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The only downside is compatibility with Dyson’s bigger attachments, namely a mop head or docking station. It doesn’t have a Submarine option like the V16 or V15, and Dyson’s Auto-empty Dok won’t work with this model. But if you aren’t worried about add-ons, this is the vacuum to buy. It’s had better sales since the launch of the new models, too.
The Runner-Up
The V16 Piston Animal’s powerful 315 air watts of suction did pretty well on almost every test. My only issue with this vacuum compared to the Gen5Detect is that it was more likely to push small debris (in my tests, both sand and litter) into a pile in front of itself if you were vacuuming a large spill. Gen5Detect did better all around, but the V16 Piston Animal stayed close behind that hiccup.
It’s a powerful all-around vacuum with some nice design upgrades to make it a little easier to use. This newer model has a release below the vacuum motor to release the cleaner head without having to bend down, and built-in crevice tools to both the handheld motor and the long wand that makes up the middle of the device. There’s also a compressor to help push dust out of the dustbin, and it’ll be compatible with Dyson’s upcoming self-emptying docking station. There’s also a Submarine version ($1,100) so you can use this vacuum as a mop, too.
It has some nice quality-of-life upgrades, but it’s really expensive. I’d recommend it if you know you also want to invest in the mop head and docking station; otherwise, just get the Gen5Detect.
The Affordable All-Arounder
One of the best overall performers is nearly half the price of my winners. The Dyson V10 Konical never once scored in last place, and was especially comfortable to use on carpets and rugs with the new cleaner head design. It did much better than the more expensive and powerful Gen5Detect and V15 Detect when vacuuming up sand, and I found it more comfortable to push around than the Digital Motorbar head on the V15 and V8 when it came to vacuuming a low-pile rug.
It’s one of the most expensive for a reason, and comes with more attachments than any other model. I do find myself regularly grabbing the Fluffy Optic head for vacuuming my hard floors, which cover many square feet of my home. If you’re looking to really splurge on the best vacuum, this is still the one to get.
The only downside is compatibility with Dyson’s bigger attachments, namely a mop head or docking station. It doesn’t have a Submarine option like the V16 or V15, and Dyson’s Auto-empty Dok won’t work with this model. But if you aren’t worried about add-ons, this is the vacuum to buy. It’s had better sales since the launch of the new models, too.
The Runner-Up
The V16 Piston Animal’s powerful 315 air watts of suction did pretty well on almost every test. My only issue with this vacuum compared to the Gen5Detect is that it was more likely to push small debris (in my tests, both sand and litter) into a pile in front of itself if you were vacuuming a large spill. Gen5Detect did better all around, but the V16 Piston Animal stayed close behind that hiccup.
It’s a powerful all-around vacuum with some nice design upgrades to make it a little easier to use. This newer model has a release below the vacuum motor to release the cleaner head without having to bend down, and built-in crevice tools to both the handheld motor and the long wand that makes up the middle of the device. There’s also a compressor to help push dust out of the dustbin, and it’ll be compatible with Dyson’s upcoming self-emptying docking station. There’s also a Submarine version ($1,100) so you can use this vacuum as a mop, too.
It has some nice quality-of-life upgrades, but it’s really expensive. I’d recommend it if you know you also want to invest in the mop head and docking station; otherwise, just get the Gen5Detect.
The Affordable All-Arounder
One of the best overall performers is nearly half the price of my winners. The Dyson V10 Konical never once scored in last place, and was especially comfortable to use on carpets and rugs with the new cleaner head design. It did much better than the more expensive and powerful Gen5Detect and V15 Detect when vacuuming up sand, and I found it more comfortable to push around than the Digital Motorbar head on the V15 and V8 when it came to vacuuming a low-pile rug.
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Don’t over-inflate: Insulated sleeping pads work by putting air and material between you and the cold ground, but that doesn’t mean you need to inflate it until it’s taut. It varies by pad. I generally find that the best method is to inflate it taut, and then start to let out air, lying down to test it until you get to where it feels comfortable. The downside to this method is that your pad isn’t that thick and you’re more likely to bottom out if you let out too much air. I find this isn’t much of an issue for stomach or back sleepers, but if you’re a side sleeper it might take some time to find the sweet spot between comfort and warmth.
Carry a patch kit: Most sleeping pads these days include a patch kit. I rarely bring these kits and instead carry a small roll of Tenacious Tape ($6), which will solve rips and tears in everything from sleeping pads to tents. Make sure to test a small piece of tape on your pad beforehand to make sure the tape sticks, and bring an alcohol wipe to clean the affected area.
Women need higher R-value pads: Women generally have lower body mass than men, which means women should add roughly 1 R-value to get the same amount of insulation in the same situation. (I also recommend upping the R-value if you’re a cold sleeper in general.)
Sleeping bag ratings assume R5 pads: Most temp ratings you see on sleeping bags are true only if you’re using a sleeping pad with an R-value of 5 or higher (they also assume you’re wearing a base layer). If your pad is less, you will need to adjust your sleeping bag temp rating accordingly. For example, using your 30 degree quilt with a R4 pad will likely leave you cold if you encounter freezing temps. In that situation you’d want to either up the R-value of the pad, or bring a warmer sleeping bag.
I’ve had very few problems with any inflatable sleeping pad I’ve tested. Some have lost air, but I’ve never had one deflate completely (knock on wood). That said, there are some tricks to getting the best night’s sleep and having a pleasant trip.
Don’t inflate your pad with your mouth: For one thing, some of these pads are huge, and it’s just a pain, but also your breath is warm and moist and you’re injecting into nylon, which is a recipe for mildew and mold. This worry may be somewhat overblown—a few people have cut open pads they’ve inflated by mouth for years and found no sign of mold—but considering what a pain it is to do anyway, it seems easier to just avoid it. Most manufacturers include some kind of pump sack these days, which makes quick work of inflating your pad. There are also motorized pumps that only weigh an ounce or two, like the Flextail pump.
Don’t over-inflate: Insulated sleeping pads work by putting air and material between you and the cold ground, but that doesn’t mean you need to inflate it until it’s taut. It varies by pad. I generally find that the best method is to inflate it taut, and then start to let out air, lying down to test it until you get to where it feels comfortable. The downside to this method is that your pad isn’t that thick and you’re more likely to bottom out if you let out too much air. I find this isn’t much of an issue for stomach or back sleepers, but if you’re a side sleeper it might take some time to find the sweet spot between comfort and warmth.
Carry a patch kit: Most sleeping pads these days include a patch kit. I rarely bring these kits and instead carry a small roll of Tenacious Tape ($6), which will solve rips and tears in everything from sleeping pads to tents. Make sure to test a small piece of tape on your pad beforehand to make sure the tape sticks, and bring an alcohol wipe to clean the affected area.
Women need higher R-value pads: Women generally have lower body mass than men, which means women should add roughly 1 R-value to get the same amount of insulation in the same situation. (I also recommend upping the R-value if you’re a cold sleeper in general.)
Sleeping bag ratings assume R5 pads: Most temp ratings you see on sleeping bags are true only if you’re using a sleeping pad with an R-value of 5 or higher (they also assume you’re wearing a base layer). If your pad is less, you will need to adjust your sleeping bag temp rating accordingly. For example, using your 30 degree quilt with a R4 pad will likely leave you cold if you encounter freezing temps. In that situation you’d want to either up the R-value of the pad, or bring a warmer sleeping bag.
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Connectivity, luckily, is super simple and seamless. The Romeo connects to your computer over Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth, which sounds like a minor detail until you’ve wrestled with the quirks that Bluetooth can sometimes pose (looking at you, Design Space). During my testing of the Explore 5, I’d occasionally lose my Bluetooth connection, requiring me to disconnect the machine from my computer, reconnect, and try again. I’m not sure if that’s a Design Space issue or my laptop juggling too many Bluetooth devices, but it can be a headache. Through my testing, I never once had the Romeo machine unexpectedly disconnect.
Making Space
There’s no getting around it: The Romeo is big—it’s got twice the cutting width of the Explore 5. It’s not the type of machine that sits easily on a closet shelf when you’re not using it. Most people will want to dedicate a table to it. That’s not necessarily a downside, but it’s intended to exist like a permanent fixture in your workspace. (And remember to account for clearance behind the machine, since materials feed through the rear!). But it is sturdy and built well; it never shifted on the table while cutting, there was very little vibration, the carriage moved seamlessly with no rattles, and nothing flexed or creaked.
Its open design is another trade-off. Unlike the Explore 5, which folds up, everything stays exposed on the Romeo. I haven’t noticed any buildup yet, but I do worry about pet hair and dust getting into the internals, and it’s something that I’ll keep an eye on over time.
When it cuts, the Romeo bleeps and chirps like a dial-up internet, while the Cricut hums and whirs more like an old inkjet printer. Neither is particularly loud, but worth noting if you share a workspace.
Time to Graduate?
Photograph: Nicole Kinning
After spending time with both machines, my biggest takeaway is that the Cricut is designed to remove as many decisions and points of friction as possible. The Romeo hands you the controls and expects you to learn how to use them.
More than once, Leonardo threw up a generic error pop-up with no explanation of how to fix the problem. You’re forced to dismiss the message before doing anything else, which feels like hitting a dead end before trying to troubleshoot yourself or looking up the error code in Leonardo.
Connectivity, luckily, is super simple and seamless. The Romeo connects to your computer over Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth, which sounds like a minor detail until you’ve wrestled with the quirks that Bluetooth can sometimes pose (looking at you, Design Space). During my testing of the Explore 5, I’d occasionally lose my Bluetooth connection, requiring me to disconnect the machine from my computer, reconnect, and try again. I’m not sure if that’s a Design Space issue or my laptop juggling too many Bluetooth devices, but it can be a headache. Through my testing, I never once had the Romeo machine unexpectedly disconnect.
Making Space
There’s no getting around it: The Romeo is big—it’s got twice the cutting width of the Explore 5. It’s not the type of machine that sits easily on a closet shelf when you’re not using it. Most people will want to dedicate a table to it. That’s not necessarily a downside, but it’s intended to exist like a permanent fixture in your workspace. (And remember to account for clearance behind the machine, since materials feed through the rear!). But it is sturdy and built well; it never shifted on the table while cutting, there was very little vibration, the carriage moved seamlessly with no rattles, and nothing flexed or creaked.
Its open design is another trade-off. Unlike the Explore 5, which folds up, everything stays exposed on the Romeo. I haven’t noticed any buildup yet, but I do worry about pet hair and dust getting into the internals, and it’s something that I’ll keep an eye on over time.
When it cuts, the Romeo bleeps and chirps like a dial-up internet, while the Cricut hums and whirs more like an old inkjet printer. Neither is particularly loud, but worth noting if you share a workspace.
Time to Graduate?
Photograph: Nicole Kinning
After spending time with both machines, my biggest takeaway is that the Cricut is designed to remove as many decisions and points of friction as possible. The Romeo hands you the controls and expects you to learn how to use them.
More than once, Leonardo threw up a generic error pop-up with no explanation of how…