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Best GPS running watches: The ultimate guide to choosing the best one

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A GPS running watch is there to help you keep track of your location and running distance. It also lets you know about your pace. If you are considering to buy a GPS running watch and don’t know which one, then don’t worry because we are here to help you. With so many models on the market, it can be a little intimidating finding the right GPS running watch. We have this comprehensive guide in which we have discussed every question you can have about the GPS running watches. We have also collected the best GPS running watches so you can pick out one that will match your requirements.

Best GPS running watches: The ultimate guide to choosing the best one
Best GPS running watches: The ultimate guide to choosing the best one

There are smart watches and fitness trackers that provide a lot more than just tracking the location, distance, and pace. However, some people want something that is basic. Moreover, a GPS running watch’s primary objective is to track your running and all of its detailed stats so undoubtedly it does a better job and is more accurate than most smart watcheThis article will provide answers to the following questions about GPS running watches:

  1. Understanding what a GPS running watch is
  2. Why should you buy a GPS running watch?
  3. Do GPS running watches actually work?
  4. How to choose the best GPS running watch that works best for you
  5. Best GPS running watches
  6. Using your watch efficiently
  7. Conclusion – what actually makes a difference

1. Understanding what a GPS running watch is:

Understanding what a GPS running watch is
Understanding what a GPS running watch is

A GPS running watch comes with an integrated GPS receiver that tracks down the location of a runner and works as a guide to help them reach a certain goal. The watch is often used by for fitness and sports purposes. However, they can have much more functions and capabilities depending on the developer. It can be integrated within a smart watch as well.The stats of these functions are displayed on a touchscreen integrated within the device. The screen could be OLED, LCD or something else, depending upon the model of watch. The key features usually integrated within the watch are:

Speed & pace tracking to let you know how fast you are:

The device shows current speed by calculating distance through its GPS and time. The results can be inaccurate if you use this function for basic exercises. It works well for running, walking and perhaps swimming as well. However, the best option to choose is “average speed” as current speed’s calculation can be shaky.

Heart rate monitoring for pulse control:

A heart rate monitor measures the heart rate through optics with the help of infrared light. There’s a sensor which measures the amount of light darkened by the blood. The darkness is proportional to pulse. Another way to measure heart rate is a smart fabric that works as a conductor with the assistance of built-in microprocessors which record the EKG signals and analyze them to calculate heart rate.

 

These systems are installed within GPS running devices so that along with speed and distance, heart rate would be displayed to the user, so they run at a healthy pace. It’s a great feature for people having heart diseases. They can monitor their heart rate while performing exercises and sports.

Time display:

At the end of the day, it is a “watch” after all. So, display of time is essential. Besides, while performing activities like sports, running and exercising, time’s the main key.

Route choice and tracking:

Route tracking tracks down your location during any activity that involves you being mobile. You can view various routes through the map and select your current and destination point and it provides you a highlighted route that leads you to your destination.

Map to display coordinates:

There’s a map always present in the software of a GPS running watch. It displays all elements of space including regions, themes, and objects. Routes and destinations are displayed through the Map.

Accelerometer to help you know your steps:

An accelerometer is very important both in GPS running watches as well as fitness trackers. It helps in tracking of steps as it measures how much you accelerate. The purpose of the accelerometer is to monitor the movement of your feet as it hits the ground and then how many steps it takes while running or walking through a sensor. The final tracking is the number of steps and a pace estimation which results in the distance covered and of speed.

Cycling Cadence sensor for cyclists:

Cycling Cadence means the revolution number made by the cranks arm and pedals in your bicycle per minute. It is an important count for professional and regular cyclists. A cadence sensor measures your cadence and rear wheel revolutions as well. The sensor works by having a magnet detector within which detects movements of two magnets that are relatively small in size, integrated into your bicycle.

 

One is attached to the crank arm and the other is on the spoke of the rear wheel. The former measures cadence and the later does the job of measuring the speed. However, a small sensor is attached to your chain stay which helps in detecting the magnets movement. Through a Bluetooth, the information is transmitted wirelessly to your GPS running watch.

Footpod compatibility for indoor treadmill workout:

This device is great in case you don’t go out for running/walking and prefer to do it indoor on your treadmill. Now, before the GPS was invented, Footpod was used to give an estimate of distance covered and speed as well. However, now this device has been modified to be very small and simple. It can be easily fitted within your shoe as its size is a quarter. The device then is able to broadcast ANT + protocol signals to various fitness devices and Smartphone as well. This device is great to tell accurate data of pace and distance while working on treadmills (since treadmills aren’t much reliable when it come to stats). The information can be stored and used later onwards to create good workout routines.

Interval Alarms to help you maintain your pace:

Now, this feature is amazing. It works in coordination with your heart rate monitor as well as GPS. It carefully analyzes your heart rate while your jogging or running and the pulse get’s high it notifies you to slow down and walk for a certain distance when the pulse is stabilized it notifies you again through vibration or sound to start running again. Indeed, a GPS watch is a runner’s best choice.

Goal set-up to help you attain the perfect fitness routine:

This feature allows you to set up daily fitness goals or receive them from the device i.e., the number of steps you walk, the distance you cover while running, etc. Usually, GPS running watches create goals on the basis of weight, heart rate and stamina of a person as well.

Coaching and training program:

This feature offers a program of weekly, monthly and yearly programs that enable people to attain the perfect fitness goals. The program gives a routine and helps the user to achieve it through reminders. Smart Coach an app that is often installed within smart watches and fitness trackers serving the same purpose.

 

There are some extra metrics that will help you improve your running form. To have such metrics you would need to expand your budget a little. The metrics include HR Max, lactate threshold, Orthostatic Test, Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). However, the most important are Vertical oscillation, VO2 Max and heart rate zones.

1. HR max:

This is the highest number of times your heart is supposed to beat per minute when you’re going through the most intensive workout level.

2. Lactate threshold:

When maximum level of uric acid’s build up in the bloodstream during an intensive workout after which fatigue kicks in, the pace gets affected and the efficiency of workout gets affected.

3. Orthostatic Test:

An orthostatic test is supposed to measure your heart rate while you’re at rest and while you’re standing up before. This gives you a standing, rest and peak heart rate. This gives your device enough information to tell you when you’re physically ready to train again and go out.

4. Basal Metabolic Rate:

Now, instead of getting a highly expensive test, there are watches that will give you the rate at which you burn calories by just breathing and being alive with basic info such as age, height, and weight.

5. Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC):

The boost received in metabolism right after your body is done with a workout. Also known as the “afterburn”.

6. Vertical oscillation:

While running, the bounce degree in your motion. It’s one of the optical running metric measurements.

7. VO2 Max:

This is the maximum oxygen volume (mm) you’re body can consume per minute per kilogram body weight during the highest point of workout/running. Running watches use a smart algorithm along with the heart rate monitor to give you an estimate of your VO2 max on the basis of your latest workout’s performance and vital stats.

8. Heart rate zones:

Different GPS running watches break down your heart rate tracking into segments based on your sports activity.  For example, for running:

  • Recovery (60% of MHR)
  • Maximum pace (78-95% of MHR)
  • Endurance building (60-80% of MHR)
  • Lactate threshold training of running ( 81-91% of MHR)
  • Fitness training for running (72-85% of MHR)

2. Why should you buy a GPS running watch:

 Understanding what a GPS running watch is

Understanding what a GPS running watch is

Well, it’s simply a great invention. It helps you in staying fit and be regular at daily walks and running. It also enables you to keep a history of your outdoor sessions.

There’s absolutely no denying the fact that there are many free or with a little subscription fee apps for Smartphone that offer about 90% of the features that are available on a smart watch. There’s Strava, Nike+, Runkeeper, Runtastic, and Edmundo. So, why buy a watch worth $300?

However, it should be kept in mind that these apps don’t provide up to date tracking of vitals on the screen while you’re mobile. They do provide information on distance, laps, and speed but it’s all the information is not available at your wrist’s glance. Rather, the pace get’s affected once you take out your phone from your pocket to check the running status.

So, now that you know why you need it, you must be thinking…

3. Do GPS running watches actually work, and are they accurate?

 Understanding what a GPS running watch is

Understanding what a GPS running watch is
Jonathan Rawstorn study:

Well, a GPS running watch has its setbacks and limitations. A study was carried out at the University of Aukland by Jonathan Rawstorn and some other researchers that proved how GPS technology doesn’t work well during short intervals.

The validity of GPS tracking was tested on soccer player’s movement. The players were asked to perform a jog/walk/sprint in a loop, drills of interval style and a two line based shuttle run. In this way, the movement of the players had intervals throughout the 8 miles they covered. Rawstorn wanted to see how well the watch would detect distance and pace during such intervals in a jog.

The loop repeats were carried out on 200m loop which resembles the tight turns and leaps made by runners while covering difficult trails or performing loops within a jog. The watches gave an overestimated result of the distance covered during the loops by almost 3%. This isn’t much relevant in case you’re on a run, but it’s important if you’re performing a race or workout in some competition. (Rawstorn, Maddison, Ali, Foskett, & Gant, 2014)

Another study carried out on Garmin, Polar and some other GPS running watches:

This person tested various GPS watches of famous brands like Garmin, Polar by covering 6,000 miles and taking a record of over 2,500 data points. His study was focused on finding out the best GPS running watches. However, it did give an overview regarding the true accuracy of a GPS watch.

The watches work well while covering smooth trails under favorable conditions. However, when the getting tough, the watches started giving shaky results. It was noted that the GPS accuracy of any watch wasn’t accurate enough to display current pace. The only option viable enough to display current pace accurately was by using a foot pod. It’s highly recommended to choose a GPS running watch that has compatibility with a foot pod.

Source

Thus, it’s proven that GPS running watches might lack in displaying 100% accuracy when it comes to pace especially during irregular intervals or unfavorable conditions. But they are currently the best solution for tracking your workouts.

4. How to choose the best GPS watch that works best for you? 

 Understanding what a GPS running watch is

Understanding what a GPS running watch is

When it comes to buying a GPS running watch, there are several questions that will come to your mind. It’s important to do your market research before investing this amount of money. Back in the day, there wasn’t much variety to select from when it came to fitness devices. There was the classical Casio, Polar or Garmin’s stopwatch. Now, there is a huge variety of products in various brands to choose from.

Whether you want to buy the watch for general fitness or you’re a member of the 100 Marathon Club, by tracking your stats you will be able to improve your performance and get your daily dose of motivation as well. However, just like picking out the best track suit or running shoes can be tricky, buying the perfect GPS running watch that fills in your requirements and expectations can be tricky too. Lucky for you, we have done the research for you so you can choose the best device that works well for you.

The four main questions to ask yourself before buying a GPS watch:

4 main quetion
4 main quetion

There are many factors to consider while buying a GPS running watch. But we believe all the focus should be narrowed down to these 4 basic questions before looking at other aspects. If the watch offers answers to these, it means it fills its purpose.

What’s my location?

One of the main purposes of a GPS watch is to tell you where you are located. The navigator guides can vary from a compass’s needle which displays directions to you so you can reach your destination or get back to your starting point or a highlighted track, preloaded on the map. Colored maps are displayed by Leikr and Epiz, while Finex 2 and Motoactv display maps containing names and roads.

What’s my pace?

The average pace and time can be calculated through time and distance. However, runners often want to know what’s their current pace. The GPS system is not that good at displaying current speed so, for the accuracy of speed, you need a Footpod. Racers need to know their accurate pace at various distant point and the feature is important for training programs that require you to run at a certain pace.

How much distance I covered?

This feature requires GPS accuracy and is one of the sole reasons why you buy a GPS watch. Runners want to know where they are as it helps them achieve certain goals. Most watches are good at displaying current location while the route is straight; however the results become shaky when the route gets twisted and complicated. You can prefer buying a GPS watch with a built-in accelerometer which fills in the gaps created by GPS.

 

What is my current cadence?

There are watches being invented which display the current cadence even without external devices. The watches have an internal accelerometer and sensors to detect the current cadence by which you are running or cycling. Most watches, however, need devices attached such as foot pod to your feet or crank arm sensors to your bicycle. Garmin watches use the technology of Dynamics heart rate strap. There’s a useful feature in watches these days called a “cadence” alert which will help you maintain your cadence range.

Price ranges and the features that they offer:

Well, GPS running watches start at $50 and reach $600 price tag. We don’t recommend extra high range watches as they contain some unnecessary features. Here’s what you get at different ranges:

Under $150: If we talk about GPS running watches, in this range there are very few running watches that come with GPS. There’s Garmin Forerunner 25 which gives you all the basics including pace, calories, distance, and GPS. Often watches under this range will need to be paired with your smartphone to display the stats.

$150 to $300: You’ll find nice watches like Fitbit Surge, Polar M400 and TomTom Spark in this range. They offer built-in accelerometers, heart rate tracking and advanced training features like interval session programs and heart rate zone training. You’ll be able to leave your smartphone at home.

$300 above: GPS running watches like Suunto Ambit3 Peak Sapphire HR which will cost you around $600 but will offer pretty much every sort of tracking regarding sports.

Key features to look out for:

Running dynamics, Footpod, and vertical oscillation:

A GPS running watch will give you current pace. However, our above section on accuracy has proved that no watch gives 100% accuracy of pace unless you use a Footpod. This device gives you exact cadence of running as in how often your feet strike the ground. Additionally, vertical oscillation provides you the degree of bounce in your motion while running. This and many other running dynamics offered by high range watches help you improve your running form.

Battery life depending on the distance you’ll cover:

If you’re planning on taking your GPS running watch to the marathon with you, make sure it has enough battery life. We recommend you get a watch that will last a bit longer than your longest run. However, if you do get a watch that offers less battery timing then you can carry backup battery packs along to charge on the go.

Coaching programs and interval sessions:

Interval sessions help you build up the right speed and pace during your run. Watches like TomTom Spark and Garmin Forerunner 235 offer customizable interval sessions you can create on the basis of heart rate, duration, pace, and distance. The numbers of sessions you can create is infinite.

 

Additionally, brands like Adidas, Polar, and Garmin offer comprehensive expert training programs and plans for covering half, full, 5k and 10k marathons. If you want training plans, make sure you check the Smartphone apps and web tools associated with your device before purchasing.

Efficiency of the GPS:

When it comes to GPS running watches, GPS is the main thing. It’s true that up till now no GPS provides 100% accuracy of the result but it’s about who’s nearest to it. Garmin Forerunner 235 has been claimed to have the best GPS system and provides amazing stats when it comes to running.

Heart rate tracking if you’re serious about training:

Well, if you’re buying the watch just to keep track of your speed and distance, you don’t need one with heart rate tracking. However, if you’re serious about training, a watch with heart rate sensor monitor is a must. There are two options within the device, chest strap or built-in optical heart rate (OHR).

Chest strap tends to be 100% accurate at giving results for HR but some people find it to be uncomfortable. For them, we recommend OHR but it won’t give 100% accuracy in the result. However, for steady runs, OHR gives accurate results but not for weight lifting or interval training.

Syncing with 3rd party apps and data upload:

If you want to analyze your data and want to make the best of it, it’s better if you download all the apps and web tools associated with the device. It’s important that the device has compatibility with third-party apps. Most brands offering GPS running watches support Strava – an excellent app designed for athletes. Strava connects millions of cyclists and runners across the globe.

Data uploading is another thing you must check before buying. This feature allows you to store and record your workout stats in apps like SportTracks and Dailymile. We recommend even new runners to use this feature. It allows them to take a look at their previous running stats that are months and years old to see their progress.

5. Best GPS running watches:

Best GPS running watches

Best GPS running watches

So, after knowing what a GPS watch is….you must be wondering, what’s the best watch that will fit all your needs? You know why you’re buying a GPS watch. Some of you are buying because you’re tech geeks and already have a GPS watch and want to buy a newer and better model, some of you want to train yourselves for races and marathons, some of you are buying it to improve your running or cycling pace, while some are you are buying just for the “try something new” sake. Well, for all of you, we have displayed the best

After doing lots of research, we’ve come up with the best GPS running watch of 2016. Following it, we also have listed the best watch selected by tech geeks. Furthermore, there are watches ranking best in various qualities including the price for readers with a limited budget.

best 2017 gps watches.jpg
best 2018 gps watches

TomTom Spark – Overall best GPS running watch:

TomTomSpark - Overall best GPS running watch
TomTom Spark – Overall best GPS running watch

Pros:

  1. Heart rate monitoring, GPS system built-in music playback in one device which is rare.
  2. Well designed menu – easy and logical browsing.
  3. Activity tracking plus sport training sessions.
  4. Tracks swimming, treadmill, indoor cycling and workout sessions as well.
  5. Comes with a satellite lock.
  6. 5 hours GPS tracking and weeklong and 7-day battery life for activity tracking.
  7. Heart rate zone tracking with a graph to tell you if you need to balance your pace.
  8. Accurate stats.

Cons:

  1. Outdated design-LCD monochrome screen and black plastic with a black colored rubber band. The design isn’t light weight and feels bulky to wear.
  2. TomTom MySports web app is limited and just provides you a clear display of your stats. Nothing motivational to get you back on track tomorrow.

“Never judge a book by its cover”, this saying perfectly fits Spark’s TomTom. The watch looks like an old fashioned chunky piece of plastic which isn’t light to wear, but what’s underneath that is what has amazed us. TomTom doesn’t have a touchscreen however, there’s heart rate monitoring, GPS and a built-in music all at the same time, which is rare.

The watch gives accurate activity and sports tracking. There’s running, swimming, cycling, treadmill, indoor cycling and workout tracking. The watch has an accurate cadence sensor and the GPS works amazingly as well. Under the display, there’s a four-way button system under the screen. When you’re running, your hands are very sweaty and the buttons are easy to control. By tapping up and down, you’re able to view all the metrics easily on the screen, thanks to the amazing UI the device has. Just by using back and forward buttons, you’ll be able to effortlessly slide through menus to listen to music or open a different tracking element.

The watch gives 5 hours of battery for GPS but you don’t need to switch it on all the time. TomTom was specially designed for runners in Marathon. With a weeklong battery life, the device will give them tracking throughout the run.

When it comes to heart rate tracking, OHR doesn’t give many accurate results as compared to the chest strap. However, TomTom’s OHR created by LifeQ has given the most accurate results of heart tracking as compared to the other watches we tested. In fact, TomTom’s OHR result resembles that given by Garmin’s chest strap.

When it comes to ecosystem, TomTom MySports Connect app is there to help you understand your post workout data. You get details on your distance, pace, duration, heart rate, cadence, and calories. There’s a graph on which you can plot all your elements. There’s a display of your route on a map as well. However, the app doesn’t inspire you to repeat your routine tomorrow like Garmin connect. However, you don’t really need to use the ecosystem of the app. The app can be connected to your android or iOS account and you can link it with excellent apps such as Strava and RunKeeper. You can even see the running segments on the device once it’s connected to Strava without taking your phone along the run.


Garmin Forerunner 235 – Best for fitness:

Garmin Forerunner 235 - Best for fitness
Garmin Forerunner 235 – Best for fitness

 

Pros:

  1. Lightweight design weighing just 42g.
  2. Good GPS system connects very fast.
  3. Sports tracking is very good.
  4. Easy to access the metrics through the screen.
  5. You can make customizable workout sessions.
  6. Offers extra metrics in the Garmin connect app.
  7. Works pretty good as an activity tracker.
  8. Built in OHR.

Cons:

  1. The design feels delicate and sticky due to the plastic.
  2. No VO2 metric present.
  3. Some metrics require web tools and apps to access.
  4. Inaccurate results of OHR.

The design includes a 1.23 inch LCD screen and 215 x 180-pixel resolutions. Garmin Forerunner displays time various stats such as pace, distance, heart rate Zones, heart rate, cadence, and calories as well. It’s easy to access the metrics as you can use buttons to tap up and down the screen even mid-run. By cycling around the screen, you get current heart rate zone.

Another feature that’s synced from Garmin’s web app is customizable workouts that you can plan according to your desired time, distance, workout intensity and even heart rate. The plan is then sent to the watch. The app is called “Garmin Connect mobile app” that is available on iOS and android. If you use the Express Software, you can even use the app on Mac/PC.

When it comes to high-intensity interval sessions (HIIS), the watch doesn’t show accurate results with OHR. So, you’ll need to attach a chest strap if you want good quality training. OHR is a benefit in activity tracking as the watch is able to provide the current heart rate throughout the day. Due to the watch’s lightweight design, it’s comfortable enough for you to wear while sleeping. You can’t do that with TomTom Spark. It’s just a single tap and you’re able to access your steps, pace, and calories. Garmin forerunner 235 displays calendar updates and notifications of calls, messages, and texts on the wrist, by pairing it with a Smartphone.


Garmin Forerunner 630 – Best for recovery tracking:

Garmin Forerunner 630 - Best for recovery tracking
Garmin Forerunner 630 – Best for recovery tracking

Pros:

  1. It has Smartwatch inspired features.
  2. Waterproof by 5ATM. So, you can take it to swimming up to 50 meters.
  3. Threshold limit and VO2 Max metric are available.
  4. Built-in Wifi so you can upload your sessions directly to Garmin connect.
  5. There’s the Auto Goal feature which alerts you when you reach it and also when you don’t.
  6. Connects to your phone and you can control your Garmin VIRB action camera with it.
  7. Battery lasts for a month if it’s used just for activity tracking and a watch.
  8. Matte plastic with a blue finish has a strong body against tough workout sessions.

Cons:

  1. The watch needs a chest strap, there’s no Optical heart Rate sensor.
  2. It is heavy on the pocket.
  3. The device has low resolution, less impressive screen. The design has dull colors.
  4. Doesn’t sync well and displays exact time when the activity tracker is switched on.
  5. Once the battery runs out, it takes a lot of hours to charge back to 100%.

Garmin’s Forerunner 630 offers features inspired by smart-watch, advanced running metrics and analytics to help you improve your running form; and access to Garmin’s connect IQ app store. However, is it really worth $499? Let’s see…

The watch has a round faced watch consisting of a colored 1.23-inch touch screen display. Screen size is nice with a black bezel surrounding. It’s a strong watch which you can take with you in rough weathers as well.

With the watch being waterproof by 5ATM, you can take it to swimming but the swimming modes and analytics it offers are way less than Garmin Forerunner 920xt. Keep in mind that there’s no optical heart rate sensor as we mentioned before so you need to connect the four charging pins to a proprietary charger. There’s also a 5ATM waterproof run chest strap bundle by Garmin HRM which you can wear.

It’s said to be one of the best watches for heart rate tracking and GPS. It picks up the signal quicker than TomTom Spark and drops out in between either. The watch also does a great job as an activity tracker. There’s a Move bar feature which displays your activity and alerts which send vibrations to your device to tell you to start moving when you’re inactive for too long. Indeed, Garmin’s products to a good job when it comes to being motivational.

The best thing about this watch is how it can be used as a smart watch as well. It displays texts, emails and even updates and alerts of other apps. The watch can also be connected to Garmin Connect and IQ apps. You can view all your stats, upload them and share them with friends and users online.


Fitbit Surge – Best Fitness App:

Fitbit Surge - Best Fitness App
Fitbit Surge – Best Fitness App

Pros:

  1. Comes with a Built-in GPS and optical heart rate sensor.
  2. It’s gives missed calls, text messages, and incoming call alerts.
  3. The watch comes with a 3-axes accelerometer, 3-axes gyroscope, and a digital compass as well.
  4. It’s easy to use.
  5. The updated Fitbit gives cadence, heart rate zones, and biking pace.

Cons:

  1. The device has a Battery life of just 3 days max.
  2. Charges through a USB cable attached to a proprietary connector.
  3. Has a very boring display which lacks aesthetics.
  4. GPS tends to give inaccurate results in the longer run.
  5. The Fitbit app doesn’t support more than one tracking devices you’ll have to delete your previous tracking device from the Fitbit app.

The people who love cycling, running and working out; all at the same time, Fitbit Surge is the right choice for you. The watch comes with a rubber strap with a choice of three colors; blue, black or tangerine. The grasp is secured and comfy but you can’t ignore the old fashioned, weird looking display which has an increased girth from the top end to modules bottom. The 1.2-inch LCD monochrome touch screen comes with a solitary button the left and two buttons on the right.

The watch can track calories burned, steps, duration, climbed floors and elevation thanks to the 3-axes gyroscope, digital compass and a 3-axes accelerometer it comes with. Using the Fitbit’s latest PurePulse technology, the device gives 24/7 heart rate monitoring. You’ll also be able to train efficiently through heart rate zone tracking and cardio workout tracking.

The device offers various tracking of runs including lap, free or treadmill as you navigate through the running menu on the main home screen. The treadmill tracking doesn’t use a GPS rather a step algorithm to track your jogs. Like most high-end GPS running watches, Fitbit offers cycling tracking. However, the recent update now consists of a Bike Mode as well. Just like running, the bike mode provides same level details of time, heart rate zones and pace. The device proves useful for cyclists. However, the level of detail and accuracy is nowhere near the sports tracking of Garmin.

The best thing about Surge is its app. The device syncs with your Android phone, iOS device or Windows phone by using Bluetooth. It can also be connected to your PC or MAC using a wireless dongle. The data is stored on cloud once synced with the mobile app. If you connect Fitbit Surge to your app, there’s a Fitbit Surge section which displays your current heart rate, covered distance, burned calories, step count, minutes you were active, floors climbed and details of workout sessions as well. There’s even a graph to help you understand your progress better.


Polar M400 – Best for price:

 

Polar M400
Polar M400

Pros:

  1. It is extremely wallet-friendly at just $169/$179.
  2. Tracks activity even when your stationery.
  3. The watch alerts you when you’ve been immobile for too long.
  4. It also guides you back to your home location through the nearest route through a GPS marker.
  5. It consists of an accurate calorie count.

Cons:

  1. It pairs up with fewer accessories.
  2. The device doesn’t give you over the edge metrics such as cycling cadence.
  3. No built-in OHR.
  4. Give less depth in activity and sleep tracking stats.

The best thing about this device is that it offers the basics of a running watch at a reasonable price. It’s a simple GPS running watch with some cool extra features. It has a better design then Polar V800, despite lacking extra metrics like cycling cadence and built-in OHR. The watch has a small face and a very comfortable strap for the wrist. You’ll be able to see your stats even in direct sunlight through the high contrast display.

You don’t need a unique charging cable to charge it; a simple USB cable does the job. It gives the basic pace, burned calorie, distance and altitude tracking. Through an internal accelerometer, the device will track your steps, sleep and activity even when your mobile.

The recent update of the device will give not only give iOS notifications, but it will also give notifications of other smartphone apps such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter as well.

When it comes to syncing and connectivity, the data on your Polar M400 can easily be transferred to your connected Smartphone with blue tooth technology. The watch also gives you 21 days of battery if used as a tracker or a general watch. With GPS, it will run out at 16 hours, which is even better than most watches at this range.


Garmin Vivosmart – More than just a GPS running watch:

Garmin Vivosmart - More than just a GPS running watch
Garmin Vivosmart – More than just a GPS running watch

 

Pros:

  1. The device is a smart watch which works amazingly as sports watch too.
  2. It is reasonable priced at $249.
  3. The extreme thinness of 8mm.
  4. Accurately tracks your runs, pace, and distances. Same goes for walking, swimming, and cycling.
  5. Syncs with Garmin connect Smartphone app.
  6. Fast Bluetooth syncing.
  7. 3 weeks of battery time with 10 hours of GPS tracking.

Cons:

  1. Poor design with an extremely low resolution.
  2. Looks like a typical square-faced watch with extremely dim light in the screen which barely shows the result in the dull condition.
  3. Poor settings of goals.

Garmin’s Vivosmart is not just a sports tracking watch but works great as one of the best Smart watches as well. The only setback with this device is its outdated square face watch design and its low-resolution screen. The resolution is only 205 x 148 pixels and the light is so less that it’s almost impossible to see the screen in dim light conditions. There’s a backlight which lasts hardly for 5 seconds.

When it comes to activity tracking, the watch does a fairly good job. There are steps and sleep tracking which works quite well. Though, the sleep tracking isn’t as good as Jawbone. It works well with Garmin’s HR chest straps to give you heart tracking along with the other metrics.

The best thing about this device as a GPS running watch is that it’s GPS is quite accurate. It gives you great stats for cycling, running, walking and swimming. There’s no guesswork of accelerometer, rather accurate detailed tracking. There’s also Golf tracking with back, front, and center of the green yardages. The ecosystem is incredible and the device pairs with your Smartphone to give you all the notifications on your wrist.


Garmin Forerunner 735XT – Best for athletes:

Garmin Forerunner 735XT - Best for athletes
Garmin Forerunner 735XT – Best for athletes

 

Pros:

  1. Gives advanced running, swimming and cycling dynamics including stride length, ground contact, time balance and vertical ratio.
  2. It has an 11 days battery as an activity tracker and a watch.
  3. The device is Waterproof at 5 ATM.
  4. It gives you 24 hours of GPS tracking.
  5. Also gives you a Bike sensor.

Cons:

  1. No Barometer and altimeter.
  2. Poor OHR. For accurate tracking, a chest strap is required.
  3. It has Poor tracking of swimming at times.

The watch comes with a sleek design with a large display so the users can view the stats by just a glance during their workout. The silicon bands are also soft and comfortable on the wrist. It’s available in frost blue and midnight blue or black gray colors. The battery lasts for 11 days in general watch and activity tracking mode, and 14 hours if all features are used. The watch offers heart rate monitoring and tracking of activities such as; cycling, swimming, cardio, paddle sports, XCskiing, hiking, multisport and strength training as well.

Garmin Forerunner 735XT offers advanced metrics for running, swimming and lots of other sports. The watch is waterproof up to 50m and is a great tool for tracking of swimming. You can take the watch during your swimming training and workouts in the water and it will guide you through. Though at times the tracking gives inaccurate results, but there are many options to choose from. The watch also offers GPS tracking of 24 hours.

The watch syncs automatically to Garmin connect and you can track your workouts, trends and join challenges with communities online to compete against friends, and earn badges for achieving fitness goals.


Polar V800 – Best statistics:

Polar V800 - Best statistics
Polar V800 – Best statistics

 

 Pros:

  1. Great for stats, provides various metrics and high-end data.
  2. Let’s you know when you’ll be ready to train again once you’re exhausted.
  3. Let’s you know how much you burn through general activity, workouts or just breathing.
  4. You can connect additional cycling accessories to get even more metrics on the sport.

Cons:

  1. ANT + power meter isn’t there.
  2. The data can’t be exported to 3rd party apps.

This is an excellent watch for metrics. If you’re a swimmer, biker or runner and looking for a running watch that gives you detailed metrics; Polar V800 is what you were looking for all this time. It tracks distance, pace, heart rate and calories burnt as well. The screen used to display the metrics is very clear and is customizable as well.

You can unlock Heart rate zonal training once you pair it with Polar H7 heart rate monitor. It makes sure that you’re sweating it enough to meet the perfect goal. It also gives you 100% accurate running cadence by using a shoe pod. To increase the stats of two-wheeled training, you can buy additional accessories in the big range for cyclists. The Recovery Status with Orthostatic Test features predicts when you’ll be ready to train again once you’ve completely lost every bit of energy left in you for a further workout. Indeed, it’s a marvelous GPS running watch when it comes to activity tracking and sports metrics.


6. Using your watch efficiently:

Using your watch efficiently
Using your watch efficiently

So, now that you know what to buy…are you aware of how to use it so it gives you maximum results? It’s important to know that these watches aren’t as simple as they often seem. I mean…we have already explained to you the key and some additional features they offer and what they mean, but how you use them is entirely up to you. However, we’ve come up with a guide to help you use these watches in the most efficient way possible.

Create a workout diary:

Create a workout diary
Create a workout diary

Well, yes the watches do come with their own web tools and apps for analysis, progress reports, and records but it’s very important for you to keep a separate record that helps you in a motivational way. You can use a google calendar and create a training calendar. You can note down the information that’s most relevant to you i.e. heart rate, goal achieved, what activity you performed and your feeling towards the experience.

Keep track of your heart rate and know your MHR:

It is important that you find your maximum heart rate (MHR). Your GPS running watch will use this information to divide your heart rate into segments called the “heart rate zones” according to the stages of your workout, depending upon your workout type.

In order to find your max heart rate, you need to warm up for 15 minutes. You can do sluggish jogging and maximum stretches during this period. Then, once you’re all baggy and set, find a slope that will at least take 2 minutes to reach the top. It can be a small hill or a steep road as well. Run with a hard but manageable pace towards the building. Once you’ve reached the top, run down with a simple pace and then repeat the first step. This activity will provide your watch with enough information it needs to set your heart rate zones. The advanced watches will then find your maximum heart rate by setting the zones in each run.

You can also use the BPM and heart rate zone feature to find out when you’re working out too much or when you’re being sluggish. You can also set automatic alerts for this purpose.

Use the VO2 max:

What the VO2 max does basically is that it tells you what your maximum rate is during exercise by which your heart, muscles, and lungs can use oxygen efficiently. It’s more like your individual aerobic and workout capacity after which you could faint.

VO2 max
VO2 max

If you want your accurate VO2 max, you’ll probably need to go to a lab and have a gas exchange mask attached to your face. The test is quite expensive. However, our Polar and Garmin has used incredibly clever algorithms to find a way to give an estimate of your VO2 max without the need of costly tests. There’s a test within Polar’s running watches that gives you a set workout which calculates your VO2 Max. Garmin Forerunner 620 will just use your stats during race times and run to give you an estimate of your VO2 Max.

 Keep track of your BPM:

As any part of a training plan, it’s important to know when to stop. This is where Heart rate tracking comes in handy. What you need to do is use either a chest strap or built-in OHR in your watch and lie down, stay still for at least 5 minutes. When you’re fully relaxed, your device will give a reading of your resting heart rate and you need to note it. Each morning for at least two weeks, repeat the same process. You’ll then have your average resting heart rate.

So, whenever you’re exercising the next time, in case your heart rate comes higher 10 beats per minute (BPM), it probably means you’re over training yourself and you need a break.

Conclusion:

GPS running watches are amazing fitness wearables. They can really help you keep better track of your fitness routine and help you excel at it. Hopefully, this ultimate guide on GPS running watches will help you pick one that will match your needs. However, if you want to get fit buying a fitness wearable is only the first step towards a long strenuous journey.

If you put in a lot of effort than these wearables will help you accomplish a healthy lifestyle.The key is to stay motivated and keep pushing forward. With the help of all the amazing features that these watches offer hopefully the path to a healthy life will get less complicated and your fitness wearable will by your side helping you achieve your health goals.

The post Best GPS running watches: The ultimate guide to choosing the best one appeared first on MobileSiri.


iDevices Switch Review

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iDevices Switch review
iDevices Switch

iDevices Switch Review

It’s about time that you should now be switching to the latest technology and experience the amazing features the latest tech offers you with. For now we have,iDevices Switch for you, that gives you the comfort of feeling free from worrying about switching on and off the switches manually. In this iDevices Switch review, we will see how you can control your lights, fans and other electronics with a tap on your phone.

The iDevices Switch is a connected plug that allows you to control, manage and schedule electronics from your home while using your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. The iDevices app makes it extremely convenient to monitor your iDevices Switch from anywhere without requiring any logins or hubs. The Switch works impressively for lamps, lights, heaters, fans and much more. It truly performs all the standard smart features and adds up Apple HomeKit integration. The device is Alexa compatible, thus letting users control it with Dot and Amazon Echo.

iDevices Switch
When it comes to aesthetics, the iDevices Switch stands out among other Smart Switches. As many devices are bulky little boxed that adds to the profile of your prior electrical outlet. Here iDevices Switch becomes prominent in a good way. It is one of the most compact options you can find on the market. This is the only model that makes its physical presence very useful through a customizable LED night light that you can turn off or twist to perfectly match the color scheme of your bright room.

As far as the setup of the Switch is concerned, it comes with easy installation design. The best part about it is that it does not need any logins that can save your precious time and free you from the fatigue of login in and out time and again. Among many exciting features, you will love iDevices Switch response to Siri. While using Siri voice commands, you can control your home directly from your smart device. The iDevices Switch lets you create remarkable “scenes”. As it can control multiple products while using Siri voice command, this feature activates a specific pre-set “scene”. Let’s say, “Hi Siri, turn on my going to bed scene,” it will automatically turn on your bedroom humidifier and turn off your nightstand lamp.

Pros

  • The iDevices Switch efficiently works with HomeKit
  • It features a minimal design
  • It offers you a button for manual control
  • No hub is required
  • It accurately records power consumption and average daily use
  • The apps are available on both iOS and Android
  • It offers you an astonishing optional night light
  • It has a simple setup with a sleek presentation
  • An intuitive app gives the iDevices Switch a solid foundation for future development
  • It adds the new remote access along with energy tracking

Cons

  • The iDevices Switch requires an iPhone for setup
  • It does not offer dimmer function.
  • You may face sharing problems that hold the switch back from its full potential.
  • If you prefer an outlet on the unit’s left side instead of the right side, you can’t rotate the switch. So, if you are planning to plug this into an outlet that has anything to the right side, you may face some problems using the side outlet.

 

Product Specifications

iDevices Switch application
iDevices Switch application

SUPPLIES:

  • Home Wi-Fi® (802.11 B/G/N)
  • WPA or WPA2 Network Security
  • Free iDevices® Connected App
  • HomeKit requires an Apple device with iOS 8.1 or later.

 

DIMENSIONS:

  • Depth: 1.65″ (42mm)
  • Width: 2.71″ (69mm)
  • Height: 1.57″ (40mm)
  • Weight: 3.3 oz

 

POWER:

  • Power Input: 120 VAC, 60Hz
  • Number of Power Outlets: 1
  • Resistive: 1800W
  • Tungsten: 600W
  • Motor: 1/2 HP

 

OTHER:

  • One Year Limited Product Warranty

 

Compatibility:

iPhone Models iPad Models iPod Models Watch Models
iPhone 4s iPad 2 (2nd generation) iPod touch 5th Generation 32GB/64GB 38mm Case
iPhone 5 iPad (3rd generation) iPod touch 5th Generation 16GB 42mm Case
iPhone 5c iPad with Retina display iPod touch 6th Generation  –
iPhone SE iPad mini  –  –
iPhone 6 iPad mini 2  –  –
iPhone 6s iPad Air  –  –
iPhone 6s Plus iPad Air 2  –  –
iPhone 7 iPad mini 3  –  –
iPhone 7 Plus iPad mini 4  –  –
 – iPad Pro (9.7-inch)  –  –
 – iPad Pro (12.9-inch)  –  –

 

 

Features:

i switch feature
iDevice Switch feature

The iDevices Switch looks very elegant!

Though it can be a little smaller, the switch does not create any problem with outlets blocking an adjacent plug probably on a four-plug socket or not fitting into an outlet set at a congested area. You might have experience with smart plugs and switches that are way too bulky, but you know what is the best part about this Switch? The iDevices Switch is very compact.

The iDevices Switch is visually quite appealing. It can be perfectly fit into any home. It is a bright white and soft cornered Switch which highlights a linear night-light that you can adjust to any color, saturation, and brightness. Though the light is not very bright to light up the dark room, the color personalization is just up to the mark. You can simply turn off the function to avoid any infuriation of a perpetual LED.

iDevices Switch
In addition to its striking appearance, it has a great functional design that makes it stand out in the smart home industry. When it comes to size, the switch has only one plug outlet. It has a basic design with unusual features.

Moving on to the functionality of iDevices Switch, when you will open the app it will give you a straightforward and well-designed interface. This iDevices app is made available to you for maintaining highest efficiency, no matter how many smart home devices it is integrating at a time.

The iDevices Switch has some very amazing features. You can turn on and off the things by either manually via a button on the switch or through your smartphone. At times, you are away from home, in such situations the switch tracks energy usage and can be even set on a schedule to follow while you are away. Though there are a lot of switches that tracks power consumption and integrates with IFTTT as well, iDevices app still gives and edge here.

How?

It allows you to control your Switches and set command combinations on timers. It offers as much as a common consumer requires.

Moreover, with the latest firmware updates, you can create schedules. It’s a great feature especially for those who are security conscious. You can have quick and easy installation along with Wi-Fi connection while using the iDevices Connected app and Apple HomeKit technology. More importantly, no hubs or logins are required. You can simply use Siri voice commands to monitor your home from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Also, you can control your Switch using the iDevices Connected app from any location.

Another interesting feature is that you can create scenes to manage multiple products while using Siri voice command. Additionally, you can set custom scheduling that lets you time the Switch’s activity to meet your everyday routine. Whereas energy reporting efficiently helps you to see the average power your electronic devices are consuming. It allows you to choose any color for the LED on your iDevices Switch and enjoy these luxurious features.

 

Performance:

 i switch performance

iDevice Switch performance

The iDevices Switch performs very impressively. The response time between the app and the Switch is pretty quick, so if you turn on your appliance, it will take even less than a second. On the other hand, if you press the button and manually trigger the Switch, the app will accurately work with the settings. In case you have turned off your wireless network, don’t worry as the Switch will still respond quickly to the given commands.

The only problem you may face with iDevices Switch is with resetting and reinstalling the Switch somewhere else and inviting the other users to the same home network. Moving a Switch between multiple houses might not be an issue for most of the users, but user sharing problem need to be resolved soon or else it will limit capabilities of the iDevices Switch. iDevices is taking this issue very seriously and looking for the solutions. So, if this problem is resolved, the Switch will function impeccably.

iDevices Switch
Furthermore, you can set the iDevices Switch in just 5 minutes. It comes with a Quick Start Guide that will guide you about the four easy steps of setup. All you need to do is download the iDevices app, connect your Apple device to your home’s wireless network, plug the switch into a wall and finally use the app. The switch will require few seconds to sync with your device and get connected with Wi-Fi, and within minutes you will be able to tell Siri to turn on your appliance.

Once you plug your switch and sync to your home network, afterward what it does is up to you. The iDevices app offers you an incredibly usable interface thus letting you conveniently swipe between rooms. Now you can see multiple Switches and other iDevices products in each room and control them individually.

Though many apps can connect to the physical hubs such as SmartThings Hub but the iDevices Switch and its app, operate through the Apple HomeKit. The HomeKit is Apple iOS based smart home technology that lets you control multiple products by using a single app interface. The most convenient part is that it does not require any central hardware hub to link up the products. Therefore, each connected device you buy must be HomeKit compatible. This cool switch certainly benefits from a simpler setup.

The common problem many users might face in the performance of iDevices Switch is that the original user of a given HomeKit registered home can install the new equipment. So, if you set up one HomeKit device, then only you can set up other devices in future.  Even if you try to resolve this issue by creating a new home for the switch, still you won’t be able to access any of the HomeKit technology that had been set before by someone other than you.

Overall, the switch does not offer more customizable permissions for the user sharing.

 

Care and maintenance:

iDevices Switch setting up
iDevices Switch setting up

Though Smart Switch may be the easiest thing to connect in the smart home, at times there are one or two issues you face. These problems are probably due to lack of care and maintenance of the Switch. If you face any problem while connecting your iDevices Switch to your network, the first step you should take is to reboot the router. Most of the times, it will fix problems. However, power cycling can also solve the issue. And lastly, make sure your switch is turned on.

 

Conclusion

Smart Switches are an easy way for to who to raise house’s IQ. An accompanying integrating network is equally important as the physical technology if you are looking for something other than the basic controls. With HomeKit, you need to have some faith in the Apple world and be willing to invest some bugs. For an indoor switch, iDevices offers you one of the best out there for which most of the casual consumers are looking for. The product is the foundational part of your Smart Home’s development. The iDevices app carries together all the products in one of the most efficient and appealing ways, and now this iDevices Switch seems to be perfectly fit right at your smart home. At $60, you will get a user-friendly app along with a versatile Switch. What else your smart home needs?

There is no doubt that iDevices Switch dominates the list of higher end accessory as a quick outlet. You are paying few bucks over the current iHome option in exchange for a night light and incredible power monitoring features. You can mix and match accessories to achieve the desired results. The night-light and the power control are excellent features so don’t forget to make full use of them.

iDevices Switch
After spending a lot of time in plugging and unplugging and flipping Switches, we conclude that if you want to control devices remotely then, iDevices Switch is the best option for you. The Switch is compact and works well with iOS devices. It effectually monitors energy usage and offers a great deal of smart home integration. Also, using the Switch is an excellent way to sync it with other HomeKit enabled devices, and finally the Switch looks way too stylish.

So aren’t you ordering it just now?

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Best Home Weather Stations Of 2018

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Best Home Weather Stations
Best Home Weather Stations

Introduction

A home weather station is  great addition to advancement of your home. Weather junkies are the demand of the era, keeping you accurately updated with all subjects regarding the weather, from precipitation levels to exactly how windy it’s about to get.

You might be looking forward to purchasing one. There are unlimited choices in the market so you might find hard to select the best home weather station. This is the primary reason why buyers get confused when it comes to purchasing a particular weather station. Don’t worry, this buyer guide will help you select the best weather station for your home.

In this home weather station review, you will find the honest reviews on best home weather stations along with relevant information regarding top rated weather stations. Here’s a rundown of the top 10 weather stations, saving your precious time helping you make the right decision.

Factors to consider while purchasing the best home weather station

You will find weather stations in a variety of shapes and sizes with different features. Therefore, it ‘s hard to choose the best among them. You can go through the entire buyer guide that will help you in selecting the best home weather station that suits your need. Though, you can take a look at the continuous considerations that are required to be well-thought-out.

Purpose of use

Weather stations are weather informers, but usually, individuals use them for various applications. Some might use them to know the current climatic conditions or some may need them for weather forecast to plan their trips whereas enthusiasts and professionals may need it for study purpose.

A home weather station is comparatively large. It mainly consists of an integrated sensor system and a console. The sensor system will detect the different weather variables and sends the data to the console where you can virtually see the weather conditions. These home weather stations also come in many forms. Some weather stations have three sensors while some have 5. You shall purchase the one as per your requirement.

Durability

The strength of a home weather station is the foremost factor that you must keep in mind. As the elements can be harsh and the sensors will be in it 24/7 therefore, inexpensive systems are constructed from low-grade plastic that quickly rusts. Whereas, if you look at a well-built station, all the units and sensors are in a single housing. Though these sensors are expensive and if any of it burns out or malfunctioning, you will need to replace them.

Connection Type and Distance

There are two types of connections i.e. wired and wireless. The wired weather station connects through the wires. This kind of system requires precise mounting and much more installation time. Whereas on the other hand, the wireless weather stations are easy to install.

However, they are less reliable as some signal might be lost some time due to the wireless construction. Moreover, the transmission distance of the weather station is one of the most important aspects to consider. You must want to opt a weather station that offers a maximum range of transmission.  Usually, a transmission distance of at least 300 feet is preferable.

Type of Data

Though all the weather stations provide the reading of the first climate variables such as barometric pressure, humidity, temperature and wind speed. But many high-end weather stations offer data beyond these fundamentals. If you want, you can look for a unit that can provide you UV data, rainfall, leaf wetness and much more. These features could be very useful especially for farmers. Therefore, select the one according to your needs.

Accuracy

Accuracy is the hardest to gauge, for precision. Hence, we recommend you to look at the specifications and choose the station with subtle margins of error. Also, you can look through user reviews for real world testing. The high price weather station might not always be a high-quality station.

Expandability

Your weather station might suit your current needs, but your preferences can change later. So, you will be on safe side, if you buy a mid-range product that can expand with new and different sensors.

Power Source

It is an important aspect to notice on which source of energy your unit will run. Mostly, wired weather stations run on AC power while some operate on AA batteries. Also, few high-end weather stations come with solar panels. Solar panels are preferably in the areas with high power cut tendency. If your budget is high, go for a home weather station that operates on multiple sources.

Update Frequency

If your weather station updates faster, then probably you will have the most accurate information. Choose a weather station that takes maximum 30 seconds to update. Some weather stations can even update every 2 to 16 seconds.

Price and Warranty

The home weather stations fall in a great range of prices. You will find a lot of weather station models with advanced features on increasing the price. So, if you have a limited budget, buy the one with most features available in your budget. Furthermore, all the reputed brands offer 1-5 years of warranty period to ensure the safety of their customers investment. Make sure to buy a unit with a reasonable period of warranty. Another thing to notice is the replacement parts whether they will be available for the particular weather station in a long run.

 

Comparison Table of Top 10 Home Weather Stations

Best Home Weather Stations Weather variables Indoor/ Outdoor temperatures Range Power source

AcuRite 02007

Temperature, humidity, barometric pressure Indoor temp 32-122 degrees Fahrenheit, Outdoor temp -40 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit 330 feet AC adapter, three AA alkaline batteries

Ambient Weather WS-11

relative and absolute barometric pressure, temperature, humidity indoor temperature from 32-140 degrees Fahrenheit, outdoor temperatures from low as -40 degrees 300 feet four AA batteries, two AAA batteries

La Crosse Technology 308A-146

Temperature, humidity, heat index and dew point calculations Indoor temp 32-122 degrees Fahrenheit, Outdoor temp -40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit 200 feet Three AA alkaline batteries

Davis Instruments Vantage Vue 6250

Temperature, humidity, freeze, flood warning, rain rate, heat index, wind chill Outdoor temp -40 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit 1000 feet Solar power

La Crosse Technology C83349

Temperature, humidity, heat index and dew point, barometric pressure Outdoor temp -20 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit  200feet AC adapter

AcuRite 01512 Pro

Temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, rainfall rate, wind speed Indoor Temperature 32 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit; 0 to 50 degrees Celsius  300feet  AC adapter

Netatmo Weather Station

Temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, pollution alert Room and outdoor temperature in ranges between -40 to 65°C,  100feet AAA batteries, AC power socket

Ambient Weather WS-1200

temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind speed and direction, UV, solar radiation, heat index, dew point Indoor temp 32-140 degrees Fahrenheit, Outdoor temp 40 to 149 degrees Fahrenheit 330 ft. Solar power, external power supply

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2

temperature, humidity, wind speed, barometric pressure, rainfall, UV radiation, soil moisture, leaf wetness Temp range (inside): 32 to 140°F (0 to 60°C)

&

Temp range (outside): -40 to 150 °F (-40 to 65°C)

 1000feet Power adapter, 3C batteries

AcuRite 02027A1

temperature, humidity, moon phase, barometric pressure Outdoor Temperature Range: -40 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit, -40 to 70 degrees Celsius 330 ft.

5V power adapter, 3AA alkaline batteries.

 

 

Best Home Weather Stations

AcuRite 02007

AcuRite 02007
AcuRite 02007

The AcuRite’s 02007/06035RM weather station comes with a vivid color display. It can predict perfect conditions 4,8 and 12 hours later. The best home weather station can measure indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity along with the barometric pressure. The temperature sensor allows for use in varied temperature settings. The measurable indoor temperature lies between 32-122 degrees Fahrenheit whereas the outdoor temperatures from -40 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, you can regulate the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius as per your preference. The relative humidity can measure from 1-99 percent, and it is updated every 60 seconds.

Moreover, the temperature and humidity accuracy are standard for basic weather conditions. The AcuRite best home weather station features wireless transmission range of 330 feet that updates every 16 seconds with the use of 433MHz frequency band. The data is communicable through walls. The weather station has time and data settings. The clock automatically updates for daylight savings times. Though you can turn off this feature, if needed. The time zones mainly include the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Besides, the display’s light setting is entirely adjustable from low to high. With the AC adapter, the backlight remains constantly operational. The device uses either French or English language. The weather station is powered by an AC adapter along with three AA alkaline batteries.

Finally, it is suitable for use on a tabletop or mounted on the wall, and the system comes with one year warranty.

Pros

1 The AcuRite 02007 is moderately priced, and the system gives precise weather forecasting measurements.

2 The unit comes with an adequate long-range sensor to measure outdoor temperature and humidity capacities.

3 It includes a large well-lit color display with icons that comes in easy to read format.

Cons

1 The weather station does not have an indicator for low battery or low wireless receptions, so you need to keep an eye on it.

2 The backlight is dazzling even on the faintest setting.


Ambient Weather WS-11

Ambient Weather WS-11
Ambient Weather WS-11

The Ambient Weather WS-11 is the best home weather station that comes with a large colorful display and amazingly provides room for eight sensors. The system measures both relative and absolute barometric pressure that you can hardly find in most units within this price range. The measurements are in backlit along with the display color changes depending on the temperature from purple for cold temperatures to red for hot temperatures. Also, you can personalize the color schemes. The weather icons make checking the forecast very convenient even from a longer distance. This ambient weather station measures indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity. It provides highs and lows for the whole day along with providing a smooth reading graph.

Ambient Weather WS-11 measures the indoor temperature from 32-140 degrees Fahrenheit and capable of measuring outdoor temperatures from even low as -40 degrees. Furthermore, the indoor and outdoor humidity temperatures are accurate between 20-90 percent with a slight margin of error. The barometric pressure measured in inches of mercury. In addition to that, the wireless transmission can reach to a distance of 300 feet while using a frequency of 433MHz. The unit updates every 60 seconds. It has alarms for temperature and humidity that are easily programmable for indoor measurements.

Lastly, it uses four AA batteries and two AAA batteries for the remote sensor and comes with one-year warranty.

Pros

1 The Ambient Weather WS-11 comes with a wireless thermo-hygrometer for measuring temperature and humidity.

2 The unit has the capacity for eight channels with an additional sensor that sold spatially.

3 The system offers highly readable display and color backlight along with the ability to expand the number of sensors.

Cons

1 The Ambient Weather WS-11 has some limitations as the signals may not be able to pass through metals.

2 At times, the Wi-Fi connectivity is lost due to inclement weather.


La Crosse Technology 308A-146

La Crosse Technology 308A-146
La Crosse Technology 308A-146

The La Crosse Technology 308A-146 is the best home weather station that offers animated weather icons on a color display which makes it perfect for reading. The unit has a battery backup as well. The best weather station comes with an LCD night time dimmer along with a USB port on the back to charge other devices. The system measures both the indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity along with minimum and maximum values displayed. It uses included a wireless sensor to give precise measurements of temperature and humidity. The indoor temperature range lies between 32-122 degrees Fahrenheit whereas the outdoor temperatures measures from -40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

La Crosse Technology 308A-146 successfully transmits data from the sensor to the base unit over 200 feet. It operates on an AC adapter that uses three AA alkaline batteries as a backup. The alkaline batteries are usable in outdoor temperatures’ drop to minus 20 degrees. Other than that, use of lithium battery is recommended. Likewise, the best home weather station measures relative humidity between 3 and 99 percent. It also provides heat index and dew point calculations. La Crosse Technology 308A-146 gives the forecast limited to 12 hours. It comes with a self-setting clock that links to an atomic clock. It often updates for daylight thus saving your precious time automatically. In addition to that, it has an alarm button with a snooze button. It displays an icon while the alarm is active.

Overall, it is an excellent weather station that is worth considering.

Pros

1 The La Crosse Technology 308A-146 includes a large color enhanced display that is convenient to read.

2 The inclusion of an alarm with a nighttime dimmer is a bonus.

3 The automated icons make visualizing the forecast more exciting.

Cons

1 The system has short wireless transmission range.

2 The construction of the system is comparatively less durable.


Davis Instruments Vantage Vue 6250

Davis Instruments Vantage Vue 6250
Davis Instruments Vantage Vue 6250

The Davis Instruments Vantage Vue 6250 is the best home weather station that provides accurate data while using an easy to install the sensor. It lets you see variations in weather data over a period of 25 days thus enabling comparisons and predicting for future forecasts. The best home weather station measures for both indoor temperature and humidity that are updated every minute. It measures the outdoor temperature from -40 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit every 10 seconds. Whereas the outdoor humidity measures from zero to 100 percent, every 50 seconds.

The system has a radiation shield that allows for more placement options. The bubble level inserted in the sensor that effectively increases an accuracy by allowing you to install the sensor. It assists with the data collection. The unit creates graphs for the previous 25 hours and lets you pinpoint past weather conditions very quickly. Moreover, 22 alarms are available for various weather conditions that include a freeze and flood warning with rain rate as well. The system has a wireless transmission distance of 1000 feet, and a refresh occurs every 25 seconds. It measures heat index and wind chill every 10 seconds whereas the frequency hopping feature offers continue reporting. Davis Instruments Vantage Vue 6250 uses solar power to augment the battery life. The unit allows you to set the time and date and it displays sunrise, sunset along with the moon phases.

Pros

1 The Davis Instruments Vantage Vue 6250 comes with a backlit display along with the keyboard.

2 It shows weather forecast icons and weather trends thus making it easier to see the tomorrow’s weather.

3 It features a radiation shield and long data measurements that make it a complete weather station.

Cons

1 The Davis Instruments Vantage Vue 6250 can only work in daylight and on clear days.

2 It cannot withstand extreme weathers.


La Crosse Technology C83349

La Crosse Technology C83349
La Crosse Technology C83349

The La Crosse Technology C83349 is the best home weather station with precise and real-time weather information. The system comes with two new features, indoor weather station, and multi-use remote sensor to mould the risk for two separate areas. It features animated color forecasts with trends react to changing barometric pressure. It can effectually monitor indoor comfort level and in or out temperature trends. Also, you can set high and low-temperature trends. The best home weather station can measure temperature and humidity level along with minimum and maximum records. It offers you easy to read color display with adjustable brightness.

Furthermore, it also shows heat index and dew point and contains atomic clock so you can set the time and reset the daylight saving time. The La Crosse Technology C83349 gives you the outdoor temperature range of -20°F to 140°F. The unit is capable of predicting perfect weather on the very next moment as it is built with enough advanced technology. The dimensions of the weather station are 8.3 x 1 x 5.5 inches, and it weighs approximately 13.6 ounces. It offers you the option for adjustable settings of the backlight. It has a sensor transmission strength icon that will keep you updated with the power of the sensor. The weather station can work with both the AC adapters and the batteries that come along with the product.

Overall, it is the best choice to stay updated and alert with the latest indoor and outdoor weather conditions.

Pros

1 La Crosse Technology C83349 gives you 12 hours weather forecast.

2 The unit has an imperative sensor transmission signal strength icon.

3 It features indoor weather station and multi-use remote sensor to give you both indoor and outdoor temperatures.

Cons

1 The viewing angle of the weather station is not appropriate.

2 It is very dim during the day.


AcuRite 01512 Pro

AcuRite 01512 Pro
AcuRite 01512 Pro

The AcuRite 01512 Pro is considered as the best home weather station that provides you confidentially your weather and weather prediction information. It is capable of giving pinpoint accuracy right from your place. The weather station comes with self calibrating technology to provide your personal forecast of approximately 12 to 24 hour of weather conditions. The forecast is generated from weather data that is measured by a sensor. It successfully combines the latest procedure in weather prediction modelling with related effects of current localized weather observations to provide a reliable and accurate forecast of weather conditions.

Moreover, the unit analyses changes in pressure and temperature to determine your altitude for approximately 14 days. AcuRite 01512 Pro relies on sensors that collect live data directly from your backyard. It efficiently measures rain build-up along with covering record by year and by month which displays in inches or millimetres. The system allows you to view the total number of days with rain in the current month along with the number of days since the last recorded rainfall.

Besides, it gives the users present wind speed as well as the expected minimum, and maximum wind speeds up to 99 MPH. The best home weather station contains the Customizable Weather Ticker that stream with the real-time information. Also, it notifies as text messages on the display screen that mainly includes the moon, temperature, indoor comfort level conditions and much more.

Be the next one to experience with this best home weather station!

Pros

1 AcuRite 01512 Pro features an amazing illuminated color display that features three different lighting settings and makes sure you can easily read the information.

2 The unit tracks rainfall day by day.

3 You can expand the system to connect additional displays.

Cons

1 The weather station does not allow you to shut off the back light even when powered by AC.

2 The unit is comparatively expensive.


Netatmo Weather Station

Netatmo Weather Station
Netatmo Weather Station

Netatmo Weather Station is one of the most advanced weather station that has been designed for home use. The best home weather station is simple and easy to use with high-end features. The unit has a CO2 sensor that measures the indoor pollution levels. It alerts you about the conditions so you can let fresh air get into your room. The indoor module of the weather station also gives you the necessary information and keeps you alert about the noise rate. Whereas, the outdoor module of the system offers real-time information on various weather variables.

Likewise, the device can be connected to your smartphone thus allowing you to analyze the past readings, observe the current condition and forecast the future. Netatmo Weather Station provides you real time tracking of your location. Its specially designed app lets you view the data in a graph form so you can observe the cycles and forecast the variations in your environment. Lastly, the outdoor module works on standard AAA batteries, and the indoor module can operate on AAA batteries as well as on AC power socket.

Pros

1 Netatmo Weather Station gives you the CO2 rate and noise rate in your room.

2 It allows you to access the weather station from any place by using the app if you have an internet connection.

3 It provides information faster in comparison to any other weather station that uses the traditional radio signal.

Cons

1 The device lacks protective shield; hence it is not recommended to be directly exposed to Sun.

2 It is limited to only few weather variables such as temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity.


Ambient Weather WS-1200

Ambient Weather WS-1200
Ambient Weather WS-1200

The Ambient Weather WS-1200 is a solar powered weather station. It is considered as the best home weather station due to its reliability and accuracy in an affordable price. The weather station features a dual processing technology with an easy to install design. It comes with two sensor array, one for indoor and the other one for outdoor. Both sensors transmit data of 915 MHz. The data displays on the screen of the console that comes along with the unit. The maximum transmission of the system is 330 ft line of sight in maximum condition whereas it is 100 ft. Due to walls or obstacles. The outdoor integrated sensor measures temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind speed and direction, UV and solar radiation.

Whereas the indoor sensor effectively measures the indoor temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure.  Furthermore, the indoor temperature ranges from 32-140 degrees Fahrenheit whereas the outdoor temperature ranges from 40-149 degrees Fahrenheit. Besides, both outdoor humidity lies from 10%-99%. The Ambient Weather WS-1200 comes with a large TFT LCD screen. In addition to other weather variables, you can also view heat index, dew point, and, rainfall rate. It allows you to set the alarm in both high and low tones with excellent quality and audible alerts. Finally, the outdoor units run on solar energy whereas the indoor unit works on an external power supply.

Pros

1 The Ambient Weather WS-1200 updates every 16 seconds regarding wind speed and wind directions.

2 The console can display the minimum and maximum weather conditions along with the date and time. Also, you can export the data to the external SD card.

3 The unit provides you graphs for humidity, temperature, and barometric pressure.

Cons

1 The Ambient Weather WS-1200 does not connect to the PC directly or communicate to the Internet.

2 The unit is not resistant to extreme freezing conditions.


Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2

The Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 is a very reliable weather station with its versatile sensor configurations. The unit is easy to install and provides excellent accuracy which makes it the best home weather station. It features a temperature sensor, humidity sensor, rain gauge, anemometer and solar panel. The temperature and humidity sensors houses in a standard radiation shield which protect it from extreme radiation and heat. The wireless unit has the maximum transmission range of 1000 ft. That may limit to 200-400 ft. Due to the walls and obstruction. You can also add wireless repeaters with distance up to 2.7 kilometers.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 comes with a large LCD screen display with the easy to use the keypad. It offers both cabled and wireless options so you can choose depending on your requirement. The console displays weather variable including temperature, humidity, wind speed, barometric pressure, and rainfall along with the date, time, sunset and sunrise. In addition to that, it also lets you know about UV radiation, soil moisture, leaf wetness and much more.

Finally, the console is powered by a power adapter, or you can run it on 3C batteries.

Pros

1 Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 calculate the forecast accurately by taking weather variables which include temperature, humidity, barometric readings, rainfall, wind speed, and direction.

2 The console updates the weather reports in every 2.5 seconds.

3 The unit comes with an optional weather Link data logger and software of many versions that lets you analyse and compare data.

Cons

1 As the unit is solar powered, hence it is not recommended for the areas where the weather is too cloudy or rainy.

2 At times, signals are not available due to extreme weather conditions.


AcuRite 02027A1

AcuRite 02027A1
AcuRite 02027A1

AcuRite 02027A1 is a color weather station that comes with the backlit LCD screen. It includes both indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, moon phase, barometric pressure with weather trend indicator, time, date and much more. The outdoor sensor of the system features wireless technology which has an excellent range and weather resistant design. AcuRite 02027A1 is perfect to make the plans of your entire day with accurate weather prediction information.

Moreover, it comes with patented self-calibrating technology that provides your personal forecast of 12 to 24 hours’ weather conditions. The display of the weather station will show you the chart of trends with minimum and maximum temperature and humidity along with the daily and prior records. The unit shows the moon phase icon on display and even tracks the lunar cycle. Also, you can view the moon converts through eight different phases. The weather station uses a unique algorithm to analyze changes in pressure and temperature over 14 days. Lastly, the weather station operates by a 5V power adapter or 3AA alkaline batteries.

Pros

1 AcuRite 02027A1 provides daily high/low data.

2 The wireless range of the unit is up to 330 feet.

3 The weather station has a very attractive color display.

Cons

1 The luster of the weather station quickly fades.


Many customers fail to select the right product and end up regretting their choice. Therefore, detailed research on various weather stations is conducted, and the best selection is made available to you. We hope that you will not only be able to choose the best unit for your home but also learn some basic things from this buyer guide. Hope you enjoyed reading.

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Best Gaming Mouse

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If there is something that gamers can’t think of living without, it is probably the best gaming mouse which is the integral companion in the gaming journey. It is an essential part of gamers’ arsenal predominantly as it works in tandem with the keyboard. It handles most of the actions and moves that a player is required to do in a game. Selecting a gaming mouse is your personal decision. A mouse working best for one person may not always suit the other. Having a great gaming mouse is a significant factor in competitive games. In a number of mice out there, we have worked hard for you and created a list of the best gaming mouse. There are gaming mice that are offering exceptional features that we have found. The guide is made available to let you simply select the mouse that suits your requirements.

Factors to consider while buying best gaming mouse

1. Before buying the best gaming mouse, make sure about your gripping style. As there are various mice with different grip styles including finger grip, claw grip, and palm grip, hence choose a one that lies in perfect accordance to your requirement and gives you comfort while using it.

2. The weight of the mouse is an important factor to be noticed. If you are playing first person shooters, then usually a light mouse is recommended in order to gain fast twitch movements and gain the upper hand. Also, some people prefer a heavy mouse. Therefore, you can choose a mouse with various weight settings.

3. A very important question while buying a gaming mouse is the sensor. Usually, laser and optical sensors are mostly used and the difference between them is the light that they use to track movement. Laser sensor uses laser beam while optical sensor uses LED to track movement. So, go for the one which you find more convenient.

4. DPI is the most common term in a gaming mouse and it stands for Dot per image. It determines the sensitivity of the mouse. A mouse with high DPI is not always a better choice. At times, the mouse with less DPI proves to be more effective and useful. Therefore, you need to consider other aspects of the gaming mouse as well instead of solely relying on DPI.

5. Acceleration in a gaming mouse can be useful for other applications but in gaming, it’s a big drawback. Acceleration is the time it takes to fully accelerate the mouse to its rated speed. For any gamer, a mouse without any acceleration is recommended.

6. While buying the best gaming mouse, the most confusing part is to buy a wired or wireless mouse. The wireless mouse is somewhat less popular as compared to the wired mouse because your gaming performance can suffer if you forgot to charge the battery of your mouse. But at the same time, there are people who prefer wireless mouse as they want a cleanup setup and having wires can be disturbing for them. Also, now the new gaming wireless mouse have more battery life and better sensors but requires a great investment of money as they are very expensive as compared to wired mouse.

7. For many gamers, illumination is very important and they prefer a gaming mouse with lighting mechanism. RGB mouse is a nice addition to your gaming requirement but again it is expensive and you need to consider about your budget. There is a number of a mouse with various price ranges and features. If you are investing more then make sure it delivers all the advanced features.

8. Mouse polling rates is another noteworthy factor. Mouse polling is referred to mouse communication with your computer. Your gaming mouse should be able to support 1000z polling rate to ensure what you do with your mouse should immediately display on your computer screen.

Best Gaming Mouses Comparison

Best Gaming Mouse Gripping Style Left/Right handed Button layout DPI Software Weight
Mionix Castor Finger/claw/palm Right 6 programmable buttons 10,000 32-bit processor, store 5 separate button profiles  93.8 g
Roccat Kone Pure Military Claw Right 7 programmable buttons 5,000 Avago 3310 optical sensor, 576 KB onboard memory 93g
Zowie FK1 Claw  Both 5 buttons layout 3,200 Avago 3310 optical sensor  90g
Logitech G303 Claw  Both 6 programmable buttons 12,000  Most accurate sensor on the market,
32-bit microcontroller,
3 onboard profiles
87 grams
Logitech G900 Palm/Claw Both  5 buttons layout 12,000 PMW 3366 sensor 107g
Cougar 700M Palm  Both  8 programmable buttons  8,200 32-bit ARM processor, 512K onboard memory, 8200DPI ADNS-9800 laser sensor.  110g
Razer Mamba Claw/Palm  Both 9 programmable buttons 16,000 click force technology, razor new 5G sensor 125g
 

QPad 8K Pro Gaming Laser Mouse

 Claw/Palm  Right  7 buttons 8,200 73 MHz and 32-bit ARM processor, RGB lighting 112g
Asus ROG Spatha Palm and claw grippers.  Right 6 programmable buttons 8,200  Wireless RF 2.4GHz
Wired via USB 2.0
 175g
Corsair M65 RGB  Hand  Right  8 programmable buttons 8,200 Sniper switch  317.5g
Razor Deathadder  Hand  Right  5 programmable buttons 6,400 Razer synapse 2.0 software suite  105g
Thermaltake Level 10 M Hybrid Hand  Right  9 programmable buttons 8,200 128KB onboard memory, create gaming profiles up to 9 and macros for 9 programmable keys  187.1g
Razer Ouroboros Both  Right 11 programmable buttons 8,200 dual sensor system, ARM 32-bit processor, Razer synapse 2.0 software  115g
Turtle Beach Grip 500 Both  Right 7 Buttons 9,800  —  136.0g
Roccat Kone Pure Optical Right  Right 7 buttons 4,000 Pro-optic (R3) sensor, 576 KB onboard memory, 32-bit turbo V2 processor 92g

 

Mionix Castor

 Mionix Castor

Mionix Castor

Mionix castor is a highly rated best gaming mouse. It offers excellent core features and overall hand comfort. It features an ergonomic design that works best with the right-handed grip. The weight, placement, button layout etc. is designed in a way to suit all the grip styles. It comes with 6 programmable buttons which can be easily accessed. An adjustable DPI switch is present behind the scroll wheel and all the buttons are adjusted to require a different amount of pressure for the best response.

Moreover, it has a matte finish on the outside which gives a nice feel whereas the LED colors offer an appealing look. The DPI is adjustable to 10,000 and you will not find any positive or negative acceleration on the device which makes it ideal for hardcore gamers. Furthermore, accuracy and tracking are very smooth. Another amazing feature is the company’s trademark surface quality analyzer tool that analyzes the mouse pad (ridges or imperfections) and automatically adjusts the lift-off distance for convenient use.

In addition to that, 32-bit processor manages the incoming or outgoing data. The gaming mouse can effectively store 5 separate button profiles and record macros in real time yet being one of best gaming mouse.

Pros

1 The Mionix castor is designed for multiple grips.

2 It offers adjustable lift off distance.

3 It has a good button layout.

Cons

1 There is no adjustable weight option.


Roccat Kone Pure Military

Roccat Kone Pure Military
Roccat Kone Pure Military

Thinking of buying something cool, military style yet hardened? Here’s another best gaming mouse we’ve got for just you. The Roccat Kone Pure military offers a wide range of features that could be highly valuable for the competitive gamers. The ergonomic design mouse features 7 buttons. The right-handed mouse is perfectly designed to fit claw-grip gaming styles. It is highly appreciated for shunning acceleration and angle-snapping.

On the inside, you will find an Avago 3310 optical sensor which is an upgrade from pre-optical and increased DPI. It further includes fine-tuning software for lift off adjustment and a whole suit of usage stats. It features a DPI that goes up to 5000 and also can be adjusted to as low as 100. Roccat mouse has 576 KB of onboard memory for storage of macros and profiles. It is the lightest mouse you will find with 93g weight.

Pros

1 Roccat Kone pure military mouse is a nicely designed mouse with exceptionally light weight.

2 It offers large memory.

3 It gives speedy response time.

Cons

1 It does not offer any adjustable weights.


Zowie FK1

Zowie FK1
Zowie FK1

Zowie FK1 is specifically designed for claw grip use, something that makes it different among others. The mouse does not require any complicated driver installations. It is a simple plugin and plays mouse. It provides quick and easy DPI adjustments between 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 DPI so the gamer can select according to his play style. Moreover, it features Avago 3310 optical sensor that tracks well on any surface.

The slightly curved and elongated shape of the mouse offers precise control and nice grip. The surface is slightly tough and textured plastic that allows a good grip without making the hands sweat. The Zowie mouse comes with simple 5 button layouts. The buttons are of high quality and avoid any accidental presses. Lastly, the mouse offers very low lift off distance at around 1.5mm. Though the mouse lacks some extra features. But if you are looking for a basic mouse that performs all the gaming functions well then go for it, yet making it one of the best gaming mouse in market.

Pros

1 Zowie FK1 offers great DPI adjustment.

2 It is ambidextrous.

3 It features high-quality buttons and sensor.

Cons

1 The scroll wheel is not up to the mark.

2 It lacks customization options.


Logitech G303

Logitech G303
Logitech G303

Logitech G303 is a perfect gaming mouse with a number of significant features for competitive gamers. It offers adjustable DPI settings from 200 to 12,000 that can be easily adjusted by using mouse clicks. It delivers the DPI adjustment without sensor smoothing or filtration.  The mouse works best with FPS gaming and suitable for a claw grip style. The firmware for Logitech 303 is updated for Windows 10.

Moreover, it offers great shunning acceleration and prediction and has been finely tuned for good accuracy.  The design features 6 programmable buttons thus making your gaming experience much exciting. The software allows a lot of adjustments to the mouse settings through easy to use drag and drop user interface. The mouse offers long term durability to offer you long term play. The spring loaded left and right buttons give a good resistive feel. The mouse has a very light weight of 87 grams without the cord that makes it very comfortable to use.

Feels great? Isn’t it?

Pros

1 Logitech G303 is a lightweight mouse.

2 It offers great DPI adjustable settings.

3 It features good button layout and designed for claw grip.

Cons

1 It might not be best suitable for MAC users.

2 No weight tuning.


Logitech G900

Logitech G900
Logitech G900

Logitech G900 is the leading and best gaming mouse. The mouse is super light and weighs only 107g. It is well designed in a curved form with hard edges so you can conveniently use it whether you are right handed or left handed. It works effectively with both palm and claw grip. The mouse has two buttons on the left side that can be magnetically detached and moved to the right side. Also, you can use all four buttons on both sides. On the top of the mouse, a textured rubber-coated scroll wheel is present and behind this is a switch that unlocks the wheel compartment.

It features glowing LED strips and the appealing lighting patterns can be selected. Moreover, you can adjust the DPI presets between 200-12000 according to the sensitivity level. Also, you can modify the polling rate between 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz and 1000Hz. In addition to that, you can save lighting profiles and other defaults to the G900’s onboard memory thus making it easier to use the mouse on different computers. The best gaming mouse, Logitech G900 offers you a tuning feature in which the software will adjust the mouse settings based on the reflectiveness of the surface, just for you. The high-end PMW 3366 sensor is a favorite feature for the gaming freaks.  Lastly, the mouse offers you a 32 hours’ battery life which is simply amazing.

Pretty outstanding? Right?

Pros

1 Logitech 900 features highly advanced software.

2 Battery life is good.

3 It has a sleek and refined design.

Cons

1 MMO gamers might require more buttons.


Cougar 700M

Cougar 700M
Cougar 700M

The Cougar 700M is a highly proficient gaming mouse with great features. It comes with 32-bit ARM processor along with 512K of onboard memory. Also, it includes 8200DPI ADNS-9800 laser sensor. The gaming mouse can effectively set the polling rate up to 1000 Hz with a frame rate of 12000 fps. Moreover, it includes 150 ips tracking speed with a 30G maximum acceleration. You can also adjust the lift height as per your demand.

The mouse works in a very efficient way and all buttons are fast and responsive. No matter how fast you move, the laser will track perfectly. The mouse can be directly plugged into the USB port without the installation of any software which makes it very easy to set up. The driver offers all the game profile and macro programming bits that you as an enthusiast gamer expect, making your experience as a gamer more thrilling with the best gaming mouse.

Isn’t it fast?

Pros

1 Cougar 700M feature a lot of buttons.

2 It provides adjustable heel for palm grip users.

3 Well built with excellent performance.

Cons

1 The sides of the mouse are somewhat slippery.


Razer Mamba

Razer Mamba
Razer Mamba

The Razer Mamba mouse comes in a matte black coating with curves and angles and no lack of buttons and light strips. The gaming mouse is little heavy i.e. 125 grams which is a good operating weight. The top of the mouse is very smooth and the sides are coated with grip rubber to prevent slipping. It’s gentle curve makes it suitable for both claw and palm grip. It features 9 independently programmable buttons. A charging dock is also included along with a 2.1 meter USB charging cable.

An interesting feature of the mouse is click force technology. It allows you to adjust the requirement of force to press right and left buttons. Also, you can change the click actuation force from 45g to stiff 95g through screw mechanism. The comprehensive software suite is the most strengthening part of the mouse. You can set up gaming profiles, select DPI values till 16000, switch buttons, create button macros and modify polling rate up to 1000 Hz. In addition to that, it has razor new 5G sensor which can effectively track up to 1 DPI increments. Lastly, it offers a 20 hours’ battery life, something that very few of the best gaming mouse offer.

So, what are you thinking then?

Pros

1 Razer mamba features advanced sensors.

2 It has a good battery life.

3 It has powerful and advanced software suite.

Cons

1 It is little expensive.


QPad 8K Pro Gaming Laser Mouse

QPad 8K Pro Gaming Laser Mouse
QPad 8K Pro Gaming Laser Mouse

The QPad laser mouse is superb when it comes to comfort and performance. It has a soft touch finish and contouring that fits perfectly for any grip. The button placement is in best accordance to the gamers. There are two main buttons that are very responsive while the black and front buttons fall perfectly under thumbs. The soft rubber scroll is very convenient to click. The gaming mouse weighs 112g which is not so heavy neither too light. Coming towards the features of the mouse, it has 8200 cpi sensitivity rating. You can adjust 50-8200 cpi increments and also can choose to program up to three quick settings. It comes with 73 MHz and 32-bit ARM processor which allows for up to 1ms response time and 1000Hz report rate.

Another significant feature is the RGB lighting. You can independently adjust the colors of the scroll wheel and QPad logo. Also, you can set the time before light dims and select an animation mode. Moreover, you get on board memory for storing the mouse settings hence you can even install it in another computer without requiring any optional software. It features comprehensive mouse drivers including basic mouse settings, lighting settings, advanced mouse settings, button assignment and macro recording. In addition to that, you can also adjust scrolling speed, double click speed, cursor speed, cursor smoothing, lift distance, polling rate and angle snap. The mouse is dominating in the market for the classy features.

Isn’t the best gaming mouse you were waiting for?

Pros

1 Comfortable to use.

2 Multiple features with remarkable performance.

3 Cost effective.

Cons

The CPI buttons are not placed ideally.


Asus ROG Spatha

Asus ROG Spatha
Asus ROG Spatha

The Asus ROG Spatha is the latest and leading and best gaming mouse from Asus. It comes with a completely new design with a detailed Mayan style grip on the left-hand side. The mouse has fully six programmable thumb buttons and is ideal for use in MMOs and MOBAs. There is another set of six buttons that can be customized through the ROG Armory software available for Windows.

The mouse is perfect for pro gamers and lets you to customize button response, polling rate, angle snapping, acceleration etc. The mouse use 8200dpi laser sensor joined with a DPI switch. Moreover, the ROG Armory offers surface calibration thus giving you the best performance. It allows you to switch between high and low sensitivity with just a single click. Lastly, it comes with micro USB cable that easily connects the mouse to your PC. Also, you can connect the charging station and use it wirelessly.

Pros

1 Aus ROG Spatha is both wired and wireless mouse depending on your preference.

2 It comes with standard LED customization that allows you to change the color of a logo on the mouse, scroll wheel and also the light that leaks between the thumb buttons.

Cons

1 No weight adjustments.


Cosair M65 RGB

Cosair M65 RGB
Cosair M65 RGB

Cosair M65 GRB is a sleek and fierce looking mouse with a combination of contours and sharp angles. It has a matte surface which is non-slip and gives fast and precise movements. It features a braided cable with a pleasantly solid feel and has three separate light sections. These sections can be customized with a number of colors, wave and chase effects. It comes with 8200 DPI sensors and a sniper switch so you can easily down your DPI for the perfect pinpoint headshot. It has two side buttons that are perfectly placed in thumbs reach. Moreover, it offers three tuning zones so you can tweak the center of gravity as per your requirement. It is one of the best-equipped mice for enthusiastic gamers who want their battle stations look awesome.

Pros

1 The lighting management software is very convenient to use and covers all the significant peripherals. It offers you infinite options for patterns and effects.

2 You can easily custom macros to any button along with additional commands such as multimedia control.

Cons

1 The color changing indicator is less convenient.


Razor Death Adder

Razor Death Adder
Razor Death Adder

Razor Death Adder is a classic gaming mouse. It features two additional sides buttons to supplement the common three and their placement gives a great convenience feel. It comes with 6400Dpi optical sensor and razor synapse 2.0 software suite. The software is amazingly user-friendly and perfect for configuration and macro creation. Also, you can share your macros across various devices.

The design of the mouse is basic. It has black finish and rubber side grips for stability. The cable is braided instead of rubber which makes it more durable than traditional plastic. The lighting is quite simplistic with only the razor log and scroll wheel lighting up. As a whole, the gaming mouse is for everyone out there who do not want any technicalities. The mouse is simple with all the essential features and provides easy functioning.

Pros

1 Razor Death Adder is a simple gaming mouse with multiple features.

2 It is durable as compared to other gaming mice.

3 The razor synapse software is very user-friendly.

Cons

1 The mouse is not as ergonomic as expected and lacks flying switching capability.


Thermaltake Level 10 M Hybrid

Thermaltake Level 10 M Hybrid
Thermaltake Level 10 M Hybrid

This is the best gaming mouse and perfectly fit for left handed gamers.

Thermaltake 10M Hybrid is for all the gamers who are looking for a stylish gaming mouse. Though the mouse is made for right handers but left handlers can also work with it. As its back is raised therefore you can adjust the height and sideways tilt for convenient palm rest. It features 2 buttons and a 4-directional pad. Behind left button, a hexagon space is present that keeps ventilation and cooling. A modifiable bolt is present so you can raise or lower top covers up by 5mm.

Inside the gaming mouse, you will get a 128KB onboard memory and up to 8200 DPI. By using this software, you can create gaming profiles up to 9 and macros for 9 programmable keys. Also, you can change different modes such as normal mode, battle mode etc. and the lighting will change with every single click thus making the gaming experience more interesting.

Pros

1 Thermaltake Level 10 M Hybrid comes in two versions i.e. wired and wireless.  The range of wireless version is 10m and you can use it by connecting through USB dongle receiver to the computer.

2 It is a stylish mouse with easy use.

Cons

1 The wireless version offers only 4 hours’ battery.

2 The mouse does not feature multiple buttons.


Razer Ouroboros

Razer Ouroboros
Razer Ouroboros

Razer Ouroboros is a popular gaming mouse which comes with left and right buttons, two buttons for your thumb on both sides and two for DPI adjustment. It features a total of 11 programmable buttons. Also, if you don’t want to use thumb buttons, you can deactivate them through on/off slider on the bottom. One of the most interesting features of a gaming mouse is the dual sensor system. It got the mechanism for both laser and optical mouse which means that it can effectively combine laser sensor with an optical sensor.

For this amazing combo, it has 8200DPI sensitivity and 1000 Hz polling rate. Moreover, you will get ARM 32-bit processor. As far as the connectivity is concerned, it can be connected through the USB cable for wired connections. Also, you can connect it without cords through the wireless base station with sufficient charging. In addition to that, Razor synapse 2.0 software is worth mentioning. It is a razor customizable dashboard for gaming mouse configuration. It is cloud connected that make sure your configuration is saved over the Internet. Also, sync this software lets you assign macros and customize your mouse keys. You can even have separate profiles if required.

Pros

1 The mouse is designed for both right and left-handers.

2 It features dual sensor mechanism.

Cons

1 The design is overly raised back that might be a problem for those who like to rest their palm on the desk while using it.

2 It is expensive.


Turtle Beech Grip 500

Turtle Beech Grip 500
Turtle Beech Grip 500

Sounds interesting, right? It’s more interesting when you’ll get to know about the best gaming mouse.

Turtle Beech is an active company for manufacturing PC gaming accessories. Grip 55 is one of the amazing gaming devices. It is a 7-button gaming mouse and features an ambidextrous shape thus can be used by both right and left handers. Three buttons are present on its left side whereas, on top sides, there are standard left, right buttons and scroll wheel. Another button is present under the scroll wheel that can be used to reset DPI settings.

When it comes to software, you need to manually download the drivers and then you can use the software for various functionalities for each key. Moreover, you can adjust DPI settings up to 9800.  Also, you can adjust double-click speed, life off the height, polling rate etc. It has three separate lighting zones including scroll wheel, turtle beach logo, and two headlights. The battle mode further increases the brightness of LEDs depending on how quickly you press the buttons.

Pros

1 It is a comfortable and balanced mouse with flexible sensitivity options along with the macro editor.

2 The laser mouse has in-depth software suite with complete customization of all the LEDs.

Cons

1 You can only change the color of scroll wheel


Roccat Kone Pure Optical

Roccat Kone Pure Optical
Roccat Kone Pure Optical

Roccat Kone Pure Optical is a good option for you if you want all the essential gaming features while remaining in your budget. It comes with onboard memory, programmable keys, and variegated lighting. The design is preferable for right-handers. It is fully coated and indented for placement of your both thumb and fingers. The mouse weighs only 95grams which make it very light and ensure it glides in a smooth way.

It features a Pro-optic (R3) sensor and you can adjust up to 4000 DPI. It has 576KB of onboard memory to store all your macros. Moreover, a 32-bit turbo V2 processor offers fast computing. It features a polling rate of 1000Hz and takes only a second to report its position to the computer with 1ms response time. The gaming mouse offers you 7 buttons along with a set of lighting.

Pros

1 The software allows you to change scroll speed, tilt speed, DPI level etc.

2 The gaming mouse offers you 5 profiles with 17 programmable buttons so you can store 85 of your tasks that you want your mouse should do.

Cons

1 It is not suitable for left-handers.


Conclusion

A gaming mouse is an essential gaming peripheral on which you must invest your money. Having the best gaming mouse will surely uplift your game especially if it’s a competitive game such as Data 2, CS: GO etc. The integral device for playing the game can help you to become a pro with the passage of time. Through this buyer guide, we are hopeful that you are equipped with the right information about the factors while buying a gaming mouse. The best gaming mouse, when used in conjunction with other gaming peripherals, will give you a worthwhile experience.

Throttle up! The game is on!

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Best Amazon Echo & Alexa enabled Devices & Accessories for your smart home

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What is Amazon Echo?

Amazon Echo
Amazon Echo

Ever imagined a Bluetooth or WiFi speaker with a personal assistant inside? The Amazon Echo is all of this and so much more you have ever wished for. You can jam your favorite music, check the weather, switch off the lights or dim them, add items to shopping list and the best part is, order things directly from Amazon. Just via this 9-inch speaker. What’s more? You can do all of this by using Amazon’s own personal assistant which is built into the speaker.

We know you are craving to know more; read on….. 

By now you must be wondering what’s so special about the Amazon Echo? Why not just use Siri if you need a personal assistant for your home? Almost two years ago, a team of engineers in the US started developing Alexa. Initially, conversations with Alexa were not sequential. She would listen to your commands, shuffle music, asking about everyday topics, control smart home devices; all of this done in different conversations. She could not connect between different conversations and find relevance between them.

Now, besides connecting your previous conversation with the current one, Alexa can even interact with third-party apps and answer all the questions that can help you doing your shopping; a feature that gives it an edge over Siri. Moreover, you can even have conversations about sports, ask for reading audiobooks and play your favorite podcasts. Recently, Amazon teamed up with Yelp to teach about local businesses. Now you can ask Alexa where to go for Italian food or when a particular grocery store closes. Also, it can play music services other than Amazon Prime such as Spotify or Pandora in the U.S.

We have seen Amazon Echo progressing from a novelty to an intelligent device. Most of us have used products such as iPads and Xboxes for years. But for the first time, we have seen an innovative and evolving product that acts as our guiding hand. Amazon’s team of engineers has spent a year with it in their homes, and it is quite evident that this is something that you don’t want to miss.

Go through the full review to know each and everything from design to commands about the Amazon Echo.

Design

 amazon echo design and features
amazon echo design and features

The Amazon Echo comes with the matte black exterior. It has a cylindrical shape with dimensions 9.25 inches high and 3.27 inches around. One of the noticeable difference between Amazon Echo and other portable speakers is that the Echo is not a mobile appliance. You are required to plug it to the power supply, since it doesn’t have a battery feature and it needs to be connected to WiFi all day.

However, it allows you to send your voice to Amazon servers without the need for an internet connection. On the top, you will find two buttons, mute and listen. Whereas, the top ring rotates to either raise or lower volume. If you are concerned about the standard controls including play, pause, forward or reverse, the Echo offers a traditional remote which is similar to the one that comes with the Amazon Fire TV.

Though controlling it from your phone through Amazon Echo App is also an option. That being said personally, we think the design of the Echo app needs to be little more updated. Though, you may find some sections very useful such as controlling radio stations through the app. Lastly, the bottom of the Echo is a 360-degree speaker grid that gives it an amazing room filling sound along with an appealing white Amazon logo.

Technical Specifications

Size 9.3 x 3.3 x 3.3 inch (235 mm x 84 mm x 84 mm)
Weight 37.5 oz.
Brand Amazon
Product Line Amazon
Model Echo
Connectivity Dual-antenna Wi-Fi for streaming, No compatibility with ad-hoc Wi-Fi networks.
Bluetooth Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) for audio streaming via your smartphone to Echo and Audio/Video, Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for voice controlling of connected smartphone devices. No hands-free voice control for Mac OS X devices.
Audio Woofer 2.5 inch & 2-inch tweeter
System Requirement Echo comes ready to be connected to your home WiFi. Its Alexa App is compatible with Android, Fire OS, and iOS devices. Lastly, it is accessible using your web browser.
Features 2.0-inch tweeter, 2.5-inch woofer, support iHeart Radio, 7 microphones, support Amazon Music, Pandora, Prime Music, and TuneIn
Warranty Basic 1-year warranty along with free service. Up to 3 years, optional extended warranty available for U.S. users.
What’s in the box? Amazon Echo, user manual & power adapter/cable.

 

How to Setup Amazon Echo

Setup Amazon Echo
Setup Amazon Echo

Setting up the Echo might not be as easy as ABC, but believe me, it’s somewhere in that zone. You just need to stick to Amazon’s documentation: Plug in the Echo, download the Echo app, and follow the app’s instructions from there. Like every other WiFi gadget, Echo scans and asks which network you want to connect to; and after you select your router and get connected, you’re good to go. The best part is, there’s no voice training: anyone can speak to Alexa.

Sounds cool? Right?

Alexa is becoming a prominent choice of audio assistant. You can purchase this technology at $179.99 whereas the smaller Echo Dot comes at a thrifty price of $49.99 at Amazon.

We’ve written a step by step guide of how to set up your Amazon Echo for the perfect use.  Follow the instructions to connect your device within a few minutes.

1. Download Amazon Alexa Application

The Amazon Echo app is available free for Android, Fire OS and iOS on Amazon’s tablets. In fact, the latest Fire tablets already have it built-in their system. It is not compatible with the 1st or 2nd generation of Kindle Fire. If you don’t prefer smartphones, you have an option of the Web app as well to handle the setup, and many people find it much easier to use.

2. Choose a Device to Set Up

Pop in your Amazon username and password, this is used this for various things, like keeping a history of tasks you have been asking Alexa to do. As well as the orders by voice and to stay updated on those orders. However, you don’t need Amazon Prime for this purpose. Simply sign in on the app and go to settings. The settings will show you a tab to “Setup a new device” or alternatively you may click on the link. Within seconds, you will be shown three Amazon-provided Alexa options including Echo, Tap, or Echo Dot. Select your device. Also, you might need to pick up a language. The current options are English for the US, UK or German.

3. Echo’s Setup Mode

For the brand-new installation, the light band on the Echo will appear in an orange color as soon as you plug in. If the orange sign is not appearing then just press and hold the action button for approximately five seconds, and you’ll find the single dot in the middle. On the tap, there is no orange indication hence you need to hold the WiFi/Bluetooth button at the back of Echo. After some time, Alexa will tell you that she is now in a setup mode.

4. Connecting your PC or Smartphone

Now connect the app to the WiFi network, to the same as of Echo. It will show up as something “Amazon-2Q3, ” whereas the last three digits will not be the same. Once connected, Alexa will respond “You’ve connected to Echo. Go ahead and finish the setup in the Alexa app.”

5. Home Wi-Fi Set Up

In the app, you will see all the Wi-Fi networks available around you so pick up your home Wi-Fi. Then you are required to enter the Wi-Fi password when it asks for it. As soon as all the information is sent to the device, Alexa will say “Your Echo is ready,” & the orange light buzzes off. Keep in mind, if you have set up an Amazon device at home, you might have saved the Wi-Fi password. 

6. Say ‘Alexa.’

The Echo is programmed to respond to a watchword which, by default, is the name “Alexa”. Anytime you call out for your personal assistance “Alexa”, you’ll see the light ring on top of the Echo pop blue and then adjust itself to the perfect point towards the sound’s source.

At the final brink of the setup, the Alexa app shows you a video to give you an idea of some of the basics of using the Amazon Echo. It will tell you how to access the app, change the wake word, connect to music services such as Pandora, sync Google calendar, connect to mobile devices through Bluetooth for audio playback, setup news headlines from your favorite sources, play audiobooks, configure Alexa to control your smart home devices and a lot more.

Amazon is always adding new options to Alexa so don’t forget the newsletter that comes along with Echo. It will show you a lot of choices every time. Also, make sure to check the skills and other tricks that Alexa has for you to get the best out of it. Amazon Echo is not just a device; it will be more like your lifetime friend.

What is Alexa?

Alexa, Amazon’s virtual personal assistant, has been around for about two years, and it was named after a famous ancient Library, Alexandria. The system allows you to speak your wishes and fulfills them e.g. playing music tracks, turning lights on and off, etc. It lives inside the company’s Echo smart speaker, among other devices, and offers users the ability to dictate commands to the assistant to control products throughout their homes, listen to music, and more. It can turn the Echo, Dot, and Tap from streaming audio players into Internet assistants. This is what that turned Echo into the biggest tech product of 2016 which is great news for those who are interested in smart home control.

Amazon echo Alexa
Amazon echo Alexa

The Alexa can respond to voice commands from anywhere. It does not require any activation button to press. Once you say the trigger word and it will be done in a short while as long as you have correctly setup everything and using the right command. As you get used to it, you will feel more natural and responsive as compare to speaking to a phone-based voice assistant such as Apple’s Siri. Eventually, you are more likely to find yourself using your phone less frequently at home than before. Though there are a lot of privacy issues regarding Alexa’s listening and it cannot do everything. There is already enough to make it a compelling product especially if you are plunging into the smart home lifestyle.

 

How does Alexa work?

Designed by Amazon’s secretive Lab126, Alexa features a natural language processing system that has emerged as one of the easiest ways to interact among the omnipresent voice assistants available. A virtual personal assistant designed to compete with the likes of Apple’s Siri, Google Now, and others. If you are asking something or delivering a command, you don’t need to ask for it twice. Alexa listens through seven very sensitive microphones that are built into both Echo and Dot. In February 2017, an update required Tap owners to turn this feature on in the settings menu as well. Alexa always listens and respond in a jiffy.

How does Alexa work
How does Alexa work

Echo and Dot stream your voice to the cloud when you give it a command to do something. Also, your request appears in the app, and you can even delete them if you don’t want to keep any record. Though the default word is “Alexa,” you can change it into “Echo,” “Amazon,” or “Computer.” Once you ask for something, the microphones take your words and beam it up to the Amazon’s cloud computers for instant analysis.

If you put a question that it can answer such as “Alexa, how’s the weather today?”. The answer will come from the speaker in a female and slightly machine-like voice. If you want Alexa to play some music, Alexa will search through Amazon music or Amazon Music Prime. It will search for the artist and genre that you have requested. If you want to play music from Amazon Prime Music, you need to have Amazon Prime account for that. Moreover, it can play TuneIn Internet radio stations and music from Pandora, iHeartRadio, and Spotify as well. If you have requested for a joke, then get ready to laugh out louda. If you are giving commands to dim the lights or adjust the temperature of the thermostat, it will perform accordingly. Make sure to ask correctly and integrate properly.

Amazon Echo Performance

The Alexa features variable quality of skills with an excellent smart home section. It has an intuitive speaker with a fantastic voice. However, the quality of sound can be better. Once it starts running, you may leave the app if you want and start using your voice. It will be the use of default settings on the Amazon Echo and none of any other skills. You can ask Alexa for adding any additional skills such as setting an alarm, getting weather updates and news reports. The best facet you will find in Alexa and Echo is that you don’t need to be exact in phrasing while asking for various things.

The best facet you will find in Alexa and Echo is that you don’t need to be exact in phrasing while asking for various things. For example, if you want to know about the weather, you can be casual about it like “Alexa, what’s going on in the weather news today?” instead of saying “Alexa, play the flash briefings about the weather.”. In both cases, you will get the official news updates. Likewise, while listening to radio stations, you can just say, “Alexa, play 98 FM Music”. You will get the same response from a more formal approach: “Alexa, play the programmer 98 FM music” and so on. Some of the other programmed responses are jokes which will come in plenty but we are not sure you’ll like all of them.

Furthermore, you will find a mixture of gimmicks and actually useful commands at the same time; letting you have some fun alongside the regular things that you want Echo to do. And does not forget that it’s a smart device, so naturally, after few days of use, it will sound more spontaneous. For instance, say, “Alexa, Good morning.” It will always respond you differently and at times, in quite amusing ways.

Moving on, you can help Alexa and eventually Amazon Echo to learn more about you and become even smarter. In the Alexa app, you will find sections for Music and Media, Sports update, Traffic, Calendar, etc. You can add information and use it through Alexa. This isn’t hard at all and you definitely don’t need to have any “extra” skills to do this. In our testing, we linked up to Google Calendar which took just seconds and was able to ask Alexa about the events of the day. Linking up the music was a bit harder, though.

Currently, Alexa can recognize Amazon Music, Spotify, and TuneIn. However, it still does not understand Google Play Music or Tudal. It is expected that these services will be included in near future. During our exploration of the Echo we tried linking our Spotify account to it, but it did not link up with the Android version of the app. As we put our password, it hanged on the authorization page and did nothing. It turned out that some users were facing a similar problem. We countered this issue by using the iOS app whereas many people on the internet pointed out that linking the account through the web app works flawlessly.

As told earlier, the Amazon Echo isn’t battery backed, so the sad part is despite being small, it isn’t exactly portable. You can just plug in and plug out the power adapter out of the wall socket anywhere but that’s one thing Amazon has made clear about the Echo, it’s stationary.

Amazon Echo Vs Amazon Tap Vs Echo Dot

Specifications Amazon Echo Amazon Tap Echo Dot
Release date 2015 in the US, 2016 in UK. 31 March 2016 for US September 2016
Availability US, UK US US, UK
Price $179 / £149 $129.99 $49 / £49
Dimensions 235 mm x 83.5 mm x 83.5 mm 59 mm x 66 mm x 66 mm 38 mm x 84 mm x 84 mm
Weight 1045 grams 470 grams 250 grams
Connectivity Bluetooth and dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Bluetooth and dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi
Power Plugs into a wall outlet Relies on a charging cradle (9 hours of playback) Plugs into a wall outlet
Audio 360-degree sound, 2.5-inch woofer, and 2.0-inch tweeter 360-degree sound, dual 1.5-inch drivers and dual passive radiators Voice-feedback and must be connected to external speakers
Alexa Yes (always on and voice activated) Yes (not always activated, you need to press the mic button to access Alexa) Yes (always on and voice activated)

 Amazon Echo

The Echo is a speaker along with the home automation controller. It streams music, play audio, control various smart home devices, fulfills search queries, etc. You may ask it to tell you a political joke or order something from Amazon. It is voice activated so once you give a command with Alexa, a blue ring at the top of the speaker will illumine, and the speaker will satisfy your request. Like Dot, the Echo can easily pick up your voice across the room.

Though unlike Dot, you don’t require to connect it to an outside speaker. The Echo comes with 2.5-inch woofer and 2-inch tweeter to deliver its sound. All you need to do is plug it into a power outlet and connect to Wi-Fi when you are ready to do. Amazon Echo is the best choice for those who want both, a centralized smart home controller and a speaker in a single unit. Although it is the most expensive among all three Alexa equipped products, however, it does not require any additional purchases. You can place it anywhere in your home and start using it right away; it will become a significant part of your daily routine in a very short while.

Amazon Tap

Amazon Tap
Amazon Tap

Amazon Tap has almost all of the same features that the Echo offers, with the cheery on the to the top – an additional benefit of portability. The battery pack pushes up to nine hours of playback while the Tap is rechargeable it comes with a wireless charging cradle, making it handy. Since it is battery supported, it isn’t always awaiting your command — as the name explains it all — you’ll need to tap Alexa in order to activate it.

Amazon Tap is an Alexa enabled and portable Bluetooth speaker. Though the Echo Dot may work across rooms, the Tap is known for its ability to work almost everywhere. Like the Dot, even Tap can deliver news, order food, provide weather reports and more while it is being connected to Wi-Fi. It can stream and play music from various services including Prime Music, Spotify, and iHeart Radio via Wi-F. Also, it can play music from your phones or tab via Bluetooth. The Tap is not hands-free. You need to press a microphone button on the front of the speaker to speak to Alexa.

Tap features dual stereo speakers for omnidirectional audio, which frankly are quite powerful for their size. The Tap is a perfect choice for those who are looking for voice activated functionality outside their homes. It is the most mobile of the Alexa enabled speakers and has great hours of battery life. You may also purchase slings for the device at $19.99 on Amazon to make it easy to transport. However, you will need Wi-Fi access to use its many features.

Amazon Echo Dot

Amazon Echo dot
Amazon Echo dot

The Amazon Echo Dot offers many of the Amazon Echo’s desirable features in a very affordable package. It features a small built-in speaker, offering you an amazing audio quality by pairing it with another speaker, but when it doesn’t, the Dot works as a voice controlled computer. You may use it to stream music, web searches, regulate calendars and apps such as Uber, order food and control smart home appliances like thermostats, lights and much more.

The Dot is Echo’s “Mini-Me.” It has a smaller speaker and, in size, is more akin to a hockey puck. It does everything the Echo does, but also has a 3.5mm output jack and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to connect it to your current sound system. Undoubtedly, it’s as though someone just transformed the Echo and then scrunched up the full-size speaker and jammed it up into a small puck, and boom; the Dot!

The Dot efficiently responds to spoken commands. It comes with seven far-field microphones so it can easily pick up your voice across any room. It can also hear your requests while playing music without being connected to the speaker. The device is an excellent choice for those who want voice enabled and hands-free functionality. You can also find the Dot with Bose Sound Link Mini II for $200 on Amazon.

 amazon echo setup
amazon echo setup

How do I to choose?

If you want a portable Bluetooth speaker that can also act as a personal assistant, and you don’t mind getting up to tap it when you want to control your smart home devices, then the Tap is the perfect one.

If you want the all in one; some great speaker, home controls, including a personal assistant, everything controlled by your voice command — then Echo is the jumbo.

If you want all the exact same specifications, but smaller in size, because you already own a fantastic home-audio setup, then go for purchasing the Dot. It’s definitely the perfect one at last *wink*.

Amazon Echo vs. Google Home

Amazon Echo vs. Google Home
Amazon Echo vs Google Home

The Amazon Echo and the Google Home both have built-in microphones that can listen from a reasonable distance. For giving commands to Echo, you can use the term Alexa, Echo, Amazon or Computer. Whereas the Home looks for “Hey Google.” Both perform an excellent job even across a large room with background noise. As far as the speakers are concerned, both systems function well enough for listening to music. Additionally, both systems offer ways to connect to your existing sound system. The Amazon Echo Dot easily plugs into your existing speakers. Likewise, with the Home, you can regulate any Google Cast-enabled speaker or any speaker that is connected to a Chromecast Audio streamer.

The Home also allows you to control your TV if you have a Chromecast video streamer. For this purpose, give a command, and you will be able to watch your favorite show on Netflix or YouTube. However, you must cast a video by name. Also, you can’t use it to browse videos. The Netflix integration is way too convenient, you simply need to say “Hey Google, play Parks on the living room,  TV, ” and it will immediately start playing.

Similarly, with music, you can pause, rewind and forward streaming video with your voice. Besides this, if your TV supports Consumer Electronics Control, you can expediently turn on your TV with Google Home and ask it to play something. With Sony and Vizio TVs, you don’t require a separate streamer, as they have built in Chromecast. You can’t fully control any TV with Google Home for e.g. you can’t turn off your TV with a voice command.

On the other hand, Amazon Echo also has TV integration if you have a Fire TV. For this, you need to press a button on a particular Fire TV remote. If you have Logitech Harmony setup, the Echo can even go better compared to Home. However, a Chromecast streamer cost approximately $35 and a Logitech setup can cost hundreds of dollars.

With the Home, you can group several speakers and play one song at the same time in multiple rooms. On top of all of this, both Amazon Echo and Google Home can play games, tell jokes and respond amusingly. Alexa takes the lead here, though as it has more “fun factor” than Google Assistant. Amazon recently added a new gaming category for the Alexa Skills Kit where it lets you “choose your adventure style”. Alexa also lets you play a Batman themed voice controlled mystery game called the Wayne Investigation and also plays the Jeopardy game way better than Google Home. Compared to Amazon Echo, Google Home learns more about you through various Google services such as Google Calendar, Google Maps, etc.

In addition to telling you about the appointments marked on the calendar, it also informs about the traffic situation on your way to work. It uses Google Assistant to respond to voice commands. However, it cannot change anything on your calendar, does not integrate with Gmail or Google Docs, cannot set reminders and does not send any directions to your phone. On the other hand, Amazon’s Alexa lets you set reminders, make to-do lists, etc. It has even 3rd party support and more than 3000 skills. As Amazon Echo has had a two-year head start from Google Home, it is compatible with SmartThings, Nest, Philips Hue, and IFTTT.

The Home responds more flexibly to commands than the Echo. With Echo, you can create named groups for all your devices. With the Home, you can even give them nicknames and group them into rooms. If you call a bulb “desk lamp” in the Philips app, Amazon’s Alexa will only respond if you turn on the bulb. You can create groups for all the lights and give the command to Alexa to turn them on or off. Without the groups, Alexa will not respond to any other names for the lamp. With Google Home, you can assign names to various devices and automatically arrange them.

Google’s Assistant can integrate with IFTTT and Philips Hue much better than Alexa. You can monitor the colors of your Philips bulbs which you can’t do that with a command to Alexa. The Home lets you customize controls including several options. For example, you can say, “I am leaving” or “Switch Ecobee to away mode.” Whereas on Alexa, you’d probably have to say something like, “Alexa, trigger Ecobee to away mode.” The Google Assistant offers you more flexible phrasing than Alexa.

Currently, Amazon Echo beats the Google Home. Though, there’s no doubt that Google will surely come up with better upgrades shortly as is customary with all google products. The Home will assimilate more smart home platforms, Google services, and better conversational assistant. On the other hand, Alexa is more conversational, allows many adults to use and modify shared features such as shopping list and have third party support. 

Amazon Echo Compatible Products

Alottazs Labs Garageio Open and close your garage door through voice commands Carrier Cor 5C Thermostat Adjust temperature with Alexa
Aristotle by Nabi Second assistant to play with kids and make them sleep Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat Control the thermostat with Alexa commands
August Smart Lock Lock your door through Alexa Ecobee3 Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat Control the temperature using Alexa
August Smart Lock – HomeKit Enabled Monitor your lock through Siri and Alexa Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat A no frill thermostat that you can control through voice commands
Automatic Labs Automatic Ask for fuel consumption, parking location and maintenance reports through Alexa Fabriq Alexa-Enabled Smart Speaker A speaker with push-button Alexa access, Also, an Echo dot alternative
Belkin WeMo Dimmer Wi-Fi Light Switch Ask Alexa to turn lights on, off or dim First Alert One Link Environment Monitor Check the status of your child room with Alexa
Belkin WeMo Insight Switch Tracks energy, plug something and monitor it through Alexa Fitbit Charge 2 Use Alexa for your fitness stats
Belkin WeMo Light Switch Use Alexa to turn lights on and off GE Cafe Series French door refrigerator with Keurig K-Cup Brewing System Use Alexa to pre-heat the coffee maker and let you know if the ice maker is full
Belkin WeMo Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug Turn any plugged device on and off through Alexa GE GTW860SPJMC Washing Machine Alexa, let you know if your laundry is done
Belkin WeMo Switch + Motion Ask Alexa to turn anything on and off GE Link Connected LED Alexa turn the lights on and off
Big Ass Fans Haiku Ceiling Fan with SenseME Ask Alexa to turn fans as well as adjust speed GE PHB920SJSS Control the oven with your voice commands
Big Ass Solutions Haiku L Series Ceiling Fan Temperature sensing ceiling fan and Alexa voice control Home8 Smart Garage Starter Kit Shut your garage door with Alexa
Big Ass Solutions Haiku Smart Ceiling Light Overhead lights work well with Alexa Honeywell Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Thermostat Most affordable Alexa compatible thermostat
Bluemint Labs Bixi Regulates the smart home through gestures and Alexa voice commands Huawei Mate 9 The first phablet to have Alexa
Brilliant Control Lightswitch with a touchscreen responds to motion control and voice commands Hubble Hugo Face tracking camera that can work with Alexa voice control
C by GE Lamp with Alexa The light wake you up in the morning Hydrao First Alexa tells about water and money that you are saving by taking shorter showers
C-Way Memoo Third party Alexa speaker iDevices Instant Switch Adjust this Bluetooth switch with Alexa
Cambridge Sound Management Nightingale Adjust nightlight brightness with your voice commands iDevices Outdoor Switch Weather rated version of iDevices switch that works with Alexa
iDevices Socket Control light bulbs with Alexa commands Onkyo VC-FLX1 Like Amazon Echo with great sound quality
iDevices Switch Turn the plug on and off with both Alexa and Sir Ooma Telo Make calls with Alexa
iDevices Thermostat Works with both Alexa and Siri Philips Hue Beyond Use Alexa to turn it on and off
iHome iSP8 Smartplug Use Alexa and Siri to turn things on and off Philips Hue Go Control the portable, powered battery lamp with Alexa
Incipio Command Kit Wi-Fi Power Strip Regulate power outlet with Alexa command Philips Hue Light Strip Plus Use Alexa to turn the colorful light strips on and off
Incipio Command Kit Wi-Fi Switch Use Alexa voice command to dim your lights Philips Hue White Ambiance These Hue bulbs work well with Alexa
Joule Use Alexa to control power and temperature settings Philips Hue White and Color Ambience Starter Kit A19 Control color changeable LEDs with Alexa
LG Hub Robot It is an Alexa powered robot Samsung Powerbot VR7000 Control your robot vacuum with Alexa voice commands
LG Smart Instaview Door-in-Door Refrigerator Order groceries with your voice command Scout Home Security System Use Alexa to arm and disarm the security system
LG Smart Security Wireless Camera Create custom voice commands with Alexa Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Pro Ask Alexa to dim mirror’s light
Lifx Color 1000 BR30 Wi-Fi LED Smart Bulb Adjust colors with Alexa controls Simplehuman Wide-View Sensor Mirror Ask Alexa to adjust the light
Lifx Color 1000 Smart Bulb Turn the smart bulb on and off and change the shades with Alexa SkyBell Video Doorbell Ask Alexa to snap a picture from the feed
Lifx Plus Wi-Fi LED Smart Bulb A color changing LED with Alexa voice control Somfy One Alexa powered home security system
Lifx White 900 BR30 Wi-Fi LED Smart Bulb A smart tunable light that works with Alexa Switch mate Bright Control it with your voice
Logitech Harmony Elite Use voice commands to control your home entertainment center Switch mate Power Regulate devices with a cord via Alexa
Lutron Caséta Wireless Lighting Starter Kit Top light switches that are perfect for Alexa voice control TP-Link LB130 Multicolor Wi-Fi LED Ask Alexa to turn the  bulb on, off or dim
Neato Botvac Connected Robot Vacuum Control your robot vacuum with Alexa voice command Ubtech Robotics Lynx The Alexa powered robot reads emotions and teaches yoga
       

 Conclusion

The Amazon Echo is the best purchase if you are looking to get on with this voice personal assistant. Echo gives you a feel like an Iron Man with your own Jarvis. The Amazon Echo is the tech device engineered for of the era, with a smart built-in assistant. Smartphones provided us smart communications which we were fancied in the movies such as Star Trek, and this is the most advanced smart home we’ve seen in everything from Iron Man to dozen other sci-fi stories.

Additionally, it can completely replace the radio in your kitchen and a great way of controlling several systems. If you are fond of using gadgets & own a Spotify account, then it’s the perfect device for you. More importantly, it is improvising dynamically as stuff is added to it. As iPhone changed the way how we communicate with technology and letting us control several apps via the screen, likewise Alexa do the same for devices using Wi-Fi but with voice commands.

The Alexa indeed starts understanding the human voice and is the best product for those who can determine the potential for the product, the DIY-ers that are looking for something creative. The product is for those who need a Bluetooth speaker and looking for excellent comfort while managing their home. However, if you don’t see yourself enjoying the smart aspects of the Amazon’s smart speaker, then the device is not for you. We recommend you other connected speakers out there such as Sonos, Chromecast audio, etc. If you want to see the future of Al and looking forward to being a part of this process, then you will need to buy an Amazon Echo for sure.

Have a great experience with your digi-tech personal assistant!

 

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Best Wireless Printers

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Wireless printers have become quite common in both homes and offices as well as large businesses. Wi-Fi connectivity is more reliable and flexible thus letting you to conveniently print from your mobile devices. Many wireless printers offer third party applications for printing from IOS, Android and other devices. Some may also directly support printing from cloud based services.

We have listed top ten best wireless printers along with detailed information that will help you out in coming up with a smart decision. Have a look and enjoy!

Things to consider while buying the best wireless printer:

1.) Pages per minute

2.) Print engine.

3.) Resolution.

4.) Scanning feature

5.) Printing performance/duty cycles.

6.) Wireless connectivity.

7.) Replacement cartridge availibility.

8.) Duplex printing.

9.) Driver support.

Best Wireless Printers
Printer Type
Pages per minute
Resolution
Compatibility
Connectivity
Sheet Capacity 
HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless
Ink Jet
 15ppm Black/ 11 ppm Colour
 Up to 1200 dpi with pigmented black ink
USB, SD, Memory Stick, Compact flash
Ethernet port, USB connection and 802.11 b/g networking
250
Canon Pixma MG7720
Ink Jet
9.8ppm Black/7.5ppm Colour
9600 x 2400 dots per inch
SD cards
Wired and wireless networks, NFC, Cloud Storage Service
125
Brother Business Smart Plus
Ink Jet
17ppm Black/15ppm Colour.
 1200 x 1200 dpi
SD cards, older compact flash cards and USB port
Wired and wireless networks, Cloud Storage Service
250
Canon Pixma MG6821
Ink Jet
 35 ppm Black and white / 27 ppm Color
 Up to 600 x 600 dpi (mono) / up to 4800 x 1200 dpi (color)
SD cards, SDHC, Sony Memory Stick Duo
Connectivity options for smartphones and tablets, Mopria certified apps, Canon own application and Cameras with wireless Pict Bridge capability

100

Epson Workforce WF-3640
Ink Jet
14ppm Black/, 7 ppm Colour documents while 1.2 ppm for photos
 Up to 4800 x 2400 dpi (mono) / up to 4800 x 2400 dpi (color)
Common media cards
Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Apple air print and Google cloud print.
500
Epson Expression Home XP-430
Ink Jet
8.5 pages per minute for black and white documents
 Up to 5760 x 1440 dpi (mono) / up to 5760 x 1440 dpi (color)
Mobile devices, SD cards
Wi-Fi, USB
 100

 

Samsung SL-M2020W/XAA Wireless Monochrome Printer
Laser
21 pages per minute for black and white documents
1200 dpi
Mobile devices
Wi-Fi, Google Cloud
 150
HP Envy 4520 Wireless
Ink Jet
20ppm
1200×600 dpi for mono print, 4800×1200 dpi for color print
Mobile devices
remote email printing apps, kindle fire, Google Cloud, Apple air print
 100
Brother HL-3170CDW
Laser
23 ppm for both black and white and color printing
600×2400 dpi
Mobile devices
Wi-Fi, Air Print, Google Cloud and Android
250
Samsung Xpress M2070W
Laser
20ppm
1200dpi
Mobile devices
Wi-Fi
150

 

HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless

HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless
HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless

Looking for something of top quality brand yet the best quality smart printing? Well here’s what we have got for you.

HP Officejet Pro 8500 wireless printer features a touch screen, various networking options and fast printing speed. The device can print, scan, fax and copy in minimum time with highest quality results. The wireless printer has 3.45-inch touch screen, auto duplexer and 50 sheet automatic file feeder. Coming towards the dimensions, it is 19.45 inches wide and 13.03 inches tall. The device has white and gray panels with a glossy black cockpit in the center that can go perfect into a number of decors.

Smart, isn’t it?

The home screen of the printer shows all the commonly used options including copy, fax, scan, quick setup menu, graphical gauge, ink left in the tanks etc. The front panel has a full telephone keypad for typing fax numbers, copy buttons etc. The digital filing networking folder allows you to scan and manage your images over a network whereas the email button can be used for one touch scan delivery. Lastly, the bottom of the panel features an external card reader to support USB, SD, Memory Stick, Compact flash etc. Making it standout as one of the best printer.

Moreover, it allows you to host computer in three ways, either through network with built in Ethernet port, USB connection or 802.11 b/g networking. The printer comes with 250 sheet input drawer fixed into the machine. Also, you can extend the tray to accommodate A4 or legal size paper. In addition to that, it has HP photo smart essential and solution center software. Lastly, the printer cycle can run up to 15,000 pages per month.

Pros

1 HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless printer features an Auto duplexer.

2 It has 50 pages’ automatic file feeder and provide excellent quality prints.

3 It has 3.4-inch LCD touch screen.

4 It has convenient 802.11b/g wireless setup.

Cons

1 It lacks autodial fax buttons and Bluetooth.

2 It does not have dual paper input tray.


Canon Pixma MG7720

Canon Pixma MG7720
Canon Pixma MG7720

Canon Pixma MG7720 is one of the leading multifunctional best wireless printer. It gives high quality documents and photos with a print resolution of 9600 x 2400 dots per inch. Black and white documents are printed at 9.8ppm whereas the color documents are printed at 7.5ppm. It uses special secondary cartridge of black ink pigment that gives sharp details and vibrant colored photos. The 4×6 photos are printed at a 1.5ppm. With a five-cartridge system, the overall cost of the ink is quite reasonable. The printer uses two separate black inks for documents and photos to give superior prints, bringing out the best quality printing proving its worth of buying such a wireless printer.

The wireless printer has a single primary tray with a 125-sheet capacity. Whereas the secondary try is used for photo printing and holds additional 20 pages. Moreover, it has automatic duplexing for dual sided printing and is able to print on various media types including printing CDs and DVDs. The printer features memory card slots for various SD cards including SD, SDHC, Sony memory stick Duo etc. It has in-built near field communications that lets you to use any device equipped with an NFC chip to pair with the printer.

Lastly, the printer offers you both wired and wireless networking. Also, the canon has its one app that allows you to print from your phone or tab, copy and manage files through cloud storage service.

Amazing, isn’t it?

Pros

1 The Canon Pixma MG7720 print photos faster as compare to other wireless printers.

2 It can print on variety of media types.

3 It has automatic duplexing for dual sided printing.

Cons

1 It can’t print from USB.

2 It lack fax capability.


Brother Business Smart Plus

Brother Business Smart Plus
Brother Business Smart Plus

The name itself says it all being your brother to always be there for you and easing your task and the word business signifies its efficiency of being the best wireless printer available for your best quality printing.

The printer’s most unique feature is that it prints horizontally across the page. It is able to print black and white documents at 17ppm whereas the color documents are printed at 15ppm. Thought it offers short lived starter inks but the cost of replacing cartridges is not so expensive. Also, they come with removable nozzle cover to protect nozzles and prevent spills. The wireless printer has a duty cycle of 30,000 pages per month that makes it very effective for small business use.

Cheap isn’t it?

Moreover, it comes with a primary paper tray that holds up to 250 pages along with supporting other media such as envelopes and cardstock. It features automatic duplex printing and feed paper up to 11 x 17-inches. It is built into the lid of scanner and you can fold it away when not required. The prints come with fine details and subtle color variations. The printer has slots for both SD cards, older compact flash cards and USB port. It also supports printing directly from Pict Bridge-enabled camera over USB. Finally, it offers both wired and wireless options. It includes several web connected features cloud storage services. You can also share the scanned images on social networking sites.

Pros

1 The Brother Business Smart Plus has unsurpassed copy and scan quality.

2 It offers low cost printing.

3 It offers multiple web connected features.

Cons

1 Minor issues in printing photos.


Canon Pixma MG6821

Canon Pixma MG6821
Canon Pixma MG6821

The Canon Pixma MG6821 is a nicely designed yet one of the best wireless printer. It provides superb photo quality along with a second black ink cartridge. The cartridge is used for best quality photos. The fifth cartridge uses color document printing including black, cyan, magenta and yellow. The wireless printer comes with 100-page paper tray which is an average for home inkjet printer. Also, it has secondary tray for photo paper that holds up to 20 sheets.

The printer comes with integrated card slots for SD cards that mainly include SD, SDHC, Sony Memory Stick Duo etc. Moreover, it offers reliable connectivity options for smartphones and tablets. It also allows you to print wirelessly through Mopria certified apps and Canon own application. Cameras with wireless Pict Bridge capability can be connected to the printer as well. It comes with one year warranty. Overall, it has a light feature set with great document and photo printing.

Pros

1 The quality of documents and photos is up to the mark.

2 It offers steadfast connectivity options for smartphones and tablets.

3 It comes with integrated card slots for SD cards.

Cons

1 It lacks wired networking.

2 It does not have fax capability.


Epson Workforce WF-3640

Epson Workforce WF-3640
Epson Workforce WF-3640

Epson Workforce WF-3640 printer is designed in a way to offer both good printing and convenience along with it being the best wireless printer that fits you need. It is very easy to set up and offer you pro level features. It prints 14 pages per minute for black and white documents whereas 7 pages per minute for color documents. It prints photos at 1.2 per minute thus one of the fastest printer you can have. Also, it is one of the affordable inkjet printers.

The primary paper tray of wireless printer can successfully hold up to 500 pages of plain printer paper which is quite impressive. The in-built secondary tray can effectively hold 250 pages. In addition to that, a document feeder on the back of printer allows you to print nonstandard documents such as envelops and cardstock.

Furthermore, an automatic file feeder lets you scan, print and fax several pages at a time. Workforce WF-3640 has built-in scanning, copying and faxing capabilities. The standalone fax functionality lets you to send faxes without connecting to a PC. The printer features support for common media cards and storage. Also, you can save scanned documents to external storage or cloud storage services such as Google drive, drop box etc. Finally, it offers network connectivity through Ethernet or Wi-Fi. It also supports Apple air print and Google cloud print.

Pros

1 Epson Workforce WF-3640 printer has a robust feature set.

2 The primary and secondary trays impressively hold up to 500 pages and 250 pages respectively.

3 It prints photos at 1.2 per minute.

Cons

1 It provides average print quality.

2 At times, banded colors are visible in photos.


Epson Expression Home XP-430

Epson Expression Home XP-430
Epson Expression Home XP-430

The XP-430 comes with a space saving design and measuring 15.4 inches wide, 20.8 inches deep, and 11 inches tall. It features a mono LCD display at a suitable viewing angle. It gives you the option to connect your printer to computer either through direct USB or Wi-Fi.  The front of the wireless printer has memory card reader. You can also view your photos on LCD and make simple adjustments such as crop, resize etc.

Coming towards the functioning of printer, it gives black and white print at 8.5 pages per minute. Whereas the color text and graphics documents takes little more time. Though the quality of prints is simply up to the mark. It gives clean lines even in very tiny fonts and clear marks across the page. Also, the quality of photos and graphics documents is way too good. The printer is a perfect combination of multi-functioning and space saving design.

Pros

1 Epson Expression Home XP-430 has a space saving design.

2 It can print from various mobile devices such as Android, IOS etc.

3 It features LCD touch display for simple photo edits as well as gives reliable output quality.

Cons

1 It does not offer two-sided printing.

2 The cost per page for the ink cartridge is a bit higher than average.


Samsung SL-M2020W/XAA Wireless Monochrome Printer

Samsung SL-M2020W/XAA Wireless Monochrome Printer
Samsung SL-M2020W/XAA Wireless Monochrome Printer

When it comes to technology be Samsung one can always depend upon the brand specially in terms of connectiviy and superlative technology the wireless printer.

Samsung is a well-designed laser printer. It offers excellent quality and speed of printing thus print 21 pages per minute. The print resolution is 1200×1200 dpi and gives clearer texts, graphs and line drawings. It features an eco-button that reduce both toner use and energy consumption. Also, you can control over the function and tune things according to your requirements.

The printer is able to print from various devices such as Windows, Apple Mac etc. Moreover, to hardwired solutions, it is compatible with any NFC device which mostly includes smartphones such as Google cloud that lets you to print from remote locations. Google cloud also accommodate a number of tablets and other devices but that may require purchase of an additional application. In addition to that, there is also Wi-Fi that is quick to set up by the use of WPS button.

That’s what you call one innovative wireless printer!

Pros

1 Samsung SL-M2020W/XAA Wireless Monochrome Printer is comparatively cheap.

2 It gives more clear texts, graphs and drawings at 21 pages per minute.

3 It is compatible with various devices and Google Cloud.

Cons

1 It is an entry level black and white printer.


HP Envy 4520 Wireless

HP Envy 4520 Wireless
HP Envy 4520 Wireless

The HP Envy 4520 is a wireless color photo printer and capable of printing laser sharp documents. It gives 1200×600 dpi for mono and 4800×1200 dpi for color prints. The pages per minute rate are very impressive. It gives 20 ppm for black and white printing and 16ppm for color mode. It has the ability to print out borderless right out to the edges of a standard 8.5×11 inch sheet.

Moreover, it has also flatbed scanning facility. The printer can be used for copying as well. It allows you to access a number of menu options along with status indicators. Another significant feature is the ease of Wi-Fi connection and various mobile printing options. In addition to that, there is HP’s own remote and email printing apps along with compatibility to Google cloud print, Apple air print and Kindle fire.

Pros

1 HP Envy 4520 Wireless features easy to use scanner.

2 It has ability to print right out to the edges of a standard 8.5×11 inch sheet.

3 It can be used for copying as well.

Cons

1 At times there is delay before printer start printing.


Brother HL-3170CDW

Brother HL-3170CDW
Brother HL-3170CDW

The Brother HL-3170CDW is a wireless laser color printer that offers duplex printing. It gives 23 ppm for both black and white and color printing with a 600×2400 dpi resolution whist featuring automated duplexing with basic media handling. The wireless printer comes with 250 sheet tray capacity. In case you want to add anything else then legal size or letter, you can feed it through manual by pass slot.

Moreover, it has a full range of Wi-Fi and mobile device connectivity making it another best wireless printer. The print has print and scan app along with air print, google cloud and Android compatibility. Overall, it is an extremely high quality printer that can serve you in a long run.

Pros

1 Brother HL-3170CDW gives high quality print outs.

2 It features automated duplexing.

3 It gives 23 ppm for both black and white and color printing.

Cons

1 You need to feed by hand through manual pass slot, if you need anything else then letter or legal size paper.


Samsung Xpress M2070W

Samsung Xpress M2070W
Samsung Xpress M2070W

Samsung Xpress M2070W is a high-quality printer that effectively delivers a lot of bang to your work. The printer successfully works at 20ppm with impressive 1200×1200 resolution. wireless printer has 150 sheets capacity and can print A4, A5, letter, folio, ISO BF and much more. It is compatible with smartphones, online document sharing etc. Moreover, it offers usual toner saving mode along with other features for removing images from documents or replacing maps and sketches. If you are looking for a multifunction yet best wireless printer; go for it.

Pros

1 Samsung Xpress M2070W features clever eco mode.

2 It is comparatively quick.

3 It works at 20 ppm.

Cons

1 It does not offer high yield cartridge option.

2 Duplexing is manual.


 

All of these printers are selected on the basis of their exclusive designs and multiple functions. A detailed research is conducted to pick up the top 10 best wireless printers. As there are a number of wireless printers in the market but choosing one of them on the basis of high-quality prints, quick printing and various media connectivity options is a wise decision.

The post Best Wireless Printers appeared first on MobileSiri.

Philips Hue White Starter Kit and Color Ambiance A19

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 Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit

No doubt, Philips has revolutionized the world of bright LEDs. The latest bulb, Hue White, and Color Ambiance prove that why the company has been a major competitor in this space from the very beginning. The design of the latest Philips Hue White Starter Kit has just changed slightly. Though they are still shaped like a rounded off twister, now they come up with a white base instead of a silver one. Overall, the bulbs remain quite modest in comparison to the competition. They are designed to work successfully in connection to your Wi-Fi router through an Ethernet cable.

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit

The Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit is not small and more streamlined in contrast to prior models at $60. It is included along with three bulbs in a $200 kit reviewed here. It has become a standard in its way and now compatible with methods and GE bulbs. These Hue lights efficiently work with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, Apple’s HomeKit platform, and several other smart-home products. Have a look to know more about finer features and reliable performance of Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit.

Let’s get rolling……

 Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit pros and cons
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit pros and cons

Pros

  • Philips Hue White Starter kit offers an impressive list of compatible smart home platforms.
  • It can sync your bulb with the iOS device.
  • You can trigger lighting changes by asking Siri.
  • The redesigned Hue bridge is less intrusive.
  • It includes support for Apple Siri and Apple watch.
  • The technical improvements make them the best looking and brightest bulbs.
  • It offers smooth dimming, so the lights are never too bright or dark.
  • You can control lights from anywhere when paired with Philips Hue bridge.
  • It lets you set different rooms for different times.
  • You can download third-party apps to integrate A19 bulb with music or gaming experience.
  • It offers a range of natural white light from cool energizing daylight to relaxing warm white light.
  • You can use 16 million colors to paint your walls with a variety of light shades.

 

Cons

  • The app could have more benefited from the ease of use upgrade.
  • There are no fun features.
  • Installation process may be a bit complicated.
  • The A19 starter kit is expensive.
  • The app is simple with white only features.
  • It requires a proprietary hub.

Key Features

Power output Eco-friendly Compatibility A 19 Color Bulbs A 19 Colors Lumen Output A 19 Colors Light Output Warranty
100–240 V AC / 50–60Hz

 

14°F- 113°F temperature iOS 8.0 and later iPhone 4S, 5, 5S, 6, 6 Plus E26 contact medium 800 lm at 4000K

 

Functional white light

 

2-years
5 V DC 600Ma output voltage 5% < H < 95% humidity Apple Home Kit compatibility, only iOS 9.0 10W Screw base fitting 570 lm at 2700K

 

16 million colors

 

0.1 W max standby power iPad 2, 3rd and 4th generation Lifetime: 25k hours 342 lm at 2000K

 

CCT range 2000-6500K
iPad Air 1, 2 Less than 2sec startup from AC power 550 lm at 6500K

 

Dimming only via RF down to 5%
iPad Mini 1, 2, 3 Less than 5 sec startup from standby 80 lm/W luminous efficacy @4000K

 

Beam angle –160° ± 20°

 

iPod touch 5th generation 110V-130V input voltage
Android 2.3 or later 2.4×4.3-inch lamp size

 

Features

Philips Hue White Starter Kit
Philips Hue White Starter Kit features

Philips Hue White  Starter kit comes with three Hue bulbs and a bridge that you can control via Philips Hue App on your Android or iOS device. The most significant addition is that Philips benefited from HomeKit without compromising on the core components of the Hue platform. The major advantages of Hue include updated software that allows third party developers to make their apps for the lights and bring up a new functionality.

Some developer stuff, great isn’t it?

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit

With the app, you can change the color of your bulbs using the drag and drop display that lets you cover the part of the spectrum that you want. The emergence of HomeKit support allows smart home devices to effectively communicate within iOS. The HomeKit compatibility makes it exceptionally easy for other product to assimilate Hue controls into their controller apps. That means you can program lighting changes that are linked directly to those products e.g. lights that turn on or off when you lock your door.

Moreover, you can do that a lot by syncing your lights with a master hub called as SmartThings or an automation system like IFTTT. Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit association with HomeKit brings you voice activation and on-demand lighting changes that are fit for the system. Now asking Siri to turn the lights is way too easier. In addition to red, blue and orange which are the primary colors, you can request teal, gold, and other colors as well. Siri can understand modifiers such as light blue. However, it cannot understand anything on the white light spectrum such as soft white, daylight or 2700K.

 Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit app
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit app

While using Siri, you can also control your Hue scenes which lets you trigger multiple bulbs at a time.  The Hue scenes are not programmed in the same way as HomeKit scenes so they might not work at first. However, the working is simple. All you need to do is go to the Hue’s app settings and select “Siri voice control.” You will get a list of scenes that you want to control using Siri and He will translate them into something that Siri can work with.

Pretty customized, right?

Another option you have is to create new scenes using an app that follows Home Kit’s scene-creation protocols. Though it might look inappropriate to program the Hue lights outside the Hue app, by doing so, it will let you create more complex scenes that involve your other HomeKit-compatible gadgets e.g.  a good night scene will turn the lights off and lock your door.

Moving on, the Hue offers a bridge transfer mode in the app that will make it more easy to switch. Simply follow the onscreen instructions, and it will save your existing settings in the cloud and load them into the new bridge. It will consume few minutes to get things switched, and after you are done, many lights and scenes will remain intact.

Though Siri-powered voice control works well, still occasionally there might be language mix-up. Another unexpected drawback is the Hue’s integration with the voice-activated Amazon Echo. The new bridge does not let the Echo talk to your lights. The company is working with Amazon to fix it as soon as possible.

 

Performance

Performance
Performance

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit offers a superb performance that can make your day. Using the Hue mobile app, Web portal, Siri or HomeKit support, you can easily create sophisticated remote controlled lighting setups along with automation. For instance, you can set all your lights off as soon as your iPhone leaves the house.

In our testing, we set the lamps fade at sunset, and it worked well. Also, you can trigger the scenes to switch between color and brightness settings. We have tried even more elaborate options through IFTTT integration. The white ambiance bulbs strike between Philips cheaper pure white options and expensive full-color models. This white ambiance collection offers various color temperatures within the white spectrum that range from a warm orange to a cold blueish white. The important part is that you can still adjust your lights as per different moods or times of the day. Additionally, the updated Hue app gives you an option of “Wake up” and “Go to sleep” along with “Nightlight” scenes. All these options are formulated with the white ambiance.

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit

While testing the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit which comes with two bulbs, scene switch and bright hub, we found that warmer lights excellent from the most basic LED bulbs which can be quite refreshing according to our liking. In the various situation, warm lighting feels more natural. Moreover, the full brightness is 800 lumens which are available along with the neutral 4,000K color temperature and is not the default setting. The output dims as you go warmer down to 400 lumens while you hit 2,220K. For few people, even 800 lumens are dim, and they look for using some extra lighting to compensate.

 Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit performance
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit performance

We found the new Hue app relatively well designed. It allows users setup lights, rooms, routine without any trouble. Also, it lets you manage bridges and switches. You can control the lights over cellular connections through the app. However, Siri will only work outside of Wi-Fi range if you have an Apple TV. We observed some odd limitations in the software. For example, to rename the bulbs, you need to go into the settings menu and manually resync them with Siri. Also, Siri will not automatically recognize each scene. Hence you must select by yourself.

Furthermore, when you say, “turn on the living room lights” or “dim the living room lights to 40%”, you can’t say “turn on the existing lights to 40 percent” as first, you have to turn them on and then you can tweak brightness. Another issue in our observation with the app is that it may not be instantly apparent how to adjust brightness unless you use scenes or routines. The only way to control color temperature on each bulb is by tapping icons that you may not recognize as interactive. Also, with routines, you cannot set lights to shift to a particular color temperature automatically. In many cases, you may not have any way to create routines for individual bulbs rather than making separate rooms.

Comparison

Comparison
Comparison

As the brand says it all, Philips is one of the most prominent competitors in the electronic world. The Hue color ambiance bulbs have not changed much since 2012. Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit comes with the new bulbs that last longer. Also, the company is adding new shapes, sized and accessories. The Hue app has also improved significantly. The Hue bulbs are available in wide range of forms in which A19 has become very popular in a short while. The price of the starter kit includes the required Philips Hue Bridge.

Whereas, new bulbs cost $60 each. Here LIFX color has become a major rival. The LIFX color LED bright bulb along with an array of infrared LEDs will even help your home security camera to see in the dark. Overall, Philips has earned the best position for extensive collection of styles and several compatible accessories. If you want color A19 or BR30, LIFX is also a considerable option. It’s true if you are installing them in cylinder lamps as they are the brightest bulbs in this roundup.

The price of the starter kit includes the required Philips Hue Bridge. Whereas, new bulbs cost $60 each. Here LIFX color has become a major rival. The LIFX color LED bright bulb along with an array of infrared LEDs will even help your home security camera to see in the dark. Overall, Philips has earned the best position for extensive collection of styles and several compatible accessories. If you want color A19 or BR30, LIFX is also a considerable option. It’s true if you are installing them in cylinder lamps as they are the brightest bulbs in this roundup.

Overall, Philips has earned the best position for extensive collection of styles and several compatible accessories. If you want color A19 or BR30, LIFX is also a considerable option. It’s true if you are installing them in cylinder lamps as they are the brightest bulbs in this roundup.

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit

 

Conclusion

Nonetheless, automation is the foremost reason to buy Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit. Once you set up the right routine, you will hardly need Siri or app to switch. This is something fanatic about lights that are coming on whenever you need them and shutting off when they are not required. Hence, it boosts security and power efficiency at the same time. This white ambiance kit is an excellent starting point when you need at least two bulbs with warmer lighting. Therefore, it makes clear sense to go for $175 white and color kit.

Additionally, if you have several smart gadgets and you want color hanging bulbs that incredibly work with them then Hue is the best option you can get. Likewise, if you are a Hue and iOS user as well, then upgrading the new Hue Bridge to setup and add Siri controls is worth considering this kit.

But if you haven’t bought Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit yet, the $200 cost of getting started might be high for you. On the other hand, competition is even more compelling. LIFX offers brighter and high-quality color bulbs with easy to use the app at $60 each.  Also, there is no hub required so you can control each one straight away from the box, meaning you don’t need to invest $200 just to get started.

Lighten up your life, the Philips way!

The post Philips Hue White Starter Kit and Color Ambiance A19 appeared first on MobileSiri.

Best Bluetooth Headsets to use With Your Phones

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Bluetooth headsets are all the rage these days. This is because while smartphones are becoming widespread day by day, so are the state laws banning handheld device usage in cars. There is a large range of Bluetooth earpieces and headsets currently available in the market. So, if you are looking to buy a headset it can be daunting to select the right one. But fear not, because in this article we are going to list the best Bluetooth headsets available in the market to help you select the right Bluetooth device.

Best Bluetooth headsets

Why use a Bluetooth Headset?

If you haven’t owned a Bluetooth earpiece before the first question that might pop up in your mind is why should I buy one? Is it really worth the cost?

The truth is it depends on what type of user you are, ultimately a good Bluetooth headset is not going to be a bad investment if you select the device that is appropriate for you.

Bluetooth headsets or earpieces are hands-free mobile accessories that allow you to converse or listen to music while driving or multi-tasking. It is all in the name, the devices allow you to keep your hands free so that you may be able to perform other tasks.

These days Bluetooth headsets are better than they ever were. Now we have longer battery life, better performance, improved and smaller designs.

When buying a headset it is important to consider features that are important. That is why it is crucial to check out the call quality,  noise cancellation, battery life, and other bonus features before choosing the best Bluetooth headsets.

Which Bluetooth headset should you Buy?

There are three main categories of Bluetooth devices; mono, stereo, and speaker. The first thing you need to figure out when buying a great Bluetooth headset is which category is right for you:

  • If you are going to use your ideal Bluetooth headset while walking and engaged in different activities. And if your device primary use will be to take calls then it is best to go for mono Bluetooth headsets.
  • For entertainment uses, like listening to music on the go, playing games without getting tangled in the headphones wires stereo stylish Bluetooth headsets are the right way to go.
  • If you are going to use your Bluetooth device mostly in the car, or a specific location like your office, then try the Bluetooth speakers.

Best Bluetooth Earpieces and headsets:

Here are the best Bluetooth headsets and earpieces of 2018:

Best Mono Bluetooth Headsets:

Plantronics Voyager Edge

best bluetooth earpiece

Plantronics Voyager edge slims down by cutting the bulk of its previous headsets without sacrificing the quality and performance. This is one of the best Bluetooth headsets currently available in the market. It has a sleek and stylish design and is available in black, white and grey colors.

The Plantronics Voyager Edge Bluetooth device has a compact design, it weighs only 0.31 ounces and is just over 2.5 inches long. The buttons on the headset are for physical volume, voice commands, and call answering.

It also supports A2DP for streaming podcasts and music. The audio sound quality of the Plantronics Voyager Edge optimum Bluetooth headset is clear and good but there is only mediocre wind resistance and the range is short.

Voyager Edge is a great headset with excellent call quality, it comes with a charging cradle and pairing is easy through NFC. It has a solid battery life despite its small size.


 

Jawbone Era
Jawbone Era Bluetooth earpiece

Jawbone Era is a delicately designed, inconspicuous Bluetooth earpiece. It is more refined and smaller than its predecessor. The performance of the headsets is great and the sound quality is solid. Jawbone latest earpiece got rid of the accelerometer-based gestures and went for simpler interaction.

The Jawbone Era is undoubtedly one of the best-designed Bluetooth earpieces in the market.  It is impressively miniature at 1.83 by 0.83 by 0.51 inches (HWD), with a square design and subtle grooves that give it a characteristic, yet unobtrusive look. It weighs in at just 0.21-ounce.

The headset’s range as rated by the company is 33 feet. It has a single button on the back that activates various different functions depending on how many times you press it. There is also an app that lets you change the voice prompts. The app also allows you to remotely trigger sounds that will help in locating in a missing earpiece. The headset can run for 3 hours of continuous talk time. 

The Jawbone Bluetooth earpiece comes with small, medium, and large earbuds so that it can fit all ear sizes.It is available in black, silver, bronze and striking red color. The Jawbone Era is one of the top-performing Bluetooth discreet headsets out in the market.


 

Plantronics M55

 Plantronics M55 Bluetooth Earpieces

The Plantronics M55 is a sleek and simplistically designed headset. It is of good quality and has long battery life. It is designed so that it is comfortable yet stylish. It is undoubtedly one of the best Bluetooth headsets on the market.

The M55 is a well-crafted earpiece, its body is made of shiny black plastic that is sturdy. There is a silver band around the middle of the headset that surrounds the buttons. The earpiece comes with one clear earbud along with a plastic hook. The hook is optional to wear and it adds a sense of security but the device fits fine even without it.

Pairing the Plantronics M55 is also very simple. The first time the device is activated it automatically goes to pairing mode. When pairing with a new device, all you need to do is hold down the call button until the light on the headset starts blinking red and white. This flashing indicated that the device is in pairing mode.

Other features of the M55 include answering a call just by saying answer rather than pressing a button. It also comes with one free year of Vocalyst Basic which is an automated assistant that offers reminders.

The M55 is a svelte and stylish earpiece that packs in good battery life along with solid audio quality.


 

Jawbone icon HD + The Nerd

 Jawbone icon HD + The Nerd Bluetooth headsets

The Jawbone icon HD + The Nerd is a headset that users can use easily almost everywhere. It has Wire-Free USB audio with the Nerd. The sound quality of the devices is great. It can also run apps and has a unique and attractive design.

The Jawbone icon HD is the same size as its predecessor Jawbone Icon. it measures at 0.7 by 1.8 by 0.9 (HWD) and weighs just 0.3 ounces. The front is textured and navy while the rest of the earpiece is black in color. On the back of it, there is a power switch. The switch controls the headset’s noise cancellation and the ear tip. A multi-function talk button is located on the back of the earpiece.

The Jawbone icon HD come with seven different ear tip sizes. Four of the ear tips come with an ear hook for secure attachment. The headset takes 90 minutes to charge completely and yields approximately 5 hours of talk time.

The Jawbone icon HD Bluetooth earpiece has superb transmission quality. Jawbone’s NoiseAssassin 2.5 noise cancellation technology is excellent. The speaker quality of the headset is great for music also. the headset is very versatile and it has a good range of fewer than 35 feet.


 

Plantronics Marque 2 M165
Plantronics Marque 2 M165

When it comes to excellent Bluetooth headsets, Plantronics is one of the leading brands. If you are looking for a budget friendly option but don’t wish to sacrifice good quality then Plantronics Marque 2 M165 is the best Bluetooth earpiece option in the market for you.

The M165 has a second mic for improved noise suppression. It comes with two additional ear tips. The battery life isn’t as long as other headset but, for $59.99 you are definitely getting your money’s worth.

The body of the Plantronics Marque 2M165 is made entirely of plastic so it is light but durable. The set is available is white and black colors. Because of the finishing, the device doesn’t feel cheap despite being entirely plastic.

Plantronics has also improved the DeepSleep mode, your earpiece slips into this mode if your phone is no longer in range for more than 90 minutes. Marque has up to 11 hours of talk time. The headset’s battery charges fully in 2 hours.

The Plantronics Marquee 2 is a good sounding affordable earpiece. It has comfortable ear tips, voice prompt-based interface, and a stylish design.


 

Jabra Motion

 Jabra Motion is among the best Bluetooth earpieces

The Jabra Motion has a distinctive design with a slightly longer microphone. It has great call quality which is the most important aspect of any headset. The sound quality of this fine blue-tooth headset isn’t one of the best but because of environment sensitive, noise canceling the sound comes clear and loud even in loud environments.

The battery can last up to seven hours of talk time. It is easy to set up and sync. But it is important to try out this headset before buying it. The size of the Jabra Motion is adjustable but its unique design won’t be a comfortable fit for all users.


 

JETech H0781
JETech H0781 wirless headsets

The JETech H0781 is the most budget friendly option in this list. At only $12.99 you get a full-featured earpiece with a cool design.

The JETech isn’t compact but it comes with a simple pairing LED indicator and is a great budget choice. The headset has built in noise cancelling and it also comes with multipoint technology, by which you can connect two Bluetooth devices to it.

There is a DeepSleep mode which increases the battery life to 14 days standby time. It fits in the ear comfortably with a super soft gel ear tip and comes with a Micro USB Charger Cable.


 

Best Stereo Bluetooth Earpieces:

Sony Stereo Bluetooth Headset SBH20

Sony Stereo Bluetooth Headset SBH20

Sony’s Stereo Bluetooth earpiece SBH20 is versatile. It is good for making calls, listening to music or going wireless with your home stereo. The SBH20 is similar in design to the iPod shuffle. It comes in a variety of colors. The headset is available in black, white, pink, orange, and turquoise colors.

The design is sleek and simple. It is a clip on and comes with a set of in-ear headphones with three different sizes.

Sony’s SBH20 is automatically set to Bluetooth pairing mode the first time you activate it. To reenter pairing mode in the future, you can do it by turning it on and holding the Play button down for a few seconds. Once in pairing mode, just pair it the same way you would with any Bluetooth device. It also comes with NFC support. If you have a device with NFC, simply tap the SBH20 to it in order to pair it.

The SBH20 is a lot more versatile than most other stereo Bluetooth earpieces, and in most cases, Sony hasn’t added on features at the expense of quality. With better noise cancellation and less finicky controls, the Sony SBH20 is a great choice for most buyers.


 

Plantronics BackBeat Go 2

 Plantronics BackBeat Go 2 is one of the top Bluetooth headsets

The Plantronics BackBeat Go 2  is small but balances the sound quality and price. This great bluetooth headset  does not have a powerful bass but it is comfortable and has good sound quality. It costs $79.99. You can get a charging pouch with it for $99.99.

The BackBeat Go 2 is similar to its predecessor in design, but there are three buttons instead of one on the headset. It has a micro USB connection for charging which is hidden behind the right earbud.

This awesome Bluetooth headset comes with earbuds of different sizes and is available in black and white colors. It has good sound quality despite the weak bass. The call quality of the headphone is great when indoors but it picks up a lot of noise when outside. There are better earpieces available at the market but at this price, Plantronics BackBeat Go 2 is the best Bluetooth headset in the market.


 

Jabra Clipper Jabra Clipper

The Jabra clipper is a handy Bluetooth device. It is good for handling calls on the go and also great for listening to music. It can easily stream audio from your home’s stereo system. The stereo sound quality is great and the earpiece works with all standard 3.5mm headphones or speakers.

The best part is that you can use this clipper to turn any stereo headset or home entertainment system or speakers to make them Bluetooth compatible. It has a continuous playback time of approximately 5 hours.

The device body is made of rubberized plastic. There’s a standard-size 3.5mm headphone jack on the top and a power port on the bottom. There are two volume control buttons. A multifunction Talk button is embossed on the face of the Clipper in the shape of a bullseye.

The Jabra Clipper Bluetooth headset has a 1.9 by 0.7-inch rectangular design that measures just over 0.5 inches at its widest point. It comes in black, pink, tangerine, turquoise, and white colors. The Clipper comes with a set of in-ear buds, with three different rubber tip sizes so you can get a good fit.

The Jabra clipper Bluetooth headset is an innovative and one best blue-tooth headset that can do a lot of things that other headsets cannot. The sound quality is satisfactory in mono mode, but in stereo mode, it is excellent. If you are looking for an affordable, versatile device then this is the best choice.


 

Best Bluetooth Speakerphones:

Motorola Roadster 2
Best Bluetooth Speakerphones

The Motorola Roadster is a multi-featured Bluetooth speaker phone that is easy to use. The Roadster is one of the best choices currently available in the market when it comes to Bluetooth speakers.

The Roadster 2 is perfect for cars. When you are away from the car for more than a minute, the speaker detects it and powers down to conserve the battery. When it hears the car door open it switches back on.

The Roadster 2 is a multipoint device, so you can pair two devices to it simultaneously. As far as battery life is concerned, it lasts for up to 20 hours of talk time or three weeks of standby time on a single charge.

While the transmissions aren’t perfect and there is no iPhone version of the MotoSpeak app the Motorola Roadster is still a pretty great and best bluetooth headset. It provides clear and loud sound quality and is user-friendly. The FM transmitter which can broadcast calls, music and apps to the car stereo speakers is also very handy.


 

SuperTooth HD

SuperTooth HD Bluetooth Speaker

The SuperTooth HD is a solid hands-free Bluetooth speakerphone. It offers plenty of volume and some great extra features, including a special text and e-mail dictation mode.

The SuperTooth HD is loud and has good sound quality, but the voice prompts can be annoying at times and it relies on your device’s voice dialing for numbers and names. The speaker had solid voice recognition and it supports several apps like Facebook, email, texting and Twiter updates.

New cars these days are equipped with Bluetooth hands-free mode standard, or offer it as an option, usually along with a premium sound system. That doesn’t help people with older cars, though, which is where the SuperTooth HD comes in. The SuperTooth HD’s easy to operate and provides loud volume. It is a good choice for a reasonable price.

These are the best Bluetooth headsets and earpieces currently available in the market. Hopefully, this article will help you buy a suitable device that accommodates your needs.

The post Best Bluetooth Headsets to use With Your Phones appeared first on MobileSiri.


Best Gaming Mouse

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If there is something that gamers can’t think of living without, it is probably the best gaming mouse which is the integral companion in the gaming journey. It is an essential part of gamers’ arsenal predominantly as it works in tandem with the keyboard. It handles most of the actions and moves that a player is required to do in a game. Selecting a gaming mouse is your personal decision. A mouse working best for one person may not always suit the other. Having a great gaming mouse is a significant factor in competitive games. In a number of mice out there, we have worked hard for you and created a list of the best gaming mouse. There are gaming mice that are offering exceptional features that we have found. The guide is made available to let you simply select the mouse that suits your requirements.

Factors to consider while buying best gaming mouse

1. Before buying the best gaming mouse, make sure about your gripping style. As there are various mice with different grip styles including finger grip, claw grip, and palm grip, hence choose a one that lies in perfect accordance to your requirement and gives you comfort while using it.

2. The weight of the mouse is an important factor to be noticed. If you are playing first person shooters, then usually a light mouse is recommended in order to gain fast twitch movements and gain the upper hand. Also, some people prefer a heavy mouse. Therefore, you can choose a mouse with various weight settings.

3. A very important question while buying a gaming mouse is the sensor. Usually, laser and optical sensors are mostly used and the difference between them is the light that they use to track movement. Laser sensor uses laser beam while optical sensor uses LED to track movement. So, go for the one which you find more convenient.

4. DPI is the most common term in a gaming mouse and it stands for Dot per image. It determines the sensitivity of the mouse. A mouse with high DPI is not always a better choice. At times, the mouse with less DPI proves to be more effective and useful. Therefore, you need to consider other aspects of the gaming mouse as well instead of solely relying on DPI.

5. Acceleration in a gaming mouse can be useful for other applications but in gaming, it’s a big drawback. Acceleration is the time it takes to fully accelerate the mouse to its rated speed. For any gamer, a mouse without any acceleration is recommended.

6. While buying the best gaming mouse, the most confusing part is to buy a wired or wireless mouse. The wireless mouse is somewhat less popular as compared to the wired mouse because your gaming performance can suffer if you forgot to charge the battery of your mouse. But at the same time, there are people who prefer wireless mouse as they want a cleanup setup and having wires can be disturbing for them. Also, now the new gaming wireless mouse have more battery life and better sensors but requires a great investment of money as they are very expensive as compared to wired mouse.

7. For many gamers, illumination is very important and they prefer a gaming mouse with lighting mechanism. RGB mouse is a nice addition to your gaming requirement but again it is expensive and you need to consider about your budget. There is a number of a mouse with various price ranges and features. If you are investing more then make sure it delivers all the advanced features.

8. Mouse polling rates is another noteworthy factor. Mouse polling is referred to mouse communication with your computer. Your gaming mouse should be able to support 1000z polling rate to ensure what you do with your mouse should immediately display on your computer screen.

Best Gaming Mouses Comparison

Best Gaming Mouse Gripping Style Left/Right handed Button layout DPI Software Weight
Mionix Castor Finger/claw/palm Right 6 programmable buttons 10,000 32-bit processor, store 5 separate button profiles  93.8 g
Roccat Kone Pure Military Claw Right 7 programmable buttons 5,000 Avago 3310 optical sensor, 576 KB onboard memory 93g
Zowie FK1 Claw  Both 5 buttons layout 3,200 Avago 3310 optical sensor  90g
Logitech G303 Claw  Both 6 programmable buttons 12,000  Most accurate sensor on the market,
32-bit microcontroller,
3 onboard profiles
87 grams
Logitech G900 Palm/Claw Both  5 buttons layout 12,000 PMW 3366 sensor 107g
Cougar 700M Palm  Both  8 programmable buttons  8,200 32-bit ARM processor, 512K onboard memory, 8200DPI ADNS-9800 laser sensor.  110g
Razer Mamba Claw/Palm  Both 9 programmable buttons 16,000 click force technology, razor new 5G sensor 125g
 

QPad 8K Pro Gaming Laser Mouse

 Claw/Palm  Right  7 buttons 8,200 73 MHz and 32-bit ARM processor, RGB lighting 112g
Asus ROG Spatha Palm and claw grippers.  Right 6 programmable buttons 8,200  Wireless RF 2.4GHz
Wired via USB 2.0
 175g
Corsair M65 RGB  Hand  Right  8 programmable buttons 8,200 Sniper switch  317.5g
Razor Deathadder  Hand  Right  5 programmable buttons 6,400 Razer synapse 2.0 software suite  105g
Thermaltake Level 10 M Hybrid Hand  Right  9 programmable buttons 8,200 128KB onboard memory, create gaming profiles up to 9 and macros for 9 programmable keys  187.1g
Razer Ouroboros Both  Right 11 programmable buttons 8,200 dual sensor system, ARM 32-bit processor, Razer synapse 2.0 software  115g
Turtle Beach Grip 500 Both  Right 7 Buttons 9,800  —  136.0g
Roccat Kone Pure Optical Right  Right 7 buttons 4,000 Pro-optic (R3) sensor, 576 KB onboard memory, 32-bit turbo V2 processor 92g

 

Mionix Castor

 Mionix Castor

Mionix Castor

Mionix castor is a highly rated best gaming mouse. It offers excellent core features and overall hand comfort. It features an ergonomic design that works best with the right-handed grip. The weight, placement, button layout etc. is designed in a way to suit all the grip styles. It comes with 6 programmable buttons which can be easily accessed. An adjustable DPI switch is present behind the scroll wheel and all the buttons are adjusted to require a different amount of pressure for the best response.

Moreover, it has a matte finish on the outside which gives a nice feel whereas the LED colors offer an appealing look. The DPI is adjustable to 10,000 and you will not find any positive or negative acceleration on the device which makes it ideal for hardcore gamers. Furthermore, accuracy and tracking are very smooth. Another amazing feature is the company’s trademark surface quality analyzer tool that analyzes the mouse pad (ridges or imperfections) and automatically adjusts the lift-off distance for convenient use.

In addition to that, 32-bit processor manages the incoming or outgoing data. The gaming mouse can effectively store 5 separate button profiles and record macros in real time yet being one of best gaming mouse.

Pros

1 The Mionix castor is designed for multiple grips.

2 It offers adjustable lift off distance.

3 It has a good button layout.

Cons

1 There is no adjustable weight option.


Roccat Kone Pure Military

Roccat Kone Pure Military
Roccat Kone Pure Military

Thinking of buying something cool, military style yet hardened? Here’s another best gaming mouse we’ve got for just you. The Roccat Kone Pure military offers a wide range of features that could be highly valuable for the competitive gamers. The ergonomic design mouse features 7 buttons. The right-handed mouse is perfectly designed to fit claw-grip gaming styles. It is highly appreciated for shunning acceleration and angle-snapping.

On the inside, you will find an Avago 3310 optical sensor which is an upgrade from pre-optical and increased DPI. It further includes fine-tuning software for lift off adjustment and a whole suit of usage stats. It features a DPI that goes up to 5000 and also can be adjusted to as low as 100. Roccat mouse has 576 KB of onboard memory for storage of macros and profiles. It is the lightest mouse you will find with 93g weight.

Pros

1 Roccat Kone pure military mouse is a nicely designed mouse with exceptionally light weight.

2 It offers large memory.

3 It gives speedy response time.

Cons

1 It does not offer any adjustable weights.


Zowie FK1

Zowie FK1
Zowie FK1

Zowie FK1 is specifically designed for claw grip use, something that makes it different among others. The mouse does not require any complicated driver installations. It is a simple plugin and plays mouse. It provides quick and easy DPI adjustments between 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 DPI so the gamer can select according to his play style. Moreover, it features Avago 3310 optical sensor that tracks well on any surface.

The slightly curved and elongated shape of the mouse offers precise control and nice grip. The surface is slightly tough and textured plastic that allows a good grip without making the hands sweat. The Zowie mouse comes with simple 5 button layouts. The buttons are of high quality and avoid any accidental presses. Lastly, the mouse offers very low lift off distance at around 1.5mm. Though the mouse lacks some extra features. But if you are looking for a basic mouse that performs all the gaming functions well then go for it, yet making it one of the best gaming mouse in market.

Pros

1 Zowie FK1 offers great DPI adjustment.

2 It is ambidextrous.

3 It features high-quality buttons and sensor.

Cons

1 The scroll wheel is not up to the mark.

2 It lacks customization options.


Logitech G303

Logitech G303
Logitech G303

Logitech G303 is a perfect gaming mouse with a number of significant features for competitive gamers. It offers adjustable DPI settings from 200 to 12,000 that can be easily adjusted by using mouse clicks. It delivers the DPI adjustment without sensor smoothing or filtration.  The mouse works best with FPS gaming and suitable for a claw grip style. The firmware for Logitech 303 is updated for Windows 10.

Moreover, it offers great shunning acceleration and prediction and has been finely tuned for good accuracy.  The design features 6 programmable buttons thus making your gaming experience much exciting. The software allows a lot of adjustments to the mouse settings through easy to use drag and drop user interface. The mouse offers long term durability to offer you long term play. The spring loaded left and right buttons give a good resistive feel. The mouse has a very light weight of 87 grams without the cord that makes it very comfortable to use.

Feels great? Isn’t it?

Pros

1 Logitech G303 is a lightweight mouse.

2 It offers great DPI adjustable settings.

3 It features good button layout and designed for claw grip.

Cons

1 It might not be best suitable for MAC users.

2 No weight tuning.


Logitech G900

Logitech G900
Logitech G900

Logitech G900 is the leading and best gaming mouse. The mouse is super light and weighs only 107g. It is well designed in a curved form with hard edges so you can conveniently use it whether you are right handed or left handed. It works effectively with both palm and claw grip. The mouse has two buttons on the left side that can be magnetically detached and moved to the right side. Also, you can use all four buttons on both sides. On the top of the mouse, a textured rubber-coated scroll wheel is present and behind this is a switch that unlocks the wheel compartment.

It features glowing LED strips and the appealing lighting patterns can be selected. Moreover, you can adjust the DPI presets between 200-12000 according to the sensitivity level. Also, you can modify the polling rate between 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz and 1000Hz. In addition to that, you can save lighting profiles and other defaults to the G900’s onboard memory thus making it easier to use the mouse on different computers. The best gaming mouse, Logitech G900 offers you a tuning feature in which the software will adjust the mouse settings based on the reflectiveness of the surface, just for you. The high-end PMW 3366 sensor is a favorite feature for the gaming freaks.  Lastly, the mouse offers you a 32 hours’ battery life which is simply amazing.

Pretty outstanding? Right?

Pros

1 Logitech 900 features highly advanced software.

2 Battery life is good.

3 It has a sleek and refined design.

Cons

1 MMO gamers might require more buttons.


Cougar 700M

Cougar 700M
Cougar 700M

The Cougar 700M is a highly proficient gaming mouse with great features. It comes with 32-bit ARM processor along with 512K of onboard memory. Also, it includes 8200DPI ADNS-9800 laser sensor. The gaming mouse can effectively set the polling rate up to 1000 Hz with a frame rate of 12000 fps. Moreover, it includes 150 ips tracking speed with a 30G maximum acceleration. You can also adjust the lift height as per your demand.

The mouse works in a very efficient way and all buttons are fast and responsive. No matter how fast you move, the laser will track perfectly. The mouse can be directly plugged into the USB port without the installation of any software which makes it very easy to set up. The driver offers all the game profile and macro programming bits that you as an enthusiast gamer expect, making your experience as a gamer more thrilling with the best gaming mouse.

Isn’t it fast?

Pros

1 Cougar 700M feature a lot of buttons.

2 It provides adjustable heel for palm grip users.

3 Well built with excellent performance.

Cons

1 The sides of the mouse are somewhat slippery.


Razer Mamba

Razer Mamba
Razer Mamba

The Razer Mamba mouse comes in a matte black coating with curves and angles and no lack of buttons and light strips. The gaming mouse is little heavy i.e. 125 grams which is a good operating weight. The top of the mouse is very smooth and the sides are coated with grip rubber to prevent slipping. It’s gentle curve makes it suitable for both claw and palm grip. It features 9 independently programmable buttons. A charging dock is also included along with a 2.1 meter USB charging cable.

An interesting feature of the mouse is click force technology. It allows you to adjust the requirement of force to press right and left buttons. Also, you can change the click actuation force from 45g to stiff 95g through screw mechanism. The comprehensive software suite is the most strengthening part of the mouse. You can set up gaming profiles, select DPI values till 16000, switch buttons, create button macros and modify polling rate up to 1000 Hz. In addition to that, it has razor new 5G sensor which can effectively track up to 1 DPI increments. Lastly, it offers a 20 hours’ battery life, something that very few of the best gaming mouse offer.

So, what are you thinking then?

Pros

1 Razer mamba features advanced sensors.

2 It has a good battery life.

3 It has powerful and advanced software suite.

Cons

1 It is little expensive.


QPad 8K Pro Gaming Laser Mouse

QPad 8K Pro Gaming Laser Mouse
QPad 8K Pro Gaming Laser Mouse

The QPad laser mouse is superb when it comes to comfort and performance. It has a soft touch finish and contouring that fits perfectly for any grip. The button placement is in best accordance to the gamers. There are two main buttons that are very responsive while the black and front buttons fall perfectly under thumbs. The soft rubber scroll is very convenient to click. The gaming mouse weighs 112g which is not so heavy neither too light. Coming towards the features of the mouse, it has 8200 cpi sensitivity rating. You can adjust 50-8200 cpi increments and also can choose to program up to three quick settings. It comes with 73 MHz and 32-bit ARM processor which allows for up to 1ms response time and 1000Hz report rate.

Another significant feature is the RGB lighting. You can independently adjust the colors of the scroll wheel and QPad logo. Also, you can set the time before light dims and select an animation mode. Moreover, you get on board memory for storing the mouse settings hence you can even install it in another computer without requiring any optional software. It features comprehensive mouse drivers including basic mouse settings, lighting settings, advanced mouse settings, button assignment and macro recording. In addition to that, you can also adjust scrolling speed, double click speed, cursor speed, cursor smoothing, lift distance, polling rate and angle snap. The mouse is dominating in the market for the classy features.

Isn’t the best gaming mouse you were waiting for?

Pros

1 Comfortable to use.

2 Multiple features with remarkable performance.

3 Cost effective.

Cons

The CPI buttons are not placed ideally.


Asus ROG Spatha

Asus ROG Spatha
Asus ROG Spatha

The Asus ROG Spatha is the latest and leading and best gaming mouse from Asus. It comes with a completely new design with a detailed Mayan style grip on the left-hand side. The mouse has fully six programmable thumb buttons and is ideal for use in MMOs and MOBAs. There is another set of six buttons that can be customized through the ROG Armory software available for Windows.

The mouse is perfect for pro gamers and lets you to customize button response, polling rate, angle snapping, acceleration etc. The mouse use 8200dpi laser sensor joined with a DPI switch. Moreover, the ROG Armory offers surface calibration thus giving you the best performance. It allows you to switch between high and low sensitivity with just a single click. Lastly, it comes with micro USB cable that easily connects the mouse to your PC. Also, you can connect the charging station and use it wirelessly.

Pros

1 Aus ROG Spatha is both wired and wireless mouse depending on your preference.

2 It comes with standard LED customization that allows you to change the color of a logo on the mouse, scroll wheel and also the light that leaks between the thumb buttons.

Cons

1 No weight adjustments.


Cosair M65 RGB

Cosair M65 RGB
Cosair M65 RGB

Cosair M65 GRB is a sleek and fierce looking mouse with a combination of contours and sharp angles. It has a matte surface which is non-slip and gives fast and precise movements. It features a braided cable with a pleasantly solid feel and has three separate light sections. These sections can be customized with a number of colors, wave and chase effects. It comes with 8200 DPI sensors and a sniper switch so you can easily down your DPI for the perfect pinpoint headshot. It has two side buttons that are perfectly placed in thumbs reach. Moreover, it offers three tuning zones so you can tweak the center of gravity as per your requirement. It is one of the best-equipped mice for enthusiastic gamers who want their battle stations look awesome.

Pros

1 The lighting management software is very convenient to use and covers all the significant peripherals. It offers you infinite options for patterns and effects.

2 You can easily custom macros to any button along with additional commands such as multimedia control.

Cons

1 The color changing indicator is less convenient.


Razor Death Adder

Razor Death Adder
Razor Death Adder

Razor Death Adder is a classic gaming mouse. It features two additional sides buttons to supplement the common three and their placement gives a great convenience feel. It comes with 6400Dpi optical sensor and razor synapse 2.0 software suite. The software is amazingly user-friendly and perfect for configuration and macro creation. Also, you can share your macros across various devices.

The design of the mouse is basic. It has black finish and rubber side grips for stability. The cable is braided instead of rubber which makes it more durable than traditional plastic. The lighting is quite simplistic with only the razor log and scroll wheel lighting up. As a whole, the gaming mouse is for everyone out there who do not want any technicalities. The mouse is simple with all the essential features and provides easy functioning.

Pros

1 Razor Death Adder is a simple gaming mouse with multiple features.

2 It is durable as compared to other gaming mice.

3 The razor synapse software is very user-friendly.

Cons

1 The mouse is not as ergonomic as expected and lacks flying switching capability.


Thermaltake Level 10 M Hybrid

Thermaltake Level 10 M Hybrid
Thermaltake Level 10 M Hybrid

This is the best gaming mouse and perfectly fit for left handed gamers.

Thermaltake 10M Hybrid is for all the gamers who are looking for a stylish gaming mouse. Though the mouse is made for right handers but left handlers can also work with it. As its back is raised therefore you can adjust the height and sideways tilt for convenient palm rest. It features 2 buttons and a 4-directional pad. Behind left button, a hexagon space is present that keeps ventilation and cooling. A modifiable bolt is present so you can raise or lower top covers up by 5mm.

Inside the gaming mouse, you will get a 128KB onboard memory and up to 8200 DPI. By using this software, you can create gaming profiles up to 9 and macros for 9 programmable keys. Also, you can change different modes such as normal mode, battle mode etc. and the lighting will change with every single click thus making the gaming experience more interesting.

Pros

1 Thermaltake Level 10 M Hybrid comes in two versions i.e. wired and wireless.  The range of wireless version is 10m and you can use it by connecting through USB dongle receiver to the computer.

2 It is a stylish mouse with easy use.

Cons

1 The wireless version offers only 4 hours’ battery.

2 The mouse does not feature multiple buttons.


Razer Ouroboros

Razer Ouroboros
Razer Ouroboros

Razer Ouroboros is a popular gaming mouse which comes with left and right buttons, two buttons for your thumb on both sides and two for DPI adjustment. It features a total of 11 programmable buttons. Also, if you don’t want to use thumb buttons, you can deactivate them through on/off slider on the bottom. One of the most interesting features of a gaming mouse is the dual sensor system. It got the mechanism for both laser and optical mouse which means that it can effectively combine laser sensor with an optical sensor.

For this amazing combo, it has 8200DPI sensitivity and 1000 Hz polling rate. Moreover, you will get ARM 32-bit processor. As far as the connectivity is concerned, it can be connected through the USB cable for wired connections. Also, you can connect it without cords through the wireless base station with sufficient charging. In addition to that, Razor synapse 2.0 software is worth mentioning. It is a razor customizable dashboard for gaming mouse configuration. It is cloud connected that make sure your configuration is saved over the Internet. Also, sync this software lets you assign macros and customize your mouse keys. You can even have separate profiles if required.

Pros

1 The mouse is designed for both right and left-handers.

2 It features dual sensor mechanism.

Cons

1 The design is overly raised back that might be a problem for those who like to rest their palm on the desk while using it.

2 It is expensive.


Turtle Beech Grip 500

Turtle Beech Grip 500
Turtle Beech Grip 500

Sounds interesting, right? It’s more interesting when you’ll get to know about the best gaming mouse.

Turtle Beech is an active company for manufacturing PC gaming accessories. Grip 55 is one of the amazing gaming devices. It is a 7-button gaming mouse and features an ambidextrous shape thus can be used by both right and left handers. Three buttons are present on its left side whereas, on top sides, there are standard left, right buttons and scroll wheel. Another button is present under the scroll wheel that can be used to reset DPI settings.

When it comes to software, you need to manually download the drivers and then you can use the software for various functionalities for each key. Moreover, you can adjust DPI settings up to 9800.  Also, you can adjust double-click speed, life off the height, polling rate etc. It has three separate lighting zones including scroll wheel, turtle beach logo, and two headlights. The battle mode further increases the brightness of LEDs depending on how quickly you press the buttons.

Pros

1 It is a comfortable and balanced mouse with flexible sensitivity options along with the macro editor.

2 The laser mouse has in-depth software suite with complete customization of all the LEDs.

Cons

1 You can only change the color of scroll wheel


Roccat Kone Pure Optical

Roccat Kone Pure Optical
Roccat Kone Pure Optical

Roccat Kone Pure Optical is a good option for you if you want all the essential gaming features while remaining in your budget. It comes with onboard memory, programmable keys, and variegated lighting. The design is preferable for right-handers. It is fully coated and indented for placement of your both thumb and fingers. The mouse weighs only 95grams which make it very light and ensure it glides in a smooth way.

It features a Pro-optic (R3) sensor and you can adjust up to 4000 DPI. It has 576KB of onboard memory to store all your macros. Moreover, a 32-bit turbo V2 processor offers fast computing. It features a polling rate of 1000Hz and takes only a second to report its position to the computer with 1ms response time. The gaming mouse offers you 7 buttons along with a set of lighting.

Pros

1 The software allows you to change scroll speed, tilt speed, DPI level etc.

2 The gaming mouse offers you 5 profiles with 17 programmable buttons so you can store 85 of your tasks that you want your mouse should do.

Cons

1 It is not suitable for left-handers.


Conclusion

A gaming mouse is an essential gaming peripheral on which you must invest your money. Having the best gaming mouse will surely uplift your game especially if it’s a competitive game such as Data 2, CS: GO etc. The integral device for playing the game can help you to become a pro with the passage of time. Through this buyer guide, we are hopeful that you are equipped with the right information about the factors while buying a gaming mouse. The best gaming mouse, when used in conjunction with other gaming peripherals, will give you a worthwhile experience.

Throttle up! The game is on!

The post Best Gaming Mouse appeared first on MobileSiri.

Best IP Cameras of 2018 for Better home & business Surveillance

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The primary concern of an individual is one’s home’s security where his family lives. You just can’t always be physically present to monitor your home’s security, that’s when IP camera’s surveillance steps in to ease your tension.

Therefore, home surveillance is a very important addition to your home. While looking for home security solutions, you may have several factors and options to consider. One of the best options you can consider is the internet protocol camera which is known as IP camera. It is a safe keeping video camera in which information is sent through WiFi or networked connection.

 

Best IP Cameras
Best IP Cameras

In comparison to classic closed circuit television, an IP camera offers you live video streaming, notifications of happenings in your home, better quality image, less cable requirements, remote control settings and two-way communication. We have looked into the number of IP cameras and selected the top ones for you. The buyer guide is made available to let you choose more easily with considering the significant aspects.

Factors to consider while buying an IP camera

If you are looking for an IP camera for your home or office, then you need to keep in mind few essential things. Here we have mentioned some of the factors that you need to consider for fulfilling your requirements.

Requirement for one or more camera

Choose the number of IP cameras as per your requirement. If you are looking forward to know about the happenings in your outside areas or rooms then you will be needing more than one IP camera. Also, you need to ensure that the IP camera is focusing on the key areas that you are monitoring. On average, homes and small businesses can be monitored with four IP cameras.

Type of IP camera

Surveillance IP cameras are designed either for indoor or outdoor use. Usually indoor IP cameras are smaller, lighter and less visible. Outdoor cameras are generally more advanced and costly as they are designed to withstand extreme temperature and from the attacks of intruders. But nowadays high quality cameras that can be used for both indoor and outdoor use are also available.

Adjusting the right angle of camera

Before buying an IP camera, you should see the lens size and the focal length the lens should cover. The image sensor determines the wide viewing angle of IP camera. Usually larger image sensors provide you better wide viewing angel and allows more light in the picture. Whereas other lenses will probably give you the viewing angel of a partial side.

Degree of recording resolution

If you are looking for an indoor camera monitoring a single area under proximity, then 550 lines are enough. But if you intend to use the IP camera for a longer distance then 700+ resolution of the camera is recommended.

Setting up remote viewing

As every system has its own capacity for allowing you to watch the videos. Therefore, one need to consider the instructional manual for details. Mostly DVRs allow you to watch the videos and live streaming on your computer. Also, you can use the apps provided by some systems for convenient viewing on your Android phone or PC. In this case, high speed Internet connection is also required.

Benefits of IP Camera

1. IP cameras comes with a broad range of resolutions that are usually measured in megapixels that you can choose as per your requirements. Even the IP cameras with the lowest resolution is equal to 4 times of an analog camera. In addition to that, faces are more clear, license plates are easy to read and the surveillance of a major area can be covered by using a single IP camera.

2. IP cameras provide better scale-ability as they connect to IT network along with no restriction on the limit of IP cameras connected. Also, there is no need to run a cable from the camera to the DVR. Moreover, in IP cameras video is recorded by using network video recorders. NVRs use multiple drives and often use redundant array of independent disks as a backup technique to disperse data safely and efficiently.

3. IP cameras provide you remote access, you can conveniently login into secure server remotely. By using web based interface, you can watch real-time footage on your PCs, Macs and other mobile devices.

4. You can review the footage with multiple zoom on the playback with no degradation of image.


Best IP Cameras & their Pros and Cons

1. Nest Cam

Nest Cam
Nest Cam

Looking for some best IP cameras on the front line? I’ve got just the thing for you…..

Nest cam is one of the leading best IP cameras and previously known as Dropcam Pro. Nest cam features 1080p HD sharp video from your home to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. If it senses any motion or sound, it will immediately alert you and you can see or hear what’s going inside your place with 8x zoom and 130-degree lens.

Wondering if any additional security features?

Yes surely! The best IP camera comes with in-built speaker and microphone that lets you to talk and listen through the app. Also, it features 8 infrared sensors that effectively give you clear night time shots. In addition to that, you can get even more features including cloud storage and Netatmo-style facial recognition in order to improve alert accuracy being one of the best IP camera.

Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

Pros

1 Nest Cam comes with speakers.

2 The infrared feature effectively help with recording at night time. Now you can see the whole room at night and not just the limited spotlight view.

3 It has a quick and easy setup. Simply plug in Nest cam and download the app to get started. No hub is required.

4 This IP camera has excellent clarity, even in low light.

Cons

1 All the extra features are not available for free.

2  The invisible LEDs used for nighttime video illuminate rooms unevenly.


2. Withings Home

Withings Home
Withings Home

Withings Home is an appealing IP Camera. Why?

Well, I’ll tell you why…..

It works seamlessly with both IOS and Android device. The setup of IP camera is quite easy. All you need to do is plugin the unit, download the Withings Home app, locate your broadband router and type the WiFi password. You can set your home to trigger both noise and motion and it will stream 1080 HD footage at 30fps to any device with almost zero latency. The IP camera offers you 135-degree wide angel image that can be easily zoomed and panned by using the app’s pinch control.

Interests you? Doesn’t it?

Another significant feature of the camera is time-lapse function which allows you to quickly recap the past 24 hours. One of the interesting feature is GIF creation tool that saves motion detected as a GIF motion. Moreover, it offers infrared night vision for an efficient night time recording. The camera comes with speakers and allows two-way communication. Also, it has an ability to play lullaby.

Making it stand out among the best IP cameras we have just for you.

Pros

1 Withings Home has an advanced environmental sensing of air quality.

2 It takes 30 seconds’ to setup for a complete home monitoring solution.

3 Useful motion and sound alerts.

4 Easy to install.

Cons

1 The motion sensor is quite sensitive.

2 It can play only one lullaby.

3 Cannot download recorded video.


3. Netgear Arlo Q

Netgear Arlo Q
Netgear Arlo Q

Looking for something to surveillance inside and outside home, both? Well we’ve got just the best IP camera for you.

Netgear Arlo Q  are the perfect IP cameras that can be used both inside and outside the home. Now you can see splendid clarity and strident details and watch live streamed recorded videos on your computer, tablet or smart phone through Netgear Arlo app. The camera has patented 100% wire free design with magnetic mounts so you can place it anywhere you want and monitor your home from every possible angle.

Also, they are waterproof and can be placed outdoors if you want to keep an eye on the garden or your drive way while you are out. The IP camera has night vision and motion detection capabilities with 1GB of storage space in the cloud free of charge. The motion stimulated cameras activity alerts deliver you notifications both email or app. They are battery powered and requires at least two lithium batteries that comes with the camera.

Sounds cool? Right?

Pros

1 Netgear Arlo have night vision capability that offers great HD clarity even in the dark.

2 It is waterproof and safe for outdoor use.

Cons

1 The camera is not suitable for outdoor streaming.

2 It does not have any sound.


4. Amcrest

Amcrest
Amcrest

Among the best IP cameras we have listed for you. Amcrest offers you well designed waterproof IP camera which is simple to install and can be monitored through your computer or any Android phone. It provides you high quality HD resolution image and you will not need to struggle to identify the crucial details in the footage. Also, no gaps form lag in the feed. It offers you high quality image in the day with 3.6-millimeter lenses and a camera of 90 degrees but can be tilted 360  degrees to give a wide range of view.

Moreover, it provides high intensity infrared LEDs for clear night vision, no matter how poor the light is. You can easily install the app by scanning the provided QR code on the surface of DVR box. Once you have scanned it, feed a name and press start live preview. The system is effectively supported by various active interface options including zoom, pan or tilt maneuverings. Also, some switching features are provided to you between streams and capturing screenshots. The app provides you playback option and allow you to view recorded files with limitless access by using your phone.

Pros

1. The camera infrared mode is activated automatically in low light to give you the best quality video.

2. The motion sensor can be customized and prevents any fault alarms.

3. The superlative build quality of cameras guarantee amazing reliability of the surveillance system even in the extreme weather.

4. 4 hour free trial storage is provided on the Amcrest Cloud once you install and login, through your device to control the camera.

5. You can talk and listen, both at the same time, as a result of its two-way audio system.

Cons

1. It may face technical issues.

2. The Wi-Fi connectivity is not strong.

3. The user manual that comes along with the security camera is somewhat ambiguous and not so useful for first timers.


5. Sharx Security

Sharx Security
Sharx Security

If you are looking for a great picture quality and good night vision, then Sharx security is the just the best option for you in our list of best IP cameras. The IP camera has a fine built up and thus it is weatherproof to stay durable and serve you in any weather condition. It provides high-quality image and great night vision images even in absolute darkness up to 45 feet.

The IP camera features a 16GB micro SD card and it functions as a standalone DVR for constant video recording and motion detection. You can record videos in a various time range from ½ hour to around 100 hours depending on the selected video quality. You can view live streams on your computer or Android phones along with delivery of instant email alerts on motion detection.

Pros

1 Sharx Security IP camera has a super solid construction that makes it weatherproof and extremely durable to serve you in a long run.

2 The tech support and the user’s manual are very helpful. Also, it is simple to install.

3 You can take a look at big and small details in videos with such LEDs.

4 Its high end infrared LED enables you to catch things at a distance of forty feet.

5 Its IR filter offers quality, brilliant image during night time.

Cons

1 At times, it may face technical issues.

2 Sometimes variations in picture quality are seen.

3 Motion detection starts working once there’s movement.


6. Simplicam

Simplicam
Simplicam

Looking for something interesting, yet simple?

Simplicam is the best IP camera choice you can make. Though the field view is smaller but 107 degree is still enough to capture a sufficient area. The quality of image is not affected by low light and you can easily look out for minute details.  But once the light go off, the video shows less details. Though the camera has invisible LEDs that let you to identify person.

Moreover, you can zoom in and out to see the video up to three times magnification. Simplicam comes with two-way audio. You can hear the happenings in the room you are monitoring and also communicate directly in that room through the app. This amazing audio feature also include sound detection which offers you to have the camera record only when it hears a sound in the room.

Keep reading…..

Also, the camera uses motion detection and you can set the camera to record only when it senses movement. Simplicam is the easiest camera to use. All you need to do is download the app from your mobile phone and plug the camera into an outlet. Within few minutes, camera will be connected to Wi-Fi and you can adjust the options for the IP camera. One of the most difficult task is scanning the QR code to connect the camera to Wifi. But in Simplicam, you won’t be facing any QR scanning or app downloading issues. Notifications will be delivered on your smartphone or tablet whenever motion or sound is detected. Also, you can set the camera to record at particular timings and review the footage that was captured later. It supports 5-GHz Wi-Fi and does not store your video locally as it is all cloud based.

So isn’t it an amazing one in all the best IP cameras?

Pros

1 Simplicam is the easiest camera to use and install.

2 It has a decent night vision range.

3 It features motion and sound detection options and comes with two-way audio.

Cons

1 The camera does not let app to use your mobile phone GPS to track when you have left the home and start recording.

2 The camera has lower quality video resolution.


7. Samsung SmartCam HD Pro SNH-P6410BN

Samsung SmartCam HD Pro SNH-P6410BN
Samsung SmartCam HD Pro SNH-P6410BN

Finding some HD stuff for your surveillance? Samsung SmartCam is just the perfect one with an impressive IP camera. It shoots high resolution video at 1080P to offer you clear and crisp image. The clarity of video quality is excellent. It features a night vision range of 62 feet which allows you to see any object even in the complete dark.

Additionally comes with 2-way audio so you can communicate through the app as well. It does not use cloud storage and supports up to 64Gb micro SD cards. Though you can’t schedule recording but motion and sound detection can help you to preserve the storage space. Samsung features Smartthings so you can hook the camera to monitor your home. Also, it works with Samsung devices to hep automate your home.

So are you going to order it just now?

Pros

1 The IP camera can be used with Samsung smart home monitoring club.

2 It shoots high-quality video at 1080p.

Cons

1 At times the camera has connection issues.

2 The app commands are sometimes confusing.


8. Foscam C2

Foscam C2
Foscam C2

Foscam C2 is just another best IP camera we have for you.

It offers you a superlative video quality even in the low light. The audio of both camera and the app is of excellent quality and clarity. It comes with all the amazing features including motion and sound detection, digital zoom and wide angel lens that allows you to see the major portion of the room you are monitoring. The app for Foscam C2 is simple and icons are way too easy to understand. It’s up to you to use the local storage or choose to pay for the company’s cloud storage service. Moreover, the Wifi camera supports up to 64Gb SD cards. Also, you can schedule recordings and let the camera record only when any movement or audio is detected.

Pros

1 Foscam C2 has the best audio quality.

2 It offers you versatile storage options.

3 You can schedule the recordings as per your requirement.

Cons

1 It cannot capture movement in the video very smoothly. Motion in the live stream and recordings are not so clear.

2 The invisible LEDs lights are not bright enough to show the details.


9. Flir Flex

Flir Flex
Flir Flex

Flir Flex is one of the best IP camera for its high-quality footage. The video can be captured in daylight as well as low light with exceptional quality. In complete dark, the objects close to the lens can be seen clearly. It features 1080p high video resolution and provide you sharp images. It provides one of the widest field of view and allow you to see the large portion of the room you are monitoring.

Also, you can set the camera to record only when motion or sound is detected and you can select the specific spots you want the camera should capture. Furthermore, the camera is easy to set up and use two rechargeable batteries. The Flir app sends you notifications when the camera senses motion or sound. It can support up to 64Gb SD cards. Also, the Flir basic cloud storage is free which includes two days of storage before your recordings are removed along with three recap videos per month.

Pros

1 The cloud storage in the company offers the lowest price with seven days of video storage and unlimited recap.

2 The video quality is up to the mark.

3 Intuitive, well designed app.

4 Wide angles, excellent night performance.

5 Very simple to set up.

Cons

1 You can’t schedule recordings and the camera does not integrate with any third-party systems.

2 The Flir mobile app is not intuitive.

3 Expensive subscription model.


10. Zmodo Pivot

Mar jayein
Mar jayein

Zmodo Pivot security camera effectively keeps tabs on your home when you are away. The camera features 1080p resolution with 2.1mm lens and a 4x digital zoom. It offers you 360-degree field of view by using a mechanical motor in order to pivot the enclosure’s mid-section. Moreover, it offers you IR LED that provides night vision up to 30 feet with clear details.

The camera comes with motion, temperature and humidity sensors. In addition to that, Bluetooth speaker, microphone, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless circuitry is also made available to you. Zmodo Pivot can support up to 16 Gb of internal storage(up to 2 days of 24/7 footage). It automatically records when senses any motion or sound and also can interact with numerous home automation devices.

Pros

1 Excellent video quality with vibrant colors and sharp night vision.

2 Multiple sensors and 360-degree panning.

3 Easy to Use.

 

Cons

1 No cloud storage yet.

2 It does not work with IFTTT and other smart home devices.


11. D-Link DCS-5222L

D-Link DCS-5222L
D-Link DCS-5222L

Looking for some best network IP cameras? D-Link is just one of the large network camera you are looking for. It is designed to offer you more flexible pan and tilt capabilities. The lens of the camera is surrounded by 4 LEDs to work effectively in the night vision mode. You can set the camera by pressing WPS button to make it pair with the router.

Also, you can use mydlink Lite app on Android or IOS to set the camera. You can select the specific areas for motion detection by browser based configuration on your PC. It sends you notifications either as push notifications or emails to the registered account. The camera can capture up to 720p resolution and 8m in the dark through Infrared LEDs.

Pros

1 D-Link offers great image quality.

2 It uses 10x zoom and the frame rate goes up to 30fps which is quite smooth as compare to other cameras.

3 It features a sensitive microphone and intercom function.

4 Local storage on a MicroSD card.

5 Relatively inexpensive, considering the resolution.

Cons

1 The mydlink app does not allow you to have a full control over the camera’s function such as motion detection.

2 It does not support cloud storage.

3 Small online video window isn’t resizable.


12 Philips In. Sight HD

Philips In. Sight HD
Philips In. Sight HD

The Philips In. Sight HD is a pleasing easy camera to set up. While putting your main routers’ Wi-Fi details, the information is transferred to the camera via QR code generated in your Android or IOS app that you are holding in front of the camera lens. It has an adjustable ball head for angling the camera and does not require any external antenna.

The IP camera is powered by mini USB connection and comes with a 3m USB cable. Moreover, it has in-built microphone to capture audio along with an integrated speaker so it can be used as a pseudo intercom with your Android or IOS app. Push notifications will sent to your device through the app whenever activity is triggered and also you can adjust the sensitivity level.

Your watchdog!

Pros

1 The video recording frame rates are approximately 30fps which is excellent.

2 It comes with Infrared LEDs and offer you 102 degree viewing angel.

3 Long leads.

4 Easy to install.

5 Attractive design.

Cons

1 The push to talk function does not always work.

2 You can’t save footage from the app to your device.

3 Fiddly set up with QR codes.


13. Logi Circle

Logi Circle
Logi Circle

The Logi circle is more like a lifestyle camera among the best IP cameras list we have for you. The central appealing circle can be used wirelessly. It features a high-quality 1080p HD video streaming and a time lapse function. It can smartly filter between pets and humans. The camera is very simple to use. It has a convenient two-way communication and provide you great night vision. It timely alert you on your phone when something unexpected happens.

Pros

1 The camera has an easy setup.

2 The app is excellent and can easily use.

3 Great video quality.

4 Battery-powered option.

5 Two-way voice communication.

Cons

1 Battery life is only two hours which is way too less as compared to other IP cameras.

2 It does not have any advanced features.

3 Can’t store video longer than 24 hours.


14. IControl Networks Piper NV

IControl Networks Piper NV
IControl Networks Piper NV

IControl networks Piper NV is a smart security camera that does not require any contract or monthly fees. It is a high-resolution camera providing you 180-degree view angle for live and recorded video. The device features multiple sensors including motion, sound, temperature, light and humidity. It offers you night vision, two-way audio and 105 Db sirens. In addition to that, the system is very easy to use and set. The camera efficiently send you texts and email alerts on your Android or IOS smart phone, tab etc. It connects with Wi-Fi and provide high-grade SSL video encryption.

Great isn’t it?

Pros

1 It is compatible with Z-wave wireless accessories.

2 It auto-rearms to capture multiple events.

3 Comes with a backup battery.

Cons

1 It does not have any web app.

2 It lacks local storage.


15. Y-cam Bullet HD 720 (2nd Gen)

Y-cam Bullet HD 720 (2nd Gen)
Y-cam Bullet HD 720 (2nd Gen)

Y-cam features a high-quality lens and produces 720p HD videos along with H.264, MPEG4 and MJPEG configurable streams. It offers Infrared night vision from amazing 24 IR LEDs. The device is highly compatible with leading software, NAS and NVR drives. Y-cam has a professional build up with amazing weatherproof and internal microphone features. A sleek cable managed wall mount is provided for easy outdoor installation. The camera provides you motion detection and alerts up to 4 configurable motion zones.

Simple yet easy in all the best IP camera? Right?

Pros

1 The camera can record direct to internal microSD cards up to 62Gb.

2 It offers maximum connectivity over Wi-Fi, Ethernet and power over Ethernet.

3 It is accessible from PC, Mac, iPhone, Linux, Android and much more without any cable required for setup.

4 High-quality HD video.

5 Supports motion detection and night vision.

Cons

1 It does not stream to third-party applications such as security spy.

2  Very expensive.

3 No frills or special tools for easy use.


16. HomeMonitor HD

HomeMonitor HD
HomeMonitor HD

HomeMonitor HD is an incredible security camera with excellent free cloud storage. Unlike other cameras there is no need for ongoing subscription as footage is kept for seven days and you have unlimited download option. The lens features 30 Infrared LEDs for night vision. In addition to that, the front of HomeMonitor has light sensor, status LED and microphone. Also, the camera is small enough to be hidden.

The process of setup is simple. Simply connect the camera to your router with included Ethernet cable, use web browser to access the setup wizard and configure the camera with your Wi-Fi details. As far as the app is concerned, it supports window phone, Roku channel along with Android and IOS apps for monitoring. The camera offers you both push notification option and email alerts. Also, it pre-records 10 secs of footage before motion detection is triggered.

That’s way more than you expected, right?

Pros

1 The camera allows you to schedule motion detection operation times.

2 It capture 720p resolution video with 1/4in CMOS sensor.

3 The LEDs allow you to see in the dark up to 15m.

Cons

1 No internal or microSD card storage.

2 Image quality is not the best as compare to other IP cameras.

3  This IP camera loses connection constantly.


17. EyeSpy UCam247i

EyeSpy UCam247i
EyeSpy UCam247i

The EyeSpy UCam247i is a simple night vision IP camera. The camera provides three streams, one is optimized for mobile access with 176×144 resolution whereas the other two operate at maximum 640×480 resolution and 30fps. The camera also supports dynamic DNS in case you want to access camera’s web based stream and interface remotely. It timely sends you notifications and email alerts when motion is detected. Also, you can schedule the sensitivity of motion.  Moreover, you can save videos and stills to an FTP server.

Pros

1 Picture quality is excellent with remarkably natural and accurate colors.

2 The Infrared mode clearly illuminate fine details in dark.

Cons

1 The camera does not offer any pan or tilt.

2 It is expensive.


Conclusion

A good IP camera is designed to meet your expectations and fulfill your requirements in the most efficient way. It must be able to record any contingencies and can alert you at right time thus acting as a real-time deterrent. Before opting out for a particular surveillance system you must consider various essential features and the above-mentioned security systems for the best choice. Whether you want to use IP camera for indoor or outdoor, wireless or wired system, the above guide will help you to select the best security system which will act as your best companion for a lifetime.

We hope you choose the best IP camera from among our list to help you for surveillance and security!

Keep an eye on that…

Would you….

Check out our latest review of wireless doorbell camera here

The post Best IP Cameras of 2018 for Better home & business Surveillance appeared first on MobileSiri.

Best Smart Locks and deadbolts to keep your home secure

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Carrying around a key-chain in an era of smart homes is a thing of the past. Especially, when there are tens of smart locks and electronic locks to choose from and via which you can enter your home with a push of a button.

Smart locks replace your door deadbolt to do much more than simply lock and unlock the door without a key. They allow you to receive alerts, track who is entering and leaving your home, email limited access digital keys, remotely lock and unlock in your absence. The idea of a smart lock is that you can lock and unlock without a key along with monitoring and controlling remotely is way too appealing.

Here we have reviewed some of the best smart locks that will give you the best security.

Things to consider while buying a smart lock:

1.) Security methods (to unlock).

2.) Burglar alarming.

3.)  Connectivity.

4.) Weather resistance.

Most of the smart locks come with one or more means of entry, such as Bluetooth, biometric, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), or keypad.

Best Smart Locks Comparison

Smart Lock Brand Features Compatibility Connectivity Price
August Smart Lock doorbell cam, wireless keypad, Auto-Unlock, Ever Lock, Set Schedules Android, IOS, Nest and HomeKit August connect
Check Price
Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock 2nd Gen two eKeys, Touch to Open, Smart key tool Nest, Honeywell home automation platforms and ring video doorbell  Bluetooth
Check Price
Yale Real Living Z-Wave Touchscreen Deadbolt smart lock inbuilt siren sounds, touchscreen keypad, auto-lock feature, remote access, enhanced guest access mobile app, video doorbell compatibility Z-wave radio module
Check Price
Master Lock touch sensitive LED, color-coded intuitive interface, touchpad, auto relock, history, weather protected device Android, IOS Bluetooth
Check Price
Schlage Sense Touchscreen, checkmark, red X indicator, program codes, history, set scenes, auto lock, built-in alarm Apple HomeKit Bluetooth
Check Price
The Schlage Century Touchscreen Deadbolt Lock touchscreen keypad, fingerprint smudging, keyed cylinder, loud tamper, forced entry alarm, master code, scheduling, email alerts  Z-Wave smart hub Z-Wave
Check Price
Noke Padlock keyless control, LED, weather resistant, quick click code, history, tracks location Android, IOS Bluetooth
Check Price
Lockitron Bolt keyless entry, sensor, notifications Android, IOS Lockitron Bridge
Check Price
ENTR Mul-T-Lock fingerprint, keys, auto lock, scheduling Smartphone app  Bluetooth or Fingerprint
Poly Control Danalock V2 BT inbuilt sensor button, auto unlock, knock to unlock, notifications  Z-Wave, ZigBee, Nest home automation platform and Logitech’s Harmony remote. Bluetooth or Z-Wave
Check Price
Lock Stat LS-500I Remote Lock wi-fi enabled Keypad, audible alert, customize guest access, property management tools, auto lock Airbnb, Lock State Connect home automation platform, Lock State products, third party products Wi-Fi
Check Price

 

August Smart Lock

Best Smart Lock by August
Best Smart Lock by August

Smart things come with smart specifications and some outstanding features to keep your security tight! And we have just the thing for you.

August Smart Lock has a minimalistic and clean design. It comes in silver, dark gray, red and champagne colors. The smart lock offers some of the additional components such as doorbell cam, wireless keypad, and August connect that acts as a bridge between the lock and Wi-Fi network. The lock is easy to install as compare to other smart locks because the installation is required only on the interior part of the door. Also, there are several mounting plates and color coded adapters that will make installation much easier for you.

It is compatible with both Android and Apple phone, therefore simply go to the store and download free August smart lock app. In addition to that, you can access the smart lock using Bluetooth within 15 feet. Once you open the app, you will see a big red circle. It will turn green and unlock the door if Bluetooth is in range. Coming towards the functionality, the smart lock is very versatile.

Another interesting feature is the Auto-Unlock that will lock the door automatically while you are 100 yards away. Besides this, the Ever lock feature will automatically lock the door within 30 seconds after the door is opened or closed. You can also set schedule time limits for certain keys or assign guest access to the lock through your smartphone. Overall, August smart lock comes with ease of installation, extra security features, and remote access features, securing its position as one of the best smart locks in the list.

Pros

1 The August smart lock features unlimited virtual keys.

2 It effectively works with Nest and HomeKit.

3 It comes with Ever lock, Auto lock, and other impressive remote access features.

Cons

1 It does not have a built-in alarm.

 


Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock 2nd Gen

Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock 2nd Gen

Looking for some smart lock that has different keys for different people and even for visitors in specific hours? Well if you didn’t know of it, this one’s interesting for you surely.

Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock comes in a unique design. The smart lock is great regarding design, technical support, and control. It has excellent security and convenience features. The mobile app makes the lock much easier to use. It features two eKeys that you put on your phone or give it to your family members for access. Also, you can send unlimited Guest eKeys that expire in 24 hours’ duration.

One of the convenience features of Kevo is touch to open. It scans your phone or key thus allowing you to touch the lock and activate it. You can also rekey the lock by using the smart key tool. The tool lets you switch compatible keys without even visiting a locksmith. The smart lock works most effectively with a smartphone and is compatible with Nest, Honeywell home automation platforms and ring video doorbell.

Moreover, it offers FAQs and video tutorial support resources. As a whole, the digital lock is a good choice for its unique handiness features.

So, isn’t it the best smart lock? We know you are amazed!

Pros

1 Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock 2nd Gen has excellent customer support and quality design.

2 It offers various convenience features.

3 It is compatible with Nest, Honeywell home automation platforms, and ring video doorbell.

Cons

1 It lacks an auto-lock feature.

 

 


Yale Real Living Z-Wave Touchscreen Deadbolt smart lock

Yale Real Living Z-Wave Touchscreen Deadbolt smart lock
Yale Real Living Z-Wave Touchscreen Deadbolt smart lock

Another great smart lock just for you….

Yale Real Living smart lock features keypad controls and home automation integration. It comes with a Z-wave radio module that connects the lock to common home automation systems. The lock has excellent security, convenience, and technical support. Yale Real Living Smart lock offers similar protection as most of the deadbolts. It has an inbuilt siren sounds when someone kicks your door.

Beside this, it also has a built-in touchscreen keypad. You can program guest codes and send them through email or text message. It has a traditional keyhole so you can use the physical key. Also, the smart lock has an auto-lock feature which engages the deadbolt 30 seconds after it has been unlocked. Moreover, it has remote access, enhanced guest access, mobile app functionality and video doorbell compatibility. The automation system tracks the lock’s activity as well. Lastly, the smart lock comes in satin nickel; oil rubbed bronze and polished brass.

Pros

1 Yale Real Living Z-Wave Touchscreen Deadbolt smart lock connects the lock to home automation system.

2 It features built-in touch keypad.

3 It has an auto-lock feature.

Cons

1 Many of the smart lock features work only with the home automation system.

 


Master Smart Lock

Best Smart deadbolt by Master
Master Lock

Looking for something hardened? Something with dual security? Well, here’s the best smart lock for you then.

Master lock can be controlled through Bluetooth on your smartphone app. It has a heavy-duty body covered in a weather resistant rubber along with an extra-long shackle, so you don’t need to worry about water or rust damage at all. It features a touch sensitive LED that lights up in either blue, white, green or red color. The smart lock is compatible with both Android and IOS. The app offers a color-coded intuitive interface, and the instructions are quite easy to follow.

There is a two-step unlock method that adds an extra security as it requires to use the touchpad and tap unlock your phone. It uses Bluetooth signal range and will open the lock with a touchpad LED turning green. The app gives auto relock feature that automatically relocks the shackle after 5 seconds. The locker mode helps you out when you want to lock up your phone in a gym locker or other storage unit. It will activate the click pad code to unlock the device. Besides this, the app keeps the history of when a padlock was locked or unlocked and also by whom. As a whole, it’s a great smart lock with a very straightforward and effective app.

So what are you thinking then?

Pros

1 Master lock has easy Bluetooth unlocking.

2 It is a weather protected device.

3 It has the ability to securely share access.

Cons

1 It is expensive.

 


Schlage Sense

schlage sense
schlage sense

Smart lock with smart options! Here’s just another best smart lock for your security!

Schlage Century Touchscreen Deadbolt Lock is equipped with Bluetooth and offers impressive performance, security and various smart options. It works only with Apple HomeKit. The smart lock features a basic touchscreen with a white backlight to make it more readable. It features a checkmark indicator as well as a red X indicator. The Sense smart deadbolt app allows you to control the lock, program new codes, and view history.

If you have HomeKit compatible accessories such as light, thermostat, etc., you can control all of them. Also, you can set scenes in different rooms. Moreover, it offers you auto lock feature and locks automatically between 5-30 seconds after the door is closed. There are different codes available to you, and you can store up to 30 codes. Also, you can give your family or friends the unlimited codes access. Besides this, it includes an optional reinforcement place with each lock for extra security.

Lastly, the smart lock has a built-in alarm with various sensitivity settings.

Pros

1 Schlage Century Touchscreen Deadbolt Lock is HomeKit compatible.

2 It has the ability to give voice commands with Siri.

3 It has a sleek and smudge resistant keypad.

Cons

1 It has only Bluetooth

 


The Schlage Century Touchscreen Deadbolt Lock

Schlage Sense
Schlage Sense

The Schlage Century Touchscreen Deadbolt Lock is a stylish electronic lock with Z-Wave capabilities. You can pair it with a Z-Wave home automation network to control remotely. It features a touchscreen keypad that allows you to open and close the door without keys. The resistive touchscreen has extra-large digits that glow blue as you open it. It glows red if you enter the wrong code.

The screen resists fingerprint smudging thus giving an additional security. Also, it has a keyed cylinder for backup. The smart lock is equipped with a loud tamper and forced entry alarm. It comes with a master code and two user access code. You can use the master code to set up 30 unique codes, enable vacation mode and enable or disable the speaker.

Moreover, it has an auto lock feature that automatically locks the door after 30 seconds. Lastly, it is either compatible with Z-wave or fee-based Nexia home intelligence bridge. It will offer you scheduling, email alerts, and other useful features.

Undoubtedly, the best smart lock? Right?

Pros

1 The Schlage Century Touchscreen Deadbolt Lock features both keyed and keyless entry.

2 It has audible tamper alarm,

3 It’s easy to install and program.

Cons

1 It requires third party controller for remote Z-Wave access.

 


Noke Padlock

Noke Padlock
Noke Padlock

Noke padlock is a great smart lock that can be opened with a single click through Bluetooth equipped devices. It offers you a keyless control through a key fob. Also, an IOS and Android compatible app to operate the lock and various interesting features. The lock’s LED illuminates with different colors depending on the functioning of the lock.

A flashing green LED is an indication when the lock is about to unlock; red indicates that it is locked whereas the blue or white means that the lock is in standby mode; smart lock isn’t it?  It is weather resistant and can effectively withstand high temperatures. Moreover, it has a quick click code that consists of short and long clicks of the shackle. The app of the smart lock provides you the history of when and how many times it is locked or unlocked. It also accurately tracks the location of lock and allows you to share access with other people who need it.

Pros

1 Noke Padlock has a sleek and modern design.

2 It can be easily unlocked through a smartphone or Bluetooth fob.

3 It comes with a series of short and long clicks feature.

Cons

1 It has a confusing setup.

 


Lockitron Bolt

Best Smart Locks - Lockitron Bolt
Lockitron Bolt

Like everyone, your security is also a matter of concern for us and if you are thinking for some affordable yet best smart lock, here’s what’s best for you.

Lockitron is a new company that stands out for its highly-advanced door locks. The Lockitron Bolt comes with a contemporary design, keyless entry, and various smart competencies to give the owners peace of mind and ease of use. It senses your smart device presence and unlocks the door for you thus keeping your hands free especially if you are carrying groceries or other stuff. A unique feature is that it allows you to get a new Lockitron Bolt for your home that perfectly fits your current keys. This eliminates the need to get new keys. Furthermore, it delivers you notifications if someone enters your home. Finally, it is very affordable as compare to other smart locks.

Pros

1 Lockitron Bolt open your door automatically when it senses your presence.

2 It works best with your existing keys as well.

3 It is quite affordable.

Cons

1 You need to add Lockitron Bridge to control the device from anywhere.

 


ENTR Mul-T-Lock

The ENTR Mul-T-Lock lets you use your fingerprint, keys or app to open the door. The smart lock allows you to give access codes to those people who you trust as well as revoke access whenever you want. It comes with auto lock feature thus no matter you are coming or going; it will lock itself once the door is closed for a few seconds. ENTR Mul-T-Lock is fully compatible with any door. Moreover, the app offers great scheduling features as well. Overall, it’s a simple and easy lock to operate.

Pros

1 ENTR Mul-T-Lock unlock your home with the fingerprint, passcode or the app.

2 It allows you to generate codes and give access to your family and friends.

3 It comes with auto lock feature thus efficiently protecting your home.

Cons

1 It does not allow you to default to a physical key and gain entry to your home.


Poly Control Danalock V2 BT

 Poly Control Danalock V2 BT
Poly Control Danalock V2 BT

Some sensor stuff! A smart lock that superpositions above all other smart locks.

The Poly Control Danalock V2 BT comes with many convenience features. If you forget your phone then don’t worry, an inbuilt sensor button will allow you to lock and unlock the door by simply pressing it. The app offers you three amazing settings. The first one is auto unlock that will automatically unlock the door when you get within the Bluetooth range which is roughly 30 feet.The second setting is knock to unlock whereas the third one is none. To lock or unlock the door, you can press the red lock button, and green unlock button on the app.

Furthermore, you can also disable the auto lock feature and enable it again later depending on the situation. It’s quite easy to select from the various unlock options within the app, notifications, and other settings. Finally, the lock settings also let you customize its direction.

Pros

1 Poly Control Danalock V2 BT is equipped with Bluetooth or Z-Wave.

2 The built-in sensor works very effectively.

3 It offers various lock and unlocks settings.

Cons

1 The installation is challenging. Also, the app is a bit difficult to navigate.

 


Lock State LS-500I Remote Lock wi-fi enabled

Lock State LS-500I Remote Lock wi-fi enabled
Lock State LS-500I Remote Lock wi-fi enabled

A remote lock feature that outcasts all others and is rated as one another best smart lock.

The Lock Stat LS-500I Remote Lock Wi-Fi enabled is a useful smart lock, especially for property managers. It is nicely designed with built-in Wi-Fi and excellent technical support. The best smart lock has various great control and security features. Efficiently tracks the keypad users and has an audible alert to let you know when the lock fails to engage. The Wi-Fi door lock connects to the Internet to customize guest access and add codes remotely.

It is fully compatible with Airbnb that lets you rent out properties for cash. Moreover, the lock has property management tools which are very helpful for managing multiple rental properties. Also, you can use the web portal to enable auto lock function as it relocks 10 seconds after someone unlocks the door. Lastly, it is compatible with the Lock State Connect home automation platform, Lock State products, and some other third party products. It is only compatible with IOS.

Pros

1 Lock Stat LS-500I Remote Lock wi-fi enabled comes with property management tools.

2 It has an auto lock feature.

3 It has an excellent technical support.

Cons

1 It does not feature any tamper alarm or siren.

 


 

With everyday advancement in technology, it is making our life much easier than before. These technologies are setting up modern trends. All of these above 11 smart locks have superlative security, automation, and compatibility. It’s not just a trend but safety to your family. It might cost you more than a traditional lock, but for all these impressive features and convenience, your money will pay you off well.

The post Best Smart Locks and deadbolts to keep your home secure appeared first on MobileSiri.

Best Wireless Printers

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Wireless printers have become quite common in both homes and offices as well as large businesses. Wi-Fi connectivity is more reliable and flexible thus letting you to conveniently print from your mobile devices. Many wireless printers offer third party applications for printing from IOS, Android and other devices. Some may also directly support printing from cloud based services.

We have listed top ten best wireless printers along with detailed information that will help you out in coming up with a smart decision. Have a look and enjoy!

Things to consider while buying the best wireless printer:

1.) Pages per minute

2.) Print engine.

3.) Resolution.

4.) Scanning feature

5.) Printing performance/duty cycles.

6.) Wireless connectivity.

7.) Replacement cartridge availibility.

8.) Duplex printing.

9.) Driver support.

Best Wireless Printers
Printer Type
Pages per minute
Resolution
Compatibility
Connectivity
Sheet Capacity 
HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless
Ink Jet
 15ppm Black/ 11 ppm Colour
 Up to 1200 dpi with pigmented black ink
USB, SD, Memory Stick, Compact flash
Ethernet port, USB connection and 802.11 b/g networking
250
Canon Pixma MG7720
Ink Jet
9.8ppm Black/7.5ppm Colour
9600 x 2400 dots per inch
SD cards
Wired and wireless networks, NFC, Cloud Storage Service
125
Brother Business Smart Plus
Ink Jet
17ppm Black/15ppm Colour.
 1200 x 1200 dpi
SD cards, older compact flash cards and USB port
Wired and wireless networks, Cloud Storage Service
250
Canon Pixma MG6821
Ink Jet
 35 ppm Black and white / 27 ppm Color
 Up to 600 x 600 dpi (mono) / up to 4800 x 1200 dpi (color)
SD cards, SDHC, Sony Memory Stick Duo
Connectivity options for smartphones and tablets, Mopria certified apps, Canon own application and Cameras with wireless Pict Bridge capability

100

Epson Workforce WF-3640
Ink Jet
14ppm Black/, 7 ppm Colour documents while 1.2 ppm for photos
 Up to 4800 x 2400 dpi (mono) / up to 4800 x 2400 dpi (color)
Common media cards
Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Apple air print and Google cloud print.
500
Epson Expression Home XP-430
Ink Jet
8.5 pages per minute for black and white documents
 Up to 5760 x 1440 dpi (mono) / up to 5760 x 1440 dpi (color)
Mobile devices, SD cards
Wi-Fi, USB
 100

 

Samsung SL-M2020W/XAA Wireless Monochrome Printer
Laser
21 pages per minute for black and white documents
1200 dpi
Mobile devices
Wi-Fi, Google Cloud
 150
HP Envy 4520 Wireless
Ink Jet
20ppm
1200×600 dpi for mono print, 4800×1200 dpi for color print
Mobile devices
remote email printing apps, kindle fire, Google Cloud, Apple air print
 100
Brother HL-3170CDW
Laser
23 ppm for both black and white and color printing
600×2400 dpi
Mobile devices
Wi-Fi, Air Print, Google Cloud and Android
250
Samsung Xpress M2070W
Laser
20ppm
1200dpi
Mobile devices
Wi-Fi
150

 

HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless

HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless
HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless

Looking for something of top quality brand yet the best quality smart printing? Well here’s what we have got for you.

HP Officejet Pro 8500 wireless printer features a touch screen, various networking options and fast printing speed. The device can print, scan, fax and copy in minimum time with highest quality results. The wireless printer has 3.45-inch touch screen, auto duplexer and 50 sheet automatic file feeder. Coming towards the dimensions, it is 19.45 inches wide and 13.03 inches tall. The device has white and gray panels with a glossy black cockpit in the center that can go perfect into a number of decors.

Smart, isn’t it?

The home screen of the printer shows all the commonly used options including copy, fax, scan, quick setup menu, graphical gauge, ink left in the tanks etc. The front panel has a full telephone keypad for typing fax numbers, copy buttons etc. The digital filing networking folder allows you to scan and manage your images over a network whereas the email button can be used for one touch scan delivery. Lastly, the bottom of the panel features an external card reader to support USB, SD, Memory Stick, Compact flash etc. Making it standout as one of the best printer.

Moreover, it allows you to host computer in three ways, either through network with built in Ethernet port, USB connection or 802.11 b/g networking. The printer comes with 250 sheet input drawer fixed into the machine. Also, you can extend the tray to accommodate A4 or legal size paper. In addition to that, it has HP photo smart essential and solution center software. Lastly, the printer cycle can run up to 15,000 pages per month.

Pros

1 HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless printer features an Auto duplexer.

2 It has 50 pages’ automatic file feeder and provide excellent quality prints.

3 It has 3.4-inch LCD touch screen.

4 It has convenient 802.11b/g wireless setup.

Cons

1 It lacks autodial fax buttons and Bluetooth.

2 It does not have dual paper input tray.


Canon Pixma MG7720

Canon Pixma MG7720
Canon Pixma MG7720

Canon Pixma MG7720 is one of the leading multifunctional best wireless printer. It gives high quality documents and photos with a print resolution of 9600 x 2400 dots per inch. Black and white documents are printed at 9.8ppm whereas the color documents are printed at 7.5ppm. It uses special secondary cartridge of black ink pigment that gives sharp details and vibrant colored photos. The 4×6 photos are printed at a 1.5ppm. With a five-cartridge system, the overall cost of the ink is quite reasonable. The printer uses two separate black inks for documents and photos to give superior prints, bringing out the best quality printing proving its worth of buying such a wireless printer.

The wireless printer has a single primary tray with a 125-sheet capacity. Whereas the secondary try is used for photo printing and holds additional 20 pages. Moreover, it has automatic duplexing for dual sided printing and is able to print on various media types including printing CDs and DVDs. The printer features memory card slots for various SD cards including SD, SDHC, Sony memory stick Duo etc. It has in-built near field communications that lets you to use any device equipped with an NFC chip to pair with the printer.

Lastly, the printer offers you both wired and wireless networking. Also, the canon has its one app that allows you to print from your phone or tab, copy and manage files through cloud storage service.

Amazing, isn’t it?

Pros

1 The Canon Pixma MG7720 print photos faster as compare to other wireless printers.

2 It can print on variety of media types.

3 It has automatic duplexing for dual sided printing.

Cons

1 It can’t print from USB.

2 It lack fax capability.


Brother Business Smart Plus

Brother Business Smart Plus
Brother Business Smart Plus

The name itself says it all being your brother to always be there for you and easing your task and the word business signifies its efficiency of being the best wireless printer available for your best quality printing.

The printer’s most unique feature is that it prints horizontally across the page. It is able to print black and white documents at 17ppm whereas the color documents are printed at 15ppm. Thought it offers short lived starter inks but the cost of replacing cartridges is not so expensive. Also, they come with removable nozzle cover to protect nozzles and prevent spills. The wireless printer has a duty cycle of 30,000 pages per month that makes it very effective for small business use.

Cheap isn’t it?

Moreover, it comes with a primary paper tray that holds up to 250 pages along with supporting other media such as envelopes and cardstock. It features automatic duplex printing and feed paper up to 11 x 17-inches. It is built into the lid of scanner and you can fold it away when not required. The prints come with fine details and subtle color variations. The printer has slots for both SD cards, older compact flash cards and USB port. It also supports printing directly from Pict Bridge-enabled camera over USB. Finally, it offers both wired and wireless options. It includes several web connected features cloud storage services. You can also share the scanned images on social networking sites.

Pros

1 The Brother Business Smart Plus has unsurpassed copy and scan quality.

2 It offers low cost printing.

3 It offers multiple web connected features.

Cons

1 Minor issues in printing photos.


Canon Pixma MG6821

Canon Pixma MG6821
Canon Pixma MG6821

The Canon Pixma MG6821 is a nicely designed yet one of the best wireless printer. It provides superb photo quality along with a second black ink cartridge. The cartridge is used for best quality photos. The fifth cartridge uses color document printing including black, cyan, magenta and yellow. The wireless printer comes with 100-page paper tray which is an average for home inkjet printer. Also, it has secondary tray for photo paper that holds up to 20 sheets.

The printer comes with integrated card slots for SD cards that mainly include SD, SDHC, Sony Memory Stick Duo etc. Moreover, it offers reliable connectivity options for smartphones and tablets. It also allows you to print wirelessly through Mopria certified apps and Canon own application. Cameras with wireless Pict Bridge capability can be connected to the printer as well. It comes with one year warranty. Overall, it has a light feature set with great document and photo printing.

Pros

1 The quality of documents and photos is up to the mark.

2 It offers steadfast connectivity options for smartphones and tablets.

3 It comes with integrated card slots for SD cards.

Cons

1 It lacks wired networking.

2 It does not have fax capability.


Epson Workforce WF-3640

Epson Workforce WF-3640
Epson Workforce WF-3640

Epson Workforce WF-3640 printer is designed in a way to offer both good printing and convenience along with it being the best wireless printer that fits you need. It is very easy to set up and offer you pro level features. It prints 14 pages per minute for black and white documents whereas 7 pages per minute for color documents. It prints photos at 1.2 per minute thus one of the fastest printer you can have. Also, it is one of the affordable inkjet printers.

The primary paper tray of wireless printer can successfully hold up to 500 pages of plain printer paper which is quite impressive. The in-built secondary tray can effectively hold 250 pages. In addition to that, a document feeder on the back of printer allows you to print nonstandard documents such as envelops and cardstock.

Furthermore, an automatic file feeder lets you scan, print and fax several pages at a time. Workforce WF-3640 has built-in scanning, copying and faxing capabilities. The standalone fax functionality lets you to send faxes without connecting to a PC. The printer features support for common media cards and storage. Also, you can save scanned documents to external storage or cloud storage services such as Google drive, drop box etc. Finally, it offers network connectivity through Ethernet or Wi-Fi. It also supports Apple air print and Google cloud print.

Pros

1 Epson Workforce WF-3640 printer has a robust feature set.

2 The primary and secondary trays impressively hold up to 500 pages and 250 pages respectively.

3 It prints photos at 1.2 per minute.

Cons

1 It provides average print quality.

2 At times, banded colors are visible in photos.


Epson Expression Home XP-430

Epson Expression Home XP-430
Epson Expression Home XP-430

The XP-430 comes with a space saving design and measuring 15.4 inches wide, 20.8 inches deep, and 11 inches tall. It features a mono LCD display at a suitable viewing angle. It gives you the option to connect your printer to computer either through direct USB or Wi-Fi.  The front of the wireless printer has memory card reader. You can also view your photos on LCD and make simple adjustments such as crop, resize etc.

Coming towards the functioning of printer, it gives black and white print at 8.5 pages per minute. Whereas the color text and graphics documents takes little more time. Though the quality of prints is simply up to the mark. It gives clean lines even in very tiny fonts and clear marks across the page. Also, the quality of photos and graphics documents is way too good. The printer is a perfect combination of multi-functioning and space saving design.

Pros

1 Epson Expression Home XP-430 has a space saving design.

2 It can print from various mobile devices such as Android, IOS etc.

3 It features LCD touch display for simple photo edits as well as gives reliable output quality.

Cons

1 It does not offer two-sided printing.

2 The cost per page for the ink cartridge is a bit higher than average.


Samsung SL-M2020W/XAA Wireless Monochrome Printer

Samsung SL-M2020W/XAA Wireless Monochrome Printer
Samsung SL-M2020W/XAA Wireless Monochrome Printer

When it comes to technology be Samsung one can always depend upon the brand specially in terms of connectiviy and superlative technology the wireless printer.

Samsung is a well-designed laser printer. It offers excellent quality and speed of printing thus print 21 pages per minute. The print resolution is 1200×1200 dpi and gives clearer texts, graphs and line drawings. It features an eco-button that reduce both toner use and energy consumption. Also, you can control over the function and tune things according to your requirements.

The printer is able to print from various devices such as Windows, Apple Mac etc. Moreover, to hardwired solutions, it is compatible with any NFC device which mostly includes smartphones such as Google cloud that lets you to print from remote locations. Google cloud also accommodate a number of tablets and other devices but that may require purchase of an additional application. In addition to that, there is also Wi-Fi that is quick to set up by the use of WPS button.

That’s what you call one innovative wireless printer!

Pros

1 Samsung SL-M2020W/XAA Wireless Monochrome Printer is comparatively cheap.

2 It gives more clear texts, graphs and drawings at 21 pages per minute.

3 It is compatible with various devices and Google Cloud.

Cons

1 It is an entry level black and white printer.


HP Envy 4520 Wireless

HP Envy 4520 Wireless
HP Envy 4520 Wireless

The HP Envy 4520 is a wireless color photo printer and capable of printing laser sharp documents. It gives 1200×600 dpi for mono and 4800×1200 dpi for color prints. The pages per minute rate are very impressive. It gives 20 ppm for black and white printing and 16ppm for color mode. It has the ability to print out borderless right out to the edges of a standard 8.5×11 inch sheet.

Moreover, it has also flatbed scanning facility. The printer can be used for copying as well. It allows you to access a number of menu options along with status indicators. Another significant feature is the ease of Wi-Fi connection and various mobile printing options. In addition to that, there is HP’s own remote and email printing apps along with compatibility to Google cloud print, Apple air print and Kindle fire.

Pros

1 HP Envy 4520 Wireless features easy to use scanner.

2 It has ability to print right out to the edges of a standard 8.5×11 inch sheet.

3 It can be used for copying as well.

Cons

1 At times there is delay before printer start printing.


Brother HL-3170CDW

Brother HL-3170CDW
Brother HL-3170CDW

The Brother HL-3170CDW is a wireless laser color printer that offers duplex printing. It gives 23 ppm for both black and white and color printing with a 600×2400 dpi resolution whist featuring automated duplexing with basic media handling. The wireless printer comes with 250 sheet tray capacity. In case you want to add anything else then legal size or letter, you can feed it through manual by pass slot.

Moreover, it has a full range of Wi-Fi and mobile device connectivity making it another best wireless printer. The print has print and scan app along with air print, google cloud and Android compatibility. Overall, it is an extremely high quality printer that can serve you in a long run.

Pros

1 Brother HL-3170CDW gives high quality print outs.

2 It features automated duplexing.

3 It gives 23 ppm for both black and white and color printing.

Cons

1 You need to feed by hand through manual pass slot, if you need anything else then letter or legal size paper.


Samsung Xpress M2070W

Samsung Xpress M2070W
Samsung Xpress M2070W

Samsung Xpress M2070W is a high-quality printer that effectively delivers a lot of bang to your work. The printer successfully works at 20ppm with impressive 1200×1200 resolution. wireless printer has 150 sheets capacity and can print A4, A5, letter, folio, ISO BF and much more. It is compatible with smartphones, online document sharing etc. Moreover, it offers usual toner saving mode along with other features for removing images from documents or replacing maps and sketches. If you are looking for a multifunction yet best wireless printer; go for it.

Pros

1 Samsung Xpress M2070W features clever eco mode.

2 It is comparatively quick.

3 It works at 20 ppm.

Cons

1 It does not offer high yield cartridge option.

2 Duplexing is manual.


 

All of these printers are selected on the basis of their exclusive designs and multiple functions. A detailed research is conducted to pick up the top 10 best wireless printers. As there are a number of wireless printers in the market but choosing one of them on the basis of high-quality prints, quick printing and various media connectivity options is a wise decision.

The post Best Wireless Printers appeared first on MobileSiri.

Best Smart Thermostats

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A smart home needs a smart thermostat to keep your family at home solace and cozy or cool smartly!

So we have compiled up the best smart thermostats for you that are reliable and of top quality and just according to your needs.

The best smart thermostat can efficiently save your money on power, keep your home comfortable and learn your habits and preferences quickly. These thermostats are easy to install, highly customizable and flexible. This buyer guide has selected top 10 smart thermostats that are super high tech, remote controllable, affordable and come with many programmable options. All of them are highly recommended. Have a look to know more about their features and specifications.

Things to keep in mind while buying the Smart Thermostat:

1.) Compatibility.

2.) Sensors.

3.) Connectivity.

4.) Durability.

Best Smart Thermostats Comparison

Best Smart Thermostats Features Sensor Compatibility Connectivity

Nest Second Generation Thermostat

 

Bright color screen, HVAC system, support heating systems, learning software, saves energy Motion sensor IOS, Android, Kindle Fire Wi-Fi

EcoBee 3

 

Learning software, free cooling

 

Motion sensor, Humidity sensor Smartphone Wi-Fi

Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat

 

Color LCD, seven day scheduled program, shows indoor temperature, relative humidity, outdoor temperature Humidity sensor Mobile App Wi-Fi
Honeywell Z-Wave Enabled Programmable Thermostat Messages from other HVAC equipment, interface for temperature adjustment on a 7-day schedule. Temperature sensor Mobile Apps Touchscreen

Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation)

 

Updated software and hardware, learning mode, simple user interface, Auto-Away feature, bright screen, temperature display and management, cool to dry and airwave occupancy sensor Smart Home products Wi-Fi

Emerson Sensi

 

Custom temperature schedules, Early Start, AC protection, boost feature  — Sensi Mobile App, Eco Wi-Fi

Honeywell Lyric T5

 

Geofencing, Auto changeover program, learning software, smart alert option Remote sensor Lyric App Wi-Fi

Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat

 

7-day programmable, 3.5-inch glossy black digital display, touch screen interface, manage temperature, set schedules, Alexa and Siri voice control Temperature and Motion sensor. EcoBee app Wi-Fi

Lux TX500U

 

Up and down arrow buttons, hold button, a Next button, blue backlight, intuitive control panel, air filter monitor, adjustable second stage heat offset and optional wall plate.

 

Temperature sensor. All system types except electric baseboard heat.  Manual

Schneider Electric Wiser

 

touch screen display, comfort boost feature light and humidity sensors Windows 10, IOS and Android Wi-Fi, IFTTT

 

Nest Second Generation Thermostat

Nest Second Generation Thermostat is one of the best Smart Thermostats
Nest Second Generation Thermostat

Nest second generation smart thermostat is as nicely designed as your smartphone. It features a bright color screen along with a motion sensor. It can be remotely controlled using an app. The Wi-Fi enabled Nest can successfully support more types of heating systems such as heat pumps and radiant floor systems. Also, it can recognize how long it takes to heat or cool a house based on the type of HVAC system installed. It does not waste the energy resources by micro-managing the temperature on systems that might take longer to regulate comfort levels. With the circular design, it perfectly fits over holes and comes with easy to follow instructions, that is why it is remarkably convenient to install.

Moreover, you don’t need to worry about stringing a power line through the wall or replacing batteries to power the thermostat due to the presence of Nest built-in lithium ion battery. It comes with a back plate to cover large holes, labels to mark the right wires and a small screwdriver. Another interesting feature is that the system learns your preferred setting at particular days and after a week, it starts making changes on its own. In addition to that, if no one passes by the motion sensor for a certain period of time, the Nest Smart thermostat switches into ‘Away mode’ and turns down the heater or AC according to the presets. Lastly, it has apps for Android, iOS and Kindle Fire devices. Nest thermostat is ideal for those who want to save energy with smart temperature management options.

Isn’t it an interesting, yet one of the best smart thermostat?

Pros

1 Nest second generation thermostat is very easy to install.

2 It efficiently works with various heating and cooling systems.

3 It automatically learns the user’s heating and cooling habits.

Cons

1 It does not work with other smart home systems.

 


Ecobee 3 Smart Thermostat With Sensors

EcoBee 3
EcoBee 3

Searching for some smart thermostat that is has some outstanding features? Something that has some more smart sensors you could ever imagine? Well here’s the deal….

EcoBee 3 smart thermostat boasts various features that make it stand out from the crowd. It features smart specifications that you can expect from any card-carrying thermostat including smartphone connectivity, learning software, Wi-Fi and much more.  The EcoBee 3 smart thermostat comes with an array of sensors that you can place around your home, enabling the device to understand what room you are in and adjust accordingly.

Moreover, it has extra hardware which is pretty cool and makes the system much more accurate. One of the interesting features of the EcoBee 3 is free cooling. It recognizes the temperature difference on cool summer evenings and uses the outside air to effectively cool down your home without using the air conditioner. In this way, it saves both power and money. Another additional feature is the ability to detect and adjust humidity.

It identifies the expanse of moisture in the air, takes comparative humidity and adjusts itself. It can even control indoor humidity to prevent frosting. At times, the thermostat also uses air conditioner when required.

Cool, isn’t it?

Pros

1 EcoBee 3 is Wi-Fi enabled and offers smartphone connectivity.

2 It gives many smart features such as Free Cooling.

3 It comes with a learning software and extra hardware.

Cons

1 It does not offer easy and quick installation.

 


Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat

Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat

Up to buying something beautiful yet best specifications? Much more customized?

Here’s what we have just for you…..

Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat, that features a bright and beautiful screen. It is remarkably flexible and programmable thus allowing you to set up easily. It comes with seven days scheduled program and keeps you well informed about any changes in indoor climate with the easy to read color LCD. Moreover, you can customize the LCD as per your taste.

The screen will show you the indoor temperature, relative humidity, outdoor temperature and much more. It lets you control the thermostat through the mobile app, and the thermostat will learn about your activities over time. Also, it tells you when you should change the air filter in your furnace for optimum efficiency. Overall, Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat offers you ease of use and setup, a highly customizable schedule, automatic temperature changes along with additional features at quite an affordable rate.

Pros

1 Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat features a bright and beautiful LCD screen.

2 It keeps you regularly updated about the indoor climatic changes.

3 It has a highly customizable schedule and offers precise automatic temperature changes features.

Cons

1 The installation will depend on your experience with wires and types of heating and cooling systems you have.

 


Honeywell Z-Wave Enabled Programmable Thermostat

Honeywell Z-Wave Enabled Programmable Thermostat
Honeywell Z-Wave Enabled Programmable Thermostat

Honeywell Z-Wave Enabled Programmable Thermostat is compatible with a wide range of products and apps that allow you to control each aspect of your home. From the lighting and other appliances to your heating and cooling, your phone or tablet or any other internet connected device acts the best controller.

If you are looking for something that is compatible with numerous platform, Honeywell-Z is just the perfect and best thermostat you need.

The thermostat has a number of programmable features such as a simple interface for temperature adjustment on a 7-day schedule, the option of getting messages from other HVAC equipment and much more. The device is also able to work without the use of a C wire just so that you can quickly and conveniently install it in places. The Z-Wave smart home and automation platform makes the device worth investing in. As a whole, the device effectively works with several apps, services, and platforms.

Pros

1 Honeywell Z-Wave Enabled Programmable Thermostat is compatible with tons of apps, services, and platforms.

2 It gives you an interface for temperature adjustment on a 7-day schedule.

3 It gives you the option of messages from other HVAC equipment.

Cons

1 It uses C wire or a separate wire saver for power.

 


Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation)

Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation)
Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation)

The 3rd generation already signifies the smart thermostat is already upgraded to meet all your requirements and needs to bring about the best, just for you.

Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation) features an impressive learning mode, simple user interface, and compatibility with a variety of smart home products. It acts as an independent and responsive device that effectively controls the comfort of your home. The model is very appealing and comes with a tactile metal ring which glides smoothly, works consistently and feels nice in your hand. It has a 40% larger and brightens screen than the previous model to display a digital or analog clock, current temperature, and the current weather forecast.

Here’s a bit detail of the sensors it has to comfort you…..

The device has built-in occupancy sensor that senses your presence and absence and creates schedule accordingly. It also uses machine learning algorithms to model the thermodynamics and learn how quickly your home cools or gets warmed and how your system performs. Moreover, it has some additional features such as cool to dry and airwave that combat hot summers by cooling and reducing humidity. When the AC is turned off, it uses fan thus saving your energy and money.

The thermostat comes with a automatic software updates and offers you family accounts, home/away assist and much more. Nest thermostat also offers you Auto-Away feature to lower the HVAC’s energy usage when it senses no one is at home making it another one of the best smart thermostat.

Smart, right?

Pros

1 Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation) comes with updated software and hardware.

2 It gives you various display options.

3 It effectively uses machine learning algorithms.

Cons

1 At times, the reported temperature is plus or minus 3 degrees.

 


Emerson Sensi

Emerson Sensi
Emerson Sensi

Emerson Sensi offers you the easiest ways to conserve energy with maximum home comfort qualifying the standards of being the best smart thermostat comparable to any other. The Wi-Fi programmable thermostat allows you to create custom temperature schedules. While using the app, you can select the days you want to follow a particular schedule and choose temperature and time setpoints. Also, you can run heat only or cool only schedules. The Temperature Offset allows you to change the temperature display +/- 5 degrees to match your prior thermostat.

Amazing? Feeling pro customized?

In addition to that, Sensi mobile app comes with several features and advanced thermostat settings that make it more energy efficient and protect your HVAC equipment. One of the interesting feature is Early Start that tells your thermostat when to start the cooling or heating system and make sure that your home is at the right temperature.

Moreover, the AC protection feature will delay cooling for some time when the cooling system is turned off to prevent any potential damage. The boost feature will provide you maximum comfort and quickly activate all the available heating and cooling stages when the temperature is manually changed. Lastly, the cycle rate on Sensi mobile app regulates how fast your heating or cooling system deliver the set point temperature, and you can adjust it as per your requirements.

Pros

1 Emerson Sensi offers you temperature offset, cycle rates, and boost features.

2 It is the first Wi-Fi thermostat to meet new energy-aware standards that require plus or minus 1 degree of accuracy in temperature control.

3 It is Eco-compatible.

Cons

1 It does not come with remote sensor or geofencing capabilities.

 


Honeywell Lyric T5

Honeywell Lyric T5
Honeywell Lyric T5

Looking for something cool? Something more smart at touch to being compatible to your favourite platforms, right? Well, here’s what you need then…..

Honeywell Lyric T5 smart thermostat has a glossy black finish design. It has a gray trim with touch sensitive feature. It is accessible through the Lyric App for Android and iPhone. The thermostat uses geofencing to set custom Home and Away distance so your phone can make changes automatically. It features an Auto changeover program which decides whether the thermostat should be set to heat or air conditioning.

The device gives you a very smart response since it’s another high rated best smart thermostat. It quickly learns your routines and set heat or AC to the temperature you desire. Moreover, with the smart alert option, you can opt into alerts based on your need to change a filter and extreme temperatures. Finally, you can avail all of the standard features of Honeywell Lyric T5 smart thermostat at extremely affordable rates.

Pros

1 Honeywell Lyric T5 is quite affordable.

2 It features an efficient learning software.

3 It allows you to opt the alerts based on your need to alter the filter and temperatures.

Cons

1 It does not integrate with Google Home, IFTTT, Wink or SmartThings.

 


Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat

Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat
Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat

Here we go with another just perfect yet best smart thermostat satisfying to your comfort standards.

Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat is a minimum expensive Wi-Fi thermostat that you can find on the market which supports five main smart home platforms. It is one of the most appealing based 7-day programmable thermostat. It features a 3.5-inch digital display with a touch screen interface just like your smartphone. All you need to do is just tap on an option to change the temperature, set schedules and view the current forecast.

The Ecobee3 Lite interface is spontaneous, convenient to circumnavigate and very alert. The device does not offer a rechargeable battery. Therefore, a C wire to install the included power extender kit or digital display is required. Though the installation is easy and does not consume much time. Once your thermostat is installed and powered on, you can set the temperature and program temperature schedule changes.

The EcoBee app on your Android or iOS device allows remote access to heating or cooling. In this way, you can make adjustments and check the status of your thermostat whenever your phone is connected to Wi-Fi. Also, it effectively works with Alexa and Siri voice control. Beside this, the preprogrammed temperatures are also updated automatically. Overall, the device is responsive and simple to program.

Pros

1 Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat is extremely responsive and simple to program.

2 It works with five major smart home platforms.

3 It can work with Alexa and Siri voice control.

Cons

1 It does not give you a remote sensor.

 


Lux TX500U Programmable Thermostat

Lux TX500U
Lux TX500U

Lux TX500U is an all-around option for an affordable programmable thermostat. It features an up and down arrow buttons and a hold button whereas everything else is tucked behind the plastic covering that can easily fold down. It makes the thermostat look pleasantly minimal. The thermostat has a Next button that makes it easier to figure out how to create programs. Moreover, it has a blue light which makes it very convenient to read the display.

The display gives you both the current and target temperature at the same time and even labels them room and set so you don’t get confused between the two. The device has a modern take on a basic programmable 5-2 thermostat. It is easy to install and use and has a remarkable recovery and keyboard lock. Giving you the option 2 or 4 periods per day. With easy programming, you can conveniently adjust the temperature swing.

Finally, the Lux TX500U is mercury free and comes with air filter monitor, adjustable second stage heat offset, and optional wall plate.

Pros

1 Lux TX500U thermostat comes with an intuitive control panel.

2 It features a strong blue backlight.

3 It gives users various programmable options.

Cons

1 The plastic covering is a bit flimsy that may slip off your hand.

 


Schneider Electric Wiser

Schneider Electric Wiser
Schneider Electric Wiser

Are you thinking to buy some very efficient and quick control smart thermostat? Something that you can operate with your gadgets to Windows. Here’s what we have got for you then.

Schneider Electric Wiser Air is a simple and easy to install thermostat. It has a sleek and instinctual design with a touch screen to keep you updated. It gives you various fun features such as comfort boost that speedily brings comfort as soon as you touch the button. Also, it helps you to save energy more efficiently. It effectively controls and manages your home energy from anywhere with your smartphone, tab or laptop.

It learns how your system is running from a distance and glows a different color based on various modes. Moreover, it integrates with IFTTT thus letting you connect with hundreds of products and services and enhance your home connected experience. The device comes with light and humidity sensors that allow automated control of your home heating or cooling. Finally, it is compatible with Windows 10, iOS and Android devices and is a complete home energy management solution.

Smart, efficient and the very best smart thermostat. Pretty right? Aren’t we?

Pros

1 Schneider Electric Wiser Air is easy to set up and use.

2 It works well to keep your home at desired temperature.

3 It comes with Eco IQ feature.

Cons

1 At times the displayed temperature is a few degrees high than the actual temperature.

 


 

This buyer guide is comprised of top 10 smart thermostats thus making it easier for you to choose the best one for your home and enjoy various programmable features. Detailed research has been conducted, and the information is made available to you. Get your best smart thermostat and feel free to enjoy the luxurious environment of your home.

The post Best Smart Thermostats appeared first on MobileSiri.

Philips Hue White Starter Kit and Color Ambiance A19

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 Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit

No doubt, Philips has revolutionized the world of bright LEDs. The latest bulb, Hue White, and Color Ambiance prove that why the company has been a major competitor in this space from the very beginning. The design of the latest Philips Hue White Starter Kit has just changed slightly. Though they are still shaped like a rounded off twister, now they come up with a white base instead of a silver one. Overall, the bulbs remain quite modest in comparison to the competition. They are designed to work successfully in connection to your Wi-Fi router through an Ethernet cable.

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit

The Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit is not small and more streamlined in contrast to prior models at $60. It is included along with three bulbs in a $200 kit reviewed here. It has become a standard in its way and now compatible with methods and GE bulbs. These Hue lights efficiently work with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, Apple’s HomeKit platform, and several other smart-home products. Have a look to know more about finer features and reliable performance of Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit.

Let’s get rolling……

 Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit pros and cons
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit pros and cons

Pros

  • Philips Hue White Starter kit offers an impressive list of compatible smart home platforms.
  • It can sync your bulb with the iOS device.
  • You can trigger lighting changes by asking Siri.
  • The redesigned Hue bridge is less intrusive.
  • It includes support for Apple Siri and Apple watch.
  • The technical improvements make them the best looking and brightest bulbs.
  • It offers smooth dimming, so the lights are never too bright or dark.
  • You can control lights from anywhere when paired with Philips Hue bridge.
  • It lets you set different rooms for different times.
  • You can download third-party apps to integrate A19 bulb with music or gaming experience.
  • It offers a range of natural white light from cool energizing daylight to relaxing warm white light.
  • You can use 16 million colors to paint your walls with a variety of light shades.

 

Cons

  • The app could have more benefited from the ease of use upgrade.
  • There are no fun features.
  • Installation process may be a bit complicated.
  • The A19 starter kit is expensive.
  • The app is simple with white only features.
  • It requires a proprietary hub.

Key Features

Power output Eco-friendly Compatibility A 19 Color Bulbs A 19 Colors Lumen Output A 19 Colors Light Output Warranty
100–240 V AC / 50–60Hz

 

14°F- 113°F temperature iOS 8.0 and later iPhone 4S, 5, 5S, 6, 6 Plus E26 contact medium 800 lm at 4000K

 

Functional white light

 

2-years
5 V DC 600Ma output voltage 5% < H < 95% humidity Apple Home Kit compatibility, only iOS 9.0 10W Screw base fitting 570 lm at 2700K

 

16 million colors

 

0.1 W max standby power iPad 2, 3rd and 4th generation Lifetime: 25k hours 342 lm at 2000K

 

CCT range 2000-6500K
iPad Air 1, 2 Less than 2sec startup from AC power 550 lm at 6500K

 

Dimming only via RF down to 5%
iPad Mini 1, 2, 3 Less than 5 sec startup from standby 80 lm/W luminous efficacy @4000K

 

Beam angle –160° ± 20°

 

iPod touch 5th generation 110V-130V input voltage
Android 2.3 or later 2.4×4.3-inch lamp size

 

Features

Philips Hue White Starter Kit
Philips Hue White Starter Kit features

Philips Hue White  Starter kit comes with three Hue bulbs and a bridge that you can control via Philips Hue App on your Android or iOS device. The most significant addition is that Philips benefited from HomeKit without compromising on the core components of the Hue platform. The major advantages of Hue include updated software that allows third party developers to make their apps for the lights and bring up a new functionality.

Some developer stuff, great isn’t it?

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit

With the app, you can change the color of your bulbs using the drag and drop display that lets you cover the part of the spectrum that you want. The emergence of HomeKit support allows smart home devices to effectively communicate within iOS. The HomeKit compatibility makes it exceptionally easy for other product to assimilate Hue controls into their controller apps. That means you can program lighting changes that are linked directly to those products e.g. lights that turn on or off when you lock your door.

Moreover, you can do that a lot by syncing your lights with a master hub called as SmartThings or an automation system like IFTTT. Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit association with HomeKit brings you voice activation and on-demand lighting changes that are fit for the system. Now asking Siri to turn the lights is way too easier. In addition to red, blue and orange which are the primary colors, you can request teal, gold, and other colors as well. Siri can understand modifiers such as light blue. However, it cannot understand anything on the white light spectrum such as soft white, daylight or 2700K.

 Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit app
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit app

While using Siri, you can also control your Hue scenes which lets you trigger multiple bulbs at a time.  The Hue scenes are not programmed in the same way as HomeKit scenes so they might not work at first. However, the working is simple. All you need to do is go to the Hue’s app settings and select “Siri voice control.” You will get a list of scenes that you want to control using Siri and He will translate them into something that Siri can work with.

Pretty customized, right?

Another option you have is to create new scenes using an app that follows Home Kit’s scene-creation protocols. Though it might look inappropriate to program the Hue lights outside the Hue app, by doing so, it will let you create more complex scenes that involve your other HomeKit-compatible gadgets e.g.  a good night scene will turn the lights off and lock your door.

Moving on, the Hue offers a bridge transfer mode in the app that will make it more easy to switch. Simply follow the onscreen instructions, and it will save your existing settings in the cloud and load them into the new bridge. It will consume few minutes to get things switched, and after you are done, many lights and scenes will remain intact.

Though Siri-powered voice control works well, still occasionally there might be language mix-up. Another unexpected drawback is the Hue’s integration with the voice-activated Amazon Echo. The new bridge does not let the Echo talk to your lights. The company is working with Amazon to fix it as soon as possible.

 

Performance

Performance
Performance

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit offers a superb performance that can make your day. Using the Hue mobile app, Web portal, Siri or HomeKit support, you can easily create sophisticated remote controlled lighting setups along with automation. For instance, you can set all your lights off as soon as your iPhone leaves the house.

In our testing, we set the lamps fade at sunset, and it worked well. Also, you can trigger the scenes to switch between color and brightness settings. We have tried even more elaborate options through IFTTT integration. The white ambiance bulbs strike between Philips cheaper pure white options and expensive full-color models. This white ambiance collection offers various color temperatures within the white spectrum that range from a warm orange to a cold blueish white. The important part is that you can still adjust your lights as per different moods or times of the day. Additionally, the updated Hue app gives you an option of “Wake up” and “Go to sleep” along with “Nightlight” scenes. All these options are formulated with the white ambiance.

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit

While testing the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit which comes with two bulbs, scene switch and bright hub, we found that warmer lights excellent from the most basic LED bulbs which can be quite refreshing according to our liking. In the various situation, warm lighting feels more natural. Moreover, the full brightness is 800 lumens which are available along with the neutral 4,000K color temperature and is not the default setting. The output dims as you go warmer down to 400 lumens while you hit 2,220K. For few people, even 800 lumens are dim, and they look for using some extra lighting to compensate.

 Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit performance
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit performance

We found the new Hue app relatively well designed. It allows users setup lights, rooms, routine without any trouble. Also, it lets you manage bridges and switches. You can control the lights over cellular connections through the app. However, Siri will only work outside of Wi-Fi range if you have an Apple TV. We observed some odd limitations in the software. For example, to rename the bulbs, you need to go into the settings menu and manually resync them with Siri. Also, Siri will not automatically recognize each scene. Hence you must select by yourself.

Furthermore, when you say, “turn on the living room lights” or “dim the living room lights to 40%”, you can’t say “turn on the existing lights to 40 percent” as first, you have to turn them on and then you can tweak brightness. Another issue in our observation with the app is that it may not be instantly apparent how to adjust brightness unless you use scenes or routines. The only way to control color temperature on each bulb is by tapping icons that you may not recognize as interactive. Also, with routines, you cannot set lights to shift to a particular color temperature automatically. In many cases, you may not have any way to create routines for individual bulbs rather than making separate rooms.

Comparison

Comparison
Comparison

As the brand says it all, Philips is one of the most prominent competitors in the electronic world. The Hue color ambiance bulbs have not changed much since 2012. Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit comes with the new bulbs that last longer. Also, the company is adding new shapes, sized and accessories. The Hue app has also improved significantly. The Hue bulbs are available in wide range of forms in which A19 has become very popular in a short while. The price of the starter kit includes the required Philips Hue Bridge.

Whereas, new bulbs cost $60 each. Here LIFX color has become a major rival. The LIFX color LED bright bulb along with an array of infrared LEDs will even help your home security camera to see in the dark. Overall, Philips has earned the best position for extensive collection of styles and several compatible accessories. If you want color A19 or BR30, LIFX is also a considerable option. It’s true if you are installing them in cylinder lamps as they are the brightest bulbs in this roundup.

The price of the starter kit includes the required Philips Hue Bridge. Whereas, new bulbs cost $60 each. Here LIFX color has become a major rival. The LIFX color LED bright bulb along with an array of infrared LEDs will even help your home security camera to see in the dark. Overall, Philips has earned the best position for extensive collection of styles and several compatible accessories. If you want color A19 or BR30, LIFX is also a considerable option. It’s true if you are installing them in cylinder lamps as they are the brightest bulbs in this roundup.

Overall, Philips has earned the best position for extensive collection of styles and several compatible accessories. If you want color A19 or BR30, LIFX is also a considerable option. It’s true if you are installing them in cylinder lamps as they are the brightest bulbs in this roundup.

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit

 

Conclusion

Nonetheless, automation is the foremost reason to buy Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit. Once you set up the right routine, you will hardly need Siri or app to switch. This is something fanatic about lights that are coming on whenever you need them and shutting off when they are not required. Hence, it boosts security and power efficiency at the same time. This white ambiance kit is an excellent starting point when you need at least two bulbs with warmer lighting. Therefore, it makes clear sense to go for $175 white and color kit.

Additionally, if you have several smart gadgets and you want color hanging bulbs that incredibly work with them then Hue is the best option you can get. Likewise, if you are a Hue and iOS user as well, then upgrading the new Hue Bridge to setup and add Siri controls is worth considering this kit.

But if you haven’t bought Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter kit yet, the $200 cost of getting started might be high for you. On the other hand, competition is even more compelling. LIFX offers brighter and high-quality color bulbs with easy to use the app at $60 each.  Also, there is no hub required so you can control each one straight away from the box, meaning you don’t need to invest $200 just to get started.

Lighten up your life, the Philips way!

The post Philips Hue White Starter Kit and Color Ambiance A19 appeared first on MobileSiri.

Best Amazon Echo & Alexa enabled Devices & Accessories for your smart home

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What is Amazon Echo?

Amazon Echo
Amazon Echo

Ever imagined a Bluetooth or WiFi speaker with a personal assistant inside? The Amazon Echo is all of this and so much more you have ever wished for. You can jam your favorite music, check the weather, switch off the lights or dim them, add items to shopping list and the best part is, order things directly from Amazon. Just via this 9-inch speaker. What’s more? You can do all of this by using Amazon’s own personal assistant which is built into the speaker.

We know you are craving to know more; read on….. 

By now you must be wondering what’s so special about the Amazon Echo? Why not just use Siri if you need a personal assistant for your home? Almost two years ago, a team of engineers in the US started developing Alexa. Initially, conversations with Alexa were not sequential. She would listen to your commands, shuffle music, asking about everyday topics, control smart home devices; all of this done in different conversations. She could not connect between different conversations and find relevance between them.

Now, besides connecting your previous conversation with the current one, Alexa can even interact with third-party apps and answer all the questions that can help you doing your shopping; a feature that gives it an edge over Siri. Moreover, you can even have conversations about sports, ask for reading audiobooks and play your favorite podcasts. Recently, Amazon teamed up with Yelp to teach about local businesses. Now you can ask Alexa where to go for Italian food or when a particular grocery store closes. Also, it can play music services other than Amazon Prime such as Spotify or Pandora in the U.S.

We have seen Amazon Echo progressing from a novelty to an intelligent device. Most of us have used products such as iPads and Xboxes for years. But for the first time, we have seen an innovative and evolving product that acts as our guiding hand. Amazon’s team of engineers has spent a year with it in their homes, and it is quite evident that this is something that you don’t want to miss.

Go through the full review to know each and everything from design to commands about the Amazon Echo.

Design

 amazon echo design and features
amazon echo design and features

The Amazon Echo comes with the matte black exterior. It has a cylindrical shape with dimensions 9.25 inches high and 3.27 inches around. One of the noticeable difference between Amazon Echo and other portable speakers is that the Echo is not a mobile appliance. You are required to plug it to the power supply, since it doesn’t have a battery feature and it needs to be connected to WiFi all day.

However, it allows you to send your voice to Amazon servers without the need for an internet connection. On the top, you will find two buttons, mute and listen. Whereas, the top ring rotates to either raise or lower volume. If you are concerned about the standard controls including play, pause, forward or reverse, the Echo offers a traditional remote which is similar to the one that comes with the Amazon Fire TV.

Though controlling it from your phone through Amazon Echo App is also an option. That being said personally, we think the design of the Echo app needs to be little more updated. Though, you may find some sections very useful such as controlling radio stations through the app. Lastly, the bottom of the Echo is a 360-degree speaker grid that gives it an amazing room filling sound along with an appealing white Amazon logo.

Technical Specifications

Size 9.3 x 3.3 x 3.3 inch (235 mm x 84 mm x 84 mm)
Weight 37.5 oz.
Brand Amazon
Product Line Amazon
Model Echo
Connectivity Dual-antenna Wi-Fi for streaming, No compatibility with ad-hoc Wi-Fi networks.
Bluetooth Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) for audio streaming via your smartphone to Echo and Audio/Video, Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for voice controlling of connected smartphone devices. No hands-free voice control for Mac OS X devices.
Audio Woofer 2.5 inch & 2-inch tweeter
System Requirement Echo comes ready to be connected to your home WiFi. Its Alexa App is compatible with Android, Fire OS, and iOS devices. Lastly, it is accessible using your web browser.
Features 2.0-inch tweeter, 2.5-inch woofer, support iHeart Radio, 7 microphones, support Amazon Music, Pandora, Prime Music, and TuneIn
Warranty Basic 1-year warranty along with free service. Up to 3 years, optional extended warranty available for U.S. users.
What’s in the box? Amazon Echo, user manual & power adapter/cable.

 

How to Setup Amazon Echo

Setup Amazon Echo
Setup Amazon Echo

Setting up the Echo might not be as easy as ABC, but believe me, it’s somewhere in that zone. You just need to stick to Amazon’s documentation: Plug in the Echo, download the Echo app, and follow the app’s instructions from there. Like every other WiFi gadget, Echo scans and asks which network you want to connect to; and after you select your router and get connected, you’re good to go. The best part is, there’s no voice training: anyone can speak to Alexa.

Sounds cool? Right?

Alexa is becoming a prominent choice of audio assistant. You can purchase this technology at $179.99 whereas the smaller Echo Dot comes at a thrifty price of $49.99 at Amazon.

We’ve written a step by step guide of how to set up your Amazon Echo for the perfect use.  Follow the instructions to connect your device within a few minutes.

1. Download Amazon Alexa Application

The Amazon Echo app is available free for Android, Fire OS and iOS on Amazon’s tablets. In fact, the latest Fire tablets already have it built-in their system. It is not compatible with the 1st or 2nd generation of Kindle Fire. If you don’t prefer smartphones, you have an option of the Web app as well to handle the setup, and many people find it much easier to use.

2. Choose a Device to Set Up

Pop in your Amazon username and password, this is used this for various things, like keeping a history of tasks you have been asking Alexa to do. As well as the orders by voice and to stay updated on those orders. However, you don’t need Amazon Prime for this purpose. Simply sign in on the app and go to settings. The settings will show you a tab to “Setup a new device” or alternatively you may click on the link. Within seconds, you will be shown three Amazon-provided Alexa options including Echo, Tap, or Echo Dot. Select your device. Also, you might need to pick up a language. The current options are English for the US, UK or German.

3. Echo’s Setup Mode

For the brand-new installation, the light band on the Echo will appear in an orange color as soon as you plug in. If the orange sign is not appearing then just press and hold the action button for approximately five seconds, and you’ll find the single dot in the middle. On the tap, there is no orange indication hence you need to hold the WiFi/Bluetooth button at the back of Echo. After some time, Alexa will tell you that she is now in a setup mode.

4. Connecting your PC or Smartphone

Now connect the app to the WiFi network, to the same as of Echo. It will show up as something “Amazon-2Q3, ” whereas the last three digits will not be the same. Once connected, Alexa will respond “You’ve connected to Echo. Go ahead and finish the setup in the Alexa app.”

5. Home Wi-Fi Set Up

In the app, you will see all the Wi-Fi networks available around you so pick up your home Wi-Fi. Then you are required to enter the Wi-Fi password when it asks for it. As soon as all the information is sent to the device, Alexa will say “Your Echo is ready,” & the orange light buzzes off. Keep in mind, if you have set up an Amazon device at home, you might have saved the Wi-Fi password. 

6. Say ‘Alexa.’

The Echo is programmed to respond to a watchword which, by default, is the name “Alexa”. Anytime you call out for your personal assistance “Alexa”, you’ll see the light ring on top of the Echo pop blue and then adjust itself to the perfect point towards the sound’s source.

At the final brink of the setup, the Alexa app shows you a video to give you an idea of some of the basics of using the Amazon Echo. It will tell you how to access the app, change the wake word, connect to music services such as Pandora, sync Google calendar, connect to mobile devices through Bluetooth for audio playback, setup news headlines from your favorite sources, play audiobooks, configure Alexa to control your smart home devices and a lot more.

Amazon is always adding new options to Alexa so don’t forget the newsletter that comes along with Echo. It will show you a lot of choices every time. Also, make sure to check the skills and other tricks that Alexa has for you to get the best out of it. Amazon Echo is not just a device; it will be more like your lifetime friend.

What is Alexa?

Alexa, Amazon’s virtual personal assistant, has been around for about two years, and it was named after a famous ancient Library, Alexandria. The system allows you to speak your wishes and fulfills them e.g. playing music tracks, turning lights on and off, etc. It lives inside the company’s Echo smart speaker, among other devices, and offers users the ability to dictate commands to the assistant to control products throughout their homes, listen to music, and more. It can turn the Echo, Dot, and Tap from streaming audio players into Internet assistants. This is what that turned Echo into the biggest tech product of 2016 which is great news for those who are interested in smart home control.

Amazon echo Alexa
Amazon echo Alexa

The Alexa can respond to voice commands from anywhere. It does not require any activation button to press. Once you say the trigger word and it will be done in a short while as long as you have correctly setup everything and using the right command. As you get used to it, you will feel more natural and responsive as compare to speaking to a phone-based voice assistant such as Apple’s Siri. Eventually, you are more likely to find yourself using your phone less frequently at home than before. Though there are a lot of privacy issues regarding Alexa’s listening and it cannot do everything. There is already enough to make it a compelling product especially if you are plunging into the smart home lifestyle.

 

How does Alexa work?

Designed by Amazon’s secretive Lab126, Alexa features a natural language processing system that has emerged as one of the easiest ways to interact among the omnipresent voice assistants available. A virtual personal assistant designed to compete with the likes of Apple’s Siri, Google Now, and others. If you are asking something or delivering a command, you don’t need to ask for it twice. Alexa listens through seven very sensitive microphones that are built into both Echo and Dot. In February 2017, an update required Tap owners to turn this feature on in the settings menu as well. Alexa always listens and respond in a jiffy.

How does Alexa work
How does Alexa work

Echo and Dot stream your voice to the cloud when you give it a command to do something. Also, your request appears in the app, and you can even delete them if you don’t want to keep any record. Though the default word is “Alexa,” you can change it into “Echo,” “Amazon,” or “Computer.” Once you ask for something, the microphones take your words and beam it up to the Amazon’s cloud computers for instant analysis.

If you put a question that it can answer such as “Alexa, how’s the weather today?”. The answer will come from the speaker in a female and slightly machine-like voice. If you want Alexa to play some music, Alexa will search through Amazon music or Amazon Music Prime. It will search for the artist and genre that you have requested. If you want to play music from Amazon Prime Music, you need to have Amazon Prime account for that. Moreover, it can play TuneIn Internet radio stations and music from Pandora, iHeartRadio, and Spotify as well. If you have requested for a joke, then get ready to laugh out louda. If you are giving commands to dim the lights or adjust the temperature of the thermostat, it will perform accordingly. Make sure to ask correctly and integrate properly.

Amazon Echo Performance

The Alexa features variable quality of skills with an excellent smart home section. It has an intuitive speaker with a fantastic voice. However, the quality of sound can be better. Once it starts running, you may leave the app if you want and start using your voice. It will be the use of default settings on the Amazon Echo and none of any other skills. You can ask Alexa for adding any additional skills such as setting an alarm, getting weather updates and news reports. The best facet you will find in Alexa and Echo is that you don’t need to be exact in phrasing while asking for various things.

The best facet you will find in Alexa and Echo is that you don’t need to be exact in phrasing while asking for various things. For example, if you want to know about the weather, you can be casual about it like “Alexa, what’s going on in the weather news today?” instead of saying “Alexa, play the flash briefings about the weather.”. In both cases, you will get the official news updates. Likewise, while listening to radio stations, you can just say, “Alexa, play 98 FM Music”. You will get the same response from a more formal approach: “Alexa, play the programmer 98 FM music” and so on. Some of the other programmed responses are jokes which will come in plenty but we are not sure you’ll like all of them.

Furthermore, you will find a mixture of gimmicks and actually useful commands at the same time; letting you have some fun alongside the regular things that you want Echo to do. And does not forget that it’s a smart device, so naturally, after few days of use, it will sound more spontaneous. For instance, say, “Alexa, Good morning.” It will always respond you differently and at times, in quite amusing ways.

Moving on, you can help Alexa and eventually Amazon Echo to learn more about you and become even smarter. In the Alexa app, you will find sections for Music and Media, Sports update, Traffic, Calendar, etc. You can add information and use it through Alexa. This isn’t hard at all and you definitely don’t need to have any “extra” skills to do this. In our testing, we linked up to Google Calendar which took just seconds and was able to ask Alexa about the events of the day. Linking up the music was a bit harder, though.

Currently, Alexa can recognize Amazon Music, Spotify, and TuneIn. However, it still does not understand Google Play Music or Tudal. It is expected that these services will be included in near future. During our exploration of the Echo we tried linking our Spotify account to it, but it did not link up with the Android version of the app. As we put our password, it hanged on the authorization page and did nothing. It turned out that some users were facing a similar problem. We countered this issue by using the iOS app whereas many people on the internet pointed out that linking the account through the web app works flawlessly.

As told earlier, the Amazon Echo isn’t battery backed, so the sad part is despite being small, it isn’t exactly portable. You can just plug in and plug out the power adapter out of the wall socket anywhere but that’s one thing Amazon has made clear about the Echo, it’s stationary.

Amazon Echo Vs Amazon Tap Vs Echo Dot

Specifications Amazon Echo Amazon Tap Echo Dot
Release date 2015 in the US, 2016 in UK. 31 March 2016 for US September 2016
Availability US, UK US US, UK
Price $179 / £149 $129.99 $49 / £49
Dimensions 235 mm x 83.5 mm x 83.5 mm 59 mm x 66 mm x 66 mm 38 mm x 84 mm x 84 mm
Weight 1045 grams 470 grams 250 grams
Connectivity Bluetooth and dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Bluetooth and dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi
Power Plugs into a wall outlet Relies on a charging cradle (9 hours of playback) Plugs into a wall outlet
Audio 360-degree sound, 2.5-inch woofer, and 2.0-inch tweeter 360-degree sound, dual 1.5-inch drivers and dual passive radiators Voice-feedback and must be connected to external speakers
Alexa Yes (always on and voice activated) Yes (not always activated, you need to press the mic button to access Alexa) Yes (always on and voice activated)

 Amazon Echo

The Echo is a speaker along with the home automation controller. It streams music, play audio, control various smart home devices, fulfills search queries, etc. You may ask it to tell you a political joke or order something from Amazon. It is voice activated so once you give a command with Alexa, a blue ring at the top of the speaker will illumine, and the speaker will satisfy your request. Like Dot, the Echo can easily pick up your voice across the room.

Though unlike Dot, you don’t require to connect it to an outside speaker. The Echo comes with 2.5-inch woofer and 2-inch tweeter to deliver its sound. All you need to do is plug it into a power outlet and connect to Wi-Fi when you are ready to do. Amazon Echo is the best choice for those who want both, a centralized smart home controller and a speaker in a single unit. Although it is the most expensive among all three Alexa equipped products, however, it does not require any additional purchases. You can place it anywhere in your home and start using it right away; it will become a significant part of your daily routine in a very short while.

Amazon Tap

Amazon Tap
Amazon Tap

Amazon Tap has almost all of the same features that the Echo offers, with the cheery on the to the top – an additional benefit of portability. The battery pack pushes up to nine hours of playback while the Tap is rechargeable it comes with a wireless charging cradle, making it handy. Since it is battery supported, it isn’t always awaiting your command — as the name explains it all — you’ll need to tap Alexa in order to activate it.

Amazon Tap is an Alexa enabled and portable Bluetooth speaker. Though the Echo Dot may work across rooms, the Tap is known for its ability to work almost everywhere. Like the Dot, even Tap can deliver news, order food, provide weather reports and more while it is being connected to Wi-Fi. It can stream and play music from various services including Prime Music, Spotify, and iHeart Radio via Wi-F. Also, it can play music from your phones or tab via Bluetooth. The Tap is not hands-free. You need to press a microphone button on the front of the speaker to speak to Alexa.

Tap features dual stereo speakers for omnidirectional audio, which frankly are quite powerful for their size. The Tap is a perfect choice for those who are looking for voice activated functionality outside their homes. It is the most mobile of the Alexa enabled speakers and has great hours of battery life. You may also purchase slings for the device at $19.99 on Amazon to make it easy to transport. However, you will need Wi-Fi access to use its many features.

Amazon Echo Dot

Amazon Echo dot
Amazon Echo dot

The Amazon Echo Dot offers many of the Amazon Echo’s desirable features in a very affordable package. It features a small built-in speaker, offering you an amazing audio quality by pairing it with another speaker, but when it doesn’t, the Dot works as a voice controlled computer. You may use it to stream music, web searches, regulate calendars and apps such as Uber, order food and control smart home appliances like thermostats, lights and much more.

The Dot is Echo’s “Mini-Me.” It has a smaller speaker and, in size, is more akin to a hockey puck. It does everything the Echo does, but also has a 3.5mm output jack and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to connect it to your current sound system. Undoubtedly, it’s as though someone just transformed the Echo and then scrunched up the full-size speaker and jammed it up into a small puck, and boom; the Dot!

The Dot efficiently responds to spoken commands. It comes with seven far-field microphones so it can easily pick up your voice across any room. It can also hear your requests while playing music without being connected to the speaker. The device is an excellent choice for those who want voice enabled and hands-free functionality. You can also find the Dot with Bose Sound Link Mini II for $200 on Amazon.

 amazon echo setup
amazon echo setup

How do I to choose?

If you want a portable Bluetooth speaker that can also act as a personal assistant, and you don’t mind getting up to tap it when you want to control your smart home devices, then the Tap is the perfect one.

If you want the all in one; some great speaker, home controls, including a personal assistant, everything controlled by your voice command — then Echo is the jumbo.

If you want all the exact same specifications, but smaller in size, because you already own a fantastic home-audio setup, then go for purchasing the Dot. It’s definitely the perfect one at last *wink*.

Amazon Echo vs. Google Home

Amazon Echo vs. Google Home
Amazon Echo vs Google Home

The Amazon Echo and the Google Home both have built-in microphones that can listen from a reasonable distance. For giving commands to Echo, you can use the term Alexa, Echo, Amazon or Computer. Whereas the Home looks for “Hey Google.” Both perform an excellent job even across a large room with background noise. As far as the speakers are concerned, both systems function well enough for listening to music. Additionally, both systems offer ways to connect to your existing sound system. The Amazon Echo Dot easily plugs into your existing speakers. Likewise, with the Home, you can regulate any Google Cast-enabled speaker or any speaker that is connected to a Chromecast Audio streamer.

The Home also allows you to control your TV if you have a Chromecast video streamer. For this purpose, give a command, and you will be able to watch your favorite show on Netflix or YouTube. However, you must cast a video by name. Also, you can’t use it to browse videos. The Netflix integration is way too convenient, you simply need to say “Hey Google, play Parks on the living room,  TV, ” and it will immediately start playing.

Similarly, with music, you can pause, rewind and forward streaming video with your voice. Besides this, if your TV supports Consumer Electronics Control, you can expediently turn on your TV with Google Home and ask it to play something. With Sony and Vizio TVs, you don’t require a separate streamer, as they have built in Chromecast. You can’t fully control any TV with Google Home for e.g. you can’t turn off your TV with a voice command.

On the other hand, Amazon Echo also has TV integration if you have a Fire TV. For this, you need to press a button on a particular Fire TV remote. If you have Logitech Harmony setup, the Echo can even go better compared to Home. However, a Chromecast streamer cost approximately $35 and a Logitech setup can cost hundreds of dollars.

With the Home, you can group several speakers and play one song at the same time in multiple rooms. On top of all of this, both Amazon Echo and Google Home can play games, tell jokes and respond amusingly. Alexa takes the lead here, though as it has more “fun factor” than Google Assistant. Amazon recently added a new gaming category for the Alexa Skills Kit where it lets you “choose your adventure style”. Alexa also lets you play a Batman themed voice controlled mystery game called the Wayne Investigation and also plays the Jeopardy game way better than Google Home. Compared to Amazon Echo, Google Home learns more about you through various Google services such as Google Calendar, Google Maps, etc.

In addition to telling you about the appointments marked on the calendar, it also informs about the traffic situation on your way to work. It uses Google Assistant to respond to voice commands. However, it cannot change anything on your calendar, does not integrate with Gmail or Google Docs, cannot set reminders and does not send any directions to your phone. On the other hand, Amazon’s Alexa lets you set reminders, make to-do lists, etc. It has even 3rd party support and more than 3000 skills. As Amazon Echo has had a two-year head start from Google Home, it is compatible with SmartThings, Nest, Philips Hue, and IFTTT.

The Home responds more flexibly to commands than the Echo. With Echo, you can create named groups for all your devices. With the Home, you can even give them nicknames and group them into rooms. If you call a bulb “desk lamp” in the Philips app, Amazon’s Alexa will only respond if you turn on the bulb. You can create groups for all the lights and give the command to Alexa to turn them on or off. Without the groups, Alexa will not respond to any other names for the lamp. With Google Home, you can assign names to various devices and automatically arrange them.

Google’s Assistant can integrate with IFTTT and Philips Hue much better than Alexa. You can monitor the colors of your Philips bulbs which you can’t do that with a command to Alexa. The Home lets you customize controls including several options. For example, you can say, “I am leaving” or “Switch Ecobee to away mode.” Whereas on Alexa, you’d probably have to say something like, “Alexa, trigger Ecobee to away mode.” The Google Assistant offers you more flexible phrasing than Alexa.

Currently, Amazon Echo beats the Google Home. Though, there’s no doubt that Google will surely come up with better upgrades shortly as is customary with all google products. The Home will assimilate more smart home platforms, Google services, and better conversational assistant. On the other hand, Alexa is more conversational, allows many adults to use and modify shared features such as shopping list and have third party support. 

Amazon Echo Compatible Products

Alottazs Labs Garageio Open and close your garage door through voice commands Carrier Cor 5C Thermostat Adjust temperature with Alexa
Aristotle by Nabi Second assistant to play with kids and make them sleep Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat Control the thermostat with Alexa commands
August Smart Lock Lock your door through Alexa Ecobee3 Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat Control the temperature using Alexa
August Smart Lock – HomeKit Enabled Monitor your lock through Siri and Alexa Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat A no frill thermostat that you can control through voice commands
Automatic Labs Automatic Ask for fuel consumption, parking location and maintenance reports through Alexa Fabriq Alexa-Enabled Smart Speaker A speaker with push-button Alexa access, Also, an Echo dot alternative
Belkin WeMo Dimmer Wi-Fi Light Switch Ask Alexa to turn lights on, off or dim First Alert One Link Environment Monitor Check the status of your child room with Alexa
Belkin WeMo Insight Switch Tracks energy, plug something and monitor it through Alexa Fitbit Charge 2 Use Alexa for your fitness stats
Belkin WeMo Light Switch Use Alexa to turn lights on and off GE Cafe Series French door refrigerator with Keurig K-Cup Brewing System Use Alexa to pre-heat the coffee maker and let you know if the ice maker is full
Belkin WeMo Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug Turn any plugged device on and off through Alexa GE GTW860SPJMC Washing Machine Alexa, let you know if your laundry is done
Belkin WeMo Switch + Motion Ask Alexa to turn anything on and off GE Link Connected LED Alexa turn the lights on and off
Big Ass Fans Haiku Ceiling Fan with SenseME Ask Alexa to turn fans as well as adjust speed GE PHB920SJSS Control the oven with your voice commands
Big Ass Solutions Haiku L Series Ceiling Fan Temperature sensing ceiling fan and Alexa voice control Home8 Smart Garage Starter Kit Shut your garage door with Alexa
Big Ass Solutions Haiku Smart Ceiling Light Overhead lights work well with Alexa Honeywell Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Thermostat Most affordable Alexa compatible thermostat
Bluemint Labs Bixi Regulates the smart home through gestures and Alexa voice commands Huawei Mate 9 The first phablet to have Alexa
Brilliant Control Lightswitch with a touchscreen responds to motion control and voice commands Hubble Hugo Face tracking camera that can work with Alexa voice control
C by GE Lamp with Alexa The light wake you up in the morning Hydrao First Alexa tells about water and money that you are saving by taking shorter showers
C-Way Memoo Third party Alexa speaker iDevices Instant Switch Adjust this Bluetooth switch with Alexa
Cambridge Sound Management Nightingale Adjust nightlight brightness with your voice commands iDevices Outdoor Switch Weather rated version of iDevices switch that works with Alexa
iDevices Socket Control light bulbs with Alexa commands Onkyo VC-FLX1 Like Amazon Echo with great sound quality
iDevices Switch Turn the plug on and off with both Alexa and Sir Ooma Telo Make calls with Alexa
iDevices Thermostat Works with both Alexa and Siri Philips Hue Beyond Use Alexa to turn it on and off
iHome iSP8 Smartplug Use Alexa and Siri to turn things on and off Philips Hue Go Control the portable, powered battery lamp with Alexa
Incipio Command Kit Wi-Fi Power Strip Regulate power outlet with Alexa command Philips Hue Light Strip Plus Use Alexa to turn the colorful light strips on and off
Incipio Command Kit Wi-Fi Switch Use Alexa voice command to dim your lights Philips Hue White Ambiance These Hue bulbs work well with Alexa
Joule Use Alexa to control power and temperature settings Philips Hue White and Color Ambience Starter Kit A19 Control color changeable LEDs with Alexa
LG Hub Robot It is an Alexa powered robot Samsung Powerbot VR7000 Control your robot vacuum with Alexa voice commands
LG Smart Instaview Door-in-Door Refrigerator Order groceries with your voice command Scout Home Security System Use Alexa to arm and disarm the security system
LG Smart Security Wireless Camera Create custom voice commands with Alexa Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Pro Ask Alexa to dim mirror’s light
Lifx Color 1000 BR30 Wi-Fi LED Smart Bulb Adjust colors with Alexa controls Simplehuman Wide-View Sensor Mirror Ask Alexa to adjust the light
Lifx Color 1000 Smart Bulb Turn the smart bulb on and off and change the shades with Alexa SkyBell Video Doorbell camera Ask Alexa to snap a picture from the feed
Lifx Plus Wi-Fi LED Smart Bulb A color changing LED with Alexa voice control Somfy One Alexa powered home security system
Lifx White 900 BR30 Wi-Fi LED Smart Bulb A smart tunable light that works with Alexa Switch mate Bright Control it with your voice
Logitech Harmony Elite Use voice commands to control your home entertainment center Switch mate Power Regulate devices with a cord via Alexa
Lutron Caséta Wireless Lighting Starter Kit Top light switches that are perfect for Alexa voice control TP-Link LB130 Multicolor Wi-Fi LED Ask Alexa to turn the  bulb on, off or dim
Neato Botvac Connected Robot Vacuum Control your robot vacuum with Alexa voice command Ubtech Robotics Lynx The Alexa powered robot reads emotions and teaches yoga
       

 Conclusion

The Amazon Echo is the best purchase if you are looking to get on with this voice personal assistant. Echo gives you a feel like an Iron Man with your own Jarvis. The Amazon Echo is the tech device engineered for of the era, with a smart built-in assistant. Smartphones provided us smart communications which we were fancied in the movies such as Star Trek, and this is the most advanced smart home we’ve seen in everything from Iron Man to dozen other sci-fi stories.

Additionally, it can completely replace the radio in your kitchen and a great way of controlling several systems. If you are fond of using gadgets & own a Spotify account, then it’s the perfect device for you. More importantly, it is improvising dynamically as stuff is added to it. As iPhone changed the way how we communicate with technology and letting us control several apps via the screen, likewise Alexa do the same for devices using Wi-Fi but with voice commands.

The Alexa indeed starts understanding the human voice and is the best product for those who can determine the potential for the product, the DIY-ers that are looking for something creative. The product is for those who need a Bluetooth speaker and looking for excellent comfort while managing their home. However, if you don’t see yourself enjoying the smart aspects of the Amazon’s smart speaker, then the device is not for you. We recommend you other connected speakers out there such as Sonos, Chromecast audio, etc. If you want to see the future of Al and looking forward to being a part of this process, then you will need to buy an Amazon Echo for sure.

Have a great experience with your digi-tech personal assistant!

 

The post Best Amazon Echo & Alexa enabled Devices & Accessories for your smart home appeared first on MobileSiri.


Best Wireless Doorbell Camera

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One can’t sit at home all the time for the security. Therefore, wireless doorbell camera make sure that there is nothing to worry about when it comes to keeping your home safe and sound.

Worrying what to buy for the best spy security of your homes? We have just put together this buyer guide to bring all the information you need while buying wireless doorbell camera for your home safety. The top 10 wireless doorbell cameras are listed below. Every aspect and feature of the home automation system are covered that will effectively help you out in selecting the best doorbell as per your requirement.

We’ve some tips that you should take care while buying the wireless doorbell cameras :

1.) The connectivity.

2.) The weather resistivity.

3.) The internal storage/SD Card slot.

4.) The Camera.

Let’s start with a quick brief overview of the specifications of each other best wireless doorbell cameras we have summed up for you:

Best Wireless Doorbells Camera Comparison

Wireless Doorbells Camera Video resolution Viewing Angle Features Compatibility

Sky Bell HD

 

1080 HD  180-degree customizable LEDs, motion detector, seven days’ video recording several home products including Amazon Echo and IFTTT, Smart Things, Web Services

Ring Video Doorbell

 

720p HD  180-degree IR sensor, control motion based notification

IFTTT, Wink.

August Doorbell Cam

 

1280×960 resolution  140-degree August lock, Waterproof  Android, IOS

YYGIFT Doorbell   

 

 420 TV Line 135-degree two-way audio system, motion sensor

 

Android, IOS

Sky Bell

 

 — 130-degree motion sensor, camera lens, infrared LED night vision, backlit ring button, water and weather resistant, two-way audio system, record photos and videos Wi-Fi, 4G, LTE, Android, IOS, 802.11b/g wireless networks

Ring Pro Video Doorbell

 

1080p  160-degree multi-zone motion sensor, record and store videos, Infrared LEDs, Interchangeable panels, noise reducing function

 

Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 Ghz, 5 Ghz, Wink and Wemo systems, Android, IOS

Vivint Doorbell Camera

 

1080p 180-degree motion detector, app features, multiple user alerts  Andrioid, IOS

VTech Video Doorbell  

 

 —

Color LCD, two-in-one cordless system, snapshots, automatic night vision mode, sound system volume adjustment and video quality option

 —

Lerway Video Doorbell

 

320×240 screen resolution 170-degree

5-inch color TFT LCD screen, CMOS image sensor, an alarm function, ring indicator, adjustable volumes and pitch levels

 —
DoorBird Wireless Video Doorbell

 

720p 180-degree 12 infrared LEDs, speaker, motion sensor, light sensor, snapshot, two-way audio communication, history screen, edit device screen

 

802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi circuitry, wired Ethernet, Android, IOS

 

Sky Bell HD

Sky Bell HD
Sky Bell HD

The Sky Bell HD features customizable LEDs, motion detector sensor and incorporates with several home products such as Amazon Echo and IFTTT. This awesome wireless doorbell camera offers you the widest angle of view along with the highest quality video. It has a responsive app and allows you to save seven days recorded videos for free as well.

Wondering how it’s installed? Hear up now….

The installing of the camera does not take more than 15 minutes. It is easy to set and use. Once you have installed the camera and app, you also have an option of personalizing two LEDs on the Sky Bell HD. Moreover, it uses a motion sensor, when triggered, sends you a notification. When it senses motion, the LED on the doorbell also flashes that can alert anyone. The device records video at 1080 HD which is superb. Even in total darkness, it can record usable video.

Interesting right?

Well, in addition to that, accessing a live stream video is quite useful. The Sky Bell HD can link to various smart home platforms thus letting you avail services such as smart things or web services. Lastly, the device is HomeKit certified.

Pros

1 The Sky Bell HD offers highest quality video.

2 The videos can be saved for seven days.

3 It is compatible with several home products.

Cons

1 At times, there is a delay in motion and alert.

2 The doorbell is much wider as compare to an average doorbell.


Ring Video Doorbell

Ring Video Doorbell
Ring Video Doorbell

Among the best wireless doorbell cameras we have just for you, the Ring video doorbell is a superlative wireless doorbell that is capable of shooting at 720p HD. The doorbell effectively works even if you don’t connect it to your present doorbell wires due to rechargeable battery, sounds interesting; doesn’t it?.

Simply take away the doorbell from the mounting plate and connect the included charger to the USB port. It will take approximately 10 hours to completely charge the battery. The doorbell is 4.9 inches tall and 2.4 inches wide. It comes in four color options including aged brass, polished brass, silver, venetian bronze, and polished brass. One of the significant feature of the Ring is the motion detection. It uses an IR sensor to detect body heat, tree branches and shifting shadows. It also lets you control motion based notifications. The system almost waits for something 10 feet from your door before alerting you. Moreover, it effectively connects with services such as IFTTT and Wink.

Pros

1 The Ring video doorbell shoots video at 720p HD.

2 It comes with a rechargeable battery.

3 It allows you to control motion based notifications.

4 Free lifetime purchase protection.

5 Weather resistant.

Cons

1 It does not offer free cloud storage.

2 Occasional lagging.

3 Needs to be within Wi-Fi range.


August Doorbell Cam

August Doorbell Cam
August Doorbell Cam

Harkening for some HD featured doorbell camera? Well I’ve got just the thing for you, it’s the August Doorbell Cam that offers high-quality build and beautiful HD videos among tens of other best wireless doorbell camera.

It offers sharper and less pixelated videos. It records videos at 1280×960 resolution which gives more of a portrait. The cam has an ability to integrate with the August lock that allows you to see someone on the cam and give the command to open the door lock within the same app. The feature is ideal for people who are away or can’t easily move around. At 2.9 inches’ square, it is the largest doorbell.

Now the installations stuff……

The device comes with installation accessories to make sure that you mount it securely and it remains waterproof. Moreover, it requires low light to operate activity at night effectively. Overall, the doorbell camera is reliable and durable to give you excellent quality footage in the long run.

Pros

1 August Doorbell Cam shoots videos at 1280×960.

2 It gives sharper videos with minimum pixelation.

3 It comes with installation accessories.

4 The design of the lock is impeccable. The grip is better, and the magnetic faceplate is good when it comes to confirmation of the lock’s security.

 

Cons

1 Installation of August Doorbell Cam is time-consuming.


YYGIFT Doorbell  

YYGIFT Doorbell
YYGIFT Doorbell

Searching for something just fitting your type? Here’s the deal….

YYGIFT wireless doorbell comes with an impeccable video and audio quality. It allows you to communicate with your guest by simply using its app on Android or IOS. Every time someone rings your bell, it notifies you, and you can choose either to answer or ignore the call. Also, you can make the photo or video of the person at the door. The device connects the doorbell to Wi-Fi that becomes way too easy to spot someone or communicate.

Moreover, it comes with 135-degree angle lens, and you can see up to ten mts at night. Great! Isn’t it?

Additionally it’s a home safety mechanism that allows you to spot people even in dim light. The installation of the wireless doorbell is quite easy and manageable and takes hardly enough time. Simply download the app and follow the instructions. In addition to that, the doorbell comes with a two-way audio system that allows you to easily communicate with the person at your door. If you are looking for something impressive and compelling, the YYGIFT Doorbell is worth investing in compared to all other best wireless doorbell cameras we have got for you.

Pros

1 YYGIFT wireless doorbell brings the image directly on your phone thus helping you to avoid unwanted visitors.

2 It offers a mobile app to control the Wi-Fi doorbell.

3 The sturdy and reliable doorbell is easy to install.

4 The camera of this model is in premium quality and it’s sturdy and reliable.

5 You can also purchase an electronic lock and set a digit code to unlock the door.

Cons

1 It does not have separate alerts for each user.

2 YYGIFT Doorbell is bigger than an ordinary doorbell.


Sky Bell

Sky Bell
Sky Bell

Looking for some easy setup and other loving features, yet the best wireless doorbell camera ?

Sky Bell is just the thing that comes with an easy setup. The device will alert you once pressed. Also, it offers you the option of accepting and rejecting a call along with a video feed on your screen. Your visitors will also be able to talk and hear you through the Sky Bell speaker. The video feed can be seen on your smartphone through Wi-Fi, 4G, and LTE. It allows you to hear your analog wired doorbell chime as well.

In addition to that, you can also control the doorbell’s sound directly from the app anytime. The device can add multiple users to each device. You can also take photos and record videos directly into the device. Sky Bell features motion sensor, camera lens, infrared LED night vision and backlit ring button. It offers you 130-degree field view angle along with the live video. This wireless doorbell camera is weather resistant and perfectly works with IOS and Android mobile devices. Well that’s the beauty of Sky Bell in contrary to all best wireless camera doorbells listed.

It connects to 802.11b/g wireless networks on the 2.4GHz band. The Sky Bell is an excellent device for added security measures and convenience.

Pros

1 The Sky Bell features two-way audio system.

2 It comes with motion sensor, night vision and various photo and video recording features.

3 It uses direct power and does not need battery changes.

4 It is weather and water resistant.

Cons

1 The doorbell does not record calls.

2 It gives low-resolution picture quality.


Ring Doorbell Pro  

Ring Doorbell Pro
Ring Doorbell Pro

The Ring Doorbell Pro comes with full HD camera and record videos at 1080p. It features multi-zone motion sensor where you can set up zones to track. The device has the ability to record videos and store them up to 6 months. Also, you can view the live stream. It has Infrared LEDs that help to see the bright and clear view at night.

Door Bell Pro comes with advanced power kit and does not require any battery. Simply connect the device to existing doorbell to another power device, quite easy. Isn’t it?

Moreover, it the audio quality is perfect. Also, it offers you noise reducing function. This wireless doorbell is compatible with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 + 5Ghz. It smoothly works with IOS and Android cell phone with Ring app installed. In addition to that, you can also connect it to Wink and Wemo systems.

Pros

1 The Ring Doorbell Pro offers HD video quality along with excellent night vision.

2 You can set up areas to track motion detection.

3 It has interchangeable panels and supports 5Ghz Wi-Fi.

4 Live stream view.

5 Smaller design.

Cons

1 The viewing angle is a bit smaller.

2 No battery only works with existing doorbell wires or external power.

3 Unable to configure sensitivity of motion detection.


Vivint Doorbell Camera

Vivint Doorbell Camera
Vivint Doorbell Camera

If you are looking for doorbell camera that provides you professional installation, home safety monitoring, active customer service, then Vivint doorbell camera is the best option for you among all best wireless  doorbell camera. The doorbell comes with a small and sleek design. It allows you to see or hear anyone who rings your doorbell.

Moreover, it also supports video on demand and offers multiple user alerts. When it is accompanied with small devices such as control panel or smart door lock, it acts as one of the smartest home automation devices that you can find in the market. The wireless doorbell is quite easy to use and offer you high-quality video, audio, and other amazing app features. The wireless doorbell shoots video at 1080p HD and gives 180-degree wide angle which is very impressive.

Pros

1 Vivint Doorbell Camera offers high-quality video and audio.

2 It gives multiple user alerts.

3 It is easy to use.

4 Professional installation.

5 Versatility through various optional components.

Cons

1 The doorbell comes in only one color.

2 It does not have any option for self-installing.

3 Expensive monthly rates compared to other home monitoring packages.


VTech Video Door Bell

VTech Video Door Bell
VTech Video Door Bell

VTech video doorbell is one of the best wireless doorbell you can have comparing its quality and price. It comes with a color LCD and two-in-one cordless system so you can have a video doorbell connected to a phone system as well as the digital camera.  Another significant feature of the doorbell is the snapshots you can click. It allows you to automatically snap a photo. Also, you can send it to the handsets and listen to the audio, live stream. The cordless handsets let you see the visitor without even changing your position. The system works independently and permits mobility within the house.

Moreover, the doorbell camera comes with automatic night vision mode. It gives you the option of adjusting video to your desired contrast as well as optimize the quality that suits your preferences. The VTech video doorbell offers you volume adjustment option. It’s up to you to on the microphone or not. In addition to that, it also allows you to adjust volume and quality of sound.

Lastly, you can adjust the camera to any angle you want. This can be easily done by using a joystick that is placed in the interior of the doorbell. Summing up, the doorbell has an excellent video camera, a good sound system and everything that you will need in a doorbell.

I suggest you VTech doorbell if you are looking for something just about the average line for your security purpose.

Pros

1 VTech doorbell can synchronize with your phone’s landline to the video doorbell technology.

2 It comes with three cordless handsets.

3 It offers to zoom in option.

4 You can get the images of visitors instantly and transfer to all the headsets.

5  The doorbell comes with a set of instructions that are detailed with examples of where to position the outdoor doorbell unit.

Cons

1 You cannot start a video with the wireless doorbell if the outdoor unit is not connected to the AC power.


Lerway Video Doorbell

Lerway Video Doorbell
Lerway Video Doorbell

Looking for something perculiar, yet interesting? I guess I’ve got just the thing for you…..

Lerway video doorbell is a reliable home security device that comes with 5-inch color TFT LCD screen. Though it has basic home features but it is a great home surveillance system. The doorbell allows you to see and hear anyone arriving at your doorstep. It comes with a wall or table escalating options thus giving a perfect angle. It provides a 170-degree wide angle peephole. The doorbell features CCD or CMOS image sensor and shoots video at 320×240 screen resolution.

Moreover, the device has an alarm function and ring indicator. The press monitor button is operated by three AA batteries thus eliminating the need for operating complex wiring systems. In addition to that, it also includes adjustable volumes and pitch levels along with delivering frequencies for a more reliable signal. Finally, it is more affordable than many wireless camera doorbells. If you are looking for a convenient monitoring device for your home security, Lerway video door is a wise option.

Brilliant? Isn’t it?

Pros

1 Lerway video doorbell features CMOS image sensor.

2 It comes with 5-inch color TFT LCD screen.

3 It gives a wide 170-degree angle peephole.

4 If nobody answers, auto extends shut off.

5 Alarm function.

Cons

1 The three AA cell batteries are not included.

2 The camera quality at night is weak.

3 Flimsy mounting clip.


DoorBird Wireless Video Doorbell

DoorBird Wireless Video Doorbell
DoorBird Wireless Video Doorbell

DoorBird wireless doorbell measures 6.2×2.9×1.4 inches. It is one of the biggest video doorbells. The doorbell features 720p camera with a wide 180-degree viewing angle. It comes with 12 infrared LEDs that provide a great night vision up to 26 feet. Below that, there is a speaker, motion sensor, and a light sensor. The device effectively works with Android and IOS mobile devices. It allows you to view live videos and take a snapshot when the button is pressed.

Moreover, it features two-way audio communication. In setting screen, you can add a device or activate the hand’s free mode that allows you to talk to someone at the door by simply pressing the talk button. There is also a history screen that lets you go through your visitor history as the device can successfully hold 20 visitor snapshots. Also, each image is shown along with date and time. In addition to that, the edit device screen allows you to activate or deactivate motion sensor, enable notifications or assign a sound whenever motion is spotted.

Pros

1 DoorBird wireless doorbell camera gives sharp HD video.

2 It offers good night vision.

3 It comes with a wide viewing angle.

4 Continuous recording.

5 PIR Motion sensor.

Cons

1 It is very large.

2 No internal battery.

3 No local storage/SD Card slot.


 

Here we have reviewed some of the best wires doorbell cameras. You can pick up the kind of doorbell you need depending on your safety bracket. The idea of this buyer guide is to get something that suits your requirements. These wireless doorbells are a great way to enhance the safety of your place.  They not only offer you great recording features but customized options too. Though there are a number of wireless video doorbells in the market, these reviews will help you to understand what you need and where you should invest for the best security you can avail.

Have that security tight! Would you……

The post Best Wireless Doorbell Camera appeared first on MobileSiri.

Best Apple HomeKit Enabled Accessories: Your Complete Guide to a Smart Home

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So you are looking for Apple Homekit enabled devices to secure and automate your home and you want to take the control in your hands?

Wonderful! You are not alone.

A lot of people are going for the ‘smart home’ option and making their homes secure and keeping an eye from remote locations and automating different things which are necessary.

There are plenty of options available, but if you are using iPhones, Apple has a complete solution for this called Apple HomeKit.

What is Apple HomeKit?

HomeKit is Apple‘s latest framework for complete home automation. Manufacturers can implement the Apple HomeKit framework into their smart devices and automate their homes. HomeKit is all over the news and a lot of people are eager to install it in their home.

Apple Homekit devices
Apple Homekit

HomeKit installation can seem daunting. But, there is no need to worry because this article contains all you need to know about Apple’s HomeKit framework. In this article, we will explain:

1) What are the best accessories compatible with Apple HomeKit
2)How does the Apple HomeKit work?
3)How to setup Homekit-enabled accessories? and
4)How to troubleshoot in case anything goes wrong?

We have also collected the best HomeKit enabled devices and accessories out there to get you started. So, read on and find out all you need to know about how to use HomeKit to make your home secure and ‘smart.’

 

Ultimate HomeKit-Enabled Devices & Accessories

With every new day, we see a lot of new smart devices coming to the market so first we will have a look at all the devices and accessories which support Homekit and then we will review some of the best homekit devices and accessories in one place.

Best HomeKit Compatible Smart Lights

Best HomeKit Compatible Smart Lights


Best Homekit Compatible Smart Switches

Best Homekit Compatible Smart Switches


Best Homekit Compatible Outlets

Best Homekit Compatible Outlets


Best Homekit Thermostats

Best Homekit Compatible Smart Thermostats


Best Homekit Compatible Windows and Shades

Best Homekit Compatible Windows Shades


Best Homekit Compatible Fans

Best Homekit Compatible Fans


Best Homekit Compatible Air Conditioners and Heaters

Best Homekit Compatible Air Conditioners Heaters


Best Homekit Compatible Sensors

Elgato Eve Door Window Wireless Contact Sensor


Best Homekit enabled Security

Best Homekit enabled Security


Best Homekit enabled Smart Locks

Best Homekit enabled Smart Locks


Best Homekit Compatible Cameras

Best Homekit Compatible Cameras


Best Homekit Compatible Doorbells

Best Homekit Compatible Doorbells


Best Homekit Enabled Bridges

Best Homekit Enabled Bridges



Although we have listed down most of the Homekit enabled devices but not all of them are best. Some of them are still in their maturity phase. But there are some accessories which are really good and worth your money. Lets have a look at some of the best and top rated accessories and devices a little deeper.

August Smart Lock 2nd Generation

The August Smart Lock is a really formidable piece of engineering. And now, the 2nd-generation model is available on the market. The upgraded model offers HomeKit support for control via Siri, which makes it even better than it used to be.

Apple HomeKit enabled accessories August Smart Lock 2nd Generation

The August Smart Lock basically protects your home and turns your smartphone into a key. You can lock and unlock your property, control specifically who has access at any given time and even keep an activity log of who enters and exists 24/7. All this can be done through an app or via Siri commands.

The second-generation smart lock features an enhanced streamlined design. The new design has a new magnetic faceplate, along with micro-patterns that improve grip and rotation. Moreover, there is also an indicator light at the top of the lock for clear, visual confirmation that the door is locked or not. The Apple HomeKit-enabled smart lock is available in two colors; silver and dark gray.

Pros:

  • Easy installation.
  • Simple software.
  • Siri integration.
  • Works with Nest platform.

Cons:

  • Compatible with all deadbolts.
  • HomeKit setup is a little complicated.

Overall, the customer responses for this Smart lock have been mostly positive. The installation of the Smart lock is easy according to customers. If you have an Apple TV you can also control your smart accessories when away from home. You can also read about some of the best smart locks to keep your home secure as well.


 

Kwikset SmartCode 916 Touchscreen Electronic Deadbolt with Z-Wave

Smart locks allow us to avoid carrying keys and the frustrations of forgetting or missing them all over the place by making key-free entry mainstream. Because of smart locks and HomeKit, you don’t even need to lift a finger to unlock your doors.

Apple HomeKit enabled Kwikset SmartCode 916 Touchscreen Electronic Deadbolt with Z-Wave

Kwikset’s first HomeKit-enabled product, the Premis lock features a white LED display and a capacitive touchscreen. The company has announced its plans for the Premis smart lock which is the company’s first Apple HomeKit-enabled smart lock.

Premis will allow users to lock and unlock the door through Siri voice commands. Besides, the remote control, the Premis can also be integrated with other HomeKit-enabled accessories, such as temperature and lighting controls. Other perks include a white LED display, secure screen, and options for up to 30 unique user codes.

Pros:

  • Built-in alarm.
  • High-end hardware and construction.
  • You can assign up to 30 user codes.
  • Allows you to use your old house keys.

Cons:

  • No stand-alone app.
  • Requires Z-Wave or ZigBee home automation network to use all its features.

A lot of users have highly praised the device’s features and security. Customers also stated that the installation of the lock is also very easy and you can do it without someone else’s help.


 

Canary All-in-One Home Security System and Camera:

The Canary All-in-one Home security system is one of the many great HomeKit enabled systems currently available on the market. It comes with an HD, night-vision camera and a bunch of sensors for things like motion, temperature, and air quality.

Apple Homekit enabled accessories: Canary All-in-One Home Security System and Camera

The Canary offers a complete security system with high-end features. It allows you to stream videos of your home in real-time and also receive notifications whenever there is any movement detected. There is also no monthly or installation fee for this security device.

The HomeKit enabled Security System is also designed to get smarter the more it is used. It also comes with free cloud storage and video downloads. The app is also free so anyone in the house can download it without any charge to access the security system.

Pros:

  • Great video quality.
  • Night vision mode.
  • Home health sensors are accurate.

Cons:

  • Motion sensors are overly sensitive.
  • Setup may need some technical knowledge.

A lot of users have highly praised the device’s features and security. However, some claim that the motion sensor is too sensitive. The camera of this system and its night mode have also been highly praised. You can also use one of the best wireless doorbell camera to monitor the visitors to your home remotely.


 

Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt:

The Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt is a HomeKit-enabled lock that you can control using Siri on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. This lock is available in two trim designs; Camelot and Century. You can get it in three finishes: Satin Nickel, Matte Black, or Aged Bronze.

Apple Homekit accessories: Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt

The deadbolt is a little pricey, but it is worth the money you pay if you have an Apple TV. However, if you don’t own an Apple TV and don’t plan on buying one, then there are other Smart locks that will be better suited.

The Schlage Sense also features numeric keypads. The lock also allows you to assign user-specific codes for different people. The lock can hold 30 access codes at a time. One of the great features of the lock is that you can set the lock to automatically lock after a pre-defined time period.

Pros:

  • Simple and minimalistic.
  • Siri compatibility.
  • Powered by external batteries.

Cons:

  • Wireless access only possible if Apple TV is present.
  • Bulky design.
  • Expensive compared to other HomeKit-enabled Deadbolts.

Users indicate that the lock is simple to install and works well. The Siri integration is also great. However, if you don’t have and Apple TV, then you won’t be able to access you smart lock outside the Bluetooth range. Apple TV acts as a bridge to allow your WiFi remote access.


 

Ecobee Remote Sensor:

The Apple HomeKit enabled ecobee Remote Sensors are additional sensors for the ecobee3 WiFi thermostats that you can place around your house to more accurately monitor and manage temperature with its powerful homekit temperature sensor capability. These sensors can be placed all over your house in different rooms so you can easily control the  temperature in your home using your iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Apple Watch.

Apple Homekit Ecobee Remote Sensor

These ecobee Remote Sensors can be bought as a pack of two. Or, you can also buy the kit that comes with the sensors as well as the thermostat. The sensors simply allow you to regulate hot and cold spots in your favorite rooms for greater comfort. They also provide smart energy saving when you are out of your home.

Pros:

  • Sensors come with stands so you can place them anywhere.
  • Communicates with the thermostat wirelessly.
  • Smart energy saving when you are not at home.
  • 120-degree horizontal field of view.

Cons:

  • Sometimes they lose connection.
  • Temperature readings can sometimes deviate.

Overall the customer responses for this sensors have been positive. Users say that the sensors are a great selling point for the thermostat. Setting up the sensors is also simple and easy.


 

Elgato Eve Weather Sensor:

This weather sensor is designed to sense the temperature, humidity, and air pressure in the immediate vicinity of your house. The Elgato Eve Weather Sensor is HomeKit enabled and it is powered by long-lasting, replaceable batteries. The accessory also works with Siri so you can just ask for temperature and humidity readings. it has powerful homekit temperature sensor.

Apple Homekit enabled accessories: Elgato Eve Weather Sensor

The Eve Weather cannot detect rain or snow, but it is sturdy and can survive harsh weathers. The data it collects can be viewed by day, month, or year. The sensor also has an easy direct connection using Bluetooth Smart technology and requires no hub or gateway. You can access your personal weather data via the free Elgato app on your iPhone or iPad.

Pros:

  • Easy and simple setup.
  • Long lasting batteries.
  • Also good for indoor use.

Cons:

  • The companion app is not user-friendly.
  • Short range.

Users like the accessory’s compact and discrete design. Conversely, some customers indicate that the app is hard to use and the interface isn’t very user-friendly and is quite limited.


 

Elgato Eve Room Sensor:

Elgato Eve indoor sensor is one of the first Apple HomeKit enabled products. The Eve Room is capable of measuring temperature and humidity while also determining  the number of volatile organic compounds in the air. This accessory is especially for those suffering from extreme allergies, or those painting or renovating their home, trying to figure out if the room they’ve aired out is now good to go. It also has powerful homekit temperature sensor.

Apple HomeKit accessories: Elgato Eve Room Sensor

The Elgato Eve Room Sensor doesn’t offer anything special in terms of functionality apart from its HomeKit compatibility. The sensor is powered using AA batteries and comes with a slot at the back so you can mount it on a nail in the wall. The Elgato Eve sensor can be used to gain insights through your personal data. This temperature sensor is Apple HomeKit-enabled and works with Siri. You can easily ask Siri for the temperature or humidity of the room.

Pros:

  • Accurate readings of temperature, humidity, and volatile organic compounds.
  • Siri-compatible.

Cons:

  • No push notifications.
  • Limited Bluetooth range.
  • Calibrating to a new location takes a lot of time.
  • No WiFi connectivity.

Users say that the device falls short in a lot of aspects. The main one being that there are no push notifications. The best aspect of this device, however, is its ability to sense the volatile organic compounds in your home.


 

Elgato Eve Door & Window Wireless Contact Sensor:

Elgato Eve Door Wireless contact sensor allows you to easily monitor your doors and windows. You can immediately check which doors and windows are open in your property and also gain insight on how often doors are opened or left opened.

Apple HomeKit enabled accessories: Elgato Eve Door & Window Wireless Contact Sensor

Elgato Eve is Apple HomeKit-compatible and it has Siri support. So you can easily use an app to monitor your doors and windows or you can also ask Siri if your doors or windows are left open or not.

The contact sensor is truly wireless and it is powered by a replaceable battery. It is easy to setup and it uses Bluetooth smart technology, no hub or gateway is required for the setup.

Pros:

  • Easy to install.
  • Long lasting battery.

Cons:

  • No waterproof certification.
  • No push notifications.

A majority of the users say that the configuration options are lacking. However, the sensor reports accurately on most accounts.


 

Onelink Wi-Fi Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm:

FirstAlert introduced HomeKit-enabled smoke and CO detector in 2015 and since then the company has unveiled three other accessories that can be controlled with an iOS device.

The Onelink by First Alert is a Wi-Fi Environment Monitor that can detect high and low levels of CO in your home along with humidity and temperature levels. There is also a multicolor LED which offers a quick status update on a room’s conditions.

Onelink Wi-Fi Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Onelink Wi-Fi Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm

 

Along with Siri compatibility, the Onelink by First Alert Wi-Fi Safe can be locked or unlocked with the companion app. The safe is operated with battery power. It is also capable of detecting motion and will alert you if an unauthorized person attempts to open or move it.

Then there is the Onelink by First Alert Wi-Fi Thermostat which allows users to control their heating and air conditioning systems seamlessly. And, it also features remote temperature controls, a full-color touchscreen, scheduling options, home and away settings, and more.

Pros:

  • High-end hardware.
  • Nice design.
  • Very responsive.
  • Consistent.

Cons:

  • The companion app has faults.
  • Push notifications and in app-silencing are too slow.

Customers indicate that while the alarm is highly responsive and consistent the app lacks in many accounts and the push notification and in-app silencing is also very slow.


 

Connect Sense Temperature and Humidity Sensors:

The Grid Connect Sense Wi-Fi smart outlet is also a cool HomeKit-enabled accessory. Other than the smart outlet Grid Connect is also launching two Apple HomeKit-enabled temperature sensors later this year, which tells us about the dedication of the company to improve in the area.

Apple HomeKit enabled accessories: Connect Sense Temperature and Humidity Sensors

The Connect Sense’s temperature and humidity sensors are perfect for locations that won’t fit a thermostat. For example, the storage area, basement or the greenhouse. Also, the Connect Sense Water Sensor is a brilliant smart sensor that can detect leaks and alert the user on their iOS device.

Both of the sensors work with Siri so you can use Siri voice commands to check status or access settings. They are powered by Bluetooth Low Energy and a pair of AAA batteries.

Pros:

  • Easy installation.
  • Reliable.
  • SMS notification system.

Cons:

  • Poor customer service.
  • No companion app.
  • The website isn’t user-friendly.

Users say that the device falls flat on a lot of aspects. The main one being that there is no app and that you have to go to their website which is not properly designed. Moreover, users also indicated that the ConnectSense’s customer service is not great as well. The best aspects of this device, however, are that it is easy to install and also offers SMS notifications.



 

Best Apple HomeKit enabled Heating & Cooling Accessories

iDevices Thermostat:

The iDevices thermostat is another brilliant Homekit-enabled smart accessory. There are a lot of great homeKit thermostats in the market currently and iDevices is one of the best.

Apple HomeKit enabled devices: iDevices Thermostat

The iDevice Thermostat packs complete Apple HomeKit compatibility, allowing users to give commands to Siri like “set my home temperature to 55-degrees.” Through Siri voice commands and custom scenes you can control the temperature of your home from anywhere.

Aside from Siri commands, you can also control the thermostat through an app. You can also use scenes and triggers to control the temperature. No Hub or subscriptions are required for the setup, the iDevices thermostat only needs Wi-Fi for the setup.

Pros:

  • No Hub required.
  • Nice design.
  • Customizable

Cons:

  • HomeKit connections are a hit or miss.
  • The interface has usability problems.
  • Very few smart features.

Most of the users are pleased with the devices. Scheduling is easy and the homeKit thermostat also has sensitivity adjustments to allow for temperature differences between locations. However, some user said that the iDevices thermostat is a little difficult to program. Checkout our reviews of some other best smart thermostats as well.


 

Ecobee3 Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat:

A thermostat is arguably one of the most crucial home appliances. Manually managing a heating system can get frustrating sometimes and lead to several issues. Sometimes your home can end up being too hot or too cold. Your heating system may also be using more energy than needed by being on when it is not needed.

Apple HomeKit enabled devices: Ecobee3 Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat

This is where Ecobee3 comes into play. The second generation Ecobee3 smarter Wi-Fi thermostat keeps your home at just the right temperature. The thermostat does this by gathering information about your daily activity and routines at home. And then organizing heating schedule accordingly to conserve energy.

Ecobee3 is a smart thermostat that is supported by Apple HomeKit and Siri. The heating and cooling can be directly controlled by using an app or through Siri commands.

Pros:

  • Remote sensor extends temprature and motion sensing range.
  • Smart Home/Away feature.
  • IFTTT channel.

Cons:

  • Rewiring required if your HVAC system doesn’t have a C wire.

What makes these homekit thermostats so great are the external sensors that you can place around the house.


 

Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Touchscreen Thermostat:

Honeywell also announced a thermostat recently that will be HomeKit and Siri-enabled. The second-generation Lyric thermostat can be controlled by using voice commands. Furthermore, it can also adjust the temperature based on outdoor conditions.

Apple HomeKit enabled accessories: Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Touchscreen Thermostat

Moreover, the thermostat is capable of sending notifications to iOS devices and it can also work with third-party devices. Honeywell thermostat also has geofencing features so the Lyric will know when you’re home or away, and adjust comfort levels accordingly.

Pros:

  • Simple and straightforward management software.
  • Adapts to usage habits.
  • Touch screen display

Cons:

  • Not as intuitive as other thermostats around.
  • No motion sensors.

Depending on your previous homekit thermostat and wiring, it is very easy to setup.



 

Best Apple HomeKit enabled Lights and switches

Philips Hue Go:

 

The Philips Hue Go is very versatile. It allows you to light up your home with up to 300-lumen light output. The accessory is capable of lighting up your room with up to 16-million different colors. It also allows the light output to be warm or cold, you can also adjust the brightness of the light as well. The Philips Hue Go is also portable and doesn’t require a hub. Moreover, it is user-friendly and easy to setup as well.

Apple Homekit enabled Accessories: Philips Hue Go

Additionally, it also has smart battery management and while it doesn’t require a Hub to work App control and extended features can only be achievable via a Hub.

The bottom line is that while there are quite a few less expensive options available, the Philip Hue is reliable and a fun portable addition to your HomeKit connected Home. The lamps portability is the true selling point.

Pros:

  • Portable.
  • Easy to use.
  • 16 million colors.

Cons:

  • Slightly expensive.
  • Brightness isn’t very high.
  • Requires a Hub for full utilization.

It is easy to use and the design is also highly praised. The accessory also has a timer built in so you can set it to automatically switch on or off. Users also said that it operates at the same level whether plugged in or on charge.


 

Philips Hue Tap Switch:

The Philips Hue Tap Switch is a kinetic powered HomeKit enabled accessory which is used to control your Philips Hue bulbs. Additionally, the Hue Tap Switch features four buttons that allow you to  instantly select favorite scene creations you’ve set up with the Hue app or control groups of lights.

Apple Homekit enabled accessories: Philips Hue Tap Switch

The Philps Hue Tap Switch is slightly expensive, but if you can afford it and already have Philips Hue LEDs at your home then it is a great addition. You can place the switch anywhere you want to in your home to easily control the lights. The design of the device is also minimalistic and doesn’t stand out negatively.

Pros:

  • Wireless.
  • Kinetic powered.
  • Minimalistic design

Cons:

  • Stiff buttons.
  • No IFTT integration.

While the Switch is convenient it is limited in some aspects. The best aspect of this device, however, is that it is not battery or electricity powered and works on a Kinetic powered design.


 

Philips Hue Bridge 2nd Generation + Lights

The Philips Hue range of intelligent bulbs is quite popular when it comes to smart accessories. The lamps and the bulbs produce the light output but the real intelligence behind the hue bulbs is the Hue Bridge.

Apple HomeKit enabled accessories: Philips Hue Bridge 2nd Generation + Lights

The second generation HueBridge is what makes the bulbs controllable via HomeKit. It connects directly to the router. You can control old Philips Hue bulbs as well as new ones with this HomeKit compatible Bridge.

Philips Hue range is one of the best affordable, intelligent home automation products. Hue Bridge 2.0 allows your bulbs to be seamlessly controlled by Siri. You can easily use commands such as “Turn all light green” or “Dim all lights to 50-percent.”

Pros:

  • Siri integration provides voice control.
  • Can connect up to 50 bulbs.

Cons:

  • Expensive.

What makes the bridge so great is the Siri voice integration that allows you to control the bulbs why voice commands. It is also very easy to install.


 

Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting In-Wall Dimmer Kit:

Lutron Caseta Dimmer Kit comes as a little bundle of goodies. The package includes a Caseta Wireless Smart Bridge, two Pico remote controls, two Caseta Wireless in-wall dimmers, and the accompanying accessories to fit them all in the home. Also, Lutron allows functionalities like setting schedules for your lights as well as the ability to use Siri to instantly control your scenes and lighting environment.

Apple HomeKit accessories: Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting In-Wall Dimmer Kit

Then there is Lutron’s HomeKit-enabled Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge which also allows you to open and close shades. The bridge comes with HomeKit integration. Furthermore, Lutron has also very recently added shade control into that wireless mix.

If you have the DIY version of the Wireless Smart Bridge, you can use Siri and the power of your voice to control Serena battery-powered shades. Homeowners with the Smart Bridge Pro can use HomeKit to tap into Lutron Sivoia QS Triathlon wireless shades, Sivoia QS drapery tracks, the Kirbé vertical drapery system, tensioned shades, pleated shades, and Roman shades

Pros:

  • Easy setup.
  • Reliable and responsive.
  • High-end hardware.
  • Works great with the mobile app, Apple watch, and Siri.

Cons:

  • Can’t control non-Lutron devices.
  • Requires ethernet port.
  • Not so great for non-iOS users.

It is not perfect but the dimmer kit comes pretty close to it. Easy to setup and very reliable and responsive.


 

Elgato Eve Energy Switch & Power Meter:

The basics of home automation include the ability to switch on or off your devices with the simple touch of a button in your application or through voice control. The Elgato Eve Energy Switch & Power Meter allows you to do just that and more.

The Elgato Eve works similarly to other smart plugs currently available in the market. Plugging the Elgato Eve into the wall outlet allows appliances to be switched on and off via iPhone, iPad, or an Apple Watch app.

Elgato Eve Energy Switch & Power Meter
Elgato Eve Energy Switch & Power Meter

 

One of the defining features of the smart plug is the statistics of energy usage that it will actually bring to users making the decision to buy it. It allows immediate feedback and precision on how much energy a connected device is using. Then there is the fact that it gives an instant insight into energy consumption. This allows users to decide if an appliance is consuming too much power.

Elgato is also among the smart accessory and home automation companies that support Apple HomeKit Framework in its devices. This means that Apple device owners can also use Apple’s Siri digital voice assistant to power on or off any connected appliances.

Aside from Siri command compatibility, HomeKit support also allows the usage of triggers to automate certain actions. Moreover, the smart plug can also be controlled without Siri by using the Elgato Eve app for iPhone and iPad.

Pros:

  • Compact design.
  • Great app.

Cons:

  • Expensive.
  • Can’t control remotely without Apple TV.

The device is a great accessory for those who are looking to conserve energy and cut consumption costs. You will enjoy our review of some of the best smart switches and plugs as well.


 

iDevices Switch:

The iDevices Switch offers similar functionality to the iHome smart plug. You can plug in accessories and appliances into the socket. The switch is easy to use and it allows you to monitor and schedule home appliances.

Apple HomeKit enabled accessories: iDevices Switch

The iDevices Switch is HomeKit enabled and works with Siri. So, you can give Siri voice commands to control the switch. The switch can be controlled from anywhere via you iOS device. It also allows you to make smarter energy saving decisions that will help lower your utility bills. This is done by monitoring electricity usage by appliances in your home.

It also includes a customizable LED night light which can be set to any color, saturation, and brightness. Additionally, the LED night light can also be set to turn on or off at specific schedules.

Pros:

  • Simple setup.
  • Great companion app.
  • Remote access.
  • Energy tracking.

Cons:

  • Exclusive to iOS.
  • No dimmer.
  • No IFTTT support.

The switch is easy to setup and the HomeKit integration makes it amazing. Unfortunately, it is only available for iOS devices and users also say that a dimmer function would have been a nice addition.


 

iHome iSP5 WiFi Smart Plug:

The iHome iSP5 offers seamless Apple HomeKit and Siri support, but also extends a little beyond that by offering support for other platforms like the Nest, Wink, and Amazon Echo. iHome iSP5 smart outlet was launched last year. The outlet can monitor power consumption and control small appliances.

Apple HomeKit enabled accessories: iHome iSP5 WiFi Smart Plug

iHome even comes with a remote control. Plugging things like lamps, air conditioners, heaters, and television sets directly into this smart plug will allow you to control their power state through applications, Siri, and more. iSP5’s sequel the iHome iSP8 is also expected to hit the market this year.

Pros:

  • Affordable.
  • Easy to use.
  • Can organize your home into rooms and zones.

Cons:

  • Setup is difficult.
  • Not many intuitive features.

The app isn’t very well designed and has a lot of potential for improvement.



 

Best Apple HomeKit enabled Video Cameras

FLIR FX Outdoor Wireless HD Video Monitoring Camera:

The FLIR FX Outdoor Wireless HD Video Monitoring Camera it is wireless HD camera and has HomeKit enabled. It also features SmartZone technology that lets you set motion-sensing technology to create recordings and alerts only for specified areas.

Apple Homekit enabled devices: FLIR FX Outdoor Wireless HD Video Monitoring Camera

This camera has 720p video streaming and 1080p video recording. The cloud storing service gives you unlimited storage space for up to two days. It also grants you access to video time-lapse and detection zone features. If you want to extend your storage time period then you can also do that. Seven-day storage costs $10 per month or $100 per year, and 30-day storage costs $20 per month or $200 per year.

The FLIR FX Outdoor IP Camera offers free cloud storage and it also features a microSD card slot. It comes with a power adapter. The camera also has a 4-hour backup battery. However, the camera lacks on quite a few accounts. There is no IFTT and its companion app also has a few glitches. Ultimately, the bottom line is that while the camera is quite adaptable it still has a lot of limitations and needs quite a lot of improvement.

Pros:

  • Free cloud storage.
  • Contains microSD card slot.
  • 4-hour backup battery.

Cons:

  • Incorrect activity log sometimes.
  • Phantom alerts.
  • App glitches.
  • No third-party integrations.
  • No IFTTT.



 

Best Apple HomeKit enabled Remotes And Other Accessories

Apple Remote:

The Apple remote allows users to easily control their Apple devices. The remote has a simple and minimalistic design and the buttons are also responsive. You can easily use the remote with your iPod if you have hooked it up to the home theater.

Apple Homekit Apple Remote

The Apple Remote also works with Mac. You can use it to browse through your photos, videos, music, and even DVDs. It also allows you to control the volume of the media that you are playing as well. There are also shuffle and skip buttons present. However, the Apple TV can only connect to one remote at a time so you cannot use multiple remotes for multiplayer gaming instead you will need an iOS device or a gaming controller. The Remote also features an accelerometer and gyroscope.

The majority of the users prefer this remote over the Siri remote because it is simplistic and operates well. The Remote ships with a battery and a user guide.

Pros:

  • Works with most Apple products.
  • No range issues.
  • Buttons are responsive.

Cons:

  • Buttons can get damaged easily.
  • Too few buttons compared to your standard IR remotes.

 


 

Apple Siri enabled Remote:

The new Apple TV Siri Remote is built with Siri integration. The remote lets you control you Apple TV through voice commands. It also features a trackpad that can help you interact with the Apple TV. The buttons on the Siri remote also allow you to navigate easily so you have multiple ways to interact with your Apple TV.

Apple Homekit enabled Apple TV Siri enabled Remote

The Siri Remote comes with a Lightning-to-USB Cable that is used to charge the remote and a user guide. Unfortunately, there is no power adapter. You will need to buy it separately or use one from your other Apple devices. The Siri Remote has a comfortable design that fits well in your hand and it also supports gaming.

However, the Apple TV can only connect to one remote at a time so you cannot use multiple remotes for multiplayer gaming instead you will need an iOS device or a gaming controller. The Remote also features an accelerometer and gyroscope.

The Siri Remote is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It uses wireless Bluetooth 4.0 technology. The remote has two microphones for Siri communication.

Pros:

  • Voice search.
  • Comfortable to hold.
  • Accelerometer and Gyroscope for gaming.

Cons:

  • Sometimes touchpad is a little too responsive.
  • Not very durable.
  • Expensive.

The Siri Remote was not as well received by users as expected. Some users say that some of the Remote’s features hold back the Apple TV experience. The main thing that annoyed users was entering passwords and search terms using the trackpad and the onscreen keyboard.


 

Withings Aura Smart Sleep System:

The Withings Aura is a complete smart sleep system. It features an alarm clock, a bedside lamp, and a speaker all in one neat package. The Aura is capable of recording your sleep cycle and it also offers a smart wake-up feature as well. It also comes with and extra USB port that you can use to charge your smartphone. The Withings Aura works is available for both iOS and Apple users.

Apple Homekit enabled accessories: Withings Aura Smart Sleep System

The Withings Aura is a little pricey compared to other sleep monitoring systems but it has a ton of interesting features as well. The free Health Mate app allows you to visualize your sleep cycles, understand what wakes you up and when, and compare nights sleep. It is ideal for monitoring and improving your sleep patterns over time and will help you sleep better as well.

The Withings Aura Smart sleep system ships with a sleep sensor, universal power supply, and a quick start guide. The device has a simple design but it needs to be placed within 1 meter of your bedside.

Pros:

  • Comes with extra USB port.
  • Spotify integration.
  • Smart alarm.
  • Easy to use.
  • Give detailed sleep analysis.

Cons:

  • The smartphone has to be in range to record data.
  • Connection issue.
  • Single person support.
  • Bed sensor occasionally makes buzzing noises.

 


 

Hunter Signal Ceiling Fan:

Now even ceiling fans are coming with Apple HomeKit compatibility. Hunter’s fans are Wi-Fi enabled and can be controlled by any iOS device. However, The fans aren’t exactly what you would call smart but thanks to the addition of HomeKit and WiFi they are the best in the market.

Apple HomeKit enabled accessories: Hunter Signal Ceiling Fan

Users can easily control Hunter fan by using Siri voice commands. Furthermore, The fans can also be controlled through scenes. Multiple fans can also be controlled using voice commands.

Pros:

  • Easy installation.
  • Siri compatibility.
  • High-quality build.
  • Bulbs can be attached.

Cons:

  • HomeKit setup is complicated.
  • Lights can’t be dimmed using Siri.

 



 

How does Apple HomeKit work?

HomeKit is Apple’s home automation framework for developers. HomeKit allows iPhones, iPads, and other Apple device to communicate, control, and configure home devices. The framework allows you to control the internet of things. It can be used both locally and remotely through third party apps and Siri.

HomeKit is based on a database and a “Home” Manager. The database is stored in the iOS and it contains all the information about the home and the smart devices in them. Since everything is stored in one place, it makes it easier to manage.

 

Apple-HomeKit-Framework-Architecture
Image: ecinews

Home  Manager allows you to manage your home. You can manage multiple ‘Homes’ also if you have more than one. In the Apple Homekit  hierarchy,  ‘Homes’ are made up of ‘Rooms.’

Both Homes and Rooms in each house are given unique names for identification. ‘Rooms’ can also be grouped into zones like “upstairs” and “downstairs” so you can specify actions for zones easily.

 

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Developers can easily work with Apple HomeKit. They can do this by developing a HomeKit Accessory Simulator with the help of the Xcode 6 or above.

HomeKit helps to make your home automated by tackling the complex problems of automation and making the solution simple enough to fit into your Apple iOS device. HomeKit is still quite new so glitches and kinks are expected but HomeKit is a breakthrough framework for home automation.

homekit-Framework-app
homekit-Framework-app

 

 

Why Should you use HomeKit?

The main question that most people will have is: Ss the HomeKit automation worth it? Is it a good investment? Will it pay off in the future or will it be rendered obsolete?

So, here’s the deal: Apple HomeKit is far from perfect. Its accessories started being launched in 2015 and the framework has a long way to go. There are still a few problems in the framework that need to be fixed, for example, sometimes Siri doesn’t work properly.

However, while the framework isn’t very reliable to use on door locks it is perfect for other basic services. It works great when it comes to lights, thermostats, plugs and other accessories. Also, Siri’s response rate and performance get better over time.

Apple HomeKit
Image Credit: APPLE

When it comes to automating your home using Apple’s framework it is best to start small. Maybe buy a $30 worth Apple HomeKit-enabled plug and see how it goes. Apple automation service is also big on security and that’s what keeps it ahead of other competitors like Wink and WeMo. The service also features Scenes which lets you configure complex actions that can be triggered by ‘commands’ through Siri.

Ultimately,  Apple’s automation service still has a long way to go before it goes truly mainstream. However, for those who are eager for experimentation and early adoption, the framework is worthwhile. Aside from a few bugs, the framework is a blast. It also has a lot of potential for improvement in the future.

Apart from a few bugs, the framework is a blast. It also has a lot of potential for improvement in the future and Apple is making improvements on a regular basis.

Apple’s HomeKit App – Home:

Apple launched its automation framework HomeKit with the iOS 8. Since then, Apple HomeKit has been missing one crucial piece and that was a built-in app. The service had no Apple-supplied HomeKit-UI app, so all automation was controlled by third party applications. But now, with iOS 10, Apple has announced its own built-in HomeKit App called Home.

While the manufacturers make great smart accessories, the third party apps lack the integration and uniformity Apple made user interface would provide. With official iOS 10 launch, Apple’s built-in app will be a success undoubtedly but, there are some apps currently on the market that Apple’s built-in app might not be able to compete with.

HomeKit was first revealed at WWDC 2014 developers conference. The automation service launched three months later in September but the Apple HomeKit devices hit the market a year later. There are many accessories out in the market these days. Some of these are Philips Hue Lights, smart thermostats from ecobee, Honeywell etc.

All these devices have separate HomeKit controller applications by their respective companies. But the official Apple HomeKit built-in app for iOS 10 will control all the accessories.

However, Apple isn’t the first to create an iOS app that will solely control all Apple HomeKit accessories. There is a Home app currently in the market by Matthias Hochgatterer worth $15 that does just that. The Home app is arguably the best on the current market. Then there is also Hesperus, which is a high-quality free app that controls the HomeKit. It has also been updated to include notification center widget and 3D touch support.

Then there is also Hesperus, which is a high-quality free app that controls the HomeKit. It has also been updated to include notification center widget and 3D touch support.

Apple official HomeKit built-in application will be official, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be the best one. Let’s have a brief look at each of these apps.

Home by Mattias Hochgatterer

Home app by Mattias Hochgatterer is the app the Apple should have offered with the home automation framework. The $15 Home is an all purpose HomeKit application that makes home automation simpler. The Home app lets you control and configure all your HomeKit devices, it displays all your HomeKit items at a glance.

With the app, you can add new items, assign them to zones and rooms, configure triggers and scenes.

The Home app makes the room and zone organization easier and simpler. The app allows you to jump from your overview to Zones and Rooms by just tapping the tab. From there, you can add or remove accessories, add and edit rooms and zones themselves, and control all your items.

 

Apple HomeKit
Image Credit: iMORE

 

The Home app also allows you to set scenes that are time-triggered, Siri command-triggered or even action-triggered. The scenes can include any Apple HomeKit connected device.

Then there are triggers, at their most basic, triggers can turn on or off your HomeKit accessories at a particular time. For example, you can add a time trigger “turn on lights in the dining room at 9PM” then your lights will automatically turn on at 9PM.

However, triggers can do much more than just that. For example, if you have door or motion sensors you can add a trigger that toggles an accessory when the motion sensor is activated or the door opens. You can also add certain actions to triggers if the temperature drops or rises.

Siri integration With Home App

When Siri is paired with the Home app it can recognize a variety of commands:

  • Accessory names: “Turn on the Hue office light strip.”
  • Room and Zones: “Turn on the lights in the dining area” or “Turn off the lights downstairs.”
  • Scenes: “Emergency alert!” or “Set the ’emergency alert’ scene.”
  • Individual accessory tweaking: “Set the lights to 60 percent” or “Set the office lights to blue” or “Set the temperature to 57.”

The rooms, zones, accessories, and scenes can also be renamed from the Home app. The bottom line is that if you have a lot of accessories at home the Home app is the best way of controlling them.

Apple Home App for HomeKit in iOS 10 – Preview

As discussed above, Apple is bringing the built-in Home App for Homekit framework in iOS 10 for iPhone and iPad and WatchOS 3 for Apple Watch. This is going to make Homekit more widely acceptable and improved.

Although the app works more like the other third party apps using the HomeKit framework. The built-in Apple Home app provides more controls and options like you can access it from Home screen on iOS 10 directly and control a lot of functions from the lock screen as well after the Homekit compatible accessories have been configured.

There are three main screens in the built-in Home app. Home, Rooms, and Automation. The Home screen shows the summary of activities and different statuses. You can also bring important scenes and accessories on Home screen as a shortcut. The Home screen also helps to add new accessories to your ‘smart Home’ without downloading the separate app for each accessory.

The second important screen is the Room screen. Here you can create as many rooms as required in your home along with scenes and accessories configured for that specific room. The iOS 10 Home app provides options to add custom wallpapers as backgrounds to identify different rooms visually.

iOS 10 Apple HomeKit app - Home
Image: 9to5Mac

The third and the most important screen is called Automation screen where you define all the triggers for active scenes and accessories. The automation screen is the backbone of the whole app where one takes the actual actions and the HomeKit starts working.

For example, one very useful trigger in the automation screen is sunrise/sunset. This trigger helps you turn on and off the lights accordingly. Without the built-in Home app for HomeKit, one was only able to control this with defining the time. But sunset and sunrise time changes day to day basis and this means some manual work every two-three days of changing the time. But now this cool trigger can do everything itself.

Although the Apple’s built-in Home app for HomeKit is still new and needs a lot of improvements but considering the point that HomeKit framework is itself in development phase this is understandable. The built-in app for iOS, WatchOS and TVOS will help you automate and control your smart home from all Apple devices including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV to some extent.

Update: With the release of iOS 10 the HomeKit integrations has improved significantly. The built-in Home app is now available in iOS 10. The new app is a centralized Hub that allows you to easily manage various connected Apple HomeKit enabled devices. It is quite easy to use and also simple to setup. The official app features integration with the control center, Siri support, and 3D Touch quick actions.

All the settings for the Home app are synced via iCloud. This will allow you to control any iOS device that is running on iOS 10 to easily control your HomeKit enabled devices. The official Home app is also free and provides seamless control of your automated Home. The new Home app is not perfect but it is the first step. It fulfills all the basic automation needs with utmost ease and has a lot of potential for improvement in the future.

How to setup Homekit Enabled Accessories?

To get started you will need to have iOS 8.1 or later installed on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. You will also need one or more HomeKit Siri enabled accessories. You can buy smart plugs, lights, locks, thermostats, and more to control with HomeKit. After you have bought the accessories, you will need to do the following things to setup HomeKit in your home.

Download the HomeKit App:

First of all, after buying the accessories, download an app to manage HomeKit. The accessory itself will also come with an app but you can also use other third-party apps like Home if you don’t like the manufacturers one.

Then you will have to store and pair your Apple HomeKit enabled device. This will be done by using the special code that comes with the accessory.

Setup HomeKit:

After you have successfully paired your accessory, use Siri commands to control them. You can easily command Siri to turn off the lights or lowering the temperature. Some commands will require you to unlock your iOS device before Siri can execute them.

For example, if you are using a smart lock then you will need to unlock your iPhone, or another iOS device to open the door. This feature is of course for safety and security reasons.

There are commands for scenes, rooms, and triggers also. The complete list of commands is in the “HomeKit Siri Commands” section of this article. There are applications that will allow you to group accessories into rooms, zones, and scenes. We have also listed instructions on how to setup rooms, scenes, and zones in the next sections.

The accessories that have been grouped can be easily controlled together. You can also use a single command to turn all the lights on in the kitchen (if you have setup kitchen as a room in HomeKit). Scenes allow you to group actions, along with accessories, rooms, and zones. For example, Night time scene could lock your doors, turn off the lights in your house, and lower the temperature.

You can also reset the complete configuration of your HomeKit setup and begin from scratch. To do so you need to open the Settings app on your iOS device and then select Privacy. After that, select HomeKit and then tap “Reset HomeKit Configuration. This will completely reset HomeKit and delete all your accessories, rooms, zones etc.

Shared Connections:

You can use your HomeKit with multiple people. What does that mean? It means that you can grant access to your HomeKit house to more than one person. Adding new users to HomeKit is simple and we have listed the steps to do so in this article. They are located in the “How to share HomeKit access” section below.

The person who initially configures the Apple HomeKit house is the administrator. Only the administrator has access to add other users to the house. The guests have access to accessories, rooms, and zones. However, they cannot control triggers and scenes.

HomeKit and Apple TV:

While you are away from home, or not in range of your local network, you can setup your Apple TV to look after you home. To do this you will have to make sure that your Apple TV and iOS device is signed in with te same Apple ID account. Then you can remotely control your smart accessories by using Siri commands. For example, if you forgot to turn off the lights, or lock the door before leaving the house, you can remotely do so by using Siri commands.

If you have iOS 9 then you will not need the Apple TV to remotely control the accessories because it comes with HomeKit Accessory Protocol. HAP or HomeKit Accessory Protocol makes it easier to control your home via iCloud.

If for some reason your HomeKit isn’t working remotely with Apple TV here is what you need to do:

  1. Check your WiFi and internet connection on your Apple iOS device and Apple TV.
  2. Update the software on your Apple TV and iOS device.
  3. Make sure that your Apple TV is on the same Wi-Fi network as your HomeKit devices.
  4. Make sure Apple TV is within about 25 feet of your Bluetooth HomeKit accessories.
  5. Go to Settings > HomeKit and check that your iOS device has iCloud turned on.
  6. Make sure that your iOS device and Apple TV are not in Airplane Mode and are on the same network.
  7. Try signing out of iCloud and then sign in again after two minutes.
  8. Check that your iOS device and Apple TV are signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID and password.
  9. Make sure that any HomeKit accessories you have added using your iOS device can be controlled on your Wi-Fi network or using Bluetooth.
  10. Restart your iOS device and Apple TV.
  11. Go to Settings > Airplane Mode and turn Airplane Mode on and off. Then try to control your HomeKit devices locally.

Lost or Stolen iPhone:

If by any chance your iPhone or iPad is lost or stolen, Apple allows you to remotely delete its contents. By using Find My iPhone you can turn  on Lost Mode so no one can use it to remotely activate your HomeKit products. Apple also allows you to erase the contents of the device but only use this feature if you are sure you won’t be getting the iOS device back.

Controlling HomeKit with Apple Watch:

You can also use you Apple Watch to control your HomeKit products. The automation framework allows you to control the accessories by using Siri commands on your Apple Watch. You can easily turn the accessories on or off by using simple commands. “Adjust accessories” command can be used to configure the accessories.

If you have set up zones, rooms, or scenes you can use Siri to control them also. You can use Siri commands to execute or turn off a scene. Accessories grouped in rooms and zones can also be controlled by using Apple Watch via Siri commands.

How to Setup HomeKit Accessories:

Setting up smart HomeKit enabled accessories on HomeKit is incredibly easy. Apple has made the automation framework easy to setup and configure. The most important thing that you need to make sure when buying an accessory for Apple’s framework is whether or not it is compatible with HomeKit.

There is a list of Best HomeKit Siri enabled accessories below if you are looking to buy one. To check if an accessory works with HomeKit, locate a label that says “Works with Apple HomeKit.” If there isn’t such a label on the accessory then it is not compatible with HomeKit.

How to create a HomeKit home for your smart accessories:

If you are setting up your first HomeKit accessory then the first and foremost thing you will have to do set up a “Home” is HomeKit. Home is basically your house in HomeKit. It will contain all the rooms, zones, scenes, and  accessories. You can also have multiple homes in HomeKit. Although, you can only have one primary house at a time.

To setup the HomeKit home first download a HomeKit compatible app of your choice. Every HomeKit accessory comes with a companion app but not all of them are very user-friendly and well made, so it is best to use a third party application to configure HomeKit. There are quite a few apps out there but Home by Mathias Hotchgatherer and Elgato’s Eve are pretty good and easy to use.

After you have downloaded and installed the app, here are the steps you need to take to setup your HomeKit house:

  1. Open the application.
  2. Press OK if the app asks you to access your Home data.
  3. If you are using Elgato’s Eve app, then tap Add Accessory. If you are using the Home app, tap the plus button in the upper right corner.
  4. Name your home.

After you are done setting up your Home it is time to set up your smart accessory.

How to set up your HomeKit-compatible accessories:

  1. Connect your device to power. Your accessory may be  powered by plugging into a wall outlet or adding batteries.
  2. Connect the accessory to Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
  3. Download and open the app for your accessory.
  4. Follow the instructions in the app for setting up your accessory.
  5. During the setup process, you will be prompted for theHomeKit setup code: It has the HomeKit house next to an eight-digit number separated into three groups. Enter the code into the application.

After completing these steps you will have successfully added your accessory to your HomeKit house. Now you can customize the accessory’s name, add it to rooms, zones, scenes, and triggers, and control it with Siri commands.

How to control HomeKit devices outside your house:

If you want your lights to activate before you arrive in your home. Or if you want to turn on the thermostat, or control any other accessories while you are out of the house it is possible with HomeKit.  You can use the app to control it, but if you have an Apple TV or iOS 9 then you can also use the Siri commands to control the accessories when you are out of your house.

If you have iOS 9 in your Apple device then your iPhone can securely communicate with your HomeKit house. This is possible because of HomeKit’s new accessory protocol (HAP). The protocol uses secure networking over iCloud to talk to your connected HomeKit products.

However, HAP doesn’t work with previous versions of iOS. So, if you are using iOS 8 on your Apple device then you will need an Apple TV to control your house outside of your local WiFi network range.

HomeKit Siri Commands:

Apple HomeKit automation framework’s support page was updated a while back. The update has added the complete list of Siri commands that can be used on HomeKit Siri- enabled accessories.

Apple HomeKit
Image Credit: APPLE

Siri commands act as the main way to control the automation framework. Siri makes it easy to control and communicate with your smart accessories by simple commands. Most of these commands are simple like turning an accessory off or on. Siri commands can also be used to adjust settings of HomeKit enabled accessories in your home.

The command list also includes several commands that will be used for smart accessories that are grouped into homes, scenes, zones or rooms.

As more HomeKit enabled products hit the market we can expect this list to expand and include more commands and even a few more complex ones. But, for now here is the full list of Siri command for Apple HomeKit accessories:

  • “Turn on the lights” or “Turn off the lights.”
  • “Dim the lights” or “Set the brightness to 50%.”
  • “Set the temperature to 68 degrees.”
  • “Turn on the coffee maker.”

If you have setup rooms, scenes, zones, and homes then you can use these commands to control the HomeKit enabled accessories:

  • “Turn on the upstairs lights.”
  • “Set the Tahoe house to 72 degrees.”
  • .“Set the dinner scene.”
  • “Turn off Chloe’s light.”
  • “Make the living room lights the brightest.”
  • “Set the thermostat downstairs to 70.”
  • “Turn on the printer in the office.”
  • “Set up for a party, Siri.”
  • “Dim the lights in the dining room to 50%.”
  • “Set my bedtime scene.”

The important thing to note is that for some accessories like a smart lock, Siri commands won’t work if your Apple device is locked. You will be required to unlock your device before you can use it to make Siri execute a command.

The HomeKit support page also includes other basic instructions on how to get started with HomeKit devices. There are several HomeKit enabled product available in the market the best of which we have listed below in the section “Best HomeKit Siri-Enabled Devices.”

How to add rooms, zones, and scenes to your HomeKit:

The Apple HomeKit automation framework offers manufacturers an easy and secure way to connect their home automation accessories to iCloud, Siri, and your iPhone or iPad.

HomeKit also allows you to setup rooms, scenes, zones and also multiple homes that can be controlled through Siri commands. Multiple HomeKit products can be grouped into scenes which allow them to be triggered by a single Siri command. So, you can communicate multiple devices at the same time with a single command phrase or word.

First, what you will need to do is name your devices, rooms, and zones. Siri has the ability to understand custom names for rooms, zones, and devices. After naming a HomeKit accessory you can control it with its custom name.

You can also group multiple devices into rooms and zones which will allow you to control multiple devices with a simple command. For example, you named you Kitchen in HomeKit now you can use Siri command “Turn on all the lights in the Kitchen”. This command will then turn on all connected lights in the Kitchen.

Rooms are basically used for controlling multiple accessories. With zones, you can control multiple  rooms. For example, you can create zones that are named “Upstairs” or “Downstairs.”

Here is a general guide on how to assign names, the steps may vary depending on application used:

How to rename your HomeKit accessory:

  1. Open any HomeKit app of your choice and find your accessory.
  2. Locate the Edit button next to the accessory.
  3. Press Save. Tap the Name field required.
  4. Name your room and select the devices you want to control it.
Apple HomeKit
Image Credit: iMORE

How to create a HomeKit Room and add accessories:

  1. Open any HomeKit app.
  2. Locate the Rooms tab or setting.
  3. Tap the plus button to add a new room.
  4. Name your room and select the HomeKit accessories you want to control with it.
  5. Press Save.
Apple HomeKit
Image Credit: iMORE

How to create a HomeKit Zone and add accessories:

  1. Open any HomeKit app.
  2. Locate the Zones tab or setting.
  3. Tap the plus button to add a new zone.
  4. Name your zone and select the rooms you want to control with it.
  5. Press Save.
Apple HomeKit
Image Credit: iMORE

How to create a HomeKit scene:

Scenes are more complex than rooms and zones. In a scene, smart accessories are grouped together with actions. For instance, you could create a scene “Movie Time.” In the “Movie Time” scene you can group accessories like the hue lights, smart lock, and thermostat. You can include actions for those accessories like “Dim the lights to 60%,” “Lock the door,” and ” Lower the temperature to 55.” So, when you say the scene command all the accessories will simultaneously perform the listed actions.

Setting up a scene differs wildly from app to app. The best app currently in the market according to us is the Home app. Although, even it has a few oddities when setting up scenes. Note that scene with multiple words work best with Siri. This is because there is little chance for Siri to misunderstand. It is important to keep your scene names distinctive so that Siri doesn’t confuse it with a different command.

  1. Locate the Scenes tab in your HomeKit app of choice.
  2. Tap the plus button to add a new scene.
  3. Name the scene and press Save.
  4. Press the new scene and tap the plus button to add a new action.
  5. Select the accessory you want to add to your scene.
  6. The accessory will show its current settings when you tap on it.
  7. Re-select all the actions you’d like to execute for your scene. Those actions will highlight blue once you have modified them.
  8. After doing that, tap the Home name in the upper left corner.
  9. Add actions for any other accessories you want to control.
  10. Press Done when you are finished.
  11. Press Execute to see a preview of the scene, or say the scene name to Siri.
Apple HomeKit
Image Credit: iMORE

Using names, rooms, and zones with Siri:

After you are done naming your accessories, rooms, and zones, you can use those names to control your accessories via Siri. It may take awhile for Siri to register those names, so wait for some time if it doesn’t happen immediately.

How to share HomeKit access:

If you have guests over at your house and you have installed Apple HomeKit automation framework you should know that you can easily grant access to your HomeKit to your guests. As a side note, you should be wary when giving access to your HomeKit to guests especially if you have a smart lock installed. It is best to give access to only those who you trust and those who won’t try to annoy you by switching the lights on and off.

Aside from guests, it is possible that you have multiple housemates. So, of course, you will have to grant them access as well. Doing that isn’t difficult, and we are going to walk you through the process in this article.

When you create a HomeKit house, initially it is tied to your unique Apple ID by default. No one can access or control you Apple HomeKit house without access to your account. HomeKit also allows you to grant access to other people, so you don’t have to be the only one to control your HomeKit house. To do so you will have to add the people that you want to grant access into HomeKit.

There are two access modes that you can grant a person management control and accessory access. This way you can belong to multiple HomeKit homes. Here is how you add a person to your HomeKit house:

How to add another person to HomeKit:

Adding a person to your HomeKit house is very simple. Firstly, you will need to know their Apple ID. After that, all you need to do is send an invite to the Apple ID. When the person accepts the invite he/she will be added to your HomeKit house and granted the specified access. To do this you will need iOS9 or later, and of course your HomeKit house should already be setup. Here are the steps that you need to follow:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down to the HomeKit option and select it.
  3. Tap on your home.
  4. Tap Invite People.
  5. Enter the iCloud address of the person you wish to add to your HomeKit home.
  6. On the recipient’s device, press the Accept button on the banner.
  7. If you don’t see the banner  then go to Settings > HomeKit if they miss the banner.

How to remove a person from HomeKit:

Removing a person from you HomeKit house is also quite simple. After a guests stay is ended at your house it is best to remove them from your HomeKit house as a security measure. Moreover, giving your guest indefinite access and control of your home is probably not a good idea. Here is what you need to do to remove a guest from your HomeKit House:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down to the HomeKit option and select it.
  3. Tap on your home.
  4. Swipe left on the person’s name.
  5. Tap Delete to remove the person from you HomeKit house.

How to Control HomeKit guest house:

If a person has granted you access to their HomeKit house then as a guest user you will have access to almost all the HomeKit controls that an administrator has access to.

You can control accessories and access their data. For example, you can make the light change colors or brightness via Siri commands. Or, you can ask for thermostat readings. You can also view the house and all accessories in it by using apps like Home by Mattias Hochgatterer or Elgato’s Eve. You can also change switches and toggles by using those apps.

Furthermore, Any rooms, scenes, or zone the homeowner (administrator of HomeKit) has created will also be available for you. You can easily use Siri commands to set a scene or specify an action for a room or a zone. However, you won’t have access to trigger set by the Home

However, you won’t have access to trigger set by the Home administrator whether they are event-based or time-based. Moreover, you also cannot rename accessories or delete them from the house. You also cannot add new accessories or delete the HomeKit house itself.

How to Troubleshoot HomeKit Accessories

Check whether or not you are logged into your iCloud account:

If you are having trouble using Apple HomeKit on your primary device or an auxiliary one, firstly check and make sure that you are logged into your iCloud.

Do this by going to Settings > HomeKit.

The theory is that any device that has been logged in by your Apple ID should be able to understand and execute HomeKit commands. So if your Apple device is not communicating with HomeKit it is possible that you are logged out.

If nothing is working then check your network connection and reset all accessories:

Did you launch a HomeKit application and got nothing? Then if you are encountering such a problem then you should carefully check and see that your network is online. Moreover, after checking the network make sure all of your HomeKit enabled accessories are connected to your network via ethernet or WiFi.

After checking and connecting everything if you are still not getting any sign that you are connected then you may want to try and reset your hardware.

All HomeKit manufacturers have slightly differents methods for doing this. It is best to check a manual or refer to official online guides. Usually, this process requires you to simply press a tiny button located somewhere on the bridge or hardware.

Resetting your accessories will not delete your HomeKit house.However, all the individual accessory connections to HomeKit will be reset. After resetting open you HomeKit app and add the accessories again. Hopefully, this will solve the problem and your HomeKit automation framework will start functioning normally.

If your HomeKit accessories are working inside the application then iOS may be causing trouble:

Whether you can’t get a guest to connect to your network or have yourself lost connection to Siri you will need to check the app you are using to control HomeKit. To do this open the specific app and then see if the buttons are responding or not. If the buttons are still working inside the app then this might be the indication of a bug in the iOS side of things.

First of all, like in most cases, try logging out of iCloud and then logging in again, consult the “How to reset HomeKit Sync” section for help in doing this.

If this doesn’t work then you will have to try something a bit more complicated, that is you will have to reset your HomeKit settings. This is the last option and if you do this you will have to rebuild your HomeKit home from the very beginning.

Resetting your HomeKit setting is a pain but if all else fails then this is your best choice for fixing the problem. Here s what you will need to do:

  1. On your iPhone or iPad go to Settings.
  2. Then go to Privacy > HomeKit.
  3. Locate Reset HomeKit Configuration and tap it, then confirm.

Resetting HomeKit configuration will wipe out all the stored rooms, zones, and house names. After this. you may also have to pair some of your accessories again.

When you open your selected app for HomeKit accessories after the reset  you will be asked to give your connected home a new name. You will also have to link your HomeKit bridge or other connected accessories again to HomeKit.

If you can’t add a guest to your network do this:

When adding guests to your network you may encounter two issues. One involves the invited status and the second problem is the invite not showing on the recipient’s device. Fixing these problems isn’t hard but it is tedious here is how to do that:

The Apple device may be displaying a never-ending “Invited” status even after your guest has accepted your Apple HomeKit invite into your House. Usually, this issue arises because of server delay. Because of the delay the invite status changes after a period of time.

To fix this problem the best approach would be to try removing the initial invite and then send an invite again. This may help solve the delay but if it doesn’t login out of iCloud and then login in again should solve the issue.

Then there is the issue of your invite is not showing up on the recipient’s iPhone, iPad, or another iOS device. There can be two reasons for this problem. It is possible that you made a typo or an error in the invited address if not then it could be because of some unknown problem.

The best way to fix this problem is same as that of the previous one. Try deleting the initial invite and then send an invite from HomeKit to the guest again. This solution works 90% of the time but if you are still encountering problems login out and then back into iCloud should fix them.

If all fails then worst case scenario is that you will need to reset your HomeKit configuration.

If you are on LTE then you might need Apple TV:

HomeKit devices are designed to primarily work in the reach of your WiFi network. But, if your HomeKit manufacturer has built in support for HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP) and if you have iOS 9 on your device then you will be able to access you smart accessories on LTE.

However, if you can’t do this then you may need to get an Apple TV. Normally all Siri command and handshaking occurs within the confines of your WiFi network. But, your Apple TV combined with your unique Appl ID allows you to securely communicate with your Apple HomeKit accessories even when you are outside the house or outside the boundaries of your network.

This is done by a combination of iCloud Keychain and HomeKit framework. For example, suppose you are on LTE and you press the Home Button to activate Siri and give a command to “switch on the lights.” Now, if you don;t have Apple TV or iOS 9’s HAP Protocol support then the command will result in Siri replying “I can’t do that.”

However, if you have Apple TV or Apple HomeKit Accessory Protocol support then the command will travel over your cellular network to you set top box and handshake using your Apple ID. Then the Apple TV will relay the command to you installed HomeKit bridge. The Apple HomeKit bridge will execute the command and the lights will turn on in your home.

To setup, your Apple TV with HomeKit all you have to do is log out of your iCloud account on your Apple TV and then login back again. After doing this you Apple TV will be HomeKit enabled.

How to reset HomeKit sync

If your Apple HomeKit house is having trouble syncing or it has outright disappeared, here is a guide on how to fix it. If you update your Apple iOS device to iOS 9.2 you may encounter a bug that will cause your HomeKit house to vanish. The good news is that you won’t nee to reset you HomeKit house to solve this problem.

What the bug actually does is that it glitches the iCloud syncing. As a result, the Apple HomeKit data in iCloud stops syncing with the iOS device which in turns displays that the device has no data.

If you encounter this sort of bug, here are a few troubleshooting steps that will allow you to fix the problem.

Step 1: Reboot your device.

Before trying anything extreme or complex, try rebooting your Apple device. Sometimes a simple reboot is all your iPhone or iPad needs to fix itself back with the iCloud sync repository.

Step 2: Turn iCloud Keychain off.

If a device reboot doesn’t fix the problem then try rebooting ]your iCloud Keychain. Since your Apple HomeKit data syncs via iCloud’s encrypted storage locker, turning it off and on again will force a re-sync between the keychain and your device.

Before rebooting the iCloud keychain, make sure that you remember your security code or have another iOS device that is logged into iCloud so that you can easily reauthenticate your Apple iPhone.

  • Go to Settings > iCloud.
  • Tap on Keychain.
  • Turn the iCloud Keychain off.
  • Reboot your iOS device.
  • Go to Settings > iCloud > Keychain, from here turn iCloud Keychain back on.
  • Approve iCloud Keychain via security code or another device.
  • Wait a few minutes to see if your House data reappears; if it doesn’t, try rebooting your device again.

    Apple HomeKit
    Image Credit: iMORE

Step 3: Reset your iCloud account on your device

If simply rebooting iCloud Keychain or your device didn’t fix the bug then it’s time to try something more complex and extreme. What you will need to do is log out of iCloud from your device. This can be annoying for multiple reasons. but the biggest inconvenience is that it resets all credit and loyalty cards you have in Apple Pay. Nonetheless, if you the previous steps didn’t work out then this is your only option.

To reset iCloud sync you will need to have a second Apple ID. If you don’t have one you can create one for free at the sign in screen. So, here are the steps you need to take to fix your iCloud sync:

  1. Go to Settings > iCloud.
  2. Tap on Sign Out, and then confirm.
  3. Afterward, a prompt will pop up in your device saying that all iCloud-stored notes and pictures will be removed from your device. Tap Delete to confirm.

    Apple HomeKit
    Image Credit: iMORE

  4. Tap Keep on My [device] when iCloud prompts you about locally-stored News data, Safari data, calendars, and more. This will help reduce sync time.
  5. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off.
  6. After your account has been disabled, return to the iCloud settings screen.
  7. Create a new iCloud account or Log in with your other iCloud account if you have one.
  8. Tap on Don’t Merge when prompted about your data.

    Apple HomeKit
    Image Credit: iMORE

  9. Log out of the secondary iCloud account and repeat steps 2 till 5.
  10. Login again into your primary iCloud account.
  11. Tap Merge when prompted about your data.
  12. Go to the Keychain screen and turn your iCloud Keychain back on.
  13. Approve iCloud Keychain via security code or from another device.
  14. Wait a few minutes to see if your House data reappears; if it doesn’t, try rebooting your device again.

Hopefully, these steps will help you fix your iCloud sync problem. If you are lucky you will be able to fix your bug without having to reset your iCloud sync.

How can HomeKit Improve in the Future:

When a technology is in its initial phase it is bound to have some flaws and glitches. Similarly, like all new technologies,  it will take time for Apple HomeKit to refine and reach perfection. Home automation isn’t a new concept but it is not mainstream yet. Apple is determined to make HomeKit a success and provide easy, accessible, and reliable home automation.

The company still has a long way to go. Apple HomeKit is already quite amazing in many ways, but it still possesses a few bugs and lacks a few features. Here’s how we think the HomeKit will improve in the future:

More Triggers:

Currently, we can seamlessly control smart accessories by using Siri commands. Although, the real gem of automation is that it is really about scheduling repetitious actions and letting the technology do the work. Apple HomeKit lets you automatically engage scenes, or groups of set actions, using triggers, or certain conditions like time of day.

Apple HomeKit
Image Credit: APPLE

There are triggers that we can set that we operate a certain accessory at a particular time every day. For example, you can set your outdoor lights to turn on at 7:30 PM and turn off at 6:00 AM. But what would make HomeKit better is if it included triggers for times that may change. For example, a sunset and sunrise trigger would be brilliant.

More Siri Commands:

While we can do amazing things using Siri-voice commands on smart accessories, Siri still can’t always control your Apple HomeKit setup.

Read More: Best Tennis Gadgets to Improve your Game

For example, if you use Siri voice commands from CarPlay to turn off your lights the Siri gets confused and a message pops saying Siri can’t control your car.

Similarly, If you ask Siri on Apple TV to dim the lights then on-screen text reads “Sorry I can’t help you with that here.” Why not? setting a Movie Night scene is probably one of the popular uses of Apple HomeKit. Lower the temperature, set Hue lights to 30% brightness, lock the front door and enjoy your movie. Now, scenes are easily created in HomeKit but you can’t use the Siri Remote on Apple TV to set them. Instead, you’ll need to use your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or iPod touch.

More HomeKit enabled Accessories:

Apple HomeKit works with a variety of smart accessories like plugs, thermostats, locks, shades, sensors, lights etc. But, in the future, one of the main improvement aspects that need to be focused on to make HomeKit better is coming up with a wider range of accessories.

 

Apple HomeKit had a slow start when it was introduced a couple of years ago. But, recently the automation framework has been gaining popularity swiftly. HomeKit accessories variety in the market has expanded greatly since last year. The future of home automation seems to appear bright. Several new technologies are currently in development. However, Apple HomeKit will need to step up its game if it wants to rule the home automation market.

The post Best Apple HomeKit Enabled Accessories: Your Complete Guide to a Smart Home appeared first on MobileSiri.

Best Cheap Projectors

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Whether you are running a business or educational seminar or hosting a movie, a big screen can make a long-lasting expression. Usually, for movies and games, the projector offers a much greater size as compared to television in a short budget. If you are leading a business, again it is a very flexible and reliable way to share presentations with groups of large size. This buyer guide will help you to learn about various types of portable projects and find the one that perfect fits your needs.

Best Cheap Projectors Comparison

Best Cheap Projectors Dimensions/weight Image Resolution Image Brightness Battery Connectivity

UO Smart Beam Laser

 

2.2x.2.2×2.2 inches/ 500 grams 720p 60 lumens 4,200 mAh DLNA, Miracast, HDMI

PicoPro

 

6 inches/181 grams 720p 32 lumens 2 hours’ battery DLNA, Miracast, HDMI

ZTE SPro 2

 

 5.3 x 1.2 x 5.2 inches/1.3 pounds 720p 200 lumens 6,300 mAh Miracast, HDMI, USB port, Wi-Fi

Sony MP-CL1

 

 5.9 x 3 x 0.5 inches/7.4 ounces 32 lumens USB flash drive, Mini HDMI, MHL cable, Miracast
ASUS ZenBeam E1 83 x 29 x 110 mm/307 grams 480p 150 lumens   6,000mAh Miracast, HDMI, USB flash drive

JmGO View

 

9 inches long with 2.85 inches in diameter/2.2 lb 720p 250 lumens   —- USB port, HDMI

AAXA P300

 

 3.9 x 5.9 x 1.6 inches/

1.3 lbs

 1080p 400 lumens 60 minutes USB drive, microSD card, HDMI

Philips Pocket Projector PPX4010

 

0.87×2.7×2.6 inches/2.93 ounces’ weight 854-by-480p  100 lumen  2 hours USB port, PC

Lenovo Pocket Projector

 

1×4.1×3.9 inches/5.9 ounces 854 by 480p 50 lumens 5,400mAh microSD card, IOS device, Windows computer, Wi-Fi
Vivitek Qumi Q6

 

1.2 by 6.4 by 4 inches (HWD)/1 pound 1,280-by-800p 800 lumens   —- Wi-Fi, HDMI

 

UO Smart Beam Laser

UO Smart Beam Laser
UO Smart Beam Laser

The UO Smart Beam Laser is one of the smallest yet best cheap projectors you will find on the market. It weighs around 500 grams with 2.2 inches’ dimensions all around. The portable projector features a 720p resolution along with fast laser autofocus. It gives you very clear and sharp images instantly. All the pictures are bright and rated at 60 lumens hence allowing you to watch videos and movies even in the dark areas. The image quality is simply up to the mark, and it finely focuses at even far distances with the maximum screen size of 100 inches.

Moreover, the projector has inbuilt speakers that are loud enough to watch movies in a huge crowd.  The device comes with Bluetooth external speakers. It offers you the various option for setting up a video for playback. Also, you can connect your smartphone to the projector wirelessly using either DLNA or Miracast. In addition to that, it features mini HDMI port that can be used to plug in your laptop. The project has 4,200 mAh battery that lasts up to 2 hours and even more if you are connected with HDMI. Finally, if you are planning to watch a long movie then plug the device into an AC power outlet.

Pros

1 UO Smart Beam Laser features a 720p resolution with fast laser autofocus.

2 It is compatible with various platforms including HDMI, DLNA, etc.

3 It comes with 4,200 mAh battery.

Cons

1 At times, the projector tends to have a bluish tint.

2 It does not have audio output.

 


PicoPro

PicoPro
PicoPro

PicoPro is a beautifully designed portable projector which is small enough to comfortably fit in your pocket, among the best cheap projectors. The length of the projector is 6 inches, and it weighs 181 grams. The projector has a fascinating design and gives appearance of two bricks being stuck together. It is very easy to find a surface for the projector to rest as it comes with 360-degree rotation.

It features 720p resolution with 32 lumens light. The picture quality is fanatic. It has infinite auto focus feature hence you don’t need to worry about fiddling with the focus. It gives a very clear image that does not go out of focus up to a screen size of 250 inches. PicoPro has built-in speakers, and quality of the sound is excellent. Moreover, there is a standard audio jack available thus letting you connect your set of speakers or headphones. It effectively supports the DLNA and Miracast. Also, it comes with a mini-HDMI port. Lastly, the battery of the projector lasts for approximately 2 hours. It can be connected both wirelessly and wired.

That’s some handy gadget you’re falling in love with!

Pros

1 PicoPro comes with 360-degree rotation.

2 It features a mini HDMI port.

3 It gives a very clear image with 720p resolution and infinite audio focus.

Cons

1 The sound of the speakers is not loud enough.

 


ZTE SPro 2

ZTE SPro 2
ZTE SPro 2

The ZTE SPro 2 projector is an Android-powered device with a 5-inch touchscreen among the best cheap projectors. The touchscreen can be used for web browsing, photos, message your friends and family, download apps from Google Play Store and much more. You can connect the projector to Wi-Fi and is also available for AT&T and Verizon Wireless.Moreover, you can take advantage of 4G LTE data connectivity and watch videos directly from YouTube and other media streaming websites. The portable projector gives you local storage as well, and it comes with microSD card slot to support up to 64 GB.

It can also be connected wirelessly through Miracast, HDMI and USB port for charging the device. Coming towards the picture quality, its rating is 200 lumens with 720p resolution. It gives you bright and sharp images with absolutely beautiful colors at 120 inches. You will not find any tints or hues as the color production is very accurate. It offers you different options for brightness, autofocus, etc. One of the unique features of ZTE SPro 2 is Keystoning in which the projector automatically connects to the wall, and the image will be of rectangular shape. Finally, the device has 6,300 mAh battery which keeps it running for approximately 3 hours.

Pros

1 ZTE SPro 2 features a 5-inch touchscreen with many options.

2 It gives you micro SD card slot to support up to 64 GB.

3 It offers a unique and significant Keystoning feature.

Cons

1 The implementation of the auto-focus feature is a bit slow.

 


Sony MP-CL1

Sony MP-CL1
Sony MP-CL1

Sony MP-CL1 is compact as a smartphone with a classic rectangular design. It is thin and lightweight thus becoming a truly portable option yet the best portable projector. It uses laser technology, and the brightness is 32 lumens. Giving you a dazzling image at any distance less than 40 inches away. The projector creates a 120-inch image with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It gives you Keystoning feature with both automatic and manual controls.

The image always remains clear due to laser-based projection. The device comes with a plastic stand that can be clipped onto the front or back which differs among other best cheap projectors. Sony MP-CL1 allows you to stream media through a plug in a USB flash drive, connect to Mini HDMI and MHL cable or Miracast. It comes with built-in speakers. Also, you can use the external pair of speakers through an auxiliary jack. Though the projector does not come with a lot of accessories, if you are looking for an extremely portable projector, then the device is for you.

Pros

1 Sony MP-CL1 has a very compact design.

2 It allows you to steam media through various platforms.

3 It features laser technology thus giving ravishing and clear image.

Cons

1 The projected image is a bit darker.

2 The Keystoning feature has no autofocus capabilities.

 


ASUS ZenBeam E1

ASUS ZenBeam E1
ASUS ZenBeam E1

The ASUS ZenBeam E1 features a LED based system with 150 lumens brightness. The portable projector is compact and lightweight with dimensions 83 x 29 x 110 mm and 307 grams’ weight. The device projects image through via Miracast, HDMI or a USB flash drive. You can easily access the picture setting via the menu button. You will also find volume rocker and input selection button.

Moreover, there is a physical focus dial which gives you a very precise and accurate focus. ASUS ZenBeam E1 features Keystoning and inbuilt speakers. It comes with an aux port to let you plug in an external set of speakers. Coming towards the picture quality, the color reproduction is pretty impressive even darker scenes can be best viewed. The projector can be perfectly used for presentations and other related activities. Overall, it is an ultra-portable and affordable projector in the thick of best cheap projectors.

Pros

1 ASUS ZenBeam E1 features a LED based system.

2 It offers you various picture settings via menu button along with volume rocker and input selection button.

3 It features a physical focus dial for more accuracy and convenience.

Cons

1 The maximum resolution id just 480p.

 


JmGO View

JmGO View
JmGO View

JmGO View is one of the best portable projector, is a circular design and paired with a magnetic stand that holds it firmly. The device can be tilted to any angle thus allowing you to find the best position with ease. It has a great Keystoning feature which prevents the image from distorting even when the angles are not perfectly right. The most distinctive feature of the projector is that it runs Android 4.4.4 Kitkat. The software is very customized to give you clean and simple experience while navigating through the apps such as YouTube, Netflix, etc. It comes with a small remote to control everything.

Furthermore, you can upload the videos using a USB flash drive that can be plugged into the USB port or HDMI which distinguishes it among the best cheap projectors. Also, you can stream videos from your phone through Miracast, Netflix or other streaming services. The picture quality of the device is exquisite. It features a resolution up to 720p with 250 lumens. Besides this, it has a large pair of speakers with fantastic sound. Overall, the projector has an excellent functional design, picture quality, loud speakers and 3D capabilities.

Pros

1 JmGO View has 3D video capabilities.

2 The speakers of the projector have extraordinary quality.

3 It is running Android 4.4.4 Kitkat.

4 Very large throw distance.

Cons

1 It is an expensive projector.

2 1500 lumens of brightness.

3 1500 lumens of brightness.

 


AAXA P300

AAXA P300
AAXA P300

The AAXA P300 is an excellent projector for both movies and presentations. It gives a bright image with 50-inch projection and 400 lumens. Has one of the shortest throw distances and you can get a picture big enough for viewing from as close as 4 feet and comes with a replaceable battery pack that offers up to 60 minutes. The projector has a standard HDMI input which makes it very easy to play all of your content.

Also, it can play files from USB drive and microSD card. Likewise, it has an integrated speaker, and you can listen whatever is displaying. There is also audio if you want to connect better speakers or headphones. AAXA P300 includes a remote that makes it very easy to adjust the volume, navigate files, swap inputs, etc. Lastly, there is a standard ¼”-20 tripod mount on the bottom of the P300 along with a mini tripod making it the best portable projector.

Pros

1 AAXA P300 comes with a remote for more convenience.

2 It can play files from both USB and microSD card.

3 It gives a 50-inch projection with 400 lumens.

Cons

1 The image is somewhat over-saturated and has a color tint.

 


Philips Pocket Projector PPX4010  

Philips Pocket Projector PPX4010
Philips Pocket Projector PPX4010

The Philips Pocket Projector PPX4010 is one of the smallest portable projector with dimensions 2.1 x 3.8 x 0.7 inches and 9.6 ounces’ weight. The projector only connects to USB port or a PC to an AC adapter as there is no other power source. It can connect to mobile devices through HDMI port or Displayport. Also, there are two connectors on it i.e. mini-HDMI port and micro-USB port.

It is an LED-based model with a three-position mechanical switch for adjusting brightness. The projector gives a 44-inch image in dark theater lighting which is quite a comfortable size for extended viewing. The quality of the image is also impressive, and the brightness is evenly distributed across the entire screen. The color balance is excellent as it gives exceptional and eye-catching colors in all the best cheap projectors. Overall, it is a strong contender if you need a project that perfectly goes along with your laptop.

Pros

1 Philips Pocket Projector PPX4010 is slight and lightweight.

2 It gives WVGA (854-by-480) resolution with 16:9 aspect ratio.

3 The LED source lasts the life of the projector.

Cons

1 There is no internal battery and speakers.

2 No battery.

3 Connecting to phones or tablets requires a separate connection for power.

 


Lenovo Pocket Projector

Lenovo Pocket Projector
Lenovo Pocket Projector

The Lenovo Pocket Projector measures 1.16 x 4.72 x 4.33 inches and weighs 6.4 ounces. The projector is two-toned and allows you to point the lens at any angle. It comes with an inbuilt rechargeable battery of 5,400mAh which lasts around 2.5 hours. It has 854 by 480 native resolution along with 50 lumens brightness. Coming towards the connectivity, you can either project from a microSD card, IOS device or Windows computer which is excellent among all the best cheap projectors.

For wireless connectivity, your mobile device or computer must be connected to Wi-Fi. The device throws a 40-inch image which is a good size for video whereas, with a lot of ambient light, the optimal size is approximately 18-inches. The video quality is good enough, and the color reproduction is also impressive. The pocket projector can be best used by both consumers and businesses making it another best portable projector.

Pros

1 Lenovo Pocket Projector features swiveling lens which provides great flexibility in projector placement.

2 It comes with an inbuilt rechargeable battery that has relatively long life.

3 It projects from both microSD card or wirelessly.

Cons

1 The projector lacks wired connectivity.

2 It has a very soft audio.

 


Vivitek Qumi Q6

 

Vivitek Qumi Q6
Vivitek Qumi Q6

 

 

The Vivitek Qumi Q6 is an LED-based portable projector. It includes built-in Wi-Fi along with 4GB of internal memory. The dimensions of the projector are 4.03 x 6.5 x 1.34 inches (HWD) and weigh 1.1 pound. It gives 1,280-by-800 resolution, and the brightness is rated at 800 lumens. The Q6 features Keystone and zoom that can be adjusted digitally by using the remote. The device includes both HDMI and an HDMI-to-mini-HDMI cable to connect to your mobile device.

Also, there is a port to fit in a USB thumb drive. The best portable projector comes with a remote control to navigate the projector’s menu, and you can easily access various music, photos, videos and other files. Coming towards the image quality, it gives good enough quality that best suits to business and classroom presentations. The size of the image is about 36-inches. Lastly, Q6 has 3D projection capabilities, and it gives many bright images. Overall, it is a great projector with various convenience features that you must be looking for.

Pros

1 Vivitek Qumi Q6 is compact and lightweight.

2 It has 4GB of internal memory.

3 It comes with inbuilt Wi-Fi.

4 Sharp and bright pictures.

5 Good connectivity.

Cons

1 It shows scaling artifacts.

2 It has very feeble audio.

3 Poor black level response.

 


10 things to consider when buying a portable projector:

  1. Brand.
  2. Purpose of buying the portable projector.
  3. Battery life.
  4. Indoor vs Outdoor quality.
  5. Reliability.
  6. Cost.
  7. Resolution.
  8. Brightness.
  9. Aspect Ratio.
  10. Connectivity options.

Conclusion

All of these the very best cheap projectors are put into this buyer guide after a detailed research. They offer you an excellent quality picture, multiple connectivity platforms, various image options and much more. A portable projector is cost effective and gives you the same results that you expect from a big screen. These top 10 best cheap projectors are the most reviewed and highly rated ones. Grab one of them soon and enjoy your favorite movies with your friends and family. Also, for businesses they are the most convenient projectors to use to create a great impact on the audience. It is our valuable opinion for you to choose among these best cheap projectors.

Cast zoom!!

 

The post Best Cheap Projectors appeared first on MobileSiri.

Best Wireless Routers of 2019 – A Complete Buying Guide

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Nowadays a lot of devices and even appliance in our homes have become connected. The array of connected home products, smartphones, smart TVs, and other mobile devices is huge and it is very important to equip your home or business with one of the best wireless routers that can handle the increased demand for Wi-Fi connectivity.

Choosing a suitable wireless router is no easy task. There are many factors that you need to consider before you should set out to buying one. We are going to help you through the selection process. Here we have compiled a list of the very best wireless routers that are available in the market as well. Our collection has all types of routers from those that are suitable for low-level users to wireless routers best for uninterrupted high-level online gaming.

 

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1) What to look for when buying a new router
2)Best Wireless Routers
3)How can you secure your wireless router? 
4)How to upgrade your wireless router firmware and
5)How To Increase Your Wireless Router’s Speed and Range

 

Now the first thing that you need to take into account when buying a router is the coverage area. Different routers offer different ranges so it is important to make sure that the router meets your range demands. Other aspects that you need to take into account include the number of clients that will be connected and the types of devices that will connect to the router.

What to look for when buying a new router:

The more money you are willing to spend on a wireless router the more features you will get. Some of the router’s software also offer a few perks over the others. It is important to take all these capabilities into aspect when buying a router. Below are the main functionalities and features that you need to look out for when buying a new wireless router.

  • Single or Dual Band:

There are two basic types of routers, one that communicates over a single radio band, and the second that can communicate over two. Single-band routers are perfectly adequate for things like Web surfing and connecting to social media services like Facebook and Twitter. However, if you are going to be streaming video from a service such as Netflix, or connecting to an online gaming service such as Xbox Live, consider a dual-band router.

Tri-band routers also exist and are suitable for multi-device households that experience heavy network traffic via lots of video streaming, torrent downloading, file transfers, and online gaming.

  • Wireless Protocols:

Wireless networks use 802.11 protocols to send and receive data. Devices that use the older 802.11b and 802.11g standards are limited to data transfer rates of 11Mbps and 54Mbps, respectively. These only operate on the 2.4GHz band.

802.11 protocols are the most widely used WiFi protocol and it allows data rates of up to 600Mbps. This protocol operates on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and it utilizes Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology. The routers with 802.11ac have labels like  AC1200, AC1750, AC 3200, and so on. The number designates the theoretical maximum speed achievable by the router.

  • Features:

Routers come with all sorts of features depending on the price tag. When buying a wireless router you need to make sure to buy one that comes with at least four 10/100/1000 (gigabit) Ethernet ports which allow you to connect to wired devices such as desktop PCs, network-attached storage (NAS) drives, and home-automation hubs.

The next feature you need to look out for is a USB port, it will make it easy to connect a printer or a USB drive and share it across the network. If you want to connect both simultaneously then look for one with multiple USB ports.

Routers also come with detachable antennas. This will offer you an easy way to extend or limit the range of your router easily. To manage you WiFi usage, look for options like Quality of Service (QoS), and a guest network.

Last and most important of all is security and all routers offer some sort of it. The more you are willing to spend the better security yo can get. Routers with WPA-Enterprise security offer a higher level of security than WPA/WPA2 but require a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) server to authenticate each client.

  • Price:

Like all devices, wireless router pricing is based on performance and features that it offers. A basic, single-band 802.11n router can cost anywhere from $25 to $100.  For a dual band router, the starting price is around $130. A tri-band wireless with high-end features will cost somewhere around $300.

  • WiFi Types:

The letter in the router name indicates the type of WiFi. The A,B standards are outdated. The newer ones are G and N and the are most widely adopted. They are capable of handling 54Mbps and 600Mbps of maximum bandwidth respectively at any given time.

  • Range:

The size of the antenna plays a huge part in the WiFi range. It sets what kind of distance or power you can achieve with any given model. The larger the antenna, the longer the signal will transmit before eventually fading out.

  • Media server:

If your wireless router has a USB port then you can use it to mount an external hard drive packed to the nines with downloaded shows, movies, and music. This way you can have your very own media server that you can rely on 24/7.

Best Wireless Routers:

There is a vast range of wireless routers out there and picking one appropriate to your needs and budget isn’t an easy task. But don’t worry because we are here to help you out with a complete list of the very best wireless routers.

Best Wireless Router For Home:

Asus RT-AC88U AC 3100 Wi-Fi Routers

The Asus RT is a high-end wireless router that has a lot of great perks and features. This router is one of those that is going to last a long time into the future. It is a worthy investment if you can afford the hefty price tag. The manufacturer has boosted the technology used to transmit wireless data and proclaims that the 5GHz band can go as fast as 2,100Mbps, while the 2.4GHz band can go as fast as 1,000Mbps. While this won’t improve your bandwidth, but it will help you with Wi-Fi network speeds and certain slow-down issues.

The smart connection technology in the AC88U can choose the best band for your device and location. Its range can span across 5,000 square feet thanks to the antenna design. The router includes eight Gigabit LAN ports, a USB 3.0 port, and a USB 2.0 port. All the LAN ports indicate that the router is ready for a business environment, but it can also be used in homes, dorms, and apartments with ease.1

The AC88U also comes with AiProtection, Trend Micro software that searches for vulnerabilities, detects threats, blocks suspicious sites, and offers the level of parental control that has become a must-have for growing families. Best of all this is MU-MIMO prepared. MU-MIMO is a new type of wireless standard that allows a router to communicate with several compatible devices at the same time.

Most of the users find this router very reliable. The interface is also said to be user-friendly and the setup is easy as well. This router is also wall mountable there are two holes on the bottom with rubber plugs in them that, when removed, will allow the router to be hung on two screw heads.


Best Wireless Router For NAS Users:

Synology Router RT1900ac Wireless Router

If you are going to be  hosting an external hard drive connected to its USB 3.0 port, the RT1900ac is indeed a formidable storage server. However, this router is great in both cases as either a Wi-Fi router or a NAS server. It is brilliant and is even overthrowing better more expensive competitors, such as the Asus RT-AC68U or the Netgear R7000.

This router is great however, it has its faults. The range of RT1900ac is quite short e on the 5GHz band and only average network storage data rates. But, at the price of just $150, this router is the least expensive.

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That said, if you want a router that delivers excellent Wi-Fi performance and can also work as a host for Time Machine backup, file sharing, media streaming and pretty much anything else you can do with a typical NAS drive, the Synology router RT1900AC is an excellent buy. Moreover, there’s also great support for shared storage, with well-designed iOS and Android apps to access files. There’s also an SD card slot joining the single USB 3 port for shared external storage. Most of the users of the Synology RT1900AC love its range and easy setup. Users with large homes and multiple devices especially like this router.  This router is also wall-mountable. The router is also feature reach and it is very easy to add functionality through packages that quickly install.

Most of the users love its range and easy setup. Users with large homes and multiple devices especially like this router. This router is also wall-mountable. The router is also feature reach and it is very easy to add functionality through packages that quickly install.


Best Wireless Router For Fast Internet:

Linksys Smart WRT AC 1900Wi-Fi Router

Linksys Smart WRT is the affordable option compared to the Asus AC88U that has most of the same features. It is one of the best wireless routers and is great for both home and office. The only thing that is missing is the MU-MIMO. Aside from that, this router has many similar features as the Asus router.

The Smart WRT is a dual band router with a 600Mbps 2.4GHz band, and a 1,300Mbps 5GHz band. It also has smart technology that can focus reception on particular devices that seem to be having a tough time connecting. The processor is a 1.2GHz dual-core ARM, and it includes ports for both Gigabit Ethernet and USB 2.0 and 3.0. The . Firmware is also flashable via OpenWRT. QoS feature cuts down the time to buffer a video.

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The one aspect this router lacks in compared to Asus is the level of security. The level of control and parental security on this router isn’t as high. However, the manufacturer offers an interesting alternative which is an “open source ready” router that can be customized via a number of different applications to help improve components such as security. Users that like to tinker with their routers would love this one but it is not for those who want a simple connect and forget wireless router.

The majority of users who bought this router really love it. However, there are some users report that the 5-GHz band shuts down when there’s not enough activity.


Best WiFi Router For General Use:

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wireless Router

The New York Times has dubbed this router “the best router for most people” and rightfully so. TP-Link Archer C7 is  very affordable, but it still manages to offer a solid set of specs for any home or small office. The 2.4GHz band has sped up to 450Mbps, and the 5GHz band offers speeds up to 1,300Mbps.

The router also has dual USB ports that give you some connectivity options for sharing or printing, and the Guest Network features lets you set up walls for security purposes. It provides Internet access via ADSL service and creates a wired sharing network. Moreover, the live parental controls allow parents or administrators to establish restricted access policies for children or staff. There are also IP QoS features for improved bandwidth control across the network.

 

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There’s no smart beaming in this router. However, it does offer bandwidth control so you can adjust the focus of WiFi on particular devices. Just remember that you’ll have to spend some time in settings if you want it to imitate the automatic smart tech that more expensive routers usually offer.

This TP-Link wireless router is among the top rated wireless routers. However, a few users say that the TP-Link RMA service isn’t up to par. The speed, range, and web-interface are all highly praised by the users.


Best Wireless Router For Gaming Users:

D-Link AC3200 Ultra Wireless Routers

Th unique space ship-like model of this router has made it quite intriguing but an attractive design isn’t the only thing this router is known for. When D-Link AC3200 Ultra was released it came with a set of cutting-edge features which are, admittedly, more common now than they used to be. But, these features are still quite exceptional. AC3200 is a tri-band gaming router with smart beam technology.

This router also has another model that sports a second 5Ghz band to push up speed numbers and handle heavy device loads, however, 600Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1,300MBps on 5GHz is as fast as you are likely to see. The smart beam technology of this router is also pretty solid. It gives the Asus some competition in reaching devices with poor reception.

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This router is great for gaming and for connected homes that have high WiFi demands. The Router management is done via an app that you can access and monitor from anywhere. The only con is that the 1GHz processor is a little slow, and those six antennas may need a little extra room than a router typically requires. The antennas are also not detachable and the router is a little expensive but the pros of this device balance out the cons.

The majority of the tech savvy users have high praises regarding this router. The range and the performance have also been highly praised. The smart connect feature is also a great feature and doesn’t drop connections.


Best WiFi Router For Streaming & Gaming:

Netgear Nighthawk X4S Wireless Routers

This router is perfect for those who are looking for a powerful and dependable router that can handle gaming and streaming. Netgear Nighthawk X4S comes with great cutting edge features. It  also has four antennas and can deliver much faster speeds than a standard 802.11ac router. It also features MU-MIMO for faster results and more reliable Wi-Fi, along with an eSATA connection for linking up an external hard drive more easily. This router comes wit a 1.7GHz processor and offers boosted speeds with an 800Mbps 2.4GHz band and a 1,733MBps 5GHz band.

Nighthawk X4S also has a VDSL 2 modem built-in. The software is pretty good too, with a simple Dynamic QOS system to make it easier to manage a home network with a massive amount of devices. However, it  Lacks 1024-QAM and before buying it make sure your hardware is capable of achieving the fastest speed that this router can offer.

 

 

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This Nighthawk router also comes with smart beam features. Smartbeam can lengthen the range of the router. The built-in ports include two USB 3.0 connections and five Gigabit Ethernet ports, Which will allow you to setup even the craziest, multi-device gaming setup. Pretty much everything about this router is perfect for gaming and the only slightly awkward thing is the design.

Many experienced users even claim that this is the best router currently available in the market. It is also easy to configure and the user interface is also easy to use. This router is also quite bulky and covers up a lot of space.


Best WiFi Router For Crowdy Home:

TP-Link Archer AC3200 Wi-Fi Routers

This router has a six antennas that are intended for  triple wireless networks for a situation where you might have dozens of computers and other devices all needing access to wireless resources. The Archer AC3200 has two 5GHz bands support using 802.11ac, so even when a large transfer is  using up all the space on one channel, you can keep other devices running at full speed on the other one.

The router also had plenty of internal processing power. It features  TP-Link’s Smart Wi-Fi tech that automatically picks the most suitable frequency band to assign to your various devices based on network traffic. The router is fitted with a 1GHz Dual-core processor along with three co-processors.
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The management interface of this router is also user-friendly and simple. It provides the usual basic settings page alongside advanced pages for each Wi-Fi band. There are also buttons on the router itself that allow you to initiate WPS, disable LED lights and switch Wi-Fi on and off. The bottom line is that  this router uses three radio bands to help ease network congestion and offers a bunch of management options.

The user interface of this router has been highly praised for being sleek and simple. Users also indicated that it is great for streaming services and overall performance and range of the router is also sub par. However, some user found the design of the router a bit weird and gangly.  This router does not have MU-MIMO streaming technology as well. But, overall the reviews are positive and the AC3200 router also works great in crowded areas.


Best Wireless Router For Multi-Tasking:

Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 Wireless Routers

This router has the most antennas compared to any other router on this list. The 8-antennas makes this router look like a freaky spider. Linksys EA9500 is good  for anything from gaming to professional work. It is equipped with a single 2.4GHz band that can reach up to 1000 Mbps. Additionally, there are also two 5GHz radios that max out at 2,167Mbps. Together, it adds up to a total of 5.3Gbps.

The AC5400 also has a bunch of interesting features s including MU-MIMO, a dual-core CPU, beamforming and eight adjustable antennas. The most useful feature is the Smart Connect. It lets you assign separate SSIDs for the two 5GHz bands, allowing you to have one network dedicated for your gaming desktop PC, and another purely for media streaming or professional work, without the two getting in the way.

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Eight Gigabit LAN ports are a bit overkill. Most wireless routers max out at four. While four LAN ports are sufficient for most households, it’s always nice to have extra ports. Wired network connections are always faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi. This router isn’t for all but if you have an extremely fast broadband connection and want an all-powerful home network, the Linksys EA9500 fits the bill. 

Most of the Users say that the user-interface of this router is user-friendly and the device is also easy to setup. The selling point of this router is its performance with multiple connected devices.


 

D-Link DIR-879 AC1900 EXO Wi-Fi Router

Nowadays even the fastest computers and devices have the maximum Wi-Fi speed limit of 1,300Mbps. There aren’t any laptops, tablets, or smartphones that are capable of more than that. So buying a top tier router like those that supports AC5400 or AC2400 speed standards, will not likely bring you any speed benefits. The D-Link EXO DIR-879 is an AC1900 router, which  that as far as real-world performance goes, it’s as fast as you can get. That is until devices with faster Wi-Fi standards become available.

The D- Link EXO has an interesting orange-and-black design with collapsible non-detachable antennas. The router features four Gigabit LAN ports and one Gigabit WAN port on the back. It has four collapsible antennas on the sides, the DIR-879 also nails it on practicality. However, there is no USB port or SD card slot so you can’t share your hard drive or other devices on your network.

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The design of the router is also slim and its price is also reasonable. t doesn’t do anything particularly clever or unique but is still proficient enough to work with the vast majority of all wireless hardware on the market at maximum capacity. The software is also minimalistic and easy to use. This is one of the best routers on the market suitable for most homes and offices.


Asus RT-AC68U Wireless Router

This is an old model but it is still pretty capable and efficient. Asus is known for making great routers with great software and the Asus RT-AC68U is the best choice if you can’t afford the RT-AC68U model. If you are looking for advanced home networking device at an affordable price then you can’t go wrong with this one.

The Asus RT-AC68U is equipped with  a fast 800MHz dual-core processor and supports a new Wi-Fi chip that offers up to 1.3Gbps speed on the 5GHz frequency band and up to 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. This router also comes with a new firmware that adds a host of new features.

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The cons of this router are that while it is less expensive than most advanced routers it still costs a hefty buck. Moreover, it is also not wall-mountable. The bottom line is that for  advanced and professional users, the Asus RT-AC68U Dual-band Wireless-AC1900 Gigabit Router is worth every penny. The router has brilliant performance, solid build, and numerous useful features.

The router is not wall-mountable. But the speed, range, and interface are highly praised. There was a NAT loopback issue initially but Asus released a firmware to fix it. It is available on the Asus website.


 

TP-Link Archer C9 Wi-Fi Router

This router is relatively inexpensive, there’s very little lacking from its specification list. It supports 1300Mbps 802.11ac wireless speeds that will deliver maximum performance for just about all laptops currently on the market. Archer C9 is attractively designed and has great performance but the best part is that it is a good deal cheaper than its competitors.

It also has great software, powerful hardware and a bright white, inoffensive look that won’t look garish in the middle of your living room. Although the built-in modem only supports DSL, rather than VDSL 2, very little else has been left out, making this a solid value option.

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At the back of the router, the selection of connections is nothing special but ticks all the crucial boxes. From left to right we’ve got the USB 2.0 port, WPS and reset button, the Ethernet socket that goes to your modem, four more gigabit Ethernet ports for the rest of your network and the power socket and switch. Ther is also a second USB port on the side, and this time, it’s USB 3.0. It is ideal for sharing files on your network from a USB drive. The one at the back is only USB 2.0.

Ultimately the Archer C9 is a great router at an affordable price. It offers good Wi-Fi speeds at long ranges and is easy to setup and use. Moreover, it provides rock-solid reliability and the feature set is great for the price.

The router is also very reliable. Users also say the real life tech support department actually listens to you and is very responsive. The interface is also easy to navigate.


 

Netgear R6220 Wireless Router

If you are looking for the best router you can possibly get for under $100 then Netgear R6220 is the one for you. This is a budget router that provides a relatively inexpensive way to bring wireless networking to your home. However, an affordable model like this one won’t offer you the same features as the  Linksys EA7500. But still at $99.99 this router gives you your money’s worth.

This router comes with 802.11ac technology, a USB port, and user-friendly management setting. Its performance is great compared to other budget routers. It is slightly bigger in size than most routers and uses a glossy black enclosure with LED activity indicators on the top panel for power, Internet, Wi-Fi, wired ports, USB, and WPS.

Wireless router

The bottom line is that the Netgear AC1200 Smart Wi-Fi router is a great choice if you are looking for an affordable router that supports dual-band Wi-Fi networking. Even though it doesn’t have the latest MU-MIMO streaming technology it is a solid option. It’s managements settings are generous and will allow you to adjust the router according to your needs.

Most of the users find it is reliable and has great features. They like the performance and range of the Netgear R6220, especially given its price tag. Users also cite easy set-up as an added bonus.


 

Amped Wireless RTA 2600 Athena WiFi Router

If you are a gamer then the RTA 2600 Athena is built for you. Even the design of the router resembles  something out of a space-based shooting game. The router is extremely customizable, letting you tailor its settings to maximize your online gaming. It can also handle video and music streaming on multiple devices while other computers passed data back and forth. Even in a crowded Wi-Fi environment, this router won’t suffer any stutters or freezes during your online gameplay.

RTA 2600 Athena comes with MU-MIMO streaming technology.It delivers solid performance and is especially great when multiple devices are using Wi-Fi simultaneously. It features a dual-core 1.4GHz processor, 128MB of flash storage and 512MB of DDR3 system memory. The router also supports USB 3.0 with one port on its right side, with another USB 2.0 port on the back.

 

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The Amped Wireless Athena High Power AC2600 Wi-Fi Router RTA2600 is one of the few routers available in the market that supports the latest MU-MIMO technology. Tthe interface of the router is also user-friendly and responsive.  This router excels with multiple connected devices, but its competitors are faster and less expensive.

The Amped Wireless ATHENA, High Power AC2600 Wi-Fi Router earns kudos for its performance and range. The setup of the router is easy and it has fast connection speeds. Sometimes you get a connection from 600 feet away as well.


 

Netgear Nighthawk X8 WiFi Router

If you are a power user then look no further because we have just the right router for you and it is the triband Netgear Nighthawk X8. This router  features six wired LAN ports for delivering gigabit traffic, and you can aggregate two of those for top-speed data transfers. You’ll find a slew of customization options, and the X8’s support for open-source DD-WRT firmware lets you add features at will.

Netgear Nighthawk X8 supports the latest Wi-Fi speed standard, AC5300. It mostly delivers fast Wi-Fi performance and has outstanding signal stability. However, it is crazy expensive and doesn’t necessarily deliver a better Wi-Fi experience than much cheaper routers. Currently, there are no clients on the market that can take advantage of the AC5300 speed standard and at launch the MU-MIMO feature is not activated. It has a tower design capped off by a LED ring at the top.

 

Wireless routers

This router is also able to figure out which devices or data hogs via Dynamic QoS (Quality of Service). It allows you to create a priority list to re-apportion bandwidth. The bottom line is that only savvy power users with a high-end server in their network should consider the Netgear R8500.

Both the performance and setup is quite easier, though some customers have complained of software issues. The users also said that the router is quite large, larger than other routers.


 

Google TP-Link OnHub AC1900 Wireless Wi-Fi Router

Google entered the WiFi router market with the Google OnHub. This router  is a dual-band model with a sleek design that looks nothing like a traditional router. It contains more than a dozen antennas and it uses a thoughtfully designed app to control certain network functions. the router’s tower-like design is compact enough and  will blend in most homes. There are no external antennas in this router so it is a pleasing design.

The OnHub is an AC1900 router that can theoretically provide up to 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 1,300Mbps on the 5GHz band. The OnHub had a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, 4GB of eMMC flash storage, and 1GB of DDR3 memory. There are also six 2.4GHz antennas and six 5GHz antennas arranged in a circular pattern for maximum coverage in all directions, a reflector antenna that boosts signal strength, and a congestion sensing radio that continually polls wireless activity and changes channels to increase performance.

 

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This router is best for large homes that have many connected devices. However, it is not without faults, the router has only one wired port and no PC/Web browser app. It also lacks many standard management options and some features have to be enabled. But, the  Google OnHub makes it easy to bring dual-band 802.11ac networking to a large home and its discrete design is one of its greatest selling points.

Users using the Google OnHub love its range and easy setup, even if they find the price tag a little steep. Users with large homes and multiple devices especially like this router.


How can you secure your wireless router?

Like all other devices, wireless routers are also prone to interception and manipulation, which results in data leakage and privacy breaches. In fact, a hacker can launch a ‘worldwide’ attack after hacking your wireless router. Isn’t scary? Yes! it is.

However, you can arm yourself up against the possibilities of your wireless router being hacked. We’ve devised some strategic precautions down below. Adapt to these and you’ll end up with one secure-than-ever wireless router.

Close the network

One of the easiest ways anybody can hack into your router is by its lack of defenses. Do you ever need to enter a password or phrase prior to connecting to your network? If no, then your router is not secure. All it would take for anyone to be able to connect to your network is to be close enough for your SSID’s broadcast range.

You need to close your network—meaning: you need to enable a password prompt. This way, only those with whom you wish to share your password will be able to connect to your network. The rest won’t.

Change default password

A lot of hackers out there eventually break through your first and only line of defense by trial and error. Guessing a weak password is a walk in the park. Perhaps you should consider coming up with a stronger password? One that can’t be guessed in a few attempts?

For your password to be strong, you need to avoid all the password cliches, such as your name and your phone number. A strong password is considered to have a combination of alphanumeric characters, number, upper and lowercase letters. Make sure it is lengthy as well. You’ll need to memorize your password in case you accidentally dismiss your own SSID.

Opt for the right security scheme

You probably must have heard of WEP, WPA, and WPA2. These are security measures having varying strength and reliability. The Wireless Equivalent Privacy can be easily hacked because of its 24-bit initialization vector. We do not recommend its use.

The Wi-Fi Protected Access is a much better option, for it was made to address the flaws that were found in its predecessor. If you don’t have WPA2 available, you’re better off with this. But, if you can get your hands on WPA2, which has an advanced encryption and enhanced security, you should opt for it instead.

Disable remote administration

Upon enabling, remote administration grants access to anyone close enough to your router device to view or implement changes to your router’s settings. You should learn to not get too attached to remotely controlling and tweaking your router. As it can prove to be quite dangerous. Specifically if you’re not an advanced user.

However, the router settings can still be manned using any computer that is in direct connection to the router device. Which is both safer and not that much of problematic.

Change the default SSID name

It’s time to get a new name for your SSID. That ought to get a lid on your paranoia. The most common rookie error is naming your SSID after yourself or your family name. Also, after a particular thing you like. It’s very unhealthy.

Also avoid using your router’s brand name. This will aid hacker in applying hacking principles pertinent to that specific WiFi router. They do their homework and you should, too.

Come up with the most inconspicuous of SSID name that will send those hands scratching those headings if anyone wills to hack into your router. It is like going incognito, you’ll still be visible, but no one will know that it’s you.

Enable router firewall

You need to have as many layers of protection as possible. Enabling your router’s firewall—if not already enabled—does exactly that. Some routers have already activated firewalls, some don’t. What position is your router in?

Enable your router’s firewall and enjoy an additional line of defense.

Disable SSID broadcast

An obvious tell. If you’re broadcasting your SSID, meaning it can be seen by all nearby, unconnected devices searching for a network to connect to, you are more likely to be noticed and even more so of being hacked.

You need to disable your broadcast. However, this procedure is quite controversial. There is speculative debate over this measure being more a problem inducer than solver. To have an even footing where this strategy is concerned, you need to first have a little background knowledge of your router.

Turn Off Guest Networks

Abundant routers out there have this dual functionality option. It let’s you create two networks, one for yourself and another for your visitors. It is known that these oh-so welcoming and convenient guest networks aren’t secure at all. Which makes your router all the more vulnerable to attack during these networks are in use.

Consider turning off these networks. You’ll be ridding yourself from another security risk.

Use a VPN

A Virtual Private Network incapacitates people to keep tabs on you by enabling private browsing. To activate a VPN, you need to subscribe yourself to one. This article explains VPNs dutifully. But remember to use the secure VPN else you will face the same issues getting hacked and privacy breach.

How to upgrade your wireless router firmware

What people don’t know is that they can update their wireless router’s firmware instead of purchasing a new one. You need an update if and only if:

  1. The factory version of your router came with a lot of incessant bugs that you’ve encountered during later usage.
  1. If you’re in need of new features. A firmware update can appease you satisfactorily.
  1. And your router itself is in need of its own updated firmware.

 

If you fit any of the above classifications, then climb aboard and update your firmware.

For a successful firmware update, you’re going to have to abide by the following steps:

  1. Web-browse the latest firmware update for your router and the save the files on your computer.
  1. Once you’ve unzipped the pack, use your browser and direct yourself to your router’s control page online or find it manually.
  1. Log in with your username and your ID.
  1. Look for the “tools” option and then search for the “update gateway” command. Open the downloaded firmware files on this page by searching for them and selecting them.
  1. Click the “update gateway” button now and sit back and relax. After the update is complete, log out and then back in again.
  1. It’s now time to use the kernel files you unzipped prior to step 2 along with the other files. Through the browse option, select these as well and hit upgrade.
  1. You have successfully updated your firmware. All that needs to be done now is this: Reset your router by pressing its reset button. Use it after a minute or two.

How To Increase Your Wireless Router’s Speed and Range

Does your slow internet browsing baffle you to your core? You just can’t get your head wrapped around what could possibly be the initiator of this problem, can you? Some suggest that a possible factor is frequent internet usage and an overly accumulated browsing history. These can easily be dealt with.

What you don’t know is that if you make some adjustments to your wireless router, you might be able to speed up your browsing and your router’s range.

Here’s what we suggest:

  1. Use the Latest Wi-Fi Technologies

This one is straight from the book. You need to have the latest Wi-Fi technologies—meaning, you need to have an up-to-date hardware and firmware. Take a look at what the computer connoisseurs out there have to say about this and then adapt accordingly.

  1. Look For the Perfect Spot for Your Router

No rocket science. Placing a router centrally, and high just enough for you to reach it does most of the trick. It is also advised to not keep it in close proximity to a microwave or any magnetic object. Make sure no wall is close enough to where you’re trying to access signals from. Also, try readjusting the antenna, either horizontally or exclusively vertically.

  1. Determine the Right Wireless Channel

A router works on a number of wireless channels. The specifications of yours are available for perusal. Find out what channel your router is built to use and also if you can tailor it to follow some other channel.

  1. Shut Out Other Appliances

You don’t need another router to intercept or interfere with the signals of yours. Cordless devices that are in close range can pull that off. Do your duty to your router and keep it someplace else, away from such devices. Or try investing in a dual band router.

  1. Secure Up Your Wi-Fi

Is your Wi-Fi password protected? Make sure it is. Because if it isn’t, then you’re simply allowing God-knows-who to reap the benefits of your poor little, unprotected network. This is listed as one of the primary factors of slow internet browsing.

Password-protect your router and see the magic happen.

  1. Bandwidth-Hoggers

Very much like the proverbial saying, too much of bandwidth-hogging can slow your speed down to an irritating low. If someone in your house video-chats, plays games, and watches movies online all too much, then they don’t know that they’re slowing down the speed for the others.

Reducing this frequent usage to a justified minimum will save you.

  1. DIY Way

Try out some exceptionally weird but optimistically helpful DIY hacks to gain some speed. There are tons of those out there. Most of them require the use of household items and whatnot. Cut open a can and place it around your antenna like a satellite, for example. As absurd as it sounds, people have reported this little activity provided a little bit of juice, if not a whole lot, and their routers sped up a little.

  1. The DD-WRT Firmware

Updating your router to the DD-WRT firmware is something you should consider looking into. This firmware is notorious—in a good way—for providing you with a multitude of enhanced features and the oh-so-exhilarating speed you’re after.

  1. Set a Sleeping and Waking Up Schedule For Your Router

You can nanny your router to give you the speed you need as well. If a router is constantly working, it won’t work with as much finesse like it started after a couple of hours. The same cannot be said for all the routers out there. But this could be what your problem is. Also, excessive downloading and exploiting router usage can be the cause of your router’s turtle-pace.

Set a rebooting schedule for your router. You can open and close it manually if your router is lacking the feature. This ought to help.

 

The post Best Wireless Routers of 2019 – A Complete Buying Guide appeared first on MobileSiri.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Windows: Windows Data Recovery Made Easy

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Desktops are typically home to tons of precious photos, videos, songs and a massive rpository of digital information. Losing that data can be catastrophic in the extreme, and truly frustrating even under a best-case scenario. Although the best practice is not to lose your data in the first place, people have poor habits when it comes to securing their data and taking backups. That’s why data recovery is rapidly emerging as a must-have contingency wherever data is concerned.

EaseUs-Windows-Recovery

One of the best Windows tools for data recovery is EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Windows. It is a robust desktop application with a wide range of recovery capabilities from diverse devices such as camcorders, memory disks and digital cameras. It can also recover data easily from traditional drives like external hard disks, flash drives and solid-state drives.

In addition, it can quickly recover data under several different data loss scenarios, which include the following:

  • Accidentally deleted data
  • Corrupt or damaged drives
  • Crashed system
  • Formatted disks or partitions
  • Hidden locations
  • Systems with boot errors

Whether your system has crashed or you deleted data by mistake, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Windows can rapidly recover and restore your data.

What Types of Data Can it Recover?

The utility can recover any type of media such as videos, photos and music files. It can also recover documents across a wide range of formats, as well as email data from Outlook and Outlook Express. The width of coverage is impressive, and it can even recover archive files, disk images, SITX and numerous other formats.

But the real power is not in the massive array of data types or devices that the software works with. The best part about this tool is the user experience. Data recovery is not everyone’s favorite chore, but it’s an essential tool so most of us just grumble our way through this unpleasant task. EaseUS puts a whole new twist on data recovery by providing users with a friendly and intuitive interface. You can start using the software with zero knowledge about data deletion and recovery and still walk away with any type of data you want to retrieve.

How Does It Work?

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Professional 12.9 for Windows is compatible with a wide range of Windows and Windows Server versions:

  • Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP
  • Windows Server 2016/2012/2008/2003

The minimum configuration required for your PC is an x86 CPU, a minimum of 32MB space for the application and a RAM of at least 128MB. As you can see, it’s not at all resource-intensive, which belies its recovery capabilities.

Once you download the software, follow the steps in the installation wizard to get setup. When you launch the program, you will be shown options for where to begin your search. If you know where your missing files originally were, you can choose from those options. If you have an external storage device to recover data from, make sure it’s hooked up so the software can detect and display it as a recovery target. If the data to be recovered is on your PC but you don’t know exactly where, just select the first one and keep going in sequence.

EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard

 

Once the location has been selected, clicking on Scan initiates a deep scanning of the chosen memory device or partition. The results of the scan – recoverable data – will be displayed in the next window for you to preview. In this preview page, you can choose to recover everything or just specific items. Hit the Recover button and specify a destination for the data. That’s where all recovered files can be found after the process is over.

File-Filters

 

What Versions are Available?

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Windows is available in four flavors: Free, Pro, Pro + WinPE and Technician. The free version has all the recovery features of the Pro, but is limited to 2GB of recoverable data. You can still scan and preview all the data that is recoverable, but there’s a cap on how much of that can be retrieved. It’s a great way to check out the software before you purchase a full license.

The Pro version comes with free tech support, as well as the ability to recover data in a number of data loss scenarios, as we saw. It’s essentially an unlimited version of the free trial.

The Pro + WinPE package comes with the preinstallation environment required to boot a PC that won’t start up properly. In cases where the computer won’t boot normally or the system has permanently crashed, the usual approach is to re-install the OS. However, this will wipe all data, so unless you have a proper backup, that’s not an option we recommend. Besides, you wouldn’t be using a recovery tool if you had a backup in the first place.

The Technician version goes a step further and provides the tools necessary to service a group of clients. This is ideal for data recovery teams that handle multiple clients or multiple departments within an organization.

The latest version of the software, v12.9, offers a much smoother graphics interface for users. It has enhanced Office file preview capabilities and even a quick feature to only scan your desktop or Recycle Bin. In addition, there’s much better support for recovering from FAT and NTFS file systems.

Even obscure formats that you thought nobody used any more can be quickly identified and recovered. You can also do RAW recovery, which gives you much deeper access to files that no longer retain their original name or directory path. The Tag feature helps by displayed data labels and other metadata to help you identify such files, and organizes them for easy preview and subsequent recovery.

The fact that the free trial has a generous 2GB limit means it is more than enough for a first-time user if they only want to recover specific documents or a limited number of files. If you want more, the premium options have you covered.

The post EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Windows: Windows Data Recovery Made Easy appeared first on MobileSiri.

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