Reviews



Brydge Vertical Dock Review: A Versatile MacBook Stand That De-Clutters Your Workspace

To make my already cluttered standing desk a bit neater, I wanted to invest in a docking station that could sit behind my monitors, out of sight, out of mind. But it also needed to be functional and work with my existing setup. That’s how I landed on the Brydge Vertical Dock for the MacBook Pro. There’s a lot to love, but there are also a few things to consider before purchasing. In my opinion, Brydge has never made a bad accessory. I’ve used a Brydge iPad case for years, and other members of the Gear Diary team have good…


Tom Bihn Le Grand Derriere Review: It’s Not a Man Purse, It’s a Carrier for My Essentials

I’ve reviewed many bags over the years, but Tom Bihn’s minimalist approach while also looking “adult” has always struck me as stunning. So when I had the opportunity to check out the Tom Bihn Le Grand Derriere bag, it was a no-brainer.  The Tom Bihn Le Grand Derriere, or LGD for short, is a reissue of a hip bag designed early in the ’90s. Over the past few years, you may have seen people using messenger bags or shoulder bags to carry their items with them on a day-to-day basis. Many people might take one look at the LGD and consider…



BlendJet 2 Portable Blender Review: Be Anywhere, Blend (Almost) Anything

The initial thought of a portable blender was, why? Then all of the possibilities came flooding in. Mix up a shake for the gym, breakfast on the go, or even some nice margaritas at the pool or the beach. The BlendJet 2 Portable Blender is a powerful, rechargeable option that will bring the freedom to blend shakes and drinks anytime and anywhere.


Scosche FrescheAir Portable HEPA Air Purifier and Deodorizer Review

For those that suffer from allergies, whether dust, pollen, pet hair, or just want to eliminate pet, food, or smoke odors, the Scosche FrescheAir purifier has come to the rescue. The filter collects 99.5% of small particles with a two-speed fan and touchless operation. The filter is designed to fit in your vehicle’s cup holder or set up easily on a desk.


Cleer Enduro ANC Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones Review

I recently reviewed the Cleer Ally Plus II wireless earbuds, and they are a fantastic choice for anyone on the go. The Cleer Enduro ANC Noise Cancelling Headphones provide a more robust sound profile and a staggering 60 hours of battery life for over-the-ear fans. This battery life is with using active noise canceling and with some fantastic audio performance. Let’s take a look.





ECOVACS DEEBOT OZMO N8 Pro Plus Robot Vac Review: A Powerful Vacuum & Mopping Combination with an Auto-Empty Station

Over the past few years, I’ve personally reviewed so many robot vacuums that I’ve truly lost count. But there’s one constant brand that, no matter what new products they unveil, seem to push the envelope in innovation, and that brand is ECOVACS. The latest ECOVACS DEEBOT OZMO N8 Pro Plus is pretty amazing. ECOVACS latest is their DEEBOT N-Series, highlighted by the N8+ and the N8 Pro+. Both robot vacs promise unmatched features that you can’t readily get from some other brand in your local brick and mortar. It’s been a few years since robot vacs made first became trendy,…



Opolis Optics Largo Sunglasses Review: Perfect Shades for the Summer

Finding the perfect pair of glasses for your face isn’t hard, depending on your face shape. But with Opolis Optics’ latest Bio-Collection, there’s something for everyone, whether you have an oval, round, rectangular, square, or diamond shape to your face. I was sent the Opolis Optics Largo Sunglasses for review; let’s check them out.


Dreametech Dreame T30 Cordless Vacuum Review: Makes Cleaning Easy and Almost Fun!

I have never once uttered the words “I love this vacuum” until the Dreame T30. Using a vacuum is usually an ordeal — my full-size vac is bulky, I have to haul it out of a closet, and it never seems to suction as well as it should. Apparently, I’ve just been using the wrong vacuums all this time because the Dreametech Dreame T30 Cordless Vacuum lives up to its name; it is an absolute dream to use!


Coalatree Switchback Shirt Review: Comfortable, Cool, Eco-Friendly Shirt Made from Coffee Grounds and Plastic Bottles

“I’d like a shirt made from old soda bottles and coffee grounds,” said no one ever. That is, until Coalatree, purveyors of “Eco-Minded Goods,” created their Switchback Shirt. At $79.99, the Coalatree Switchback Shirt is not inexpensive, but it’s an unusual shirt with a lot going for it. Available in several colors, the Switchback Shirt is currently on sale for just $67.99.


Oura Alta Towel Review: Proves You Really Do Get What You Paid For!

If you asked me two weeks ago if I had a preferred towel at home, I would have probably stared at you blankly. Or pointed out that “preferred towel” was a really fancy way to say “whatever towel is clean and available.” That was before the Oura Alta Towel arrived; now I understand why Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy strenuously suggested you never forget your towel … because a good towel is a game-changer.


Infinix Hot 10S Review: Offers Flagship Features at a Budget Price

Infinix Hot 10S sounds like a chicken wing special from a punk bar in a sci-fi movie. Still, it’s actually a surprisingly compact and powerful Android phone that boasts an incredible battery life, a very impressive camera, and a processor and software set focused on giving you a truly kickass gaming experience on the go!


SOUNDBOKS 3 Review: The Portable Outdoor Speaker Made for the Summer Party Season

We’ve previously covered SOUNDBOKS speakers, so when the latest SOUNDBOKS 3 Bluetooth Speaker arrived at my doorstep, I already knew this wasn’t the typical “Portable” Bluetooth speaker. Built for performance, the SOUNDBOKS 3 speaker looks more like a monitor you’d see in front of a stage at an outdoor summer concert. It’s truly a massive speaker at 31.5″ tall by 19.69″ wide by 15.75″ deep, and it weighs about 35 pounds. The SOUNDBOKS 3 has carrying handles built on two sides — perfect for dragging it to the pool or toting from the parking lot to the beach to truly turn up…


Lenovo Flex 5 14″ 2-in-1 Touchscreen Laptop (ITL05) Review: All-Day, Flexible Computing in a Svelte Package

Some of my favorite laptops have been from Lenovo over the years. I’ve had many Thinkpads and laptops, and I currently own a Yoga 710. When they offered to send me the 2021 version of the Lenovo Flex 5 14″ 2-in-1 Touchscreen Laptop (ITL05) on loan, I had to check it out. Will the 11th generation Core i5, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage in this svelte frame impress, or will it disappoint?  Let’s take a look.


Anker PowerHouse II 800 Review: Charges So Many Things When Needed!

I used to think that if we had a winter power outage lasting a week or more, Kev and I would be adequately prepared. We’d have plenty of drinking water on hand, piles of cut wood for the fireplace, our food would be safe (because, winter), and portable battery packs would power our electronics. Earlier this year, we got to find out just how unprepared we actually were when Texas got slammed with one winter storm after another, causing a massive power crisis. What would have made a huge difference for us during this disaster? The Anker PowerHouse II 800.