User Rating:
Good: The UE Mini Boom is a very compact Bluetooth speaker that has a built-in rechargeable battery, speakerphone capabilities, a line input, and ruggedized design. It sounds good for its small size and can be combined with a second Mini Boom to create a stereo pair. It sounds slightly better than its predecessor, the UE Mobile Boombox.
Bad: Yes, the Mini Boom's bass is slightly improved, but it still can't produce a ton of bass.
Bottom Line: While it doesn't do that much to stand out from the crowded field of Bluetooth speakers in the $60-$100 range, the well-built and decent sounding (for its size) UE Mini Boom is a pretty safe choice for those looking for a very compact wireless speaker. [Read more]

User Rating:
Good: The UE Mini Boom is a very compact Bluetooth speaker that has a built-in rechargeable battery, speakerphone capabilities, a line input, and ruggedized design. It sounds good for its small size and can be combined with a second Mini Boom to create a stereo pair. It sounds slightly better than its predecessor, the UE Mobile Boombox.
Bad: Yes, the Mini Boom's bass is slightly improved, but it still can't produce a ton of bass.
Bottom Line: While it doesn't do that much to stand out from the crowded field of Bluetooth speakers in the $60-$100 range, the well-built and decent sounding (for its size) UE Mini Boom is a pretty safe choice for those looking for a very compact wireless speaker. [Read more]

User Rating:
Good: The UE Mini Boom is a very compact Bluetooth speaker that has a built-in rechargeable battery, speakerphone capabilities, a line input, and ruggedized design. It sounds good for its small size and can be combined with a second Mini Boom to create a stereo pair. It sounds slightly better than its predecessor, the UE Mobile Boombox.
Bad: Yes, the Mini Boom's bass is slightly improved, but it still can't produce a ton of bass.
Bottom Line: While it doesn't do that much to stand out from the crowded field of Bluetooth speakers in the $60-$100 range, the well-built and decent sounding (for its size) UE Mini Boom is a pretty safe choice for those looking for a very compact wireless speaker. [Read more]

User Rating:
Good: Smaller plastic housing and new power usage tracking on Belkin's WeMo Insight Switch bring greater visual appeal and usefulness to Belkin's already winning entry-level smart home power plug line.
Bad: Set up remains a hassle, it's still large enough to block adjacent outlets, and reliance on IFTTT for advanced programming functions means you'll need to bounce between two different apps to get the most out of the Switch.
Bottom Line: Despite a few usability quirks, Belkin's WeMo Insight Switch only improves on the simple, low-risk formula that made Belkin's original programmable WeMo Switch so appealing as a home automation starting point. [Read more]

User Rating:
Good: With easy-to-install sensors, wide product compatibility, and no monthly fees, the SmartThings Know and Control Your Home Kit gets home automation right. We love that it's compatible with IFTTT, too.
Bad: The SmartThings Hub is a little bit limited in terms of range. Also, the newly redesigned SmartThings app feels overcrowded with redundant features.
Bottom Line: If you're looking for an easy and (relatively) affordable entry point into home automation, then SmartThings makes a lot of sense. [Read more]