Skip to main content

Kill germs and the darkness with the updated IllumiBowl toilet light

After the lights go out and it’s time for bed, there is nothing worse than having to use the bathroom lights again. Rather than blindly looking for the toilet, IllumiBowl created the very first toilet bowl night light back in 2014. Now, three years later, the company has improved on its design to create the IllumiBowl Anti-Germ.

The biggest addition to the device is an anti-germ diode. By using light waves that are 470 nanometers, the IllumiBowl Anti-Germ targets the most common germs while remaining completely safe for humans. It’s a medical-grade technology typically found in hospitals.

Recommended Videos

Every two minutes, the diode lights up for 15 seconds to kill off any new bacteria. Once a day, the light shines for 8 straight minutes to kill off whatever remains. After six minutes of exposure, the energy causes significant damage to the photoreceptors in bacteria. It’s all done without any harmful UV-C rays.

Other aspects of the design have been updated and refined since IllumiBowl’s original launch. Instead of AAA batteries, the Anti-Germ model will feature AA batteries for three times the power. The added juice should also keep IllumiBowl lasting nearly twice as long. While the body of the device has increased slightly to accommodate the extra power, it still retains a sleek design that allows it to go largely unnoticed in the bathroom.

IllumiBowl fits any toilet thrown at it with three brightness levels and eight colors patterns to choose from. A motion and light sensor ensures batteries are only used when needed.

The IllumiBowl Anti-Germ is currently available for pre-order through Kickstarter. For every $10 pledge, supporters will be supplied with one device for use within their own home. Shipments are scheduled to start in July.

Garrett Hulfish
Garrett is the kind of guy who tells you about all the tech you haven't heard of yet. He also knows too much about other…
Ultraloq showcases the first-ever ultra-wideband smart lock at CES 2025
Bolt Mission UWB + NFC installed on a white door.

Ultraloq showed off two smart locks at CES 2025 -- one of which is the first smart lock to ever offer ultra-wideband (UWB) support. The Ultraloq Bolt Mission UWB + NFC uses UWB technology to unlock automatically as you approach your front door. Similar functionality already exists on other smart locks, but UWB should allow the Ultraloq Bolt Mission to be more accurate than the competition.

The Bolt Mission uses technology similar to digital car keys, and Ultraloq says it can track the keyholder’s phone location with “centimeter-level” accuracy. As your phone gets closer to the front door, the Bolt Mission can be programmed to automatically unlock, giving you a hands-free way to get inside. Better yet, because the smart lock can detect both your distance and direction from the front door, it should prevent you from accidentally unlocking the smart lock while inside your home.

Read more
Ulticam shows off three AI-powered security cameras at CES 2025
The Ulticam IQ installed outside a home.

Ulticam, the new security camera brand of Xthings, revealed a lineup of three AI-powered cameras at CES 2025. The Ulticam IQ, Ulticam IQ Floodlight, and Ulticam Dot offer not just cool AI capabilities, but also free seven-day cloud storage -- which could make them a solid choice for value-minded shoppers leery about signing up for monthly storage plans.

The Ulticam IQ and IQ Floodlight are the main attractions, as they're packed with features that should pose solid competition for the best smart security cameras from Arlo, Nest, and Ring. The duo uses edge AI to quickly identify people, vehicles, and packages without needing to upload the video for server-side processing. This onboard processing should result in faster performance -- it’s also great for privacy and security, as your footage doesn’t have to leave your device.

Read more
Home Depot expands Hubspace smart home lineup at CES 2025
The Home Depot Hubspace logo on a white background.

Hubspace, Home Depot’s smart home platform, has seen impressive growth over the past few years, and that growth continued at CES 2025. Three new gadgets were revealed at the event, including a wireless power switch to control Hubspace products, a portable air conditioner, and a window-mounted air conditioner. All three are unique additions to the catalog -- and since there’s not much like them on the market, they should quickly become popular options in their respective niches.

The Hubspace Remote Switch is arguably the most useful of the three gadgets. Designed to look like a light switch, but with a removable remote controller, it works with select Hubspace light bulbs, fixtures, plugs, power sockets, surge protectors, and more. You’ll get standard on and off functions, plus access to brightness controls. Its sleek looks and versatility should make it a great choice for shoppers seeking an entry-level smart switch.

Read more