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- Review count132
- Helpfulness votes3,949
- First reviewNovember 21, 2016
- Last reviewApril 29, 2024
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- Average rating4.4
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Start every morning off right with this DeLonghi Dedica coffee grinder. It has a 14-cup grind capacity to serve a crowd, and its 18 grind settings and light, normal and strong coffee choices provide the options you need to meet variable taste preferences. This DeLonghi Dedica coffee grinder has a removable upper burr to make cleaning easy.
Customer Rating
4
Professional Quality With a Few Flaws
on June 9, 2017
Posted by: ryanmcv
from Phoenix, AZ
I like to think that I'm serious about my coffee, but I had never put much thought into my coffee grinder. I've gone through a few cheap grinders over the past few years, never even considering a more expensive grinder. The DeLonghi Dedica grinder has so far been a revelation in how I make my coffee, but it hasn't been without some minor frustrations.
PROS
- Incredibly easy to setup and use. After putting the hopper on the top of the grinder and inserting the grind chamber, you're ready to go.
- Sleek-looking design. The stainless steel finish is beautiful and should blend in with any modern kitchen.
- Custom grind settings. This grinder has 18 different grind levels for espresso, drip coffee, and French press. There are also three strength settings: light, normal, and strong. I've only used the drip and French press settings so far, but each time, my coffee beans have been ground to perfection. I didn't notice too much of a difference in taste between the "normal" and "strong" settings, but that may depend on the type of bean used.
- Ability to set the number of cups. With my cheap grinder, I had to estimate how many beans to put in as it would grind all of them. The DeLonghi grinds only the amount of beans that it needs based on how many cups you choose (up to 14 cups, shown on the digital display).
- Convenient grind chamber. I love the fact that it has a sealable cap so I can keep my coffee fresh.
- Incredibly easy to setup and use. After putting the hopper on the top of the grinder and inserting the grind chamber, you're ready to go.
- Sleek-looking design. The stainless steel finish is beautiful and should blend in with any modern kitchen.
- Custom grind settings. This grinder has 18 different grind levels for espresso, drip coffee, and French press. There are also three strength settings: light, normal, and strong. I've only used the drip and French press settings so far, but each time, my coffee beans have been ground to perfection. I didn't notice too much of a difference in taste between the "normal" and "strong" settings, but that may depend on the type of bean used.
- Ability to set the number of cups. With my cheap grinder, I had to estimate how many beans to put in as it would grind all of them. The DeLonghi grinds only the amount of beans that it needs based on how many cups you choose (up to 14 cups, shown on the digital display).
- Convenient grind chamber. I love the fact that it has a sealable cap so I can keep my coffee fresh.
CONS
- The hopper has to stay connected to the top of the grinder once you put beans in it. If you remove it, you'll end up with beans all over your kitchen floor. Along those lines, you can't pour beans into the hopper unless it's attached to the grinder, or you'll end up with the same mess. I learned this the hard way.
- The grind chamber fits snugly into the grinder -- almost TOO snug. I usually have to pull hard using two hands to get the chamber to pop out.
- When the grind chamber is removed, I've noticed excess coffee grounds fall from the grinder onto the tray at the base of the device. This is especially noticeable when you move the grinder immediately after using it.
- The hopper has to stay connected to the top of the grinder once you put beans in it. If you remove it, you'll end up with beans all over your kitchen floor. Along those lines, you can't pour beans into the hopper unless it's attached to the grinder, or you'll end up with the same mess. I learned this the hard way.
- The grind chamber fits snugly into the grinder -- almost TOO snug. I usually have to pull hard using two hands to get the chamber to pop out.
- When the grind chamber is removed, I've noticed excess coffee grounds fall from the grinder onto the tray at the base of the device. This is especially noticeable when you move the grinder immediately after using it.
OVERALL
The DeLonghi Dedica grinder has definitely elevated my morning coffee routine -- I don't think I could go back to a cheap hand-held grinder after using this. If it weren't for the few annoyances listed above, this would be a 5-star product. Even so, I look forward to using this grinder for a long time to come. Recommended!
The DeLonghi Dedica grinder has definitely elevated my morning coffee routine -- I don't think I could go back to a cheap hand-held grinder after using this. If it weren't for the few annoyances listed above, this would be a 5-star product. Even so, I look forward to using this grinder for a long time to come. Recommended!
My Best Buy number: 0961954923
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+18points
18of 18voted this as helpful.
Enjoy optimal sound clarity from the Pure Digital Drive system of these Audio-Technica wireless over-ear headphones. You can easily answer calls or control the volume with the built-in microphone and tap controls. These Audio-Technica wireless over-ear headphones hold a charge for up to 15 hours to get you through long playlists.
Customer Rating
4
Nice Sound, But Gets the Basics Wrong
on May 25, 2017
Posted by: ryanmcv
from Phoenix, AZ
I’m fairly discerning when it comes to my headphones. I wear them at the office, during workouts, on airplanes, and other places where I just need to be in my own world. The new technology advertised with these Audio-Technica headphones (Pure Digital Drive) intrigued me, so I was excited to give them a try. For headphones in this price range, they deliver good audio quality, but they fall short in terms of usability and basic features.
PROS:
- Good - but not incredible - sound quality. Songs are clear and crisp with a decent amount of bass. Audiobooks likewise are very crisp, with the narrator’s voice sounding like he’s in the room with me. I even paired these to my Bluetooth-enabled Blu-ray player and watched a movie and the headphones provided a very natural-sounding experience. I do wish the volume sounded louder. Even at the highest volume, these headphones don’t seem to get painfully loud (not that they need to, but compared to other headphones, it’s a bit surprising). Also, I can’t help but think they sound just a bit on the “tinny” side. A little more bass would go a long way.
- Comfort. I left them on through a full day of work and hardly noticed them. The headband and ear pads are very plush and don’t cause me any discomfort. There are 10 levels of length adjustment atop each earpiece.
- Build quality. These feel very sturdy and don’t seem to be entirely made of plastic like some cheaper models.
- Battery life. Audio-Technica claims 15 hours on a full charge, and that seems accurate to me. After a full day (9+ hours) of use, my iPhone indicated that the headphones still had about a third of the battery remaining. The 15 hour rating is a bit lower than competing models, but I think it’s plenty for most users.
- Ability to connect to a computer via USB for a wired connection. I plugged them into my Windows 10 laptop and they were instantly recognized, giving me the ability to fine-tune the headphones’ audio quality even further.
- Good - but not incredible - sound quality. Songs are clear and crisp with a decent amount of bass. Audiobooks likewise are very crisp, with the narrator’s voice sounding like he’s in the room with me. I even paired these to my Bluetooth-enabled Blu-ray player and watched a movie and the headphones provided a very natural-sounding experience. I do wish the volume sounded louder. Even at the highest volume, these headphones don’t seem to get painfully loud (not that they need to, but compared to other headphones, it’s a bit surprising). Also, I can’t help but think they sound just a bit on the “tinny” side. A little more bass would go a long way.
- Comfort. I left them on through a full day of work and hardly noticed them. The headband and ear pads are very plush and don’t cause me any discomfort. There are 10 levels of length adjustment atop each earpiece.
- Build quality. These feel very sturdy and don’t seem to be entirely made of plastic like some cheaper models.
- Battery life. Audio-Technica claims 15 hours on a full charge, and that seems accurate to me. After a full day (9+ hours) of use, my iPhone indicated that the headphones still had about a third of the battery remaining. The 15 hour rating is a bit lower than competing models, but I think it’s plenty for most users.
- Ability to connect to a computer via USB for a wired connection. I plugged them into my Windows 10 laptop and they were instantly recognized, giving me the ability to fine-tune the headphones’ audio quality even further.
CONS:
- The touch-sensitive button (used to control forward, backward, pause, play, etc.) is just plain awkward. I find myself moving my thumb all around the left ear can just to find it. There is no physical or audio response when you finally tap the button. The volume control switch is directly next to this button, so I’m constantly pausing or fast-forwarding my music when all I really wanted to do is adjust the volume. If you want to quickly take the headphones off but leave your music playing, that’s going to be a problem: there’s a 95% chance you’ll accidentally put your finger on the button and pause your music. Very poor design choice, in my opinion.
- The charging/micro-USB port is recessed quite deeply behind the cover, so you’re essentially forced to use the included charging cable, even if you have a ton of other micro-USB cables laying around the house. What’s worse is that the cover over the port is quite challenging to remove. Make sure your fingernails are up for the challenge.
- The three lights on the left ear cup are overly confusing. I understand that they serve a purpose, but you’ll have to study the user manual for a few hours if you want to memorize what all of the different flashing patterns mean.
- Instead of a hard, protective carrying case, Audio-Technica gives you a not-so-protective leather sleeve to store the headphones in. Not a deal breaker, but it makes me less likely to want to throw them in my carry-on when traveling.
- The touch-sensitive button (used to control forward, backward, pause, play, etc.) is just plain awkward. I find myself moving my thumb all around the left ear can just to find it. There is no physical or audio response when you finally tap the button. The volume control switch is directly next to this button, so I’m constantly pausing or fast-forwarding my music when all I really wanted to do is adjust the volume. If you want to quickly take the headphones off but leave your music playing, that’s going to be a problem: there’s a 95% chance you’ll accidentally put your finger on the button and pause your music. Very poor design choice, in my opinion.
- The charging/micro-USB port is recessed quite deeply behind the cover, so you’re essentially forced to use the included charging cable, even if you have a ton of other micro-USB cables laying around the house. What’s worse is that the cover over the port is quite challenging to remove. Make sure your fingernails are up for the challenge.
- The three lights on the left ear cup are overly confusing. I understand that they serve a purpose, but you’ll have to study the user manual for a few hours if you want to memorize what all of the different flashing patterns mean.
- Instead of a hard, protective carrying case, Audio-Technica gives you a not-so-protective leather sleeve to store the headphones in. Not a deal breaker, but it makes me less likely to want to throw them in my carry-on when traveling.
OVERALL:
I can’t help but think that Audio-Technica neglected some basic functionalities in favor of finalizing its new all-digital technologies. These headphones sound good, but that comes with the cost of some less-than-ideal design choices in terms of usability. Regardless, at this price point, these still represent a great value. Recommended!
I can’t help but think that Audio-Technica neglected some basic functionalities in favor of finalizing its new all-digital technologies. These headphones sound good, but that comes with the cost of some less-than-ideal design choices in terms of usability. Regardless, at this price point, these still represent a great value. Recommended!
My Best Buy number: 0961954923
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+20points
20of 20voted this as helpful.
Enjoy a smooth shaving experience with this Panasonic cordless razor. It has a pivoting head with three blades angled at 30 degrees that lift and cut facial hair comfortably and evenly, and it can be used dry or wet with shaving cream for convenience. This Panasonic cordless razor has a nonslip rubberized handle to provide a secure grip.
Customer Rating
3
Nice Basic Shaver, But Nothing Remarkable
on May 5, 2017
Posted by: ryanmcv
from Phoenix, AZ
If you were to believe Panasonic's marketing terms surrounding this shaver, you would think that they've revolutionized the electric shaver market. Angled blades! Pivoting head! Hypo-allergenic ARC foils! At the end of the day, this is really just a standard electric shaver with nothing new to offer.
PROS:
- Ergonomic design with a nice weight. Very easy to grip as you shave.
- Wet/dry capable. You can use it in the shower or with shaving cream on your face.
- Nice close shave around the neck, cheeks, and sideburns. The foils are smooth and don't tug your skin or feel too sharp.
- Includes nice touches like a sideburn trimmer and a travel case.
- Easy to clean. Just run it under some water and let it air dry.
- Ergonomic design with a nice weight. Very easy to grip as you shave.
- Wet/dry capable. You can use it in the shower or with shaving cream on your face.
- Nice close shave around the neck, cheeks, and sideburns. The foils are smooth and don't tug your skin or feel too sharp.
- Includes nice touches like a sideburn trimmer and a travel case.
- Easy to clean. Just run it under some water and let it air dry.
CONS:
- Bulky, awkward charging base that takes up an entire wall outlet. There's no cord, so you can't shave and charge at the same time.
- Poor battery life. The battery lasts around 20 minutes and then requires a full recharge, which can take more than 8 hours. The fact that this thing is using an NiMH battery tells me that Panasonic is just repackaging old technology into slightly updated form factors.
- Bad shaving performance around the chin and jaw line. I had to go over the same areas around my chin and jaw multiple times just to get an acceptable result. Even then, the shave was nowhere near as close as I would have preferred. My skin felt very raw and dry from having to go over those areas so many times.
- This shaver is essentially a consumable device. All of this is per the instruction manual: After 1 year, you are instructed to replace the foil head. After 2 years, the blades should be replaced. But don't worry - after 3 years, the battery will die, and the whole shaver will become useless. The instruction manual even shows you how to disassemble the shaver for proper disposal when this happens.
- Bulky, awkward charging base that takes up an entire wall outlet. There's no cord, so you can't shave and charge at the same time.
- Poor battery life. The battery lasts around 20 minutes and then requires a full recharge, which can take more than 8 hours. The fact that this thing is using an NiMH battery tells me that Panasonic is just repackaging old technology into slightly updated form factors.
- Bad shaving performance around the chin and jaw line. I had to go over the same areas around my chin and jaw multiple times just to get an acceptable result. Even then, the shave was nowhere near as close as I would have preferred. My skin felt very raw and dry from having to go over those areas so many times.
- This shaver is essentially a consumable device. All of this is per the instruction manual: After 1 year, you are instructed to replace the foil head. After 2 years, the blades should be replaced. But don't worry - after 3 years, the battery will die, and the whole shaver will become useless. The instruction manual even shows you how to disassemble the shaver for proper disposal when this happens.
OVERALL:
I wanted to like this shaver. I shave almost every day with shaving cream and a standard razor. I wanted something that I could use for a close, quick, comfortable shave when I'm traveling or in a rush. This might still fit that role, but it's not nearly as good as Panasonic's marketing department would have you believe. In my view, this shaver is almost no different than the one I owned almost 10 years ago. For the price, I suppose this is a good value, but those who are serious about their shaving may want to look at other options.
I wanted to like this shaver. I shave almost every day with shaving cream and a standard razor. I wanted something that I could use for a close, quick, comfortable shave when I'm traveling or in a rush. This might still fit that role, but it's not nearly as good as Panasonic's marketing department would have you believe. In my view, this shaver is almost no different than the one I owned almost 10 years ago. For the price, I suppose this is a good value, but those who are serious about their shaving may want to look at other options.
My Best Buy number: 0961954923
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+1point
2of 3voted this as helpful.
Experience immersive entertainment options with this Sony 4K Blu-ray player. Its Ultra HD resolution provides exceptionally detailed screen images with increased brightness and more realistic color, and its support of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X provides cinema-quality sound. This Sony 4K Blu-ray player supports high-resolution audio formats for more accurate music reproduction.
Customer Rating
5
The 4K Blu-ray Player You've Been Waiting For
on May 4, 2017
Posted by: ryanmcv
from Phoenix, AZ
I purchased a new 4K OLED TV last year, but I was hesitant to get a new 4K Blu-ray player due to the lackluster reviews of last year's models from other name brands. Sony has always delivered top-notch performance in its Blu-ray players, and this one was well worth the wait.
PROS:
- Sturdy, premium build quality. It may seem like a minor thing, but this player is built like a tank and doesn't feel like a cheap plastic box (like most Blu-ray players). The rigid build quality and understated design is certainly welcome to those who prefer a tidy home entertainment center.
- Quiet operation. I can't hear any noise coming from the player during playback.
- Extremely quick and responsive. Honestly, I've never experienced a disc player that loads discs and responds to commands from the remote so quickly.
- Dual HDMI outputs. HDMI 2 is reserved for audio-only output. Perfect for those with older soundbars or receivers that can't pass through an HDR signal.
- Perfect picture quality. I've tried several UHD Blu-rays, 3D Blu-rays, regular Blu-rays, and even some old DVDs. All look stunning. For UHD Blu-rays, the player automatically engages the HDR mode on my TV without me having to do anything. Regular Blu-rays and DVDs are upscaled almost flawlessly. The player has given new life to my movie collection.
- Wide selection of streaming apps, including Vudu, YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon. A recent firmware update enabled HDR playback via the YouTube app, which is very convenient since my TV's built-in YouTube app does not support HDR.
- Tons of options and settings for videophiles and audiophiles. The settings menu is very extensive and should satisfy even the most discerning home theater enthusiasts.
- Sturdy, premium build quality. It may seem like a minor thing, but this player is built like a tank and doesn't feel like a cheap plastic box (like most Blu-ray players). The rigid build quality and understated design is certainly welcome to those who prefer a tidy home entertainment center.
- Quiet operation. I can't hear any noise coming from the player during playback.
- Extremely quick and responsive. Honestly, I've never experienced a disc player that loads discs and responds to commands from the remote so quickly.
- Dual HDMI outputs. HDMI 2 is reserved for audio-only output. Perfect for those with older soundbars or receivers that can't pass through an HDR signal.
- Perfect picture quality. I've tried several UHD Blu-rays, 3D Blu-rays, regular Blu-rays, and even some old DVDs. All look stunning. For UHD Blu-rays, the player automatically engages the HDR mode on my TV without me having to do anything. Regular Blu-rays and DVDs are upscaled almost flawlessly. The player has given new life to my movie collection.
- Wide selection of streaming apps, including Vudu, YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon. A recent firmware update enabled HDR playback via the YouTube app, which is very convenient since my TV's built-in YouTube app does not support HDR.
- Tons of options and settings for videophiles and audiophiles. The settings menu is very extensive and should satisfy even the most discerning home theater enthusiasts.
COULD BE BETTER:
- Initial set-up is straightforward, but you'll likely have to tweak some of those advanced settings to get this player to work seamlessly with your TV and/or receiver. For example, it wasn't immediately obvious that I had to go into the audio settings and turn off the "mixing" setting to get the player to bitstream audio to my soundbar. I also had to manually enable the HDMI 2 audio output in the HDMI settings. It's too bad these things aren't included in the initial set-up wizard when you first power on the player - but certainly not a deal-breaker.
- This isn't necessarily a fault of the player, but make sure you're using new high-speed HDMI cables that support UHD and HDR. Look for cables that are "certified premium" to ensure maximum compatibility.
- With Dolby Vision becoming more and more popular, I hope Sony will decide to support the technology via a future firmware update.
- Initial set-up is straightforward, but you'll likely have to tweak some of those advanced settings to get this player to work seamlessly with your TV and/or receiver. For example, it wasn't immediately obvious that I had to go into the audio settings and turn off the "mixing" setting to get the player to bitstream audio to my soundbar. I also had to manually enable the HDMI 2 audio output in the HDMI settings. It's too bad these things aren't included in the initial set-up wizard when you first power on the player - but certainly not a deal-breaker.
- This isn't necessarily a fault of the player, but make sure you're using new high-speed HDMI cables that support UHD and HDR. Look for cables that are "certified premium" to ensure maximum compatibility.
- With Dolby Vision becoming more and more popular, I hope Sony will decide to support the technology via a future firmware update.
OVERALL:
If you've been holding off on a 4K UHD Blu-ray player for your new TV, the wait is over -- Sony has delivered arguably the best Blu-ray player yet, and certainly the best value for your money. If you buy the player by June 30, you'll also get a coupon for 2 free UHD Blu-ray movies from Sony. This is a hard deal to pass up. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
If you've been holding off on a 4K UHD Blu-ray player for your new TV, the wait is over -- Sony has delivered arguably the best Blu-ray player yet, and certainly the best value for your money. If you buy the player by June 30, you'll also get a coupon for 2 free UHD Blu-ray movies from Sony. This is a hard deal to pass up. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
My Best Buy number: 0961954923
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+157points
190of 223voted this as helpful.
ALLY is a Whole Home Wi-Fi System that delivers smart, safe, secure Wi-Fi controlled from your phone. The ALLY mobile app is equipped with advanced parental controls, including an online activity log, and alerts that can be sent when someone attempts to access a blocked site. ALLY also comes with built-in AVG security to protect your network devices from malware and harmful websites
Customer Rating
4
Great Wi-Fi Performance; Website Filters Need Work
on May 2, 2017
Posted by: ryanmcv
I was excited to see a Wi-Fi system that claimed to seamlessly integrate parental controls, web filtering, and curfew settings. The Ally Plus system delivers solid performance, but it misses the mark in just a few areas.
PROS:
- Dead-simple setup. All of the cables you will need are clearly labeled to tell you where and when to plug them in. After plugging in the main router to your modem and powering it on, the Ally app walks you through the rest of the steps. All you have to do it choose a network name, password, and a few other basic settings. Once that's done, the app will walk you through the setup of the extender node, which is essentially plug-and-play.
- Very respectable Wi-Fi performance (speed and range). At 15 feet away from the main router, I clocked network transfer speeds averaging 414 megabits per second (mbps) via the 5 GHz network. When I was closer to the extender node, speeds averaged about 245 mbps. I have full signal in nearly every corner of my 3,000 sq. ft. home, although speed deteriorates at the far edges. Simply put: this system should provide enough bandwidth to max out the speed of nearly any residential Internet connection.
- Intuitive mobile app with a great foundation for parental controls. The app lets you create users and assign specific devices to each user. You can then set website filters, curfews, and view activity reports for each user. You can even block specific mobile apps like Facebook and Snapchat. The app is very easy to use for even the least tech-savvy parents.
- Dead-simple setup. All of the cables you will need are clearly labeled to tell you where and when to plug them in. After plugging in the main router to your modem and powering it on, the Ally app walks you through the rest of the steps. All you have to do it choose a network name, password, and a few other basic settings. Once that's done, the app will walk you through the setup of the extender node, which is essentially plug-and-play.
- Very respectable Wi-Fi performance (speed and range). At 15 feet away from the main router, I clocked network transfer speeds averaging 414 megabits per second (mbps) via the 5 GHz network. When I was closer to the extender node, speeds averaged about 245 mbps. I have full signal in nearly every corner of my 3,000 sq. ft. home, although speed deteriorates at the far edges. Simply put: this system should provide enough bandwidth to max out the speed of nearly any residential Internet connection.
- Intuitive mobile app with a great foundation for parental controls. The app lets you create users and assign specific devices to each user. You can then set website filters, curfews, and view activity reports for each user. You can even block specific mobile apps like Facebook and Snapchat. The app is very easy to use for even the least tech-savvy parents.
CONS:
- I'm not sure if I did something wrong, but I can't seem to get the website filters to work properly. I created a "user" in the app for my nephew and assigned his iPad to that user. I enabled all of the filters, including alcohol, online dating, gambling, etc. When I used his iPad to test out the filtering, I was still able to browse to the main websites for several popular alcohol companies, dating apps, and gambling services. It's now been 3 days and the filters still don't seem to be working. So either something is wrong or the system thinks that these websites are somehow allowable even with the filters on. Luckily, the curfew and app-specific blocking features work flawlessly, so at least I can keep my nephew from staying up too late on his iPad.
- If you want to tweak many of the advanced settings of the router, you can't use the mobile app: you're forced to use a web interface via web browser. Not an issue for most people, but something to be aware of if you're an advanced user.
- Only one ethernet port on the extender node. If you want to hard-wire more than one device into the extender node, you'll need to use an ethernet switch.
- I'm not sure if I did something wrong, but I can't seem to get the website filters to work properly. I created a "user" in the app for my nephew and assigned his iPad to that user. I enabled all of the filters, including alcohol, online dating, gambling, etc. When I used his iPad to test out the filtering, I was still able to browse to the main websites for several popular alcohol companies, dating apps, and gambling services. It's now been 3 days and the filters still don't seem to be working. So either something is wrong or the system thinks that these websites are somehow allowable even with the filters on. Luckily, the curfew and app-specific blocking features work flawlessly, so at least I can keep my nephew from staying up too late on his iPad.
- If you want to tweak many of the advanced settings of the router, you can't use the mobile app: you're forced to use a web interface via web browser. Not an issue for most people, but something to be aware of if you're an advanced user.
- Only one ethernet port on the extender node. If you want to hard-wire more than one device into the extender node, you'll need to use an ethernet switch.
OVERALL:
This is an excellent entry-level Wi-Fi system for small to medium-size homes. It will easily blanket your home with a fast, reliable Wi-Fi signal and provide a market-leading platform for parental controls. I do hope, however, that Amped will continue to improve the effectiveness of its website filters.
This is an excellent entry-level Wi-Fi system for small to medium-size homes. It will easily blanket your home with a fast, reliable Wi-Fi signal and provide a market-leading platform for parental controls. I do hope, however, that Amped will continue to improve the effectiveness of its website filters.
If you have a large, multi-story home or need bleeding-edge speed and signal in all corners of your home, you may want to check out some of the more expensive mesh networking solutions. On the other hand, if you're simply looking to move away from your old, bulky router and step up to a more powerful wireless system, the Ally Plus could be for you. You'll get some great parental control features to boot -- something I haven't seen in any of the competition. Recommended!
My Best Buy number: 0961954923
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
Get party sounds and lights with this Sony XB Bluetooth speaker. In EXTRA BASS mode, its dual passive radiators pump more power into your music, and its strobing multicolored line light and speaker lights create a party atmosphere. This Sony XB Bluetooth speaker connects to up to three devices for sequential playback.
Customer Rating
4
A Fresh Take on Wireless Speakers
on April 6, 2017
Posted by: ryanmcv
I've owned more than a few portable wireless speakers throughout the years, but this one is truly unique. You can count on it to deliver excellent sound quality and a splash of fun wherever your adventures take you. That being said, this speaker maintains a few drawbacks that plague most wireless speakers available today.
PROS:
- Truly excellent sound quality - probably some of the best I've heard from a wireless, battery-enabled speaker. Enabling the EXTRA BASS option puts the speaker above the competition, delivering deep, full sounds with clear and crisp vocals. You'd be hard-pressed to find a portable speaker with better sound quality in this price range.
- Very portable: it's lightweight yet feels very sturdy and substantial. It will easily survive a weekend trip in a duffle bag.
- Colored lights and strobe: you can create your own mini night club. The lights pulse and change based on the beat of the song. You won't want to look away.
- A USB port is included on the back of the speaker so you can charge your phone while on the go.
- Water resistant: I used the speaker by my pool over the weekend. It didn't get wet, but it's nice having the peace-of-mind knowing that it can withstand a few splashes.
- Battery life: Sony claims up to 24 hours of battery life. I can't confirm that, but I used the speaker for more than 12 hours last weekend without having to recharge it. Needless to say, I'm not worried about battery life.
- Truly excellent sound quality - probably some of the best I've heard from a wireless, battery-enabled speaker. Enabling the EXTRA BASS option puts the speaker above the competition, delivering deep, full sounds with clear and crisp vocals. You'd be hard-pressed to find a portable speaker with better sound quality in this price range.
- Very portable: it's lightweight yet feels very sturdy and substantial. It will easily survive a weekend trip in a duffle bag.
- Colored lights and strobe: you can create your own mini night club. The lights pulse and change based on the beat of the song. You won't want to look away.
- A USB port is included on the back of the speaker so you can charge your phone while on the go.
- Water resistant: I used the speaker by my pool over the weekend. It didn't get wet, but it's nice having the peace-of-mind knowing that it can withstand a few splashes.
- Battery life: Sony claims up to 24 hours of battery life. I can't confirm that, but I used the speaker for more than 12 hours last weekend without having to recharge it. Needless to say, I'm not worried about battery life.
SEEMS COOL, BUT COULDN'T TEST:
- Wireless Party Chain: Sony says you can connect and synchronize up to 10 of these speakers via Bluetooth to create a massive light and music show. I would have loved to try this, but I don't have access to 10 XB40 speakers.
- Wireless Party Chain: Sony says you can connect and synchronize up to 10 of these speakers via Bluetooth to create a massive light and music show. I would have loved to try this, but I don't have access to 10 XB40 speakers.
CONS:
- Bluetooth is the only option for wireless connectivity. It works fine, but there are obvious limitations. If your phone rings, you'll have to disable Bluetooth if you want to take the call. All of your phone alert sounds will go through the speaker when connected via Bluetooth.
- The lights on the speaker are cool, but if you want to turn them off, the only way appears to be through the app on your phone. I wish Sony would have included a button on the speaker to control the lights.
- Speaking of apps, the ones used to control this speaker (SongPal and Fiestable) are extremely basic (at least on iPhone). It took me a while to finally learn how to control the light effects. Hopefully Sony improves the iPhone apps in future updates.
- Bluetooth is the only option for wireless connectivity. It works fine, but there are obvious limitations. If your phone rings, you'll have to disable Bluetooth if you want to take the call. All of your phone alert sounds will go through the speaker when connected via Bluetooth.
- The lights on the speaker are cool, but if you want to turn them off, the only way appears to be through the app on your phone. I wish Sony would have included a button on the speaker to control the lights.
- Speaking of apps, the ones used to control this speaker (SongPal and Fiestable) are extremely basic (at least on iPhone). It took me a while to finally learn how to control the light effects. Hopefully Sony improves the iPhone apps in future updates.
Overall, this is a solid wireless speaker from Sony that is sure to spark conversation and bring fun to any situation. A few small refinements from Sony would have really put this speaker over the top, but the light effects alone make this speaker a solid contender in the crowded wireless speaker market. Recommended!
My Best Buy number: 0961954923
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+41points
49of 57voted this as helpful.
Make your home an internet haven with this versatile Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system. Three identical tri-band dual-stream AC2200 routers, each equipped with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, deliver lightning-fast internet. Equipped with Bluetooth 4.0/LE, this Linksys Velop wireless Wi-Fi system is simple to set up and pairs easily with computers, tablets and smart devices.
Customer Rating
5
There's a New King of Mesh Wi-Fi
on January 13, 2017
Posted by: ryanmcv
Mesh Wi-Fi systems seem to be the hot new thing in home networking. Linksys may not have been first out of the gate with the Velop, but it has delivered a stylish and blazing-fast system that should make it stand out against the competition. Here's my take:
SETUP AND MANAGEMENT:
- Amazing first impressions. If you enjoy the unboxing experience of new electronics, you won't be disappointed. From the sturdy box to the minimalist packaging and layout, there is no doubt that this is a high-quality product.
- Sleek, understated design. Each of the three towers or "nodes" is slightly shorter than an Amazon Echo. There is only one tiny LED status light at the top of each node. The Velop system should seamlessly blend into any home decor.
- Incredibly easy setup using the Linksys iOS or Android app. Simply plug in a Velop node, open the Linksys app, and follow the instructions. Once you've set up the first node, place the other two nodes where you want them and repeat the process. Within ten minutes, I had setup all three nodes throughout my house (one in the home office, one in the kitchen, and one upstairs) and my Wi-Fi network was ready to go. It doesn't get much easier than this.
- The Linksys app provides an overview of all devices that are connected to your network. It also has options for Guest Access, Parental Controls, Device Prioritization, and some other advanced network settings.
- Amazing first impressions. If you enjoy the unboxing experience of new electronics, you won't be disappointed. From the sturdy box to the minimalist packaging and layout, there is no doubt that this is a high-quality product.
- Sleek, understated design. Each of the three towers or "nodes" is slightly shorter than an Amazon Echo. There is only one tiny LED status light at the top of each node. The Velop system should seamlessly blend into any home decor.
- Incredibly easy setup using the Linksys iOS or Android app. Simply plug in a Velop node, open the Linksys app, and follow the instructions. Once you've set up the first node, place the other two nodes where you want them and repeat the process. Within ten minutes, I had setup all three nodes throughout my house (one in the home office, one in the kitchen, and one upstairs) and my Wi-Fi network was ready to go. It doesn't get much easier than this.
- The Linksys app provides an overview of all devices that are connected to your network. It also has options for Guest Access, Parental Controls, Device Prioritization, and some other advanced network settings.
PERFORMANCE:
- My previous setup consisted of a Linksys EA7500 router and a range extender. This worked well, but speeds were noticeably slower when connected to the range extender. The Velop system eliminates this problem by reserving one of its three wireless bands for backhaul -- the communication between the main node and satellite nodes.
- I calculated throughput on each of the three nodes: the main node in the home office as well as the two satellite nodes (kitchen, ~20 feet away from main node; and upstairs, ~45 feet away from main node). Keep in mind: these results are not my Internet speeds. They are the speeds at which I transferred a large file between computers on the Velop Wi-Fi network, averaged over 5 tests.
- Standing just a few feet from the main node (home office), throughput averaged 462 megabits per second (mbps). At the kitchen node, throughput averaged 386 mbps. The farthest-away, upstairs node averaged 264 mbps. All things considered, these results are incredible and allow me to max-out my Internet speed of 150 mbps from anywhere in my house. In comparison, throughput on my old range extender typically maxed out at around 100 mbps.
- Perhaps most importantly, there are no longer any dead spots in my 3,200 sq. ft. house. I've conducted speed tests from every corner of every room, and I've maxed out my Internet speed every time.
- My previous setup consisted of a Linksys EA7500 router and a range extender. This worked well, but speeds were noticeably slower when connected to the range extender. The Velop system eliminates this problem by reserving one of its three wireless bands for backhaul -- the communication between the main node and satellite nodes.
- I calculated throughput on each of the three nodes: the main node in the home office as well as the two satellite nodes (kitchen, ~20 feet away from main node; and upstairs, ~45 feet away from main node). Keep in mind: these results are not my Internet speeds. They are the speeds at which I transferred a large file between computers on the Velop Wi-Fi network, averaged over 5 tests.
- Standing just a few feet from the main node (home office), throughput averaged 462 megabits per second (mbps). At the kitchen node, throughput averaged 386 mbps. The farthest-away, upstairs node averaged 264 mbps. All things considered, these results are incredible and allow me to max-out my Internet speed of 150 mbps from anywhere in my house. In comparison, throughput on my old range extender typically maxed out at around 100 mbps.
- Perhaps most importantly, there are no longer any dead spots in my 3,200 sq. ft. house. I've conducted speed tests from every corner of every room, and I've maxed out my Internet speed every time.
COULD BE BETTER:
- The wall plugs are oddly shaped and might take up a lot of space on your wall outlet or surge protector.
- Setup and configuration can only be done from the Linksys smartphone app. There is no way to access the Velop system's settings from a computer or web browser.
- There aren't many advanced networking settings offered in the Linksys app, so if you're a power user who needs to fine tune every last detail of your network, you might be left wanting more. (For example: you are unable to create separate SSIDs for the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands.)
- Only two ethernet ports on each node. On the main node, one of those has to be used for your cable modem, which leaves only one ethernet port to connect a desktop computer, home security system, or other device that you would prefer to have hard-wired. If you want more ports, you'll have to connect an ethernet switch.
- No USB ports for those who would like to create a network storage solution.
- The wall plugs are oddly shaped and might take up a lot of space on your wall outlet or surge protector.
- Setup and configuration can only be done from the Linksys smartphone app. There is no way to access the Velop system's settings from a computer or web browser.
- There aren't many advanced networking settings offered in the Linksys app, so if you're a power user who needs to fine tune every last detail of your network, you might be left wanting more. (For example: you are unable to create separate SSIDs for the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands.)
- Only two ethernet ports on each node. On the main node, one of those has to be used for your cable modem, which leaves only one ethernet port to connect a desktop computer, home security system, or other device that you would prefer to have hard-wired. If you want more ports, you'll have to connect an ethernet switch.
- No USB ports for those who would like to create a network storage solution.
OVERALL:
The Velop is perfect for the average user who wants to eliminate any and all problems with Wi-Fi. The system provides and easy and seamless solution to whole-home Wi-Fi coverage without the need for any advanced configuration. Other systems like Google Wi-Fi and Eero lack the tri-band technology which makes the Velop really fly when connected to the satellite nodes. It might be a bit more expensive than other options, but the Velop delivers the best overall throughput performance and range of any Wi-Fi system I've ever used. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
The Velop is perfect for the average user who wants to eliminate any and all problems with Wi-Fi. The system provides and easy and seamless solution to whole-home Wi-Fi coverage without the need for any advanced configuration. Other systems like Google Wi-Fi and Eero lack the tri-band technology which makes the Velop really fly when connected to the satellite nodes. It might be a bit more expensive than other options, but the Velop delivers the best overall throughput performance and range of any Wi-Fi system I've ever used. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
My Best Buy number: 0961954923
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+58points
64of 70voted this as helpful.
Enjoy nonstop music while charging your iPhone with this Belkin Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar adapter. It keeps your iPhone 7 or 7 Plus fully functional while plugged in, and it's compatible with Apple MFi-certified cables and headphones. The 12W power pass-through of this Belkin Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar adapter provides optimal charging speed for compatible devices.
Customer Rating
4
Works Well, But There's One Thing Missing
on January 11, 2017
Posted by: ryanmcv
Let's be honest -- Apple's removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack from the iPhone 7 was premature, at best. I don't mind using the adapter that Apple includes with the iPhone, but I really miss being able to charge my phone while listening to music. Belkin's Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar solves this problem, but it's not the cleanest solution.
PROS
- It works as expected. Plug it into the lightning port, plug in your headphones and charging cable to the RockStar, and you're in business.
- Compact size. It's only about 4 inches tall, so it will easily fit into a headphone case.
- It works as expected. Plug it into the lightning port, plug in your headphones and charging cable to the RockStar, and you're in business.
- Compact size. It's only about 4 inches tall, so it will easily fit into a headphone case.
CONS
- My biggest issue: the RockStar does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack, so you'll have to use yet another adapter to connect your traditional wired headphones. The attached picture shows just how silly this looks. Unless you exclusively use lightning headphones, you'll now have to carry around 2 adapters just to be able to charge your phone and listen to music at the same time.
- The cable on the RockStar adapter is not very flexible: it points straight down and doesn't really move in the direction of your attached headphones or charging cable.
- My biggest issue: the RockStar does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack, so you'll have to use yet another adapter to connect your traditional wired headphones. The attached picture shows just how silly this looks. Unless you exclusively use lightning headphones, you'll now have to carry around 2 adapters just to be able to charge your phone and listen to music at the same time.
- The cable on the RockStar adapter is not very flexible: it points straight down and doesn't really move in the direction of your attached headphones or charging cable.
OVERALL
The RockStar works, but it falls short of a perfect solution. I wish Belkin would have introduced a RockStar adapter with a 3.5mm jack and a lightning port for charging. For sitting at a desk or using in a car, the RockStar serves its purpose well. If you're going to be moving around or on-the-go with this adapter, it might be a bit of a challenge. It might be time for many people to look at wireless Bluetooth headphones. Regardless, this is a fine Belkin product. Recommended if you're not quite ready to jump on the wireless headphone bandwagon.
The RockStar works, but it falls short of a perfect solution. I wish Belkin would have introduced a RockStar adapter with a 3.5mm jack and a lightning port for charging. For sitting at a desk or using in a car, the RockStar serves its purpose well. If you're going to be moving around or on-the-go with this adapter, it might be a bit of a challenge. It might be time for many people to look at wireless Bluetooth headphones. Regardless, this is a fine Belkin product. Recommended if you're not quite ready to jump on the wireless headphone bandwagon.
My Best Buy number: 0961954923
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+21points
28of 35voted this as helpful.
Arlo Pro takes the worrying out of life with the 100% Wire-Free indoor/outdoor home monitoring system. Arlo Pro includes rechargeable batteries, motion and sound-activated alerts, 2-way audio, a 100+ decibel siren, and 7 days of free cloud HD video recordings. Arlo covers every angle to help keep you safe and protected.
Customer Rating
4
Great Choice for Basic Home Security
on January 10, 2017
Posted by: ryanmcv
The Arlo Pro system aims to bring simple, affordable security features to almost any home. With its simple setup and easy-to-use features, Netgear has mostly succeeded, despite the few limitations of Arlo Pro system.
SETUP
- Setup is incredibly easy and straightforward, aside from the excessive amount of packaging. The system I ordered came with 2 cameras, 2 rechargeable batteries, a base station with a siren, and 2 magnetic wall mounts.
- There are only a handful of setup procedures, which took me all of 10 minutes: Connect the base station to your router; insert the batteries into the cameras; pair the cameras to the base station; and place the cameras where you want them. This can all be done using the neatly-designed Arlo app.
- Setup is incredibly easy and straightforward, aside from the excessive amount of packaging. The system I ordered came with 2 cameras, 2 rechargeable batteries, a base station with a siren, and 2 magnetic wall mounts.
- There are only a handful of setup procedures, which took me all of 10 minutes: Connect the base station to your router; insert the batteries into the cameras; pair the cameras to the base station; and place the cameras where you want them. This can all be done using the neatly-designed Arlo app.
FEATURES
- The Arlo Pro system sports a clean and modern design. The white color of the cameras may stand out a bit if used outdoors.
- Arlo Pro is not a 24/7 recording system. Rather, the cameras use a combination of sensors to detect motion or loud sound, which then trigger the system to begin recording. When activity is detected, the system sends an alert to your phone. From there, you can view a live feed from all of your cameras and turn on the siren to scare away intruders. You can even use the two-way audio feature to talk to whomever is in front of a camera.
- The free cloud service will store motion- and sound-activated video clips for up to 7 days (premium cloud plans are available for purchase, which will store your clips for a longer period of time). You can also attach a storage device to the Arlo base station to make local back-up copies of your clips.
- The cameras are totally wireless. Netgear claims that they should work up to 300 feet away from the base station.
- The Arlo Pro system sports a clean and modern design. The white color of the cameras may stand out a bit if used outdoors.
- Arlo Pro is not a 24/7 recording system. Rather, the cameras use a combination of sensors to detect motion or loud sound, which then trigger the system to begin recording. When activity is detected, the system sends an alert to your phone. From there, you can view a live feed from all of your cameras and turn on the siren to scare away intruders. You can even use the two-way audio feature to talk to whomever is in front of a camera.
- The free cloud service will store motion- and sound-activated video clips for up to 7 days (premium cloud plans are available for purchase, which will store your clips for a longer period of time). You can also attach a storage device to the Arlo base station to make local back-up copies of your clips.
- The cameras are totally wireless. Netgear claims that they should work up to 300 feet away from the base station.
PERFORMANCE
- I tested this system in two separate environments: a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment and my family's 3,500 sq. ft. suburban house. The apartment has just one person - me. The house usually has a flurry of people going in and out during a typical day. This was a great way to see the strengths and weaknesses of the Arlo Pro.
- In my apartment, I installed both cameras indoors: one camera facing my front door and the other facing my outside balcony. The "geofencing" feature of the Arlo app works perfectly for this simple setup. The app tells my Arlo system when I arrive at or leave my apartment, so it automatically arms or disarms based on my location. As such, I have yet to receive any false alarms while using the system in my apartment.
- At my family's house, I installed one camera outdoors (at the front door porch) and one camera indoors (facing the entrance door from the garage). The amount of motion/sound alerts I receive can become overwhelming, especially if I forget to disarm the system when I know someone will be home. I've even had a few false alarms from cars driving by, squirrels running through the front yard, and even snow falling too heavily.
- Despite the few false alarms, the system does its job well. Picture quality is great both day and night (even in a pitch-black room), and the wide-angle lens of the camera covers a large area. Battery life has been fine so far (both cameras are still close to 100% after a week of use). I love the wireless convenience of the cameras and being able to place them practically anywhere. The magnetic mounts are very strong and should withstand any outside weather conditions. The siren on the base is VERY loud.
- I tested this system in two separate environments: a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment and my family's 3,500 sq. ft. suburban house. The apartment has just one person - me. The house usually has a flurry of people going in and out during a typical day. This was a great way to see the strengths and weaknesses of the Arlo Pro.
- In my apartment, I installed both cameras indoors: one camera facing my front door and the other facing my outside balcony. The "geofencing" feature of the Arlo app works perfectly for this simple setup. The app tells my Arlo system when I arrive at or leave my apartment, so it automatically arms or disarms based on my location. As such, I have yet to receive any false alarms while using the system in my apartment.
- At my family's house, I installed one camera outdoors (at the front door porch) and one camera indoors (facing the entrance door from the garage). The amount of motion/sound alerts I receive can become overwhelming, especially if I forget to disarm the system when I know someone will be home. I've even had a few false alarms from cars driving by, squirrels running through the front yard, and even snow falling too heavily.
- Despite the few false alarms, the system does its job well. Picture quality is great both day and night (even in a pitch-black room), and the wide-angle lens of the camera covers a large area. Battery life has been fine so far (both cameras are still close to 100% after a week of use). I love the wireless convenience of the cameras and being able to place them practically anywhere. The magnetic mounts are very strong and should withstand any outside weather conditions. The siren on the base is VERY loud.
COULD BE BETTER
- Netgear needs to figure out a way to reduce the amount of false alarms and notifications triggered in large or active households. As it is now, such users must constantly fine-tune the scheduling feature in the Arlo app or rely on the "geofencing" feature, which doesn't appear to work well with multiple users/devices.
- The system relies on a stable internet connection - so if your router or service provider are unreliable, you may not see any recordings or alerts. Luckily, this hasn't been a problem for me, but it's something to be aware of.
- The app needs a bit of work. Advanced settings like motion sensitivity, custom arm/disarm rules, and notification preferences seem to be buried deep in the app and aren't explained very clearly.
- If you live in a cold climate and place an Arlo Pro camera outside during the winter, you're likely going to see very short battery life. Just another limitation to be aware of.
- Netgear needs to figure out a way to reduce the amount of false alarms and notifications triggered in large or active households. As it is now, such users must constantly fine-tune the scheduling feature in the Arlo app or rely on the "geofencing" feature, which doesn't appear to work well with multiple users/devices.
- The system relies on a stable internet connection - so if your router or service provider are unreliable, you may not see any recordings or alerts. Luckily, this hasn't been a problem for me, but it's something to be aware of.
- The app needs a bit of work. Advanced settings like motion sensitivity, custom arm/disarm rules, and notification preferences seem to be buried deep in the app and aren't explained very clearly.
- If you live in a cold climate and place an Arlo Pro camera outside during the winter, you're likely going to see very short battery life. Just another limitation to be aware of.
OVERALL
All things considered, the Arlo Pro is a great security camera system for my family. Just keep in mind that this is a reactive system -- one that only records when it senses motion or noise -- and not a proactive, 24/7 system. Such a system has notable limitations, but it also offers a great deal of convenience with its wireless cameras and easy setup. Hopefully Netgear will continue to improve the system and app over time. Recommended!
All things considered, the Arlo Pro is a great security camera system for my family. Just keep in mind that this is a reactive system -- one that only records when it senses motion or noise -- and not a proactive, 24/7 system. Such a system has notable limitations, but it also offers a great deal of convenience with its wireless cameras and easy setup. Hopefully Netgear will continue to improve the system and app over time. Recommended!
My Best Buy number: 0961954923
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+12points
19of 26voted this as helpful.
Revive your Apple Watch conveniently with this Belkin Valet Charger power pack. A single charge of its 6700 mAh battery refuels a watch up to eight times, and an embedded smart chip detects connected devices for automatic wireless charging. This Belkin Valet Charger power pack includes a USB port for simultaneously charging additional devices.
Customer Rating
4
Great Battery Pack, Questionable Value
on December 24, 2016
Posted by: ryanmcv
For Apple Watch and iPhone users, charging your devices on-the-go usually requires multiple cords and charging bricks. This power pack aims to bring some convenience to travelers that find themselves without a power outlet. It's proven very useful during this holiday travel season, but it comes at a price.
PROS:
-It just works as expected. Plug in your iPhone (or any other device) to the USB port, place your Apple Watch on the magnetic charging plate, and you're good to go.
-Both devices charge simultaneously.
-Devices charge relatively fast, although output is limited to just 1 Amp per device when both an Apple Watch and iPhone are connected.
-The battery itself recharges very quickly with the included micro-USB cable (just over 1 hour from zero to full charge), assuming you plug it into a wall charger that can provide a 2.4 Amp output.
-Sleek, compact design that easily fits in any backpack or carry-on.
-It just works as expected. Plug in your iPhone (or any other device) to the USB port, place your Apple Watch on the magnetic charging plate, and you're good to go.
-Both devices charge simultaneously.
-Devices charge relatively fast, although output is limited to just 1 Amp per device when both an Apple Watch and iPhone are connected.
-The battery itself recharges very quickly with the included micro-USB cable (just over 1 hour from zero to full charge), assuming you plug it into a wall charger that can provide a 2.4 Amp output.
-Sleek, compact design that easily fits in any backpack or carry-on.
CONS:
-Only 1 USB port. I understand that this battery pack is meant to be an accessory for Apple Watch + iPhone users, but one additional USB port would have been nice so I could charge my wireless headphones along with my iPhone.
-iPhone 6/7 Plus users: your devices will drain power from this battery much quicker than smaller iPhones. Belkin claims that the battery pack can recharge an iPhone up to three times on a single charge. For Plus users, it's more like 1.5 or maybe 2 times.
-Here's the biggest issue: Price. At $99, this battery pack pales in comparison to the competition. For half the price, you can get a battery pack with more USB ports and nearly 4 times the battery capacity. Granted, you won't get the convenience of the integrated Watch charger, so that's a consideration.
-Only 1 USB port. I understand that this battery pack is meant to be an accessory for Apple Watch + iPhone users, but one additional USB port would have been nice so I could charge my wireless headphones along with my iPhone.
-iPhone 6/7 Plus users: your devices will drain power from this battery much quicker than smaller iPhones. Belkin claims that the battery pack can recharge an iPhone up to three times on a single charge. For Plus users, it's more like 1.5 or maybe 2 times.
-Here's the biggest issue: Price. At $99, this battery pack pales in comparison to the competition. For half the price, you can get a battery pack with more USB ports and nearly 4 times the battery capacity. Granted, you won't get the convenience of the integrated Watch charger, so that's a consideration.
OVERALL:
For Apple Watch + iPhone users who are always on the go, this is an easy recommendation. The integrated Watch charger makes for one less cable that you'll have to tangle up in your backpack. If you have multiple devices in addition to your Watch and iPhone that are always needing to be recharged, you may want to look at a larger battery pack that will likely cost less and come with more USB ports. For my simple purposes, this Belkin Power Pack does the job - and does it very well.
For Apple Watch + iPhone users who are always on the go, this is an easy recommendation. The integrated Watch charger makes for one less cable that you'll have to tangle up in your backpack. If you have multiple devices in addition to your Watch and iPhone that are always needing to be recharged, you may want to look at a larger battery pack that will likely cost less and come with more USB ports. For my simple purposes, this Belkin Power Pack does the job - and does it very well.
My Best Buy number: 0961954923
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+5points
7of 9voted this as helpful.
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