Ruth Hamilton

1 week ago | techradar.com | Ruth Hamilton

When I started my role as Homes Editor at TechRadar, I was a robovac newbie. I'd never owned one, never used one, and actually never even seen one in action. Now, 14 months into the role, I've tested multiple models, ranging from the best robot vacuums money can buy, to cheap-and-cheerful bots with more limited features. Below are the seven biggest lessons I've learned along the way.

2 weeks ago | techradar.com | Ruth Hamilton

In this article we're going to explore the difference between a fan and an air circulator, and help you figure out which is the best choice for your needs. Both types appear in our best fan roundup, and both have their pros and cons, depending on what you want to achieve. As you can see from the image above, the two types of fan can look extremely similar at a glance, but they operate in different ways. An air circulator is designed to circulate air around larger spaces.

2 weeks ago | techradar.com | Ruth Hamilton

Shark has abandoned all restraint with the latest addition to its fan lineup. The FlexBreeze Pro Mist comes with a full-size water tank that clips onto the base, enabling it to blast you with a cooling cloud of mist for hours. It's also cordless and UV- and rain-resistant, making it the perfect outdoor hangout companion when the hot weather sets in. Misting capabilities are particularly useful because fans don't actually cool the air – they just swish it around a bit so it feels colder.

2 weeks ago | techradar.com | Ruth Hamilton

(Image credit: Dyson / Future)Dyson is really, really good at moving air around. While the company made its name in vacuum cleaners, it's now almost as well known for its aircare appliances – it makes some of the best fans and the best air purifiers around, sometimes in one appliance. In fact, some can also heat or humidify the air, as required. Dyson's aircare products are instantly recognizable, with most of them sporting a slick, space-age design that seems to magic up wind from nowhere.

3 weeks ago | techradar.com | Ruth Hamilton

iRobot launches new flagship Roomba Max 705 Vac with AutoEmpty DockIt has slightly more suction than other Roombas but is otherwise much simplerIt costs $899.99 / £699 and is available for preorder nowiRobot has unveiled a brand new flagship robot vacuum – the Roomba Max 705 Vac, alongside AutoEmpty dock. And while it looks like a very capable robovac, I can't help but feel rather underwhelmed, and a little confused, too.