Category: Australia

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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The Apple AirTag is a smart device that’s super easy to set up, and its precise search capabilities make it easy to find everything from keys and wallets to backpacks and luggage. Although, a pretty good product, there’s still room for improvement. Especially in the privacy department.

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

Apple AirTag: $46.95 at Amazon.com.au →

Release Date and Price

The Apple AirTag has been released on April 30th and is available to order.

AirTags are available in packs of 1 for $46.95 or 4 for $152.70. In comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag Plus offers a similar ultra-wideband connection, but costs $67.15 per 1.

PRO: Design and Setup

• About the size of a coat button, the AirTag is tiny at 3.2 cm in diameter and 0.79 cm tall. Weighs just 0.011 kg.
• IP67 rated – This means it can survive up to 30 minutes underwater.
• Easy to setup – After removing the AirTag from the box, pull out the battery tag and hold the device close to your iPhone.

PRO: Performance

• Uses the usual Bluetooth connectivity for proximity finding. But it goes a step further with ultra-wideband.
• AirTag’s Precision Finding feature – iPhone uses UWB to determine the distance and direction to lost items and analyze input from the phone’s camera, ARKit, accelerometer, and gyroscope. All combined can provide visual, tactile, and auditory cues to guide you to your lost item.
• Long lasting battery – Apple claims its battery can last up to a year.

CON: Privacy Concerns

• Apple has built in many security safeguards with AirTags to protect your privacy and prevent tracking, but there is clearly room for improvement.
  To prevent people from being tracked, your iPhone can notify you if AirTags that aren’t yours are traveling with you. It can then make a sound to locate them and explain how to disable them.
  Additionally, if your AirTag is left indefinitely away from you, it will make a sound when moved to alert its presence.
  Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t specify how long it will take to receive this security warning. You’ll also get a security alert on your way home if an unregistered AirTag is detected.
  Please note that you will only receive notifications if you are running iOS 14 or newer versions.
  If you have an Android phone, it can take about 3 days for the AirTag itself to make a sound.
  In a statement to Gizmodo, Apple said, “We may be able to adjust the logic and timing of these wirelessly adjustable features to further improve deterrence.” (Apple has released an Android app).
• Can’t ping iPhone from AirTag.

CON: No Android Compatibility and Design Scuffs

• Doesn’t work with Android phones.
• Design scuffs easily as it is not very durable.

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The Logitech G Pro Wireless offers flawless wireless performance and best-in-class sensors in a simple, streamlined design. But it’s quiet expensive.

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

Logitech G Pro: $127.94 at Amazon.com.au →

Lightweight Excellence

Logitech has been making great wireless gaming mice for years, culminating in the near-perfect Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum. The company went all out with his G900, which features an eye-catching design, interchangeable sides, and an abundance of buttons. But let’s assume you’re expecting the exact opposite of a wireless gaming mouse.
Smooth, simple and light. For $127.94, you can invest in the Logitech G Pro Wireless Mouse today.

The G Pro Wireless looks and feels the exact opposite of the G900, but performs just as well. This small, slim mouse offers impeccable wireless performance and best-in-class sensors, but with a simple, minimalist design that doesn’t add a lot of weight. In fact, the mouse is surprisingly light. Although, the same features that make the G Pro Wireless attractive to tournament gamers can make it a difficult sell for those just looking for a solid wireless mouse.

PRO: Design

• Slick design – At 4.92 x 2.50 x 1.57 inches, the G Pro Wireless is relatively small, but big enough to comfortably hold in your palm or fingernail. The mouse is a fully ambidextrous design and comes standard with a left button, a right button, a clickable scroll wheel, and two thumb buttons on each side.
• Lightweight – What sets the G Pro Wireless apart from the competition is its incredibly light weight. 2.82 ounces (80 grams). The difference is noticeable when compared to the 3.77 oz (107 g) G900 or 3.14 oz (89 g) Logitech G603.
• Suitable for lefthanded users – G Pro Wireless can have anywhere from 0 to 4 thumb buttons and changing configurations takes no more than 30 seconds.

PRO: Useful Software, outstanding battery life

• The software works well and you can control and customise quiet a few features of the G Pro Wireless. You can customize DPI levels, key commands, and RGB lighting across the mouse.
• Logitech estimates that the mouse will last 40-50 hours on a single charge, depending on your lighting profile. The included long braided cable allows you to play while charging and wireless reception seems perfect.
• It mouse moves quickly and accurately.

CON: Divisive DPI button placement

• Although, the G Pro Wireless has a DPI button, it is not located where you’d expect it: Instead of placing it above the right button or below the scroll wheel (the two common places for DPI buttons), Logitech has this placed to the bottom of the mouse.

CON: Pricey

• A bit expensive for the everyday user compared to alternatives such as the G603 or G305.

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Wi-Fi 6 can perform faster and better than the Wi-Fi 5 we are used to, especially in congested network environments. Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the first media streamer under $100 featuring Wi-Fi 6. (It’s also featured in the more expensive Apple TV 4K.)

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

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max: $49. at Amazon.com.au →

Good upgrades for just $10 more.

The $49 Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the same as the Fire TV Stick 4K, but with a Wi-Fi 6 radio and a slightly faster processor. Just $10 extra seems like a pretty good deal, but 4K video is only marginally improved by bandwidth, and Wi-Fi 5 already surpasses it. Thus, if you don’t have a fast internet connection or optimal WiFi conditions, the standard Fire TV Stick 4K is your best bet.

PRO: New and refined interface

• Every app you need – The recently altered Fire TV interface is cleaner than ever, divided into sections. Firstly, home has recommended apps and content. Secondly, search is where to find, and Live is home to the best alternative cable TV apps like Hulu and YouTube TV. To get the most out of your operating system, check out our setup and mastery guides to learn how to use your Fire Stick.

PRO: Performance

• Fast performance – New quad-core 1.8GHz MT8696 processor and 750MHz GPU (upgraded from Fire TV Stick’s quad-core 1.7GHz processor and 650MHz GPU). Apps load in around 9 seconds from a restart phase. Netflix can load in as fast as 2 seconds.
• Excellent picture and sound – Supports HDR10, HDR10+, rich images with Dolby Vision, immersive sound with Dolby Atmos, 7.1 surround sound, 2-channel stereo, and up to 5.1 over HDMI audio passthrough.
• WiFi 6.

CON: Too pushy

• Interface is stuffed with Amazon and ads.

CON: Limitations

• Voice-search doesn’t always work right
• No Apple AirPlay or Google Cast

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