Articles by Alistair Charlton

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

Articles by: Alistair Charlton

The Philips Hue Tap Dial Switch on a yellow background

The best smart switch 2024: top smart light switches and dimmers for your smart lights

By Alistair Charlton last updated 19 December 24

Buying guide We pick out the best smart light switches to add more functionality to your smart home lighting system

The best compact camera for 2024: top pocket choices to take anywhere

By Timothy Coleman last updated 13 December 24

Updated Our best compact camera for 2024 guide will help you find the right pocket camera for you, whatever your budget.

Garmin Dash Cam X310 review: a feature-packed 4K dash cam that's Garmin's best yet

By Alistair Charlton published 28 October 24

Editor's Choice

Replacing the 67W, the new X310 is one of the best dash cams you can buy, but it comes at high a price.

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 review: same great design, now with less glare

By Alistair Charlton published 18 October 24

Recommended

Now in its third generation, the Garmin Mini remains one of the best compact dash cams money can buy.

Eufy X10 Pro Omni review: powerful robotic vacuum with a great app

By Alistair Charlton last updated 3 October 24

The Eufy Clean X10 Pro Omni is a self-emptying vacuum and mop that is powerful, smart and compact.

Eufy Clean X8 Pro review: powerful robotic vacuum with a great app

By Alistair Charlton published 9 July 24

The Eufy Clean X8 Pro is a self-emptying vacuum and mop that is powerful, smart and compact, but not quite perfect.

How to use your Amazon Echo Show as a home security camera

By Alistair Charlton last updated 28 June 24

We show you how to use your Amazon Echo Show as a home security camera so that you can keep an eye on your place when you're out and about

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock, leaked by Twitter user SnoopyTech

How to set up and use Alexa sound detection: soothe crying babies, barking dogs and noisy snorers

By Alistair Charlton published 28 June 24

Instructions for setting up Alexa routines that use the assistant's sound detection tech

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

Is Apple’s smart home display just wishful thinking?

By Alistair Charlton published 27 June 24

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

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

By Alistair Charlton last updated 24 June 24

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

Everything you need to know to set up your smart home

By Alistair Charlton published 24 June 24

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

How to prep your home for a robot vacuum

By James Holland last updated 21 June 24

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

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

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

By Alistair Charlton last updated 21 June 24

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

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

By Alistair Charlton published 5 June 24

Recommended

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

Garmin DriveCam 76 review

By Alistair Charlton last updated 20 March 24

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

Vantrue N2 Pro review

By Alistair Charlton last updated 20 March 24

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

Vantrue E1 review

By Alistair Charlton last updated 13 March 24

Recommended

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

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

By Alistair Charlton published 7 March 24

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

Best timelapse cameras in 2024 for construction, events or speeding up nature

By Alistair Charlton last updated 4 March 24

Updated Spanning a broad range of prices and features, these are our top timelapse camera picks for you

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 mounted inside a windscreen

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 review

By Alistair Charlton last updated 24 February 24

Recommended

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

How to install a smart video doorbell

By Alistair Charlton published 9 December 23

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

How to change your Ring doorbell sound

By Alistair Charlton published 30 November 23

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

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

By Alistair Charlton published 23 November 23

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

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

By Alistair Charlton published 11 November 23

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

How to buy a smart lock

By Alistair Charlton published 5 October 23

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

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Alistair Charlton

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