Security teams log 54% of successful attacks and alert on just 14%. The rest move through your environment unseen.
The Picus whitepaper shows how breach and attack simulation tests your SIEM and EDR rules so threats stop slipping by detection.
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4 Electronics At Costco With Deep Discounts In August 2026
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Costco isn’t just good for bulk groceries, $1.50 hot dogs, and 48-packs of toilet paper. The retail outlet also has a surprisingly robust electronics selection, with everything from smartphones to TVs available at your local warehouse, and it’s always adding cool new electronics to its shelves too. What’s more, many of them are usually more affordable than they would be from other retailers. But while the sticker prices in the store are already pretty reasonable most of the time, true bargain hunters know that the company often has steep sales that let you get products at a significant discount.
These sales change all the time, so it pays to keep an eye on what items Costco has on sale each month. There are plenty of great deals happening across the store, but some offers are significantly better than others. This month, for instance, there are a few great deals on speakers and other handy gadgets to upgrade your smart home. With that in mind, some of you may be interested in checking out the electronics Costco has on deep discount this August.
Arlo Ultra camera bundle
A complete home security system can be expensive, so it’s always good when you can find a decent one on sale. Right now, Costco has an Arlo Ultra bundle, usually $449.99, on sale for $349.99. This deal actually started in late July, but it will continue till August 16.
This kit comes with three of Arlo’s third-gen HDR 4K outdoor smart cameras. Each has a 180-degree field of view with motion detection, auto-zoom, color night vision, and tracking. You also get a magnetic mount for easy adjustment, a built-in siren and spotlight for warding off intruders, a swappable and rechargeable battery, and a low-power mode that keeps them active as snapshot cameras even when the battery is too depleted for video. Like most smart cameras, these have two-way audio with wind- and noise-canceling.
The kit also includes the company’s Ultra SmartHub. The hub creates a dedicated network for the cameras that operates on its own frequency, which Arlo claims reduces interference, increases range, and improves performance. It also comes with a free one-month trial of Arlo’s Early Warning System subscription. The Arlo Ultra Camera system has a 3.9 out of five-star rating on Costco’s website from over 45 customers. Most have had positive things to say about the camera’s picture quality, but some have encountered issues getting the batteries to charge correctly, while others have struggled with the initial software setup.
Bose SoundLink Home
Bose is well known as a high-end speaker and headset manufacturer. It’s known as a Bluetooth speaker brand that offers great sound quality, but its products tend to run on the expensive side, so it’s always nice when you can get them at a discount. Costco currently has the Bose SoundLink Home Bluetooth Speaker on sale for $50 off until August 23, bringing the price down from $179.99 to $129.99. This sale applies to all three colors, namely Cool Gray, Warm Wood, and Light Silver.
The SoundLink Home is a battery-powered Bluetooth 5.3 wireless speaker that promises up to nine hours of battery life. They have a built-in microphone as well, so you can use one to make calls or to access your phone’s voice assistant. Another cool feature about these speakers is that you can synchronize two units and run them in stereo, giving you separate left and right channels. This Bose speaker has a sleek anodized aluminum shell and a fabric front, and the company claims that it’ll deliver “crisp, clear sound with deep bass.”
These speakers only have a single rating on the Costco site, but they have 4.6 out of five stars on Bose’s own site, with most praising the sound, features, and modern design. There are a few scattered complaints about the device looking a bit awkward when the charging cord is plugged in, but most generally seem happy with its overall performance.
Bose Ultra Open-Ear
Bose isn’t just known for its wireless speakers; the company also makes some pretty great earbuds. Another Bose product Costco currently has on sale are the Bose Ultra Open-Ear true wireless earbuds. These little guys usually cost $299.99, but Costco currently has them for $199.99. What’s more, these earbuds come with a $50.00 gift card you can redeem on the Bose Promotion website. Special discounts like this are one of the reasons premium headphones are one of the main types of electronics you should try to buy at Costco. This sale won’t last long, however, as it ends on August 9.
These earbuds have an open-ear design, letting you listen to music without blocking off the outside world. This makes them ideal for those who like to use earbuds during outdoor activities like jogging, where you need to be aware of your surroundings. They’re IPX4 water-resistant, have a built-in microphone, and promise up to seven hours of battery life. The buds come with a charging case and a USB-C cable.
The Bose Ultra Open-Ear True Wireless Earbuds have a 3.9 rating on Costco’s website from over 175 ratings. The vast majority of users found them to have excellent sound quality for music, but some were less than pleased with the quality of voice calls. Customers were also divided on how comfortably they fit on the ear.
JBL PartyBox 120
JBL is another popular speaker brand that’s particularly well known for its portable Bluetooth speakers. Most of these are small speakers that you can fit in a pocket or backpack, but there are some notable exceptions. One example is the JBL PartyBox 120, a massive 22.4 x 11.7-inch Bluetooth speaker designed for parties and get-togethers. It usually runs you $449.99, but it’s on sale at Costco for $349.99 until August 16.
This speaker’s party-focused marketing extends beyond its large size. It has dual mic and guitar inputs and comes with a wireless mic, so it’s ready for live performances or karaoke. The speaker has an array of light effects that will sync with and react to the music you’re playing. JBL also advertises an AI sound boost feature that analyzes the music and maximizes speaker output for better sound. It’s also splash-proof, can be synced with other speakers via Auracast, and promises up to 12 hours of battery life.
This one has a 4.5 out of five-star rating on the Costco site, with fans generally praising its loud sound, heavy bass, and healthy selection of features. The relatively few negative reviews it has are primarily related to shipping and packaging errors, and don’t indicate any consistent design flaws with the product itself.
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A phishing campaign is exploiting fears surrounding the recently disclosed COLDCARD wallet vulnerability and suspected $88.6 million Bitcoin theft to trick users into installing ScreenConnect remote access software.
Proofpoint, which discovered the campaign, says it uses emails impersonating COLDCARD that claim a security audit is underway across its hardware cold storage wallet devices.
The phishing campaign comes after attackers recently stole approximately 1,367 Bitcoin, worth an estimated $88.6 million, from 4,585 addresses using what is believed to be a random number generation flaw affecting multiple COLDCARD models and firmware versions.
The emails are sent from compliance@coldcardteamnews.com with the subject “Hardware audit now available” and tell recipients that recent findings require COLDCARD to verify the integrity of devices across all hardware revisions.
“We are writing to inform you of a coordinated security audit now underway across the COLDCARD device network. Recent findings have prompted us to verify the integrity of hardware across all revisions, and your participation is needed,” reads the fake security audit emails.
Source: Proofpoint
The emails direct users to an alleged “Security Verification & Incident Reporting Tool,” claiming the process is air-gapped, will not request their recovery seed, and must be completed by August 10.
Clicking an “Access the Audit Tool” button opens the site coldcardcompliance.com, which impersonates COLDCARD with a message to click on the “Start Hardware Audit” button to download the tool.
The fake website also includes a live “Customer Service” chat feature that allegedly allows targets to receive support for their COLDCARD devices.
In chats shared by Proofpoint, an operator asks whether the victim uses Windows or macOS and then instructs Windows users to run the downloaded tool.
Source: Proofpoint
When one user reported seeing a black window and an administrator prompt, the operator explained that the prompt was required to begin the installation and told them to click “Yes.”
Proofpoint believes these conversations are likely being handled by real people rather than an automated chatbot, allowing the attackers to respond to concerns and pressure hesitant victims into proceeding with the installation.
Batch file installs remote access software
Proofpoint shared on X that clicking on the website’s “Start Hardware Audit” button downloads a batch file named Coldcard_Diagnostic_Tool.bat from a GitHub account.
BleepingComputer analyzed the 25.7MB batch file shared by Proofpoint and found that it contains two Base64-encoded files embedded directly in the file.
When launched, the script first pretends to perform a diagnostic check on your device, but in the background it actually checks whether the user has administrator privileges. If it does not, it uses PowerShell to relaunch itself with a User Account Control prompt to request elevated permissions.
Source: BleepingComputer
The script then stores the embedded Base64-encoded files in a randomly named directory as setup.msi [VirusTotal] and docusign.exe [VirusTotal] in the Windows temp folder and decodes them using Windows certutil.
After installing the setup.msi file, the script launches docusign.exe, displays an “Installation Complete” message, and then deletes the temporary directory. The docusign.exe file is a legitimate signed executable that installs a DocuSign printer driver, which acts as a decoy during the attack.
The MSI launched setup.msi file is actually a ConnectWise ScreenConnect installer, which is a remote management tool that gives the threat actor remote access to the device.
When launched, Proofpoint says it connects to the activeretirementrelocation[.]com, which is the ScreenConnect command-and-control server used by the threat actor.
Once connected through ScreenConnect, the attackers could remotely access the computer, steal data or cryptocurrency, or install additional malware.
Proofpoint warns that this access could also be used to deploy ransomware.
It’s supposed to mask your IP address, but researchers found that it doesn’t always work due to a WebKit issue.
Apple’s Private Relay feature is supposed to ensure that no website or even the company itself can see your IP address when you browse the web on Safari. But according to security researchers Talal Haj Bakry and Tommy Mysk, it doesn’t always work as intended due to issues with Apple’s web browser engine, WebKit.
One of the issues they found is related to passkeys, which are gaining ground as a new secure and password-free login method. As 404Media explains, when you use a passkey to log in, your device makes an authentication request outside of the browser itself. Private Relay is an iCloud+ feature bound to Safari and doesn’t shield your identity throughout your device like a real VPN does. So, if you log into a website or a service with your passkey on Safari, it could leak your IP.
The possibility of an IP leak isn’t confined to Safari either. Since the issue lies with WebKit that’s used on all iOS browsers, your IP could also become visible to websites and services if you use passkeys on other browsers designed for privacy and anonymity, like OnionBrowser and the researchers’ own Psylo browser.
The researchers said in a post on X that they have already contacted OnionBrowser and the Tor Project, which provides the anonymity network the browser uses, to share their findings and solutions. Apple told 404Media that it’s already investigating the researchers’ report, but as the researchers said in their post, it could take a lot of time before the company addresses the problem. They mentioned the issue with iCloud’s Hide My Email, for instance, which another research team discovered in mid-2025. Apple didn’t roll out a fix, which would prevent the feature from leaking the real email addresses behind aliases, until a year later.
Re: Responsible Disclosure
We found ourselves in a bit of a dilemma with these DNS and IP leaks in WebKit and how to handle them responsibly.
We first became aware of a DNS leak in Psylo in late June 2026 after a user reported it. During our investigation, we found two… https://t.co/5kFu0jtUsJ
— Mysk 🇨🇦🇩🇪 (@mysk_co) August 5, 2026
Apple is preparing some smart home updates, with a new HomePod mini expected soon. Here’s what to expect from Apple’s small wireless speaker.
Apple’s HomePod mini is a key part of the smart home. While it is obviously a great and compact speaker and a way to communicate with Siri without using your iPhone, it’s also a hub to manage all of your smart home devices using Apple Home.
However, since its release in 2020, the HomePod mini hasn’t had much in the way of updates, save for some new colors. A glow-up is long overdue.
With the prospect of an update to the speaker on the horizon, here’s what the rumors say Apple is preparing to bring out for the next generation.
Externally similar
As is usual for Apple, it is keen on something known as a spec-bump update. That is where the changes are internal, while everything looks the same on the outside.
For the HomePod mini 2, this is probably going to be the case. The next version will probably still be a roughly baseball-sized speaker with a 3D mesh exterior, and a touch display on the top.
HomePod mini 2 should look just like the original, complete with a touch-enabled top.
There’s a chance that Apple could address the ghost touch issues that have started to plague existing models. But we’re probably going to see some new colors too.
We’d like to see a sage green, though we do really like the existing orange colorway.
Chip changes
As part of the spec-bump update, Apple will use a number of new chips. The first of interest will be a second-generation U1, an ultra-wideband chip.
The second-gen U1 is more accurate and has a greater range when it comes to detecting other devices. This could result in a much better hand-off experience with your iPhone.
It may even enable new capabilities, such as determining who is in a room by detecting the nearby iPhones.
A second chip candidate is for networking. Rumors say Apple could incorporate its self-designed N1 networking chip in the HomePod mini.
That chip includes support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and a Thread radio.
A new communications chip will help improve handoff of audio from an iPhone.
Lastly, there’s a very good probability that Apple will be changing the S5 SIP running the show for a different one, possibly the S9 or S10.
Technically, the S9 and S10 are practically the same chip, with identical cores and performance capabilities. The difference is that the S10 is a single-sided package that’s 10% thinner, though this makes more sense on something like an Apple Watch where size matters more.
The upgrade to the chip probably won’t matter for most existing HomePod use, but it should finally bring Apple Intelligence as well as Siri AI to the speaker.
The existing Siri experience on the HomePod Mini is somewhat lacking, so hopefully Siri AI support will change that. That should mean improved accuracy in understanding commands, context awareness, and conversational flow, too.
If you stumble over your requests, that should be better handled by Siri.
As Siri AI can also tap into Apple Intelligence’s personal knowledge about you, it should also make for more personalized responses too.
Audio Quality
As it’s a speaker, we have to expect some level of audio improvement over its six-year-old counterpart. It may not necessarily have the audio chops of the full-size HomePod, but the HomePod mini can still pack a punch.
With the inclusion of a new SIP, that processing upgrade should also translate into better audio processing, and maybe an adjustable EQ, too.
A long time coming
While we are patiently waiting for the HomePod mini to be updated, it’s something that has been in the works for a while.
Previous reporting on the speaker indicates that Apple has sat on releasing a new version since the spring of 2025. This was when the original Siri update was scheduled to launch, but was then delayed.
A HomePod mini on a battery base. Expect HomePod mini 2 to still be powered by a cable.
Now, with Siri upgraded, Apple has cleared the path to actually release it. Though its not the only item that’s been on standby.
We also have rumors of a smart home device with a display, referred to as a Home Hub. That could make an appearance before the end of 2026, alongside the HomePod mini.
There’s also a new Apple TV 4K waiting in the wings. That, combined with multiple HomePod minis could make for a serious smart home upgrade if you really want it.
Although the tech world is typically obsessed with the latest smartphones, one of the best things we’ve seen over the last few years is how continued innovation in the world of vacuum cleaners has made it easier than ever to keep your floors looking pristine. If you’re ready to make full use of the latest home cleaning gadgets then here are the best vacuum cleaners that our team recommend.
While industry titans like Dyson and Hoover are still putting out great vacuums, it’s the appearance of a lot of new brands like the Chinese-based Dreame that have helped to push all companies to be more competitive on the market. What this means is that not only are you getting more features for your money in 2026, but there are also far more types of vacuum cleaners to buy.
For instance, if you really don’t have a lot of time in the week due to a busy work/family life schedule, the best robot vacuum cleaners are great for helping to stay on top of general maintenance until you actually get an opportunity for a manual clean. Similarly, there are now some options amongst the best hard floor cleaners that can actually pick up solids as they go, which makes them far more efficient at picking up a wider array of messes.
For standard vacuums however, while you can pick up wired options that pack a ton of power, we’ve seen a ton of innovation in the world of cordless vacuums. There are some options that now have a battery life of over an hour, and auto detect modes are fairly commonplace which allow the vacuum to recognise how much dirt is on your floor plus the type of floor in question, and then adjust the suction power accordingly.
There’s so much more we could talk about but know that for every vacuum cleaner that arrives at our offices, they are all subjected to the same series of tests to see if they’re actually up to scratch. Only when one of our experts recommends a vacuum in question will it then be considered for entry on this list, so you can always shop with confidence.
Types of vacuums in the list
Making a decision on which plug-in vacuum to buy can be tricky but also personal to the layout and size of your house. If you have a smaller home or struggle to lift heavy items, a smaller cleaner will be best suited to you; if you have a larger home, then a bigger vacuum will make more sense.
There are two main types of vacuum cleaners: cylinder and upright. Cylinder cleaners have you drag around the main vacuum cleaner body, while you hold the hose. They’re a little more cumbersome to store, but for the most part, you only have to hold the hose and floor head, so they feel lighter. Upright cleaners are a little neater, combining everything into a single body. Just plug them in, lean them back and start pushing.
Which type is best for you is personal and would be impacted by the size and layout of your home and your general cleaning requirements. If you live in a bungalow or flat then an upright cleaner is probably right for you. But if you live over multiple floors and need to clean stairs the cylinder cleaner can have better all-round utility.
Buying advice
We report on all specs and test data at the bottom of this list. This is to supplement our advice and to help you make an informed decision. Here are some key points to consider:
- Weight: While cleaners spend most of their time on the floor, weight is still important, particularly if you have multiple stairs. A 4-to-5kg cleaner is quite light, 5-7kg cleaners sit in the middle, and 7kg+ are heavy.
- Vacuum cleaner type: Cylinder cleaners can feel lighter to move around and are easier to get under furniture; upright cleaners are neater with an all-in-one design; wet and dry vacuum cleaners are best for DIY as they can suck up wet mess.
- Provided head: A floor head (get one that suits your flooring, such as carpet and/or hard floor) and crevice tool are the minimum you need. Look for a dusting tool to speed up cleaning and a pet tool for cleaning sofas and pet beds.
- Bin capacity: A minimum of a 1-litre bin is a good idea, but up to 1.5-litres will reduce how often you have to empty. Those with larger houses should get bigger cleaners.
Most importantly read our real-world testing summary and, if you’re still not sure, visit the review.
Best vacuum cleaners at a glance
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Learn more about how we test vacuum cleaners
We put each of these vacuums through the Trusted Reviews testing methodology in our purpose-built lab where we have custom-made rugs, carpet tiles, carpet and hard floors. We also make sure that each flooring type has tight corners to test how effective the vacuum is at getting dirt in the corner. For each listing, you’ll see a link to our full review. If you’re still on the fence about which vacuum to buy we always recommend reading the full review. The performance tests we perform on these vacuums are: We also run some real-world tests such as the ease of assembly, manoeuvrability, dust capacity, ease of emptying, and an overview of accessories.
Very flexible
Self-empty station works brilliantly
Excellent performance
Hard to empty cleanly manually
If you ever needed a concrete example to show just how far Shark has come, not just in its own right, but also as a major disruptor to Dyson’s place in the market, then look no further than the Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean and Empty Pro IA3241UKT. This is an outstanding cordless vacuum that we cannot recommend enough, particularly if you’re a pet owner.
There are quite a few reasons why the IA3241UKT is great when you have pets, but chief among them is the inclusion of a motorised pet tool in the box. This allows thicker pet hair to be separated from the main brush to stop any issues from arising as you clean. The MultiFlex stem also makes it a lot easier to clean under beds and sofas where a lot of hair can pile up.
When analysing the raw suction power that the IA3241UKT can achieve, we were impressed to see a register of 59AW when the vacuum was set to Eco mode, which is actually a tad more powerful than the Dyson V16 Piston Animal. Boost mode kicked it all the way up to 322AW so there’s a lot of room to tackle different messes, but thanks to the dirt detection software onboard, you don’t have to worry about swapping between different modes as the IA3241UKT will do so automatically.
With the ability to collect just as much dust when going backwards over a bit of flooring as when it’s being pushed forwards, the IA3241UKT made short work of our simulated dust test, collecting 99.1% of the debris that we scattered. The edge test was similarly brilliant, collecting 95.9% which is a lot more than some pricier vacuums can achieve. Although the IA3241UKT is great at vacuuming by default, we do recommend spending just a bit extra to improve the experience on the back-end by buying the self-empty dock. Without this add-on, the process of manually emptying the dust bin can get a bit messy, whereas the dock simplifies it all.
Brilliant to use
Cleans well on low power setting
Super light
Not for carpets
Doesn’t have a smaller handheld mode
The Dyson PencilVac is one of those rare cordless vacuums that makes you do a double-take, wondering how on earth someone created such a thing. Compared to the PencilVac, all other cordless vacuums look positively chunky, as this appliance is just 38mm thick at the stem and weighs only 1.8kg. It’s incredible if you have very little storage space in which to house a vacuum when it’s not in use, but it also has an impact on the usability of the thing.
Because it’s so lightweight, the PencilVac simply glides across your floors, requiring very little effort on your part to get it to where it needs to be. The brush head section can also rotate on its axis to move seamlessly to tackle different spaces as you go, such as down the side of a sofa. All of this means that you don’t have to worry about the typical sense of fatigue which can arise with more cumbersome vacuums.
When it came time to put the PencilVac’s performance to the test, we were again impressed by how much cleaning ability Dyson has been able to cram into such a slim frame. When using the crevice tool, the PencilVac could pick up debris from 1.5cm away, and that power continued when tackling our simulated dust mess by using flour. We registered the PencilVac as picking up 99.75% of the debris, which is no easy feat. The PencilVac was similarly effective with cleaning right up at the edge of the skirting board, collecting 96.2% of the flour we scattered. For the rice spill, the vacuum collected 100% of the debris, so for similar solid messes, you’ll get on just fine here. Even if you’re up against a more involved clean than usual, there’s a compactor that can be used with the dust bin to maximise the amount of space available. It’s such a simple yet ingenious idea that we’re surprised it wasn’t already a mainstay of modern vacuums.
The only key area where the Dyson PencilVac is a bit of a letdown is its complete inability to tackle carpets. There isn’t a dedicated mode for cleaning carpets on the PencilVac, so this is one appliance that’s best saved for flats or homes with hard floors only. Of course, there are plenty of other Dyson vacuums that cater to carpets, but none of them has the slick design of the PencilVac.
High suction power
Brilliant mopping
Can climb high thresholds
Flexible when dealing with mixed flooring
Too many water levels to choose from
At this point, we’ve lost count of the number of robot vacuums we’ve tested over the years, and while there’s usually been room for improvement, whether that be in suction power, mopping ability or some kind of smart feature that doesn’t quite stack up, that cannot be said for the Roborock Saros 20. This is an exceptional robot vacuum that honestly makes it feel as if the concept has finally delivered on its core potential.
Right at the heart of the Saros 20 is the unbelievable 36,000Pa suction power, which leaves the vast majority of its competitors in the dust. With that kind of raw power onboard, the vacuum was able to pick up practically all of the debris in our flour test, on both the carpet and hard floor sections of our testing facility. Edge cleaning was similarly brilliant, although it did leave a bit of debris after the initial pass, but was able to scoop up any remaining bits on a second visit. Because this is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum, there’s also a mopping element to help with any dried-in stains or spills that need taking care of.
When going over stains for coffee and red wine, the Saros 20 got rid of it all in next to no time. It was similarly efficient with a simulated mud stain, which required a combination of the vacuum and the mop in order to move both the stain and the debris that came with it. The ketchup test, as expected, wasn’t quite so seamless, but this is the toughest benchmark we implement. Thankfully, the Saros 20 was able to loosen the stain after an initial pass and after several more goes, the stain was eventually removed completely.
For when you are sending the Saros 20 out to do a general clean of your floors, we were really impressed by the StarSight Autonomous System 2.0 which uses 3D ToF sensors to gain a better understand of your home, giving it greater insight into which items of furniture it can pass under and which obstacles need to be avoided. Going even further, the vacuum can climb thresholds of up to 8.7cm so if you have slightly elevated portions of a room, that won’t be enough to stop the Saros 20 from completing its assignment, which we love to see.
Cleans brilliantly
Easy to empty
No smelly filter
Doesn’t quite get to the edge
We’ve tested so many great hard floor cleaners that at this point, we’ve pretty much lost count, but then something like the Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene comes along to up the bar even further for the rest of the industry to try and catch up. This is, by every metric, an incredible cleaner that offers a lot of versatility, even if you do have to contend with the typical high price tag that comes with buying a Dyson appliance. Before we can talk about any other aspect of the Clean+Wash Hygiene, it’s worth highlighting the raw cleaning performance onboard as it is very much the reason why you should want to add this cleaner to your arsenal. Usually there’s one of our tests where a hard floor cleaner might struggle, but that wasn’t the case with the Clean+Wash Hygiene as it aced them all.
On the mid-level setting, we were able to remove coffee and red wine stains in just a few passes, to the point where you’d never know that they were there in the first place. The mud stain, which is where a lot of cleaners can trip up because of the inclusion of solid bits of debris, still wasn’t an issue. Because of the Clean+Wash Hygiene’s ability to separate solids as it goes and store them in a separate tank, the mud stain didn’t stand a chance.
The most difficult of the bunch is our ketchup stain test, something that can get spread around by lesser powered appliances, but the Clean+Wash Hygiene just scooped it all up. The only area where it ran into some trouble was with edge cleaning a separate ketchup mess. For these moments, the only other option that can really get the job done properly is the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge.
In terms of the build of the device, not only is it very easy to empty once you’re done with the clean, but because there’s no filter involved, you don’t have to deal with the horrible smells that can build up overtime. Throw in the fact that the Clean+Wash Hygiene can run for up to 70 minutes at a time and it’s easy to see why we rate the appliance so highly.
Light and easy to use
Cleans quickly
Powerful stain removal
As much as we recommend having a dedicated hard floor cleaner to hand as it makes the process of dealing with spills and stains so much easier than going down the manual route, the one area where a lot of these appliances struggle is with edge cleaning, and it does make sense to a degree given how they’re built. However, the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge defies all logic by going against the grain here. Simply put, if you live in a home where you have pets or kids and messes of all kinds can turn up when you least expect them, then the OmniForce Edge might be the perfect hard floor cleaner to have to hand. When put up against our edge test, which is where so many other hard floor cleaners have struggled, Bissell’s appliance performed exceptionally well. With the ketchup stain involved, the appliance removed all of it that was present on the floor, to the point where the only remnants were on the plinth itself and a tiny bit of ketchup that had gone right underneath and would require a finer tool to remove.
The reason why the OmniForce Edge is able to perform so well in these scenarios is thanks to the ZeroGap Multi-Surface roller which uses an additional screw-in section on the edges which allow the appliance to reach much further than your average hard floor cleaner. It’s a bit mind-bending but the important thing is that it works.
What’s great is that, even though Bissell has paid extra attention to edge cleaning, the brand hasn’t let the ball drop with other scenarios. With dried-in coffee and red wine stains, the OmniForce Edge was able to get rid of them completely in just a few passes at the standard power level. Because the device can also pick up solids, it made short work of our multi-faceted mud stain too.
You can get up to 30 minutes of use between charges which is more than enough for most people but you do get a bit longer with the Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene. Still, Bissell’s appliance costs a lot less which makes it great for shoppers on a budget, the 4.8kg weight of the thing means that you can move it around plenty within those 30 minutes and rarely feel any sense of fatigue.
Powerful cleaning
Large selection of tools
LiftOut mode makes the vacuum more flexible
Edge pickup could be better
Although the convenience and flexibility of a cordless vacuum cleaner can’t be denied, the sheer power of a traditional plug-in model is undoubtedly hard to beat. Fortunately, the Vax LiftOut Multi Pet-Design does a great job at offering maximum pick-up power with clever design elements that make it much easier to use.
There’s an easy-to-reach foot switch that releases the bin and motor from the floor head which essentially turns the LiftOut Multi Pet-Design into a more flexible cylinder vacuum cleaner. When in this mode, you can reach tighter spaces much easier, turning it into one of the best car vacuum cleaners.
Plus, when in LiftOut mode, you can attach the main floor head to the wand which is a rare benefit for such vacuums. This is especially useful if you find yourself struggling to push the 6.63kg appliance around – although as most of that weight sits on the floor, this shouldn’t really be much of an issue.
Vax also includes a selection of useful tools, including one for pet hair removal, stairs, crevice and a mini motorised brush. Although there isn’t enough on-board storage for all the tools, you can keep both the crevice and one additional tool on the vacuum’s body at all times. There’s also a large two-litre bin which can be easily emptied by either the top or bottom.
Overall we were seriously impressed with how well the Vax LiftOut Multi Pet-Design vacuum coped during our tests. Not only did we find it picked up 97.37% of dropped dust, but it also did an admirable job of tackling wall edges too. Plus, thanks to the design of the main floor head’s brush bar, long hair strands were cleared up without getting tangled.
Thanks to its flexible design and mighty suction, the Vax LiftOut Multi Pet-Design has easily earned its spot as one of the best upright vacuum cleaners.
Lots of tools
Great suction and cleaning power
Excellent manoeuvrability
A little heavy
Tools can only attach to the long wand
With a 1.8-litre bin, anti-tangle floor head and hailed by us as “the most manoeuvrable plug-in vacuum” we’ve tested, the plug-in Dyson Ball Animal is a brilliant choice for those who don’t want to be limited by battery power. Although it weighs a mighty 7.6kg, making it heavier than most of the best cordless vacuum cleaners, the Dyson Ball Animal Multifloor’s large ball at its base is designed to make it easy to push the vacuum around so you shouldn’t need to lift it often.
Dyson also includes a handful of useful tools, such as a two-in-one crevice attachment, dusting brush, stair tool and an anti-tangle turbine device for pet hair. The caveat here is that all tools need to be attached to the long wand found under the handle and, while the wand is useful at reaching high spaces, we did find it can be fiddly to use.
Otherwise its main anti-tangle floor head, which is made up of bristles that prevent hair from wrapping around and becoming tangled, works brilliantly. The floor head also has a slider which adjusts airflow depending on the surface type, handy for areas that need a more delicate touch.
Overall we found that the Dyson Ball Animal Multifloor is a fantastic vacuum that makes light work of day-to-day household cleaning. With plenty of tools, manoeuvrability and uninterrupted plug-in performance, this vacuum will suit most households.
Compact
Well-marked controls
Useful selection of tools
Can be hard to push across some surfaces
If there’s one problem with cylinder vacuum cleaners, it’s that they’re often bulky and messy to store. The Miele Boost CX1 is different.
First, it’s very small (280 x 400 x 400) and it weighs 7.8kg, which makes it more compact than the competition. Secondly, there’s room on board for all of the tools (dusting brush, crevice tool and upholstery brush), and there’s a clip for stowing the floor head. All-in, we found this the neatest and most compact cylinder we have tested.
The minor downside to such a cleaner is that the hose is a little shorter than on rivals, as is the power cable. As such, you may need to use a couple of extra power sockets to clean your home, compared to a regular cleaner.
We loved the power settings on this vacuum cleaner: they’re clearly labelled for the job at hand with settings for curtains and upholstery, rugs, carpet and hard floors. No more guessing which mode to use. There’s a lot of power in this cleaner, too. We measured it at 89AW on its lowest setting, up to a massive 422AW on its maximum power. That’s a huge amount of suction, and great for picking up larger messes fast.
In our real-world tests, we found that debris on carpet was gone straight away and that the cleaner reached right to the edge of rooms. Hard floor pick-up was flawless. The only test that this cleaner struggled with was pet hair removal: with suction only, the Boost CX1 struggles to agitate and remove hair, and a cleaner with a motorised brush is really required. Miele does sell a Cat & Dog version that adds a motorised brush for these jobs.
If you’ve got a more modest home and like the idea of a cylinder cleaner, this compact and powerful model is a great choice.
Very powerful
Cleans brilliantly on all surfaces
Easy to move around
Large bags
Can be difficult to push across some surfaces
A little untidy to store
Easily one of the most recognisable vacuums in the UK, the Henry is known for its iconic design and (more importantly) its exceptional power and performance. Available as the classic red Henry or the pink Hetty, the Numatic Henry HVR160 is able to make light work of most cleaning tasks from everyday household mess to even DIY work with minimal hassle. The Henry HVR160 is easy to manoeuvre too thanks to its wheeled cylindrical body however it’s worth noting that it does weigh 7.5kg so it isn’t the lightest vacuum to carry around.
Storing the Henry isn’t particularly neat either as there isn’t any dedicated space to house the 2.4m long hose, so it ends up loosely piled on top of the base. Having said that, the Henry does boast a manual handle to wind the cable back into the main body which neatens it up slightly.
Included with the Henry HVR160 is a set of useful accessories, including a two-in-one floor head that can switch between carpets and hard floors, a crevice tool for hard to reach areas, a dusting brush and an upholstery brush.
The Henry also boasts a massive 10m long power cable alongside a 2.4m hose, which should be enough to clean an entire floor from a single power socket. We found that the Numatic Henry was simply one of the most powerful vacuums we’ve ever tested, with its raw power measuring at a whopping 408AW. This means the Henry is able to pick up debris much faster than its rivals, although we did find that this sheer strength had a tendency to suck up lighter rugs, which can be a nuisance.
Overall the Numatic Henry HVR160 is a classic for numerous reasons. Not only is it a design icon but it’s exceptionally powerful and comes equipped with numerous tools and a large 6-litre bin capacity.
Powerful suction
Huge capacity
Great set of tools
Regular floorhead not so good for pet hair
If you’re searching for a big vacuum cleaner on a small budget, the Numatic Henry XL Plus is an excellent pick.
The Henry XL Plus presents a supersized alternative to the classic Henry vacuum cleaner, ideal for tackling bigger spaces that require a larger capacity cleaner. This model is large, measuring 510x350x370mm and weighing 10kg. Thankfully, the attached wheels make it easy enough to move around despite its size. The vacuum has a huge 15-litre capacity (twice that of a regular Henry) and requires NVM-2BH HepaFlo bags. There’s also a second filter that sits on top of the bag, locking in dust effectively.
The controls are comparable to a regular Henry, with Numatic including a single on/off switch to toggle power and an air vent at the top of the wand to reduce airflow.
The wand and hose have good reach and we found that we were able to clean a full flight of stairs without moving the vacuum further than the top and bottom steps.
The Henry XL Plus comes with a regular floorhead for cleaning hard floors and carpets, along with a dedicated hard floor tool and a turbo tool to agitate dirt that works well with pet hair, though it’s a shame the brush isn’t an anti-tangle one. For this reason, you’ll be better off opting for one of our best vacuums for pet hair if you’re a pet owner searching for something a bit more adept at tackling fur. The vacuum has 431AW of power, which is similar to the suction power of the standard Henry and just above that of the Shark CZ500UKT. The Henry XL Plus performed admirably in our tests, making it an excellent pick for anyone looking for a large-capacity vacuum cleaner to tackle big spaces.
Good value
Doesn’t get tangled with hair
Powerful
No power to floor head in Push&Lift mode
Edge performance could be better
The Hoover HL5 Pet is a vacuum cleaner with anti-twist technology, making it ideal for cleaning up after your furry friend.
The HL5 Pet is a smart-looking vacuum cleaner with a bold blue and yellow finish. There are also some useful design details, including a clear porthole in the top of the bin to show how full the vacuum is while cleaning.
This particular model includes a large 1.4-litre bin with a filter that lifts out easily to be fully cleaned from time to time. There’s a washable foam filter beneath the bin and a HEPA filter at the front to keep dirt locked inside the vacuum. The HL5 Pet is easy to use in its upright mode and the LED lights highlight the floor as you clean, though not quite as strongly as the laser on the Dyson V15 Detect. The vacuum is lightweight and easy to push around with an air vent that helps reduce power when needed. There’s also a carpet mode, which sets the brush to maximum speed.
The Push&Lift feature makes this cleaner very nimble when tackling tricky areas like stairs and car interiors, while the anti-twist technology prevents hair from getting caught in the roller making the HL5 Pet ideal for cleaning up after pets.
Furthermore, there’s a crevice tool and a motorised pet tool in the box for stairs, pet beds and sofas, along with a wand and hose for reaching ceilings.
The HL5 Pet is incredibly powerful for an upright vacuum, hitting 332AW in our tests. For comparison’s sake, the Shark NZ860UKT has 268AW of power, though the Shark vacuum does do a faster job in many instances. The HL5 Pet also performed well in our real-world tests, especially when faced with pet and human hair.
Low price
Lots of suction
Cleans well on carpet
Long hairs tangle around brushbar
Struggled with larger particles on hard floor
If you have pets at home then you’ll appreciate the Vacmaster Respira Lift Off Pet, especially as it’s one of the more budget friendly options on our list.
In terms of raw power, we measured the Vacmaster Respira Lift Off Pet reached up to 287AW, making it higher than the likes of the Shark NZ860UKT and the Vacmaster Respira. In real-world use, we found the vacuum performed admirably during our tests and was able to pick up the majority of dropped dust from carpets.
We also found that the Vacmaster Respira Lift Off Pet coped well with pet hair across carpets, thanks to its motorised floor brush, although longer hair did have a tendency to become tangled.
It’s also worth mentioning that we noted that the vacuum struggled when dealing with hard floors, picking up just 83.8% of dropped debris from the surface. If your home is made up of predominately hard floors, then we’d advise against this vacuum and suggest opting for the Hoover HL5 Pet instead. As its name suggests, the Vacmaster Respira Lift Off Pet also sports a useful removable cylinder alongside a two metre hose for easier stair, spot and upholstery cleaning.
Overall, if your home is mostly made up of carpets and you have pets, then the Vacmaster Respira Lift Off Pet is a brilliant and affordable vacuum cleaner.
Very powerful
Long battery life
Useful range of tools
Have to hold the trigger in
Motorised tool can get tangled with hair
Hailed by us as the “most powerful handheld-only vacuum cleaner”, the Dyson Car+Boat is actually not an entirely new product. In fact, it’s essentially a Dyson V8 without the wand or floor tool.
With this in mind, considering the V8 received a perfect five-star rating from us, it’s no surprise that the Car+Boat provides exceptional power, handles tough messes with ease and offers more battery life than regular handheld models. There are two power modes to select from: Standard or Boost, with the latter delivering a whopping 211AW, which is way ahead of other handheld cleaners like the Shark Premium Handheld. During our controlled tests, we found the Car+Boat was able to collect 99.7% of dust dropped across the floor and a jaw-dropping 98.6% during our difficult edge test.
It’s worth noting that there is no anti-hair wrap technology present, so longer hair can get caught around the brush.
At just 1.9kg, the Dyson Car+Boat is light and easy to carry around, making it ideal for tackling spot cleans. We also found the vacuum offers just under 40 minutes of battery life on standard mode, which drops to under ten minutes when boost is enabled.
To operate the Dyson Car+Boat, you’ll need to hold the trigger down constantly, which is a bit of a pain. Otherwise, if you want a dedicated handheld vacuum that’s powerful and long-lasting, then the Dyson Car+Boat is a brilliant, albeit expensive choice.
Good value
Powerful
Cleans well
Only ships with a crevice tool
For the amount of choice that’s now available within the budget market, let alone with vacuum cleaners in general, it can be difficult to know which one of the cheaper options is actually worth buying. Well, if all you want is a straightforward vacuum that’s powerful, easy to use and doesn’t cost a fortune then the Hoover HL4 Home is an instant recommendation.
Even though it only carries a price tag of £219, the Hoover HL4 can provide a level of suction that far outweighs any expectations. When vacuuming loose rice on our testing floor, the HL4 was able to scoop it all up with ease and could even collect grains from 2.4cm away, so it’s far less likely that you’re going to see areas that have been missed because you didn’t specifically go over them in a passthrough.
It was a similar situation when we purposefully spilled 20g of flour on the test floor to see how the HL4 would handle it. With each passthrough, the vacuum removed huge amounts of flour which meant that the whole mess could be cleaned in next to no time. Again, on the price alone, the Hoover HL4 Home is a tough act to beat.
For most targeted spills that don’t require the full brunt of the brush, you can remove the cylinder from the vacuum and use it to clean up smaller messes quickly. There’s also a crevice tool included which is perfect for cleaning up the corners of a room as well as any gaps in a sofa where crumbs and dust can linger. Because the HL4 Home only weighs in at 5kg, it’s incredibly easy to move around, and its slim build prevents it from taking up much space when it’s stored away. It really is the ideal corded vacuum cleaner for anyone living in a flat or a home that doesn’t have much space in the way of storage. Having a 1.2-litre bin onboard isn’t bad either, as you certainly won’t need to empty it halfway through a clean to allow for more room.
Cylinder cleaners have the power in a wheeled unit that you pull around behind you. There’s less weight in your hand, as you hold the wand and hose only, and you only occasionally need to drag the cylinder where you need it. They’re not quite as quick to get going with as an upright cleaner, which you plug in, pull back on and get going with. Upright cleaners are generally more popular as a result.
A bagged cleaner adds running costs into the mix, but you get a simple bag that you pull out and throw away, which can be better for allergy sufferers. With a bagless cleaner, you get a removable bin that needs emptying, which saves on cost but can lead to dust spreading in the air as you empty
All vacuum cleaners come with a floor head. Given the power available, some don’t require a spinning brush, but look out for models that do, as motorised brushes can make dirt pick-up more efficient, particularly when dealing with pet hair. You’ll also want to get a crevice tool and dusting tool, at the minimum, for close-up work; look out for a mini motorised brush if you have pets and want to tackle furniture Most plug-in models are limited to 750W of power, but the actual suction available and cleaning quality differs from vacuum to vacuum. Read our reviews to find out which vacuums clean the best.
Wet and dry models can tackle wet spills as well as dry, although you may need to do a bit of conversion before switching modes. These models can have more powerful motors, but they’re specialised tools that excel at tough jobs, such as DIY mess, and cleaning out a blocked washing machine.
For basic cleaning, there’s not much between the two types, but the plug-in model does have some general advantages. First, you can keep cleaning for as long as you want, and don’t have to stop to recharge. Sure, some cordless cleaners provide power for whole-home cleaning, but even they will run out if you want to deep clean your house, tackle your sofas and car, for example. With a plug-in cleaner, you can just keep on going, and you run them at higher suction power for a deep clean. A wet and dry vacuum cleaner can suck up dry dirt and water, although you usually have to convert between the two modes. As well as that clear difference, wet and dry vacuum cleaners don’t have the same power limitations placed on them, so they’re more powerful making them great for DIY jobs and dealing with the messiest of dirt.How we test
– Carpet test
– Pet hair test
– Hard floor test
– Edge cleaning test
– AirWatts measured at the handle on all power settings
– Noise tests using a decibel meter
Test Data
Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean and Empty Pet Pro IA3241UKT
Dyson PencilVac
Roborock Saros 20
Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene
Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge
Vax LiftOut Multi Pet-Design
Dyson Ball Animal Multifloor
Miele Boost CX1
Karcher WD6 P Premium
Numatic Henry HVR160
Numatic Henry XL Plus
Hoover HL5 Pet
Vacmaster Respira Lift Off Pet
Dyson Car+Boat
Hoover HL4
Sound (normal)
–
–
–
57.2 dB
69.6 dB
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
AirWatts (low)
59 AW
33 AW
–
–
–
–
–
89 AW
160 AW
314 AW
–
–
–
45 AW
–
AirWatts (medium)
82 AW
56 AW
–
–
–
–
–
313 AW
362 AW
–
–
–
–
–
–
AirWatts (high)
322 AW
103 AW
–
–
–
151 AW
203 AW
422 AW
467 AW
408 AW
431 AW
332 AW
287 AW
211 AW
243 AW
Sound (low)
65.5 dB
69.8 dB
–
–
–
–
–
58.6 dB
70.5 dB
–
–
–
–
78.6 dB
–
Sound (medium)
68.6 dB
71.2 dB
–
–
–
–
–
66.3 dB
74.3 dB
–
–
–
–
–
–
Sound (high)
75.1 dB
74.5 dB
58 dB
–
–
73.2 dB
67.8 dB
68.4 dB
80.1 dB
68.1 dB
69.2 dB
76.8 dB
71.2 dB
77.4 dB
71.1 dB
Full Specs
Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean and Empty Pet Pro IA3241UKT Review
Dyson PencilVac Review
Roborock Saros 20 Review
Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene Review
Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge Review
Vax LiftOut Multi Pet-Design Review
Dyson Ball Animal Multifloor Review
Miele Boost CX1 Review
Karcher WD6 P Premium Review
Numatic Henry HVR160 Review
Numatic Henry XL Plus Review
Hoover HL5 Pet Review
Vacmaster Respira Lift Off Pet Review
Dyson Car+Boat Review
Hoover HL4 Review
Manufacturer
Shark
Dyson
roborock
Dyson
Bissell
Vax
Dyson
Miele
Karcher
Numatic
Numatic
Hoover
Vacmaster
Dyson
Hoover
Size (Dimensions)
260 x 350 x 1120 MM
38 x 226 x 1160 MM
350 x 353 x 79.8 MM
280 x 244 x 1096 MM
270 x 270 x 1107 MM
270 x 370 x 1160 MM
280 x 390 x 1065 MM
x x INCHES
382 x 418 x 693 MM
320 x 340 x 345 MM
360 x 370 x 510 MM
350 x 290 x 1150 MM
260 x 260 x 1150 MM
131 x 331 x 207 MM
330 x 228 x 1150 MM
Weight
3.22 KG
1.8 KG
–
3.82 KG
4.8 KG
6.63 KG
7.3 KG
–
9.6 KG
6.5 KG
10 KG
5.9 KG
5.46 KG
1.9 KG
5.5 G
ASIN
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
B08HDCGX16
B00JU53C92
B078KKHT2Q
–
B0B9CFWKB7
–
–
–
Release Date
2026
2026
2026
2025
2025
2025
2024
2022
2022
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2024
First Reviewed Date
27/04/2026
02/02/2026
26/02/2026
03/02/2026
21/08/2025
15/01/2026
28/01/2025
05/07/2022
01/04/2022
04/05/2022
08/11/2022
23/03/2023
03/02/2025
28/03/2025
09/09/2025
Model Number
Shark PowerDetect Speed Clean and Empty Pet Pro IA3241UKT
Dyson PencilVac
Roborock Saros 20
Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene
Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge
Vax LiftOut Multi Pet-Design
Dyson Ball Animal Multifloor
Miele CX1 Boost
Karcher WD6 P Premium
Numatic Henry HVR160
Henry XL Plus
Hoover HL5 Pet
UC0902EHUK
Dyson Car+Boat
–
Vacuum cleaner type
Cordless stick
Cordless stick
Vacuum cleaner and mop
–
–
Plug-in upright
Plug-in upright
Cylinder
Wet and dry cylinder
Cylinder
Cylinder
Upright
Plug-in upright
Handheld
Upright
Provided heads
Floor head, 2-in-1 tool, mini motorised brush
Fluffycones floor head, 2-in-1 crevice tool
–
Floor head
Floor head with ZeroGap roller
Crevice tool, mini motorised brush, pet hair remover, stair tool
Floor head, stair tool, Flat out head, soft dusting brush, combination tool, quick-release tangle-free turbine tool
Floor head, crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery brush
Floor head, tool connector, crevice tool, extension hose
Floor head, crevice tool, brush, upholstery tool, extension tube
Crevice tool, mattress tool, brush, turbo brush, flexible crevice tool, carpet/hard floor head, hard floor head
Floor head, crevice tool, mini pet tool
Floor head, 3-in-1 combination tool, Pet Mate tool, upholstery tool
Crevice tool, combination tool, mini motorhead
Anti-Twist floor head, crevice tool
Bin capacity
0.47 litres
0.08 litres
2 litres
0.52 litres
0.44 litres
2 litres
1.8 litres
2 litres
26 litres
5 litres
15 litres
0.4 litres
1.5 litres
0.54 litres
1.2 litres
Bagless
Yes
Yes
–
–
–
Yes
Yes
Yes
–
–
–
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Modes
Auto, Boost, Eco
Eco, Standard, Boost
Vacuum, Mop, Vacuum and mop, Mop after vacuuming
Three water flow options and Max mode
Standard, boost
On/off
On/off (brush bar can be turned on/off, too)
Curtains and upholstery, rugs, carpets and hard floors
Auto, manual
On/off
On/off
On/off (air vent reduces suction)
On/off (hard floor and carpet modes)
Standard, boost
Carpet, hard floor
Filters
2 (washable)
1 (washable)
1 (washable)
0
1 (washable)
2 (one washable, one replaceable)
1 (washable)
2 (washable)
1 (washable)
1
1
2 (washable)
3 (washable)
2 (washable)
2 (washable)
Run time
1 hrs min
30 mins min
200 mins min
45 mins min
31 mins min
hrs min
hrs min
hrs min
hrs min
–
hrs min
–
hrs min
50 mins min
hrs min
Charge time
–
–
2.5 hrs
–
4 hrs
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Brushes
–
–
1x side brush, 1x roller
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Mop Option
–
–
Dual microfibres mops
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Smart assistants
–
–
Yes
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Floor cleaner type
–
–
–
Hard floor cleaner
Hard floor cleaner
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Detergent capacity
–
–
–
0.75 litres
0.65 litres
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
UK RRP
£499.99
£429.99
£1299
£429.99
£319
£269.99
£379.99
£268
£246.99
£149.99
£167.99
£297
£109.99
£249.99
–
USA RRP
–
–
$1299
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
What style of vacuum cleaner do you want?
Do you need a bagged or bagless cleaner?
What accessories do you need?
How much power do you need?
Do you need a wet and dry vacuum?
What can a plug-in vacuum cleaner do that a cordless model can’t?
A smaller advantage is that you can generally use plug-in cleaners for other suction jobs as they don’t cut out; cordless cleaners often (although not all models) have suction protection, turning off when they detect a blockage. For example, if you’ve got a vacuum drill attachment, where dust from drilling is sucked away before it can make a mess, this will work more easily with a plug-in cleaner. With a cordless cleaner, this kind of accessory may not work. Likewise, for vacuum storage bags, some cordless cleaners will cut out before you’ve compressed your bag; a plug-in cleaner will not.
What’s the difference between a regular model and a wet and dry vacuum?
After a lot of speculation, vivo has expanded its S-series lineup in India with the launch of the vivo S2. Starting at ₹39,999, the smartphone packs a 6.83-inch curved AMOLED display, a 50MP Sony main camera, and a massive 7,050mAh battery while keeping a relatively slim design. vivo is also betting big on AI, with the S2 featuring several photography and productivity tools alongside Google Gemini. Here’s what you need to know about it.
vivo S2 Features and Specifications
Under the hood, the vivo S2 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7360-Turbo, a 4nm chipset paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. There’s also support for up to 8GB of Extended RAM, although this uses a portion of the phone’s internal storage rather than adding physical memory. The phone also gets symmetrical dual speakers, which should make watching movies and playing games a little more immersive.
Perhaps the bigger highlight is the display. The vivo S2 features a 6.83-inch 1.5K 3D Curved AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. Despite packing a massive battery, vivo has focused on keeping the phone relatively slim and lightweight. You also get IP68 and IP69 ratings for protection against dust and water.
Sony Camera, AI Features, and 7,050mAh Battery
For cameras, the vivo S2 packs a 50MP Sony IMX852 primary sensor, accompanied by a 2MP secondary camera and vivo’s Aura Light for portraits. There’s a 32MP selfie camera on the front, and both the front and rear cameras can record videos at up to 4K resolution.
As you’d expect from a 2026 Android smartphone, AI is also a big part of the package. The S2 includes AI Erase 2.0, Live Photo, Dual View Video, Circle to Search 2.0, Google Gemini, AI Smart Call Assistant, and AI Transcript Assistant. These cover everything from removing unwanted objects from photos to transcribing conversations and helping with everyday queries.
Powering everything is a huge 7,050mAh BlueVolt battery with support for 44W FlashCharge. The vivo S2 runs OriginOS 6 out of the box, with vivo promising three major Android OS updates and five years of security updates. The vivo S2 starts at ₹39,999 in India, with 128GB and 256GB storage options available.
Sony has expanded its flagship noise-cancelling headphone range with a new finish for the WH-1000XM6, introducing an Olive Gray colourway aimed at buyers looking for a more understated design.
The new option joins the existing Sand Pink and Sandstone finishes. Sony describes Olive Gray as part of its collection of nature-inspired colours designed to offer a more timeless look. In addition, the company says the muted earth tone is intended to complement a wide range of styles while avoiding trend-led colour choices.
Importantly, the new release is purely cosmetic. The WH-1000XM6 retains the same hardware and feature set that helped establish it as one of the leading premium wireless headphones.
It’s another launch that reflects a growing trend among audio brands to refresh products with new colourways, giving buyers more choice without changing the underlying technology. Quite frankly, we’re all for more colours with headphones, presenting the opportunity for people to personalise their audio hardware with colours that appeal to them and reflect their personality. And we’re very bored by the default of black headphones.
Sony says the Olive Gray finish was developed around the idea that premium products should remain visually appealing for years. It pairs a neutral colour palette with the existing design of the WH-1000XM6.
For anyone who has been considering Sony’s latest flagship headphones but hasn’t yet been sold on the current finishes, the new colour provides another option without sacrificing any of the features.
Buyers will still get the same premium noise cancellation, sound quality and comfort. Now, these come wrapped in what Sony calls a more sophisticated, nature-inspired design.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 in Olive Gray is available now through Sony’s online store and selected retailers. Pricing remains unchanged from the existing colour options.
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay feature is designed to obscure your web traffic so sites like advertisers, unscrupulous governments or malicious attackers can’t trace that traffic back to you. But it turns out the mechanism isn’t actually as private as Apple says.
As reported by 404 Media, security researchers at software company Mysk discovered that even with iCloud Private Relay active, the IP address of a device or home network can be transmitted, which could be used to reveal a person’s identity or location.
iCloud Private Relay is a feature for paid customers of Apple’s iCloud Plus service. It routes web traffic through proxy servers, obscuring your IP address and the website address you’re visiting, so neither the site nor Apple can see that information.
It’s also a feature that runs within Apple’s WebKit framework, which includes the Safari browser and other apps and services that use WebKit to access websites. It’s specifically not a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which encrypts all internet traffic and runs it through a proxy server.
The researchers, Talal Hak Bakry and Tommy Mysk, set up a website that lets you check whether your connection is vulnerable. When I tested it using an iPhone 17 Pro and a MacBook Pro with iCloud Private Relay enabled, it correctly identified the IP address of my home internet router.
In a post on X, the researchers noted that they chose to make the vulnerability public rather than report it to Apple first.
“Unfortunately, our past experience with Apple tells us that reporting this issue would involve months of delays, inconsistent communication, and in some cases, denying the issue’s impact entirely,” the researchers wrote. “We weren’t willing to wait months, or upwards of a year, sitting on bugs that undermine the core privacy guarantees of [Mysk’s browser] Psylo and iOS Tor browsers while saying or doing nothing.”
An Apple representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
How iCloud Private Relay is being bypassed
One problem is related to passkeys, the method of signing into sites that’s more secure and user-friendly than usernames and passwords. WebKit bypasses the Private Relay proxy and sends requested information directly from the device.
“Because the fetch is issued by the operating system’s credential service rather than by Safari, it never enters Private Relay’s proxied path,” the researchers wrote on the Mysk blog. “The destination server sees the device’s real IP address either way.”
There are two other paths that can reveal your IP address even with iCloud Private Relay enabled.
DNS prefetching is a way for websites to request data before it’s needed to speed up the connection. That happens separate from the relay mechanism, so the data is passed directly from your network to the website. However, a site must include the code in its HTML to trigger it.
The third vulnerability is with a low-latency method called WebTransport where WebKit opens a direct connection that bypasses the private relay and sends the user’s real IP address.
Apple’s security also took a hit recently when a bug in Apple’s iCloud Hide My Email feature seemed to expose people’s real email addresses. It, too, is a paid feature of iCloud Plus and is now the focus of a lawsuit accusing Apple of false advertising, fraud and breach of contract.
Tech
Apple’s A20 Pro production is going smoothly, except DRAM supply is bottlenecking iPhone assembly
Ripple effect: In the run-up to the launch of the foldable iPhone Ultra, iPhone 18, and iPhone 18 Pro, Apple and its assemblers are working to secure enough mobile DRAM. Apple leans heavily on Micron for these chips and also buys from SK Hynix and Samsung. People involved say they still expect to meet initial demand, but they worry online wait times could stretch and store inventory could run out quickly if the shortage continues.
Apple’s next iPhones are built around a new chip and packaging setup that pairs the A20 Pro processor with high-performance DRAM at the wafer level, and that packaging step is being slowed by a tight memory market, according to sources who spoke with Taipei-based journalist Tim Culpan.
The core of the new lineup is the A20 Pro chip, Apple’s first processor built on TSMC’s N2 node, which moved into volume production earlier this year. The chip isn’t shipped alone: it’s packaged together with DRAM using TSMC’s Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module process, or WMCM.
This replaces the Integrated Fan-Out (InFO) approach TSMC has used for about a decade, and is roughly “CoWoS for mobile,” as Culpan has described it, drawing a parallel to the company’s advanced CoWoS packaging for data-center AI chips.
On the front-end side, N2 is produced at Fab 20 in Hsinchu’s Baoshan district and Fab 22 in Kaohsiung, with Fab 22 set to be the main hub for Apple’s chips. WMCM is being tested on pilot lines at Advanced Packaging Fab 3 in Longtan and will mainly be handled at AP7 in Chiayi once that site is fully online.
Earlier this year, Culpan reported that demand for N2 is strong enough that capacity is booked out through the end of next year, a sign of broad interest in the node from multiple customers. Despite that demand, N2 itself isn’t the bottleneck. Sources say A20 Pro production on N2 is running well, with good volumes and yields. The problem is DRAM.
Wafers with A20 Pro dies are stacking up while they wait for memory chips to arrive for WMCM packaging. Until that DRAM is in place, those processors can’t move further along the assembly line. As a result, TSMC is holding around $1 billion worth of Apple processors that are ready on silicon but stuck waiting for memory.
TSMC’s recent earnings call offered a clue to this buildup. In comments that drew little attention at the time, CFO Wendell Huang told investors that inventory days had increased seven days to 87, “primarily due to the ramp of N2 technology.”
Inventory is now 11 days higher than a year ago and seven days above the prior quarter, figures that match a situation where wafers and partially processed chips are sitting in the pipeline, consistent with the current DRAM-related packaging delay.
Downstream, the shortage is also affecting board and device assembly. Main logic board assembly and final iPhone production are being done in China, with BYD and Foxconn as the primary producers, according to Culpan’s sources.
Without enough DRAM-equipped WMCM packages, those assemblers have less time to ramp up and build stock before launch, raising the risk that some models could be scarce in the early weeks.
Apple plans to make about 200 million units of the foldable iPhone Ultra, iPhone 18, and iPhone 18 Pro over the life of this generation, assemblers have been told. Less than 10% of that total will be the Ultra, which various reports have hinted will sell for more than $2,000. The remaining units will be split evenly between the Pro and standard versions.
For now, Apple and its partners are focused on pushing more DRAM into the WMCM flow fast enough to keep that plan intact. The N2 node is ramped and the packaging infrastructure is being built out, but the pace of Apple’s most advanced mobile architecture still hinges on how quickly its key memory suppliers can deliver.
This week Jonathan chats with Jonathan Pallant about embedded Rust! Learn about the growing Rust driver library, the different ways to build a Rust stack on an embedded device, and how the opinionated tooling can make you a better programmer!
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Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced on Wednesday that OpenAI, and its once-subsidiary Statsig, signed a settlement that includes three years of oversight over the AI lab’s hiring practices.
The DOJ has alleged that these companies used various tactics to prevent U.S. citizens from applying for jobs held by immigrant employees when the companies were sponsoring those workers for permanent U.S. residence. The companies did not admit to wrongdoing, although they did agree to pay $3.2 million. Of that, $1.2 million is a fine and the remaining $2 million is being set aside to pay restitution to U.S. citizens who applied to those jobs, should the DOJ find any who were harmed.
The DOJ alleged that OpenAI and Statsig broke provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by not truly looking for qualified U.S. citizens for these jobs before pursuing permanent residence applications (PERM) as the INA requires. The DOJ said they didn’t list roles on public job boards, advertised on the radio late at night, and required paper applications rather than electronic ones.
While there were fewer than 10 roles at issue, the DOJ said that as part of the settlement, the companies must pay the fine and submit to oversight by the department over their PERM roles. Oversight includes items such as drafting and obtaining approval for their PERM-role hiring policies and submitting semiannual reports. Those reports must include how many applications for foreign employees they pursued, how many U.S. citizens they interviewed, and other statistics.
OpenAI acquired AI A/B testing company Statsig in September 2025 and later divested at least part of the business in May 2026. The DOJ, however, says it began investigating both companies separately before the acquisition, in August 2025, including five cases at OpenAI between 2023 and 2025, and one at Statsig.
The DOJ says that this settlement is part of its increased crackdown on companies over the matter. However, the INA, a law passed in 1952, has been enforced by other administrations against other Big Tech companies. During Biden’s administration, for instance, both Facebook and Apple signed similar settlements, though in both of those cases the DOJ alleged that the violations were widespread and systematic.
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