In-depth guides, expert tips, and buying advice to help you make the best purchasing decisions
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