Tag: smarthome

My quest for the perfect wireless subscription-free doorbell has been a long one.. I’ve looked at Blink, Wyze, Google Nest and a few others but the Eufy e340 is one that I think is the best of the bunch. You can see my full review here.

It currently is selling at its Prime Day sales price at $119 (compensated affiliate link) but is normally $179. An indoor chime costs an additional $39.

One of the standout features of the Eufy E340 is its dual-camera setup. It includes a front-facing camera and a second camera aimed downward to monitor packages left at the doorstep. This design is particularly useful for keeping an eye on deliveries, ensuring that packages are not missed or stolen.

The doorbell stores footage locally, boasting 8GB of internal storage. If more space is needed, users can opt for the chime accessory, which includes an SD card slot for additional storage. There is also compatibility with Eufy’s hub for broader integration with other security devices.

The doorbell’s installation is straightforward, and it includes a secure mounting mechanism to deter theft. Users can also angle the doorbell using an included bracket for optimal coverage. The device operates efficiently in various lighting conditions, featuring both infrared and color night vision modes. The infrared mode uses invisible light to illuminate the scene, while the color mode employs visible lights for a clearer picture at night. You can see examples of both modes in the video above.

Audio quality is another strong point. The doorbell includes a microphone for clear audio recordings and a speaker for two-way communication. This setup allows users to interact with visitors or delivery personnel directly through their smartphones, providing real-time communication without the need for a walkie-talkie style exchange.

Battery life is impressive, lasting several months under low to moderate usage. The device also supports direct power connections if existing doorbell wiring is available, which helps maintain the battery charge indefinitely.

The Eufy app, available on both Android and iOS, provides a comprehensive interface for managing the doorbell. Users can view live footage, review recorded events, and adjust settings directly from the app. The app’s AI offer reliable human detection while ignoring non-essential movements or trees blowing in the wind or animals. This reduces false alerts and enhances the overall user experience.

One of the advanced features is the “Delivery Guard,” which tracks packages left at the door and can also activate a deterrent alert when a package is detected and someone walks up to the door. Users can also receive alerts if a package remains unattended for too long. The familiar faces feature allows users to upload photos of known individuals, enabling the doorbell to recognize and log visits from these people.

All in, the Eufy E340 Dual Camera Wireless Doorbell is a well-rounded, high-performing device that excels in key areas such as video quality, audio clarity, battery life, and smart features. Its dual-camera design and robust app integration make it a versatile choice for anyone seeking a reliable, subscription-free doorbell solution. For those in search of a dependable and cost-effective security addition to their home, this doorbell is worth serious consideration.

Disclosure: I paid for the doorbell with my own funds.

It may surprise some of you to learn that I’ve never owned or used a robotic vacuum cleaner – up until now that is. I recently received a “Roomba Combo Essential” through the Amazon Vine program. This device, a hybrid of a vacuum and a mop, is marketed as a budget-friendly option in iRobot’s lineup, catering to those who need straightforward functionality without the bells and whistles associated with higher-end models. You can see my full video review here.

With few features offered, the Combo Essential is fairly simple to operate. It navigates autonomously around the house, and will return to its charging station with either a push of a button or when it needs to recharge. However, during its journey, it tends to pick up a few battle scars—evident from scratches and scuffs on its body—which illustrates its somewhat blind navigation akin to a vision impaired dog bumping into obstacles until it learns its path.

The vacuum performance is commendable for its price range, effectively cleaning every reachable area thanks to its rotating brush that catches dirt and draws it into the vacuum input.

The mopping feature, however, leaves much to be desired. The device utilizes a microfiber cloth that passively mops using a water drip, but without the use of detergents, which iRobot advises against to prevent damage to the machine. This limitation means the mopping is essentially just pushing water around rather than cleaning. Its dustbin and water tank combo, while innovative, offers limited capacity, which might not suit homes with heavy shedding pets like my Siberian Husky.

When in mopping mode the Roomba lacks the ability to differentiate flooring vs. carpets. So it’ll drive up on the rug and mop that too. iRobot recommends the inconvenient step of rolling up rugs before having it mop.

During my review, I also explored the accompanying app, which provides basic controls and scheduling options. The app allows for real-time monitoring and control, which is convenient, though it lacks advanced features found in more premium models. The noise level of the Roomba is relatively low, comparable to a fan running on high, which should be suitable for most home environments without disturbing the peace.

In sum, the Roomba Combo Essential serves well as a supplementary cleaning tool, particularly in smaller, less cluttered spaces. It effectively picks up dirt and dust as a vacuum but falls short as a mop.

August has put together a nice “bolt on” smart lock for existing deadbolts locks. Through their app you can create revokable virtual keys for guests, house cleaners, etc that can allow access on a certain schedule. You can see my full review here and find one here at the best price (affiliate link). These go on sale from time to time and I’ve seen it sold as low as $179.

I reviewed the prior model in this product line and this new one definitely feels more refined. It’s more compact, has better battery longevity, and integrates Wi-Fi in addition to Bluetooth for connectivity. It supports the “big three” (Apple Homekit, Google Home and Amazon Alexa) but the Wi-Fi connectivity doesn’t work with Apple Homekit. So you’ll need an Apple device like an Apple TV or an old iPad within Bluetooth range to access the lock remotely.

What I like the most about the August products are the virtual keys you can assign to users. These keys are revokable, meaning you can delete them without having to call a locksmith, and you can set them to be valid only during certain days or times of the week. Guests accessing the home will need a smartphone (iPhone or Android) running the August app, however.

The lock also comes with a sensor that will detect when your door is ajar or open.

While most of the door locks I’ve reviewed run on AA batteries this one runs with an odd size – it requires two CR123 lithium batteries. Battery life will depend on whether or not you’re using the Wi-Fi and how often the lock is triggered to open and close.

I did have to use the included trim piece (the black circle you can see behind the silver lock) because the lock was so small that it didn’t fully cover the hole cut for my deadbolt lock.

If you’re looking to make an existing dumb deadbolt smart this is a good solution. You can keep your physical keys for yourself and share virtual keys for those you want to grant access to your home.