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SimpliSafe announces new Smart Alarm Camera

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I’m a big fan of SimpliSafe products. We’ve had it in our home for over 10 years and had zero issues. The company is expanding the coverage of your home with a new camera. The Smart Alarm Camera is one part motion sensor, one part indoor camera, and includes a new user opt-in 24/7 Live Guard protection system.

We spoke to the SVP of Product at SimpliSafe, Hooman Shahidi, and his team helped layout that this new combination of protection is advancing how customers can expand their peace of mind.

Smart Alarm Camera

The Smart Alarm Camera has a built-in motion sensor to actively monitor an area of your home. Once triggered, the camera will trigger an alarm on the SimpliSafe system and allow the monitoring team access to the feed if Live Guard is enabled.

The Smart Alarm Camera is battery-powered and includes its own dedicated siren to add to an intruder’s anxiety. It also features artificial intelligence to help distinguish if motion is a threat or just your pets wandering around while you’re not home. There is a microphone array as well for voice communications.

Smart Alarm Cameras have a few differentiators worth mentioning. A physical shutter is present over the camera lens and only opens once an alarm is triggered. The sensors in the camera also don’t start recording until a motion is detected. So for the Smart Alarm Camera to be fully activated you need motion, an alarm, and the shutter to open.

24/7 Live Guard

The Smart Alarm Camera is meant to be used in conjunction with 24/7 Live Guard protection. This new team of SimpliSafe agents has been created to offer real-time access to the Smart Alarm Camera feed to help triage the urgency of triggered alerts.

The agent also has two-way communication with the possible intruder. Studies have shown that a physical presence, even if not onsite, can help deter an intruder from continuing further into the home. The combination of 24/7 Live Guard and the Smart Alarm Camera offers SimpliSafe a truly unique option to protect your dwelling.

The idea is by opting into this version of monitoring, you close the delay of the normal process of an agent receiving an alarm and then trying to make contact with the policyholder.  Instead, the team has instant access to verify a threat is real, capture potential evidence, enable priority dispatch, and lower the response times. Just to reinforce that previous sentence, the 24/7 Live Guard protection is completely an option the user has to sign up to use. The default monitoring doesn’t include this advanced feature.

Protection Focused with Privacy Foward

SimpliSafe has always taken the extra time and steps to ensure privacy is considered in all its products. The Smart Alarm Camera and 24/7 Live Guard are no exceptions. The team has offered the below safeguards to make sure your peace of mind doesn’t cost you privacy.

As far as safeguards around live viewing access:

  • 24/7 live guard protection is an opt-in feature.
  • Smart Alarm Camera features a physical shutter that only opens when motion is detected.
  • Agents do not have live viewing access outside of live guard protection alarm events.
  • If an alarm is canceled, access ends immediately after the agent processes the alarm.
  • If the alarm is not canceled, access expires after 20 minutes.

As far as safeguards around video storage:

  • The only time an agent can access recorded video is during an alarm event, and that is only for customers who opt-in to video verification or 24/7 live guard protection.
  • Even then, agents only have access to video recorded during that alarm event and other alarm events that occurred within the hour before or the hour after the current alarm event.
  • Furthermore, all SimpliSafe video recordings are automatically deleted from SimpliSafe systems after 30 days. *You still have the option to have these downloaded and stored locally inside this 30-day period for longer retention.*

The 24/7 Live Guard is currently in beta and the full retail availability of the Smart Alarm Camera is still under consideration. We hoped to get a full review in place once this happens and can report back on how this new addition to the SimpliSafe family performs.

OnePlus Pad arrives with interesting features

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OnePlus on Tuesday introduced its first-ever flagship tablet, the OnePlus Pad, at its Cloud 11 event. OnePlus showcases its entire device ecosystem which includes smartphones (OnePlus 11 5G, and 11R), TVs, tablets, and earbuds. OnePlus’ latest offering falls under the premium tablet segment with MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000 processor, 144Hz refresh rate, and whole much more. Let’s take a look at the detailed specifications of the OnePlus Pad.

OnePlus Pad- the brand’s first flagship tablet

OnePlus Pad comes with a very iconic elegant design bundled in a unified metal body incorporated with a 2.5D round edge treatment. OnePlus uses a cambered frame design in the OnePlus Pad that makes the tablet feel lighter and thinner.

OnePlus Pad flaunts a big 11.61-inch IPS LCD display with a 7:5 aspect ratio, 2800 x 2000p resolution, and a variable refresh rate that goes up to 144Hz. The display offers up to 500 nits of peak brightness and 1400:1 contrast. OnePlus Pad has Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support which offers cutting-edge immersive audio and video experience. The pad has 6.54mm super slim bezels that allow for an 88% screen-to-body ratio.

The tablet is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 9000 processor based on 4nm architecture, paired with up to 12GB of RAM, and 128GB UFS3.1 storage, under the hood. The chipset boosts performance by 35% and power efficiency by 37%. It houses a 13MP single rear camera that can record videos in 4k and for the front, there’s an 8MP snapper for selfies and video chats.

There is a massive 9510mAH battery in the OnePlus Pad that ensures up to 12.4 hours of Video watching, web surfing, and other casual work and 1-month standby life. The tablet has 67W SuperVOOC fast charging support and OnePlus claims the Pad charges 0 to 100% in just 80 minutes.

Other highlights of the OnePlus Pad include quad speakers tuned with Dolby Atmos, OnePlus Stylo, and magnetic keyboard support, OnePlus’s self-developed Omni-bearing Sound Field technology, which automatically detects the screen direction and intelligently switches between right and left audio channels for a more immersive sound experience.

The OnePlus Pad comes in a Halo Green color option. There is no word on the pricing of the OnePlus Pad and it will go on pre-order in North America and other markets (Europe, India) this April 2023.

What are your thoughts on the OnePlus Pad Let us know in the comments?

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OnePlus Featuring keyboard 81 Pro debuts

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OnePlus has launched its first fully customizable mechanical keyboard. This device is equipped with Keychron technology, and it’s known as OnePlus Featuring Keyboard 81 Pro. This is the first product of its kind from the globally-acclaimed brand.

What OnePlus Featuring keyboard 81 Pro does

This keyboard breaks new grounds by being the first innovative marble-yellow keycaps, offering the ultimate typing experience for users. Users will bask in the high performing capacity of the keyboard, which delivers overall comfort, functionality, and durability. According to OnePlus, this product rewrites the rules.

Co-created by OnePlus community

No doubt, the best products are the ones in which users have input. The Keyboard 81 Pro is just that – bringing wonderful, powerful, co-created outcomes to users of OnePlus. Especially is this noted at the keyboard switches. The company gathered feedback and expectations from users before creating it.

Also, OnePlus used the Keychron technology to craft versatile keyboard switches. The switches are intended to meet a user’s complex needs. This product really triumphs in delivering a comfortable and responsive experience for users.

Furthermore, there’s also a specialized double gasket to ensure decreased sound when it is in use. It also offers all-day comfort, whether the user is working or gaming.

See Also: OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review

OnePlus Featuring keyboard 81 Pro stands out

The keyboard 81 Pro stands out as it carries the brand’s signature premium style. The alert slider is adapted from OnePlus smartphones, and this happens to be the first of its kind in the industry. Users can find the rotary knob function fascinating. It can be used to suit each user’s personal experience.

The design of the keyboard shows that it was crafted with aluminum body, delivering a flawless experience. Notably, the ultra-precise CNC aluminum guarantees a fine matte feel that smooth to touch, looking sleek. Of course, the premium build quality extends to the crafted aerolite touch, and this provides a balanced experience that stays memorable in the user’s mind.

Availability

OnePlus Featuring keyboard 81 Pro pre-order will start in April. Visit the link above to hit ‘Notify Me’ so you can receive alerts.

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review

You can find a pair of wireless earbuds pretty much anywhere these days. OnePlus entered the market last year with the Buds Pro wireless headphones. Well, you can’t have a hit without a sequel. OnePlus announced the Buds Pro 2 today and we’ve been testing these earbuds for a few weeks.

Let’s get into the deep dive of these great new wireless earbuds from OnePlus.

Design

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2s have a familiar design. Nothing to write home about here, but I will say the hardware screams premium. The top portion has a silicon-covered earpiece and is followed by a metal stem.

The stem is also where it gets interesting with controls. We’ll get into that more later, but as far as the hardware, there’s a clickable portion inside the stem that allows you to interact with the playback. I know that’s been done before, but OnePlus put this together well.

The lightweight design makes for all-day wear a non-issue. I never once felt like the OnePlus Buds Pro 2s were giving me ear fatigue or nagging me. The earbuds stayed in position no matter if I was in a hard workout or just working at my desk.

These wireless Buds are activewear ready as well. The Buds Pro 2 earbuds themselves are IP55 water-resistant while and should be up for any weather or sweaty workouts. Even the case is IPX4 rated to make sure you are protected as you travel without the buds in your ears.

Audio

OnePlus has partnered with Dynaudio to produce really great sound here with the Buds Pro 2s. Using the MelodyBoost dual drivers the audio production is balanced and crisp. I found that all styles of listening performed well with this setup. Podcasts come through with natural voiced tones and music ramps up regardless of the genre to deliver a nice listening experience.

The Dynaudio drivers consist of 11mm and 6mm drivers. This allows for bass and mids to pack a punch but still have highs that deliver a clean balance as well. The equalizer has a default Dynaudio setting, but you can choose three other custom settings of Bold, Serenade, and Bass.

You also get the new Spatial Audio from the latest Android updates and Fast Pair profiles. Spatial Audio is in collaboration with Google to create an immersive audio experience that manipulates the sound based on your movements and surroundings. It is similar to Surround Sound for your earbuds.

The Fast Pair and Audio profiles work as expected too. The OnePlus 11 immediately saw my Buds Pro 2s and asked to connect. This is something we’ve previously only seen on Google devices and Pixel Buds, and nice to see this expanded to OnePlus. Another neat trick is once you’ve Fast Paired to the first device linked to your Google account, it will seamlessly be available on all your other devices.

This is a neat addition when you also consider the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 earbuds can simultaneously be dual connected to up to two devices. Yep, I’ve been consistently bouncing from the OnePlus 11 and my Pixel, and the connection just works.

App and touch controls

You can even manipulate many of the audio and profiles directly in the Bluetooth settings of the OnePlus 11 or using the HeyMelody app on other Androids. This opens up a plethora of things like changing the equalizer, the transparency settings, turning Spatial Audio on or off, and even the click controls of the earbuds.

The defaults of both earbuds are clicking once for play/pause, twice for skipping a track, and three times to move to the previous playback. The single press also answers/ends calls and the double press rejects incoming calls.

Pressing and holding for one-second changes the noise cancellation from either full intelligent noise cancellation or Transparency. Full intelligent mode fully blocks out most outside interference with active noise cancellation while Transparency allows you to stay focused while still hearing those around you for work-related conversations or hazards.

A longer three-second hold activates Zen Mode Air. This puts you in an audial atmosphere to relax you with soothing sounds while blocking out the noise around you. It’s a little campy but works. It’s kinda nice when you want a moment of meditation or winding down at night.

Battery life

OnePlus rates the Buds Pro 2s to last up to 25 hours with noise cancellation active and a whopping 39 if you keep that stuff turned off. I’ve found this pretty accurate and estimate the earbuds getting 8-10 hours per use without the case. With mixed usage throughout my days, I’ve been able to get a full work week per charge with the case topping them off while not in use.

When you do need to charge the entire kit, OnePlus made sure you don’t have to wait long. You can get three full hours of listening by dropping the Buds Pro 2s back in the case with fast-charging capable USB-C. If you just hate wires and have more time, you can also utilize Qi-charing for wireless docking.

Conclusion

As I mentioned in my opening, you have to truly make a good set of earbuds stand out to me at this point. With options cropping up all over, OnePlus needed to nail the Buds Pro 2s from fit and finish to performance. I’m happy to report the company delivered with a Grade A level execution.

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds are my clear-cut winner in the current market and that’s with the stiff competition of late. These earphones have great battery life and sound with a functional yet comfortable design. Pack in all the latest tech from Google, Dynaudio, and OnePlus and it’s a wrap for me.

Now, let’s talk about the final hurdle of price. Again, I think OnePlus has a reasonable entry of $179 full retail. These earbuds are well worth that investment and if you hit our retail guide for the new OnePlus devices you can find them discounted for pre-order at many outlets.

OnePlus 11 5G review

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OnePlus never seems to disappoint in offering its fanbase consistent refreshes of phones. The latest to enter the lineup is the OnePlus 11 5G. This new addition to the company’s portfolio shows that OnePlus has moved somewhat away from a total disruptor to a polished phone maker.

Design

I’m a big nerd on how a phone feels with no case in the hand. The fluid way it sits in your palm is a massive deal to me and OnePlus nailed this on the OnePlus 11. It’s light but still has a solid construction and a great hand feel.

Otherwise, the design is mostly similar to last year’s OnePlus 10T. The weight, basic chassis design, and size all line up with the previous model. Two things will jump out as different. The coveted alert slider is back! Thank you OnePlus. This is a truly unique thing to your Android products and needed to be here on the OnePlus 11.

The second is the camera housing. We’ll get more into the specs later, but OnePlus nixed the squared design from last year for a circular array for the OnePlus 11. You still get all the Hasselblad-partnered sensors and is mostly cosmetic in the design change with some updated specs.

The left side of the OnePlus 11 has a lone volume rocker and that’s it. Moving to the right, you get that glorious alert slider and the power button. You may think I’m overblowing the alert slider, but it really is great to have a hardware option always available to adjust from Do Not Disturb, vibrate, and audible notifications without software interaction. Whether you are entering a movie or a quick work meeting it’s nice to have this tactile option to know you have the correct setting enabled.

The bottom of the OnePlus 11 is where you’ll find the USB-C charging port and a Dual Reality Speaker array. This new audio technology creates a unique sound system you’d normally find in premium laptops. I have to say it’s pretty impressive giving the 11 5G has one of the best audio experiences I’ve ever used on a mobile phone.

Screen

The pride jewel of the OnePlus 11 is the screen. The 11 5G packs a 6.7-inch 2K panel with 120 MHz refresh rates. It’s a Super AMOLED that has a slight curve on the exterior edges and encases the entirety of the front of the phone.

Colors really pop off this screen. Images jump off the screen and are vibrant. OnePlus has really polished its screen tech over the last few generations to make it competitive with anyone in the market. This panel really is one of the standout features of the OnePlus 11 5G.

Performance

The internal hardware makes for a superb user experience on the OnePlus 11. The chipset from Qualcomm 8 Gen 2 and dedicated Adreno GPU makes for a fantastic combination. Pair that up with a minimum of 8GB of RAM with options of up to 16GB, and you have yet another powerhouse from OnePlus.

Speaking of RAM, OnePlus has a new proprietary RAM-Vita artificial intelligence allocation program. This system takes allocated RAM being used for older tasks and releases it for current ones. It also assigns RAM to more intensive apps like cameras to help with better and faster post-processing.

I’ve yet to slow down this phone. From games to more than 25 apps open, the OnePlus 11 just keeps on trucking. It truly is a powerhouse of a phone. One thing I have noticed is I think the way it handles app management or background processes does slow notifications at times. I’ve seen numerous instances where I get a push notification just a few minutes sooner on other phones.

Software

I won’t go too much into software here. It’s the newer OxygenOS 13.1 than that used in the recent Nord N300 we reviewed. The OP version of Android 13 continues to mimic Samsung and move further away from the once acclaimed stock variant OnePlus was known for using in early generations.

As mentioned in that previous review, this is all subjective to the user though and one thing OnePlus has continued is optimizing the OS to run very well on the OnePlus 11. There are no stutters. No log jams when running 20-plus apps. This thing just flies all the time no matter what you throw at it.

Finally, it’s Android. All your favorite apps, games, and services are just a Google sync away. Play Store is here and so is the Google Now feed to the far left home screen. Even with the numerous tweaks, OnePlus has stacked atop the base software, most will find it familiar after a few days.

Cameras

OnePlus has consistently improved the performance of imaging over the years. The OnePlus 11 continues this trend. The picture quality of the phone is one of the best OnePlus has produced. The camera app is snappy, the focus is fairly consistent, and the post-processing seems legit.

This is mostly thanks to the hardware behind all this. The main sensor on the OnePlus 11 is a 50MP IMX890 with optical image stabilization. The heart of this 1/1.56-inch sensor size with f/1.8 aperture allows incredible light intake.

Additional sensors allow for wide angles and a dedicated telephoto lens for portrait photos. The 48MP wide-angle lens has a 115-degree field of few and snaps outstanding landscape shots. The 32MP telephoto lens uses Hasselblad imaging features to create bokeh effects and depth of field.

The combination of the stabilization and sensors creates an environment to produce the shots we’ve taken with the phone. Whether it’s low-lit areas or outdoors, the camera takes great pictures. The same is true with portrait mode. Hasselblad post-processing adds to the equation with crisp outputs.

Battery life

Endurance is another department in that OnePlus has always excelled and the 11 5G nails this yet again. I’ve gotten a full day and then some with the device under normal usage. Heavy app days might push it to a lower capacity, but still never left me stranded before plugging up at night. Most instances actually got me almost a second day which is insane!

And if you do need to top off the battery tanks, the OnePlus 11 gets you back and powered up in no time with the 80W SUPERVOOC power adapter. The company rates this will get you back to full charge in under 30 minutes and I’ve found that to be accurate.

OnePlus has taken precautions to make sure all this is done safely as well. With Battery Health Engine to ensure that battery lifespan and retain optimal charging rates. There’s also a new electrolyte formula that reduces wear on the battery’s anodes and cathode.

Conclusion

OnePlus has made another great entry into the upper-midrange Android market. The OnePlus 11 5G checks all the boxes. It has a great screen, above-average battery life, and capable cameras. You won’t find a better-performing Android phone under $700 with the horsepower packed inside.

I just can’t help to wonder where it lands in the crowded market with less expensive options like the Pixel 6a or even the Pixel 7. I really enjoyed my time with the OnePlus but I still personally prefer my Pixel. However, I know others don’t feel that way and it’s the absolute best thing about Android: choice!

If you do want to snag a OnePlus 11 5G, head on over to our full launch day retail guide below. Total retail will set you back $699 for the 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but there are great pre-order deals to be had on that landing page.

OnePlus 11 5G and OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Retail Guide

OnePlus 11 5G and Buds Pro 2 are here

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OnePlus is at it again with another pair of great mobile tech devices. The team announced the OnePlus 11 5G phone and OnePlus Buds Pro 2 today in the North American market. Much like the launch of last year’s 10T, the company is offering a tiered date approach to discounts and incentives.

Deals on the OnePlus 11 5G

Let’s start with the price cuts you can get directly from OnePlus.com or the Store app. There are three separate dates to remember here: Pre-sales start on 02/07 thru 02/13. Then it moves to the first set of open sales 02/16-02/22. And finally, we have a trade-in premium from 02/23-03/01.

OnePlus.com

Pre-order (2/7-2/13)

  • Up to $500 OFF with Trade-in
  • Get a $100 coupon back if you don’t Trade-in
  • Ship from 2/13 and get it early

Open Sale (2/16-2/22):

  • Free memory upgrade, $100 OFF with OnePlus and Apple devices Trade-in/$50 OFF with
    other devices Trade-in
  • Other benefits of pre-order
    • 0 APR with 24 months installment
    • 2X RedCoins with OnePlus 11 purchase

 Open Sale (2/23-3/1):

  • $100 Trade-in bonus

Amazon and Best Buy

Preorder (2/7-2/15):

  • Free $100 Gift Card with a preorder of either 8+128 or 16+256 storage

Open Sale (2/16-2/26):

  • Free memory upgrade; Get 16+256 for the price of 8+128 at $699 ($100 savings)

Open Sale (2/27-3/5):

  • Free $100 Gift Card with purchase of either 8+128 or 16+256

Carrier Compatibility

  • T-Mobile 5G
  • AT&T 5G
  • Verizon Wireless 5G
  • Visible Lagacy 5G
  • Visible VZW Core 5G
  • Mint Mobile 5G
  • Google Fi 5G
  • Ultra Mobile 5G
  • Simple Wireless 5G
  • Assurance Wireless 5G
  • Metro By T-Mobile 5G
  • Cricket 5G
  • Viaero 4G only
  • Altice 5G
  • Tracfone ATT 5G
  • Redpocket 5G
  • Airvoice5G
  • Puretalk 5G
  • Republic 5G
  • Boost Mobile 5G
  • Ztar (good2go mobile) 5G

Deals on the OnePlus Buds Pro 2

OnePlus.com

Pre-order (2/7-2/15):

  • Get $50 OFF with all handsets purchase
  • $50 OFF Buds Pro 2 on Store app only

Open Sale (2/1602/28):

  • Get $50 OFF with all handsets purchase
  • $50 OFF Buds Pro 2 on Store app only

Amazon only

Preorder (2/7-2/15):

  • Free $20 Gift Card with preorder

Open Sale (2/16-3/5):

  • Get Buds Pro 2 for $129.99 (save $50) with the purchase of any OnePlus flagship (OP11,
    OP10 Pro, OP10T)

BLUETTI readies to ignite a romantic Valentine’s Day

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With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, lovebirds are racking their brains to find more creative gifts than traditional flowers or chocolate to express love. Luckily, BLUETTI has rolled out loads of savings on a wide selection of solar generators as of Feb. 6  to bolster the sweet celebration with someone special at home, outdoor entertainment, or RV trips on the road. 

BLUETTI AC500+B300S/ AC300+B300 Combo: Expandable Power Center 

AC300+B300 Starts at $3199 (was $3898), Save $699

AC500 is arguably the most prominent model launched in 2022, with an expandable capacity from 3,072Wh to 18,432Wh by teaming up with B300S. The max. 8,000 input rate (PV+AC) allows a lighting charging speed, 0 to 80% capacity charging takes within ONE HOUR.       

AC300 is another modular model that has established a distinct presence in the market. Boasting up to 12,288Wh capacity and a 3,000W PSW inverter for securely running high-load devices, it’s an ideal gift for both outdoor enthusiasts and DIYers.     

BLUETTI AC200MAX: Versatile Power Monster

Starts at $1599 (was $1999), Save $400

It’s frustrating to lose power unexpectedly while spending quality time at home or in the wild. AC200MAX, one of the most popular models in BLUETTI Store, will never let you down. It adopts safe and reliable LifePO4 battery to provide 3500+ life cycles to 80% of the original capacity. It also has a 2,200W PSW inverter and 2,048Wh capacity to fulfill most power demand. Not enough? Then consider connecting with B230 or B300 expansion battery to extend the capacity for increasing power needs.    

BLUETTI EP500/ EP500Pro: Unrivaled Home Backup Power

EP500Pro Starts at $4899 (was $5799), Save $900  

Valentine’s Day would be a nice chance to have a family gathering in the backyard. And BLUETTI is here to tackle your problem of utilizing off-grid power in the open air. 

Equipped with 5,100Wh capacity and 2,000W/3,000W PSW inverter, EP500/ EP500Pro come as blockbusters that are sure to surprise your lover at first glance. They are all-in-one power stations designed for home charging, keeping electricity bills lower and making you less dependent on the utility grid. 

With the Smart Home Panel, they can be integrated into the home grid due to the seamless 24/7 UPS function to keep essential appliances running as usual when a power failure occurs. The wheel design on the bottom allows effortlessly moving it from one place to another. Always get well-prepared for any emergency.     

BLUETTI EB3A/ EB55/ EB70S: Portable Solar Generator Lineup

EB3A starts at $219 (was $299), save $80

Walk through the wonderland of nature, where there’s clean air, acres and acres of woods, and mountain streams flowing by. Carry along a portable power station such as BLUETTI EB3A, EB55, or EB70S to conveniently charge your cellphone, walkie-talkie, camera, coffee maker, mini fridge, and more. So you will always have enough power to stay connected, every precious moment together will be captured without delay. 

By connecting either with Bluetooth or WiFi, remote control, real-time monitor, and OTA firmware update can be done merely with clicks on the cellphone!

BLUETTI PV68/ PV120/ PV200/ PV350/ PV420: Easy Access to Solar Energy   

PV420 starts at $899 (was $1099), Save $200

Enjoy a solar lifestyle by hooking up with BLUETTI solar panels, covering from PV68, PV120, PV200, PV350 to PV420. They use monocrystalline solar cells and multi-layered ETFE to ensure better light transmittance, higher efficiency, and longer lifespan. Simply set up the solar panel and adjust the tilt based on the sunlight intensity or angle to generate the optimal solar intake. Given up to 23.4% high conversion rate of the solar panel, your battery can sip power from the sun at high speed and run your electronics for hours on end. Achieving power self-sufficiency has never been easier!   

In addition, BLUETTI will launch a BLUETTILOVE campaign during Valentine’s Day Sale. Participants can either upload photos and share the sweetest memory/ love story with their lovers or post anonymous SMS to express their affection. Free EB3A, PV68, and $20 coupons are available to lucky winners. Click  https://www.bluettipower.com/pages/valentines-day-sale to learn more. 

About BLUETTI
With over 10 years of industry experience, BLUETTI has tried to stay true to a sustainable future through green energy storage solutions for both indoor and outdoor use while delivering an exceptional eco-friendly experience for everyone and the world. BLUETTI is making its presence in 70+ countries and is trusted by millions of customers across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.bluettipower.com/.

POCO unveils X5 Pro 5G, X5 5G as Milestone X-Series

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POCO is known as a popular tech brand situated in China. The company just introduced two new smartphones that young tech enthusiasts love. Since Gen-Z users are always looking for something new, these new devices will definitely serve their interests.

The company offers the POCO X5 Pro 5G and POCO X5 5G are offered as part of five years of dedicated service to humanity. The most important part of that story is that the new features are so exciting and offers great delight to world’s techies, especially the young ones.

Features of POCO X5 Pro 5G

First, POCO X5 Pro 5G features a gigantic 6.67 inches Flow AMOLED screen that’s just perfect for watching movies and other entertainment, great for snapping pictures, and users will also find it valuable for gaming. It comes with a flexible display technology that makes it lighter, sleek, and beautiful. This is the slimmest of the X series ever produced.

It is also good to know that it could fit easily into a pocket because it is 7.9mm thin. That makes it comfortable to hold when the user is busy with important tasks such as while gaming, creating content, making videos, watching movies, scrolling through social media, and doing other things.

X5 Pro 5G also comes with the flagship-level 120Hz refresh rate that delivers vibrant, ultra-smooth images. Photos and videos are produced at high quality with 100 percent DCI-P3 and 10 bit color depth, and Dolby Vision.

See Also: POCO X4 Pro 5G review

Other Features of POCO X5 Pro 5G

  • Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset with advanced TSMC 6nm
  • Flagship-level 108MP sensor main camera supports 4K video shooting
  • 5000mAh battery, comes with 67W turbo charging
  • AI performance of up to 12 TOPS4.

POCO X5 5G

Think of the POCO X5 5G as a mid-range smartphone. It helps the user to go through the normal days of work, study, or entertainment. The device Is effective even you work with thousands of images each day. It handles high resolution videos effortlessly. Gaming for several hours on end is no issue with this smartphone.

Salient features of the POCO X5 5G are as follows:

  • 67-inch AMOLED DotDisplay
  • 189 grams in weight
  • 120Hz refresh rate
  • Snapdragon 695 chipset
  • 8GB RAM and up to 256GB ROM

Product availability

According to POCO, the X5 Pro 5G comes in black, blue, and yellow colors. It is available in two variants of 6GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB. On the other hand, the POCO X5 5G comes in green, blue, and black colors, and it is available in two variants of 6GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB.

Review: Mophie powerstation plus (Podcast)

PowerBank with integrated USB C and lighting cables has many advantages. It can charge two devices simultaneously and is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Mophie’s Powerstation Plus portable charger comes with the same features. In the latest episode of the AndroidGuys podcast, our Scott webster and Luke Gaul talk about the Mophie Powerstation Plus.

Mophie Powerstation Plus is a great portable charging solution that offers 20W fast charging speed and is compatible with both Apple devices (including iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Apple watch) and USB C devices. Mophie’s Powerstation Plus features a slim, stylish, and compact design that fits in any bag or pocket.

The Powerstation Plus offers a lot of features but is it worth purchasing? How much battery capacity does it hold and what are its standout details? Listen to the podcast and see what our team says.

What is the Mophie powerstation plus

The mophie powerstation plus is one of the latest products from the charging specialists and it works for both Android and iOS users. It features integrated cables, 10,000mAh worth of battery, and LED power indicators.

Gallery

Features

  • Integrated Lightning and USB-C Cables
  • LED Power Indicator
  • USB-C PD Input and Output
  • Each cable delivers up to 20W charging on their own; 27W when combined
  • Two Year Warranty

Listen to the Episode

Be sure to subscribe to the AndroidGuys podcast through your favorite platform or add the AndroidGuys Podcast RSS feed to enjoy!

Parting Thoughts

This is a great portable charger for modern devices. I like that the cables are not only just built into the battery, but they’re fast as well. At 20W, it’s quicker than that old charger you’ve been carrying around and maybe even the one at home.

Although the brand’s iconic fabric doesn’t make an appearance here, I do like the smooth finish on this rectangular unit. It’s easy to grip and helps when removing and inserting the built-in cables. The LED indicator lights are always helpful, and the two-year warranty is just icing on the cake.

Mophie is one of just a few brands whose products I will never give away or loan out as they’re just that good. It consistently delivers the goods and the powertation plus is no exception.

Where to buy the Mophie powerstation plus

The Mophie powerstation plus comes in Black color option and retails at $79.95. It is available for purchase from the manufacturer’s website.

Best online slots in Canada: Ranking the top online slots sites for Canadians by graphics, RTPs, bonuses and more [2023]

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Spinning online slots and waiting for that sweet combination is more exciting than ever!

With all the innovation going on, the variety of online slots in Canada already includes 3D graphics, movie and series options, and slot machines with over 100,000 winning lines.

Having played a whole ton of slots at Canadian online casinos, we’re ready to bring you the best CA online slots to try out. 

The best Canadian online casino right now is PlayOjo, thanks to its generous welcome bonus, top app and, of course, its awesome range of slots. We’ve picked the epic Fishin’ Frenzy as the best slot game there for reasons you’re about to find out.

So, stay tuned to find out everything you need to know about playing slot games in Canada. Let’s go!

Best Online Slots in Canada

1. PlayOjo (Fishin’ Frenzy: The Big Catch) – Best Online Slot in Canada in General

Pros:

  • 50 free spins when you deposit $10
  • Nearly 2000 slots in total
  • Downloadable mobile app
  • 31 of the best providers
  • Rapid withdrawal processing

Cons:

  • Confusing desktop site layout

If you’re looking for great slot games, generous bonuses and a fantastic overall user experience (and let’s be honest, who isn’t), PlayOjo could be your best online casino.

Best Slot Game: Fishin’ Frenzy: The Big Catch

The Fishin’ Frenzy saga from Blueprint Gaming is one of our favourite online slot series, but The Big Catch edition was the one that really caught our attention eye. 

Summing up, this version takes all the charm from the original and ramps it up into a thrilling and potentially very lucrative online slot game. 

Other Slots and Casino Games: 4.9/5

You’ll find nearly 2000 online slots at PlayOjo, which is a pretty remarkable number. That’s a game library featuring all the big hits and some future classics from hit providers like NetEnt and Play ‘n GO. 

Those 2000 video slots make up the majority of the PlayOjo portfolio, but there are plenty of other types of games to enjoy here. For example, there are over 50 live dealer games, something we always love to see.

Mobile App and Desktop Site: 4.8/5

The PlayOjo slots experience is enjoyable no matter which device you choose to access it on. However, we did find the mobile app a little easier to use than the desktop site, mainly because the website layout doesn’t make quite as much sense as the app.

The PlayOjo app is highly rated on the App Store and the Play Store, and when we tried it out for ourselves, we could absolutely see why. This application allows you to play most of the online slots, and it looks fantastic.

Banking: 4.8/5

PlayOjo aims to process all withdrawal requests within a few hours, so you won’t have to wait an unnecessarily long time to see the funds appear in your bank or eWallet of choice. 

Of course, how long the transfer takes depends on the payment method you’ve opted for, but luckily you’ve got a few choices here for that. Deposits and withdrawals can be carried out with debit cards and a bunch of eWallets like Interac and ecoPayz.

Bonus Offers: 4.9/5

Grab 50 bonus spins when you sign up at PlayOjo and put down your first deposit of C$10 or more. That’s a pretty neat way to get started.

Even better is the fact that there aren’t any wagering requirements for your winnings, which means that anything you do win from these free spins is instantly withdrawable, a rare treat in the online casino world. 

Overall: 4.9/5

There isn’t much we’d change about PlayOjo, and it’s this flawlessness which has landed it our number-one spot today. Gambling sites don’t come about often.

Click here to get the best online slots experience with PlayOjo.

2. Spin (Thunderstruck II) – Best Online Slots App in Canada

Pros:

  • Iconic list of 400 online slots
  • Games from Microgaming, Red Tiger and 28 more
  • Satisfying website and mobile app
  • 10+ eWallets to pay with
  • Up to C$ 1.000 in bonuses

Cons:

  • No customer support via phone

Having been around since all the way back in 2001, Spin Casino is certainly a very reputable online casino. But don’t let that fool you – their platform is up to date with some of the newest online slots on the market!

Best Slot Game: Thunderstruck II

This Microgaming slot is widely considered to be a cult classic. It was released in May 2010 and has been captivating the hearts of slot fans since, thanks to its fantastic graphics (remastered in 2020) and thrilling in-game bonuses.

Other Slots and Casino Games: 4.8/5

You can play many more Microgaming classics at Spin Casino, as well as those from other hit providers like Red Tiger Gaming and NetEnt.

The total number of slots isn’t super high at a little under 400, but it’s the quality that counts, and this is something that Spin has in abundance. 

Outside of slots, the quality continues with nearly 50 live casino games powered by the likes of Evolution Gaming, and a whole bunch of video poker, roulette and more. 

Mobile App and Desktop Site: 4.9/5

The attention to detail with the Spin Casino design is about as good as it gets. Everything looks awesome and is easy to use. It won’t take much to find your way here.

For mobile players, we recommend downloading the app as it elevates the gaming experience on your smartphone with smoother graphics and better game compatibility. It’s a bit of a no-brainer, really.

Banking: 4.7/5

The list of banking options at Spin Casino is super extensive, so we players are pretty spoilt for choice. Most of it consists of eWallets like Paysafecard, MuchBetter and many more, but you can also bank with an electronic check, bank transfers, debit cards etc.

The withdrawal processing time is a little longer here, between 24 and 48 hours, but that’s still quicker than many other online casinos. 

Bonus Offers: 4.6/5

A simple 100% matched deposit of up to $400 awaits new Spin Casino players. After the first transaction, it is possible to get another two deposit bonuses of 100% up to $300.

That’s potentially a lot of bonus cash to get you up and running, even if there aren’t any free spins thrown in. 

Overall: 4.7/5

Spin Casino excels in different areas than PlayOjo, so it was tricky to decide between our top two. Either way, we’re confident that many people will fall in love with what’s available right here.

Bring your favourite slots with you with Spin’s mobile app! Click and sign up.

3. Jackpot City (Break da Bank again) – Best Progressive Jackpot Online Slots in Canada

Pros:

  • 15+ banking options
  • Vintage slots from Novomatic etc.
  • Up to $1600 in welcome bonus credits
  • Relatively quick withdrawals
  • 8 digits progressive jackpots

Cons:

  • No dedicated mobile app

Sometimes, a name says it all. It is no different here since JackpotCity really is the Canadian jackpot capital!

Best Slot Game: Break da Bank Again

Not often a slot game sequel clearly outperforms the original, but that’s precisely the case with Break da Bank Again. 

Designed by Microgaming, this highly volatile slot can help you land some big wins and all in a lovely cartoon police theme. 

Other Slots and Casino Games: 4.9/5

The developers running the JackpotCity game portfolio include the likes of Novomatic and Microgaming, so you can be pretty sure there will be some popular slot games to try out here. 

You’ll also find plenty of progressive jackpot slots, so if you’re lucky, you could hit the big time!

You might also get to play some of the other games available. JackpotCity players will benefit from tons of roulette, poker and more, either in their live or non-live versions. 

Mobile App and Desktop Site: 4.3/5

The JackpotCity website isn’t the most amazing-looking piece of software in the world, but surely it’s easy to use. Still, there’s room for a more modern look, and a revamp would guarantee them top marks.

If you want to take Jackpot City on the go, you’ll need to check out the mobile site, as there’s no app to download. This means the mobile casino experience isn’t quite as immersive as our top two, but it still looks pretty good for the most part.

Banking: 4.7/5

JackpotCity imposes a mandatory 24-hour pending period for all withdrawal requests, which isn’t too bad. After this has passed, it’s not going to be long before you receive your cash, depending on the banking method you’ve opted for.

We recommend going for one of the many eWallets available here, such as Flexepin or Neosurf. You could also choose to opt for credit cards, bank transfers or something else though. 

Bonus Offers: 4.8/5

You can get your first four deposits matched 100% up to $400 for a total of up to $1600 at Jackpot City, a very impressive bonus indeed.

Again, keep an eye on the terms and conditions when deciding how much of a deposit you want matched each time.

Overall: 4.6/5

Jackpot City is another vintage online casino, and perhaps its biggest downfall is that it kind of looks like it. But, other than that, it absolutely deserves its position in our best online Canadian casinos.

Try your luck on one of the huge jackpots on Jackpot City – Click and register.

4. Bitstarz (Big Bass Bonanza) – Best Provably Fair Online Slots in Canada

Pros:

  • 10+ cryptocurrencies with instant withdrawals
  • Multiple online casino awards
  • Over 3000 online casino games
  • Crypto-exclusive slot game titles
  • Up to 5 BTC for new players

Cons:

  • Limited non-crypto welcome bonus

If you love instant withdrawals or just want to add an extra dimension to your online casino gaming, then crypto betting could be the way to go. The best place for that in Canada right now has to be Bitstarz, a multi-awarded slot games site.

Best Slot Game: Big Bass Bonanza

This iconic fishing-themed slot from Pragmatic Play is notorious for its fun graphics, high RTP and exciting bonus rounds where you can win the big bucks with a bit of luck.

Other Slots and Casino Games: 4.7/5

Big Bass Bonanza is actually a drop in the ocean for the awesome choice of slots available at Bitstarz. There are actually over 3000 online casino games here, more than any other option on our list.

There are a few software providers in the mix that we’d take or leave, but you’ll still find a lot of incredible online slot games with a bit of searching.

One issue is that there aren’t any live casino games available in some territories, so keep an eye out for that if you like live roulette etc. among your slot game sessions. 

Mobile App and Desktop Site: 4.8/5

We’re big fans of the Bitstarz online casino site. It looks modern, sleek and interesting, and that suits the whole crypto aesthetic of the casino as a whole.

The mobile site is pretty good too, but this is the only option for mobile players, since there’s yet to be a dedicated Bitstarz app.

Banking: 4.5/5

The best way to bank at Bitstarz is with cryptocurrencies, of which there are many. Of course, there’s Bitcoin, but Bitstarz also supports a bunch of altcoins like Dogecoin and Cardano.

Cryptocurrencies aren’t the only option for banking though, once Canadian players also can pay and be paid with debit cards, Interac and eWallets.

Bonus Offers: 4.5/5

If you make your first deposit with Bitcoin, you can get a total welcome bonus package worth up to 5 BTC plus 200 free spins.

If you know the value of a single Bitcoin, you’ll see just how enormous this bonus actually is.

Those who don’t like the sound of playing with crypto also have an exciting reason to sign up – the regular fiat currency welcome bonus goes all the way up to $2000.

Overall: 4.6/5

It’s easy to tell how Bitstarz has won so many awards for its online casino experience. If it were to make itself a little more accessible to regular fiat currency customers, then it certainly would have been challenging for today’s top spot. 

Click here and try some of Bitstarz’ provably fair slot games.

5. Ricky (Aztec Magic Bonanza) – Top Welcome Bonus of Any Online Slots Site in CA

Pros:

  • Up to C$7500 in bonus funds
  • Additional 550 free spins
  • Instant withdrawal options with cryptocurrencies
  • 1000+ online casino games

Cons:

  • Some popular providers are missing

Rounding up our top five, we have the highest bonuses among the best online casinos in Canada. Ricky Casino’s offer is more than generous and can boost your gameplay big time. 

Best Slot Game: Aztec Magic Bonanza

If you’re into beautiful graphics with your online slot games, look no further than Aztec Magic Bonanza from BGaming. Aztec-themed slots are abundant in the online casino world, but this one stands out from the crowd.

Other Slots and Casino Games: 4.3/5

The number of games at Ricky Casino is super high, with a wide range of live dealer games, slots, video poker etc. waiting for players.

These are pretty strong games as well, albeit not quite as strong as the rest of our top five. We can tell this by the fact that the list of software providers here is missing a few of the key names, like Microgaming and Playtech.

Mobile App and Desktop Site: 4.6/5

Ricky Casino is one of the few online casinos to offer an optimized web app, so to speak. It’s basically just the game selection hosted through another program, but this does lead to a smoother gaming experience on your desktop computer or laptop. 

You won’t be able to download a mobile app for Ricky Casino, though. The mobile site needs to be launched through your phone browser, but it does look pretty neat still. 

Banking: 4.8/5

If you want instant withdrawals, you’ll need to request them through one of the cryptocurrency banking options. Pick from Bitcoin, USDT and a few others, and you shouldn’t have to ever wait more than a few minutes.

Prefer to play with regular Canadian currency? You can do so with your credit or debit card, or a handful of eWallets, including Neosurf.

Bonus Offers: 4.9/5

Across your first 10 deposits at Ricky Casino, you can claim a pretty astonishing $7500 in bonus funds. That’s one of the biggest bonus hauls we’ve ever seen in the world of Canadian online casinos.

And that’s not all. There are also 550 free spins waiting to be claimed for the All Lucky Clovers 5 slot. You’ll get 100 on your first deposit, then 50 each on the next nine. 

Sure, the wagering requirements are a little high, but that’s to be expected for a bonus of this magnitude. Nice work Ricky Casino.

Overall: 4.6/5

With a welcome bonus as good as this, Ricky Casino is well worth a play right off the bat. This is far from the only great thing about this online slots site, though.

Get up to $7500 in bonus + 550 free spins by signing up to Ricky Casino

How Do We Rank the Best Online Slots for Canadian Players?

Best Slot Game

What makes a great slot? Top graphics, exciting bonuses and high payouts. If it’s fair and exciting, it’s got a shot at being our favourite! 

Popular Games

One great online slot game is only going to keep even the most patient of players entertained for so long. We want to see plenty more slot games from the best software providers and, ideally, a few other types of games as well.

Design & Layout

Good app and site design go a long way for us. Not only is good software more pleasing to the eye, but it’s also easier to use.

Deposit & Withdrawal

Fast withdrawal processing times and plenty of banking options are what will pick up the points in this category. Basically, this is also a way of showing us players that they treat our money seriously.

Promotions & Rewards

Welcome bonuses that offer tons of free spins and massive matched deposits are all well and good, but not if they come with enormous wagering requirements and/or tight expiry times. The terms and conditions are crucial.

Why Is PlayOjo the Best Online Slots Site in Canada?

Oh yes, there are some very significant reasons that we’ve picked PlayOjo (and the amazing Fishin’ Frenzy) for our number one casino and slot game combo today:

  • Easy welcome bonus: Not having to play through your winnings makes life so much easier. 50 bonus spins where you get to cash out the winnings immediately? Don’t mind if we do.
  • Plenty of online slots: You’ll find more than enough video slots to choose from here, thousands in fact. The slots selection includes all the classics from the past couple of decades, plus some fantastic up-and-coming games.
  • Downloadable app: Grabbing the PlayOjo app is really going to elevate the mobile gaming experience since their application features most of the games and is a real treat to use.
  • Fast payouts: A lot of online casinos will try to keep hold of your money for as long as possible, but PlayOjo is quite the opposite in that by aiming to process any withdrawals in just a few hours. 

Explaining The Differences Between Land-Based vs Online Slots in Canada

Is it better to play real-world slots in the casino or online slots on your computer/smartphone? You decide, but we’re leaning towards the latter for these reasons:

  • Much more choice: When you play online slots, you’ll be treated to a choice of thousands of games compared to only a handful at a land-based casino. 
  • Mobile gaming: The majority of online casinos in Canada will have at least a mobile site or, even better, a mobile app. Bottom-line, you’ll be able to play your favourite slots on your smartphone wherever you can get a connection. 
  • More payment options: You’ll be lucky to find a real-world casino that lets you pay with anything other than cash or card. But in the online casino domain, you’ll be able to deposit and withdraw with e-wallets and cryptocurrencies.
  • Welcome and reload bonuses: Not many brick-and-mortar casinos have any kind of incentive for new players to join. But online, players are beckoned with bonus funds and free spins.

Best Online Slots in Canada: FAQs

How Can I Play Free Slots Online in Canada?

Some online casinos in Canada will offer you the chance to play free games to find out whether you like them before getting stuck in for real money. Usually, all you have to do is quickly sign up and the demo versions will be unlocked straight away.

What Does a Slot Game RTP Mean on Canadian Sites?

Every online casino game has a Return to Player (RTP) rate. It shows us how fairly a game pays out by providing an average of winnings. For example, an online slot game with an RTP of 96% should pay back $960,000 for every $1,000,000 staked into it, in theory. 

Do All the Best Online Slots Sites in Canada Offer Instant Withdrawals?

It’s definitely a nice thing to have instant withdrawals from online casinos, but the only real way for this to happen, in most cases, is with cryptocurrencies or with some eWallets. If these aren’t an option, you may have to wait a few hours or sometimes a few days for your withdrawals to come through.

What are Progressive Jackpots on Canadian Online Slots Sites?

Progressive jackpots, sometimes called progressive slots, refer to a type of slot game where a percentage of each stake from every player goes into an overall prize pool that one person can win. All the best Canadian online casinos will have some progressive jackpot slots to try out. 

Are Desktop Better Than Mobile Slot Machines in Canada?

Realistically, the best online gambling sites will offer a great desktop and mobile experience, but it’s really down to personal opinion as to which you should go for. If you prefer to play on the go, find a great mobile app. However, if you like to stay at home, a desktop site that looks good will suit you nicely.

Which Are the Most Reputable Online Sites to Play Slots in CA?

All of our top picks are very safe places to play online casino games. But if you’re looking elsewhere, make sure that the slot sites you’re interested in are regulated by a trustworthy body.

One Last Look at Our Favourite Online Slots Sites in Canada

Let’s check back on our top five one more time:

PlayOjo: Get your 50 free spins with no wagering requirements at all when you sign up and deposit $10 at what has to be the very best online slots site in Canada right now.

Spin Casino: Our runner-up has all the classic slots you could ever dream of playing, and you can try them out for yourself with a strong 100% matched deposit of up to $1000.

Jackpot City: This casino is our favourite place to go for progressive jackpot slots. Have the chance to win the big bucks and get your journey started here with four lots of 100% matched deposits up to $400 each.

Bitstarz: Crypto gambling could well be the future for a lot of people, and the best online casino for it is offering a strong Bitcoin welcome bonus. The package is worth some 5 BTC and 200 free spins for all new accounts.

Ricky Casino: There’ve been some strong welcome bonuses today, but the one really taking the edge is the incredible $7500 total package at Ricky Casino plus 550 free spins. 

Keep reading: Best gambling sites Canada

This Is How You Can Start Playing Online Slots in Canada

Ready to go? Follow these three steps to begin your slot game journey at PlayOjo:

1. Find the Join Now Button

You can either hit the banner on the home screen or press the “Join Now” button in the sidebar to bring up the registration menu.

2. Register Via the Form

Fill out all your details correctly over the next few pages. You may also have to verify some of them, such as your email address, so be sure to get them right and make a mental note of the password and email address you enter for future logins.

3. Get Your Free Spins

Head over to the cashier and choose a payment method to get your account up and running. If you put in £10, the 50 free spins will be credited to your account automatically.

Why not check it out: Best online casino Canada

Have Fun Spinning the Best Online Slots in Canada!

We’re confident we’ve found the very best online casino sites in Canada for you. These top online casinos, and the brilliant slots each of them has to play, are the ultimate online gambling combinations for Canadian players in many ways.

Now, it’s time for you to choose your next Canadian casino online. Will it be PlayOjo and the epic Fishin’ Frenzy? How about Thunderstruck II at Spin City?

Choose wisely, gamble responsibly and good luck.

DISCLAIMER: Gambling isn’t a venture to engage in if you have financial troubles due to the risks involved. Don’t forget the famous catchphrase: the house always wins.

Suppose you’re struggling with a gambling addiction or know someone who does, contact the National Gambling helpline today via 1-626-960-3500. There are several advisors available to help make gambling safe for both you and your loved ones.

Don’t forget that gambling websites are rated 18+ only. More so, you may be unable to access the casino sites listed here, so ensure you check your local laws for online gambling and its legality.

For more free gambling addiction resources, visit these organizations: