Latest news with #ChrisWedel
CNET
5 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Save $500 on Eufy's Impressive Robot Vacuum and Let Its Tech Take On Your Floors
Investing in a robot vacuum can make a big difference when it comes time to clean your home. Few people enjoy cleaning their own floors, and a robot vacuum is more than happy to pick up the slack. Unfortunately, the best robot vacuums with the coolest features can be costly, and that's why this deal is so worthwhile. Right now, you can pick up the Eufy Omni S1 Pro robot vacuum and mop with with $500 off using a code at checkout, which means it's back down to its lowest-ever price. Make sure to enter the discount code EUFYS1PROC when checking out to get the best price, It's also important to keep in mind that this deal likely won't last for long. Make sure to act soon if this is the robot vacuum deal for you. This robot vacuum and mop has an all-in-one station that recharges, empties its debris bin, washes and dries the mop and refills its water tank. That means it can focus on cleaning your carpeted and hard floors on an automated routine, with less need for you to step in and perform maintenance. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. CNET's smart home expert Chris Wedel took the Eufy Omni S1 Pro for a spin a few months ago and described how it quickly became his favorite for tidying his floors, calling out its exceptional mopping performance and unique features like the self-sterilizing base station. One of his main qualms was the price, but at a third off right now, this is definitely one of the best vacuum deals you're likely to find. Just be sure to use the sales code at checkout to avail the discount. Why this deal matters When considering the pricier options in the world of robot vacuums, they tend to hold their value quite well. While new models do come around here and there, the good ones last a long time. This model is a powerhouse in just about every way, and this is quite literally the lowest the price it's ever been.
CNET
5 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Save $500 Off Anker's Eufy Omni S1 Pro Impressive Robot Vacuum With This Code and Let Its Tech Take On Your Floors
Investing in a robot vacuum can make a big difference when it comes time to clean your home. Few people enjoy cleaning their own floors, and a robot vacuum is more than happy to pick up the slack. Unfortunately, the best robot vacuums with the coolest features can be costly, and that's why this deal is so worthwhile. Right now, you can pick up the Eufy Omni S1 Pro robot vacuum and mop with $500 off using a code at checkout, which means it's back down to its lowest-ever price. Make sure to enter the discount code EUFYS1PROC when checking out to get the very best price, It's also important to keep in mind that this deal likely won't last for long. Make sure to act soon if this is the robot vacuum deal for you. This robot vacuum and mop has an all-in-one station that recharges, empties its debris bin, washes and dries the mop and refills its water tank. That means it can focus on cleaning your carpeted and hard floors on an automated routine, with less need for you to step in and perform maintenance. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. CNET's smart home expert Chris Wedel took the Eufy Omni S1 Pro for a spin a few months ago and described how it quickly became his favorite for tidying his floors, calling out its exceptional mopping performance and unique features like the self-sterilizing base station. One of his main qualms was the price, but at a third off right now, this is definitely one of the best vacuum deals you're likely to find. Just be sure to use the sales code at checkout to avail the discount. Why this deal matters When considering the pricier options in the world of robot vacuums, they tend to hold their value quite well. While new models do come around here and there, the good ones last a long time. This model is a powerhouse in just about every way, and this is quite literally the lowest the price it's ever been.
CNET
5 days ago
- Business
- CNET
What Is a Smart Home? My Straightforward 3-Part Explanation
At CNET home tech, we often reference the smart home, and even have whole lists of tech that's best for a "smart home." But many have an even bigger question: What is a smart home, and how does it operate? That can be confusing, especially since there are so many different devices, from home security to light bulbs, that seem to be connected to a smart home, some very expensive and others available for only $10. And that's true – a smart home can be many different things, depending on what features you want to add and your budget. So, as CNET's smart home editor, I'm breaking down the smart home into three primary parts that will show you exactly how it all works. 1. Devices that send and receive information Smart home devices can bring convenience and ease to a home. Chris Wedel/CNET The first part of a smart home is the devices that you use in your home. Some are unique additions, while others replace common home electronics that you probably already have. But these smarter devices have extra features and capabilities that many people find handy, from saving energy to increasing safety. Just one product makes your home a little smarter. Add several, and your digs become an official smart home. Here are a few common examples of home products that can be "smart" like this: The Google Nest floodlight cam provides multiple smart features in one device. Tyler Lacoma/CNET From a user standpoint, some devices are more focused on what information they send, and some are more focused on what they receive. For example, leak detectors primarily send information like alerts or sirens when they detect water. Smart light bulbs generally receive information like when to dim at night or what color to change to. Also, I know it seems like the smart home is dominated by Amazon, Google and Apple. But there are hundreds and hundreds of other, smaller brands also creating smart devices, often in innovative fields, and they've become common enough that you can pick up a smart product or two in any local department store. If you're wondering what devices to start with, when I asked Adam Wright, research manager at research firm IDC, he told me, "The smart security segment stands out for its consistent innovation and strong value proposition. AI-enabled cameras and video doorbells, in particular, have driven the continued growth and interest in smart security devices, thanks in part due to a clear value proposition." He also added that, "Intense competition among a very large number of vendors continues to put downward pressure on prices." 2. Data connections between those devices Wireless connections enable smart homes, but there are several different kinds. Westend61 via Getty The second part of a smart home is the wireless connections that these devices create, which link them to other technology, like our smartphones. No device is really considered smart unless it has a wireless connection to something else, providing updates about its status and/or ways to control it remotely. Several types of connections support this smart home chatter: all the languages and standards that smart devices use. One of the most common is your standard Wi-Fi connection, which enables access to smart home devices, even when you're far from home on vacation. Many smart devices can also use Bluetooth connections, especially when it comes to playing music or changing the colors of lights. Matter and Thread enable excellent smart home communication, but adoption is still ongoing. CSA Then there are dedicated, low-energy connections that smart home devices use to communicate with controlling hubs and, occasionally, directly with phones. At the start, those wireless connections were mesh networks like Zigbee and Z-Wave, which you can still find on many smart devices. Over time, these specialized connections have turned to Thread, a more advanced, high-security option. No matter the name, these connections all enable smart devices to send and receive information. But where do the users come in? That brings me to the final part of the smart home: our own app controls. 3. Apps that control the devices and send notifications Apple's app looks and feels great, but you'll need compatible devices to use it. Apple The wireless connections smart devices use ultimately allow us to interact with them using downloaded apps on our phones, tablets and computers (and set-top boxes, smart displays, etc.). These apps act like complex remote controls. Open them up and you can do things like check on the status of an appliance, turn a device on or off, set a temperature, see a live view through a connected camera, talk through speakers, adjust colors and lock a door or close a garage. Behind these scenes, these apps are often supported by the company's own servers and cloud storage. Aqara's app showing cards for security cam views, lights, sensors and more. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Home apps also tend to have lots of menu settings to tinker with things like family profiles, sensor sensitivity levels, geofencing and what AI-powered smart alerts you get. For those who want to go even deeper, apps also let you set smart home routines where multiple devices act simultaneously -- like locking or unlocking doors, disarming security systems and turning on lights all at once. One last important note: These apps come in two flavors. The first type is the app created and offered by the company that created the smart device. These apps can vary in quality, but tend to have the most settings and feature options. The second type is the more central smart home platform, notably Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home. These apps are more streamlined, but you can connect multiple types of smart devices to them (and more all the time, as the Matter standard expands), and they enable voice controls with assistants like Alexa, Gemini or Siri. An Echo Show displays a live camera view of a backyard with an illustrated Alexa voice command. Amazon Does every smart home device need to have an app? Well, usually. Otherwise they probably don't have the extra features we're talking about. But some devices don't require much app use at all, like the Ring-enabled Kidde smart smoke detectors released this year or this SwitchBot air quality monitor. And other times, I'm willing to include no-app products if they have high-tech features, like this auto-adjusting, no-outlet Guidelight 2 LED nightlight. Final words There you have it. These three parts comprise almost any smart home: The devices installed in your home, the connections they use, and the apps we use to interact with them. It's fine to start small with a single device, too. Look for something that can fix a problem around your home that you've been annoyed with for a while, like leaving the door unlocked or not being able to watch your pet. And if you're renting, don't worry -- you can still safely use plenty of smart home technology in a rental. With your crash course in smart homes complete, why not stop by some of our recommendations for indoor security cameras, the smart devices I can't stop using this year, and the best cheap smart devices our editors use.
CNET
6 days ago
- Business
- CNET
This Father's Day Sale From Segway Gets You Up to $200 Off a Robot Lawn Mower
This year Father's Day falls on June 15, which is right around the corner. If you've been wondering what to get the dad or father figure in your life, Segway may have the solution. For a limited time -- June 2 through June 8 -- you can pick up select models of the Segway Navimow i Series i at a reduced rate. Currently you can get the Navimow i105 robotic lawn mower for $849 at Amazon, which is a $150 savings. You can get the same discount on Segway's site -- $849, down from the usual price of $999. The Navimow i105 covers up to 1/8 of an acre of grass, and features AI-assisted mapping and VisionFence image obstacle avoidance. In addition it can climb up to a 30 percent grade. Use the app to check the progress or start and stop the mower. You can also manually adjust the height of the cut between 2 to 3.6 inches. If you need to cover a little more ground, the Navimow i110 is also on sale. You can pick it up on the Navimow site for $1,099 which is $200 in savings. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. With the Navimow i110, you get similar specs to the i105 -- easy control and monitoring via the app, adjustable blade height and the ability to climb a 30% incline. The i110 can mow up to 1/4 acre at a time. In his review of robotic lawn mowers, our home tech editor Chris Wedel noted that the Navimow was great for smaller lawns. "I set up a mowing schedule, and the Segway robot mower does the rest," he writes. "This Navimow saves me about 30-45 minutes of mowing twice weekly. " Why this deal matters Whether it's to save time for relaxing or you're away a lot during the growing season, having a robot lawn mower can be a game changer. But it's no secret that they can be pricey. Saving $100 or even $200 makes a difference. But remember this deal ends June 8 so if you're serious about this mower, don't wait too long.
CNET
23-05-2025
- General
- CNET
Best Pellet Grill of 2025: I Smoked Briskets, Sizzled Burgers and Baked Pizzas to Find You a Winner
While most modern pellet grills have digital temperature readouts and do a pretty good job at maintaining temps, that isn't always the case. Chris Wedel/CNET To determine which pellet grills were best, I wanted to see how these products performed under a variety of cooking scenarios, so I conducted six separate tests with a variety of meats. Based on different meats, methods and heat settings, these tests showed how efficiently and evenly a grill does (or doesn't) cook. Enlarge Image Smoking pork ribs low and slow is a perfect test for pellet grills. Brian Bennett/CNET Test 1: Ribs Before testing the grills one by one, I wired each one with a sensitive thermocouple thermometer at grate level. This sensor was also attached to a laptop running data-logging software. Enlarge Image Nicely smoked ribs should be juicy, tender and deliciously smokey. Brian Bennett/CNET Then, I ignited the grill and set the temperature to 225 degrees F and started recording, and I removed the outer membrane on a rack of pork back ribs and seasoned the ribs with an all-purpose rub I use for ribs and chicken. Once the grill's thermometer reported that it hit the desired temp, I placed the ribs on the grates for at least three hours with the lid closed the entire time. After testing all the grills this way, I tasted the ribs for a quality check, as I did with each meat. Beer can chicken is a great way to add flavor and moisture to your chicken as it cooks over your pellet grill. Chris Wedel/CNET Test 2: Chicken To test a midrange cook time at medium heat settings, I grilled a whole chicken at 400 degrees F. After trimming and seasoning the bird, I inserted one temperature probe into each chicken breast, for a total of two probes per chicken. To keep results as fair as possible, all the chickens were as close as could be to 5.5 pounds. To mix it up, I also tested out beer can chicken to gauge cooking the fowl another way. Standing the chicken upright while cooking presented another level of precision for the grills. With the same methods used to track temperatures throughout the cook, the chickens turned out juicy and delicious over the smoky 350-degree heat. Test 3: Burgers I measured out 5.3 ounces of 80/20 ground beef and pressed it into uniform patties. Those patties then went into a grill basket, and I inserted a temperature probe into the center of each patty at a 45-degree angle. Enlarge Image Cooking burgers at high heat helped us see how a pellet grill sears meat. Brian Bennett/CNET With the grill preheated for 10 minutes at its highest temperature setting, the basket then went onto the grill. After six minutes of cooking, I flipped the basket and monitored the internal temperature. Once the last burger in the basket reached 145 degrees F, which is my personal preference for the doneness of burgers, the batch was finished. In this test, I was looking for the best outside char on the burgers. Burger testing helped point out any hot spots across the grill's cooking surface. Test 4: Pork chops Buying a whole pork loin and cutting your own chops is a great way to not only save money but also get even pork chops for cooking. Chris Wedel/CNET For the chops, I bought a whole pork loin and cut approximately 1-inch thick chops from it. Doing this is not only more economical, it also ensures the chops are equal in thickness, for a more even cook. After some seasoning, the center cut pork chops went onto the grills. Temperatures were monitored throughout the cook over a 350-degree grill using the same methods as with the hamburgers. The chops cooked evenly and relatively quickly, as there were no bones to contend with. Test 5: Boston pork butt A Boston pork butt is ideal for pellet grills, as it absorbs plenty of smoke and yields delicious, pull-apart meat. Chris Wedel/CNET For a longer cook test, I used approximately 6 pounds of Boston pork butts, or pork shoulder, with a mixture of a sweet and savory dry rub with yellow and Dijon mustard as binders. With the pellet grills set to 225 degrees F, each piece of meat got two meat probes to monitor temps. After cooking to 165 degrees F internally, I wrapped the meat in butcher's paper and put it back into the grill until it reached 195 degrees F. Then it was time to let the meat rest for an hour or so. Once that was done, I placed the meat into a tray and shredded it by pulling it apart. I used this test to determine which grills produced the most juicy, smoky and tender pork for sandwiches, mac and cheese and other dishes. Test 6: Brisket Beef brisket can be tricky to cook because it requires a long time at low temperatures to properly break down the fat and meat fibers. Chris Wedel/CNET The final test was an even longer cook, with beef brisket over a 13-hour period. The meat got trimmed and received a treatment of coarse kosher salt, yellow mustard and a smoky beef rub. Then I stuck in three meat probes to keep track of the temps across the large piece of meat. After that, I put the brisket in the middle of the grill at 225 degrees. After about six hours and an internal temp of 165 degrees, I wrapped the brisket in butcher paper and placed it back into the grill. Once it hit 195 degrees, I wrapped aluminum foil around it to help maintain moisture and finished the cook at 225 degrees. The grills produced juicy meat, with a beautiful smoke ring, that sliced up nicely. Being able to maintain even, consistent heat for something like brisket, which requires a long time to cook, is vital for properly breaking down the fat and protein fibers for delicious food.
