27 Lowe's Products That Any New Homeowner Would Probably Find Handy
You'll never know how much you need your very own power washer until you're faced with maintaining your deck or patio yourself.
1. A Wi-Fi-connected August smart lock that'll give you tons of control over who has access to your place at any given time. It installs right over your regular lock, so you can operate it using either a physical key or the August smartphone app. No need to worry about accidentally locking yourself out of your new home!
Lowe's
One of the first things my spouse and I did when we bought our home was install a smart lock — an older version of this one, in fact. We've had it for more than six years now, and it's still working great. It comes especially in handy when we've got guests staying over; if they put the August app on their phone, we can give them access to the lock without needing to faff about with actual spare keys. Even better, you can set the amount of time your guests will have access, so when the visit is over, so too is their lock access. Easy peasy!
2. A good household tool kit, because you're your own super now. This 73-piece set has everything you need to handle any fix-it projects that might pop up after you move in, from your basic hammer and measuring tape to a bunch of hex keys, a utility knife, and — most importantly, IMHO! — a ratchet screwdriver with tons of different heads.
Lowe's
If you've never experienced the wrist-saving wonders of a ratchet screwdriver before, you're in for an excellent time. Trust me. It's an absolute homeowner essential.
Promising review: ' Great household set with all the practical things you need for simple household jobs! Love the folding case with a handle. It lays flat when open and has the perfect spot to hold each tool, making it easy to store and find them all.' — Cassie
3. A basic 6-foot-tall step ladder so you can make sure you can reach anything you need: Your kitchen cabinets, all those burnt-out bulbs in your recessed lighting, your own attic, you name it. This fiberglass option is lightweight, so it's easy to move around — but it's also super sturdy, which, y'know, is kind of key for a step ladder.
Lowe's
Fun fact: The hatch to the attic in my lil' townhouse does not have its own access ladder. I can only get to it with my trusty 6-foot step ladder. Thanks, step ladder. You're the best.
PS: This one has a weight limit of 300 pounds.
Promising review: 'Love this ladder. Very sturdy yet not too heavy. Moved it around as I was working like a breeze. I wanted something that I would feel comfortable on and that could hold me and my husband without worry. It meets all those needs. Was hanging flowers on my patio and the space cutout at the top seemed as if it was made for my flower pot, plus I was able to hold my other tools. Would totally recommend.' — jayy
4. And a three-tier kitchen ladder for those times you don't need quite as much height. Compact and foldable, this sucker stores unobtrusively and opens up quickly, making it perfect for faster oh-no-I-can't-reach jobs that don't require the full height of your regular step ladder. You need both. Trust me.
Lowe's
Look, y'all. I'm five feet tall. I cannot reach the top shelves of anything, ever without the aid of an extra set of steps. And as much as I love my 6-foot step ladder, I do not want to have to haul that thing out every time I need to get a can of tomato paste or whatever down from the upper echelons of my kitchen cabinets. So, I have one of these instead, and I use it literally every day. Get thee a step stool. It's worth it. I promise.
PS: This has a weight limit of 225 pounds.
Promising review: 'Great for anything inside. This is the perfect household ladder. Just the right size to reach whatever needed and folds flat to hide or sit anywhere out of the way.' — rmax
5. A really big, really bright flashlight, because honestly, you never know when you're going to need one. This pick from Kobalt packs a whopping 6,000 lumens and operates in five different modes, so whether you're dealing with a power outage or just need to brighten things up while you're DIY-ing a home fix-it project, it'll be there to light up your life for you. The batteries are even rechargeable!
Lowe's
Promising review: ' Best flashlight I have ever owned. Super bright, different modes, battery power output and auto shut off when light is covered to keep from excessively heat. Lifetime warranty.' — Nuggets Daddy
6. Some sleek and modern drawer pulls that'll update your hardware and make your new home that much more you. These reviewer-loved steel bar pulls install quickly and easily — and even better, they come in tons of different multipacks, so you can take care of aaaaaaall your drawers and cabinets in one fell swoop.
Lowe's
Promising review: ' Solid metal handle with simple but great looks! Second time using these handles, but now in the kitchen. Plenty of sizes, which allow the right fit per cabinet. Great thing is that these are fairly common in looks, so they go well with everything and you can match the house aesthetics.' — DavidK
7. Some slide-on weatherstripping for your front or back door, because despite the fact that the door is new *to you,* that doesn't mean that it's, uh, actually new — which, in turn, might mean that you've got old, worn-out weatherstripping or weird gaps to contend with. But hey, good news: Slipping one of these lil' guys along the bottom of your exterior door is an easy way to fix that problem. Keep those drafts outside where they belong!
Lowe's
Promising review: 'I am so happy; it sealed my backyard door so nicely that I don't have any cold air coming from outside. The door is 1-3/4" thick. Measured it, cut it, removed the existing strip, pushed the new one as per video instruction. Highly recommend it.' — Lshadow
8. A versatile over-the-sink steel drying mat that'll free up tons of space on your brand new counters for things more important than dishes. Usable as both an under-mount or an over-the-sink option, this sturdy rack spreads out across the sink itself, letting everything drip dry right where it should. Then, once everything is put away, you can roll the mat back up until you need it again for even more space-saving power.
Lowe's
Promising review: 'Handy! I love the color; it goes with my color scheme. I also love the fact that I can hand wash a few pots and pans and let them dry and put them away — the water drips into the sink and I don't have stinky towels to wash and dry. I'm also able to put hot pans on there and not have to worry about burning my counters.' — Ry0211
9. A stackable basket (or two, or three, or…) to help get your new home organized and ~aesthetic,~ all in one go. Who says your storage solutions can't also be part of your décor scheme?
Lowe's
Promising review: 'I installed a laundry room shelf and then added three of these baskets to organize cleaning products, rags, and other sundry items. The baskets are perfect visually. They hide items in style. ' — HandyGranny
10. A geometric-patterned area rug to cover your naked floors — especially if you're going from a rental with wall-to-wall carpeting to your own place with much-coveted hardwood floors. This thoroughly modern option has a high pile that'll be super soft on your toes while simultaneously perking up whatever room you put it in. Never underestimate the transformative powers of a good rug.
Lowe's
Promising review: 'Love my new rug! Beautiful rug! It was the perfect addition to our living room. The rug is really soft and of perfect thickness, and looks very elegant. Beautiful pattern, I highly recommend it!' — Beach girl
11. A couple of thermal blackout curtain panels that'll actually, y'know, darken your room so you can sleep (and help on your climate control bills while you're at it). These classic panels have grommets at the top, so you won't need to fuss with curtain rings; you can hang 'em right on the rod. Now that you have absolute control over your window treatments, it's time to make it count, right?
Lowe's
Promising review: 'This product was exactly what my wife and I were looking for. We needed something to cover the sliding glass door in the dining area and this fit perfectly. It is long enough to cover the entire door, and wide enough that two panels cover the entire width. Since they are 'blackout curtains,' they also will help keep the heat out in the summer.' — Masarusan
12. And some sleek curtain holdbacks to make keeping those drapes open nice and easy and closing them even easier. Since you own your place now, you can freely drill holes in the walls — meaning installing things like these is finally in the cards for you. Hoorah!
Lowe's
Promising review: 'Hold my curtains! I bought a new house and needed curtains for the French doors. The heat was coming through the doors and I decided this would help my electric bill, but I liked some light coming in during the morning and evenings. These tie-backs were perfect. I had gone to some local fabric shops and they suggested I go to Lowe's to find them. (I had looked on Etsy and these were nicer and less expensive!)' — Ladder2
13. An endlessly useful floating bracket shelf or two that'll add a boost of style and practicality wherever you hang them. Match them with a hanging hook rack and a slim bench for an entryway makeover; put them in your bathroom for space-saving storage; hang 'em in a hallway to make the perfect picture ledge... You can choose your own adventure!
Lowe's
Promising review: 'Great look! I have used this particular shelf in several homes that I have remodeled. It goes so well with many different styles of decor! Whether it's a living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, it looks great in every room! Lightweight, and easy to hang.' — SueB
14. A pull-out cabinet organizer so you can keep your brand-new cabinets as neat and tidy inside as they look outside. This two-tiered, soft-close rack mounts right inside your cabinet; then, once it's installed, you can just pull it out, find what you need, and roll it back in.
Lowe's
No need to start your homeowner era spending a million years sitting on the ground as you root around inside for that one pot you need right now!
Promising review: 'We have installed these in the three houses we have bought over the last 15 years. The soft-close feature on the wider pullouts is fantastic for keeping baking pans, glass mixing bowls, and lots of other 'clangy' stuff quiet when closing the cabinet. Whenever we have to get something from a base cabinet at someone else's house, we appreciate them all the more since we are getting less flexible with age. Who wants to try to drag a Crock-Pot from the back of a low cabinet? Not us! While these pullouts might seem expensive, we've never had one fail and the originals that are in our first house (which is still in the family) are still going strong!' — Lanakila
15. A closet organization system, because now that your home is your home, you can make sure every closet in it is exactly to your own specifications. This system from ClosetMaid makes terrific use of your closet's vertical space, adding a plethora of hanging bars and shelves to give you the ultimate 'a place for everything and everything in its place' solution. Reviewers say it's super easy to install, too, so hey, bonus points for that.
Lowe's
Promising review: 'So much storage! We put three of these systems in our bedroom closets, which originally only had a rod. These provided so much more storage than expected and look so nice. We are planning to move and I will be installing these systems in the closets in our new house. They are easy to install and look so nice!' — Annie
16. A ceiling fan light attachment, in the event that the fans that came with your home don't, uh, have them. Luckily, there's an easy solution to that problem! Many ceiling fans have a spot for a light attachment, even if they didn't come with one — so odds are you can just get the light attachment separately and install it directly onto the fan yourself. Let there be overhead light!
Lowe's
This is exactly what my situation was when my spouse and I moved into our place as new homeowners: All three bedrooms had ceiling fans, but a) none of them had lights attached, and b) the rooms also did not have any other overhead lighting to speak of. We just got a couple of attachments like this one and installed them on our own, and now we've got both airflow and ambient lighting. A+, no notes.
Promising review: 'Nice-looking addition to my ceiling fan! I have installed two of these, and they are easy to install and match very well with my existing ceiling fans. When I first saw this lighting kit, I wondered if it would fit and work with the existing wiring. It was a perfect match. I highly recommend this lighting kit!' — HawaiiKaiDoug
17. Some bold botanical peel-and-stick wallpaper if you're curious about trying out wallpaper rather than regular ol' paint, but don't want to fully commit yet.
Because you can just peel it off whenever you've decided you're done with it, this stuff can be a great way to figure out what you like — or determine whether you even like the wallpaper look in the first place. No harm, no foul.
Promising review: 'Gorgeous! At first, I thought this would be too dark for a little girl's room. I'm so glad I took the risk because it looks gorgeous. I keep going into my daughter's room to admire it. As others may have suggested, it is well worth it to take the time and match up the pattern.' — Desi
18. A compact power washer so you can relish in the satisfaction of blasting years of dirt off your walkways, patio, deck, driveway… well, you get the idea. This portable pick — which, by the way, is electric (no need to fuss around with gas!) — includes two nozzles and packs a punch of 1,800 psi to get all your outdoor spaces bright and sparkling new.
Lowe's
Honestly, a power washer is one of those things you won't realize you need until you… really need it. Ask me and my 40-year-old patio and deck how we know.
Promising review: 'Nice portable unit that works for a lot of jobs! This is a great compact power washer. I was able to use it to clean a few year's worth of grime and dirt off of landscaping blocks, as well as mildew from brick pavers and the sidewalk. The cord and hose for the wand are long enough where a lot of jobs can be completed without an extension cord. As far as the nozzle heads, there are only two that are included with the unit. One is a pinpoint nozzle and the other is a wide-angle nozzle (20 degrees, I think).' — Lowe's reviewer
19. A fancy schmancy Delta shower head that'll turn your new bathroom into your very own spa. The four different spray settings on this let you adjust things exactly to your liking — and switching between rainfall and handheld mode is super simple, too. Your mornings will never be the same again.
Lowe's
Did you know switching out a shower head is much, much easier than you probably think it is? And swapping out whatever came with your new place when you bought it for the perfect, exactly-to-your-own-specifications pick is an A+ way to make your new home feel like home. Since it's yours for good, you won't have to worry about putting the old fixture back in when you're ready to move out, either. 10/10, highly recommend.
Promising review: 'Such an upgrade! I love it! Worth every penny! The finish is really nice, it's very user-friendly, sturdy, and easy to install. Even with both heads on, you don't lose water pressure. We've had ours for about a month and have absolutely no complaints. I love the fact that the rain head is adjustable and the hose for the handle is long enough to be able to easily clean the shower top to bottom. We updated our builder-grade head we've had for years and now it feels like we finally have an adult shower worthy of the primary bathroom. Trust me, it's well worth the money. And for a complete finish, you can easily swap out the knobs and cover plates in the shower, too.' — Sarena
Price: $99.98+ (available in four finishes)
20. And a new pull-down faucet, because guess what? Changing out one of the major functional focal points of your new kitchen i s also a lot easier than you probably think it is. This stainless steel Moen pick switches from stream to spray with the push of a button; plus, it's got a spot-resistant finish for easy maintenance, too.
Lowe's
Promising review: 'Easy and efficient. Maybe the perfect faucet! This faucet is very nice-looking and the ease of use is excellent. The faucet glides from one side to another, and the handle moves easily. I like the sprayer function on the end. The button is in a handy, easy-to-work spot, and even when I'm not using the spray function, I can swivel the end piece around to rinse all the walls of the sink without using my hands or a sponge to reach the sides. ' — Julia G
Price: $149+ (originally $169+; available in three finishes)
21. A reviewer-beloved 8-quart Gourmia air fryer, because moving is exhausting but you still need to eat. Luckily, feeding yourself after a long day of unpacking, sorting, organizing, and renovating is super easy with this on hand; just pop your favorite bites into the basket and you'll have warm, crispy deliciousness ready in no time. (And with very little cleanup after!)
Lowe's
Promising review: 'Chef-level results, zero stress! Using the Gourmia 8-Quart Air Fryer has completely changed how I approach cooking. The preheat function is a game-changer — it gets the air fryer to the perfect temperature before I even add the food. I love the little notification that pops up to remind me it's time to start. It feels like having an assistant in the kitchen! The turn reminder is another feature I didn't realize I needed — it beeps at just the right moment, making sure I don't forget to toss or turn my food. This ensures everything comes out evenly crisped, especially with fries or roasted veggies. The large basket is perfect for my family dinners. I can cook enough in one go without needing several batches, and it fits surprisingly well in the air fryer's compact design. Cleaning is another big plus — the nonstick coating really works, and the fact that both the basket and crisper tray are dishwasher-safe is a lifesaver after a long day. So far, I've used it to make fries, roasted veggies, and even a small batch of baked goods, and everything has turned out great. It's become a reliable part of my cooking routine, especially when I want to prepare something quickly without too much hassle. ' — Chezki
Price: $99.99
22. A lightweight, bagless and cordless Dyson vacuum that'll make keeping your floors clean a breeze. This vacuum is so much easier to move around your home than the huge, corded monstrosities of yore, and you can change out the attachments with the click of a button. It easily converts to a hand-held device, negating the need to buy an additional hand vacuum; and, since it has a wall-mounted charging dock, it stays out of the way when you're not using it.
Lowe's
Did I think I needed a high-tech vacuum when I lived in a one-bedroom apartment? No, I did not. Was I convinced I was going to need one when I moved into a home I actually owned? Also no. Did my spouse's idea to get one really, really pay off? ABSOLUTELY. We can vacuum our entire townhouse in 45 minutes flat with this thing. It's an investment, but boy, is it worth it. It's excellent for homes that tend to be, uh, full of pet hair, if that's a thing you're dealing with. (I sure am. How do tiny cats produce so much dang hair???)
Promising review: 'Dyson V11 is one of the best options for a 2,000-square-foot house. It covers the entire area in a single charge. The run time is 35 minutes with medium speed and the suction is great. You can use it on different floor types without any issues. I have a wired vacuum that I never use anymore now because this vacuum is very convenient. Once you go Dyson V11, you never going back to a wired vacuum.' — Sal G
Price: $469.99 (originally $569.99)
23. A six-pack of battery-powered puck lights so you can illuminate your counters, under-cabinet areas, and other hard-to-light areas without needing to do any complicated rewiring. These LED lights mount with minimal fuss using either Command strips or good ol' fashioned screws, and they have a remote for super-easy operation, too.
Lowe's
Promising review: 'Great product! We used these as under-cabinet lighting for our kitchen. The lights look discrete and give off a cozy vibe. Much cheaper than installing lighting.' — SaraC
Price: $29.98
24. Some modern door handles that'll upgrade your home's builder-grade doorknob situation, stat. That's the beauty of owning your own home! Don't like something in it? Change it! These streamlined handles are definitely a step up in the style department, and they've got privacy locks, to boot, making them ideal for bedroom or bathroom doors.
Lowe's
Promising review: 'Get these handles — look great and work so nice! These door handles work wonderful and look even better. Bought two and went back to purchase more for rest of my doors. So happy with everything and easy to open!' — Barb
Price: $34.98 (available in three finishes)
25. A fun welcome mat to greet your guests and protect your floors, all in one go. (You're the one that's going to have to take responsibility for maintaining them now, after all.) This natural coir option both says hello when they arrive and bids them farewell when they leave, because you are nothing if not an excellent host, right?
Lowe's
Promising review: 'Good at keeping dirt out. A cute way to let your guests know they are welcome. Heavier than I thought it would be. Does a good job of getting mud off the shoes before coming into the house.' — Cbdb
Price: $12.98
26. A cute lil' bistro set, because if your new abode has its very own outdoor space, you now get to experience the joys of being able to savor a quiet morning coffee outside without even leaving home.
Lowe's
The set comes with two cushioned chairs and a side table with a tempered glass top. Ugh. So adorable.
Promising review: 'Great price and value! I love this table set! Very comfortable and easy to put together! Perfect size for my balcony.' — Beach lover
Price: $240.78
27. And lastly, some wavy, ocean-like window film if your new neighbors are a little, uh… let's call it overly curious. This easy-to-apply film offers privacy from nosy passersby, and it's super pretty, to boot.
Lowe's
Promising review: 'Love, love, love! Just bought a house with two fancy leaded-glass windows — one in the front door, the other above the tub in the first-floor bath. Both widows had large sections of clear glass, allowing anyone to walk up and peek inside. I bought this exact product and installed it over the entire space of both windows. I was worried that I'd lose the beauty of the leaded effect, but the results were FABULOUS and far exceeded my expectations! This product is super easy to install — had both windows done in under an hour. This material is thick, but cuts easily. It's static-cling, so it repositions easily, and you don't need to wet the window at all when you install it. If I could give this product 10 stars, I would because I'm just that happy with the results!' — FancyNancy
Price: $54.99
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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Buzz Feed
an hour ago
- Buzz Feed
Amazon Echo Show 15: The Family Hub Worth Every Penny
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a day ago
- New York Post
The Beatbot Aquasense 2 Ultra is basically my pool's butler: My review
New York Post may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Owning a swimming pool is one of those life perks that sounds like it should be pure bliss: sunny afternoons lounging by the water, hosting weekend barbecues, floating in a flamingo-shaped tube without a care in the world. But if you actually own a pool, you know the real story: it's fun for about five minutes, then comes the never-ending cycle of skimming, brushing, vacuuming, balancing chemicals and shelling out for professional cleanings when life gets too busy. I learned this the hard way. That's why I've always kept my eye on robotic pool cleaners. I've tried a couple over the years — some decent, some disappointing. But I recently got my hands on the Beatbot Aquasense 2 Ultra, and let me tell you…this is not your average robo-cleaner. This thing is a fully loaded, AI-powered, pool-cleaning beast. 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There's a moment when you watch it sink slowly to the bottom, almost as if it's taking a deep breath before diving into its work. That's actually it calibrating; give it a few minutes, and then the magic starts. I opted for Pro mode right off the bat, because hey, if I'm testing this thing, I want the full experience. Pro mode means it doesn't just clean the pool floor and walls. It also scrubs the waterline and performs surface skimming. Basically, everything short of grilling burgers while you swim. Watching the Aquasense 2 Ultra in action is genuinely impressive. It starts by using AI pool mapping, thanks to 27 onboard sensors, it learns the entire layout of your pool, including steps, curves and obstacles. My pool has an awkward shape with an extended shallow shelf and some built-in seating, which has confused other cleaners in the past. Not this one. It navigated the layout with a kind of robotic elegance, adjusting in real time and never getting stuck. Its roller brushes are no joke. There are four of them, and they really scrub. I noticed it lifting up grime and small debris in just one pass. Even some stubborn algae buildup along the tile line was gone by the end of its first run. It's got a 200W pump motor powering a suction system that can filter up to 5,500 gallons of water per hour, which explains the sheer speed and efficiency of the cleaning. It's like dropping a mini power plant into your pool. It even climbs walls like a pro. The rubber treads make it look like a tiny tank as it scales vertical surfaces and transitions seamlessly from floor to wall. I have this habit of neglecting the waterline (who doesn't?) but this bot made short work of it, scrubbing right up to the edge and removing all that invisible grime that you only notice when it's gone. And, here's one of the best parts: once it's done with the underwater work, the Aquasense 2 Ultra activates its Smartdrain system, releasing water from inside its body to float back up to the surface. Watching it rise like a high-tech dolphin is oddly satisfying. What's revolutionary about Beatbot is how it cleans. Once on the surface, as the robot moves forward through water, its front hatch opens, and the dual side brushes rotate inward. This creates water currents that draw surrounding debris toward the front of the machine, where it is then quickly collected through the front hatch. Al Murillo For the overachievers among us (or control freaks, I see you), the app even lets you manually steer the cleaner to specific spots. It's basically like piloting a submarine with your phone. I used it once just for fun, guiding the robot toward a clump of leaves hiding in the corner, and it picked everything up in seconds. But what really makes this pool cleaner a standout is its ClearWater system. At the end of its cleaning cycle, the Aquasense 2 Ultra releases a clarifying agent directly into the water. Not some harsh chemical cocktail; this stuff is made from natural, eco-friendly materials and it's totally safe for skin. The effect? My pool water looked clearer than it has all summer. I usually toss in a water clarifier once a week, but now? I haven't touched a bottle since. When the cleaner's finished, it doesn't just power down and sit somewhere random. It actually parks itself at the edge of the pool and sends a little ping to your phone through the app. The unit positions itself with the handle in an upward position so you can grab it easily (though fair warning: it's noticeably heavier once it's full of water and gunk). Still, the design makes it manageable. Additionally, when the robot completes cleaning and parks itself at the edge, wait about 3 minutes or so to give the Beatbot time to drain the water inside its body, which will make it lighter and easier to remove. If you retrieve the robot as soon as it docks, it'll be heavier. Cleaning out the waste basket is also simple. Flip open the top hatch, pull out the canister, rinse it off and you're good to go. I do recommend rinsing it thoroughly, especially after a heavy cleaning day. Mine was packed with leaves, pebbles and more than a few surprises I'd rather not mention. Charging is straightforward as well. Just set it back into the dock, but make sure to keep the charger in the shade. I left it out in direct sunlight the first time, and while it didn't cause any issues, the user manual makes a point about avoiding heat buildup during charging. Al Murillo Now, is it perfect? Not quite. For one, it's expensive and definitely at the higher end of the robotic pool cleaner spectrum. If you're just looking for something basic, this may feel like overkill. Also, since it connects via Wi-Fi, there were a couple of times it briefly lost connection while submerged. Nothing major, and it reconnected quickly, but worth noting if you're in the middle of steering it manually. In fact, the robot disconnects from Wi-Fi when underwater because Wi-Fi signals struggle underwater as water (especially saltwater) strongly absorbs radio waves at 2.4GHz/5GHz frequencies. But, as soon as it returns to the surface, it will automatically reconnect to Wi-Fi immediately. While it seems like a negative that WiFi is disconnected, the design of this pool cleaner is actually in your favor. Beatbot is designed precisely for users to just throw it in and completely forget about it, letting it clean autonomously until it finishes cleaning, returns to the surface and sends a notification to the app. At that point, all you need to do is retrieve it — so you can spend your free time not hanging poolside if you don't want to. It's also heavy, as I mentioned before. If you have mobility issues or trouble lifting, you might want to factor that into your decision. Once it's wet, it takes some effort to get out of the water. But hey, a small tradeoff for what it does. The Final Verdict Al Murillo Here's the thing: after a few weeks of using the Aquasense 2 Ultra, I haven't hired a pool service once. I haven't spent hours brushing the walls, vacuuming, or skimming by hand. My water looks and feels better than it ever has, and every time I walk outside, I smile knowing the hardest-working member of the household is already at the bottom of the pool, quietly handling business. So if you're serious about pool maintenance and want something that genuinely cuts down your effort, keeps your water crystal clear, and makes owning a pool feel like a luxury again — not a chore — I can't recommend the Beatbot Aquasense 2 Ultra enough. It's a pricey investment, but for me, it's already paid for itself in time, saved service fees, and the pure satisfaction of knowing that I don't have to lift a finger to have a pristine pool all summer long. Honestly? This thing might just be my favorite member of the household. How I Tested Al Murillo When reviewing the Aquasense 2 Ultra, here's the detailed criteria I kept in mind to see if the model was worth it in the long haul: Cleaning Coverage : I evaluated how effectively it handles all pool zones, including scrubbing of surfaces and its integrated clarifying agent for crystal-clear water. : I evaluated how effectively it handles all pool zones, including scrubbing of surfaces and its integrated clarifying agent for crystal-clear water. Navigation & Obstacle Detection : I tested how well the unit maps the pool, avoids obstacles and navigates complex shapes using its AI-powered camera and array of sensors. : I tested how well the unit maps the pool, avoids obstacles and navigates complex shapes using its AI-powered camera and array of sensors. Battery Life & Runtime Performance: I measured the runtime for various modes (surface versus floor cleaning), assessing how long it can clean before needing recharge, as long as 10 hours for surface or 5 hours for deep cleans on a full charge. I measured the runtime for various modes (surface versus floor cleaning), assessing how long it can clean before needing recharge, as long as 10 hours for surface or 5 hours for deep cleans on a full charge. Ease of Use & Smart Features (App Control, Setup, Retrieval): I gauged user experience —from unboxing and app setup to control via Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi, voice alerts and hassle‑free auto‑return mechanisms like surface parking. I gauged user experience —from unboxing and app setup to control via Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi, voice alerts and hassle‑free auto‑return mechanisms like surface parking. Physical Design & Durability: I assessed handling and longevity, noting factors like the robot's heavyweight construction, corrosion-resilient materials, included brushes/accessory kit and storage cover for protection. For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America's go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We're not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren't already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we're known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. 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Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
Amazon drops epic Roku deals from $19 in huge weekend sale — 5 deals I'd shop now
Want to up your streaming game? You don't have to splurge on a whole new TV to do so — right now you can shop Roku deals starting from $19. The sale even includes some of the best streaming devices we've tested. Short on time? The deal I recommend the most is the Roku Streaming Stick Plus 2025 on sale for $29 at Amazon. This one will get you speedy streaming performance and 4K resolution, now for less than $30. For more options, just keep scrolling! If you're looking for even more savings, see our Amazon promo codes and the Lowe's deals I'd shop from $7. While we recommend 4K streaming devices over HD, this option from Roku is great if you don't have a 4K TV. You'll get access to the excellent Roku streaming interface, all the streaming services you could want and voice controls via the Roku remote. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus 2025 is the latest upgrade in Roku's lineup, replacing the previous Express 4K Plus. This newer model is smaller, faster, and more powerful, offering stunning 4K HDR and Dolby Vision streaming. With improved Wi-Fi and access to thousands of channels, it's one of the best Roku devices right now. Looking to stream in 4K? This small but mighty device delivers a crisp, cinematic experience with support for 4K HDR and Dolby Vision. It's lightning-fast, easy to use, and packed with all your favorite apps (no wonder we gave it 4.5 stars in our Roku Streaming Stick 4K review). It's a top-tier pick for leveling up any home theater setup. The Roku Ultra is the brand's ultimate streaming box, now faster than ever with a beefy quad-core processor and support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos. It's got Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet, USB-A, Bluetooth headphone support, and a rechargeable voice remote. At $79, it's built for serious streamers who want quality performance without any fuss. This compact streambar blends 4K streaming with enhanced audio, making it a great fit for smaller rooms. It offers sharp visuals and a clear improvement over standard TV speakers. While it's not a high-end sound system, it's a solid step up in both picture and sound quality. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
