22 Jan
Blog

Wyze Scale S review: Highly functional and affordable

The Wyze Scale S provides numerous health metrics at every weigh-in.

Wyze Scale S review: Highly functional and affordable

RRP $18.99

"The Wyze Smart Scale S offers a full range of health-related metrics at an affordable price."

benefits

  • Payable

  • Easy to use and set up

  • Tracks a variety of health information

  • Allows multiple user profiles

disadvantage

  • Only works with a few third-party applications

  • Does not always record measurements

It's January and that means thousands of people are trying again to reach their goal weight. It also means that Libra isn't always your friend. After a strict diet, waking up before dawn to go for a run, and all the other steps you take to shed those pounds, you step on the scale hoping you've shed a few numbers.

The problem is that exercising isn't just about weight loss — you're building muscle at the same time, and muscle weighs a lot more than fat. Did you know that a bodybuilder can technically be "overweight" despite being in better physical shape than 90% of other people?

The Wyze Scale S provides numerous health metrics at every weigh-in.

The Wyze Scale S can help you more accurately measure your actual body composition, not just your weight. I tried it for a couple of weeks.

More than just a scale

As with most smart scales, the Wyze Scale S requires you to stand barefoot on its four sensor points. It takes several seconds before you get a display that not only shows you your weight, but also your body mass index (BMI) and muscle mass. This is the standard tariff for most smart scales, but the Wyze Scale S takes it a step further with a lot more information, including:

  • body fat
  • muscle mass
  • body water
  • lean body mass
  • bone mass
  • protein
  • visceral fat
  • BMR
  • metabolic age

The scale provides an incredibly detailed breakdown of key readings about your body. But while this information is useful, it's also not entirely accurate. These measurements are all estimates based on algorithms. You would need an actual medical device to give you accurate readings of this information, but the Wyze Scale S can give you a rough idea of ​​your current fitness level.

Every time you step on the scale, your numbers are automatically recorded in the app (assuming your phone is within Bluetooth range). The app creates a graph of your weight history over time.

You would need an actual medical device to give you accurate readings of this information, but the Wyze Scale S can give you a rough idea of ​​your current fitness level.

When you select body fat, muscle mass, or another metric, it explains what each term means and also shows your own measurements on a color-coded chart. It shows where you are on the chart using terms like average, below average, or above average, which is helpful when you're not exactly sure what the numbers mean or what a healthy range is.

The features don't just stop at the scale, however. The app itself also includes some useful tools – like the ability to measure your heart rate. The way it does that is kind of interesting too. You will be prompted to cover your phone's rear camera with one finger and then cup the phone with your other hand so that the light reflects towards your finger.

The Wyze Scale S companion app automatically tracks your weight every time you step on the scale.

Your phone's camera measures the pulsation under your skin and is fairly accurate. I tested it with a high-end fitness tracker at the same time and got the same result. If you want to quickly check your heart rate during a workout (and the old method of pinching your fingers to your neck and counting just doesn't work for you), the Wyze app can pull through in a snap.

However, in my opinion the best feature is the pet/kid mode. Have you ever wondered how much your pet weighs? This mode allows you to step on the scale empty-handed, then step on the scale with your pet and calculate the difference in weight, giving you an accurate measurement for your pet (or child).

Spoilers: My chunky cat weighed 14.9 pounds and strongly refused to be weighed.

If you want to quickly check your heart rate during a workout, the Wyze app can come through in no time.

The main problem I've encountered with smart scales is that they tend to focus on a single user. The Wyze Scale S allows you to have more than a single user and track each one's measurements separately. You can also set up a guest measurement if someone wants to weigh themselves without affecting your tracking.

setup and installation

Setting up and working with the Wyze Scale S was as easy as pulling it out of the box and connecting it via the app. The only real requirement is that you place the scale on a hard surface. Carpet interferes with the sensors, so you'll need to place it on tile or hardwood for it to work properly.

I have found that weight measurements are not recorded correctly if your phone is too far from the scale. If I left my phone in the living room and stepped on the scale in the bathroom (about 25 feet away), it didn't record the measurement on the app.

There are a few additional options available to you in the app. For example, you can set a specific weight goal to work towards. This will appear every time you open the app. You can also choose to display weight in imperial or metric units, and you can authorize Wyze to work with third-party apps like Apple Health and Fitbit. Those are the only two options I've found, which is a bit disappointing – I'd have liked to see the inclusion of other big fitness trackers like Garmin.

The Wyze Scale S has a reflective surface that captures footprint.

You can export your health metrics to your email for a specific week, month, year or any other time period. If you keep records or use the measurements for medical purposes, this can be useful information for your doctor.

Our opinion

The Wyze Scale S strikes an excellent balance between affordability and functionality. It even has an athlete mode for those who train more than 10 hours a week for more accurate tracking. It's one of the best smart scales I've worked with and has become my favorite way of measuring myself.

Is there a better alternative?

For the price, the Wyze Scale S is hard to beat. At around $20, you won't find a more functional scale. If you want more functionality with a far greater selection of fitness apps, Withings Body+ offers 100+ different apps and integrations for $100.

How long it will take?

This is a scale, so it gets a bit abused. Between kicks, accidental kicks and bumps against the wall, you can expect the Wyze Scale S to take a little damage here and there – but it's well made and comes with a one-year warranty from date of purchase. I expect it will last for many years with proper care.

should you buy it

Yes, without a doubt. If you're looking for a smart scale to help you track your fitness goals, you can't go wrong at this price point.

Editor's Recommendations



11 Dec
Blog

Halo View Review: An Affordable Fitbit Alternative

Amazon Halo View lineup.

Halo View Review: An Affordable Fitbit Alternative

RRP $ 79.00

"The Halo View competes with Fitbit and offers robust functionality and a price that doesn't break the bank."

benefits

  • Inexpensive

  • Affordable membership

  • Easy

  • Focus on wellness

disadvantage

  • No GPS

  • Not as durable as others

Amazon unveiled its Halo fitness band in 2020 to mixed reviews. While many liked the simple design and abundance of wellness features, the voice tracking and fat scanning features caused quite a stir. The company has listened to this feedback and is back with its second iteration of the fitness tracker. The new Halo View takes the best features of the original Halo, removes the controversial ones, and adds an important feature that is missing from the Halo band. Is this new band keeping their promise to "build a healthier lifestyle right from the wrist?" We tested it to find out.

Fitbit-like and feature-rich

When I first saw the new Halo View from Amazon, my first thought was, "This looks like a Fitbit". The Halo View features Fitbit's traditional rectangular case, soft elastomeric strap, and a bright, colorful AMOLED display. It's a bit more boxy than the current-gen Fitbit Charge 5, but the similarity can't be denied.

Halo View's feature set is very competitive. It has a battery life of seven days and has withstood this claim in my tests. It's also equipped with an optical heart rate sensor, a pulse oximeter that can take both background and on-demand measurements, and a temperature monitor for your skin. Thanks to its 50-meter water resistance, you can wear the Halo View in the shower and while swimming.

Person wearing the Amazon Halo view.

Light as a feather

The Halo View looks like a Fitbit but doesn't have the same feel as a Fitbit. Compared to most other fitness bands with a weight of 30 grams, the Halo View is incredibly light at 20.6 grams. The View is so light that I've often forgotten I'm wearing it. It's also very comfortable on the wrist with an easy-to-close strap that doesn't pinch or, at least to me, irritate my skin.

If you want a fitness band that won't weigh you down, the Halo View should be your first choice.

The Halo View doesn't feel as solid as a Fitbit, either. While it feels cheap, it doesn't work like a cheap device. The Halo View exceeded expectations during the test. The battery life was up to a week and the sensor readings were accurate. Although the tape is awkwardly attached to the top of the sensor unit, it held it securely on my wrist and the screen remained scratch-free during the test.

Fitness tracking falls short in one area

Weekly goal for Halo view

Amazon is new to fitness tracking, but you wouldn't know. The Halo app is surprisingly designed with a user interface that makes it easy to find the information you need. And that information is abundant. Amazon's Halo View gathers all of the common health metrics you need to track your fitness, like step count, heart rate, calories, and more. The View uses a weekly scoring system to measure your activity level, which is perfect for busy people. Instead of cramming thousands of steps each day, you can take a day off, exercise when you have more time, and still meet your fitness goals. GPS is the only blatant omission. The View has no built-in GPS and does not use your phone's GPS. As a result, it will not display distance or pace during an outdoor activity. Most people probably won't care, but runners and bikers alike will be disappointed.

Temperature tracking while you sleep

Halo View automatically tracks your sleep every night and is great at knowing when you fall asleep and wake up. It also calculates a sleep score, which is a quick and easy way for you to gauge your sleep quality without digging deep into a variety of metrics. If you want to explore the details, you can too. The Halo app divides sleep into deep, light REM sleep, as well as number of disturbances, awake time, and more.

Not only does Amazon Halo View track your nightly heart rate and movement, it also measures your skin temperature at night. This adds another metric that you can use to diagnose sleep problems or to monitor your health. Do you wake up tired but have slept eight hours? You can check the temperature stats to see if temperature played a role in your insomnia. You may need to shed a layer or add a blanket to keep yourself comfortable at night. Temperature can also be used to diagnose illness, track your menstrual cycle, and monitor other changes in your body or around you.

Halo Fitness brings the burn

Halo fitness

Halo View integrates with Amazon's Halo Fitness, which provides access to a growing library of on-demand workouts led by professional fitness instructors. You can choose between cardio, outdoor, strength, yoga and mobility courses. And there are workouts for all fitness levels. Like Apple Fitness and iFit, the workouts are mostly bodyweight exercises, but that doesn't mean they were easy. The classes I took were strong enough to make me sweat and left me sore the next day. Most of the exercises take less than 25 minutes, so you can easily do them even on a busy day. Although I used Halo View to track my workout, the tracker stats don't integrate with Halo Fitness in the Halo app. I had to look at my watch to check my heart rate instead of seeing it on my phone's screen.

Decreased creepiness

Amazon raised some eyebrows with its tone voice analysis and the photo-based body fat analysis it added to its original Halo fitness band. Even though it removed Tone from the Halo view, Amazon kept the body fat measurements that require you to take a photo of yourself in your Skivvies. Measuring body fat using photos may be more accurate, but not everyone will use this feature.

Same goes for Halo View's new Movement Health, which uses the camera to assess your ability to make five simple movements. The data collected by the camera is then analyzed and used to improve your mobility, stability and posture. Fortunately, these features are optional and disabled by default. I turned it on for testing but didn't use it much after initial setup. Step count, activity score, and the weekly goal were my main motivators for keeping moving.

Diet adds a new dimension

View Hale nutrition recipes

Step count, heart rate and sleep tracking are only half the story. The Halo View is packed with a variety of health and wellness features that complement the fitness metrics gathered by the band's built-in sensors. Diet is one of the newest additions and shows promise. The Nutrition section in the Halo app contains customized single meal recipes as well as long-term nutrition programs to help you build healthy eating habits over time. I signed up for "Have a Glass of Water Before Every Meal" and cherished the daily reminders that encouraged me to improve my hydration each day. In the future, Amazon plans to offer instructions for meal planning and shopping lists that will be synchronized with Alexa.

Affordable monthly membership

Amazon nailed the membership options on Halo View. Some companies cripple their devices for non-subscribers, but Amazon gives you basic metrics like steps, heart rate, and sleep times for free. You do not need to purchase this additional subscription to take advantage of the device's minimal fitness tracking capabilities.

Those who want advanced metrics like daily activity results or personalized insights can sign up for a Halo membership. Amazon cost its membership at an affordable $ 3.99 per month. The View comes with a 12 month free subscription to Halo membership so you don't have to pay that fee right away.

Person wearing the Amazon Halo view.

Our opinion

The Halo View is a great value for those looking for an affordable alternative to the more expensive trackers from Fitbit and Garmin. It has more than enough metrics and wellness features to keep most users at ease. The Halo View might not have enough bells and whistles to draw people away from Fitbit or Garmin, but it's a great starting point for those new to fitness tracking.

Is there a better alternative?

The Halo makes a great entry-level fitness attacker, but there are better alternatives. With sleek, rounded lines and a beautiful AMOLED display, the Charge 5 is a worthy competitor to the Halo View. At an MSRP of $ 129, the Charge 5 is more expensive but offers the distance and pace metrics not found on the Halo View. Another option is Garmin's Vivosmart 4, which has a sophisticated design and loads of smart features to keep you both connected and healthy.

How long it will take?

Amazon Halo View is a budget fitness tracker, so don't expect it to last five years. Most users will be able to use Halo View for a number of years with normal usage. Adventure athletes or hand-working people such as mechanics or carpenters may find the View too sensitive for their harsh lifestyles.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. With fitness tracking, sleep tracking, nutrition, and access to instructor-led workouts, the Halo View is ideal for someone who wants a fitness tracker but doesn't want to spend a lot of money.

Editor's recommendations



20 Sep
Blog

Edifier NeoBuds Pro Review: Impressive, Affordable Audio

Edifier NeoBuds Pro.

Edifier NeoBuds Pro reviewed: A new standard for affordable audio

RRP $ 129.00

"You won't find better sound quality, ANC, or transparency for less than $ 250."

advantages

  • Great sound

  • Comfortable fit

  • Very effective noise cancellation

  • Excellent transparency mode

  • Good call quality

disadvantage

  • No wireless charging

  • No in-ear detection

  • Few phones offer LHDC support

The best true wireless earbuds have a lot in common: great sound, great noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and lots of ways to customize your experience through a smartphone app. But they also usually cost between $ 200 and $ 350. So if a set of true wireless earbuds had all of these features but at a much lower price, say $ 129, they'd be a game changer, right? Edifier certainly hopes so – its $ 129 NeoBuds Pro has everything it needs on paper, at least, to challenge Apple, Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser. Deliver? Let's find out.

What's in the box?

Contents of the Edifier NeoBuds Pro pack.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Edifier went over the top when it comes to the presentation experience for the NeoBuds Pro. The box, with its large dimensions, magnetic closures, and tons of protective foam, screams high-end luxury, but that leads to a recycling nightmare. I'd love to see the company take a page out of Sony's playbook – the $ 280 WF-1000XM4 comes in a tiny, fully recyclable box.

In the box you will find the NeoBuds Pro, its charging case, a USB-A-to-USB-C charging cable, a nylon carrying case, some printed material and a huge selection of antibacterial silicone earbuds in seven sizes (one set is pre-installed ).

draft

Edifier NeoBuds Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The NeoBuds Pro belong to the same family of earphones as the Edifier NB2, NB2 Pro and Earfun Air Pro (Edifier helped design it). They look a lot like these other earbuds, with the same AirPods Pro-style ergonomic shape and tiny silver stems. However, the NeoBuds are more compact than their older siblings and have rounded contours on the stems that give them a more sophisticated look and feel. You may not agree, but I think they look great.

Thanks to their flat position, getting in and out is a breeze, although the charging case is slightly larger than models like the AirPods Pro.

The combination of matte black plastic and a brushed aluminum accent panel on the top of the lid continues the high-end vibe of the charging case, and the lid flips open easily and stays open until you fold it shut.

A huge selection of earplugs should enable a comfortable and secure fit.

But the coolest part of the NeoBuds Pro is the red LED charge indicator strip that sits right in the front groove of the case. It pulsates and animates from side to side, like a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica or maybe Kitt from Knight Rider if you like your tech friendly rather than threatening.

The only thing missing is wireless charging. Edifier doesn't seem to like wireless charging as none of their true wireless earbuds offer it.

With an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, the earbuds are cheap compared to most high-end alternatives.

Comfort, controls and connections

Edifier NeoBuds Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Smooth, rounded contours and the huge selection of earplugs should make it easy to get a comfortable and secure fit with the NeoBuds. I found the standard tips ideal for my ears and was able to wear them for several hours without discomfort. Stem-style earbuds can sometimes feel a bit unsafe as the stems can prevent you from pushing the earbuds deep enough into your ear canals, but that wasn't a problem with the NeoBuds. While it's not quite as safe as models with ear hooks or ear fins, switching to one of the larger earbud sets should provide plenty of support while running or exercising at the gym.

The NeoBuds use touch-sensitive surfaces at the very top of the stems for control. They offer good sensitivity out of the box, but Edifier cleverly added the ability to adjust that sensitivity within the Edifier Connect app. You can also customize the function of the controls on each earbud, but there's a catch: despite supporting a wide range of functions, from volume to ANC mode, there are only two actions per earbud – double-tap and triple-tap. That means you can choose from a wide variety of commands, but only four of them can be accessed through the earbuds.

Do you want to turn your phone into a private cinema? Dynamic mode will do it like a boss.

Why Edifier chose not to support additional gestures like single-tap or tap-and-hold (which would give you a total of eight commands) is a mystery and hopefully will be changed with a future firmware update. The control options are also a bit bizarre – the volume control is available, but the volume is always reduced with the right earbud, while the volume must always be done with the left.

But perhaps the biggest oversight is the lack of an automatic pause when you remove the earbuds. In contrast to its sibling, the NB2 Pro, the NeoBuds Pro lack in-ear sensors.

Each earbud can be used independently, but you should make sure that the earbud you choose has the commands it needs. Thankfully, answering / ending calls is available on both headphones by default.

The NeoBuds Pro are very easy to pair – just open the lid and search for the device in your Bluetooth settings. The connection is rock solid and surprisingly strong. Edifier claims a working distance of only 32 feet, but I was able to move 50 feet from my iPhone 11, even through two walls.

Sound quality

Edifier NeoBuds Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Edifier has positioned the NeoBuds as the first true wireless earbuds with "Hi-Res wireless audio" thanks to their ability to reproduce sounds between 20 Hz and 40 kHz and their support for the LHDC Bluetooth codec. But unless you happen to own one of the few smartphones that comes with LHDC, you probably won't experience these buds to the fullest. In fact, the only phone listed on the LHDC website is the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro, a model that is not sold in the US.

Hi-res chops aside, the NeoBuds Pro sound fantastic. They use a hybrid driver design that couples a dynamic low-frequency driver with a Knowles balanced armature driver that delivers the highs. It's an unusual setup for true wireless earbuds, and the result is big, bombastic sound that is also well-detailed. The sound is not quite as nuanced as with the Sennheiser or Master & Dynamic earphones, but it is still exciting and very haunting.

With very good stereo imaging, your soundstage is wide and detailed, so you can follow individual instruments and vocals as you enter and exit the mix.

The NeoBuds Pro's ANC is impressive – by far the best you'll find in a set of earbuds at this price point.

You can choose from two preset EQ modes in the Edifier app: Classic, which offers a relatively neutral signature, and Dynamic, which drives both the lows and highs for an almost overwhelming performance, with bass levels that make your fills rattle bring. Do you want to turn your phone into a private cinema? Dynamic mode will do it like a boss. You can also enable a special low latency gaming mode if you find there is a delay between your screen and the audio, but I found the regular mode perfectly adequate.

By default, the NeoBuds Pro seem best for bass- and beat-heavy genres like rap and hip-hop, but there's plenty of leeway to tweak the signature for other genres via the custom EQ mode that lets you create your own and can save presets. Unfortunately, it's a confusing user interface with items like “Q-Factor” and frequencies that can be adjusted in 1 Hz increments. However, it is possible to make various settings. If the bass is too strong or the mids are too weak for you, you can change them.

Noise cancellation and transparency

The NeoBuds Pro's ANC is impressive – by far the best you'll find in a set of earbuds at this price point. And frankly, they come very close to the performance you get from the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds or the Apple AirPods Pro. You get two ANC modes: Low and High. Low reduces background noise while high mode does its best to eliminate it completely. Strolling through a busy downtown neighborhood to listen to a podcast is a perfect test of ANC, as spoken word content tends to suffer much more than music when it has to compete with other sounds. With High mode enabled, I could hear my podcasts with ease. It also does a great job of booming noises like bathroom fans – a good barometer of how those buds deal with the constant white noise of a jet engine on board an airplane.

The transparency mode (which Edifier calls Ambient mode) is just as good, letting in a lot of external noise, including your own voice, which makes it feel like you're not wearing any earbuds at all. This is something that less transparent systems can hardly achieve. It's also adjustable in the app, so you can choose to let a little less noise enter your ears or just amplify those sounds a little.

The best part is that toggling between ANC and transparency with the tap controls is quick and doesn't force you to go through "standard" mode. The standard mode turns off ANC and transparency, which can save some battery life, and you can activate it from the app at any time if necessary.

Battery life

Edifier NeoBuds Pro charging case ..Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Edifier claims that you get five hours per charge in the earbuds and 20 hours of total listening time in the charging case when using ANC, and that those numbers increase to six and 24 hours, respectively, when you run without the ANC. After playing a music stream at 50% volume with the ANC on, I had exactly five hours of life before the earbuds were turned off.

A quick 10 minute charge gives you an extra hour of playtime, and both the earbuds and charging case can be fully charged in an hour.

Those stats aren't exactly the best – in fact, they're on the low end of what we can expect these days – but you should still use them for a full day without finding a charger.

Call quality

Get decent calls with the NeoBuds Pro. Background noises are kept in check, and I only noticed a little compression when those noises were particularly loud. Your voice won't always sound full and detailed, but it will remain clear and audible, which is the most important thing.

Unfortunately, Edifier does not support sidetone (the ability to hear your own voice clearly during a call). When you make or answer a call, the earbuds automatically turn off ANC and transparency, and there is no way to turn them back on via the tap controls or the app until the call is over. In fact, there is no way to use the app while on a call – it thinks the headphones are disconnected during the call.

Edifier Connect app

Speaking of the app, I think Edifier still has a lot to do. The home screen offers a great overview of the NeoBuds Pro's battery level – including the case the buds sit in – as well as quick access to ANC / transparency modes. And if you're an iOS user, you can add a widget to your Today home screen. However, access to features like EQ and customizing the controls is not intuitive as they are buried in secondary screens or menus.

But I really don't like the Mall and Discover tabs, which are simply windows into Edifier's website to buy more of the company's products. They have nothing to do with how the earbuds work and make it difficult to navigate an already confusing user interface.

Our opinion

The Edifier NeoBuds Pro set a new standard for sound quality, ANC and transparency at an affordable price. They're missing some features, and I wish they had more control options, but they're still a great set of true wireless earbuds.

Is there a better alternative?

I'm confident you won't find better sound quality, ANC, or transparency at this price point, but if other features are more important, consider these options:

  • Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro, $ 100: Great Sound, Wireless Charging, In-Ear Detection. They also have more control than the NeoBuds, but their ANC and transparency are not that good.
  • Amazon Echo Buds (Gen 2)$ 120 ($ 140 with wireless charging): Great sound, in-ear detection, and great call quality, plus the ability to use hands-free voice commands with Alexa. But the battery life is poor and their ANC isn't as good as the NeoBuds. If you want, you can charge wirelessly.

How long will they last?

The NeoBuds Pro seem to be very well made and offer good protection with their IP54 rating. I suspect they will last for many years if you take care of them. Edifier supports them with a one-year guarantee.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. the NeoBuds Pro may not have all of the competition's features, but for sound, ANC, and transparency – arguably the most important features – they kill it.

Editor's recommendations



07 Jul
Blog

Soundcore Life P3 Review: Feature-Loaded Affordable Earbuds

Soundcore Life P3 in a charging case.

Soundcore Life P3

RRP $ 80.00

"The Life P3 has features typically found in expensive earbuds and is great value for money."

advantages

  • Customizable EQ

  • Customizable controls

  • Wireless charging

  • Good battery life

disadvantage

  • No wear sensors

  • Transparency during calls cannot be activated

Ever since Anker launched its Soundcore audio products, they have impressed us with their consistently high quality and low prices. Soundcore's latest product is the Life P3, a $ 80 set of true wireless earbuds that take that value equation even further with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and wireless charging – two features that typically appear on earbuds that are twice as expensive . Are the Life P3s as good as they look on paper? Let's check them out.

What's in the box?

Scope of delivery of the Soundcore Life P3.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

First, let's give some well-deserved praise to Soundcore: Previous Soundcore earbuds came in large, heavy boxes with embedded magnets and lots of plastic – not exactly easy to recycle in most places. The Life P3 comes in a much simpler box that is smaller and uses less material. The magnets are gone, but a black plastic tray remains in there. Still, this is a big step towards more sustainable packaging that we want to encourage.

Soundcore has a successful design formula.

In the packaging you will find the Life P3 earbuds already in their charging case, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, four additional sizes of silicone earbuds (a fifth set is installed on the earbuds) and some paper documents.

design

Soundcore Life P3 in a charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Life P3 uses a familiar AirPod-esque design with slim, touch-sensitive stems that protrude down from a small, rounded body. If you want something that doesn't stand out, the colors black and blue are muted and subtle, but there are more vibrant options too: white, sky blue, and coral red. This type of color choice is unusual in the world of true wireless earbuds – most models only offer two colors (usually black or white), if they offer a choice at all.

The matching charging case is smoothly rounded and relatively compact, but not as pocket-friendly as the AirPods or Google Pixel Buds. Earlier Soundcore earbuds like the Liberty 2 Pro and Liberty Air 2 Pro used a smooth sliding mechanism for their charging case lids, but the Life P3 stick with a more conventional flip hinge – an obvious place to save some money.

What is really impressive is the degree to which you can customize the tap controls.

But while this hinge may make the case cheaper to manufacture, the case doesn't feel cheap at all. The lid is spring-loaded and opens automatically when it is lifted, which makes one-handed operation much easier than with similar housing designs. It also stays open if you want it to. The earphones simply snap into their charging sockets and are just as easy to remove.

With the case's wireless charging capability and the earbuds IPX5 rating for water resistance, Soundcore has a winning design formula.

Comfort, controls and connections

The scope of delivery of the Soundcore Life P3.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

I found the Life P3 very comfortable to wear over a long period of time. You will likely get a snug fit from several of the included silicone earbuds. The handy Soundcore app also includes a leak test feature to ensure that the tips you choose effectively seal your ear canal. Too many people just use the factory-installed tips because they feel good, but that can be a recipe for poor sound quality and poor ANC performance, so be sure to try several sizes.

Without wing tips or ear hooks, the Life P3 won't sit as securely as earbuds designed for running or heavy workouts, but they should be suitable for all kinds of low-impact activities like brisk walking, biking, rowing, or weight lifting. They're definitely safer than Apple's AirPods because of the silicone earbuds.

Touch controls don't always respond as responsively as physical buttons, mostly because they can be difficult to tap accurately every time. The Life P3's touch controls don't really change this situation – the touch area is pretty small – but they do help you know when you've typed successfully or not with a confirmation touch tone that can be disabled if you are don't need it.

But what is really impressive is the degree to which you can customize these tap controls. You can have up to three tapping gestures per earbud – single tap, double tap, and tap and hold – for a total of six functions. Each can be set to control your choice of volume, play / pause, skip forward / backward tracks, activate voice assistant and select ANC / transparency mode. Better still, you can choose between which ANC options you want to toggle: ANC, transparency, or "normal" (both ANC and transparency disabled). You can switch between all three or choose a combination of just two modes.

Audiophiles won't be blown away by the Life P3's performance, but it sounds great for its price.

The only thing missing is wear sensors – the Life P3 cannot automatically pause your music when you remove an earbud.

The Life P3 uses Bluetooth 5.0 and I had no problem pairing it with my iPhone 11 quickly. That connection stayed strong and stable – I could leave my phone in my home office and the earbuds never failed no matter where I was, from the basement to the third floor. Each earbud can be used individually – perfect for making calls or simply to extend battery life. The ability to connect to two bluetooth devices at the same time would have been a nice touch, but that feature remains a rarity in the true wireless realm, so I can barely knock an 80-dollar set of buds if I don't have it.

Sound quality

Soundcore always amazes us with the great sound of its earphones, especially when compared to much more expensive products. The Life P3 are no exception. You get a very full frequency response and really good clarity over the entire spectrum. For genres like rap and hip-hop, there is a lot of bass power in the lower range, but it doesn't tarnish the mids.

Out of the box, the P3 are set to a flat EQ. This is a good, neutral starting point, but you owe it to yourself to dive into the Soundcore app's huge selection of EQ presets. Regardless of whether you want to emphasize or weaken bass or vocals, there are no limits to the possibilities. Can't find what you want? With the custom 8-band EQ function, you can create your own presets.

I found that the acoustic preset did the most to improve clarity and energy without compromising the bass too much.

Audiophiles won't be blown away by the Life P3's performance, but for its price, it sounds great. The only way to get better sound for the same or less money is to find a much more expensive model on offer.

Noise cancellation and transparency

Soundcore Life P3 earbuds outside the charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

At this price point, you don't get the same ANC performance as the Sony WF-1000XM4, AirPods Pro, or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, but the Life P3 still offers really noticeable noise reduction in a variety of scenarios, from the constant roar of a loud fan for background discussions in a café.

This ANC function can be set with the Soundcore app with a choice of three modes: indoor, outdoor and transport. I found that outdoor made a very slight noise when there was no music, but indoor and transportation were both nice and quiet. That might make you think you should just stick with indoor or transport, but if the wind blows you'll be glad that outdoor is an option: it almost completely kills wind noise where the other two modes struggle . The transparency mode can also be set with the fully transparent or vocal mode. The vocal mode, as the name suggests, helps in finding voices. It works really well, but with one small drawback – you have to activate it before placing a call as you cannot switch between ANC / Transparency once a call is in progress. In fact, you cannot access the Soundcore app at all while on a call.

Battery life

Soundcore claims the Life P3 has seven hours of lifespan per charge when ANC and transparency are disabled, and a total of 35 hours when you include the charging case. These numbers drop to six hours or 30 hours when you turn on ANC or transparency. When testing, I actually got a little more with around 7.5 hours of non-ANC time. Either way, these are really solid numbers that are better than many other earbuds at this price point and vastly better than the Apple AirPods and AirPods Pro (4.5 to 5 hours per charge, 24 hours total).

The performance data of the Life P3 are rounded off by a quick charge function, which gives you two hours more time after 10 minutes of socket time, which is also very good.

Call quality

Despite the presence of six microphones, telephoning with the Life P3 is only average. Outside there were no dropouts and most of the background noise was kept in check, but my voice sounded thin and at times quite distant. Your callers may need to turn up their volume to hear you clearly. Indoors, like most earbuds, the call quality was much better.

Extras

There are some fun extras in the Soundcore app like the Find My Earbuds feature. It doesn't actually locate them for you like some other companies like Apple and Jabra do, but you can make each earbud emit a loud tone which should help you find them if they're around.

You will also find that Soundcore has compiled dozens of its own playlists taken from tracks available on the Lum streaming service. I didn't know any of the featured artists, but that makes it a great companion to traditional streaming services as a discovery tool.

Soundcore also offers a sleep soundtrack tool that allows you to mix and match a variety of ambient sounds like the sound of waves or the chirping of birds to help you drift away. You can play them in an endless loop or set them on a timer.

Our opinion

The Soundcore Life P3 combines an incredible number of functions in one compact, comfortable and affordable set of true wireless earphones. For the price, they're an exceptional value.

Is there a better alternative?

The closest competitor to the Life P3 is the $ 90 Earfun Air Pro. They're very close when it comes to ANC, sound quality, and battery life. The Earfuns have wear sensors to automatically pause music, but they lack wireless charging. Where the P3 has a big advantage are its app-based adjustments for EQ, controls, ANC, and more. The Earfun do not have an app, which limits the possibilities.

How long will they last?

With true wireless earbuds, it's always hard to tell, but the Life P3 should deliver years of use. With the IPX5 protection, you will survive encounters with water, but avoid splashing in your case – it is not protected. The battery life will decrease over time, but with seven hours of startup time, it should still be quite usable after halving it. Thanks to the Soundcore app, the company can issue firmware updates over time if problems arise. Soundcore backs the Life P3 with an 18-month warranty – six months longer than most companies.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. Unless you are an audiophile with exacting standards, the Soundcore Life P3 has the features, quality, and price to make it an excellent choice for everyday use.

Editor's recommendations



12 May
Blog

Roku Express 4K+ Review: Easy, Affordable 4K Streamer

Roku Express 4K +

"Roku is doing it again with a tiny streamer that's huge in terms of features and value."

  • Attractively priced

  • Simple, intuitive user interface

  • 4K, HDR and Dolby Atmos passthrough

  • Voice-enabled wireless remote control

  • Apple AirPlay

  • Limited Dolby Atmos support

  • No Dolby Vision

For Roku fans ready to take the plunge into 4K streaming, there's a new kid in town: the $ 40 Roku Express 4K +, a device that like the $ 30 Roku Express looks, but actually has almost the same features as the $ 50 Roku Streaming Stick +.

But does it make sense to save $ 10 on buying the Express 4K + instead of buying the Streaming Stick +? And how does this new Roku device compare to Amazon's Fire TV family of devices?

You can find all the answers in our full review below.

What's in the box?

Roku Express 4K +Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Roku has everything you need to set up. You will receive the Express 4K +, a certified HDMI high-speed cable, a Roku remote control, a pair of AAA batteries, a micro-USB power cable with a power adapter, a quick start guide and an adhesive strip that you can use to mount the Express 4K + on a variety of surfaces, including the bottom or back of your TV.

design

Roku Express 4K +Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

It's hard to fault the design of the Express 4K +. It is a proven combination of the tiny, curved black box of the Roku Express and the voice remote control of the Streaming Stick +.

It's so small and light that you'll likely need the included tape to keep the HDMI cable from pushing the Express 4K + around.

There are only two ports on the back – a micro USB port for power and an HDMI port. It's not likely that this will be an issue in 2021, but it's worth noting that you won't be able to use the Express 4K + if your TV doesn't have an HDMI input. In fact, none of the current Roku player devices support non-HDMI televisions anymore.

Over the years, Roku has continued to develop its set-up process for new devices and it couldn't be easier.

There's no Ethernet port, but the Express 4K + is compatible with a variety of third-party micro USB Ethernet adapters in case you need one.

When you unpack the box, you will see a sticker on the front of the device that tells you where to point the remote control. If you stick to the included Roku voice remote, then you can ignore it. The remote can communicate wirelessly with the Express 4K + and only uses infrared when it needs to send commands to your TV. It also means you can move the streamer out of sight if you wish – something you won't do with the regular Roku Express or the Express 4K, a $ 35 Walmart variant that doesn't come with WiFi can -enabled Roku voice remote control.

Speaking of the remote control, it has a voice button, a built-in microphone, and dedicated buttons on the side to control the volume and mute a TV.

Wondering what the difference between the Express 4K + and the Streaming Stick + is? Two things: The Streaming Stick + has faster WiFi with greater range and is more portable as it doesn't require an HDMI cable. Yes that's it.

Setup and configuration

Roku Express 4K +Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Over the years, Roku has continued to develop its set-up process for new devices and it couldn't be easier.

Once you've connected the Express 4K + to your TV using the supplied HDMI cable (or one of your own), plug it in and slide the batteries into the remote. That's it – you are done with the hardware part.

From there, the Roku interface will smoothly walk you through connecting to your home WiFi and creating or connecting to an existing Roku account.

Pro tip: If you'd like your phone, tablet, or laptop to be ready as part of the setup process, send a confirmation email that you'll need to open and then click the link provided to complete setup.

I didn't have to adjust any audio or video settings. It just worked out borrowing one of Apple's favorite phrases.

I've set up a lot of streaming devices and the Roku process is second most important after Apple in terms of simplicity.

You will be asked to add some highlighted channels (the name Roku continues to use for streaming apps) but you don't have to do so now. Channels can easily be added later through the Roku interface when the Roku app is activated on your phone or even on the web through the Roku website.

My test model immediately recognized that it was connected to a 4K HDR-enabled TV and that I didn't have to manually adjust the audio or video settings. It just worked out borrowing one of Apple's favorite phrases.

Just before you start using the Express 4K +, Roku will play an introductory video that walks you through the main functions of the device and how to use them. This is the perfect way to get started with the Express 4K +, and I think any streaming device manufacturer should follow Roku's lead. It is a device that plays videos. Why not show people a short how-to video?

The interface is very fast with no noticeable lag.

Another tip: The Express 4K + comes with a power adapter. However, you can plug the micro USB cable into an available USB port on your TV and it should work fine.

Even on my test LG TV, which tends to turn off its USB ports when the TV is not in use, the Express 4K + worked just fine and even responded to the remote's power button when everything was shut down.

Ease of use and performance

Roku Express 4K +Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Roku gave the Express 4K + 1GB of RAM, an updated processor, and a very fast MIMO Wi-Fi AC – and the results are impressive.

The interface is very fast with no noticeable lag. For the most part, channels start up quickly (some a little faster than others), and jumping from an open channel back to the home screen and then to another channel is a breeze.

Selecting content within channels was just as responsive, and movies and shows were streamed just as quickly as on an Apple TV 4K or Nvidia Shield – and significantly faster than the built-in apps on my LG C7 OLED 4K TV.

Roku's user interface hasn't changed much over the years, and that's mostly a good thing. The simple, straightforward menu options are a breeze, whether you're looking for a favorite channel, adjusting device settings, or looking for new channels in the Roku Channel Store.

Bucking the trend of adding a content curation layer to its main interface, Roku has instead relied on the free Roku Channel app (channel?) As the main method to help you find something to watch .

This may not feel as modern as Google TV, the recently redesigned Fire TV interface, or the Apple TV home screen, but I have to admit that I prefer to choose whether to display a range of content or whether I am would prefer to dive straight into a specific streaming service.

Recently, Roku added Apple AirPlay to select 4K-enabled player devices, and the Express 4K + gave me my first taste of this feature on a Roku.

I am happy to announce that it is working flawlessly. The Express 4K + appeared in my list of available AirPlay devices and I was able to quickly set up an AirPlay session. After that, it didn't matter whether I was playing music from Apple Music or Tidal or streaming from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney + – the content was displayed on my TV without buffering or other connection problems. I haven't tested the available integration with Apple HomeKit, but both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant were able to control the Express 4K + without any problems.

Remote control voice commands were equally nifty and satisfying, and I was able to open channels and search for actors and movie titles.

Audio and video

Roku Express 4K + audio optionsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

There's no question that if you own a Dolby Vision-enabled television, it makes sense to purchase a Dolby Vision-enabled streaming device. However, if you're determined to stick with Roku, you'll have to spend $ 100 to buy the Roku Ultra, which is the only Roku player device that works with Dolby's dynamic HDR format.

The Express 4K + offers excellent image quality with razor-sharp details.

As much as I'm a fan of Dolby Vision, it's hard to argue that this one feature is worth spending an additional $ 60 (150% more) over the price of the Express 4K + to get it – especially if 4K with normal HDR10 looks damn good. It's also worth noting that the Express 4K + supports HDR10 + despite the lack of Dolby Vision. As a dynamic HDR format, it can look just as good as Dolby Vision. Note, however, that your TV needs to support this (not all HDR TVs) and that you need to find HDR10 + content. So far, Amazon Prime Video is the best choice for HDR10 +.

The Express 4K + offers excellent image quality with razor-sharp details. Even when streaming HD content from sources like Amazon Prime Video, I was completely satisfied with the results.

Perhaps more impressive is that the Express can stream 4K + Dolby Atmos content over Dolby Digital Plus over HDMI.

For me, this resulted in great Atmos audio through both my TV's internal speakers and my full home theater 5.1.2 system.

There is one restriction here: Dolby Atmos support via passthrough (as opposed to native Atmos decoding) is app for app (channel by channel?). Currently, Netflix is ​​the only streaming app that delivers Dolby Atmos on the Express 4K +. Could this change over time? Absolutely, but for now the best thing to do is to think of the Express 4K + as a Dolby 5.1 device.

If you're curious about all of the pros and cons of making great Dolby Atmos sound, check out this handy explainer.

There is an app for that

Roku Remote App

No review of any Roku product is complete without at least mentioning the company's excellent mobile app. Not only can you use it as a full-fledged alternative to the remote that came with your product, but you can also allow private listening (watching on your TV while listening on your phone's headphones), and it gives you the option to add and Remove Roku Channels even when your Roku device is turned off.

Better still, it acts as your mobile version of the Roku channel, giving you access to whatever content you would get on your TV.

The Roku app is an impressive extra that no other streaming device company has yet been able to offer.

Our opinion

The Roku Express 4K + is incredibly easy to set up and use, and it exceeds our expectations for the performance of a $ 40 streaming media device.

Is there a better alternative?

At this price point, the Express 4K + has two very good direct competitors: the recently updated Amazon Fire TV Stick and the TiVo Stream 4K.

The Fire TV Stick and Stream 4K both have native Dolby Atmos decoding. This means that a lot more streaming apps should work with this feature. The Stream 4K also has Dolby Vision – a huge plus for those who have compatible TVs.

Neither of these devices support Apple AirPlay or HomeKit, however, and we would argue that the Roku interface is still a more engaging way to navigate a streaming device than the Amazon Fire TV or Android TV (especially since the stream lacks 4K Google TV ).

And none of these devices match the excellent Roku mobile app.

If you don't think the Fire TV Stick or Stream 4K has a feature that you can't do without, you'll be very happy with the Roku Express 4K +.

How long it will take?

Roku player devices are guaranteed for one year. I have had the experience with most streaming devices that they will work for years as long as you don't accidentally damage them. The Express 4K + is just as well built as the other Roku players – that is, very well built – and the remote is sturdy despite its light weight.

Roku also has an excellent track record of keeping their older devices updated with new software over time.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. If you want to enjoy 4K HDR streaming at the lowest possible price, the Roku Express + gives you that and much more.

Editor's recommendations




23 Apr
Blog

Polk React Review: Affordable, Expandable, And Smart

Polk React soundbar

"With its excellent film and music quality, it is a valuable addition to any TV room."

  • Sleek, flat design

  • Easy adjustment

  • Very good sound quality

  • Affordable wireless accessories

  • Alexa built in

  • No HDMI inputs

  • Playback controls are missing on the remote control

  • Requires Alexa for Wi-Fi streaming

  • No Chromecast or AirPlay

By far the biggest advantage of buying a soundbar is its simplicity. One speaker, two cables and bam! Much better sound than your TV alone. As soundbars add functions such as subwoofers, surround speakers or voice functions, their price and complexity also increase.

Polk's $ 250 React soundbar is designed to help. On its own, it's a smart speaker with Alexa technology that delivers decent virtual surround sound. But you can also bring the system to a full 5.1 setup by adding Polks $ 200 wireless subwoofer and $ 200 surround speakers.

Does this $ 650 investment compete or beat the competition? Let's try it out.

What's in the box?

Polk provides the React soundbar with everything you need to get started, including an HDMI cable, an optical cable, a remote control with batteries, a wall-mount template, and wall-mount hardware. There are loads of styrofoam to throw away (or recycle if appropriate facilities are available in your area) and a number of multi-purpose bags.

It gets very little attention as to what exactly is what you want in a soundbar.

design

At just 34 inches wide, the Polk React should easily be placed in front of almost any television. Because of its height of 2.2 inches, it is short enough to avoid blocking the underside of the screen (and any infrared receivers there). .

Polk React soundbarRich Shibley / Digital Trends

The (almost) completely dark gray, cloth-wrapped exterior is completely neutral and hardly attracts any attention, which in my opinion is exactly what you expect from a soundbar. I think it's far more appealing than Polk's first attempt at a smart soundbar – the $ 299 Polk Command Bar.

On the top, it looks like someone punched a hole the size of an echo dot in the speaker and then put an echo dot in it. This isn't far from the truth – that circular set of buttons and microphones is indeed the tell-tale sign that the React is an Alexa smart speaker, too.

In contrast to Sonos Beam or Arc or Bose Soundbar 300, the use of Alexa plays a central role in setting up the React. However, we will explain this further below.

The fabric housing of the React conceals two mid-range speakers, two tweeters and two passive bass radiators. Two LED displays are also faded out (until they light up): A long, segmented horizontal bar that serves as a level indicator for settings such as volume and bass, as well as Alexa's colorful, animated response cues and a small LED point that lights up depending on the source signal different colors (blue for Bluetooth, green for Dolby Audio, etc.).

The wireless React subwoofer, like so many other subwoofers, is a simple black box. However, thanks to its rectangular shape, it may be easier to hide behind or next to a couch than some of the more cube-shaped designs we've seen.

But I love the optional Polk SR2 wireless rear speakers. They have a fabric grille to match the React soundbar and a trapezoidal shape that gives them a lot of flexibility in placement. Their rubber feet allow them to sit comfortably on any surface, while the standard threaded holes for speaker mounting allow you to use a variety of third-party brackets and stands. Or you can just use the supplied mounting hardware. Surround speakers are rarely distinguished by their design, which makes the SR2 a refreshing change of pace.

links

Polk React soundbar inputsRich Shibley / Digital Trends

The response is pretty barebones from the connectivity point of view. You get a single HDMI ARC port for audio only, an optical port in case your TV doesn't support HDMI ARC, and a USB port. There is no analog input. So you can't count on being able to connect an external wired sound source such as a portable media player.

Setting up the React using the Alexa app couldn't be easier.

There is also no way to use the optical and HDMI-ARC as separate inputs. They are mutually exclusive. Connecting one of them will lock the other.

Setup and configuration

Yes, it is possible to use the Polk React soundbar on its own without setting it up for use with Amazon Alexa. If this is what you intend to do, I recommend finding another soundbar. The Alexa app is required for Wi-Fi access, multi-room audio and intelligent speaker functions.

The good news is that setting up the React couldn't be easier using the Alexa app.

Just place the soundbar and connect it to your TV. If your TV has HDMI ARC and you don't mind sacrificing an HDMI port on your TV, use that connection. This allows the soundbar to control the volume / mute of the TV and vice versa. Otherwise an optical connection is fine and does not affect the sound quality at all.

Plug in the power cord and open the Amazon Alexa app. Within a few seconds, the app automatically detects that the reaction is available for setup and prompts you to do so.

Polk React soundbar with remote controlRich Shibley / Digital Trends

Pro tip: If you've never downloaded or used the Alexa app before, take a few minutes to download it and create a new account, or use your existing Amazon account. Doing this before turning on React for the first time will make the process a lot smoother.

The Alexa app will walk you through a few steps like choosing the React location in your home and choosing a default music service.

If you choose to go for the wireless subwoofer or the SR2 environment, the process of adding it should be painless as well. All I had to do was plug them in and the React would automatically recognize them and connect wirelessly. A voice prompt even told me that the SR2 speakers needed to be updated before they could work, and the React bar did that update automatically and restart itself. I've never seen a hands-off setup like this before.

If you've used your TV's built-in speakers, the React will feel like a serious upgrade.

I say it should be painless because it was like that for me. However, our senior editor Caleb Denison also set up a React soundbar and found that adding the surrounds wasn't quite as smooth (see our video review above).

Sound quality

The React soundbar alone sounds very good considering its size and price. In contrast to many inexpensive loudspeakers, it ensures an excellent frequency balance. Higher registers like speech are clear and precise, the midtones are well rendered, and the bass is far stronger than I expected because the soundbar is based on passive bass radiators – not active drivers – for its deep end.

Polk React soundbarRich Shibley / Digital Trends

If you've used your TV's built-in speakers, the React will feel like a serious upgrade. Polk promises "big, detailed, virtual surround sound," and I'd say React largely lives up to that – at least in the "large" and "detailed" categories.

As far as simulating a real surround sound setup is concerned, it is not quite as successful as, for example, the Bose Soundbar 300. The React certainly offers a nice, wide soundstage that easily fills even medium-sized rooms with sound, but is not entirely successful Wraparound effect that the best virtual surround systems can achieve. This may be because the React bar is actually a two-channel speaker with discrete left and right drivers. If you need to virtualize one center channel, there isn't much room left for virtualizing two surround channels.

Polk offers four EQ presets: Music, Movie, Sports, and Night. Music and film sounded very similar to me. The night cuts most of the lower frequencies, making you less likely to disturb other people in your home who are trying to sleep. Sport should actually be called "speech" as it enhances higher frequencies for better clarity of dialogue.

The surrounds are not used at all when streaming music, which seems like a big missed opportunity.

The soundbar is a really fluid player when it comes to music too, but that's where the Wi-Fi connection comes in, activated by the Alexa app. The React has Bluetooth so you can stream music from any smartphone, tablet or computer. However, you will get significantly better quality if you stream using the services available in the Alexa app or via Spotify Connect.

Polk React Soundbar Subwoofer

Polk React Soundbar SR2 Surround Speakers

My only complaint is that the Alexa app doesn't support some services. Tidal and YouTube music are particularly absent. And since the React doesn't have AirPlay or Chromecast, you'll need to use Bluetooth if your favorite service isn't listed.

The addition of the wireless subwoofer does exactly what you would expect. Low-end bass goes from something you hear to something you feel, an important component for action movie fans.

Finally, adding the SR2 wireless surround speakers makes up for the lack of depth. As Denison points out in his video review, to get the most out of them, you need to turn up the volume on these speakers. Annoyingly, the surrounds are only for 5.1 soundtracks. They are not used at all when streaming music, which seems like a big missed opportunity.

Control and ease of use

The React's remote control is nothing special, but that's a good thing. It's comfortable to use, has dedicated buttons for all important settings, and although it's not backlit, the white labels on the black, rubberized surface are easy to read even in a fairly dark room. If you don't want to say "Alexa" before issuing a voice command, you can press the appropriate Alexa button instead.

I especially like when you add the SR2 wireless speakers. The remote control offers you volume controls and balance controls only for these channels.

The only missing component is playback controls when streaming music, which is an odd omission. Given the React's generous music options (including MP3 storage on a USB device), you'd think there was at least one play / pause button.

Polk React Soundbar Remote ControlRich Shibley / Digital Trends

The remote also seemed to be having trouble relaying its infrared commands to the soundbar. I had to adjust the angle of the remote further as I pointed it at the bar – sometimes the button registered immediately, sometimes not at all.

In the instructions, Polk warns that a light source aimed directly at the soundbar's IR sensor can cause interference, but I'm pretty sure it won't.

When you include Alexa in the equation, control is taken to the next level. Not only can you use the React for the myriad of tasks we can assign to smart speakers, such as: B. to inform us of the weather forecast or set reminders, but you can also access music or podcasts from the available services.

Using Alexa or the Alexa app to control music playback is simple but limited. You can access songs, albums, and playlists, but there is no way to add new favorites or create playlists. All of this must be done in the app of the respective service. It certainly can't be compared to what Sonos has to offer, but then again, the Sonos Beam costs considerably more.

I wish you could use Alexa for TV based commands e.g. For example, turning the TV on and off, or changing inputs (something you can do with the Bose Smart Soundbar 300), but that's not included in the React at the moment.

Our opinion

While it doesn't offer the same versatility as other smart soundbars like the Sonos Beam or the Bose Smart Soundbar 300, the Polk React is great value for both movies and music and can be easily and cheaply converted to a true 5.1 Surround be expanded sound home theater system.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want a midrange soundbar that doubles as a smart speaker, there is simply nothing on the market that comes close Polk React for the price.

If you're willing to spend $ 150 more, you can do both Sonos Beam and Bose Smart Soundbar 300 Choose from a voice assistant, better music streaming options, and better multi-room audio. However, upgrading to full surround sound systems costs considerably more.

If all you want is a simple, no-frills soundbar, this is it Vizio V21 It's hard to beat at just $ 180 including a wireless subwoofer.

How long it will take?

Polk Audio has a reputation for making solidly built speakers, and the React seems to be following that trend. The amplifier is guaranteed for one year and the speakers for three years. I assume it will take many years to come.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Polk React is easy to use and sounds great for both movies and music. The ability to inexpensively expand it and use it as a smart speaker are practical extras.

Editor's recommendations




16 Apr
Blog

Monoprice SB-600 Review: Affordable But Average Dolby Atmos

Monoprice SB-600 Dolby Atmos soundbar

"The SB-600 is easy to use and quite affordable. It doesn't really make Atmos shine."

  • Easy adjustment

  • Clear dialogue

  • Generous number of entrances

  • Semi-wireless surround speakers

  • Distracting display

  • Mediocre Dolby Atmos

  • Bad sound quality in the middle range

For those who want an even more immersive TV experience, Dolby Atmos sound bars are a tempting upgrade. Soundbars are easier and more convenient to set up than wiring a room with an A / V receiver and a set of discrete speakers. They just make a lot of sense.

However, Dolby Atmos sound bars tend to be expensive because of the extra speakers and drivers required to get the full 3D effect that makes Atmos worth it.

Monoprice is trying to do something about this with its very affordable ($ 450) SB-600 soundbar. Did you succeed in creating an Atmos experience for everyone?

Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

Monoprice SB-600 Dolby Atmos Soundbar all partsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Monoprice includes everything you need to set up the SB-600. Inside the box you'll find the main soundbar, a wireless subwoofer, two semi-wireless surround speakers (more on that later), a remote control, power cords, HDMI and analog cables, wall-mount hardware, and printed instructions.

You may just need to buy an optical cable if your TV doesn't support HDMI ARC.

The box and packaging of the SB-600 is very sustainable when it comes to soundbars. It's mostly plain cardboard, apart from three foam trays that protect the soundbar and a number of poly bags.

design

Monoprice SB-600 Dolby Atmos soundbarSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Like many Monoprice products, the SB-600 has a bare atmosphere. The main soundbar is a simple black case with a perforated metal grille. At 40 inches wide by 3 inches high, it should fit neatly under most TVs without blocking the bottom of the picture. Aside from the little Monoprice and Dolby Atmos badges and the four control buttons on top, it looks very clean.

This would be an ideal situation – soundbars definitely shouldn't be drawing attention to themselves – if the bright LED display wasn't hiding behind the grille. This tells you which source you are using (HDMI 1, 2, ARC, etc), and although the instructions say the display will automatically dim after 10 seconds, our test device stayed bright throughout the system use to avoid an undesirable visual Create distraction.

Monoprice SB-600 Dolby Atmos soundbar displaySimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The 8-inch wireless subwoofer is an inconspicuous black box. With a size of 16.5 inches, it is on par with many other wireless subwoofers in this category. The surround speakers are tiny – about the size of a fat paperback novel.

I love that Monoprice includes wall mounting hardware with the SB-600, but the brackets for the surround speakers point it straight out of the wall. If your TV room has sidewalls evenly spaced from the seating area, this is not a problem. If you don't, you won't be able to rotate the speakers so that they are aimed at the heads of the audience rather than the front of the room.

The included remote control is simple but effective, and gives you access to all of the SB-600's settings and modes in a logical, user-friendly layout. It's not backlit, which makes it more awkward to use in a darkened room. However, this is an obvious feature to avoid while trying to keep the price as low as possible.

Setup and configuration

Unlike many soundbars in the $ 700-2,000 range, the SB-600 doesn't have Wi-FI connectivity. That's a minor drawback for things like high-quality streaming music, but it simplifies setup.

Something that surpasses many other soundbars is the SB-600's generous port selection.

After you've connected the main soundbar to power and your TV via HDMI, and connected the subwoofer, all you need to do is find a home for the surround speakers.

Technically, these devices are wireless – they don't need to be connected to the wireless sub or soundbar – but they're not entirely wireless. The right loudspeaker must be connected to the power supply via its power supply unit and connected to the left loudspeaker via the supplied 13-foot analog cable.

It's simple enough – I had no problem hiding the cord behind our couch that is pressed against the wall, but I can see that this is more of a challenge in other situations. Still, it's better than the usual surround setup required for affordable surround sound bars: wiring both speakers to the subwoofer, which is messier and less flexible in terms of placement.

Monoprice SB-600 Dolby Atmos soundbar inputsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Something else that surpasses many other soundbars is the generous port selection on the SB-600. You get two HDMI inputs, an HDMI-ARC output, an optical input, a coaxial digital input, an analog socket and a USB connection for MP3 music playback. There is also a bluetooth connection for wireless music streaming.

That's pretty decent – many soundbars only have a single HDMI-ARC port, which means you end up having to sacrifice an HDMI port on your TV without being able to reclaim that port without the use of an HDMI switcher. These two HDMI ports are also 4K HDR compatible and support Dolby Vision so you don't have to worry about your TV getting the highest quality signal.

Sound quality

Monoprice SB-600 Dolby Atmos soundbar surround speakersSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

As you move away from your TV's built-in (and probably terrible) speakers, the SB-600 is a big step up. Between the six drivers of the main soundbar, the wireless sub and the surroundings, you get a better feeling of immersion than a TV, with very clear sound that can also get very loud if desired.

The dialogue sounds clear and straightforward. If you have trouble recognizing speech, the SB-600 can help.

However, the SB-600 has two distinct disadvantages. First, it lacks a decent midrange. Even after playing with the built-in EQ modes (movie, music, dialogue, sports) and changing the bass and treble levels, I couldn't make the system feel full and warm.

I suspect there is simply too big a gap between the target frequencies of the soundbar drivers and the capabilities of the subwoofer. It can deliver big, booming bass as well as bright highs, but this mid-range area feels decidedly hollow.

On the positive side, the dialogue sounds clear and straightforward – the center channel of the soundbar prefers very high frequencies. If you have trouble recognizing speech, the SB-600 can help.

The downside, however, is that you lose some of the tonal nuances, especially in films with very dynamic soundtracks (think Marvel, DC, and Star Wars films).

Second, with Dolby Atmos systems, you won't be overwhelmed by the height channel effects.

Monoprice SB-600 Dolby Atmos soundbar surround speakersSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

I threw a ton of Dolby Atmos footage on the SB-600, from Disney + titles like Iron Man 2 and Doctor Strange, to Dolby Atmos songs from Tidal HiFi, to Dolby Atmos demonstration videos from my LG TV. I found the system to generally provide good surround performance, but that extra dimension that Atmos offered was hit and miss.

It became most evident – and most enjoyable – when listening to Atmos music. Tracks from The Weeknd and Post Malone had a really sprawling soundstage that filled the room.

In contrast, films lacked the overhead dimension that Atmos is known for.

With Dolby Atmos systems, you won't be blown away by the SB-600's height channel effects.

Bluetooth audio was acceptable, but it's immediately apparent that Monoprice didn't make this mode a huge priority. If you know what the system can do with a Dolby Atmos music stream, it's a bit disappointing that the SB-600 can't upscale regular stereos any better into a more immersive mix. All speakers are active when listening over bluetooth, but the sound lacks the expected extent.

Control and ease of use

Monoprice SB-600 Dolby Atmos Soundbar Remote ControlSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Monoprice SB-600 Dolby Atmos soundbar controlSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

I really like it when you start a new stream, whether from the TV or some other connected device. The LED display shows what type of signal is being received. It could be Dolby Atmos, Dolby Surround, or PCM, which is a helpful endorsement of your source material.

However, this display can be difficult to read. Only a handful of characters are displayed at a time, so most messages will scroll. You need to be careful as the sound format will only be displayed when you switch to a new input.

As mentioned above, the display's always-on mode was a bit annoying at times.

Another weird quirk: setting your preferred bass and treble levels will reset when you switch from one EQ mode to another.

Our opinion

The Monoprice SB-600 is a decent surround sound bar with lots of inputs and very easy setup thanks to its wireless subwoofer and mostly wireless surround speakers. However, a lackluster performance from Dolby Atmos and a hollowness in the midfield prevent us from getting our full approval.

Is there a better alternative?

For a lot less money the $ 300 Vizio M-Series 5.1 soundbar The SB-600 may not have dedicated treble drivers or wireless environments, but the virtualized Dolby Atmos effects are still noticeable and offer a much better frequency balance.

For a significantly better Dolby Atmos experience, this offers Vizio SB36512-F6 offers excellent Atmos sound at the same price as the SB-600.

How long it will take?

Monoprices products are nothing special, but they're well built and the SB-600 should last for many years. It comes with a one year warranty.

Should you buy it?

The main advantages of the SB-600 are its excellent inputs and semi-wireless surround speakers. But if these features aren't particularly important to you, you'll be happier with a Vizio model for the same or less money.

Editor's recommendations




02 Jan
Blog

Kangaroo Home Security Review: Affordable and Powerful

Kangaroo security sensor alarm cameras ces 2019 motion door

"The Kangaroo Home Security System is easy to install, but its photo doorbell camera leaves a lot to be desired."

  • Affordable prices

  • easy installation

  • Telephone notifications from Kangaroo

  • Doesn't compete well with competing products

Home security is more important than ever now, especially with people spending so much time in their homes. A home security system should provide adequate coverage, be easy to install, and be affordable. The budget-friendly system from Kangaroo meets all of these requirements and offers professional surveillance around the clock. It is also one of the easiest to install systems on the market thanks to its peel-and-stick mounting system.

Friendly prices and plans

Kangaroo's five-piece starter kit is $ 80 and includes two motion / entry sensors, a keyboard, two Roo tags (keychain accessory that can be used to disable the system), a promotional sign, and five window stickers.

It's not bad value and individual components can be purchased at no great additional cost. For example, the doorbell camera with chimes costs only $ 20, while additional motion sensors are only $ 15 each. The water and climate sensor costs $ 30. The most expensive single component is the Siren + Keypad, which alone costs $ 70.

These prices are competitive and often cheaper than other security systems on the market. Kangaroo also offers three plan options.

Kangaroo completed

The first is Kangaroo Complete, which is $ 8.25 per month or $ 99 per year. This is the most comprehensive option and the best choice for someone who wants a serious security system. Many of the best Kangaroo features are behind the overall plan, including smart assistant integration, the ability to qualify for homeowner insurance discounts, and more.

Kangaroo Complete includes professional monitoring, notifications and 30 days of cloud storage. If you are looking for a real security system that has it all, Kangaroo Complete is the only real option.

Kangaroo Porch Protection Plan

Another option is the porch protection plan. At $ 23.88 per year, the name is self-explanatory: it focuses on protecting against package theft. It offers 365-day cloud storage for doorbell cameras, as well as package theft coverage of $ 300.

Kangaroo Basic

The Kangaroo Basic plan is the free option for Kangaroo users. It provides notifications within the app when activity is detected, enables the system to be activated and deactivated with just one tap, and offers up to 24 hours of cloud storage for all cameras. It lacks the more powerful features of Kangaroo Complete, but it would work for the security of an off-site storage shed or property that you don't need full coverage for.

Kangaroo's peel-and-stick system makes it easy to install on almost any surface.

Functionality through accessories

Kangaroo impresses not only with its affordability, but also with the level of customization it offers. Each sensor can be customized to suit your needs. You can notify individual sensors in a certain way. For example, if you only want a call when your bedroom sensor is off, you can turn off the voice notification setting. Below is an overview of Kangaroo's offers:

Kangaroo motion sensor

The motion sensors are incredibly sensitive. You record activity from a distance of 15 feet with a field of view of 120 degrees. The good news is that built-in pet rejection will automatically ignore anything up to 2 feet, 4 inches tall – though doing so carries the risk of break-in by precocious toddlers.

Kangaroo water + climate sensor

The water + climate sensor is a particularly useful addition. It monitors temperature and humidity and can detect leaks with just 1mm of water. It doesn't need to be mounted to anything either – just stand it up and lay it on the floor. I use it to monitor for leaks under the sink and around the washing machine. I didn't have any water leaks (and couldn't trigger the system by dripping water on it), but it warned me when the air conditioning failed and the temperatures started to rise.

Like the motion sensor, the water and climate sensor will warn you when a threat is detected or when the temperature is outside of user-defined limits.

Kangaroo doorbell camera

The doorbell camera + chimes is a good compromise for a smart doorbell, but not the best device I've ever used. It is not a video doorbell, but photos of activity outside your door. It doesn't pick up movement well – if someone walks across their field of vision, you'll be lucky enough to get a shot from the back of their foot.

The built-in button is directly connected to the carillon and rings when someone rings the doorbell. There are also several modes to better improve the picture quality, including sunlight mode when the camera is exposed to direct sunlight or night vision when there is no light on the porch.

The battery is designed to last a year of normal use and AA batteries are included. This is especially useful for apartment residents as the doorbell camera does not need to be hard-wired. If you live in a crowded area or an apartment complex, the batteries will drain much faster. Expect three to six months if the camera is triggered frequently.

Though better than nothing, the photos taken by the doorbell cannot be compared to real videos.

The data protection camera is a surveillance camera for indoor use that can be wall-mounted or placed on a shelf. It has digital zoom functions and two-way audio. You can also customize the privacy modes and there is no doubt when the camera is in private mode. An opaque field is displayed above the lens itself. A green LED lights up during recording.

Kangaroo siren + keyboard

After all, the siren + keypad is the heart of the system. While no hub is needed for most of the system, the siren + keypad is connected to other sensors and triggers an acoustic signal when the doorbell is pressed. If a motion sensor detects movement while the system is armed, the Siren + Keypad will give off a rather intimidating alarm before triggering the 85 decibel siren – definitely loud enough for neighbors to hear if they live nearby. The siren penetrates walls quite well.

The built-in microphone is even more impressive. The Siren + Keypad waits for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and notifies you when a hazard is detected. The microphone can only pick up sounds in the range of 3,000 to 4,000 Hz, which means that human speech is not recognized.

installation

The most surprising part of the whole setup was the installation. All sensors, from the motion / entrance sensors to the doorbell camera, use a peel-and-stick system that makes installation and assembly a breeze.

The setup is done via the Kangaroo app. Just tap the Settings icon, then tap Add New Device. The on-screen instructions are easy to follow (and include pictures from each device). Once the accessory has been added to the system, simply clip it to the wall or door and press for 30 seconds.

The setup process is just as easy for the privacy camera or siren + keyboard. However, these are not peel-and-stick accessories. The camera must be mounted with screws, while the siren + keypad has no mounting system.

The glue used is strong. Even after months, the doorbell camera kept a good connection when removed (and actually peeled some paint off the door).

Our opinion

The Kangaroo Home Security System is one of the easiest models to set up that I have ever used. Installation is simple and it is a breeze to explain how to activate and deactivate the system to people unfamiliar with the system (e.g. apartment maintenance teams).

Most of its powerful features are behind the $ 100 per year subscription. Even the integration of Smart Assistant in Amazon Alexa and Google Home is limited. If you invest in the premium subscription, Kangaroo is definitely worth it.

After all, most other security systems often cost more than $ 8.25 per month for all of the features Kangaroo offers. The system as a whole is tremendously useful, and the only real weakness is in the doorbell camera. While photos are good, the actual video would be significantly better.

How long it will take?

Kangaroo offers a one-year guarantee against defects in the system under normal use. The components are well built and should last for several years, although the doorbell camera can fail faster if exposed directly to the elements, simply due to increased wear and tear.

Is there a better alternative?

Kangaroo is a good choice, but it might not be the best. Both Ring and Simplisafe are alternatives with similar prices, but potentially more features. Ring's surveillance plan is also $ 100 a year, though the accessories are more expensive than Kangaroo's.

Simplisafe offers far more accessories to choose from, including glass break sensors, a panic button, smoke alarms and much more. The downside is that it is far more expensive than kangaroo.

While Kangaroo is a budget-friendly option, it lacks the features that more expensive brands offer.

At just $ 8.25 per month, Kangaroo's professional monitoring is a bargain.

Should you buy it?

For the price, Kangaroo Home Security is definitely a worthwhile investment. It's affordable in ways other security systems don't, but it lacks easy integration with a larger smart home system.

Editor's recommendations




26 Aug
Blog

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Review: Stabilized and Affordable

olympus om d e m10 mark iv rating hkg 3259

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review: like a point-and-shoot

"The OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a rare budget camera with stabilization that the more expensive models from Olympus borrow."

  • Stabilization in the body

  • Compact vintage design

  • Good picture quality

  • Affordable

  • Slower performance

  • More noise than APS-C cameras

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is an entry-level camera that carries the hand-me-downs of its bigger siblings. The $ 800 camera and lens kit – $ 700 for the body only – borrows the E-M1 Mark III's eye-detection algorithms and a clipped five-axis image stabilization system, all of which are paired with a sensor that is just 0.1 megapixels behind Cameras cost more than twice as much.

The E-M10 Mark IV launches when its parents consider a split. With Olympus talks to sell its imaging division to Japan Industrial Partners, the future of the camera line – as well as lenses and accessories – is uncertain. The company expects to reach an agreement in late September, but until then, the state of Olympus cameras will be rife with rumors and questions.

As with any hand-me-down, the features of the E-M10 Mark IV are a bit rough around the edges. Are the cost savings for the cheaper OM-D camera worthwhile despite some shortcomings? I spent two weeks with the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV to see where the camera impresses and where it falls short.

Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

Film-inspired compact design

The E-M10 Mark IV embodies what the mirrorless camera was originally announced for: compact size. Less than 2 inches deep (and less than 3 inches with the kit lens retracted), the mirrorless camera is the ideal size between a point-and-shoot camera and most interchangeable lens cameras. Weighing around 20 ounces with the kit lens, it's light enough to hang around your neck and almost forget it's there. Even so, the body has enough space to offer a good selection of physical controls and a much greater grip than a slim compact camera. Perhaps in part because the last mirrorless camera I took pictures with was the DSLR-sized Canon EOS R6, the E-M10 Mark IV felt more like a point-and-shoot than we got from a modern one expect mirrorless camera.

Despite the lower price, the E-M10 Mark IV is a beautiful camera. The silver body with a textured black casing, the silver dials and the on / off switch make it look like a classic film winder. The body doesn't feel as sturdy as a magnesium alloy, but it doesn't feel chintzy either. Unfortunately, the high-end OM-D cameras lack the excellent weather seal. While I prefer slightly larger handles, the shape is so light that the index fingers can wrap around the front, with a nice thumb rest at the back.

The body still leaves plenty of room for a 2.36 million point viewfinder and 3 inch 1.04 million point LCD screen that is tilted 180 degrees (Note: if you're using a tripod , the full oscillation of this tilt is possibly blocked.) Similar to other newer Olympus cameras, both the viewfinder and LCD screen do not always show exactly what the camera is recording. The white balance in the viewfinder was quite different several times from the actual photo. The exposure didn't always match either, and areas in the shadows are usually muted and difficult to see in the viewfinder. Since the M-10 IV is an inexpensive camera, the viewfinder, despite its flaws, lived up to expectations when compared to cameras with similar prices.

The control scheme of the E-M10 IV makes it easy to customize most of the settings that are frequently accessed. Two control wheels adjust the shutter speed and aperture, while key combinations on the back open options for setting ISO, flash and series exposures. Settings such as autofocus modes and white balance are in a quick menu. I miss the joystick on high-end cameras that allows you to adjust the focus in one step – on the E-M10 IV, tap the shortcut and then move the cursor. But again, the joystick is a function that is generally reserved for more expensive cameras. So we can't be too tough if it's not there on the E-M10 IV.

Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

On the side of the camera is a USB port for charging and an HDMI port, while both the battery and the single SD card slot share a door below. The battery compartment is barely blocked by a standard sized tripod plate, which can be a bit annoying. While the battery is rated for 350 shots, I took about 650 shots before it wore out. It lacks the connections of a more advanced camera, such as a camera. E.g. a microphone port for video, but the pop-up flash that high-end cameras often leave out.

The small size, the classic look and the control scheme make the E-M10 Mark IV a real eye-catcher. I do miss the weather seal, handle, and joystick of the more expensive siblings like the E-M1 Mark III, but because of the small size, I never had to think about lugging the camera around with me all day.

Sluggish performance, excellent stabilization

Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

Olympus touts the budget E-M10 IV using some of the same autofocus algorithms as more expensive models, including the E-M1X's continuous detection of autofocus subjects and the same eye AF as the E-M1 Mark III. While the algorithms are in place, the E-M10 has an entirely different autofocus system that makes the experience cheaper. The E-M10 IV uses a contrast detection system, while the high-end OM-Ds use a hybrid phase detection and contrast detection system.

The E-M10 IV also uses the TruePic VIII processor, which is a generation behind the E-M1 Mark III. To put that into perspective, the E-M1X has two processors. Both the more limited autofocus system and the slower processor combined with high-end algorithms mean the M10 Mark IV is more accurate than its predecessor, the E-M10 Mark III, but does not have the speed or reliability of the E-M1 Mark III or the E-M1X.

However, the 121-point contrast-detection autofocus system is a bit better than I expected from a $ 800 camera. It's accurate and easy to use, but it lacks a bit of speed. I've had very few shots that didn't hit focus, and a lot of them were because I shot a little early. The autofocus slows down slightly in poor lighting conditions, but seemed to turn on accurately without too much delay.

Continuous autofocus was fine for a budget camera because it took more sharp shots than it didn't, but still took a handful of soft-focus shots on the fastest action. Unsurprisingly, the tracking autofocus doesn't work as well, but I haven't found a camera with tracking good enough to be fully relied on even on more expensive models.

Eye AF is great for portraits and snapshots of people because it easily captures eyes and faces. However, it isn't fast enough to be used for actions. My favorite part of the Eye AF is that you don't have to be in autofocus focus mode for it to work. A property that some other brands annoyingly reserve this feature for. Olympus lets you toggle the feature on and off so that you can use it in advanced focus modes rather than just the mode where you want the subject to be automatically selected for you.

Image captured with Eye AF Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

The E-M10 IV can shoot at up to 8.7 frames per second (fps) with the mechanical shutter, but needs the slower speed of 5 fps to use continuous autofocus (or advanced ISO settings). At the fastest speed (RAW + JPEG), the camera can take 18 pictures before the fill buffer slows down the speed. If you slow the speed down to 5 fps, the camera can turn on autofocus (which, to be honest, you want to be active) and take 21 shots in a row before slowing down. It took about 15 seconds for both bursts to be fully written to a Class 10 SD card before you could review the images during playback. However, you could record slower or adjust the settings while writing to the card.

Handheld image captured Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

One of the best features the E-M10 inherits from more advanced models – albeit not quite as well – is 5-axis image stabilization with sensor shift. With a speed of 4.5 stops, the system was good enough to shoot at a tenth of a second with a 14mm handheld and still get some (but not all) shots in focus. I even took a hand-held picture of the moon. The optical image stabilization system in the body may have lagged behind the 7.5 f-stops of the E-M1 Mark III, but it is difficult to find with an inexpensive camera.

Excellent picture quality

With almost the same number of pixels as in more expensive models, Olympus did not save on the sensor in the E-M10. The 20.3 megapixel micro four thirds sensor captures sharp images with good color. While the images in the viewfinder may not look as good and the camera may be a bit slower, image quality is a feature that didn't fall short in reaching the budget price.

The pictures of the E-M10 IV and the kit lens were very detailed. They were the sharpest at f / 5 but still acceptable with the kit lens wide open. Combined with the ability to capture 0.23x magnification with the kit lens, the camera can capture many details. However, the compact kit lens tends to flicker.

ISO 3200 Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

The smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor suffers more from noise than an APS-C or full frame camera, but is quite well controlled for this category. At ISO 800 there is a slight noise in the shadows. I would go up to ISO 3200 before worrying about a significant loss of detail and sharpness.

Colors coming straight from the camera are good. The E-M10 IV also adds a new instant filter to the color profiles in the camera. It's one of my favorites for the punchy contrast and purple and red undertones. RAW files restore a considerable amount of detail from the shadows, with a slight recovery from the highlights.

olympus om de m10 mark iv review p8010144 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn7.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/p8010144-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https : //www.digitaltrends.com/data: image / gif; base64, https: //www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Instant film color profile Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

olympus om de m10 mark iv review p8010145 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn8.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/p8010145-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https : //www.digitaltrends.com/data: image / gif; base64, https: //www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Standard color profile Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

Video is available at 4Kp30 and has the same spot colors and details as the images. Image stabilization also helps improve video quality. However, the camera is difficult to recommend for vlogging or serious video work as it lacks a microphone port.

The E-M10 IV's sensor, while not as good as a larger sensor, competes with the more advanced models from Olympus and offers great quality for the camera's small size and low price.

Our opinion

As a budget model, the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV captures excellent images with some sacrifices in terms of performance, processing quality, and control. For the price, the E-M10 has a lot going for it, including great pictures, 4K video, a compact body, and image stabilization. Taking photos with the E-M10 feels like a point-and-shoot camera thanks to its small size and light weight. While using a mirrorless camera without multiple lenses hurts the camera's capabilities, with the tiny 3-ounce kit lens, the E-M10 IV feels like a decent alternative to expensive point-and-shoots like the Sony RX100 series .

Of course, in order to bring that price down, Olympus made some sacrifices. The speed is a little poor, it won't handle a rainstorm, and even in the budget category there are competing cameras with larger sensors.

Is there a better option?

The E-M10 Mark IV is a good budget camera, but it's not enough to make it the best budget mirrorless camera. The Sony a6100, which costs $ 750 with a kit lens, has a larger sensor, faster 11 fps, and a hybrid autofocus system for phase detection and contrast detection. However, it lacks image stabilization, which makes the E-M10 IV an advantage for photographers who often work in poor lighting conditions. Our current favorite mirrorless budget, the Fujifilm X-T30, has better autofocus than the E-M10 Mark IV, a larger sensor, and advanced video, but again, it's not stabilized and costs about $ 200 more.

How long it will take?

Olympus is currently negotiating a sale of its imaging division and the sale makes the future of Olympus lenses and accessories unclear. There is a possibility of buying the E-M10 Mark IV and losing support later, in addition to the limited availability of lenses. The build quality is good for a budget camera, but don't expect the longevity of its weatherproof siblings.

Should you buy it?

Not if photography is a serious hobby, but for casual shooters, it's an easy sale. The smaller sensor, slower speed, and questions about the company's future make it difficult to recommend this camera for more demanding shutter bugs. However, its small size, low price, good image quality, and built-in image stabilization – a feature that is difficult to find in an entry-level camera – are great for the casual photographer.

Editor's recommendations




19 Aug
Blog

Arlo Essential Review: Affordable, but Not so Essential

Arlo Essential full shot

"Arlo's first camera without a hub is cheaper, but is it worth it?"

  • Color night vision

  • Inexpensive monthly subscription

  • Glitchy app

  • Blurry faces in the video

  • Bad battery performance

The Arlo Essential was designed to be the answer to crappy surveillance cameras that can't "see" clearly in the dark. To achieve this, Arlo added a headlight and colored night vision to the Essential. With night time being the main time for security filming, this was a good idea and we are surprised that more outdoor video surveillance cameras are not focusing on it. It's also the company's first hub-free camera, which is especially handy for those who don't have additional Ethernet ports on their routers. Did Arlo's hub-free, night vision-oriented camera come out on top? I found the following:

installation

Because the Arlo Essential is a wireless camera, installation is quick and can be done by even the least mechanically gifted person. The app guides you through the setup step by step. You simply attach the base with three screws in the place where you want to place the camera. Flip the camera onto the base and you're done. It didn't take more than 10 minutes. Since there's no hub to connect to, you can skip this step altogether, which streamlines things a bit.

Video

The camera records with a resolution of 1080p and has a field of view of 130 degrees. This is a step back from the Arlo Pro 3, one of our most popular outdoor surveillance cameras that records 2K video (with a maximum resolution of 2560 × 1440). and the field of view (how much the lens can "see") is slightly wider at 160 degrees.

Arlo Essential night vision video screenshots

Essentials has a nice clear video during the day. The colors are vivid and there is very little distortion. The edges of the image are slightly curved but not enough to affect the clarity. However, the camera struggles to focus on faces. I noticed that they looked a bit grainy, especially further away. The camera has a 12x digital zoom so you can see unfamiliar faces better at a greater distance. However, zooming in will degrade the quality of the image even further, so it doesn't help much. The sweet spot seems to be just a foot or two from the camera for the sharpest picture. This isn't particularly helpful when you need the essential to do more than just monitor your porch.

The faces were so blurry that it is difficult to pick out features.

The biggest innovation in Arlo Essential is the built-in spotlight that allows you to watch color video at night. Is this innovative leap making waves? Not really. I found that the video quality was still not great. Just like when shooting daily footage, faces were a problem, but even more extreme. The faces were so blurry that it is difficult to pick out features. The colors and contrast looked fine, but the camera didn't seem to focus on people.

properties

What is essential is a bit of a boneless, which probably explains the name. However, there is a siren and two-way conversation. The 80dB siren can be set to go off when motion is detected, or you can set it to go off only when you manually press the alarm button. Unfortunately, 80dB isn't very loud and it's one of the quietest sirens we've seen on outdoor surveillance cameras.

Arlo Essential front shotAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

The two-way audio allows you to speak to people who are near your security camera. They can hear them and they can hear you – at least that's how the camera should work. I found that the Essential's two-way talk was quite loud when you're the listener outside. I could only hear mutilated sound through the app. The app stopped and buffered when I tried to use it too, which made the process even more frustrating.

An important missing feature on other Arlo cameras is the privacy setting: this feature allows you to control which areas of your garden the camera can record. For example, with the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight camera, if you don't want to capture part of your garden, the camera will zoom in to avoid it. This feature is useful when, for example, you don't want to record your hot tub area or when your kids are playing.

Battery life

One of my biggest complaints about the Arlo Essential was the battery. In less than a week the load was full. One of the main reasons for this is that there are two very limited ways to regulate the sensitivity of the motion detector. The constantly triggered sensors mean the camera is recording all the time – and wasting the battery.

In less than a week the load was full.

One way is to set up an activity area through the app, a point that the motion sensors focus on so that the camera doesn't detect activity on a busy sidewalk, for example. Another way to reduce the number of triggered sensors is to focus them only on detecting people or boxes and not animals or vehicles. Other cameras may reduce the sensitivity and / or the area in which the sensors can detect movement.

On a slow day, the battery used around 11% of its charge. If the sensors only trigger occasionally, you will still need to charge the camera every nine or ten days. This is not very long and would be a pain in the end.

Down from Arlo EssentialAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Worse still, the camera doesn't have a removable battery like the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight does. This means you have to take the camera off its mount (you have to unscrew it, which takes a minute) and then put it in to charge. You can buy a solar panel attachment for the camera to solve the problem of it constantly charging. However, I am concerned that the Essential is using more energy than the solar panel could produce.

App

Although the Arlo app is easy to navigate, I've found it to be quite buggy. For example, it froze when trying to set up the activity zone function. If this was a one-off fritz, no problem, but I kept having these moments trying to use the app. If you tap on the full screen view from the mini screen in the dashboard, the app is also buffered for a few seconds. This can be frustrating when trying to use the two way feature to communicate with a person at your door, or just want to take a closer look at one person. At times, I found that the app was even buffering just trying to display live video on the miniscreen.

The app isn't all bad, however. One useful feature that you won't find in most cameras is lock screen notifications, which you can get here. So you can see who is at your door without opening the app. That can save you time! Just look at your phone and you will know exactly how to do it.

Arlo Essential app

There are two security features that I also like. By connecting your carbon monoxide detector or fire alarm to Arlo Essential, you can be notified when these alarms go off. Tapping the 911 button on the app will call 911 (as long as you live in the US) and automatically show the location of your home.

While you don't need a subscription to use Arlo Essential and its app, the camera is almost unusable without one. The A.I. The subscription-based service Arlo Smart gives you access to activity zones, e911 services, 30 days of cloud storage and advanced object recognition that allow you to tell the difference between a person, a vehicle, an animal and a package. You get a three month trial which then costs $ 3 per month, which is really affordable. This price is for one camera. However, if you have more, there's a package that covers up to five cameras for $ 10.

Our opinion

The Arlo Essential just doesn't hit the mark in terms of video clarity, features, or the app. There are outdoor surveillance cameras with much better video quality for less than $ 130 and apps that work far better. I expected more from Arlo because the company's other cameras are rated highly here at Digital Trends. It's possible that Arlo hasn't fully perfected the camera without a hub and needs to resolve the issues.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. Our list of the best security cameras has some really good options, models that are cheaper and work better – although they may not have a built-in light. If you want a good floodlight camera, go for the Arlo Pro 3 floodlight: the light is brighter, the siren is louder, and it has a lot more features for around $ 120 more. On the other end of the spectrum, the Wyze outdoor camera offers a whole host of features for much less – this camera is only $ 50!

Will it take?

The camera seems sturdy and well made, but I have serious concerns. Since you have to unscrew it from the mount every time you need to charge the Essential, I'm concerned that the threads will come off quickly and you will no longer be able to mount the camera. The hardware has a limited one-year warranty and operates in temperatures from minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit to 113 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 20 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius). However, these are real concerns.

Should you buy it?

No. There are just too many other inexpensive outdoor surveillance cameras on the market that work better and have more features.

Editor's recommendations




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