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
  • A countertop water distiller can be a priceless item to have when traveling, or simply for use at home for those who value the utmost purity from their water. These water distillers boil the water to distill it using steam, and then typically pass the water through a filter to further remove any impurities.Although water distillers tend to be fairly pricey, we've selected models striking a good balance between performance and price. We examined build quality to ensure our picks will be durable and some of our selections even feature a distillation process where water doesn’t come into contact with any plastic.While added features are less important, the following best countertop water distillers in 2022 have useful touches such pre-programmed filtration, so you can wake up in the morning to clean water. Finally, each of our picks are easy to use, with little to no assembly or installation required.
    October 22, 2014
  • Since there’s so much variety for the intended use of binoculars, it's difficult to pick just a few overall models to recommend. Although high-end binoculars offer multiple benefits, many users simply want something that will perform well and not cost so much that accidentally dropping them on the ground is a major tragedy.We've approached this list of best binoculars in 2022 with the goal of recommending models that are excellent for general use, while having some that specialize more in one area or another such as stargazing or bird watching, for example. We also ensured each pick offers a clear and bright image, while being easy to use for nearly all levels of experience. Some of our picks offer more durability than others, with varying degrees of weather-proofing. Lastly, each of our selections provides excellent value for their price point.
    October 22, 2014
  • Professional mechanics depend on air tools, especially a pneumatic impact wrench to get their work done. When working on stubborn nuts and bolts, an impact wrench can quickly loosen what would otherwise require massive amounts of effort and sweat (and probably a few busted knuckles along the way). The only drawback with pneumatic impact wrenches is you need a pretty good-sized air compressor to power them. For the rest of us, there are hand impact drivers. These wonderful and inexpensive tools allow you to take hammer force and convert it to rotational force. Attach a socket or bit and you can suddenly loosen that stubborn fastener. Not only that, but since you are applying the hammer to the back of the tool, you are ensuring that the bit or socket doesn’t come off the fastener. One added advantage of using a hand impact driver is the frustration relief provided by being able to hit the fastener that’s giving you so much trouble. It's going to take a good whack to break it loose, so you'll be able to take out all your aggression and frustration on it, rather than slamming the door and kicking the cat. That makes it an all-around better alternative. Because these tools take a lot of abuse, quality is important. While a fairly simple device, if the metal is too thin or not properly tempered, it can break rather easily. Of course, how often you have to use it becomes a factor as well. Deciding on the right tool for you can be a challenge, but we're here to help. Check out our list of the best hand impact driver sets in 2022 no matter what you need one for. These are reliable, durable, and sure to make your job get done faster.
    October 01, 2014
  • A saute pan is one of the most important cook's tools in the kitchen. A good quality saute pan can be used for a variety of dishes. A chef, could get maximum usage for one by using it in the oven, for shallow frying and sometimes baking. The saute pans on this list were chosen because they are oven safe, medium to large sized and very sturdy. These lists of the best saute pans in 2022 will make you wonder how you ever lived without a good saute pan.
    September 13, 2014
  • Of all the types of drill bits available on the market, twist drills are the most common because they can be used for cutting virtually any type of material. Other types of drill bits are specialty bits, used for only certain materials. I’ve decided to limit this list of best drill bit sets in 2022 to standard “jobbers length” or standard size length twist drill bits. There are other lengths available, such as “aviation bits” which are 6 or 12 inches long. However, these are rather rare and quite costly.Twist drills come in three basic size groups: Fractional drill sizes – typically from 1/64 to 1/2 inches in 1/64 inch increments. However, they are also available in sizes up to over 1 inch. Letter drill sizes – used predominantly by machinists, these sizes are essential if you are going to tap threads into the hole. Wire gauge sizes – again, these are predominantly used by machinists.The biggest enemy of drill bits is heat which reduces the temper of the metal and causes the cutting edge to dull quicker. When drilling holes, there are two things that you can do to reduce the heat that your drill bit is creating: Drill at a slower speed. The general rule of thumb is that the harder the material, the slower you should drill. Use a cutting oil that lubricates the drill to substrate contact, reducing heat. If you don’t have an actual cutting oil, any light mineral oil will work.Manufacturers have experimented with materials, in order to create drill bits that will last longer. This is specifically dealing with drill bits that are used to cut metals. The most common materials are: Low carbon steel – Although fine for working in wood and plastic, it won’t hold an edge long for metal. High carbon steel – These can be honed sharper and hold an edge much longer than low carbon. If overheated, they will lose their temper immediately and become dull. High-speed steel – This is a special steel alloy, formulated for drill bits and other cutting tools. It’s much more resistant to heat than high carbon steel. Cobalt steel alloys – These are variations on high-speed steel that contain more cobalt. This allows them to withstand temperatures up to 1000 degrees. However, they are more brittle. Tungsten carbide (typically called just carbide) is an extremely hard material that can cut in just about anything. Since it is expensive and very brittle, it is normally just welded to the tip of the drill bit, creating the cutting edge. Polycrystalline diamond – This is a man-made diamond, sintered to carbide support. These are the hardest bits, able to cut anything but they are very expensive, generally used only in industry, where taking the time to replace a drill bit might delay a production line.In addition to the materials that the drill bit is made of, many manufacturers coat their drill bits with various materials, providing reduced friction or wear. These drill bits cannot be sharpened as the process of sharpening will remove the coating on the sharpened cutting edge: Black oxide – The least expensive of coatings. This provides for heat resistance, lubricity, and corrosion resistance. Titanium nitride (TiN) – A hard ceramic material. When used to coat a high-speed steel bit, it prolongs the life by two or three times. Titanium aluminum nitride (TiAIN) – Is considered superior to TiN, with the ability to extend a drill bit’s life up to five times. Titanium carbon nitride (TiCN) – Like TiAIN, can extend the drill bit’s life up to five times. Diamond powder – This is the hardest bit coating, creating an abrasive bit rather than a cutting bit. These bits are used for cutting tile, stone, and other very hard materials. Due to the heat generated, it is typical to spray water onto the cutting point, in order to prevent damage to it.For your reference, some of the other types of drill bits available are: Step drill bits – Designed to create a hole with a counterbore or countersink Unibit – Designed to cut a number of different sized holes in sheet metal Hole saw – For cutting larger holes in sheet goods Center and spotting drills – Used for machining to create a starter hole in an exact location or create a place for a center on a lathe Core drill bit – For enlarging existing holes, such as enlarging a cast hole in a metal casting Countersink bit – For countersinking Ejector bit – A hollow design so that water can be run into the hole to remove chips Gun drill bit – Designed to drill deep holes, extremely straight for guns; they come up to 8” in diameter and over 20’ long Left-hand bit – Used predominantly in specialized operations with CNC equipment Spade bits – For boring holes in wood Straight fluted bit – Used for boring in copper or brass, so that the bit doesn’t drag and dig in Brad-point bit – For wood boring, the brad-point provides an exact center location Forstner bit – For boring precise, flat bottomed holes in wood, can go up to 4” in diameter Auger bits – For boring deep holes quickly Masonry bit – Designed more to chip out the masonry, with a flute for removing the dustJust a quick safety note: Always wear eye protection when drilling. Chips, dust, and flakes can be thrown off by the bit, causing damage to the eyes or blindness.
    September 11, 2014
Health & Beauty
  • When it’s time for baby’s bath, not just any old soap will do. Choosing a mild formulation, which is gentle on baby’s delicate skin, is key. Baby bar soap is made especially for infants and won't strip or irritate their skin. Additionally, bar soap is typically less expensive than baby wash, and will frequently last longer as well. The following best baby soaps in 2022 made this list based on their mild, natural ingredients, moisturizing formulas, and positive online parent reviews found on Amazon and other manufacturer websites.
    January 23, 2015
  • Keeping the face soft and smooth can be difficult. It naturally picks up toxins, dirt, and debris while also harboring its own dead skin cells…yuck! Luckily, a good face peel can help solve this dilemma by literally peeling away unwanted dry skin and hidden dirt. The following five best face peels in 2022 were chosen for their powerful exfoliating ingredients that go deep down to clean pores, as well as for their smoothing qualities that leave the complexion looking even and healthy. Additionally, all of these products are powerful enough to provide lasting results without irritating sensitive skin.
    January 07, 2015
  • The bathroom scale is one of those items that you never really think about until you desperately need it. Maybe that person looking back at you in the mirror is someone you don't recognize anymore, getting soft in the midsection with a few curves that weren't there in your 20's. For those who have become more fitness conscious now, or always were from a young age, the bathroom scale can be a powerful tool in helping you reach your personal body goals. These days they couldn't be easier to use; merely step onto the device and it will give you an almost instantaneous display of your current weight. Digital scales will do this and more, like track your weight loss progress, store data for multiple users, and offer weight capacities up to 400 pounds. Body fat scales go a step or two further, offering other measurements like body fat percentage, hydration levels, even muscle mass and bone density readings in addition to your weight. Then there are the mechanical scales, just like those you may find in the doctor's office using nothing more than a simple spring and gear system that's been deemed accurate for decades, though may require repeated calibration to keep the scale in check. There's a wealth of great options out there, no matter what your personal fitness needs may require. We have found some of the best bathroom scales in 2022 you can buy on our lists below.
    November 21, 2014
  • Shaving cream is a necessity if you want to get the best results from your shave. Not only does it protect the skin as you shave and prevent rashes and breakouts, it adds moisture and keeps skin healthy and hydrated. Dry and sensitive skin types will love how moisturizing these formulas are, and will find some great products specifically for you. Normal skin will find these beneficial as well. All will enjoy the results of hydrated skin long after you have finished shaving. For more information on what to look at in selecting the best shaving cream in 2022, we have listed below to help you decide what is the best to buy.
    November 21, 2014
  • As mammals we have hair on our skin— as humans, there are places where it grows that we just don’t want it. As for the bikini area, well that's a whole topic unto itself. No matter where you have unwanted hair, shaving it constantly is a struggle. So, how do we rid ourselves of this unwanted hair? Well, shaving is the most common option, but the hair typically grows back within a day. For longer-lasting hair removal, some people choose waxing or even laser hair removal. However, the best epilator in 2022 has become one of the top choices for long-lasting hair-free skin. Epilators work similarly to waxing, where multiple hair strands are pulled from the root at one time. To get smooth, hair-free skin, check out our top picks below.
    November 11, 2014