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

A dust bag in a dock (left), a robot vacuum avoiding a toy (center) and a screenshot from a companion app (right)

From D-shaped bots to apps with a big 'Just clean it' button – these are the robot vacuum upgrades I want to see in 2026

By Alistair Charlton published 28 December 25

Robovacs have come a long way in the decade I've been testing them for... but there's still room for improvement.

What to do if your robot vacuum keeps losing connection: 6 tips to fix it

By Alistair Charlton published 26 December 25

It's one of the most frustrating problems you can experience with your robot vacuums – here's how to restore your connection.

Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai robot vacuum in tester's house

Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai robot vacuum first impressions: an impressive featureset but a disappointing app

By Alistair Charlton published 23 December 25

All I want for Christmas is a Dyson robovac redemption – can the Spot+Scrub Ai deliver it?

This ingenious adapter is the dash cam installation hack I’ve been waiting for

By Alistair Charlton published 15 November 25

Dongar's ingenious adapter makes messy dash cam cables a thing of the past – just make sure if it's compatible with your vehicle.

Narwal Flow robot vacuum next to its base

Narwal Flow robot vacuum review: superb cleaning let down by software quirks

By Alistair Charlton published 5 October 25

The Narwal Flow rolls right over the competition when it comes to mopping, but doesn't always do as it's told.

Best timelapse cameras in 2025 for construction, events or speeding up nature

By Alistair Charlton last updated 31 July 25

Updated Spanning a broad range of prices and features, these are our top timelapse camera picks in 2025 for you

Philips Hue Smart Button, Tap Dial Switch, and Dimmer Switch

The best smart switch 2025: top buttons and dimmers for all your smart home devices

By Alistair Charlton, Cat Ellis last updated 14 July 25

Updated Our roundup of expert-tested smart switches to give you maximum control over your smart home tech.

This 4K dash cam with two ultra-wide lenses shoots some of the sharpest video I’ve seen

By Alistair Charlton published 30 June 25

Recommended

A two-channel system that shoots excellent 4K video front and rear

Woman setting up home security camera on shelf

5 ways to use a home security camera – and why you need one right now

By Alistair Charlton published 29 June 25

Smarter and more affordable than ever, security cameras are a must-have for your smart home.

Man sitting on sofa using smartphone while robot vacuum cleans the floor

What exactly is a smart home? 3 things you need to know to get started

By Alistair Charlton published 28 June 25

Automating everyday tasks is a lot easier than you might expect, so let tech do the work while you put your feet up.

I had high hopes for the Nexar One dash cam, but it's let down by frustrating software

By Alistair Charlton published 18 June 25

The Nexar One is a clever, connected dash cam with LTE streaming and a smart, modular design, but you'll need a subscription to make the most of it and the software could be better.

Is frame rate important for dash cam footage? I compared 30fps and 60fps clips from a 4K camera to find out

By Alistair Charlton published 29 March 25

Doubling the frame rate should produce smoother, sharper footage. Here’s what I discovered.

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.

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