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Bitplay AllClip and Premium HD lenses review

REVIEW – I’m a smartphonographer. What’s that? It’s a person who uses their smartphone as their primary camera. I sold my Canon 70D DSLR last year and have been using my Pixel 2 XL and Huawei P20 for all my photos. Can the addition of add-on lenses from Bitplay take my photos to the next level? Let’s find out.

What is it?

The Bitplay AllClip is a universal smartphone lens holder that is designed to hold Bitplay’s specially designed lenses.

What’s in the box?

I was sent the following items, but they are all separate items and don’t come in a kit/set.

AllClip
HD wide angle lens
HD Macro lens
M52 CPL Filter and adapter

Design and features

I have seen all sorts of add-on lenses for the iPhone which usually require a special case that has a threaded socket over the area of the phone over the lens. That’s great for iPhone users, but what about Android phone users? That’s where Bitplay comes in with their AllClip which is a universal lens mount that is compatible with smartphones that have a width ranging from 58mm – 80mm (2.3″ to 3.2″).

I did all my testing of the AllClip and lenses with my Pixel 2 XL. The AllClip is an expandable holder that has clips on the end that wrap around the edges of the phone to hold it in place. With a case on my Pixel 2 XL, the AllClip was still able to fit over the back of the phone so that I could attach the Bitplay Premium HD lenses to the clip.

The AllClip is a universal Bitplay lens mount that lines up over the phone’s lens. You can adjust the horizontal and vertical alignment of the mount by moving the AllClip up and down and by sliding the mount left or right. Once the mount is over the lens and the AllClip is securely in place, the mount is fixed in position and won’t inadvertently slide around. At least I found that to be true while testing with the Pixel 2 XL.

You will notice that with my phone, the AllClip covers the fingerprint reader sensor and interferes with the flash next to the lens. Depending on the phone, the clip also might cover the power switch, volume buttons, and other controls, so this is something to keep in mind.

With the AllClip installed, you can now attach Bitplay’s lenses. They sent me their premium wide-angle lens, and their macro lens, along with an M52 CPL filter.

The Bitplay lenses have a 13mm threaded mount that screws into the socket on the AllClip. Each lens comes with a protective cover for the mount and for the lens itself. Each lens also comes with a small drawstring pouch to hold the lens when it is not being used.

Attaching the lenses is simple and takes little to no effort.

The AllClip and attached lens definitely add significant bulk to your phone and you probably would not want to stick your phone with the clip and lens in your pocket as it most likely would not fit and the clip could come off.

I said above that attaching and reattaching the lenses and the AllClip isn’t hard, but it can be a little awkward depending on the situation. For example, a week ago, I was in Florida on vacation and thought it would be a perfect opportunity to try out the Bitplay lenses for some beach shots. The problem was that trying to juggle the AllClip, lenses, lens caps, and drawstring pouches without getting sand on them was a bit tedious.

I can’t imagine wanting to carry my phone around with the AllClip and a lens attached to it for very long because I use a fingerprint reader to unlock my phone and with the AllClip on the back, it was covered and inaccessible. But enough whining, let’s take a look at a few picture samples using the Bitplay lenses.

Sample pics

Premium HD Wide-Angle Lens


The difference when adding the Premium HD wide-angle lens is obvious. You can see significantly more of the condo in the photo with the wide-angle lens compared to the photo taken without the lens.


Again, you can tell that you see a lot more of the beach when using the wide angle lens.


I noticed something odd about the wide angle shot above. If you click on it and look at the trees/leaves in the upper left side of the image on the left, they look smeared.

Premium HD Macro Lens

I obviously take a lot of close up shots for my reviews, so I was excited to test the Bitplay macro lens. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out to be useful to me because it only works well if you can place the lens at an exact distance from the subject. This is aided by the lens design. As you can see, it has a frosted hood. This hood is designed to let light in.


But as you can see, shadows can cause the subject to become too dark.



The close-up images that I was able to take with the macro lens are ok, but that’s only because I took them indoors on a flat surface. When I tried to take some pictures of the same shells out on the beach, it was much harder to get the lens correct distance from the subject and with the sun shining, I wasn’t able to see what I was doing on the phone’s display.

M52 CPL Filter




It looks like a lens, but the M52 CPL is a filter that is made up of 3 parts. The filter itself and an adapter with a silicone ring. attaching the M52 filter to the Premium HD wide-angle lens took some effort only because it didn’t seem to make sense until I read the directions. But even then, the process is a little fiddly and it was not easy to do while I was on the beach.

Once attached, this particular filter is designed to remove glare on glass or water surfaces and improve the capture of blue skies and white clouds by filtering out the unwanted lighting.


The difference between the two images is subtle. You can see that the sky in the image with the filter has more blue. Turning the filter when it’s installed over the lens is supposed to have some effect on the image but I didn’t even know that was something you should try based on the instructions that came with the filter. I just happened upon that info on Bitplay’s site. Unfortunately, it was after I came back from Florida and we haven’t had a sunny day to try it here yet.

What I like

  • Adds extra capability/features to your existing smartphone camera
  • Wide angle lens lets you capture more
  • Macro lens allows you to get very close to your subject

What needs to be improved

  • AllClip can cover some features/buttons
  • Bulky
  • Not sure how useful the macro lens and M52 filter really are

Final thoughts

My smartphone is the best camera I’ve ever owned because it’s always with me. I like Bitplay’s universal AllClip and lenses which provide the ability to extend smartphone camera’s capabilities as long as you are ok with the caveats that come with these accessories. My guess is that I will rarely use the M52 CPL filter and the macro lens going forward, but I can definitely see myself using the wide angle lens, especially when I travel and want to take landscape pictures.

Price: $19.96 for the AllClip, $49.99 for the Premium HD Macro lens, $99.99 for the Premium HD Wide angle lens, $43.99 for the M52 CPL Filter
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Bitplay.

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Bitplay AllClip and Premium HD lenses review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 9, 2018 at 1:21 pm.

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Make bananas more disgusting than they already are

I’ve never liked bananas. It’s a texture thing. And a flavor thing. Ok, it’s everything! Ick with a capital I. But hey, if you like the mushy yellow fruit, then more power to ya and here’s a way to make your bananas even better (I think). It’s called the Banana Surprise and it’s a kit that will let you inject your banana (queue jokes…) with honey, chocolate syrup, strawberry sauce, and other drippy liquidy fillings. I am feeling a bit nauseous just thinking about it.

This little girl looks happy about the fact that her banana has what looks like blood oozing out of it. I think a sight like this might scar a kid for life, but if you don’t think so, you can get your own Banana Surprise kit for $26.74 from Amazon.

Via Neatorama

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Make bananas more disgusting than they already are originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 9, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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STM Myth 28 liter backpack review

REVIEW – Laptop backpacks are all the rage these days. With the rise of a younger, more tech-focused workforce, carrying a backpack, at least in tech circles, is no longer the mark of a lower echelon drone. At my publicly-traded technology company, directors and VPs carry backpacks into the office on a daily basis. My latest daily driver, the Myth 28-liter backpack from STM, fits in with any range of tech worker. I have really enjoyed testing it.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

What is it?

The Myth is one of what STM calls their Laptop Backpacks. It’s primarily designed to be a pack, sure, but paying special attention to your large, flat screen and protecting it from harm is the primary purpose of this bag. The other features are all there as well, but the laptop compartment and the tablet sleeve are both “air-gapped” so that your device doesn’t get impacted if you drop the bag onto a floor from too high a distance.

Hardware specs

from company website

  • size 15″
  • main material: 100% polyester
  • outer dimensions: H 18.5 x W 11.8 x D 6.7 in (H 47.0 x W 30.0 x D 17.0  cm)
  • capacity: 28.0 L
  • weight: 2.69 lbs (1.2 kg)
  • Slingtech – the laptop never impacts the ground
  • CableReady – you can charge anything in-bag
  • Luggage pass-through – attach it to your luggage for easy portage when walking
  • ComfortCarry – mesh and padded back and straps for comfort
  • AirPod pocket offers quick, easy access to your wireless headphones
  • TPU coated webbing handles with rivets ensures durability
  • Water repellent C6DWR coating applied to fabric
  • Air channel back panel system promotes air flow, keeps you cool and comfortable
  • Reverse coil zippers protect teeth, keep moisture and grunge out
  • Internal fleece-lined sunglasses pocket
  • Weather-sealed laptop pocket

Design and features

The Myth design is a new one for STM. I’ve previously purchased several bags from them with personal funds and actually still have them in use. This new line is a departure in both materials and design. It’s less traditional “outdoor hiking pack with a laptop sleeve”, both in look and design. There are contrasting patterns of fabric used in unusual ways to provide a design flair. The colors are also from a less traditionally outdoorsy palette: pastels and subdued colors, rather than bright, in-your-face colors. I was sent the 28L Myth in a cream and reddish-grey fabric with maroon zippers and webbing. I think it looks very nice, but the Lovely Bride thinks is looks like a school sweatshirt. STM calls is “Windsor Wine.” Not sure what that should conjure up.

The back panel has two wide, padded pieces vertically with a wide space for your spine. The weight of the pack doesn’t hit your spine at all. The back pads and inner straps are covered in a nylon mesh fiber, not unlike breakaway football jersey material. Beneath this is closed-cell foam. The mesh wraps around the inside of the straps to provide cushioning around the neck. The outer surface of the straps is the same material as the pack itself – a smooth but slightly textured polyester. About 9” before the adjustment buckle is attached, there is a gliding sternum strap assembly. (Nice touch: there’s a doubled 2” piece of elastic stitched into a 2.5” section of the sternum strap. This means it is snug, but not death-grip-tight against your chest.) On the left strap, there is a fabric octagonal company logo the size of a quarter coin (€2 or £1 coins) that falls over your heart. The lower 9″ of the back has a pass-thru for your roll-aboard luggage handle. Where the straps connect at the top has a flexible yoke that cradles your neck. This lets you cinch it up tight without feeling it’s falling off the back, or you’re going to snap your iPad screen in two.

There are three zippered pockets accessed from the top, and a stash/water bottle pocket at each corner. The stash pockets have hooded covers over them, and a rear gusset, so the size can vary but the sleek line of the front doesn’t show it. The left-hand (as you wear it) stash pocket has a grommet-covered pass-through into the center zippered pocket. There are also grommeted holes in the upper wall between the other two compartments so that you can put a charger in your bag and connect anything within these four places. There are no straps or channels for the wiring, so the inside is going to resemble a suicide bomber’s vest, but you can have things charging while you’re on-the-go. (Well, there is a single safety-orange plastic wire clip sewn into the piping inside the center pocket just above the side pocket’s grommet. I only found it looking into the depths of the bag during the review. I’ve been carrying the bag for 2 months and never noticed it!)


The bottom pocket (if you lay the straps on the table) is for your laptop/tablets. There’s enough room for my MacBook Pro 15” and my iPad Pro 10.5”, and they are separated into their own cocoon. The tablet pocket can hold a 12.9” (original 2016) iPad, but the zipper won’t close with it in there. I don’t think the new model will be much better, but we’re still a week away from those being out as I write this. It may be reduced enough in size to fit. Below, with both a large and smaller iPad Pro, each has a pocket and they snuggle nicely together.


The top edge between the laptop pocket and the center pocket has the haul loop attached. This is listed as being TPU-coated for strength. There is a bit of a pattern that I can detect under the coating, which looks similar to the webbing on the straps, but I’m not sure. I don’t like the feel of this, but it is securely riveted into several layers of the main bag, so I don’t think it’ll fail easily.


The center pocket has organizer pockets on both sides. There is a mesh full-width one on the back side and an open-topped one below. The front side has a fleece-lined full-width pocked staggered down from that designed to hold glasses. The room at the bottom splays out into a space about 5” wide, so large headphones or cameras will fit here without issue. You could also toss in 3-4 bottles of wine or a couple of 2-liter bottles of soda. It’s surprisingly roomy. There is also a small pocket just on the other side of the left-hand outer stash pocket that could hold a power brick, umbrella, or another item you’d like to not have rambling around in the bottom of the bag. Maybe it could hold your rechargeable earbuds or your dongle case.


The outermost zippered pocket is next. There is only organization on the inner wall of this full-length space. There is a zippered envelope at the top (this would be opposite the sunglasses pocket) that would hold a passport, Moleskine (not the 5.5”x8.5”, but smaller ones would fit nicely) or a couple of CDs that you burned for your grandmother. Below this, there are pockets for cards, pens, flashlights, etc. They aren’t huge, but they have enough spare material to hold things up to maybe half an inch thick. I have a case for dongles that fits easily and only sticks out an inch or so. On the front wall, there is a single plastic tab with a stud and a hole near the end, so it loops up and can hold something about a half-inch in diameter. Like a rolled up set of earbuds. Or a charging cable that’s coming out of one of those grommets. Or your keys. It’s easy to access and keeps whatever you want right up at the top. (A mini-light so you can see into the depths of the bag?)


On the back is what I think of as this bag’s secret superpower: an open pocket that extends down the entire length and width. At 8”x 13”, it can hold a full-sized (original 9.5”) iPad, or your gym shoes, or an extra lens, or a mini-tripod, or a scarf after the ride heats up, or your gloves, or a decent-sized collapsible umbrella and raincoat. (In the picture below, I pulled my umbrella up to emphasize the pocket. It’s in the pocket in all other photos, it just doesn’t show.)
On the outside, there are two small hits of reflective striping at the bottom of the open pocket, and a stamped metal logo sewn into the top-right corner.

What I Like

  • Looks good – it’s not just another boring black backpack
  • Feels good – everything settles into your back nicely
  • Protective of my screens – no edges are exposed

What needs to be improved

  • Not a fan of the rubbery haul loop

Final thoughts

The Myth 28 liter comes close to being my perfect bag. I have been carrying this bag at least one day a week since I got it. I test other bags, but keep coming back to this one, because it feels nice, it’s a great size, and I like the pocket layout. Part of that is the front open pocket where I stash my “foul weather gear” – my poncho and umbrella. (Durham doesn’t get loads of rain all the time, but when we do, it can be intense. I’ve seen it drizzle for a week, and also pour down an inch in an hour after a dry day. Around here, you have to have fast access to waterproofing, or you’re going to be really wet, fast.) This pocket is rarely used for anything else, but I can have an umbrella out in seconds. Few other bags offer a similar size “quick-grab” pocket for an umbrella. And few others have such good organization, comfort, and enough room to carry everything without feeling like I’m on maneuvers. And none of them have looked this good while doing their thing.

Price: $135.95
Where to buy: STM Goods Website or Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by STM.

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STM Myth 28 liter backpack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 9, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3100 true wireless headphones review

REVIEW – Bluetooth sport-centric headphones have been around for years. Typically these early “wireless” earbuds were pretty big, relatively bulky, ill-fitting, and needed a cord connecting the two to power and communicate with each other. In the past few years, totally wireless earbuds have become the norm rather than the exception. They have become smaller, lighter, better fitting, and more secure…all the while sounding better and better along the way. In this case, Plantronics have created a somewhat larger, retro-design in their first attempt at a totally wireless set of sport headphones…the BackBeat FIT 3100 True Wireless Sport headphones that are “built for the outdoors”.

For this review, I have been using the BackBeat FIT 3100 True Wireless Sport headphones exclusively for a couple of weeks. Thus far I have ran, done elliptical, stairs, weightlifting, pushups, and even chopped firewood with them several times each at a minimum.

What is it?

The Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3100’s are completely cordless, hardened against moisture/sweat, and are meant for runners, bikers, and other (outdoor) sports enthusiasts. These bluetooth 5.0 earbuds are designed to fit just inside your ear with very little noise isolation allowing ambient sounds (aka traffic) in for better situational awareness.

Design and features

The BackBeat FIT 3100’s are well made from hard plastic, rubber, and metal. They’re held securely in place by a combination of several design choices. Each earbud has a hard rubber hook the wraps around the top of ear.

There is also a soft rubber wing that goes over each speaker that helps hold the earbud within the outer part of your ear and also focuses/funnels the sound into the inner portion of your ear canal. Plantronics has used this combination of design elements for awhile now.

The charging case is medium-sized, black, and well made, with the shape of a pillbox/MiFi device. It is meant to not only charge the FIT 3100 earbuds but store, transport, and protect them as well.  The center button and four small LEDs are meant to let you know when it needs to be recharged, is charging, or fully powered up.

The case has two perfectly form-fitted slots that the BackBeat FIT 3100’s slide into. Due to the snug fit, it takes a bit of practice to get the earbuds into and out of the case. Here you can see the copper pins that charge the 3100’s while stored in the case.

The case is powered by a microUSB charging port on the back. Plantronics includes a pretty short/puny charging cable meant to connect to the side of a laptop. Though I used a longer cable I had lying around when using a wall plug. Plantronics promises 5 hours of use before needing to be recharge. The storage case has an internal battery with two additional charges before the earbuds + case need to be recharged. If your earbuds run out of power and you want to use them on the fly, a quick 15 minute charge gives an hour of listening, long enough for most runs, commutes, phone calls, YouTube videos, etc.

Specifications

Weight 22 g/ .78 oz
Wireless range Up to 33 ft/ 10m
Bluetooth technology 5.0, HFP 1.7, HSP 1.2, A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.5
Harmonic distribution <3%
Speaker driver size 13.5 mm
Frequency response 20- 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity 94 dBSPL @ max volume
Microphone MEMS microphone with DSP
Listen time Up to 5 hours (earbuds only) and up to 10 additional hours with charge case
Talk time Up to 5 hours
IP rating IP57 sweatproof and waterproof
DeepSleep Up to 6 months
Quick charge Up to 1 hour of listening time with a 15-minute charge
Battery capacity (earbuds) 90 mAh
Battery capacity (charge case) 740 mAh

The BackBeat FIT 3100’s case is relatively large compared to other truly wireless earbuds on the market. Here you can see it next to the Jabra Elite Active 65t and Elite Sport cases. It is also larger than the JayBird RUN True case as well (couldn’t find those for these comparison pics).

Like its case, the BackBeat FIT 3100’s are the largest earbuds I have used in a long time (aka years). The earbuds themselves are about the same size as many of the others. But the earloop gives them a much larger form-factor than many other brands. Plantronics is definitely bucking today’s sport-centric earbud trend of smaller, very snug fitting, passive sound isolation designs that you jam deep into your ears.

Fit and comfort:

The fit and feel of the BackBeat FIT 3100’s is, without a doubt, not the norm these days. They sit just inside your ear, with the funnel going into your ear canal, with the back fin holding everything in place. While many other earbuds are engineered to jam into your ear, the BackBeats wear very non-intrusively yet still stay securely on your ear. Like I mentioned above, I have done all sorts of workouts with them and they remained in place, even upside-down on my inversion table, surprisingly well.

On the outside of each earbud are the control buttons. The left earpiece controls volume, press the exterior of the earpiece to raise volume and press and hold to lower it. The right “context-sensitive” button controls: power on/off, play/pause music, answer/end calls, Siri/Google Assistant, and previous/next track.

Sound Experience:

Since the FIT 3100’s are not meant to be inserted deep into your ear canals, they do not blockout much ambient noise. The listening experience is good but not as worthy as other bluetooth sports earbuds I have tried. The 13.5mm drivers produce decent enough sound though they don’t have over-the-top bass by today’s standards. But overall the FIT 3100’s deliver a good and relatively clear listening experience. They are engineered with “Hear your surroundings with Always Aware eartips for safer workouts” and would have to be turned up some in a loud environment.

Call Quality:

The call quality was very good. I tested calls in the office, walking in the hustle and bustle of downtown Seattle, driving in my car, and while working out on our elliptical machine…I and the folks I was talking to could hear hear and understand each other without issue.

In addition to black, the BackBeat FIT 3100’s are also available in grey. Even though these sports earbuds are hardened against sweat and moisture, I was not able to find how long Plantronics warranties the 3100’s. I would assume at least a year.

Positives

  • Well made
  • Comfortable, secure fit / soft, flexible and secure-fit earloops offer comfort and stability
  • Good sound & call quality
  • IP57 rating (sweatproof and waterproof)
  • Can hear ambient noise/sound for better situational awareness
  • Designed for runners and bikers

Negatives

  • Can only be connected to one device at a time (aka no multipoint technology)

Final thoughts

Plantronics did not engineer the BackBeat FIT 3100 to completely seal out the outside world. They’re designed to let in ambient noise, so you can hear traffic while you’re pounding pavement or biking along city streets or country roads. Their sound quality is good but do not expect pounding base or incredible clarity. That said, they get the job done as promised…providing a solid music, video, call experience during an epic workout, long run, or while just hanging out.

Price: $149.99
Where to buy: Available from Amazon or directly from Plantronics.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Plantronics.

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Plantronics BackBeat FIT 3100 true wireless headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 8, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Egloo Candle Powered Heater, Aroma Diffuser, and Humidifier Review

REVIEW – This is my second scented diffuser review in the past few weeks, and my house smells fabulous! While I reviewed the tech-driven Moodoo recently, the Egloo sits on the other end of the spectrum. It’s a terra-cotta based, candle-driven diffuser that uses all natural products and design to do its thing. Egloo claims that it’s unique design not only acts as an aroma diffuser but also humidifies your room and operates like a small space heater. Let’s put those claims to the test!

What is it?

It’s an eco-friendly terra cotta humidifier, essential oil diffuser, and space heater powered by candles.

Hardware specs

  • 7.5” by 7.5” by 7.5”
  • 3.75 pounds

What’s in the box?

The kit comes with all the components for the Egloo, a bottle of diffuser perfume, and enough wax & wicks for three lightings.

Design and features

The Egloo is sure to be a conversation piece in your home. It’s a terracotta double dome design, available in a variety of colors or artistic patterns that turn it into a focal point in the room. It’s also eco-friendly, using proprietary cherrywood wicks and a natural wax blend to power the unit. There are a number of parts to the assembly and operation. Let’s walk through the assembly to fully understand how it works.

To start, you’ll find a pair of metal dishes that are inserted into the terracotta base. Three metal wick clips are supplied, and you’ll insert a specially-designed cherrywood wick in each one. These are placed in the smaller metal dish at the points marked by the guide lines, while the magnetized base snaps align everything in place:

You’ll fill the center dish with chipped wax. Egloo provides an odorless wax for this purpose that is resistant to high temperatures. You’ll spread around the dish, leaving the wicks exposed:

Once that’s done, you’ll fill the outer metal dish with water. If you want a bit of scent to fill the room, Egloo provides a perfume that you’ll add with a dropper to the water. Essential oils can also be used for this purpose:

A metal grill is then placed in the slots on the base. This creates a gap for airflow between the base and the domes. You’ll light the candles, then place the smaller dome over the candles. The large dome then goes over the small dome, and you’re in business:

While this sounds complex, it’s actually a pretty simple setup that takes a couple of minutes to complete. Once lit, the unit takes about 15 minutes to get things heated up.

And what are the results? Well, several things start to happen. The candles generate a gentle, diffused light. The terracotta heats up, generating a little heat. The water in the outside tray also heats up, diffusing the scent. The unit generates a steady stream of moist, scented air through a hole in the top of the unit. It operates a lot like a convection oven, with the double-dome design creating a focused heat source that does its work for up to four hours on a single lighting.

I’ll be honest: I had my doubts when I put this thing together, but it’s pretty cool in operation. Powered solely by the candles, it’s got a zen-like quality to it as it gently burbles and bubbles in the background. The scent diffusion is subtle but noticeable, and would probably be more apparent with stronger fragrances or greater doses (I’m following the 10-drop-max instructions included in the booklet). It even does generate a bit of heat, enough that you won’t want to touch it for more than a second or so once it gets going.

As far as use goes, it quickly loses its effectiveness in larger rooms. My family room is 15” by 17” with a vaulted ceiling, and that’s just too big a space to realize the benefits of the heat and humidification. The fragrance also disperses quickly in a room this size. Testing is in a smaller room (like a 10” by 14” bedroom with a lower ceiling) produced very different results. The fragrance is much stronger, and I did notice a slight effect from the heat. It won’t replace an electric space heater for quickly heating up a small area, but you do notice a difference.

The Egloo is designed to use proprietary wax designed for high heat as well as the custom-cut cherrywood wicks, and are sold in 10 packs ($12.00), 50 packs ($48.00), or 100 packs ($72.00). That nets out to a cost ranging from $0.72 to $1.20 for each session. Not bad for an eco-friendly solution. You will need to supply your own essential oils after you use up the first bottle.

The unit itself retails for $90 in the natural model, but prices can escalate quickly if you choose fancy designs. Styles include colored units, glazed and or textured units, or artistic versions with different patterns and styles. They’re beautiful pieces, but the more elaborate styles can cost over $200.

As far as safety goes, the base stays relatively cool despite the heat that’s generated in the domes. I do have it on a hot pad just in case. While the unit is pretty stable, I don’t know that I’d recommend its use in areas with rambunctious kids or pets. Touching the domes could produce a burn, and a hard knock could run the risk of hot wax (and lit candles) being splattered about. You’ll also want to make sure it’s on a solid table, countertop, or stand. Like any candle-powered device, use caution when placing it in a room.

One final note: while the instructions are well-organized and easy to follow, they are poorly written. The product website is a little better but still suffers from spelling and grammatical errors. For a product at this price point, I’d like to see the manufacturers spend a few bucks to get an editor to proofread their content. It’s a little thing, but it’s important when you’re selling higher-end products like this.

What I like

  • Interesting design makes for a focal point in a room.
  • Eco-friendly design, materials, and operation.
  • Scent diffusion works as advertised.
  • Consumable elements are reasonably priced.

What needs to be improved

  • Doesn’t replace traditional room heating units.
  • Not recommended around active children or pets.
  • High starting cost, and fancy designs can get very pricey.
  • Instructions could use a good proofread.

Final thoughts

The Egloo promises to do a lot of things as a combination humidifier, essential oil diffuser, and space heater in an eco-friendly package. And it actually works, although the heating component is a little less effective. It’s certainly a great looking accessory, guaranteed to be a conversation starter in your home. Just be careful placing it in areas of your home with a lot of activity!

Price: From $90.00 to over $200.oo depending on style, plus consumables.
Where to buy: Visit the Egloo website or on Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Egloo.

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Egloo Candle Powered Heater, Aroma Diffuser, and Humidifier Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 8, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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