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
  • Garage floors are an especially difficult painting problem. Extreme durability is required to withstand constant abrasion, items being dropped on it and chemical spills. The paint must be extremely hard, while still maintaining some flexibility to overcome this combination of dangers. For this reason, epoxy paint is normally used. Epoxy paint is essentially a thinner, tinted version of epoxy adhesive. It is normally a two-part paint product, just as epoxy adhesives are. However, there are a few one-part epoxy products on the market which are specifically designed for use as garage floor coverings. I don’t understand how they can be one-part products, but still be epoxy. Nevertheless, their manufacturers label them as such and sell them as garage floor coatings. Epoxy cures as a chemical reaction; which is different than other paint products. Almost all other paints dry by evaporation of the solvent that is in the paint. This is why VOCs are such an issue with oil-based paints. The solvents used in these products are VOCs. They must leave the paint by evaporation for the paint to dry. Due to increased regulatory requirements, more and more of these paint products are being replaced by water-based products; as water, by definition, isn’t a VOC. Likewise, more and more epoxy paints are becoming water-based paints. From what I’ve seen, this has not reduced the quality or durability of these paints, as the epoxy still cures by a chemical reaction. Unlike other paint products, water-based and oil-based epoxy paints are extremely similar. What makes an epoxy paint good is the percentage of solids that it contains. The more solids, the heavier and more durable a coat of finish it puts on the floor. High solids epoxies also soak in less, providing better coverage. Coverage is a major issue for these products, as concrete is highly porous. A certain amount of the material soaks directly into the concrete, reducing the coverage area. This is hard to predict, as concrete used for garage floors varies considerably. The way that the concrete is finished has a part to play in coverage as well. The good news is that the more the epoxy seeps into the concrete, the better it bonds with the substrate. Before using any garage floor coating, it is essential that the floor be totally clean. This is actually a bigger challenge than applying the floor covering, as garages typically have stains from oils and other chemicals. All of these, especially the oil, will reduce the adhesion of the epoxy to the floor. If the floor isn’t cleaned and prepared adequately, the covering will not last, but will flake and peel from the floor. For this reason, it is best to apply an epoxy floor coating to new cement, before the garage is used. However, that is not always possible. If the coating is to be applied to an already existing garage floor, then it is important to take the time to thoroughly cleanse the floor. Finally, remember that two-part epoxies have a limited working time before they cure. Check the working time for the epoxy product that you purchase and ensure that you can finish the application in the time available. Once it starts to thicken, effective application is almost impossible. It is possible to mix only part of the product, rather than mixing the whole kit. However, when this is done, there is a very high risk that the second part won’t be exactly the same shade of color as the part already applied. Without exact measurement, it is impossible to maintain color consistency. When measuring to separate part of a kit out for later application or touch-up, remember that a 1:1 ratio may not be exact. Verify that both containers have the same amount of product in them, so that your measurement will be accurate. Check out our list of the best garage floor coatings in 2022.
    October 11, 2013
  • Although the use of broiler pans has declined with the advent of grill pans and other more advanced roasters, the broiler pan remains an affordable and easy option for oven broiled foods. Broiler pans have been used for decades for oven roasting. Some ovens even come with broiler pans. Because much of the juices and liquids from the roasting meat sits at the bottom of the pan, and can often cause sticking, the quality of your broiler pan is essential. The best broiler pans in 2022 listed here were chosen because they are easy to clean, sturdy, nonstick and under $50. The broiler pan may be a bit of a blast from the past, but these five fabulous picks will renew your faith in broiler cooking.
    October 09, 2013
  • Cleaning up after a paint job always requires some sort of solvent. For latex paints, this solvent is water; but for many paint products like oil-based paint and varnish, some other solvent is needed. Unfortunately, these other solvents aren’t as benign as water. For this reason, the EPA has been creating regulations that pressure paint manufacturers to reduce the VOCs in their paints. By definition Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are organic liquids that evaporate. The word “organic” refers to chemicals that contain a carbon atom in their molecular makeup. The word “volatile” doesn’t mean that it is flammable, like many people think, but rather that it evaporates. This includes almost all liquids.Water gets a pass, because the water molecule H2O doesn’t contain carbon; only hydrogen and oxygen. However, pretty much everything else that it used as a solvent for paints qualifies as being VOCs. This is especially true of any oil-based products that are used as paint thinners.While manufacturers are gradually moving away from oil-based paint products, in order to satisfy FDA regulations, there are still some around. For these products, finding an appropriate solvent for cleanup and thinning of the paint is important. This need to meet FDA regulations draws a line which clearly divides all paint thinners and products. On one side of the line are the more traditional thinners, which have VOCs and on the other side of the line are newer chemical thinners which are either low VOC or don’t contain any VOCs. Some of these newer products actually work incredibly well, especially when you consider that oil and water don’t mix. In this list of the best paint thinners in 2022, we’ll cover both categories of paint thinners. Keep in mind that paint formulations vary widely, so the results you get from a particular paint thinner may be different than those that I have received. A lot depends upon the particular chemical composition of the paint product you are trying to thin. In all cases, I still have to say that the old-fashioned products work better, even though they are not as good for the environment. Before trying to pick out a paint thinner, be sure that you know what type of paint material you are expecting to use it with. This is important, as different thinners work with different paints. For example, mineral spirits is excellent for use with standard oil-based paints, but won’t do a thing for cleaning up lacquer; nor does lacquer thinner work well for cleanup of most oil-based paints.
    October 09, 2013
  • If you are looking for a healthier ways to enjoy fruits and vegetables or even protein, then a food dehydrator will be a great option. Dehydrating food for health purposes has been around since biblical times. The benefit of dehydrated foods are priceless. By drying foods, you will retain nearly 100 percent of the vitamins and nutrients. Buying bulk dried foods in a regular grocery store can be very expensive. As an alternative, owning your own dehydrator can not only be fun, but will save you money. In assessing the best dehydrators on the market, low cost, size and heating power were factors. I looked for dehydrators under $150, had a minimum 6 tray capacity and had at least 500 watts of power. These best food dehydrators in 2022 will allow you to affordably invest in your health without compromising quality.
    October 08, 2013
  • Painted furniture and architectural trim can look nice and can even be repainted numerous times. Nevertheless, there can come a time when it’s necessary to remove the paint.There are two basic ways of removing paint: mechanically or chemically. Mechanically basically means sanding off the old paint. This can be done with sandpaper, Scotchbrite wheels in a drill, or even a plane if you have one that is the right shape. However, chemical paint removal is much more common than mechanical and is done with paint removers.Paint removers soften the existing paint so that it can be easily scraped off the piece of furniture or architectural molding. It doesn’t usually fully dissolve the paint, but merely makes it possible for you to remove it with a putty knife or other tool. That way, you don’t have the dissolved paint running all over and staining other pieces.Regardless of this, removing paint is an extremely messy task. So, whenever you do it, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got drop cloths down to catch the drips and the paint that you’re removing. Keep in mind that the paint remover can also attack the finish on hardwood floors. If you are removing paint in a room that has hardwood floors, be sure to use waterproof drop cloths. If your project has a lot of vertical surfaces, it can be very useful to use a paint remover that’s in a gel form. That way, it won’t run off the surface. Regardless of what type of paint remover you choose to use for your given task, be sure to read and follow the instructions carefully. In many cases, you will need some protective equipment such as rubber gloves, eye protection, and possibly a respirator in some cases. Attention to safety is important as some of these chemicals can be very dangerous. Check out our list of the best paint removers in 2022 and get started on your project.
    October 07, 2013
Health & Beauty
  • Children need many essential nutrients to grow in their early years. If your child's diet lacks certain foods, they might need multivitamins to supplement for proper growth and nutrition. Multivitamins specifically formulated for kids contain all the nutrients needed to grow and function optimally. These nutrients include vitamins, zinc, iron, and probiotics, and we've tested many products and have created a list of the best kids’ multivitamins in 2022.A buyer’s guide is also included, which will further help you select the best kids’ multivitamin for you and your child.
    October 18, 2021
  • When it comes to fighting against harmful infections and pathogens, our body's front-line of defense is our immune system. Thus, it is vital to boost the efficiency of your immune system through proper diet, exercise, and specific supplements. These supplements are essential to overcome vitamin and mineral deficiency. It can boost your health and aid your immune system in performing better. Some probiotics are specifically made to boost your immune system. And these days, it has become important to discuss the best immune support supplements in 2022.
    October 18, 2021
  • Found in parts of India, Africa, and Pakistan, the acacia senegal tree is rich in Acacia powder; extracted from the tree's sap, many people refer to it as acacia gum or gum in Arabic. The product is famous for its health benefits as it is excellent for weight management, does wonders for the liver, helps patients with diabetes, and much more. You can also find acacia powder in sodas, soups, dried egg products, yogurt, and chewing gums. So if you want to take advantage of the benefits of acacia powder, you should read our article about the best acacia powder in 2022.
    October 18, 2021
  • After a long day of wearing ill-fitting shoes or walking on thin sandals, your feet might be achy and tired. Heading to a spa salon for a pedicure isn't always an option, and let's be honest; your feet deserve a relaxing remedy after all that pressure. Therefore, the next best solution is getting your very own foot spa, making you capable of getting a massage in the comforts of your own home. The foot spa circulates heated water all around your feet with the assistance of vibrations or jets. Some of the best foot spas even highlight a rolling and vibrating massager to provide an even more relaxing experience.Your feet do all the moving for you and not providing them with sufficient care can lead to unwanted pain and additional problems, like bunions or foot odor. Luckily, using a home foot spa can help alleviate some of the woes. Are you willing to turn your house into a modern spa? Be sure to take a peek at our suggested best foot spas in 2022 below - we guarantee that your sore feet will thank you.
    October 18, 2021
  • Are your black spots bothering you? You don't have to accept them. There are several options for reducing their visibility and achieving clearer skin. "Dark spots are hyperpigmentation that most commonly occur following injury or inflammation, causing overproduction of melanin and possibly an uneven dispersion of it in the skin," according to the Mayo Clinic. A variety of disorders can cause hyperpigmentation, including acne scars, cuts, dermatitis, and sun damage. Glycolic acid and niacinamide are two popular substances used to promote cell turnover in the skin. Vitamin C serums are also available, which are designed to improve efficacy and brighten skin. Remember to use an SPF product to help avoid sun damage in the first place. However, bear in mind that removing hyperpigmentation takes time. Even with therapy, dark patches might take months to disappear. Below we have made a list of the best dark spots correctors in 2022.
    October 15, 2021