You can certainly snag a cheap toaster that burns bread and breaks down after a year of use. Orhear us outenjoy a perfectly even kiss of golden brown made by the Corvette of toasters. The SMEG toaster may be a bit pricey, but this stylish and durable gadget is truly worth the splurge. Here’s why our Product Testing Team gives this classy toaster three thumbs up.

What is the SMEG Toaster?

The SMEG toaster is a beautiful appliance with rounded corners and a shiny chrome finish. The top is brushed or satin, depending on the chosen color. It comes in 11 different shades, including light blue, pink, cream, chrome, gold, pastel green, champagne, red, black and slate gray. The cute rounded lever and mirror finish give this toaster a distinctive style that echos retro appliances.

In addition to its charming looks, each component is thoughtfully designed. The shade knob is substantial and easy to turn, and beneath the toaster are four very solid silicone feet that prevent it from slipping and sliding. Settings include a defrost and bagel button, plus a browning control knob with six darkness choices and a stop function.

It arrives in a secure brown shipping box. Inside is a branded box with a molded cardboard insert for security. The toaster is wrapped in a cloth-like branded bag for additional protection. Like the KitchenAid toaster, we love the overall vintage vibes of this stylish option.

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Our Product Testing Team was impressed by this pricey, retro-inspired pick.

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How We Testedthe SMEG Toaster

Over the course of several days, our Product Testing Team dedicated their time and Testing Lab to find thebest toasters for every budget and need. This endeavor introduced us to various options, from the aptly named Beautiful toaster to splurge-worthy finds like the Breville toaster. The SMEG toaster was voted the “most stylish” option, earning its place in the top six. It flawlessly tackled tests in the following categories (and looked good doing it):

• Size and unit of measurements
• Packaging and shipping quality
• The fit of test foods, including thick-cut brioche, sourdough, English muffins, pastries, bagels and frozen waffles
• Ease of slice removal
• Any special settings and the performance of those settings
• How long the settings take
• Appearance, material and overall quality
• Ease of care and cleaning
• Quality compared to price

Before testing for our SMEG toaster review, we wondered how a toaster could possibly be worth $200. However, this appliance pleasantly surprised us with its aesthetics and overall performance against 12 competitors.

The settings offer toasting options for every breakfast eater, from no browning with a very light crisp to an impressively even browning with plenty of crunch. Toaster pastries also fared well on the lowest “defrost” setting, which, based on the icon, seems like a built-in reheat setting. It was perfectly heated through with an ooey, gooey center.

One-Month Update

Senior Video Producer Paul Klawien volunteered his kitchen to long-term test the SMEG toaster. So far, he is impressed with the glossy look and even results.

“Our family uses it about three to four times per week, and it does consistent toasting every time,” says Paul. “I really like the solid construction. Every piece on it feels sturdy and solid. The chrome and weight of it remind me of 1950s appliances that are durable and last forever.”

Regarding criticisms, Paul notes that the popping-up sound is rather quiet for his lifestyle. “My wife and I are running around in the morning with a family of young kids, so Ill often put breakfast in to get toasted and then multitask. I rarely notice when it pops, so toast often gets left in and cold. A louder pop would remind me to grab it right away,” he says.

Additionally, he finds the combination of small numbers and a chrome surface make the knob a bit difficult to read. He also notes that he must crank the dial to the sixth toast setting for bagels. That said, Paul mentions that the simplicity of the controls, the one-side toasting feature and a well-designed crumb tray balance out the negatives.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our testing team has three years of experience testing and evaluating everything from thebest coffee subscriptionsto thebest flower delivery services. Many of us have backgrounds in kitchen and culinary careers ourselves. The remainder of our team are passionate home cooks who want to recommend the best products using honest and fair testing practices.

FAQs

How much does a SMEG toaster cost?

At $200, the SMEG toaster isn’t cheap. However, it’s worth the splurge if you want an appliance that will last for years and offer perfectly even results.

How do you clean a SMEG toaster?

To clean the SMEG toaster, pour your preferred cleaning product onto a damp cloth, then wipe it thoroughly and dry it with a soft or microfiber cloth. Never use abrasive or chlorine-based acids. Also never submerge your toaster.

Where to Buy the SMEG Toaster

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The SMEG toaster is a splurge-worthy option that looks lovely and delivers delightfully even, crunchy slices.

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The SMEG toaster is available at several popular retailers, including Amazon, West Elm, Wayfair and Williams Sonoma. While it retails for around $200, the price depends on color. We tested the 2-slice model, but SMEG also makes a 4-slice toaster with two slots and a 4-slice toaster with four slots.

In line with the price, the overall build and performance of the appliance are top-notch, making this a worthwhile splurge for families who want a toaster that lasts through years of use.

The post We Tried the $200 Retro SMEG Toaster—Here’s How It Performed appeared first on Taste of Home.

In our recent hunt for the best toasters, the KitchenAid toaster impressed us with more than just its shining exterior (which, to be fair, is gorgeous). With a library of settings, even results and looks that befit a mid-century modern dream kitchen, it topped our list as the best all-purpose option. Here’s why we keep popping our bread into this gleaming, retro-style appliance.

What is the KitchenAid Toaster?

Are you nostalgic for the glossy, space-age designs of yesteryear? The KitchenAid Toaster is made for folks like you. It’s a retro-style toaster that calls to mind mid-century home appliances with a shiny chrome body and sleek, rounded corners. Available in brushed silver, red and black, the toaster embodies 50s aesthetics without feeling dated. There’s also a four-slice option that functions as two toasters in one for folks with larger families. For our tests, we chose the Empire Red two-slice version.

Like most KitchenAid appliances, it’s undeniable that this toaster looks chic on a counter. The sides are reflective red plastic, and the top band is a beautiful brushed stainless. The controls, logo and lower base are trimmed in black. Chrome vents on the side give it a retro automobile feel. A five-point shade dial, pull-down lever and buttons are all on one end, while the other boasts a generous 38-inch cord that ends in a three-prong plug.

There are thoughtful touches throughout, including a bagel symbol that indicates which way to insert halves for the best outcome. A rather loud bell sounds when each toast session is finished, so you never forget about your breakfast while distracted by the morning rush.

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The KitchenAid Toaster is a sleek, shiny retro-style toaster that delivers even browning and comes in several kitchen-complementing colors.

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How We Testedthe KitchenAid Toaster

Over the course of several days, our Product Testing Team dedicated their time and Testing Lab to find the best toasters for every budget and need. This endeavor introduced us to various options, from a high-quality Breville pick to practically-priced budget options like the Beautiful toaster. The KitchenAid toaster impressed with its sturdy components and sleek look, earning it the best all-purpose award. It flawlessly tackled tests in the following categories:

• Size and unit of measurements
• Packaging and shipping quality
• The fit of test foods, including thick-cut brioche, sourdough, English muffins, pastries, bagels and frozen waffles
• Any special settings and the performance of those settings
• Appearance, material and overall quality
• Ease of care and cleaning
• Quality compared to price

Testing Team Analysis

The toaster truly is the perfect multipurpose pick, whether you prefer toaster pastries, English muffins or a slice of crispy, crunchy peanut butter toast. Five darkness settings and two “other” buttons (bagel and cancel) offer up a range of options for brunches, breakfasts and midday snacks. A simple control dial with an audible “click” ensures folks enjoy toast in the shade they expect.

While there are five darkness settings, we found the highest setting churned out smoking pieces that looked pretty inedible, and the medium setting was a bit more brown than wed like. That said, most folks will find that the sweet spot is the lowest setting, which churns out an even golden brown that extends the whole length of each bread slice.

Out of all the toasters we tested, the KitchenAid toaster’s bagel setting offered the most even browning. It is comparable, color-wise, to white bread we toasted on medium. It’s worth noting that the toaster does take a while to get there, opting for a “slow and steady” approach rather than a faster toast at higher temperatures. That said, we definitely prefer the accuracy of this toaster to the splotchy results from speedy competitors.

While it doesn’t offer a frozen setting or pastry buttons, both waffles and toaster pastries fared well on the first setting. The lever is a little bouncy, but other than that, it seems like it should last a long time. We’d love to see improvement in the lift function of the lever, which we needed to remove an English muffin. The edge of the muffin was barely above the opening of the slot, making it a bit awkward to retrieve. Other than that, we found few negatives to report.

One Month Update

After testing the toaster against 13 other options in our Testing Lab, Editorial Business Assistant Kari Kober volunteered to continue using it as her primary toaster in her own home. Regarding long-term performance, Kari is impressed with the sleek, retro look and the even kiss of brown on toast, bagels and English muffins.

“The toaster itself is very nice looking with the red. I feel that it looks good enough to leave out on the counter. I go just past the first setting, and it toasts my toast, bagels and English muffins perfectly,” says Kari. “One of my favorite features is the beep it makes just before it pops up because if I have started something else, its a nice reminder rather than getting too sidetracked.”

In terms of overall quality, KitchenAid gets a thumbs up from Kari. “You can tell the quality is there in the toaster, and it’s well made and built to last. I feel it’s worth the price for a better-quality toaster. I dont feel that it’s too expensive, either,” she says.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our testing team has three years of experience testing and evaluating everything from thebest coffee subscriptionsto thebest flower delivery services. Many of us have backgrounds in kitchen and culinary careers ourselves. The remainder of our team are passionate home cooks who want to recommend the best products using honest and fair testing practices. Regardless of the brand’s popularity or size, we never recommend a product we dont love.

FAQ

How to clean a KitchenAid toaster?

First, unplug the toaster and let it cool. Second, grasp the center of the crumb tray and slide it out. Finally, simply shake the crumbs into a waste container. We recommend emptying the crumb tray after each use. The Crumb tray is hand-wash only.

Similarly, wipe the toaster with a soft, damp cotton cloth. Do not use paper towels, abrasive cleaners or liquid cleaning products. Do not immerse the toaster in water. Return the crumb tray to the toaster. Press it in firmly until it clicks into position. Never use a toaster without a crumb tray in the proper position!

How do I reset my KitchenAid toaster?

Press the “cancel” button to reset a KitchenAid toaster.

Why is my KitchenAid toaster not toasting evenly?

A full crumb tray is the number one reason your toaster might not be toasting evenly. Emptying the crumb tray after each use ensures you get a nice, all-over golden brown rather than a spotty piece of bread.

Where to Buy the KitchenAid Toaster

Apart from its impressive performance, the KitchenAid toaster comes very reasonably priced at under $60. In addition to its mid-tier price point, we love that it’s readily available at most stores, including Amazon, Walmart and Wayfair.

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The post The KitchenAid Toaster is the Perfect All-Purpose Appliance appeared first on Taste of Home.

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A candle subscription that’s affordable, flexible and giftable may seem like a white whale, but we found an option that truly does have it all. Our pick for the best overall candle subscription is Vellabox. Vellabox offers very flexible subscription options, parsed out by candle size. Choices include a four-ounce option, an eight-ounce option and a behemoth 16-ounce option.

Our favorite aspect of Vellabox is that each included candle comes from a different candlemaker each month, meaning that there’s no limit to the number of scents and brands you get to try. Plus, regardless of size, each box comes with a curated gift to accompany the candle.

Senior Shopping Editor Katie Bandurski has been a Vellabox customer ever since trying them for her Vellabox review. In that time, she has received a number of candle companions, from gourmet lip balms to an eco-friendly mini scrub brush. “I’ve received many Vellabox boxes over the years, and they’re all high quality. I’ve found so many amazing scents (hello, pear and brandy), and I love to give them as gifts,” she says.

Subscriptions cost between $12 and $30, depending on your chosen candle size. For the price, we find Vellabox to be an incredible value for gifting, enjoying and exploring new scents. They’re also very well packaged to prevent breakage, and each comes in a pretty fabric pouch that elicits “oohs” and “ahhs” from potential giftees.

The post 6 Best Candle Subscription Boxes [Tested and Reviewed] appeared first on Taste of Home.

Because of this, I used to consider toasters a necessary evil. No matter how I approach things, I always over-toast my gluten-free bread slices. Frankly, I’m tired of my breakfasts being last-minute bowls of cereal rather than the protein-packed peanut butter toast I dream of.

I would have laughed if you had told me last year that I’d be pining after a pretty, feature-packed smart toaster. That was before I heard about the Breville toasterand finally understood that owning one of the best toasters completely redefines breakfast.

What is the Breville Toaster?

The Breville toaster isn’t your grandma’s 1950s Toastmaster De Luxe. It’s sleek and futuristic and features simple, easy-to-understand settings and buttons. It doesn’t justlook nice, either. This impressive pick outperformed roughly seven other toasters in rigorous testing, earning it a spot alongside six other winners.

Noteworthy features include a “lift and look” lever for checking in on a piece’s progress and the “a bit more” button that adds just a touch of extra toastiness to slices. The toaster is compact and solid, offering a slip-free bottom that holds itself against aggressive lever-pullers (guilty!). Special settings include “bagel” and “frozen” buttons and a slider bar to indicate toast level. Additionally, the slider features an LED light that acts as a countdown. This handy visual reference makes it easy to see how much time is left at a glance.

Sure, it’s priced a bit higher than a traditional two-slice toaster. But the Breville toaster is well worth the splurge if you’re sick of badly burned toast or cold-in-the-middle pastries. Plus, the brand has a proven track record of putting out top-rated appliances. Our favorites include some of the best drip coffeemakers, indoor pizza ovens, and the famous Bambino Plus espresso machine, which impressed our deputy editor.

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How We Tested the Breville Toaster

Over the course of several days, our Product Testing Team dedicated their time and Testing Lab to find the best toasters for every budget and need. This endeavor introduced us to various options, from pretty Beautiful-branded picks to practically-priced budget options. The Breville was our favorite “smart” option, earning its place in the top six. It flawlessly tackled tests in the following categories:

• Size and unit of measurements
• Packaging and shipping quality
• The fit of test foods, including thick-cut brioche, sourdough, English muffins, pastries, bagels and frozen waffles
• Ease of slice removal
• Any special settings and the performance of those settings
• How long the settings take
• Appearance, material and overall quality
• Ease of care and cleaning
• Quality compared to price

From the outside in, this toaster impressed with its high quality components and thoughtful touches. Remarkably, the luxe brushed aluminum Breville hides fingerprints very well, making it great for families. In addition, a bagel symbol indicates which way to insert halves, leading to perfectly crispy, indulgent lox bagels. Probably our favorite feature is that the interior levers are automated, so the bread descends and ascends on its own after you press “go.”

Regardless of the setting, the toaster offers quite an even amount of browning on both sides. We found that the first setting is ideal for most folks. It leaves bread pleasantly crunchy, pastries golden brown on the edges, and waffles crispy on one side while soft enough to soak in syrup on the other. If you trust any toaster with the spoils from your favorite bread delivery service, make it this one.

One Month Update

Team member Jessi Rhine has been testing the Breville toaster for about four weeks in her own home. Despite heavy use during breakfast, she comments that the toaster still looks brand new. She uses it alongside a Breville toaster oven. The two appliances form a classy duo that tackles everything from warming pastries to impeccably toasted slices ready for a smear of butter and jelly.

“We used only to use a toaster oven in the past. This new toaster seems faster and makes the toast brown on both sides, which is great,” she says. “I think this is a great toaster, and I would recommend it.”

So far, Jessi has only used the toaster on the first toast setting, which results in perfectly toasted bread. She notes that the ‘a bit more’ setting is a handy option to boost the darkness slightly without worrying about charring her breakfast. That said, she also finds the first setting dark enough, noting that she can’t imagine trying to enjoy a piece toasted on the fifth setting. In our tests, this produces a pretty blackened piece, which some folks may prefer.

Pros

• Has Lift and Look and A Bit More buttons
• Three-prong plug with a handy pull ring
• Very stable
• LED countdown
• Fits squatter slices at an angle

Cons

• No choice of color or finish
• Pricey

Why You Should Trust Us

Our testing team has three years of experience testing and evaluating everything from thebest coffee subscriptionsto thebest flower delivery services. Many of us have backgrounds in kitchen and culinary careers ourselves. The remainder of our team are passionate home cooks who want to recommend the best products using honest and fair testing practices. Regardless of how popular or big the brand is, we would never recommend a product we dont love.

FAQ

How do I clean the Breville toaster?

According to the Testing Team, cleanup is simple. Remove the crumb tray, empty it, and replace it before using the toaster again. To remove additional crumbs, turn the toaster upside down over the trash bin and shake the crumbs free. Wipe the outside of the toaster with a slightly dampened soft cloth, then polish with a soft, dry cloth to dry completely.

Where to Buy the Breville Toaster

The Breville toaster is available for purchase at major retailers, including the Breville site, Amazon and Walmart. While it’s pricier than other options, it’s as close to an heirloom toaster as possible, making it worth the splurge. With proper care and use, we expect this one to last through years of daily use.

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The post The Smart and Sleek Breville Toaster That Stole Our Editor’s Heart appeared first on Taste of Home.

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Zwilling is practically synonymous with quality. Given that, we’re unsurprised that it scored the most points in our tests for the best kitchen knife set. The Four Star knife set is a basic but remarkable assortment of three essential knives. The set includes an eight-inch chef’s knife, a three-inch pairing knife and a five-inch serrated knife. We love that there’s no gimmicky extras or flashy frillsjust a simple, high-quality set of kitchen tools. The quality of the chef’s knife, in particular, is not lost on Deputy Editor and self-described knife snob Nicole Doster.

“You know how prepping ingredients usually feels like a chore? Now I look forward to it because I have such a nice knife that slides through celery, peppers, potatoes, broccoli florets, roast chicken and steak like butter,” she says. “With just a little pressure, the Zwilling knife chops harder ingredients too, like super fibrous sweet potato. I even retired my beloved Ergochef chef’s knife that I thought you’d have to rip from my cold dead hands in favor of the new Zwilling.”

She notes the overall ergonomics of this set are perfect for those who don’t like holding heavier utensils. “At first, I was shocked to feel that the knives were so lightweight. I’ve been used to handling Ergochef knives, which I consider high quality,” she says. “The Zwillings weren’t heavy in my hands but had enough weight distributed to feel well-balanced, like the knife wouldn’t sway one direction or the other.”

Each inclusion falls right into the “Goldilocks zone” of size and value, making them perfect for both budding home cooks and experienced chefs. The blades themselves come from high-carbon stainless steel using Henkel’s proprietary “FRIODUR” methods. This method centers on heating and cooling the blades in a specific manner to create a high-quality cutting tool that doesn’t chip or crumble throughout the years. While the serrated knife works well for most baked goods, our one complaint is that the five-inch blade may be too short for larger bread loaves.

Unfortunately, this particular Zwilling set doesn’t come with a dedicated knife block (or sheaths, for that matter). However, given the quality and value of the set, we don’t consider that a deal breaker. Those interested in the set should snag one of our favorite knife holders to keep your workspace tidy and your knives from knocking against each other.

Blade material: Carbon stainless steel |Storage: No | Includes: 8″ Chef’s knife, 3″ pairing knife, 5″ serrated knife

The post Our Editors Tested 19 Kitchen Knife Sets—These Are the Ones Worth Buying appeared first on Taste of Home.

In fact, the Beautiful Toaster won the “best overall” honor during our toaster tests, coming out ahead of industry-leading brands like KitchenAid and Breville. It even earned a spot on our Product Testing Manager’s counter!

So what’s the deal with the Beautiful Toaster? If you expect just another piece of celebrity cookware, you’re mistaken. This sleek, colorful toaster offers optimum performance in a pretty package. Plus, it retails for less than $40. Here’s why we’re obsessed with this practical and lovely appliance.

What is the Beautiful Toaster?

The Beautiful Toaster from the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore kitchen line absolutely oozes style. Apart from offering a sleek matte body and silvery, shining accents, it also takes up just 11 inches of space. A lift function on the lever makes retrieving squatter slices of bread easy, and bagel and gluten-free settings round out its functionality.

Like the rest of the Beautiful line (including the Hero Pan), the toaster comes in seven pretty shades: black sesame, cornflower blue, lavender, oyster grey, rose, sage green and white icing. The toaster uses touchscreen technology rather than raised buttons, making it much easier to clean since there’s nowhere to trap crumbs.

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How We Testedthe Beautiful Toaster

Over the course of several days, our Product Testing Team dedicated their time and Testing Lab to find the best toasters for every budget and need. This endeavor introduced us to various options in various styles and price points. The Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Toaster immediately won us over, earning it the best overall award. It flawlessly tackled tests in the following categories:

• Size and unit of measurements
• Packaging and shipping quality
• The fit of foods, including thick-cut brioche, sourdough, English muffins, pastries, bagels and frozen waffles
• Ease of slice removal
• Performance of special settings
• Timing of each setting
• Appearance, material and overall quality
• Ease of care and cleaning
• Quality compared to price

The Beautiful by Drew Toaster is impressive with its sleek matte finish, on which we found fingerprints are nearly indetectable. A satin gold handle with a B monogram on the side and a futuristic touchscreen display round out this pretty pick. However, beauty isn’t the only thing going for this stylish option.

In terms of performance, it delivers as-expected darkness for each setting. The lowest option is one of the fastest of all the toasters we tested. It leaves a substantial crisp on both sides of the bread without browning. One setting up, and the bread gets pretty dark. A nice brownness all over the bread slices even reaches the edges. The upper quarter of each bread piece is ever-so-slightly darker than the rest. As for the darkest setting, an all-over even darkness covers the bread. While most folks will settle for the middle setting, it’s nice that the others offer even coverage.

We were most impressed with the waffle setting. During our tests, the toaster browned waffles all over and completely defrosted the waffles interiorsomething the other toasters we tested struggled with. The instructions note not to use it for toaster pastries with runny filling, but we found no issues toasting one up on low.

While it doesn’t offer the same smart features as our beloved Breville toaster, the LED touchscreen adds an additional layer of user-friendly elegance. It also comes in a wide range of shades that match the rest of the line, including the frozen margarita maker. Those seeking a toaster that flawlessly tackles the basics and looks good doing it, the Beautiful Toaster is exactly what you’re looking for.

Four-Month Update

Product Testing Manager Annamarie Higley has regularly used this toaster at home since the end of March. Its operating just as well as it did months ago. Apart from being the overall best toaster winner, this was also Annamarie’s personal favorite toaster from the batch test.

“This toaster isnt perfect, but I quickly learned during batch testing that no toaster is (even the $300 ones!),” says Annamarie. “All things considered, this toaster produces a remarkably even toast. I appreciate that this toaster has a matte finish. Some of my other toasters have been chrome or stainless steel, and the finger prints are inevitable but insanely irksome, nonetheless. Not an issue with this one!”

One place where Annamarie notes the toaster could do better? Bagels. “It seems as though the heat intensity decreases when you hit the bagel button. For example, a level-three toast on a bagel with the bagel setting wont be as dark as a level-three toast on a regular piece of bread on the standard toast setting,” she says. “I havent quite honed how to best make bagels with it. It produces near-perfect English muffins, bread and frozen waffles, though.”

Ive used a few other Beautiful products, like the ceramic-coated skillet and stand mixer, and Im always astounded by the quality for the price. This toaster is no different. Its understated but still so stylish, toasts a mean slice of toast and costs only $40,” notes Annamarie. “I love for items in my home to have a little personality (but I dont want to sacrifice performance, obviously!). This toaster is perfect for me.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our testing and shopping teams have three years of experience testing and evaluating everything from the best coffee subscriptionsto thebest flower delivery services. Many of us have backgrounds in kitchen and culinary careers, while others are passionate home cooks who want to recommend the best products using honest and fair testing practices. We only recommend products we love.

FAQs

Where can I buy Beautiful by Drew Barrymore?

Drew Barrymore’s Beautiful kitchen line is available at Walmart, both in stores and online.

How to clean the Beautiful Toaster?

Cleaning is simple. First, push to release the crumb tray and wipe with a clean, damp cloth. Then, replace the tray and wipe the toaster’s stainless steel exterior with a clean damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or put the cord or plug in water.

Where to Buy the Beautiful Toaster

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Like the rest of Drew Barrymore’sappliances, the Beautiful Toaster is available at Walmart. While it looks luxe, it retails for less than $40, making it ultra-affordable for most shoppers. There’s also a 4-slice toaster if you have a big family to feed. Snag it in one of seven lovely shades and start making breakfast in style.

The post This Beautiful Toaster Is Our Product Testing Team’s Favorite Budget Appliance appeared first on Taste of Home.

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According to our extensive testing, GreenPan produces the overall best ceramic cookware. The GreenPan Valencia pan has a silky ceramic coating that keeps everything from crepes to eggs sliding smoothly across the surface. In addition toearning its place as the best ceramic frying pan thanks to its performance, GreenPan’s ceramic offerings work on every cooking surface, including induction.

Because it comes from sturdy, heavy-duty aluminum, we expect it to last through years of use with proper care. That shouldn’t be a problem for most, especially since it’s one of the only options we tested that’s metal utensil safe. In addition, a scratch- and chip-resistant surface makes the slightly higher price tag a little easier to swallow. Like the featured pan in our GreenPan review, this ceramic cookware also comes in various fun shades. Colors include green, pink, blue, mint, yellow, purple, burgundy and coral, among many other options.

“If you’re looking for a quality pan that sears like a dream, the GreenPan Valencia is a solid option with an effective non-stick finish and induction-compatible magnetic base,” says Product Testing Team Member Dylan Fischer. In our tests of the pan, we noted that it offers some of the most even results in our searing test. The chicken turned the perfect shade of bronze, with a slightly browner center. Plus, the pan itself is lightweight and easy to maneuver for fancy egg flips.

Even after our tests, the bottom of the pan remained pristinethere was no charring or scratching! Plus, GreenPan backs its cookware with a two-year warranty for the ceramic coating and a lifetime warranty that covers defects. While the pan has no lid, easy cleanup and perfect nonstick performance make it worth the splurge.

Oven safe: Up to 600F | Induction ready: Yes |Dishwasher safe: Yes

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Sturdy materials and a pleasant, simplistic design make the Serif extendable dining table our top pick for the best dining room tables overall. Apart from the clean, neutral lines, we appreciate the simple assembly and low-maintenance materials that make it a shoo-in for families. A choice of oak or walnut offers an extra layer of customization.

The table provides a smooth, flat surface thats stain- and scratch-resistant, so its great for a variety of family activities like cooking and crafting, says EditorMary Henn, who owns a Serif table. Despite the tabletop not boasting 100% wood, it’s still simple to maintain and doesn’t scratch easily. While you should only use wood-safe products for a deep clean, a wet rag should do the trick for cleaning up daily messes, notes Mary.

One of our favorite aspects of this unassuming wood table is that it truly works in almost any space. It looks just as at home with a spread of Pioneer Woman dishes as it does adorned with mid-century margarita glasses. Additionally, thanks to the extendable tabletop, it seats anywhere from four to eight people. Just install the hidden leaf for holidays and gatherings. We love that the leaves also nestle into a hidden tray beneath the tabletop when not in use, freeing up additional storage space.

Overall, we find it worth the slightly higher price point, especially if you’re looking for an option built to last through years of dinner parties and daily use.

Dimensions: 59 L x 34.5 W x 29.75 H | Seats: 4 to 8 | Material(s):Solid ash, ash veneer, engineered wood | Features:Extendable to 78.75, scratch- and stain-resistant top

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Accessibility doesn’t always mean poor quality, especially for non-alcoholic beer brand Athletic Brewing Company. Available in over 17 different flavorsincluding Mexican-style coppers, darks, sours and IPAs among many other optionsyou’ve probably run into Athletic on at least one occasion in the grocery aisle. In fact, this overall best-tasting non-alcoholic beer is the first non-alcoholic brew I tried. Even after years spent tipping back other options, I keep returning to the bright and cheery Athletic cans on my local supermarket’s shelves.

Founded in sunny California and with operations in Connecticut, the US-based brand is tight-lipped about its proprietary brewing process. They’re also one of the largest dedicated non-alcoholic breweries that exist, period. My favorite flavors are the Run Wild and Free Wave Hazy IPAs, though they also offer fruity options and dark beers as well. Run Wild is a light and bubbly brew that tastes nearly indistinguishable from the real deal thanks to a pervasive underlying hoppiness and pleasantly bitter finish.

My partner best summarizes my thoughts on the brand: “Quality, consistency and ambition. They endeavor to make a genuinely good beer that won’t give you a hangover.” Whether you’re giving up alcohol for personal or health reasons, Athletic’s non-alcoholic drinks never cease to impress. That said, expect to place an online order for limited flavors like Hoppy Helles Trailblazer and Tropical Reset sour, which are only available on their website.

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In our tests of the best kombucha options, one brand consistently outperformed the others in terms of taste, fizziness, benefits and flavor: Health Ade. Whether it’s a replacement for canned alcoholic drinks or a healthful option for those looking to boost their gut flora, Health Ade’s impressive catalogue of 15 different flavors like Cayenne Cleanse, Bubbly Rose, Mint Limeade and Guava Dragon Fruit offer options for every mood. It’s the closest we found to traditional kombucha in terms of taste, toothough the zippy, tart flavor may be too acidic for newbie booch heads.

Health Ade is incredibly transparent about their brewing process, and they let each batch ferment for several weeks. That gives plenty of time for good bacteria (which averages at about 1 million per bottle) to feed, grow and release tons of tongue-tickling carbonation. At under 0.5% alcohol per bottle, it’s also safe for most folks to enjoy. Even better, it contains only around 70 calories per bottle, making it a much more waistband-friendly option than traditional soda. That said, with 13 grams of added sugar, it’s best to limit intake to one or two bottles a day.

Editors Favorite Flavor:Pomegranate

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Topping out our list of the best hop water brands is a brew that’s hoppy, fruity and inexpensive. Athletic Brewing understood the assignment with their DayPack hop water. It combines hop oils and carbonated water for a distinctive kiss of herbal goodness in every sip, making it a worthy stand-in for NA beer, craft brews and sugary mocktails.

Four core flavorsincluding black cherry, blood orange, lemon lime and mangooffer ample selections for every sipper at the tailgate or beach. Upon cracking open a can of black cherry, a fragrant black cherry soda scent with a sharp herbal-ness at the forefront fills the senses. While the fruit flavors themselves are rather muted on the palate, they mix incredibly well with the pine-like taste of the hops, making this an excellent pick for both budding hop heads and craft beer drinkers alike.

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According to our tests, topping the list as the overall best grill brush is the Grill Rescue brush. This squishy-yet-sturdy cleaning sponge effortlessly eliminates stuck-on messes without any bristles at all. Unlike other options, it employs the power of steam rather than aggressive scrubbing or scraping. An ergonomic handle makes it easy to work back and forth, and a lightweight head keeps arms from feeling fatigued when the mess calls for a little extra elbow grease.

Simply dip the sponge head into water before the grill cools down, then get to work scrubbing back and forth along the grates. The water heats up to boiling temperatures, effectively melting off meat residue and sticky barbecue sauce. A notched scraper on the back of the sponge loosens any stubborn bits cooked onto the grill, meaning no wire bristles sticking to future meals.

With a durable plastic handle and a replaceable, spongy head that gets deep into edges, this grill brush is a grate (get it?) grilling tool.When finished, pop it into the dishwasher or rinse by hand (or hose) for easy cleanup. While the brush itself is rather pricey, it’s relatively easy to secure replacement heads once the current one wears out, though we didn’t detect any noticeable degradation during our limited testing.

It’s also worth noting that this one only works with heat, so it’s best for cleaning grills right after cooking.

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Capacity: 11 cups | Settings: On, Off, Pulse | Power: 625 watts | Size: 7 x 11.5 x 14.5 in. | Cord length: 31.5 in. | Weight: 12.75 lbs. | Warranty: Full 5-year motor warranty, Limited 3-year unit warranty | Dishwasher safe: All parts except motor

According to our tests, topping the list as the overall best food processor is the Cuisinart Pro Custom 11-Cup Food Processor. Like our Test Kitchen’s favorite food processors, this option offers the perfect mix (get it?) of functionality and value. It performed so well in our tests that Product Testing Team Manager Annamarie Higley noted “there’s a reason why you think of Cuisinart when you think of a food processor.”

Apart from its easy-to-stash size and conveniently hefty weight that prevents it from slipping and sliding, we appreciate that this sturdy system looks as lovely as it runs. While it didn’t impress while slicing up mozzarellaa difficult feat for any food processorthe Cuisinart created very uniform slices and chops. It even excelled at mixing pastry dough, outperforming all the rest of the food processors with little effort.

While burdened with a slightly difficult setup that’s not very intuitive and a sleeve and pusher that don’t come apart, once users get the hang of assembly the learning curve evens out. This model even makes buttery-smooth pesto in a pinchthe pieces of herbs were really small and the ingredients blended together nicely. Even given the five star performance, it’s still not the most pricey model on our list, making it a great value that we expect to last through years of use.

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No matter the occasion, there’s bound to be a suitable gift at Harry & David. With food gift baskets that span bakery treats, chocolates, candy-coated popcorn, nuts, tea, coffee and a whole bunch of other goodies, it’s no wonder folks keep turning to the trusted retailer for housewarming parties and birthday bashes. One of our favorite Harry & David gifts is the classic snack box, which combines a handful of the brand’s signature sweet and savory flavors into a crave-able, mouth-watering assortment.

Inside the gift-ready box are enough snacks to hold over a small gathering: A package of hickory-smoked summer sausage, aged white cheddar cheese, honey hot mustard, three-seed crackers, mixed nuts and classic caramel Moose Munch popcorn. There’s even the option to add a bottle of wine for celebratory occasions!

This snack crate served me well in a number of social settings thanks to its simplicity and affordable price. It makes a thoughtful get-well gift, new job celebration and “just because” present. Each time I send it out, the snack box is a total hit, with recipients commenting on the freshness of the Moose Munch, the flavors of the summer sausage and perfect portions that easily feed up to three people.

Heck, it even received the stamp of approval from my in-laws, who brought up the tasty hot mustard spread even months later. Talk about an impressive food care package!

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Our pick for the overall best tea subscription is Tea Runners, thanks to its approachable-yet-uncommon flavors, affordable price and incredible quality. Choose from four box options: Black, Pure, Herbal or Original. Each box includes four sampler pouches of tea, 10 tea bags and a postcard with some basic info about the club, tea origins and steeping instructions. Inside Senior Editor Katie Bandurski’s box, each tea impressed with its freshness and flavor.

She likens Moonlight Jasmine to “a warm summer night,” whereas Floral Nectar Black impressed with its subtle finishing florals. Even the Majestic Earl Grey impressed Katie, who isn’t a big fan of Earl Grey. “This is so deliciousmuch fresher than any Earl Grey Ive had before,” she notes.

Because of the myriad options available, Tea Runners is equally appealing to both beginners and seasoned drinkers. The Original Box is a great way to start experimenting and figuring out what flavors/types of tea you like. Then, youd have the option to dive further into a specific type with the Black, Pure or Herbal box.

While the tea is loose leaf, each box comes with 10 tea bags for steeping, which Katie notes is not quite enough to get through all the tea. “Youll need to supplement with another pack or a reusable option. I like this toucan or baby Nessie, but you could use plain ol stainless steel if youre boring,” she says.

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With their claim of being “immortally delicious,” Bones Coffee Company has alotto live up to. We’re happy to report that we agree, earning them a spot as the overall best flavored coffee brand. I’ve been drinking Bones Coffee for years now, ever since they drew me in with their fun, edgy advertising and absolutely gorgeous bag art. However, what keeps me stocking them in my at-home coffee bar is their incredible selection of ever-changing and uncommon flavors and the quality of their beans.

Over 30 mouth-watering options like cookies and cream and cereal milk truly taste exactly as intended, as do the more traditional flavors like vanilla and Irish cream. There’s also frequent collaborations with other brands and franchises (including video games like Fallout and flicks like Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas) that introduce new, limited-time flavors almost monthly. We’re talking truly new flavors, toonot just their old options repackaged.

While testing, I especially loved the resealable packaging that keeps my beans and grounds fresh for weeks. The flavors aren’t always recognizable (for instance, the strawberry cheesecake flavor felt more strawberry than cheesecake), but they’re almost always delicious. Out of all the flavors I tried throughout the years, there’s only been one I wasn’t crazy about. However, my husband really enjoyed it, so I think that comes down to personal preference.

Even better, the coffees are never artificial-tasting or acidic, and there’s zero added sugar. Overall, if you’re a coffee lover looking for a great tasting brew that still feelslike coffee, Bones is your best bet.

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Weight: 8.55 lbs. | Run Time: 42 min | Bin Size: 0.72 qt. | Attachments: Duster Crevice Tool, Anti-Allergen Brush | Converts to Handheld: Yes

After flawlessly eliminating debris on both carpet and tile with nary a crumb left behind, the Product Testing Team recommends the Shark Stratos as the overall best Shark cordless vacuum cleaner. Not only does it handle big messes like pet hair and cereal spills like a champ, but the Shark Stratos also gets deep into corners with excellent edge-to-edge coverage, never missing a single spot.

This cordless vacuum comes with two handy attachments that tackle dust and allergens on upholstery and shelving, plus myriad features that flawlessly tackle dirt on both tile and carpet. Glitter, cornflakes and real human hair are no match for the easy glide wheels and CleanIQ’s auto-adjusting suction.

LED lights guide the way in low light spaces like closets and under furniture, and the clearance of the Stratos is by far the most impressive out of the entire Shark cordless vacuum lineup, being just shy of three inches. This makes it a great pick for getting under couches and maneuvering around table legs. In addition, we found that its agility didn’t dampen the suction, which easily picked up large debris on both high- and low-pile carpets.

Apart from the impressive suction, the Testing Team notes that the wheels help it readily glides over higher-pile carpet, making it easier to navigate than many of the other brands we’ve tried. Intuitive cleaning instructions and a robust battery that lasts over 40 minutes bolster this winner’s performance. No need to rush to clean in less than an hour, eitherthe removable battery means opting for a second one doubles the cleaning time.

Those looking for equally impressive performance without the bells and whistles should snag the Shark Vertex instead, which offers similar features and price without the additional attachments.

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Weight: 8.55 lbs. | Run Time: 26 min | Bin Size: 0.5 gal. | Attachments: Hair Screw, Built-in Crevice Tool, Combination Tool, “Fluffy Optic” Head | Converts to Handheld: Yes

After putting four Dyson models through rigorous testing in our Product Testing Lab, we chose the Dyson Gen5outsize as the overall best Dyson cordless vacuum. This pick not only performed well on all surfaces (including low- and high-pile carpet and tile), but it also impressed with its fleet of attachments, sleek LCD screen and enormous dust collection bin.

Like the rest of the vacuums, we put it to the test against a fleet of opponents, including glitter, cornflakes and real human hair. Its performance was impressive, successfully sucking up most everything in its path. Even big tufts of hair were no match for the tangle-free head. On high-pile carpet, it did struggle a bit with larger debris and was a bit difficult to push, but in a way that indicates it’s working hard. On low-pile carpet and tile, it performed beautifully. It’s a great pick to keep kitchen rugs looking like new.

One of our favorite aspects is the huge arsenal of attachments, including a second battery (!!!), a Fluffy Optic cleaner head with dirt-illuminating headlights for dim spaces, a har screw tool, a combination tool that tackles dust and upholstery and a built-in crevice tool. Another is the slick LCD screen on the top of the vacuum that allows you to adjust the power level, see battery life and dive into stats regarding the current vacuum session (i.e. types of particles sucked up and the total amounts).

While it impressed with its performance, it was difficult maneuvering the larger head around tight spaces like between furniture, and the clearance was the worst of all the vacuums. However, the tradeoff is that the sizable footprint effectively cuts down on the number of passes required in large areas. Because the “joint” on the vacuum is looser, it’s easier to control than the others we tested, too.

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Thanks to a good balance of flavor, value and intuitive packaging, Jot’s coffee concentrate takes our top spot as the overall best coffee concentrate. Founded in 2019 and based in Boulder, Colorado, Jot quickly rose to fame on TikTok. It draws in all kinds of caffeine fans with a proprietary extraction process that produces a bottle of concentrate that cooks up around 14 cups per bottle.

Out of all of the brands I tested, this one impressed the most with its coffee-like flavor. It didn’t taste artificial or bitter, instead offering a mellow, slightly acidic flavor. Six different flavorsincluding a limited-time option that tastes like Nutellaround out this coffee concentrate. While I’d love to see a decaf option like many of the other brands offer, a travel-friendly bottle and mammoth number of servings make up for that.

At $2 per serving, it won’t win any prizes for being wallet-friendly, but that’s still less pricey than the cost of enjoying a cup at a caf. I’ve mixed up multiple drinks with Jot, including a few in my HyperChiller. It’s so easy to add a tablespoon to a blender for a mocha smoothie, or even in a batch of cake batter for a richer flavor. I found each serving option equally delicious!

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Some of the best gifts for cat lovershonor our whiskered friends while still offering practical uses. I received this set of hand-felted cat coasters from a friend for my birthday, and now they’re the only ones I reach for. Because they’re hand-felted, no two are alike. These unique gifts for cat lovers are thick, sturdy and totally the cat’s meow.

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Delving into the world of cordless vacuum cleaners means coming across two of the most popular vacuum brands on the market: Shark and Dyson. Both companies are practically synonymous with quality, offering high tech cleaning machines that eliminate all allergens in their path. As a result, those looking for a new cordless vacuum often find themselves wondering where they stand in the Shark vs Dyson discourse.

Further complicating things, cordless vacuums that last for years are an investment, and both brands boast sizable price tags. Because of this, the question of Dyson vs Shark is as hotly argued as the old HexClad vs All-Clad debate. What’s more, it’s not like you can just head to the store and test each vacuum prior to purchase. Or can you?

Conflicted cleaners, unite! Our Product Testing Team did the hard work for you. We put a handful of the most popular models from both brands to the test15 tests, to be precisein order to help you pick the vacuum that offers the best bang for your buck. Dust bunnies, wave the white flag. It’s time to meet our vacuum bag.

Whats the difference between Shark and Dyson?

When it comes to Shark vs Dyson, determining which brand is better isn’t as simple as looking at reputation. Both well-trusted brands in the cleaning space, Dyson and Shark boast thousands of loyal fans each.

Founded in 2007, Shark pioneered their No-Loss-of-Suction vacuum technology, making them a hit in U.S. households. From there, the brand released more than 25 different Shark vacuums including cordless, handheld and upright models. The brand now operates in nine countries nationwide. Their partner brand, Ninja, manufactures trusted small appliances, the most popular of which is the viral Ninja Creami.

On the other hand, Dyson, first launched in Japan in 1991, debuted the first bagless vacuum cleaner on the market. After winning the 1991 International Design Fair prize, the company expanded to the U.S. Their innovative cyclone technology quickly boosted the brand into a household name. Now, Dyson products sell around the world, and they’re not limited to cordless or upright vacuums, eitherjust take a look at the popular Airwrap and blade-free air purifier fans.

All About Shark

Shark vacuums tout themselves as “lighter, longer-running, more maneuverable, and more powerful” than other vacuum cleaners on the market. Their lineup of cordless vacuums includes a whopping nine different models, each offering different features for pets, allergies and emptying. A few models, like the newer Shark Wandvac System, come in several different shades to fit a variety of home aesthetics.

Shark’s main focus is offering lightweight vacuums that tackle common household problems like pet hair. Several of their models, like the Shark Pet Plus, convert into handheld vacuums. This offers additional convenience for de-crumbing couches, dusting upholstery and squeezing into tight spaces like stairs and underneath beds.

How We Tested Shark Cordless Vacuums

For the Shark vs Dyson debate, we chose to test five vacuums from Shark’s cordless vacuum lineup: Shark Stratos, Shark Vertex Pro, Shark Cordless Pro, Shark Pet Plus and the Shark Pet Cordless. We spent an estimated 40 hours on these evaluations, including researching, sourcing, intaking and testing the products.

Our evaluations are based on several test categories, including packaging and setup, specs and features, performance, accessories, cleaning and emptying and, finally, value. We rated each category out of five possible points, for a maximum total of 30 points overall.

Packaging and Setup

Overall, each of the Shark vacuums we tested came well packaged with its own Quick Start Guide. Note that this is different from the product manuals, which are available online rather than in print. That said, they gave a good overview of how to set up the vacuums and start cleaning.

Assembling all of the vacuums was really intuitive and took less than two minutes each. The lengthiest part of the process was unboxing and familiarizing ourselves with the clips, buttons and functions. From there, we charged up each cordless vacuum. All the Shark vacuums we tested took at least two hours to charge. The Vertex, Pet Plus and Pet Cordless vacuums took closer to three hours to reach full charge.

Specs

Each Shark vacuum we tested is relatively lightweight. Most average out at just over seven pounds with the battery installed. The Stratos model weighed significantly more at over eight pounds. However, it’s still lightweight enough to glide across the floor with little effort. Considering that cordless vacuums are pretty top-heavy, every little ounce counts!

In addition to weight, another important consideration is noise level. At their highest settings, most of the Shark vacuums (aside from the quieter Pet Cordless model) put out about 80 dB of noise. That’s comparable to heavy traffic or a noisy restaurant. On low power, most put out around 75 dB, which is the typical noise level of most vacuums. The outlier is the Pet Cordless model, which topped out at only 73 dB at its highest setting. While none of these options are exactly quiet, we recommend opting for this one if you’re sensitive to noise.

Features

Notable features include a flexible head on the Stratos that makes getting under furniture a breeze. Helpful LED headlights on the Stratos, Pet Plus and Pet Cordless models illuminate dirt and debris in dark spaces like underneath beds and inside closets. Most of the models also offer different modes for a variety of surfaces and soil levels. While the Pet Plus and Pet Cordless models don’t have additional settings, they both boast a pull trigger boost mode for extra dirty areas.

Performance

When it comes to performance, we considered battery life, maneuverability, couch clearance, recommended floor type and how effectively each picked up the litter we scattered. We tested several common debris types, including cornflakes, glitter, crumbs and real human hair from a salonfor science, of course! It’s worth noting that each Shark vacuum works on all floor types, though it’s important to use the correct attachment for each surface.

Most of the cordless vacuums lasted around 30 minutes on the carpet setting after a full charge. The Shark Pet Plus and Shark Pet Cordless died much quicker, running for only about 20 minutes before requiring a recharge. That said, the Stratos blew us out of the water with a jaw-dropping 42 minutes of incredible suction power.

In terms of maneuverability, Shark gets high marks across the board. Some models like the Shark Cordless Pro offered slight resistance over carpet. That said, each of the vacuums is easy to guide around furniture and glide along the floor. Clearance is similarly impressive, with Shark beating out Dyson for the top two spots. The best clearance ratings belong to the Stratos at just shy of three inches and the Vertex at 3-1/4 inches.

Most of the Sharks performed beautifully on both carpet and tile. However, most also struggled while picking up glitter on carpet, leaving a few specks behind even after a few passes. The two pet vacuums, the Pet Cordless and Pet Plus, performed best on carpet and kitchen rugs. We’d recommend springing for the latter, as the Pet Cordless unfortunately underperformed on the hair testsnot ideal for a vacuum marketed towards pet hair. Those with houses that have a majority of hard surfaces should stick to one of the other models.

The Stratos again impressed us with its performance, simultaneously killing it on both the cornflake and glitter tests while also snatching up a majority of the hair on our carpets. We attribute this to its CleanIQ, which automatically adjusts the vacuum’s suction level based on the amount of debris it detects.

Accessories

While not as tech-forward as Dyson, Shark vacuums boast myriad attachments. Each vacuum includes a crevice tool, but the other attachments vary based on model. The most impressive accessory is the two-in-one multipurpose pet attachment on the Cordless Pro. This tool lifted so much dust and debris off one of our dining table chairs that the fabric turned an even brighter white. While it’s not the best choice for delicate materials, the results are impressive.

We also enjoyed using the anti-allergen brush that comes with both the Pet Plus and Stratos models. Not only does it attach in a snap, but it also easily dusts neglected shelving in mere seconds.

Cleaning and Emptying

Cleaning a Shark vacuum is incredibly easy. Each of the models we tested cleans up nicely with plain water. Simply run the emptied dust cup under the faucet and dry thoroughly before replacing. The filters are similarly easy to clean using plain running water. Again, ensure that these thoroughly dry prior to replacing.

Our only hang-up regarding the cleaning process is that the filters don’t clean entirely under running water. For the most part, the filters looked grayish after the first use, and no amount of water fixed that. In addition, the dust cup on each vacuum is oriented in a way that it can be easily opened and spilled onto the floor by accident. It’s worth being extra careful not to hit the release button while cleaning!

Value

For the price, you really can’t beat the value of Shark vacuums. Even the Shark Pet Plus and Shark Pet Cordless models, which accumulated the fewest points, still offer pretty decent suction and performance for the lower price point.

The Vertex and the Stratos seemed like markedly higher quality, so although the Cordless Pro performed quite well, we were still surprised to see it was the same price point as the Vertex. In our opinion, those looking for the best performance should consider springing for the slightly costlier Stratos.

If you have a lot of area rugs, the Pet Cordless may be the best budget vacuum for you. The single brush roller has a higher profile that works well with carpet. However, it may not clean hard surfaces as well as other Shark models with the dual roller system.

Pros

• Includes our top performer, the Shark Stratos
• Relatively affordable
• Easy to maneuver
• Tons of attachments
• Performs equally well on carpet and tile
• Decent battery life
• Five-year machine warranty
• Two-year battery warranty
• Lots of different models

Cons

• Easy to accidentally open the dust cup
• No product manual in box

FAQ

What is the best performing Shark vacuum?

In our opinion, the top spot goes to the Shark Stratos. It impressed us during our tests with its lightweight design. Rear wheels make it highly maneuverable, as does the flexible bending wand to get under furniture. It stores in an upright position and doesn’t require a wall mount to do so, unlike the Dyson models. With its blend of high suction, impressive attachments and easy navigation, this model boasts high marks across the board and was our favorite vacuum overall.

Is Shark better than Dyson?

Both Shark and Dyson offer cordless vacuums with solid performance. That said, Shark vacuums are typically less pricey than Dyson’s models, and there are a lot more features and attachments to choose from. If you’re looking to tailor your vacuum to your hometaking into consideration flooring and overall use casesyou can’t go wrong with a Shark vacuum.

What Shark vacuum has the most powerful suction?

The Shark Stratos offered some of the best suction power during our Product Testing Team’s evaluations. Only one pass picked up most debris on tile floors, and three passes eliminated most of the glitter and cornflakes on carpet. This was easier to push on the higher-pile carpet than any of the Dyson models because of the large wheels. It also does an excellent job snatching up hair compared to the other models we tested.

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All About Dyson

Dyson’s main draw is their luxe look, longevity and scientifically-backed technologies. While they come at a steeper price than other cordless vacuum brands, Dyson vacuums typically last a lot longer, with some folks claiming they’ve used their vacuum for over ten years and counting.

Also offering nine different cordless vacuum models, Dyson’s focus is maintaining suction and offering flexible attachments that streamline cleaning. Even their budget options, like the Omni Glide, have at least one attachment for eliminating dirt and debris in tight spaces. Pricier picks, like the luxurious Gen5outsize Absolute, come with sci-fi-tier technology like a laser light that reveals hidden dust, an LCD screen that detects particulates in the air and a whole-unit HEPA filter.

How We Tested Dyson Cordless Vacuums

In our testing for the the Dyson vs Shark debate, we tried four different vacuums from Dyson: Dyson Gen5outsize, Dyson V15s Detect Submarine, Dyson v8 and the Dyson v12 Detect Slim.

Like the Shark tests, we evaluated each vacuum based on criteria in the following areas: Packaging and setup, specs and features, performance, accessories, cleaning and emptying and, lastly, value. We conducted the tests (including sourcing, researching and product intake) over the course of 40 hours in our Testing Lab. As with our Shark tests, we rated each category out of 5 possible points, for a maximum total of 30 points overall.

Packaging and Setup

All Dyson models arrive in a sleek slide-out box sans any branding, offering a sustainable packaging option. Because it opens up from the side, the box works well for accessory storage. It’s also easy to see everything in the box at a glance without digging, unlike the Shark boxes. Each vacuum also comes with an illustrated quick-start guide and a flyer that prompts you to download the Dyson Appmore on this later.

Setup is simple, though it takes a bit longer than the Shark vacuums. We are able to assemble most in about a minute. In terms of charge time, Dyson vacuums took a bit longer than the Shark models, ranging from about three hours for the Detect Slim vs. a whopping four hour charge time for the V15s Detect Submarine.

Specs

In terms of weight, Dyson offers pretty distinct weight differences with each model. The smaller, slimmer v12 Detect Slim and v8 models weigh in at around five pounds, whereas the larger, more robust Gen5outsize and Detect Submarine models are closer to nine pounds. The attachments are also a consideration, with most adding about an additional pound to the total weight of the vacuum.

While the V15s Detect Submarine, v8 and v12 Detect Slim vacuums top out at around 80 db (or the noise level of heavy traffic or a loud restaurant), the Dyson Gen5outsize is a total powerhouse that puts anywhere from 84 dB to 86 dB depending on the setting. For reference, that’s almost comparable to the sound of an MIG welder on steel. Yeowchthat’s pretty loud!

Features

Dyson’s features are likely what tips these vacuums into their higher price point. A slick, easy-to-read LCD screen adorns the top of each model, sans the more basic v8. Most impressive is the Gen5outsize menu, which offers stats regarding the current vacuum session including the types and number of particles sucked up.

While insightful, we had difficulty deciphering some of the more nuanced menus. This is definitely one that you’ll want to read the manual for! Luckily, this model does arrive with a rather large instruction booklet.

Other features worth mentioning include a carpet pile height adjuster on the Detect Submarine and Gen5outsize models. The two other models offer a single mode (the v8) and low or max power settings (v12 Detect Slim). All the models are incredibly sleek, minimalistic and feel sturdy and well-made. Aesthetics is definitely an area where Dyson beats out Shark.

Interestingly, the V15s Detect Submarine requires holding down the power button to turn it onthere’s no option for it to be held down on its own. At first, we weren’t fond of having to constantly hold down the button, but we grew to like itit’s nice to have the button and have so much control over the on and off. This makes it easy to turn on and off in a second if you have to move something or change floor types.

Dyson App

The Dyson App works for all of Dyson’s cordless models, offering a few extras that help with using and maintaining your Dyson vacuum. Instead of actually connecting and controlling aspects of your device, the app is a replacement for the traditional user guide. Each roller head has its own short video guide for usage and the videos change depending on which model and attachments you have.

It bundles information guides, troubleshooting tips, links to support forums, a Digital Assistant and quick access to a customer service rep. All in all, the app isn’t mandatory for your vacuum, but it is an easy way to access any type of information you would want or need for its operation.

The app itself works pretty well. It’s responsive when scrolling, and videos load fast on decent Wi-Fi. There is a Bluetooth connection option, but it seems to be utilized for their other products like air purifiers and headphones. In fact, we’re not even sure it’s possible to connect your vacuum to the app via Bluetooth. Instead, easily connect any vacuums using the device’s serial code.

Performance

Like the Shark tests, we considered battery life, maneuverability, couch clearance, recommended floor type and how well each picked up the debris. We used the same debris as the Shark test, opting for glitter, cornflakes, crumbs and hair. Battery life for the Dyson vacuums are pretty synonymous with the Shark models minus the Shark Stratos, with all averaging at about 25-30 minutes of runtime per charge.

With such a long charge time, you may assume that Dyson vacuums run for a longer period of time than the Shark models. However, Dyson vacuums averaged at about the same operation time, offering 25-30 minutes of continuous suction before requiring a recharge.

Unfortunately, most of the Dyson vacuumswith the exception of the Gen5outsizesimply pushed around the cornflakes on the vinyl floors. This was rather disappointing, especially given the higher price point. However, all the models performed exceptionally well on low-pile carpets, and save for the two lower-end options, each managed to pick up tons of hair without clogging.

In addition, Dyson’s edge-to-edge feature offers consistent corner-clearing results across all their models. Even the cheapest one still works great in this regard!

Accessories

The anti-tangle hair tool on the Gen5outsize and v12 Detect Slim was definitely our favorite attachment. Picking up the hair requires quite a few passes, but we didn’t notice any wrapping up or tangling. It’s super cool to watch the hair work its way through the screw and up the wand. Additionally, on the Gen5outsize model, the “Fluffy Optic” hard-floor cleaner head has a green LED light attached and lights up the ground where you are vacuuming. This really helps show every single speck of dirt on the ground.

That said, there are a few aspects we don’t enjoy. The Gen5outsize requires the crevice tool to convert to a handheld, which makes it very heavy while holding it and bending down due to the oversized dirt cup. The v8’s crevice tool also gave us a few complications. When blocked, the ventilator holes on the side of the crevice tool make the vacuum surge and stop working. This may be a safety feature so it doesn’t start a firewe can smell it burning when this happens. Yikes!

Similarly, the v12 Detect Slim’s crevice tool only works on the lowest settings. On the highest setting, it behaves similarly to the v8’s crevice tool. It even gives us a pop up warning symbol on the screen when we attempt to use it on high power between cushions.

Cleaning and Emptying

For each model, the rubber portion around the dust cup’s edges really collect a ton of debris. It’s virtually impossible to get fully clean with just a damp rag. That said, everything else wiped clean effortlessly. Those concerned about this should opt for the v12 Detect Slim model. It’s the easiest Dyson dust cup to wipe down because of its orientation.

All of the Dyson filters were relatively simple to rinse, dry and replace. The v8 and Gen5outsize debris chambers were very easy to empty, and there were zero nooks or crannies for crud to collect. On the other hand, both the v12 Detect Slim and the Detect Submarine require a little digging to loosen up the dirt and dust inside, which is rather unpleasant.

Value

One place where Dyson differs wildly from Shark is in the price point of its vacuums. Whereas the most expensive Shark vacuum we tested topped out at $499, Dyson’s cordless vacuum models start at $299.99 for the most basic vacuum and skyrocket up to $1,049.99 for the Gen5outsize. However, the sleek design and myriad features make up for this discrepancy in price.

The performance of the Gen5outsize was by far the best of all the Dysons. The only downside is the bulk. Plus, it isn’t as easy to maneuver, though it does come with tons of useful attachments. A less costly option is the v8, which is more agile than the Gen5outsize with many of the same attachments. However, it has a smaller dirt cup which requires more frequent emptying. Those in smaller spaces should consider the v12 Detect Slim, which offers a smaller profile that easily maneuvers tight areas.

Pros

• Solid, high-quality materials that last
• Vacuums come with a two-year warranty
• Sleek, minimalistic design
• Tons of useful attachments
• Attractive LED navigation menus
• Well-packaged boxes work well for storage
• All vacuums come with a wall-mounted dock

Cons

• Pricier than Shark vacuums
• Crevice attachments gave us some trouble
• Take quite a while to charge

FAQ

Is Shark or Dyson better?

Both Dyson and Shark offer cordless vacuums with solid performance. That said, Dyson vacuums offer a sleeker design, a wider variety of attachments and easier navigation via LED screen menus.

What is the average lifespan of a Dyson vacuum cleaner?

Dyson claims that the average lifespan of their vacuums is around 5 years. That said, some folks use theirs for up to ten years before requiring a replacement, making them an excellent investment.

Should you empty Dyson after every use?

We recommend emptying and cleaning your Dyson after every use in order to preserve the vacuum’s suction and filter integrity.

VIA MERCHANT

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Dyson Cordless Vacuums

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The Bottom Line: Shark vs Dyson

So, when it comes to Shark vs Dyson, which brand comes out on top? Well, it depends on your own expectations and needs. Those looking for a budget pick that offers big bang for your buck and tons of flexible attachments should consider a Shark vacuum. On the other hand, anyone seeking style and substance in a machine that’s built to last for years can’t go wrong with a Dyson.

Regardless of the brand you choose, it’s important to look at the features and attachments to ensure that the vacuum you choose will meet the demands of your household.

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Shop on Ruggable

At the top of our list of the best kitchen rugs is the Ruggable Gradasi Teal Quartz Rug. From the get-go, this stylish pick impressed our team. Ruggable rugs are entirely machine-washable, and can even be tossed into the dryer on low heat. Every rug arrives with its own rug pad that securely clings to the underside of the rug via a fastener that covers the top, along with hook-and-loop tape in the corners. Both the rug and rug pad arrived with nary a wrinkle or crease, securely rolled up and bound with plastic.

The rug pad is the star of the show. It offers a clingy rubber webbed backing that firmly grips hard floors, preventing slips. Liquids can’t soak through the material, so it’s an additional layer of protection against big spills. When secured to the rug pad, our testing team found it super easy to vacuum up any errant crumbs on the rug topper without the material bunching up. Even better, a quick spin in the washing machine on the cold, gentle cycle pulled up all stains and dirt without discoloring or misshaping the rug. Unlike the rug topper, the rug pad isn’t machine-washable, but we found it easy to spot clean after regular use.

“Using the mat was a pleasant experience,” says Sarah. “I enjoyed standing on the mat during tasks like washing and drying dishes at the sink, prepping at my kitchen island and cooking on the stovetop. I found it enhanced my overall comfort, particularly because my kitchen floor is ceramic tile, which tends to be cold and hard. Usually, I notice a little strain on my hips after being on my feet for several hours. However, after making sure I stood on the mat, I noticed I did not have that tinge of achiness in my feet, legs, back or joints. I had a few stainsolive oil and tomato sauceboth of which came out just fine in the wash.”

Overall, the team found this rug a good value for those seeking style and a softer, felt-like material versus the usual PVC material of a cloud mat. Not your taste? No worriesRuggable offers both their outdoor rugs and kitchen rugs in a variety of beautiful patterns and colors. They also frequently collaborate with other artists to bring new and seriously stylish finds every season. Read our full Ruggable reviewfor the whole scoop.

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Shop on Frog Hollow Farms

At the top of our favorite fruit of the month club list is none other than Frog Hollow Farm’s Farm Box membership. From juicy apricots to sweet persimmons, this three-, five- or 10-pound shipment delivers fresh, organic produce without the fuss of running to the store. A box containing two types of seasonal fruits, grown fresh and harvested 48 hours prior to shipment, arrives right to your doorstep each month. We love the ability to choose from a weekly, biweekly or monthly subscription to best suit your family’s needs.

Apart from the organic farming practices that produce some of the sweetest and juiciest fruit we’ve ever had, Frog Hollow Farms uses carbon neutral shipping and secure packaging to ensure each box arrives in perfect condition. The box I received contained evercrisp apples, mineola tangelos and sanguinelli blood oranges, though shipments typically contain only two fruit types. Each inclusion comes from one of their own farms in California, Oregon or Washington.

I received my box in the middle of a Michigan winter and found myself absolutely shocked by the quality. I’d never be able to find such beautiful produce on a typical February grocery run in the midwest! All the fruits were absolutely delicious, and I could definitely tell that they were freshly plucked from the tree just before shipping out to me. The packaging was secure, and my fruit had zero bruises or spoil spots upon arrival. This would make both an excellent comfort gift for friends and family and a solid replacement for weekly trips to the farmers market. You could also pair it with one of the best wine clubs for a super-sweet surprise.

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Topping our list of the best toasters is none other than the Beautiful toaster from Drew Barrymore’s Walmart line. This toaster offers the same sleek look as the line’s cookware set, a bonus in our book. Because it comes in multiple colorsblack sesame, cornflower blue, lavender, oyster grey, rose, sage green, white icingit effortlessly blends in with a range of decor styles. Even better, the matte finish doesn’t show fingerprints after regular use. It also arrived with zero dents or dings thanks to its robust, recyclable packaging. Win!

Touchscreen operation adds a layer of luxe to this already pretty toaster, and the gold embellishments on the lever round out the look. When unplugged, the controls disappear for a pleasant neutral display. The lever also offers a lift function to help remove squat breads like English muffins. The toaster itself doesn’t slide around during operation, but our testers recommend using a light hand while pulling down the lever to avoid tipping the toaster forward.

During our tests, we were most impressed with the waffle setting, which browned all over and completely defrosted the waffle’s interiorsomething the other toasters we tested struggled with. Interestingly, the manual said not to toast pastries with runny fillings or icing. We went ahead anyway for science, using the lowest setting. It turned out fine, so in our opinion it’s certainly possible to still enjoy pastries with this toaster.

On the lightest toast setting, this was one of the quickest toasters to finish. It adds a substantial crisp on both sides of the bread without any browning. The medium setting offers a nice all-over browning that even reaches the edges. Finally, the darkest setting gave our testing team some of the most even toasting we’ve seen (albeit too dark for our tastes). Overall, the toaster is easy to clean, looks lovely on the counter and offers as-expected browning for all settings. What more could you ask for in a mid-price toaster?

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Shop on Gourmet Gift Baskets

Put a hop in their step with this mega Easter basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets. This over-the-top Easter gift has a little something for everyone. Enjoy an array of candy and snackswe’re talking three flavors of gourmet popcorn, M&M’s, Dots, Peeps, jelly beans, cotton candy, sour worms, cherry slices, Mike & Ikes, gummy bears and a chocolate bunny. Talk about a sugar rush! Then, there’s an assortment of kid-friendly toys, including Palm Pals stuffies, slimes and sensory toys.

Senior Shopping Editor, Katie Bandurski, tested this basket and was impressed by the wide variety of goodies. “While on the pricey side, you certainly get a big bang for your buck!” she says. “Everything was fresh, expertly packaged and high quality. I liked the mix of name brands you hope to find in your Easter basket as well as more gourmet finds.” She recommends sending to a family who lives far away or even a kid-at-heart college student spending their first Easter away from home.

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Just like summer’s Amazon Prime Day, Big Deal Day savings are only available to Prime Members (or those with a free 30-day trial). While we shopping editors collectively have our eyes on everything from pizza ovens to artificial Christmas trees, I’ve got my sights set on one item: the HexClad wok.

The Best Amazon Prime Day Deal

So, what makes the HexClad Wok our favorite Amazon Prime Day deal? Apart from the modern look and an endorsement from chef Gordon Ramsay, there are lots of things to love about HexClad cookware in general. As seen in editor-tested favorites like the HexClad Dutch oven, the cookware uses thin lines of stainless steel, sandwiched between nonstick hexagons, to provide incredible searing power without the threat of burnt-on food.

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What are the HexClad Wok features?

Because of its many bells and whistles, we decided to break down our favorite features of the HexClad wok into the bulleted list below. Heres everything you can look forward to:

• Tri-ply aluminum and stainless steel construction
• Hexagonal surface that prevents sticking
• Stay-cool handle
• Domed lid included
• Works on gas, electric, glass and induction cooktops
• Oven-safe up to 500F
• Surface is metal-utensil-resistant
• Dishwasher-safe design
• Lightweight at only three pounds
• Lifetime warranty

Where to Buy Our Favorite Amazon Prime Day Deal

The HexClad Wok is available on Amazon and regularly retails for $149.99. However, during Prime Day, Amazon Prime members (and those using their free 30-day trial) can snag this classy pan at a savings of 20%, putting the price under $100. Fire it up and see why chef Gordon Ramsey calls HexClad cookware “the Rolls Royce of pans.”

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The Best Amazon Prime Day Deal: Day Two

HexClad Wok

This is the wok of the future. A laser-etched stainless-steel hexagonal design offers serious searing power, and in between each network of hexagons is a nonstick center for easy release.

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From mini cookware to eye-catching tableware, home cooks can’t get enough of this aesthetic (and high-performance) cookware brand. Imagine our shock when the brand dropped the newest addition to their lineup: the Our Place Wonder Oven. We couldn’t wait to get our hands on the six-in-one appliance that fans are calling “the adult Easy-Bake oven.”

Sure, it’s lovely, but how does the recently launched Our Place Wonder Oven rank in terms of performance? As a home cook, shopping editor and freezer food enthusiast, here’s what I thought of the brand’s first foray into appliances. Spoiler: I’ve never been more in love with a little blue box.

What is the Our Place Wonder Oven?

Despite looking like an air fryer, the Our Place Wonder Ovenoften referred to as the “adult Easy-Bake oven”offers so much more than chicken wings and French fries (although it’s certainly capable of both). Instead, this six-in-one oven accomplishes a variety of cooking tasks. Presets for air frying, baking, roasting, toasting, reheating and broiling are all baked right into the appliance.

In addition, a clever optional steam function revives stable bread, backyard-fired pizza and bakery items. Inside the oven are two tiers that offer tons of space to cook up an entire supper with sides. Or, stick to just the bottom rack to roast a 4.5-pound chickenseriously!

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Our Place Wonder Oven Product Features

Four matte shadeschar, blue salt, steam and spicebring a warm and inviting tone to the kitchen. I picked mine up in blue salt, which perfectly matches the rest of my cookware. It also certainly looks prettier on my counter than the typically stale air fryer oven. Retro rotary dials, slip-resistant feet and a generously sized oven handle look sleek and fun.

Better yet, this thing has more accessories than Barbie. The miniature air fryer basket, baking tray and crumb tray offer ample ways to fire up your food. As someone who never really got over the loss of my coveted Easy-Bake Oven, I love the inclusion of mini accessories. It taps into the nostalgia of mixing up little cakes and cooking them with a lightbulb, minus the wait.

Three dials line the top of the Wonder Oven. Controls for temperature, cooking mode and time are well-labeled. Temperature selections range from 300 to 450 degrees, whereas the time dial allows for up to 40 minutes of cooking time. Modes include air frying, baking, roasting, toasting, reheating and broilingnearly everything a home cook could hope for in an oven.

The 12-liter cooking capacity is just enough for both me and my husband, but the two cooking tiers make it possible to snag another set of accessories to serve more people if desired. Overall, the controls are intuitive and look cute to boot.

How We Tested It

Setting up the Our Place Wonder Oven is so easy. Just remove it from the box, insert the crumb tray below the bottom heating element, and fire it up for a fast lunch. The included instructions show where to slide in each rack, pan and air fryer basket for the best results.

Our Place does recommend performing a trial run without food prior to the first use. Set the temperature to 400 degrees and let it run for 10 minutes in bake mode to cook away any lingering factory odors. There was a slight odor for me, but nothing that put me off the oven.

Before using it to cook I thoroughly cleaned the air fryer basket, baking pan and rack inserts by hand. Our Place recommends hand-washing all accessories.

Air Fry

My first task was testing out the air fryer function. What better way to trial the crispy, crunchy results than cooking up a few frozen samosas? I preheated the oven according to the instructions, setting the temperature to 350 degrees for five minutes.

The steam function works with all the cooking modes, so I decided to try it with air frying. Before cooking, simply detach the 10-milliliter cup at the top of the unit, fill it with water and dump it into the water inlet beneath where the cup attaches to the unit.

Once preheated, I plopped down three samosas into the air fryer basket, filled up the water inlet using the directions included with the oven and set the timer to 15 minutes.

I wasn’t sure whether the steam function would work in conjunction with the air fryer, but I was pleasantly surprised! The samosas came out perfectcrispy on the outside and deliciously soft and steamy on the inside. The samosas didn’t turn out dry at all. My oven has some serious competition in this unassuming appliance!

Bake

One big draw of the Wonder Oven is the ability to use it like a traditional oven. As soon as I saw the promotional photos featuring cookies, I ran to the store to pick up some Pillsbury pumpkin cookie dough. For this test, I opted not to use the steam function.

I preheated the oven to 350 degrees, inserted the cookie sheet, set the timer for 12 minutes and watched the cookies expand and flatten as they baked. It’s hypnotizing! As I would with the oven, I let the cookies cool for a few minutes before enjoying to complete the baking process.

Verdict? Delicious. The oven is the ideal size to bake up a few cookies for me and my husband, and I didn’t have to dig around my cluttered cabinet for a baking sheet. Win!

Steam

I used the steam function while cooking up cheese-filled bread bites. While the cooking instructions on the package included air fryer instructions, I opted to use the oven instructions instead. That said, I did pull them out a few minutes early to prevent over-browning, so check on your food frequently throughout cooking.

The steam kept them soft and chewy while still allowing them to crisp up around the outside. Even my regular oven can’t deliver results as good as this!

Pros

• Six different cooking modes
• Easy-to-use rotary dials
• Comes in a selection of modern matte hues
• Small enough for tiny kitchens and counters
• Two-tier cooking capabilities
• Steam function
• Pleasant timer chime

Cons

• A bit pricey, but pretty standard for a toaster oven
• Cook times may need to be adjusted
• Radiates a bit of heat

FAQ

Is the Wonder Oven a good air fryer?

When it comes to the Wonder Oven’s air frying abilities, consider us smitten. It’s just as capable as our favorite air fryers, and comes with more temperature controls than the average single-drawer model. The glass front panel makes it easy to keep an eye on food and prevent over-browning.

Those new to air fryers should snag an air fryer cheat sheet for precise cooking times and temperatures. Despite the popularity of these appliances, cooking instructions rarely include directions for air fryers.

How do you cook with Wonder Oven?

It’s important to remember to preheat the oven before cooking. This is achieved by using the intuitive dials on the front to set the desired mode and temperature, then setting the timer for five minutes prior to cooking.

After that, cooking with the Wonder Oven is as easy as adding your food and setting the timer. The six-in-one functionality makes it easy to tackle everything from ooey, gooey cookies to crispy skinned chicken. I can’t wait to have extra oven space during Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner prep!

What Other Reviewers Are Saying

Like me, reviewers adore the look and performance of the Wonder Oven, with most noting that any skepticism they had vanished at first bite.

“I really enjoy using this oven,” writes verified purchaser John G. He says, “My wife, a skeptic at first, has also hopped on the Wonder Oven bandwagon. We both love the way it fits on our counter, in both the physical and aesthetic senses. Practically speaking, it has handled all we’ve thrown at it, be it broiling salmon, air-frying hot dogs, baking cookies or reheating fried food.Where it has really shined is with leftover pizza, specifically in giving it a delectably crispy and thin outer shell on the cheese.”

Product Comparison

What is the difference between the Wonder Oven and the Ninja Foodi?

We’re big fans of the Ninja Foodiso much so that we curated a trove of Ninja Foodi recipes! While the Wonder Oven and the Ninja Foodi are both air fryers, they’re both capable of more than the usual fare.

Ninja Foodi is an air fryer, pressure cooker, broiler, dehydrator, slow cooker and steamer all in one. In contrast, the Wonder Oven bakes, broils, air fries, reheats, roasts and toasts.

Our Place Wonder Oven vs. Balmuda Toaster Oven

I’m already the proud owner of a Balmuda toaster oven, the aesthetic multi-use steam oven, so I consider myself a bit of a toaster oven enthusiast. Compared to the Balmuda, there are a few differences. Firstly, the Wonder Oven is much taller. This comes in handy for those interested in two-tier cooking or roasting bigger items like chicken.

I hate to admit it, but when it comes to steam functionality, the Wonder Oven has the Balmuda beat. The Wonder Oven’s steam function works in every cooking mode, whereas the Balmuda’s steam function is restricted to certain cooking modes like bread and pizza.

The Wonder Oven also offers more temperatures to choose from when baking. Despite the fact that the Balmuda’s water cup is a lot cuterit looks like a mini mugthere’s no place to house it, which enhances the likelihood of losing it. In contrast, the Wonder Oven has a dedicated nesting spot for its steam cup on the top.

Final Verdict

Those searching for an all-in-one appliance that bakes, broils, air fries, reheats, toasts and roasts won’t be disappointed by the Wonder Oven. The retro-modern look is just the tip of the iceberg. This little oven is bound to become your go-to for quick cooking tasks.

Just be carefulyour oven might get jealous!

Where to Buy the Our Place Wonder Oven

Folks can purchase the Our Place Wonder Oven on Our Place’s website for just under $200. Price-wise, it’s pretty par for the course when it comes to toaster ovensand most don’t offer this level of functionality. Snag one today and relive your Easy-Bake Oven days as an adult.

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The Best Lifetime Warranty Products

Big Green Egg: Large Green Egg

Buying a grill is a big investment, so why settle for one that won’t last more than a few summers? Big Green Egg ceramic grills come in a variety of sizes, but the Large Green Egg is the most popular of all its lifetime warranty products. Apart from retaining heat and moisture, a limited lifetime warranty is the Egg’s major selling point. It covers failures and degradation due to craftsmanship and materials.

Big enough to fit up to eight steaks at a time, this charcoal grill uses its lock-tight lid to reach cooking temperatures in just minutes. Grill, roast, smoke, sear and bake without waiting for the grill to preheat, leaving plenty of time to party.

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Margarita machines exist, but they’re often pricey and take up a ton of counter space. Plus, they always clash with my low-key kitchen decor. When Drew Barrymore added a line of frozen drink makers to the Beautiful by Drew Walmart line, I knew this was the house party game-changer I’d been dreaming of.

What is the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore frozen drink maker?

The Beautiful by Drew frozen drink maker is like a blender, but better. Like other appliances from the Beautiful by Drew line, the drink maker features a beautiful LED touchscreen display. Presets for frozen drinks, smoothies and snow cones round out this pretty drink maker.

Unlike a shaved ice machine, the drink maker automatically mixes up drinks right inside the pitcher. It boasts a pour spout that makes it so easy to serve up daiquiris and margaritas. The no-drip design is the star of the showa button on the front controls the spout, so it doesn’t leak when bumped.

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Why I Love It

Tons of thoughtful details make this frozen drink maker my top choice for at-home icy cocktails. That’s no surprise for something from the Beautiful by Drew line. A generous 60-ounce carafe holds up to 10 six-ounce drinksenough for a crowd. The intuitive sensor-activated blade system precisely crushes up ice and beautifully mixes blended cocktails, smoothies, snow cones and shaved ice.

Don’t worry about spills while pouring. The easy-to-use pour spout makes serving a breeze. Plus, it comes in all of Beautiful’s signature colors, including lavender and sage green. It’s so pretty, you won’t want to hide it in a cupboard!

But Dont Take My Word for It!

Like me, other shoppers love the look and ease of this frozen drink maker. “I love this blender’s sleek design,” writes verified purchaser Danielle. “The machine has a touch-activated control panel that disappears when not in use. There are three different drink settings; frozen drink, snowcone and smoothie.

It also comes with an easy-to-use dispenser spout to pour your drinks effortlessly. I used fresh and frozen fruit to make a smoothie and it blended perfectly! I also love that it has an automatic turn-off for each drink’s cycle time. I would highly recommend this frozen drink maker for any occasion! It makes frozen drinks effortlessly!”

Where to Buy the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Frozen Drink Maker

Like the viral Hero Pan and other Beautiful by Drew Barrymore kitchen items, the frozen drink machine is available at Walmart.com. It retails for around $90, which is about a third of the price of similar drink makers. Stop tossing money away on drinks at the barthis clever tropical blender brings the beach cabana home!

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The Best Giadzy Ingredients and Kits

Sheet Pan Lasagna Box

Try the viral recipe that broke the internet with authentic Italian ingredientsno trips to the grocery store requiredthanks to Giadzy. Giadas layerless sheet pan lasagna comes together in minutes with the sheet pan lasagna box.

Inside, the kit contains Setaros taccole pasta (the only US-based brand that carries the elusive shape). Plus, enjoy organic tomato sauce, Sicilian extra virgin olive oil and Calabrian chili paste that delivers a mellow, fruity heat. Simply layer everything together according to the recipe and pop it in the oven for an easy and delicious weeknight meal.

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