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Tom's Guide
19 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Are smart blinds worth it?
Just about everything in your home can be made "smart" these days, from lights to locks, even your refrigerator and oven. Like other smart home devices, smart blinds are window shades and blinds that can be controlled using an app on your phone, or through a smart assistant like Alexa or Google Home. But, what are their benefits, and are they worth the cost over traditional blinds? Here are three benefits — and three drawbacks — of smart blinds, to help you decide if they're right for you. There are a few potential benefits for smart blinds: Accessibility and safety: If someone has trouble operating blinds manually, smart blinds can be opened or closed using voice commands, through a remote control, or via an app. And, because smart blinds don't have pullstrings, they don't represent a choking hazard like traditional blinds do. Convenience: Smart blinds can be programmed to operate on a schedule, so that they open and close at set times during the day. For instance, you can create a smart home routine where your blinds automatically open when your phone's alarm goes off, and automatically close when you start your bedtime routine. Energy saving: When paired with other smart home sensors, such as smart thermostats, smart blinds can be set to automatically close during hot summer days, or if the temperature increases to a certain level, to help keep your house cool. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. A perfect addition to your smart home, these blinds provide privacy at the touch of a button. They're great for hard-to-reach windows, and you can customize their timing through the free Hubspace app. Want to wake up with sunlight streaming in? Want to make sure your shades are drawn while you're on vacation? All these options are simple and programmable, making your day-to-day even more functional They're not cheap. While they are starting to come down in price, smart blinds are still much more expensive than comparable traditional blinds. Even for the least expensive smart blinds, you can expect to pay at least twice as much as you would for regular blinds. The cost goes up even further if you need custom blinds in a specific size. And, when you consider that most rooms have at least two windows, you're looking at a significant investment if you want to use them throughout your house. They don't come in a lot of styles. Because they're relatively new, most manufacturers only offer smart blinds and shades in a limited number of styles, designs, and colors compared to traditional blinds. However, more options are being added every year. You might have trouble using them if the power goes out. Because smart blinds and shades require electricity — both in their operation and smart-home connectivity — if you have a power outage, you may not be able to open or close your blinds. If this is a concern, look for smart blinds that run on battery power, and can connect directly to a remote control.
Tom's Guide
19 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
The three things you need to look for when buying a smart lock
When it comes to buying one of the best smart locks, consumers are now spoiled for choice. There are now hundreds of different models on the market, starting at prices ranging from $100. But before you go off and buy the first model you see, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. The majority of smart locks are designed to replace the deadbolt on your door. In most cases, this means completely removing the deadbolt and swapping it with the smart lock. However, if you want to continue to use the same keys as before, you should look for a smart lock that only swaps out the interior portion of the lock (August's smart lock is a prime example of this). While this means you won't get such things as a keypad or fingerprint reader — unless they're available as separate accessories — you can keep using the lock as you did before you made it "smart." This may seem a bit silly at first, but one of the advantages of smart locks is that they offer multiple ways for you to enter your home. It'll be up for you to decide which you method - or methods - you want. Here are a few of the more popular entry methods. A smart lock is one of the easiest upgrades you can get for your home. No more fretting about forgetting keys or accidentally locking someone out. You can unlock your door with your unique code or the free Hubspace app. Need to let your house sitter in while you're on vacation? Give them a temporary passcode or let them in with the app. It's simple but secure. Unless your entire smart home will consist of a smart lock, you'll also want to consider how that lock will work with your other smart home devices. For example, when connected via a smart home hub, you can program your smart lights to automatically turn on when you unlock your door, or have your smart thermostat adjust its temperature down when you lock your door to leave your house. If that's your aim, then you want to make sure your smart lock works with one of the major smart home platforms — Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, or Samsung SmartThings. Otherwise, you may have difficulty in getting all your smart home devices to talk to each other. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Mint
2 days ago
- Mint
Best cordless robotic vacuum cleaners in June 2025 for spotless homes: Our top 10 picks
Gone are the days when cleaning meant dragging around a bulky vacuum or spending your weekends scrubbing floors. Cordless robot vacuum cleaners are changing the game, offering a hands-free, time-saving solution for modern homes. These compact, smart devices can clean floors with little to no supervision, navigating around furniture, reaching tricky corners, and even emptying themselves in some cases. Their rise in popularity is no surprise, especially in today's fast-paced world where managing household chores can feel overwhelming. With features like app control, voice assistant compatibility, scheduled cleaning, and powerful suction, robot vacuums are fast becoming a must-have for busy households. They bring not just cleanliness, but convenience, helping you maintain a tidy home even when you don't have the time. Here are the top 10 cordless robotic vacuum cleaners in June 2025. Cordless robotic vacuum cleaners like the ILIFE V3s Max are changing how people clean their homes. Instead of spending hours sweeping or mopping, this device quietly handles the job while you focus on other things. It's smart, efficient, and ideal for everyday cleaning in Indian households. With strong suction, mopping function, and compatibility with Alexa and Google Home, it's among the Best cordless robotic vacuum cleaners in June 2025 for families looking for a hands-off, consistent clean. What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers praise its quality, strong suction, 60-minute runtime, easy use, effective mopping, and say it's great value for money. You should choose this product because it keeps your home clean with minimal effort, even in busy Indian households. When it comes to performance and precision, the ECOVACS Deebot Y1 Pro is among the Best cordless robotic vacuum cleaners in June 2025. With 6500Pa powerful suction, smart LiDAR navigation, and a runtime of over 5 hours, it's designed for large Indian homes. This 2-in-1 vacuum and mop handles everything from pet hair to fine dust and keeps your space spotless with zero manual effort. If you're looking to cut cleaning time without cutting corners, this is worth your attention. What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers say it cleans better than a maid, with smart navigation, easy use, great mapping, and solid performance for the price. You should choose this product because it combines powerful cleaning, long battery life, and smart mapping for hassle-free maintenance. If you're looking for a solid, efficient cleaner that can vacuum and mop at once, the ILIFE V20 fits the bill. Built with SoF navigation, 5000Pa suction, and smart multi-floor mapping, it's one of the best cordless robotic vacuum cleaners in June 2025 for Indian homes. You can control it via app, voice assistants, or remote, whatever suits your comfort. It's fast, accurate, and doesn't just clean, but learns how you want your space cleaned. What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers like its easy setup, intuitive app, decent suction, fine dust pickup, and dual cleaning-mopping feature—all worth the price. You should choose this product because it combines power, precision, and flexibility to handle daily cleaning with minimal supervision. With 6000Pa suction power, automatic dust disposal, and intelligent LiDAR navigation, the Dreame D10 Plus Gen 2 takes the hassle out of floor cleaning. Among the Best cordless robotic vacuum cleaners in June 2025, it's perfect for homes with pets, carpets, or just a busy lifestyle. This robot doesn't just vacuum, it mops, maps, and empties itself for up to 90 days. If you're tired of frequent maintenance, this high-capacity model brings true set-it-and-forget-it convenience. What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers say it offers value for money, but feedback is mixed on build, cleaning performance, and mop needing manual cleaning. You should choose this product because it deep-cleans and empties itself, saving you time, energy, and daily effort. If you're after a truly hands-off cleaning experience, the ECOVACS Deebot N30 Pro Omni is one of the Best cordless robotic vacuum cleaners in June 2025. With a massive 10,000Pa suction power, self-emptying dock, hot water mop cleaning, and ZeroTangle 2.0 tech, this robot doesn't just clean, it does the dirty work after, too. Ideal for homes with pets, carpets, and multiple floor types, it's built to tackle dust, stains, and hair like a pro. What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers find it user-friendly with great cleaning, smart navigation, and seamless use, though some have mixed views on overall value. You should choose this product because it offers full-fledged cleaning, drying, and dust disposal, requiring almost zero manual intervention. For those looking to clean smarter, not harder, the ILIFE A20 Pro is among the Best cordless robotic vacuum cleaners in June 2025. With a powerful 6500Pa suction, advanced LiDAR navigation, and smart app controls, this robot is built for Indian homes with varied flooring and furry pets. It vacuums and mops together, adapts to different surfaces, and resumes cleaning automatically, even if interrupted. It's efficient, customisable, and perfect for households that demand deep, hands-free cleaning. What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers love its quality, easy setup, strong suction, and under-bed cleaning—calling it a great, budget-friendly option with useful virtual demos. You should choose this product because it offers intelligent mapping and strong suction to clean large homes thoroughly with minimal input. The Dreame D9 Max Gen2 is a budget-friendly yet capable option among the Best cordless robotic vacuum cleaners in June 2025. It features a 6000Pa Vormax suction system, a movable brush for carpets and pet hair, and LiDAR-based mapping for efficient coverage. With a 570ml dustbin and mop combo, this vacuum cleaner is built for everyday messes. Ideal for homes with hard floors, carpets, and pets, it offers hands-free cleaning with smart app control. What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers find navigation and suction modes good, but cleaning, battery, and durability get mixed reviews, some doubt its value and long-term use. You should choose this product because it balances strong suction, mapping, and pet-hair pickup at an affordable price point. The AGARO Alpha brings convenience to modern homes with its 2-in-1 dry vacuuming and wet mopping system. With 3200Pa suction, app and voice control, and LiDAR-based smart mapping, this cordless robotic vacuum cleaner offers an efficient cleaning solution for both hard floors and carpets. Easy scheduling, adjustable suction, and customizable cleaning maps make it one of the best robotic vacuum cleaners in June 2025, especially for those looking for solid performance at a mid-range price. What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers praise its sweeping, mopping, and lidar navigation, find it easy to use, but report mixed battery life and overall value. You should choose this product because it offers smart mapping, dual cleaning modes, and app control at a competitive price. Cleaning your home doesn't need to be a daily struggle anymore. With cordless robotic vacuum cleaners like the ECOVACS DEEBOT N20 PRO, you're freeing up hours every week. This robotic vacuum cleaner handles dust, pet hair, stains, and messes without needing your constant attention. From powerful suction to wet mopping, it covers everything, making it one of the best robotic vacuum cleaners in June 2025. If you're serious about clean floors without lifting a finger, this robot vacuum cleaner is worth your attention. What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers find it efficient, user-friendly, maps accurately, cleans dust and spills well, and say it's cheaper than a year of maid service. You should choose this product because it offers powerful, hands-free cleaning with precise mapping and smart mopping in one device. Robot vacuum cleaners like Eureka Forbes SmartClean Vac N Mop are reshaping how Indian homes are cleaned, quietly, efficiently, and without you doing the work. With powerful suction, 3-hour runtime, and NextGen Gyro 2.0 navigation, this cordless robotic vacuum cleaner handles everyday mess with ease. From pet hair to floor stains, it's made for marble, tile, carpet, or wood. This is one of the best cordless robotic vacuum cleaners in June 2025 if you're looking for a reliable, affordable, and smart floor-cleaning companion. What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers find it easy to use and dirt removal effective, but report mixed results on mapping and side brush durability after two months. You should choose this product because it simplifies floor cleaning with smart features, decent suction, and voice control at a great price. Yes, most modern cordless robot vacuum cleaners are designed to work across different surfaces—hardwood, tiles, low-pile carpets, and even rugs. They automatically adjust suction power depending on the floor type. However, if you have thick carpets or uneven surfaces, check if the model has strong suction (above 2000 Pa) and large wheels for better movement. Some advanced models also come with mopping features for hard floors, offering an all-in-one cleaning solution. Robot vacuums are built with low profiles to fit under beds, sofas, and cabinets easily. While their round shape might limit edge cleaning slightly, many models include side brushes that sweep dirt from corners into the vacuum path. Premium models use smart mapping and LiDAR or camera-based navigation to clean every spot efficiently. For thorough edge cleaning, consider vacuums with 'wall-follow' modes or D-shaped designs that are better at reaching tight corners. Battery life varies by model, but most robot vacuums offer 60 to 150 minutes of runtime per charge. This is typically enough to clean a 1BHK or 2BHK flat on a single charge. If your home is larger, look for models with auto-recharge and resume features. They return to the dock when the battery is low, recharge, and continue cleaning from where they left off, ensuring full coverage without your intervention. Suction Power : Measured in Pascals (Pa), suction power determines how effectively the vacuum picks up dust, hair, and debris. For everyday cleaning, 1500–2500 Pa is sufficient, but homes with pets or carpets may need higher suction. : Measured in Pascals (Pa), suction power determines how effectively the vacuum picks up dust, hair, and debris. For everyday cleaning, 1500–2500 Pa is sufficient, but homes with pets or carpets may need higher suction. Battery Life & Auto-Recharge : Choose a model with at least 90–120 minutes of runtime for medium to large homes. Look for auto-recharge and resume features so the vacuum returns to its dock, recharges, and continues cleaning. : Choose a model with at least 90–120 minutes of runtime for medium to large homes. Look for auto-recharge and resume features so the vacuum returns to its dock, recharges, and continues cleaning. Smart Navigation & Mapping : Models with LiDAR or camera-based navigation can map your home, avoid obstacles, and clean efficiently without bumping into furniture. Avoid random-pattern cleaners if you want full, systematic coverage. : Models with LiDAR or camera-based navigation can map your home, avoid obstacles, and clean efficiently without bumping into furniture. Avoid random-pattern cleaners if you want full, systematic coverage. Dustbin Capacity & Self-Emptying : Larger dustbins mean fewer interruptions, but premium models also offer self-emptying docks that store dirt for weeks, perfect for busy users or allergy-prone households. : Larger dustbins mean fewer interruptions, but premium models also offer self-emptying docks that store dirt for weeks, perfect for busy users or allergy-prone households. App & Voice Control: Smart features like scheduled cleaning, no-go zones, and real-time mapping are available through apps. Compatibility with Alexa or Google Assistant adds hands-free convenience. Best cordless robotic vacuum cleaners Suction power Coverage area Controls ILIFE V3s Max 3000Pa Up to 2000 sq. ft. Remote, App, Alexa, Google Home ECOVACS Deebot Y1 Pro 6500Pa 3500+ sq. ft. App only ILIFE V20 5000Pa Up to 2000 sq. ft. App, Voice, Remote Dreame D10 Plus Gen 2 6000Pa Up to 2000 sq. ft. App only ECOVACS Deebot N30 Pro Omni 10,000Pa Up to 1000 sq. ft. App ILIFE A20 Pro 6500Pa Up to 4500 sq. ft. App, Alexa, Google Home Dreame D9 Max Gen2 6000Pa Up to 2000 sq. ft. App only AGARO Alpha 3200Pa Up to 2000 sq. ft. App, Alexa, Google Assistant ECOVACS Deebot N20 Pro 8000Pa Up to 6000 sq. ft. ECOVACS Home App Eureka Forbes SmartClean Vac N Mop Easy 2000Pa Up to 1500+ sq. ft. App, Alexa, Google Assistant Disclaimer: Mint has an affiliate marketing partnership, which means we may get some commission on purchases you make through the retailer sites links provided. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, which is free from any bias or marketing pitch. We strive to provide accurate and unbiased information to help you make informed decisions. We recommend verifying details with the retailer before making a purchase.
The Verge
3 days ago
- The Verge
These teensy multi-protocol relays work with every platform.
All the smart home news, reviews, and gadgets you need to know about See all Stories Posted Jun 25, 2025 at 8:41 PM UTC These teensy multi-protocol relays work with every platform. Shelly's Gen4 relays start at $18 and can automate anything that's wired, from light switches and garage door openers to sprinkler systems and appliances. Designed to fit inside electrical boxes, relays are a super versatile solution for the smart home. Shelly's new line is now available in the U.S., and all the models offer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Matter (over Wi-Fi), so they'll work with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and more.
Android Authority
3 days ago
- Android Authority
Google Home may soon show outdoor weather and AQI in the Favorites tab (APK teardown)
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR An upcoming release of Google Home could soon support Outdoor Weather and Outdoor AQI information in the Favorites tab. Adding the information to the Favorites tab will allow users to quickly control their smart home devices based on current weather conditions. Google recently upgraded the Google Home app with a ton of new features and upgrades, including the ability to set device-specific favorites. All of these work great, but there's always room for improvement. One way Google could improve Google Home is by presenting weather and AQI information to users, which would help build automation around these parameters. We've now spotted code within the latest Google Home release that could bring outdoor AQI and weather information to the app. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Google Home v3.35.55 includes code to add two new options to the Favorites tab: Outdoor AQI and Outdoor Weather. We managed to enable the option to give you an early look: AssembleDebug / Android Authority Unfortunately, adding the options above doesn't currently work, so they don't show up in the Favorites tab just yet. While we don't know what they will look like in the Favorites tab, Google seemingly already shows that information in the Climate tab if you have a Google Nest Temperature Sensor. From what we know, this outdoor weather and AQI information isn't yet visible in the Favorites tab, but based on what we've spotted within the app, it will be coming soon. The option to conveniently see the outdoor AQI and weather would be immensely helpful to many smart home enthusiasts. If users can see that information at a glance, they will be able to quickly take weather-related action. For instance, they can use the weather information to control plant watering systems. They could also control ventilation systems, central fans, and air purifiers based on local AQI, or even sound warnings to the home residents to be careful about leaving windows open. Given its potential utility, we hope to see this information in the Favorites tab soon. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
