In-depth guides, expert tips, and buying advice to help you make the best purchasing decisions
Twenty-four Japanese saws compared. The Augusta-Heckenrose 44020 270 AMA leads, with Wolfcraft, Heatigo and Z-saw alternatives for all-round, detail and folding use.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Eleven bike cleaners compared on spray pattern, surface adhesion, dwell time and residue. Sonax Bike Cleaner is the all-round pick, with Liqui Moly and Finish Line as strong alternatives.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Thirty-one cat brushes compared on fur capture, cleaning, grip and build. The Secwell self-cleaning brush leads, with steam, glove and metal-rake alternatives.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-three bike frame bags compared for fit, capacity, access, construction and resistance to water. Zéfal Z Adventure C4 is the best all-rounder, with Rockrider, Ortlieb, Cube and Cyclite alternatives.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-eight fly screens compared across hook-and-loop mesh, aluminium frames, magnetic fixings and retractable systems, with Tesa the best overall.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Thirty-eight scanners compared across document, flatbed and mobile designs. The Ricoh ScanSnap iX1600 is the top document pick, Brother goes compact, Canon handles photographs and the iX100 travels light.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Thirty ballpoint pens compared for writing behaviour, balance, build and refill design, led by the Pelikan Jazz Noble Elegance.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Ninety-one internet radios compared. The Teufel Radio 3Sixty leads the models without CD, while the TechniSat DigitRadio 3 IR is the strongest all-in-one for disc collections.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Forty-three lunch boxes compared. The Bjorki Jausenbox für unterwegs is the compact overall pick, with Foxboxx, My Vesperbox, Bugucat and Omie alternatives for steel, fixed compartments, capacity and a thermal jar.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Fifteen dog-carrier backpacks compared for internal geometry, entry, base construction, mesh, straps and storage, led by the Pecute mesh-window backpack.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Nine current language translators compared for speech recognition, noisy-room performance, offline language support, camera translation and conversation handling.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Forty-one pizza cutters compared. The Burnhard Pizza-Wiegemesser is the best overall, Gozney makes the strongest wheel, and Valuxe remains a solid alternative.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Thirteen clothes airers compared for drying length, folding, stability, uneven loading and repeated wet-laundry use, led by the Leifheit Pegasus 180 Solid Plus.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Fourteen battery chargers compared for speed, slot independence, displays and supported cell formats, led by the Varta LCD Ultra Fast Charger+.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Four recommended wireless access points and eight also-tested models compared for Wi-Fi 6 and 7 speed, controller options, guest networks, PoE and power draw.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-one garden spades compared. The Baack Holsteiner Rüffel is the best all-rounder, with specialist recommendations for heavy ground, smooth forged finish, pointed digging and roots.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Eight sack trucks compared for leverage, platform size, frame rigidity, wheels, folding and measured load handling, led by the Wolfcraft TS 1500.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Nineteen tool belts and aprons compared. The Zakco Pro-20 is the top pick, Dewalt adds a strong drill holster, Stanley is the apron choice, Bosch is modular and Milwaukee handles bulky loads.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Seventeen named bean bags from a 20-model test compared. Lazy Bag Cotton leads for sitting and lying comfort; Bruni Classico suits indoor and outdoor use, while Lumaland, Green Bean and Gamewarez offer distinct gaming and lounging shapes.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Thirty-seven thermal tops and bottoms compared. The Ortovox 230 Competition Zip Neck leads for winter warmth and comfort, with strong blended, lightweight and value alternatives.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Ten KVM switches compared for computers, displays, USB, audio and switching. AV Access iDock C10 leads, with KD-E10 and Ugreen alternatives.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Eleven top-tube bike bags compared for fit, capacity, one-handed access, construction and water resistance. Rockrider ADVT 900 is the best all-rounder, with Cyclite, Cube and Lamicall alternatives.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Eleven induction pots compared for construction, lid fit, handles, capacity and heating. Nyord leads, with Fissler, WMF and Tefal alternatives.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
More than 50 dice games assessed, with Qwixx the quick top pick and strong recommendations for casino-style tension, confrontation, push-your-luck play and deeper strategy.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twelve oil sprayers compared for pump action, spread, bottle design and cleaning. Schmidt & Kramer leads, with Valuxe and TrendPlain as useful alternatives.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-three knife sets compared on cutting, construction, balance and contents, with a five-piece Damascus set leading four distinct alternatives.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Five recommended USB-C docking stations and 24 also-tested models compared for ports, bandwidth, display limits, charging power, dimensions, construction and cable length.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Thirty-two food steamers compared. The KeMar Kitchenware KFS-3000 is the stainless-steel pick for most kitchens, while the Steba DG 2 suits smaller households and the H.Koenig VAP12 offers 12 litres.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-five fabric scissors compared. Handi Stitch is the all-round winner, with strong alternatives from Jinjian, Fiskars, Premax and Damita for different hands and cutting jobs.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-two gas grills compared. The Enders Uniq 3 IK Cruster is the overall winner, with Rösle compact and all-round alternatives, the modular Burnhard Grant and a straightforward Enders pick.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Nineteen cat litter trays compared. The GarPet Jumbo Schalentoilette is the pick for most cats, with strong alternatives for top entry, large cats and a two-pan pellet system.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Ten reusable rain ponchos compared for water resistance, seam construction, packed size, hood adjustment and backpack coverage. Standwerk is the best all-rounder.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Thirty-eight rice cookers compared. The Reishunger Mini Reiskocher is the versatile pick for most kitchens, while the Lauben 1500AT brings distinctive design and the Arendo Mini suits smaller households.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Fifteen USB-C hubs from a 27-model test compared. The Ugreen CM512 is the best all-rounder, the Ugreen CM480 is the USB-C-only pick, and the Byeasy UH-109D combines four USB-A ports with a long cable and tethered USB-C adapter.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Thirty-eight named tool kits from a 47-case comparison. The Meister 131-piece case is the all-round pick, Stier offers greater breadth, kwb suits workshop fastening and Scheppach is the budget choice.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Six portable coffee makers compared on heating time, extraction, crema, battery endurance, weight and cleaning. The OutIn Nano is the best complete travel espresso maker.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
The Songmics Einkaufstrolley leads this 28-model guide, with better-finished, stair-climbing, bicycle-ready and high-capacity alternatives plus concise notes on every named also-tested trolley.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Thirty bicycle grips assessed for shape, damping, wet grip, fitting and riding style. The Ergon GS1 Evo is the best all-rounder, the SQlab 702 favours trekking comfort and the Ergon GT1 offers multiple positions for long rides.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Fifty-five ice scrapers compared. The compact Lyvanas EK2 is the best all-rounder, with exact picks for a brass edge, an integrated brush, extra reach and powered scraping.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
The Giro Cadet II is the best all-round road cycling shoe, with the Scott Vertec Boa for summer, Van Rysel RCR for direct transfer and Northwave Revolution 2026 as the premium pick.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
The Bosch ProSilence Serie 8 BGS7MS64 leads this 31-model bagless vacuum guide, with dedicated hard-floor, ultra-quiet and budget alternatives plus concise notes on every other tested model.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Thirty-two raclette grills compared. The Stöckli PizzaGrill 8 is the best all-rounder, with separate upper and lower heat, while Severin, Rommelsbacher and Klamer provide strong specialist alternatives.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Eleven manual leaf collectors compared. The Gardena 3565-20 is the easy-handling top pick, while the Dema Kehrmaschine 65 suits large open areas and the Primaster is the balanced alternative.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
More than 40 two-player board games assessed, with Patchwork the welcoming top pick and strong alternatives for strategy, cooperation, cards, dexterity and football.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-nine bicycle bells compared on measured loudness, tone, feel and handlebar fit. The Cateye PB-1000 is the pick for most riders, the Cateye OH-1400 is the loudest and the AirBell Original hides a tracker under the shell.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Eighteen car boot organisers compared. The Fortem FRTM-TO-V3 is the pick for most boots, the Athlon Tools XXL bag is the compact alternative, the Oasser E6-DE hangs off the seats when the load floor is full, and the Oemassive folding organiser is the value choice.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-two multitools compared. The Victorinox Swiss Tool is the all-round pick, the Leatherman Wave Plus has the best blades and saw, the NexTool Flagship Pro adds full-size scissors, and the Bibury 18 in 1 is the budget choice.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-two bench vices compared. The Brockhaus Heuer 100120 is the forged steel pick for most home workshops, the Leinen Junior 125 is the professional-grade choice, and the Vevor 6 Bench Vise is the sensible saving.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Forty-eight buggies compared. The Joie Mytrax Pro is the settled everyday pick, the Joie Signature Parcel LX folds small, the Bugaboo Butterfly travels, the ABC Design Avus Air 2 works from birth and the Lionelo Annet Plus is the value choice.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Nineteen nutcrackers tested. The Rösle Nussknacker 12781 is the pick for most kitchens, and the Hofmeister Holzwaren beech screw model is the good-looking alternative that does the work for you.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Sixty-six men's running shirts compared. The Columbia Zero Rules Light SS Crew leads the short-sleeved field, the Brooks Dash 1/2 Zip 2.0 the long-sleeved one, and the Odlo Zeroweight Engineered Chill-Tec is the lightest here at 99 g.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Sixteen dog water bottles compared. The Gizzy stainless steel bottle is the pick for most people, the Emmi-Pet 2in1 is the lighter plastic alternative with a treat compartment, and the Milu 3in1 keeps the contents hot or cold.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Thirteen children's snowsuits compared. The Trollkids Kirkenes is the pick for most families, the Isbjorn of Sweden Penguin leads on water column and grows with the child, and the Tchibo Kinder-Schneeanzug is the most affordable recommendation.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-four reusable nappies compared. The Judes two-part system is the pick for most families, the Kniti gives the slimmest fit, the Lybbie is the easiest all-in-one and the Littles and Bloomz pocket nappies are the value choice.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Fifteen push sweepers compared. The Kärcher S4 Twin is the pick for most drives and yards, the Einhell TE-SW 18/610 does the sweeping for you, and the Kränzle Colly 800 clears large flat areas fastest.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Sixty trail cameras compared. The BlazeVideo A106W is the pick for most people, the GardePro E8 is the sharpest by day with app control, and the Braun Scouting Cam Black800 5K keeps the most detail after dark.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Nine ultra-short-throw projectors compared. The Epson EH-LS650 is the pick for most living rooms, the Leica Cine 1 100-inch is the luxury option with a real broadcast tuner, and the LG PU615U is the one you can carry.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Forty-six pepper mills compared. The Peugeot Madras Manuelle leads on grind precision and build, the Skeppshult is the cast-iron heavyweight, and the Gefu Lamola is the sensible saving.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-one yoghurt makers compared. The Rommelsbacher Jona JG80 is the pick for most kitchens, the TZS First Austria FA-5120-2 gives free temperature and time control, and the Clatronic JM3344 makes a litre on a single switch.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Ten electronic bite alarms compared on measured volume, afterglow duration, rod-rest width and LED visibility. The Anaconda Blaxx iP set leads, with the MK Angelsport Carbon set and the Bluetooth Balzer MK-BT as alternatives.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Fourteen potting composts compared over four weeks of growing. The Compo Sana Qualitätsblumenerde leads on nutrient content, the Seramis Leichte Blumenerde is the light peat-free choice, and the Rewe Beste Wahl is the value all-rounder.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Thirty-nine children’s music players compared. The Boxine Toniebox 2 is the pick for most families, the Tigermedia Tigerbox Touch Plus adds a touchscreen and the best sound, and the Galakto player works entirely offline.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-three pairs of strap-on ice grips compared. The Camp Ice Master Pro leads on hold and fit, the Nortec Nordic is the all-rounder, and the Kahtoola Microspikes Ghost is the pick for trail running.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Eighteen electric arc lighters compared. The Zippo Z7A18 is the pick for most people, the Zippo double-arc insert is the best windproof design, and the Rouclo is the value choice.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Thirty-one submersible pumps compared. The AL-KO SUB 13000 DS Premium is the pick for clear water, the Gardena 19500 Aquasensor moves the most water, and the Karcher SP 22.000 Dirt is the choice for muck.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Ten gravel shoes compared. The Scott Gravel Pro is the comfortable all-round pick, the Rockrider Gravel Race 900 Habu Fit System is the stiff-soled surprise, and the Northwave Extreme X is the endlessly adjustable racer.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-five wheel cleaners compared on how much scrubbing they leave behind. The Sonax Xtreme Wheel Cleaner Plus is the pick, with the Dr. Wack P21S High End Wheel Cleaner and the Nigrin Performance Turbo foam alongside it.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-one wool detergents compared. The Ulrich natürlich wool, silk and sheepskin detergent is the pick for jumpers and outer layers, Cleanatics cleans hardest, Ecover Zero covers lanolin-free base layers and the Frosch balm is the value choice.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-two running vests compared. The Rab Veil 12 L is the pick for most runners, the Salomon Adv Skin 12 suits long distances, the Camelbak Apex Pro 12 L handles demanding terrain and the Zeitgeist Outdoor Ultrafit 4 is the value option.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Seven bicycle bottle cages compared. The SKS Germany Topcage is the adjustable pick for most riders, the Fidlock Twist Bike Base swaps the cage for a magnetic twist mount, and the Hilo Sports X-Lite is the lightweight at 25 grams.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twenty rechargeable table lamps compared. The Nordlux Ara To-Go 2 is the pick for most tables, the Sompex Ombrellino is the eye-catcher, and the Nordlux Ellen To-Go gives the brightest reading in the field.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Twelve upholstery cleaners compared. The Bissell SpotClean HydroSteam Pro is the pick for most sofas, the Shark StainStriker PX200EUT is the sensible saving, and suction, not spray, decides how fast a cushion dries.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Ninety-one wireless chargers compared on measured output. The Laut Power Charger Riser+ is the pick for most people, the Samsung EP-P2400T is the sensible all-rounder, and the Ugreen 55960 suits iPhone and AirPods owners.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Eighteen key safes frozen, flooded, sanded and attacked with hand tools. The Abus KeyGarage 797 was the only one nothing opened, the Advansecure M4 is the heavy-duty alternative and the Burgwaechter KeySafe 20 SB is the sensible saving.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Seventeen shirt ironers compared. The CLEANmaxx 2968 is the two-programme pick for most households, the Klarstein ShirtButler is the quiet shirt-and-trouser option, and the Tubie Original produced the best finish in the test.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Seventeen lawn spreaders compared. The Wolf-Garten WE 430 is the most precisely adjustable drop spreader for fertilising, the Gardena Spreader XL covers large lawns, and the Cemo SW 20-C is the heavy-duty choice.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-eight shower squeegees compared. The Kleine Wolke Lindo is the streak-free pick for every surface, the Leifheit Cabino is the comfortable one to hold, and the Ikea Lillnaggen is the sensible saving.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Six outdoor table tennis tables compared. The Sponeta S 5-73 e is the pick for most gardens, the Cornilleau 600X is the luxury choice, and the Donic Style 1000 Outdoor is the same table as the winner in different colours.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Fifteen 3D pens compared. The Filapen 3D Pen is the pick for most people, the 3Doodler Start+ runs at the lowest temperature here, and the Polaroid Candy Play 3D Pen draws in edible isomalt.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-nine LED grow lights compared. The Sanlight Stixx 50 is the pick for most indoor growers, the Spider Farmer SF600 covers a metre-wide shelf, and a plain cold-white batten raises seedlings on very little power.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Sixteen dog beds compared. The Hunter Merida is the pick for most households, the Bedsure cushion travels best, the Sabro Kudde is the configurable one and the Zooplus Flocke holds its rim shape.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Eight cleavers and Chinese chef’s knives compared. The F. Dick Red Spirit Ajax 20 cm is the balanced pick for most kitchens, the 1905 Ajax 22 cm adds working length, and the HexClad is the Damascus-steel indulgence.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-eight popcorn machines compared. The Princess 292986 is the fast, compact hot-air pick, the WMF Kuchenminis is the best hot plate, and the Rosenstein and Sohne Cinema makes the best-tasting popcorn of the lot.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Nine paper tablets compared. The Boox Note Air5 C wins on colour electronic ink, Android 15 and outright speed, the Amazon Kindle Scribe has the best monochrome screen, and the Kobo Elipsa 2E is the sensible saving.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
A guide to wired in-ear headphones drawn from an ongoing programme covering 120 models. The Sennheiser IE 100 Pro leads the entry class, the Fiio FH3 the middle class and the Beyerdynamic DT 70 IE the upper class.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Nineteen cordless secateurs compared. The Kebtek KT930 is the fastest and best balanced, the Worx WG330E is the light everyday choice, the Stihl ASA 20.0 is the best built and the Teeno CD610 is the cheaper surprise.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Fourteen dual-basket air fryers compared. The Philips Airfryer 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket wins on consistency and lit windows, the Cosori Turbo Tower Pro Smart is the app-connected alternative, and the MasterPro Rocket Duo 900 is the sensible saving.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Forty-four digital photo frames compared. The Pexar 2K is the pick for sharpness, storage and app control, while the Aura Frames Mason Luxe is the smart, cloud-only alternative.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Eighteen mini ovens compared. The Rommelsbacher BGE 1580/E wins on a 30-litre cavity, every heating mode a full oven has and a three-minute climb to 200 degrees, the Tefal Toast n’ Grill TL6008 is the portable pick, and the Ninja Combi 12-in-1 is the all-rounder.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twelve Blu-ray players compared. The Panasonic DMR-BCT760 (cable tuner) and DMR-BST760 (satellite tuner) lead as recorder-players with a built-in hard disc, alongside strong plain disc players from Panasonic and Sony for anyone who just wants to play discs.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Forty-one bike GPS computers and navigators compared. The Garmin Edge Explore 2 is the pick for most riders, the Sigma ROX 12.1 Evo is the closest a GPS computer gets to a full navigator, and the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar tops the range on features and battery life.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Twelve cast iron casseroles compared. The La Cuisine for Life 2175MB is the all-round pick, the Ottia LC is a strong alternative, and the Le Creuset LS2501-26716SS leads on cooking and heat retention for anyone prepared to spend more.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Thirty-one hair clippers compared. The Tondeo Eco XP Lithium is the all-round pick, the Wahl Rapid Clip and Panasonic Barikan ER-XT70 cover kit and contour work, and the Hatteker RFC-69031 is the budget choice.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-three turbo trainers compared. The Elite Justo 2 leads as a compact, quiet direct-drive smart trainer with precise power measurement, alongside four other picks spanning direct-drive and wheel-on designs.
John Higgins
22 Aug 2026
Ten electric floor mops compared. The Philips OneUp XV5113/01 is the pick for most homes, the Einhell Cleanexxo suits existing Power X-Change owners, and the Cecotec FreeGo Wash is the value choice in a category distinct from robot mops.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Seventy-nine robot lawnmowers compared. The Segway Navimow i215 Lidar is the pick for most gardens, the Dreame A3 AWD Pro 3500 handles steep and uneven ground, and the Ecovacs Goat A1600 Lidar Pro trims the edges properly.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Forty-five lawn scarifiers compared. The Husqvarna S 138C is the corded pick for most gardens, the Hecht 5676 handles very large lawns, and the Bosch UniversalVerticut 1100 leaves the sand and stones in the ground.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-two stove-top pressure cookers compared. The WMF Perfect One Pot leads on a dishwasher-rated lid and a plainly readable pressure display, the BRA Vitesse is the sensible saving with an all-metal control valve, and the Fissler Vitavit sets its pressure steplessly.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Fifty-nine leaf blowers and leaf vacuums compared. The Husqvarna 230iB leads the blowers, the Bosch UniversalGardenTidy 2300 the corded vacuum-shredders, and the Stihl SHA 56 shows what a cordless combination machine can do.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Twenty-nine cordless chainsaws compared. The Sabo CS-25 Comfort Line is the best all-rounder and ships with two bars, the Husqvarna 435i suits large quantities, and the Stihl MSA 80 C-B cuts construction timber cleanly.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Thirty garden shredders compared. The Atika ALF 2800 is the quiet roller pick for most gardens, the Bosch AXT 25 TC handles bulk hedge and tree work, and the Atika AMF 2800 gives fine mulch without the noise.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Thirty window-cleaning robots tested, and most homes do not need one. The Ecovacs Winbot W2S Omni is the sensible pick and the W3 Omni the luxury one, with the whole field covered on measured cleaning time, noise, weight and edge performance.
Matt Fankey
22 Aug 2026
Six cordless window vacuums compared: the Kärcher WV 6 Plus wins on tank size and glide, the Amazon Basics model is the value pick, and the Leifheit Dry & Clean brings a pole for high windows.
Matt Fankey
21 Aug 2026
Five nose and ear hair trimmers from a 42-device test: the Beurer HR 2000 leads on cutting, the Braun EN 10 is the quiet pick for ears, and mechanical, travel and full-kit options cover the rest.
Matt Fankey
21 Aug 2026
The best walking pads of 2026 from a test of 12 machines: the UREVO CyberPad for Home wins on incline and load rating, the CitySports CS-WP6 is the lightest and the price pick, plus belt size, noise and storage compared.
John Higgins
15 Aug 2026
The best office chairs of 2026 from a test of 38 models: the Ergotopia MasterBack Executive takes the win on adjustment, with the Clouvou CleverSeat 2.0 as the price pick, plus how to match a gas lift to your height.
Matt Fankey
15 Aug 2026
The best beard trimmers of 2026 compared on length adjustment, blade material, stated battery life and waterproofing, from the expandable Panasonic MultiShape and the 175-setting Remington MB4700 to the Braun BodyGroomer 5 budget pick.
Matt Fankey
15 Aug 2026
The best steam generator irons of 2026 from a test of 40 machines: the Tefal Express Protect SV9202 wins on the balance of steam, handling and price, with alternatives from Tefal and Rowenta and a full guide to steam output, soleplates and water.
Matt Fankey
15 Aug 2026
The best induction hobs of 2026: the Siemens EX975LXC1E iQ700 has the most complete feature set, the Neff T68STV4L0 N90 the cleverest controls, the Miele KM6367-1 by far the strongest boost, and the AEG TO64IA0AXB is the compact pick.
John Higgins
13 Aug 2026
The best microwaves of 2026: the Samsung MG23T5018CW is the easiest to live with, the Samsung MC32DB7746KDE1 replaces an oven, the Panasonic NN-SD36QSEPG is the roomiest solo machine, and the Cecotec Proclean 2010 Inverter is the smallest tested.
Matt Fankey
13 Aug 2026
The best dishwashers of 2026: the Siemens SN87TX00CE leads on efficiency and drying, the Bosch SMV6ZCX16E is the quietest and the best value, and the Bosch SMS6ZCI16E is the pick for kitchens with nowhere to build a machine in.
Matt Fankey
13 Aug 2026
The best heat-pump tumble dryers of 2026: the AEG TR9W75780 is the most efficient and the quickest, the Siemens WQ46B2D41 iQ700 is by far the quietest, the Samsung DV90DG52A0TE/EG is the most complete nine-kilogram package, and the Hisense DH3S802BW3 is the one that fits a shallow space.
Matt Fankey
13 Aug 2026
The best smart radiator thermostats of 2026: the tado° Smart Radiator Thermostat X takes the overall win, the Sonoff TRVZB is the budget pick, and the Aqara W600 has the richest feature set.
John Higgins
12 Aug 2026
The best fridge freezers of 2026: the LG GBB92MBB3P leads on capacity, efficiency and quiet running, the Bosch KGN36VICT is the value pick and the Miele KFN 7734 C the built-in choice.
Matt Fankey
12 Aug 2026
The best washing machines of 2026: the Gorenje W5G484A3P1 leads on efficiency, the Bosch WGB244071 is the strongest all-rounder, the Haier HW80-BP14637T has the quietest spin and the Hisense WF5S1045BW takes 10.5 kilograms.
Matt Fankey
12 Aug 2026
The best sewing machines of 2026: the W6 Wertarbeit N 1235/61 wins without being expensive, the Pfaff Select 3.2 adds integrated dual feed, and the Carina R-evolution 2020 is the budget computerised pick.
Matt Fankey
11 Aug 2026
The best waffle makers of 2026: the Gastroback 42424 is the most thought-through iron on test, the Krups FDD95D rotates to spread the batter, and the Tefal WM 311D bakes two waffles at once.
Matt Fankey
11 Aug 2026
The best toasters of 2026: the Graef TO62 is fastest with the most consistent browning, the Russell Hobbs Inspire offers more functions for less, and the Severin AT 2620 is the most consistent of all.
Matt Fankey
11 Aug 2026
The best kitchen scales of 2026: the Tefal Optiss BC50U0 takes the overall win, the Beurer KS 19 is the most accurate scale in the test, and the Soehnle Page Profi 100 is the best equipped.
Matt Fankey
10 Aug 2026
The best frying pans of 2026: the Henssler pan heats fastest and resists scratches, the AMT Gastroguss takes a removable handle into the oven, and the Tefal Day by Day is the lightweight.
Matt Fankey
10 Aug 2026
The best bread makers of 2026: the Rommelsbacher BA 550 baked the reference loaf of the test, and the Tefal PF240E38 is the easiest to live with.
Matt Fankey
10 Aug 2026
The best juicers of 2026: the Braun J500 is the tidiest worker with the biggest jug, the Severin ES 3570 is the value pick, and the Gastroback Vital Juicer Pro squeezes the most orange juice.
Matt Fankey
9 Aug 2026
The best electric blankets of 2026: the Beurer HD 82 Helsinki gives the most even warmth on test, with the cordless Stoov Big Hug XL for a desk and the cotton Medisana OL 800.
Matt Fankey
9 Aug 2026
Milk foam is best at about 65 degrees, and from 70 the milk begins to denature — which is why the hottest machine is not the best one. How to use a frother, how much each makes per pass, and four picks from a 37-model tested field.
Matt Fankey
8 Aug 2026
How a laser printer actually works, why LED printers are quietly taking over, what GDI means for anyone not on Windows, and the one reason to avoid a cheap inkjet entirely. Three picks from a 24-printer tested field.
John Higgins
8 Aug 2026
Two versions of the winning iron look almost identical and differ by 30 g/min of steam. How steam output, pressure and soleplate temperature actually interact, why low heat means no steam, how to clean an iron properly, and four picks from a 41-iron field.
Matt Fankey
8 Aug 2026
Most knife blocks that advertise sharpening only hone — they realign an edge and remove no material, so they cannot rescue a chipped blade. Only one block in a 35-model field genuinely grinds. How to hone, how to clean a block, and the three worth buying in the UK.
Matt Fankey
8 Aug 2026
A television with no Bluetooth and a hi-fi gathering dust are both fixable with a small adapter. Transmitter versus receiver explained, the latency codec that keeps TV sound in sync, what Auracast changes, and three picks from a 16-adapter tested field.
John Higgins
7 Aug 2026
Most laminating failures come from using the wrong pouch for the process, or heating something that should never be heated. Hot versus cold explained, why branded pouches should not be necessary, and four machines from a 23-model tested field.
Matt Fankey
7 Aug 2026
No lock here survives an angle grinder — the strongest folding lock tested lasted about 44 seconds. So the question is how much time, noise and effort a thief must spend. Destructive testing with a rucksack-sized bolt cutter, and the locks that held out longest.
John Higgins
7 Aug 2026
Carbon monoxide mixes with room air, so there is no universal rise-or-sink mounting rule — follow the instructions supplied with the specific alarm. What the EN 50291 alarm thresholds require, why sensors expire, and five alarms from a 19-model field.
Matt Fankey
7 Aug 2026
A nursery is dark exactly when you want to look at it, which is why video baby monitors were long more gadget than instrument. From a tested field of 31: why range matters more than resolution, what the radiation limits actually are, and the range-control setting worth switching off.
Matt Fankey
6 Aug 2026
Watt figures tell you almost nothing about how loud a party speaker goes — the number and size of the woofers do. From a tested field of 21 party boxes: the honest downside of party tuning, why bass ports let water in, and the heaviest model that is not mobile at all.
Matt Fankey
6 Aug 2026
The amplifier channel count caps what your home cinema can ever do, so count it before anything else. From a tested field of 48 receivers: the standout, the slimline option, the entry point — and the HDMI 2.1 silicon fault that no firmware update can fix.
John Higgins
6 Aug 2026
Choosing a smart speaker means choosing an assistant, an account and an app — not a set of drivers. From a tested field of 57 speakers and displays: the standout, the one that runs both assistants, and the two availability traps that catch UK buyers.
Matt Fankey
5 Aug 2026
You probably do not need a handheld vacuum, and the tested field says so plainly. If you want one anyway, two decisions matter: whose battery platform you are buying into, and accepting that every handheld is loud.
Matt Fankey
5 Aug 2026
Most gaming chair marketing is irrelevant to whether you are still comfortable four hours in. A tested field narrows it to fit and posture: seat measurements, a genuine 90-degree position, and whether the mechanism suits work as well as play.
Matt Fankey
5 Aug 2026
A car GPS tracker is bought for one moment. Four decisions determine whether it works then: subscription or one-off, battery or hardwired, 2G or 4G, and which alarms it can raise.
Matt Fankey
4 Aug 2026
A mini fridge only works if its cooling system matches what you put in it. A tested group of four settles when a silent thermoelectric model is fine, when only a compressor will do, and what these things really cost to run.
Matt Fankey
4 Aug 2026
The Series 11 won the entire tested smartwatch field, not just Apple's corner of it. What the sensors, the 2,000-nit display and the 20-hour battery actually mean day to day, where the Ultra 2 earns its extremes, and why the band matters more than the case.
Matt Fankey
2 Aug 2026
Ordinary Bluetooth is often the wrong tool for television. Why dedicated 2.4 GHz systems exist, what latency-free actually means when sound accompanies a picture, and five systems from a 22-model tested field — including the one that scales to a roomful of listeners.
Matt Fankey
1 Aug 2026
Sleep headphones exist for the nights earplugs cannot fix. From a 12-model tested field: the Soundcore Sleep A30 wins on cancelling plus snore masking at 3.1 grams a bud, the A20 is the value route, and the QuietOn 4 blocks sound without playing any.
Matt Fankey
1 Aug 2026
Forty-eight on-ear headphones were tested. The Valco VMK15 wins on sound, simplicity and comfort, the Marshall Major V takes the value slot on a measured 100-hour battery, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 is the rare on-ear that cancels noise properly, and the 66-gram Koss Porta Pro Wireless 2.0 remains the featherweight.
John Higgins
1 Aug 2026
Four daypacks from a specialist outdoor group test, each loaded with an identical six-kilogram day-tour kit and judged on fit, ventilation, handling, measured volume and robustness. The Deuter Futura Pro 32 and Gregory Alpinisto 30 took the highest grade; the Ferrino and Vaude took the value and everyday picks.
Matt Fankey
1 Aug 2026
The best IPL hair removal devices of 2026: the Philips Lumea 9000 Series wins with its skin-tone sensor and app, with the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 the strong alternative.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
Four ways to replace the Joy-Con: the official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller wins on build and 40 hours of battery, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 adds extra triggers, rear paddles and TMR sticks, the Turtle Beach Rematch is the licensed cheaper wireless option, and PowerA's Advantage is the wired route.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
The best camera tripods of 2026: the Manfrotto Element Traveller Carbon wins on build and height, with the sturdy Benro Mach3 and the lightweight, value Benro Slim.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
The best digital multimeters of 2026: the feature-packed Kaiweets HT118A wins at a fair price, with the tiny, no-frills Tesmen TM-510 for basic jobs on a budget.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
The best electric tyre inflators of 2026: the compact Xiaomi Portable Electric Air Compressor 2 wins, with the powerful Xiaomi 2 Pro and the versatile Bosch EasyPump.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
The best large Bluetooth speakers of 2026: the Hama x Canton UltiMate Pro wins on sound and value, with the bass-heavy Sony ULT Field 7 and the big-battery JBL Boombox 3.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
Fifty-nine head torches were tested; five earned recommendations. The Petzl Swift RL wins on reactive lighting and 1,100 lumen in a compact body, the Zweibrüder ZB5H on robustness and battery flexibility, the Swift LT on weight, the Lupine Penta Pro on build and illumination, and the Lepro on sheer output for the money.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
The best gimbals of 2026: the DJI Osmo Mobile 8 wins for smartphones, with the Hohem iSteady V3 alternative and the DJI RS 4 Mini for mirrorless cameras.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
The best suitcases of 2026: the American Tourister Soundbox Spinner wins on value and durability, with the premium, lifetime-guaranteed Briggs & Riley Baseline for frequent travellers.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
The best PC speakers of 2026: the Logitech Z407 wins with solid 2.1 bass and a wireless control puck, with the subwoofer-free Edifier R1280DB and the value Trust Arys 2.0.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
The best thermos flasks of 2026 for hot drinks on the go: the Thermos Stainless King wins on insulation, with the iconic Stanley Classic Legendary and the value Esbit Classic.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
Choosing a camera bag is really choosing how to carry it: shoulder bag, sling or backpack. Six recommendations across all three types, from the simple Forclaz shoulder bag and the Peak Design Everyday Sling V2 to the Decathlon NH Explorer 900 Focus and the Manfrotto Advanced Fast III.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
Six ways to carry a phone on a bike: the Quad Lock case-and-clip system leads on security, SP Connect offers more ways to attach the phone you already own, the Loop Mount grips it without a case at all, and the Beeline Velo 2 lets you leave the phone in your pocket.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
The best car phone mounts of 2026: the universal iOttie Easy One Touch 5 wins, with the MagSafe charging Belkin BoostCharge Pro and the budget Lamicall vent mount.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
The best PC game controllers of 2026: the Razer Wolverine V2 wins for keen gamers, with the do-anything Xbox Wireless Controller and the retro-styled 8BitDo Pro 3.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
The best beginner mirrorless cameras of 2026: the Nikon Z50II wins with mid-range tech at an entry price, with the vari-angle Canon EOS R50 and the value all-rounder Sony Alpha 6100.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
The best fever thermometers of 2026 for fast, accurate readings: the contactless Braun Sensian 7 wins, with the Braun ThermoScan 7 for the ear and the budget NUK Flash.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
The best kids headphones of 2026 with safe volume limiting: the Philips TAK4200 wins, with the noise-cancelling JBL JR 460NC and the budget iClever BTH12.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
Analogue or hybrid decides how much film you waste, and pack sizes differ — eight shots on Polaroid against ten on Fujifilm. The Instax Wide Evo, Instax Mini 12 and Polaroid Go Generation 2 from a 32-camera tested field.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
The best smart grill thermometers of 2026 for perfectly cooked meat: the wireless MEATER Pro wins, with the great-value ThermoMaven P1 and the four-probe MEATER Pro XL.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
Four phone photo printers worth buying: the Kodak Mini 2 Retro P210R prints about 30 per cent larger than the pocket norm, the Canon Selphy QX20 leads the compacts on quality, the Selphy CP1500 takes the best prints and lowest running costs, and the Instax Link Wide brings instant-film charm.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
Four inexpensive fitness bands worth wearing: the Huawei Band 10 wins on a 1.47-inch AMOLED, convincing accuracy and a fortnight of battery, the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 offers the biggest screen, and the Amazfit Band 7 and Honor Band 10 cover the same ground for less — plus an honest account of what these sensors can and cannot measure.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
The Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 3000 leads this 45-model water-flosser test, with Zahnheld, Panasonic, Happybrush and Coslus alternatives for different controls, tank sizes and run times.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
The best smart scales of 2026 for tracking weight and body composition: the Withings Body Smart wins, with the accurate Tanita BC-401 and the premium Withings Body Scan.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
The best USB microphones of 2026 for streaming, podcasts and calls: the Audio-Technica AT2040USB wins, with the classic Blue Yeti Nano and the budget Razer Seiren V3 Mini.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
The best epilators of 2026 for long-lasting smooth skin: the Braun Silk-epil 9 (9-061) wins, with the comfort-packed Panasonic ES-EY90 and the flexible-head Braun Silk-epil 9 Flex.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
The most damaging move is straightening freshly washed hair — the protective oil layer is not back yet. From a 45-model tested field: the 200-degree ceiling, ceramic coatings decoded, and why the Dyson Airstrait is the one straightener allowed near wet hair.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
Three mini Bluetooth speakers worth carrying: the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 wins on bass, 24-hour battery, IP68 protection and a strap-and-magnet mount, the JBL Clip 5 is the grab-and-go clip-on, and the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore is the aluminium-bodied premium choice.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
Four dehumidifiers worth buying: the Bosch Dry 4000 wins on quiet, economical simplicity, the MeacoDry Arete Two 25L is the app-controlled luxury pick with HEPA H13 filtration, the Trotec TTK 66 E is the dependable mid-range choice, and the Arete One 20L is the efficient all-rounder.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
The best label printers of 2026 for home and office: the Brother QL-800 wins for the desk, with the compact Phomemo M120 and the budget Niimbot B1 for phone-based labelling.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
The best hand mixers of 2026 for baking: the Krups 3Mix 7000 wins on power and quiet, with the premium retro Smeg HMF01 and the bargain Ariete Vintage.
Matt Fankey
18 Jul 2026
Every disappointing graphics tablet purchase starts with buying the wrong class: a pen display puts the image under the nib, a pen tablet does not. From a tested field of 36, why 16,384 pressure levels is the number to ignore, and the nib costs nobody budgets for.
John Higgins
18 Jul 2026
The best stand mixers and kitchen machines of 2026 for home baking: the Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker wins, with the iconic KitchenAid Artisan Bowl-Lift and the bread-specialist Ankarsrum Assistent.
Matt Fankey
17 Jul 2026
Five open-ear headphones worth buying: the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 wins on sound and IP55 ruggedness, the JBL Soundgear Sense brings more bass through air conduction, the Huawei FreeClip 2 is the clip-design pick, the OpenSwim Pro adds IP68 and 32 GB of onboard storage, and the Earfun OpenJump is the value choice.
John Higgins
17 Jul 2026
The best hand blenders of 2026 for soups, smoothies and sauces: the Braun MultiQuick 7 wins on control, with the powerful 1200 W MultiQuick 9 and the Philips ProMix as the non-Braun alternative.
Matt Fankey
17 Jul 2026
Four steam cleaners worth buying: the Kärcher SC 2 Deluxe EasyFix wins on water capacity, 3.2 bar and even steam output, the Hoover Steam Capsule 2in1 is the most versatile thanks to its detachable hand unit, the Polti Vaporetto Smart 110 Eco offers boiler pressure with mid-use refilling, and the Vileda Steam Plus is the manoeuvrable budget pick.
Matt Fankey
17 Jul 2026
The best WiFi repeaters of 2026: AVM's Fritz range swept the test, led by the FritzRepeater 6000, though for most homes the far cheaper 1700 is already enough.
John Higgins
17 Jul 2026
Ink tank printers invert the usual economics: makers charge properly for the hardware and sell refill ink extremely cheaply in large bottles. That saves heavy printers real money — and makes these the wrong purchase entirely if you print occasionally.
John Higgins
17 Jul 2026
The best kettles of 2026 for a safe, fast brew: the Philips 3000 HD9318/20 is the value pick for most, with the Bosch Styline for temperature control and the Tefal BI8125 for compact use.
Matt Fankey
17 Jul 2026
The best cordless drills of 2026 for home DIY: the compact Metabo PowerMaxx BS 12 wins and is the value pick, with the DeWalt DCD701D2 for hardwood power and the Makita DF333DSAE for ergonomics.
Matt Fankey
17 Jul 2026
The best turntables of 2026 for vinyl at home: the Reloop Turn 2 is the value pick for most, the Pro-Ject Debut E Carbon the audiophile step-up, and the Technics SL-1200 MK7 the direct-drive icon.
John Higgins
17 Jul 2026
The best pressure washers of 2026 for patios, drives and cars: the robust Nilfisk Core 140 wins, with the popular Kärcher K3 the value pick and the Bosch UniversalAquatak the budget choice.
Matt Fankey
17 Jul 2026
The best drones of 2026: the DJI Flip is the sub-250g pick for most buyers, the Neo 2 and Neo are the budget routes, and the DJI Mavic 4 Pro is the flagship for serious aerial video.
John Higgins
17 Jul 2026
The oven with the biggest numbers did not win. A 1,760 W electric model made the best pizza in under three minutes, while the 500 °C gas oven with the largest stone heated unevenly and finished mid-table. What the testing measured, and which ovens earned their place.
Matt Fankey
17 Jul 2026
The best portable power stations of 2026: the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus is the most capable, the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max runs an induction hob, and the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 charges in about an hour.
John Higgins
17 Jul 2026
Two identical-looking cables, one big decision: HDMI 2.1 carries over double the bandwidth and unlocks 4K at 120 Hz, VRR, ALLM and eARC — but only if your TV has the port. When 2.0 is the smarter buy, and the certification logo to check first.
John Higgins
15 Jul 2026
Two laptops can carry the same graphics chip and deliver visibly different frame rates — the specification that explains it is TGP, the power budget the chassis allows. One pick runs its RTX 5060 at 85 W and trails laptops with the lesser RTX 5050. Seven machines compared.
John Higgins
15 Jul 2026
Makers print peak read speed; the number that stops your camera dropping frames is the guaranteed minimum write speed. The Speed Class, UHS and Video Speed Class symbols decoded, plus six recommended cards for 4K from Samsung, SanDisk, PNY and Lexar.
John Higgins
15 Jul 2026
The dearest mistake is paying 10-20% extra for factory overclocks that deliver 2-3%. The VRAM rule (8 GB for 1080p, 12 for 1440p, 16 for 4K), why DLSS 4.5 is the quiet decider, and five picks led by the Gigabyte RTX 5070 WindForce OC SFF.
John Higgins
15 Jul 2026
Eight televisions picked from a field of 57: the LG OLED 55G6 wins outright, the TCL 65C7K is the budget choice, the Sony Bravia 9 II is the brightest LCD at nearly 4,000 cd/m², and the Philips 65OLED959 adds Ambilight and a 5.1.2 sound system — plus how much peak brightness is actually useful.
John Higgins
15 Jul 2026
The spec that decides how your phone ages is RAM: 12 GB is now the floor for on-device AI. Six picks from a full field — the S26 Ultra with its S-Pen and privacy screen, the 7,300 mAh OnePlus 15, the ZEISS-equipped Vivo X300 Pro and the compact iPhone 17 Pro.
John Higgins
15 Jul 2026
A litre of printer ink has been calculated to cost more than a litre of luxury perfume — which is why the machine is rarely the expensive part. Inkjet against laser on cost per page, why ink dries out and how to stop it, and which manufacturers block refilled cartridges.
Matt Fankey
15 Jul 2026
The letters in a router name tell you most of what you need: AC is obsolete, AX is good value, BE is Wi-Fi 7. From a seven-model field — why you usually cannot remove your provider box, why internal antennas are not weaker, and when a mesh system is the right purchase instead.
John Higgins
15 Jul 2026
Smart bulbs are sold on colour and voice control, but the number that decides whether a room is lit is real lumens — estimate it as watts times 70. The room-by-room lux table, and why Wi-Fi versus ZigBee is the choice that shapes everything after it.
Matt Fankey
15 Jul 2026
DPI is the specification everyone shops on and the one that matters least — almost every gaming mouse lets you change it; the shape in your hand you cannot change. Optical versus laser sensors, genre-matched designs, and eight picks from 59 grams to 20 buttons.
John Higgins
15 Jul 2026
Most smart plugs that "will not pair" are on the wrong Wi-Fi band. The compatibility checks worth making before you order, what the features actually do, the three ways to control a plug, and the models worth considering.
Matt Fankey
14 Jul 2026
The number on the box is not the number that reaches your phone, and the reason is voltage: cell capacity and output capacity are quoted at different volts, so compare watt-hours and rated output instead. Seven picks from 211 grams to laptop-charging power.
John Higgins
14 Jul 2026
Pressure cooking and slow cooking are opposite methods, and most multicookers do both. Why the quoted cooking times are never the whole story, why recipes transfer between machines, and five picks from a 30-model tested field.
Matt Fankey
14 Jul 2026
The JBL Tour One M3 leads this 57-product wireless noise-cancelling field, with the EarFun Tune Pro for exceptional endurance, Bose for cancellation, Bowers & Wilkins for sound, and Sony for battery life.
John Higgins
14 Jul 2026
The pascal figure on a robot vacuum misleads twice: brands quote incomparable units, and the maximum is not what the robot runs at. Six value picks decoded — including the Roomba that compacts its own dust and the 13,000 Pa carpet specialist.
Matt Fankey
14 Jul 2026
Is an OLED safe for eight hours of Excel? Honestly: it is not the best choice — static toolbars are exactly what burn-in likes. Six work monitors compared, plus why 120 Hz is a productivity feature, what a KVM switch saves you, and the 5K scaling argument.
John Higgins
14 Jul 2026
Most disappointing coffee machine purchases are a type mismatch, not a bad machine. Capsule, superautomatic, manual and filter compared honestly — including the catch that most superautomatics still make you froth the milk yourself — plus five questions that decide it.
Matt Fankey
14 Jul 2026
Six keyboards for people who type for a living: the Logitech MX Mechanical for quiet mechanical work, the Keychron K2 MAX for compact versatility, the MX Keys S for low-profile typing, the Apple Magic Keyboard for Macs, the 8BitDo Commodore for work and play, and the Logitech Ergo K860 for ergonomics.
John Higgins
14 Jul 2026
The constraint that decides whether a mini PC still suits you in three years is not the processor — it is that these machines accept very few modifications, with memory usually limited to two SO-DIMM slots. Stick, tower or barebone, and how to match one to the job.
John Higgins
14 Jul 2026
The decision that governs comfort is not the brand but the head: rotary for a thick, multi-directional beard or occasional shaving, foil for fine hair, sensitive skin and daily use. What smart sensors and self-cleaning bases actually add, and five recommended models.
Matt Fankey
14 Jul 2026
Seven cheap soundbars worth buying: the Hisense HS3100 leads on a true 3.1 layout with a dedicated centre channel and 480 watts, the Sonos Ray is the ultra-compact option, the LG S40T the modern all-rounder, and the TCL S55HE squeezes virtual Dolby Atmos into the budget band.
John Higgins
14 Jul 2026
The best humidifiers for dry indoor air in 2026, from a compact aroma model to a 7.5-litre unit that runs for days, plus the Philips Series 3000 and clear advice on tank size, coverage and noise.
Matt Fankey
14 Jul 2026
The honest starting point: phones grew to 6.7 inches and laptops got lighter, so the case for a tablet narrowed. Affordable tablets are secondary devices — and excellent ones. The OS decision, the size guide, and eight picks with measured brightness and battery figures.
John Higgins
14 Jul 2026
Four M.2 NVMe drives worth buying in 2026: the Samsung 990 Pro for most high-end builds, the 9100 Pro for outright PCIe 5.0 speed, the Crucial P310 for value and the P510 for affordable Gen 5 — plus what SATA, PCIe generations, TLC and QLC memory and cooling actually mean for the drive you end up with.
John Higgins
14 Jul 2026
A fan cannot cool a room — it cools you, by speeding up evaporation from your skin. From a tested field of 109 fans: which body style actually moves air, why more blades cost less to run, and the Levoit model-code suffix that changes by country.
Matt Fankey
14 Jul 2026
Forty-eight jug blenders were tested. The Bosch VitaBoost wins on 1,600 watts, 30,000 rpm and six automatic programmes, the Braun PowerBlend 9 lets you choose the texture, the Vitamix Explorian E310 is the power ceiling, and the Philips HR2291/41 is the compact budget pick.
Matt Fankey
14 Jul 2026
The winner has the lowest resolution in the field at 1.3 megapixels and the clearest picture, while a 5-megapixel rival produced the worst image tested. Why HDR beats megapixels, the storage decision that avoids subscriptions, and three doorbells worth fitting.
Matt Fankey
13 Jul 2026
H13 HEPA cannot catch a lone virus particle — but infection rides on far larger aerosols, which these filters remove reliably. From a 44-model tested field: the Xiaomi 4 Lite wins, with a measured small-room pick and a design choice for minimalists.
Matt Fankey
13 Jul 2026
The bar figure on an espresso machine box is the pump maximum, not the nine bar the coffee actually needs — the honest check is a 25-to-30-second shot with proper crema. From a 29-machine tested field: why home users need not pay for a dual boiler, and PID in plain English.
Matt Fankey
13 Jul 2026
Hair starts taking damage above 70 degrees, and that single number decides which hair dryer is worth buying. A tested field settles what temperature control, ionic technology and technique actually contribute.
John Higgins
13 Jul 2026
The best coffee grinders of 2026: the Eureka Mignon Specialità takes the overall win, the Lelit William PL72 is the espresso specialist and the Baratza Encore ESP is the pick for filter and French press.
Matt Fankey
13 Jul 2026
An e-reader is two decisions in one: the device, and the bookshop you will be locked to. From a 53-reader tested field — the Kindle golden cage versus the open ePub world, why colour E-Ink costs you text quality, and the phone-sized reader that escapes the question entirely.
Matt Fankey
13 Jul 2026
What triggers the alarm is almost never a burglar — it is the neighbour's cat, playing children or wind in the branches. Why object filters matter more than megapixels, why card-only storage walks away with the camera, and the outdoor cameras worth mounting.
Matt Fankey
13 Jul 2026
The dearest brush in a range and the cheapest clean about equally well — that is what the dentists and the independent testing say. What the Cochrane evidence really shows, the technique most people get wrong, and the only two extras worth paying for.
Matt Fankey
13 Jul 2026
One number decides whether studio headphones will work with your phone at all: impedance, where 100 ohms and up is ruled out for mobile use. From a 96-headphone tested field — dynamic versus magnetostatic drivers, open versus closed, and six picks led by the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro Plus.
John Higgins
13 Jul 2026
What separates mesh systems is rarely headline speed. A tested field settles the differences that matter: backhaul design, whether the ports can carry more than a gigabit, and which kits demand a cloud account or a subscription before they work properly.
John Higgins
4 Jul 2026
The most consequential smartwatch fact is not on any spec sheet: the platforms do not interoperate, so your phone chooses your watch. Plus the data-protection warning worth reading, measured blood-oxygen and ECG findings, and four picks including a watch with a real blood pressure cuff.
Matt Fankey
4 Jul 2026
Nine flagship phones worth buying: the iPhone 17 Pro for balance, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 for folding, the S26 Ultra for its Privacy Display and battery optimisation, the OnePlus 15 for endurance at 7,300 mAh and 31 hours, and the Nothing Phone (3) for personality and seven years of updates.
John Higgins
4 Jul 2026
A phone beats a compact camera in good light and loses badly once it fades. From a 24-model tested field, three cameras worth the carry — and the model-name traps, including a Ricoh variant that cannot shoot in colour.
John Higgins
4 Jul 2026
The action camera market is now a two-horse race — and DJI's mounts fit GoPro's, which nearly solves the accessory question before you start. Plus the cold-weather battery that adds about 40% runtime, and why the SD card is part of the camera's price.
John Higgins
4 Jul 2026
The best dash cams of 2026, with UK prices verified on 2 August. The Transcend DrivePro 230Q leads on picture quality and event handling, with 4K, dual-camera and wide-angle alternatives.
John Higgins
4 Jul 2026
The speed on the box is a ceiling, not a promise — plug a USB4 drive into an ordinary port and it runs at the port's pace. From a 38-drive tested field: the USB naming decoder, measured sustained-write truths, and eight picks led by the LaCie Rugged SSD4.
John Higgins
4 Jul 2026
Pick the size before you compare anything else — a mini speaker and a party box are not competing products. From roughly 300 speakers heard across five categories: what battery figures really mean, how far Bluetooth actually reaches, and a winner in each class.
Matt Fankey
4 Jul 2026
A 126-keyboard group test settles what actually matters in a gaming keyboard: magnetic switches, rapid trigger and SOCD. The overall winner is not sold in the UK, so the practical picks are the Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid and, for a number pad, the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3.
Matt Fankey
4 Jul 2026
Office mice fail in predictable ways: the wrong connection type, a dead battery, or a click that annoys the room. A tested field settles what actually matters — dongle or Bluetooth, how many devices, and why 1,000 DPI is the only sensor number worth checking.
John Higgins
4 Jul 2026
The most important earbud specification is the case, not the buds — per-charge figures run as low as 2.5 hours, and the fifteen-minute recharge test separates models more than peak runtime does. From a 112-pair tested field, with the occlusion effect explained.
John Higgins
3 Jul 2026
Six OLED televisions worth buying: the LG OLED 55G6 wins outright on over 3,400 cd/m² and near-complete DCI-P3 coverage, the Samsung S90F is the value QD-OLED, the LG G5 pairs 3,000 cd/m² with unusual efficiency, and the Philips 65OLED959 adds Ambilight and a 5.1.2 sound system.
John Higgins
3 Jul 2026
The average cordless vacuum lasts just 12 minutes at full power — the number nobody prints. From a 50-model tested field: where cordless beats corded (carpet) and where it loses (hard floor), the swap-battery trick, and seven picks from Miele to Bosch.
John Higgins
3 Jul 2026
The litre figure describes the basket, not the food — in a four-litre air fryer, cook no more than a kilo of chips or the air cannot circulate. From a 31-model tested field: the one-element mechanism, the tower design that saves worktop, and the 240-degree outlier.
John Higgins
3 Jul 2026
The best gaming monitors of 2026, with UK prices verified on 2 August. The MSI MPG 322URX QD-OLED leads on picture quality, with ultrawide, QD-OLED and budget alternatives.
John Higgins
3 Jul 2026
The best wireless gaming headsets of 2026, with UK prices verified on 2 August. The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro leads on microphone quality, with Beyerdynamic, SteelSeries, JBL and Logitech alternatives.
John Higgins
3 Jul 2026
The best Qi wireless power banks of 2026, with UK prices verified on 2 August. The 4smarts TitanPack leads on measured capacity, with two Anker MagGo packs as the practical everyday buys.
John Higgins
3 Jul 2026
The best massage guns of 2026, with UK prices verified on 2 August. The Flowlife Flowgun Ultra leads on adjustable amplitude, with Therabody, Orthomechanik and Bob and Brad alternatives.
John Higgins
3 Jul 2026
The best height-adjustable standing desks of 2026. The Boho Office Basic Line leads on stability at full height, with the Ofinto Rise, Flexispot E7 Pro and Secretlab Magnus Pro as alternatives.
John Higgins
3 Jul 2026
A sports watch carries the same sensors as a smartwatch and takes each of them considerably further — multi-GNSS instead of plain GPS, heart rate you can train zones against, and recovery data. Fifteen picks across three tiers, and what each tier actually buys.
John Higgins
3 Jul 2026
Cheap no longer means bad — the compromises just moved. Screens are now AMOLED at this level; cameras and 3D gaming are where the corners are cut. Four tested picks, with software support running from two years to six.
John Higgins
3 Jul 2026
The best handheld gaming consoles of 2026, with UK prices verified on 2 August. The Steam Deck OLED leads on screen, price and software, with the Nintendo Switch 2, Asus ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go close behind.
John Higgins
3 Jul 2026
The best robot vacuum-mops of 2026, from a tested field of eight. The DJI Romo P leads on navigation and app polish, the Mova V50 Ultra Complete is the value flagship, and Roborock and Dreame follow close behind for suction and mopping.
John Higgins
3 Jul 2026
Four free Word alternatives compared — LibreOffice, Google Docs, FreeOffice and Writemonkey — plus the official way to use Microsoft Word free.
John Higgins
2 Jul 2026
The best smart rings of 2026, with UK prices verified on 2 August. The RingConn Gen 3 leads on features, operation and battery, with the Oura Ring 5 and Samsung Galaxy Ring as the main alternatives.
John Higgins
2 Jul 2026
A mobile router turns a SIM into a proper all-day Wi-Fi network — and unlike your phone, many still have removable batteries, the single best predictor of how long the device stays useful. Five picks spanning Wi-Fi 4 to Wi-Fi 7, with measured speeds for each.
John Higgins
2 Jul 2026
The useful battery figure is measured under a stated workload — 10 hours 40 of Full HD video, not "all-day". From a 54-notebook tested field: the processor tiers that match work to silicon, five picks with real measurements, and the same-name-different-chip trap.
John Higgins
2 Jul 2026
Two numbers on a tablet spec sheet are close to useless: battery capacity, which predicts runtime badly, and the headline processor generation. From a tested field of 73 — why IPS is fine, why 16 GB is the real floor, and where last year’s silicon saves you money.
John Higgins
2 Jul 2026
The megapixel count is the number that tells you least about a phone camera — and very high resolution can actively hurt low-light photos, which is why phones bin four pixels into one. What aperture, sensor size and software really decide, across a tested field.
John Higgins
2 Jul 2026
The choice is not which 3D printer but which technology: FDM is cheaper and lets you buy filament from anyone, while SLA prints finer detail but usually locks you to the maker’s own resin. From a 13-printer field, including the safety practice each one actually requires.
John Higgins
2 Jul 2026
The most expensive over-ear headphones are not the most comfortable — the number of ways they adjust to your head predicts that better than price does. From a 58-pair field: what ANC genuinely cannot do, and why the huge battery figures are the wrong ones to shop on.
John Higgins
12 Jun 2026
Cheap full-frame cameras still use magnesium bodies and sealed builds — the savings hide in stabilisation, card slots and viewfinders instead. From a 95-camera tested field: why the sensor physics favours even budget full-frame, and where each affordable body cuts its corner.
John Higgins
11 Jun 2026
The costliest CPU mistake is a chip that fits the socket but not the chipset — and some boards cannot even update without a compatible CPU installed. From a 62-processor tested field: AMD against Intel in plain terms, the cooling that stops silent throttling, and six picks.
John Higgins
11 Jun 2026
A device-focused comparison of 87 blood pressure monitors: Omron X3 Comfort leads the upper-arm field, while Sanitas SBC 22 leads the wrist models, with five alternatives for connectivity, memory and portability.
Matt Fankey
11 Jun 2026
The best NAS for beginners in 2026: the Synology DS223j wins on software and snapshots, with the fast Asustor Drivestor 2 Pro, the step-up Synology DS225+, the powerful Ugreen NASync DXP4800 Plus and the silent Terramaster F4 SSD.
John Higgins
11 Jun 2026
A bean-to-cup machine is a maintenance relationship, not a purchase — and most of its running cost is cleaning. From a tested field of 54: why the brew unit decides everything, the three milk systems, and the three brands whose machines you can never open up.
John Higgins
11 Jun 2026
We compare 53 speakers from nine multiroom ecosystems. Sonos wins with the most mature platform and the superb Five, while Teufel, Bose, Denon Home and Yamaha MusicCast each earn a recommendation for a different kind of listener.
John Higgins
11 Jun 2026
We compare 45 camping chairs, from 650-gram ultralight folders to reclining clap-frame armchairs. The Outwell Tidal wins by combining folding-chair portability with an adjustable backrest, with picks for tall people, tiny pack sizes and gram-counting hikers.
John Higgins
11 Jun 2026
Three portable air conditioners worth buying from a 34-unit test programme: the De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EX105 for efficiency, the AEG Comfort 6000 for app control and the compact Dreo 318S for a bedroom — plus why monoblocks cannot match a split system, what the window seal really matters for, and how to work out the running cost from your own tariff.
John Higgins
11 Jun 2026
Three Chromebooks worth buying: the Lenovo Chrome 14M9610 takes the win on its OLED display, ARM chip and silent, long-lasting operation, the Samsung Chromebook Plus 15 answers with a larger AMOLED panel and an SSD, and the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 is the detachable price tip.
John Higgins
11 Jun 2026
Seven budget motorcycle helmets compared: the HJC i71 leads with a huge field of view and glove-friendly controls, ahead of the Airoh Spark 2 and bargain Scorpion Exo-391 — plus ECE 22.06, MIPS and emergency-release explained.
Matt Fankey
11 Jun 2026
The winner changes tier by tier, and the deciding factor is usually not the hardware — it is how many years of updates you get. Samsung promises up to seven; Poco now guarantees five. Where each brand actually wins, from entry level to no limit at all.
John Higgins
11 Jun 2026
The best ice cube makers of 2026: the WIE machine beats everything on speed and running costs, the Gastroback Bartender Pro rules big parties, and the Caso, Klamer, Silvercrest, Medion, Solis, Euhomy and Silonn all get measured against them.
Matt Fankey
11 Jun 2026
Every projector's brightness figure is measured in absolute darkness, which is why 400 lumens can be plenty and ten times that can be too little. The lumens-to-room-lighting ladder, what throw ratio really decides, and the projectors worth buying.
John Higgins
11 Jun 2026
"Waterproof" hides three different promises. IP65 resists water jets; IP67 survives 30 minutes at 1 metre; IP68 covers continuous immersion — but only to the depth the maker separately states. What the digits mean, and the phones that earn them.
John Higgins
11 Jun 2026
The best mini projectors of 2026: the Aurzen Boom Mini leads with a bright Full-HD picture and rich sound, the Eazze D1G takes the value crown — plus the battery, laser and ultra-short-throw picks worth knowing.
John Higgins
11 Jun 2026
The Insta360 Link 2 Pro won on image quality with a motorised gimbal that keeps you in frame, the Aukey PC-LM1E is the tested value pick, and the Logitech Brio 500 has the cleanest microphone. What resolution actually matters, which cameras carry a privacy shutter, and the one to avoid.
John Higgins
11 Jun 2026
The KEF XIO won the test on film and music performance with automatic room measurement, while the Samsung QS710GF takes the price tip as the best bar-and-subwoofer combination — and manages 3D sound with no satellite speakers at all. Plus the TCL Q85H Pro, JBL Bar 1000MK2 and Sonos Arc Ultra.
John Higgins
11 Jun 2026
Apple's AirPods Max 2 keeps the same silhouette, but the switch to the H2 chip, smarter listening modes and wired lossless support make the update more meaningful than the familiar design first suggests.
John Higgins
13 Apr 2026
The Oppo Find N6 looks less like another annual foldable refresh and more like a serious attempt to erase the crease problem that still defines the category. Early hands-on impressions suggest Oppo has produced one of the most convincing book-style foldables yet, even if wider availability remains the obvious frustration.
John Higgins
13 Apr 2026
The POCO X8 Pro looks like one of those rare mid-range phones that gets one big thing disproportionately right. Its display brightness figures put it in company that usually costs far more, even if that does not automatically make it a better all-round phone than the flagships it embarrasses on this one metric.
John Higgins
13 Apr 2026
The updated Dacia Jogger Hybrid 155 strengthens an already unusual family car recipe. It keeps the price in check, adds a more convincing hybrid powertrain and remains one of the cheapest ways to get seven seats, genuine practicality and low running costs in one package.
Matt Fankey
13 Apr 2026
The new Renault Twingo E-Tech looks like a serious answer to the affordable EV problem. It is light, unusually efficient and cleverly packaged, with enough charm to make the nostalgia feel earned rather than forced, though fast charging still should not be optional on the cheapest version.
Matt Fankey
13 Apr 2026
The Honor 600 clearly borrows some visual cues from Apple's flagship playbook, but this early look suggests it is not just a lazy copy. A slim chassis, smart finishing details and a 200MP main camera give it real mid-range appeal, even if the missing telephoto camera and still-unknown price leave important questions unanswered.
John Higgins
13 Apr 2026
DJI's Avata 360 looks like a serious attempt to dominate immersive FPV capture rather than merely answer Insta360 with a me-too launch. The combination of dual 200-degree cameras, 8K/60 capture, large sensors and DJI's O4+ video transmission gives it real technical weight. For early adopters who want cinematic 360 FPV footage, it already looks like one of the most aggressive launches in the category.
John Higgins
13 Apr 2026
Canon’s RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM cuts cost and weight compared with the firm’s professional standard zooms, yet still delivers strong central sharpness, effective stabilisation and convincing day-to-day versatility for full-frame and APS-C users alike.
John Higgins
10 Apr 2026
Sony’s latest flagship earbuds do not reinvent the formula, but they improve the tuning, transparency mode, call quality and battery life enough to keep the WF-1000XM6 firmly among the best premium true wireless options around.
John Higgins
10 Apr 2026
Xiaomi’s latest compact flagship combines a superbly bright 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display, strong Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 performance and a major battery gain, but its ultra-wide camera and thermal behaviour still stop it short of being the obvious class leader.
John Higgins
10 Apr 2026
Apple's entry-level laptop runs the A18 Pro inherited from the iPhone 16 Pro and reaches its price through concessions that cannot be ignored: 8 GB of memory, no MagSafe, two unequal USB-C ports and an unlit keyboard. What it gets right is the build, the 13-inch panel, the keyboard and the silence.
John Higgins
10 Apr 2026
DJI's first robot vacuum pairs a drone-grade navigation system - LiDAR, camera, drop and collision sensors - with a base that empties, washes and dries for you. The measured cleaning tells the real story: 99 per cent on hard floors, 93 to 95 per cent on thin carpet, and only 52 to 55 per cent on long-pile rug.
John Higgins
10 Apr 2026
The Shokz OpenFit Pro brings a more premium build, stronger app features and unusually convincing sound for an open-ear design, but its noise cancellation is still more novelty than reason to buy.
John Higgins
10 Apr 2026
Samsung's flagship phone remains exceptionally fast, feature-rich and long-lasting, but the Galaxy S26 Ultra only meaningfully moves the needle with its privacy display and quicker charging.
John Higgins
10 Apr 2026
Apple's cheapest iPhone takes the A19 and doubles its launch storage to 256 GB, keeping the 6.1-inch body, the single 48 MP camera and a notch rather than a Dynamic Island. Measured endurance slips slightly to 23 hours 36 minutes against the 16e's 25 hours 35.
John Higgins
10 Apr 2026
We tested 6 WordPress image optimization plugins with identical images. See real compression benchmarks for JPEG, WebP, AVIF, and JXL with actual numbers, not marketing claims.
TruthfulReviews Team
21 Feb 2026
We benchmarked 12 WordPress cache plugins on the same Elementor site. Only 5 actually improved PageSpeed scores. See the full data, SVG charts, and honest rankings.
TruthfulReviews Team
21 Feb 2026
Debian is the classic server Linux, but is it second choice for desktop hardware? We examine the reasons why Debian shouldn't be dismissed for desktop use and compare it with Ubuntu.
TruthfulReviews Team
9 Nov 2025
WLAN and Wi-Fi are often treated as interchangeable terms, but one describes a type of network while the other identifies certified IEEE 802.11 equipment. Here is the distinction, the history and what the labels mean in everyday use.
Matt Fankey
6 Nov 2025