Her GadgetMatch

Alfawise V8S Pro E30B review: Robot mop vs corgi hair

More than just a robot vacuum

Published

on

If you have a furry pet you’ll know what a chore it is to keep the floor clean. I have been waiting for a robot vacuum to come with mopping function for quite some time. Robot vacuums at the most basic level can sweep the floor but requires that you mop after to thoroughly clean the floor. The prices of robot mops finally started to come down recently — we now get solid features at more affordable prices. One of them is the Alfawise V8S Pro.

There are a few things you’ll want to know about the V8S Pro before picking it up. It requires a bit more work than just setting it and forgetting about it.

First week was a struggle

People seem to think that a robot vacuum-slash-mop will take over the whole activity. A cleaning robot like the Alfawise V8S Pro isn’t going to tidy your floors up before it sweeps or mops.

If you were to mop your floor manually, you would tidy it up, move things around, sweep it, then mop it. This doesn’t change when you get a robot vacuum. The only difference is it will be doing most of the heavy lifting.

The Alfawise V8S Pro sweeps and mops — it goes over your floors but you have to take the time to set it up. Lucky for you it has voice-controlled functions, an Epson gyroscope to map rooms, 1800Pa of suction, and is quiet at 65dB.

The first week with it I wasn’t sure if this was the right product for me. I haven’t had a robot vacuum since moving to my new Berlin apartment and I hadn’t considered my furniture choice. This meant the robot mop kept getting caught on a chair that had bars going across the floor. The floors also didn’t end up perfectly clean during that week. Then it took a while getting used to having to change the attachment to go from sweeping to mopping. Not to mention I had a corgi staying with me one weekend.

Honestly, only a monster would mop a dirty floor, so I came up with a system that worked for me. I scheduled two sweepings a day. Before setting the V8S Pro to mop, I would spray the spots with water that needed cleaning before I left the house. Not doing this would leave the floor to still have marks. The mopping function is essentially just a wet cloth wiping your floor.

I also tried putting a dash of floor cleaning solution in the water tank and it seems to work quite well. The floor would feel and look clean after but not perfect. Even though there is a spot and edge mode and the mapping does a good job of making sure the entire floor gets passed over, you will have to clean corners manually. It’s also worth noting that you’re going to have to mop your floors by hand once a month, depending on how clean you need your floors.

My tile floors in the bathroom do get watermarks on the floor after I shower, so that also needs spraying if want it to look really clean. But the robot isn’t perfect — it doesn’t reach the corners of a room, although it does pick up some of the dirt closer to the walls. Those areas don’t get as clean compared to the rest of the floor.

Dog sitting a corgi

The real test for me came when I had to dog sit Juancho the corgi for a weekend. This is a dog that sheds — a lot. I didn’t change my plan, the V8S did two passes with the sweeping mode.

I emptied it after the first sweep out of curiosity, did a second sweep and found that it was equally full of fur after.

Then I switched to mopping. This time I left the apartment for a bit, and I came back to a few stray fur strands. Overall though, there was almost no evidence of the fur explosion.

I scheduled sweeps with the Smart Life app but you can control it with voice using Google Home and Amazon Alexa. If you don’t want to mess around with the app, and this is often the route I went, I would just grab the remote and use auto. One time I spilled a glass of water and controlled the robot mop using the remote. It’s fun but the novelty quickly wore off.

Pick it up on GearBest for US$169 or for US$164 with coupon code ALFVCCP01

A look at the technology

The Alfawise V8S Pro has a BLDC brushless motor with 1800Pa of suction power and does not exceed 65dB. There are three modes of cleaning: Auto, Edge and Cleaning along the planned route. In mopping mode it never goes over 30dB. Of course, it has sensors to prevent collisions and falling from the staircase if you have one.

The power modes are Low, Normal and High. After experimenting with these I found that keeping it on Normal works for my apartment. High makes a lot of noise and Low leaves some dust behind. I also always use is Auto mode.

There is one button on the robot that you only need to activate Wi-Fi. After that you probably will never use it again.

It’s 7.6cm thin so it can easily clean under a couch, bed, or other furniture. Sadly, it doesn’t fit under my European toilet.

It has a 350ml water tank, which is more than enough to clean 90 square meters, with around 25% of liquid left in the tank. The dust box is 600ml and I empty it once a week, with around 10 sweeps a week.

We like that Alfawise didn’t try to make their own software. It uses Smart Life, a third-party app that’s aiming to be the go-to app for your smart home appliances and devices.

Battery life and charging

The Alfawise V8S Pro is equipped with a 2500 mAh battery. A single battery charge lasts about 2 hours of cleaning. At the end of the cleaning or if the charge level drops below 20%, the robot returns to the charging dock.

A full charge takes 4-6 hours. If it had to return to the base to charge in the middle of cleaning, it will pick up from where it left off once it’s done charging.

The things you get in the box

  • Vacuum Cleaner
  • Side Brush (2x)
  • HEPA Filter (2x)
  • Microfiber mop (2x)
  • Charger base with adapter
  • Remote controller with 2 x AAA Battery

Is this your GadgetMatch?

At US$ 169, the sweeping and mopping features of the Alfawise V8s Pro E30B are amazing. It’s intelligent, and the auto cleaning mode seems to be getting better and better as I use it.

Pick it up on GearBest for U$169 or for U$164 with coupon code ALFVCCP01

Once I figured out the ideal schedule for my home between the sweeping and mopping features, this robot has been more than welcome to move into my home. Spraying a liquid solution in problematic areas before setting the V8S Pro to mop results into floors that look and feel clean. The only parts you’ll have to worry about are the 3 inches closest to the wall and corners.

You do need to be involved with your robot since you have to change the dust bin out of the mopping pad, and the first tries can be a struggle. But once you get used to it, it won’t feel so much of a chore. The dust bin is large enough that I only change it once a week after a total of 10 sweeps.

If you’re looking for something that nearly removes the need for you to mop your floors and don’t want to spend more than US$200, the Alfawise V8S Pro E30B is a steal.

Convenient Smart Home

30 days with the LG AeroMini

The upgrade my new space ~badly~ needed

Published

on

By

Moving into a new space comes with a long list of things to figure out, and lately, I’ve been paying more attention to something that’s easy to overlook: air quality.

After using the LG AeroMini for about a month, it has become a subtle but welcome addition to my space. It helps make the room feel fresher, while its compact and stylish design fits naturally into my setup. Here are the things that stood out to me most after living with it for a month.

360° purification for a fresher space

One of the things I appreciate about the AeroMini is its 360° air purification, designed to bring purified air in every direction.

For me, this is particularly useful in a new space where I’m spending a lot of time working, relaxing, and just settling in.

Combined with its True HEPA filter, which is designed to remove 99.999% of 0.01μm fine dust and allergens, it gives me added peace of mind about the air I’m breathing every day.

After a month, I can genuinely say that the space feels fresher with it running.

Surprisingly quiet

This is probably my favorite feature.

The LG AeroMini operates at just 26dB, and after using it for a month, what stands out is how easy it is to forget that it’s even running.

I can have it running while I’m working or sleeping without the noise becoming a distraction. For an appliance that’s designed to continuously improve the air around you, I think that’s a big deal.

Sometimes, the best feature is the one you barely notice.

Design that fits my space

Since I recently moved, I’ve been pretty conscious about what I bring into the space. I want things to be functional, but I also don’t want appliances that feel like they’re taking over the room.

The AeroMini’s slim and compact design makes it easy to incorporate into my setup. It doesn’t feel bulky or industrial, and I like that I can leave it out without feeling like I need to hide it away.

For me, that balance between functionality and aesthetics makes it feel more like part of the space rather than just another appliance.

Air quality at a glance

Another feature I’ve found convenient is its Smart Control. Through the app, I can monitor and control the AeroMini while getting real-time updates on the indoor air quality.

It’s a small convenience, but being able to check the air quality without having to interact with the purifier directly makes it easier to keep track of what’s happening in the room.

Easy to maintain

I also appreciate that the AeroMini is designed with an all-in-one dust and deodorization filter that makes replacement and maintenance easier.

That matters to me because the best home gadgets are the ones that don’t create another complicated chore. I want something I can set up, use regularly, and maintain without too much fuss.

After a month, would I keep it?

Yes, and mainly because it quietly fits into my everyday routine.

The LG AeroMini has helped make my new space feel fresher and more comfortable, while its compact design means it doesn’t compromise the look of the room. But if I had to pick just one thing I appreciate most, it’s still how incredibly quiet it is.

It’s one of those upgrades that doesn’t demand your attention. It simply works in the background.

If you’re also looking to make your home a fresher and more comfortable space for yourself and your family, visit https://www.lg.com/ph/ to learn more about the LG AeroMini and how it can fit into your everyday life.

Continue Reading

Her GadgetMatch

TECNO and Angélica Dass visit the Philippines next for its grand portrait project

100 Faces, 100 Stories

Published

on

By

A portrait can show what someone looks like, but what about the story behind the face?

TECNO and visual artist Angélica Dass are exploring that question through “100 Portraits of Becoming,” a two-year global portrait project featuring 100 people across Kenya, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Brazil.

The project begins with 20 portraits from Kenya, each paired with a personal story about identity, choices, change, and growth. Rather than having participants represent an entire culture or generation, the project focuses on their individual experiences.

Beyond inclusive imaging

The project builds on TECNO’s work with Universal Tone, its imaging technology designed to represent diverse skin tones more naturally and accurately.

But “100 Portraits of Becoming” takes that idea further. With AI increasingly involved in capturing, recognizing, and generating images of people, TECNO and Dass want to explore how technology can better represent the individual behind the image.

For Dass, meaningful portraiture starts with human connection.

“Meaningful portraits are never created by technology alone.”

She says her experience in Kenya reinforced the importance of trust, listening, and the willingness of people to share their stories.

The Philippines is next

Following Kenya, the project heads to the Philippines for a chapter called “Beyond Many Labels.”

It will feature 20 individuals, including working solo mothers and people whose lives are closely connected to solo parenthood.

Their stories will look beyond labels such as “single mother,” “breadwinner,” and “strong woman,” while exploring their ambitions, relationships, and personal growth.

The chapter will also explore “diskarte” — the ways Filipinos adapt, make choices, and find practical ways forward in everyday life.

After the Philippines, “100 Portraits of Becoming” will continue to Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Brazil.

By the end of the project, TECNO and Dass hope the 100 portraits will offer exactly what the title suggests: 100 different ways of seeing humanity.

Continue Reading

Her GadgetMatch

What your smartphone color choice reveals about you

Eight colors, eight personalities. Here’s how to pick.

Published

on

Your phone color says more than you think. With the Pixel 11 series, Google’s giving you eight ways to make that statement, and there’s genuinely one for every kind of person.

Hibiscus

You’re never the quiet one in the room. Hibiscus doesn’t ask for attention; it just takes it, and if that sounds like you, you’re probably not planning to start hiding now. This is the pick for anyone who’d rather stand out than blend in.

Pistachio

You’re the one who remembers everyone’s coffee order. Pistachio is soft and easy; the one whom people gravitate toward without quite knowing why. It doesn’t try hard to be liked. It just is.

Frost

You like things a little too organized. Frost means clean lines and a clear head, the color equivalent of a camera roll with zero mess in it. If your notes app has color-coded folders, this one’s calling your name.

Obsidian

You let the work speak for itself. No flash needed, because when you show up, the room adjusts anyway. Obsidian is the classic choice, the one that’s never trying too hard because it doesn’t have to.

Canyon

You’re the one who suggests the sunset drive. Canyon is warm and a little restless, always chasing golden hour whether or not anyone else is up for it. Available on the Pro and Pro XL, it’s built for people who treat every evening like it might be a good one.

Olive

You’re outdoorsy, but you’ll still show up looking put together. Olive is low-key and grounded, the one who doesn’t try too hard because it’s already comfortable in its own skin. Another Pro and Pro XL exclusive.

Fog

You’re hard to read, and you like it that way. Fog is understated on purpose, a Pro and Pro XL colorway for anyone who’d rather keep people guessing.

So, which one’s you?

Eight colors, three phones, one very personal decision. Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL goes on sale starting August 20 — with Pistachio, Hibiscus, Frost, and Obsidian on the base model; and Canyon, Fog, Olive, and Obsidian on the Pro line.

Which one’s calling your name?

Continue Reading

Trending