, designed specifically for hard floors). There's also a selection of extra tools for different cleaning tasks. The exact tools included depends where you live and which iteration of the V15 you buy, but if you live with long-haired people or pets, it's worth seeking out the Hair Screw tool, which was new to this model, and great at getting hair out of furniture.

Runtimes are good – up to a full hour on one charge – although recharge is a little slow. If you need longer than that, you'll appreciate that the battery is removable, with additional batteries available to purchase separately.

It's not quite perfect. It's a little heavy, and especially so in handheld mode. It's also frustrating that it switches on via a trigger, which needs to be continually depressed, rather than the one-push button found on other Dyson vacuums. The jury's also out on whether the features like the laser illumination and real-time dust reports are genuinely useful, once the initial novelty factor has worn off.

As you might have guessed, it's also an expensive purchase. While the advanced features and meticulous engineering do help justify the price, there are plenty of cheaper options about with fewer bells and whistles, which will suffice for most people.

Dyson V15 Detect — (Image credit: TechRadar)

For this review, we tested a couple of V15 vacuums – one in Australia and the other in the UK – to see how they compare to the rest of the best cordless vacuums on the market.

A bit of context so you know where this model sits in the wider Dyson range. The V15 Detect launched in 2021, at the same time as the (non-flagship) V12 Detect Slim. The previous flagship cordless vacuum was the V11 (read our Dyson V11 review for more on that one). The model to follow was the Gen5detect (see our Dyson Gen5detect review). That one features several upgrades to the V15, and at time of updating this review is the best Dyson vacuum available, based on specs.

There's also a sister model in the V15 range: the V15s Submarine, launched in 2023. This is similar the regular V15, but has a wet roller head to enable it to wash hard floors as well as just vacuuming. We've tested that separately, in our Dyson V15s Detect Submarine review.

That's the short version. Read on for our full Dyson V15 Detect / Dyson V15 Detect Absolute review, and to learn if it's the best vacuum cleaner for your needs.

Dyson V15 Detect review: price & versions

List price: $749.99 / £649.99 / AU$1,449
Launched: 2021

As with most Dyson cordless vacuums, there are a few different versions of the V15 Detect, with an extra word added onto the end of the name. Generally, it's the same base model, but sometimes there are differences in the range of tools included. That can make examining the pricing a little difficult, but to give us an idea, we'll be looking at what's available to buy direct from Dyson at time of updating this review. There may be other versions and different pricing available at other retailers.

In the US there's the Dyson V15 Detect, with a list price of $749.99. There's also the Detect V15 Detect Absolute for the same price (reduced to $599.99 at time of update). They're the same vacuum in two different colorways, and in this case even the tools included are the same.

The UK just has the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute, at a list price of £649.99, reduced to £549.99 at time of update. It's the same in Australia – just the V15 Detect Absolute, this time with a list price of AU$1,449.

Regardless of which iteration you go for, it's going to fall into the premium price category. It's generally a bit cheaper than its successor, the Gen5Detect (from $949.99 / £769.99 / AU$1,549 at list price). If you're hoping to score a discount, Dyson promo codes are rare, but we do sometimes see Dyson deals, especially around events like the Black Friday sales.

Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Dyson V15 Detect review: design

Upgraded motor compared to previous flagship model
LCD display shows info about dust collected and remaining run time
Wand can be removed to turn into a handheld

True to Dyson aesthetics, the V15 Detect is a beautiful machine to look at. Under the hood, the motor has been upgraded from its predecessor's (and was improved again for its successor), and generates 230 air watts of suction power. Other than that, it looks similar to the other modern V-range vacuums, comprising the motor, cyclone array and dust canister, in an in-line arrangement. We might have preferred a bigger dustbin on this model, but it's just the standard 0.2-gallon / 0.75L canister that's used in the Cyclone V10.

Inherited from the V11 is the swappable battery pack. This can come in handy if you've got a large home and would prefer to get the vacuuming done in one go instead of recharging at the mains – that can take a few hours (more on that later).

Dyson V15 Detect – press pictures — The V15 Detect looks similar to other modern V-range Dyson vacuums (Image credit: Dyson)

That battery, though, makes the weight distribution of the V15 Detect quite uneven. It weighs in at 3kg, but feels top-heavy, and it's tiring to use for longer cleaning stints. Our testers found their arms getting tired after using it for about 30 minutes, and they needed to keep switching hands regularly if they wanted to clean for any longer than that.

While later models (and, actually, the V12 Detect Slim that launched alongside the V15) switch on and off via a single-press button, but the V15 still uses a trigger that you need to keep continuously depressed. That, combined with the uneven weight distribution, makes the V15 even more of a workout for your arms. We found it less of an issue with the smaller and lighter V7 and V8.

LCD screen on Dyson V15 Detect vacuum cleaner — The V15 can detect the size and amount of particles it's sucking up (Image credit: Dyson)

One headline upgrade on the V15 Detect and Detect Absolute is the addition of a tiny piezo sensor, housed within the vacuum's handheld unit, which can measure acoustic vibrations from microscopic particles as small as 10 microns. As dust and debris get sucked in, they reverberate off the sides of the vacuum, and the piezo sensor uses those changes in vibrations to measure not just the size of the particles, but also the number.

These are then graphically displayed on a one-inch circular digital screen. As you clean, you'll see the representation change in real time and, when it finally becomes static, you'll know there's nothing more for the vacuum to suck up.

Dyson V15 Detect Absolute — A countdown clock shows you how much cleaning time you have left (Image credit: TechRadar)

Displayed below the graph is a countdown clock representing the remaining runtime, and it also displays the power mode you've chosen. There are three power levels, which can be selected using a silver button on the circular panel. Eco is a lower-suction mode, Boost is a more powerful mode for ingrained dirt, and Auto mode will intelligently adjust suction based on the floor type and how dirty it is.

All versions ship with two floorheads: a Digital Motorbar head (previously called the High Torque head) and a Fluffy Optic head (previously called the Laser Slim Fluffy head, and currently referred to as the Illuminated Cleaner Head in the UK... possibly because they couldn't trademark the 'Fluffy' name there).

The Digital Motorbar is a motorized head that features a couple of rows of 'teeth' that cut hair and fur into smaller pieces that get sucked up easily and thus prevent tangling around the bristles of the brush. Perhaps most exciting is the fact that this floorhead can monitor brush bar resistance to enable the vacuum to increase or decrease suction based on floor type, when used in Auto mode.

Graphic showing how Digital Motorbar floorhead deals with hair — The Digital Motorbar head is designed to cut up hair and channel it straight into the bin (Image credit: Dyson)

The Fluffy Optic head is designed specifically for hard floors, and it has had a redesign from the one shipped with previous V-series models. The whole head has been slimmed down (although the footprint remains the same), but the major difference is that there's now an in-built laser diode (class 1, so it's safe for humans and pets). Thanks to a custom-designed lens (which is only marginally bigger than a grain of sugar), the laser emits light at an angle that reflects off solid particles to highlight them green. The light is activated via a small switch on the top of the floorhead, and the fluffy part is also washable, so you can keep it at peak performance.

Dyson V15 Detect Absolute in handheld mode — The V15 easily transforms into a handheld (Image credit: TechRadar)

Like other Dyson cordless vacuums, you can convert the V15 Detect Absolute into a handheld cleaner by removing the main wand and attaching any of the other tools. Exactly which tools are included will vary depending on where you live and which iteration of the V15 you buy, but all are well-designed and useful.

If you want to be able to deal with hair (human or pet) in upholstery or furniture, look out for the Hair Screw Tool. This uses the principle of an Archimedes screw, with a tapered design that directs strands of hair or fur (no matter how short or long) towards the narrow end. This is where the suction hole is, allowing whole locks to get sucked up into the bin. Even the bristles have been placed at an angle, to ensure there's no tangling at all. This tool was new with the V15, but is compatible with older models and available to purchase separately.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Dyson V15 Detect review: performance

Powerful suction; great on carpet and hard floors
Laser highlights dust that's invisible to the eye
Auto mode is an excellent, low-effort feature

Even though there are three power modes, the V15 Detect is just fine at its lowest setting. To see how it coped with different types of debris, our testers sprinkled fine dust, biscuit crumbs and cereal (separately) on both carpet and hard floor. We found that even in Eco mode, it sucked everything up with just one slow pass. It also did a pretty good job on a hair-entwined carpet in Eco mode.

During our testing, though, we found the Auto mode the best – it was like a set-and-forget option that handled hard floors and carpets alike. Additionally, when using the Digital Motorbar head, the suction changes reactively when surfaces change, increasing automatically when it senses a rug or carpet.

This graphical representation of what you're cleaning also works really well. All particles are divided into four categories, depending on their size, and as you clean a specific surface, you’ll find the bars rising. When they become static, you know that the area has been cleaned to the best of the V15 Detect’s ability. We're not sure this feature is strictly essential, especially after the initial novelty had worn off, although we did find it a good way to see when a floor had been cleaned properly.

The laser on the Slim Fluffy tool does exactly what it says on the tin, highlighting particles you normally wouldn’t see with your naked eye, either illuminating a bright green or creating visible shadows. One of our testers deliberately missed the edges of a room with hard floors, and then pushed the head towards these edges – with the green laser illuminated, they were shocked by just how much dust, which wasn’t previously visible, was on the floor.

Our other reviewer wasn't quite as sold on this feature, ultimately deciding it was a little superfluous. They found that dust tended to settle on the inside plastic of the tool, diminishing its ability to, well, shine a light. They had to repeatedly wipe down the inside of the Laser Slim Fluffy to get the best results, and after a while found themselves leaving it switched off, and relying on the display as an indicator of when there was nothing more for the V15 to suck up.

Our second tester also found the floorhead a little tricky to swivel around. Because the Digital Motorhead can swivel a lot more, they found themselves using that one on hard floors as well – especially since it’s the only cleaning head that works with Auto mode.

(It's worth noting that the newer Gen5detect has a brighter laser, which is more visible in well-lit rooms, and the same tester was far more impressed with the upgraded version.)

Converting the vacuum to handheld mode and back again is simple – just remove the telescopic tube, clip on your desired attachment and you’re ready to go. However, the click-in battery pack does make the barrel feel heavier than older models like the V7, V8 and V10. Both of our testers found that holding aloft the V15 for more than a minute or two was quite difficult. The Gen5detect simplifies the process further by hiding a tool inside the wand, but that model is even heavier.

We can't fault the V15 Detect's cleaning power in handheld mode, though. One tester used it to clean their car, and it sucked up all of the dirt and debris such as small stones and even a few leaves, along with human hair that had collected on the driver’s seat, with ease.

Unlike today's best car vacuums, which are designed specifically for this task, converted floor vacs like this one are typically quite bulky when used in handheld mode. Our reviewer struggled to fully clean under the driver and passenger front seats, as well in the storage areas on the center console, which frequently attract dust and debris.

The exact tools that are included with the V15 Detect and Detect Absolute varies by country and version, but you'll typically get a Crevice tool and a Combination tool, which we found were good for edges and narrow spaces.

Both of our review models came with a new-to-this-model Hair Screw tool. This works best as part of the handheld unit to remove pet and human hair off smaller surfaces like sofas, car seats or pet beds. It is possible to also use it on carpeted floors, but given it's small footprint, it's far more efficient to use the much larger Digtial Motorbar head for this task.

Either way, the Hair Screw Tool is a marvelous piece of engineering. When testing it, we removed a clump of hair from a brush and placed it on a sofa – the anti-tangle tool sucked it all up without a single strand getting caught anywhere. It all curled up and got sucked right into the canister. However, we did find this tool could be a little less effective at collecting dust and dander from upholstery, when compared to the Mini Motorized head included with previous models.

Emptying the V15 Detect’s bin is easy. Once the wand and any cleaning attachments are removed, the red lever on the canister pushes open the lid and all that dirt comes right out in a single move.

One final performance element to discuss is noisiness. We were impressed with how much quieter the V15 Detect is in low-power settings as compared to some of the older V-series models. However, bump the suction mode to Boost and it hits 81 decibels – as loud as a truck trundling down a highway at 65kph.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Dyson V15 Detect review: battery

Up to a full hour's cleaning on Eco mode; 18 minutes in Boost
Battery takes up to 5 hours to fully recharge
Swappable battery reduces interruptions to cleaning

On the lowest-powered, Eco setting Dyson claims the battery will last up to 60 minutes. That's the same as the V11, although because the suction power has been improved over that model, you should be able to clean more efficiently with the newer V15. On test, the claims were accurate – one of our review models managed a respectable 59 minutes, and the other clocked up nearly 61 minutes.

If you prefer the Auto mode, you'll get about 40 minutes of runtime per charge, which is enough for the general upkeep of a small two-bedroom house. However, because of the intelligent nature of this mode, runtimes will vary depending on the types of floors you have, and how dirty they are. Bump up to Boost and you'll only get about 18 minutes of power.

The Auto mode suited our testers best, but even the Eco setting has plenty of suction power to clean up a small mess. So the latter is your best bet to maximize on battery life. A countdown of how long you have left is handily available on the digital display.

If you want to be able to clean for longer than 60 minutes, then you’re going to need an additional battery pack. This would be handy in large family homes, because recharge times are long – our testers found a full recharge took between four and five hours.

Battery score: 4 out of 5

Should I buy the Dyson V15 Detect?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: May 2021

Amazon Echo Spot review

3:22 pm | November 19, 2019

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Smart Home Smart Speakers | Tags: AU, FREE, UK, US | Comments: Off

Editor's note

There's a new Echo Spot in town! Following the quiet discontinuation of the original Echo Spot from 2019, Amazon has rejuvinated the product with an all-new design, some clever features and improved hardware.

- Josephine Watson, Managing Editor of Lifestyle, 27/12/2024

Amazon first launched the original Echo smart speaker in 2014, but since then its Echo range has expanded to include the high-end Echo Plus, the screen-packing Echo Show and the teeny, tiny Echo Dot. There are now Echo devices to suit every mood, every room and every budget. But one of our firm favorites is still the Echo Spot.

That's because it has everything we could want from a smart speaker: cute looks, portable design and a video screen, which means it looks just as at home on your desk, your kitchen counter and your bedside table.

The Spot doesn't quite have the monopoly on compact smart displays as it used to, though. The new Echo Show 5 apes the rectangular shape of the larger Echo Show, but with a 5.5-inch screen around the size of a smartphone. At a lower price tag, too, it can be hard to justify the Spot in its stead – though if you're sold on its cute and quirky appearance, this is likely the model you'll want.

Alexa speakers: Echo | Echo Dot | Echo Plus | Echo Show | Echo Spot

The best things about the Amazon Echo range in general apply to the Echo Spot too, including a decent price tag, heaps of functionality, and a voice interface easy enough for complete tech beginners to get a hold of. With that in mind, it’s no wonder the Echos have become essentials in a smart home setup over the last five years.

The new Echo Studio may be best suited to audiophiles who want to blast their tunes, and the Echo Show is probably best in the kitchen, allowing cooks to watch recipe videos on YouTube – but the Amazon Echo Spot is the sort of device that can fit in just about anywhere.

Of course this is all subjective, and depends on how your home is set up, but if you do want our styling as well as our tech recommendations, then the Echo Spot is ideal for sticking next to your bed, much like the recently launched Echo Dot with Clock.

But enough about its looks. Let's explore how the Echo Spot is to use, whether its circular screen is useful day-to-day and how well its audio quality shapes up against its rivals.

Echo Show 5 vs Echo Spot: has Amazon's new smart display made the Spot redundant?

Amazon Echo Spot: design

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

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

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

Try Amazon Music Unlimited with a FREE trial: US | UK | AU

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

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

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

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

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

Amazon Echo Spot: features and setup

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amazon Echo Spot: performance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amazon Echo Spot: final verdict

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

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

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

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

I re-tested the Dyson V11 for 2025, and while it lacks cutting-edge features, its cleaning powers are still absolutely superb

7:40 am | August 12, 2019

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

Dyson V11 vacuum cleaner: two-minute review

The Dyson V11 launched in 2019 and sits around the middle of the brand's stick vacuum lineup. It's not the most hi-tech model in the range, but when it comes to cleaning powers it's one of the best cordless vacuums I've tested.

One of my favorite features is the LCD screen, which provides a ton of useful information. It'll tell you which mode you're using and exactly how much cleaning time you have left in that mode, and it'll flag up issues like blockages and show you how to fix them.

The design looks and feels premium, but is rather top-heavy, which makes it a little awkward to use in handheld mode in particular. From a usability perspective, it would benefit from a lock for continual running, so you don't need to keep the trigger pressed at all times. It's also lacking an air intake slider on the main floorhead, which could be opened up to make the vacuum easier to push on deep-pile carpet.

Where the V11 shines is in its cleaning powers. In my group test of various cordless vacuums, it was one of the most effective at cleaning on carpet, and handled pet hair incredibly well, too. Despite being top-heavy, it maneuvers very well, and the battery life is excellent.

Price-wise, the Dyson V11 sits the in premium bracket. For some people, it'll be worth investing a bit more to unlock the special features that come with Dyson's best vacuums – I missed having automatic suction adjustment based on floor type, and a soft floorhead with a dirt-illuminating laser for hard flooring.

However, it's still an excellent vacuum when it comes to cleaning powers and battery life, and an especially strong recommendation if you spot it on sale. Read on for my full Dyson V11 review, including the results of my in-depth tests.

Dyson V11 vacuum being used on carpet — (Image credit: Future)

Dyson V11 review: price & availability

List price: from $629.99 / £429.99 / AU$1,199
Availability: worldwide, including US, UK and Australia
Launched: March 2019

The Dyson V11 launched in March 2019 and remains a key model in the brand's lineup. It's available widely around the world, including in the US, UK and Australia. At time of writing the list prices were from $629.99 in the US, £429.99 in the UK, and AU$1,199 in Australia. That puts it in the premium price bracket for vacuums.

There are various bundle options for the V11, with different tools included. There are also two different iterations of the main machine – one with 200AW of power, and another with 185AW of power. The more powerful option is usually called the V11 Advanced, but I have seen lots of inconsistency with Dyson vacuum names, so do check before you buy.

In the wider lineup of flagship Dyson vacuums, the V11 sits above the Dyson V8 (see how the two compare in my Dyson V11 vs V8 article). There's a bit of a step down in price between the two – the V8 is around $589.99 / £329.99 / AU$999, but is regularly heavily discounted.

The V11 sits below the V15 Detect, which has a list price of around $849.99 / £649.99 / AU$1,449. See how the two match up in my Dyson V11 vs V15 Detect comparison.

Is it good value for money? Kind of. It looks and feels premium, features like the LCD screen are very useful, and the cleaning is generally excellent. However, I'd expect an Auto mode for this kind of money. Dyson promo codes are rare, but Dyson deals do crop up semi-regularly, and especially around major sales events like Black Friday.

Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Dyson V11 specs

Weight (no attachments):	4.5lbs / 2.06kg
Weight (with wand and main floorhead):	6.6lbs / 3kg
Bin size:	0.77L / 0.2 gallon
Max runtime:	60 mins
Charge time:	4hrs 30
Size (H x W x L):	49.7 x 10.5 x 9.8 in / 126.2 x 26.7 x 25cm
Filter:	Whole-machine filtration
Max suction:	185AW / 200AW
Modes:	Eco, Med, Boost
Submarine option:	No
Floorheads:	Motorbar

Dyson V11 review: design

Useful, intuitive screen provides information
Easily maneuverable but a little top-heavy and not that comfortable to use
Trigger-operated, with no lock for continual running

The V11 was the first of Dyson's cordless stick vacuums to have its motor, cyclones, dust cup and wand all arranged in a straight line. This in-line configuration is designed to improve suction efficiency compared to the previous setup.

There are three power modes – Eco, Med and Boost – and you cycle between them by pressing a round button. There's a useful screen that spells out which mode you're in, as well as how long you have left on the battery in the current mode and with the current attachment. This screen will also flag any issues and help you fix them – for example, it'll tell you if there's a blockage, and where the blockage is.

Testing alongside vacuums that used various symbols, LEDs and color-coding to convey information made me all the more appreciative of the V11's straightforward setup. It's intuitive to use and easy to understand, with minimal potential for confusion.

Close up of control screen on Dyson V11 stick vacuum — (Image credit: Future)

To switch the V11 on and off you use a trigger. In newer models, Dyson has swapped this for a one-press button. The trigger means you don't have to have a free hand to switch the machine on and off, although it can be annoying to have to keep it compressed during longer cleaning sessions – it's frustrating that there's no lock for continual running.

Thanks to the in-line configuration, you'll now need to remove the wand to empty the bin, which is a bit of a hassle. Once removed, you push down the big red lever open the bottom hatch and to shoot out the contents of the bin. This works well, although I did on occasion have to go in with my fingers to pull out clumps of hair or dirt.

Dyson V11 stick vacuum with bin emptying slider being demonstrated — (Image credit: Future)

There's one main floorhead – the Motorbar floorhead – which is suitable for use on either hard floor or carpet. The version that came with my test model did not have a slider to adjust how much air can get in, but other V11 models we've tested in the past have included one of these. A slider can be extremely useful on deep-pile carpet, to release some of the pressure and make the vacuum easier to push around.

Newer Dyson stick vacuums (the V15, Gen5detect and V16 Piston Animal) have the ability to sense how dirty your floor is and bump up or low suction as required, but that's not included here. If you want to maximize battery life, you'll need to switch modes manually.

(Note: it looks like a previous version of the V11 did have an Auto mode. Our original V11 review mentioned sensors in the floorhead that measure brush resistance as an indicator of floor type, and the ability to increase suction for carpet and lower it for hard floors. I've also spotted some press photos that show the vacuum with 'Auto' on screen. However, my review model has no such capability, and I can't see any mention of it on the various international Dyson sites.)

Main floorhead for Dyson V11 stick vacuum — (Image credit: Future)

Like pretty much every modern stick vacuum, you can reconfigure the V11 to turn it into a handheld. Exactly which detail tools are included will depend on which bundle you go for, but expect a Mini motorized tool, Combi tool and Crevice tool at a minimum. I found the tools easy to add and remove, and everything felt secure once clipped on.

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Combo tool and Crevice tool for Dyson V11 stick vacuum — (Image credit: Future)

In terms of comfort, the V11 isn't the best. The main body of the vacuum is rather heavy, and the in-line configuration means this part is rather elongated. So while the overall weight is acceptable, it doesn't feel that balanced and is especially unwieldy in handheld mode. (This issue is worse in newer Dyson vacuums.) There's no padding or shaping on the handle to improve comfort or grip. However, the floorhead maneuvers well and pivots easily, and can lie nice and low to the ground for cleaning under furniture.

Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Dyson V11 review: performance

Excellent cleaning on carpet, but would benefit from an air intake slider
Strong cleaning on hard floor but other models more specialized for this
Superb at clearing of pet hair

During general use, I was very impressed with the V11's cleaning powers. I missed having an Auto mode, though – these are now fairly common amongst the vacuums I test, and it's reassuring to hear the suction amping up and down as I move around the house. I tended to default to Med mode, which probably means I was wasting battery life when cleaning my hard floors, as these don't really need much suction.

To gain a more objective view of the V11's cleaning performance, I ran a series of standardized cleaning tests. For these, I used a mix of dry rice and lentils to represent chunky debris, and dry, loose tea to represent fine particles. I also used dog hair from a friendly local dog groomer. I tested all the particle types on medium-pile carpet, deep-pile carpet, and a lino floor.

Carpet

The V11 performed extremely well on medium-pile carpet. It cleared every speck of tea in one forward pass in Med mode, earning a perfect score in this test. It handled the chunky rice and lentils almost as well – a few stragglers were left in the fibers, but the vast majority disappeared in one forward pass.

This vacuum is not quite as well suited to deep-pile carpet, but not because of a lack of suction. The V11 picked up both fine and chunky particles very efficiently on my deep-pile test carpet, but it was just a bit hard to push, and there's no air intake slider to lessen the strain.

Switching to Eco mode did help, and pickup was still very effective in this mode. If you have mostly medium-pile carpet or are happy to manually switch modes as you move onto deeper-pile carpet, the V11 is still a very solid choice. (For other options, head to my guide to the best vacuums for carpet.)

Hard floor

The Dyson V11 performed well in my hard floor suction tests. It cleared most chunky and fine debris with a single pass in Med mode, but did cause debris to pool when the floorhead was pulled backwards over the spillage. This is a common issue with vacuum cleaners, although Shark has come up with a solution that improves things considerably (the Shark PowerDetect Cordless features this pull-back technology).

The V11 is a solid choice for hard floors, but there are other models that are more specialized for this floor type. The best vacuums for hard floor have a separate, soft floorhead that's equipped with a laser to illuminate dirt that might otherwise be missed (examples include the V15 Detect and Dreame R20).

Pet hair

The Dyson V11 is one of the best vacuums for pet hair that I've tested. It cleared all the hair from the medium-pile carpet with a single pass in Med mode, and was very effective on deep-pile carpet too – I had to shift down to Eco mode to make the vacuum easier to push, but it cleared almost everything in one pass, leaving only a few rogue hairs.

Dyson V11 vacuum being used to clear dog hair from carpet — (Image credit: Future)

My review sample didn't come with a small motorized tool, which is what you'd usually use on upholstery (there are two options in the Dyson range: the older Mini motorized tool or newer Hair screw tool). I used the Combi tool to remove pet hair from a velvet cushion, and it was incredibly effective, clearing everything in a single pass in Med mode.

The down-side of the Combi tool is that it has a relatively small suction area, so it'd take you a while to cover, for example, a whole sofa. Mini motorized tools are included with some V11 bundles, and available to purchase separately if not. However, note that I ran the same test using Dyson's Mini motorized tool with the Gen5detect, and it was decent but not as effective as the Combi tool.

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Dyson V11 review: battery life

15 mins in Boost mode, 33 in Med mode, 65 mins in Eco
4 hours and 30 mins to recharge
Battery removable and swappable

Officially, the Dyson V11 will last 60 minutes in Eco mode, but on test I managed 65 minutes. That's an excellent maximum runtime. As ever, more powerful modes will drain the battery much more quickly, but the V11 is much better than most on this front.

I think it's more important one to pay attention to is the runtime in 'medium' mode, because that's the one most people will be using most often. In my test, Med mode lasted 33 minutes of cleaning. As a rule of thumb, anything 30 minutes or longer is good.

In the most powerful Boost mode I managed 15 minutes of cleaning, which is very good. This mode is designed to be used only occasionally, for the toughest dirt. It's not meant for general cleaning.

The battery is removable and swappable, which is good news because this is often the first thing to fail on a cordless vacuum. Recharge is slow at 4 hours and 30 minutes.

You're unlikely to run out of juice unexpectedly because the V11 will spell out on its screen exactly how much cleaning time you have left – and it'll adjust timings depending on which tool you have attached and which mode you're in. (Interestingly, the timer doesn't just count down, but can jump about a bit.) If you press the mode button while the vacuum is plugged in, you can also see how much charge it is, as a percentage.

Battery life score: 5 out of 5

Should you buy a Dyson V11?

Attribute	Notes	Rating
Value	Premium price partly justified by high-end, user-friendly design and strong cleaning. At this price, I'd expect auto adjustment, though.	3.5 / 5
Design	Very maneuverable but a little top-heavy, and lack of lock for continual running is annoying. LCD screen very useful and intuitive.	3.5 / 5
Performance	Excellent on mid-pile carpet and superb at dealing with pet hair. Good on hard floor and would benefit from an air intake slider for deep-pile carpet.	4 / 5
Battery life	Long runtimes in Eco, Med and Boost, although lacks an Auto mode to maximize battery life.	4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You have a hairy pet

On test, the V11 proved absolutely excellent at clearing dog hair from carpet. The Combi tool also removed hair from a velvet cushion incredibly efficiently.

You have lots of mid-pile carpet

The V11 performed especially well in my cleaning tests on medium-pile carpet, clearing fine and chunky particles with ease.

You want long runtimes

Sometimes, cordless vacs will have a long runtime in their lowest suction mode, but not it'll drop dramatically for the other modes. The V11 has a generous runtime in all three modes.

Don't buy it if...

You want maximum value for money

While far from the priciest Dyson, I think the V11 is a tad overpriced. The simpler, cheaper V8 delivers better bang-for-buck. Or, arguably if you're spending this much, you'd be better splashing a bit more cash and going for a V15 with its far longer feature list.

You have mostly hard floor

While the V11 performed well in my hard floor tests, there are other models that are more specialized for this. Look for a vacuum that has an extra, soft floorhead, and laser illumination to highlight hidden dirt.

You want something that's comfy in handheld mode

The V11 is a little top-heavy and difficult to wield in handheld mode, plus you'll need to keep the trigger compressed at all times.

Dyson V11 review: alternatives to consider

Model:	V11	V8 Cyclone	Dyson V15 Detect
Weight (stated):	6.6lbs / 3kg	6 lbs / 2.7kg	4.57 lbs / 2.07kg
Bin size:	0.77L / 0.2 gallon	0.54L	0.77L / 0.2 gallon
Max runtime:	60 mins	60 mins (check)	60 mins
Charge time:	4hrs 30	4 hrs (check)	4hrs 30
Size (H x W x L):	49.7 x 10.5 x 9.8 in / 126.2 x 26.7 x 25cm	45.7 x 8.3 x 9.8in / 116 x 21 x 25cm	49.6 x 10.5 x 9.8in / 126 x 26.6 x 25cm
Filter:	Whole-machine filtration	99.99% to 0.3 micron	Whole-machine filtration
Max suction:	185AW (200AW for Absolute)	150AW	240AW
Modes:	Eco, Med, Boost	Low, Med, Max	Eco, Auto, Boost
Submarine option:	No	No	Yes
Floorheads:	Motorbar	Motorbar	Digital Motorbar, Fluffy Optic

Dyson V8 Cyclone

The V8 Cyclone is an updated version of the bestselling V8. It's simpler than the V11, with no info screen and a less premium build. However, on test it still proved excellent at cleaning, and it's much cheaper than the V11.

Read TechRadar's Dyson V8 Cyclone review View Deal

Dyson V15 Detect

The model that sits above the V11 is the V15 Detect. It's pricier and heavier, but adds a slew of extra features, including automatic suction adjustment and a separate, soft floorhead with a laser, designed specifically for hard flooring.

Read TechRadar's Dyson V15 Detect review View Deal

How I tested the Dyson V11

For two weeks, I used the Dyson V11 as my main vacuum cleaner. I used it regularly, in both handheld and floor mode, in a four-story home with a mixture of carpet, tiled and engineered wood floors. During this period I focused on usability, assessing how intuitive and comfortable it is to use. I also got a general feel for its cleaning performance on different floor types, as well as how effectively it handles hair (my own, armpit-length hair and that of my black Cocker spaniel).

To get a more objective view of this vacuum's cleaning powers, I also ran a series of tests in our testing studio. For these, I used loose dry tea to represent fine particles, and a mixture of dried rice and lentils to represent chunky debris, as well as dog hair from my local groomer. I tested the V11's pickup on medium-pile carpet, deep-pile carpet and lino. I also used the detail tool to clear hair from a velvet cushion.

These tests formed part of a wider group test, where I compared multiple cordless stick vacuums side by side. This group test included the Dyson V8 Cyclone, the Roborock H60 Ultra, the Dreame R20, the Dyson Gen5detect, Dyson V16 Piston Animal, Shark Detect Pro and Shark PowerDetect.

Re-reviewed: October 2025
First reviewed: 2019

Kobo Clara HD review

11:00 am | July 27, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

Kobo Clara HD price and release date

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

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

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

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

Design

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Display

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Battery life

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

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

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

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

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

Software and Kobo Store

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Verdict

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

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

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

Who's this for?

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

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

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

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

Should you buy it?

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

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

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

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

First reviewed: May 2018

Review: Dell XPS 10

3:00 am | April 11, 2013

Author: admin | Category: Cameras | Tags: RT, Samsung Ativ Tab, US, XPS | Comments: None

Review: Dell XPS 10

Introduction

Either spotting a gap in the market or just out of loyalty to its best buddy Microsoft, Dell has released its own Windows RT slate. Aimed[……]

Hands-on review: Panasonic Lumix GF6

3:00 am | April 10, 2013

Author: admin | Category: Cameras | Tags: GF, NFC, US, Wi Fi | Comments: None

Hands-on review: Panasonic Lumix GF6

Introduction

Panasonic is known for quickly refreshing its cameras lineup, especially those at the budget end of the range. The GF series, which is the[……]

Review: Lenovo IdeaPad S405

3:01 am | April 6, 2013

Author: admin | Category: Cameras | Tags: AU, Max Payne, US, USB | Comments: None

Review: Lenovo IdeaPad S405

Introduction

On the face of it, the Lenovo IdeaPad S405 is a minor revelation – the Chinese PC powerhouse has somehow managed to cook up an Ultrabook f[……]

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Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK vacuum cleaner review: design

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK vacuum cleaner specs

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK review: performance

Shark IZ662H / IZ300UK review: battery life

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Buy it if...

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Dyson V12 Detect Slim review: price & availability

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Dyson V12 Detect Slim review: performance

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Don't buy it if...

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Shark WandVac System review: price & availability

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Shark WandVac System review: design

Shark WandVac System review: performance

Shark WandVac System review: battery life

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Buy it if…

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How I tested the Shark WandVac System

Dyson V15 Detect: two-minute review

Dyson V15 Detect review: price & versions

Dyson V15 Detect review: design

Dyson V15 Detect review: performance

Dyson V15 Detect review: battery

Should I buy the Dyson V15 Detect?

Buy it if...

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Amazon Echo Spot: design

Amazon Echo Spot: features and setup

Amazon Echo Spot: performance

Amazon Echo Spot: final verdict

Dyson V11 vacuum cleaner: two-minute review

Dyson V11 review: price & availability

Dyson V11 specs

Dyson V11 review: design

Dyson V11 review: performance

Carpet

Hard floor

Pet hair

Dyson V11 review: battery life

Should you buy a Dyson V11?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Dyson V11 review: alternatives to consider

How I tested the Dyson V11

Kobo Clara HD price and release date

Design

Display

Battery life

Software and Kobo Store

Verdict

Who's this for?

Should you buy it?

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

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