Reviews

OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock Review: Silent, Seriously Fast, and Built to Run Your Entire Desk

OWC has been building Mac and PC storage and connectivity gear since well before most of the companies currently shipping Thunderbolt docks existed, and that history is worth something when you’re about to hang your entire desk off a single cable. The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock has been on my desk for the last several weeks, connected to a Thunderbolt 5 Windows laptop. I also have the VectoTech V-Core Thunderbolt 5 Dock here, so there’s a direct comparison worth making at the end.


Ruko R1 Mini Robot Dog Review: A Cute, No-App Robot Toy for Kids

I love robots, and I love dogs. Put the two together, and you get advanced models from companies like Boston Dynamics or toy-sized versions for kids, like the Ruko R1 Mini Robot Dog, which I’m going to show you today. It is designed to be a fun distraction rather than a serious robotics project, and its main goal is to make children laugh with movements, sound effects, flips, dances, and a handful of doggy behaviors. Let’s take it for a walk and see if it earns a spot in the toy box.


FRESKO V8 Automatic Vacuum Sealer Review: Hands-Free Sealing Without the Hassle

Whether prepping bulk cuts from the butcher, bagging venison, or getting steaks ready for an evening sous vide bath, traditional vacuum sealers can test your patience. Clumsy lid latches, having to push down with both hands, or waiting around because the heating bar overheated after three bags quickly turn meal prep into a chore. The FRESKO V8 Automatic Vacuum Sealer (AutoMax V8 / V8-2) aims to eliminate that friction by making operation as hands-off as a toaster.


Aulumu SF8 Ultra-Slim Aramid Fiber Case for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Review: A Great Thin Option for One of the Thinnest Foldables

The modern smartphone is a marvel of engineering, but “rugged” isn’t usually the first word that comes to mind. I’ve used cases and bumpers for years, but ever since trying a Latercase aramid fiber case on a previous Pixel, I’ve been hooked on the power of fibers. I’ve dropped multiple phones in these marvelous thin, light cases, and even in the worst drops, only the cases were damaged. The Aulumu SF8 Ultra-Slim Aramid Fiber Case for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 was already in my shopping cart when the fortuitous offer to review it came in.


Kincmo Motorized Outdoor Shades Review: The Perfect Deck Upgrade

The Kincmo Motorized Outdoor Shade gave me the perfect opportunity to upgrade a not-so-classy curtain that the previous owner of our home used to block the sun and wind on my deck. It arrived quickly, was easy to install, and really exceeded my expectations. The shade and the remote work perfectly, and it definitely upgraded the space.


Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Laptop (2026) Review: An Enigmatic All-Rounder with a Tale of Two Prices

The laptop has established itself as a crucial part of most students’ and professionals’ lives. Many of us need to work or study from different spots in our home, on campus, or while traveling. Choosing the right one can be difficult, with models varying widely in battery life, build quality, and performance. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Laptop (2026) is trying to be that “best for most” affordable model that has plenty of power and battery life without sacrificing too much in other areas. Unfortunately, the sticker price missed the memo on affordability, but street pricing seems to be telling…


NiWalker N50S Flashlight Review: An EDC Flashlight with 2 Crazy Features

The NiWalker N50S is a compact rechargeable flashlight that can switch between a short one-battery setup and a longer configuration with a larger battery. That flexibility makes it an appealing everyday-carry option. After using it around the house, including a lights-out stairway test, I was impressed by its solid build, simple controls, and strong output. It is a dependable flashlight that performs as expected, though most people will likely prefer leaving it in the larger, longer-lasting configuration.


BOTE MULE Outpost Chair Review: Big Comfort, Backpack Portability, and a Proprietary Catch

Do you own battery-powered yard equipment? If so, you’ll see how this relates to a foldable chair review. It’s a strange comparison, but hear me out. When you buy a battery mower and add tools like a trimmer or chainsaw, you must buy the same brand of compatible—read: proprietary—batteries. That’s why the BOTE MULE Outpost chair is perfect—if you’re willing to go BOTE.


3 Legged Thing Jason Tripod & AirHed Cine CC Fluid Head Review: More Height, Less Weight, Nearly 3X the Payload

3 Legged Thing is a manufacturer of tripods and related gear located in Stagsden, Bedfordshire, England. From the start, 3 Legged Thing went its own way, adding color, anodized components, and modular design to its products. We have reviewed many of their products in the past and always found them to be excellent. In this review, we look at the 3 Legged Thing Jason Tripod with the optional AirHed Cine CC Fluid Head. What is It? Jason is a compact, lightweight modular carbon fiber tripod available with or without a choice of cine heads. Designed for wildlife and landscape photographers…


RingConn Gen 3 Smart Ring Review: The Smart Ring for People Who’d Rather Skip the Smartwatch

I’ve reviewed quite a few smart rings over the years, and while I love checking out new designs and new features, I always ended up shelving the ring in my review sample cabinet. Not because I didn’t like them, but because wearing a smart ring AND my Apple Watch felt like overkill. Today we’re going to take a look at the RingConn Gen 3 smart ring. After a month, is it still on my finger? Let’s find out.


UREVO FoldiMix 5L Smart Treadmill Review: A Great Portable Treadmill That Packs Away Easily

“Getting my steps in!” has become a common phrase, and it’s nice to have options to do it. The UREVO Foldimix 5L Smart Treadmill does just that, letting you quickly get those steps in while also storing away easily under a bed or in a corner out of the way. It’s a light, portable treadmill for both casual and more serious users looking to up their fitness during the day.


Shokz OpenMeet2 Bone Conduction Headset Review: The Open-Ear Work Headset Just Got Smarter, Sleeker, and More Comfortable

For calls on your phone or computer, nothing beats the quality and convenience of a good headset. You might be lucky if you’re not picky, but I dislike the idea of not hearing the room around me- or people sneaking up on me! I also wear glasses AND wear hearing aids, which make many headsets painful to wear on a long call. I’ve been using the Shokz OpenMeet for a while, which is my go-to headset that solves all of these issues, but will the Shokz OpenMeet2 improve on that?


ALLSWIFIT ActiveSolid Slip-In Athletic Shoes Review: Slip-In Comfort for Wide Feet Without the Premium Price

Let’s get this out there right now – I hate tying shoes. I’m a huge fan of slip-ons, but when I want athletic shoes, I’ve been out of luck. When Kiziks first came out, with their slip-on tech, I was excited. But I am blessed with both thick and wide feet, and Kiziks don’t play there. There are some high-priced options out there, but I’m frugal.  I got an offer to test out a pair of ALLSWIFIT ActiveSolid Athletic Shoes, and they are slip-ins available in wide. Yes, please!


VectoTech V-Core Thunderbolt 5 Dock Review: A Thunderbolt 5 Dock with a Killer Storage Trick

Thunderbolt 5 docks are arriving in large numbers now, and most are variations on the same theme: lots of bandwidth, lots of ports, and a price that reflects both. The VectoTech V-Core Thunderbolt 5 Dock does one thing differently, and it’s the thing that makes it interesting. The dock has an M.2 NVMe slot, so the external drive you’d otherwise hang off a port lives inside the box instead. I’ve been running it as the center of my desk setup to see how much that actually changes.


Cuisinart Freeze Ease Pro 1.5qt Ice Cream Maker Review: Great Ice Cream, No Freezer Bowl, No Planning Ahead

The Cuisinart Freeze Ease Pro is the company’s answer to the biggest limitation of its own ice cream makers: the frozen bowl. Instead of a canister you have to plan a day ahead for, it has a built-in compressor that chills the bowl on demand. That convenience costs $379.95, roughly four times what a standard Cuisinart freezer-bowl model runs. We spent several weeks making ice cream with it, including an ice cream cake for a birthday, to find out whether the compressor earns the jump in price.


Crossrope Ropeless AMP Set Review: Who Needs a Rope When You Can Still Feel the Burn?

I’ll admit it: when I first heard about a “ropeless” jump rope, I wondered what the point was. Isn’t the rope kind of the whole idea? But after trying the Crossrope Ropeless AMP Set, I started to see the appeal. You still get the motion and resistance of jumping rope, but without needing coordination or even needing to jump! That sounded like a pretty good deal to me! I’ve been using the Crossrope Ropeless system to see how it works, how it feels, and whether it can actually deliver a worthwhile workout without the rope.


Ultenic AC1 TriFlex Review: Sticky Messes, Pet Hair, and Grime Don’t Stand Much of a Chance

There’s really no way around it: I am terrible at housekeeping. There are reasons for it, but in the end, it means I’m always interested in technology that can make cleaning our home a little easier, faster, and more efficient. I was offered the Ultenic AC1 TriFlex cordless electric mop and vacuum, so I decided to give it a shot. Since I don’t clean often, I figured whatever I did with it would really put it through its paces. I’m impressed with the results overall, so let’s dive in. What Is This Thing? The Ultenic AC1 TriFlex cordless vacuum falls into…


Sun Mountain H2NO C130 Waterproof Cart Golf Bag Review: Rainproof Performance with One Maddening Flaw

Golf plays a significant role in my life. I’m not exceptionally good at it, but I enjoy the social side of the game. Living in the world’s largest golfing community, with 837 holes as of this writing, means there’s no shortage of opportunities to play. Central Florida also brings plenty of rain, and rain and golf equipment are not friends. Sun Mountain’s new H2NO family of golf bags aims to keep them apart. Let’s see how the Sun Mountain H2NO C130 Waterproof Cart Golf Bag handles your gear and the elements.


MOVA V70 Ultra Complete Review: This Robot Vacuum Climbs, Scrubs, and Cleans Like It Means It

MOVA is Dreame‘s sibling brand, and the MOVA V70 Ultra Complete looks like an attempt to put every feature the robot vacuum category has invented into one machine. Bagless auto-emptying, boiling water mop washing, a dual-compartment cleaning solution dispenser, extending brush and mop arms, and wheels that climb a three-and-a-half-inch threshold. It lists at $1,299, with introductory pricing of $1,099 through September 1, and either way that’s premium money. I’ve been running the MOVA V70 Ultra Complete across hard floors, carpet, and a lot of furniture legs to see what that buys.


Wyze Scale BodyScan Review: Tracking Health Data Made Easy

Getting accurate health data can be incredibly useful. The Wyze Scale BodyScan smart scale is a more budget-friendly option that includes regional muscle and fat tracking. NO SUBSCRIPTIONS! It is made for people looking for a comprehensive look at their health and uses an eight-electrode system with a built-in, extendable handle for body composition analysis. It analyzes and provides data on individual areas of the body and tracks it over time in the Wyze app.


iGulu F1 Smart All-in-One Home Brewer Review: High-Tech Homebrewing Gets Easier, but Not Quite Effortless

In 1993, American Michael Berstein dreamed of bringing microbrewing to consumers through small batches and foolproof kits. The result, Mr. Beer, became a profitable piece of countertop brewing equipment that’s still around today. Since then, advances in technology have inspired plenty of attempts at more sophisticated homebrewing devices, including the iGulu F1 in this review. But can it really perform as advertised? In short: kind of. Fermentation makes true one-step, brew-to-glass simplicity difficult. Still, the iGulu F1 is an intriguing device for homebrewers who value its features.