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
  • Welders aren’t exactly the most common tool you’ll find in a home workshop; then again, I have one in my workshop and it’s gotten plenty of use. Once I actually broke down and bought one, I found a huge number of projects I could use it on from making brackets for my video studio lights to building cargo trailers.If you’re looking at buying a welder, you’ve probably at least thought about buying a MIG. Compared to “stick” welders, these models are definitely the way to go. Read on for details about the best MIG welders on the market in 2022.
    January 21, 2015
  • Carbon Monoxide is a deadly gas which is colorless and odorless. In most fatal home fires, it’s carbon monoxide which kills victims long before they succumb to smoke inhalation or are burned by the fire. Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu, making it difficult to detect by symptoms alone. These symptoms can include a dull headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision and chest pain. Since most people are more familiar with the flu than with CO2 poisoning, they assume their symptoms are flu-related, prolonging their exposure to the gas making them sick; this can be a fatal error. Unlike smoke, which is fatal if the concentration in the air is high enough, carbon monoxide usually builds up in the system over time. One can get carbon monoxide poisoning from either a low concentration of carbon monoxide over a long period of time or a high concentration over a short period of time. Therefore, carbon monoxide detectors need to determine the average level of carbon monoxide in the environment over time, determining if it is high enough to cause problems. Smoke detectors don't detect carbon monoxide. If you have a smokeless fire going or a contained fire, it’s possible for carbon monoxide levels to reach fatal levels without a smoke detector going off. This could also occur with vehicle exhaust, a leaky furnace or an improperly vented hot water heater for example. Ideally, you should have both carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors in your home. A minimum of one per floor is recommended, with additional detectors installed in bedrooms. Although this make for a lot of detectors, it provides the best protection for your family. Having a detector go off in the basement, when everyone is asleep on the second floor of the house doesn't help anyone. Carbon monoxide detectors can run off of your house current, battery or a combination of the two. In the cases where a detector uses both, the battery serves as a power backup for the AC house current. That way, you’re always guaranteed a working detector, even in a power outage nor worry about the battery dying at the wrong time. The best carbon monoxide detectors are now using Lithium-Ion batteries for prolonged battery life and they’ll also have a test button-like a smoke detector. Some models are now made so several units can be interconnected with one another; if one alarm goes off, it will alert and activate the others in your home. Check out our top picks for best carbon monoxide detectors in 2022 .
    January 08, 2015
  • Ice scrapers - also known as ice choppers or ice breakers - are made to break through standing ice on sidewalks, driveways, porches, or patios. They can be used by using brute force to ram the blade downwards onto the ice, shattering it and making it easy to shovel away. In scraper mode they can scrape under the ice edge which breaks up sheets of ice into removable pieces. Whether you need a chopper, a scraper, or a combination of the two, you'll have to decide what blade type suits your needs bestThe best ice scrapers in 2022 on this list were chosen in part for their ergonomic or shock-reducing handles, coupled with a tough and heavy steel blade for chopping or scraping. Blade width was also considered since wider blades distribute more of the force over a greater area while smaller width blades concentrate the force of the blow more. Plus, there will also be a best bang for the buck scraper/chopper featured.
    January 07, 2015
  • A snow thrower can best be described as an electric snow shovel and plug into any standard electrical outlet. They have a maximum of 100 feet of extension cord, recommended for all corded models, and work best when throwing snow off of porches, patios, or stairs. Although technically many are powerful enough to take on larger jobs, their small snow intake size would mean spending double or triple the time outside snow blowing than using an actual snowblower for the same task. Their strength lies in the fact that they are lightweight and easy to maneuver, making them able to throw snow out of the way where heavier, more cumbersome snow blowers could never go.The main selection criteria used when considering picks for inclusion on this list was their ease of use, their weight, having an ergonomic handle, as well as any additional features making them simple to use with less hassle. Price also played a significant role, because, for the most part, they’re only going to be used for small blowing tasks; they don't need add-ons or special features that would jack up the price.
    January 02, 2015
  • Cordless tools are rapidly overtaking their corded cousins in the construction trades, as well as for the average homeowner and do-it-yourselfer. The convenience of cordless tools more than makes up for their increased price in many people's eyes, helping them to justify the expense. When you have to do a quick project, cordless tools make it much easier to accomplish. These cordless combo tool kits combine several tools from the same manufacturer, all of which operate off the same power system. Typically, the kits come with two batteries and a charger, making it possible to work more or less continually, depending upon the recharge speed of the batteries. Since these tools all use Lithium-Ion batteries, it’s possible to pull a partially recharged battery from the charger and use it without any risk of damage.There are a couple of advantages of buying these types of kits rather than buying individual tools. First of all, the kits provide several tools for a lower price than if you were to buy them individually which ultimately saves you money. A second savings comes from the fact you’re buying all of your tools for the same battery system. That reduces cost on batteries and chargers, especially when you start comparing it to having a mishmash of tools from different manufacturers. All of the kits have at least one drill and at least two saws. The saws are circular and reciprocating. While that doesn't give you the capability of cutting curves like you can with a scroll saw, it will handle most construction related tasks. Some of the larger kits add a scroll saw, as well as other tools. It's real easy to get carried away when you start looking at kits like this and decide you need everything. But before buying, take the time to think about the projects you do and the types of tools needed for them. On the flip side, some of the additions to the kit may be what you end up using the most. Many cordless tool manufacturers are now building smaller sized impact drivers, which are great for driving screws into a deck or other tasks where a normal drill/driver doesn't have enough torque. You'll also find work lights in these kits which there are never enough of in anyone's tool kit. Another thing to consider when choosing a kit is any cordless tools you currently own. If you already have some tools from a manufacturer, the addition of more from the same manufacturer could put you in a position of having more chargers and batteries available for your tool collection. Unless there’s a real reason to buy another brand, it’s worth purchasing consistently. All of the kits come with soft-sided cases for storing and carrying your tools. This is convenient if you’re limited in workshop space, or just for carrying the tools to the area where you are working on the project. These heavy-duty canvas cases are rugged and can handle the weight of multiple tools, without tearing.Finally, some of the manufacturers offer more than one combo kit. In those cases, I've listed their best cordless tool combo kits in 2022 but you might want to check their websites to see if they have any smaller kits available.
    December 16, 2014
Health & Beauty
  • Cologne is designed to distinguish you from others, make a statement, and keep you feeling fresh. Whether you prefer aromatic, fresh fragrances during the day or warm, spicy scents at night, there are many quality colognes to choose from. Each cologne consists of a special blend of top, middle, and base notes which balance the fragrances and allow the product to stand apart from one another. Finding a signature scent may seem overwhelming due to all of the options, but referring to the buyer's guide can help you narrow down your search for the best colognes in 2022.
    March 17, 2015
  • With lip gloss you’re either a fan or you aren’t. Those who aren't have usually experienced sticky, messy lip glosses which dried out their lips or led to other negative, unflattering results. Upgrading to a higher-quality lip gloss can provide you with a versatile addition to your makeup routine. There are many quality options available with some formulated for sun protection, others with moisturizing properties, and those which provide plumping effects on the lips. If you’re not sure where to start, refer to the buyer's guide below to help you find the ideal lip gloss to suit your needs and preferences. We've compiled the best lip glosses in 2022.
    March 17, 2015
  • A hair dryer is more than just a simple hair-drying tool— it can have quite an impact on the texture and health of your hair. Since your hair dryer is responsible for the overall appearance of your hair, it's important to use the right one. Some hair dryers dehydrate hair and leave it looking frizzy, while other options hydrate strands and leave them silky-smooth. Even if you aren’t a professional stylist, you can still benefit from the best hair dryer in 2022 equipped with plenty of features to make your life easier. And, you can check out the buyer's guide below to help you determine which hair dryer best suits your hair needs, personal preferences, and budget.
    March 17, 2015
  • Bronzers are the perfect alternative to tanning your skin in the sun, which risks premature aging and irreversible skin damage when delicate facial areas are left unprotected. Bronzers allow you to achieve a beautiful, sun-kissed glow without the risk of damaging your skin. There are many different types available including powders, creams, and lotions. Read the buyer's guide we’ve provided below to help you determine which bronzer is best for your skin type, budget, and preferences, and you can look at our favorite picks for the best bronzer in 2022 below.
    March 17, 2015
  • Lotions can feel heavy on skin, take a while to absorb, and leave you feeling uncomfortable during hot weather. Body oils offer many of the same moisturizing benefits as lotions, yet feellighter and permeate skin faster. While there are many different body oils available to choose from, not all are created equal. Many contain filler ingredients which actually prevent oils from absorbing into the skin properly. Body oils derived from pure, natural ingredients hydrate and nourish skin while protecting you from environmental stressors, even helping downplay signs of aging. The following lists provides a starting point for finding the best body oils in 2022 to suit your needs and we’ve also included a buyer’s guide below to aid your search.
    March 03, 2015