Even as Sonos’ upcoming high-end soundbar brings new features to the table, including a new speaker technology that promises to double the bass performance of its predecessor, the Arc Ultra appears set to leave some older Sonos products behind.  Namely, the Play:3 and Play:1 speakers, which have worked as surround speakers for all of Sonos’ previous soundbars, won’t perform the same trick for the new Arc Ultra.  Also dropped from the list is the Connect:Amp, a device that allows Sonos systems to connect to traditional wired speakers (a newer version of that product, the Amp, is still compatible), along with the first-generation Ikea Symphonisk bookshelf and table lamp speakers.  Meanwhile, there’s some confusion about the second-generation Play:5 speaker, which is listed as a compatible surround speaker on the Arc Ultra product page but not on Sonos’ support site. We’ve asked Sonos for clarification.  Sonos’ line of soundbars, including the Arc, the Beam, and the Ray, will work perfectly fine on their own. But you can add greater depth and width to their sound by pairing them with a matching set of two other Sonos speakers, which can then act as surround channels.  For example, you can connect a pair of Sonos One speakers to, say, the Sonos Arc, thus giving that all-in-one soundbar true surround-sound channels.   Now, you can do the same thing with the Arc Ultra, pairing it with such speakers as the Sonos One, the Era 100, or even passive speakers speakers wired to the Sonos Amp.  But while all previous Sonos soundbars have worked with such Sonos speakers as the Play:1 and the Play:3, the Arc Ultra is the first to drop support for those older products.  To be fair, the Sonos Play 1 and Play 3 are older speakers. The Sonos Play:1 came out back in 2013, while the Play:3 first arrived two years earlier. That’s an eternity as far as wireless networked speakers go.  That said, both the Play:1 and Play:3 (which landed with original list prices of $199 and $299 respectively) are still supported by the current Sonos app. (Several other “legacy” Sonos speakers were left behind, including the first-generation Play 5, although they can still be used with a separate app).  It also means that loyal Sonos users who might have considered repurposing their older Play:1 and Play:3 speakers as surrounds for the Arc Ultra, and then replacing those older units with newer Era 100 or 300 speakers, won’t have that option.  Sonos announced the Arc Ultra on Wednesday, and the new $999 soundbar packs a technology called Sound Motion that promises to greatly enhance the unit’s bass response.  Sonos is also still rebounding from the botched relaunch of the Sonos app, which landed in May saddled with buggy performance and a long list of missing features.   Sonos has apologized repeatedly for the disastrous app launch, stating that a recent update will “reintroduce” 90 percent of the missing features. 

Sunseeker is bringing its excellent onboard intelligence to three new robot mower models now on display at the Equip Exposition landscaping convention in Louisville, KY, including a new top-of-the-line model that’s capable of handling spreads of up to 3 acres. The manufacturer announced the entry-level X3, the mid-range X5, and the beast with the staggering range described above—thanks in part to being equipped with two 10Ah batteries—the X7 Pro. That all-wheel-drive model is the big brother to the Orion X7 TechHive reviewed earlier this summer. The AWD X5 slots in right behind existing X7 and can mow up to half-acre yards; it has the same 5Ah battery as the base model X7. The rear-wheel-drive X3, meanwhile, has a 7.87-inch cutting radius—roughly half that of the X7—and carries a 4Ah battery. It can handle up to 0.2-acre yards. The only features missing from Sunseeker’s lower-end X5 and X3 models are enhanced Wi-Fi, in-app cutting-height adjustment, and dual cutting plates (most robot mowers use a single plate). The best part of the Sunseeker platform, its onboard AI, remains. This is typically one of the first corners a manufacturer cuts when focusing on cost reduction to build a more-affordable product, so we’re very excited to see how these new mowers perform. Sunseeker Sunseeker Sunseeker The move to reduce prices without sacrificing features should help Sunseeker gain some market share here in the U.S. Robot mowers have been around for more than a decade, but they’ve only achieved widespread acceptance in Scandinavian countries to date; Americans have largely stuck by their traditional mowers. While some of this has had to do with home-field advantage (market-leader Husqvarna is based in Sweden), prices have also been a barrier. Just 5 years ago, the average robot mower cost several thousand dollars. Today, you’ll find capable models going for less than $1,000. While Sunseeker didn’t immediately announce prices for these new mowers, filling out its product line with two models below the $2,400 X7 (and just one above it) indicates the company is looking to expand its appeal. What’s more, the company also announced a new S-series of robot mowers that will be sold at retail (e.g., home improvement stores). The X-series will only be available at authorized dealers. The growing season is rapidly coming to an end, but we hope to get Sunseeker’s new robot mowers in for testing next year. We’re not attending the Equip Exposition in person this year, but we’ve reached out to Sunseeker to ask about pricing and will update this story with those details as soon as we hear back.

Just like with hockey and baseball, your options for watching local NBA games this year can vary drastically based on where you live. In 2024, there are 23 NBA teams with standalone streaming options, allowing you to watch in-market games without an expensive pay TV package. Six NBA teams are also broadcasting local games over the air, so you can watch for free with an antenna (don’t miss TechHive’s top TV antenna recommendations). Meanwhile, a handful of pay TV holdouts remain. In five cities—primarily those served by regional NBC Sports networks—your only legal option is to sign up for a bloated bundle. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone provided a single page on which to look up your local NBA team and see what you needed to watch in-market games without cable for the 2024-2025 season? That is precisely the service we are providing right here. (If you missed it, here’s a similar resource for this season’s NHL coverage.) NBA in-market streaming options: An overview for 2024-2025 Below is a chart showing every National Basketball Association team, its corresponding local channel or regional sports network, the live TV streaming services that carry those channels, and whether any standalone alternatives exist. Note that these options only apply for locally televised, in-market games. We’ll get to the options for nationally televised games—including most playoff coverage—in a bit. If you find this chart difficult to read, you can also view a version on Google Sheets. NBA TeamLocal channel/RSNStreaming bundle optionsUnbundled optionsAtlanta HawksBally Sports SoutheastDTV Stream, FuboBally Sports+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Boston CelticsNBC Sports BostonYTTV, Hulu Live, Fubo, DTV Stream–Brooklyn NetsYES NetworkDTV Stream, FuboYES on Gotham Sports ($25/mo or $240/yr)$360/yr with MSGCharlotte HornetsBally Sports SoutheastDTV Stream, FuboBally Sports+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Chicago BullsChicago Sports NetworkDirecTV StreamFree over-the-airCleveland CavaliersBally Sports OhioDTV Stream, FuboBally Sports+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Dallas MavericksBally Sports SouthwestDTV Stream, FuboBally Sports+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Denver NuggetsAltitude SportsDirecTV Stream, FuboAltitude+ ($20/mo)20 games over-the-air (9News and My20)Detroit PistonsBally Sports DetroitDTV Stream, FuboBally Sports+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Golden State WarriorsNBC Sports Bay AreaYTTV, Hulu Live, Fubo, DTV Stream–Houston RocketsSpace City Home NetworkDTV Stream, Fubo–Indiana PacersBally Sports IndianaDTV Stream, FuboBally Sports+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Los Angeles ClippersBally Sports SoCalDTV Stream, FuboClipperVision ($20/mo or $125/yr)Los Angeles LakersSpectrum SportsNetDTV StreamSpectrum SportsNet+ ($20/mo or $195/yr)Memphis GrizzliesBally Sports SoutheastDTV Stream, FuboBally Sports+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Miami HeatBally Sports SunDTV Stream, FuboBally Sports+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Milwaukee BucksBally Sports WisconsinDTV Stream, FuboBally Sports+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Minnesota TimberwolvesBally Sports NorthDTV Stream, FuboBally Sports+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)New Orleans PelicansGulf Coast Sports & Entertainment NetworkFuboPelicans+ ($15/mo or $100/yr)Free over-the-airNew York KnicksMSG NetworkDTV Stream, FuboMSG on Gotham Sports ($30/mo or $280/yr)$360/yr with YESOklahoma City ThunderBally Sports OklahomaDTV Stream, FuboBally Sports+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Orlando MagicBally Sports FloridaDTV Stream, FuboBally Sports+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Philadelphia 76ersNBC Sports PhiladelphiaYTTV, Hulu Live, Fubo–Phoenix SunsArizona’s FamilyFuboSuns Live ($15/mo or $100/yr)Free over-the-airPortland Trail BlazersRip City TV Network–BlazerVision ($120/yr)Free over-the-airSacramento KingsNBC Sports CaliforniaYTTV, Hulu Live, Fubo, DTV Stream–San Antonio SpursBally Sports SouthwestDTV Stream, FuboBally Sports+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Toronto RaptorsTSN–TSN ($20/mo, $80/half-year, $120/yr)Utah JazzKJZZ14DTV StreamJazz+ ($20/mo or $125.50/yr)SEG+ (Utah HC bundle, $175/yr)Free over-the-airWashington WizardsNBC Sports WashingtonYTTV, Hulu Live, DTV StreamMonumental ($20/mo or $200/yr)Note: DTV Stream stands for DirecTV Stream, and YTTV stands for YouTube TV. Out-of-market NBA streaming As in previous years, NBA League Pass lets you watch any out-of-market game that isn’t nationally-televised. If your favorite team plays in a different city from where you live, you can forgo the regional sports options above and get League Pass instead. It costs $17 per month or $110 for the season. What about nationally televised games? The unbundled options above won’t entitle you to NBA games that air on national television, including the playoffs and in-season tournament (now dubbed the “Emirates NBA Cup”). Those games are split between ESPN, ABC, and TNT, with a small number of playoff games on NBA TV, so figuring out the best course of action can get tricky. TNT’s basketball coverage is still included with Max at $10 per month with ads or $17 per month without. While Warner eventually plans to charge an extra $10 per month for live sports, it’s not doing so yet. NBA TV is available on a standalone basis through NBA League Pass, which also includes out-of-market games. It costs $17 per month or $110 for the season. As for the other channels, you could try to pick up ABC’s coverage with an antenna, but that still doesn’t help you with the games on ESPN. All of which brings us to live TV streaming services, which are the best way to bundle everything together: Sling TV Orange is the cheapest option at $40 per month (plus an extra $11 per month for NBA TV), but it’s missing ABC in all but a handful of markets. YouTube TV is a more complete option at $73 per month. Hulu + Live TV costs $83 per month but does not carry NBA TV. Fubo includes regional sports in many markets, but is much pricier at $92 per month (or more, depending on regional sports fees) and lacks TNT, a major source of NBA coverage. DirecTV Stream also includes regional sports for most markets in its “Choice” package, but it’s expensive at $115 per month. Ultimately you’ll have to decide whether to piece things together (or even forgo some NBA coverage) in pursuit of greater savings, or pay more for the convenience of a bigger bundle. For more help navigating the streaming sports landscape, check out these useful tools. And consider signing up for my Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter to get money-saving streaming advice every Friday.

There’s nothing quite like the tedium of vacuuming floors. While it doesn’t come with the ick factor of scrubbing toilets, pushing and dragging a noisy, cumbersome vacuum remains its own kind of torture. Fortunately, robot vacuums are here to do that thankless task for us–and an increasing number of models can mop your floors, too. Once you’ve dealt with the initial setup, robot vacuums require little effort to manage. They don’t have unwieldy cords to wrangle or hoses to contend with, and you can run one from your couch using a physical remote or smartphone app. Pricier models can even be programmed to wake up and start cleaning without any intervention at all. Why you should trust us TechHive’s editors and contributors have been testing robot vacuums for years, and we frequently evaluate the latest hardware, along with their accompanying mobile apps. We’ve checked out single-purpose robot vacuums, hybrid robot vacuums with mopping functionality, robovacs with self-emptying base stations, and vacuums that can map your floors as well as scoot around obstacles. You can trust us to guide you to the right robot vacuum for your needs. Updated October 16, 2024 to add a link to our Yeedi C12 Combo review. A vacuum-and-mop combo that comes with its own stick vacuum, the Yeedi C12 Combo excels at busting dust, while its base station can empty both the robot vacuum and the stick vac. That said, the C12 Combo’s mopping performance wasn’t as efficient as we’d like. We’ve also added a link to our Roborock Qrevo Plus review. This mid-range Roborock model boasts a powerful 7,000 Pa of suction and does a great job at mopping, but it does struggle with cords and other small obstacles. Finally, we’re adding a link to PCWorld’s story on 7 revolutionary robot vacuum features. If you though self-emptying vacuums were cool, check out the latest bots that can hoist themselves over door thresholds, extend robotic arms to reach dust particles tucked in corners, apply elbow grease to stubborn floor stains, and more.  Our top picks in robot vacuums and vac/mop combos iRobot Roomba j9+ — Best robot vacuum overall Pros Excellent obstacle detection/avoidance Detects dirt levels and prioritizes room cleaning accordingly Impressive cleaning peformance Cons PrecisionVision navigation feature depends on ambient light Many app controls buried in sub-menus Price When Reviewed: £949.00 Best Prices Today: £753.49 at Amazon£949 at iRobot Why we like the iRobot Roomba j9+ With its new flagship, the Roomba j9+, iRobot has taken the best features of its predecessor and added a new superpower: the ability to identify and prioritize the dirtiest rooms in your home. The Roomba j9+ can also spot and avoid obstacles on the floor (including pet poop), and it now comes with a more compact self-emptying Clean Base. The result is a truly automated cleaning experience that should be welcome in any household. Who should buy the iRobot Roomba j9+ With its terrific suction power, self-emptying base, and ability to avoid obstacles, the iRobot Roomba j9+ is a great choice for anyone shopping for a robot vacuum. Yes, the Roomba j9+ is expensive, but we believe the robot’s ability to complete vacuuming jobs and empty its dustbin without human intervention makes it well worth the money. Just keep in mind that the Roomba j9+ is a robot vacuum only, not a hybrid vacuum/mop. Read our full Roomba j9+ review Eufy X10 Pro Omni — Best robot vacuum/mop combo for pet owners Pros Thorough, balanced vacuuming and mopping Excellent obstacle avoidance Auto-detangling brush Requires little hands-on attention from user Cons Large base station Self-cleaning functions are noisy Price When Reviewed: £799 Best Prices Today: £799 at Amazon£799 at Currys£799 at Very Why we like the Eufy X10 Pro Omni Eufy’s X10 Pro Omni is one of the latest vacuum and mop combos to promise a hands-off cleaning experience, courtesy of an AI-enhanced robot and a self-maintaining base station, and we’re happy to report that it mostly delivers. The X10 Pro Omni does an impressive job of navigating floors and avoiding obstacles, and besides emptying its own dust bin and cleaning its mop heads, the robot can even detangle its roller brush, perfect for dealing with pet hair. Who should buy the Eufy X10 Pro Omni With its self-cleaning abilities and navigational prowess, the Eufy X10 Pro Omni should appeal to a wide range of robot vacuum shoppers, but the bot’s auto-detangling brush makes it a must-have for pet owners. Even better, the price is right. Read our full Eufy X10 Pro Omni review Wyze Robot Vacuum — Best budget robot vacuum Pros Includes laser mapping and room customization Three suction levels Advanced features at a budget price Cons Easily gets stuck under low-slung furniture Can’t be controlled with voice commands (Alexa or Hey Google) No specialty cleaning modes Best Prices Today: $274.99 at Wyze Labs£290.66 at Amazon Why we like the Wyze Robot Vacuum Wyze delivers a raft of top-shelf features not typically available in budget robot vacuums. Its LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor, for example, enables it to build an editable floor map of your space. That’s typically a perk of robot vacuums in the $400 to $800 range. Same goes for its ability to section that map into multiple rooms and dispatch the vacuum to any one of them. Who should buy the Wyze Robot Vacuum On a budget, but looking for a robot vacuums that’s a tad more sophisticated than a basic bump-and-run model? Give the Wyze Robot Vacuum a try. Packing LiDAR-enabled floor mapping and the ability to add virtual walls to the map, the Wyze Robot Vacuum delivers a lot of vacuum for the money. You will miss out on features like a self-emptying dock and mopping, but that’s not surprising given the vacuum’s sub-$300 price tag. Read our full Wyze Robot Vacuum review Eufy Clean L60 — Best budget robot vacuum, runner-up Pros Affordable Tough on pet hair Accurate room mapping Great battery life Cons Missed larger debris So-so obstacle avoidance Why we like the Eufy Clean L60 Like the Wyze Robot Vacuum, the Eufy Clean L60 is a budget robot vac with an ace up its sleeve: LiDAR navigation, which allows it to map your floors and set up “no-go” zones. Rated at up to 5,000 Pa, the L6 offers plenty of suction power, and it excels at busting pet hair. The exceptional battery life is another plus. Who should buy the Eufy Clean L60 If you’re on a budget but still want a robot vacuum that can map your floors, the Eufy Clean L60 makes for a great choice. The vacuum will also please pet lovers with its prowess at picking up pet hair, and it even cleans well in carpeted rooms. iRobot Roomba Combo J9+ — Best robot vacuum/mop combo Pros Retractable mop arm keeps carpets dry New Clean Base design blends in with home furnishings Recognizes and prioritizes dirtiest areas Cons Companion app’s maps are basic and many controls are buried in sub-menus Mop pads must be cleaned manually Expensive Price When Reviewed: £1,249 Best Prices Today: £1,001.59 at Amazon£1249 at iRobot Why we like the iRobot Roomba Combo J9+ With new intelligent automation features and an attractive new Clean Base, the Roomba Combo J9+ vac/mop hybrid further refines iRobot’s flagship product. The robot vac/mop combo can identify the dirtiest areas of your home’s flooring and will automatically spend extra time cleaning them more intensely. And pet owners will appreciate its ability to recognize–and automatically avoid–any pet waste in its path. Who should buy the iRobot Roomba Combo J9+ If you like everything about the iRobot Roomba j9+ robot vacuum, but want a smart appliance that can also mop your hard-surface floors, the Roomba Combo J9+ should be on your short list. It’s an excellent vacuum and its retractable mop arm will prevent its mopping function from wetting your rugs and carpeting while it’s scrubbing your kitchen, bathroom, and other bare floors. Read our full iRobot Roomba Combo J9+ review Roborock S8+ — Best robot vacuum/mop combo, runner-up Pros Powerful suction Excellent navigation and obstacle avoidance Highly customizable maps Cons Mopping struggles to remove sticky gunk and stains Expensive Price When Reviewed: Not yet available in the UK Why we like the Roborock S8+ The Roborock S8+ is an efficient cleaner with loads of customization options. While its wet cleaning can’t compete with an old-fashioned stick mop, it’s does the best job of the many mopping robot vacuums we’ve tested. Overall, it’s a superior option for supplementing your regular cleaning routine. Who should buy the Roborock S8+ The Roborock S8+ is a reasonably priced choice for those who want a robot vacuum that can also do a little light mopping. No question, the Roborock S8+ is a better vacuum than it is a mop–for the latter, it just drags a wet cloth across the floor, meaning it will struggle with deep stains. That said, the S8+ will add some polish to vacuum jobs, which it does with LiDAR-powered navigation and an impressive 6000 Pa of suction. Read our full Roborock S8+ review Dreame X40 Ultra — Most sophisticated robot vacuum Pros Excellent vacuuming and mopping performance Empties its dustbin and sanitizes its mops Accurately detects and avoids obstacles Cons Mop heads tend to get stuck on carpet edges Expensive Price When Reviewed: £1,299 Best Prices Today: £1299 at Dreame Why we like the Dreame X40 Ultra The Dreame X40 Ultra maintains the sleek, minimalist design of its predecessor but has enhanced features under the hood, including better suction power, improved navigation, hotter water temperatures for cleaning its mopping pads, and even a robotic arm for extending the side brush deeper into corners. Who should buy the Dreame X40 Ultra With its $1,899.99 list price, the Dreame X40 Ultra is one of the pricier robot vacuum combos we’ve tested, so if you’re on a budget, look elsewhere. Otherwise, this new flagship should be just the ticket for homeowners with large spaces to clean, and especially dwellings with multiple floor types. Read our full Dreame X40 Ultra review Narwal Freo Ultra X — Most sophisticated robot vacuum, runner-up Pros Great vacuuming and mopping performance Excellent obstacle avoidance Automatically cleans its mop heads Disposable dust bags hold up to 7 weeks of debris Cons No self-emptying dustbin Very large base station Expensive Why we like the Narwal Freo Ultra X It’s expensive, and its jumbo-sized base station lacks self-emptying functionality. But if you hate vacuuming and mopping and want some automated help, the Narwal Freo X Ultra is one of the most sophisticated floor cleaners we’ve tested. This feature-packed vac delivers top-notch vacuuming and mopping performance, cleans its own mop heads, and expertly dodges obstacles. Who should buy the Narwal Freo Ultra X As you might expect, the Narwal Freo Ultra X is expensive, making it better suited for robot vacuum shoppers with deep pockets. The robot also comes with an exceptionally large base station, so you’ll need plenty of space in the area where the Freo Ultra X calls home. Read our full Narwal Freo X Ultra review How we test robot vacuums To help you determine which ones are worth the expense, we tested models from some of the most popular brands in a real-world lab: my home, where the floors are punished daily by two kids, three cats, and a dog. I tasked each one with vacuuming a 400-plus square-foot space that includes low-pile carpet, hardwood flooring, and linoleum that was regularly littered with food crumbs, pet hair, tracked-in dirt, stray cat litter, and other debris. To maintain the real-world environment, each model also had to contend with random floor clutter during several cleanings. Read more about how we test robot vacuums and mops at TechHive. What to look for when shopping for a robot vacuum These are some of the top features and characteristics to consider when looking for a robot vacuum. Naturally, not all of the features below will be available at every price point. For example, we wouldn’t expect a sub-$200 “bump-and-run” model to offer Wi-Fi connectivity or an obstacle avoidance system. On the other hand, we would expect a top-of-the-line robot vacuum to pack a self-emptying base station, room mapping capabilities, and even the ability to both vacuum and mop. Size The dimensions of a robot vacuum matter for a couple of reasons. First, they will determine how well it can get into tight spots, such as under your kitchen cabinets and low-clearance furniture (couches and recliners). If it’s too tall, it won’t be able reach into these spots, or worse, it will get in and get stuck until you physically free it. Second, the bigger the robot vacuum, the larger the dustbin. Robot vacuums don’t use expandable bags like many of their stand-up brethren do, so when it comes to debris capacity, what you see is what you get. There is no sweet spot for robot vacuum dimensions that we could determine—it really depends on your particular room layout—but a diameter of 13 to 14 inches and a height of 3.5 to 4 inches are the most common measurements we encountered. Wi-Fi connectivity Wi-Fi-enabled robot vacuums allow you to control them with a smartphone app instead of, or in addition to, a physical remote. That convenience alone doesn’t really warrant the extra cost these models command, but some model’s apps also provide other perks, such as detailed cleaning histories and the ability to save and edit floor maps for better navigation. Those models are worth considering if you’re cleaning large, intricate spaces. Room navigation and obstacle avoidance The allure of robot vacuums is their promise to complete their task with minimal management from you. In order to do that, they must be able to navigate a room’s unique layout, maneuver around furniture and other obstacles, and avoid hazards such as falling down stairs and getting tangled in electrical cords. Robot vacuums “see” the world through a combination of sensors. Cliff sensors let it know when there is an increase in distance to the floor—e.g., stairs or a sunken living room—so it doesn’t tip over the edge. Other sensors tell it when it has bumped into an object, so it can change direction, or is near a wall, so it can follow it. Still other sensors help the robot vacuum track how far it has travelled. The most advanced robot vacs will include laser navigation for mapping the layout of your floors, while obstacle avoidance systems can help bots weave their way around shoes, socks, toys, and other items strewn on the floor. Check out our guide to robot vacuum navigation more details, including the scoop on SLAM, vSLAM, LiDAR, and other robot navigation technologies. Self-emptying base stations While robot vacuums take over most of the cleaning, they have historically required the user to step in and manually empty the dustbin. Given that most robot vacuums’ have a very small dustbin capacity, they might need to be emptied multiple times per cleaning job, particularly if you have children or pets or live in a large home. That’s not just annoying, it can be downright uncomfortable if you have allergies or dust sensitivity. Auto-emptying robot vacuums bridge the last mile of the vacuuming process with a charging dock that includes a canister vacuum and a dust bag that can hold one to two months of debris. When the robot docks after a cleaning job, its bin’s contents are automatically sucked into the dust bag. Typically, the robot’s companion app alerts you when the dust bag is full, at which point you will have to manually dispose of it. Many bags, however, seal themselves when you remove them, so no dust escapes. Mopping capabilities Some robot vacuums include a mopping capability to meet all your floor’s cleaning needs with one device. While this sounds like a great idea, in practice it often yields subpar results. The problem is the method these hybrid devices use for wet cleaning. Mopping robot vacuums include a flat, small-capacity water tank that you fill from your tap. A microfiber cloth is then attached to the bottom of the tank, and the tank is installed under the robot. As the robot rolls across the floor, it drags the dampened cloth over it. This usually removes surface grime and spills but leaves deeper dirt and stains behind. If you have a lot of hard flooring in your home, it’s worth considering a dedicated robot mop. These appliances are better suited to wet cleaning, spraying water directly on the floor to soften gunk and stains, and applying some agitation via a scrubbing pad or brush. If you still want a vac/mop hybrid, look for one that has spinning brushes or pads as opposed to a cloth that attaches to the bottom of the appliance. A model with a docking station that can clean those brushes or pads and reservoirs for clean and dirty water are even better. Those models will, of course, cost quite a bit more. Frequently asked questions about robot vacuums 1. How much does a robot vacuum cleaner cost? The convenience robot vacuums provide come at a cost: As much as $1,700 at the high end, with many of the best models running no less than half that. On the other end of the scale, there are plenty of good “bump-and-run” robot vacuums that cost less than $200. These bargain vacuums lack sophisticated navigation and mapping systems; instead, they simply move in a straight line, changing course once they bump into an obstacle. While the priciest robot vacuums require the least hand-holding, the cheaper “bump-and-run” models can be quite effective and reliable–after all, they have fewer systems that can fail. 2. How do robot vacuums operate? Fundamentally, the robot vacuums in our guide all operate the same way: They autonomously maneuver around your home on a couple of wheels suctioning debris from your floors. Two to four brushes on the bottom—both rolling-style agitators and spinning side brushes—grab dirt from the floor and wall edges respectively, and guide it into the suction area or direct it straight to a small, filtered dustbin. When cleaning is complete, or their battery is running low, they return themselves to their charging dock. But just how they get the job done can differ across manufacturers and models. Be aware even the most premium robot vacuums are a supplement, not a substitute, for your stand-up vacuum. Despite manufacturer claims, most just don’t have the same suction power of an upright. Think of them as an easy way to maintain your floors in between deeper cleanings with your current vacuum. 3. How do you control a robot vacuum? Autonomy puts the “robot” in “robot vacuum.” Virtually all models include an “automatic” mode that requires you to do nothing more than press a button on a remote, in an app, or on the vacuum itself to clean a room. This is great for ad-hoc cleaning, but most models can also be programmed to clean on a schedule. The latter scenario is great if you want them to work when you’re not home, or to create a regular cleaning routine. Some higher-end models also integrate with smart speakers, such as the Amazon Echo and Google Home, which allows you to control them using voice commands. 4. Do robot vacuums have different cleaning modes? Just as your stand-up vacuum can be adjusted to clean either carpet or hard flooring, so too can a robot vac. Most feature the ability to change suction and other cleaning functions to adapt to different floor surfaces, either automatically or with input from you. They may also have a spot mode for more concentrated cleaning on a small area (cleaning up a spill, for example), include options for single- and double-passes of a room, or offer an option to focus just on cleaning along wall edges and baseboards. 5. How do robot vacuums avoid cleaning the same area twice or more? Manufacturers are increasingly including mapping capabilities in some of their robot vacuums. These models use an onboard camera or laser reflections to produce a 360-degree view of the room. This allows the robot vac to create a map of the space and locate itself within that map. The advantage of mapping is the vacuum will know which areas it has already cleaned and which it hasn’t, to avoid going over the same spot unnecessarily. It also lets it know where to resume cleaning if it must stop and recharge midway through the task. This makes it ideal for larger rooms and—because it’s still something of a premium feature—larger budgets. 6. Can I prevent a robot vacuum from going into a particular room? In an ideal world, you’d clear all your floors of clutter before using your robot vacuum. But we live in the real one and that’s not always possible or desirable. Knowing this, many robot vacuums include some way to block off areas you don’t want it venturing into, whether it’s a pet’s area, your kids’ room, or a cluster of device cords in the corner. Often it’s just a length of magnetic tape you stretch in front of or on a forbidden area that the vacuum’s sensors will detect and tell it to avoid. But some models employ virtual barriers, such as the ability to designate boundaries on a floor plan that signal the robot to steer clear. Other notable robot vacuums we’ve reviewed We’ve evaluated many other robot vacuums. If none of our top picks check all the boxes for you, take a look at these other products. We’ve also listed some robot vacuums we think you should avoid. Deebot Ozmo N8+: This affordable vacuum delivers a mostly automated cleaning experience, complete with LiDAR navigation and editable maps. But the Ozmo N8+’s self-emptying bin is annoyingly loud, and its mopping functionality offers only good, not great, performance. Dreame Technology L10: This powerful robot vac is among the most affordable we’ve seen to offer LiDAR navigation, and it boasts as wealth of customization options. But the L10 has trouble avoiding carpets while it’s mopping the floor, and (like other vacuum/mop hybrids) it’s not the best at tackling deep floor stains. Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Complete: The Deebot X2 Combo Complete successfully integrates a robot vacuum/mop and a cordless stick vacuum into a single self-maintaining system for maximum convenience. That said, you could conceivably purchase separate products toward the same end and still spend less than the $1,699.99 Ecovacs is asking for this package. Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni: The Deebot X2 Omni is an impressive (and expensive) robot vacuum and mop that allows for highly customized, hands-off floor cleaning. It delivers super-strong suction and offers a wide range of cleaning customization options, but its rotating mopping pads didn’t provide enough downward pressure to scrub away stains. Eufy X8 Pro: The first vacuum and mop combo from Eufy with an auto-detangling brush, the Eufy X8 Pro will be a tempting pick for pet owners. That said, the X8 Pro’s mopping abilities are only so-so, and it has a tendency to get stuck in low places. Eufy X9 Pro: This vacuum/mop hybrid is one of a growing number of models that offers rotating mops heads, perfect for scrubbing gunk and stains, and its vacuuming performance is just as impressive. But we’re disappointed by the lack of a self-emptying bin, particularly given the $900 list price. Narwal Freo: This 2-in-1 floor robot cleaner performs well enough, but it needs better obstacle avoidance and a much more refined app to justify its high price tag. Proscenic Floobot X1: Self-emptying dustbin? Check. Vibrating mop pads that scrub floor stains and grime? Check. Affordable price tag? Check. But while the Floobot X1 sounds great on paper, in practice it bumped into our furniture too often, scanned its environment too slowly, and required frequent recharging. Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra: Roborock’s new flagship comes loaded with high-end features and has a sky-high price tag to match, but it doesn’t clean appreciably better than some more affordable competitors. SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+: If you’re in need of a smaller robot vacuum, this bot is half the size of the competition. That makes it a great candidate for cleaning smaller spaces, such as apartments. Unfortunately, it’s saddled with half-baked mopping functionality, which merely drags a damp microfiber cloth over your floors–and thus, it doesn’t rank as one of our top picks. Vactidy Nimble T8: This budget 2-in-1 vacuum and mop boasts the right price and features for budget-constrained users, but its inability to clean for more than 10 minutes without a recharge makes it impossible to recommend. Yeedi C12 Pro Plus: The C12 Pro Plus does a great job of vacuuming and mopping up messes, but falters when it comes to avoiding obstacles, and it takes its sweet time returning to its base station.

If you’re sick of having to interact with chatbots or even pick up the phone to cancel a cable or streaming TV subscription, the FTC’s got your back.  The Federal Trade Commission has enacted a new rule directing businesses to make it easier to cancel recurring subscriptions, including those offered by gyms, food delivery services, and—yes—cable and streaming TV operators.  A provision to the FTC’s existing Negative Option Rule from 1973, the so-called “click-to-cancel” rule mandates that companies allow consumers to cancel their subscriptions using essentially the same steps they followed when they first signed up.    “Too often, businesses make people jump through endless hoops just to cancel a subscription,” Commission Chair Lina M. Khan said in a statement. “The FTC’s rule will end these tricks and traps, saving Americans time and money. Nobody should be stuck paying for a service they no longer want.”  The “click-to-cancel” rule, which was initially proposed more than a year ago, takes aim at companies and services that throw up roadblocks in front of the “cancel” button.   In one notorious case, DirecTV Stream forced many of its users to call customer service or go into an online chat to cancel their subscriptions.    As Reuters notes, not every point in the “click-to-cancel” proposal made it into the final rule. For example, a provision that would have required businesses to annually remind customers of their auto-renewing subscriptions was nixed.  Another proposal that didn’t make the cut focused on those last-minute discounts designed to entice subscribers to stick around a bit longer.  As originally proposed, the “click-to-cancel” rule would have mandated that customers get the option to skip the offers and head immediately to the “cancel” button, but the ratified rule drops that requirement.  Companies that violate the rule would be subject to “redress” as well as civil penalties, the FTC said.

At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Quick and easy to set up Delivers an even cut Offers several unique and innovative features Cons Two-wheel drive Gets stuck easily on uneven terrain Disappointing obstacle avoidance Our Verdict The Mammotion Yuka 1500 delivers excellent mowing performance, but it’s a work in progress in some other areas. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Mammotion is one of the newer robot mower manufacturers, with just two series on offer: the uniquely named Luba and Yuka. The all-wheel drive Luba series launched in the summer of 2022; the less-expensive rear-wheel drive Yuka series launched right before CES 2024. I received the Yuka 15000 for this review. At first glance, you might think you’re looking at a Formula 1 race car—which is intentional. Its sleek design won Mammotion a 2024 iF Design Award. But looks aren’t everything, so Mammotion has given it some unique features including a “lawn art” mode that can cut stripes and shapes in your grass if you so choose. Cut quality is the most important criterion, and on that score, the Yuka 1500 left my lawn evenly cut every time. An optional sweeper attachment makes lawn clean up a breeze and includes an auto-emptying function. Its onboard vision and obstacle avoidance capabilities allow it to mow even in GPS blind spots, where some robot mowers fail. Dual floating cutting discs (similar to the Sunseeker Orion X7) should be much less susceptible to clogging in thick grass, at least in theory. The absence of setup instructions for Mammotion’s GPS antenna was a bump in the road to getting the Yuka 1500 ready to mow. The absence of setup instructions for Mammotion’s GPS antenna was a bump in the road to getting the Yuka 1500 ready to mow.Ed Oswald/Foundry The absence of setup instructions for Mammotion’s GPS antenna was a bump in the road to getting the Yuka 1500 ready to mow.Ed Oswald/Foundry Ed Oswald/Foundry Mammotion claims setup can be completed in a little more than 15 minutes, too. But as I’ve learned from testing robot mowers over the years, some manufacturers overpromise and underdeliver—sometimes by a mile. Mammotion sent the Yuka 1500, which retails for $2,048 with its optional sweeper kit, and supports yards up to 0.37 acres. I set it loose on my test 0.28-acre yard here in Pennsylvania in late August and September. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best robot lawn mowers. The quickest installation yet At least from the setup side of things, Mammotion’s claims are pretty accurate. Save for the user manual’s omission as to how to connect the GPS antenna’s power supply, I completed the initial installation in 20- to 30 minutes. Had those instructions not been missing, I would have had things set up more quickly. Installing the optional sweeper attachment takes another 5- to 10 minutes. Once that was all figured out, getting the mower to connect to the app was quick and painless. So far, we’re off to a great start. It’s a fun mower, but it’s not perfect The Yuka 1500 delivered an excellent and even cut, a task made more difficult by a regional dry spell. The Yuka 1500 delivered an excellent and even cut, a task made more difficult by a regional dry spell.Ed Oswald/Foundry The Yuka 1500 delivered an excellent and even cut, a task made more difficult by a regional dry spell.Ed Oswald/Foundry Ed Oswald/Foundry My region of the country experienced a flash drought during my review period, with little to no rain for nearly two weeks. As a result, I didn’t get to operate the mower as much as I would have liked, but I got enough use of it to get a solid feel for what the Yuka can do, and its performance overall, during the latter half of the test period. Things went generally well. Cut quality is the most important criterion, and on that score, the lawn stayed evenly cut. Like most boundary wire-free mowers, unless you have it straddle the edges of your yard, you’ll need to tidy up those parts; otherwise, we were more than satisfied, if not impressed. The Yuka provides both autonomous and manual control (a first for me), and it works well, making it easier to cover any areas the mower missed. A true autonomous mode is one of the features I missed the most in my Mowrator S1 4WD review. Unlike other vision-assisted mowers, the Yuka’s onboard cameras do more than just help the robot steer. You can peek in while the mower is working to watch it do its job (or find out where it got stuck). You can even control it from inside your house using FPV mode. A tiny windshield wiper on the front camera keeps the view clear as day. Not everyone will use FPV control, but I still appreciate the unique feature—I’d even call it fun. While the video quality leaves a bit to be desired, the Yuka 1500’s onboard camera lets you see exactly what the mower is seeing as it navigates your yard. While the video quality leaves a bit to be desired, the Yuka 1500’s onboard camera lets you see exactly what the mower is seeing as it navigates your yard.Ed Oswald/Foundry While the video quality leaves a bit to be desired, the Yuka 1500’s onboard camera lets you see exactly what the mower is seeing as it navigates your yard.Ed Oswald/Foundry Ed Oswald/Foundry Now for the bad news. The Yuka repeatedly got stuck in the same spot, including driving up on objects in our yard. I finally created a no-go zone, because I was spending so much time rescuing it from the same mishaps. Fortunately, a series of firmware updates rolled in and the problem disappeared for the most part. The absence of all-wheel drive and a paucity of torque left the Yuka underpowered in my bumpy and uneven test yard. While not as frequent a problem as the climbing on our yard ornaments, it also made the mowing process a bit frustrating initially as it would sometimes get stuck in these imperfections, too. Encountering such problems on a $2,000 robot lawn mower is troubling, and it’s one of the primary factors that suppressed my bottom-line score for this bot. On the bright side, Mammotion is aware of the mower’s limitations, and not a week has gone by without the mower receiving a firmware update, sometimes multiples of them. That’s a good thing, and we’ve seen a steady improvement in mower’s operations even in just a month. Mammotion’s app is a strong point Mammotion’s app is well laid out and easy to understand. If you need additional help, you’ll find plenty of it. Mammotion’s app is well laid out and easy to understand. If you need additional help, you’ll find plenty of it.Ed Oswald/Foundry Mammotion’s app is well laid out and easy to understand. If you need additional help, you’ll find plenty of it.Ed Oswald/Foundry Ed Oswald/Foundry While the Yuka’s overall performance was a bit mixed during my review period, the company’s app is extremely well executed. Like Husqvarna’s Automower app, Mammotion has taken a less is more approach, and it shows in the user interface. The controls for both mapping and the FPV feature are easy to use and responsive. I sat in the house and watched the mower work in real time, which was pretty cool. I even tried to mow; however, you do need to remember that the mower’s view is much lower to the ground, so I recommend being outside the first few times you try this. If there’s any kind of problem or update, the app will alert you, as well as walk you through the steps of upgrading or correcting the issue. Most robot mowers don’t do this, giving you a generic error message instead. There’s all kinds of customizations to choose from too, from adjusting cutting height to cutting patterns, and, of course scheduling. The sweeper is fun, too—at least when it works. I know you were anticipating reading about my attempts at whatever “lawn art” is, but that flash drought made that impossible. As a consolation, I thoroughly tested the sweeper accessory, which arrived a week or so into my review. The small footprint of the Yuka 1500’s charging station makes it very easy to hide. The small footprint of the Yuka 1500’s charging station makes it very easy to hide.Ed Oswald/Foundry The small footprint of the Yuka 1500’s charging station makes it very easy to hide.Ed Oswald/Foundry Ed Oswald/Foundry The sweeper is not cheap—adding $700 to the price of the mower—and while it’s a good idea, it’s not well executed. The app allows you to set up to 100 different locations across your yard where the mower will stop and dump the contents of its clippings bag, so you can keep the debris out of sight until you can put it your compost pile or trash can. The first issue I ran into was an “overpower warning” with one of the sweeper motors. This would lead to unexpected results. The sweeper also started and stopped awkwardly, and when this happened in taller grass, it would wrap around the sweeper, causing a jam. I’m not sure if these issues might be related to the sweeper’s odd performance. I’ve reached out to Mammotion about this issue and will update my review when I hear back; there’s a chance this particular sweeper attachment could be defective. One thing that might not be an easy fix is the means for attaching the bag to the sweeper. It physically rests on the mower instead of locking in place and sometimes can fall off while dumping. All that said, I’m excited about using this feature over the coming weeks, as leaves are already starting to fall. I’m hoping some of the sweeper issues I’ve encountered can be resolved—or at least ameliorated—with future firmware updates. Should you buy a Mammotion Yuka 1500? While I’ve been relatively critical of the Mammotion Yuka in this review, I think many—if not most—of the Yuka’s shortcomings can be fixed with a future firmware updates. And to date, these have been coming at a rapid clip—faster than for any other mower I’ve tested. Some updates have yielded substantial performance improvement, even if they haven’t all gone smoothly; one firmware update early in my review period nearly bricked the machine. Fortunately, those problems were corrected quickly. And to be fair to Mammotion, they don’t have the decade-plus of experience in robotic mowers that Husqvarna and Worx do. And to their credit, they’re trying some innovative things. When you’re pushing the boundaries like that, there’s bound to be hiccups. So, consider this a preliminary judgement on the Mammotion Yuka 1500. I’ll take another look next spring to see if additional firmware updates yield enough value to justify its $2,000 price tag. And I’ll get to the lawn art feature, too. But for now, the Segway Navimow is a much better RWD mower—even with its faults—and it costs $800 less.

When it comes to robotic lawn mowers, consumers’ choices have increased dramatically since our first robot mower review just five years ago. Where there were once just two players vying for the mantle of best robot mower manufacturer—Husqvarna and Worx—a dozen or so other companies have jumped into the market, albeit with varying success. What’s more, prices have come down significantly over that time. In the early days, you’d need to spend a minimum of several thousand dollars for even the most basic robot mower. Today, there are $1,000 models that work as well if not better than those first high-priced bots. Much like robot vacuums, robot lawn mowers now feature onboard positioning to know where they are in your yard, cameras to spot obstacles, and even artificial intelligence (AI) to remember the tricky parts of your yard and how to get around them. Gone are the days when a robot mower relied on bump sensors—and suffered the scuffs and scratches that resulted. Modern mowers are now truly smart. Why you should trust us My family is known in our neighborhood for our well-kept yard, but we’ve used a push mower most of our lives—just like everyone else. But we’re also early adopters of indoor robotics, so it was a no-brainer for us to transition to using outdoor bots, where the real hard work of home ownership comes into play. Our original property was your basic small suburban lot, but our new home is an oddly shaped and slightly uneven 1/4-acre lot with a steep slope. Our property thus pushes the limits of every robot mower we test, which is just the ticket for conducting comprehensive evaluations at their capabilities. Update, October 16, 2024: We’ve added a link to our Mammotion Yuka 1500 review. Our top picks in robot Lawn mowers Mowrator S1 AWD — Best robot lawn mower overall Pros 21-inch cutting radius Highly maneuverable Outstanding remote control Riding-mower build and cut quality Cons Very heavy (120 pounds) Disappointing autonomous obstacle avoidance Why we like the Mowrator S1 Calling the Mowrator S1 a robot mower is generous, as a remote control—much line one you’d use with an aerial drone—controls most of its functions. The extent of automation is cruise control, which only allows the mower to move in a straight line, and obstacle avoidance, which seemed rudimentary at best. But everything else about this mower is top-notch. A 21-inch cutting radius is a half-foot larger than most robot mowers, and a traditional mower blade versus the razor blades on most other models provides a riding mower quality cut that has so far not been matched by any other mower we tested. And the maneuverability and all-wheel drive combined with an excellentl remote control made mowing the grass fun. Who should buy the Mowrator S1 We see the Mowrator as perfect for those who enjoy mowing their grass, but don’t care for the physical exertion—especially in the summer heat. We tested the Mowrator during a record-breaking heat wave here in the eastern U.S. and appreciated the fact we didn’t have to sweat it out to get our yard done. We couldn’t say the same about our neighbors. Read our full Mowrator S1 AWD review Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD — Best boundary wire robot lawn mower Pros Excellent results in a short amount of time Outstanding maneuverability Anti-theft features Very quiet GPS navigation Cons Pricey (less-expensive SKUs are available for smaller yards) “Weather timer” feature isn’t based on actual weather conditions Best Prices Today: $2999 at Husqvarna Why we like the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD The 435X AWD was the first robotic mower that we reviewed, and it mowed our lawn with minimal issues and fuss for four seasons. Husqvarna has a long history with robot mowers, extending back more than a decade. Of all the AWD robot mowers we’ve tested, the 435X AWD has the most power and the most success mowing slopes (including on a tilt). Our lawn consistently had a golf course look when this mower was finished. This is due to Husqvarna’s preference to allow their mowers to mow your yard using random paths. While this will leave your yard patchy in the early and late season, it’s a beautiful cut during peak growth, free from the lines that traditional mowers leave from repeatedly mowing the same path. Who should buy the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD If you have a complicated yard that isn’t larger than one acre, you really should consider the 435X AWD. That said, we’d equally recommend any of the other Husqvarna 400-series models, as they work similarly. The best part of the Automower experience is the app, which is easy to use and understand. On the other hand, we wouldn’t recommend this mower for yards with a lot of obstacles inside the boundary. These mower series uses bumper sensors to detect obstacles, so your mower will begin to look a little beat up after years of use. For those yards, you would need to look at Husqvarna’s boundary wire-free EPOS models, which offer more modern methods of obstacle avoidance. Read our full Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD review Sunseeker Orion X7 AWD — Best AI-equipped robot lawn mower Pros Best nighttime mowing experience of any mower we’ve tested Quality, even cut Handles narrow passages with ease Cons Frustrating mapping and app experience Too low profile for sharp slope transitions Best Prices Today: $2399.99 at Sunseeker Why we like the Sunseeker Orion X7 AWD While the mapping setup of the Orion X7 was suboptimal, we were really surprised by its vision and AI capabilities once the mower was running; they worked as advertised—even at night. The Orion X7’s obstacle-avoidance performance was the best of any robot mower we’ve tested to date. Better yet, it seemed to remember where these obstacles were during a session, unlike other mowers we’ve tested that would return to the same spot and make the same mistakes. The dual floating cutting plates give you a smooth level yard even if it’s not perfectly flat. If Sunseeker can fix the usability issues in its app, we’ll rank the Orion X7 higher. Who should buy the Sunseeker Orion X7 AWD If you are taken aback by the high price of all-wheel drive robot mowers (typically several thousand of dollars), the Orion X7 comes in at the lower end of that range: $2,400. But the cut quality and capability of this mower is as good as other mowers that we’ve tested that are double the price. It’s AI works great. Read our full Sunseeker Orion X7 AWD review Segway Navimow i110N Pros Best navigation technology in its price class No line-of-sight requirement from the mower to the GPS antenna Outstanding cutting performance Handles common yard types and terrain without issues Cons Front-wheel drive has trouble with steep slopes Inadequate cliff detection Why we like the Segway Naivmow i110n While the lack of all-wheel drive held the Navimow i110n back in our tests, we were very impressed with how the Navimow navigated our yard and alternated its cutting patterns with each mowing session. It also does it quickly; we could mow nearly all of our quarter-acre lot in about 30 minutes. While we had problems keeping the Navimow from falling off our parking-strip curb, this is more of a detection issue with the vision and AI versus a fatal flaw. Since our initial review, several firmware updates have been released, including a new firmware update (version 2.2) that the company says is a fairly significant release. So those problems might be getting addressed. Who should buy the Segway Naivmow i110n If you have a fairly flat yard that’s less than a quarter-acre in size, the $1,300 Navimow i110n is the best option by far. It doesn’t pack enough power, however, for anything other than gradual slopes; so, if that describes your yard, we’d recommend the Sunseeker Orion X7, instead. Read our full Segway Navimow i110N review What to look for when shopping for a robot lawn mower While there are many features to look for in a robot mower, some of which will be based on your personal preference, these five factors are the most important to consider to ensure trouble- and frustration-free operations. Run time and maximum yard size This one seems obvious, but many will look to the cheapest mower that can handle the size of their yard. That’s not the right approach. What you should do instead is opt for a model with a maximum yard size of at least 1.5 to 2 times the acreage of your yard. Our reasons for this are twofold: First, the maximum yard size is the amount your robot mower can handle in a single day, including time for charging. If you select a model with a maximum yard size close to the size of your yard, the mower will need to run 24/7 to keep up. Secondly, buying a larger-capacity mower prevents buyer’s remorse later, should you move to a larger home. There is no such thing as a robot mower that’s too big for a property, but you can end up with a robot mower that’s too small for your yard. Another benefit is total run time, as a larger mower won’t need to return to its base station and charger as frequently. Cut quality Cut quality has much to do with how the cutting plate is set up, and the methods used for cutting. Some models use a blade that’s shaped bread tag. We’ve found this style typically doesn’t cut well—or last very long. Rectangular blades are better, since the entire side cuts your grass no matter which way it’s oriented on the plate. This style of blade also lasts longer, which means you’ll need to change it out less during each mowing season. The cutting method is also important. We prefer robot mowers that follow straight lines and paths and alternate cutting directions during each mowing session. Some cheaper boundary-wire mowers mow in a random pattern within the boundary, which early in the season can leave your yard looking like you’ve forgotten how to mow. App functionality Most robot mowers have a lot of extra functionality to help you customize how your lawn is maintained. This means you’ll spend a lot of time in their apps. While some robot mower apps attempt to squeeze every possible feature into the app, we have found in most cases it is unnecessary and cluttering. The best mower apps have clean interfaces, along with clear instructions (and sometimes videos) to get you up to speed on important functionality. Collision and obstacle avoidance Early robot mowers used bumper sensors to detect obstacles. That’s no longer the case, and the best robot mowers use technologies like cameras, LiDAR, and onboard AI to detect obstacles. Opt for one of these models and you’ll spend a lot less time getting your mower out of places it shouldn’t have gone into. Artificial intelligence (AI) Artificial intelligence is a recent addition to robot mowers, and it makes boundary wire-free models much more reliable. With AI, your mower “learns” the quirks of your particular yard over time, optimizing its mowing session accordingly. One word of caution, however: not all robot mower AI is created equal. Some mowers seemed to not remember obstacles or places where they’ve frequently gotten stuck. AI is a relatively new addition to robot mowing, and some manufacturers’ claims don’t match reality. Fortunately, this is an upgradeable element—it resides in firmware—so this class of mower will improve with time. FAQ Frequently asked questions about robot lawn mowers 1. How do robot mowers work? Robot mowers come in one of two flavors, some a boundary wire to keep the mower in check, while others rely on GPS satellites and onboard vision capabilities leveraging AI to help the mower make both a visual and location-based map of your yard. If you would like to read more about this topic, read our in-depth guide. 2. Which type of robot mower should I get? Boundary wire robot mowers are far less expensive, as the mower needs fewer sensors and less brain power to ensure proper operation. But if you go that route, we strongly recommend hiring a professional to bury the boundary wire, so you’re not constantly tripping over it. That will increase the final price of your mower—by as much as several hundred dollars if it’s not already factored into the mower’s price—but it’s worth it. You should also be aware that boundary wires have finite lengths, maxing out at 1,000 to 2,500 feet, depending on the model and the quality of the wire. This won’t be an issue for most suburban and urban properties, but you might need more than one mower for a large property. For this and other reasons, we typically recommend boundary wire-free mowers, as they’re much easier to set up and don’t require a professional; it’s why all our best top picks—save one—are boundary wire-free models. 3. Why are robot lawn mowers so expensive? It depends on how you look at it. If you compare a robot mower to a traditional push mower, even a self-propelled one, robot mowers are considerably more expensive. Many robot mowers, however, are competitively priced in comparison to riding mowers, which offer much less in the way of labor savings. 4. Is the cut quality of a robot mower as good that of a traditional mower? You use a robot mower the way it’s designed to be used and its cut quality will be every bit as good as a conventional mower’s. Unlike a push or riding mower, a robot mower is designed to run multiple times a week, cutting a small portion of your grass each time. Some even alternate the direction of cut with each successive mowing session, which will prevent it from leaving lines in your grass from the mower’s wheels from passing over the same patch of grass each time. 5. What maintenance is required of a robot mower? Maintaining your robot mower is not difficult, and it’s not all that different from traditional mowers—except you won’t need to monitor and periodically engine oil; robot mowers use electric motors. You’ll want to regularly clean accumulated grass clippings and other debris from the underside of the mower. You’ll also want to keep it out of the elements as much as possible when it’s not in use. The plastic bodies of these mowers will slowly fade over time as the sun’s ultraviolet rays cause plastic to degrade and discolor. The most important difference has to do with cutting blades. Where conventional motors have thick blades that need sharpening at least once a season, most robot mowers use what look like razor blades to cut your grass. As you might expect, you’ll probably need to replace them at least twice every mowing season. Fortunately, the blades aren’t expensive, and you might find that third-party blades are even cheaper, although they might not last as long the OEM versions. How we test robot lawn mowers I test robot mowers in as close to real-world situations as possible: this includes operating them during the day and at night and in varying weather conditions. I’ll typically cut my lawn an inch or two higher than normal before a test to help judge the cut quality and its ability to operate in taller-than-average grass. I’ll also put temporary obstacles in the yard to judge the mower’s collision avoidance capabilities. If the mower has AI onboard, I’ll observe whether it remembers permanent obstacles.

Watching the NBA season continues to be a mixed bag for cord-cutters. Big matchups are broadcast nationally on ABC, ESPN/ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV, and you can get most, if not all, of these covered with a single live TV streaming package. Unfortunately, regional sports networks (RSNs), which air the majority of games, are still hard to find on major streaming services. Many RSNs, such as Fox Sports, NBC Sports, YES Network, and Marquee Sports Network, remain unavailable on popular platforms due to ongoing carriage-fee disputes. RSNs are even more essential to NBA viewing now that the league has introduced its In-Season Tournament, re-branded this year as the Emirates NBA Cup. The bulk of the 30-team tournament—which runs from November 12 through December 17—will air on the respective team’s local home network. Whether want to watch the battle for the NBA cup or you’re mainly interested in following your local team through the season, your best bet is to determine which streaming service has an agreement with your team’s regional network and go with that one. Chances are it will also stream some or all the cable networks mentioned above. A few teams can still be found on over-the-air channels—the Chicago Bulls on the windy city’s WGN, for one—but that arrangement is rapidly going the way of the two-handed set shot. We’ve put together guide to all your options, whether you just want to follow your team or the whole league, when the season tips off on October 24. Update, October 16, 2024: Here are all your streaming options for the 2023-24 NBA season.  Over the air The Televes Bexia is a high-performance indoor TV antenna suited for homes in areas with strong- to medium-powered broadcast TV signals. In our tests, it was comparable to the best indoor antennas we’ve tested, including the Winegard Flatwave Amped. The Televes Bexia is a high-performance indoor TV antenna suited for homes in areas with strong- to medium-powered broadcast TV signals. In our tests, it was comparable to the best indoor antennas we’ve tested, including the Winegard Flatwave Amped.Martyn Williams/Foundry The Televes Bexia is a high-performance indoor TV antenna suited for homes in areas with strong- to medium-powered broadcast TV signals. In our tests, it was comparable to the best indoor antennas we’ve tested, including the Winegard Flatwave Amped.Martyn Williams/Foundry Martyn Williams/Foundry The good news is you can access ABC for free if you have an over-the-air TV antenna (you’ll find our top antenna picks here) and are within the radius of your local ABC affiliate’s broadcast tower. The bad news is the network is scheduled to air only about two dozen of this year’s nationally televised games. These, however, include some of the league’s marquee matchups, including three Christmas Day games—Timberwolves vs. Mavericks, Celtics vs. 76ers, and Lakers vs. Warriors. You can watch the remaining games with some combination of the following services. Sling TV The easiest way to catch many of the cable telecasts is with the Sling TV streaming service, but you’ll need to pony up for a monthly subscription. For $40 per month (currently half off for the first month), Sling’s Orange package will get you ESPN/ESPN 2 and TNT. You can also get NBA TV with the Sports Extra add-on for an additional $11 per month. With a TV antenna to catch the ABC broadcasts, you’ll have everything covered. DirectTV Stream You can also get ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV with DirectTV Stream. All you need is the Choice package for $114.99 per month, currently being offered for a $20-a-month discount for the first three months. You might also be able to get your local team’s games, as DirectTV Stream is the only service to offer a full complement of regional sports networks, including the NBC Sports regional networks, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, New England Sports Network, YES Network, and Spectrum SportsNet LA. To find out what’s available in your area, enter your ZIP code into DirectTV Stream’s channel lookup. Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV Both Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV give you access to ABC, ESPN/ESPN2, and TNT, for a flat fee, but only YouTube TV offers NBA TV, giving it the edge for hoop heads. Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 a month after a three-day trial. YouTube TV charges $72.99 a month, discounted to $49.99 a month for the first two months. With just the one channel package for each of these services, however, you don’t get the customizability of Sling TV or DirecTV Stream, so keep that in mind if you plan to use your subscription beyond basketball season. YouTube TV uses a small number of menu sections to make navigation easier. YouTube TV uses a small number of menu sections to make navigation easier. YouTube TV uses a small number of menu sections to make navigation easier. FuboTV FuboTV offers ABC and ESPN in its $79.99-per-month Pro package, and you get $20 off the first month. This package also includes regional networks NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California, which is great news if you’re a fan of the Kings, Warriors, Lakers, or Clippers. You can add NBA TV by purchasing the Sports Lite add-on for an additional $9.99 a month. Fubo appeals to sports fans, and it includes NBA TV. Fubo appeals to sports fans, and it includes NBA TV. Fubo appeals to sports fans, and it includes NBA TV. NBA League Pass If you’re truly hardcore for the hardwood, you should consider a subscription to NBA League Pass, the league’s official streaming service. For $109.99 a year or $16.99 per month, you can watch every live out-of-market game that isn’t being broadcast nationally on one of the four networks we’ve mentioned. A League Pass subscription allows you to watch every game feed (home, away, mobile view, plus additional languages and camera angles) on your TV, computer, tablet, and smartphone. Games originally broadcast on ESPN, TNT, and ABC are available three hours after completion in the video archives. You also get anytime access to a curated selection of “classic” games. For $159.99 a year or $24.99 per month, you can upgrade to NBA League Pass Premium, which enables you to stream a game on three devices at once and watch all games commercial free. With an NBA League Pass subscription, you can stream live out-of-market games to your TV, computer, or mobile device. With an NBA League Pass subscription, you can stream live out-of-market games to your TV, computer, or mobile device. With an NBA League Pass subscription, you can stream live out-of-market games to your TV, computer, or mobile device. NBA Team Pass That’s a big investment if you only want to follow your favorite team. NBA Team Pass is a less-expensive alternative. For $89.99 a year, you get access to all your squad’s local broadcasts for both home and away games. The rub is that NBA blackout rules still apply. If you live in your team’s “home” market—a Warriors fan residing in the San Francisco Bay Area, for example—you still won’t be able to watch their games even with a Team Pass subscription (this goes for League Pass as well). Your team’s home market, however, isn’t necessarily defined by your town’s city limits. In the NBA’s own words, the league determines blackout zones “using zip code (if watching via a satellite television provider), a combination of zip code and cable system distribution territory (if watching via a cable television provider), or by the IP address associated with your internet connection or your mobile device’s GPS coordinates.” That means this isn’t a cord-cutting option for everyone. You can see which teams are not available in your area in the blackout section on this page when you choose your subscription. NBA streaming is still 50-50 ball Streaming live NBA games continues to be a mixed bag for cord-cutters. The availability of national broadcasts through streaming services gives you a courtside seat for some of the biggest matchups of the season. But local fanbases who want to follow their team continue to be left on the bench, for the most part. Until streaming options for regional sports networks become more widely available, you might want to dust off your radio.

After months of damage control following its disastrous app reboot, Sonos finally has something new to talk about: a successor to the Arc soundbar with some secret sauce under the hood.  Slated to arrive later this month, the Sonos Arc Ultra comes with a total of 14 drivers—up from 11 on the original Arc—“advanced” speech enhancement technology, and a whopping 9.1.4 channels of audio.   Besides those bullet points, the Arc Ultra comes with a feature that (according to Sonos, anyway) is capable of “supercharging” the soundbar’s bass.  Dubbed Sound Motion, the new audio tech is designed to wring bigger sound out of smaller speakers. In the case of the Arc Ultra, Sound Motion promises to deliver impressive low-frequency performance without the need for a subwoofer. (The technology behind Sound Motion was developed by Mayht, a small Dutch company that Sonos acquired back in 2022.)  Of course, you could still pair the Arc Ultra with a sub, and Sonos has a new one on tap: the Sub 4, the fourth generation of Sonos’s biggest wireless subwoofer.   Sonos Sonos Sonos Getting back to the Arc Ultra for a moment (we’ll return to the Sub 4 shortly), the new soundbar also arrives with a revamped center channel design, while a new “Speech Enhancement” feature lets you pick the level of dialogue clarity, Sonos says.  Even better, Sonos’ signature TruePlay functionality, a feature that helps to fine-tune the audio using your mobile device’s microphone, will work with both iOS and Android devices when employed on the Arc Ultra. On older Sonos speakers, TruePlay only worked with iOS.  Circling back to the Sub 4, the new subwoofer offers “increased” processing power, more memory, and “new” Wi-Fi radios, according to Sonos.  Both the Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4 will go on sale October 29, and they’ll be priced at $999 and $799, respectively.  The Arc Ultra and Sub 4 come more than six months following Sonos’ botched revamp of the Sonos app, an embarrassing misstep for which the company is still apologizing.  Landing with a thud back in May, the new Sonos app suffered from a variety of glitches while dropping key features from the previous version, including sleep timers, access to local music libraries, and the ability to edit music queues.  Faced with a community in revolt, Sonos furiously backpedaled, offering detailed roadmaps for improving the new app while trying to make amends with its furious customers.  The one thing the company couldn’t do was roll back to the previous version of the Sonos app, as the company’s audio infrastructure had become dependent on the newer software. 

Home security company SimpliSafe is expanding its offerings with a new live outdoor monitoring service called “Active Guard Outdoor” and an upgraded Outdoor Camera. Building on the company’s 24/7 live guard protection for indoor spaces, Active Guard Outdoor allows agents to address potential threats before they reach doors or windows. The system employs a multi-layer approach to detect and assess potential threats. The process starts with the camera’s onboard AI, which detects motion and distinguishes human activity from other sources, such as animals or environmental factors. If human activity is confirmed, the information is sent to the cloud where AI compares the person against the homeowner’s saved profiles of familiar faces. If the person doesn’t match any of the profiles, a third layer of AI analyzes the person’s behavior to determine if it appears suspicious or out of the ordinary. When this automated system determines the person is unfamiliar or their behavior is atypical, it alerts a SimpliSafe agent and gives them access to the camera’s live feed. If the agent verifies a threat, they’ll use the camera’s two-way audio to communicate with the individual, activating the security system’s sirens, if necessary. The company says that’s typically enough to warn off most intruders, but that its agents are authorized to contact local law enforcement if the situation escalates. Users can choose which cameras SimpliSafe monitoring agents can access. Users can choose which cameras SimpliSafe monitoring agents can access. SimpliSafe Users can choose which cameras SimpliSafe monitoring agents can access. SimpliSafe SimpliSafe As with SimpliSafe’s current professional monitoring service, live outdoor protection users have complete control over which cameras SimpliSafe agents can monitor and when, and all captured video is securely encrypted and inaccessible to monitoring agents once an incident has been reviewed and closed. Users can also easily create and delete familiar-face profiles in the SimpliSafe app to ensure alerts stay accurate and relevant. SimpliSafe is offering two service plans for Active Guard outdoor protection. The Overnight plan, priced at $49.99 per month, provides monitoring during nighttime hours when many homeowners feel most vulnerable. For those seeking round-the-clock protection, the 24/7 plan is available at $79.99 per month. Both of these plans include SimpliSafe’s standard indoor monitoring services, offering customers comprehensive home security coverage under a single subscription. In a previous review, we identified SimpliSafe Essentials as one of our favorite DIY home security systems, and this new service seems poised to strengthen that position. Updated, October 15, 2024: This article has been updated to reflect that SimpliSafe is now offering its Active Guard service. This story was originally published when plans for the service were announced on April 23, 2024.

On-TV alerts for motion events might seem like a no-brainer for Roku’s growing line of security cameras, but it’s a trick Roku cams haven’t been able to pull off. That’s about to change, though. Starting soon, Roku streaming players and TVs will gain the ability to display real-time alerts when your Roku security cameras sense activity, a long-awaited feature that fills a gap in Roku’s budding smart home ecosystem. Also coming soon is a carousel that will cycle through live camera feeds on your TV, along with a web view for your cams.  All three new features are due this winter, according to Roku.  This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best security cameras. Previously, only Roku video doorbells offered on-TV notifications, while motion alerts for Roku security cameras were relegated to mobile devices. You’ll be able to manage the camara alerts from the Roku settings menu.  Besides the motion alerts, Roku devices are also getting a Camera Carousel, which will be accessible from the home screen.  The carousel will be able to cycle through live feeds of your Roku cameras, either highlighting feeds where activity has been detected or rotating through each camera according to a pre-set time interval. You can also opt for a combination of the two settings.  Finally, the Roku Smart Web View will let you keep tabs on all your Roku camera feeds from a web browser, similar to the web views offered by Ring, Google’s Nest, and other security cam manufacturers.  The new security cam features are free for all Roku users, and all Roku smart home devices are supported, including the Roku Floodlight Camera, Video Doorbell, Wire-free Video Doorbell and Chime, Indoor 360 Camera, Outdoor Wire-free Camera, and the Indoor and Outdoor Wired Camera SE.  Besides its free smart home features, Roku also has a paid subscription plan that offers 14 days of video storage, smart detection (including for people, packages, vehicles, and pets), event filtering, no cool-down period for motion events, and other benefits. The Roku plan costs $3.99 a month for a single camera, or $10 a month for all your Roku cams.   Roku began bolstering its line of streaming players and TVs with smart home products back in 2022, with white-label devices manufactured by Wyze.  We reviewed Roku’s Home Monitoring SE security system last year, and while we praised its low price, we dinged it for the lack of on-TV alerts for security cam motion events. With the pending update, the latter point should become moot. 

At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Camera captures 2K video Person, animal, package, and vehicle detection Lights and camera can be triggered by audio as well as motion Can be mounted to a ceiling as well as a wall Cons Subscription required to unlock video recordings and event notifications Anemic onboard siren Motion-detection zones are limited to rectangles Our Verdict The Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera is an affordably priced floodlight/security camera combo that captures video in crisp 2K resolution and casts bright pools of light where it’s installed. But the competition in this space is fierce, and one of this product’s drawbacks is that you’ll need to buy a subscription to get full use of it. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Considering how long Arlo has been in the home security game, including—for a short time—smart lighting devices, it’s a bit of a surprise that it took the company this long to offer a wired floodlight camera. It’s already on its third generation of battery-powered models (the Arlo Pro 3), but the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera is its first effort building a camera/light combo with the reliability of hardwired power. The competition in this space has gotten fierce, with Blink, Eufy, Google Nest, Lorex, Ring, Wyze Labs, and a host of lesser-known competitors duking it out. One of the most uncommon features of Arlo’s camera is that it can be mounted to a ceiling as well as a wall. You can elect to mount the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera to a ceiling and invert its video feed 180 degrees. You can elect to mount the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera to a ceiling and invert its video feed 180 degrees.Michael Brown/Foundry You can elect to mount the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera to a ceiling and invert its video feed 180 degrees.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry As is common with many security cameras, you’ll want to factor in the cost of a subscription before buying an Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera, because it can only be used for viewing a live video stream without one. Unless you pay, it won’t record events and store those clips in the cloud. Arlo doesn’t offer any means of local storage, either on the camera itself with a microSD card or on network-attached storage (several Eufy floodlight cameras offer both of those options). The Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera captures crisp, clear, color-accurate video in 2K resolution with HDR. Before Ring changed the pricing structure for its own services, Arlo’s plans were among the most expensive. That’s no longer the case. Arlo offers three tiers of service: Arlo Secure Basic ($8/mo or $80/yr for 30 days of storage from a single camera; $11/mo or $/130yr for the same for unlimited cameras); Arlo Secure Plus ($18/mo or $180/yr for unlimited cameras with the addition of several features, including audio, person, package, and vehicle detection); and Arlo Secure Premium ($25/mo or $250/yr for unlimited cameras with 24/7 professional monitoring, 24/7 emergency responder dispatch, and other features relevant to the company’s home security system). Don’t be intimidated by all the screws that come with the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera. You’ll only need the ones that are the right type for your particular installation needs. Don’t be intimidated by all the screws that come with the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera. You’ll only need the ones that are the right type for your particular installation needs.Michael Brown/Foundry Don’t be intimidated by all the screws that come with the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera. You’ll only need the ones that are the right type for your particular installation needs.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry And like most cameras, this one is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home (Apple HomeKit being a whole other kettle of fish), allowing you to view a live stream on an Echo Show or Nest Hub smart display in addition to a smartphone or tablet with the Arlo app installed. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. Specifications The Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera’s $150 price tag makes it cheaper than the Ring Floodlight Cam Plus ($200) and the Nest Cam with Floodlight ($280, but frequently on sale for much less), both of which offer lights with similar brightness (the Nest product is slightly brighter at 2,400 lumens), but both of those models’ cameras offer only 1080p video resolution. Arlo’s product is more expensive than the budget-priced ($90) Wyze Labs Floodlight V2, which has brighter floodlights (2,800 lumens) and a camera with the same 2K resolution. There’s a foam gasket encircling the wall side of the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera, but applying a bead of caulk to the top half post installation will provide extra protection from water ingress.  There’s a foam gasket encircling the wall side of the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera, but applying a bead of caulk to the top half post installation will provide extra protection from water ingress. Michael Brown/Foundry There’s a foam gasket encircling the wall side of the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera, but applying a bead of caulk to the top half post installation will provide extra protection from water ingress. Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry The Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera is fabricated almost entirely from plastic, but it feels sturdy and capable of withstanding exposure to the elements. I reviewed the white model, but it’s also available in black. The camera is mounted on a stalk between and slightly below its two oval LED floodlights. All three of these elements can be aimed up, down, left, and right independently of each other Here are the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera’s full set of specs: Camera: 2K resolution with HDR, B&W and color night vision Camera field of view: 160 degrees Motion detection: Up to 5 detection zones with person, animal, vehicle, and package detection LED Floodlights (2): 2,000 lumens of brightness (fixed white color temperature, but dimmable) Two-way audio Onboard siren (triggered or on demand) Single-band Wi-Fi adapter (2.4GHz) Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT compatible Available in black or white Installation and setup I found the Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera physically easy to install, even without watching the well-produced step-by-step video inside its app. It comes with a mounting bracket that you’ll attach to the electrical box on (or inside) your wall (a variety of sets of screws are provided for this purpose, since those screw-hole dimensions can vary). Arlo provides a wire S hook that you can use to hang the camera from bracket while you’re wiring it up. Just two wires extend from the device, which you’ll fasten to the hot and neutral wires coming from your home with wire nuts (also provided). The ground from your home’s wiring gets attached to the camera’s mounting bracket. Arlo’s in-app installation instructions and videos are exceptionally good. Arlo’s in-app installation instructions and videos are exceptionally good.Michael Brown/Foundry Arlo’s in-app installation instructions and videos are exceptionally good.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry My installation would have gone even easier had these wire stubs been just a wee bit longer to give me more room to maneuver, but I got the wires and nuts stuffed back inside the box without too much trouble. The final steps were to simply fasten the light to the bracket using the long screw provided and then to push a rubber cover over the hole. Using just one screw to attach the light’s round base makes it easy to twist the whole assembly back and forth until the lights are level before you tighten it down. Arlo doesn’t mention it in its instruction manual, but it would be a good idea to apply a bead of caulk to at least the top half of its housing to prevent water from dripping behind it and into the electrical box. The light does have a foam gasket around the back side that contacts the wall, but I’m not certain that would offer enough protection over the long haul. Using a single screw to mount the floodlight camera to its mounting bracket makes it easy to ensure the assembly is level. Using a single screw to mount the floodlight camera to its mounting bracket makes it easy to ensure the assembly is level.Michael Brown/Foundry Using a single screw to mount the floodlight camera to its mounting bracket makes it easy to ensure the assembly is level.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry Once the physical installation is finished, you’ll restore power to the light, connect it to your Wi-Fi network, add it to the Arlo app, and update its firmware. You can tweak pretty much every aspect of the product once it’s installed, ranging from adjusting the camera’s motion and audio sensitivity (this is one of rare camera’s I’ve tested that can react to sound as well as motion) to the brightness of its LEDs. You can define as many as five motion detection zones, but you’re limited to drawing resizable rectangles, since each one has control points only at the corners. Most other cameras let you draw more eccentric shapes. Oddly enough, Arlo doesn’t provide any provisions for drawing privacy zones to prevent the camera from capturing neighboring gates, doors, or windows. You might find that you can position the camera so that these elements will be out of its field of view, but it still seems like an omission. Day-to-day use With a subscription, you’ll get instant notifications when motion or audio events trigger the camera to record. With a subscription, you’ll get instant notifications when motion or audio events trigger the camera to record.Michael Brown/Foundry With a subscription, you’ll get instant notifications when motion or audio events trigger the camera to record.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry You can operate the camera on a schedule, if you like, and since Arlo uses the same app for its complete home security system, you can also choose from three operational modes based on your current location: Arm Away, Arm Home, and Standby. You can establish custom rules for each mode. In Arm Away mode, typically used when you’re away from home, you might set a rule where the camera detects motion and/or sound and turns its floodlight on, records a video clip, sounds its siren, and send you a notification. In Arm Home mode, on the other hand, you might want the camera to detect motion, turn on its lights, and record video, but not sound its siren or send you a notification. You can create a third independent set of rules for Standby mode. You can also view your camera recordings and manage your system on Arlo’s web portal. You can also view your camera recordings and manage your system on Arlo’s web portal.Michael Brown/Foundry You can also view your camera recordings and manage your system on Arlo’s web portal.Michael Brown/Foundry Michael Brown/Foundry The Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera captures crisp, clear, color-accurate video in 2K resolution with HDR. It’s very responsive to motion, and a Foresight feature captures 3 seconds of video before motion-triggered events, which helps to ensure you see what triggered the camera to record a clip. Both the camera’s black-and-white and color night vision are excellent, especially if you point the lights in a similar direction as the camera. I directed the lights more to the sides in my installation, because my neighbor’s home is relatively close to mine, and I didn’t want the lights shining in their window. I wouldn’t count on the camera’s siren scaring an intruder off your property or even attracting anyone’s attention. While it’s sufficiently high-pitched, it is not at all loud. I could barely hear it inside my house, so I doubt it would arouse my neighbors’ suspicions. Should you buy an Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera? The Arlo Wired Floodlight Camera is affordably priced and easy to install and use. Its camera captures excellent video, and its dimmable lights will illuminate large areas of your property. If you’re not already in one home security ecosystem or another, and you think you might want to buy a home security system down the road, Arlo is a good place to start. Be sure to factor in the cost of a subscription, however, as this product isn’t of much use without one. When you’re ready to expand your home security footprint, Arlo has a very good basic home security system with a reasonably priced 24/7 professional monitoring plan.

At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros A solution for every cleaning need High suction power All dust and debris collect in the same bin Attachable mop for the stick vacuum Cons No mop on the robot vacuum Not very efficient mopping with the stick vacuum attachment Our Verdict We have quibbles with its mopping performance, but the Yeedi C12 Combo excels at vacuuming, and its versatile base station will charge and empty both the robot vacuum and the stick vac. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Whether it’s stairs, that spot just under the couch, or between the casters of your office chair, there are plenty of spaces in your home a robot vacuum simply can’t reach. But what if you could get both a robovac and a stick vacuum in one go? And what if it also had a detachable mop? We’ve been seeing more and more of these robovac-and-stick-vac combos in the past year, and that’s exactly what the Yeedi C12 Combo is. This recently launched model seeks to deliver an all-in-one solution that features a robot vacuum, a stick vacuum, a mop accessory, and a bagless charging station that handles the dirt and dust from both containers. The C12 Combo’s stick vacuum is a cinch to use, relatively light, and super easy to keep charged since it’s usually set it up on the base station’s charging pad. Design The Yeedi C12 Combo is an upgraded version of the C12 Pro Plus, which means it features the same robot vacuum and a similar-enough auto-empty base station. And that’s about where the similarities end. Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu The new base station features the same bagless container that we saw in the previous model, but the unit is longer on the left side to incorporate a docking space for the cordless stick vacuum. There’s also a side holder to ensure the brush head and pipe stay upright and a hidden container that fits some accessories for the stick vacuum. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best robot vacuums. The robot vacuum has the same simple design we saw in the previous model, sans the extra mop accessory. It comes with a tangle-free brush that actually works, a side brush, and a dust container that you won’t actually have to interact with unless there’s a power outage and the station is offline. Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu The stick vacuum looks sleek and stylish with a simple design that features a small dust container. There are two buttons on the handle within reach of your thumb; one will power up the device, and the other will cycle through the suction power. There are also some accessories you can use, starting with a main brush that features LED lights to highlight dust and hair on your floors, a crevice tool for vacuuming around your sofa seats and other tough-to-reach spots, and a 2-in-1 dusting brush for cushions, tables, and whatever other places you need to clean. There’s also another accessory you can attach to the stick vacuum, namely a mop. Yep, you read that right. The mop accessory consists of a small rectangular 240ml water tank and a mop head (two mop heads come included in the package) that attaches to the tank via loop-and-hook fasteners. The wheels of the main vacuum brush attach magnetically to the mop, allowing you to vacuum and mop in one go. Setup The C12 Combo comes in a fairly large package, but then again there are a lot of items crammed inside. The station comes almost fully assembled; all you have to add are the trays that the robovac and stick vacuum will sit on. The only other physical setup task is placing the base station in a suitable spot. Connecting the robot to Wi-Fi is easy; just scan the QR code under the robot’s lid using the Yeedi app and following a few steps. The C12 Combo only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, but that’s not uncommon with robovacs. Before you actually start cleaning, you’ll have to allow the C12 Combo to map the house, which it can do in just a few minutes. The mapping process is surprisingly accurate, but if there are any issues, you can use the Yeedi app to split rooms or otherwise edit the floor plan. You can also set down no-go areas where you don’t want the robovac to reach. The default in the app is to run a whole-house cleaning job, but you can select just a specific room (or rooms) for cleaning, choose which rooms you want the bot to clean first, or pick only a select area you draw on the map. Vacuum performance The C12 robot vacuum performed well over my laminate floors and the hard floors, cleaning up dust, dirt, and all the floof from my pets. (There are three of them that oscillate between vegging on the couch and running around the house like cartoon characters, so there’s a lot of dispatched hair in all colors and lengths.) Using a maximum of 10,000 Pa suction power, the robot carefully moves around the house, picking up everything in its path. When I tested the C12 Pro, I had one specific issue: it kept eating my socks. However, the C12 Combo performed much better this time around. Instead of just mowing through the room and sucking up socks, it slowed down and approached them cautiously, carefully passing them by and moving them around slightly. It kept doing that until it pushed the socks to the side of the room and then ignored them. It carefully went around a plushie and a slipper, too. Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu We gave the robovac a test by spilling some rice on the floors. The robot went about its routine and sucked up most of the grains, although some got left to the side after the side brush pushed them away. The C12 Pro Plus performed better in this task. This time around, I had no coffee grounds for the fine powdery test, so I used cocoa powder. In this test, the C12 Combo picked up well enough, leaving me no complaints in this department. One thing that annoyed me with the C12 Pro Plus was that when it returned to the station, it took an incredibly long time to find its path, visiting rooms it wasn’t even supposed to go into. Well, that wasn’t an issue with the C12 Combo. Whether it was a problem with my test unit or Yeedi simply ran a software update in the interim, the C12 Combo always knew where the station was and backed up to it like a pro. Stick vac performance I have little to complain about when it comes to the C12 Combo’s stick vacuum. It’s a cinch to use, relatively light, and super easy to keep charged since it’s usually set it up on the base station’s charging pad. The main brush performed well in picking up everything off the floor, and it did not get tangled at all throughout the whole process. The LED lights are rather helpful in highlighting dust and hair on the floor, but I must say I still prefer the green light on the Ultenic U16 Flex. Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu Gabriela Vatu I really, really liked using the two-button set-up on the handle. It’s easy to reach with your thumb, and there’s no way to accidentally push it simply by handling the vacuum. Adjusting the suction power is extremely easy as well. The jury is still out on the performance of the mop accessory. It has a stellar build, and I love that it attaches magnetically to the vacuum. The mop pads attach securely to it, and there’s no way to “lose” them while cleaning. But–and it’s a big “but”–the C12 Combo’s mopping function isn’t that efficient. Sure, if your floors are squeaky clean already, this accessory can an extra layer of shine by simply coasting around. For most homes, however, it won’t do much in terms of actually cleaning because you can’t apply a ton of elbow grease to ensure a deep clean. Part of the issue with the C12 Combo’s mopping performance is that the mop head is positioned behind the vacuum. On the one hand, that’s great because it means your floors will first be vacuumed and then mopped, thus avoiding any situations where the mop simply pushes the dirt around, for instance. On the other hand, it also means the mop won’t easily reach the corner of the room without some careful side steps and maneuvering. So, is the C12’s mopping ability useful? Absolutely. Can you expect the same cleanliness you’d get from a regular mop and bucket or a mopping vacuum like those from Tineco? Definitely not. Now on to the coolest part of the Yeedi C12 Combo. Not only does the base station empty the dustbin of the vacuum when the robot docks, it also sucks the dust out the stick vacuum when you place it on the base. That’s pretty handy. Specifications Suction power: 10,000 Pa/95AW Auto-empty base station: Yes (1.5-liter dustbin) Accessories: 2-in-1 dusting brush, crevice tool, 340ml water tank, 2 mops Should you buy the Yeedi C12 Combo? Overall, the Yeedi C12 Combo stacks up well. The robovac performed its cleaning duties well enough, and I found the handheld vacuum to be quite effective in numerous situations. The station is equally fantastic. It’s too bad the C12 Combo doesn’t come with the C12 Pro Plus’s mop accessory, as I found the latter’s mopping pad to be slightly more efficient than the one you add to C12 Combo’s stick vacuum. Still, the Yeedi C12 Combo is worth its sticker price because you get such a versatile combination of cleaning components, and the fact that they share the same station is icing on the cake.

At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Very attractive industrial design for a smart lock Thorough event logging Installation troubles have been ironed out Cons Fingerprint reader is effectively useless PINs, fingerprint, and app access aren’t tied to a single user ID Optional Wi-Fi bridge is very expensive Our Verdict A pretty shell doesn’t make up for some significant operational problems in this Bluetooth smart lock. And if you want to add Wi-Fi, you’ll pay through the nose. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today It’s been five years since my last encounter with an Igloohome smart lock and seven since the first. Neither of those locks made much in the way of a positive impact here at TechHive, so it’s with some trepidation that we return to the well with Igloohome’s Deadbolt Go. Has the company finally matured enough to provide a worthwhile smart lock experience? Let’s find out. Specifications Like all of Igloohome’s locks, the hardware boasts a clean, modern, and compact design. Available in your choice of two colors—matte black or satin nickel—the exterior escutcheon showcases a slim design no thicker than a deck of cards, with stiff, physical buttons (no touchscreen here) placed above a fingerprint reader and an exposed physical keyhole. A thick rubber bumper rings the escutcheon for better waterproofing. Lastly, a USB-C port on the underside of the escutcheon is available for emergency access if needed. The Igloohome app features an exceptionally good event-logging system. Inside the house, the lock is understated but industrial in design, a clean block of plastic with a slim brushed-metal shell on top (I tested the nickel version) featuring nothing but a thumbturn. The battery cover easily slips off to reveal a bay for four AA batteries (not included). Igloo says these should power the lock for up to a year. The lock does not have an official ANSI/BHMA certification listing, but the company says it did “successfully pass both the Durability and Finish testing with a 3rd Party Laboratory to ANSI156.40 Grade B criteria.” Installation and setup Igloohome has significantly improved its smart lock installation process. Igloohome has significantly improved its smart lock installation process.Christopher Null/Foundry Igloohome has significantly improved its smart lock installation process.Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry I’ll give credit to Igloohome for working most of the kinks out of its previously difficult installation process. A slim, single-page installation guide isn’t really necessary to affix the lock to the door: Just sandwich the exterior escutcheon and a slim interior frame to the door with two included bolts (no longer is a bonus screw required). The interior escutcheon connects to the exterior with a single cable, and three tiny additional bolts attach it to the frame. The thick cable took a small amount of work for me to push into place in order to allow the interior escutcheon to sit flush with the door wood, but this isn’t markedly more difficult than what other locks require. Once attached, the lock was stable on the door after I ensured all the bolts were tightened up. Beautifully, the calibration process determines whether the lock is left- or right-hand oriented and sets things up accordingly without additional user intervention. Out of the box, the Deadbolt Go is a Bluetooth-only lock, and onboarding is a trivial matter in the Igloohome app. This app has seen its share of updates over the years, but it still isn’t the most refined lock app I’ve encountered. For on-demand access, it’s easy to tap the separate Lock and Unlock buttons, but the home screen doesn’t even indicate whether the lock is open or closed. The Igloohome Deadbolt Go’s interior escutcheon is more attractive than most. The Igloohome Deadbolt Go’s interior escutcheon is more attractive than most.Christopher Null/Foundry The Igloohome Deadbolt Go’s interior escutcheon is more attractive than most.Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry As well, access control is a bit different (and more poorly designed) than most locks. In the Igloohome app, PINs, fingerprints, and app-based access are all separate: You can’t create a user and assign multiple types of access to them. Instead, a universal user must have three different entries in the app, one for each access type. This isn’t just digital clutter, it can also create some confusion if you want to change or remove access rights for someone later. Even the access types aren’t entirely logical. Fingerprint-based access is always 24/7, but PINs can be set as permanent, to expire after a certain duration, one-time-only, or recurring on a weekly basis. App-based access always asks for a time horizon before it expires. None of this makes a whole lot of sense. The lock can store just 20 fingerprints but has room for 199 PINs. One nice feature: If you’re not in Bluetooth range of the lock, you can still set up a PIN by using the lock’s “algoPIN” feature, which is similar to a feature on the Philips 1000-series Electronic Deadbolt. This takes advantage of a time-based procedural code generator directly on the lock’s firmware that can create its own PINs even if you’re well out of range. But unlike the Philips lock, these PINs can be of any access type and not just one-time codes. Day-to-day use Igloohome’s Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi bridge can link up to five Igloohome locks to the internet, but it’s very expensive at $75.  Igloohome’s Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi bridge can link up to five Igloohome locks to the internet, but it’s very expensive at $75. Christopher Null/Foundry Igloohome’s Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi bridge can link up to five Igloohome locks to the internet, but it’s very expensive at $75. Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry Aside from occasional app crashes and the inability to delete old, long-retired hardware from the app, I had no major trouble using the lock—except for one big problem: the fingerprint reader. Put simply, it was a disaster in my testing, regularly taking anywhere from 3 to 20 attempts to properly read my print and open the lock. This isn’t just a nuisance, it’s a huge issue, because by default, Igloohome’s “security lockout” mode disables the lock after just three failed attempts to open it (with either a wrong PIN or an unrecognized fingerprint). A security lockout means the lock beeps loudly and stops working for about a minute before coming back online. Naturally, three tries wasn’t going to cut it for me, and I didn’t even feel comfortable setting it to the maximum of 10 failures allowed in the app. I tried registering multiple fingerprints and found this behavior to be consistent, though some days were far worse than others with failed readings. The Igloohome Deadbolt Go has plenty of features, but the logging system in its app reveals how poorly many of them function. The Igloohome Deadbolt Go has plenty of features, but the logging system in its app reveals how poorly many of them function.Christopher Null/Foundry The Igloohome Deadbolt Go has plenty of features, but the logging system in its app reveals how poorly many of them function.Christopher Null/Foundry Christopher Null/Foundry Lastly, in addition to an exceptional logging system (which even captures manual unlocks), the sole additional option in the app is an auto-lock feature (settable for 5 seconds to 3 minutes). If you want to extend the functionality of the lock, you can do so with the Igloohome Bridge ($75), a separate device that can connect the lock to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network. The bridge is a small square device, a bit smaller than an Altoids tin, that requires a USB-C connection to power up. A cable is included, but a power supply is not. There’s nothing much to this product except that it allows you to control up to five locks when you’re away, and it enables a geofencing automatic unlocking mode—although I never once got this to work. Installing the Bridge also enables you to control the lock with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. Unfortunately, these features are all poorly documented when they are at all. Should you buy the Igloohome Smart Deadbolt Go? Igloohome’s lock has certainly improved—particularly in the design department—in the five years since we last saw hardware from the company. Just not as much as I’d hoped. Due to its unreliable (to point of being useless) fingerprint reader and some iffy app design decisions, the lock just isn’t a great option for homeowners when compared to competing Bluetooth smart locks—some of which cost less. Be sure to read TechHive’s in-depth guide to smart locks, including our recommendations of the best smart locks.

No smart home is complete without a smart lock. They represent the biggest improvement to home security since the lock-and-key system was invented more than a thousand years ago. In many cases, smart locks dispense with physical keys altogether in favor of PINs, fingerprints, NFC devices, and apps. They deliver lots of other benefits, too. Most smart locks have logging systems, so you can keep track of who’s coming and going–and when. That’s incredibly useful whether you have a teenager who tends to break curfew or merely want to give temporary access to houseguests, service providers, or Airbnb guests. Smart locks are an incredible upgrade over the old way of doing things. These are our top picks in several categories. Updated October 10, 2024: We’ve added a link to our Igloohome Deadbolt Go review. Why you should trust us TechHive’s editors and contributors have been testing smart locks since the very first models came to market, and we continuously evaluate the latest models along with their accompanying apps. We’ve tested keyless smart locks, retrofit locks, locks with keypads, Bluetooth-only locks, locks that support geofencing, and more. You can trust us to guide you to the right smart lock for your needs. Our top picks for smart locks Level Lock+ Connect — Best smart lock overall Pros Understated industrial design that doesn’t scream “it’s a smart lock!” Supremely easy to install and set up Compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit (including Apple’s “home key” NFC tech Thread radio onboard for eventual Matter certification Cons No biometric security Pricey Why we like the Level Lock+ Connect Now bundled with the Level Connect Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi bridge, the Level Lock+ Connect is fully compatible with all three of the major smart home platforms: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit (including Apple’s “home key” NFC tech), and Google Home. The inclusion of the bridge also erases the biggest cons we had for this minimalist lock that looks as good as it operates. It remains our highest-rated smart lock–there is nothing better on the market today–and it could get even better when its Thread radio is activated, adding Matter compatibility. Who should buy the Level Lock+ Connect While the Level Lock+ Connect is now compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home, we believe Apple users will have the best experience with this lock. The arrival of Matter compatibility will presumably iron out the kinks for Alexa and Google Home users, but Level’s promised Matter update (the lock is Matter-certified, but its Thread radio is still dormant). Read our full Level Lock+ (Level Connect bridge included) review Kwikset Halo Touch — Best mainstream smart lock Pros Effective operation with a top-notch fingerprint scanner Connects directly to Wi-Fi, no hub or bridge needed Smaller and more attractive exterior escutcheon compared to most of the competition Streamlined setup process Cons App becomes mired in lengthy delays every time a setting is changed Interior escutcheon is still industrial-class ugly Relatively expensive Why we like the Kwikset Halo Touch Kwikset has finally gotten into the biometrics game with the launch of the Halo Touch smart lock, and the lock benefits from a handsome exterior design, easy installation, a basic but fully-featured app, and–best of all–an effective, fast, and accurate fingerprint scanner. Who should buy the Kwikset Halo Touch Hey, we get it. Not everyone wants to spend big bucks on the absolute best product in any given category. That’s why we’ve made a distinction here between “best mainstream” (the Kwikset Halo) and “best overall” (the Level Lock+). The Kwikset’s lock isn’t compatible with Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem, but it doesn’t depend on a separate bridge to connect to your Wi-Fi network and it costs $110 less than Level’s offering–which doesn’t have a fingerprint reader. Read our full Kwikset Halo Touch review Wyze Lock Bolt — Best budget-priced smart lock Pros An amazing smart-home value Inclusion of a fingerprint reader is impressive at this price Worked perfectly throughout our evaluation You can establish temporary PIN codes from afar, even without Wi-Fi Cons Bluetooth only, no Wi-Fi connectivity Can’t be incorporated into a broader smart home system Uninspired industrial design Can’t detect if the door is open or closed No physical key Why we like the Wyze Lock Bolt At $70, Wyze Labs’ Lock Bolt Bluetooth smart lock is dirt cheap compared to what the rest of the smart lock industry has to offer. Even better, it even includes a few features even advanced smart locks tend to miss. Installation is easy, you can create temporary PIN codes from anywhere, a fingerprint reader is included (a rarity at this price), and best of all, the lock worked flawlessly during our testing process. Who should buy the Wyze Lock Bolt If you can do without Wi-Fi connectivity, the Wyze Lock Bolt is a phenomenal value for a full-fledged smart lock (this isn’t just a retrofit device), especially given that it includes a fingerprint reader. Just be aware that as a Bluetooth-only device, the Wyze Lock Bolt lacks support for geofencing, voice commands, or integrations with broader smart home ecosystems. Still, this lock is a great value for the money. Read our full Wyze Lock Bolt review Level Bolt Connect — Best retrofit smart lock Pros The champion of unobtrusive retrofit smart locks Very easy to set up and use Near flawless operation in daily use Cons Geofencing didn’t work Minimal activity logging iPhone users will need a HomeKit hub for away-from-home control Android phone users will need an Amazon Sidewalk bridge in order to control the lock while away from home Best Prices Today: £309.03 at Amazon Why we like the Level Bolt Level Home’s Level Bolt Connect is our favorite retrofit smart lock, thanks in large measure to its ability to disappear. The smart components of the Bolt hide inside your door, where they replace the interior mechanical elements of your existing deadbolt. You re-attach your existing interior and exterior components, so that your door’s overall aesthetic doesn’t change in the least. Who should buy the Level Bolt Now that it comes bundled with the Level Connect Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi bridge, the Level Bolt Connect is compatible with all three of the major smart home ecosystems–Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home–making it a great choice for those looking to retrofit their locks regardless of their smart home platform. Read our full Level Bolt (now marketed as Level Bolt+ Connect, which includes the Level Connect bridge)  review Lockly Vision Elite — Most sophisticated smart lock Pros Every feature you could want in a smart lock—and then some PIN Genie touchscreen is brilliant Top-shelf fingerprint scanner Wi-Fi bridge and second battery are included Cons Incredibly complex installation Not the prettiest lock on the block Dazzlingly expensive Why we like the Lockly Vision Elite Lockly’s $500 Vision Elite is the most expensive smart lock we’ve tested, but its mountain of features and solid operation make it worth consideration. You should also take into consideration that it eliminates the need for a video doorbell, and that it features both a numeric keypad, a fingerprint reader, and a conventional key cylinder. It is the most sophisticated smart lock we’ve seen, but it’s hard to hide all of its features behind a pretty facade. It’s also very expensive. Who should buy the Lockly Vision Elite You’ll need deep pockets to afford the Lockly Vision Elite, but it does double as a video doorbell, so it’s a great choice if you don’t already have a doorbell installed. The Lockly Vision Elite is also ideal if you prefer unlocking your door using a fingerprint reader. Read our full Lockly Vision Elite review What to look for when shopping for a smart lock As you’ve doubtless realized by now, not all smart locks are made alike. Some smart locks are designed to completely replace an old “dumb” lock, while others are meant to retrofit an existing lock. Some smart locks will let you create PINs for guests, while others can unlock automatically once you cross a virtual geofence. Here’s a guide to some of the key design options and features in the smart lock category. Smart home hub integration If you have an existing hub like the Wink Hub 2, Samsung SmartThings, or an Apple TV, you’ll want to ensure your chosen smart lock is compatible from the start. Many smart locks support Bluetooth, so they work with your phone, but lack the technology needed to connect with your home network. Some Bluetooth locks, like the Yale Assure system and the August Smart Lock, offer a radio module as an add-on to connect to your home network. If you’re using a smart home hub like the Samsung SmartThings or Wink Hub, look for a lock that supports Z-Wave or Zigbee, instead. Then there’s Matter, the new smart home standard that promises to unite the major smart home ecosystems. The good news is that smart locks are included in the Matter specification; the bad news is that for now, only a few Matter-enabled smart locks are available. We look forward to checking out more Matter smart locks in the weeks and months ahead. Entry means From apps and keypads to fingerprint readers and good, old-fashioned keys, there are myriad ways to unlock a smart lock. Make sure to pick a model that supports the entry method (or methods) you prefer. Power backup What do you do if the batteries inside the lock die—and you’re stuck outside? Some locks allow for emergency power to be applied should this happen. Yale’s Real Living locks feature external posts to which you can connect a 9-volt battery, giving you enough juice to get the door open. Other models retain the traditional key cylinder for backup. Geofencing Bad about manually locking the door when you leave? A geofencing system automatically locks the door when it detects your phone has left the vicinity, and can be set to automatically open up when it finds you’ve come home. Guest access features Most smart locks let you set up temporary keys for houseguests, which you can delete when they’ve returned home. Smarter systems even let you set time restrictions around when each access code can be used. Frequently asked questions about smart locks 1. What benefits do smart smart locks deliver? You can thank the hospitality industry for finally pushing locks into the digital age. Hotels learned long ago that keys are easily lost, expensive to replace, and simple to bypass, as thieves can pick locks or simply make copies of a key to allow for unfettered future access. On the flipside, hotel guests have readily accepted key cards (and in some cases, smartphone-based solutions) as the primary means of getting into their room. The electronic solution is just so much simpler. Lost hotel key card? Replacing it is no big deal. But the biggest benefit of electronic entry systems is that they are highly configurable. Digital locks can be changed at a moment’s notice (which is why that old hotel key card in your wallet isn’t good for anything), and the property owner can generate a record of when each door was opened. In a more advanced setting, different keys can be generated for the same lock, so a homeowner can tell when each member of the family came in, or when the housekeeper arrived. 2. How do you pick a smart lock? (No pun intended) This is a young and wildly immature space, and many products on the market are still extremely rough around the edges. Even top products can balk when dealing with old or stiff deadbolts, doors that don’t shut well, or environments where non-standard fixtures are in use. The bottom line is that it’s tough to declare that any product is universally perfect for every home. That said, here are some key considerations to take into account to help you narrow down your shopping list. 3. Are some smart locks smarter than others? Some “smart locks” don’t work with a smartphone app or any smart home networking hubs at all; they’re really just electronic locks that use a code instead of a key to open up. One step up from that, you’ll find Bluetooth-only locks. These work with a smartphone app, but can’t be monitored remotely or via a smart home system. That’s fine if you’re looking to get rid of the keys in your pocket, but less impressive if you want to make your entrance portals a true part of your home network. Finally, there are full-on smart locks that connect to your smart home system via Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Wi-Fi. 4. Do I need to completely replace my old lock to install a smart lock? You’re forgiven if you don’t want to replace your antique doorknob on your vintage Victorian with a metallic device that looks like it would be more at home keeping people out of a strip mall bank branch. A sizeable number of smart lock products don’t require you to replace all your existing hardware. Instead, they are installed on the inside of the door only, replacing only the interior part of the deadbolt. You can continue to use a standard key from the outside or open the lock via a smartphone app. Other smart locks we’ve reviewed recently We’ve evaluated many other smart locks. If none of our top picks check all the boxes for you, take a look at these other products. We’ve also listed some smart locks that you should avoid. Abode Smart Lock: There’s nothing remarkable about this retrofit smart lock–apart from it’s $130 sale price at launch–and our enthusiasm for it was further dampened when the first review unit we were sent turned out to be defective. Eufy Smart Lock E30: Matter over Thread support is this smart lock’s primary claim to fame, but we had difficulty incorporating it into any of the Matter smart home hubs we have on had. If that feature doesn’t matter to you, this lock has several other great features to recommend it. Eufy Video Smart Lock S330: This remarkable replacement smart lock features a touchscreen keypad, a fingerprint reader, and an integrated video doorbell. This lock’s gargantuan dimensions–and a few day-to-day operational glitches–temper our enthusiasm for this lock, but there’s no denying Eufy’s ambition level. Proscenic Smart Lock L60: Proscenic’s smart deadbolt proved to be a much more reliable product than its L40 smart lever lock (see link below). Proscenic Smart Lock L40: Kudos to Proscenic for stuffing this lock with features and keeping its price down, but numerous operational problems, including an erratic fingerprint reader that had a bad habit of locking out our reviewer, need to be addressed. Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt: This robustly built smart lock is compatible with nearly every modern smart home ecosystem: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit, including the latter’s “home key” NFC technology that allows you to unlock the door by holding your iPhone or Apple Watch next to it. Smonet Smart Lock: If you’re willing to deal with a tricky setup process and some operation hiccups, Smonet’s smart deadbolt is a reasonable and affordable Bluetooth lock with a Wi-Fi option. Securam EOS: Connectivity drops are a big problem with this otherwise innovative and solid smart lock. Lockly Duo: The Lockly Duo effectively combines a latch and deadbolt in a single smart unit, but the resulting device is enormous–and a bit wonky. Turbolock TL88: This Bluetooth-only, latch-style lock includes a quality fingerprint reader, but it’s short on tweakability. Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad: Retrofit locks are an attractive option for enters who can’t change their locks and homeowners who don’t want to change the exterior aesthetic of their existing door hardware, but this Yale product took longer to install than a full replacement lock. Yale Assure Lock 2 Key-Free Touchscreen with Bluetooth: Yale is a strong player in the smart lock market, and its products are priced accordingly. This one is a Bluetooth only model, but you can add Wi-Fi connectivity with an $80 bridge.