Which wet-dry vacuum is best for you? Roborock F25 Series explored

How often do you vacuum your floors? Or perhaps a better question: how often do you vacuum and mop your floors? Odds are that the mopping doesn’t get done as frequently, which is fair. It’s time-consuming, laborious work. It’s why wet-dry vacuums are such a great invention.

Capable of vacuuming and mopping in one cleaning pass, wet-dry vacuums save a lot of time and effort. But not all floors are the same. Neither are messes; some require more effort than others. In the past, you’d often have to use potentially harmful chemicals to get the really crusty stuff off the floor. Not anymore.

It’s why Roborock has such an extensive range of wet-dry vacuums. Under the Roborock F25 banner are several appliances that cater to different budgets and types of cleaning. Combining powerful suction with a roller mop, there’s no need to reach for two separate appliances when it’s time to clean. Best of all, they hygienically leave your floor looking great and free of mess.

So, which Roborock F25 wet-dry vacuum is best for you? Let’s take a look at the latest range and see where each one shines.

Roborock F25 LT Gen 2

$899 from Amazon

One of Roborock’s most affordable wet-dry vacuums, the F25 LT Gen 2 is great for everyday cleaning to keep on top of your household chores. Fully capable of removing dry and wet messes, it comes in handy for homes with predominantly hard floors, like tiles, lino, and laminated wood.

With a strong 20,000Pa peak suction, picking up dust and dirt is just as easy as cleaning up freshly spilt orange juice. You can get plenty done in a single run, too, with a high-capacity pouch battery enabling up to 60 minutes* of use on a full charge.

Getting under furniture is effortless, with the F25 LT Gen 2 featuring a FlatReach 2.0 design — seen throughout the entire range — that lets the appliance lay completely flat without any impact on performance; the suction power remains the same, and clean and dirty water stay where they should. You shouldn’t have to do back-breaking yoga just to clean under the couch; that’s the vacuum’s job.

Like the rest of the latest F25 range, this model uses Roborock’s JawScrapers design to stop hair and pet fur from getting tangled in the roller mop. It works in tandem with a built-in scraper that actively helps keep the roller mop clean while running, so you don’t get any unsightly streaks left on the floor.

And, when you’re done cleaning, the F25 LT Gen 2 cleans itself with 90°C hot water and 90ºC hot air drying. It’s nice not having to do everything yourself, isn’t it?

*The vacuum runs for up to 40 minutes on auto mode, and up to 60 minutes on eco mode.

Roborock F25 Pro Turbo

$999 from Amazon

Including many of the same features as the F25 LT Gen 2, the Roborock F25 Pro Turbo adds deep scrubbing to the mix. Especially for family homes, where kids’ sticky messes mysteriously appear and set before you discover them, a bit of extra elbow grease is needed.

This model has an even stronger 25,000Pa suction rating, able to vacuum even more debris with the same maximum 60-minute battery life. But the real star of the show is the scrubbing power.

When a stubborn floor stain doesn’t want to go away, the F25 Pro Turbo has a HyperScrub feature that concentrates cleaning power on a single spot. Simply press the trigger on the handle, and the appliance ramps up the water flow, suction power, and roller mop speed to leave no traces of a mess. It’s like getting on your haunches and furiously scrubbing, without any of the physical exertion.

On that note, the F25 Pro Turbo doesn’t require elite upper body strength to use. Equipped with SlideTech 2.0 motorised wheels that respond to your movement within milliseconds, the wet-dry vacuum glides across floors, needing only a light touch. Independent wheel control makes turning corners easy, too, effortlessly swivelling around oddly shaped furniture.

There’s no guesswork, either, with the F25 Pro Turbo benefitting from Roborock’s DirTect Smart Sensor. This technology detects what type of floor you’re cleaning, and how dirty it is, automatically adjusting the cleaning power as needed.

Roborock F25 Lite Combo

$999 from Amazon

As good as wet-dry vacuums are, most of them can only be used on hard floors. So, if your home also has carpets, what do you do? Return to using two separate appliances?

This is a situation perfect for the Roborock F25 Lite Combo. It’s a four-in-one appliance, bringing together a wet-dry vacuum and a stick vacuum, with two additional configurations for cleaning crevices and hard-to-reach heights. Not bad, huh?

Continuing the easy-to-use edge-cleaning performance of the F25 range, the Lite Combo comes with interchangeable parts that let you prepare for cleaning different parts of the home in an instant.

Need to clean the tiles? Bring out the wet-dry vacuum mode. What about vacuuming the bedroom carpet? Set up the cordless stick vacuum configuration and away you go. Then there’s a two-in-one crevice tool that helps you vacuum in between furniture and other tight spaces. Last but not least is the handheld vacuum mode with extendable height settings for reaching up to get rid of those pesky cobwebs on the ceiling. It’s everything you need for everyday cleaning, in one easy choice.

Roborock F25 ACE Pro

$1,299 from Roborock Webstore

Some messes need a bit more than extra effort. Stains left for a while (no judgement here, it happens) can be a real pain to remove. You could reach for some cleaning chemicals and do the job yourself, but it’s not always the healthiest option.

Enter the power of foam, with the Roborock F25 ACE Pro. This wet-dry vacuum uses a specially formulated solution that penetrates stains and grime with a dense foam, removing tough messes and odours simultaneously. All you need to do next is run over it with the roller mop, and the mess is no more.

It’s a clever system, activated by holding down the trigger in the vacuum’s handle. Once you’ve covered the mess in enough foam from the front nozzle, just let the appliance handle the rest. This unique formula also contains anti-stain ingredients that form a nano-protective film on the floor after you’ve cleaned that prevents water and oil from easily sticking to the surface. So, in a single pass, your floor will stay clean for longer.

It sure beats getting out the cleaning gloves and harsh cleaning chemicals.

Roborock F25 Ultra

$1,499 from Roborock Webstore

If you want a tough, chemical-free form of cleaning, then you want the steam-cleaning prowess of the Roborock F25 Ultra. But that’s not all: this wet-dry vacuum also has a hot water cleaning mode.

Made for dealing with hard-to-remove kitchen spills, like grease, the F25 Ultra blasts 180°C steam onto the floor, killing germs and sticky messes alike. There are no chemicals involved, providing a healthy and hygienic way to clean your home’s most trafficked areas.

For when you don’t need the power of steam, Roborock’s F25 Ultra can also mop floors with 86°C hot water, actively dissolving stains while you clean. If you want to use detergent, it’s still an option if that’s what’s best for your home.

A built-in light also helps you see the finest particles, ensuring you don’t miss anything while cleaning. This can be especially helpful for allergen-prone households, ensuring a thorough clean while the Steam Mode reduces allergens generated from pollen, pet dander, and dust mites by over 99.99%.

When the dirty water tank needs emptying, a simple pull-away compartment separates the solid and liquid waste for easy disposal.

Roborock F25 Ultra Steam Gen 2

$1,599 from Roborock Webstore

Launching in November 2026, the Roborock F25 Ultra Steam Gen 2 takes steam cleaning to another level. With upgraded high-temperature steam power, 25,000Pa suction, increased downward force, and longer endurance, this is the ultimate home hard floor cleaner.

Capable of producing a higher volume of steam quicker, cleaning edges more comprehensively, with intelligent triple edge cleaning, and using a handy swivel design, Roborock’s flagship F25 appliance combines strong cleaning power with user friendliness. Once the cleaning is done, the upgraded 95°C steam self-cleaning and drying will return the vacuum to its standby state hygienically, making sure it is ready for its next big job.

It’s especially worth a look for households with large open-plan homes who want to do everything in one go. The F25 Ultra Steam Gen 2 lasts up to 100 minutes on a single charge, cleaning a lot of floor space without needing a break.

Oily, greasy, and sticky messes don’t stand a chance when this is coming for them.

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TP-Link Roam 7 review: Travel Wi-Fi made secure and easy

8.5

Buy on Amazon

I’ll be honest: I didn’t think I’d have much use for a travel router. Without putting much thought into it, I thought it’d just be another device to take up precious space in my luggage. Pretty much all of my devices can connect to the internet just fine, so why would I need to add a middleman, like the TP-Link Roam 7, into the process?

Had I actually sat down to consider what I could use a travel router for, I would’ve realised how misguided my first thoughts were. On multiple occasions, I’ve travelled interstate (usually for PAX Aus) with plenty of portable gaming gear on hand. As many Nintendo Switch gamers would know, you can only connect online via an SSID and a password. That’s fine if you stay at an Airbnb with direct access to a router. However, anywhere you need to access a webpage to log online, like most hotels, you’re out of luck.

It’s a hyper-specific example, but one that I’ve run into several times in recent years. A travel router can bridge the gap between public internet and devices that wouldn’t otherwise be able to connect. There are other benefits, too, like an added layer of security, more control over your connectivity, and so on. Those are arguably more important factors, but clearly my priorities lie elsewhere.

You might hear the phrase ‘travel router’ and think it’s a device that supplies internet access anywhere. A device like the Roam 7 isn’t a hotspot modem, not by itself, at least. There are no SIM card slots, so it’s not capable of being your source of internet away from civilised society. Instead, it needs to piggyback off an existing connection, which it can then use to create its own network.

At first glance, this seems a bit restrictive. But, as I found over the course of multiple interstate trips, the TP-Link Roam 7 was more useful than I initially gave it credit for.

TP-Link Roam 7 specifications and price

Wi-Fi technology	Wi-Fi 7
Network bands	2.4GHz (up to 688 Mbps) 5GHz (up to 2,882 Mbps)
Ports	One 2.5 Gbps WAN port One 1 Gbps LAN port One USB 3.0 type-A port
Operating modes	Router Hotspot USB tethering USB modem Access point Range extender Client
Security	WPA2-PSK WPA3-Personal WPA/WPA2-Enterprise
Size	126 x 93.5 x 36 mm 250g (approx.)
Warranty	Three years
Price (RRP)	$249
Official website	TP-Link Australia

Design: Portable with just the right ports

As it turns out, the TP-Link Roam 7 didn’t take up much luggage space after all. On my kitchen scales, the router hit 250g on the dot, and it’s small enough to fit in a large pocket. In fact, I snugly tucked the Roam 7 into Quad Lock’s large travel organiser with all the necessary cables and still had room to fit my DJI Osmo Pocket 3 alongside.

Image: Chris Button.

Everything you need to get started is included in the box, which is nice in a world of separate add-ons. TP-Link bundles in an Ethernet cable for wired internet connections, which yields the best results, if you can find a wall outlet wherever you’re staying. There’s also a USB-A-to-USB-C cable, used to support wired tethering with a mobile device. For example, I could use the internet from my phone’s data allocation, feed it through to the Roam 7 via USB, and then connect other devices to the router, rather than hooking everything up to my phone wirelessly.

Unlike various 4G or 5G modems, the TP-Link Roam 7 doesn’t have a built-in battery. It needs an external power supply, whether through a wall outlet or a power bank. Fortunately, TP-Link includes a power cable; one end plugs into the router’s USB-C port, while the other plugs into the wall. You can swap the wall outlet plug’s prongs between different regions, which is handy for overseas travel.

Image: Chris Button.

When in use, you can swivel the router’s antennae upwards. Once you’re done, simply swivel the antennae back and pack the router away. Under one antenna is a programmable switch that TP-Link calls the ‘action button’. Depending on how it’s set up, this switch can do a few things, like toggle the Wi-Fi on or off, or enable a VPN if you have one.

Along the back of the router are two Ethernet ports; one is a 2.5Gbps WAN port (for connecting to the internet), and the other is a 1Gbps LAN port (for connecting to other devices). In addition to the USB-C slot used to power the router, there’s a USB-A port for the tethered internet access mentioned earlier.

Image: Chris Button.

Let there be internet

I remember when configuring a router involved logging into a specific webpage and scrolling through the most bare-bones interface to make the most basic of changes. Man, I’m glad those days are behind us.

Setting up the Roam 7 is simply a matter of powering on the router and downloading TP-Link’s Tether app. From there, following the steps is easy-peasy. The app prompts you to choose how the travel router will connect to the internet (Ethernet, and existing Wi-Fi network, etc.).

Screenshot: Chris Button.

You can also customise the Roam’s SSID and password, which you’ll need so you can connect to it with other devices. This also includes guest networks for both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz network bands.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a hardcore networking expert. Plenty of the advanced settings in the Tether app are beyond my comprehension. The main thing is that there’s a lot to tinker with for those with the desire to do so.

Among them are three performance settings: Boost, Balance, and Eco mode. TP-Link recommends using ‘Balance’ as the default, which finds a middle ground between drawing more power and beaming the Wi-Fi far enough for good coverage. The Tether app warns you that using ‘Boost’ can make the router hot. Based on my experience, though, I had no need to switch over from the Balance mode.

Screenshots: Chris Button.

As a relatively cheap Wi-Fi 7 router ($249 at full price), the Roam misses out on the faster 6GHz band supported by more powerful routers. When relying on a wireless connection, you can get theoretical peak speeds of up to 688Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, and up to 2,882Mbps on the 5GHz band.

You won’t set speed records with this router, is the short story. But if you need something faster from such a small router intended for travel use, I’d suggest adjusting your expectations.

Some core Wi-Fi 7 features are here, though, including Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which lets compatible devices access multiple network bands simultaneously. However, accessing MLO requires setting up an additional network within the Tether app, as it’s not enabled by default. It’s another layer to consider, but one that likely won’t be high on many folks’ priorities, given phones and laptops are the main Wi-Fi 7-compatible devices so far.

Screenshot: Chris Button.

TP-Link also lets you set up your VPN of choice for another layer of privacy. This includes OpenVPN, which lets you use open-source VPN services, or other providers, like NordVPN and Surfshark. You can also tweak the router’s built-in network security settings, with support for WPA2-PSK and WPA3-Personal, for example. It’s good protection to have, especially when relying on internet from public Wi-Fi.  

Performance

Over the course of two trips to Melbourne, I put the TP-Link Roam 7 to the test in various locations. First up was Adelaide Airport, where I tapped into the free public Wi-Fi.

Before I connected the Roam, I ran a speed test on my phone on the airport Wi-Fi. Anyone who expected lightning-fast speeds, prepared to be disappointed: it was 14Mbps up and down. In better news, after setting up the Roam with the airport Wi-Fi, and connecting my phone to the travel router, there was no speed loss whatsoever. A low bar, sure, but it passed.

Airport internet speeds connected directly to public Wi-Fi (left), and speeds when connected to the Roam 7. Screenshots: Chris Button.

Once at my Melbourne hotel, I plugged the Roam 7 into the available wall port via Ethernet. This time, I got 212Mbps download speeds, and 148Mbps upload speeds. Much better. For reference, connecting directly to the hotel Wi-Fi with my phone got 239Mbps down, and 173Mbps up. So, it was slightly slower via the travel router, but not by nearly enough to be an annoyance.

Screenshot: Chris Button.

In terms of real-world use, I experienced consistent Wi-Fi performance, even after connecting several devices. My phone, laptop, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation Portal all coexisted peacefully. With the Roam 7 set up in a hotel room’s living area, speeds and stability remained solid, including through the adjacent bedroom’s walls.

Speeds aside, the main benefit was not having to connect my phone, laptop, and anything else to the airport or hotel Wi-Fi directly, which would’ve required filling out an online form each time. Instead, I only had to do it once via the Tether app. Then, all I had to do was connect each device to the router, something I could do at home ahead of time. Any time I visited a different place and used a different network, the router’s settings were all I touched. Better yet, it only took me a couple of minutes each time.

One exception

On a follow-up trip to Melbourne for PAX Aus, I bumped into an oddly specific issue. Staying at a different hotel this time, the included Wi-Fi constantly needed reauthenticating. If I went out for a few hours, I’d need to resubmit the web form upon my return to reactivate internet access. This occurred regardless of whether I used the travel router or a direct connection to the hotel Wi-Fi.

Most of the time, opening the Tether app and selecting the Roam 7 would force the webpage to open, letting me activate the hotel’s internet again. However, there were a few times when the app recognised acknowledged there was no internet access, but didn’t load the hotel’s web form for me to reconnect.

I tried refreshing the app, attempting to force the webpage to appear. Nothing. Closing and opening the app was a 50/50 bet at best. Reliably, the only way to ensure I saw the hotel’s internet connection page again was to disconnect the Roam 7 entirely, and then set it up again anew.

Clearly, this was an isolated incident specific to the hotel I stayed at (which was rich, given how much it charged). But my frustration came from being unable to force the appearance of the web form within Tether. Either there was no way to use the app to manually resubmit online forms, or it was buried deep within the settings somewhere I couldn’t find.

This is a long-winded way of saying that hotels with flaky Wi-Fi technology don’t always play nicely with travel routers.

Who is the TP-Link Roam 7 for?

Made for frequent travellers who use multiple internet-connected devices while away, the TP-Link Travel Roam 7 spreads Wi-Fi where you need it with an extra layer of security.

It’s a situational device: not one that you’d necessarily need for every trip. But for people away from home who need a reliable office-like environment, or an online home entertainment ecosystem, this is an easy solution.

GadgetGuy occasionally uses affiliate links and may receive a small commission from purchased products.

TP-Link Roam 7

The next time I travel with multiple internet-reliant devices, the easy-to-use TP-Link Roam 7 will be one of the first items I pack.

Features

8.5

Value for money

8

Performance

8.5

Ease of use

8.5

Design

9

Positives

A streamlined and secure way to manage internet access away from home

Compact design makes it easy to take on trips

Extensive settings and customisation within the Tether app

Negatives

Tricky to re-establish connectivity with internet that relies on webforms

Despite Wi-Fi 7 technology, no 6GHz network band

8.5

Buy on Amazon

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Most robot vacuums struggle to clean tight spots: Not this one

If you’ve used a robot vacuum, you’ll know they’re a great time-saving gadget. Anything that saves time spent on cleaning is well worth it, in my eyes. But because of how robot vacuums are designed, most can’t quite get to the tightest spots. However, I recently tried the Mova V70 Ultra Complete, which has a clever way of cleaning more floor space.

In addition to its high 42,000Pa suction power and dual spinning mops, the V70 has two extendable arms. Some robot vacuums use extendable arms to reach further into corners or along skirting boards, but a robot with two arms is rare.

One arm has a mop than can extend out as far as 17cm. The other arm, which has a 12cm reach, uses a brush to feed dust into the vacuum’s path. They’re a potent combo that lets the robot get more cleaning done, including around oddly shaped furniture. It’s pretty cool to watch in action, too, which you can see on GadgetGuy‘s YouTube channel.

The post Most robot vacuums struggle to clean tight spots: Not this one appeared first on GadgetGuy.

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GTA 6 pre-loads start 10 November for massive 212GB install

GTA 6, 2026’s biggest game (and possibly the biggest game of the decade), isn’t far away now, and you’ll be able to pre-load it starting on 10 November.

Particularly for games with large file sizes, pre-loading lets you download and install a game before it’s playable. So, once the launch date rolls around, you can jump straight in and play without waiting for that dreaded install bar.

Based on GTA 6‘s confirmed 212GB install size on some platforms, plenty of folks will need that lead-in time, depending on their internet speeds. That’s a lot of storage space, so PlayStation went as far as publishing a guide on clearing space ready for the hotly anticipated game.

Rockstar also confirmed that retail versions of the game — which will consist of a redeemable code in a box — will start arriving on 12 November. So, if you want to add a GTA 6 game case to your shelf, you can still take advantage of the pre-load.

As previously confirmed, GTA 6 launches on 19 November, starting at $129.95 in Australia.

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Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 AWD Flex review: Running up that hill

8.5

I have been running a Mova robot lawn mower at my parents-in-law’s house for 12 months now, and it hasn’t missed a beat. When the chance to take a look at the latest from Mova came up, I was keen to see how much more advanced a robot lawn mower has become in a year. This new model is designed to go places others will not.

So, how much of an advancement is the Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 AWD?

Features

Designed for larger lawns, the Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 AWD is built to handle slopes and rough terrain. Its AWD (all-wheel drive) system means the robot is less likely to get stuck, for example, in a boggy patch, and if it does, it has a better chance of getting out.

The mower can climb and descend slopes up to 38 degrees and drive over tree roots or rocks protruding up to 6cm. You probably will not have these obstacles on a standard home lawn, but this model is built for a more challenging front or backyard.

As the 1200 in its model name suggests, it’s meant to cover areas up to 1200m², or 30m by 40m of grass. The mower’s battery lasts about 180m², and it returns to charge until it completes the defined mowing area. I have a large suburban block in Sydney with about 150 square metres, and the lawn is completed in one charge. Recharge time is 45 minutes.

Image: Angus Jones.

Under the mower, you will find two disks, each with six blades, which is far more than smaller robot mowers. This provides a cutting width of 20cm, so the lawn cuts much faster than smaller models. The cutting height can be adjusted electronically between 3 and 10cm. Once you find your preferred height, you will most likely never change this height again.

Keep in mind, though, that when you first start using the mower, it’s best to start on a higher setting and work your way down. These mowers are designed to cut lawn growth of around 5mm.

To navigate your lawn and avoid obstacles, the mower uses a 360-degree LiDAR sensor (which has a 70m range) and a camera. Unlike some other models, this mower doesn’t need GPS position-improvement data from a separate base station or the internet. This means it doesn’t need Wi-Fi coverage or cellular data to work.

For a suburban-sized lawn, I am a big fan of LiDAR technology and its accuracy. LiDAR also means this mower can mow at night without headlights. Don’t worry about waking up the neighbours; it makes about the same noise as your dishwasher while mowing.

The front wheels have a clever design that lets them travel forward or sideways. They do not turn; rather, because they can travel sideways, the rear wheels can turn in opposite directions to allow the robot mower to swerve (or turn) in the direction that is needed for travel.

Front wheels can move straight or sideways. Image: Angus Jones.

Grass grows at different rates at different times of the year, so cutting frequency should change between summer and winter. A seasonal schedule lets you vary how often and when the grass is cut. If you want to get super creative, the Mova can even cut designs into your lawn. Although you will most likely set a mowing schedule, you can also intervene manually from your phone, as well as via Alexa and Google Home. For example, you could ask Alexa to stop mowing if friends’ kids show up unexpectedly to play.

If you’re hesitant about going down the robot mower route, Mova offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but once you see how this chore no longer needs doing, you’re unlikely to use it.

Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 specifications and price

Mowing area	Up to 1200 m square
Battery life	160- 180 m² for up to 90 minutes (5Ah)
Sound level	60db
Dimensions	66 x 44 x 29 cm 17 kg
Price (RRP)	$3,299
Website	Mova Australia
Warranty	3 year

Using the Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200

The Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 is pretty simple to set up, except that you need access to mains power for the charging dock, which you will permanently locate in your garden. The app takes you through the various steps. Part of the process is mapping your mowing area. This can be done automatically or manually. I tried automatic mapping twice, and both times the results were unsatisfactory. It produced a map with squiggly edges, even though my lawn is bordered by a dead-straight brick wall.

Instead, I recommend the manual approach, which lets you use your smartphone to control the mower like a remote-controlled car as you drive it around the perimeter of your mowing zone. This process takes 5 to 10 minutes depending on how large your area is.

With more blades and a wider cutting width, it mows twice as fast as smaller models. The cutting system uses a floating mechanism, so if your lawn is uneven, the Ultra 1200 can compensate and keep it looking great. The mower also has an ‘UltraTrim’ feature that Mova claims lets it get within 3cm of the edge. Unfortunately, the mower can’t completely do your edges, so whipper snipping is still required, making the close edge cutting irrelevant.

Floating cutting mechanism. Image: Angus Jones.

The mower supports use on two different properties, but you will need to buy a second charging station and move the mower itself. Each location can have up to 150 instructions. These include a mapped mowing zone, a no-go zone and a travel path between zones.

The Ultra 1200, with its all-wheel drive and navigation tech, lets the mower travel, for example, between the front and back lawn as long as the path is wider than 60cm. This is better than other models, which require one-metre-wide paths. I am also impressed that this mower can travel up wet, slippery, steep brick paths and driveways. Again, other mowers I have tested haven’t been able to do this.

The Mova app shows obstructions. In this case, a person and a hose. Image: Angus Jones.

In the above diagram, you will see tiny images that look like snakes in my garden. These are images that match one of 300 obstacles the mower is designed to avoid. In this case, they are a green garden hose I laid across the lawn to test if this mower would avoid it. This is one of the hardest common items to avoid, and it did. Apparently, the Mova is even designed to recognise kangaroos.

If you do spend up to buy this model, it has several security features designed to help protect it. These include Real-Time Tracking via an optional module, Off-Map Alarm, Lift-Up Alerts, AirTag/Tile Storage (tag not included), and a PIN Code. The mower will be no use if someone steals it, but I like the idea of adding an inexpensive Tile or Apple AirTag so you can help the police find it if it is stolen.

The mower can also provide security with its camera, which can be used for surveillance. It can even be programmed to follow a surveillance pattern and alert you to movement. If detected, you can use a two-way talk feature to let the intruders know you know they are there.

Who is the Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 AWD Flex for?

If I had to pick one model for my place versus the many units I am testing, the Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 would be my choice so far. It’s AWD, and the navigation system means I don’t need separate base stations or wires, and this lawn mower has proven it can get around my sloped block with no issues.

This model is more expensive and more capable, so it will suit larger blocks with difficult terrain, whether uneven lawn or sloping sections. Newer technology means it doesn’t get stuck as easily, is easier to operate, and can better avoid obstacles.

I don’t have a pet name for this mower yet, but as I don’t have to mow my lawn, I have more time to come up with one.

Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 AWD Flex

Ideal for larger lawns with slopes, the Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 AWD Flex is a great premium robot mower that's tougher than most.

Features

9

Value for money

7.5

Performance

9

Ease of use

8

Design

9

Positives

Can go where other robot mowers can't

Quality cut from floating blade deck

Excellent obstacle avoidance

Negatives

Auto mapping failed on two different attempts

8.5

The post Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 AWD Flex review: Running up that hill appeared first on GadgetGuy.

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Revisiting our reviews: How long does tech last?

Whenever you read the review of some tech gear, you may notice one thing in common with every single item reviewed: the item under review is brand new.

Will that device fall apart after a few months of use? Will it last? Will long-term problems arise?

I’m going to do something a little different in this article. I’m going to go through several of the items I’ve reviewed in years past on these pages, and report on how they did in the years after I wrote the review.

The great majority of the things I’ve reviewed over the years have, after the review period, gone back to the distributor or manufacturer. Some less expensive items – or more personal things – I have been allowed to retain. Very occasionally, I’ve purchased items. Sometimes, the reviews are of items I’d purchased anyway. That’s why I still have – and use – the following devices.

Fujifilm X-T4 interchangeable lens camera

Reviewed November 2020.

I loved this camera. When it had to go back to Fujifilm I mourned its departure.

So much so, I eventually bought one from a retailer. Most of the photos you see on my reviews from the last couple of years were taken with this camera.

Unfortunately, when I was overseas in 2023 something in it broke. It has some kind of device that detects its horizontal or vertical level. That allows the camera to show a level-line in the viewfinder so you can make sure the camera isn’t tilted. And if it is put in portrait orientation, this device informs the camera so it the relevant entry is put into the photo’s EXIF data, and the photo displays the right way around.

Back in Australia, I found that the warranty had expired, and I’ve never gotten around to sending it for repair.

It’s a great camera, and still works fine, except for that disappointment.

Rode NT-USB Mini USB microphone

Reviewed February 2020.

It was extremely fortuitous receiving this microphone at the time that I did. It was just before COVID.

I don’t know how many times, since, that I’ve fumed as I’ve watched TV interviews with people, professional prognosticators and technical experts, who are remote, and whose voices are being delivered tinnily and echoey via the tiny microphones of their laptops. Surely they could afford to fork out a couple of hundred bucks (it’s currently $189 at JB) for this microphone? I’ve used it regularly over the years for zoom calls – often with overseas vendors – and more recently for conversing with one or the other AIs.

It is still available. Its firmware has been updated quite a bit since I wrote my review. You can just plug-and-play it, or expand its capabilities by installed some of Rode’s software.

And it’s compact. I’d be happy to take it with me for use wherever I might be with one of my laptops.

Epson WorkForce ET-4750

Reviewed November 2017.

This was one of the early printer entries into the low-cost-consumables space. In the years leading up to that point, printers were extremely cheap (profit-less I’d guess), but the ink was expensive. This printer cost more up front, but the ink was relatively cheap.

Instead of ink cartridges, you’d fill tanks from ink bottles. A set of four costs less than $100 and lasted for six thousand pages.

I’m not a heavy printer user, but in the nine years since getting this printer – I’m still using it – I’ve used perhaps two-and-a-half sets of ink bottles. That means I’ve printed around 15,000 pages over that time.

The moveable panel on the front has lost the friction that holds it in place, so it droops. But still the printer soldiers on, wirelessly accepting documents.

Fitbit Aria 2 Smart Scales

Reviewed May 2018.

When we moved house in the early 2020s, and through the subsequent network changes, I intentionally kept the network SSID the same to avoid reconfiguring an awful lot of connected devices. So my Fitbit Aria 2 smart scales continued to work with nary a wobble.

They still work, but the associated software and support has become very wobbly indeed. Google bought Fitbit. Quite recently – this year I think – Google retired the Fitbit software and replaced it with Google Health. A whole lot of features were jettisoned. You can no longer check out recent weigh-ins. Your weight “history” only goes back a few days, and misses quite a few weigh-ins.

My triumphant weight loss journey back around 2018 has disappeared completely.

These days, I keep an Excel spreadsheet, which I update daily, to track my weight. Happily, the scales themselves keep on keeping on!

Amazon eero Wi-Fi 5 system 3-pack (2020)

Reviewed July 2020.

The eero mesh system is still very much around. My review was early in the product cycle. The current models are more capable, at least according to the specifications. Anyway, after writing that review I moved and installed the system in my new place. After a couple of network changes, I ended up on FTTP NBN. I used the Telstra-supplied, and later Aussie Broadband-supplied, routers to ensure I’d have support, and connected two of the three eeros to it via ethernet, with the third one connected purely by Wi-Fi.

They simply kept on working. But one day I wanted to check something in the eero app, and found that while I was logged on, and the eero devices were still working well, the app seemed to be unaware of their existence.

I procrastinated for a couple of years, but only a few weeks ago, after resolving some other network issues, I decided to call eero support. It turned out that I was speaking, after almost no waiting in a queue, to a pleasant chap in the United States. He texted me a code, I repeated it back, he did something at his end and thereupon the app resumed working properly with the devices.

They still work. The app works. The support is excellent.

Braun S3 Shave & Style

Reviewed April 2017.

I assumed that this shaver was long-since gone, since I haven’t seen it in shops in recent years. And, indeed, I bought another couple on special a few years back, since they were not much more expensive than replacement shaving heads, and it’s convenient to have one in my office. But I see that you can still indeed buy new ones.

I still use the S3 I originally reviewed nearly a decade ago. I’ve changed the head a couple of times. The NiMH battery finally got tired enough for me to replace it. YouTube guided me through the process of dismantling the shaver. It’s basically as good as new again with the insertion of $15 worth of batteries from Jaycar.

Schiit Audio Vidar stereo/mono power amplifier

Reviewed June 2020.

My original review was of a unit I had purchased. It was the power amplifier for my main stereo sound system and it performed well there.

A couple of years later, I replaced it with a much more expensive power amplifier. But I didn’t get rid of the Vidar. It changed roles, and became the powerhouse for my desktop computer’s sound system. The Windows desktop feeds a Topping E30 DAC (which still works superbly, reviewed January 2021), which in turn feeds a Schiit Audio Saga preamplifier, which feeds the Vidar, which drives a pair of Dynaudio Emit 10 speaker on IsoAcoustic stands on my desk.

Sure beats your regular computer speakers!

The Vidar doesn’t have a standby mode, so for the most part it has been switched on continuously for the last five years. And yet it persists, as though it were brand new.

Oral-B Genius AI electric toothbrush

Reviewed December 2020.

My wife and I have now been using this toothbrush a couple of times a day for almost six years. Perhaps the battery is tired, but we wouldn’t know because it always goes back onto its charging stand.

I will confess, though I haven’t used all that fancy Bluetooth connectivity even once since writing the review.

Scratch that!

By complete coincidence, the toothbrush died a couple of days after I wrote this section! It’s the battery. Apparently once they drop below a certain voltage, the motor protection system kicks in and switches it off. Which seems kind of silly, seeing as how the battery is not intended to be replaced.

These days, to get a similarly-capable Oral-B toothbrush, you need one of its newer IO models. Seeing as how the very cheapest I’ve seen its replacement heads – in a ‘value’ pack – is about $8 each, I’m going to say, “no thanks!”

Logitech Slim Folio iPad case and keyboard

Reviewed October 2019.

I was very impressed with this unit. In addition to protecting my iPad, it had a very usable keyboard. This connected via Bluetooth, and worked very well … for about four years. Then it became very flaky. I could usually get it going again by pulling the batteries and reinserting them, effectively rebooting the unit. But then the next time I went to use it, I had the same problem. Which is a pity. Because it used replaceable batteries, there were never any worries about the tired rechargeables, so it ought to have lasted as long as that iPad lasted.

Logitech G512 Carbon gaming keyboard

Reviewed July 2020.

I’m not a gamer, but as a typer – I’ve published three or four million words over the years – I’ve always far preferred mechanical keyboards. I used the G512 for some years, but it died. No, it wasn’t its fault. I accidentally poured a beverage into it. Unlike the Slim Folio, it may have kept going for many years.

So I went to Officeworks and bought another one. (I’m typing on it now.) That surely is a solid recommendation.

Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charging Pad

Reviewed February 2017.

Back in those days, only premium phones supported wireless charging. And this pad worked with them then.

Today? It still sits on my work desk, and my Samsung Galaxy S25 it sitting on it, happily charging away. In my review, I tested it with a Samsung Galaxy S7, which shows how long I’ve been using it.

Belkin USB 3.1 Express Dock HD

Reviewed December 2017.

I loved this dock. I could plug my phone into it, and it would charge the phone, while turning it into a computer. I plugged in a Logitech G413 keyboard, and a mouse and a monitor and an SSD hard drive. Who needed a computer? Well I did, so I’d also use it with my Windows notebook.

So, it was a sad day for me in the early 2020s when it just up and died. But I still use its excellent USB-C to USB-C power cable.

Logitech Brio 4K Pro Webcam

Reviewed July 2017.

These days I have two screens for my Windows desktop computer: a 32-inch 4K screen right in front of me, and a 27-inch full screen off to the side. Atop the 4K display is the Brio. 4K models were rare back then, and it provides a lot of flexibility. During COVID, it got a very good workout, and never once failed to do its job. So, nine years later, there it sits, still doing the job whenever I call upon it.

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