SwitchBot

At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros50% smaller than average2500Pa suctionLiDAR navigationQuiet operationConsNo water tankMopping is really just a gentle wipeCan’t vacuum and mop simultaneouslyThe provided damp disposable cloths dry out Our VerdictIt’s cute. It’s clever. It can weave around obstacles and tuck into corners. This robot vacuum is an effective option for people looking for a more compact alternative to commonly available models. However, its mopping function is more like damp dusting and you’ll need to choose…

A look at the SwitchBot Blind Tilt after installation. Maria Diaz/ZDNETWhat's the Black Friday deal?Amazon just dropped the price for the SwitchBot Blind Tilt has found its niche in retrofitting existing home appliances and products, such as door locks, to make them smart. And now the company is making a blind tilt mechanism with an included solar panel that automates window blinds for you. This smart SwitchBot Blind Tilt. This little box includes everything you need to make your blinds smart. Maria Diaz/ZDNETThe…

, the Hub 2 works as a bridge that connects SwitchBot Bluetooth devices to Wi-Fi and makes them Matter-compatible, so Apple HomeKit users will be able to add SwitchBot devices to the Apple Home app, for example. The same will be true for Google Home and SmartThings users. The Hub 2 is a sleek smart home device that features a display for the built-in thermo-hygrometer function, so users can check the room temperature right in the Apple Home app, or any other preferred platform, thanks to Matter. Also: ZDNET's guide to…

At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsFits 15mm-40mm diameter polesWorks with a variety of curtain and rod typesEasy Bluetooth connectionConsTwo needed for a set of curtainsSeparate hub needed for Wi-Fi set upNo battery indicator on unitOur VerdictThe Curtain Rod 2 can be a bit fiddly, but it’s a clever bit of tech to turn your curtains smart. It won’t work for every window though, and it’s not the most attractive addition to one. Best Prices Today: SwitchBot Curtain Rod 2…

Pros Easy installation Low price Reliably responsive Solar panel included Cons Visually noticeable Needs separate hub to be truly smart SwitchBot has found its niche in retrofitting existing home appliances and products, such as door locks, to make them smart. And now the company is making a blind tilt mechanism with an included solar panel that automates window blinds for you. This smart SwitchBot Blind TiltIt's a small device that attaches to the vertical twisting wand on horizontal blinds, and twists it to tilt…

SwitchBot, the smart home company that takes robotics to places no one imagined, has come up with another ingenious gadget. The new $69 SwitchBot Blind Tilt launches today on Kickstarter, with orders expected to ship before Christmas. And, yes, it looks as ugly as you’d expect. But as an inexpensive way to replicate the benefits of smart shades, it’s a promising product. Automated motorized shades and blinds are something of a luxury as they’re generally very expensive — starting at around $300 to $400 per window and…

Just look at this adorable tiny door.  David Gewirtz/ZDNETA few months back, a PR representative from SwitchBot (a company that makes smart home devices), reached out to me. He wanted me to review their smart door lock.I told him no. I had just finished writing "The two smart devices I will never install in my house," which was slated to publish on ZDNET earlier this month. One of those devices was a garage door opener. The other was a smart door lock for an outside door. I said I just didn't want to install anything…

The $99 SwitchBot Lock is the first smart door lock I’ve tested that doesn’t replace any part of your existing lock. Instead, it attaches to the back of your door over the top of the thumb turn. This removes a major pain point of smart locks: an involved installation. But the SwitchBot Lock is really odd looking — my husband literally stopped in his tracks and said, “What is that thing?” I had a similar reaction when I first saw it and was wholly unconvinced this large piece of black plastic would have the power to…

SwitchBot Curtain MSRP $99.00 “SwitchBot Curtain delivers mixed results for a questionable utility.” Pros Smooth app Affordable Rich accessory ecosystem Easy installation Has HomeKit compatibility Cons Noisy Unreliable performance…

SwitchBot, the company that makes tiny robotic fingers to press your switches for you, is branching further into the smart home. The new SwitchBot Lock ($99.99) sticks to your door and turns the thumb turn automatically to lock and unlock it. This is the simplest retrofit smart lock solution I’ve ever seen. SwitchBot says it can be installed in seconds since there’s no need to remove any part of your existing door lock. But it does look a bit odd. The SwitchBot Lock will be available starting June 20th at Amazon and…