Small Appliances - Organizer

12:38 pm | May 10, 2024

UK: view at Nutribullet.co.uk

US: view at Nutribullet.com

AU: View at Nutribullet.com.au

Nutribullet Ultra review: two-minute review

The Nutribullet Ultra is the brand's most advanced, and expensive, personal blender. Compared to the others in the range, it's more powerful, quieter, and boasts a touchscreen operation with 30-second and pulse functions, rather than the usual twist-to-blend approach.

I tried it out to see how it compared to the rest of the best blenders on the market right now. For this review, I tested the UK version. This model is also available in the US under the same name, and Australia as the Ultra 1200. (Note: there may be minor differences depending on territory.)

Overall, I was impressed. The lower-frequency noise it emits is certainly not whisper-quiet, but it is noticeably quieter than the model down (read about that one in my Nutribullet Pro 900 review).

The 1200-watt motor and improved blade design worked as intended, blitzing ingredients instantly, creating silky smoothies and textured dips. It performed well for all recipes I was making, but I did have to intervene on occasion, with the ingredients lower down being blended smoothly, but those at the top never reaching the blades. On the occasions that this happened, I added more liquid and gave the cup a shake to get things moving again.

The design is still recognizably 'Nutribullet', but an updated version, complete with a glowing interface that only comes alive when the cup is clicked onto the base. Press the solid circle icon for a 30-second blitz, or hold the dashed circle to pulse. Although cool to look at, I found these controls a little too sensitive – I had to make sure my fingers didn’t accidentally touch them when I was putting the cup on the base.

At ticket price it costs $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$189.95, but there are discounts to be have if you buy at the right time. It's the priciest individual Nutribullet blender, but it looks and feels premium, and I think the upgrades are worth the expense. Read on for my full Nutribullet Ultra review.

Nutribullet Ultra review: price & availability

List price: $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$189.95
Launch date: 2023
Availability: worldwide

Nutribullet sells a wide range of personal blenders, jug blenders, food processors and juicers. The cheapest option, the Nutribullet Go portable blender, costs from $15.99 / £29.99, but the Nutribullet Ultra is the brand’s premium blender, and more expensive. At list price, it's $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$189.95, although at time of writing, discounts were available in some territories. At the time of writing, you can purchase it direct from Nutribullet, or via third party retailers like Amazon.

I think its price is reasonable for a personal blender that has a high-end finish. It feels well-made and the improvements over the rest of the Nutribullet range feel worth the extra investment. The blade is designed to last longer than an entry-level Nutribullet blender, so you could be making savings in the longer term, too.

Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Nutribullet Ultra review: design

Redesigned 'Rapid Extractor Blade' for fast and effective blending
Includes two Tritan Renew cups, made from 50% recycled materials
Stylish glow interface for pulsing and blending

The Nutribullet is very easy on the eye. It comes with a sophisticated graphite finish base with touch interface (other personal Nutribullets don't have this), and it looks high-end on the countertop. Suction cup feet stop it from shifting about when in use. Setting up the Nutribullet is easy and intuitive – all the parts twist or click into place nicely.

It comes with a 1200-watt motor and a ‘Rapid Extractor’ blade, with a stainless-steel platform and titanium coating. This is designed to increase longevity of the blade – Nutribullet says it'll last for up to five years – as well as ensuring your blends are fast and effective. This blade is sharp, so you’ll need to take care when washing it, but its design makes it very effective at breaking up ingredients.

Nutribullet Ultra blender in reviewer's kitchen — (Image credit: Future)

The included cups both come with to-go lids, which is great for smoothie-lovers who want to just blend and go, without having to decant to another container. They are at the larger end of Nutribullet's range – you don't get the single-serve 'Short' cup (18oz / 511ml), but you do get the 'Tall' (24oz / 680ml) and 'Oversized' (32oz / 900ml) cups. That's good news if you want to tackle larger blending jobs, but you can purchase all cups separately, so it shouldn't be a decision-maker when choosing which Nutribullet to go for.

Cleaning

In terms of cleaning, the cups and blade are dishwasher-safe. However, it's worth rinsing everything off immediately after use, because if you leave food to dry on the blade, it can be tricky to get off. There have been times when I haven’t rinsed the cups before popping them in the dishwasher and they’ve come out dry with caked-on pancake mixture residue left on the inside, and the inner nooks and crannies of the blades are tricky to get into if food gets dried on, too (a small brush would be useful for this).

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Nutribullet Ultra review: performance

Quieter in operation than your average blender
Excellent for smoothies and hummus, struggled a little with ice
Food can get stuck to the sides

The Nutribullet Ultra is one of the most satisfying personal blenders I’ve tried. It looks and feels premium, and this is reflected in the performance too. To give it a good trial, I made both homemade humus and a berry smoothie to see how well it could blend to a smooth finish and pulse for a more textured finish. The berries were frozen to get a good indicator of how well it crushes frozen ingredients, but I also tested it to see how well it could grind a batch of ice cubes too.

Nutribullet highlights how quiet this blender is. While it's not something you’d want to turn on next to a sleeping baby, I did find the Nutribullet noticeably quieter in operation compared to other blenders I've tested. While making a berry smoothie on the 30-second blend setting I measured it at an average of 88.9 decibels using the Decibel Meter App. Comparatively, I measured the Nutribullet 1200 Pro+ at around 93.3 decibels on a similar blend, and my Ninja 3 in 1 Food Processor with Auto-IQ at a lofty 99 decibels.

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I adapted Nutribullet's own recipe for Easy Hummus to see how well the Ultra performs when tackling chunky chickpeas, garlic and combining them with smoother ingredients such as tahini and oil. Unlike other Nutribullets I’ve tried, which start blending when you twist the cup and into place, the Ultra waits for you to press the start buttons before it turns on. If, like me, you’re someone who likes to go at their own pace when prepping in the kitchen, this is something you’ll no doubt appreciate.

The blender has a ‘glow interface’ and the two touchscreen buttons appear when you click the cups into place on the base. It’s worth noting that the buttons are quite sensitive and I did find myself accidentally starting the blender on the odd occasion. The main blend setting only runs for 30 seconds, however, so if you do accidentally press it, it won’t run for long and is easy to stop.

On my first go, the chickpeas got stuck at the top of the cup and I realized I hadn’t included enough liquid for it to blend effectively. After adding a bit more oil and a splash of water, I was able to tap the pulse setting to create short, intermittent pulses until the humus reached the semi-smooth texture I was aiming for.

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Next up, I made a Triple Berry Smoothie using frozen berries, almond milk, nut butter and banana. I popped in all the ingredients and pressed the blend button, which whizzed for 30 seconds. I made sure I put in enough liquid to stop the frozen berries getting stuck, although the spoonful of peanut butter wasn’t playing ball and got stuck to the side of the cup. I managed to scrape this off the side (unfortunately there’s no spatula in the kit) and pressed blend for another 30 seconds. The result was a super silky smoothie, with all the berries nicely broken down.

Finally, I filled the larger 900ml cup with a batch of ice to see how well the device could handle frozen cubes. I pressed the start button and within 30 seconds of blending only the base of the cup had managed to crush any ice. I gave it a shake, but the ice wouldn’t move, so a little water was needed to loosen the ice and ensure all the ice got crushed.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

How do the Nutribullet personal blenders compare?

Should you buy the Nutribullet Ultra?

Buy it if...

You want a fast and quiet blender

The 1200-Watt motor and base on the Nutribullet Ultra is designed to operate at a lower sound frequency. While it’s not completely silent, it’s one of the less offensive designs I’ve tried in terms of noise levels.

You want to make smoothies for two

The Nutribullet Ultra comes with both a 900ml and a 700ml cup, which each have 'to-go' lids. A generous smoothie serving is around 300ml, so you've got room for two and blending space in there. Alternatively, one mega protein shake.

You want a blender that looks stylish on the worktop

With its streamlined charcoal grey finish and touch interface, the Nutribullet Ultra looks and feels premium. Rather than hiding it away in the cupboard after use, it’s a design you’ll be happy to keep on display on the countertop.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget

There are cheaper Nutribullet blenders available if you're happy to sacrifice the fancy touch interface, extra power and quieter motor. The original Nutribullet 600, for example.

You want simple and fast control

Other Nutribullet blenders start blending as soon as they're twisted into place, but the Ultra has two control buttons. This is a pro or con depending on how simple you want the blending process to be.

How I tested the Nutribullet Ultra

I have tested an array of blenders before, including the Nutribullet 900, and know what makes for a good design – be it a personal blender or a traditional jug blender. To get a good feel for the Nutribullet Ultra, I used it to make a smoothie and dip. I was keen to see how well the hard ingredients such as chickpeas and cold ingredients such as ice and berries could combine in their respective recipes. The Nutribullet Ultra claims to have optimised blades for quieter blending so I also measured its noise levels using the Decibel Meter App on my phone to see just how quiet it can perform. Finally, I wanted to know whether the device was easy to maintain and so I washed each part after use and wiped down the base.

Ninja Double Stack air fryer: two-minute review

The Ninja Double Stack air fryer demonstrates once again that the brand is king of convection cooking, offering blazing cooking speeds in a clever form factor that serves to address the needs of smaller households and keen cooks the world over. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best air fryers I’ve ever used – and I’ve used a fair few at this point.

Shopping for the perfect air fryer can leave you feeling a bit like Goldilocks, and especially if counter space is at a premium in your kitchen. A two-drawer model like the Instant Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone technology might be perfect for the number of mouths you typically have to feed, but these are typically behemoths. Alternatively, you could opt for one of the best small air fryers, but then these often have a meager, sometimes single-portion only capacity.

It’s been my perennial issue as a single-person household that regularly has guests. My kitchen is fairly compact, so I've been incredibly limited for space when I’ve tested larger models like the Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Dual Air Fryer. That’s why since I learned about the Ninja Double Stack air fryer – styled as the DoubleStack in the US – I’ve been itching to get my hands on it.

Ninja Double Stack air fryer in reviewer's home — (Image credit: Future)

As the name suggests, the Ninja Double Stack air fryer stacks its two cooking drawers stop one another instead of side by side, as we tend to see in dual-basket air fryers. Instead of a top- or front-mounted dashboard, a small panel juts out to the right side of the device, hosting all the functions and controls you’ll need to operate the Double Stack. Plus, Ninja has even thrown in two extra racks, which can be slotted in above the main crisper plate, giving you bonus surface area to cook with – though the grill spacing makes these far better for larger food items.

Just like other products in the Ninja line, I saw great results from the Double Stack air fryer, from delicious fluffy fries to perfectly crispy chicken and succulent salmon. It should be no surprise, but I was concerned before trying the device that the cooking quality may have been compromised by the new design. Thankfully, there were no cooking compromises that I could detect. The only real down-side is the price, which is on the high side for a dual-basket air fryer – but for those who need to protect their previous counter space, it's well worth the extra cost. Here's my full review.

Ninja Double Stack air fryer review: price & availability

List price: XL (8.3qt / 9.5L): $229.99 / £269.99 / AU TBC
Availability: UK and US – Australia TBC

At time of writing, the Ninja Double Stack is available in the UK and US. In its XL 8.3qt / 9.5L capacity, it has a list price of $229.99 / £269.99. Availability and pricing in Australia is TBC. There should also be a standard, 6.7qt / 7.6L model to go alongside the XL model reviewed here, but since the devices were first announced earlier this year, we haven't heard anything about it.

The Double Stack XL is a fair bit more expensive than comparable double-drawer air fryers like the Instant Vortex 9-quart air fryer, which costs $199.95 / £199.99 / AU$399, but for the price difference, you get an as of writing one-of-a-kind device offering superior performance and maximum air frying potential.

It comes with two non-stick, dishwasher-safe drawers and crisper plates, two stainless steel racks and a recipe guide.

Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Ninja Double Stack air fryer specs

Ninja Double Stack air fryer review: design

Space-efficient design, with two drawers stacked vertically
Side-mounted dashboard
Two extra stainless steel racks doubles the cooking space

For anyone with a smaller kitchen or who prefers a more compact setup, the Ninja Double Stack is a revelation. It’s the first air fryer to stack two drawers vertically to optimize counter space, and the inclusion of its two stainless steel racks doubles the surface area available for cooking. The air fryer is available in one colorway; a sophisticated slate gray shell, with ridged silver handles. It’s simple and subtle, and I personally prefer that to the glossy black cladding many air fryers opt for.

To account for those who might have lower-hanging cabinets, the controls for the Double Stack are mounted to the right of the air fryer, which does add 2in / 5cm to the overall width. However, it’s fairly unobtrusive, and unless you plan on having the right side of the air fryer flush to the wall shouldn’t pose a problem (reminder that you should be leaving at least 5 inches of space around an air fryer if you don’t want to make one of the biggest mistakes of air fryer cooking).

The side panel offers all the usual Ninja air fryer features. There’s a screen at the top which shows the timer for each drawer as well as the temperature setting. Beneath are numbered buttons to individually control each drawer, as well as a list of the six presets for air frying, roasting, max crisp, reheating, baking and dehydrating. Each setting has a light indicator next to it to show which mode is currently selected, and you can tweak the settings using the temperature and time buttons in tandem with the roller dial. Lastly, you’ll find the Double Stack Pro, Sync and Match buttons above the power and stop / start buttons.

Its two dishwasher-friendly 5qt / 4.75L baskets have individual handles, so you can fully manage each drawer independently. However, if you’re using the two stainless steel trays on top of the base crisper plates, it might be a little more annoying to flip and adjust your food mid-cooking cycle. Ninja has made efforts to ease this slight drawback by adding handles to the trays, making them nice and easy to quickly remove.

It’s worth noting that the back of the baskets each have a grate with fairly large holes, so it’s not suitable for cooking high volumes of liquid – we recommend against cooking these kinds of dishes in an air fryer instead of one of the best instant pots, regardless, but some users do like to break convention. These holes also mean that if you shake particularly oily, batter-laden or otherwise messy foods, some liquid may splash behind the baskets onto the back of the air fryer. It’s a very small issue judging by my testing so far, so long as you keep on top of cleaning the Double Stack.

Design score: 5 out of 5

Ninja Double Stack air fryer review: performance

Same fantastic performance as other Ninja air fryers
Perfectly crisp chicken wings and fluffy fries
Time and effort-saving Sync and Match settings

Before I tested the Ninja Double Stack air fryer, I was a little dubious about how its performance would hold up against other Ninja models I’ve tested. Surely, there would be a compromise to vertically stacking the drawers, otherwise, it would have been done far sooner, right?

Thankfully that doesn’t seem to be the case with the Double Stack. Everything I cooked came out just as good as I’d expected, with perfectly crispy chicken wings without the need for a drop of oil, and gorgeous fluffy fries with the perfect amount of bite. There was a small degree of unevenness; fries towards the back of the basket cooked ever so slightly faster than the front, but it was to such a small degree I don’t think most users would notice.

Chips / fries in Ninja Double Stack air fryer — (Image credit: Future)

The Double Stack offers six cooking modes – Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, and Reheat – all of which work just as well as in other Ninja air fryers. The different modes all have different temperature and time limits, but the Double Stack can reach temperatures of 450F / 240C and cook for up to an hour. It doesn’t require pre-heating, meaning you can get straight to cooking.

Food cooked on the stainless steel trays seems to fare just as well, though you do lose the benefit of the crisp trays’ surface area. For some foods, that’s a benefit; you don’t always want foods to cook via contact as well as convection, which was definitely the case for the chicken wings I cooked across both types of trays.

Chicken in Ninja Double Stack air fryer — (Image credit: Future)

You’ll also have to think about the overall temperature setting of each basket and put foods with like-for-like cooking times and temperatures in each basket, or open up the trays to add in food later. This can be slightly annoying at times; I had to strategically plan how I cooked four tapas dishes to make sure I’d optimized both the strengths and weaknesses of both types of tray, as well as the cooking times and temperatures of each dish. It’d still opt for this rather than heating up a whole oven, though.

Chicken cooked in the Ninja Double Stack air fryer — (Image credit: Future)

In case you’re new to the world of Ninja air fryers, it’s worth highlighting the Sync and Match cooking modes, which work to ensure your food all comes out at the same time. Simply select your cooking mode, set your time and, if you’re synchronizing the two baskets, select the cooking times for each, and you’re all set.

Unlike other dual-drawer models I’ve tested, including Ninja’s Instant Vortex 9-quart air fryer, there’s virtually no heat leakage between the two trays, which is excellent news if you’re working with very precise foods or just don’t want to waste energy by passively heating two areas when you only need one.

On the down-side, you can’t cook larger foods like pizzas or whole chickens in the Double Stack like you can in wider air fryers with larger cooking cavities. It’s the natural trade-off with its smaller footprint, and there are plenty of options that do cater to that need, if that's your priority. While Ninja claims the XL model I tested can feed eight people, I’d say that’s a little ambitious unless you’re padding out the meal with non-air fryer foods too.

Performance score: 5 out of 5

Should I buy the Ninja Double Stack air fryer?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Ninja Double Stack air fryer: alternatives to consider

How I tested the Ninja Double Stack air fryer

I used the Ninja Double Stack air fryer for two weeks
I used it to cook all of my meals, including chicken wings, fries and salmon
I also tested the different cooking functions

I used the Ninja Double Stack air fryer as my main countertop cooker for two weeks, using it to cook everything from fries to chicken wings, salmon and even cauliflower cheese. I evaluated how each food item cooked across all four trays, using different settings to see how well each function performed. I assessed how succulent meat and fish were after cooking against how well the outside crisped, as well as the evenness of the browning, and how well fries managed to retain their internal fluffiness while still achieving crispy skin.

In addition to the cooking, I evaluated how easy maintenance was; is it easy to clean the baskets and trays both with and without a dishwasher, are there any extra considerations for cleaning, and how easy is the device to actually operate.

I’ve been testing air fryers for two years, and in that time I’ve tried everything from premium to affordable, single-serve to full family models. This experience combined with my love of food and cooking help to inform my findings in every review.

Shark HydroVac Cordless review: a very effective vacuum-mop

2:10 pm | May 7, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances Vacuums | Tags: AU, LED, UK, US | Comments: Off

Shark HydroVac Cordless review: two-minute review

The Shark HydroVac Cordless is a multipurpose cleaner that vacuums and mops at the same time. For this review, I tested the UK version, but there are equivalent models in the US and Australia (there are minor differences in specs, but essentially this is the same product):

UK: Shark HydroVac Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner WD210UK
US: Shark HydroVac Pro XL Cordless WD201
AU: Shark HydroVac Pro XL Cordless 3-In-1 Cleaner WD210ANZ

There are plenty of reasons to admire this product. It’s powerful, and can tackle lots of different types of wet and dry debris on hardwood flooring, as well as freshening up door mats and rugs. This means you can do away with your traditional mop – should you be able to prize yourself away from it – and condense the number of cleaning tools you need.

It cleans by sucking up the spillage as you push back and forth until the area is left looking clean and smelling fresh. It’s capable of tackling mess such as milky cereal, baked beans and biscuits. It works fast too. We'd expect nothing less from the brand behind many of the best vacuum cleaners on the market.

It's not quite perfect. It doesn’t come with a crevice attachment, so you’ll need to use the vacuum’s head to get right up to the skirting and into corners, which can sometimes be tricky. And while it has a self-cleaning feature to keep the insides smelling fresh, you will also need to keep on top of the vacuum’s maintenance and clean and dry the dirty water tank and brush roll after every use, which can be a bit of a pain.

Overall, I was very impressed with pick up – both on finer dust and larger wet debris. I also like how easy the vacuum is to store on the charging dock so that it’s conveniently ready when you need it. It gives you a decent 25 minutes of runtime too – all in its handy cordless design. If you're on a tighter budget and don't mind a cable, there's a corded version that's cheaper.

That's the short version – read on for my full Shark HydroVac Cordless Cleaner review.

Shark HydroVac Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner review: price & availability

List price: US$359.99 / £329.99 / AU$399.99
Launched: 2023
Available: worldwide

While Shark sells small appliances worldwide. The cordless model I tested is the UK version, which has a list price of £329.99. The US version (WD201) has a list price of $359.99, but at time of writing was discounted to a far-more-affordable $199.99. The Australian version (WD210ANZ) has a list price of AU$399.99.

If you’re looking to spend a little less and don’t mind a corded model, you can get a corded version in the UK and US. In the UK, this is the WD110UK and costs £279.99, in the US it's the WD161 and costs $249.99. Note that Shark recommends that you replace the filter and brush roll every six months, which is an ongoing cost.

Two-in-one vacuum cleaner/mops can vary quite a bit in price, with the cheapest starting around £150 / $190 / AU$285 and going up to around £350 / $440 / AU$665. While the Shark HydroVac isn't the cheapest option on the market, the design has a lot of premium features, and I'd say it's good value for money.

While Shark offers discounts at peak sale times throughout the year including Black Friday and Cyber Monday, at the time of writing the product is being sold at full price.

Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Shark HydroVac Cordless cleaner specs

Shark HydroVac Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner review: design

LED headlights illuminate hidden debris
Ample 500ml water tank
Stylish charcoal grey design plus compact charging dock

The Shark HydroVac Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner WD210UK has a stylish charcoal grey finish and sleek body. The body is relatively light at 3.95kg, and the design includes an antimicrobial brush roll and a 500ml water tank.

Although you can't wall-hang this device, it does come with a docking station where the cleaner sits neatly when not in use. It’s the size of a standard cordless vacuum, so while it won't take up too much room, it helps if you have a large room or separate utility area to store it.

Shark HydroVac Cordless floor cleaner plugged in and charging — (Image credit: Future)

What I instantly liked about the two-in-one cleaner is how easy it is to get set up. Attach the body to the head by following the simple instructions provided. When it's ready to go, fill the tank with water and add some of the cleaning solution provided. The LED control panel on the cleaner is simple to read and provides info on battery life and cleaning solution levels.

This cleaner is designed for use on both wet and dry messes, and a variety of floor types. You start it up simply by leaning the handle of the device back.

Close up of dirty water tank on Shark HydroVac Cordless floor cleaner — (Image credit: Future)

There are two modes. In hard floor cleaning mode, it'll vacuum when you're pushing forwards and wash when you pull back. The device automatically starts in this mode when you turn it on. You can also switch to a freshen mode using the button at the top of the handle. In this mode, it seems to mop lightly in both directions. There's a self-cleaning mode that you can activate by pressing the start button once the device is on its stand. You’ll need to supplement this with your own cleaning, however – I'll get into that more in the Performance section.

Shark HydroVac Cordless floor cleaner with LED lights illuminating the floor — (Image credit: Future)

When the device starts, LED headlights illuminate to help you see hidden debris as you vacuum.

It’s worth noting that while the Shark HydroVac Cleaner can be used on low-pile carpets rugs, the brush roll won't work on plush/thick long pile. If you’re after a cleaner for a thicker carpet, you’re better off taking a look at the Shark CarpetXpert Deep Carpet Cleaner EX150UK.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Shark HydroVac Cordless floor cleaner review: performance

Effective cleaning on sealed hard floors
Quite noisy in use
Lightweight and easy to move about

If you’ve ever tested a cordless vacuum cleaner, you know how bulky they can sometimes feel. But I found this design reasonably lightweight and well balanced. It's easy to drive around the floor – both on hard flooring, mats and rugs. The head of the vacuum is wide enough to make good progress in just a few strokes, but not overly chunky.

On a full charge, it ran for 25 minutes, which was long enough for me to do a refresh of my hallway, dining room, living room and kitchen before needing to refill the water and pop it back on the charger.

Shark HydroVac Cordless floor cleaner on a wooden floor — (Image credit: Future)

In hard floor cleaning mode, the simple push-pull action is a joy to use, and perfect on the days that I simply needed to quickly pep up my dusty dark walnut hardwood flooring. I found it also worked well on tougher messes – for example when the kids had brought mud into the hallway, or spilt cereal under the kitchen breakfast table (Cheerios are the bane of my life!).

The HydroVac also managed to clean up baked beans on vinyl flooring within seconds, as well as sucking up digestive biscuit crumbs with ease, and always leaving a fresh smelling surface behind. The suction is powerful and I was impressed with just how quickly it got to work.

I also tried refresh mode on a doormat and my Persian carpet. I was a little apprehensive as I've tried wet-dry cleaners in the past that have left my carpet sodden wet. Luckily, the HydroVac didn’t leave too much residue behind. While it’s hard to tell whether it makes any real difference when freshening mats and carpets, I think the fact that it leaves behind a trace of multi-surface cleaning solution with odour neutraliser reassuring.

On the down-side, I found the Shark HydroVac could get quite noisy – ramping up to 83.1 decibels in use and really packing a punch for a minute or so when it’s in self-cleaning mode. Comparatively, I measured my Dyson V15 Detect Absolute at 76.4 decibels.

Maintenance

The HydroVac has a self-cleaning mode, which can be activated when it's back on its charging base. This helps freshen up the inside mechanisms and cleans the brush roll. That's useful because the antimicrobial brush roll can take a bit of a battering, depending on what you’re cleaning. Straight after cleaning up beans and biscuits it was looking rather dirty, for example.

Close up of brush roll on Shark HydroVac Cordless floor cleaner — (Image credit: Future)

That said, you will need to then empty the dirty water tank and also leave the brush roll out to dry for up to 24 hours before using it again. If you forget to empty the tank after use, the dirty water tank will start to smell as I found out on one occasion..

However, you'll also have to do your own maintenance work. After every use, I had to empty the dirty water tank and take off the brush roll (often clogged up with food or hair) to clean myself and leave it out to dry. While this is relatively easy, it is something to bear in mind if you think that the self-cleaning mode here does it all.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy a Shark HydroVac Cordless?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Shark HydroVac Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner

I used the Shark Hydrovac in my home for six weeks. In my home, walnut hardwood flooring runs through the hall to the dining room and living area and it’s prone to looking dusty if not cleaned regularly. I used the Shark Hydrovac to clean the floor daily. I also used it on the vinyl tiles in the kitchen and upstairs in the bedroom where we have laminate hardwood flooring.

I tested how well it did on targeted areas and scattered a section of the room with large oats – to mimic large debris – and a mixture of flour and crushed biscuits – to mimic finer dust. I was keen to see how quickly and effectively it could clean up the area. I also used it to clear up a baked beans spillage on the vinyl flooring in my kitchen and measured the noise levels of the vacuum using the Decibel Meter App on my iPhone. Finally, I also used it in freshen mode to clean the small carpets and doormats throughout the ground floor of my home.

T3 Featherweight StyleMax hair dryer: two-minute review

The T3 Featherweight StyleMax is a, tech-packed hair dryer from the innovative LA-based haircare brand. It comes with four nozzles included, and offers custom heat and speed automation. It's powered by T3's Digital IonAir technology, which combines an ion generator, smart chip and custom fan to deliver fast drying times and reduce frizz. This is meant to result in efficient and hair-friendly drying, with less heat damage. I tested one out to see how it compares to the rest of today's best hair dryers. Does it live up to the brand's promises?

Unfortunately, not quite. It dries hair relatively quickly, depending on the Style Mode and attachment, but these drying times aren't exceptional. The Styling Concentrator attachment delivered the best results on my fine hair, giving me a sleek and bouncy style without compromising too much on drying speed.

The Diffuser also performed well, enhancing my natural curls with volume and body. However, the Smoothing Comb didn't work as well as I'd expected and hoped, and I often burned my scalp while using it. A problem I experienced much more with the T3 Featherweight StyleMax that I have with any other dryer I've used in the past. Similarly, the attachments have a tendency to become excessively hot during use, making it difficult to change mid-style, or even rotate the best angle. Elsewhere, the Volume Boost made very little difference. More's the pity. And while the Style Modes are useful and versatile, they can be difficult to master and a little confusing.

Despite these issues, the T3 Featherweight StyleMax has several things going for it. The Cool Shot button is great for locking styles in place and you don't have to press and hold it like you do on so many of its rivals. The hair dryer's overall performance also led to softer, healthier-looking hair over time.

Overall, the T3 Featherweight StyleMax is a mixed bag. It offers a range of advanced features and attachments that make it versatile and appealing for various hair styling needs. Yet, its performance and design quirks put me off from using this as my everyday hair dryer. Instead, I'll likely reserve it for special occasions when I have extra time to complete my style.

T3 Featherweight StyleMax hair dryer review: price & availability

List price: $199 / £170 for Featherweight StyleMax + 4 attachments
Available in the US and UK

Price-wise, the Featherweight StyleMax is at the top end of T3's hair dyer range, sitting alongside the T3 Aireluxe with a list price of $199.99 / £170. That puts it in TechRadar's upper-mid price bracket.

There’s an impressive amount of tech built into the Featherweight and this, coupled with its wide range of features and attachments (it comes with four) goes some way towards justifying its cost. The performance falls a little short of what I’d expect for that amount of money, but you can’t really put a price on healthy hair so if you can afford it, it’s not a bad investment. In TechRadar's T3 AireLuxe review, that model gained 4.5*, and at the same price it's hard not to recommend that as a better place to put your money... although it's true that model doesn't come with so many functions and settings.

The Featherweight is significantly cheaper than high-end models like the Zuvi Halo and Dyson Supersonic, and on par with older premium dryers like GHD Air and the BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium range.

You can buy the Featherweight StyleMax in the US and UK directly from the T3 website. It's also available via Amazon and Ulta in the US, and Amazon and Beauty Bay in the UK.

Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

T3 Featherweight StyleMax hair dryer review: design

Five heat modes + Cool shot
Volume Boost button
Customizable presets for different hair types

The design of the T3 Featherweight StyleMax is a cross between the traditional, long-barrel hair dryers of old with the shorter, more compact shape of modern stylers, like the Dyson Supersonic and Zuvi Halo. It measures 7.6 x 2.9 x 11.2 in / 193 mm x 740 mm x 284 mm (W x D x H) and weighs 1.04lbs / 471g without any nozzles attached, and not including the chunky, 2.7m / 9ft cord.

If you're looking for something to travel with, this probably isn't it – it's a bit bulky for slinging into a suitcase. The brand does have a travel-sized option that might be better for frequent flyers – head to TechRadar's T3 Afar review for more on that one.

Included with the Featherweight are four attachments: a Drying Concentrator, for rough drying your hair; a Styling Concentrator that smoothes as it styles; the SoftTouch 3 Diffuser for adding volume and definition to curls and waves; and a Smoothing Comb designed to lift roots, or stretch and detangle curls and coils.

T3 Featherweight hair dryer with attachments — (Image credit: Future)

The design of the Featherweight StyleMax is a blend of traditional and modern, and looks like an elongated version of the T3 Fit hair dryer – the brand's compact option. There's a choice of three colors – white, graphite, and satin blush. I reviewed the white model, which has rose gold accents around both the grill at the front of the barrel, and the filter on the rear. The dryer is largely made from plastic with metal on the grill, and rubber at the bottom of the handle where it joins the cord. I'm not a fan of the bubble-like curved barrel. It doesn't look bad, but it does feel a bit cartoon-like, which is a bit at odds with the higher asking price.

Technology-wise, the Featherweight StyleMax uses the brand's Digital T3 IonAir Technology. This comprises an ion generator that 'saturates' a super-wide airstream, powered by a custom-designed fan. A smart chip then keeps the heat consistent. This ionic technology uses negative ions to break the water molecules on your hair into smaller particles that evaporate faster, and this is what helps to dry the hair quickly.

The majority of control buttons are then found on the rear of the handle, below the filter. These controls, in order from top to bottom, are as follows:

Hair input indicator icon
Hair Input and Style Mode selection button
Heat settings
Speed settings
Power button
Volume Booster

Close up of buttons on T3 Featherweight hair dryer — (Image credit: Future)

Starting at the top, the hair input indicator icon consists of three wavy lines of increasing thickness. These each represent a different hair type ranging from fine on the left, to medium in the middle, and coarse on the right. You input your hair type using the Hair Input button and the corresponding wavy line will be illuminated.

This Hair Input button then doubles up as the Style Mode selection button. Around the button are four icons which correspond to the four Style Modes. Moving clockwise from top left, these icons are:

Rough Dry: for use with the Drying Concentrator.
Smooth: for use with either the Styling Concentrator and a paddle brush, or the Smoothing comb.
Volume: for use with the Styling Concentrator and round brush.
Diffuse: for use with the diffuser.

The Drying Concentrator delivers a wide airflow to quickly, and roughly, dry your hair. The Styling Concentrator nozzle has a thinner outlet, compared to the Drying Concentrator, and this helps direct airflow onto individual sections. You can use this with a paddle brush to create smooth and sleek styles, or pair it with a round brush to create volume, body and bounce.

The SoftTouch 3 Diffuser diffuses air to add volume and definition to curls, waves, and layered styles, while the Smoothing Comb directs the airflow through vented teeth to lift roots, smooth strands, and stretch and detangle curls and coils. These attachments all twist and lock easily into place on the grill.

When you select a Style Mode, the Featherweight will automatically select the most appropriate heat and speed settings to suit both the attachment, as well as your hair type and styling needs. At any point you can up the heat or drop the speed etc. manually using the standalone heat and speed buttons.

T3 Featherweight hair dryer — (Image credit: Future)

These heat and speed buttons are each surrounded by indicator lights that correspond with the relevant settings. There are five thin light strips around the heat button, which correspond with the dryer's five heat settings. The speed button is encircled by three light strips which represent the Featherweight's low, medium and high speeds.

The last button on the rear of the handle is the Volume Boost button. Pressing this boosts the speed and strength of the air flow to help you add volume into the hair and at the roots.

And finally, the Cool Shot button is found under the grill on the front of the handle. The majority of the best hair dryers I've tested over the years require you to press and hold the Cool Shot button but once you've pressed the one on the T3 Featherweight it stays on until you turn it off. This is a small but hugely welcome addition.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

T3 Featherweight StyleMax hair dryer review: performance

Switching modes can be confusing
Mixed styling results
Often burned my scalp or hand

To test the T3 Featherweight StyleMax, I trialled each mode and attachment in turn multiple times over the course of a month. I timed how long it took the hair dryer to dry my fine, long, naturally curly hair, and how well it created each of the promised styles. I also experimented with manually adjusting the settings to see how differences in temperature and speed impacted the results.

To get started with the dryer you need to input your hair type. Start by pressing the Power button. Then press and hold the Hair Input button and cycle through the three options until the correct hair type line is illuminated. Next, select your preferred Style Mode by pressing the selection button again until the corresponding icon is illuminated. It helps to have the relevant attachment connected before making this selection, but it's not necessary.

Two seconds later the dryer will start. There is always a two-second delay when switching settings, so don't be alarmed if the dryer seemingly turns itself off and doesn't come back on straight away. The lights surrounding the heat and temperature buttons show which settings have been automatically selected. If you don't feel like the heat or speed is adequate you can manually change the settings, but this will disable whichever Style Mode you've chosen.

It took an average of 4 minutes 58 seconds to dry my hair using the T3 Featherweight StyleMax without any nozzles connected. Despite being a rough dry, my hair was surprisingly soft and relatively frizz-free, compared to how it looks and feels when I rough-dry it with other hair dryers.

Next up, it took 6 minutes 12 seconds to dry my hair using the Drying Concentrator with the Rough drying mode selected. My hair was soft with a small amount of frizz but I got frustrated with how long it took to reach this result. Especially as there was little difference compared to drying my hair without an attachment. For me, the Drying Concentrator adds very little to the dryer and I regularly found the speed too low for my needs.

The Styling Concentrator produced the best results, without having to sacrifice too much on drying speed. It took 5 minutes 9 seconds to create a sleek style with my paddle brush, and 5 minutes 45 seconds to finish a bouncy blow dry with a large, round brush.

Concentrator nozzle on T3 Featherweight hair dryer — (Image credit: Future)

The diffuser works very well and my curls were soft and full of body and bounce, while the Smoothing Comb helped to add a small amount of volume when blow drying my hair straight, or when separating my curls. My biggest complaint about the Smoothing Comb is that I often burned my scalp while using it.

In fact, I burned my scalp more while using the T3 Featherweight than I ever have during all of my years writing hair dryer reviews. Just as I regularly had to turn up the speed to achieve the power I wanted, I often had to turn down the heat, or be much more careful about how close the hairdryer got to my head during styling.

Similarly, the attachments become too hot to touch during styling so you have to wait until they've cooled down to remove them. This makes it difficult to switch attachments mid-style. For example, if I want to create a blow dry with the Styling Concentrator and then add volume at the roots with the Smoothing Comb, I have to wrap a towel around my hand to remove the first nozzle before attaching the second. This isn't a major problem, but it is an inconvenience.

Speaking of volume, this button doesn't seem to make a huge difference. It increases the speed of the airflow to give your hair and roots extra lift but I noticed very little difference between when it was enabled and when it wasn't. And considering my fine hair needs all the volume it can get, this was disappointing.

Overall, none of the Style Modes or settings produced a ready-to-go finish. I still had to run straighteners over my hair to remove any of the remaining frizz. However my hair felt much softer than it does normally and by the end of the review period, it looked and felt healthier.

Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Should I buy the T3 Featherweight StyleMax hair dryer?

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First reviewed: April 2024

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Instant Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone technology review: competent, but not flawless

4:24 am | April 23, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Air Fryers Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: UK | Comments: Off

Instant Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone Technology: One-minute review

Instant has long been a leader in the air fryer space and its latest model, the Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone Technology (also called Vortex Plus VersaZone Air Fyer 8.5L in the UK and Vortex Plus Versazone XXL Air Fryer 8.5L in Australia) aims to make air frying even more versatile, thanks to a large capacity basket that can be divided into two separate sections.

A large 9-quart / 8.5L basket makes it an obvious choice for families, with plenty of capacity to comfortably feed four, but singles and couples will also appreciate the compartments – which are 4.5q / 4.25L each – to cook mains and sides in one go. Moreover, the intuitive cooking programs ensure everything finishes cooking at the same time.

I found Instant’s latest air fryer a joy to use and it made me fall in love with cooking again. It does most of the grunt work for you with consistently good results… just as long as you know how to use some of the dedicated programs. I had to go through a bit of trial and error with my first few cooking sessions, but once I learnt them, there was no stopping me.

The expansive cooking basket does mean it’s a physically imposing air fryer of course, so if you lack kitchen counter space or don’t have much in the way of storage, you may struggle to find a proper home for it. I do think it’s attractive though, as much as an air fryer can be, so I had no issue leaving it on my kitchen counter. If you do need to store it away, I found it to be relatively lightweight, so moving it in and out of cupboards shouldn’t prove too much of an issue.

Instant Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone Technology: Price & availability

List price: $199.95 / £199.99 / AU$399
Available directly from Instant Brands and third-party retailers
Regular sales and bundles

Considering its size and raft of features, the Instant Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone Technology is competitively priced in my opinion, especially when compared to its closest rival in the Ninja Foodi FlexBasket 11qt / 10.4L dual air fryer. It’s available directly from Instant in the UK and Australia along with a host of third-party retailers. While it is listed on the US website, you’re not able to buy it directly. Instead you can find it from retailers such as Walmart.

It was launched in July 2023 and, since then, has gotten some discounts – directly from Instant and at third-party retailers. The offers tend to change, but if this air fryer is of interest, I'd recommend waiting to pick it up during a big sale like Black Friday, which makes it even better value than it already is.

Instant Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone Technology: Design

One 9qt / 8.5L basket that can be divided into two zones
Large enough for a family of four
Simple touchscreen and manual controls

Instant Vortex VersaZone Air Fryer — (Image credit: Future)

The Instant Vortex VersaZone is a large machine, make no mistake, although with its dimensions coming in at 15.9 x 12.5 x 15.1in / 40.3 x 31.7 x 38.4cm, it is smaller than its Ninja competitor. However, the Ninja Foodi FlexBasket does have a larger capacity for the individual compartments to justify its size. The VersaZone is lighter too, tipping the scales at 7kg, meaning most people shouldn’t have too much of a problem manoeuvring it around their kitchen.

You do of course need to factor in extra space for airflow at the rear, as well as in the front so you can actually open the basket to get your food in for cooking. I was able to find a perfect permanent spot for it in my kitchen, but those with smaller counters and who are limited on space may have to carefully consider if this is the best air fryer for you.

I feel the Instant Vortex VersaZone to be quite an attractive air fryer – as attractive as air fryers can be anyway – employing just a single physical button in the form of a control dial on its front surface. All other controls are handled via a touch-sensitive panel on the front. When not in use, all you see is the shiny black top section, the basket handles and the silver control dial. This, coupled with the angled design of the top section, make it a slick-looking machine, and certainly helps to disguise its size compared to if it was a large black box.

Do note that the shiny nature of the top section does mean the Instant Vortex VersaZone is a serious fingerprint magnet. When you’ve been handling food before putting it into the cooking basket and using the touch control panel, you’ll soon find it builds up a large fingerprint collection, so you’ll be spending a lot of time keeping it clean.

The main basket has a removable tray and a divider, the latter fitting into the former to split the compartment into two equally sized cooking sections. There are some rubber grips on the cooking tray and divider that help them to stay in place during cooking, but they do provide a fair amount of friction, so be prepared to use a little more force than you may have initially assumed to get them into place.

The air frying basket, cooking tray and divider are all dishwasher safe, making clean-up relatively easy. However, if you don’t have a dishwasher, then you’ll need to factor in the sink space required to wash the whole basket.

Instant Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone Technology: Performance

Large basket makes cooking a meal a breeze
Good results achievable once you learn the functions
Pre-heating times can be annoying

The Instant Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone Technology can air fry (obviously), roast, bake, grill, dehydrate and reheat various foods. Each program has its own default settings, including the minimum and maximum temperatures they reach. The grill program reaches the highest maximum temperature of 450°F / 232°C for a maximum of one hour. Air fry, roast and bake can all reach a high of 401°F / 205°C for an hour also.

Anytime you wish to use the Instant Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone Technology, it needs to spend a few minutes preheating before it notifies you when to add food. While I can appreciate this is needed, it became increasingly annoying that the air fryer needed to preheat when I went to make a second dish immediately after a cooking program had finished. I found this a bit strange, since the cooking basket would surely have still been hot. I also noticed the preheating time for the second cooking session wasn’t that much quicker than the initial preheat from cold.

The Instant Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone Technology also has SyncCook and SyncFinish modes to help streamline your cooking and to ensure certain dishes don’t go cold while you wait for something else to cook. SyncCook allows you to use both cooking compartments and have them cook with the same time and temperature settings. SyncFinish is used when you have two separate dishes on either side of the divider that require different cooking times, but you want them to finish at the same time.

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I used the SyncFinish mode the most, as I would cook a chicken breast or a piece of salmon, for example, on one side and some green beans or asparagus on the other. Setting up SyncFinish is simple: a quick double press of the control dial puts it into dual cooking mode and from here you can adjust the time and temperature individually for both sides. Once you’ve made your adjustments, just press the SyncFinish button, followed by Start, and you’re away. The side with the shortest time will remain on hold while the other preheats and begins cooking. The Instant Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone Technology will then begin preheating the second cooking section so that it’s ready to begin cooking when the time remaining aligns on both sides.

The aforementioned chicken breast came out juicy and tender, while the salmon was buttery soft and fell apart when I cut into it with a fork. I did have a few teething problems when cooking some hand-cut sweet potato wedges however. I hoped they would come out crispy but, upon my first try, they did seem a little raw still. I put this down to both shortening the cooking time I would normally use for an oven, and the wedges themselves being relatively thick in size.

Throwing some chicken tenders into the basket also proved successful. What was especially handy (and as I've been noticing more and more with food packets lately) is that they had specific air frying instructions on the pack. I followed these to a tee and the results were sublime. They were hot, the breadcrumbs had a great crisp to them and they were juicy inside.

It did take me a bit of time to adjust to cooking with an air fryer compared to a conventional oven or frying pan, predominantly with cooking times as opposed to temperatures. I had expected the Instant Vortex VersaZone to cook food slightly quicker than the old-school method but, in reality, it took the same amount of time or occasionally longer. I found this to be a fair compromise as the cooking results were superb.

I also tried out the bake function to make some chocolate chip cookies. I loved the fact the basket was big enough to cook what most people would call a batch, but what I would call a single serving. I've made these cookies before, using a fan-forced oven to bake. I followed the same recipe, cooking time and temperature using the bake function on the Instant Vortex VersaZone air fryer but found they came out slightly under baked. If I were to bake them again, I would keep the temperature the same but leave them in for a few minutes longer.

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Cookie dough before and after being baked in the Instant Vortex VersaZone Air Fryer — (Image credit: Future)

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The only niggle I found with the SyncFinish and SyncCook functions were that they won't allow you to change temperatures and cooking times midway through the program. During an instance when I was cooking a chicken breast on one side and broccoli in the other, I wanted to adjust the temperature of the meat, but with the SyncFinish function activated, this wasn’t possible. You first have to cancel the program, make your adjustments and then start it again – this also causes the air fryer to preheat again.

My advice here would be to make sure you know the exact temperature and time you want before pressing the all-important start button.

Should I buy the Instant Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone Technology?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

How I tested the Instant Vortex 9-quart Air Fryer with VersaZone Technology

Used air fry, roast and bake presets
Cooked salmon, chicken, fries and vegetables
I used both the dual zone and the large single basket

I used the Instant Vortex VersaZone air fryer to cook a variety of food. I would most often cook some meat or fish in one side of the basket and some accompanying vegetables or potatoes in the other. I also attempted to bake some cookies. This allowed me to test the various synchronised cooking functions of the air fryer, as well as determining how well it actually cooked food.

I also used it for more basic cooking tasks, such as air frying hash browns or fries for a quick hot snack.

Revlon SmoothStay hair dryer review

12:00 pm | April 20, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: UK, US | Comments: Off

Revlon SmoothStay hair dryer: two-minute review

The Revlon SmoothStay hair dryer – also known as the Revlon SmoothStay Coconut-Infused hair dryer is lightweight, flexible and budget-friendly, and it dries hair fast and effectively. Revlon is well-known for selling a wide range of hair and beauty products, and the SmoothStay is one of its latest hair dryer designs that’s both reasonably priced and versatile. If you're looking for the best hair dryer but don't have a lot to spend, this is definitely worth your consideration.

The Revlon SmoothStay Coconut-Oil Infused Hair Dryer box — (Image credit: Future)

The model features ceramic tourmaline ionic technology to help reduce static and frizz, and smooths your locks every time you use it; I certainly noticed that the heat flow left my hair feeling nicely dried and tame. The hair dryer also has a triple-coated ceramic coconut-oil infused grill to help enhance shine and achieve a frizz-free finish. It’s hard to know if this is entirely capable of adding that extra bit of shine, but having used the SmoothStay a number of times, I was pleased with how quickly it blow-dried my hair as well as the sleek results.

At 1875W, the hair dryer is powerful, and if you’re someone who prefers that their hair dryer to be at peak temperature from the moment you press the button, you won’t be disappointed. There are two speed and three heat settings to choose from, depending on how hot you like the blast of air. The cool shot is also quick to chill, which means there’s no hanging around when you want to fix your hair to flick up the ends or set in specific styles.

Revlon SmoothStay Coconut-Oil Infused Hair Dryer with smoothing concentrator — (Image credit: Future)

I think one of the best features of this hair dryer is the unique concentrator nozzle that comes in the box, which is shaped like a comb. It’s designed to help you smooth your hair as you dry it and makes blow-drying easier. I found I had to use quite a bit of force to connect the nozzle to the body of the hair dryer at first, but I soon got the knack of snapping it firmly in place. I used the nozzle together in tandem with a wet brush to smooth out my wavy hair. There’s also a volumizing diffuser in the box that attaches easily and looks like a good size to define curls on both long and short hair.

Revlon SmoothStay hair dryer review: price & availability

List price: $29.99 / £30
Available in UK and US

Unlike most powerful hair dryers that feature ionic technology, the Revlon SmoothStay comes in at an excellent price. We’ve found it on Amazon for a reasonable $29.99 / £30 (currently reduced to £20), and you can also pick it up directly from Revlon or at select local retailers such as Argos in the UK. In the box, you’ll find a concentrator comb nozzle and a volumizing diffuser to help enhance your finished results.

Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Revlon SmoothStay hair dryer specs

Revlon SmoothStay hair dryer review: design

Includes concentrator comb and diffuser
Hanging ring included
Removable end cap for easy cleaning

The SmoothStay Coconut Oil Infused Hair Dryer is finished in Revlon’s signature black colorway and features red accents. It matches the Revlon One Step Air Straight and the Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 Hair Dryer and Hot Air Brush in terms of design.

I found the Revlon SmoothStay comfortable to hold. The even distribution of weight makes the hair dryer feel solid and robust, but it isn’t so heavy that you run the risk of suffering arm ache with extended use.

The SmoothStay features a good mix of controls, which is just what you would expect from a premium hair dryer. There are three heat and two speed settings conveniently placed on the inner side of the handle, plus a separate cool shot that seals hair cuticles when styling. The controls sit in place securely, so there’s no risk of accidentally knocking them while in use.

A hand holding the Revlon SmoothStay Coconut-Oil Infused Hair Dryer with accessories on show — (Image credit: Future)

The hair dryer is made from plastic and offers a good grip; I was able to hold the handle of the hair dryer comfortably. It also comes complete with a grill that’s triple-coated in ceramic infused with coconut oil, to help create a smooth and shiny finish to hair.

A hanging hook can be found at the top of the cable, making the hair dryer easy to store on display. While the 1.8m cable is ample, I’d have liked a little more length. I was previously using a hair dryer with a 3m cable, and a bit more room to maneuver with the Revlon SmoothStay would have been welcome.

In the box, you’ll also find a concentrator comb nozzle and a volumizing diffuser. I found the comb nozzle a little stiff – it required quite some force to snap it into place, although I’m sure it will ease over time. The shape of the nozzle is well designed, since you can use it like a comb to help guide the airflow for a smoother finish. The volumizing diffuser is also large enough to gather long hair.

A hand holding the Revlon SmoothStay Coconut-Oil Infused Hair Dryer to show the removable end cap — (Image credit: Future)

The removable end cap of the dryer is a nice touch, since it protects your hair while in use, but can be removed easily for cleaning. The diffuser can also be cleaned in warm, soapy water and rinsed when required. I used argan oil on my hair and managed to get some onto the body of the hair dryer, which resulted in noticeable fingerprint marks. Thankfully, these were easily wiped off with a damp cloth and buffed dry to remove all trace of the oil.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Revlon SmoothStay hair dryer review: performance

Ceramic tourmaline ionic technology for smooth results
Volumizing diffuser included in the box
Coconut-oil infused grille to limit frizz and add shine

Having recently had my wavy, mid-length hair dyed a shade lighter than natural, it was left rather more dry and frazzled than usual and in desperate need of taming. When I first used the Revlon SmoothStay hair dryer, I was surprised by its power and pleased with how smoothly it dried my hair.

As mentioned, there are three heat and two speed settings to choose from, with a cool shot close to hand, too. Unlike some hair dryers I’ve tried that take a while to get to temperature, the Revlon SmoothStay hair dryer reaches the desired temperature, whether hot or cold, instantly. It's good to know that while the hair dryer can get very hot, it does include a safety feature that will cut the power if the temperature exceeds the optimum drying level.

The benefit of it getting hot quickly is that it produces fast results. When using the dryer on my own hair, I used the hottest level; but found this temperature a tad too hot when drying my 10-year-old’s hair, so I selected a more comfortable and steady level 1. Using the Decibel Meter App, I measured noise levels at 81.3dB on the hottest setting, which is around average.

Revlon SmoothStay Coconut-Oil Infused Hair Dryer with diffuser attachment — (Image credit: Future)

The hair dryer features ceramic tourmaline ionic technology, which is designed to reduce static and frizz, and enhance shine. My hair felt smooth after use and had a nice weight to it – possibly the result of the coconut-oil infused grille, which also helps to achieve sleek results. While I still had to resort to using my hair straightener after drying to further tame my wavy hair, the Revlon SmoothStay definitely made my hair feel more manageable.

My favorite feature of this hair dryer has to be the concentrator comb nozzle. It helped to evenly guide the airflow to smooth and straighten my hair. Used alongside a wet brush, it offered greater control over the final result.

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Revlon SmoothStay hair dryer?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Revlon SmoothStay hair dryer review: alternatives to consider

How I tested the Revlon SmoothStay hairdryer

I have tested a wide range of hair dryers over the past few years, as well as speaking to a number of hair stylists to find out what matters to them when choosing a hair dryer to use in their salons. With this in mind, I feel that I have gathered good insight into what makes for a decent hair dryer.

I have medium-length, wavy hair that’s prone to getting very frizzy when it dries naturally. I was keen to see whether the Revlon Smoothstay could calm my hair as it dried and leave it feeling salon fresh. I used it over the course of a month with the concentrator nozzle and a wet brush to blow-dry my hair. I also used it on my kids' hair – I was keen to see how well it could tackle the very straight flyaway hair of my young daughter and whether she found the noise levels comfortable.

Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker review

5:00 pm | April 14, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Multi Cookers Small Appliances | Tags: UK, US | Comments: Off

Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker: two-minute review

If you’re looking for a top multi-cooker, then there are plenty of best Instant Pot options to choose from. The Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker stands out as a great buy, not just for its 10 settings, but also because of its smart functionality. So, not only can you control the appliance from the touchscreen display on the front of the cooker, but you can start, adjust and stop it remotely via an app on your smartphone as well. This makes it a much more convenient option than your standard Instant Pot.

I really enjoyed browsing the Instant Connect app, which features lots of cooking inspiration. Offering access to over 1,400 recipes, you can search for a recipe to cook using keywords such as “chicken”, “fish”, or any other random ingredient you have to hand. Once you’ve decided what to cook, following the instructions in the app is super simple, and it will nudge you to choose the right cooking mode for the recipe chosen. This is a game-changer, making cooking really quick and speedy, with no need to refer to the instruction manual. It’s also handy when you’re stuck about what to cook and need some inspiration.

A hand holding a phone displaying the app for the Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker — (Image credit: Instant Pot)

Provided the device is plugged in, you can turn the appliance on and off remotely, too – which is helpful if you want to keep an eye on the cooking cycle from the comfort of the sofa. This also means that provided you’ve prepped your ingredients correctly, you can turn on the cooker while you’re out – so that the slow-cooked lamb you planned first thing will be ready to eat when you walk through your front door.

In terms of design, the Instant Pot Pro Plus won’t catch the eye. Nevertheless, its timeless black and silver finish will work well in both modern and classic kitchen schemes. Offering 10 useful cooking modes, including those for steaming and making rice and a delay start and keep warm function; if there’s one option I was disappointed not to see, it’s an air fry function.

Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker review: price & availability

List price: $199.99 / £199.99
Reasonably priced for capabilities
Available in US and UK

The Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker is above average in price for an Instant Pot multi-cooker, setting you back $199.99 / £199.99. At the time of writing, this 6-quart / 5.7-litre design is on sale for $149.95, however.

You’ll be paying that bit more than the average due to its smart capability. For a 6-quart model minus smart features you can pick up the Instant Pot Rio for around $99.99. Or in the UK, you can buy the Instant Pot Duo Plus With WhisperQuiet Multi-Cooker for £99.99, which is currently on offer, down from £129.99.

Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker specs

Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker review: design

6-portion capacity
10 functions accessible via touchscreen
Dishwasher-safe removable pot

In terms of looks, the Instant Pot Pro Plus is rather average; with a sleek black finish and touchscreen display, it’s nothing out of the ordinary. However, what makes it stand out from the crowd is its high-tech smart capability, which allows you to control the multi-cooker not just through the touchscreen panel, but via a smart app on your phone.

Size-wise, it isn’t too intrusive on the countertop, and at 7.05kg it isn’t too heavy either. Its body is curvaceous and sleek, offering a generous 6-quart / 5.7-liter dishwasher-safe stainless steel inner cooking pot with aluminium core that can hold up to six portions. In the box you’ll also find a steam rack and extra sealing ring for when the original wears out.

The various parts of the Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker — (Image credit: Instant Pot)

While you won’t need too much room to store this appliance on the countertop or in a large kitchen cupboard, you will need to ensure there’s adequate space around it for good ventilation while cooking. Venting is easy: there are three touchscreen options for natural venting, pulse venting or a quick vent. The display also denotes how much cooking time remains, and highlights the cancel and start buttons for quick access while running.

I found the digital display clear and easy to read, allowing you to choose from the 10 settings available. These include pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, sautéing, yoghurt making, canning, sous vide, delay starting and keeping your food warm.

I found the device feels solid and secure on the worktop, with ample cord length to easily plug it in at the socket. The multi-cooker has a lid that’s easy to remove and lock into place when needed. Note that the sides of the machine do get a little hot to touch when it’s on, but nothing out of the ordinary – and the only time the multi-cooker makes much noise is when the steam is being vented. Helpfully, the inner pot comes with handles, which makes it super easy to take out.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker review: performance

Cooks up to 70% faster when pressure cooking
10 cooking functions via touchscreen or app
NutriBoost to lock in vitamins, improve texture

To test out the Instant Pot Pro Plus, I used it over the course of a month to cook a variety of dishes. I downloaded the Instant Connect app and followed recipes such as pressure-cooked Easy Holiday Butternut Squash Coconut Soup, which was made in under 20 minutes. I was keen to see how well this multi-cooker could pressure cook, sauté, steam and cook rice, as well as produce a slow-cooked lamb curry.

I found the digital control panel simple to use, and found that the “easy seal locking lid” clicked into place effortlessly. Pairing the appliance with the smartphone Instant Connect app proved faultless, too. After pressing the Wi-Fi button on the pot, and following the instructions to connect, I was able to use the app to control my recipes.

Screenshots of the Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker app — (Image credit: Instant Pot)

The app itself is actually one of the easiest and most comprehensive I’ve used. I welcome the way you can search for a recipe, and the app delivers step-by-step instructions – from gathering your ingredients to choosing the right settings, adding ingredients and venting the steam – all in real time.

Offering 20% more power than previous models, for faster pre-heating time and 15psi suitable for canning, the Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker claims to be the most powerful Instant Pot to date. This design does, in fact, claim to cook up to 70% faster than other cooking methods when pressure cooking, and can therefore help you save on energy bills as a result. I certainly found pressure cooking to be super quick: I was able to cook very tough butternut squash in just five minutes.

Butternut squash pressure cooked in 5 minutes in the Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker — (Image credit: Future)

Following the recipe for pressure-cooked Easy Holiday Butternut Squash Coconut Soup, the app automatically guided me through the natural venting setting at the end, which I found reassuring and easy to follow. The appliance does get quite loud when venting steam, and you’ll need to ensure there’s sufficient space above to avoid covering the kitchen units with condensation. While making the soup, I also clicked on the NutriBoost setting on the control panel, which is designed to make meals healthier by breaking down the food, locking in vitamins and enhancing the flavour. It’s hard to tell if this made any difference to the final results of the soup, but it’s a reassuring addition to the offering.

I found the appliance very quiet in use – particularly when used for making a slow-cooked lamb curry. It was very easy to sauté ingredients such as the lamb, onions and seasoning directly in the pot at the start of the recipe, which saved time and having to wash up a separate pan. I then simply added the rest of the ingredients and switched to the slow cook setting for four hours on high. I like the fact that the sauté setting can be used at the end of the slow cook to reduce liquids directly in the pot if needed, too. The appliance gently beeps to let you know when the food is ready.

Saute-ing lamb for slow cooked lamb curry in the Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker — (Image credit: Future)

Cleaning was pretty simple; the pot is dishwasher-safe and the base and lid can be cleaned with warm soapy water and wiped down with a damp cloth. For more advice, learn how to clean an Instant Pot.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

How I tested the Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker

Tested for a month
Used for a variety of dishes

I tested the Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart Multi-Cooker over the course of a month, using it to cook a variety of dishes and to gauge the effectiveness of its different cooking modes, including pressure cooking, sautéing, steaming and slow cooking. I also rated it on ease of use both with its touchscreen and app, as well as factoring in how easy it was to clean.

Dyson Airstrait review: straighter hair with the power of air

4:30 pm | April 12, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

Two-minute review

Dyson's latest haircare innovation is here, and ready to blow you away – literally. For the uninitiated, the Dyson Airstrait uses focused airflow to tame your tresses (much like the Dyson Airwrap), protecting you from potential heat damage incurred by using a combination of traditional hair dryers and straighteners. In that sense alone, it's easily one of the best hair straighteners I've ever used.

Dyson may historically be best known for making some of the best vacuums, but in recent years its hair- and air care products have started appearing in TechRadar's best hair dryer and the best purifier rankings. Following the viral success of the Airwrap, the Dyson Airstrait is under a fair amount of pressure to live up to the multi-styler's legacy, and especially following the slightly lukewarm reception to the Corrale, Dyson's still-innovative but more conventional straighteners. All those efforts to master air engineering have clearly paid off; the Airstrait is pretty accomplished and a solid all-rounder, but it's got some flaws that make it far less useful for certain hair types and styling.

Using a precisely angled (by 45 degrees) blade of focused airflow to simultaneously dry and straighten hair, the Airstrait managed to take my thick, wavy and porous hair from wet to straight in just 10 minutes – less than half the time it would take me to dry and straighten my hair, even if I was using the Dyson Supersonic and Corrale. It's worth noting though that it's pretty hard to achieve pin-straight locks; the Airstrait created more natural-looking results, which I personally prefer.

It's not just for wet styling either – the Airstrait also has a dry styling mode and a cool mode to set your style, though I will say the dry styling isn't quite as effective as wet.

As ever, though, the Airstrait falls victim to two of Dyson's cardinal sins: being overpriced and just a little impractical on account of its size and weight. There's no doubt it offers something fairly unique in the market – barring the ghd Duet Hot Styler, that is – but I'd say if you're gearing up to spend nearly $500 / £500, you're potentially better off getting an Airwrap and using its barrel or flyaway attachment to create a similar effect, depending on your hair type.

It'd be remiss of me to not mention that although the Airstrait is a four-star product for me, that's largely down to my hair type. I can't speak for how it would work for coily or curly hair, for example.

Dyson Airstrait review: Price & Availability

List price: $329 / £289 / AU$465
Launched in the US in May 2023, and UK in March 2024

In case you missed the memo, Dyson's products are known for their high price tags, and the Airstrait is no different. At full price, it's $499.99 / £449.99 and is available directly from Dyson as well as at select third-party retailers such as Amazon.

The Airstrait launched in May 2023 in the US, but it has taken nearly a full year to hit the UK. As of writing, pricing and availability have yet to be confirmed for Australia, but I expect we'll see a release date before the end of 2024.

Now, there's no avoiding the fact this is an incredibly costly pair of tongs. In some territories they outprice Dyson's other hair straighteners, the Corrale ($499.99 / £399.99 / AU$699).

Dyson Airstrait review: Specs

Value: 3.5 out of 5

Dyson Airstrait review: Design

Chic, futuristic design with OLED screen
Monstrously large plug and broad plates
Fairly heavy for straighteners

Design-wise, the Dyson Airstrait is a real mixed bag. It's part retro, part futuristic aesthetically, resulting in a pair of tongs that look straight out of an 80s sci-fi movie in all the best ways – provided, of course, you like 80s sci-fi movies.

Functionally, you've still got two plates that clamp together, which plug into the wall for power (here via a 6.6ft / 198cm cable). The key difference compared to a traditional straightener is that Dyson has swapped out hot plates for unheated panels, and on the underside there are two vents – that's where the air straightening magic happens.

A thumb-sized OLED display on the main body shows you the styling mode, airflow and temperature settings. Below this, you'll find the five button controls: hot temperature, airflow speed, cool temperature, wet/dry mode and power. To me, the OLED screen is a bit unnecessary – I'd prefer a small light indicator and a slightly lower price tag, personally.

There are two colorways currently available: bright nickel and prussian blue. It seems like Dyson is dropping its iconic fuschia colorway altogether, which I think is a shame. Still, I love the glossy finish and copper accents on the bright nickel model I tested.

At 1.18lb / 536g when held, they're pretty darn heavy for straighteners – just a touch lighter than the hefty 1.23lb / 560g Dyson Corrale. This does mean you could end up with some light arm-ache if you were using the Aistrait for a long period of time. Thankfully, the Airstrait makes pretty quick work of most hair types.

Even the PRCD plug for the Airstrait is pretty monstrous. This bulky component might be built with safety in mind, but my goodness it's an eyesore. On the plug are test and reset buttons to offer ground fault protection, which accounts for the seriously powerful engines whirring away inside the Airstrait. Just don't expect to be able to plug them into outlets with furniture backed onto them.

Design: 4/5

Dyson Airstrait Review: Performance

Little-to-no hair snagging or sizzling
Instantly heats up and delivers speedy results
Shiny, silky hair, but not pin-straight

On test, I was pretty impressed with the Airstrait's performance. I've got thick, wavy and porous hair, so drying it can often be a bit of a pain, especially if I don't have time to let it air-dry a little first.

However, with the Airstrait, I saved time on multiple fronts. For one thing, the Airstrait can handle fairly chunky segments of hair at once, all without snagging and pulling. I was pretty dubious of this claim prior to my testing (the Corrale promised much the same but I still find it's fairly easy to snag hairs if I'm not paying attention).

Then there's the drying itself. If you're slow and steady enough, the focused and angled blade of air generated by the Airstrait can dry a segment of my hair in just one pass, though I tend to give it a quick once over with a cool shot to set.

It's worth noting that because of its bulky design, the Airstrait can't get right up to the root. That's fine for my naturally wavy hair, but might be an issue for those with more defined, tighter curls.

Its wet mode offers three temperature settings (80C / 175F, 110C / 230F, and 140C / 285F) while dry offers two (120C / 250F or 140C / 285F), and there's also a boost mode.

The 45-degree angled blade of focused airflow is a pretty impressive feat of engineering, in more ways than one. For one thing, it heats the segment you're straightening impressively quickly, and there wasn't once in my multiple weeks of testing that I smelled the dreaded stench of burning hair.

Plus, thanks to the angle of the airflow, the Airstrait doesn't disrupt the rest of your hair – or your face – while straightening, keeping you cool, calm and collected throughout your beauty routine. However, you can't really curl your hair as you can with standard hot plates, and it can be quite hard to create volume, especially given the issues with reaching the root of your hair.

In just 10 minutes, my hair was silky, straight, and smooth, with minimal frizz and pretty impressive staying power. It's never quite perfect, but I struggle to achieve pin-straight results even with the best straighteners – plus I think a more natural straight look can be just as desirable. I did try it on dry hair, but I wasn't as impressed – it didn't seem to really do much beyond taming frizz and unmanageable flyaways.

The results lasted most of the day for me, keeping my hair relatively straight all the way through to the evening – but that's pretty standard for my hair type. When I tested on my partner's curlier Asian hair, I struggled to get it fully straight and noticed the results were slightly less shiny. If the styled hair got wet, damp, or encountered humidity, it became loosely curled again. This mirrors many customer experiences with curly, coily and frizzy hair – the Airstrait seems to work well, but doesn't offer the staying power of traditional hot plates.

Dyson has factored some pretty useful features into the design, too – in particular, the intuitive airflow adjustment and auto-timer. The former detects when hair is between the Airstrait's arms and adjusts the volume of airflow accordingly, and the latter cuts out the airflow when the arms have been left open for more than three seconds.

Both these features can come in pretty handy, not least because the Dyson Airstrait is quite loud in use, registering 72 dB at its loudest while clamped around wet hair, and 63 dB when idle. That's still very impressively quiet for a hair dryer, though, and especially one packing this much power..

Overall, the Dyson Airstrait is a top performer for my very specific needs; it straightens wavy and slightly curly hair quickly and effectively, giving glossy and natural-looking results that by and large last the whole day. However, when used on curlier or coily hair, it's harder to achieve the same results you can with conventional straighteners.

Performance: 4/5

Should I buy the Dyson Airstrait?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

How I tested the Dyson Airstait?

I used the Dyson Airstrait as my main hair straightener and dryer for three weeks
I used it to dry my hair from wet as well as to straighten my dry hair
I have thick, wavy and porous hair

I used the Dyson Airstrait every time I dried my hair for three weeks, as well as its dry mode to touch up any unruly curls that set in overnight. I tested all of its modes and temperatures to gauge their effectiveness, as well as attempting different ways of using the Airstrait to style my hair.

I also tried straightening my partner's thick, curly hair to see how performance varied between hair types. Additionally, I measured the decibel output to gauge how loud the Airstrait was in use.

As well as testing haircare products for the past three years, I've been hair-obsessed since childhood; I've had long hair, short hair, colored hair and natural hair, all of which I've styled (and sometimes, disastrously, cut) myself with a wide variety of tools. I've used my own professional and personal experience to inform my testing.

First reviewed: April 2024

Alen BreatheSmart 45i air purifier review: powerful and easy to use

5:56 pm | April 11, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

Alen BreatheSmart 45i: two-minute review

The Alen BreatheSmart 45i is just one of many air purifiers on the market. And, if you’re like me when it comes to tech that doesn’t exactly tickle the dopamine receptors, it’s easy to skip the reviews and simply opt for something from your nearest big box store. However, when it comes to air purifiers, you probably shouldn’t do that.

Not only are you in the market for something that literally cleans the air you breathe, but many of the best air purifiers are either unlikely to be available from that big box store – or, if they are, will go for a price that will make you want to reach for something on a lower, cheaper shelf.

Quality is key when buying an air purifier, then. Having spent a month, if not more, with the Alen BreatheSmart 45i, I’d say that it definitely fits that category of product.

Instead of the space-age design of even pricier models, this model is sleek and discreet. And, unlike more budget options, it’s obviously well designed and made. This is before you consider the fact that you can switch out the front panel for a handful of options to match your decor, and choose from four different filters to best meet your needs.

Alen breatheSmart 45i controls — (Image credit: Future)

There really isn’t much not to like here. In fact, my biggest gripe was that it wasn’t obvious that the BreatheSmart comes with app support. While that might be user error – I should have checked the manual – in my view it should have been clearly stated. Luckily, all the necessary functionality is accessible via the capacitive controls.

Easy to set up and use, the BreatheSmart does an excellent job of quickly identifying drops in air quality; an LED indicator changes color to make you aware of the fact. In addition, the unit is fairly efficient at cleaning the air, although you’d be wise to set your expectations according to the filter you have – the basic one will not eliminate all odors, for example.

Really, the only point of contention most people will have with the Alen BreatheSmart 45i – unless they try to use it in too large a space – is its price. While there are far more expensive options out there, it’s still far from cheap. But, in this humble reviewer’s opinion, it’s worth it.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i review: price & availability

How much does it cost? Starting at $429 (about £340 / AU$660)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US

The Alen BreatheSmart 45i is not cheap. The price starts at $429 for the most basic configuration, reviewed here.

Consider upgrading the front panel and this will set you back a further $39. And, if you want to switch out the supplied “Pure” filter to the more powerful “Fresh” filter, that will be another $15; the remaining two filters come in at $30 each. So, you could potentially spend $498 (about £400 / AU$760) for an BreatheSmart 45i with an upgraded panel and filter.

Nevertheless, taking its performance into account, I’d say it’s worth the outlay. Although that cost can be a sticking point when the Blue Pure 411 Auto, for example – one of the highest rated air purifiers here at TechRadar – costs only $140/ £179 (about AU$220).

Note that the Alen BreatheSmart 45i is only available in the US.

Value score: 4 out of 5

Alen BreatheSmart 45i: specs

Alen BreatheSmart 45i controls turning red — (Image credit: Future)

Alen BreatheSmart 45i review: design

Sleek but basic aesthetic
All functionality available through on-unit controls
Multiple filters available for different needs

The Alen BreatheSmart 45i is tall, lean, and only slightly boxy. Its design is more discreet than a model such as the space-age Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09, and while the review model arrived with an all-white exterior, there are five other front panels of various color available to fit your personal aesthetic. Personally, I’m happy with the basic look.

The controls are of the capacitive variety and located on the top of the unit. From here you can turn on the ionizer feature, check and reset filter levels, dim the lights of the controls and the LED indicator (which changes color depending on air quality) that surrounds the power button, set the speed, turn on automatic mode, and lock in current settings so they can’t accidentally be changed.

Basically, you can control every one of the Alen BreatheSmart 45i’s features from this panel. There is an app for both iOS and Android available, which lets you control the Alen BreatheSmart 45i from your couch; but the only added functionality it offers is the ability to track usage and cleaning history.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i assembly — (Image credit: Future)

There are four filters available for the unit. The 'Pure' is the default option – a medical-grade H13 HEPA filter for capturing allergens, dust and mold. 'Fresh' adds in carbon for additionally tackling chemicals and VOCs, cooking odors among other household odors. The 'Odor' filter steps up another gear when it comes to neutralizing odors, while the 'VOC / Smoke' filter comes with extra carbon to absorb noxious gases and secondhand smoke. As such, you should consider your air purifying priorities before you purchase; the 'Pure' filter in the review model does very little to neutralizing smells, for instance.

Alen breatheSmart 45i match stick and controls — (Image credit: Future)

Alen offers a subscription program that, by default, delivers a new filter every nine months – the natural life cycle of a filter. While the filter can’t be reused, it’s covered in a pre-filter that catches larger particles that can be cleaned.

Lastly, even though the BreatheSmart 45i is among the smaller of Alen’s purifiers, it’s still bulky. However, a handle at the back, near the top of the unit makes it easy to move it around your home. Also welcome is the indent in the base around which you can wrap any excess power cord for a cleaner look.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Alen BreatheSmart 45i: performance

Easy to assemble
App support is somewhat hidden
Powerful filter with good airflow

Before I get into the Alen BreatheSmart 45i’s air purifying performance, let’s discuss setup. On arrival, you’ll find the filter wrapped in plastic, while the front panel has a paper band around it like a freshly cleaned toilet in a high-end hotel. To assemble the unit ready for use, simply pull off the front panel, which is magnetically held into place, attach the filter having removed the plastic, and replace the front panel once you’ve removed the paper band.

Alen BreatheSmart assembly — (Image credit: Future)

The Alen BreatheSmart 45i is WiFi-enabled, but you wouldn’t know just by looking at the unit. As previously mentioned, although you don’t need the app to use the air purifier, access is useful for remote control. To pair the device, start by downloading the app appropriate for your device. Hold one of the capacitive buttons for five seconds until the Wi-Fi symbol lights up and starts blinking. Then, open the app and follow the instructions to connect.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i app screenshots — (Image credit: Alen)

As far as actually using the Alen BreatheSmart 45i, I tested it using copious amounts of incense, a candle, and in a couple of stale-smelling rooms. While it didn’t completely remove strong scents (you’d need the Odor neutralizer filter for that), it did minimize smells.

More importantly, via the LED indicator, it quickly recognized when the air quality had dipped and went into action, cleaning the air fairly efficiently. As long as you don’t use it in too large a space – it’s rated for rooms up to 800 square feet – it can completely clean the air in a room in as little as 30 minutes.

The BreatheSmart 45i has a CADR, or clean air delivery rating of 245. This metric measures the efficiency of the filter and the amount of air that’s pushed through it. While you can have an air purifier with a powerful filter, if it doesn’t push a lot of air through it, it won’t be able to clean the air in your room very quickly.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i filter — (Image credit: Future)

This air purifier is capable of moving a good amount of air, but in operation, it isn’t the quietest at the higher settings. Our review unit reached 49dB, which is similar to the noise level of the space heater I use. Or, for a more general example, it’s like having soft music constantly playing. It isn’t too intrusive, but it certainly isn’t silent.

Getting back to my real world tests, the BreatheSmart air purifier took about 20 minutes to clear the air of the powerful sandalwood-scented incense once it had stopped burning. With the unit in my home I also discovered that my space heater actually introduces particles into the air every time I use it, with the drop in air quality indicated via the change in color of the LED.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Alen BreatheSmart 45i?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

If our Alen BreatheSmart 45i review has you considering other options, here are two air purifiers to consider...

How I tested the Alen BreatheSmart 45i

To test the Alen BreatheSmart 45i, I used it for a month to see how it would fare in my bedroom as well as a couple other small to medium-sized rooms in my home. I intentionally put it in areas of strong odors to see how it would perform, and delved into the app to see what functionality it offered.

Having used it over this period I can conclude that this is a powerful air purifier, working particularly well in small to medium-sized rooms. However, if odor is a big concern then you’d be wise to upgrade to the appropriate filter.

I’ve spent the past few years reviewing tech gear for the home, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.

First reviewed February 2024

Zuvi Halo hair dryer review: premium style with mixed results

12:00 pm | April 7, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

Zuvi Halo hair dryer: two-minute review

Once dubbed the 'Tesla of hair dryers', the Zuvi Halo has gained a cult following across social media, as well as winning multiple accolades from industry experts – including being named one of TIME Magazine's Best Inventions.

Instead of relying on hot air to dry hair, the Zuvi Halo uses a combination of targeted air flow with 'safe infrared light energy' to dry the water on the hair's surface. Said to have been inspired by the way the sun evaporates rainwater, it promises to boost hair hydration by 109%, shine by more than a third, and hair strength by 9%.

The Halo offers five drying modes – Care, Fast, Soft, Style and Cool – and, depending on the mode you select, each adjusts the air speed and the intensity of the infrared light to suit different needs. For example, Fast prioritizes speed, while Care prioritizes hair health. Soft is best for people with sensitive scalps; the Style mode is designed to be used with Halo attachments, and Cool helps to set your style.

Zuvi Halo hair dryer with attachments — (Image credit: Future)

You can't manually adjust the heat or speed settings to suit your specific hair, and this limits the level of control you have. However, there are three attachments available for the Halo: a Styling Concentrator, a Diffuser and a Gentle Air attachment, which add a degree of control and versatility.

Making a decision over which mode to choose can be confusing; the Halo isn't as intuitive or easy to use as the majority of hair dryers. I always opted for the Fast mode because, for me, saving time is a priority. I found that my hair was frizzier and more unwieldy having used the Soft mode, and Care mode didn't dry as quickly as I'd like. Yet all of the modes were noticeably faster at drying my hair than with my regular Revlon One Plus, and my GHD Helios.

The plus side is that this cuts down on styling time, especially in the morning. The down side is that I seemingly had to sacrifice shine in order to benefit from the speed. I often had to resort to using straighteners to calm the frizz and flyaways. Aside from adding time to my routine, this counteracted the stated hair health benefits of using the Halo. The finish was also in stark contrast to the brand's claims.

That's not to say I wouldn't recommend the Zuvi Halo hair dryer. After three weeks of use, my hair health was noticeably improved. Once I'd become more familiar with the outcomes of the various modes, I valued the fact that I didn't have to mess around with different heat and speed settings. Plus, there's something novel and futuristic about the Halo dryer that sets it apart from the crowd, in a good way. In the many years I've been testing the best hair dryers, it's rare for a product to surprise me in the way the Halo did.

It's just a shame that all of this next-level technology pushes the price of the Halo beyond the reach of so many, in addition to the fact that, for the price, the Halo isn't perfect.

Zuvi Halo hair dryer review: price & availability

$349 / £329 for Halo + 3 attachments
$329 / £309 for Halo + 2 attachments

The Zuvi Halo is available in two bundles. You can buy the Zuvi Halo hair dryer plus all three attachments – the Diffuser, Styling Concentrator and the Gentle Air attachment – for $349 / £329. Alternatively, if you don't need the Diffuser, you can buy a smaller, two-nozzle bundle for $329 / £309. It's not possible to buy the hair dryer on its own.

Price-wise, the top-end Zuvi Halo bundle puts it on a par with the Dyson Supersonic. However, the Dyson ends up being better value for money because it ships with five attachments by default. This includes versions of the three attachments sold with the Zuvi Halo – Diffuser, Styling Concentrator, and Gentle Air attachment – plus a Wide-tooth Comb and Flyaway attachment.

The Halo is available in the UK, US, Canada and across Europe, and is sold directly from the Zuvi Life website. You can also buy it from Target in the US, and QVC in the UK.

Zuvi Halo hair dryer review: design

Four preset modes + Cool shot
Faux leather handle feels premium
Bulky attachments

If the price doesn't draw comparisons with the Dyson Supersonic, then design of the Zuvi Halo will – certainly at first glance. The Halo has a short, circular barrel and long handle. It measures 9.9 x 3.3 x 3.8 inches (254 x 84 x 98mm) and weighs 1.2lbs / 546g without any nozzles attached.

At the front of the barrel is an air outlet surrounded by a circular pane of glass, behind which sit the infrared LEDs. At the rear of the barrel is the filter inlet, which is positioned above the four main mode icons. These modes are:

Care: Balances speed with optimizing your hair health
Fast: Prioritizes speed
Soft: Reduces airflow and uses less light, for people with sensitive scalps
Style: For use only with the attachments – airflow plus direction and intensity of light adjusts according to the nozzle attached
Cool: Sets the style and adds shine

The Mode selection button and the Power switch sit further down the handle. Select a mode, and you'll see a small white LED light up below the corresponding button to show you it's currently selected.

As well as enabling you to toggle through the main modes, the Mode selection button also doubles up as Cool shot button on pressing and holding it. At the end of the handle is a 2.7m cord.

Unlike the majority of plastic dryers and stylers, the Halo is made largely from metal, with faux leather on the handle. This gives the hair dryer an extremely premium feel while also making it easy to grip. The white colorway and iridescent nature of the infrared lights also make the Zuvi Halo one of the most stylish hair dryers I've used.

Zuvi Halo hair dryer review: performance

Fast drying times
Difficult to determine the best mode
Mixed styling results

To test the Zuvi Halo, I trialled each mode in turn repeatedly for a month, taking note of the time it took the hair dryer to dry hair, the resulting smoothness and shine, and how hair felt overall after use.

Not surprisingly, the quickest mode was Fast mode – although it wasn't as speedy as I'd hoped. On this mode it took the hair dryer 5 minutes 50 seconds to take my long, thin, naturally wavy from wet to dry. And while my hair felt more voluminous than normal when drying with a hair dryer (as opposed to a hot brush), it felt rough and looked frizzy. In fact, my hair looks less frizzy when I let it dry naturally. A quick look at some online reviews has found that I'm in the minority in this regard; but since it was a common occurrence throughout my review period, rather than a one off, it could just be that this particular hair dryer just doesn't suit my hair.

Next up was Care mode. This produced a much better finish than Fast mode; my hair was smoother without losing volume, but it took almost 45 seconds longer to get my hair from wet to dry.

Soft mode lived up to its name, leaving my hair feeling soft and healthy; but again, frizz and flyaways were an issue, not to mention it took around 8 minutes to complete styling.

The Zuvi Halo's best results were in Style mode with the Styling Concentrator attached. It took slightly longer than Fast mode to style my hair – 6 minutes, on average – but the extra time paid off because my hair was left feeling both softer and smoother. The Diffuser worked well at setting my curls without leaving them looking frizzy. I didn't quite see the need for the Gentle Air attachment, though, considering the Soft mode adequately reduces both speed and temperature; it worked well, but seems unnecessary.

Close up of diffuser attachment on Zuvi Halo hair dryer — (Image credit: Future)

Although the Zuvi Halo hair dryer looks bulky, especially with the nozzles attached, it's surprisingly lightweight. In addition, the shorter barrel makes it easy to move around the head; even taking account of the longer drying times across the board, my arms never ached in use.

In terms of noise, the Zuvi Halo is one of the quietest hair dryers I've tried, even on Fast mode. The highest decibels it recorded throughout my review period was 78 decibels on Fast mode. I could easily hear my music, and have a conversation with my son while drying my hair, which is rare.

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First reviewed: March 2024

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Zuvi Halo hair dryer: two-minute review

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