Articles by Alistair Charlton

Alistair Charlton is based in London and has worked as a freelance technology and automotive journalist for over a decade. A lifelong tech enthusiast, Alistair has written extensively about dash cams and robotic vacuum cleaners for TechRadar, among other products. As well as TechRadar, he also writes for Wired, T3, Forbes, The Independent, Digital Camera World and Grand Designs Magazine, among others.

Articles by: Alistair Charlton

Picture of an Apple HomePod with a Smart Home Week label in the lower right-hand corner

Is Apple’s smart home display just wishful thinking?

By Alistair Charlton published 27 June 24

Here’s what we think about the rumors of an Apple HomePod with a screen for smart-home control.

Earzz review: AI-powered gadget alerts you to doorbells, alarms, crying babies and more

By Alistair Charlton published 27 June 24

The Earzz uses a microphone and AI to alert you to all sorts of household sounds, from kitchen appliances to doorbells.

The best ways to control your HomeKit smart home: from your TV to your Apple Watch

By Alistair Charlton last updated 24 June 24

Apple Watch now supports family sharing, but what is the best way to control your HomeKit smart home?

Everything you need to know to set up your smart home

By Alistair Charlton published 24 June 24

Our guide to everything you can do with a fully-connected smart home

How to prep your home for a robot vacuum

By James Holland last updated 21 June 24

Robot vacuums are very handy, not to mention mostly hands-free. However, you do need to do a little prep to get the most out of them. Here’s how.

Will the Matter smart home standard put an end to laggy smart home devices

Devices that Matter: these products work with the new smart home connectivity standard

By Alistair Charlton last updated 21 June 24

From smart lights to door locks, these are the Matter compatible devices suitable for your smart home

Miofive S1 dash cam review: good 4K video at a great price

By Alistair Charlton published 5 June 24

Recommended

A well-designed dash cam that packs GPS and produces impressive 4K video at a great price

Garmin DriveCam 76 review

By Alistair Charlton last updated 20 March 24

The Garmin DriveCam 76 combines a 7-inch sat nav with a Full HD dash cam, but it’s a bit too pricey for what you get.

Vantrue N2 Pro review

By Alistair Charlton last updated 20 March 24

Designed for taxi and rideshare drivers, the Vantrue N2 Pro is a refreshingly simple dual-view dash cam.

Vantrue E1 review

By Alistair Charlton last updated 13 March 24

Recommended

The Vantrue E1 is a a well-rounded dash cam with a smart design, GPS, decent software, and 2.5K resolution.

Amazon Echo Hub vs Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen): Two Alexa smart displays compared

By Alistair Charlton published 7 March 24

Amazon's new Echo Hub smart home controller has arrived, so let's compare it to the Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 mounted inside a windscreen

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 review

By Alistair Charlton last updated 24 February 24

Recommended

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is a tiny dash cam that's about the size of your key fob – and it's a good choice for fans of simplicity.

How to install a smart video doorbell

By Alistair Charlton published 9 December 23

Wired or wireless, installing a video doorbell requires only a drill, screwdriver and a basic understanding of domestic wiring. Here's how to get the job done.

How to change your Ring doorbell sound

By Alistair Charlton published 30 November 23

Fancy a change to the sound of your Ring Video Doorbell? Follow these instructions to learn all about the Ring Chime and app notification sounds.

Ring Stick Up Cam Pro Battery review: wireless camera gains radar and a bird's-eye view

By Alistair Charlton published 23 November 23

Ring's latest indoor/outdoor camera, the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro Battery, is battery-powered for easy installation and uses radar for precise 3D motion detection.

I bought this dash cam for under $20 and its Full HD video quality was anything but

By Alistair Charlton published 11 November 23

I tried a really cheap dash cam from Amazon and the Full HD video isn't quite what I expected...

How to buy a smart lock

By Alistair Charlton published 5 October 23

Smart locks are voice and app controlled for hands-free security. Here's how to choose the best one for your home.

How to buy a video doorbell

By Alistair Charlton published 1 October 23

We help you pick the best video doorbell for improving the security of your smart home

How to buy a robot vacuum cleaner

By Alistair Charlton published 30 September 23

Because nothing says living in the future like a robot cleaning your home

Philips Hue Smart Button review

By Alistair Charlton published 25 September 23

The Philips Hue Smart Button is a compact smart lighting controller, but could benefit from greater configurability.

Wiz Smart Button smart switch review

By Alistair Charlton published 7 September 23

The Wiz Smart Button is a nicely designed wireless switch for controlling Wiz lighting, but lacks much in the way of features

TP-Link Tapo Smart Switch review

By Alistair Charlton published 3 September 23

Recommended

An affordable one-gang, one-way switch that brings app and voice control to a traditional light fitting.

How to install a wired smart light switch

By Alistair Charlton published 1 September 23

Discover how to install a wired smart switch to bring new connectivity to your existing lights

The DJI Mini 3 Pro drone on a blue background

DJI Mini 4 Pro: leaks, rumored release date and price predictions

By Alistair Charlton published 31 August 23

The rumored DJI Mini 4 Pro could be the must-have, sub-250g drone for aerial photographers in 2023

Philips Hue Tap Dial Switch review

By Alistair Charlton published 17 August 23

The Philips Hue Tap Dial Switch shifts smart lighting control up a gear, with four programable buttons and a rotating dimmer dial.

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