Geeking Out: Techtober Recap

Peloton has really delivered with the Tread Flex, offering a wonderfully glidey and smooth running experience that fits perfectly into tighter spaces. It folds up neatly to save room, which is a massive bonus for anyone trying to build a home gym in a spare bedroom or office (and a first in the Peloton tread lineup). The integrated screen brings all those fantastic Peloton classes right into your home without taking over the whole house. It is a fantastic option for walkers and runners who want premium features without the massive footprint.

If you have the space and want the ultimate indoor running experience, the Tread+ is an absolute beast of a machine. While the base Peloton Tread has a smart camera you can activate during workouts to use Peloton IQ to monitor your form during running workouts and strength training, the Tread+ takes the experience even further. The shock-absorbing slat belt gives you a seriously comfortable run that is incredibly gentle on your joints during those longer marathon training sessions. You can slide this into Free mode where the belt moves based on your manual effort of walking (providing a deeply fatiguing workout) or you can use this like a weighted sled drill to create up to 300 lbs of resistance to push through the toughest workouts.

Keeping the house clean with kids and pets is a never-ending battle, but the DEEBOT X12S OMNICYCLONE feels like absolute magic. It vacuums, mops, and then empties its own dustbin and cleans its own mop pads at the base station. The navigation is incredibly smart, meaning it easily avoids stray socks and toys scattered across the living room floor. The most noticeabile thing for me (as someone who has tested half a dozen different vacuums this year) was how the mopping process left absolutely no streaks on the floor once it was done, leaving the floor looking clean without actually looking like it had just been cleaned, ya know? It is a premium investment, but the amount of time you save every single week is totally worth it.

For homes dealing with lots of pet hair, the DEEBOT T90 is a total lifesaver. The ZeroTangle brush technology actually works to prevent hair from wrapping around the roller and causing frustrating jams. It also boasts impressive suction power and an efficient self-cleaning base station that takes the dirty work completely off your hands. It is a brilliant, fuss-free option for maintaining clean floors with minimal effort.

Upgrading your older television has never been easier or more affordable thanks to the all-new Fire TV Stick 4K. It delivers incredibly crisp 4K Ultra HD video and supports advanced audio formats for a truly cinematic movie night at home. The interface is focused and easy to navigate, but the biggest upgrade may be in the Alexa+ experience. You can simply speak into your remote in a natural voice (not the "talking to robots voice" we use with so much of our tech) and it can help you find the perfect show or movie to watch based on your mood and description in that exact moment.

If you're looking for an excercise-friendly pair of headphones, Beats 360 were literally made for you! They are uniquely sweat and water-resistant, which is very rare for an over-ear design, and the knit cushions keep things incredibly comfortable. The most unique feature of these is your ability to customize the style by swapping on and off interchangeable ear cushions. These have a "launch" price of $15 per pair (but jump up to $75 at the end of this month) and come in half a dozen colours. The noise cancellation is top-notch, completely blocking out background chatter and distractions.