Homey Pro review: A very particular set of home automation skills
Enlarge / The Homey Pro, settling in for some quiet network check-ins at dusk.Kevin Purdy I know there are people who will want to buy the Homey Pro. I’ve seen them on social media and in various home automation forums, and I’ve even noticed them in the comments on this website. For this type of…
How to Locate and Clean Your Dishwasher’s Filter
Even though appliances have replaced many of the household tasks that were once done manually—like washing dishes and clothing—that doesn’t mean they’re completely maintenance-free. For example, we recently discussed the fact that washing machine filters exist and need to be cleaned regularly.As it turns out, the same is true of your dishwasher—except instead of catching…
These Are Walmart’s Best Early Black Friday Vacuum Deals
Mega-retailer Walmart is ringing in Black Friday early this year with some sweet bargains on vacuums, including serious savings on my personal favorite: the laser-equipped Dyson V12 Detect Slim.Walmart’s early Black Friday offerings are available for purchase today, November 9. Below are the standout floor-cleaning appliances available during the sale.Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute Cordless…
What to Do Now That Amazon Is Killing Alexa’s IFTTT Integration
Photo: MichaelJayBerlin (Shutterstock)Users of smart hubs like Alexa and Google Home have long enjoyed being able to use IFTTT to connect and enhance services that aren’t natively connected to each other. For instance, we recently reviewed Leviton switches, which rely on IFTTT to create automations. The upshot of these services working with IFTTT is that…
The Easiest Way to Clean Blinds
Photo: travelarium.ph (Shutterstock)You don’t really think about how to clean your window blinds until you have to, but when you get down to it, it’s a tedious job. You probably avoid cleaning them as long as possible, but eventually, the job needs to be done. Fortunately, there’s an easy method you probably haven’t heard of.Use…
How to Locate and Clean Your Washing Machine’s Filter
You’re probably familiar with the lint trap on your dryer, and, ideally, clean it after every load of laundry. But did you know that your washing machine has a filter, too? If that’s news to you, that probably means yours has never been cleaned. But don’t worry: Once you know where to find it, it’s…
The iRobot Roomba i4 EVO is 48% Off on Amazon Right...
Photo: JCDH (Shutterstock)For those who missed the great Roomba deals on October Prime Day, you’ve got another shot: Currently, Amazon is selling the iRobot Roomba i4 EVO for 48% off at $209.99 (normally $399.99). This is the same low price it hit during Prime Day, which is the lowest price it has been, according to…
This Oraimo Cordless Stick Vacuum Sucks (in a Good Way)
The Oraimo OSV-225A cordless stick vacuum really sucks. Get it? Because it’s a vacuum cleaner? I’m kidding, of course, but in another way, I’m dead serious: This cordless vacuum sucks up dirt, cat hair, detritus, mites, dust, little bits of things, and just about anything else bedeviling your carpets, floors, and rugs. It’s light and…
Why the Dyson Gen5Detect Is the Best Stick Vacuum
I’ve long maintained a bias against expensive appliances. Could a pricey vacuum really be $500 better than a basic one? It is, I admit, why I never succumbed to buying a Dyson product, no matter how wooed I was by the gentle British accent in the commercials. Welp, I was wrong. I have been using…
Switchbots Can Make Dumb Devices Smart
Part of the proposition of smart home technology is “less”—fewer plugs, fewer remotes, fewer extension cords. Items are controlled via wifi or Bluetooth, and the result is (usually) a sleek, streamlined gadget or switch. SwitchBot saw that model and gave it the finger.The simplest way to make a dumb device smartThe charming SwitchBot Bot resembles…