20 Feb
Blog

Wyze Robot Vacuum Review: Efficiency Without the Pricey Cost

Wyze Robot Vacuum

"The Wyze Robot Vacuum offers efficient cleaning at an affordable price."

  • Efficient cleaning

  • Smart mapping and navigation

  • Easy to set up and use

  • Can set up virtual walls

  • There is no intelligent integration of assistants

  • Often catches cables

Wyze is known for affordable products that meet the same quality standards as much more expensive options. The company's security cameras compete against bigger names without breaking the bank, and the new Wyze Robot Vacuum is no exception. The Wyze Robot Vacuum may not have as many features as the iRobot Roomba i3 +, but it does offer efficient cleaning at an affordable price.

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is just the latest in a number of new additions to the robot vacuum market. The space has become increasingly competitive, especially in the lower section. Companies like iRobot and Roborock dominate the high-end market, but the mid and budget markets are flooded with third party companies and cheaper options from big companies. Even so, Wyze has a reputation for quality at a low price, and that reputation (combined with the functionality of this vacuum) sets it apart in a sea of ​​different vacuum cleaners.

Set up

For just $ 250, it packs a lot of features into the box. It comes with two spare brushes, the charging stand, an instruction manual and a quick start guide. Setup is just as easy. Just plug in the charging stand and leave at least 1.5 feet on either side of the vacuum and at least 4.5 feet in front of it. There is also a brush cleaner and small knife in the top cover of the vacuum cleaner itself that is used to cut the string around the main brush.

It needs to be charged for about two hours before running. Once it is fully charged, download the app and follow the on-screen instructions. From this point on, it should take less than five minutes for the vacuum to operate. The included quick start guide describes these steps in an incredibly easy to understand way. Once it is set up, you can start cleaning your floor.

A good choice for a first robotic vacuum

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is a bit barebones in terms of features, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The Wyze robot vacuum cleaner is straightforward and simple to operate, making it an excellent choice for the first robot vacuum cleaner.

There are three separate cleaning modes, which are defined by the suction level: Quiet, Standard and Strong. Calm is self-explanatory; It's quieter than any other mode, but it also has the lowest suction power. This mode is ideal for hardwood or linoleum surfaces, but doesn't work as well on carpets. Standard is louder than Quiet mode but has more suction power, while Strong is the loudest of the three. Strong is also the most efficient and results in the deepest and most thorough cleaning of all modes. It took longer than the other modes, but the difference was visible – the carpet looked and felt cleaner.

Few robotic vacuums at this price point have lidar capabilities.

Cleaning is only done via the app. You can schedule them to be cleaned up automatically or instruct them to start a run manually. Voice control is not yet available for the Wyze Robot Vacuum. Alexa compatibility is expected to be available in the first half of 2021, however, along with other features like spot cleaning.

There are some drawbacks, however. While the vacuum did a great job of the actual cleaning, it picked up and carried cables that were inferior to any other vacuum I've ever worked with. This is not an isolated incident, but the Wyze Robot Vacuum captured everything it came across. I had to stop it and salvage four different cables – three power cables and one ethernet cable – before it ended a run. It also ran into the leg of the couch and got stuck due to interference with the lidar signal, the laser signal used to map the area.

Smart navigation and mapping

The Wyze Robot Vacuum navigates through a room using lidar technology and creates an intelligent map in the process. You can view this map on your phone to know exactly where the vacuum is at any given moment. You can also use it to create virtual walls or divide the map into different zones. This is important as few robotic vacuums offer lidar at this price.

At the bottom right of the card there is a small icon in the form of a box. If you tap on it, you can edit the map. You can create a virtual wall to close off certain areas. For example, if you want the Wyze Robot Vacuum to clean your bedroom but not the attached bathroom, create a virtual wall on the bathroom door. You can also divide the map into different rooms, even within the same room. An example of this would be a large living room that is divided into a den and a dining area. You can turn the den into one room, the dining area into a second.

Once the rooms are divided up, you can tap on any of them to tell the Wyze to only clean that particular room. If there are multiple rooms on the card, you can choose as many as you want to clean at once. If you don't select a room and just tap Clean, the entire room will be vacuumed.

A notable feature of the Wyze is the accuracy of its navigation. If it is picked up and moved, it learns its new location and its repositioning within the smart map in just a few seconds. It also stops just before most obstacles. During a test run, the vacuum was once applied directly to the side wall of a PC that was on the floor. The vacuum stopped within an eighth of an inch of the disk, turned, and continued on its way. It used its lidar reading instead of the shock sensor, although it does use the shock sensors when navigating along walls. It can also vacuum close to the edge of a staircase without falling over. Sensors at the bottom of the vacuum guarantee that it does not move over the edge.

Use and accessory tracking

In addition to the settings, the settings menu of the Wyze Robot Vacuum offers a wealth of valuable information. In this menu you can set up specific cleaning schedules, change the suction power and turn notifications on and off. You can also access clean records to measure when the last run was, how long it took, and how much space was covered. The map editor can also be accessed from this menu.

The standout option, however, is the Accessories menu. This lists the main brush, edge brush, and HEPA filter, and the time remaining for each of these parts before they need to be replaced. If you replace it, you can update the time by tapping the accessory and selecting "I replaced it". You also have the option to purchase another part. The main brush is designed for 300 operating hours, the edge brush for 200 operating hours and the HEPA filter for 150 operating hours.

In addition to the basic Wyze Robot Vacuum settings, you can set up rules that allow interaction with other Wyze devices, shortcuts that perform actions on the home screen, and schedules that set controls at certain times of the day.

Our opinion

Wyze Robot VacuumWyze / Youtube

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is by no means a bad investment. While it lacks some of the bells and whistles other robotic vacuums have, it does a good job of cleaning a room, provided you have the right vacuum level selected – a few runs over carpet in quiet mode left dirt on the floor. The mapping and navigation is on par with much more expensive models, however, and once more features are added that allow it to interact with intelligent assistants and perform spot cleaning, it will be quite a competitor.

Is there a better alternative?

At $ 250, there are few robotic vacuums that can match. If you put in just $ 50 more you could get one iRobot Roomba e5, a robotic vacuum cleaner that is great for picking up pet hair and has all of the advanced features of iRobot.

In the premium range, the iRobot Roomba s9 Plus offers enormous cleaning functions and a range of functions that you will not find anywhere else. That comes with a premium price of around $ 1,100, of course. There's no doubt that iRobot is the king of the hill, but you don't have to sell an arm or leg to pick up a robotic vacuum that does excellent cleaning.

If even $ 250 is too much, there are budget options like the Eufy Robovac 11S, which costs $ 30 less at $ 220. It lacks the efficiency of better vacuums, but it cleans your floor so you don't have to.

How long it will take?

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is designed for a long service life and depends solely on the estimated service life of the accessories. However, the vacuum can operate anywhere from 32 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (although lower or higher temperatures in a house create a number of other problems). With proper care and maintenance, the Wyze Robot Vacuum will last for years to come. There is a one year limited warranty that protects it from defects.

Should I buy it?

Short answer: yes, if you are looking for a budget friendly robotic vacuum cleaner. At this price, only a few robotic vacuums have lidar functions. Although the Wyze Robot Vacuum does not yet offer voice control or spot cleaning, these functions are in preparation. It cleans your floor quickly and efficiently and will only get better over time.

Editor's recommendations




04 Dec
Blog

Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera Review: Security at a Lower Cost

Arlo Pro 4 headlight camera

"The Arlo Pro 4 dispenses with the hub and delivers the same great performance as its predecessor at a lower startup cost."

  • Sharp looking footage

  • Additional details with colored night vision

  • No hub is required for setup

  • Smart security with Arlo Smart Service

  • The technical data are similar to those of the predecessor

  • Headlights required for color night vision

Security camera maker Arlo may have been quiet in the first six months of 2020, but the company was certainly busy in the second half of the year. After the introduction of the new Essential series of cameras, the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight camera saved the best for last. This model replaces the more expensive Arlo Pro 3, which is noteworthy for realizing what it means to be the best camera out there.

Whenever a device makes a numerical leap, there is an expectation that it will propel things forward in a dramatic way. Let's find out if this is the case with the Arlo Pro 4 spotlight camera.

Drop the hub

There's no denying the fact that the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera spec sheet is drooling, but what is often overlooked is how the system works. What's special about this camera compared to its predecessor is that it digs up the hub – so it's now a truly wireless proposition.

Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight camera bodyJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Arlo Pro 3 required users to set up the Arlo SmartHub base station in order for it to work. Nothing is more annoying than having to connect another hub or bridge to your network. In most cases, they will need to be connected directly to your home WiFi router. This gets worse when the ethernet connections are scarce. It also means something that has to be plugged into a socket – also in short supply in my apartment.

That's why I'm thrilled that the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight camera is now connected directly to my router. Therefore, it is easier to set up. For smaller rooms like my apartment, this direct Wi-Fi implementation works because everything is in close proximity to the router. I would imagine, however, that the SmartHub would be a benefit for larger households, as it manages the connection much better – while also extending battery life.

The camera performance of the Arlo Pro 4 is just as good as before.

Speaking of the battery, the Arlo Pro 4 has a removable battery that is designed to last for six months of juice. Since placing it in a high-traffic area, the battery life has dropped an average of 3% every day. That won't get me anywhere near that six month range, of course, but it will be enough to take a full month before a top-up is required. It comes with a magnetic charging cable that can be used to charge it at the same time.

Predictably sharp looking video

When we transitioned from Arlo Pro 2 to Pro 3, the camera's resolution increased dramatically from 1080p to 2K (2560 x 1440). Instead of doing another upgrade, the Arlo Pro 4's camera stays at 2K resolution. It's not bad, but it would have been nice to maybe jump to 4K – much like the ultra security cameras. On the other hand, this distinguishes the two camera lines.

The rest of the technical data shows that it is essentially the same hardware as before: a 4-megapixel sensor-inch camera sensor with a wide field of view of 160 degrees. This is impressive coverage, but most effective when strategically placed in corners. The functions are rounded off by HDR, automatic track and zoom, powerful infrared LEDs with blocking filters and a 12x digital zoom. This is no different from the Arlo Pro 3, which is surprising.

Despite the lack of changes, the Arlo Pro 4's camera performance is just as great as it was before – it creates crisp clips with lots of detail, sharpness, and accurate-looking colors. When there is ample light, the dynamic range is handled well throughout the scene to achieve even exposure. Highlights don't look exaggerated, which preserves details that might otherwise be lost. In poor lighting conditions, however, artifact elements tend to appear in shadow. It's not terrible, but it does soften the quality a little.

Arlo Pro 4 headlight cameraJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

When it's night I guess the night vision kicks in color. In order for this to happen the spotlight is turned on to bring some light into the scene, which makes the colors stand out better. Now I should point out that the headlight will turn on whenever motion is detected, but I wish there was some way to force the camera to shoot in color in night vision without it being on. While there is an option to turn off the spotlight through the settings in the app, the default night vision in black and white is used by default.

Smarter security behind a subscription

You will immediately receive a free three-month trial of Arlo Smart – the company's leading security company. Without it, the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight camera is limited to seven days of cloud recording at 1080p, versus 30 days of 2K footage. Another benefit of Arlo Smart is that it gives you advanced features such as parcel, people, animal, vehicle and smoke / CO2 alarm detection. Arlo Smart offers a smart security solution that can help prevent false positives, but all of which are behind a subscription.

But, you know what? The $ 3 monthly plan for a single camera is well worth the cost for those who simply want more security. It's hard enough to juggle all the notifications on your phone. So it's handy that the Arlo Pro 4 can intelligently tell the difference between a stranger walking into the frame and the passing cat from the neighborhood.

I also appreciate that you can set up a geofence to tell the camera when to turn on or off. This is especially useful if you are using the Arlo Pro 4 spotlight camera indoors as you can set it to turn off at home. So you don't feel like you're being watched all the time.

Our opinion

In all fairness, I expected the Arlo Pro 4 spotlight camera to raise the bar. In reality, however, it shares many similarities with its predecessor. Still, I'm glad it didn't cost an arm or a leg to pick it up, which has made the Arlo Pro 3 a tougher consideration for those on a tighter budget. At $ 200 for just a single Arlo Pro 4 spotlight camera, this is a much smaller investment than the $ 500 startup cost of the Arlo Pro 3's base 2-kit system. The lower cost when combined with its direct Wi-Fi connectivity still makes it an attractive option for anyone who craves smarter security.

How long it will take?

Thanks to its weatherproof construction, it can withstand a temperature range of 4 ° F to 113 ° F. It is unlikely to fail. When this occurs, there is a one year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

Is there a better alternative?

The Arlo Essential XL is an ideal alternative if you want to save more, but still need a smart security camera to monitor your home. All you have to do is spend more than $ 150 on it, which will save you $ 50. The only downside is that it is limited to 1080p recording and doesn't offer HDR video.

Another comparable camera is the Ring Spotlight Camera, which benefits from Ring's extensive smart home ecosystem. If you're really looking for a bargain, check out the Wyze Cam Outdoor, which has local storage, sharp footage, and offline mode for $ 60.

Should you buy it?

Yes, despite the strong similarities with its predecessor.

Editor's recommendations




29 Aug
Blog

Oral-B iO Series 9 Smart Toothbrush Review: Pearly Whites at a Steep Cost

Oral-B iO Series 9 hand held smart toothbrush

Oral-B iO Series 9 Smart Toothbrush

"With so much time devoted to development, it does justice to the best brushing performance."

  • Exceptional cleaning performance

  • Comes with four brush heads

  • LED ring helps with pressure sensitivity

  • Robust build quality

  • Expensive

  • Eats up battery

Earlier this year during CES 2020, I got a glimpse of Oral-B's new intelligent toothbrush: the iO series 9. I only had the opportunity to attend a single brushing session, but I got away from the intrigued experience. If a company has been developing a smart toothbrush for six years, expectations will surely be high. Months after this brief encounter, I've been better informed to tell you if it's worth the wait.

High tech in every way

I've owned several manual and electric toothbrushes, but the iO Series 9 is the first that I'd call downright imposing. While it looks like just another electric toothbrush from a cursory inspection, it's undeniably fancier to look up close and equipped with technology that makes it one step above the other. It's made of plastic, but much stronger than other brushes. The weight and the solid feel go together. A tiny screen displays battery life, brushing modes, and even an emoji face after each brush to evaluate my performance. Oral-B has put a lot of work into the brush mechanism, which consists of a frictionless, sleek magnetic drive system to create powerful micro-vibrations while brushing (more on that later).

Oral-B iO Series 9 Smart Toothbrush Display Close-upJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Pearl white clean

To be honest, I am thrilled with how well this toothbrush cleans my teeth. When using one of Oral-B's entry-level electric toothbrushes in the past, I've never been convinced they are any easier to clean than Philips' Sonicare line. The iO Series 9 is a whole different beast. In fact, it's the best toothbrush I've ever used including the Colgate Hum that I checked out right before this one.

It's the best brush I've ever come across.

Part of his world class performance comes from his ability to see how much pressure I am applying while brushing my teeth. An LED ring around the toothbrush lights up red, blue or green to indicate whether it is too much, too little or just right. The Oral-B app does the same, but I prefer the visual representation of the light, even when brushing with my smartphone in hand. In addition, a distinctive vibration indicates when it's time to switch to another quadrant.

Thanks to its intense micro-vibrations, the Oral-B iO series 9 offers the best brushing performance I've ever experienced. I feel like my teeth are getting a polishing job in addition to a power wash – this is how my teeth feel squeaky every time. The hard-to-remove plaque buildup between teeth isn't completely eliminated, but to be honest, I haven't come across a toothbrush that is good at this. Sorry, you still need to floss.

Oral-B iO series 9 smart toothbrush brush your teethJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

After each brush you will see how much battery is left. Unsurprisingly, it's a battery eater, draining around 10% of its battery after each use. So yes, it will require frequent fees.

More of the same smart features

So far, most of the smart toothbrushes I've come across don't differ too much in their smart features. The Oral-B iO 9 tracks a total of six zones during the tour with the app, so that I can see exactly how well I brush each area. However, the tracking function is not available when the brushes are not guided, which is rather puzzling for something "smart". At the end of each brush, I get a score from zero to 100 to indicate my cleaning performance.

While it can tell me how well I brush each quadrant, part of me craves for more accurate brush dates. For example, I can spend a lot of time brushing the front of my teeth while neglecting the back, but it treats the two sides as one. It doesn't paint a true picture of my brushing and my habits. This is not an isolated problem, but a common problem shared by most of the products in this category. I want a smart toothbrush that learns my exact brushing habits and guides me to practical improvements. I don't want to clean to chase after a score.

Our opinion

Impressive cleaning comes at a price, which for the Oral-B iO Series 9 means more than $ 300 to fork. It's ridiculously expensive, but it's also one of the most advanced toothbrushes out there, and delivers a satisfactory clean every time. Fortunately, the purchase comes with a travel case and four brush heads, which saves the difficulty of buying replacements soon after. Even so, a two-pack replacement costs $ 30.

How long it will take?

I'm confident that with its considerable build quality, it will hold up for a while. Oral-B offers a 2 year warranty that covers defects but not normal wear and tear.

Is there a better alternative?

If you're looking for an exceptional clean with connectivity features, it's hard to find anything else that comes close. You may be able to get similar performance with the other models of Oral-B, possibly with the iO Series 7 smart toothbrush for $ 200.

Should you buy it?

Yes, mostly because cleaning takes precedence over everything else. All intelligent functions and tracking are extra. If cleaning is unsuccessful, there is an error.

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