AirPods Max are great noise-cancelling headphones with a gorgeous design, sophisticated soundstage, and smart features. But it’s hard to ignore the $899 price tag and unconventional case.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

Apple AirPods Max: $899 at Amazon.com.au →

Apple AirPods Max and the rumors for the future updates

The Apple AirPods Max launched in late 2020, but have been the subject of rumors and speculation for years. With the huge success of the Apple AirPods and AirPods Pro, expectations for Apple’s first over-ear headphones have grown.

Did they live up to the hype? yes and no. Rumor has it that the AirPods Max will be the most advanced wireless headphones ever, with futuristic features like air gestures. If the Apple AirPods Max came with these groundbreaking specs, the $899 price tag might have been easily justified. But that’s not the case yet.

That said, for those already committed to the Apple ecosystem, it has features with excellent audio quality and a great quality of life.

PRO: Audio performance

• AirPods Max sound starts with custom-built 40mm dynamic drivers in each shell, designed to deliver deep bass, crisp mids and clean highs. Moreover, the dual neodymium ring magnet motor helps reduce harmonic distortion to less than 1% at maximum volume.
• H1 chip in each ear – Each chip has 10 audio cores capable of 9 billion operations per second and supports Adaptive EQ for tailored listening and on-the-fly sound adjustments.
• Spatial audio – Essentially surround sound, but for headsets. It supports 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos video content and uses built-in head tracking means to generate sounds related to what you see on the screen when watching videos on your iPhone or iPad.

PRO: ANC and Transparency mode

• AirPods Max features best-in-class noise cancellation and Transparent Mode, so you can hear your surroundings with just a click.

CON: Smart case

• Smart case provides no protection.

CON: Price and switch

• No on/off switch
• Expensive

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The Fitbit Charge 5 is a fitness tracker watch that offers a variety of features such as heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, sleep tracking, GPS connectivity and smartwatch features. It has a battery life of up to 7 days and is also water resistant. That aside, let’s find out if the premium price tag worth the product.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

Fitbit Charge 5: $229.45 at Amazon.com.au →

Fitbit Charge 5 Review: Track Your Fitness and Daily Activity

The Fitbit Charge 5 is a fitness tracker that provides a wide range of advanced features for monitoring and tracking your activity and health. Comes with 2 different band sizes (S and L), the Charge 5 features a heart rate sensor for monitoring your heart rate, activity tracking for steps, calories burned, and active minutes, sleep tracking for insights on improving sleep quality. Additionally, it also offers limited smartwatch features such as notifications, music control, and contactless payments.

Expensive but Better Design and Extensive Features

Compared to its predecessor the Fitbit Charge 4, the Charge 5 comes with a slightly larger display than the Charge 4 and also has an always-on display option, making it easier to read your stats at a glance. Further to that, the Charge 5 offers more smartwatch features compared to Charge 4, such as the ability to control your music as well as make contactless payments. Although the Charge 5 has more features and better design than the Charge 4, but it also comes with a higher price tag. For the price, I do wish it has more options on the watch face.

PRO: Well-rounded quality device with excellent battery life

• Advanced health tracking: Boasts advanced health tracking features such as heart rate monitoring and SpO2 sensors
• Accurate tracking: Accurately track steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, and sleep
• Long battery life: Compared to other premium fitness tracker watch, the device can last up to 7 days on a single charge
• Water resistant: The Charge 5 is water resistant up to 50 meters
• On-device GPS: Comes with built-in GPS

CON: Additional costs required to enjoy full features

• Paid subscription required to get all premium features such as stress and mindfulness as well as sleep insights

CON: Limited features and support

1. Limited app support: The device has a limited number of apps available
2. No voice assistant: The device doesn’t have a built-in voice assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant
3. Limited customization options: The face watch customization options are limited compared to other smartwatches

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The Jabra Elite 7 Pro offers many premium features (such as wireless charging and IP57 waterproofing) at a lower price than many of its rivals. While this makes the earbuds worth buying, their audio or noise cancellation isn’t the best.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

Jabra Elite 7 Pro: $198 at Amazon.com.au →

Price and release date

At a retail price of £198, the Jabra Elite 7 Pro are available in Titanium Black, or Gold Beige colour options.

That’s a pretty competitive price for true wireless in-ears with noise canceling settings and solid battery life. In comparison, Sony’s industry-leading WF-1000XM4 started at $450. Sony’s earbuds have already seen significant price cuts since their launch, and they may be getting close to Jabra’s new earbuds.

PRO: Design

• IP57 dust/water resistance – When it comes to waterproofing, the Elite 7 Pro outperforms its more expensive competitors. Buds are rated IP57. This means it is well protected against dust ingress and can be submerged in water for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter.
• Lightweight, comfortable and secure.
• USB-C wireless fast charging.

PRO: Controls and the companion app

• Excellent controls and customizability – Jabra’s companion app, Sound+, is highly intuitive and offers advanced control and customization for your Elite 7 Pro. The app can run tests to make sure the buds are properly attached to your ear, and you can personalize the level of noise cancellation for your comfort.

CON: Audio performance

• Bass and tremble are too strong which makes the sound heavily scooped. Additionally, it is overpowering and sometimes boomy in the lows, but boosted and sometimes brittle in the highs: All of this reduces midrange clarity.

CON: Not the greatest ANC

• The noise canceling performance is in line with the overall audio performance. It’s good, and very useful, but it’s not the best. While they can handle static noise, but more sporadic noise isn’t filtered as much, and in the end, unwanted interference is greatly reduced but not completely removed.

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The Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet is a lightweight cordless vacuum that’s perfect for cleaning floors. But without additional tools, it lacks versatility.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet Cordless Vacuum: $499 at Amazon.com.au →

Reliable and inexpensive but missing tools and features

Hoover is synonymous for vacuum cleaners. The Hoover Evolve ONEPWR Pet is one of three Hoover’s cordless vacuums currently available. At just under $500, it’s a budget option compared to many of the best vacuums from Dyson and Shark. But there are pitfalls: This vacuum comes with no tools and can only be used on floors that are not suitable for everyone.

PRO: Design

• Large dustbin – Unlike most available cordless vacuums, the Hoover ONEPWR Evolve features a large 0.26 gallon/1.2 liter bin, so you don’t have to empty it as often as many of its competitors.
• Lightweight – Not only is it a lightweight choice at 4 KG, it is constructed so that all the weight is distributed across the floorhead instead of being carried by hand.
• Battery – The removable battery is a nice touch as you don’t have to store the vacuum next to an outlet so you can store it anywhere. In addition, all Hoover vacuums from the ONEPWR range use the same battery which means you could use the batteries interchangeably.
• Clever design feature helps you clean the most awkward spots like under the furniture – The body of the vacuum cleaner can be laid completely flat on the floor while vacuuming.

PRO: Performance

• Powerful suction.
• Excellent pet hair cleaning performance.

CON: Not ideal

• Can only clean floors.
• Bulky plastic construction.

CON: Missing features

• No adjustable suction level.
• You can’t use it as a handheld vacuum.
• Poor air filtration performance.

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The Dyson V15 Detect is Dyson’s most powerful vacuum ever, with such suction power that can pick up dust and dirt with ease. Laser technology highlights dust on hard floors that the human eye cannot see. Furthermore, it counts dust particles, and displays information on a screen if you want to prove your house is spotless. On the other hand, it’s expensive and a slightly heavier than other cordless vacuums.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

Dyson V15 detect Vacuum: $1,399.99 at Amazon.com.au →

A notch above the rest

You sure are an adult when you’re obsessed with vacuum cleaners. But no matter how old you are, Dyson’s latest cordless stick vacuum cleaner, V15 Detect, could turn heads.

Possibly the most powerful, with stronger suction than any of its predecessors. Additionally, it features an LCD display that shows real-time particle counts. Moreover, Dyson’s V15 Detect features a new cleaning head attachment that shines a green laser on hard floors to detect dirt that’s invisible to the naked eye. It is probably the most intelligent high performance cordless vacuum cleaner on the market. It also comes with a range of accessories to help you switch quickly, from vacuuming your floors, to vacuuming junk in your car, to dusting different surfaces in your home. Also, the new anti-tangle attachment keeps hair from getting tangled in the brush roll for less maintenance.

PRO: Attachments and mounting kit

• The V15 Detect comes with various attachments. Box includes Laser Slim Fluffy Cleaning Head (for hard floors), Anti-tangle high torque cleaning head (for all floors), Anti-tangle hair screw tool (for long hair and pet hair). Additionally, you can switch between crevice tool (for edges and tight crevices), stubborn dirt brush (for floors and furniture), mini soft dusting brush (for delicate surfaces and fabrics), combination tool (with brush and wide nozzle). Moreover, a 25.75″ wand (wand part) that attaches to your vacuum and all accessories so you don’t have to bend over. Also included is a wand clip to hold the combination and crevice nozzles to the vacuum for easy access, a docking station that can be mounted on the wall, and a charger.
• Laser – New to the V15 series, the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaning head features a green laser diode positioned approximately 0.75 cm from the floor and at a 1.5 degree angle to illuminate hard floors and remove dust particles that is normally invisible.
• Anti-tangle head – The new anti-tangle high-tangle cleaning head features 56 polycarbonate teeth to keep hair from getting tangled around the bristles.

PRO: Performance

• Suction power – The V15 Detect features a Dyson Hyperdymium motor, which the Dyson claims produces up to 230 airwatts of suction power, and a five-stage filtration system that promises to capture 99.99% of dust particles down to 0.3 microns. It offers more suction power than the V10 and V11, which offer 151 and 185 airwatts respectively in boost mode.

CON: Press and hold button, smaller dust canister

• No continuous on button – you have to keep pressing the button for the vacuum to continually work.
• Average-sized dust canister – The capacity is 0.75 liters. If you have a large house, you might need stop cleaning and empty the trash. Instead, consider one of Dyson’s bigger vacuums, like the Dyson V11 Outsize.

CON: Expensive

• This is one of Dyson’s most expensive vacuum cleaners. So if you’re on a tight budget, we recommend opting for an older Dyson model like the V8. It’s still great at picking up dust and dirt, but it’s not packed with the latest technology.

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The TP-Link Tapo Baby Monitor (C200) offers decent video quality and is easy to set up and use. Although, it doesn’t directly support cloud storage or automatic panning, it does offer a nice set of feature at a low price. If you’re looking for a basic home security camera, or an affordable and flexible indoor IP camera to add to your existing surveillance setup, the C200 might be a solid choice for you.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

TP-Link Tapo Baby Monitor: $56.59 at Amazon.com.au →

Powerful and easy to setup

The TP-Link Tapo Baby Monitor (aka TP-Link Tapo C200) is one of two indoor Wi-Fi cameras in TP-Link’s new Tapo series. Like the cheaper C100, it offers 1080p HD video with night vision. Additionally, it supports motion detection and two-way calling. Unlike C100, which has a fixed field of view, the C200 can pass through a 360-degree horizontal field of view and a 114-degree vertical field of view.

Recordings and snapshots are stored in the camera’s limited memory, but we recommend inserting an optional microSD card with up to 128 GB of storage space. No cloud-based storage for recordings. If you want to store it off-camera, you can set it up using surveillance software that supports the ONVIF standard.

PRO: Features

• Pan-and-tilt support – The camera has a vertical range of 114° and a full 360° horizontal range, so you can see just about anywhere in the room with a tap of the TP-Link Tapo app which is available for both iOS and Android.
• Recording quality – The quality produced day and night is exceptionally clear. The camera can record 1080p video and the built-in 850nm IR LED allows you to see up to 9 meters at night.

PRO: App and value

• Companion apps can make or break a smart camera experience. The TP-Link Tapo app for iOS and Android is thankfully well designed. The app lets you view live streams from your cameras, and review captured footage in a timeline view. Moreover, it lets you use a two-way talk feature to chat with anyone you might see, and disable recording. Additionally, you can enable privacy mode and customize motion detection and alerts too.
• Amazingly wallet-friendly at $56.59 from Amazon AU for all the features the TP-Link Tapo C200 has to offer. Much cheaper than alternative options.

CON: Limitations

• Lack of notification customisation
• Limited scope for automation

CON: Storage

• No cloud storage.

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The UE Wonderboom 3 is an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker that doesn’t compromise on sound quality despite its size. Great battery life, a waterproof design, and the option to pair the two for more powerful performance make for great value. On the other hand, no USB-C connector might be a problem for some. So is this speaker the best one for you? My UE Wonderboom 3 review will help you decide.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

UE Wonderboom 3: $98 at Amazon.com.au →

A solid choice for its size

Despite its portable size, the UE Wonderboom 3 (or Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 ) features impressive bass. In the midst of a plethora of mediocre Bluetooth speakers, UE’s most compact model stands out. It proves that smaller packages don’t have to mean sacrificing speaker performance and features.

If you’re looking for the best Bluetooth speaker under $100, the UE Wonderboom 3 might be the answer. It’s waterproof and has a special setting designed to improve the sound of music in open spaces, making it especially suitable for outdoor listening. Otherwise, 14 hours of playtime should keep the soundtrack moving along with the adventure. It definitely keeps up with my on-the-go lifestyle.

PRO: Durability that lasts long enough

• IP67 durability rating – It can resist dirt, dust and water submersion for as much as 30 minutes.
• The UE Wonderboom 3 has a battery life of 14 hours, which is an hour longer than the Wonderboom 2.
  A small improvement, but still an upgrade that puts it in the best outdoor speakers list. For comparison: The Megaboom 3 lasts 20 hours while the Sonos Roam only lasts 10 hours.
  Moreover, there’s an option for wireless charging available with purchase of dock.

PRO: Performance

• 360-degree sound – Overall, the Wonderboom 3’s sound performance is well balanced even at high volumes.
• The Outdoor Boost mode is an unbalanced feature, but suitable for outdoor listening where there are no walls to bounce the sound off of. Adjusting the sound profile to balance out the bass sounds weird when accidentally activated indoors, but it actually makes a difference outdoors. When you listen on the rooftop of your apartment building, Outdoor Boost will help the sound travel farther and beyond the hustle and noise of the city than when the setting isn’t enabled.
• You can pair 2 of them for stereo sound.

CON: Details

• Small, unhelpful elastic hoop.

CON: Missing features

• No speakerphone.
• No USB-C connector.

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JBL knows how to deliver when it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers. The JBL Charge 4 offers only minor updates from its predecessor, but it’s still a great value wireless speaker. But the speaker is mono.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

JBL Charge 4: $229.95 at Amazon.com.au →

The Verdict

At $229.95 and with a waterproof design, this speaker packs a punch for its size and is small enough to throw in your carrying bag. The bass depth is also impressive. This is mainly thanks to its two passive radiators that ensure richness and power. On the contrary, it has no speakerphone nor a 360-degree sound feature, and the speaker is mono (although this size prevents true stereo separation, which is forgivable).

PRO: Performance

• The Charge 4’s biggest improvement over the Charge 3 is sound performance.
  The Charge 3 excelled at boosting bass, but the Charge 4 is far more balanced in its approach.
• The JBL Charge 4 is also seriously loud. For medium-sized rooms, just playing music at half volume is sufficient to fill the room with sound. At maximum volume, the indoor speaker can be quite loud, but the extra volume is appreciated in noisy environments like the beach.

PRO: IP7X and long battery life

• IP7X rated – Speaking of the beach, the speaker is IP7X rated so you can casually submerge it in water or dust (waterproof and dustproof).
• Long-lasting battery – JBL claims the Charge 4 can last 20 hours on a single charge. You would have no trouble achieving that number while playing music at low to medium volumes. However, if you play loud all the time, expect to deviate a few hours from this rating.
• Can charge your phone in no time.

CON: Audio disadvantages

• No 360-degree sound – This might disappoint those looking for 360-degree sound, but the speaker make the music loud enough for everyone in the room to hear it.
• Mono audio output.

CON: Lack of functions

• No speakerphone function.

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The Echo Auto (2nd Gen) is Amazon’s Echo revamped for cars, but it is still a niche product and won’t appeal to anyone with a modern car. The new design, improved mic, and roadside assistance are cool additions, but they might not be convincing enough to those who own the previous version to make them update.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

Echo Auto (2nd Gen): $29 at Amazon.com.au →

Introduction header

The all-new Echo Auto just made Alexa for your car better. This compact USB powered device adds Amazon’s Alexa to any vehicle for hands-free calling, messaging, navigation and more.
Echo Auto (2nd Gen) also comes with additional mounting options, a redesigned microphone for better hearing, and a car charger that features fast charge via a USB-C.

Our Echo Auto (2nd Gen) review will help you determine whether adding Alexa to your car is worth it or not. Moreover, if you already own the previous version, it will help you decide if you should consider upgrading.

PRO: Redefined design and more mounting options

• The Echo Auto (2nd gen) is much more compact and sleeker looking than the original, offering users an alternative mounting method. Instead of a horizontal layout, Amazon went with a vertical layout, placing the Alexa enable button at the top and the mute button at the bottom. The light bar above these two buttons is also considerably smaller.
• Unlike the original Echo Auto, this new version comes with an adhesive car mount for greater mounting flexibility. The mic is just over 5 cm long, just under 2.5 cm wide, and 1.2 cm high when laid on its side.

PRO: Improved microphones and roadhouse assistance

• The Echo Auto (2nd Gen) comes with fewer microphones than the previous model (8 vs. 5). Although, they are more effective, especially when there is music, wind, or street noise in the background.
• Along with the new device, Amazon also introduced Amazon Roadside Assistance. The new feature will allow drivers to talk to Alexa about road problems, such as a flat tire or an empty gas tank. It enables you to ask for help and is a pay-as-you-go system which means you only pay for the roadside assistance you need.

CON: Limited compatibility

• Alexa can’t respond to or send from third-party message apps natively.

CON: Non-removable cable

• Amazon’s engineers moved the audio jack and other components into the speaker module along with the USB cable, allowing the microphone, light bar and buttons to fit into a more compact body. Unfortunately, the Echo Auto’s cable is no longer detachable. This means you cannot use short cables. However, both the adhesive mount and the optional vented mount have extra space behind the mic where you can wrap the cable.

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Despite being a minor update to the 6 Series, improvements to the 7th gen bring an already great smartwatch to read and reply to texts, see the time when your wrist is down, track outdoor activities and monitor your sleep. It’s not for everyone.

This article is updated for the Australian market regularly to include price changes and product updates.

Apple Watch Series 7: $839 at Amazon.com.au →

A bigger screen makes the best smartwatch even better

The Apple Watch Series 7 offers all the health, safety and lifestyle features of its acclaimed predecessor, but with a larger, easier-to-read display, improved dust and break resistance, and a redesigned charging system which shortens the time it takes to get charged.

PRO: Improvements

• Larger display than previous models – The Series 7 has a slightly larger body than the other models and has very narrow bezels, giving you a lot more screen space.
  At just 1.7mm wide, the bezel is 40% thinner than the previous model, and 60% thinner than the Series 3.
  The 41mm model offers a resolution of 420 x 352 pixels whereas the 45mm model offers a resolution of 484 x 396 pixels respectively. Overall, the Series 7 offers 20% more screen area than the Series 6 and 50% more than the Series 3.
  The always-on OLED Retina display has a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits even when active, making it easy for you to read in both indoors and outdoors scenarios.
• Same Battery Life, But Charges Faster – Apple says the Series 7 lasts 18 hours on a single charge, as do the Series 6, Watch SE, and Series 3.
  Thanks to the new charging architecture, the Series 7 gets its value right away. New USB-C compatibility allows this watch to charge 33% faster than the Series 6. It charges to 80% from dead in just 45 minutes with the fast charging pack.

PRO: Durability and customisation

• Improve durability – The Apple Watch Series 7 is the first Apple Watch to be IP6X certified and completely dustproof.
• New watch colors, faces, and text sizes – Apple Watch Series 7 comes in Blue Aluminium, Green Aluminium, Midnight Aluminium, Red Aluminium, Starlight Aluminium, Gold Stainless Steel, Gold Stainless Steel, Gold Stainless Steel, Graphite Stainless Steel, Graphite Stainless Steel, Silver Stainless Steel, and Silver Stainless Steel.
  Additionally, Series 7 gives you two additional unique watch face options. Both options highlight the benefits of a larger display. Contour and Modular duo.
  Apple added 3 extra text sized for a total of 9 sizes to choose from.
  

CON: Not enough updates and compatibility limitations

• No major feature updates from last generation.
• One-day battery life remains the same.
• Only compatible with iPhone.

CON: No neutral colour options

• No neutral black or silver aluminium colour options.

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