Latest news with #tech reviewers
Gizmodo
23-07-2025
- Gizmodo
It's Time to Stop Sleeping on Your Earbuds' Companion App
There's an app for everything. For tracking how many steps you take in a day; for watching your cat get into mischief while you're at work; for drowning your friends in a constant stream of memes they'll never look at. The list goes on, and, naturally, that very long list includes your wireless earbuds/headphones. Audio companion apps aren't necessarily new—they've been around for a few years now—but they might as well be for most people who own Bluetooth earbuds or headphones. And, you know what? I can't say I blame anyone who doesn't use or even know about their earbuds' corresponding app. I am firmly in the camp of having way too many apps on my phone as it is, and the idea of adding one more feels absurd at best. If it weren't for the fact that I need to know what those audio apps do for my job, I probably wouldn't bother unpacking them, either. But that is what I do for a living, and I have bothered, and I'm here to tell you that you're missing out. There is an unwieldy world of app bloat out there, but don't let that fool you when it comes to audio companion apps. If you can stomach adding one more app to your phone, you'll be rewarded not just with extra features but sometimes with unlocking the true potential of the thing you purchased. One big way audio apps do that is through in-app hearing tests. A major part of whether you like a pair of earbuds or headphones has nothing to do with the buds and everything to do with your personal hearing. Depending on your age and whether you spent a lot of time at loud concerts or working in construction, you hear frequencies differently than others. That means, in order to get the best possible sound out of a pair of earbuds or headphones, you need an audio device that tailors the EQ and tuning to your hearing. And on that front, plenty of earbuds can do just that… with the help of an app, of course. Take the OnePlus Buds 4, a pair of earbuds that I recently reviewed. While the buds sound pretty good out of the box, it wasn't until I bothered to download the OnePlus companion app and went through a short hearing test that I found out how good (exactly) they sound. It wasn't night and day, but it was a huge improvement over the out-of-box tuning, which proves to me that personalized EQ isn't just a gimmick. While all personalized EQ apps are a little different, they usually involve some test that plays a sound and then has you submit feedback on whether or not you can hear that sound. Using that profile, audio apps can then augment the frequencies you struggle with to create a fuller sound profile. And while the OnePlus Buds 4 audio app is the last app I used to do a hearing test, it's by no means the only one out there. If you're a fan of Nothing's earbuds, for example, you can download the Nothing X app and get cracking with that hearing test. Or, if you're like many people out there and you use AirPods, Apple has its own version of custom EQ (built into iOS and not an app, per se) that it frames more as an accessibility feature. This five-minute hearing test only works with the AirPods Pro 2, though—sorry, literally everyone else. But even if you can't take advantage of a hearing test provided by an app directly, you can usually choose a custom EQ inside most apps that fits your particular hearing abilities. My recommendation, if your earbuds don't have a hearing test built in, is to download the Mimi app and have it assess your hearing and then use those recommendations to custom equalize your buds. That's a lot more involved than the former method, but believe me when I say it is worth the effort. If you're as skeptical of bloatware as I am, you might assume that any additional 'content' inside your earbuds' or headphones' audio apps is absolute garbage, but I'm here to tell you that you may want to give that thought another think. Soundcore was the most recent company to surprise me with its audio companion app offerings, and there is a lot going on in there. One of the coolest features inside Soundcore's companion app is a whole lot of white noise. For some people, that may be a big shrug, but for those of us who absolutely, positively need white noise of some kind to get to sleep, it's a veritable paradise. You can choose between white noise sounds with a nature theme like 'Campfire Feast' or 'Ocean Chime,' or even get scientific with 'AI Brainwave Audio,' which takes advantage of binaural beats. If you're not familiar, binaural beats are supposed to trick your brain into hearing certain frequencies that promote focus or relaxation. These are obviously all things you can just search on YouTube if you're feeling the need to relax or tune out noise, but there's something to be said about having them all in one place in an app that you got for free (no ad interruptions, either). And beyond just enjoying free content, having a solid companion app also enables a whole new genre of devices like Soundcore Sleep A30 buds, which extend their battery life to 9 hours by being able to download sounds from their app and play them locally on the buds. Without that app-enabled feature, the earbuds get just 6.5 hours of battery life on a full charge—hardly enough for most people to consider a full night's sleep. Not everyone will want earbuds to help them sleep, but again, without an app, the people who do want them may have a diminished experience. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty clear that no one requires an app to enjoy listening through a pair of earbuds or headphones, but that doesn't mean that ignoring them is the right move. The wireless audio market is incredibly saturated in the year of our lord 2025, which makes it annoying when you're trying to sift through the chum and find out which pair is right for you. On the bright side, it has forced wireless audio companies to find ways of making their earbuds and headphones stand out, and a not-insignificant amount of that effort has gone into apps. If you're wanting more from your wireless audio, give the apps an ear, because you might just like what you hear.
The Sun
21-07-2025
- The Sun
4 Best video doorbell UK 2025
ONE of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to step up your home security is by adding a video doorbell. I've tested some of the best video doorbells out there, and these are the ones that deliver without the fuss. 5 Video doorbells are one of the easiest ways to add security and a bit of style to your front door. I've tested what's out there, from budget models, high-end picks, and everything in between. The best video doorbells deliver sharp video, fast alerts, and reliable performance, whether you're home or not. Some run on batteries, others are wired in, and a few soak up the sun with solar panels, so there's a setup for just about everyone. After spending plenty of time with all sorts of smart home devices, I've seen how well these doorbells play nicely with the rest of your gear. If you're ready to level up your entryway with something smart and reliable, these are the standouts. Read on for my top picks for the best video doorbells right now. How I tested Over the past few months, I've been putting these video doorbells through their paces to see how they hold up in the real world. Since I don't have a wired setup at home, I went with battery-powered and solar models. Using the batteries is easy and suits most homes, but wiring is included if you want a more permanent install. I paid close attention to how easy they are to install, how sharp the video is, whether the app behaves itself, and how smoothly they play with the rest of a smart home setup. After plenty of hands-on testing, these are the standouts worth checking out. Best video doorbells - tried and tested Ring Video Doorbell (2nd generation) 5 Ring Video Doorbell (2nd-Gen), £89.99 on Amazon Pros: Reliable, clear daytime video, works well with Alexa, easy to recharge Cons: Needs a subscription to save footage; night vision is basic Rating: 8.5/10 The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) has been around since 2020, and while it's a few years old now, it's held up well. The design's a bit chunky and the finish shows its age up close, but honestly, it still looks a lot like Ring's newer models; most people wouldn't spot the difference. Video during the day is clear and detailed, with 1080p easily good enough to recognise faces and keep an eye on goings on. At night, it switches to black-and-white night vision. It works fine, but you do lose a fair bit of detail compared to daytime footage. Battery life is solid, with around four to six weeks per charge depending on how much activity it picks up. You'll need to unscrew it from the mount to recharge via micro-USB, but it's less of a hassle than it sounds. It does take a fair amount of time to recharge, around seven to 10 hours, so it's offline for a bit, but with that much runtime, it's a fair trade-off. With the Ring Protect plan (£3.49/month), you get handy extras like person detection and cloud video history. Without it, you're limited to live view and instant alerts. Ring's strength is how smoothly it works with Amazon's ecosystem, so you can chat with visitors on Echo speakers or see the live feed on an Echo Show. It's not fancy, and it shows its age in places, but the 2nd Gen Ring is still a dependable, well-rounded doorbell that covers the basics well, and it's great value if you catch it on sale. It has been replaced by the Ring Battery Video Doorbell at £99, which brings a wider field of view and colour night vision. Video quality: 1080p HD video, Audio: Two-way talk, Power: Rechargeable battery or hardwired (mains), Storage: No internal storage; video is stored in the cloud (subscription required) Tapo D235 5 Tapo D235 Video Doorbell, £102.49 £89.99 on Amazon BUY HERE Pros: Crisp 2K video with wide-angle lens, colour night vision, no monthly fees with included microSD storage, reliable motion detection with smart alerts Cons: Needs a wired chime if you don't use the hub, audio quality is decent but not standout Rating: 8.5/10 The Tapo D235 might not be as widely recognised as some of the bigger names, but it delivers in ways that genuinely surprised me. At around £89 (or less if you catch it on offer), it ticks a lot of boxes right out of the gate. The 2K video resolution is clear and sharp, and the ultra-wide 180° field of view means you can see almost everything at your doorstep, top to bottom, edge to edge. One of the standout features here is the full-colour night vision. It switches automatically depending on the lighting, and in my tests, even late-night footage stayed impressively detailed. Storage-wise, the D235 keeps things simple with microSD support (up to 512GB), so there's no need to sign up for a subscription unless you really want to. That's a huge plus if you're trying to avoid monthly fees stacking up. The doorbell comes with a hub that acts as a chime and strengthens the signal to the camera. Setup is smooth, especially using the Tapo app, which is intuitive and quick to get up and running. Just be aware that if you're not using the hub, you'll need a wired chime setup for indoor alerts. Motion detection is another area where it shines. It uses AI to distinguish people from cars or pets, which really cuts down on false alarms. You can also customise detection zones, which I found useful for reducing unnecessary pings from passing traffic. On the downside, while the two-way audio is functional, it's not the clearest I've tried—it can sound a little tinny depending on background noise. All in all, the Tapo D235 is a capable, smartly priced doorbell camera that offers great peace of mind with minimal hassle or cost. If you're after sharp video, useful smart features, and zero subscriptions, this one's well worth considering. Eufy E340 5 Eufy E340, £159.99 £109.99 on Amazon BUY HERE Pros: Dual cameras give a great field of view, sharp 2K video, colour night vision. Rating: 9/10 The Eufy E340 doesn't mess around; it's a feature-packed doorbell that offers plenty of smart tech without locking you into a subscription. At around £160, it's pricier than some options, but you get a lot for your money. The standout feature for me was its two cameras: one faces forward, and the other points down, so you can see who's at your door and check if your parcel actually made it onto the mat. On that note, the video quality is excellent, delivering 2K footage with full-colour night vision. Even in low light, it captures plenty of detail, which really boosted peace of mind. If you want more than just alerts and two-way talk, but something that genuinely improves your home security, this doorbell is it. Motion detection worked well and was smart enough to distinguish people from general movement. I also found adjusting the detection zones helped cut down on false alarms from cars or trees. There's no subscription needed either; thanks to the HomeBase, footage is stored locally, so you're not hit with any hidden monthly fees. That said, the HomeBase S380 I tested can be a pricey add-on, coming in at around £160 when not on sale. It's a bit of an upfront investment, but it sets you up long-term with no ongoing costs, making it a smarter buy in the long run. The E340 is on the larger side, so it's not the most discreet doorbell, but with all the tech it packs in, that's a fair trade-off. After spending time with it, it's a highly capable doorbell that nails the essentials, offers strong security features, and won't tie you into a subscription. Video quality: Dual-cam 2K with colour night vision, Audio: Two-way talk works well, Power: Battery or wired, Storage: Local (via HomeBase or SD), no subscription needed Ezviz EP3x Pro 5 Ezviz EP3x Pro, £129.99 £94.99 on Amazon BUY HERE Pros: Straightforward installation, clear 2K video quality with colour night vision, free 32GB built-in storage (no subscription), solar-powered with USB-C backup Cons: Slightly bulky design, notifications can occasionally lag Rating: 9/10 The Ezviz EP3x Pro is a new name to me, but it's left quite an impression. This video doorbell doesn't just compete with household names like Ring, it challenges them in ways that make you wonder why you'd pay for subscriptions elsewhere. At £129.99 (or £99.99 during sales), it boasts an impressive 2K video quality, including colour night vision, which is ideal for capturing clear footage at any time of day. But what really sets it apart is the free 32GB built-in storage, meaning no subscription fees or ongoing costs to worry about. That's a breath of fresh air in a market where monthly fees are often the norm. Adding to its appeal, the EP3x Pro is solar-powered, which is brilliant for me as I don't have a wired set-up and means I can avoid constantly charging batteries. Though there is a USB-C backup option for cloudy days, in my experience, there's always enough battery in the tank. Installation is as simple as it gets, with options for adhesive strips or screws, and the Ezviz app walks you through the setup with ease. The two-way audio is another handy feature, letting you speak directly to visitors or delivery drivers. That said, the design might not be to everyone's taste; it's a bit on the bulky side, so it may not suit slimmer or more traditional doorframes. I also had the occasional delay in notifications, which could mean you're left hanging for a moment longer than expected. Still, for affordable home security without the hidden costs, the Ezviz EP3x Pro is a solid choice that's hard to beat. Video quality: 2K resolution and colour night vision, Audio: Two-way talk, Power: Solar-powered with USB-C backup, Storage: Free 32GB built-in storage (6 months of recordings) Best video doorbells FAQs What is the best video doorbell to buy? It depends on what you're after; Ring is one of the most popular choices and a reliable one, with a large ecosystem of devices to play with. For a budget-friendly option that still delivers, Tapo punches above its price, with AI integration and microSD storage options. If you prefer no monthly fees and local storage, Ezviz and Eufy offer some of the best options, and come with impressive 2K cameras and a two-way field of view. What doorbell camera has the best video quality? If crystal-clear video is your top priority, Eufy tends to stand out with its 2K resolution on some models, offering sharp and detailed footage. Ring's higher-end models also deliver crisp video, especially in various lighting conditions. Tapo and Ezviz do surprisingly well for their price, but if we're talking pure video quality, Eufy edges ahead. Where to buy video doorbells You can pick up video doorbells pretty much anywhere these days, with retailers like Amazon, Currys, and Argos usually stocking a good selection. You'll also find them directly from the brands' websites. How does a video doorbell work? A video doorbell replaces your regular doorbell but adds a camera, microphone, and speaker. When someone presses the button (or sometimes just approaches), the camera starts recording and sends an alert to your phone. You can see, hear, and talk to whoever's there, even if you're not. Most models connect via Wi-Fi and save footage either to the cloud or locally, depending on the brand. How long does the Ring video doorbell battery last? Ring's battery lasts anywhere from two to six months before needing a recharge, but varies based on how busy your door is. More motion alerts, cold weather, and frequent live viewing can drain it faster, but it'd be a doddle to pop the battery out and recharge it. Once you've got one, you're set for the long haul; Ring says most models last up to five years or around 500 charge cycles. Which is better, wired or wireless video doorbells? It really comes down to what works best for your home setup, as both have their perks. Wired doorbells mean no charging and quicker alerts, but installation can be fiddly or require an electrician. Wireless models are easier to set up (ideal for renters), but you'll need to recharge every few months, which means some downtime. Is it better to get a video doorbell or a security camera? They serve slightly different purposes; a video doorbell is perfect for keeping an eye on your front door, seeing packages arrive, and chatting with visitors. A security camera covers wider areas like your driveway, backyard, or side of the house, and having both is usually ideal for full home surveillance. But if you're starting with one, a video doorbell is a great first step. Are video doorbells waterproof? Mostly, yes. They're designed to handle rain, snow, and general UK weather. That said, they're water-resistant, not waterproof, so while they'll cope with the elements, don't go dunking one in a bucket.
