The company kickstarted its IP65 ambitions with AC240’s smaller sibling, the AC60, which boasts a 600W output. A full year later after the AC60 announcement, BLUETTI is bringing that dustproof and weatherproof ruggedness to customers seeking a power station that can last days under rough outdoor conditions.

We’d like to thank BLUETTI for sponsoring this post. The company has been a long-term sponsor of the blog which helps us keep things running, and we are grateful for their support. Please read on for a special discount for TechGadget readers.

IP65 – Dust Tight Protection with a Splash of Water Resistance

BLUETTI’s vast array of power stations are geared for outdoor usage as long as you keep them dry. This means rushing to keep the batteries underneath a roof or tent when sudden rainfall occurs. The BLUETTI AC240 eliminates the need for those extra steps thanks to its refined and patented design that adds additional sealing to its electronic compartments along with double-layer protected ports, independent air ducts, and a special drainage system. Thanks to these improvements, the AC240 has earned an IP65 dust and water-resistant rating.

Although the new design doesn’t fully prevent water from entering the power station, the AC240 does utilize internal exhaust fans to expel the water while the built-in heat dissipation system handles the rest by evaporating any remaining moisture. This makes the BLUETTI AC240 a suitable companion for open sea sailing expeditions.

Powerful, Yet Still Compact

Weighing about 72 lbs or 33 kg, the added weatherproofing makes the BLUETTI AC240 weigh a bit more than other BLUETTI products with similar power output. However, the AC240 retains the same microwave-like compact form factor of its siblings allowing easy transport to and from a car, boat, or RV.

The power station’s 2,400-watt output is enough to energize refrigerators, window-type air conditioners, coffee makers, heaters, microwaves, and other appliances. More demanding appliances such as space heaters and hair dryers can also take advantage of the AC240’s Power Lifting mode which raises the power output ceiling to 3,600W.

The BLUETTI AC240 offers two (2) standard AC outlets for plugging these appliances. For smartphones and other small gadgets, the AC240 provides two (2) 18W USB-A ports as well as two (2) 100W USB-C for charging laptops and drones. Other available output options include an RV port, a cigarette lighter outlet, and a NEMA TT-30 port.

The AC240’s internal 1,536Wh LFP battery can sufficiently power a small refrigerator for a day or several smaller appliances for several days. Once fully drained, the AC adapter can recharge the battery from 0% to 80% in 45 minutes using Turbo mode. Up to 1,200W of input from solar panels is supported too as a clean energy alternative.

Stack Up the Power

When the adventure calls for more energy storage, BLUETTI’s B210 expansion battery can add 2,150Wh of power doubling the power station’s overall runtime. The AC240 supports up to four (4) B210 batteries for an effective maximum capacity of 10,136Wh. The B210 batteries have their own trio of DC outputs making them serve as independent water-resistant power banks.

BLUETTI is also introducing a new parallel connection technology with the AC240 being the first to support. This technology enables you to link two AC240 units using a special BLUETTI Parallel Box P480 sold separately to double the total output to 4,800W while retaining the voltage. This breakthrough technology means you can safely invest in a AC240 to save money and later buy a second one when your house expands and you wish to provide backup power to all your appliances.

This simple setup supports parallel connection to the grid too with a slightly reduced output of 4,000W. Because the BLUETTI AC240 offers full UPS functionality, the power station can reliably detect power outages and immediately switch to battery power within a swift, 15-millisecond period.

AI Brains and Brawn

Like other BLUETTI power stations, the AC240 uses a lithium iron phosphate battery which can retain around 80% of its capacity after 3,500 charge cycles. Combined with BLUETTI’s AI battery management technology called BLUETOPUS AI BMS, the AC240 can maximize its efficiency based on usage to achieve the best possible lifespan without sacrificing performance.

If you wish to fine tune these settings, you may use the official BLUETTI app which lets you tweak the various power settings, UPS profiles, and charging speeds. BLUETTI is backing the AC240 with a lengthy 6-year warranty to give its customers that full peace of mind in owning a truly reliable backup power solution.

Pricing and Availability: special discount!

You can purchase the BLUETTI AC240 directly from BLUETTI’s official website and BLUETTI Amazon store for a starting price of $1799. As a bonus to all you TechGadgetsCanada readers, you can score an extra $50 discount with the promo code PR240 if you buy from April 2 to April 29. BLUETTI will launch a slightly bigger variant of the AC240 called the AC240P alongside matching B210P batteries that week as well.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Pushing Power Boundaries with New Weatherproof BLUETTI AC240 Portable Power Station appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

In this article, I’ll walk you through how an AMZCHEF Slow Juicer operates, how it differs from traditional high-speed centrifugal juicers, and what you can expect from the juice it produces. We will also take a look at AMZCHEF’s top three options which do a lot more than just juicing.  I would like to say a big thank you to the company for sponsoring this post. Their support helps us keep the blog and the YouTube channel running so for that we are very grateful.

Understanding the Slow Juicer

Let’s start by delving into what exactly a slow juicer is and how it functions. Slow juicers, also known as masticating or cold press juicers, employ a gentle crushing or pressing mechanism, often utilizing an auger. Unlike high-speed juicers, which operate with rapid spinning blades, slow juicers work, not surprisingly, at a much lower speed, with minimal heat and friction during the extraction process. What does that mean? For starters, less air or foam being introduced into the juice, a common occurrence with centrifugal juicers.

In some cases slow or masticating juicers can offer different kitchen functions as well; some can be used as meat grinders, ice crushers, or even sno-cone and smoothie makers.

Choosing Between High Speed and Slow Juicers

The debate between high speed and slow juicers often boils down to personal preferences and priorities. While high-speed juicers offer quicker results, they may sacrifice certain juice qualities in the process.

Slow juicers typically produce juice with minimal foam and reduced separation, characteristics commonly associated with centrifugal juicers. Additionally, slow juicers operate quietly compared to their high-speed counterparts.

Closer look: Assembly

Let’s take a closer look at what comes with an AMZCHEF Juicer and how it’s assembled.

AMZCHEF Slow Juicers have several common components, including a feeder tube, pusher, main extraction auger, and pulp disposal unit.

How to use a masticating juicer

To use the juicer, simply feed small pieces of produce into the feeder tube and allow the auger to do its work, crushing the fruit and vegetables to pulp. The resulting juice flows out while pulp is expelled through a narrow tube at the end. The compact pulp pellets can be repurposed for any number of uses, like making a veggie broth, feeding to pets as part of a raw diet, or use it as compost.

Juicing Experience and Clean-up

While AMZCHEF Juicers generally deliver a quiet and efficient juicing experience, they do require patience due to the slower extraction process. However, the absence of foam and juice separation, coupled with the cool and fresh taste of the juice, seems to make it worth the wait.

Cleanup is relatively straightforward, with all components easily disassembled for washing. It’s worth noting that very hot water is not recommended for cleaning, and hand washing is preferable over dishwasher use.

Three options for high quality juicing

AMZCHEF has three models of masticating juicer to choose from.  Let’s look at them from simplest, to most complex.

Masticating Juicer Machines, AMZCHEF Slow Cold Press Juicer with Reverse Function

If you’re looking for a very quiet-running but still very effective juicer, you’ll want to look closer at this countertop model from AMZCHEF. With its 7 spiral masticating auger for maximum juice yield, it helps prevent oxidation and preserve all the wonderful nutrition, effectively pressing fruits and vegetables against a steel filter to extract juice while separating pulp.

It works like a dream on hard veggies ginger, celery, and other fibrous fruits or vegetables but it can also be used to press every drop from oranges and citrus fruits (and all the flavourful oils too!) as well as softer fruits and veg including kiwi, and strawberries. The AMZCHEF Juicer has just a single speed but two settings: forward and reverse. The reverse function proves useful for dislodging any produce lodged in the auger.

AMZCHEF says the noise is less than 60 decibels, while this slow juicer operates at a speed of 80-115 RPM, ensuring a quiet juicing experience. AMZCHEF also says this model juicer can extract up to 90% more juice while minimizing oxidation and preserving nutrients.

This model also brings versatility to your kitchen, since it can also be used as a meat grinder or slicer shredder by purchasing additional attachments.

Find out more here.

AMZCHEF SJ-036 Juicer 5.3-Inch Self-Feeding Masticating Juicer Fit Whole Fruits & Vegetables

The new generation of AMZCHEF juicer is different from traditional juicers. With a wider opening and larger juice capacity of nearly 2 liters, this version frees you from repeatedly feeding the juicer with ingredients.   AMZCHEF SJ-036 Juicer adopts cold-press masticating technology, paired with a strong 250W motor and auger, but at the same time it’s very quiet. This juicer uses a multi-stage cutting, crushing and squeezing process, so that you can get the most juice possible—and retain the original nutrients.

Plus with a triple filter you’ll find less foam and fewer bits in your juice. And with its “stop-on-opening” and anti-drip lid it’s safe and tidy to use too. It comes in many beautiful colors, and has over 8,000 5-star reviews., and it’s clear users love it.

Learn more here.

AMZCHEF 1517: 5 in 1 Slow Masticating Juicer with Slicer/Shredder Attachment, Meat Grinder, Snow Cone Maker

AMZCHEF has created the ultimate kitchen machine with this 5-in-1 multifunctional appliance. It starts with the juicer, which uses the now-familiar mastication mechanism and its 112 RPM slow screw motor to squeeze up to 85% of nutrient-rich juice from almost any fruit or vegetables. This slow, low-heat extraction method lets you maximize the nutritional value of   and reduce oxidation, which is what typically turns fresh juice an off-putting brown colour.

The juicer can handle typical fruits and leafy vegetables plus things like apples, oranges, watermelon or wheatgrass, which you just can’t use with a high speed extractor. With just a 60dB noise level, it’s not going to shake the house either.

But the utility doesn’t stop there; this juicer is also a meat grinder by swapping in a few parts. You can grind fresh meats like chicken, pork, turkey or beef easily. And since the machine disassembles quickly with dishwasher safe parts, the cleanup is ultra easy. It can even shred or slice vegetables for salads.

And since the machine disassembles quickly with dishwasher safe parts, the cleanup is ultra easy. This juicer also does myriad other kitchen tasks too; use it to crush ice, or feed frozen fruit through to make smoothies or sno-cones in an instant. This machine will even make baby food!

Get the details here.

Overall Impression

AMZCHEF Juicers can fullfill almost any kitchen task. With quiet operation, high juice yield, and minimal foam and almost no juice separation these appliances are standout choices for juicing enthusiasts—and those who need an appliance to do more.

Check out more about these AMZCHEF Juicers if you’re looking for a reliable and budget-friendly juicing solution.

You can get the AMZCHEF Masticating Cold Press Slow Juicer on Amazon or check out some of the company’s other products too.

Also Read:

1. Review: Ninja Professional Blender
2. Ninja Blast Portable Blender review

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Everything to know about slow juicers: and 3 to pick from AMZCHEF appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

What is Molekule Air Pro?

Molekule Air Pro is a large format purifier meant to sit on the floor in your room. With a replaceable filter inside, it can purify the air in a space up to 1000 square feet, making it great for open concept homes like mine. You control it by touching the controls on the device, or using the free Molekule app.

Molekule is a new kind of air purifier, and the company says it works differently than others by destroying a large range of pollutants in the air.

How does Molekule work?

Molekule’s air purifiers use what’s called a PECO HEPA Tri-Power filter, which has three layers of protection, and I’ll walk you thorugh what that means: It combines the true HEPA filtration technology we’re all familiar with which has a 99.97% particle-capture rate, with Molekule’s PECO technology that destroys organic pollutants: Things like viruses, bacteria, mold, allergens, volatile organic compounds, chemicals, and more. The third part of the filtration technology is a final layer of carbon filtration to reduce odors and gases, so all you notice is clean, crisp air. Molekule says this makes it one of the most advanced filters on the market with the ability to destroy the widest range of pollutants compared to conventional filters.

Design and form factor

I’ve reviewed plenty of air purifiers and a lot of them look very boxy and unattractive. Molekule has actually made its purifiers to blend into modern spaces. They kind of look more like wireless speakers than air purifiers.

Set up

Getting the Molekule Air Pro set up was quick and easy for me.

• Download the Molekule app and sign up for or sign into your account.
• Place your device on the floor, away from walls for ideal air flow.
• Push down on the top of the purifier and twist it to open.
• Then remove the top and you’ll see your PECO HEPA Tri-Power filter.
• Unwrap it, and place it on the small post inside then replace the lid.
• Plug the Air Pro in and it will come on right away.
• Head to your app and choose which device to add. The app is easy to figure out and it will help get you connected to your home’s Wi-Fi.
• Air Pro starts working immediately.

What is Molekule Auto Protect Mode?

If you don’t want to have to worry about monitoring your purifier and turning it up and down all the time, Auto Protect Mode is for you. Auto Protect allows you to let the machine
measure your air quality on its own, then respond to it, cycling on higher or lower power. There’s two versions of this, standard and quiet.
Auto Protect Standard: When sensors detect dirty air, higher fan speeds engage.
Auto Protect Quiet: Destroys pollutants at evening-appropriate noise levels.

Understanding your Molekule air quality readings

The Air Pro sensor detects six indoor air pollutants, which you can track in the app: VOCs, Relative Humidity, CO2, and three different types of particulate matter. You’ll see four different colors on the Air Pro, and through the app, to indicate the levels of particles. Green means there’s a low level of particles in the air, yellow is moderate, red is bad, and purple means there may be a very unhealthy concentration of particles in the air. There’s no trying to analyze numbers or parts per million just a simple and easy to understand color system.

See your air over time

One of the cool things about this purifier is that will track your indoor air quality over time: You can view your indoor air readings in 5 minute increments, day after day, week after week, helping your track seasonal allergen changes in your air, or to alert you to volatile organic compounds that may end up inside when you get new furniture or carpets, for example. Not only can you see pollutant spikes, you can also see how the Air Pro reacts to destroy them.

Is Molekule Noisy?

The truth about air purifiers is that if they are noisy and make a racket, chances are, you’ll prefer them turn off. Molekule Air Pro is quiet, despite its large size and even when running on high, it wasn’t distracting to me.

Do you have to change the filter? Is it washable?

The Molekule Air Pro has a replaceable filter inside. Why do you need to replace your filter?

Over time the PECO HEPA Tri-Power Filter can become full of dust and hair. This reduces the filter’s effectiveness in trapping and destroying pollutants. The Molekule app will let you know when it’s time to change it. Changing the filter every 6 months ensures that your device is running efficiently.

You can also subscribe to Molekule filters, which will save you over 45% a year, and ensures filter replacements automatically arrive at your house so you don’t have to remember to replace them.

Overall thoughts on Molekule Air Pro

If you have concerns about air quality, you’ll want to take a closer look at Molekule, and there’s a lot I like about my Air Pro.

The design is sleek and modern, it’s easy to set up and use, it runs silently, and most importantly I know it’s not just cleaning and purifying the air; it’s destroying organic material that could be floating around my home. I enjoyed my Molekule experience and I can recommend the Air Pro for people looking to destroy allergens, or anyone concerned with air quality, particularly in larger spaces or your whole home.

Molekule Air Pro sells for about $1014 US. If you’re looking for something for a smaller space or if you’re on a budget, Molekule Air Mini+ sells for about $359 US.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Molekule Air Pro: see my in home review appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

BLUETTI AC70.

Christmas is often a time when we like to think about getting gifts that will make friends and loved ones smile. While fun gifts are always a hit, sometimes a gift that’s more practical can be the biggest hit of all. If there’s someone on your list who loves the outdoors and can be found camping, hiking, RVing or just puttering around the backyard or garden, a potentially fabulous gift idea might be reliable portable power. BLUETTI, the go-to brand for portable power solutions, is giving you one final shot to snag a power station at an amazing discount—up to 30% off until December 25th.

Check Out BLUETTI’s Christmas Collection

BLUETTI’s power stations aren’t just handy—they’re the perfect practical gift for yourself, family, and friends. Keep those Christmas lights shining, whether you’re at home or out exploring the great outdoors. We’d like to say thank you to BLUETTI for sponsoring this post. They have been a fantastic sponsor of the blog this year which helps us keep the lights on and kibble in the old dog dishes, and we thank them for their support.

Portable Power on the Go: Meet the BLUETTI AC70
Starting at C$679 (previously C$799), that’s C$120 in savings!

The AC70 is the upgrade of the crowd-favorite EB70S. It’s your go-to power source for holiday camping or as a backup during emergencies. It’s portable yet sturdy, weighing only 10.2kg(22.5lbs), and delivers a solid 1,000W power for your gadgets. And guess what? You can control it remotely through the BLUETTI app, even while you’re snug in your sleeping bag on a camping trip.

Ready for the Outdoors: BLUETTI AC180 + PV350 Solar Generator Kit
Starting at C$1898 (previously C$2598), saving you a whopping C$700!

Looking for serious power for your adventures? The AC180 is your answer! This 16kg(36.1lbs) powerhouse can handle electric grills, coffee makers, and even some 2,000W loads in Power Lifting mode. Plus, it charges up lightning fast—reaching 80% in just 45 minutes via mains and hitting a full charge in 2 hours with 500W solar charging.

BLUETTI AC200MAX.

Expandable Power: BLUETTI AC200MAX + PV350
Starting at C$2698 (previously C$3798), saving a massive C$1100!

BLUETTI’s flagship model, the AC200MAX, is the ultimate power solution for road trips and emergencies. It charges everything from your fridge to your iPhones all at once. You can even expand its capacity with extra batteries and power up your entire motor home with folding solar panels like the BLUETTI PV350.

Versatile Home Backup: BLUETTI AC300 + B300
Starting at C$3299 (previously C$4399), saving you C$1100!

Need a reliable home backup? The AC300’s got you covered. It’ll keep your essentials—lights, fridge, heating system—running within 20ms of a power outage. It’s a modular system too, so you can customize it based on your needs and budget. Add up to 4 B300 batteries to scale up to a massive 12,288Wh of power!

Don’t Forget the Portable Solar Panel: BLUETTI PV350
Starting at C$899 (previously C$1199), saving you C$300!

When you’re off the grid, the BLUETTI PV350 foldable solar panels are a game-changer. Pop them in your car trunk or camper van and let the sun do its work. With an impressive 23.4% conversion rate, these panels produce 350 watts of electricity, rain or shine!

And there’s more to BLUETTI than just products. It’s about peace of mind and inspiring stories, like Tom Phease, who at 75, transformed his off-grid farming life with BLUETTI’s AC300 and AC500 systems. And then there’s rugby league star Latrell Mitchell, finding solace at Winmarra Farm, powered by BLUETTI generators during recovery.

Perfect Christmas gifts from BLUETTI

This Christmas, BLUETTI has special rewards for you! Get triple BLUETTI BUCKs on your order and a 5% discount for friend referrals. Make BLUETTI the special gift that unlocks endless possibilities for yourself and your loved ones.

The post The most powerful gift: BLUETTI’s Portable Power Stations appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

SwitchBot Curtain 3 Review

In this post I’ll take a look at what you get with this device and how it works with existing curtains. I’ll explore if you can use it with different types of drapes, how you install it, and whether it actually works as advertised. I’d like to say thank you to SwitchBot for sponsoring this post. Their support helps us keep the blog running so we’re grateful. Through they have paid for my time they have not told me what I have to say or cannot say in this article so you can consider these thoughts my own.

Click here to see the Curtain 3 in action in my YouTube Short.

What is SwitchBot Curtain 3?

SwitchBot Curtain 3 consists of a small motor that rolls across your curtain rod and pulls your existing curtains along for the ride. With just a couple of parts and components, and a rechargeable motor, setting it up is actually quite easy.

What types of curtains does Switchbot work on?

Switchbot is made to manage several different types and styles of curtains. You first choose whether your curtain is held up by a traditional cylindrical rod, or a U-shaped rail. It will even work on extendable or uneven rods too. (An i-rail version is in the works also.)

SwitchBot Curtain 3 can manage all the big styles of drapes including tab-top drapes, back-tab curtains, and curtains held in place by grommets, or rings. To check if your curtains will be compatible, click here to access SwitchBot’s’ Compatibility Checker.

What’s in the box?

When you unpack the box the parts will no doubt look quite unfamiliar. But they are actually very cleverly designed and go together easily.

In the box you get:

• Main motor unit
• A pair of hooks with rollers and metal arms
• Plastic Clips
• USB-C charging cable
• Magnetic pad
• Reset tool and wet wipe
• A Bead Fixer (used for grommeted curtains)

How to install SwitchBot Curtain 3

First things first; download the SwitchBot app. This is how you’ll control your curtains. Either sign up for an account or sign into an existing account.

I have tab top curtains in my office, and my curtain rod has a centre support, so for this installation I needed two Curtain 3 motors; one for each curtain panel.
For this installation I also need to use the clips provided to help install the SwitchBot Curtain 3. The clips have essentially three parts; a lever which opens the mouth of the clip up, and an upper and lower jaw to grip the curtain fabric/tabs. You’ll lift the top portion of the clip up; and it does require quite a bit of force to open. I was afraid of breaking it, but the clips are actually quite solid.

One of the clips atop a drapery tab.

Once open, you’ll have the clip bite down on the very top section of one of the tabs, creating a smooth surface for the curtain to slide on while sitting on the rod. The clips also help prevent the tops of the drapes from getting caught up in the motor arms.

For the first clip (on the first tab that will go towards the centre of the curtain rod), you’ll face the jaws of the clip towards the centre of the rod. Then attach two more clips on the next two tabs in line, but this time have them bite away from the centre of the rod. The end of the clips essentially have small bracket-spacers that help the Curtain 3 push them along the top of the rod.

Learn more about SwitchBot Curtain 2 vs Curtain 3

Hidden placement

With the clips attached it’s time to add the hooks and the motor. You’ll be positioning it between the first and second tab on your drapes and the motor will be placed behind the curtain panel so it’s a bit hidden. Hook one arm over the curtain rod, then clip it to the motor. Clip the other arm on the other side of the motor and then lock it into place. Make sure the SwitchBot logo is facing into the room (but behind your curtain panel).
Finally you’ll place a thin magnet pad on the middle of the rod so SwitchBot knows where to stop.

Do the other panel.

With clips and motors placed, you’ll run a test. The app will open up the curtains so you can check that everything is working properly. Once you confirm, you’re ready to use your curtains.

SwitchBot app: easy to navigate

The app is quite simple and easy to navigate. You can simply tap a virtual button to open the curtains fully, close them fully, or leave them somewhere in between.

Does SwitchBot Curtain 3 really work?

I’m glad to report that in my review, SwitchBot Curtain 3 works surprisingly well! I was impressed with how easy it is to set up and how easy it is to use with all types of curtains. I was initially sceptical that the unit would work with my flimsier tab-top drapes, but it’s been flawless and I’ve now got much easier access to opening and closing the drapes.

Anytime operation & automation

It’s possible to set your drapes on a daily schedule, or to purchase a SwitchBot remote control. You can also control just one side or your dual curtain panels too by accessing the Sync Control page (which is found in the bottom of the Switchbot app after you tap on your curtains).

Voice control: supports almost everything!

Curtain 3 supports integration with all the major smart home services including Apple Home Kit/Siri, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and IFTTT. I opted for linking Google and was able to simply ask Google to ‘open the curtains’.

Does SwitchBot Curtain work with Alexa?

With other smart home commands you may need to revise the phrasing. For example, ‘Alexa, ask SwitchBot to open curtains’ .

Battery: How long does SwitchBot Curtain last?

The battery on a fully charged Curtain 3 will last about 8 months, depending how many times each day you’re using it.

Optional Accessories for Curtain 3

In addition to the SwitchBot remote control, there is an array of helpful accessories you can use with your Curtain 3.

SwitchBot Remote
To open or close your curtains without needing your phone. This is handy to keep on a table near your curtains so that they can be controlled by others in the family or by visitors.

SwitchBot Solar Panel

This handy compact solar panel plugs into the bottom of your Curtain 3 motor (for now, it only works with Curtain 3) and absorbs sunlight to keep your motor charged 24/7. It’s designed for sunnier spaces, but can handle some measure of shade too. Because it hangs from the motor and will be on the backside of your drapes, you won’t see it from inside the home. Clever! The long cable supporting the solar panel is also helpful for those who’ve placed the drapes higher up on the wall, like me.

SwitchBot Hub 2

SwtichBot makes plenty of other smart home gadgets too.  SwitchBot Hub 2 allows you to get instant information about your home. With a built in temperature sensor and humidity meter you’ll always know what’s happening in your space.

SwitchBot Indoor/Outdoor Thermo-Hygrometer

If you want to keep tabs on the air temperature or humidity around your home, whether indoors or out, this extremely compact meter (about the size of a USB thumb drive) can be placed almost anywhere and provide up to the minute data. I placed mine outside my house so I could keep tabs on the weather more easily and more precisely.

Overall review

Overall I think this is a great product and very well executed. It solves a problem many homeowners have, and is ideal for drapes that are not easy to reach, are placed up very high, or that are blocked by furniture.
SwitchBot Curtain 3 is extremely easy to install, and works amazingly well at automating part of my home I never thought could be. I really can’t find any downsides to the device, unless you might be concerned with the device potentially being partially visible on the curtain rod.

I can highly recommend Switchbot Curtain 3 if you have blinds or drapes you would like to automate… and at a fraction of the cost of buying dedicated smart blinds!

Pricing for the different components varies depending on if you buy them individually or as part of a bundle. The Switchbot curtain three sells for about $118CAD/$89USD Canadian for a single unit, or $225CAD/$169USD for a 2-pack. Adding a solar panel is about $34CAD/$24USD. You can get them from SwitchBot’s website or from Amazon. or Walmart.

You can get a 10% off Coupon Code with Promo Code XMCURTAIN3 (valid till Nov 30^th and available for Amazon and Shopfiy on Curtain 3, Hub2, Remote, Solar Panels) or use my special Coupon Code 10UPFON7ZDU6AZ.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post SwitchBot Curtain 3 Review: how to automate older curtains appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

I’d like to thank COSORI for sponsoring this post. As an ongoing sponsor of the blog and YouTube channel they are supporting our new content every day, so for that I’m grateful. Even though they’re paying for my time, they haven’t told me what I have to say or what I can’t say, and I got to cook what I wanted so you can consider these thoughts my own.

 WATCH: My hands-on review of COSORI TurBoBlaze

COSORI 6-quart TurboBlaze air fryer: what it can do

Let’s take a closer look at the COSORI 6-Quart TurboBlaze Air Fryer, and the 4 key problems with air fryers Cosori is solving with this machine.

Problem: Size

Air fryers can be big and bulky and take up too much counter space.

Solution

The solution? COSORI says its 6-Quart TurboBlaze Air Fryer is made to maximize the interior space while keeping the footprint small; that means it won’t take up needless storage either.

With a smart angled digital LED control panel on the top that’s easy to read without bending over, the unit seems well designed, and does indeed have a huge cooking basket.

Problem: Performance

Air fryers can be loud (I know the last air fryer I had droned incessantly). And they can cook unevenly; scorching the top while the center is underdone.

Solution

I can confirm the COSORI 6-Quart TurboBlaze Air Fryer is quieter than the last air fryer I tested. Plus, with a DC motor, it heats quicker, cooks faster, and allows for more precise temperature and fan control.

That added control allows for 9 pre-set cooking functions, including air frying, but it also roasts, bakes, broils, defrosts, cooks from frozen, dehydrates, reheats and warms  to accomplish almost any cooking need.

Problem: Limited capacity

Air fryers can be too small to make food for the whole family.

Solution

The solution here is that the COSORI 6-Quart TurboBlaze Air Fryer can cook more; use it to bake up crispy sides, but it can also roast veggies, broil fish, cook frozen foods, reheat, defrost or cook food right from frozen. It’s even big enough to handle a roast chicken!

Problem: Hard to clean

Grease and oil and spattered food can accumulate, making cleaning a major chore, or causing your air fryer to smoke. Plus all those nooks and crannies can be hard to get clean.

Solution

When it comes to the cleaning, the COSORI 6-Quart TurboBlaze Air Fryer is made to be easier to clean with a non-stick coating that means most messes simply wipe clean, but the basket and crisper plate are both dishwasher safe too!

Cooking tests

The first test I wanted to take it through was to see if it is faster… While the air fryer is 46% faster than one of COSORI’s older models*, I wanted to see if it would be faster at general tasks than my oven.

I got  tater tots ready for both the oven and the COSORI 6-Quart TurboBlaze Air Fryer. Amazingly I can say I was able to preheat the turbo blaze, cook tater tots, and have them served up hot and ready in less than 10 minutes; my oven didn’t even finish the preheating process before I was already having breakfast!

Next I decided to make breakfast for the next day by using the included cookbook to make a fresh, made from scratch homemade granola. The recipe was very simple and mostly used things I already had on hand. After a quick mix the entire mixture went into the cooking basket (no wire rack) and I set the timer for the recommended seven minutes. Since I like my granola nice and crispy and extra toasty, I opted to add more time. In the end I was rewarded with amazing fresh crispy granola.

I decided to use the COSORI 6-Quart TurboBlaze Air Fryer todo you make side dishes as well. It made lightning fast work of roasted carrots, cooking them to perfection in about 10 minutes. Plus they had the perfect shade of golden brown, and more wonderfully tender inside. When it comes to potatoes, adding follow the recipe block to boil and season some fresh potatoes from my garden. After only about 15 minutes in the air fryer they were tender on the inside and delightfully brown and crispy on the outside. Again here, I will say I added extra time to the COSORI recommended recipe duration; and I think I can say that’s okay if you want to make your own adjustments too.

We made homemade wings for wing night, and toasted the results with a cold one.

I also made breaded chicken breasts with an almond crust, which came out beautifully juicy.

The air fryer has a wider temperature range of 90˚ F to 450˚ F and COSORI says they did that to offer more cooking possibilities and allow better results for a variety of foods.

I cooked a mini homemade lasagna from frozen…. Which actually reminds me that you can even use smaller 8 inch baking pans and tins in this air fryer. That also opens up a whole world of desserts too.

Even used my oven to dehydrate citrus slices for floating on top of fun cocktails, just like pro bartenders use!

I also baked homemade spinach and cheese filled Spanakopita, meatballs, and appetizers.

Lastly I decided to try the roast chicken test. Getting a roast chicken cooked properly in a regular oven can sometimes be a challenge… but… in the COSORI Turbo Blaze it was really easy. Place your chicken breast side down for about 30 minutes, then flip it over carefully for another 30 minutes. The oven is very effective, and it gave us a super crispy skin; our results might be a little too crispy for some folks, so if you want it a little less dark, just place a little bit of foil over top for the last 20 minutes or so.

The chicken was beautifully cooked and as a bonus the pan was full of delicious rich drippings which we made into a gravy.

Safety features

There’s an auto shutoff to make sure that when the basket is removed during cooking, the air fryer will turn off and stop heating. Plus overheat protection automatically shuts it off when needed.

What is cleanup like?

After each meal or dish, I was very surprised to find how quickly and easily both the cooking drawer, and the crisper plate came clean. I also put the basket and crisper plate into the dishwasher and amazingly it did a great job too—with less effort from me.

A  week of hot meals and dishes later I also wiped out the air fryer with a dishcloth. It came clean quite well, with only a small scrubbie needed on more stubborn areas.

Overall thoughts: COSORI 6-Quart TurboBlaze Air Fryer

Overall this air fryer strikes a good balance between what we need and what we want; Let me tell you what I liked: it’s got a smaller footprint so it takes up less space on the counter and in the cupboard. It heats up fast, runs so much quieter, and has more precise control than your average air fryer too.  Plus it can cook many different things in 15 minutes or less.

Making homemade granola.

With the ability to cook all kinds of foods, it can be a quick easy way to dinner, or an extra option when cooking for a crowd.

Another pro is the price. Selling for an affordable price of $119.99US, it’s available now on Amazon, Walmart, and at COSORI.com.

The only downsides I can think of might be that finding a place to use and store an air fryer could still be a concern for some, or that others may be looking for even more versatility. If that’s the case you can check my upcoming review of a new COSORI product, coming soon.

Also Read:

The post COSORI 6-quart TurboBlaze Air Fryer Review appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

Switchbot S10 review: coming soon

First launched on Kickstarter October 16, this bot raised almost a million bucks of its modest 10-thousand dollar goal, so it seems it’s heading into production already. We’d like to thank Switchbot for being a sponsor of the blog, and being willing to provide a test unit to us as part of a sponsored post. While the company is paying for our time, they have not told us what we must say or what we can’t say about the robot so any opinions about the product will be our own. We will be getting hands on with this device once it’s ready so watch the space for a full in-home review.

In the meantime, here’s what we know about this radical new floor bot.

World first: Never needs filling or emptying

The Switchbot S10 bills itself the first cleaning bot capable of refilling and draining its water tanks without assistance. It does this through physical connections to your water and drainage systems; Similar to your dishwasher or washing machine, the S10’s Water Station stays connected all the time, meaning far less maintenance from you.

If you don’t have existing connections to tap into, Switchbot includes adapters you can use to connect everything. If you absolutely can’t plumb thigs in or use the adapters, Switchbot has a freestanding dock that can be filled with water, holding 2.5 litres of clean water and 2 litres of dirty water. This accessory will be included for all Kickstarter backers free of charge.

What’s in the box? Two docks

The Switchbot S10 will ship with essentially two different docks; the first, larger unit will be where it empties the dustbin and washes and dries its mopping pad with jets of warm air.

The second, smaller dock is where the mop will refill itself with clean water, and when it can empty dirty water from its tank too.

Depending on your home’s layout, figuring out where to place the Water Station might be a challenge. The Water Station is battery-powered, which means one less connection to worry about, and it can be re-charged by the S10 when it docks there.

You can connect the water station directly to kitchen or bathroom plumbing, or even your toilet connection, meaning you can hide the water refilling out of sight. The Water Station is only 100mm (3.93 inches)  long and 400mm (15.75 inches) high—Photos from Switchbot show it tucking easily underneath a kitchen kickplate.

By the looks, it takes up a lot less space than most robot vacuum stations.

Vacuum Suction

The vacuum bot itself is capable of 6500Pa suction, which is on the higher side for robot vacuums these days. An onboard dustbin handles the initial collection, and then empties it into a larger sealed dust bag in the docking station as needed.

The larger dustbag on the docking station needs to be emptied about once every 70 days, depending on your vacuum frequency.

Mopping

The Switchbot S10 uses a “roller mop” which actually looks a lot like a paint roller but set underneath the robot. This roller does online allows it to sponge up water or spills, but it’s spinning action also delivers a certain amount of scrubbing. At the same time that rolling mechanism allows dirty water to be squeegeed from the roller mop and held in the onboard dirty water tank for disposal at the water station.

The Roller Mop.

The bottom of the unit contains an anti-tangle rubber vacuum brush to allow for easier cleanup from dog and human hair tangles.

The robot boosts carpet detection and will return retract the roller mop into the device slightly when moving over carpet, meaning your carpets will stay dry and clean when the unit goes across them.

Mapping and navigation

The unit makes use of LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) technology to aid in its navigation, meaning you’ll have fewer issues with the unit bumping into your furniture. Additionally, AI Obstacle Avoidance is included to assist the S10 in navigating around found obstacles.

Humidifier option

Switchbot also makes a humidifier that can be filled and emptied by the S10. Since your S10 has access to clean water and can empty dirty water, it takes over the task of tending to your humidifier for you. The SwitchBot Evaporative Humidifier is part of the Kickstarter as an add-on at $129. Switchbot is also looking at adding a dehumidifier by the end of 2024.

Voice control

The SwitchBot S10 will support Matter (the system by which Google Home can communicate with devices) via OTA once Matter supports the robot vacuum category in the future.

The verdict so far

Overall this new floor cleaning robot seems to check all the boxes that other brands have left empty thus far. It promises powerful cleaning, and almost zero maintenance from you, all while seemingly keeping the overall package as streamlined as possible. We are super excited to get our hands on one of the first test models later this year, so watch this space as we put it through its paces.

Switchbot S10 is still available for backing on Kickstarter until December 15.

SwitchBot S10 launched on Kickstarter on October 16, for a super early bird price of $799 (it’ll cost $1199.99 at retail). Learn more about it or check pricing and Kickstarter backing availability here.

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I have long been a fan of Ecovacs vacuums because they work extremely well, operate entirely bug free, and the company keeps innovating and making its robots smarter with every new device. That’s why I would like to thank Ecovacs for sponsoring this post, since their support is helping me keep the blog and the YouTube channel running so for that I am very grateful. Though they are paying for my time, they have not told me what I have to say and what I can’t say and I got to test the bot however I wanted to, so these thoughts are all my own.

What you get: ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI

What do you get with the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI? This is a dual vacuum and mopping robot that can also empty its own dustbin, and wash and dry its scrubbing mopping pads with hot water and hot air.

What’s new?

There is a lot to cover here when it comes to what’s new. So I’m going to break this down into a kind of Top 10 list.

1. New (old) shape

There are a couple of notable differences in terms of the aesthetics, but when it comes to the shape, this is more than just straightening a few curves. ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI goes back to robot vacuum roots by squaring off the front of the bot, and that helps with two things; First, allows it to handle corners and edges a lot better. Second thing that squoval shape does is actually number two on our list…

2. Wider Roller Brush

ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI has a wider roller brush underneath—now 20 cm long or nearly 8-inches, which should allow it to pick up more dust and debris in a single pass. In fact, ECOVACS says it should pick up nearly 20-percent more debris at once (as compared to the X1 model). We will fact check this in the cleaning tests coming up.

3. More compact base station

X2 at left and T20 at right.

ECOVACS did a bit of a redesign on the Omni station. They have slimmed it down and shortened it slightly, particularly when compared to the X1 version or the T20 OMNI. Other changes to the base station are things you won’t notice and that brings us to item number five…

4. Streamlined design touches

The overall design of this floor bot seems to push it towards minimalist look and I think it looks fantastic; one of the key things I noticed right away is that there are no visible buttons anywhere on the device to break up the lines. You won’t see a big power button or any others for that matter; there’s just one tiny button all but hidden under the lip of the lid. There’s still substantially sized water tanks in here; a large 4 litre for freshwater and 3.5L for dirty water, from the mop cleaning process.

5. Slimmer vacuum for tight spaces

Ecovacs keeps the downsizing theme going with a shorter robot vacuum profile; the bot itself is designed to be able to get under lower furniture , standing just about 95 mm or about 3.5-inches tall, and with no more lighthouse on top like the X1, it’s far less likely to get caught on things when it’s cleaning.

6. Stronger suction

Speaking of cleaning, number seven on our list of major improvements is suction power.

The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI now has an astounding 8,000 pascals of suction—ECOVACS calls it Hurricane Power; in some cases that’s at least double and up to three and four times as powerful as most other vacuum robots, and it’s up even from the substantial 5,000 pa on the X1.

This should mean it will do an even better job of suctioning nearly every thing from your floors. I will also test this out by adding some new challenges to my typical array of robot vacuum tests… Can it vacuum up spare change? We’ll find out…

7. Faster auto-emptying

That leads me to number SEVEN on our list… And that is quicker auto emptying. The new ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI can empty a full dustbin in about 10 seconds—I timed it!— which is about half the time of many other competitors.

8. Removable tray

The tray in the base of the cleaning station is also now removable for a more thorough cleaning every so often.

9. Longer runtime

This new DEEBOT also has substantially increased its runtime, making it even better for larger homes. With about 140 minutes when used at full power, you can get up to 210 minutes or 3.5 hours if you run it at lower power and in vacuum only mode.

10. S-shaped scrubbing & best in class mop-lifting

There’s yet another excellent feature I’m looking forward to putting into practice; it has what’s called deep scrubbing option which is where the robot will move more in an S-shaped fashion, wiggling it’s mopping pads back-and-forth across your floor to give it even better scrubbing capabilities. This makes it ideal for removing stubborn dried-on stains, which has been a challenge for many a robot vacuum and mop. The new mop also features a lifting plate which clears even the plushest carpets. With 15mm mop-lifting, that makes the X2 the best on the market for ensuring your carpets don’t get wet.

How well does it clean?

I have a standard set of robot vacuum cleaning tests that all bots go through. I run them for a week or so just to see how they handle day to day dirt. Then I create an array of specially challenging spills; finer flour or sugar, oatmeal or rice, and bigger cracker bit. To test the mopping, I spill coffee or wine and let some liquids dry.

With this robot I’m adding a brand new cleaning test; scattered change on the floor to see if that 8000 Pa of suction can lift heavier bits.

I can say the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI is a cleaning machine. It was a great day to day housekeeper, and on all my vacuuming tests it worked like a dream, on both carpet and hardwood.

It was even able to pick up coins of all denominations about 70% of the time.

When it came to the mopping, it easily wiped up small spills, and did a fine job of powering away smaller dried on stains. There is an onboard water tank which isn’t visible, but this is refilled by the main tank in the OMNI station to ensure constant moisture with the mopping. You can also add Ecovacs’ cleaning solution for a boosted clean too.

Self cleaning: Hot water washing and hot air drying

When it comes to the self cleaning, the auto emptying of the dust bin is just one of the most straightforward features.

The bot will also scrub and dry its mopping pads with warm water and hot air to keep them from smelling.

The tray in the base of the cleaning station is also now removable for a more thorough cleaning every so often.

The other thing I noticed in my hands on testing is that the robot is much better at entering and exiting the base station; it docks and undocks itself far more deliberately than most other robot vacuums I have seen.

Enhanced smarts

Mop lifting up to 11mm.

ECOVACS bots have always been standouts in terms of being able to recognize and avoid obstacles, and the X2 OMNI only improves on its record. Hazard recognition in a robot is important because if it constantly gets caught up on things that typically end up on the floor of our homes, that means the vacuum can’t finish the job.

Embedded LIDAR

There’s a two-pronged system for navigation and obstacle avoidance. With embedded LIDAR (standing for Light Detection and Ranging) the X2 uses laser beams and its camera to ‘see’ objects as small as 2mm, allowing Deebot to avoid them more effectively, even in low-light conditions.

That embedded LIDAR , which is positioned inside the robot’s front-left side, is an industry first when it comes to the placement.

Prior to X2 OMNI, LiDAR modules were enclosed within the round turret (hockey puck looking thing) on top of the robot.  Integration of this new dual-laser LiDAR system into the chassis of the robot helps lower the overall height, allowing the robot to navigate in tighter spaces (under lower beds/couches/chairs, etc).  This new “embedded LiDAR” system also enables greater accuracy, greater range of motion, faster mapping, and faster response times.

The robot “learns” and “thinks” through its upgraded RGBD sensor and achieves smoother obstacle avoidance and and more precise cleaning experience.

I laid a few “traps” for the X2 OMNI just to see if I could catch it up in anything… but it was too smart for my spygames.

The all new X2 uses AIVI 3D 2.0 and Dual-Laser LiDAR technology for smarter and smoother navigation; in plain English it uses laser technology to see its way around your home, and AIVI cameras to sharpen the view.

HD roving camera is back

That camera can do more than just avoid stray socks. Like the X1, the X2 Starlight-level 960P RGB camera can be used as a roving security camera, to check up on your pets, see if you left a door ajar, or just to identify something your vacuum may be caught on.

Built in roving camera.

AI Housekeeper

And yet another very cool and futuristic feature, the robot uses what’s called intelligent AI housekeeper mode which can recognize room type, floor material and
historical cleaning data, then proactively command the bot to use the best type of cleaning method.

Voice Control : Yiko returns

Yiko is ECOVACS’ AI voice assistant, in my previous experience using it it has been extremely effective at following commands without needing to repeat and without getting things wrong. It also has voice localization which allows you to go to a certain spot in your home and call the robot to you and it will know exactly where you are based on the distance of your voice.

Yiko continues to add intelligence that in my opinion rivals even AI helpers like Google and Siri. Now Yiko can have a deeper conversation with you to clarify what you mean; for example if you ask it to clean under the bed, it may reply by asking, which bed in which room?

It is also now able to add cleaning areas during cleaning, which was not previously possible. In most robot vacuums if you want to add rooms to your list you needed to end the current cleaning and start over. With the new intelligence and voice control, you can now tack on areas much more easily.

You can also connect your robot to either Google or Alexa, but with as intelligent as Yiko is, that’s truly not necessary, unless you want it to interact with other smart home routines you have going.

Battery life and charging

Scrubbing mops.

With a runtime that lasts up about 140 minutes in vac and mopping mode, and up to 3 hours (or 210 minutes, when using the vacuum only at lower suction), DEEBOT X2 OMNI is made for marathon cleaning, making it great for larger homes.

Overall thoughts: ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI

In short, the all new ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI is truly all new—and impressive, even for someone like me who has truly seen it all when it comes to robot vacuums. The X2 adds a boatload of cleaning features and improvements, all in a more compact, stylish base station. With the ability to vacuum stronger, mop better and clean and empty itself thoroughly, it’s truly a talented robot floor-keeper.

After having the X2 in my home for about 3 weeks I can recommend it to you without any reservations.

The ECOVACS Deebot X2 OMNI sells for about $1499US and you can get it from the ECOVACS website, Amazon or BestBuy.com or BestBuy.ca

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI: In-Home Review appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

Most of us take hundreds, if not thousands of photos each year. And then what? We leave them on our phones and forget about them. Why not get the best of them off your phone or computer and out where you can see them by printing them as keepsakes, reminders and gifts. The HP Sprocket Studio Plus is a new dedicated photo printer that prints full-size 4 x 6 colour prints on real photo paper.

HP Sprocket Studio Plus full review

In this  Hp Sprocket Studio review, I’ll try out the printer and see how it works, what the photos look like, how easy the app is to navigate, and any special tools it uses. I’ll wrap things up by telling you if I think it’s a good photo printer for you. I’d also like to say thanks to HP Sprocket for sponsoring this video; while they are paying for my time, they have not told me what I have to say or what I can’t say and I got to test the printer how I wanted to, so you can consider these thoughts my own.

Roughly a year ago, I reviewed the HP Sprocket Mini photo printer and had plenty of nice things to say about it. The biggest drawback to that printer is that it makes only mini prints ( 2 × 3 inches). Way back when, I also reviewed the original HP Sprocket Studio which did handle the more popular 4 × 6 sized photo paper, but that printer’s biggest downside was the elongated design which made it more difficult to store and transport.

I’m glad to say the new HP Sprocket Studio Plus gives you the best of bigger photos, with some design improvements that make it even better than the original.

What is the HP Sprocket Studio Plus?

Think of the HP Sprocket Studio Plus as a miniaturized version of a traditional printer. Like its Studio predecessor, the Studio Plus relies on special ink cartridges rather than ZERO-INK (ZINK) technology that requires special thermal paper.

What’s in the Box?

The HP Sprocket Studio Photo printer comes with a tester bundle of 10 Sprocket Studio Plus paper sheets and an ink cartridge (you can also opt for a bundle with a bigger pack of photo paper and extra ink too). You also get a power cord, since the printer lacks an internal battery.

The nice thing about the HP Sprocket Studio printer is how compact it looks when you aren’t using it. The paper can hide in the tray, which stacks neatly on top of the printer itself. The printer is very travel-friendly.

Setting up HP Sprocket Studio Plus Photo Printer

Before you get too far, download and sign up for or sign into the free HP Sprocket app, which is iOS and Android friendly, in order to print your photos.

To set up the HP Sprocket Studio, you just plug in the adapter and remove the top tray, which is actually the paper holder. Pull the end of the tray out and flip it over, then slip the included paper into the tray. The printer can hold up to 18 photo sheets at a time.

Next, load the ink roller cartridge; open the side door and you can see exactly where it slides in.

Then, open the door in the front of the printer, and slot the end portion of the paper tray into the opening. From there, you can turn it on and proceed to linking the printer wirelessly to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. I was ready in seconds.

The app will guide you through the entire printer setup and pairing process and also serve as a handy and easy to navigate editing platform for making photo edits and improvements before printing.

Consider the Bluetooth pairing process as a temporary step, as it paves the way to pairing the printer to your Wi-Fi network so various devices with the HP Sprocket app can use the printer without the Bluetooth range limitations. The Bluetooth connectivity is still useful when using the printer on the go—if you’re using it at a café or at school where you may not always have the Wi-Fi password.

Printing Experience

Once you are finished with the app setup process, printing with the HP Sprocket Printer Studio Plus is as easy as choosing the photo, making any optional edits, and let the printer work its magic.

Seeing the printer slide the paper back and forth while laying color layer after layer and slowly seeing your chosen digital image come to life is quite mesmerizing.

It takes roughly 1 minute 20 seconds minutes to print a full photo, and I’m glad to say this is significantly faster than older HP photo printers, which took about 2 minutes. You can safely touch the photo right away, since the ink won’t smudge.

Photo quality of HP Sprocket Studio photo printer is outstanding and it will  rival professional photo printing services. The prints are, as HP Sprocket promises, bright, glossy photos that are smudge-proof, instantly dry, water-resistant, and on thick, tear-resistant genuine photo paper.

Once you tear off the perforated edges (despite the fact these are tearaway perforated edges, they do seem to break off rather cleanly and give the photos a tidy look), you get a nice borderless 4 × 6 photo which you can then insert in a craft project, photo album or picture frame.

Fun with photos

HP Sprocket Studio Plus is more than just a printer; it’s a design marvel too.

The HP Sprocket app lets you do all kinds of things with your photos. You can print multiple copies at once, as well as do simple photo tweaks and improvements. (You can adjust almost all photo settings including brightness, contrast, and saturation right inside the app before you hit print.) There’s also an array of different filters, and you can add fun and colourful borders, plus stickers and emojis as well as text too. The personalization options are many and there’s a lot of fun in choosing the embellishments—for you or for kids.

Resupply costs

Because this is a printer, it won’t come as a surprise that you will need to keep it supplied with both ink and photo paper. A kit of about 108 sheets of paper that comes packaged with 2 ink rollers costs only about $62CAD, or only about $.45 per photo, and is designed to keep your supply levels perfectly managed, printing about 50 photos per ink roller.   Given that some photo printing gadgets have paper that costs a couple of bucks per photo, this seems like a much more economical choice.

Worth noting is HP Sprocket Studio Plus does not use standard 4 × 6 photo paper, so make sure you buy only the official HP Sprocket accessories and the packaging specifically mentions the Sprocket Studio Plus (or Studio+).

Overall Review: HP Sprocket Studio Plus

Overall, I really like this printer. It’s a fast, easy way to print lots of photos, and the photo quality is really great. The print cost is low and setup and operation was easy. I was able to print off lots of photos from a recent family visit, then mailed them off as a cute reminder of the good times we had. I also appreciate that HP Sprocket has redesigned the Studio Plus to be more compact and easy to store. It also prints a bit quicker now too. I suppose you could say the biggest downside is the need to re-supply both paper and ink, but in this case the cost is fairly economical, and I don’t think it will come as too much of a shock that you’ll have future printing costs.

I can definitely recommend the HP Sprocket Studio Plus as a convenient, compact and easy to use photo printer for you.  The HP Sprocket Studio Plus sells for about $200CAD or $150 USD and you can get it from places like Best Buy, Amazon, and sprocketprinters.com. You can also get the photo paper and ink cartridges for this printer on Amazon.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post HP Sprocket Studio Plus full review appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.