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
  • Buying a new mattress can be very exhausting. You will have to wander from store to store, deciding between springs or foam and arguing over the best size and firmness. All these efforts can leave you tired and almost in need of a good nap. To spare you all these efforts, we have compiled the best queen mattresses in 2022 for you.A queen mattress is considered the perfect size due to plenty of reasons. The mattress is spacious and comfortable for two people, but it is also suitable for a single person. Thus, a queen mattress can perfectly fit whether you have a large bedroom or a small one. Standard queen-size mattresses measure 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, but they vary a little depending on the brand.
    October 07, 2021
  • If there is one thing that has always been by our side, it is our trusty mobile phones. We bet you can't imagine ever going out and not having your device with you, right? Well, what if we told you that this little buddy of yours has been up to no good and is, in fact, ten times dirtier than a toilet seat! Don't go throwing out your phone yet. Rather, how about we introduce you to the best phone sanitizers in 2022 that will remove the yuckiness out of your phone and make it germ free?A phone sanitizer utilizes the power of UV rays to obliterate all the germs on your phone. Well, not all since the more accurate number is 99.99%. "All" sounds more theatrical, doesn't it? Anyways, the demand for phone sanitizers is at an all time high, thanks to the pandemic. So, we asked our team to check out phone sanitizers available and shortlist the best ones. If you scroll down, you'll also find a handy buyer's guide section that will help you through the entire purchase journey.Ready? Well, you should be, so here we go!
    October 06, 2021
  • While we mainly get our nutrients through the food we eat throughout the day, sometimes we might need a little extra help to make sure our body is staying healthy. This is exactly why many experts recommend you start using multivitamins when you enter your 30s. Taking multivitamins ensures your body is absorbing all the necessary nutrients needed for good health and vitality. However, people tend to put up a fight when it comes to multivitamins. Why? Because they smell horrible and taste even worse! Enter: gummy bears. These women’s gummy multivitamins not only taste delicious, but they also smell amazing.If you are still unsure, because, hey, gummies are for kids, you are mistaken. We have all the information you need about which kind of multivitamins are best for you and all the women in your circle. Read this article to find everything you need to know about the best women’s gummy multivitamins in 2022!
    October 01, 2021
  • An old, unsupportive pillow could be the source of bad sleep, annoying neck pain, and improper alignment. If you notice pain due to an uncomfortable pillow, this is the ideal time to switch to a memory foam pillow. Memory foam pillows provide excellent support to the neck and allow you to sleep comfortably at night. You can even experience relieved back pain after using a memory foam pillow since it can help you maintain proper spinal alignment throughout the night. To help you improve your sleep, we have reviewed many memory foam pillows and have made a list of the best memory foam pillows that stand out in 2022.If you have questions related to memory foam pillows, take a look at the bottom buyer’s guide section. We are here to make your purchase seamless so you can achieve a perfect night's sleep.
    September 30, 2021
  • With the flu season coming up, it's important to sanitize your everyday items. It's a real hassle to sanitize everything separately, needing to wipe down every single item that you use. This is why a UV sanitizer box should be considered. It gets the job done easily - all you have to do is place your items in the box and close the lid. It uses UV light to kill bacteria or viruses that might be present on the surfaces of your phone, face masks, and anything you can really think of. The UV light targets the DNA of the bacteria or the RNA of the virus and destroys it, which in turn, kills the germs. This is an effective way of sterilizing your items because you are not wiping the surfaces yourself and there is no chance of missing a spot. We have compiled this complete guide for you to choose the best UV sanitizer boxes in 2022, so you can sterilize your everyday items with ease.If you have doubts about the efficiency and effectiveness of UV sanitizer boxes, keep reading this guide and get all your questions answered.
    September 29, 2021