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At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros App offers copious customization options Very effective at cleaning–while tethered, that is Reasonably lightweight and easy to tote Cons Weak battery means pool didn’t get close to clean while untethered Gets stuck easily, especially on stairs App has some bugs and responsiveness issues Filter basket is difficult to close properly Our Verdict This robotic pool cleaner can run on battery power or with a connected cable, but it’s only effective at cleaning the pool when plugged into an AC outlet. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: BuHybrid L6 Retailer Price $999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Here’s a curious concept from the new-to-us robotic pool cleaner manufacturer Bublue: The BuHybrid L6 is a robotic pool cleaner that can run via a plug-in electrical connection or via an internal battery, a hybrid design that makes more sense than it might seem at first, at least on paper. On the surface, the design has a lot in common with the Polaris VRX iQ+ and other power-corded robots. A small power box connects to standard wall power via a short cord. A separate, waterproof 49-foot-long cable then connects from the box to the 22-pound robot, attaching to its top via a large four-prong adapter with a screw-on sealing system that waterproofs the connection. Specifications The robot itself has a somewhat traditional design, though its black and gray color scheme and monster-sized wheels are a bit unusual. Once connected to Wi-Fi, you have access to a total of seven operating modes. Configured with the cable connected, the unit is ready for wired operation. Operation can be initiated by pressing the buttons on the robot itself, which, in addition to a power button, include four modes: floor, walls, waterline, and auto mode (which cleans all those surfaces). Yes, the Bublue BuHybrid can run on battery power, but we got much better results when the robotic pool cleaner was tethered to an outdoor AC outlet.Christopher Null/Foundry The buttons are dimly backlit and hard to make out under any amount of ambient light; but ultimately, you power up the robot, select your mode, and drop it into the pool to get the unit running. A wide light band across the front of the robot changes color to indicate various information about its operating status. You’ll get a lot more configurability by connecting the unit to the Bublue mobile app, which is configured by first onboarding the robot to Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only). This involves pressing a Wi-Fi button on the power box while the robot is plugged in, after which the robot is automatically connected and bridged to your home network. The tether for BuHybrid L6 plugs into this socket on top of the robot.Christopher Null/Foundry Once connected to Wi-Fi, you have access to a total of seven operating modes (including a wall+floor mode and unexplained “eco” and “power” modes. Operating duration can be set for 2, 3, or 4 hours, and “path width” can be adjusted between “normal” and “fine.” (I presume this has to do with how close together the robot’s successive trips across the pool floor are, but this isn’t explained anywhere.) Using the BuBlue mobile app once BuHybrid 6 is connected to your home Wi-Fi network provides access to seven operating modes–but only when it’s plugged in.Christopher Null/Foundry If you want to end a cleaning session early, there’s also a function to send the robot back to the waterline for easy retrieval. (Otherwise, you’ll need to use the included hook.) A scheduling system is also available if you want to leave the robot in the pool and have it run periodically. In addition to the Wi-Fi button, the only other button on the power box (aside from the power button) is a Bluetooth button. You’ll need to use this for one thing only: to activate the robot’s remote-control feature, because for some reason this feature doesn’t work over Wi-Fi. The BuHybride comes with a large filter basket that’s easy to clean, but I found it difficult to keep its hinged lid closed. Christopher Null/Foundry The remote features a simple control wheel, and while the unit isn’t super responsive to commands, with enough patience I was able to guide it around the pool floor and pick up any stray bits of debris, although going up walls was very difficult to do with accuracy. Again, each of these features is available only when the unit is plugged in to the power box. Alternately, you can pull the plug and go cordless. A 5200 mAh battery lets the BuHybrid operate for two hours while disconnected from its tether, providing a maximum specified coverage of 1,615 square feet. Since the app does not work while the unit is disconnected, note that you’ll need to use the hardware controls to choose your operating mode and you won’t be able to make changes on the fly. Performance I tested the unit various times both corded and uncorded, on natural debris and synthetic leaves. On battery power, the BuHybrid didn’t impress, as it repeatedly left behind a large amount of test leaves, capturing only about 70 percent of the total debris. It also had a tendency to get stuck on the stairs, and despite Bublue’s claims of “multi-surface mastery” I needed to manually push it back into the water on several occasions. The BuHybrid L6 exhibited a tendency to strand itself on my pool’s steps.Christopher Null/Foundry On multiple occasions during these runs, the hatch covering the filter basket popped open, requiring me to retrieve it with a pole and close it before restarting the run. I’ve also caught the robot spinning around in circles on the surface of the pool for no clear reason, perhaps temporarily unable to re-descend. I had considerably better luck when running the robot with its cable connected, in large part because using the maximum 4-hour running time setting allows it to cover twice as much ground per run. In this mode, the robot was able to collect 99 percent of debris—including debris on the stairs—although it did get stuck there again once. Apart from that, it left behind just one leaf in a corner of the pool. Retrieval is also much simpler when corded, requiring just a single tap in the app to bring it back to the surface. Note also that the battery will charge whenever the cable is connected, including while the unit is actively running. Bublue doesnt provide any when it comes to management of the BuHybrid L6’s 49-foot cord.Christopher Null/Foundry The BuHybrid’s cable doesn’t solve every problem, though. When tethered, I found the unit had a propensity for popping wheelies, as it looked like the unit struggled with the weight of the cable. If enough cable wasn’t placed in the pool to start with, the BuHybrid would often get stuck near the wall, unable to generate enough power to pull the cable into the water. Out of the water, the cable presents another challenge. While robots like the VRX iQ+ come with a rolling dock that includes the power box and a place to neatly store the cable when not in use, the BuHybrid doesn’t. The power box just lays on the ground, and it’s up to you to figure out how to manage the cable. Throughout my testing, the pool deck looked about like this: [see photo messy pool deck]. It’s an eyesore at best, a hazard at worst. The BuHybrid L6’s backlit buttons are very difficult to see in any sort of light.Christopher Null/Foundry Cleanup is reasonably easy. The filter basket features a large and simple hinged lid that hoses clean without too much trouble. I did, however, regularly struggle to get the lid back closed properly, as the latch didn’t catch as well as it should. The robot’s wireless implementation and the Bublue app also need some continued development. For example, Bluetooth must be reinitiated each time you want to use the remote-control feature by first physically pressing the appropriate button on the power box, mitigating its utility. Why Bluetooth can’t just stay active is a mystery. And while it’s handy to have a running log of cleaning operations, every entry in the app’s history displayed a recorded cleaning time of 0 minutes. The powerbox for the Bublue BuHybrid L6 robotic pool cleaner.Christopher Null/Foundry I encountered other error messages and bugs while using the app including maddening times when the robot would not respond at all to any commands while running a cleaning cycle (such as aborting the session). Disconnects from the app were common, too, though those could often be resolved by power cycling the power box and force-quitting the app. Should you buy the Bublue BuHybrid L6? The BuHybrid L6 has a list price of $1,599, although it was available on Amazon for $999 at the time of this writing. That’s still very pricey given some of the performance issues present; namely, the robot’s poor showing in battery mode and its tendency to get stuck and ignore commands. Pool owners who are considering the L6 will probably need to plan for it to remain cabled at all times, but that will mean devising a DIY cable management solution as well. For me, even though it has exceptional cleaning power while in corded mode, it still has too many negatives to merit its price tag. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best robotic pool cleaners. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Petite, unobtrusive hardware Wi-Fi connectivity and interconnected features work well Very affordable Cons Doesn’t detect the presence of carbon monoxide No battery backup on the hub; any power outage means no push notifications We encountered a minor operational problem during testing Our Verdict This three-alarm smoke detection system offers seamless, long-range interconnectivity and Wi-Fi support, giving you extra layers of fire security. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: X-Sense XS01-M Interconnected Smart Smoke Alarm (model FS31) Retailer Price $109.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The trouble with smoke alarms is that one alone usually doesn’t provide enough protection, even in smaller homes. An alarm that goes off in one room might not be heard in the rest of the house, obviating the entire point of the technology. Interconnected smoke alarms offer a solution: If one goes off, they all go off. But the technology either means having dedicated wiring installed or standardizing on a wireless interconnectivity platform and hoping your mesh of alarms are all in range of one another. Specifications The new XS01-M Interconnected Smart Smoke Alarm smoke alarm system (X-Sense model number FS31) gives the wireless interconnect concept an upgrade by putting a base station in the middle of the mesh. That station doesn’t just coordinate the satellite smoke alarms (it should be noted that these alarms will not detect harmful accumulations of carbon monoxide), it also connects to your home Wi-Fi network (2.4GHz only) and relays information to the X-Sense app on your smart phone. The X-Sense FS31 system worked exactly as promised, despite a wealth of interfering walls, floors, doors, electrical wiring, plumbing, and metal electronics between its three satellites. The satellites are modified versions the X-Sense XS01-WT smoke alarm I reviewed in the spring of 2021, bearing the model number XS01-M. They look identical to the standalone XS01-WT, with the only real difference being the addition of an internal 915MHz radio that’s used for inter-alarm communications. Three satellites come with the base station in the box (a 5-station model is also available for $140). A maximum of 24 satellites can be supported on one network, with add-on detectors priced at $30 each ($20 each at Amazon at press time). The unobtrusive hub of the X-Sense XS01-M Interconnected Smart Smoke Alarm system.Christopher Null/Foundry The base station, smaller than you might think at just 3.5 inches square, is powered by a USB-C connection. Note that it doesn’t carry a battery backup, so if the power goes out, your mobile notifications will go dark; consider plugging the hub into an uninterruptible power supply just in case. Each satellite is powered by an included (and replaceable) 3V lithium cell. The preinstalled batteries promise a 5-year operating life, and the alarm itself boasts a 10-year operating life before it must be retired. Installation and setup Setup is a multi-step affair, and the process is not immediately obvious, as the X-Sense app instructs you to scan a QR code on the back of the manual to begin registration. But that didn’t work for me, and eventually I stumbled my way through the app to find a screen for adding the smoke alarms directly, based on their model number. Again, the app doesn’t indicate how to add the base station but attempting to add an alarm prompts you to first onboard the base station by scanning a QR code on its underside. Once the base station has been added to the app, you can proceed to add the alarms, one at a time, by activating their respective batteries and pressing a pairing button on the side of each device. I encountered no trouble with this part of the process. Performance You can add up to 21 additional X-Sense XS01-M smoke alarms to the FS31 system, but be aware these do not detect the presence of harmful levels of carbon monoxxide.Christopher Null/Foundry The X-Sense FS31’s big selling point is of course the alarms’ interconnectivity, so I tested the devices by placing them in the furthest corners of my house, and then using the X-Sense app’s test feature to trigger an alarm that should, in theory, cause all of them to sound off. Sure enough, the system worked exactly as promised, despite a wealth of interfering walls, floors, doors, electrical wiring, plumbing, and metal electronics between the three satellites. X-Sense claims a 500-meter (1,640 feet) maximum range in open air, and though my home is not nearly that large, the system appeared more than capable at blanketing my entire house with coverage. The sirens are very loud and piercing, and three different siren styles are available, so you can customize different alarms with different sounds if desired. The volume of the alarm on the base station can be set, but all siren alarms remain at maximum volume regardless. Each satellite alarm can also be configured to send a variety of different notifications to your phone, including when alarms are triggered or end; when a device is silenced, tested, or malfunctions; low battery notifications; and offline notifications. Push notifications were successfully sent to both my phone and my email inbox. The X-Sense app gives you an at-a-glance look at all your alarms’ status and displays push notifications if the system goes into an alarm state.Christopher Null/Foundry I also tested the alarms with simulated smoke and found they alerted quickly when exposed to the hazard and stopped sounding promptly when the smoke cleared, with push notifications (and an email) being pushed out in seconds. Finally, I also tested the alarms with the base station disconnected. When one alarm was exposed to smoke, each of the other alarms still activated, even without the central hub to coordinate them. The only difference being that push and email notifications were not sent (with the app showing all devices offline). The absence of battery backup on the hub seems like a missed opportunity. The X-Sense app gives you moderate flexibility in how the system works, including the option to silence an alarm by pressing a button on the base station. (With this option off, an alarm can only be silenced by the app or by disconnecting the power plug.) These options are all very straightforward and self-explanatory. I had no trouble with X-Sense’s system until at one point, one of the satellite alarms dropped offline without warning, disconnecting from the network. X-Sense offers no real troubleshooting options for this event—suggesting only that you should just move the alarm closer to the base station—but even when I put them a few feet apart, the alarm stayed offline, despite force-quitting the app and power-cycling both the alarm and the base station. The only fix I was ever able to find was deleting the troubled alarm from the app and re-adding it through the onboarding process. It has remained connected ever since. For the price of a subscription, you can connect the X-Sense system to a third-party professional monitoring service that will dispatch your local fire department should smoke be detected.Christopher Null/Foundry In the U.S., X-Sense offers a subscription service called the Protect+ Premium (that’s the company’s footnote marker at the end of “Protect”, although there’s no footnote on the page I’ve linked to). The service will automatically dispatch first responders if one of its alarms is triggered. The service, administered by the third-party monitoring company Noonlight, takes steps to avoid sending a fire truck based on a false alarm, starting with a written message. If there’s no response within 20 seconds, a phone call is initiated. If there’s no answer to that call within 60 seconds, a fire truck is dispatched. Protect+ Premium costs $5/month or $50/year. There’s also a $3/month, $30/year Protect+ Basic plan, which requires you to request a fire-engine dispatch by pressing a button in the app when one of the smoke alarms sounds off. Neither plan is something I’d invest in, but you might feel otherwise. Should you buy an X-Sense XS01-M Interconnected Smart Smoke Alarm Despite the lone operational hiccup, the X-Sense FS31 system worked well in my testing, the various hardware components are petite and unobtrusive, and the price—on sale at Amazon for just $70 as of this writing—is wholly reasonable. You’ll need some other means of warning residents of the presence of carbon monoxide in your home, but this interconnected smoke alarm system is a strong fire-safety tool. Read...

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