We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. The LA Times editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more

Featured
A new component is quickly emerging as a must-have addition for blenders — the travel jar. Travel jars offer the convenience of blending and enjoying your favorite drinks on the go. With their compact size and secure lids, these portable containers make it easier than ever to maintain a healthy lifestyle while keeping up with your busy schedule.
April 01, 2024
Bestcovery has tested several blenders over the past few weeks to help you find the best one for your home. If you still don't know which one to get, we’ve got another comparison for you! Below is my honest review and comparison of the Blendtec GO Travel Bottle and Base and the Beastmode blender by Beast. Whether you’re looking for convenience, versatility, or durability, we’ll break down the features of both options to help you make the right choice.
March 22, 2024
When it comes to finding the right blender for your needs, there are many options to choose from. From small compact blenders to high-powered, professional-grade models, every blender has its own features and capabilities. To help you find the perfect blender, Bestcovery put popular ones to the test! Below is my honest review of the Beast Blender, including what I liked, what could be improved, and whether or not I’d recommend it.
March 12, 2024
Most Popular
  • Are you on the hunt for a new blender but having a hard time making a decision? Feeling overwhelmed with choices? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Vitamix and Blendtec stand as major contenders in the blender market, so Bestcovery put them to the test. Check out my honest review and comparison below to determine which one truly reigns supreme in this ultimate blender showdown.
    February 23, 2024
  • In today's fast-paced world full of busy schedules, even essential tasks like oral hygiene can sometimes get rushed or overlooked. The Y-Brush Electric Toothbrush offers a promising solution to this common problem. Unlike traditional toothbrushes that recommend a full two-minute brushing session, the Y-Brush only takes 20 seconds to do the job.
    December 01, 2023
  • There's nothing quite like the feeling of a new pair of leggings, especially when you find one that fits just right. Athleta and Lululemon, two major companies in the athletic apparel industry, claim to have the best leggings. They're both popular brands with thousands of good reviews, but which one is better? We decided to settle the debate ourselves! We tested a pair of leggings from both brands to help you decide which one is worth investing in.
    October 13, 2023
  • The world of adhesive is vast and sprawling, but the king of the hill has to be epoxy. There is a special kind of epoxy for every application from simple, wooden joinery to plugging leaks in boat hulls. Choose the right one and the end result will be a joint or repair that is both strong and astoundingly long lived.We've narrowed down our selections to the most commonly-encountered types of epoxy, though this is not meant to be an exhaustive list of every type of epoxy that exists. Our recommendations take into consideration the overall effectiveness of each best epoxy in 2022, value for money, availability both off- and online, user reviews, and personal experiences with each.The following categories are represented below:Best All-Purpose EpoxyBest Wood EpoxyBest Metal EpoxyBest Plastic EpoxyBest Putty EpoxyBest Waterproof EpoxyWhere applicable, we've included multiple recommendations for your convenience. All of the epoxies selected here are great products, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
    February 03, 2016
Home
  • Modern electronics are so compact that seeing the individual components so you can work on them can be a challenge and those aren’t the only things with miniaturized components either. Many other items from jewelry to specialized craft items have components which are hard to see with the naked eye so a magnifying glass is often essential when working with them.Of course, holding a magnifying glass in your hand while you are trying to work severely limits what you can do. Jewelers solved this problem long ago with the use of an eye loupe; while functional, an eye loupe is still somewhat hard to use because of its small size. Putting the magnifier on a stand or adjustable arm is the obvious solution. These have been in use for a variety of applications, especially in manufacturing industries, for a number of years. Having a combination magnifier and lamp together makes it much easier to see small objects that are being worked on and the built-in light eliminates the problem of shadowing the light with your body.There are several styles of these available on the market, but the three main styles are:Desk Mounted – A short, flexible neck on a weighted base.Arm Mounted – An articulated arm, with the magnifier and lamp mounted to the end. The arm anchors to the desk or workbench edge with a clamp.Floor Mounted – The flexible neck is attached to a stand on a weighted base. This allows it to be moved around and used where needed.In most cases, the arm mounted models are the best magnifying lights in 2022 , providing a larger magnifier and longer reach. Desk mounted magnifiers must be placed right at the workpiece; moving them requires that there be a clear area on the workbench where the magnifier needs to go.Older models of these magnifiers all used fluorescent bulbs, usually 22 watt “ring” bulbs but many of the newer options have replaced the fluorescent bulbs with LEDs, providing longer life and lower energy costs. Since LED provides light without heat, they’re also safer to work with, even safer than fluorescents which are typically quite cool.When looking at a magnifying lamp, there are several things you should consider:What do you need to use it for? This will affect the style you choose.How big a magnifier do you need? Generally speaking, the larger the magnifier, the easier it is to use.How much light do you need? For most applications, the more light the better.How much magnification do you need? Five diopter, 2.25x magnification, is the most common for arm mounted magnifiers, while desktop units will usually have less. The greater the magnification, the easier it might be to see what you’re working on and at the same time, it cuts down the viewing angle. If you need to see a lot of things, such as several parts and how they go together, a higher magnification might not be helpful.
    May 12, 2015
  • Lathes are one of those woodworking tools that not every woodworker needs. They are a specialty tool, used for turning wood spindles for furniture, table legs, and wood bowls. While I know that some wood turners (the term for people who use a lathe) can make some amazing things on their lathes, it’s just not the tool for all of us. On the other hand, there are things which you can do on a lathe, which you can’t do on any other type of tool. I don’t care how hard you try; you’re not going to be very successful making a turned wood table leg on a table saw, although in theory it should be possible. Even so, to make it possible would require holding the part in a spindle; much like you would in a lathe. A woodworking lathe depends a lot on the skill of the individual wood turner, as they are essentially carving the spindle, with the lathe only rotating the work piece to allow the cutting action to happen evenly all around the circumference of it. Cutting is accomplished with a series of hand-held chisels, with only a tool rest to reduce the amount of strain on the woodworker’s hands. Turning wood is hard on the chisels, especially if you are turning dense hardwoods. Good quality chisels are needed, so that they will hold an edge. Even so, you'll probably find that you need to sharpen them frequently. Having a bench grinder on hand to do this makes using a wood lathe much more enjoyable.If you need additional information to help you in your search for a wood lathe, be sure to check out out buyer's guide provided below. We've compiled the best wood lathes in 2022.
    May 01, 2015
  • As temperatures begin to soar during the summer months, you rely on your air conditioner to provide relief from the heat. There are several different types of air conditioning systems to choose from, including window, portable, central, and ductless mini-split options. The following list of the best air conditioners in 2022 will provide all the information you'll need to make an informed home cooling system investment as the majority of our selections are smaller models as opposed to larger, centralized units. We've also provided an air conditioner buyer’s guide below to aid you in your search.
    April 30, 2015
  • After a meal, most people dread having to clean up and do the dishes. Dishwashers allow you to skip most of the manual labor, with modern technology allowing for even more convenience. These appliances offer power cleaning capabilities, with numerous features, stylish designs, and efficient performance for energy savings. Increasing use of sensors in modern dishwashers allow for an even less hands-on experience, with this technology handling more and more of the wash cycle and water temperature selection for you. Many current dishwashers no longer even require pre-rinsing, making doing the dishes as simple as placing the dirty ones in the dishwasher and pressing start. For more info on picking out a dishwasher for your kitchen, check out our list of the best dishwashers in 2022 and the buyer's guide provided below.
    April 30, 2015
  • If there’s any type of carpentry work where a nailer can help increase productivity, it’s in framing. While a skilled carpenter can drive a 16 penny nail in a few quick whacks, that’s nothing compared to pulling a trigger and having the nail sink in all the way. Even using a 32 ounce framing hammer or rigging axe, the best you can hope for is two whacks; one to set it and one to sink it. Put that nail gun on bump mode and you can really go to town. While framing doesn’t require the finesses that finish carpentry does, it does require a lot of nailing. Whereas a finish nailer helps make a nice, clean finish job with small nail holes, a framing nailer isn’t at all about beauty…it’s about productivity. There are several other considerations you should look at before picking a framing nailer. For more detail on what to look for check out our framing nailer buyer's guide we’ve provided below. We've compiled the best framing nailers in 2021.
    April 29, 2015
Health & Beauty
  • Just when you thought you were taking great care of your skin, you notice tiny bumps or a dull, lack-luster complexion. Before you blame your cleanser or switch up your makeup, try adding a facial scrub to your beauty routine a few times a week. If you sweat or are exposed to environmental factors like humidity, smog, and free radicals, your skin will absorb all that "junk." Cleansers alone are not enough to clean deep within the pores, but scrubs work deep within the skin to dissolve and wash away all the things that are holding it back from looking less than amazing. This list will help you determine which best face scrub in 2022 is best for your skin. Whether dry, oily, sensitive, or normal, we have you covered.
    April 05, 2013
  • Face lotions are ideal for daily use and are designed to lightly hydrate your skin. Some will even protect the skin from sun damage and other environmental factors that can age and dull the skin. Face lotion will not be as thick or rich as their cousin, face cream, and this makes them an ideal product to switch to when the weather starts to heat up. There is an ideal formula here for any skin type, including products for men. The best face lotions in 2022 absorb quickly and are typically very easy to wear under your makeup. Whether you’re looking for face lotions for oily, sensitive, or normal skin, this list should have you covered.
    April 05, 2013
  • Whether clear, colored, natural, or conventional, best lip plumper in 2022 are designed to enhance the lips’ volume and contours. Lip injections can run upwards of hundreds of dollars, but lip-plumping glosses, oils, and lipsticks range from less than $10 to over $30 — making them accessible for almost every budget. They increase lip fullness by stimulating blood flow with “tingly” ingredients like cinnamon or ginger, and may also include collagen-boosting ingredients for long-term improvement.
    March 08, 2013
  • Eye creams are necessary due to the fact that the area around the eye is very sensitive and delicate. This makes the skin quite vulnerable to premature aging and loss of hydration. You may find fine lines show up around your eyes before anywhere else on the face. Keep eyes protected and treat any other conditions you may have, like dark circles, swelling or puffiness, and droopy lids. You will that find many of these exceptional products correct and treat more than just one concern. For more information on what to look at in selecting the best eye cream in 2022, we have listed below what product is best to buy.
    February 22, 2013
  • Moisturizers do more for your skin than simply add hydration. These are designed to soak deep into the skin and keep working for a long period of time, while protecting skin from losing moisture. Some function as a barrier against harmful sun rays and damaging elements in the environment that can lead to premature aging. Others balance skin flare-ups and oil production. Use these best moisturizer in 2022 anywhere on your body because they contain the best possible ingredients ideal for your skin’s needs.
    January 28, 2013