News, reviews and articles about home and kitchen products.
Cinco de Mayo lands on a weeknight this year, so the bar for a good celebration is pretty low. You don’t need a restaurant reservation or a road trip. You need a backyard, a few friends, and gear that handles the fiddly parts so you’re not stuck blending drinks while everyone else is eating tacos. […]
Margaritas to Tacos: 5 Gadgets That Make Cinco de Mayo Better at Home Read More
May the 4th has a merch problem. Nine out of ten products with a Vader stamp are screen-printed plastic destined for a yard sale by Labor Day—made for the kid aisle and priced like it. The other slice, the small one, is gear adults actually want on a desk, in a kitchen, or on a
The Star Wars Gear Worth Buying This May the 4th (Even If You’re Not 12) Read More
Earth Month happens every April, and April 22 is Earth Day. That’s the day most of us think harder about water bills, wasted food, and the energy we use without noticing. It’s also the day a lot of good intentions show up. You swear you’ll unplug more stuff, take shorter showers, and finally start composting.
7 Smart Gadgets That Cut Your Bills (Earth Month 2026) Read More
Most kitchen gadgets get replaced the moment something newer shows up. Coffee makers especially live on borrowed time, cycling through trends like fast fashion with a heating element. So when one espresso machine quietly remains one of the best sellers in North America for over a decade, something unusual is happening. Price: From $664.49 Where
One Espresso Machine That Refuses to Change Read More
LG Electronics didn’t just show up at KBIS 2026. It showed up with a luxury laundry line nobody expected, a cooktop that literally vanishes into your countertop, and three new design collections celebrating a decade of its SIGNATURE brand. The exhibit runs February 17 through 19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, and
5 Reasons This Modern Kitchen Showcase Is a Must-See Read More
NEWS – Kitchen layouts have quietly dictated appliance choices for decades, and the tradeoff has always felt non-negotiable. You measure the gap, pick the fridge that fits, and accept that the doors won’t swing all the way open if a wall sits too close. Samsung’s latest Bespoke lineup, unveiled at KBIS 2026 alongside its broader
Samsung Zero Clearance Fridges and Pro Ranges Hit KBIS 2026 Read More
ARTICLE – Gift shopping for the gearhead in your life usually ends in the same aisle. You grab a socket set, maybe a funny t-shirt, and call it a day. The wrench-themed greeting card goes in the bag for good measure. It’s safe, it’s predictable, and it tells the recipient you thought about them for
Someone Turned a Mechanic’s Toolbox Into a Coffee Mug and the Illusion Actually Holds Up Read More
REVIEW – The Hill Country Region in Texas, including the city of San Antonio, has very hard water. A large majority of our water comes from limestone aquifers. We have had a water softener in our homes since 1998, and it makes a huge difference in reducing calcium buildup in our appliances and bathroom fixtures.
Weddell Duo Shower Filter Review – It made my water softener treated water even softer! Read More
REVIEW Recently I received a package from . It came in a plastic bubble mailer. Inside the mailer, the product was inside another smaller bubble mailer. Inside that, the product was in a plastic bag. Inside that, the product was in another plastic bag. Knowing what we know about microplastics, I didn’t feel great about
Clear Drop Soft Plastic Compactor Makes Me Feel Less Guilty About Online Shopping Read More
Dreame Technology used CES 2026 to announce something bigger than a new vacuum. The company revealed its Whole-home Smart Ecosystem, a unified product lineup spanning cleaning, climate, cooking, personal care, outdoor maintenance, and entertainment. For a brand best known for robot vacuums and cordless floor cleaners, this marks a significant pivot toward becoming a full
Dreame Expands Beyond Vacuums with a Six-Category Smart Home Ecosystem at CES 2026 Read More
ARTICLE – The IKEA GÅTEBO doesn’t look like much sitting on your counter. It’s a black box with a dial, some buttons, and a door that swings open to reveal a 26-liter cavity and a spinning turntable. Nothing about it screams revolution. But plug it in, toss in the included air fry grid, and suddenly
IKEA’s $199 GÅTEBO Microwave Could Replace Your Kitchen Oven Read More
REVIEW – I have a large air fryer/toaster oven that sits on the countertop that I have used for several years now. I use it mainly as a secondary oven and to air fry things like fries and chicken. I hate using it as an air fryer because it is such a pain to clean.
Kismile Air Fryer Review – I can actually see how well it is cooking! Read More
REVIEW – Since my kids moved out, the oven doesn’t see much action. It’s like using a bucket loader to scoop ice cream – overkill for most cooking tasks. Conversely, the stove top, microwave, and air fryer get most of the mealtime action, so it makes sense to get the most “bang for the buck”
Ounin 24L Combo 11-in-1 Steam and Air Fryer review – Versatile and compact cooking Read More
REVIEW – I like scented candles and waxes, especially around the holidays, but with an active cat, I have always been concerned about the risk of fire. SwitchBot recently surprised me with their Candle warmer, promising luxurious fragrances with a warm glow and safety features an open flame could never provide. ⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons) Price:
SwitchBot Candle Warmer review – Wonderful scents without the flame Read More
REVIEW – Air fryers have evolved over the years, and kitchen appliance company Ninja is hoping to evolve the market once again. The CRISPi PRO is their latest model, and they are positioning it as a portable cooking system. Will this new model earn a coveted position in our space-constrained kitchen? Read on to find
Ninja CRISPi PRO air fryer review Read More
REVIEW – It’s fall, and that means I’m back at my day gig, teaching and molding the youth of our great nation. That, in turn, means I’m in need of many, many margaritas. The HiCozy F3 Slushie Machine & Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine landed on my doorstep JUST IN TIME! ⬇︎ Jump to summary
HiCOZY F3 Slushie Machine & Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine review Read More
REVIEW – If your knives are showing their age, the PAUDIN Knife Block Set promises a complete kitchen refresh at a compelling price: $79 down from $170. That’s a 53% discount for German high-carbon steel blades, but does the quality justify the investment, or will you be reaching for the sharpener sooner than expected? I
PAUDIN Knife Block Set review – Solid value with a few rough edges Read More
REVIEW – We are officially entering a new stage of life, sending our firstborn to college. Our schedules have now added college visits, coach calls, financial aid forms, and scholarship applications. Going along with that, we have visited a few dorm rooms and recognize that her space will be very limited for her items. One
Brabantia foldable laundry basket review Read More
REVIEW – You may remember a line in Real Genius, delivered by Val Kilmer; “Ice is Nice!”. For some reason this pops to the front of my mind anytime I use an ice dispenser. Today’s review is for an ice maker that is also an ice dispenser and a water dispenser to boot. The ice
ecozy Nugget Ice Maker Dispenser review – Great nugget ice, but not quiet Read More
REVIEW – Like many children of the 80’s, I have many fond memories of visiting the mall and getting Orange Julius slushies. In high school, 7-Eleven became a frequented hotspot for slushies as well. I haven’t had one in years, but the offer to review the Vibofrost slushie machine has renewed my passion for slushies
Vibofrost slushie machine review – a solid machine for semi-solid drinks Read More