DIY home security systems are great for keeping you safe, but what if you have an apartment? Can you use the same systems? You might be able to, but there is one important factor to consider. Many home security systems have permanent installation, which your landlord may disapprove of. If you want the best apartment … Read more
If you’re paying for the higher speeds from your ISP (200Mpbs or more), then you need a mesh router that ensures everyone can enjoy those speeds without dips and slow downs. That’s where the Eero 6 and Eero Pro 6 come in. These two routers are great, but which is best for your home? We’re … Read more
If you are allergic to dust, pet dander, or other common allergens, then you need a vacuum built to properly capture and contain these particles. The best vacuum for allergies will have at least one HEPA filter. Conventional vacuums tend to allow dust to escape from the exhaust port, which only ensures that you’re left … Read more
Roomba was the first to introduce robot vacuums to the world and they are recognized as making some of the best models, so it seems almost blasphemous to ask, “is a Roomba worth it?” However, the truth is that some of their vacuums aren’t worth it. Robot vacuums in general are definitely worth it. And … Read more
After a month of testing, I determined Dyson V8 Absolute is the best stick vacuum because it cleans efficiently on hard floors and carpets and has a longer runtime. Dyson V7 Motorhead is great, but I only recommend it for households with mostly carpets because it only includes one roller. I’ll explain how I reached … Read more
Summary Ecovacs Deebot N79S has a more powerful suction, longer runtime, larger dustbin, and it comes at a better price. Roomba 675 has the recognizable brand name and virtual walls, but budget level Roomba’s aren’t good enough. Navigation This refers to the battery runtime and how well the vacuum navigates your home. Deebot is the winner by a … Read more
Summary Ring Stick Up has more to offer than Blink, but it requires a monthly subscription. Blink Outdoor is a great for those who want to avoid mostly subscriptions, but you’ll need to buy the unreleased Sync Module 2 for $30 to record for free. Free Blink and Ring require a subscription to be useful, but Blink has an option … Read more
After several weeks of testing, I’ve determined that JBL Flip 5 wins the battle against Bose SoundLink Micro due to its superior sound quality. Bose SoundLink Micro sounds impressive for its size. It also has more bass and a cool design, but it’s quieter and more expensive. Read on and I’ll compare Bose SoundLink Micro … Read more
After a whole month of testing, I’ve determined that the UE Megaboom 3 is better than the JBL Xtreme 2 in terms of omnidirectional sound, wireless charging, portability, and durability. Xtreme 2 outperforms with volume and sound quality, but there are design flaws you can’t overlook. I’ll compare JBL Xtreme 2 vs UE Megaboom 3 … Read more
After several weeks of testing I have found that JBL Charge 4 wins the battle of JBL Charge 4 vs UE Boom 3. It comes down to better sound quality and battery life. While UE Boom 3 has omnidirectional sound and a great design, it lacks Charge’s depth and richness. Read on as I compare … Read more
These are both fantastic portable speakers, but after a month of testing, I’ve determined that UE Megaboom 3 is better with it’s superior design, wireless charging, and significantly better sound at higher volumes. However, JBL Charge 4 sounds better at lower volumes indoors, and it’s more affordable. In my JBL Charge 4 vs UE Megaboom … Read more
After testing them for a month, I’ve determined that JBL Charge 4 is better than Bose SoundLink Color II due to superior sound, battery life, and durability. Bose SoundLink Color II has good sound quality, but the volume is too low and the price too high. Read on to learn more about JBL Charge 4 … Read more
After testing these portable speakers for weeks, I’ve determined that the Megaboom 3 is the best portable speaker. Comparing the UE Megablast vs UE Megaboom 3 was tough since they are similar in many respects. However, Megaboom 3 was clearly the best with design and battery life, plus its sound quality was on par with … Read more
After weeks of use I’ve determined that UE Boom 3 is better than JBL Flip 4 due to its superior bass, lovely design, and wireless charging. However, when it comes to JBL Flip 4 vs UE Boom 3, it’s a toss up as both are quite similar and Flip 4 is more affordable. Read on … Read more
After a month of testing, I determined Google WiFi (three-set) is the best mesh router for most people because it has excellent app features with similar performance to Velop’s two-pack. Velop is solid but you’d need three nodes to compete while making sacrifices on price and software. I’ll compare and contrast two mesh routers (Linksys … Read more
After weeks of testing, I determined Blink Outdoor is a solid security camera for those looking for casual monitoring, rather than serious security. Arlo Pro is more reliable and has rechargeable batteries, but it’s not ideal for serious surveillance, yet too expensive for the average shopper. I’ll explain how I reached my conclusion by comparing … Read more
After years of testing four different Ecobee models, I determined the latest Ecobee SmartThermostat (Ecobee5) is the best overall because it comes with a SmartSensor and has an Alexa speaker built-in. However, you can save substantially with Ecobee3 Lite if Alexa isn’t important to you. First, I’ll compare and contrast the two models (Ecobee3 Lite … Read more
After months of testing, I determined Arlo Pro 2 is the best outdoor security camera overall because of its rechargeable batteries and subscription-free motion recording service. However, Nest Cam is better for people who need 24/7 recording that’s guaranteed not to miss a beat. I’ll explain how I reached my conclusion by comparing two outdoor … Read more
Summary Ring 3 Plus has a lower subscription charge, better live calling, and the ability to be battery-powered. Nest Hello has a superior build quality and can record 24/7 for $50/month, but it requires doorbell wires. Setup Setup is easy with Ring 3 Plus and gets the win. Nest Hello isn’t hard to set up, but it’s more challenging than … Read more
Summary Ecobee5 doesn’t win in every category, but it’s more flexible and gives you more smart home control than Nest. Nest has a better build quality and works without the c-wire, but it lack smart home control. Smarts Nest is a little smarter than Ecobee because it learns your patterns and habits without manual input. Ecobee may not learn … Read more