Engadget’s hottest review roundup truly has it all this week: a new pocket cam, a 2-in-1 smart grill, a pair of drones and a pricey skinny vac. And that’s before we even get to the highly capable gaming display that will only set you back $350. Read on to catch up on the reviews you might’ve missed over the last two weeks as we prepare for another slate of big events next month.
DJI Osmo Pocket 4
The Osmo Pocket 4 is still the best pocket-friendly vlogging camera you can buy. With excellent image quality, improved photos, great stabilization and pro D-Log mode, it’s incredibly easy to record everything from simple vlogs to near cinematic-quality video. The high level of portability and extended battery life make this an easy camera to reach for whatever you’re filming.
- Excellent image quality
- Improved low-light performance
- Onboard storage
- Modular accessories
- Still only 3K in portrait mode
- No dust or water protection due to the gimbal
- No optical zoom
- Not available in the US
DJI’s Osmo Pocket cameras have become a staple of Engadget’s live event coverage over the last few years. They’re convenient, compact and product high-quality footage when speed matters. Contributing review reporter James Trew recently put the new Osmo Pocket 4 through its paces, concluding that “you’re getting better image quality that will pay you back over time.”
Recteq X-Fire Pro 825
Recteq/Engadget
The X-Fire Pro offers the ease of gas with the wood flavor of pellets in the same grill. While there could be more features, the build quality is excellent and the performance is reliable.
- Two grills in one
- Reliable Wi-Fi tools
- Robust build quality
- Direct-flame searing
- Small pellet hoppers
- No super smoke, keep warm or other handy modes
- Not compatible with wireless food probes
With the X-Fire Pro, Recteq set out to make a pellet grill that would appeal to fans of gas grills. The company has done just that, offering a dual-mode device that imparts wood flavor you don’t inherently get from propane or natural gas. “Recteq has successfully combined the best aspects of pellet grills with a dedicated high-heat mode and separate controls that will be familiar to gas grillers,” I said. “This model offers robust build quality, reliable performance and Wi-Fi connectivity for extended smoking sessions.”
Alienware 27 QD-OLED monitor
Dell / Engadget
In a world where every piece of gaming gear seems to be getting more expensive, Alienware’s $350 AW2726DM 27-inch QD-OLED monitor feels like a gift to gamers on a budget.
- Stupendously affordable
- Three-year warranty with burn-in protection
- Simple, straightforward design
- QHD resolution with 240Hz VRR
- Rich colors
- Mediocre brightness
- Not a ton of ports
- No native G-Sync support
Can a $350 gaming monitor offer enough to get the job done? If you’re talking about the Alienware 27 QD-OLED display, that answer is a resounding “yes.”
“The AW2726DM might not have all the fancy features you get on more expensive monitors, but it’s an excellent example of a no frills gadget done right,” senior reporter Sam Rutherford said. “You get just enough ports, a straightforward design and a beautiful QD-OLED panel with a solid resolution and refresh rate — all for just $350.”
DJI Lito drones and a Dyson PencilVac
Like the Osmo Pocket 4, DJI’s latest Drones are unlikely to make it to the US. However, if you live elsewhere, there’s a lot of performance available for under $400. “The Lito series shows that DJI is intent on dominating every drone price range and category, including the bottom end,” contributing reporter Steve Dent said. “Despite their low prices, the new drones don’t skimp on features, offering full obstacle protection, ActiveTrack subject tracking, relatively high speeds and sharp 4K video quality — just like models that cost a lot more.”
If your spring cleaning could still use a jump start, perhaps a fancy, skinny vacuum could do the trick for light duty. “With its minimalist form factor, the PencilVac is still an engineering marvel,” UK bureau chief Mat Smith said. “Its high degree of mobility makes it easy to clean in tight corners and between furniture. I just wish it were slightly more powerful.”
