Latest news with #homeautomation
CNET
3 days ago
- Business
- CNET
The Security Cam I Recommend to Anyone on a Budget Is 50% Off
As a longtime reviewer, I've tested a lot of security cameras over the years and no matter what brand or retailer you're looking at, one thing is always true: If you want a camera with premium features, it's going to cost you. Prices for just a single camera can easily run $200 or even more. When you're trying to put together a system with multiple cameras, the total price tag can get out of hand quickly. But the second-gen Arlo Essential 2K cam manages to buck that trend. Right now, it's marked down to just $50 on Amazon. That's a seriously impressive price for a camera that offers many of the same features of Arlo's highest-end models. If you're in the market for more than one security camera, the two-pack is currently discounted by 53%, slashing $100 off of its normal $190 price tag. Even better, Amazon recently updated pricing for more multipacks, and a three-pack of cameras is 48% off. That gives shoppers a lot of options for getting the setup they need at a big discount. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. What I like about the Arlo security camera While testing the Arlo Essential 2K Cam, I found the indoor-outdoor wireless camera performs well. The 2K resolution helps gather plenty of details, it's highly weather resistant and Arlo's app excels at walkthroughs on how to set up and use the cam. Other common features include two-way audio, color night vision and a built-in siren. Arlo isn't done yet. The cam's integrated spotlight did a great job of lighting up my backyard -- and if you prefer other smart home platforms, it plays well with Alexa and Google Home, as well as IFTTT (no Apple HomeKit support at this time, but it's a possibility). For more, here are CNET's picks for the best home security systems. Arlo wins at customization in the home security conversation I liked a lot of what the Arlo Essential does but it's not too different from what many other security cameras do -- just surprisingly affordable. I really like Arlo's UI and smart home integration too, with an app that's easy to understand and pop open for a quick look at your home when you're out on the town (and that doesn't even require a subscription). It's the deeper customization features that really impressed me. Those who like to tinker with their home security setup will love the beta-version custom detection options that come with higher-tier subscriptions, in addition to facial and vehicle recognition. I haven't seen custom setups like this on any other security camera before. In my tests, I was able to "teach" the cam AI to recognize when a pet toy appeared on camera or when certain objects were no longer present. I could also use this feature to tell me when the garage door opened or if something valuable (say, a piece of artwork) disappeared. Likewise, the vehicle detection options can tell if a specific vehicle is pulling up to your home. I've never seen anything else like this for those who really want to push their home security to the limits. Arlo's Essential cam is a great deal but keep in mind Arlo's subscription options. Arlo Arlo cams for yourself or others With Arlo's easy and informative setup process, the Essential camera is a great choice even if you or your family haven't tried a security camera before. As long as a user is comfortable trying out a new app and following the instructions, Arlo is an excellent experience. I rate the app and user-friendliness around Blink's level, another one of my favorite camera apps. With indoor/outdoor placement, the camera is also versatile so you don't have to worry about people not finding a place to use it. You could also spend a bit more to upgrade the camera with an extended battery and a solar panel, an effective combo if you want to avoid manually charging the battery as much as possible. It still needs a Wi-Fi connection but this combo is great for out-of-the-way spots like above my garage door or a high point on roof eaves. If you're thinking about getting this Arlo Essential camera as a gift, keep in mind Arlo locks quite a few important features behind its $8-plus monthly subscription, including smart alerts with object recognition and cloud video storage. So while the camera is usable without fees, there's a strong incentive to pay. Arlo does offer a free trial of its services but that could feel like a bait-and-switch to gift recipients who aren't expecting a security camera. If you want to give the cam as a gift, you may want to add some PayPal or Venmo cash to cover at least several months of a subscription. If you're on the hunt for other options, check out our full list of the best home security cameras of 2025.
CNET
3 days ago
- Business
- CNET
This Hybrid Eufy Robot Vacuum Is a Steal at a Record-Low Price of $550
Now that warm weather is here, the last thing you want to do on your day off is clean the house. So why not let this Anker Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum take shorten your to-do list? This advanced hybrid model can both sweep and mop, and you can grab it for a record-low price right now at Amazon. The online retailer is already offering a respectable $200 discount, and you'll save an extra $150 with the promo code EUFYUSX10, dropping it back down to the all-time low of $550. However, this deal could expire or sell out at any time, so you'll want to get your order in sooner rather than later if you don't want to miss out on these savings. The Eufy X10 offers an impressive 8,000 Pa of suction power to remove dirt and debris from your carpets. It comes with a self-charging and self-emptying station it can automatically visit when its battery is low or cleaning is complete. This station holds a 2.5-liter dustbin, which you'll need to replace only about every two months. When docked at the station, the Eufy X10 Pro Omni can automatically wash and dry its included mop pads, so it'll be ready for the next mopping session. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. One of the great things about this robot cleaner is that it can tackle messes on all different floor types. From picking up dirt from your carpets to mopping up tough messes in your kitchen, it's a versatile cleaner that's handy around the house. If you have pets, the auto-detangling roller brush is a helpful feature that automatically loosens and removes hair from the roller brush, so you don't have to pause the cleaning to manually untangle it. With the robot vacuum's AI-powered mapping tools, you can easily create no-go zones and virtual boundaries to set rooms or areas off-limits. The X10 Pro Omni also includes advanced obstacle avoidance, so it can navigate around stuff on the floor to avoid getting stuck or bumping into things like pet water bowls. If you aren't sold on the Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum, explore more on-sale options by checking out our roundup of the best vacuum deals. Why this deal matters This vacuum is back down to an all-time low, making it an excellent time to pick it up. But it's also a good deal because of the smart cleaner's two-in-one capabilities. Instead of spending extra money to buy a robot vacuum and a robot mop separately, you can opt for this multifunctional device to snag one cleaning tool that can handle all the floors in your home.
Gizmodo
6 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Roborock Saros Z70 Review: This Robovac's Robotic Arm Is a Swing and a Miss
Coming out of CES 2025, there wasn't a single product that generated more buzz than Roborock's Saros Z70 robot vacuum and mop, aka the one with the robotic arm. Anybody who's used a modern robovac knows you need to tidy up before the robot can go in and take care of the little bits. The Saros Z70 promised to change that. With a robotic arm that emerges from the top of the vacuum, it's supposed to move pieces of garbage into a box and sort your loose slippers over into a dedicated zone. Unfortunately, not only does it fail to do that nearly every time, but it takes a step backward in its cleaning abilities, too. Not great, especially when we're talking about the most expensive robovac on the market ($2,600), by a lot. At its core, the Saros Z70 is very similar to the Saros 10 and Saros 10R, the latter of which is currently our highest-rated robot vacuum. It boasts a whopping 22,000 Pa of suction power, which puts it at the top of robovacs. It has dual spinning mop pads (one of which can extend away from its body to get right up against walls), which can automatically detach and reattach in the base, depending on whether they're needed. There's a sweeper arm that extends off the side of it to get into corners. The Saros Z70 can vault itself over thresholds up to 4 centimeters (1.58 inches) tall. The base has two large water tanks, a small tank for floor cleaning liquid, and a disposable bag where all the dust and debris get collected. The mop pads are washed with 80-degree Celsius water (176 degrees Fahrenheit) and dried with hot air. Like the 10R, the Z70 doesn't have a 360-degree LIDAR turret on top, but it does have LIDAR beaming out from the front, in addition to cameras and other sensors. Roborock Saros Z70 Putting a robotic arm inside a robovac is great idea, but the Roborock Saros Z70 comes up short in execution. Maybe version 2.0 will work properly. Pros Genuinely cool and innovative robot arm Genuinely cool and innovative robot arm Excellent, maintenance-free dock lasts for weeks Excellent, maintenance-free dock lasts for weeks Intuitive setup and customizable app Cons Robot arm fails to sort items as promised Robot arm fails to sort items as promised Cleans worse than last-gen Roborocks Cleans worse than last-gen Roborocks Buggy Buggy Most expensive robovac by about $1,000 But of course, the main point of differentiation between the Z70 and any other robovac we've seen is the arm, which Roborock calls the OmniGrip. When the robot encounters an object that it recognizes as something it can clear, it announces, 'Sorting item,' and then a plastic panel on top opens up, and an articulating arm with a pincer pops out. The arm is then supposed to grab the object and sort it. The Saros Z70 comes with a small cardboard box with QR codes printed on all sides of it. You set the location of that box inside of a companion app, and the robovac is supposed to carry small items (like balls of paper or socks) over to the box and drop them in. If the Saros Z70 detects a slipper, it's supposed to pick it up and bring it to a footwear zone that you designated in the app. Currently, it's limited to recognizing slippers, socks, and balls of paper, but Roborock says it will be adding to those capabilities in future updates. You'll notice I said 'supposed to' a couple of times. That's intentional. Unfortunately, the Saros Z70's performance was absolutely abysmal when it came to doing its special tricks. It actually did a fairly good job recognizing and picking up balls of paper (though it often failed to see them on my patterned rug), and in the odd cases that it missed, it would make a second attempt and grab it. The problem is in the sorting. I ran more than 40 tests with paper balls and the occasional sock, and it only managed to put a ball of paper into the sorting box once. Once! I worked with Roborock on this, experimented with different box placements, placed the zone in the app differently, and remapped my entire apartment. It was going so badly that Roborock sent me a replacement unit just to make sure that there was nothing wrong with mine. Nope. Each time, the robot would pick up a ball of paper, take it somewhere near the box, and drop it on the floor, usually within 18 inches of the box. It would look right at the box, then turn at the last minute and drop it on the floor. It was maddening. Performance with slippers was even worse. In most of my tests, even though I could see in the app that the Z70 correctly identified them as slippers/footwear, the robovac would just bump into them and nudge them around. A few times, the arm would emerge and it would pick up the slipper, but then it would look around for a second and put the slipper right back down where it was. I tried it with three types of slippers and a shoe on both hardwood floors and carpet, and it had a zero-percent success rate. This is tremendously disappointing. It seems that Roborock is aware of these issues and has already issued a statement about fixes planned for June and July firmware updates, but I can only review this product as I'm testing it, and unfortunately, my reservations about the Z70 extend beyond the arm (no pun intended). One of the key differences between the Z70 and previous Roborocks that we have loved is a new vacuum brush design. Units like the Saros 10R, Saros 10, and Qrevo Curv all feature a roller brush that's split in two in the middle, and the system did exceptionally well at picking up debris large and small, as well as remaining tangle-free even when dealing with long hair. The Saros Z70 has a brush that is just one single roller with a smaller diameter, I'm guessing to make more room for the arm that lives in the robot's body. Unfortunately, the new brush simply doesn't work as well. In my Snack Gauntlet Test (patent pending!), it was more prone to crushing Goldfish Crackers and Cheerios and leaving crumbs behind, whereas the previous units slurped them up with little difficulty. It did even worse with pistachio shells. While that's a tougher challenge, the units with the split brush design still managed to choke them down. With the Z70, they just got pinned between the brush and the floor, preventing the roller from spinning at all. It just dragged them around and made a horrible sound until I came and rescued it. I also found that the Z70's mops were more prone to dripping and streaking than previous Roborocks I tested. The Saros Z70 also appears to have more difficulty with navigation than previous Roborocks we've tested. It often takes slow, inexplicable routes. One time, I used the voice command (which works with Google Home, Alexa, and Apple Home, but also has its own mic and works independently), 'Hello Rocky, clean the kitchen,' and it only cleaned the front two-thirds of my kitchen. When I used the app to have it try again, it also only cleaned the front part. This is after it had no issue cleaning my kitchen more than a dozen times over the last two weeks. I had to command it to clean a special zone at the back, and even then, it didn't get nearly as close to the corner or the edges of the wall as it's supposed to. The Z70 was also pretty hit and miss when it came to avoiding power cords. This is personal preference, but I think the dock is a bit more of an eyesore than it was on the Qrevo Curv or Saros 10 (though it's effectively the same as the 10R). The water tanks at the top aren't covered, and it's just a bit more visually obtrusive. I've also noticed that the Z70 tends to bump into and grind along walls a bit more, which has created some white marks on its front bumpers where paint has rubbed off onto it—I don't love that. The Z70 is supposed to have 'Intelligent Dirt Detection,' which will cause it to go back and re-clean an area that it senses as particularly dirty, but I never saw this happen, and it often left messes in its wake, then returned to the base declaring itself finished. There is a first-person view remote control mode, which you can use to manually pick items up and move them around, which is fun, but ultimately it feels like a novelty. It's so slow that it's not something you'd ever really use when you're home. The real nail in the coffin here is the price. The Z70 was set to debut at $2,000 dollars, which would already make it the most expensive robovac on the planet. But between the initial announcement and the actual availability, Trump's tariffs hit, and boy did they hit hard. As a response, Roborock raised the price of the Saros Z70 to a staggering $2,600. That is a full thousand dollars more expensive than the Saros 10R, and it doesn't do basic cleaning as thoroughly based on my tests. I have a hunch that the engineering team spent so much time trying to get the OmniGrip working that it didn't have the resources dedicated to make sure it got the fundamentals right. If it sounds like I'm disappointed, it's only because I'm really, really disappointed. Robovacs are suffering from sameness. They're all practically clones of each other these days, so I was excited to see something so different finally come through. The Saros Z70 was a huge swing, and I love it when companies do that, especially when it could represent a lot of added convenience for the consumer. Unfortunately, Roborock's first attempt is a swing and a miss. There's potential there if the bot really can improve via software updates, and I hope that it does (though I still have concerns about the new roller brush), but as it is right now, I can only say that the Saros Z70 massively underdelivers on its promises.
CNET
7 days ago
- CNET
Memorial Day Deal: Secure Your Entry Points for Under $100 With the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Taking smart steps to secure your home is a must in this day and age. While cameras and video doorbells help immensely, we often forget about the most important entry point -- your door. Smart locks offer a great way to control who comes in, and right now, one of our favorite options on the market is going for a steal. For Memorial Day, Amazon has the August Wi-Fi smart lock in silver for just $95 -- that's a massive $135 off. If you prefer a darker finish, the black model is also on sale for $110. Just a heads up: this deal is part of the limited-time Memorial Day promotion, and there's no telling how long it will stick around. If you are tired of hiding your keys under the doormat every time you leave the house, don't miss out on this offer. For under $100, you get a sleek smart lock that fits over your existing deadbolt, so there is no need to replace anything. The setup is quick and easy, with installation taking just about 10 minutes. Features like built-in Wi-Fi make it easy to monitor and control, while support for Alexa, Siri, Google, and Samsung SmartThings makes sure you don't have to lift a finger to lock up or set routines. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. The August Smart Lock also has auto-lock and auto-unlock, so it can lock or unlock on its own when your phone is about 200 meters from home. You can choose how soon it locks; immediately or up to 30 minutes later. Plus, if you need to share access with someone, the August app lets you grant permanent, scheduled, or temporary access to friends and family. It also has a DoorSense feature that tells you if the door was left open or unlocked, so you're always in the loop. There's a lot more to like, but the deal is likely going to be around for a limited time only. Hurry before it is too late! Why this deal matters Smart home tech can cost a lot. This deal offers up to 59% off a reliable, efficient smart door lock that will not only protect your property but also provide you with much-needed peace of mind.
CNET
23-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Memorial Day Deal: Brighten Up Your Home With 15% Off This Meross Smart Light Strip
Adding some smart lights can be a great way to not only brighten up your home, but also make it feel more futuristic to boot. Now is the perfect time to dip your toe into the smart home world, with a Memorial Day deal slashing the price of a Meross LED light strip by 15%. The deal means that you'll pay just $34 rather than the usual $40, but you do need to make sure to enter the discount code PFKARPIU at checkout. Just keep in mind that the code won't work forever, so ordering soon is definitely the way to go. This LED lightstrip comes in at almost 33 feet long, which makes it great for all manner of uses. Alternatively, the shorter 16.4-foot one is also available at a discount at just $23. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. This smart light strip is compatible with all of the major smart home systems, including Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings. Voice control is supported, as is using your phone to configure automation, too. Alternatively, you can use the whole thing offline should the need arise. Fans of color will be pleased to know that this light strip supports 16 million color options and the strip can be cut down to the perfect length without causing any issues. Why this deal matters A smart light strip can add some much-needed color to a room, and it's perfect for things like parties. If you're keen to dip your toe into the world of smart devices this is one way to do it without breaking the bank.
