The Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer is a compact appliance designed to quickly prepare a variety of meals. 

Its slimmer design saves countertop space and allows it to fit kitchens of multiple sizes. Its five-in-one functionality means you can air fry, bake, broil, roast, and reheat many foods, and the appliance heats up impressively quickly. 

The built-in programs are easy to use, and with its dishwasher-safe components, cleanup is quick and simple, too. All in all, the Vortex is a highly versatile air fryer that can save you time on meal prep while still delivering excellent results.  

What I Thought of the Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer

I was very impressed with the Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer’s overall performance. Its compact design means it takes up minimal counter space and was able to fit underneath my kitchen cabinets. While its capacity is limited to a four-pound whole chicken, I found that it was still versatile enough to prepare dishes for smaller families, or side dishes for larger meals. 

The air fryer was impressively easy to use. It features a knob and touchscreen controls, and its five program settings make it versatile enough to air fry, bake, broil, roast, and reheat foods. The simple operation makes it a user-friendly device that’s ideal for first-time air fryer users, and it consistently performed well during my tests. 

While its capacity is a bit limiting and there was an unpleasant plastic smell that gradually dissipated with repeated uses, the air fryer was overall impressive. I think it would be a great choice for those looking to save on space or for those with small kitchens. It’s also a good choice for smaller families or individuals who don’t need a large air fryer.

Product specifications

Model name: Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer

Dimensions: 12.01” L x 15.31” W x 12.72” H

Weight: 7.8 pounds

Capacity: 6 quarts

Voltage: 120 volts

Wattage: 1700 watts

Warranty: 1 year limited warranty

Setting Up the Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer

The Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer arrived double boxed and in excellent condition. Rather than using Styrofoam to hold the interior box in place, the packaging features air pillows, and the interior box was fully wrapped in a protective plastic. 

The air fryer and its components were all securely in place within the box, and while there was foam on top of and underneath the air fryer, most of the packaging consisted of cardboard. 

It was easy to unbox and unwrap the air fryer, the basket, the cooking tray, and the packet containing instructions and one recipe. After washing the basket and cooking tray, I inserted them in the air fryer and plugged it in. The whole process took less than 10 minutes. 

In addition to a recipe card for wings, the air fryer includes a 25-page user manual. The manual includes step-by-step instructions for setting up and using the air fryer. It also includes details about each of the smart programs, their temperature ranges, and suggested foods to cook with each program. 

The manual instructs you to perform a test run before using the air fryer to cook food. The test run’s purpose is to verify that the machine is working correctly. The process is simple, including turning the air fryer on, choosing the air fry program, selecting a 400-degree cooking temperature, and letting the program run for 18 minutes without inserting food into the basket. 

While performing the test run, I found that the air fryer produced a strong plastic smell. While the smell gradually dissipated after repeated uses, and I never felt that it affected the taste of the food, it was somewhat unpleasant during the first few times when I used the machine. 

Using the Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer

Program Settings

The Vortex features a touchscreen and a single dial. By using the touchscreen and the dial, you can choose from the five programs. Once you select the program, you can change the temperature using the dial, and then can use the dial to adjust the time. Pressing the “Start” button on the touchscreen starts the preheating process. 

The air fryer preheats very quickly, and I found I started to prefer it over my oven or toaster oven because of that fast preheating time. While the exact preheat time varies depending on the temperature that you’ve set it to, I found the air fryer was consistently preheated in three to four minutes. 

Once the air fryer has preheated, it beeps, signaling you to add food to the fryer basket. The clock also starts to count down at this point, though it’s easy to pause the clock or add time to it by turning the knob. 

About halfway through the program, the air fryer beeps again, signaling that it’s time to turn the food over. When you remove the basket to turn the food, the fan and clock stop, and then they immediately start up again once you’ve reinserted the basket. The design is convenient, because you don’t have to worry about pausing the program or affecting the remaining time on the clock. The air fryer takes care of all of that for you. 

I used the air fry setting to prepare frozen French fries and mozzarella sticks. The fries were crispy and evenly cooked, and I prepared them three different times, consistently getting excellent results. They resembled the fries you’d get in a restaurant, rather than the semi-soggy fries I often get when I bake them in the oven. 

The mozzarella sticks also turned out very well. I prepared them twice and found that they were thoroughly cooked all the way through without being burnt. Some of the cheese oozed out and down through the cooking tray, but once cooled, I was able to just pull it out when cleaning the tray.  

The roast function performed very well. I roasted a deconstructed pork and vegetable shish kabob dish. I was guessing on the temperature and time and may have left it in a little bit too long, but everything was well-cooked. 

I also used the roast function to roast two chicken breasts. I was surprised at how juicy the meat was, and was pleased to find that once again, the meat was evenly cooked. 

I wanted to use the air fryer to roast a whole chicken, but its capacity is limited to a four-pound chicken. I wasn’t able to find a chicken that small in local grocery stores. 

The air fryer can also be used to bake foods, like desserts. I baked brownies. Since the basket is large, the brownies were quite thin, and I was surprised to find that they took longer to bake in the air fryer than they do in my conventional oven. 

Once baked, the brownies had a puffy top to them, but that gradually collapsed back down as they cooked. The cook was even throughout them, and the edges didn’t develop that tough, chewy texture that they often get when baked in the oven. 

I tried the broil function by making nachos and melting cheese onto them. This program worked well, and the cheese melted fairly evenly without becoming hardened or tough. Some of the cheese stuck to the cooking tray, but again, I was able to remove it fairly easily once cooled.  

The reheat function on the air fryer is particularly convenient, mainly because of how quickly the machine preheats. I reheated slices of frozen pizza which I’d previously cooked in the oven. I reheated the pizza on the cooking tray and found that it didn’t get soggy. Instead, it was some of the best reheated pizza that I’ve had. 

Cleaning the Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer

Both the cooking tray and removable basket are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. They feature a non-stick coating, so it’s important not to use metal utensils when cleaning them. I hand washed them both during all of my testing and found them to be very easy to clean. I also appreciated that the cooking tray has a metal hook that you can use to pull it out of the basket, which makes it easy to remove. 

The manual recommends cleaning the cooking chamber with a damp cloth and mild dish soap. Since the air fryer is relatively small, this is somewhat difficult and inconvenient to do. The manual states that you can spray the cooking chamber with a baking soda and vinegar mix to remove baked-on grease and food residue. 

Additionally, the manual instructs you to clean the power cord with a soft, damp cloth or sponge.

Is the Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer Right for You?

The Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer is a compact, easy-to-use air fryer with 5-in-1 functionality. You can use it for everything from air frying to baking to roasting, so it could potentially replace several appliances, saving you extra space. As a result, it’s well-suited for kitchens with limited space, and would be a great choice for apartments and smaller homes. 

While its space-saving design is a perk, it means that the air fryer isn’t ideal for large families with significant meal preparation needs. Its capacity is limited to a four-pound chicken, so this isn’t a device that you could use to make large meals, unless you’re only using it for side dishes. 

That said, this air fryer is easy to use and clean. The touchscreen makes for a simplified operation, and this would be a very user-friendly introduction for anyone who hasn’t owned an air fryer. With its quick preheating and overall simple use, I could see the Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer being a handy addition to many kitchens. 

How We Tested the Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer

Instant Pot sent me the Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer and I tested it for a month in my home before writing this review. I used these criteria when testing the air fryer: 

Unboxing: I evaluated the packaging used, including the air fryer’s condition when it arrived and how well the packaging protected the appliance. I considered whether the packaging included sustainable and recyclable materials, like cardboard, instead of styrofoam. 

Cooking options: I reviewed the available cooking programs, their temperatures, and the machine’s overall versatility. I considered the air fryer’s size, the different types of foods and preparation methods that it supported, and the benefits it offered to your typical kitchen. 

Cooking quality: I tested all of the air fryer’s programs using a variety of foods. I looked at factors like the preheating time, the process of using each mode, the thoroughness of the cook, and the overall results of each dish. 

Ease of use: When testing the Vortex, I considered how easy it was to learn about and use the air fryer. I considered factors like the included instructions, the assembly process, and how easily I was able to select from different programs, temperatures, and times. 

Ease of cleaning: I evaluated the Vortex’s cleaning process, too. I reviewed which components were dishwasher-safe, as well as whether any foods stuck to the components. I considered how easily I could clean the entire appliance, too. 

I have to admit it: I'm not the best at cleaning. I'm a little forgetful and I'm a busy person, so I tend to leave vacuuming until my house really needs it.

If you're like me and you don't have the time to vacuum, regularly need to clean up mess, or have a larger house that's hard to maintain, a robot vacuum is a smart solution. I tried out the Roborock Qrevo S Vacuum (available on Amazon), which functions as both a mop and a vacuum, and let me tell you: my home has never looked cleaner. I've said goodbye to dusty corners and crumbs under the couch and said hello to smooth and shiny surfaces.

This is my first time using a robot vacuum and I couldn't be more impressed. It's powerful, clever, and even fits seamlessly into my interior. While it is expensive, it is very much worth the price, as it eliminates the need for a regular vacuum and a mop.

What I thought of the Roborock Qrevo S Vacuum

I can't imagine my home without the Roborock Qrevo S Vacuum. All I do to clean my floors now is press the go button on this and let it do its thing. I tend to do this about three times a week and my floors and carpets have stayed immaculate. I've used this both upstairs and downstairs in my home without any issues. Yes — even to clean the bathroom!

It effortlessly avoids large objects furniture thanks to its no-go zones technology, instead going round and even underneath when required. Whether you connect the vacuum to the app or not, it cleverly maps out each room of your house, so it knows exactly where to go in order to clean quickly and efficiently. I was especially amazed when it dived under my bar cart — it really leaves no part of the floor untouched.

Its 7000Pa suction makes light work of small and large crumbs. In fact, I even had to rescue one of my stray socks from it. Plus, the mop function works brilliantly on hard floors and soft floors. I found it worked especially well on the latter, thanks to its three carpet cleaning strategies.

The only real negative that I have is the price tag. At just under $800 it is quite expensive, but I do think it will save money in the long-run, with it replacing the need for both vacuums and mops. It did go on sale during Prime Day this year, so if you like the look of it but are on a budget, keep an eye out for discounts on sale events like Black Friday.

For those who live busy lives, have a lot of floor space to clean, or who just love clever home gadgets, it's a game-changing option.

Roborock Qrevo S Vacuum specifications

Unboxing and setting up the Roborock Qrevo S Vacuum

When unboxing the Roborock Qrevo S Vacuum, I was a little worried that it would be super technical to set up. Thankfully, it turned out to be a total breeze. I picked up the vacuum from the box and found it to be a little heavy, but as I wouldn't be moving it besides to stop collisions, this wasn't a big issue for me.

It comes with a base, plugs, two mop heads to attach to the vacuum, the detachable mop base, the vacuum itself, and useful instructions. I liked the fact it didn't come with an unnecessary amount of plastic, with it just having a couple of bags and peel-away layers to prevent scratching.

Once I'd removed everything from the packaging, all I had to do was plug the base into the wall, fill up the tank with water, put the parts onto the robot vacuum, and let it charge up. It took around half an hour to get ready, but once it was ready, it didn't require any further set-up.

Setting up the mobile app proved a little tricky, as it only works on 2.4GB wi-fi and won't work on anything stronger (which mine is), so I had to spend a bit of time trying to switch over the wi-fi. Because of this, I don't use the app frequently, which means I'm not getting as much potential out of it as I could be.

Using the Roborock Qrevo S Vacuum

Operation

In terms of operating the Roborock Qrevo S, all you have to do is press the go button and let it go on its merry way. You can use voice control to get it to go if you have an Amazon Alexa, but for me, just pressing the go button is sufficient enough.

Because of the room-mapping technology and reactive obstacle avoidance technology, it doesn't require any major operation while it's in use. It's a little heavy, but this isn't an issue as I have hardly had to pick it up, besides when it occasionally asks for help if it gets stuck or tries to suck up something it shouldn't. Honestly, I found this incredibly cute, so this wasn't an issue at all.

Once it's all done, it does go back into its dock by itself. But, if you decide it has done enough or if you're doing a speedy clean before guests arrive, you can press the home button to get it to return.

Performance

The first time it went around my house, I was amazed at how efficiently it cleaned up dust bunnies and crumbs underneath my couch and in the tightest corners of my kitchen. It carefully moves around chair legs, showing how well it maps out each individual piece of furniture.

I have a huge area rug in my living room that I hadn't cleaned before having the vacuum. It made light work of this, using its 10mm mop lift technology to move itself onto it, carefully moving around it. Now, my formerly grubby rug is now pristine.

After observing how easily it cleaned smaller pieces of dirt, I put it to the test vacuuming up cereal, coffee grounds, and flour, which is how we test vacuums here at Real Homes. It went through all three of them smoothly — even with the flour, it didn't spread any white debris around the rest of the house once picking it up. I also tried it on a stubborn dried-up coffee stain and it had no problem scrubbing it away.

It takes around half an hour to thoroughly clean downstairs and upstairs respectively, which has been a huge time-saver for me. I have it on while I'm watching TV, and it's a little loud, but it isn't distractingly so. The time that I used to spend vacuuming, I now spend thoroughly cleaning surfaces, meaning my whole house is sparkling more than ever before.

Cleaning and maintaining the Roborock Qrevo S Vacuum

When it's all done cleaning, it parks itself back into its dock, self-cleans its mop heads and is all ready to go again for next time. All you have to do is fill up the clean water tank, which it then pulls from to top up.

It's self-emptying, self-drying, and self-refilling which makes it so low-maintenance. I've barely had to lift a finger in terms of cleaning it, as the second dirty water tank only needs to be emptied every seven weeks. I've found the automatic cleaning settings on the dock absolutely perfect, but you can adjust settings such as its energy mode, self-cleaning length of time, and washing mode on the app.

The dock itself is made from plastic, so I tend to give this a dust and a wipe every couple of weeks. The detachable mop base on the dock can also be taken off easily and wiped separately when required.

Should you buy the Roborock Qrevo S Vacuum?

For those who have the budget to spend and don't want the hassle of cleaning your floors, the Roborock Qrevo S Vacuum is a worthy investment. It's really great value for money as a robot vacuum at $799, with it doubling as both a mop and vacuum, mapping out each room effectively, and having smart functionality with its own app and Alexa voice control.

In terms of how it compares to other robot vacuums we've tested, it's a similar price to the iRobot Roomba 7+, which also works on carpets and hard floors. The iRobot doesn't need emptying for 60 days, which is more time than the Qrevo. But, it doesn't also function as a mop, so doesn't have as much water to clean out.

For those looking to have more control over their vacuum, one of the best vacuums with a handle may be better instead. Or, if you have a home with furry friends, finding out the best pet vacuums could be useful, too.

But, if you're looking for an all-in-one robot vacuum that will save you time, effort, and money in the long run, it's a total winner.

Where to buy the Roborock Qrevo S Vacuum

The Roborock Qrevo S Vacuum is available to buy on the Roborock Amazon storefront, as well as other stores such as Walmart.

How we tested the Roborock Qrevo S Vacuum

I was kindly loaned the Roborock Qrevo S Vacuum to test for Real Homes. When testing vacuums, we always use the following criteria, which I ticked off while testing this:

A regular disagreement in my household is how to time dishes. We sometimes put a plate on top of a bowl of cooked food while he waits for the other dishes to finish, but it can lead to soggy food.

Midea seems to have heard my concerns from afar, combining two separate cooking sections — an air fryer and a toaster oven — into one air appliance. I haven’t been this excited to try a new kitchen gadget in ages. I already knew that this was going to come in handy the first time I was craving both crispy chicken tenders and fries. 

And, while it has a few flaws in design and functionality, the innovation of having two entirely separate zones that cook at different temperatures, but can be programmed to sync, might outweigh any shortcomings. This is one of the best air fryers that is in the running to earn a permanent spot in my kitchen. 

What I Thought of the Midea 11QT Two-Zone Air Fryer

I was super excited to try this air fryer because there are so many times that I’m cooking two dishes, and I end up having to resort to the regular oven or eating one dish lukewarm because I had to wait to use the air fryer (one of the many dos and don'ts of using an air fryer). Having both an air fryer and a regular oven in one is a game changer, especially when I don’t want to turn on the oven because it’s summer or I just don’t feel like a lunchtime meal merits it. 

This air fryer oven is incredibly easy to use. The controls are easy and intuitive. It has ten preset cooking modes, including air frying, grilling, baking, broiling, roasting, reheating, toasting, dehydrating, bagel, and keeping warm. And it guides you through the process, beeping halfway through to remind you to turn your food. 

Add in the sync finish mode, which helps you time both the air fryer and oven to finish simultaneously, and you have a seriously genius appliance. Plus, I thought both sections both cooked well — and isn’t that the key?

But there are some negatives, including the fact the toasting tray is incredibly difficult to use. It’s tiny and shallow. It’s really only suited to toast, burgers, pizza — things that are flat. It doesn’t pull all the way out, and I had a hard time figuring out how to use it in a way that felt safe.

The size of the air fryer oven is also truly a drawback. I don’t prefer to keep an air fryer on the countertop, and it’s realistically too tall and heavy to move in and out of a cabinet. That size is what allows it to have both a 6-quart air frying basket and a 5-quart toaster oven, but is it worth it? Not if you have a small, or even regular-size kitchen. It’s just a much bigger air fryer than I’m used to. 

Midea 11QT Two-Zone Air Fryer Specifications

Unboxing the Midea 11QT Two-Zone Air Fryer

My first impression upon receiving the box from Midea was holy moly, this is heavy. I put off bringing it upstairs to our kitchen for nearly an entire day. But, of course, the weight makes sense given that this isn’t just an air fryer, but a toaster oven, too. 

This is a large machine. It’s nearly 16” tall, 15” deep, and 23 pounds. As I'm much more used to small air fryers, it was a bit of a surprise. It’s a major kitchen appliance. So taking it out of the box required a force of brute strength. But I got it out, and I got it set up — easily, I might add. There’s not a lot of setup involved.

Beyond the size, I also immediately noticed that this feels well made. I’ve tried air fryers in the past that I didn’t quite trust to heat up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. But this one has super solid construction. I’m not worried that it’s going to short-circuit or stop working on a whim. It’s here for the long haul. 

Using the Midea 11QT Two-Zone Air Fryer

This air fryer oven couldn't be easier to use. The control panel is intuitive, and you select upper or lower, plus the mode you want to use. You can adjust the temperature or time, then start. It's so clear you won't feel as if you're going to mix up the upper and lower. It's practically foolproof.

The control panel will also tell you when to turn, shake, or flip your food. As long as you stay nearby, it's not going to let you mess up your recipe. 

Also, there is an app, but, realistically, I’m not connecting my appliances to an app. It seems every appliance has an app, and it’s just too many to keep track of unless it’s something I truly use every day. If you do decide to download the app, it has pre-programmed recipes that can make your life easier as you navigate cooking different items.

My first test was a Trader Joe's meal, of course. I was coming out of a long day of deadlines and meetings, and I was desperate for a late lunch. I had the Indian veggie burgers and bird's nests, so the pressure was high to get these right.

I tossed the bird's nests in the air fryer basket and the veggie burger in the toaster oven. I didn't mess with the sync finish on this first round, but both came out perfectly. I had high expectations for the bird's nests, which they met with the perfect crisp, but I didn't know what to anticipate with the veggie burgers. I was pleasantly surprised when they cooked quickly and had the loveliest finish. They weren't soggy, undercooked, or burnt. They were actually perfect. A bit crispy, hot all the way through. 

For its shortcomings with design, the toaster oven DOES work.

Test Two: Chicken Nuggets and Fries

Fries are always my go-to test for an air fryer. This should be the one thing that all air fryers do well. And they felt like a good opportunity to try the sync finish, especially with chicken nuggets.

Sync finish promises that it'll hold one item — the one with a short cook time — until the other is finished. The fries would take longer in theory, so I put them in the air fryer basket and the chicken nuggets in the toaster oven. 

Sure enough, it worked. Both came out crispy and warm at the same time. There's no better comfort food meal than fries or chicken nuggets and, if I can do them both in an air fryer at the same time, I'm a happy camper.

How to Clean and Maintain the Midea 11QT Two-Zone Air Fryer

There are positives and negatives to appliances that do it all. The positive is the versatility. The negative is that there are more parts and pieces to clean. And the Midea Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven is no exception. There are lots and lots of parts to wash — and nothing is dishwasher-safe.

You have to clean the upper basket, grill tray, crisper plate, drip tray, upper basket, and lower cavity after every use. Each should be cleaned with warm water, dish soap, and a sponge. And each one should be cleaned by hand. That’s a lot of time spent scrubbing versus when I usually clean an air fryer.

I think it’s important to note that I found it incredibly difficult to clean the toaster oven section. Given it’s so flat and small, you’re not really sure if you’re ending up with food crusted to the top and it’s difficult to clean that zone at all. I’m used to the open section of an air fryer that you wipe out with ease. This is new territory, and I’m not sure they’ve perfected the design to the point that it’s ideal for cleaning and maintenance. 

Should You Buy the Midea 11QT Two-Zone Air Fryer?

While the Midea Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven does have a few drawbacks in terms of the usability of the bottom drawer, the convenience of the two zones outweighs any negatives. The air fryer portion is a full 6-quart air fryer so, as long as you have the space for a larger air fryer, there’s no reason not to spring for this one. You’re gaining not giving up with this one. 

The major negative, however, is the price. At $249.99, it’s significantly more expensive than almost any other air fryer on the market, and that could be a reason not to buy for anyone on a budget.

Good to Know

Instructions
The Midea Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven comes with an instruction manual that gives step-by-step instructions (though the process is intuitive and clear!).

Warranty
The Midea Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven includes a one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase

Where to Buy the Midea 11QT Two-Zone Air Fryer

The Midea Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven is available to buy directly from Midea, via their Amazon storefront, or from retailers such as Walmart.

How We Test Air Fryers

The Midea Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven was sent to me by Midea, and I used it over a several-week period. Here are a few things I like to look out for when testing air fryers:

I'm often torn when it comes to kitchen appliances. On one hand, I want to keep them as simple as possible. On the other, I want them to do as much as possible. Those two goals are sometimes at odds, and I found that with the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer. 

This air fryer does it all. Seriously. Remember when air fryers were pitched as a way to reheat leftovers, make crispy fries, or bake a crescent roll dessert hack? Forget those days completely. This air fryer is basically a substitute for your oven.

But that comes with an interface that's not as simple as choosing between a few different frying modes presets. This is one of the best air fryers as it cooks quickly, cooks accurately, and can cook anything. 

Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer review

Wondering how this air fryer is different from an oven? It has three different cook modes: classic, chef, and probe. Each has a different purpose, and there are multiple options within each. 

There's a bit of a learning curve in navigating the light-up interface, but, once you learn the dos and don'ts of using an air fryer, you can set it and forget it.

Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer Specifications

What I Thought of the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer

My first impression of the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer was definitely one of slight hesitation. Between the water tank and all the options on the screen, I was a little apprehensive. I'm used to small air fryers that are a little more straightforward. But, as I read through the guide, I realized that this air fryer was giving me options to make the process easier. And that water tank? That's the game changer between meat that's meh and moist. 

You can absolutely use this for all the air fryer standards. Toss in your Trader Joe's meals, your sweet potato fries, and your Brussels sprouts. But where it excels is cooking meat to perfection. I hate standing over an oven wondering when my chicken is going to be done. But, with this air fryer, it does it all for you. It basically sous-vides your meat to perfection. For someone who's never attempted that on my own, this air fryer is about to elevate my dinner party menus (TBD on whether I'll give away my secret).

Add in the app access in Chef mode, and this air fryer is seriously designed to make your life as easy as possible.

And did I mention the look and footprint? Relative to earlier air fryers, this takes up a small footprint in the kitchen. The sleek look and open window frying basket add to its appeal.

Setting Up the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer

I've found that most air fryers are relatively easy to set up, and this was no exception. Take it out of the box, pop the tray into the basket, put the basket into the air fryer, and you're done. There's no true assembly needed, and the ergonomics of this machine are great — the elongated handle makes popping the basket in and out easy.

The water tank was one of the first things I noticed because that's unlike any other air fryer I've tried. It's a small tank, but the air fryer uses it to spray the food in Chef mode and keep it moist. 

Lastly, I played around with the control screen as soon as I turned it on to try to get a sense of what was available. You'll want to pull out the instruction guide here. With so many options, it's helpful to read about the possibilities and understand how to achieve the right type of cooking for each meal.

Using the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer

There's something about the touch screen on here that just made the process of testing the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer so fun! Spinning the dial through options and deciding on the right mode for each meal I made felt like a throwback to an easy bake oven — maybe because this little guy can literally do everything?

It also made dishes that often feel like a hassle to make seem so much easier. Like the idea of pulling out a heavy cast iron skillet to make a steak seems unattainable on a Tuesday night, but throwing one in here? Done.

This air fryer also has the amazing versatility of being able to be both crisp and moist. They've changed the game in technology with the various modes and the water spray feature.

Here are two dishes I tried, and how the air fryer performed.

TEST ONE: FRENCH FRIES

My first air fryer challenge is almost always French fries. I want to make something easy so that I will know exactly whether it's done correctly or not. There's no room for interpretation here. I want them crispy. So I tried the Classic mode on air frying. 

First, I was surprised that it heated up almost instantaneously. I thought I'd have a few minutes to get some emails done but, bam, this was ready!

The fries were done in about ten minutes, which is faster than other air fryers I've tried. I'd seasoned them with oil and truffle salt, and they came out to perfection.

TEST TWO: CHICKEN THIGHS

Next, I tried chicken thighs because I wanted to get a sense of Chef mode and understand if this could really keep the meat moist and tender — especially given how perfectly crispy the fries turned out.

In Chef mode, it uses water atomization, convection heating, and a dual-sensing probe to get exactly the right level of done. I found the Chef mode is easier to navigate through the app (again, the touch screen is amazing but a lot at times), and it lets you check in to see where you are in the process.

Compared to how I normally cook chicken thighs — on the stovetop — this was a breeze. I didn't have to be present, hovering over a skillet. Instead, I knew they were being perfectly cooked right in this small yet powerful machine.

And how did they turn out? Perfect. That Chef mode knows what it's doing. They were slightly crispy on the outside but moist on the inside. I've tried a lot of air fryers, but this might be the one that earns a permanent spot in my kitchen.

Cleaning the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer

The trays and basket for the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer are all dishwasher-safe, so cleaning this air fryer is easy peasy. I'll often hand wash these pieces but, realistically, it's better to put them in the dishwasher to get all of the grease off (though that might be a testament to my own cleaning skills — or lack thereof). A quick wipe of the interior with a microfiber cloth and a bit of water and dishwashing liquid.

Should you buy the Dreo ChefMaker Combi fryer?

If you are looking for an air fryer that's plug and play, allowing you time to focus on enjoying your family (or a cocktail!), then the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer could be your answer to low-stress evenings. You can make steak, pork chops, croquettes, or whatever you're craving with the touch of a button. There's no need to worry about closely watching your food — this machine does it all. And, while it's pricey, time is money, right?

Comparisons

If you like the idea of an air fryer with a clear window, but you're a little hesitant at the price tag of the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer, there's no need to worry. The Gourmia 7-Quart Fry N'Fold Digital Air Fryer gives you several of the same features, multiple cooking and frying options, and it has a clear front window, but it comes in at a much lower price tag. You'll miss a few of the features, like the water tank, but at $79.99 retail, it could be worth it.

How We Test Air Fryers

Dreo sent me this air fryer, and I tested it with several different recipes including air frying, cooking, and reheating leftovers. This is the assessment process when testing air fryers:

Packaging: The Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer comes in a double box, which keeps it safe and sound during shipping. Each piece was wrapped to keep it scratch-free, and there was a guide and book included.

Operation: The experience of using the air fryer is considered, which includes how easy the guide is to follow, how easy the controls are to use, and how the air fryer actually performs. I tried various types of food that require a different end result to understand how each feature works.

Ease of use: An air fryer is only as useful as it is easy to use! I looked at the instructions, the simplicity of the operation, how easy the various trays and parts were to use, and how easily I could get food in and out of the air fryer.

Ease of cleaning: I'm only going to use an air fryer if I can clean it relatively easily! I looked at how easy the parts are to clean and whether they can be cleaned in a dishwasher.

The Brigii Crevice Vacuum has changed how I vacuum around my house. Instead of having to lug around a huge machine whenever I drop crumbs or get dirt in my hallway, I just grab this to quickly remove the mess.

For corners and tables where it just doesn't make sense to have a large machine, it's so easy to pick up, turn on, and start using. While I wouldn't recommend having it as the only vacuum in your house due to its size and short battery life, it works well as a quick fix.

I've been using it in my home for six months, and think that it's one of the best handheld vacuum cleaners out there thanks to its budget-friendly price, lightweight, and high power.

Brigii Crevice Vacuum review

Brigii Crevice Vacuum product specifications

What I thought of the Brigii Crevice Vacuum

After six months of use, I can't imagine my home without the Brigii Crevice Vacuum. Whether I have crumbs on my coffee table, mud in my entryway, or dust on my windowsill, it's a simple way to clean without having to reach for a larger appliance. It's also easy to remove dirt from, with the detachable dust container simply twisting off.

The only thing I would improve about it is its short 20-minute battery life, as you have to put it on charge pretty much every time after using it. But, I have it in my home office and keep it on my laptop's USB-C cable, so this isn't too much of an issue for me.

Unboxing and setting up the Brigii Crevice Vacuum

Just like the Brigii Crevice Vacuum itself, its boxing and packaging are no-nonsense and simply have the essentials. Apart from a couple of plastic bags and foam squares for protection during delivery, everything in it is what you'll be using.

The box is made from basic cardboard which can be recycled, with a clear illustration of the handheld vacuum on the front. Inside it contains the handheld vacuum, a cute little paper instruction manual, a USB-C cable (in case you don't have one), and a dust bag. 

I love the smart dust bag, meaning you can keep it neatly tucked away without it gathering dirt on it. It also has a drawstring, which you could always hook up on your entryway storage rack, for example.

It comes pre-assembled, so there's no messing about when it comes to setup. I recommend putting it on charge before you use it though, just to ensure it maintains power for the full 20 minutes.

Using the Brigii Crevice Vacuum

Operation

Once the Brigii Crevice Vacuum is full of juice, it's completely ready to operate. Pick it up, press the dark gray oval button, and start going around your desired area. When you're all done, just press the same button again to immediately turn it off. I told you it was simple, right?

The vacuum has a brush nozzle on it which is very soft. I use it on hard surfaces such as tables and soft surfaces such as carpet, and have no problems at all with scratches or fabric coming loose. 

It's lightweight to use, meaning that I have never got tired picking it up and using it around the house. I live in a two-story house with a living room/dining area, a kitchen, a large bathroom, a home office, and a bedroom, and have been able to vacuum it all without any issues.

I do wish that the top of the vacuum was a touch more comfortable to hold. While it has a curve in it, I feel like a rubber material around it would make it easier to grip. I get quite bad cramps in my hands (I'm a journalist who types a lot) and do find myself having to stretch them out after using.

Performance

As far as cleaning up dirt goes, it works very well. I tested it out on coffee grounds, cereal, and flour, and found that it was able to go through all of those effectively without stopping. 

On a day-to-day basis, I use it to clear up small crumbs and dirt, and find it has no problems sucking these up. The small, narrow brush nozzle also gets right into the cracks of the stairs, which my Dyson Animal 3 doesn't. You can also remove this to expose the larger suction hole, in case you have bigger pieces of debris to deal with.

Not only is it useful inside the house, but it also works well outside of it, too. I have used it inside my boyfriend's car to remove dirt from around the gearstick and cup holders and found it gets right into the teeniest of gaps. 

The fact it charges on a Type C cable means that you could keep it in your glovebox to clean, if you have a car charger such as the Wocoruo Car Charger from Amazon that's fast-charging and has a dual port.

Cleaning and maintaining the Brigii Crevice Vacuum

Cleaning and maintaining the Brigii could not be easier. Once the dust cup has collected enough dirt, you can simply twist the top of the vacuum handle off and throw the dirt away in your kitchen trash can. 

When the cup itself needs a wash, the whole dust cup and filter can be fully taken off from the vacuum. I recommend washing these in soapy water and then just leaving them to dry before reassembling, putting back on the handle, and putting the brush back on. You can do the same thing with the brush, as this can be removed from the bottom of the dust cup. These are all standard steps for cleaning a vacuum.

The exterior of it can just be wiped with a microfiber cloth (I use the Homexcel Microfiber Cleaning Cloths from Amazon which are reusable and washable) and all-purpose cleaning spray (the Mrs Meyer's Clean Day Spray from Amazon is my go-to and it's one of our top eco-friendly cleaning supplies).

Should you buy the Brigii Crevice Vacuum?

At $54.99 full price, it's a brilliant, budget-friendly handheld vacuum and is well-worth the price tag. I find myself using it daily to swiftly clean parts of my house and have found it to be ultra-convenient.

It has a similar shape and features to the Prosenic S1, which is our number one handheld vacuum. While the Prosenic S1 has a larger capacity at 1.2L and has a charging dock with it, the Brigii is half the price, offers the same features, and even changes light color when it's fully topped up.

If you don't mind a heavier model and are a big fan of Shark vacuums, our former acting head of ecommerce Christina Chrysostomou found the Shark Wandvac Power Pet (available on Amazon) to be sleek, powerful, and one of the best pet vacuums for cleaning after her family pooch. 

But for those just looking for a simple, small handheld vacuum that you can grab, go around the house with, and maintain easily, the Brigii is a total winner in my books.

How we tested the Brevii Crevice Vacuum

I was kindly sent the Brevii Crevice Vacuum to test for Real Homes. When testing vacuums, we always use the following criteria, which I ticked off while testing this:

I tested out the Layla weighted blanket and found that it provides gentle pressure that gives you a sense of comfort and calm.

Weighted blankets can be used for nighttime sleep in addition to your normal bedding, or as a couch blanket for cozier evenings. Whatever you pick, you’ll likely want to stick to that, as the blanket is only as easy as a 15-pound weight to move around — and much bulkier to handle.

I tested the weighted blanket for multiple days on the couch and overnights as well. I was not able to use it in addition to my normal bedding, because they would have been too hot together. I opted to keep it on the couch after a few uses, finding it especially calming in the evening when racing thoughts run rampant. Therefore, it is one of the best weighted blankets consumers should consider. 

 What I thought of the Layla weighted blanket

The Layla weighted blanket made me a convert — I now love weighted blankets because of this product. The well-distributed microbeads make it a sensory soothing experience, and the fabric itself is plush but not too hot. As a taller woman, I was pleasantly surprised to find the size was long enough to cover my feet and whole body. 

Laying under the blanket gives you a peaceful sense of calm, such as being wrapped in a warm hug. At first, there’s a bit of adjustment to having the weight on you, so if you aren’t used to weighted blankets, the 15-pound is a great option to start with, and not overly heavy. However, you should check how heavy a weighted blanket should be for you before buying.

After a few minutes, the calming factor sets in (one of the best benefits of a weighted blanket), as does the cooling. You realize that you somehow aren’t very hot in spite of having a heavy blanket on you. Then, you settle in for a comfortable rest, ultimately forgetting it’s there, but feeling safe and secure anyway.

Layla weighted blanket specifications

• Dimensions: 48 x72 inches
• Weight: 15, 20 and 25 pounds
• Fabric: 300 TC cotton on one side, 100% polyester/mink on the other side 
• Filling: High-density micro glass beads  

Unboxing the Layla weighted blanket

Unboxing the weighted blanket is quite simple, and the bag comes in a cloth carrying case with handles, allowing for easy transport or travel. This means you can take the blanket on vacation with you quite easily after you get used to sleeping under it. 

The box is somewhat heavy with the blanket in it, but otherwise easy to open and access the simple product detail card and the bag containing the blanket. The blanket is ready to use right out of the box, though some might prefer to wash it first. 

The unboxing process also shows you how small it can fold up, making for easier blanket storage when you fold it like that again after use.

Is the Layla weighted blanket comfortable?

The Layla weighted blanket offers two different textures and fabrics for each side of the blanket. One side of the blanket is made of 300 thread count cotton, and the other side is a polyester/mink fabric, giving you the opportunity to choose which feel you want closest to you as you snuggle up with the blanket. The blanket is filled with glass beads, so it is extremely quiet and less “lumpy” when compared to other weighted blankets.

The gentle pressure from this blanket is comforting. The size of the blanket is perfect for lounging on the couch or nighttime sleeping, without struggling to keep your feet covered. Yet, it’s small enough to be considered a couch blanket for watching TV too.

Some users did say that the Layla blanket is too warm for their liking–especially if they are already a hot sleeper or the environment is warm. For us, the blanket was not overly hot, but definitely not the coolest option either. The cotton side did provide more breathability, and the hexagon stitching design made the filling more easily dispersed, so less weight was stuck in one spot, meaning the overall breathability was better than other weighted blankets we’ve tested.  

Is the Layla weighted blanket safe?

 All Layla weighted blankets are free of lead and other harmful chemicals. The filling of each weighted blanket contains non-toxic glass beads, and the blankets are stitched to ensure there are no leaks. For adults, weighted blankets are generally safe, but for people who have been diagnosed with certain health conditions, such as heart, lung, or mobility issues, it would be best to discuss them with your care provider before using them.

Infants, toddlers, and seniors shouldn’t use weighted blankets due to suffocation and choking concerns, potentially putting undue stress on their bodies.

Weighted blankets should weigh no more than 10% of your body weight. A 2020 study found that those who used weighted blankets had reduced levels of anxiety during the day and less insomnia at night. Layla reports some research has also shown benefits for other conditions, from depression to sensory processing disorders. 

Cleaning the Layla weighted blanket

One of the best characteristics of the Layla weighted blanket is that it is machine washable. It should be washed on a cold, gentle cycle and tumble dry on low. Do not iron or bleach the blanket. While it might seem the blanket is big and heavy, and might struggle to fit well in a typical washing machine, it’s not super thick and therefore washes well. 

It’s unlikely you’ll need to wash your weighted blanket too frequently, unless you are doing some major snacking on the couch while you wear it, or your pet who sheds becomes as fond of it as you will be.

Is the Layla weighted blanket right for you?

The Layla blanket is right for you if you want a lighter option. People who love soft and luxurious fabrics will appreciate the quality of the material itself as well. Anyone who is curious about trying a weighted blanket, but typically runs hot when they sleep should opt for this cooling brand, in the lighter of the two offered weights. 

If you plan to travel with the blanket or use it in multiple locations around the house, it might not be for you, as the blanket is bulky and heavy to move. However, you can use the handy carrying case if you do need to take it somewhere. 

Finally, the microbeads inside are well distributed, so you don’t end up with pockets of more and less weight, as some blankets do.

Overall, I’d recommend the blanket to anyone curious about trying a weighted blanket, as well as long-time weighted blanket fans. Keep in mind the preferred weight to determine what weight is best for your body.

How we tested the Layla weighted blanket

 I tested the weighted blanket on myself and myself — he promptly fell asleep under it in seconds. I tested it for about a week, both in bed overnight and on the couch during rests.

• Unboxing: I examined the box and packaging to determine if it was safe and secure in transit, and easy to open and start using. I also noted the cover’s usability to be able to refold the blanket and place it back in easily. The bag has a convenient zipper that allows it to open much wider for less fuss replacing the blanket in the bag. 
• Comfort: I spent time examining whether the microbeads seemed evenly distributed in the blanket, and as a mom of young kids, if there was any chance of the seams giving way and these beads getting out (there wasn’t). 
• Ease of use: The blanket easily flips between the two sides, though it still weighs 15 pounds. So, you can move it if you want to, but it isn’t light. I tested the ease of use by seeing if I got tangled while sleeping with the blanket, or otherwise had issues with its size, feel, and weight.  
• Cleaning: To test the blanket’s ability to be cleaned per the directions, I put the blanket in the washing machine, and dried it on low. I also considered hanging the blanket outside to dry on a sunny day, but wasn’t sure it would dry in a quick enough time frame, due to the weight and fabric. I checked to make sure the blanket was cleaned well in spite of its size in the washing machine. 

If you're in the market for a celeb-approved buy, we found the weighted blanket Olivia Rodrigo can't live without, plus three budget-friendly alternatives. It's great if you're looking for something with a chunky knit texture to add to your weighted blanket collection. 

The Brooklinen weighted blanket is a particularly stylish pick that’s just the right size for a single person, and since I absolutely love Brooklinen sheets, I was eager to try the blanket out for myself. 

Weighted blankets are designed to deliver deep pressure stimulation, which makes you feel like you’re wrapped up in a tight hug, and many people (myself included) find that they help relieve stress and anxiety. The Brooklinen weighted blanket weighs 12 pounds, making it a fairly lightweight option, and it comes in several stylish colors, including seasonal options that rotate every few months. 

I’ve dealt with anxiety all of my adult life, and weighted blankets are one of my go-to methods of relaxation when I’m having a hard day. After a week of testing, here’s what I thought about the Brooklinen Weighted Blanket and whether it’s worth buying for your home. 

 What I thought of the Brooklinen weighted blanket 

I’ve tested several weighted blankets over the past few years, and the Brooklinen weighted blanket is one of the most manageable options once you know how heavy a weighted blanket should be. Some weighted blankets— especially those that weigh over 15 pounds — are heavy and unwieldy, making it challenging to move them around your home. However, at just 12 pounds, the Brooklinen blanket was much more manageable to move around and adjust during the night, and I never felt like I was being squashed underneath it. 

The blanket offered a gentle amount of pressure that I found soothing when I was stressed or anxious (one of the best benefits of a weighted blanket), and it didn’t cause me to overheat, even though I tested it out during the summer. It was comfortable for sleeping or just relaxing on the couch, and it made for a stylish addition to my living space. 

There were a few things I didn’t love about the blanket, though. While its appearance is attractive, it’s definitely not the softest material. Additionally, the blanket can only be cleaned in a commercial washing machine, so there’s no way to launder it at home.

Brooklinen weighted blanket specifications

•  Dimensions: 48 x 72 inches 
•  Weight: 12 pounds 
•  Fabric: 160 GSM 99% cotton, 1% spandex crepe (face); 120 GSM washed cotton (back) 
•  Filling: Glass beads and polyester batting 

Unboxing the Brooklinen weighted blanket

The Brooklinen weighted blanket arrived in very simple packaging. Inside the shipping box, the blanket was packed in a clear plastic bag with handles — the type of bag that most comforters come in. It was obviously heavier than an average blanket, but I had no problem carrying it up to my bedroom. 

After unzipping the bag, the blanket was ready to go right out of the package. There’s no cover to install, so all I had to do was cut off the oversized care tag, start using it, and find somewhere to store the blanket.

Is the Brooklinen weighted blanket comfortable?

The top of the Brooklinen weighted blanket has a textured crepe-like pattern for visual interest, and the back is a smooth cotton fabric. The blanket has box stitching to keep its inner beads evenly distributed, as well as a thick edging around all four sides. I got the blanket in the seasonal color Fig, which is a muted purple. 

The first time I used the weighted blanket, I noticed that it was not particularly soft. The cotton fabric is smooth to the touch, but it’s not the type of material you’d want to curl up with on a cold winter day. While many weighted blankets have suede or fuzzy covers, this one is less tactile to the touch, which could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your preferences. 

When using the blanket, I really loved the gentle weight it provided. With heavier blankets, I sometimes get a bit claustrophobic and feel like I’m being smushed, but the Brooklinen’s lighter weight was calming without being overwhelming. It was also easy to adjust, even when I was lying down. The blanket is just big enough for one person to use — it’s roughly the size of a throw blanket, so it’s not big enough to cover the whole bed.

I used the Brooklinen weighted blanket overnight and while relaxing on the couch, and it definitely helped me to feel calm when I was stressed or anxious. The weight was evenly distributed across the blanket, and there was enough inner padding that it muffled any sound of the glass beads shifting. You aren’t able to feel the beads, either, which is nice. 

I was a bit nervous that the blanket would be too hot at night, as I was testing it during a particularly warm week, but to my surprise, the fabric is quite breathable and barely retains any heat. I loved that I was able to use the blanket without turning into a sweaty mess—a problem I’ve had with other weighted blankets in the past. 

Cleaning the Brooklinen weighted blanket

I share my home with two long-haired dogs and a mischievous cat, so I much prefer bedding that’s easy to clean. I was happy to discover that the Brooklinen weighted blanket doesn’t collect pet hair, even after my dog laid on top of it for a few hours, and it doesn’t seem to get static-y, either. 

However, if you do need to wash a weighted blanket due to odors or stains, it’s not an easy task. While some weighted blankets can be laundered at home, Brooklinen only recommends cleaning this product in a commercial washing machine—the oversized units you’d find at a laundromat. For occasional stains, the brand recommends spot cleaning. 

Is the Brooklinen weighted blanket right for you?

The Brooklinen weighted blanket is a good choice if you’re looking for a lighter, breathable option to use in the summer. Its 12-pound weight offers gentle pressure without being overwhelming, and it’s easier to adjust and move around than other weighted blankets. While not the softest material ever, the cotton fabric has the added bonus of being highly breathable, so it can be used in warm weather without making you feel too hot. Plus, the blanket itself is quite attractive thanks to its trendy colors and textured fabric, and it will add to the decor in any space. 

There are a few things to keep in mind before you purchase this blanket, though. For one, it’s only available in a 12-pound weight, which may not be substantial enough for some people. Additionally, the blanket is inconvenient to wash and will require a trip to the laundromat, unlike other weighted blankets, which have removable covers or can be laundered at home. 

How we tested the Brooklinen weighted blanket

Brooklinen sent me the weighted blanket, and I tested it in my home for just over a week before writing this review. I evaluated the blanket on the following criteria: 

• Unboxing: I looked at how easy the blanket was to unpackage and set up, noting whether it was ready to use out of the box. Some weighted blankets must be washed before use, and others need to have their covers put on. 
• Weight: I used the weighted blanket for sleeping, as well as lounging around the house, and I evaluated how its weight felt during use. Was it too light? Too heavy? I also noted how the weight made me feel and whether it helped or hindered my sleeping. 
• Comfort: As with any blanket, it’s important for weighted blankets to be comfortable to use. I noted whether the fabric was soft if I could feel the inner glass beads, and how well it regulated temperature during use.
• Cleaning: It can be tricky to wash a weighted blanket, so I carefully reviewed the brand’s recommended care guidelines and whether they require special supplies and could be done at home.  

Looking for a celeb-approved buy? We found the weighted blanket Olivia Rodrigo can't live without, plus three budget-friendly alternatives. It's great if you're in the market for something with a chunky knit texture to add to your weighted blanket collection. 

Ninja is dialing back complicated machines and the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL is no exception. Air fryers these days keep presenting us with more options, functions and uses and it's not uncommon to see them have 10 or more settings, all sorts of automated directions, and more buttons than I can keep track of or understand. 

This super straightforward air fryer does have six options — max crisp, air fry, roast, bake, reheat, and dehydrate — but each one has a singular button, along with power, temperature, time, and start. It's not trying to do too much. It's keeping things simple and that makes my life easier, and it makes me a heck of a lot more likely to use it on a daily basis (which I have been so far!).

Plus, it works, and it's quick. I've made everything from falafel to grilled cheese. I've baked, air-fried, reheated, and max-crisped. Every time, it's consistent and fast. The Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL has convinced me it's one of the best air fryers you can add to the kitchen.

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL Review

What I thought of the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL

This sticker, which I promptly peeled off after taking this photo, sums up the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 in one small rectangle. Straightforward and easy to use. Each button clearly tells you what its job is, and this diagram clearly spells out exactly how long you should cook different types of food. 

With Max Crisp Technology and temperatures of up to 450° Fahrenheit, this Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL cooks quickly, which I appreciate when I'm trying to make lunch between deadlines and meetings. 

I can throw in a grilled cheese and it's done in just a few minutes flat. It does automatically set the time to 20 minutes each time you use it, so make sure you keep an eye on the time rather than relying on the timer, or manually adjust the time duration down.

My favorite use for an air fryer is heating up restaurant and takeout leftovers so that they actually taste like they did when they were fresh, and, whether it's fries or Brussels sprouts, this Ninja does the trick perfectly.

At 6.5 quarts, it's the perfect size for a small family. My husband and I can make dinner in it, but it's not so big that it's taking up precious counter space. Plus, it's so sleek that I don't mind leaving it out — and that's saying something.

Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL specifications

Unboxing the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL

Whenever I open up an appliance, I'm quietly dreading the setup. How many parts am I going to have to assemble? How long am I going to spend trying to match numbers up to a diagram? 

Luckily, the minute I pulled this Ninja air fryer out, I knew I was in luck. It was packed safely in styrofoam, which I don't love from an environmental standpoint, but it kept it snugly in the box. And then the assembly — there was none. 

This came fully assembled, and I could immediately see the basket and crisping plate were well-made and fit perfectly into the unit. All I had to do was pull off four stickers, which easily lifted off the surface. Setup couldn't have been easier, and the air fryer comes with a quick start guide and a manual.

Then I cleaned the air fryer crisper plate and the inside of the basket with hot, soapy water, dried them, and we were ready to go.

Using the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL

To get started using the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1, all you have to do is familiarize yourself with a few key buttons. First, you have power, temperature, time, and start — all self-explanatory. Then, right below, you have the cooking settings: max crisp, air fry, roast, bake, reheat, and dehydrate. And I can't tell you how much I value words over icons, where I can never tell if I'm looking at a turkey leg or a chicken wing.

Regardless of which mode you're using, you'll turn the unit on, make sure the crisper plate is locked in the basket, then select the mode and temperature, and let it preheat for three minutes before putting your food in. The air fryer will automatically be set to 20 minutes, but you can use the time button to adjust for your recipe (20 minutes is longer than most food will need in an air fryer). 

If you're air frying or using max crisp, halfway through cooking, you should use the start button to pause cooking, then take out the basket and shake the food to make sure everything is cooking evenly. 

This is where the only real complaint I had came into play — I wish there was a way to see the food while it's cooking (like the COSORI Dual Basket, which we reviewed, which has a handy viewing window) rather than having to open the basket. But, if you're opening it to shake the food anyway, then I suppose it's no big deal.

If you're roasting, the quick start guide says you should subtract 25° Fahrenheit whenever you're baking in an air fryer. It doesn't say the same for baking, but I found that it bakes super fast, which could be because of the temperature. If you look below, those croissant rolls were supposed to take 20 minutes, yet I popped them in and, nine minutes later, they were a golden brown.

The Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL also has a list of tips and tricks in the quick start manual that I found incredibly helpful. I wouldn't have thought to secure lightweight food to keep it from blowing around, or to reduce the time when there's less food, but now I know.

How to clean and maintain the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL

To clean the air fryer, Ninja recommends hand washing the crisper plate basket to extend the life of the unit. They can be put in the dishwasher in a pinch. However, ideally, hand washing with warm, soapy water and towel drying will help the non-stick surface last longer.

Once you've found the right cadence on how often to clean your air fryer, you can wipe down the exterior with a damp microfiber cloth with a bit of dish soap if necessary to keep the exterior as clean as the inside, but never submerge the appliance in water.

Should you buy the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL?

If you're looking for a sleek, stylish, and straightforward air fryer that is a big enough size to make dinner for a small family but doesn't take up major counter space, then this is your air fryer. 

Of all the air fryers I've ever used, this one does the best job of keeping things super simple while still giving you options. We're definitely in a new era of air fryers where one setting isn't enough, but I also don't want to choose from 15 different options every time I want to heat up fries or falafel. 

By limiting it to six settings, this Ninja air fryer makes it easy. Less thinking, more eating. If that's your motto, this is the air fryer for you.

Good to know

Instructions
The Ninja® Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 comes with an instruction manual and a quick start guide with recipes. I also found the sticker on the front of the machine to be super helpful in understanding timing.

Warranty
A one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase is included with the Ninja® Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1.

Where to buy the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL

The Ninja® Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 is available to buy directly from Ninja, via their Amazon storefront, or from retailers such as Target.

How we test air fryers

The Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 was sent to me by the brand, and I used it over a several-week period. Here are a few things I like to look out for when testing air fryers:

If you love the sound of this air fryer, but would indeed like more cooking functions, the Ninja Speedi, which we reviewed — a multicooker air fryer able to cook whole meals in 15 minutes flat — might be the one for you.

The Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro is changing the way I use my blender. Unlike previous models which have gone unused in my kitchen, I'm using it for just about everything.

It has a full-size pitcher, of course, but it also comes with two personal-size containers and a small blade. I'd made a smoothie to go with my lunch within ten minutes of pulling this blender out of the box. This blender could actually earn its keep on my countertop — or at least a cabinet within arm's reach.

The BlendSense feature means that it can detect the type of recipe you're making, how to blend, and how long it needs to be blended, making it one of the best blenders in my opinion. Watching the neon lights on the dial countdown is a new type of satisfaction.

Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro Review

I love that the Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro keeps it simple. While there are both processing and manual options, I really only have to worry about turning it on, then turning on the BlendSense. If I want to go with the processing modes or one of 10 manual speeds, it's easy to select the right one on the dial.

If I had one main complaint, it's that this machine is huge. It's tall. It's heavy. And those suction cups work. Moving this around is a workout.

Prices in this article were correct at the time of publication.

Setting up the Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro

Unboxing the Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro is super easy. It came safely packed in between corrugated cardboard, and each piece was wrapped in plastic, but it didn't feel excessive. 

Included in the box is the base, pitcher and lid, two single serve containers, two sipping tops for the containers, and a blade for the single serve containers.

There's no assembly involved. Just take each piece out, then pop the blender on the base, and you're ready to go. The blade was even already in the pitcher, ready for action. I cleaned the blender by giving each piece a quick rinse before using.

Using the Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro

I like to think most blenders are intuitive, especially when they boast BlendSense technology, but I did give the guide a quick read. They included an extra sheet with a Pineapple Mango Margarita recipe, which I will 100% try this weekend. 

The guide is incredibly easy to follow, with lots of images and 10 quick and easy recipes at the back. I loved that the recipes focused primarily on smoothies, since that's what I'm most often making, but also included a dip, salsa, and meatballs (I haven't made the meatballs yet, but that idea of doing so in a blender was totally new to me).

Obviously my first foray into using the Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro had to include leveraging the BlendSense technology. I threw in ice, peaches, and pineapple for a refreshing midday smoothie. The top locked right into place. Then I pressed the Power button, followed by the BlendSense button.  

BlendSense can go into several different modes: Blending, Crush, Max Crush, and Thick Mode.

It blended my first smoothie within seconds, crushing right through the ice and frozen fruit. To be honest, it shocked me a little bit with just how loud the motor was, but, hey, it got the job done! I added a bit more water to get the consistency I wanted. It never had to go into Crush or Max Crush mode, but I still got a smooth consistency from Blending mode.

When I first tried out the single serve container, I made another smoothie. This one had frozen cherries in it, and that seemed to make the motor work even harder. This is what sent it into Crush mode, but, let me tell you, the velvety smooth consistency of this smoothie was unmatched.

I hate a chunky smoothie, and Ninja delivers here. There was not a speck of fruit that wasn't pulverized — and I mean that in the most positive way.

Plus, I couldn't get over the convenience of the single serve option. It attaches just as easily as the full-size pitcher, and the blade is just as powerful. This is truly a game changer.

So far, in addition to near daily smoothies, I've also tried chopping bell peppers and making an açai bowl. The processing mode allows for large and small chops, as well as mince. 

Then the manual blending has 10 speed modes. These are all simple to use, though I'm still going to primarily use it for smoothies. Next on my list to try is nut butters (though the idea of the clean up there has stopped me so far) so I will update this article once I have done so.

Cleaning the Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro

The beautiful thing about cleaning this blender is that the parts are top-rack dishwasher safe, so you can just run the pitcher, single-serve containers, and the blades all through the dishwasher. Of course, you may need to soak them if you don't plan on running a load right away, but you can't beat the convenience. 

You can also just run soapy water through the blender quickly if it's an easy clean-up job.

Is the Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro Right for You?

If you're looking for an easy-to-use blender, you have counter or cabinet space, and you're okay splurging $179.99, then the Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro is the way to go. With the ability to blend both full-size 72 oz. pitchers and single serve containers, this eliminates the need for a separate smoothie blender. It also chops and minces, so you might be able to go without a food processor, too.

The BlendSense technology makes it easy to multitask while you make a quick smoothie or prep the rest of your meal, and, as they say, time is money. That alone could make the price worth it.

Good to Know

Instructions

The Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro comes with an easy-to-follow guide that includes ten recipes.

Warranty

A one-year warranty from the date of purchase is included with the Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro.

Where to buy the  Ninja Blast Portable Blender

The Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro is available to buy from the Ninja website, Amazon, Target, and other major retailers.

About this review and the reviewer

We have a set process for our reviews at Real Homes. As is the case with all products we review, we match the reviewer with the blender.

The Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro was sent to me by Ninja, and I tested it out several weeks before writing this review. I tried frozen fruit smoothies, protein smoothies, açai bowls, and even a salsa. I made sure I tested each mode (though I loved the BlendSense mode for its ease!). I tested how it performed against ice, various frozen fruit, and adding almond butter to my smoothies. I tested it for speed, efficiency, and how smoothly it blends (very!).

How we test small kitchen appliances

When testing small kitchen appliances for Real Homes, our experienced reviewers either test then in our professional kitchen, or like I did with this blender, test it in our homes to be able to deliver the authentic review of how an item like the Ninja Detect Duo Power Blender Pro can fit into your day-to-day life.

During our testing, we'll also assess:Size: Can they fit into a small kitchen space (like a studio apartment or tiny kitchen)?

• Features: Are they effective, how many are there, and how easy is it to use the appliance?
• Size: Can the appliance fit into a small kitchen space (such as a studio apartment, or tiny kitchen with limited counter space?
• Energy usage: We'll calculate the wattage and cost per use
• Purpose: Does it deserve space on the counter or in kitchen cabinets compared to a a similarly-functioning appliance 
• Cost: Is it worth the price tag, or will another similar item that costs less do the job on a smaller budget.

If you like the look of this blender, but do not have the counter space to dedicate to it, consider the Nutribullet Pro 900, rated our best personal blender in the Real Homes Best Small Kitchen Appliances guide and given five stars by our test team.

The Tineco Floor One S7 Steam wet-dry vacuum is a game-changer. While I enjoy watching snowfall in the winter, I hate the mess that cold-season weather makes on my floors. It usually takes a vacuum and a mop to clean up slushy footprints. 

Not only does it vacuum and mop your floors simultaneously, it also uses super-hot steam to loosen up dirt and grime, leaving hard floors practically sparkling. It heats fresh water to 284°F and coupled with the spinning mop bar, the vapor can cut through even the tough stains and kill bacteria.

I wanted to see if this machine would end up as one of the best steam mops I've tested. I used the S7 as part of my weekly cleaning routine for a fortnight. Here’s why I advocate buying this 3-in-1 mop, vacuum, and steam-cleaning appliance. 

Tineco Floor One S7 steam wet-dry vacuum review

Tineco Floor One S7 Steam Wet-Dry Vacuum specifications

What I thought of the Tineco Floor One S7 Steam Wet-Dry Vacuum

After several weeks of use, I never want to be without the Tineco Floor One S7 Steam Wet-Dry Vacuum. It’s the best steam mop that I’ve tested, and it doesn't require any specialist cleaning supplies. It proved to be effective on everyday dirt to sticky spills, and the self-cleaning design makes it easy to maintain. My only complaints are that it gets heavy if you use it for a long time and that the dirty water tank is gross to empty. But all in all, I’m happy to overlook these flaws.

Unboxing and setting up the Tineco Floor One S7 Steam Wet-Dry Vacuum

The Tineco Floor One S7 arrived in a surprisingly small box, and I was impressed at how everything managed to fit into such compact packaging. However, all the components were wrapped in a layer or two of plastic. I can understand not wanting the machine to get scratched during transit but don’t think it was necessary for the accessories and instruction manual.

To assemble the vac-mop, you have to attach the handle to the base — which is easier said than done. I initially put the handle on backward and only realized my error when the machine wouldn’t power on. I’d recommend double-checking the manual for reference. 

Aside from that, all you have to do is charge the machine on the base. It talks quite loudly when you put it on the charger, instructing you to clean the dirty water tank, but you can disable this feature if it bothers you.

Using the Tineco Floor One S7 steam wet-dry vacuum

Operation

Once the Tineco Floor One S7 was charged, I filled the clean water tank (located at the back of the machine). It has a narrow, tall shape, and you hold it horizontally underneath your faucet to fill it up. 

The S7 has a power button on the front of the handle to turn the machine on, but it doesn’t start cleaning the floor until you tilt the vacuum back. When it’s locked in the upright position, the unit automatically pauses, which is handy if you need to pick up something off the floor (in my case, dog toys). 

When you first turn on the machine, it defaults to auto-mopping mode, which is great for everyday touch-ups or cleaning up spills, and you can press the steam clean button on the handle to start the process. 

A 50-second countdown will start on the screen while the steam heats up and the light on the brush roll with flash. The mop will tell you when the steam is ready to use, and you can hear it hiss when the steam starts working. If you press the steam button again, it enters boost mode, which delivers a more targeted blast for tough stains. 

The cordless vacuum has a digital LCD to indicate what mode you’re in, as well as how much battery power is left. It occasionally speaks to you, announcing when you switch modes or telling you when the dirty water tank needs emptying. However, you can turn off this feature using a gray button toward the bottom of the machine on the back. 

My only real complaint about the unit’s design is that it’s not very ergonomic. Despite weighing only 10 pounds, I found it felt heavy during long cleaning sessions. 

Performance

I almost always used the steam clean setting instead of auto mode (the main appeal of this machine). I also appreciate that it’s self-propelled, saving you effort. 

The steam was able to quickly lift muddy footprints, winter salt stains, and scuffs from my hardwood floors. I also tested it on spills, including chocolate syrup and ketchup, and the S7 was able to lift all the sticky residue in two or three passes.

The S7 had no problem vacuuming small debris, including the leaves and small rocks my dogs tracked inside. It even sucked up a handful of cereal that spilled. However, it wasn’t the best for picking up dog hair, generally only capturing half the strands, so it’s not a replacement for your best vacuum cleaner. It’s just designed to let you mop without using a vacuum cleaner first, but it's not meant to tackle huge messes. 

The iLoop smart sensor automatically increases suction and steam power when it detects a lot of dirt. When I drove it over particularly dirty areas, the edges of the display screen would turn red, and audibly kicked up into a higher gear. After spending a little extra time in that area, the display would return to blue when all the dirt was gone.

As you clean, it does suck up most of the water, but it leaves the floors slightly damp. I found this useful so I could see where I had already cleaned, and the lingering moisture dried in under five minutes. 

The S7 Steam Wet-Dry Vacuum has a maximum runtime of 40 minutes, but that’s only in auto mode. If you’re using steam mode, the runtime drops to 20 minutes. Any time I powered on the steam setting, the on-board battery indicator dropped significantly. Still, I found this was more than enough time to clean my hardwood floors. I also think that operating it for any longer than 20 minutes would make my arm hurt, as it does start to feel heavy after a while.  

Cleaning and maintaining the Tineco Floor One S7 Steam Wet-Dry Vacuum

When you’ve finished cleaning, pop it on the dock and press the self-clean button that’s on top of the handle. This starts a cycle that uses fresh water and steam to clean any lingering gunk off the brush roller and flush out the inner tubing, and it also spins the brush to help dry it off and prevent mildew growth or odors. 

This feature is super convenient, and I like that there’s also a second brushroll that you can swap in if the first one ever needs a deeper clean. 

I didn't enjoy emptying the dirty water tank. As you’re cleaning, all the wet and dry debris that's sucked up is collected in one tank — so imagine your regular vacuum’s dustbin, but add in water. It creates a muddy, gunky mess that’s quite gross to clean out. I've yet to figure out the best way to separate the solids from the liquids. I generally end up pouring the entirety into the bathroom sink, and then fishing out the clumps of hair and debris with a paper towel. However; this is a problem with virtually all vac-mops. 

Should you buy the Tineco Floor One S7 Steam Wet-Dry Vacuum

At $650, the Tineco Floor One S7 Steam Wet-Dry Vacuum is worth the splurge. It has quickly replaced my Swiffer WetJet (available on Amazon) and is a great, chemical, and scrub-free option for cleaning tough grime off hard floors. 

My floors were clean and dry in less than five minutes. Don't confuse the S7 with the S7 pro, available on Amazon. The latter has a fancier display and uses a floor cleaner in place of steam — but you'll pay almost $800 for it. 

If the S7 is too expensive, and you have a small apartment, consider the Tineco Floor ONE S3 wet-dry vacuum (available on Amazon). It has smaller clean and dirty water tanks (0.6L /0.5L respectively), is a little lighter, and the runtime is only five minutes shorter. Real Homes Former ecommerce editor, Jaclyn Turner awarded it the same rating as the S7 in her Tineco Floor One S3 review.

Finally, if you want something that does all of the above and can be used as a handheld vacuum cleaner, try the Prosenic P11 (available on Amazon). While head ecommerce editor, Annie Collyer awarded it with a bronze badge in her Prosenic P11 vacuum cleaner review, Amazon shoppers are giving it a solid 4.3 stars out of 5.

How we tested the Tineco Floor One S7 Steam Wet-Dry Vacuum

Tineco sent me a sample of the S7 Steam Wet-Dry Vacuum to test in my home. When testing vacuum cleaners, I evaluate them using the following criteria.

The Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Vacuum may have converted me to a steam mop evangelist. This machine is a lightweight steam mop and vacuum that does the trick on pets' and people's messes alike. It has several different mop pad options, giving you everything you need to tackle everything from dusty pet paw prints to unidentified crud on a tile floor.

The Bissell Symphony is designed to clean sealed hardwood, ceramic, linoleum, granite, and marble floors and, thanks to its compact size and easy-to-fill tank, it's just as simple to use as any manual cleaning option. 

I don't dread getting it out of the closet or maneuvering water into the tank. It's simple, the mop pads are easy to put on, and, most importantly, it cleans just as well as any of our best steam mops. The fact it can vacuum while steam cleaning is the icing on the cake.

Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Vacuum review

What I thought of the Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Vacuum

I'm in the midst of a major home renovation. And I have a cat. That means my floors are covered in dusty cat paw prints and/or inexplicable shoe marks 99% of the time. For example, the bathroom was finally finished this week, and the white floors were anything but.

That means the Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Vacuum (available on Amazon) could not have arrived at a better time. Staring at all the post-renovation muck paired with cat fur, dust, random drywall crumbs, and who knows what else, all I wanted was to clean my bathroom floor. After a few passes of the Bissell Symphony using both the vacuum and the steam mop, my bathroom floor was sparkling clean. And, yes, I mean the vacuum and the steam mop were working at the same time. It's the best of both worlds. You don't have to vacuum first and then steam mop. You can do it all in half the time.

This lightweight machine is so easy to use that I even questioned whether I was using it correctly at first. This can't be it, right? Except it is. It's so simple and, yet, it gets the job done.

Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Vacuum specifications

• Model name: Bissell Symphony™ Pet All-in-One Vacuum and Sanitizing Steam Mop
• Dimensions (in): H46 x W11 x L9.75
• Weight (lbs): 10.6 lbs
• Water tank size: 12.8 oz
• Power: 1100 Watts for Steam / 400 Watts for Vacuum / 3.3 Vacuum Amps

Setting up the Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Vacuum

My least favorite part of trying any new appliance is the assembly. I don't want to spend an extended period of time reading instructions and comparing diagrams. I want to go from unboxing to using in minutes. 

Bissell must have heard me loud and clear. I usually read taking a vacuum out of a box, but this one came right out. It was snugly tucked inside the box with corrugated cardboard, but there wasn't excessive packaging. When I saw how few parts there were, I let out a sigh of relief. 

All I had to do was plug the body into the foot and the handle into the body. That. was. it. Then I put water into the easy-to-fill tank using the included pitcher, and we were ready to clean.

Using the Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Vacuum

We've already covered how this steam mop and vacuum has the easiest assembly ever. Well, it also came with a mop pad already on the mop head. Seriously, there's no way to make life easier when it comes to using a vacuum.

The Bissell Symphony Pet has a 25-foot cord and a compact size, which makes it incredibly easy to maneuver around most spaces, particularly if you have a small home like I do. I plugged it in, already having filled the tank with water, then waited the directed 30 seconds to let it warm up.

I then selected one of two heat settings — I went with high steam, which is designed for bigger messes. You can choose Low Steam for delicate floors or more daily cleaning. At this point, if you wanted to just steam, you would pull the steam trigger, and you'd be off to the races. However, I obviously am always looking to maximize my cleaning time, so I also turned on the vacuum button. This instantly starts the vacuum, while the steam mop does require the trigger. Then a quick step on the foot release, and this hard worker is cleaning up liquid residue, dust, fur, and crumbs from the floor. I found this lasts for about 15 minutes before the water runs out, which is typically longer than I need for any of my spaces.

I found the washable soft mop pad nearly always does the trick, though it's a nice option to have the washable scrubby mop pad on hand for bigger messes. I only pull out the disposable mop pads if there's a food mess that I just don't want to deal with afterward.

The only thing I noted was that this isn't great at picking up human hair and, while the steam cleaning is great, it's clear that the vacuum is a secondary function. It works — and I would not want to give it up — but it's not as powerful as a standalone vacuum.

Cleaning the Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Vacuum

One thing that threw me off when it came to cleaning the vacuum was that I expected the tank in the front to fill with steam residue but, no, this steam mop and vacuum does an awesome job of keeping wet and dry separate. This makes cleanup super easy.

The mop pad and tray can be removed with the Quick Release™ Tab. The two reusable mop pads can both be washed in the washing machine on warm with liquid detergent. 

The dirt tank is emptied by unlocking it from the front of the machine, and then using the rod in the middle of the tank to push out any debris. The filter should also be cleaned regularly and replaced every six months.

Is the Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Vacuum right for you?

At $129.99 on sale, the Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Vacuum is a great deal for an appliance that does two things at once. If you have messy pets or tend to have a lot of muddy shoes or spills in the kitchen, then this will do the trick. This is the perfect steam mop and vacuum to keep right in the kitchen, ready to spring into action after a messy day of cooking or baking. It'll clean up liquid and dry messes, leaving your hard surface floors looking sparkling clean.

Plus, I can't overstate how easy it is to set up and use. That alone is a reason to choose this over other options on the market. Bissell made this to be user-friendly, and they succeeded.

Good to know

Instructions
The steam mop and vacuum includes a 16-page manual that includes clear, concise instructions and images at every step, as well as a quick start guide and a super easy-to-follow sticker on the side of the steam mop and vacuum. 

Warranty
Bissell provides a two-year limited warranty against defects in material or workmanship. 

How we tested the Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Vacuum

Bissell sent me this steam mop and vacuum, and I tested it for several weeks on bathroom tile and hardwood floor. I put it to the test with our renovation mess, and I used the following criteria during the vacuum testing process: 

Unboxing: I looked at the packaging and noted how well it protected the steam mop and vacuum during shipping. I also evaluated how sustainable it is.

Operation: To determine how well the steam mop and vacuum worked, I looked at its suction, strength, and ability to use steam to clean up messes.

Ease of use: I looked for a user-friendly experience from setup through cleaning, and Bissell delivered. I compared the instructions versus the actual experience and, also, how comfortable and lightweight the steam mop and vacuum is to use.

Ease of cleaning: Cleaning can be a nagging task when it comes to a steam mop and vacuum, so I looked at how easy it is to wash the mop pads and clean out the dirt tank.

The Bissell CleanView XR Pet Lightweight Vacuum is a great option for me because I live in an old house and I have a cat. That adds up to constant dust, fur, and even my own long hair all over the house.

This is why a vacuum that is both strong and easy to tote around is a must in my house. Cordless, super lightweight, and quiet are all top-notch qualities in a vacuum, and I've found myself reaching for this vacuum again and again. It rivals my vacuum from an iconic vacuum brand, yet it's both quieter and lighter. 

Plus, it has multiple pieces I can easily swap out depending on whether I'm cleaning up crumbs in the kitchen, trying to get the fur off my cat's favorite sofa, or reaching the narrow spot next to my desk. It's a great vacuum for pet hair, tackling fur and dander with ease.

Bissell CleanView XR Pet Lightweight Vacuum review

What I thought of the Bissell CleanView XR Pet Lightweight Vacuum

Truth be told, when I first picked up the Bissell CleanView XR Pet Lightweight Vacuum, I didn't have high hopes. It felt too lightweight and I wondered how can this actually provide enough power to get rid of pet hair from the hardwood floor or lint from a rug? 

Thankfully, my apprehensions were proven wrong. With three suction settings ranging from standard to turbo, this lightweight vacuum gets the job done and weighs only 5.9 lbs. Each attachment is easy to swap on and off, so I didn't put off vacuuming my upholstery and hard-to-reach corners.

This vacuum comes with an easy-to-install mounting system, though its small footprint means I just stash it in my own closet. All of the parts live in a chic shoebox, and I take them out whenever it's time for a deeper clean than just the daily vacuum.

Bissell CleanView XR Pet Lightweight Vacuum specifications

• Model name: Bissell CleanView XR Pet Lightweight Vacuum
• Dimensions (in): H44.25 x W10.5 x L8
• Weight (lbs): 5.9 lbs
• Voltage: 24V
• Battery type: Lithium-Ion

Setting up the Bissell CleanView XR Pet Lightweight Vacuum

The Bissell CleanView XR Pet Lightweight Vacuum arrived safely packaged in a corrugated cardboard box with cutouts to keep each of the tools and every piece of the mounting apparatus snugly packed inside. Each piece was then wrapped in plastic, which felt a little unnecessary, but it kept them scratch-free.

Assembly is two steps, and you're done. Click the extension wand into the motorized foot, then click the hand vacuum assembly into the extension wand. But make sure you hear a click! The first time I used it, I thought the suction was off, then I realized I hadn't quite lined up the top two pieces perfectly. 

You'll have to charge the battery before you use it for the first time and unlike some other stick vacuums, this has a rechargeable battery that detaches from the vacuum. If you choose to mount the vacuum, it fits into the charging station. 

If you don't plan on charging your vacuum in the same place that you store it, this makes it easy to charge it wherever you have an outlet, without worrying about tripping over the vacuum. It may take a few hours to charge the battery. I left it for about three hours.

Using the Bissell CleanView XR Pet Lightweight Vacuum

Once you're charged up and ready to go, using the vacuum is pretty easy. You can use it as a stick vacuum, hand vacuum, or extended reach, which means it's a hand vacuum plus the wand. 

You only have to press the trigger once to start the vacuum, then you press it again to stop it — this was a little bit of a learning curve for me since I'm used to vacuums where you have to hold the trigger down. But who can complain about less effort?

The screen makes it easy to see both the battery level and the power mode. You can choose from Standard mode, which is good on hard floor surfaces, Medium, which is great for carpets and area rugs, or Turbo, for bigger messes.

It's simple to move between iterations and tools with the Bissell CleanView XR Pet Lightweight Vacuum. The release buttons are super easy to operate, and you can quickly switch from a stick vacuum with the regular floor vacuum to a handheld vacuum with the crevice tool. 

You can put on the extension wand with the handheld vacuum and the dusting brush to hit the ceiling fan, or use the upholstery attachment all over your sofas and chairs. You can even add the tool clip to the stick to take your tools on the go as you clean your entire house.

Again, at just 5.9 lbs, this vacuum is so incredibly easy to use. You won't feel overwhelmed operating it, yet it's far more powerful than it appears. I do feel like it could offer slightly stronger suction in the Turbo mode, but, on a daily basis, it works nicely on my rugs, is perfect for a quick dash over hardwood floors, and really shines when I need to clean hard-to-reach corners or tackle the stairs (this is where lightweight is a game-changer!). It's also relatively quiet compared to any other vacuum I've tried. 

Cleaning the Bissell CleanView XR Pet Lightweight Vacuum

You won't be surprised that it's just as easy to clean the vacuum as it is to use it. The dirt tank does fill up quickly, but you just have to press the release button on the hand vacuum and twist counter-clockwise to dump it. 

When you need to clean or replace the filter (every three to six months is ideal), it's also easy to remove — it just twists out. 

Then, you rinse with warm water and let it dry in the sun for 24 hours. The brush roll should also be cleaned anytime it becomes dirty with dirt, hair, and debris. It can also be washed with warm water, if necessary.

Is it right for you?

If you're looking for a cordless stick vacuum that offers multiple tools and options, but you don't want to spend upwards of $400, then consider the Bissell CleanView XR Pet Lightweight Vacuum. 

At just over $200, this vacuum is a great deal compared to many competitors on the market. It's made by a respected name in the vacuum world, and offers a lightweight, effective product with tons of versatility. 

It's easy to assemble, and easy-to-use, and you won't find yourself putting off cleaning because you're dreading lugging around a large vacuum. You can tote it around the house without worrying about its weight, plus, it maintains a charge for up to 40 minutes.

Good to know

Instructions
The vacuum includes a 12-page manual that includes clear, concise instructions and images at every step. It's simple to follow and also includes information on troubleshooting if you run into any issues.

Warranty
Bissell provides a two-year limited warranty against defects in material or workmanship. 

How we tested the Bissell CleanView XR Pet Lightweight Vacuum

Bissell sent me this vacuum, and I tested it for several weeks in every room of my house from the bedroom to the living room to the kitchen, bathroom, and hallways. I used the following criteria during the vacuum testing process: 

Unboxing: I looked at the packaging and noted how well it protected the vacuum during shipping. I also evaluated how sustainable it is (cardboard is a plus, plastic is a minus). 

Operation: To determine how well the vacuum worked, I looked at its suction, strength, battery life, and how well it cleaned everything from hardwood floors to carpets to upholstery.

Ease of use: I looked for a user-friendly experience from setup through cleaning. I compared the instructions versus the actual experience and, also, how comfortable the vacuum is to use.

Ease of cleaning: Cleaning is always the annoying task of owning a vacuum, so I looked at how easy it is to both empty the vacuum as well as clean it and perform routine maintenance. 

Latex mattresses, like the Turmerry organic latex mattress, can be highly desirable because of their excellent cushion and overall comfort, but latex is also heavy. Often, latex mattresses can be difficult to move, especially if you have to carry them to an upstairs bedroom. 

The Turmerry organic latex mattress solves this issue by shipping the mattress as a set of four layers. Once assembled, the mattress’ weight helps to hold it in place. The mattress features a seven-zone construction to offer support to multiple areas of your body, and since it’s made of organic latex, you don’t have to worry about harmful off-gassing. 

Since this is one of the best mattresses that works with traditional bed frames as well as with adjustable beds and is available in three thicknesses and four firmnesses, it may work well for many people.

Turmerry organic latex mattress review

What I thought of the Turmerry organic latex mattress

 I thought that the Turmerry organic latex mattress was very comfortable and offered excellent pressure point prevention, even without one of the best mattress toppers. 

While it didn’t offer enough support for my personal sleeping habits, I think it would work well for many people who prefer a softer mattress. The mattress arrives as four separate layers, which is helpful because each layer weighs 23 pounds. Once assembled, it’s heavy and difficult to move, but it also securely stays in place and features a soft and well-designed cover.

The mattress’ eco-friendly manufacturing is also appealing. It’s crafted with organically grown latex and holds numerous certifications indicating its safety. Additionally, Turmerry plants a tree for every mattress ordered. 

Turmerry organic latex mattress specifications

Unboxing and setting up the Turmerry organic latex mattress

This mattress in a box arrived in three plain cardboard boxes, all of which were in excellent shape, but were surprisingly heavy, weighing over 40 pounds each. 

I tested the Twin 12-inch mattress, which is shipped as four foam layers plus a pillow and the mattress cover. Each mattress layer weighs about 23 pounds and is shipped compressed and wrapped in many layers of plastic and clear packing tape. There were no packing materials within the box, but the mattress layers were packed tightly and didn’t seem to have shifted. 

Additionally, there were no instructions included with the mattress. I was able to look them up on the Turmerry website, but having printed instructions to refer to during the assembly process would have been nice. Assembling the mattress took me half an hour.

The mattress cover is well-designed. It features layers of cotton and wool that give it a quality, strong feel, but it’s also very soft. The cover unzips completely, so I was able to insert the mattress layers into it surprisingly easily.

Closing the cover takes some patience, but again, the process went more smoothly than I thought it would. The top of the cover features a four-inch interior liner that you pull down to keep the zipper from snagging on the latex layers.

That said, once I had the mattress assembled, it weighed about 92 pounds. It was very difficult to adjust it on my bed. The mattress has a very soft and flexible feel, and is so heavy that I was actually starting to pull my bed frame across the floor as I moved the mattress. It would greatly benefit from a handle or two in the cover, which I think would give more grip and make it easier to move. 

The mattress also included a latex pillow. It was already in a zippered cover, so once I added a pillowcase, it was ready for use. 

While assembling the mattress, I noticed a moderate odor. This wasn’t a chemical odor but is what I would describe as reminiscent of rubber. I’m sensitive to smells, but it wasn’t enough to bother me, and I was able to sleep on the mattress the same night I unboxed it. The odor gradually dissipated over the course of a week, and by the seventh day, I could barely notice it.

Is the Turmerry organic latex mattress comfortable?

This organic mattress is labeled as medium firmness but it felt very soft to me. The mattress doesn’t offer a lot in terms of support, especially when compared to the feeling of a medium firmness hybrid or innerspring mattress. Given that I have some back issues, I don’t think that I could sleep comfortably on it long-term. However, anyone who prefers a softer mattress or who doesn’t necessarily depend on that support might love this mattress. 

I did notice that the mattress is excellent in preventing pressure points, and I felt none of the pressure that I often notice around my ankles, hips, or shoulders when sleeping on my side. I was able to turn over and onto my back easily during the night, and while I found that my hips dipped down a little more than is comfortable while sleeping on my back, it’s important to note that many sleepers would find this to be extra comfortable. 

The mattress does have a bouncy feel. I found that motion transfer occurred from about 30 inches away, so this may not be the best choice for couples who are light sleepers. I was able to feel my cat jump up onto and walk around on the mattress. 

In addition to not being terribly supportive, I found that the mattress significantly lacked edge support. When I sat or even pressed down with my hand on the edge of the mattress, it compressed to about half of its height. As a result, this mattress would not be an ideal choice for anyone who depends on being able to push against the edges for support when getting out of bed.

The pillow compressed easily and didn’t provide much in terms of support or height. I prefer very thin pillows, so I found this ideal. Anyone who likes a plush, supportive pillow will likely find this one too thin and too soft. 

Is the Turmerry organic latex mattress breathable and cool?

While I tested the mattress during the winter, I didn’t notice any additional heat buildup. All four layers feature generously sized perforations that go through the entire layer. Those perforations allow for increased air circulation. 

Is the Turmerry organic latex mattress safe?

 This mattress has several certifications regarding the safety of the materials used: 

The eco-INSTITUT certification confirms that the mattress has been tested and meets emissions and pollutant standards 

Cleaning the Turmerry organic latex mattress

Turmerry recommends using a waterproof mattress protector to maximize its longevity. According to Turmerry’s instructions, you should air the mattress out for a few hours once a month and should vacuum the top of the mattress every few weeks. Additionally, you should rotate the mattress from head to toe every few months. 

Turmerry notes that you can spot clean liquid spills with a mix of white distilled vinegar and water, then sprinkle baking soda over the mattress and let it rest in a ventilated area. After eight hours, you should vacuum up the baking soda and let the mattress completely dry. 

Is the Turmerry organic latex mattress right for you?

The Turmerry Organic Latex Mattress is ideal for sleepers who prefer a softer feel and who don’t need significant support. It’s excellent at helping to prevent pressure points, and I can see both back and side sleepers appreciating that quality. While the mattress is very comfortable, its lack of edge support means it’s not well-suited to anyone who depends on pushing off the mattress edge when getting out of bed. 

Since the mattress is very heavy, plan to have a couple of people to help with setup, especially if working with a Queen or King size. That weight does offer the benefit of helping to keep the mattress securely in place, but maneuvering it on the bed is difficult. However, this is a versatile mattress that can be used not only with traditional box springs but also with adjustable beds, so it can work with a variety of setups. 

The fact that the mattress is made of organic materials, including organic latex, cotton, and wool, is highly appealing. I imagine it would be a great choice for many people who are health-conscious and looking to avoid their exposure to chemicals. 

How we tested the Turmerry organic latex mattress

Turmerry sent me the Turmerry Organic Latex Mattress and I tested it in my home for several weeks. I used these criteria to guide how we test mattresses.

Unboxing: I considered the condition of the mattress and the boxes that arrived in, as well as how easily I could carry the boxes and remove the components. I also looked at the types of packaging materials used and considered whether those materials were recyclable. 

Operation: I evaluated the entire process of using the mattress, including the setup and how well I was able to sleep on it. I performed several tests, including measuring the motion transfer and evaluating the amount of edge support that the mattress offers. I paid attention to how I felt while sleeping on the mattress, including factors like whether the mattress slept hot and whether I felt any pressure points. 

Ease of use: I also tested how easily I was able to use the mattress. I considered factors like how well I could get the mattress into place and whether it moved around. 

Ease of cleaning: I also considered how easily I could clean the mattress, as well as any maintenance recommendations from Turmerry.

Having the Ultenic FS1 cordless stick vacuum cleaner to review at home meant the house was dust-free in a way it hadn't quite been before.

This cordless vacuum model has more of an emphasis on allergen removal with a five-layer filtration system. When viewing the model on Amazon, it specifically says it "retains 99.99% of fine dust", which is especially appealing for anyone with pets and/or allergies. 

As someone who lives with a couple of housemates, and my cat, having one of the best vacuum cleaners is important to keep dust, fur, and crumbs at bay. At a glance, the Ultenic FS1 is super modern, powerful with 450W/30KPa, and full of nifty features. I put it through its paces.

Ultenic FS1 cordless stick vacuum review

What I thought of the Ultenic FS1 cordless stick vacuum

The Ultenic FS1 cordless stick vacuum performed well on hard floors, carpets, upholstery, blinds, and more with the round brush tool, long crevice, and telescopic tube proving particularly useful on wicker furniture and hard-to-reach trim. The touchscreen digital interface — that displays the battery charge, cleaning modes, and any errors (should they arise) — gives it an edge. The auto-emptying dust bucket is a nice addition too.

Admittedly, at 15.4 lbs, it might feel like a heavy cordless vacuum to some, and I found it easier to use it as a vacuum with the floor brush attached, rather than as a handheld vacuum cleaner.

However, it does pack a punch of power, at 450W/30 KPa so comes in handy for dust-prone busy households with pets and/or messy housemates. With dual charging, and a decent battery life when in eco mode — which is sufficient enough to pick up light dust layers — I think it is a good addition to any cleaning-savvy household addition.

Ultenic FS1 cordless stick specifications

Unboxing and setting up the Ultenic FS1 cordless stick vacuum

On unboxing the Ultenic FS1 cordless stick vacuum, it was good to see there wasn't too much plastic, and most of the accessories were boxed in cardboard. 

The contents include the rather dominating auto-empty charging station in navy blue, the vacuum itself, the telescopic tube attachment, additional tools (electric floor brush, long crevice, round brush, cleaning tool), dust bag (plus extras), HEPA and pre-motor filter, a battery pack, manual, and cable.

The illustrated guide is handy to get you started, and I found this quite clear to follow.

For example, how to install the battery, and click everything else into place — like the floor brush. The main manual has more intricate detail which is needed for error messages and so on. 

When it comes to the duo charging, this means that you can either put the battery directly into the dedicated slot, or attach it to the main vac body and plug the entire vacuum directly into the charging station. I did the latter for half an hour or so until I got two bars for my first whip around the house.

Using the Ultenic FS1 cordless stick vacuum

To get a feel for this cordless vacuum, I tested the Ultenic FS1 to clean hardwood flooring, clean a carpet, and area rugs, as well as cleaning a couch, wicker furniture, and other high-traffic areas around our home. 

There are four suction power levels to toggle through from the function switch button, as displayed lit up, below. Three of these are 'regular' power levels: low, auto (the default), and, high mode. The fourth mode is a 'hidden powerful (turbo) level' — as it explains in the manual — which you activate by pressing down the functional switch button for two seconds. The latter is an ideal one for bigger particles and the vac defaults to ECO-auto when turned on.

I toggled between all of them, using AUTO mode mostly to get more of a refreshed carpet feel. I also logged running times throughout to see how they matched up to the 60-minute running time (albeit in low-power mode). As you can see, the three-bar display compared to the U12, is quite basic and doesn't tell you specific minutes to help you gauge exactly how much battery you have left. 

Generally, I preferred the higher power modes, but this brings the vacuuming time down a fair amount. After just a two-hour charge, toggling between auto, the highest mode, and one turbo shot (10 seconds), it jumped from three bars at 17:39 to two at 17:44 and one bar at 17:46.

More pleasingly, after a full charge (over two hours) it ran smoothly for 39 minutes. This was with approximately 30 minutes in low mode, five in Auto, and four in high. So just be aware of much lower the running time is when using the higher power modes.

Using the electric floor brush on hard floors

The Ultenic FS1 cordless does do well on carpet and hard floors alike. I used it all around the house to clean laminate flooring in the kitchen and laundry room, as well as the tile in our main bathroom and small downstairs toilet. Dust and debris came up fast and although I found it a little clunky it was easy to navigate through the house.

Especially in spaces where water is present, I made sure the floors were dry. I also used the lower setting and checked the roller was correctly in place so there was no risk of damaging the floors — a vacuum cleaner mistake we would all rather avoid. 

The Ultenic FS1 did well with larger particles too, especially in higher power modes. There was a little spreading of the cereal because of the shape but it wasn't hard to pick everything up.

I next spilled sugar over the kitchen rug and laminate floors. Thankfully, the FS1 picked that up in a few swift movements.

The LED light on the 180° brush coming in handy here. 

Using the round brush tool on upholstered furniture and more

The couch cradles many loafing moments that naturally involve snacks. There were crumbs to pick up and so it was calling for the round brush tool. The FS1 worked like a charm here and was easy to flex into tighter corners and seams. 

Much like the brush tool on the recently reviewed Ultenic U12 cordless, this is a good one for cleaning baseboards and generally awkward places to reach too with the telescopic tube in place — like dusty curtain poles, wicker furniture, or trim under the headboard. 

I did try to use the round brush tool to suck up cat hair on a cotton upholstered pouffe but it wasn't that remarkable, unfortunately. I would suggest a lint roller first, then follow this by using the vacuum to pick up general debris and pet smells  — as our guide to using a vacuum cleaner will kindly tell you. 

Using the long crevice tool 

The long crevice tool is ideal for awkward corners, window sills, and trim, just about anywhere. 

This was a good opportunity to try it as a handheld vacuum cleaner which was useful on the staircase and in various nooks and crannies.

Switching to the brush tool made cleaning blinds easy too.

Cleaning and maintaining the Ultenic FS1 cordless stick vacuum

Cleaning your vacuum isn't a job we necessarly love, but the Ultenic FS1 does make it a bit cooler and more approachable. The auto-empty station is a perk and runs efficiently most of the time, but it depends on what you have in there and on how full it is. You slot the entire vacuum, floor brush and all, onto the base, lining up the charging pins. This automatically opens the dust bucket. Then you hold down the switch button and the auto cleaning function starts.

We tried vacuuming light loads of dust, cat hair, etc. and it emptied swiftly on the first go. But, given a heavier load of cereal, sugar, cat litter, and some leaf, on top of general household debris, it struggled a little more but with perseverance it did fully empty on the fourth round.

After testing a full dust bucket of general dust and fur, the majority emptied with perseverance, but after the ninth go, I resorted to removing the rest by hand.

Note, you do have to be a bit careful putting the vacuum on and off the stand since the dust bin opens automatically when you attach it. This means that if you go to readjust the vacuum and pull it off without being careful, you will have quite a flurry of dust to deal with. Again, a skill to be developed over time.

Naturally, some dust particles come away from the bin and filter if you decide to remove and clean it, and for that, Ultenic recommends wiping the device with a damp cloth being careful to not let any water penetrate the device for obvious reasons. So I got out a basic microfiber cloth (like these from Amazon).

You can rinse the HEPA filters. Then, my favorite gadget is the brush cleaning tool that lets you tease off hair and other gunk from the brush roller. This comes off when you click the push button underneath.

The dust bag that collects the debris automatically is quite big at 0.8 gal (3L) dust bag as Ultenic says. The capacity of the vacuum dust cup itself is 0.17 gal (660ml), so you shouldn't have to empty it very frequently at all. It also comes with two extras.

Is the Ultenic FS1 cordless stick vacuum right for you

If it is your first cordless vac, it might take some getting used to, as some of the functions and designs feel advanced. But, if this is not your first cordless rodeo you will likely love it.

Failing that, you might like these cordless stick vacuums:

How we test vacuum cleaners

Ultenic sent me the vacuum and I tested it for a fortnight in my house before writing the review. I used the following criteria for the testing process, however, we do have a more comprehensive breakdown of how we test vacuum cleaners:

Unboxing: I considered the condition of the vacuum and the packaging when it arrived. I gave bonus points for packaging that didn’t include Styrofoam and considered how easily I was able to remove and then assemble it. 

Performance: I tested the vacuum on multiple surfaces, and types of flooring, using the various settings. I looked for consistent performance, assessing the vacuum’s suction power, thoroughness, and battery life. 

Ease of use: I considered my overall experience in using the vac, including factors like its weight, how easy it is to hold and operate, how well the automatic features worked and saved me time, and how well the vacuum performed during my various tests.

Ease of cleaning: I also evaluated the process of cleaning and maintaining the vacuum. I considered how many components needed to be cleaned, and how often, as well as how complicated and time-consuming cleaning this cleaning supply was.

The Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System is a multifunctional beast. If it could speak, it would say, "Hey, do you want a coffee maker? Here you go! An espresso machine? We’ll give you that, too!" 

I love to use a Nespresso when I’m traveling, but at home, I've historically gone for a more manual method of making espresso. But let me tell you: after a few weeks of popping in a pod every morning and it making my daily starts easier, I’m a convert. 

The Ninja does both incredibly well. If you take the plunge on this appliance, you’ll be slinging coffee in the morning, iced lattes in the afternoon, and espresso for the perfect post-dinner affogato. Ninja hit the nail on the head calling it a barista system as this coffee maker lets you do it all.

Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System review

What I thought of the Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System

Ninja does it again with multi-use machines that make life easier. This
part pod coffee maker, part drip filter coffee maker has made my mornings so much easier. 

I just walk over to this barista system and, quite literally, turn into a barista. I’m brewing a pot of coffee for my husband (knowing it’ll stay hot through all his morning calls), then making myself a latte before I log on. 

Depending on my mood, I might go for a rich brew for the coffee or a lungo (the big guy) for my espresso. Maybe in the afternoon, I’ll opt for an espresso over ice for an iced latte. The bottom line is: I have options. 

Same goes for cup size options. I can use a mug, my best travel coffee mug, or a carafe. I can adjust the tray on the espresso side when I want to use my tiny espresso cup and feel oh so fancy. This machine makes it so simple to customize the coffee to what I want at that moment without having to resort to another machine.

Also, this is a small detail, but I love the progress bar. Knowing roughly how much time is left is a game changer in the morning, especially when I’m trying to carefully coordinate heating the milk with my espresso or timing hot oatmeal with my coffee. 

The Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System does what it can to save space, especially with the milk frother that folds in and the coffee scoop that snaps right into the side. But it’s not a coffee maker with particularly small footprint. 

I found it’s nearly the same size as our separate coffee maker and espresso maker combined — which is great, but not necessarily a space-saver.

Ninja Espresso and Coffee Barista System specifications

Unboxing and setting up the Ninja Espresso and Coffee Barista System

Ninja does a great job of boxing their machines snugly, but not overdoing it on the packaging. There’s always minimal assembly, which is even more appreciated when trying out a machine like this, which has multiple sections. There was a decent amount of plastic to unwrap and stickers to remove, but it felt easy to follow.

I hand-washed all the parts with a little unscented dish soap (I use 365 by Whole Foods from Amazon), then I ran a cycle for a full coffee carafe. I was ready to make my first espresso within just a few minutes (don’t give me one of the best espresso makers to open mid-afternoon and expect me to wait until the morning!).

Using the Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System

If you know how to use a coffee maker or enjoy one of the best Nespresso coffee machines already, this brilliant small kitchen appliance will be a breeze. It’s super easy to use, and the Quick Start Guide will answer any questions you have (though you probably won’t even need to pull it out — it’s that intuitive).

To make coffee, fill the reservoir to the amount you want. Then, scoop your ground coffee using the Ninja Smart Scoop, which tells you the exact amount to use depending on how much coffee you’re brewing. 

Choose the style of coffee you want: classic, rich, or over ice. Turn the dial to the size you’d like, whether that’s an 8, 10, or 12oz. cup, 15 or 18oz. travel mug, or a 28, 37, 46, or 55oz. carafe. Hit brew, then watch the progress bar indicate where you are in the process. The warming plate will keep your coffee warm for up to four hours, with two hours being the default.

To make an espresso with perfect crema, fill the reservoir to at least the 8 oz. cup size and pop in a Nespresso OriginalLine Capsule (such as these from Amazon). 

With espresso, you have even more options. You can make a 25ml ristretto, 40ml espresso, 110ml lungo, or 30 mL to go over ice for a delicious iced latte. Start the brew, then wait for that creamy caffeine to be dispensed. 

Want to add milk to your beverage? Fill a cup half full with milk. Be sure to microwave it if you want warm milk (this is the one frustration I have with the machine — I wish it steamed the milk). Then swing the frothing arm out, and froth away. Around 30-45 seconds of frothing should do the trick. 

How to clean the Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System

Good news for those who prefer the ease of throwing everything in the dishwasher. Nearly everything — except the machine itself, of course — is dishwasher safe.  You can throw the brew basket, glass carafe, and brew-through lid, water reservoir and lid, frother whisk, smart scoop, capsule bin, adjustable cup tray, and cup tray base all in the dishwasher. A damp microfiber cleaning cloth (like these from Amazon) will do the trick on the machine.

You’ll descale both the coffee side and the espresso side occasionally (I use Dezcal sachets from Amazon), though make sure you have plenty of time on your side. The coffee side will take up to 75 minutes to complete, while the espresso side will take approximately two hours.

Is the Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System right for you?

For those who love a hot cup of coffee in the morning and a creamy espresso in the afternoon for a pick-me-up, the Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System is perfection. At $249.99, the price point is about what you'd pay for a high-end single-serve coffee maker — but you're getting a small coffee maker that brews in bulk, too. 

However, on the same note, if a small footprint is a priority for you, this machine may not be for you. It does take up a bit of counter space, though less than two separate machines would. Also, if you prefer steamed milk with your espresso drinks, then you may be frustrated by the milk frother and lack of heating. It's something I wish I had known before buying a small coffee maker.

If this coffee maker doesn't sound right for you, try these coffee makers for size:

How we test coffee makers

Here are a few things I like to look out for when testing coffee makers:

Water tank: When looking at the water tank, I assess whether it’s easy to fill and, most importantly, is easy to remove (can it be removed at all?) and whether it’s easy to clean.

Operation: How easy is it to use the machine? Are the prompts/buttons legible? If the machine makes a sound, is it clear to understand what is happening?

Type of coffee: What type of coffee does this machine take? Is it an appropriate volume for the resulting beverage? How much waste is left after the drink has been made?

Cleaning and descaling: How easy is it to provide maintenance for the machine? This may involve anything from removing coffee stains to getting rid of limescale.

Functionality of features: Here I may look at any standout features. In the case of the Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System, I observed how well the machine made two different types of beverages — brewed coffee and espresso — and whether it prepared both equally well. 

About the review — and the reviewer

I was eager to review the Ultenic U12 Vesla cordless vacuum cleaner because, as anyone with kids, pets, or a penchant for Oreos will know, a cordless vacuum always comes in handy.

If you land on the right model, vacuuming chore becomes breezy and dare I say it, borderline enjoyable and even more so with a cordless model and the Ultenic U12 Vesla cordless was a great introduction to the world of reliable cordless vacuums. 

Between my housemates and I, we have two of the best vacuum cleaners: a hypoallergenic Sebo model and a Shark vacuum for pet hair. They both do a good job, but getting them out always feels like an ordeal. Previously, cordless and handheld vacuums have failed to impress in terms of suction and running time but the Ultenic U12 Vesla impressed me and would make a good addition to any busy household. Here's why. 

Ultenic U12 Vesla cordless vacuum cleaner review

What I thought of the Ultenic U12 Vesla

Modern-looking, simple to set up and stow away, the Ultenic U12 Vesla does a great job at refreshing carpets, hard floors, and area rugs. The fact it's so portable, combined with the small crevice and brush tools, makes this cordless vac stand out. 

It is a no-brainer cleaning addition to big and small homes alike. 

It has five easy-to-navigate speed settings, a spotlight to help on gloomy days or to find hidden dust, and it's easy to clean, put back together, and charge. As a cat owner, who has tried many of the best cordless vacuums in the past, I found it super helpful to clean a floor.

Ultenic U12 Vesla specifications

Unboxing and setting up the Ultenic U12 Vesla

Unboxing was easy and the box itself was a neat little package. All of the pieces were wrapped in plastic and there was some bubble wrap in there too around the accessories. 

I'll note at this stage that although I have done some DIY in my rental, on this occasion we decided against installing the storage rack. However, it does come with the fixtures and fastenings you need to keep it discreetly stowed away. 

Using the Ultenic U12 Vesla cordless vacuum cleaner

Setting up the Ultenic U12 Vesla with the manual was simple and quite intuitive. It only takes a few minutes to make sense of all the different parts and accessories. 

All you do is click everything into place, starting with the battery pack that slots into the main body. You'll hear a faint click when it's in position and the release buttons are easy to identify.

Next, you attach the main telescopic tube which then leaves room to connect one of the three attachments. This is where the fun begins. 

This sample came with a little charge (one bar, equal to 25 per cent), but to get a good amount of juice out of it, it is always worth topping up the battery a little before starting. 

With the Ultenic U12, you just plug in the adapter and connect the DC into the charging port. The battery sign starts flashing when in charging mode, and this goes out when it's fully charged.

The main body display is pretty cool. The power button is in the middle then you easily toggle through the five different speeds: 30 (ECO), 60, 90, 120, and 150 (AUTO). 

You can lift most things in ECO mode and auto mode is activated when the vacuum readjusts to remove a blockage, for example. As expected, the noise level increases the higher the suction power but at an average of 78 dB it is not bad at all. 

The other innovative display function is that it will indicate the remaining work time. This is shown in minutes and fluctuates depending on the power and speed you're using. There is also the LED lighting button (a favorite function of mine), to help better visualise dust and debris on the floor.

Using the main floor brush on carpet and hard floors

This is what we came for and I wanted to see how refreshed-looking it would leave our slightly ugly gray carpets. 

You can see from the dust bucket that it manages to suck up a fair amount of hidden cat fur, dust, etc. We were pleased. It wasn't loud and although I found the main body on the heavy side, overall, it was easy to maneuver.

It ran pretty smoothly, although there was a moment using it over a low pile area rug that it did not enjoy being on a higher power mode. This triggered the floor brush stalling warning lamp but all was fine after switching off the power and taking it away from the rug. It went over fine on the lower eco setting. 

As you can see, oatmeal came up fast. I only used the eco setting for this.

To see how well the Ultenic U12 cordless could clean laminate flooring, I spilled dried, green lentils on it.

I toggled between the eco and higher settings and they came up quickly too.

Using the 2-in-1 dusting brush

Onto the next accessory and I actually could not wait to clean the skirting boards and meters of white (often dusty) trim around our home. Once clicked into position, it was a complete breeze tackling nooks and crannies everywhere.

Using the long crevice nozzle

By this point, I was using the vacuum cleaner around the house with sheer glee, as no nook, cranny, or cobweb seemed too awkward for the Ultenic U12 Vesla to reach. I got into the corners of the risers on our staircase, behind radiators, and used the lamp control light to identify cobwebs of months past.

As you can see, this is where the telescopic tube helps too when using the Ultenic U12 Vesla as a handheld vacuum cleaner.

Cleaning and maintaining the Ultenic U12 Vesla cordless

Cleaning your vacuum is relatively easy. To empty the dust bucket, click the button that says push.

It is also wise to do this outside so you don't get dust everywhere, which I learned the hard way with this schoolgirl error vacuum cleaner mistake. Getting it off feels a little fiddly and there is a knack to re-installing it at the right angle. 

To remove the electric floor brush for cleaning, you just need to push the lock button, take it out, and then carefully pull off the hair and any other tangled elements. You can rinse it, along with the HEPA filter (which I did). You have to, of course, ensure everything is completely dry before putting it back. 

The manual also says you can dry the HEPA filter in the sun. The Real Homes team has their own vacuum cleaning hacks for further guidance on how best to clean your appliance.

Is the Ultenic U12 Vesla right for you?

If you have a big house, pets, or kids, but even if you live in a small (accident-prone) apartment, the Ultenic U12 Vesla can make an ideal cordless vacuum. It refreshes carpets and hard floors quickly, is super portable, and can take on bigger loads of debris with the right speed setting in place. 

However, you might also like these three options:

How we test vacuum cleaners

Ultenic sent me the vacuum and I tested it for a fortnight in my house before writing this review. I used the following criteria for the testing process, however, we do have a more comprehensive breakdown of how we test vacuum cleaners:

Unboxing: I considered the condition of the vacuum and the packaging when it arrived. I gave bonus points for packaging that didn’t include Styrofoam and considered how easily I was able to remove and then assemble it. 

Performance: I tested the vacuum on multiple surfaces, and types of flooring, using the various settings. I looked for consistent performance, assessing the vacuum suction power, thoroughness, and battery life. 

Ease of use: I considered my overall experience in using the vac, including factors like its weight, how easy it is to hold and operate, how well the automatic features worked and saved me time, and how well the vacuum performed during my various tests.

Ease of cleaning: I also evaluated the process of cleaning and maintaining the vacuum. I considered how many components needed to be cleaned, and how often, as well as how complicated and time-consuming cleaning this cleaning supply was.

The Turmerry Latex Mattress Topper not only gives buyers a choice of three thicknesses and four firmness options, but it’s also available in six sizes. 

Made of organic latex, the topper features five-zone construction to support multiple sleeping positions. It also features generous perforations to maximize airflow, helping to prevent heat buildup and maximize comfort.  

The Queen mattress topper weighs 30 pounds, so unwrapping and maneuvering it was challenging with one person. Once in place, though, the mattress didn’t shift at all during our testing. It’s backed by a 120-night free trial and a five-year warranty, and the fact that Turmerry plants a tree for every order is just one more reason that it's one of the best mattress toppers on the market.

Turmerry latex mattress topper review

What I thought of the Turmerry latex mattress topper

I found the Turmerry latex mattress topper to be highly comfortable and very effective in preventing pressure points. I was able to comfortably sleep on my side and back with no noticeable extra heat buildup. While the topper weighs 30 pounds and was difficult to get into place by myself, those qualities also helped to keep it securely in place, solving the shifting problem that is so common with other types of mattress toppers. 

Knowing that this topper is an eco-friendly product makes me appreciate it even more. It’s crafted from latex from organically grown rubber trees in Sri Lanka, and Turmerry advertises that it plants a tree in your name for every order. 

Turmerry latex mattress topper specifications

• Type: Latex
• Cover: Optional purchase, included with four-inch toppers
• Fill: Latex foam
• Thickness: two, three or four inch options (I tested the 3-inch)
• Weight of topper: 30 pounds (Queen, three inch)
• Firmness: Soft, Medium, Firm, Extra Firm (I tested the Medium)
• Sizes available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
• Care: Spot clean

Setting up the Turmerry latex mattress topper

The Turmerry Latex Mattress Topper arrived in a single, plain cardboard box. Since the Queen three-inch topper weighs 30 lbs, the box was awkward and heavy to carry. The topper was tightly wrapped in multiple layers of plastic, and the plastic was then covered in clear packing tape. The box and topper were in excellent condition when they arrived. 

There were no instructions in the box, so I placed the wrapped topper on my bed and tried to use scissors to open the packaging. This was difficult, as the topper was tightly compressed, and there were several layers of tape to cut through. I never found a point where I could pull all of the tape off and then just unwrap the packaging, so I had to cut the entire wrapping off. 

Once unwrapped, I tried to position the topper on my bed, which was also a challenge. The topper has a texture that’s very sticky and grippy against any sort of fabric, so moving and sliding it is a two-person job. I did get the topper into place and was pleased to see that it’s generously sized. Whereas other toppers that I’ve tested have often been a couple of inches too short for my mattress, this topper hung about two inches off of both ends of the mattress. 

After being unwrapped, the topper immediately expanded to its full height, unlike memory foam toppers, which gradually expanded over hours after unwrapping. 

There was a moderate off-gassing smell, but it wasn’t particularly unpleasant. Honestly, I thought it smelled a bit like cookie dough. The smell dissipated quickly, and within two hours I couldn’t smell it when I walked into the room. 

I could smell the odor for the first week while sleeping on the topper, but it was faint and didn’t bother me.

Testing the Turmerry latex mattress topper

Test 1: Firmness and support

I tried the three inch medium firmness topper and found it to be very comfortable, both when sleeping on my side and on my back. I immediately noticed that the topper does an excellent job of relieving pressure points, especially on my knees, ankles, and hips while sleeping on my side. 

While the topper has a soft and cushioned feel to it, I was able to easily roll over onto my back without feeling like I was restricted or sinking in too deeply. According to Turmerry, the topper is constructed with five zones to support the different areas of your body. I can’t necessarily feel a difference in the zones, but I would say that this topper is more supportive than others that I’ve tried, like the Allswell 4” Memory Foam Mattress Topper I reviewed.

Test 2: Motion tranfer

The topper also helps to prevent motion transfer. It’s supportive enough to keep a glass of water upright. I pressed down on multiple points of the topper and didn’t manage to vibrate the water in the glass until I was about 14 inches from the glass. 

That ability to prevent motion transfer would make this topper excellent for couples or people who sleep with their pets in bed. My cats often join me in bed and I wasn’t able to feel or hear them walking unless they were right beside me. 

Test 3: Edge support

While the topper does have a supportive feel to it, it doesn’t offer much in terms of edge support. I can fully compress the edge of the topper with my hand, so it may not be an ideal option for anyone who has difficulty getting out of bed and who relies on pressing on the bed’s edges to lift themselves. 

However, since the topper has a sticky feel to it and grips fabric, I was pleased to find that no matter how much I tried to shift around on the side, I wasn’t able to slide it off the bed, even slightly. I often find that keeping toppers in place is tricky, and they tend to shift around. That’s not the case with this one.  

Test 4: Breathability and coolness

This cooling mattress topper features many quarter-inch perforations that travel through to both sides. I didn’t feel that it was any warmer than my regular mattress. I did test it during the winter, but since the topper is supportive and I didn’t sink deeply down into it, I found it to be fairly breathable.  

Test 5: Safety

The mattress topper holds several certifications indicating its safety: 

• Global Organic Latex Standard confirms the topper is made with 95% certified organic latex
• LGA certification by TUV Rheinland AG evaluates the topper’s performance and durability
• eco-INSTITUT certification indicates the topper has been tested to ensure it meets certain emissions and pollutant standards
• Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certifies that the topper has been tested and is free of harmful substances

Cleaning and maintaining the Turmerry latex mattress topper

Turmerry recommends using the best mattress protector you can afford with your topper since a mattress protector can be easily washed. The company also recommends periodically allowing the topper to air out in a well-ventilated area and rotating it at least twice a year. 

According to Turmerry, you can use baking soda (get it cheap from Amazon Fresh) to refresh and deodorize your mattress topper. Spot cleaning with white vinegar (available at Amazon) can help to clean up liquid spills. It’s important to avoid using strong detergents, bleach, and solvents, which can damage the latex foam. 

I was also able to find some basic information on Turmerry’s website, and the site also has some instructions for cleaning a mattress topper.  

Is the Turmerry latex mattress topper right for you?

This is a topper that I will continue to use, and I imagine it would be a great option for most people who are looking for an affordable way to add a bit of cushion to their mattresses without creating a surface that’s too soft. 

Plus, Turmerry offers a 120-night free trial and a 100% money-back guarantee, so buyers can try and return the topper if it turns out to not be right for them.

If this isn't the right choice for you, these three suggestions might suit your sleep needs:

How we tested the Turmerry latex mattress topper

The brand sent me the Turmerry Latex Mattress Topper and I tested the topper in my home for several weeks. I used the following criteria during my testing and review process. Whether or not you buy this particular product, these criteria might be helpful when choosing a mattress topper.

Unboxing: I evaluated the conditioning of the packaging and the topper when it arrived. I considered whether the packaging included any unsustainable materials, like styrofoam. I also evaluated how easily I was able to unbox and install the topper. 

Operation: I considered my entire experience in using the topper, including how quickly it expanded to its full height and how soon I was able to use it after unboxing. I performed several tests, including evaluating edge support and how well the topper prevents motion transfer, and considered how comfortable and warm the topper was while sleeping in different positions. 

Ease of use: I also weighed how easy the topper was to use, including how well it fit my bed and how securely it stayed in place during use. 

Ease of cleaning: I considered how easy it is to clean the topper, and I also weighed any maintenance requirements recommended by Turmerry. 

About the reviewer

The KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry is a great choice for kitchens with limited space where you can’t buy a separate air fryer, toaster oven, toaster, and dehydrator.

It’s also a great alternative to a full-size oven when preparing side or even main dishes since it preheats so quickly. A super-legible digital display and simple control panel are designed for easy use, and a convection fan helps to ensure even cooking.

Other features, like a built-in timer and a preheat time of under four minutes, make this one of the best air fryers on the market. See how I got on testing seven of the 12 cook functions.

KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry review

KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry specifications

What I thought of the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry

The KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry preheats in less than four minutes, so it’s great for cooking air fryer recipes or reheating foods. With just two knobs and three buttons, it’s easy to learn to use. While the design limits what you can cook in an air fryer (most whole chickens won’t fit), I was impressed by the oven's efficiency.

Setting up the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry

The setup process is very simple. I removed the protective packaging and some tape from the oven, and then unwrapped each accessory. KitchenAid states that the accessories can be cleaned in the dishwasher, but I hand washed them before using the oven for the first time.  

Using the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry

The countertop oven features one knob to select a cook mode, and another to adjust time and temperature. The oven also features Start, Cancel, and Convection buttons. You can figure out how to operate it in just a few minutes. 

Choosing settings

When you select a setting, the oven automatically displays a suggested temperature and cooking time. The instruction manual also provides some time recommendations for air frying. 

Since the oven offers two rack positions, you do need to pay attention to the recommended rack position for each setting. When testing the bagel function, I had the rack positioned too low and burned the bottom of the bagel. 

I quickly realized that I should use the higher rack position for most cooking settings, and didn’t have additional issues. 

The oven’s digital display is large, so I had no trouble changing the temperature and cooking times. Once set, it provides a countdown of cooking time that I could see from across my kitchen. 

The timer was quiet, and I had difficulty hearing it from the next room while the television was on. The oven’s automatic shutoff feature stops the cooking cycle once the timer goes off, so even if I didn’t hear the timer right away, it didn’t burn the food. 

Preheating and general operation

One of my favorite features is this oven’s rapid preheating capability. I found in every mode, the oven reached its desired temperature in three and a half minutes. That rapid preheat made it a convenient addition to my kitchen, and I found that I quickly started using it for most of my cooking needs. 

The interior light remains on throughout its entire use. It’s bright and illuminates the food well, so it’s easy to keep an eye on cooking progress. On most settings, like the toast, bagel, bake, and broil settings, the oven is nearly silent.

The convection fan, which must operate during the air fry cycle, can be turned on and off for other cooking settings. Even when running, the fan is quiet. I would compare it to a desktop fan running on medium, and you could easily hold a conversation in the kitchen without feeling the need to talk over it.

Toast and bagel

The toast and bagel functions display different darkness settings, and turning the dial changes the settings. I found that the default darkness setting for both the toast and the bagel settings were perfect and toasted the foods to my preferences. 

The oven can accommodate up to six slices at a time (most of the best toasters can only fit four), ideal for preparing meals for multiple people.

The toasting was even (once I raised the rack to the right level), and even a thicker bagel was well-toasted but not burnt. I used the oven to make toast and bagels daily for a week, and the results were consistent. 

Baking function

I found the bake and broil settings were very convenient, especially since the oven preheats so quickly. I baked several frozen foods, including a frozen chicken meal, according to the meal manufacturer’s cooking instructions. Those meals were cooked thoroughly and completely, and not at all burnt. 

While KitchenAid markets the oven as being able to accommodate up to two full chickens weighing 3.4 lbs each, I couldn’t find poultry that small available in any grocery store. 

Broiling function

Air fryer mode

This small kitchen appliance's air fry mode doesn’t require you to turn the foods and features a convection fan for even cooking. I made four batches of French fries with the air fryer and used the default settings.

I found the default time was a little long and burnt the ends of the fries, but after decreasing it by two minutes the results were perfectly crisp, thoroughly-cooked fries. 

Cooking bacon

I also used the air fry setting to cook bacon. The bacon was a little softer than I'm used to when using my best non-stick frying pan, but I think if I’d left it in for another few minutes it would have crisped up. The air frying took longer to cook than the broil function, but the bacon was evenly cooked and I didn’t have to worry about turning it.

Reheating function

The reheat and keep warm functions also performed well. I reheated refrigerated pizza several times, and the reheat function worked well without overly baking or burning it. I also used the keep warm function to keep the bacon hot with no problems. 

I should mention that if you enjoy making pizza from scratch, but hate waiting for the yeast to activate, the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry has a dough-proofing function too.

Dehydrating fruit

While I’ve never dehydrated food before, I sliced an apple and tested the dehydrate feature. I used the default settings, which are a 150° Fahrenheit cook temperature and a six-hour cook time. 

The apple slices were not fully dehydrated by the end of the cycle, but I suspect if I had sliced them thinner, or used a mandoline slicer (like this one from OXO at Amazon) they would have been. They were a bit chewy, but tasted extra sweet, as if the flavor were concentrated. 

Cleaning the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry

KitchenAid specifies that the oven rack, multipurpose pan, and broiling rack are dishwasher safe, but that hand washing with a little unfragranced dish soap (like Palmolive's Pure+Clear on Amazon) is recommended. I found that all three were easy to wash by hand. 

After several uses, the multipurpose pan’s surface started to lose a bit of its shine, though the food didn’t stick and I couldn’t feel any residue on the pan. The crumb tray slides out of the oven, and it’s easy to hand wash. It’s a convenient feature and simplifies the process of cleaning the air fryer. 

I noticed that the oven’s interior, especially the interior of the door, gets dirty quickly, and I imagine that’s because the oven is small. Since the interior walls feature a nonstick coating, I was able to easily wipe the oven clean using a damp microfiber cloth (we like these on Amazon). 

Is the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry right for you?

Outside of the recipe testing that I conducted, KitchenAid claims that it can be used to cook sheet cakes, full one-pan meals, and beef tenderloin/rib roast. 

It includes a 62-page instruction manual, and the first 18 pages are in English. The manual includes clear instructions and detailed graphics. KitchenAid offers a one-year warranty from the date of purchase on this oven.

But if you're not keen on this appliance, you might be interested in these:

How we test air fryers

KitchenAid sent me the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry and I tested this air fryer in my home for several weeks. I used these criteria during the testing and review process. 

Unboxing: I considered the condition of the packaging and the oven when it arrived. I evaluated the types of packing materials used, including whether the materials were recyclable. I also evaluated how easily I was able to remove and assemble the oven. 

The countertop oven was shipped via FedEx, and it was double-boxed. When it arrived, there was a large hole and tear through the top of the exterior box. The hole was also present in the interior box, but because the oven was so well packed with Styrofoam inserts, there was no damage to the oven, itself. 

The oven and the accessories were individually wrapped in protective plastic, and the accessories were also packaged in a smaller cardboard box. Everything was in excellent condition upon unboxing.

Operation: I considered my entire experience in using the oven, including how easily I could understand the instructions and operate the appliance. I evaluated how well the different cooking modes worked, and tested the oven using many different types of foods. I repeated many of those tests and looked for a quality cook. 

Ease of use: I also evaluated the machine’s ease of use, considering factors like how simple its operation is, the usefulness of the presets, and my experience in using the different accessories and modes. 

Ease of cleaning: Finally, I considered how easily I could clean the machine, including whether accessories are dishwasher-safe, and the process of cleaning the interior.

I couldn't snag the Beautiful Perfect Grind Programmable Single Serve Coffee Maker fast enough after moving away from my local coffee shop.

It brought me comfort knowing with a bag of beans and this appliance, I could brew them from home and enjoy customizable hot and cold drink options. The pastel beaut looks particularly lovely on my kitchen counter, so I am pleased to have some eye candy and a caffeine fix. 

Whilst this coffee maker offers plenty to love, I will admit there are a few reasons why I'm still partial to my tried and true pod coffee maker, the Keurig K-Mini Single-Serve.

Beautiful perfect grind programmable single serve coffee maker

Product specifications

What I thought of the Beautiful perfect grind programmable single serve coffee maker

Beautiful and multi-faceted, Drew's latest release delivers style and plenty of sipping options for coffee aficionados, whether they're craving a warm cup of Joe or prefer their favorite beans over ice. 

Ultimately, as sleek and versatile as the machine is, it can feel cumbersome when working with the touch screen features, as they're not as intuitive as they initially seem. The brew process is whisper-quiet (after one initial grinding sound) however, you might find that you're left with a fraction of the coffee you selected for your morning cup of java. 

For someone living alone, I found the machine to be larger than something I'd like for my space, and ultimately, not necessary for one person who wants a quick cup of coffee.

Unboxing and setting up the Beautiful perfect grind programmable single serve coffee maker

Setting up Drew's latest release was a simple process, though turned out not to be the best small coffee maker I had envisioned for size. It's compact and modern, but overall, it might be too large for one person.

I turned the box sideways, slipped the machine out, and removed the rest of the packaging that covered the machine. It was effortless and ready to rock and roll within minutes, which was a relief since patience is not exactly my strong suit.

Using the Beautiful perfect grind programmable single serve coffee maker

Using the single-serve coffee maker was slightly difficult at first. The digital touch technology felt a bit clunky, and I found myself resetting the clock each time I went to brew a cup of coffee. 

What felt particularly frustrating was the fact that I'd select a cup size, typically 10 oz, but regardless of how much water I poured into the reservoir, I'd be left with a fraction of the amount. 

The taste, however, was to my liking and particularly strong — it utilizes Exact-Xtract technology to draw out twice as much flavor — which is welcome when my work deadlines begin to pile up in the morning. 

Unlike your best pod coffee maker, there's a loud grind when the brewing process begins with Drew's Beautiful coffee appliance. Luckily, it quickly and unexpectedly became whisper-quiet, which I definitely appreciated. A little timer goes off once the cup of coffee is set, which is another fun feature. 

You're able to customize what you're craving with your breakfast — drink size, the strength of the coffee, hot or over ice — and the Beautiful brand touts the fact that the their machine doesn't use pods, which makes it less wasteful. 

While all of these tidbits are enticing, I overall found this machine to be a little too confusing and large for my needs, as I live alone and need to be mindful of smart ways to maximize countertop space in a small kitchen. 

Our ecommerce experts have compiled a thorough guide on the best single-serve coffee makers to help you figure out some of the other brilliant options available.

Cleaning the Beautiful Perfect Grind Programmable Single-serve Coffee Maker

Cleaning the coffee maker is a fairly simple process. I found the most tedious task to be dumping the filter basket after each use, as I'd somehow end up with bean residue everywhere. It took a little extra effort to get things spick and span, but it is dishwasher-friendly, which some people might find helpful. 

You can also use Heinz white cleaning vinegar from Amazon, a microfiber cloth or non-scratch Scotch-Brite dishwand from Amazon to clean a coffee maker with vinegar.

The grinder should be cleaned every two to three weeks, which can be done through the touch screen's Grinder Auto Clean Mode. When it comes time to get the reservoir in tip-top shape, the "CLEAN" indicator will be illuminated on the screen.  

Regardless of what you're cleaning and when, make sure the machine is unplugged and read the instructions carefully, as there are different requirements to take into consideration with each part. And if you don't clean your coffee maker, you might find yourself tackling gross build-up later — and adverse effect in coffee taste in the mean time.

How does the Beautiful Perfect Grind Programmable Single-serve Coffee Maker

Not quite convinced this is the right machine for you? We have some single-serve counterparts that might be more fitting due to size, capabilities, and aesthetics, including the best Keurig coffee makers.  

Additionally, our review of the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Coffee Maker about the OG coffee machine in her line found it was gorgeous, Instagrammable, but had room for improvement.

How we test

The Real Homes team tests coffee makers very precisely. When I was using the new Drew Barrymore appliance, I took a lot of things into consideration: style and size, price point, features, capabilities, and clean-up. 

Before moving forward with a buy, consider what our acting head e-comm editor, Christina Chrysostomou, knew before buying a small coffee maker and what factors you should take into consideration, too including size, noise, quality of crema, and cost of the coffee amongst others.

Many two-drawer air fryers exist, but the COSORI dual basket air fryer might be one of few to rival the Ninja DualZone. The latter might be the most well-known model, but that doesn't mean there isn't space for a bit of healthy competition, and the COSORI certainly brings it. 

As the Real Homes kitchen appliance expert, I've tested more than 10 of these air fryers, and few brands have dared to play David vs. Goliath...until now.

This dual-basket appliance can cook two types of food at the same time, something that Ninja held the top spot for. But what sets this new-to-market machine apart is two independently-operating lights and viewing windows. These are small design considerations that make a huge difference to the way you monitor your meal's readiness.

I tested this air fryer in our test kitchen to cook fries, nuggets, bacon, and vegetables. However, I may return to reviewing the air fryer's baking and rotisserie functions, given that COSORI includes several accessories including a baking rack, skewers for kabobs, and a skewer rack (great for ensuring the metal rods don't scratch the non-stick coating).

COSORI dual basket air fryer review

What I thought of the COSORI dual basket air fryer

Aesthetically, the COSORI dual basket air fryer looks like many other models on the market with a smart-looking touchscreen. The glass-topped control panel is fingerprint-prone but easy to use with legible text and clear iconography.

Unlike the COSORI DualBlaze air fryer (available on Amazon), this premium air fryer has softer and rounder edges, making it a good fit for any modern kitchen. All of the cardboard packaging was recyclable, however, I have fed back to the brand about the levels of single-use plastic in the box.

My favorite feature is the independently operating viewing lights, so you can monitor food without pulling the drawers out. Often, if you do open an oven door, you'll get a blast of heat to your face as well as the internal temperature dropping, which can result in uneven cooking. 

Size-wise, it's similar to my microwave at home but can do so much more. In a small galley kitchen, this will take up approximately a quarter of your countertop, so bear its large footprint in mind. My pain points lie in the powerfulness of the air fryer, its packaging, and its stiff components (namely the drawers and non-stick feet on the underside of the crisper tray).

Testing the dual sync cooking function

Similar to Ninja's Dualzone, this COSORI appliance also boasts Sync Cook and finish programs, allowing users to prepare large capacities of food either at the same temperature/time or synchronized to finish simultaneously. The only exception is broiling, which you can only do with one basket at a time.

The easiest way to review this feature was to make some plant-based nuggets and fries. After syncing both drawers to 390° Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, our main and side were good to go.

What we learned by trial and error is that the COSORI dual basket air fryer will preheat for six minutes before cooking (displaying instruction to add food after the time has elapsed). Alternatively, you may want to run it without any food inside or forego preheating altogether by switching this function off.

COSORI's preset guide (displayed on a printed, but peelable label) recommended a cooking time of 20-25 minutes for French fries. But, from experience, I like to think I know better and started with a more conservative cook time. My colleagues and I decided to also add on a 'shake reminder' while we prepared foods for the subsequent air fryer recipes.

After 15 minutes the vegan nuggets were done, but the fries needed a toss and an extra five minutes. This test had mixed results: the Quorn shapes had a crisp exterior, but needed condiments to counter the dryness. The chipped potatoes also managed to be simultaneously fluffy and dry. My advice is to shave time off the recommendation in your recipe, but check your food is cooked thoroughly and pop back in if not.

Cooking Mediterranean vegetables

The combination of zucchini, mixed peppers, eggplant, and onion is always welcomed in our testing suite as it offers a much-needed respite from the beige courses before it.

With this Cosori air fryer being powerful, we disregarded the advice to cook this mix for 15 minutes at 350° Fahrenheit, instead opting for a shorter guestimation of nine minutes. During this cook time, the team noticed steam coming out of the air fryer, but this did not impair the ability to see what was going on in the viewing window.

Even with six minutes shaved off, there was still a palatable char on these vegetables, so some users might want to adjust the temperature or time for more even cooking. We also also noticed some of the now-shrunken veg had slipped through the crisper tray and into the basket. This wasn't a biggie with vegetables, but might be a concern if you're cooking something that renders a lot of oil.

Cooking bacon

As one of two meat eaters on our four-person panel, this was the last test we conducted. No one enjoys the violent attack of bacon grease spluttering from their best non-stick fry pan, so this Cosori air fryer provides a safe haven from licks of hot oil splattering your arm.

After cooking it at 340° Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, I can say with conviction this was the best bacon I've eaten. I generally cook mine under the broiler, but using the air fryer means  I don't need to monitor the rashers as much. 

Cleaning the COSORI dual basket air fryer

Cleaning the air fryer is simple. The test team and I used a damp microfiber cleaning cloth (bought on Amazon) on the exterior of the machine and hand-washed the baskets with unscented liquid detergent (like this Whole Foods pick from Amazon) and our trusty (scratch-free) Scrub Daddy (also available on Amazon)

Should you buy the COSORI dual basket air fryer?

At almost $169.99, the COSORI's 9-quart dual-basket air fryer isn't the cheapest but sits in a similar price range to the Ninja Foodi DualZone air fryer we've reviewed. Given that it can reheat, and has tons of features, the size isn't an issue. I can see this replacing your oven, microwave, and even your toaster.

I've listed some alternatives you might also like, but don't forget the Paris Rhone air fryer I tested and rated 4.5 stars out of 5. It's a great single-basket option that's under $80.

How we tested the COSORI dual basket air fryer

When testing air fryers, we try to replicate your at-home experience of using the product. Our full methodology is available online, but here are some of the criteria we use when rating this appliance:

The Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Indoor Grill and Griddle is a versatile machine designed to solve some common challenges of indoor cooking.

The smokeless design, achieved by high-heat cooking and chef-recommended cook temperatures, allows you to grill indoors without worrying about smoke. 

Since this small kitchen appliance features an interchangeable grill and griddle plate, its space-saving design is ideal for schemes with limited counter and storage space. Plus, with its comprehensive list of food options and cooking directions, this is a versatile product that can be used to prepare countless dishes. 

Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Indoor Grill and Griddle review

Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Indoor Grill and Griddle specifications

What I thought of the Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Indoor Grill and Griddle

I was very impressed by the Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Indoor Grill and Griddle. This compact product weighs less than eight pounds, yet offers enough space to cook up to six burgers or pancakes at once. It’s easy to use and features a great temperature range. 

This grill and griddle performed well in all of my tests. I appreciated that it truly is smokeless, especially since I can easily set off my smoke detectors while cooking, triggering an alarm to my security company. I also thought the non-stick plate designs were fantastic, and was swayed by the fact that I could cook crepes and pancakes without greasing the griddle plate. 

While I’d like to see some changes, like storage for the extra plate and a light that alerts you when the machine has pre-heated, I think this is a great product. It could be ideal for kitchens with limited space, cooks who want to be able to grill indoors without dealing with smoke, homes that don’t have an outdoor grill, and anyone who wants to save on the space and cost of buying a separate grill and griddle.

Setting up the Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Indoor Grill and Griddle

The setup process was easy and simple. Once I removed the grill and plates from the packaging, I washed the plates with a little Palmolive dish soap (available on Amazon) . Each plate easily fits onto the machine’s surface, and the machine also features a label with suggested grilling temperatures for some common foods. 

The grill and griddle also included an owner’s guide with detailed instructions, as well as a 29-page full-color quick start guide. The quick start guide features some usage tips and guidance, as well as ten recipes such as French toast, strawberry hazelnut spread crepes, grilled caprese chicken breasts, and smash burgers with sauteed mushrooms. Additionally, and most importantly, it includes a grill chart and griddle chart outlining suggested amounts, preparation methods, temperatures, cook times, and instructions for foods. 

Using the Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Indoor Grill and Griddle

This machine has a very user-friendly design. It features only one knob, which turns the machine on and which allows you to adjust the temperature. While the quick start guide includes a full list of foods and suggested temperatures, the machine also features a few grill and griddle cooking temperature suggestions for common foods for easy reference.

Ninja recommends initially running the unit at 400°F for ten minutes without adding any food. This process helps to remove any packaging residue and odor traces. When I ran the unit, there was a very mild plastic odor that dissipated within about three minutes. 

Testing the Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Indoor Grill and Griddle

I first used the grill to grill kielbasa, following the cooking suggestions in the quick start guide. The grill requires seven minutes to preheat, and a power indicator light signals when the unit is on. There is no indicator to signal that the unit has reached its optimal temperature, so you have to keep track of time yourself.

The kielbasa cooked well, but slowly. I noticed absolutely no smoke while cooking it. I initially cooked a single large piece but also found that if I sliced the piece up, I could get very nice grill marks on every bite-sized piece. The kielbasa cooked all the way through, its skin was crispy, and there were deep, well-defined grill marks on the exterior. I also grilled tomato slices. They stuck to the grill slightly, but again cooked well and evenly and had some nice grill marks.

 Lid open or closed 

When grilling cheeseburgers, I again used the suggested temperature setting. I didn’t notice any smoke, though there was more splatter when cooking the burgers than the kielbasa. Once I added cheese, I closed the lid, which Ninja states helps to get the cheese to melt and contain splatter. I didn’t find that the lid made much of a difference with the cheese, as the cheese melted slowly and heat didn’t really seem to build up with the lid closed. The closed lid may have slightly reduced splatter, but it’s perforated, so some splatter still came through the lid. Ultimately, the burgers were evenly cooked and moist. To be honest, they were some of the best burgers I’ve ever had.  

Cooking crepes

I found that the recipes in the quick start guide were all relatively uncomplicated. I prepared the crepe recipe and followed the instructions to cook the crepes on the griddle. After preheating the griddle, I poured batter for the six small crepes, as instructed. By the time I finished pouring the batter for the sixth crepe, the first crepe was already ready to be flipped. This was very easy, thanks to the non-stick griddle plate. I used no grease in preparing the plate, but was able to easily flip every crepe with no sticking. 

 Non-stick cooking 

The non-stick plate proved itself when I made pancakes using Jiffy cornmeal mix (available on Amazon) (available on Amazon). This batter is notoriously sticky, and often the pancakes still stick even after liberally spraying the pan with PAM cooking spray (also available on Amazon). This griddle proved otherwise. While I had to play with the temperatures a bit and found the suggested temperature too high, ultimately I had good results and no issues with the pancakes sticking. 

I did run into a stickiness issue when cooking eggs on the griddle. I suspect I added the eggs before the griddle was fully preheated, as both eggs stuck to the griddle when I tried to flip them. I had no issues flipping the eggs a second time, though, possibly because the griddle was hotter at that point. Next time, I think I'll use an egg ring (like this one on Amazon) for my eggs and pancakes.

 Even cooking 

In cooking the crepes and pancakes, I discovered that the outer corners cooked more slowly than the inner edges and center of the griddle. While the heating coils are arranged to promote an even cook throughout the entire griddle surface, I found that there is some minor unevenness in the heating. However, I only noticed this with the pancakes and crepes.  

Smoke-free cooking 

I never observed smoke during any of these tests. According to Ninja, the smokeless design is the result of specific, chef-provided cooking temperature recommendations for each food. I found that these temperatures were, if anything, a little bit high, such as in the case of the pancakes. However, the unit performed very well throughout all of my testing, and I found the foods to be well and evenly cooked. I particularly appreciated the smokeless design, since my smoke detectors are linked to my house alarm system and cooking can set them off and potentially trigger a call to the fire department.  

Cleaning the Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Indoor Grill and Griddle

Since both the grill and griddle plates simply lift up and off of the unit, they’re easy to clean. These plates aren’t dishwasher safe, and since they have a non-stick coating, Ninja recommends you don’t use any abrasive brushes or cleaning supplies on them. I found that I could easily clean the griddle using a soft dishwashing sponge (like these from MR. SIGA on Amazon), soap and water. 

The grill was a little more challenging to clean because the grill “wires” are placed so closely together. Ninja sells a grill brush for use with this unit, and I imagine that brush would make cleaning the grill plate easier. I was able to compact the corner of a sponge to clean out the spaces between the “wires.” 

The rest of the grill can be wiped clean. The lid is removable and dishwasher safe, though I found it was easier to simply hand wash it. Once cleaned, I reinserted one plate into the unit but realized there was no storage option for the other plate. A design allowing you to store the spare plate underneath the unit would be helpful and would cut down on clutter and storage space.

Should you buy the Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Indoor Grill and Griddle

Short answer: yes. The smokeless design is one of the machine’s best features, allowing for indoor use without setting off your smoke detectors. The non-stick cooking plates are also great, making for better grilling and cooking results without the extra calories of using oil or butter. The grill and griddle plate size is large enough to prepare burgers or pancakes for multiple people at once, so this product is ideal for families as well as for people, like me, who often cook for just one or two. 

There are a lot of positives to this machine. Adding storage for the extra plate and an indicator light to signal when the machine reaches its set heat would make it just about perfect. Even without those features, it’s a fantastic addition to many kitchens, whether you already have a grill and want an indoor-friendly option or are working with space restrictions that make buying a grill and griddle impractical. 

How we tested the Ninja Sizzle

Ninja sent me the Ninja Sizzle and I tested it for several weeks in my home before writing this review. I used these criteria when testing the grill and griddle — a little similar to how we test air fryers: 

Packaging: The Ninja Sizzle Smokeless Indoor Grill and Griddle arrived double-boxed and in excellent condition. The packaging included two large pieces of styrofoam, and the grill was wrapped in a plastic bag. The griddle plate was packaged in a second cardboard box, and none of the components were damaged.

Unboxing: I considered the packaging used, as well as its condition on arrival and how well it protected the product. I looked for the use of sustainable and recyclable materials, such as cardboard, instead of materials like styrofoam. 

Cooking options: I evaluated the product’s versatility and the different cooking options it offered. I thought about its size, the different foods and preparation options it supported, its temperature range, and how useful it would be when added to the average kitchen. 

Cooking quality: I tested various foods using both the grill and griddle plates to evaluate how well the Ninja Sizzle performed overall. I looked for a quality, even, and thorough cook, and also considered how well the product performed with different foods. 

Ease of use: As I tested the Ninja Sizzle, I thought about how easy it was to use, including its assembly, the clarity of the instructions, and how quickly I was able to start using the product. 

Ease of cleaning: I evaluated the process of cleaning and maintaining the Ninja Sizzle. I considered whether any components were dishwasher-safe or whether they needed to be hand washed. I also evaluated how easy it was to clean each component.  

The Cuisinart Basket Air Fryer has all the best features users love about air fryers — it's versatile and lightens calories. While many air fryers are cumbersome and have too many confusing settings, this model from Cuisinart seeks to strike a balance.

The machine has a more compact design, but it’s still capable of air frying up to two pounds of French fries at a time. Its control panel features five cooking functions and five presets, as well as features like a toss notification and timer, so while it’s still plenty versatile, it isn’t overwhelming.

The air fryer is very quiet while operating, resembling a small fan that’s running in the background. I found that I was able to hear the timer and notifications well from the living room adjoining the kitchen, but the sounds might be a little quiet to hear if you have a louder home environment. 

Cuisinart Basket Air Fryer review

Cuisinart Basket Air Fryer specifications

What I thought of the Cuisinart Basket air fryer

The Cuisinart Basket Air Fryer is a user-friendly, air fryer without tons of bells and whistles. With five cooking functions and five presets, it gives you plenty of options without being overwhelming. Features like the automatic keep-warm function and toss notification contribute to its overall ease of use, and the machine performed very well during all of our tests. It can't fry a chicken over four pounds, but its design makes it practical for anyone with limited kitchen space. The main issues I encountered centered around determining the right cooking time for the foods I was preparing. That issue was pretty easy to fix as I became more familiar with this small kitchen appliance.

Setting up the Cuisinart Basket Air Fryer

The setup was very easy. The crisper plate securely fits into the base of the crisper basket, thanks to four rubber feet. I had to remove two pieces of tape securing the crisper basket in place and also remove the label from the front of the crisper basket. 

Using the Cuisinart Basket Air Fryer

The air fryer comes with a booklet containing 21 air fryer recipes. These included cinnamon rolls, nachos, chicken Caesar salad, and beef sliders (just in case you wondered about what you could cook in an air fryer). I made the donut bites, following the guidelines.

Test 1: Donut bites

When cooking the donut bites, I was pleased to see that it was easy to adjust the temperature setting and timer. The digital display is clear and easy to read, and though I wish the buttons were slightly more sensitive, holding down the buttons lets you scroll through temperatures or time settings, ideal for making large adjustments. At the end of a cooking cycle, the air fryer automatically shuts the cooking function off and turns on the “keep warm” function. 

The donut bites turned out very well and cooked for eight minutes. I used the settings specified in the recipe and they were evenly cooked without being overcooked. It’s a recipe that I would make again, and I was surprised to discover how good they tasted. 

Test 2: Cooking vegetables

Finding the right cooking time for other items proved a bit more challenging. I used the vegetable setting to cook Brussels sprouts that I had sliced and marinated in a balsamic vinaigrette. I let the setting run for one of its automated cook cycles but found that I needed to run it for a second cycle before they were thoroughly cooked. 

Test three: Cooking French fries

The air fryer is capable of frying up to two pounds of French fries at a time. I used it to air-fry individual servings on three occasions. On my first attempt, I overestimated the time and some of the fries were burnt. I adjusted the time on the subsequent attempts and was rewarded with fries that were evenly cooked and crispy. 

It is equipped with a toss notification, which you can turn on and off with the push of a button. I found this notification very helpful when cooking the Brussels sprouts, bacon, and fries. It seems to go off about two-thirds of the way through a cook cycle, and the machine automatically shuts off when you pull out the drawer to toss or turn the food. It starts right up again when the drawer is reinserted, and I think that feature is part of what contributes to such an even, thorough cook. 

Other tests

I used the machine to air-fry bacon. On my first attempt, I overestimated the cooking time needed and ended up with overcooked and very crisp bacon. I reduced the cooking time for my second attempt and found the bacon perfectly cooked. Using the crisper plate keeps the bacon out of the grease, and it ends up crispier than when cooked in your best non-stick fry pan.

Cleaning the Cuisinart Basket Air Fryer

The air fryer features a stainless steel finish that easily wipes clean with a damp microfiber cloth (you can pick these up from Amazon). The interior walls can be cleaned with that same damp cloth and mild liquid detergent. I found that the interior started to form residue quickly and that I needed to clean the air fryer after every use. 

The basket and crisper plate are dishwasher safe. I wiped them with Bounty essentials paper towel (available from Amazon) after cooking anything greasy. I also hand-washed them and found that thanks to their nonstick surfaces, they cleaned up well, even after cooking greasy foods like bacon. 

Should you buy the Cuisinart Basket Air Fryer

All in all, the Cuisinart Basket Air Fryer is easy to use, and it’s hard to find fault with it. The drawer’s handle is generously sized and offers a secure feel. I didn’t encounter any issues with the machine’s operation, and while it features five cook modes and plenty of options, it isn’t so full of features and options that it’s overwhelming.

Comparisons

If you're looking for a similar-looking air fryer with a clear viewing window, do read our Paris Rhone air fryer review (slightly smaller, but cheaper at 5.3 quarts), or the Gourmia Fry 'n fold air fryer review (rated 4 out of 5 stars, but larger).

Last time we checked, the Paris Rhone air fryer was on sale on the brand's site, and the Gourmia Fry 'n fold air fryer could be snapped up for under $80 at Target. 

How we test air fryers

Cuisinart sent me the product, and I tested it for several weeks in my home. Here are some of the things I look out for when testing air fryers:

Packaging: The Cuisinart Basket air fryer arrived double-boxed and in excellent condition. The packaging used no Styrofoam, instead relying on cardboard inserts to hold the components secure. Each piece was also wrapped in a protective plastic layer. Included, was also a two-page guide with lots of helpful information on operation, troubleshooting, and preset/function recommendations.

Operation: I considered the overall experience of operating the air fryer, including how clear the instructions were, how easily I was able to learn the settings, and how well the machine performed in each of my tests. I used several types of foods and cooking modes, and looked for consistency and overall quality, even cooking. 

Ease of use: In determining the machine’s ease of use, I looked at factors including instructions, time-saving features, and how simple the overall operation is. I also considered how smoothly I was able to remove and insert the drawer and fryer plate, and how easily I could insert and remove food. 

Ease of cleaning: I also considered how easy the machine is to clean. I gave bonus points for the ability to clean components in the dishwasher and tested to see if I could easily wipe the machine’s exterior and interior clean. 

When I saw the glass frying basket that came with the Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold air fryer — I was sold. Why hadn’t anyone thought of the clear basket before? It's so useful to see the status of what you're cooking without having to open the appliance up and lose heat.

The Gourmia Fry 'N Fold air fryer lets you watch what’s happening in real-time. But don’t worry about keeping an eye to know when it's time to shake or turn its contents — it'll tells you when it’s time. When it's done, this air fryer stacks into itself, taking up less counter or cabinet space than any air fryer I’ve seen.

However, there are a few design flaws that stop me from calling this the best air fryer, including grates that let stray food fall through, a strange metal-look piece in the bottom of the frying basket, and sharp edges that you have to watch out for. Plus, it looks like a halogen oven.

Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold air fryer review

Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold air fryer specifications

What I thought of the Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold air fryer

Its seven-quart basket size is what I'd consider to be the most versatile small air fryer size. It's big enough for two servings of fries without having to layer food. You can fit enough meat in there for four people, or two people with leftovers for the next day. 

The FryForce 360° Technology cooked fries to crispy perfection, chicken thighs were juicy inside, and diced sweet potatoes were crunchy and delicious. I found this small kitchen appliance cooked food faster than the setting defaults, so it’s worth watching your food closely (through the glass basket) to know when it's ready. 

Unboxing the Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold air fryer

The Gourmia Fry 'N Fold air fryer comes mostly pre-assembled. It was securely packed — a major relief, given the glass. I removed the stickers and labels, popped the pieces together and it was ready to go. I cleaned the basket and crisper tray with Dawn dish soap (available from Amazon) and hot water first. 

Gourmia includes a detailed manual as well as a recipe book. The latter had so many air fryer recipes, including how to make scones, coffee cake, and, grilled cheese using the bake function. Even the most seasoned user will be surprised about what you can cook in an air fryer.

Using the Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold air fryer

While there are lots of buttons on the digital touch screen at the top of the Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold: Don’t worry — it’s easy to figure out. 

To set it up, put the crisping tray in the frying basket. It should fit snugly thanks to the grips on each side. Then, if you’re making fries (my first test dish), hit the fries button to start its preheat. 

Once the preheat warms up, you’ll get a notification to “Add Your Food.” Put your food on top of the crisping tray. In theory, you do not need any oil in this air fryer, though I like to give my fries, chicken, or whatever it might be a light spritz — just for extra crisp.

Halfway through, you’ll get a notification to “Turn Your Food.” Of course, throughout this process, you can check on your dish by peering through the basket. If you need more light, hit the light button to get an even better look. 

You can turn off both the preheat and turn reminder notifications — but I found them incredibly helpful.

Then, you just wait for the time to be up (or stop it early if the food looks done). I used the fries setting for my sweet potatoes and for the chicken thighs, I customized the settings according to the recipe I was making. It was easy and intuitive. 

Gourmia has a few air fryer do's and don'ts, such as making sure there is at least four inches of space around every side of the air fryer for ventilation. And, if you do add cooking oil, avoid canned sprays.

How to clean and maintain the Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold air fryer

After you’re done using the Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold, let it cool completely before cleaning the air fryer. This is extra important given the glass basket. You can, however, remove the basket to speed up this process.

The crisper tray can go in the top rack of the dishwasher, but the glass basket should be hand washed. If the rest of the air fryer needs cleaning, use a damp microfiber cloth (like these from Amazon Basics) with a small amount of dish soap if necessary. 

You can also clean the inside of the machine that way. The cord folds up into the back of the machine, and the top of the machine flips over to store within the basket. It becomes half the size, which is perfect for small spaces.

Should you buy the the Gourmia Fry ‘N Fold air fryer

At $79.99, this seven-quart foldable air fryer provides great value for money and comes with a one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase. 

If you’ve resisted jumping on the air fryer hype because of the space, money, or both, now's the time to join the club. Serial food burner? This glass basket will save you from a ruined dinner.

If the glass basket deters you, but you still want to see what's inside, the Paris Rhone  air fryer (available on Amazon) is a great choice. We gave it 4.5 stars out of 5 in our Paris Rhone air fryer review.

How we test air fryers

The Gourmia Fry 'N Fold Digital air fryer was sent to me by the brand, and I used it over a several-week period. Here are a few things I like to look out for when test air fryers:

A shot of Joe is one of my favorite treats, and with the Mr. Coffee Steam Espresso Maker, I can easily make them right in the comfort of my own home — and save a little cash in the process. To see if this budget-friendly espresso maker is worth bringing home, I tested it out for a week (I'm a product reviewer specializing in home and kitchen products), making lots of lattes to replace my morning cup. 

While the appliance does have a few quirks, I thought its overall performance was impressive considering its compact size and wallet-friendly price point, and I’ll be keeping it around for those times I need an extra jolt of caffeine. 

This compact espresso maker is a new release from Mr. Coffee, which is known for its budget-friendly kitchen appliances, and it’s surprisingly affordable at just $60. In addition to brewing fresh shots of espresso, it’s equipped with an easy-to-use milk frother so you can whip up lattes and cappuccinos that will rival your favorite barista’s. That’s not to say it's perfect. The tamp isn’t very effective, and you have to wrestle the portafilter into place. Not to mention, all the pieces are hand-wash only. However, none of these factors are deal breakers.

• Model number: BVMCECM-STMMN-BL
• Dimensions (in.): H12.28 x W6.46 x L8.62
• Weight: 4 lbs
• Water tank capacity: 8 fl oz (US)
• Cord length (in): 24
• Wattage: 900W
• Accessories included: Plastic water pitcher, plastic espresso measuring scoop, and stainless steel milk-frothing pitcher.

Mr. Coffee Steam Espresso Maker review

Setting up the espresso maker

When this small coffee maker arrived, I was surprised at how light the box was. The appliance was packaged in a thick layer of foam and wrapped in an additional plastic bag — not the most sustainable — but it was fully assembled right out of the box. All I had to do was remove a few pieces of tape holding the drip tray in place and insert the portafilter. Before using the coffee maker for the first time, the manual says to run water through it to rinse it out.

Using the espresso maker

To make an espresso, start by filling up the water tank using the measuring cup that comes in the box, using its lines to pour the right amount of water for either two or four shots of espresso. There’s no option for a single shot, but I found you can stop the brew cycle when you have as much espresso as you want.

Next, I used the included scoop to put ground espresso into the portafilter — the handle-like piece that has a little basket on the end for your coffee grounds. Again, there are lines to let you choose between 2-4 shots, but they’re on the outside of the filter basket, making it tricky to fill precisely. 

The back of the scoop is flat, allowing you to tamp down the espresso, but honestly, it’s pretty ineffective. If you buy this machine, I’d recommend picking up a cheap tamper (a small tool to push down coffee grounds) more effectively. This 51mm stainless steel coffee tamper on Amazon is cheap and highly-rated by shoppers.

Putting the portafilter into the machine is a task that’s easier said than done. The manual says it’s a tight fit — and they weren’t kidding! Because the machine is so lightweight, it tends to slide around as you twist the portafilter into place, so you have to use some muscle to hold it down and twist the handle. 

Hopefully, it will loosen up over time, otherwise, you’re in for an arm workout every time you want to make a drink! This is worth keeping in mind if you have any trouble with your grip strength.

Test 1: Making espresso

To use this coffee maker, you simply turn the dial on the side of the machine to start brewing. It takes around two minutes for the water to heat up, before it presses hot steam through the espresso grounds to extract all that delicious caffeine. I have a special espresso glass that’s perfect for one shot, but I found it’s easier to brew into a mug — it splatters a lot less.

I don’t consider myself an espresso connoisseur, but I thought the drink was pretty good! There wasn’t a thick layer of crema (the reddish foam on espressos) like other fancier machines create, but it was still flavorful and the foundation for a great latte. 

Test 2: Frothing milk

The Mr. Coffee Steam Espresso Maker has a built-in milk frother on the right side that allows you to froth milk for your drinks, and the small kitchen appliance also comes with a handy metal pitcher for the task. 

If you’re making an espresso drink, the instructions say you should pause the machine mid-brew to froth your drink. However, I also successfully did it after the brewing was complete, so I don’t think it matters when you do it, as long as there’s hot steam left. 

I filled the pitcher roughly halfway full with milk, then inserted the spigot (the little faucet where the espresso comes out) under the surface of the liquid. I turned the dial to the froth setting, and it started jetting out hot steam and making the milk bubble. 

The milk steadily increased in volume (which is why you don’t want to fill the pitcher up too high) and temperature, and I turned it off when the outside of the pitcher was hot to the touch. 

Once my milk was ready, it was just a matter of pouring the espresso and milk into a mug. I also added a pump of delicious DaVinci caramel syrup (from Amazon), a scoop of sugar, and voila! A delicious latte. It tasted every bit as good as the ones I buy, and even my partner gave the drinks two thumbs up.

Cleaning the espresso maker

Cleaning this coffee maker is fiddly, but only takes a few minutes. The first, and most important, step is to release any extra steam in the machine. To do this, you unplug it, then turn the dial to the steam setting. It will sputter out any leftover steam, and only then is it safe to take off the water tank lid.

Beyond that, you just need to wash the portafilter and frothing spigot. I dumped my used espresso into the trash, then rinsed out the filter and portafilter. Occasionally, there was a bit of residue left inside them, but it wiped off easily with a sponge. 

A reminder that these pieces are hand-wash only — it says it on the handle — so don’t risk ruining them by putting them in the dishwasher. As for the spigot, the black rubber cap slips off for easy rinsing, and you can wipe down any lingering milk foam with a sponge or paper towel.

How does it compare?

The Mr. Coffee Steam Espresso Maker is one of the cheapest espresso makers we've tested, but there are better-looking designs out there, with larger water tanks so you don't have to fill it as often. All of the alternate options I've listed have longer cable lengths too; one of the things I wish I knew before buying a small coffee maker for
my power outlet-poor kitchen.

How we test espresso makers

Here’s what I looked for while trying out the machine, in line with how the internal Real Homes team tests coffee makers: 

Unboxing: I looked at how well the machine was packaged and if the materials were sustainable (such as using cardboard instead of Styrofoam). 

Operation: After reading through the instruction manual, I made multiple drinks, and observed how long the machine took to warm up, how easy the controls were to operate, and how loud it was.

Drink quality: I made several drinks with the coffee maker, including espresso and lattes, and as I drank each one, I evaluated the brew strength and temperature. I also made drinks for friends and family to get their opinions on the flavor. 

Ease of use: I considered whether the appliance was easy and intuitive to operate. I also looked at the machine’s instructions, noting whether they were clearly written and easy to follow.  

Ease of cleaning: I cleaned the machine after each use, noting how long it took and if any special tools were required. 

As a staunch air-fryer lover, The COSORI TurboBlaze air fryer has been a true testing highlight and one of the best I've tried. And I would know, given that I use an air fryer for everything from reheating leftovers, to cooking meat and giving vegetables the perfect crunchy kick. 

My usual air fryer is large, chunky, and lives in a cabinet, despite my frequent use, simply because of how much space it takes up on my counter. Trying the COSORI TurboBlaze has been a gamechanger. I was excited to see how it would compare to the larger model I’ve used for years, and whether its small profile could still cook food with the same energy. Spoiler: it doesn't disappoint!

Sure enough, this air fryer proves great things can come in small, well-designed packages. From its sleek, minimalist exterior to its incredibly easy-to-use control panel to the well-thought-out details, including a crisping tray that is secured in place, this is one of the most functional kitchen appliances I’ve ever used. 

Did I mention it turned a lightly seasoned package of chicken thighs into the juiciest and easiest recipe I’ve made in ages? It might just be enough to make me take over all cooking duties in my household. 

• Model name: Cosori TurboBlaze™ 6.0-Quart Air Fryer
• Dimensions (in.): H11.8 x W14.4 x L11.9
• Weight: 13.2 lbs
• Wattage: 1725 Watts
• Capacity: 6 qt
• Temperature range: 90°–450°F / 30°–230°C
• Functions: Air fry, bake, roast, broil, dehydrate, frozen, proof, reheat, and keep warm
• Power supply: AC 120V, 60Hz

COSORI TurboBlaze air fryer review

What I thought of the Cosori TurboBlaze air fryer

Testing the Cosori TurboBlaze air fryer

While my first impression of the COSORI TurboBlaze air fryer was taking in its good looks, functionality-wise, the COSORI TurboBlaze air fryer turned out to be one of the best air fryers I’ve tried. 

It’s fast and it crisps food perfectly. I put skinless chicken thighs in there, and you would have sworn they had skin on them. The outside had a satisfying crisp and the inside was mouthwateringly juicy. From fries to Brussels sprouts, all of my air fryer recipes came out just as I’d hoped. I even tried a frozen cookie from Levain’s in the air fryer after hearing that’s the best way to reheat them. I can now 100% confirm — and that experiment made me incredibly grateful for the bake function.

The sheer number of functions available is mind-blowing. You can do anything from a one-minute reheat to a 24-hour dehydrating function. That’s not one I’ve tried yet, but perhaps I’ll come back here in a few weeks with an update. 

There was only one little snag in my first use of it, in that I was a bit confused by having to preheat. I've used a few small air fryers in my day, and I can’t recall a single one having a preheat button. But, COSORI makes you fully preheat with a separate setting, before you can select the time you’ll cook your item. 

Despite the extra step, I like that it has the preheat because the air fryer feels ready to go by the time you add the food in. However, it's slightly awkward that you have to first let the preheat run, and only then can you choose how you’re going to cook your item. 

Still, the control panel is simple to use. Depending on the setting you choose, you’ll then see the fan bar, time, and temperature, which can all be adjusted to accommodate the type of cooking you're doing.

The basket and crisping tray are surprisingly large for the size of the air fryer, and COSORI boasts that it can fit food for three to five people. I believe it. I only made food for two, but we had leftovers for another meal. That adds up to four portions, so I’m going with COSORI’s word. 

There are also tiny details that make a big difference in this small kitchen appliance, like the silicone stoppers that keep the crisping tray secured in place when you’re dumping out a deliciously crisp batch of fries, or cleaning out any residual grease, and the safety lock on the basket.

Here’s why I think air fryers are worth it: They are usually so incredibly easy to assemble, and the COSORI TurboBlaze was no exception. It came securely packed with the crisping tray on top of a styrofoam piece and the air fryer and basket below. While I never love styrofoam, it kept it perfectly in place. 

I took the three pieces out, put them together, took off a few stickers, and I had my new air fryer. There was also an instruction manual and 56-page recipe book included. I don’t always keep the recipe books that come with appliances, but this one is going to earn a spot in my kitchen for at least a few weeks.

Before using it for the first time, I washed the basket and tray with Gain dish soap (available from Amazon) and water, then wiped down the machine itself with a damp microfiber cleaning cloth (I buy these in bulk from Amazon). Super easy and took only a few minutes.

Using the COSORI TurboBlaze air fryer

There are quite a few controls on the top of the TurboBlaze, but it’s an easy machine to use and fairly intuitive. First, you’ll place the crisping tray in the basket. Then, the air fryer should be preheated for four minutes at 400° Fahrenheit unless it’s already been used, and still hot. When it’s ready, it’ll beep and show “End” on the display. 

The next step depends on your goal for that meal. Are you baking? Roasting? Boiling? You’ll select the button for your particular food, then adjust the suggested time and temperature as needed. When you have it to the right setting, hit the play button. And that’s it! You can flip your food halfway through or simply divide the time in two and do it in two sets. 

A few tips from COSORI include avoiding overfilling the basket since that can impact cooking, adding up to two tablespoons of oil to add crisp, air frying frozen foods to get them hot and fresh, and putting aluminum foil (i.e: Reynold's Wrap from Amazon) down before attempting to bake any type of dough.

Test 1: Cooking chicken

Chicken thighs are one of the gold-standard foods to cook in an air fryer. You know they're going to come out consistently yummy. I used skinless, boneless chicken thighs sprayed with a bit of avocado oil and seasoned with Mediterranean herbs.

With the air fryer on 450°Fahrenheit, I did approximately 14 minutes on each side. I've seen in reviews online that some people expected a notification to flip their food halfway through, but I didn't find it a big deal to just split the time in half. I ended up taking them out early to check the temperature, and, voila, they were actually done early and came out a perfectly juicy, golden brown. 

Test 2: Reheating a storebought cookie

If you've ever had a cookie from the world-famous Levain's Bakery, you know they're delicious, gigantic, thick cookies. I received a dozen as a gift, and was told to freeze what I couldn't eat and use the air fryer to reheat. I used testing the TurboBlaze as an excuse to eat one more. I chose the Bake function and put eight minutes on the clock. The result was a perfectly gooey on the inside, crisp on the outside, chocolate cookie.

Cleaning and maintaining the COSORI TurboBlaze air fryer

Air fryers aren’t known for being difficult to clean, but some details can make life easier or harder. Thankfully the TurboBlaze makes it easier because the crisper plate fits securely into the basket, you can turn it upside down to shake out any crumbs without worrying that you’re going to lose the crisper plate in the trash (a constant worry with an air fryer I used to have).

Both pieces are easy to wash in the sink with liquid soap and a sponge (or this non-scratch Scotch-Brite dishwand from Amazon). Though all accessories are also dishwasher-safe, which is a serious win. For stubborn grease, which is always a concern with air fryers, COSORI suggests cleaning the air fryer with a 2:1 baking soda (available from Amazon) to water paste, and spreading it on those areas. Leave it for 15 minutes before rinsing and washing.

The outside can be wiped down with a damp rag. And, of course, turn the machine off and unplug it before you do any type of cleaning. 

Is the COSORI TurboBlaze air fryer right for you?

If you’re looking for a reasonably priced air fryer with a small footprint and big capabilities, then the COSORI TurboBlaze could be the answer. This sleek machine is smaller than other 6-quart air fryers, yet it packs a punch with its settings. 

From the preheat, which makes for crispier, better-cooked food, to settings including reheat, bake, and proof, this machine is a great substitute for someone who doesn’t have a full-size oven because they live in a dorm room, or other small space. It’s also great for those who don’t have storage space for an air fryer and need a model that takes up less kitchen counter space.

Good to know

Warranty
A two-year limited warranty from the date of purchase is included with the COSORI TurboBlaze air fryer.

Where to buy the COSORI TurboBlaze air fryer

The COSORI TurboBlaze™ is available through COSORI, Amazon, and Walmart. 

If this one isn't for you, our team has tried and tested similar models, including another from the same brand, just in case you're trying to figure out which COSORI air fryer to buy.

How we test air fryers

We have a set process for testing air fryers at Real Homes. As is the case with all products we review, we match the reviewer with the air fryer. I used it for fries, chicken, cookies, reheating leftovers, and any of the multitude of ways you can imagine using an air fryer. I experimented with all the many settings and wondered way too many times why more air fryers don’t have a preheat setting.

Here are a few things I like to look out for when testing air fryers:

Basket: Is the basket easy to remove and replace? Does it hold into place?

Operation: How easy is it to use? Are the prompts/buttons legible? Do I know when the machine is done?

Controls: Are the settings easy to use with the help of the instruction guide? Are they clearly labeled? Is it easy to remember which ones do which?

Cleaning: How easy is it to clean? Does the cleaning basket easily pop in and out?

Functionality of features: Here I may look at any standout features. In the case of the COSORI TurboBlaze, the preheat function as well as the multiple functions, including bake and dry, were worth noting.

I make a latte every morning and Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe is making my obsession a little bit easier. With this latest foray into the espresso world, the Prima Latte Luxe has a fancy name for a fancy but easy-to-use machine. 

This compact espresso maker brews single and double shots of espresso, cappuccino, and latte. I just press a button and velvety frothed milk and perfectly smooth espresso are dispensed in the exact right proportions, right before my eyes.

Before adding this machine to my kitchen countertop, you could have asked me for a latte or a cappuccino, and I would have handed you the same thing each time — milk and espresso, right? 

But they are not the same and now, this machine makes them for me, knocking out the need to figure out how to do the slightly varied processes for each. I’m still not sure of the difference, but I don’t need to be! Mr. Coffee’s got it covered. Single. Double. Latte. Cappuccino. This machine makes it all.

And, before you say, "Doesn’t Mr. Coffee just do basic coffee makers?" Let me tell you, Mr. Coffee is proving they’re so much more. They’ve figured out the recipe for making the best small coffee makers with beverages as good as anything you’ll get in a coffee shop. I haven’t bought a single latte since I started using this machine two weeks ago, which speaks for itself.

Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe review

What I thought of the Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe

I’ve used a Mr. Coffee machine before with great results and I’m always game for an easier way to make an espresso drink, so I was pumped to try out this machine. Once you get the hang of it, it's the easiest espresso maker to use. In the past, I’ve used more manual espresso machines, actively holding the milk-frothing pitcher and hoping I’m getting the right texture. This does it all for you at the touch of a button.

The design is clever, with a two-sided scoop to give you exactly the grounds you need for a single or a double shot of espresso. The filters easily pop into the portafilter. The drip tray adjusts to accommodate everything from your travel mug to a dainty espresso cup. And you can’t beat the milk reservoir, which has a lid for keeping it in the refrigerator. That means you can fill it up once, then have it ready to go for days on end. 

Want a latte? Just hit the button. Want to make it a double? Again, a button. Want to add an extra shot of espresso? There’s a button for that. It’s so incredibly easy. Each drink is creamy and the milk is always beautifully frothed. Even plain espresso has a thick, impressive crema (the froth on top of an espresso).

Clean-up is just as easy, with multiple parts being dishwasher-friendly. My only hiccup throughout the process was wishing there had been a quick start guide to get me up and moving. I’m someone who looks at a booklet full of directions and just wants to get to the end, so having an easy-to-follow quick-start guide is always preferred to a manual. But, hey, maybe that’s coming after this great coffee maker has been on the market a bit longer.

Testing the Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe coffee maker

Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe specifications

• Model name: Mr. Coffee® Prima Latte Luxe
• Dimensions (in.): H16 x W11.7 x L13.3   
• Water capacity: 800 ml
• Wattage: 500 watts
• Material: Plastic
• Compatibility: ESE pod compatible

Unboxing and setting up the Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe

The Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe espresso maker came securely packaged in a corrugated cardboard box inside a reasonably sized cardboard box. I didn’t have to dig through an abundance of packaging just to get to my new espresso machine. Instead, I just pulled it out, spent some time taking the stickers off (always so many stickers), took out the red plug from the water reservoir, and then referenced the guide to help put it together.

The machine is mostly assembled, though you’ll need to put the milk reservoir, water reservoir, and drip trays into place. I found those to be a little bit finicky, and I did go back and forth between the manual and the machine to try to make sense of the parts. I spent a few minutes fiddling with the drip tray before I got it right. The milk reservoir also takes some precision to snap it into place. However, none of these complaints are deal breakers. They're quirks in the design, but you'll get used to them (probably quicker than I have).

Mr. Coffee included everything you need, including the coffee scoop for pre-measured espresso, two filters for the portafilter, and a lid and an extra straw for the milk reservoir. The machine is super and sleek, but one thing that you may notice is all the parts are shiny plastic. This feels a little at odds with the $399 price tag, and perhaps one of the things you wish you knew before buying this small coffee maker. But, the machine still feels solid and looks sleek.

Before you make your first drink, wash the water reservoir, milk reservoir, milk system components, portafilter, filters, and scoop tamp with mild detergent and water. Then prime the machine, which involves filling the milk and water to the max lines, then running a manual espresso cycle and a manual froth cycle. As soon as those finish, you’re ready to start brewing.

Using the Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe

Back to my earlier gripe, I do wish there was a quick start guide with the Prima Latte Luxe, but, alas, the manual will have to do. It’s detailed, which is great, even explaining the type of coffee to use (freshly ground, fine grind, resembling the size of table salt) or ESE capsules (Easy Serving Espresso), if you want to use it like a pod coffee maker).

To start, turn the machine on. This machine does take a minute to warm up, but there is a progress bar along the control panel that shows you when it’s ready to use. Make sure the water reservoir is filled, and then fill the milk reservoir if you want to make a latte or cappuccino. 

You can fill it to the minimum level if you only plan on making one or fill it to the max if you prefer to have it full and ready to go when you are (use the lid to keep it airtight between uses in the fridge!). The milk reservoir snaps on, though it does take a minute to figure out how to make sure it’s securely in. You’ll know it’s not if the latte and cappuccino options don’t light up.

Decide how much caffeine you need. There’s both a single shot and a double shot filter and the two-sided scoop lets you put exactly the right amount of coffee into that filter. If you want to get fancy, use the no-mess feature, which involves a quick flip of the scoop into the filter. For me, that was a little more trouble than it was worth when making a double shot (single was fine to navigate), but perhaps that’s a human coordination error on my part.

The portafilter takes a strong turn to make sure it’s in the machine, which I appreciate. You know you’re getting a solid seal. You’ll want to move the drip tray to accommodate the size mug or cup you’re using or you risk making a mess of milk an espresso. This piece also takes a little bit of finagling, but, eventually, you’ll learn the right angle to get it in on the first try. In my opinion, the best coffee mugs for this machine are wide and low. You need a wide enough surface that both the milk and the espresso can dispense into it with you having to nudge the cup.

Making espresso

With everything in place, you’re all set to caffeinate. With the clear touch screen, select one or two shots for espresso, cappuccino, or latte. Then press the play button. 

The drink cycle runs through on its own and beeps when it’s done (something I take for granted when a machine has it, but notice when it doesn't). I love that I don’t have to go back to the machine between espresso and milk. It just does it all. It's like having my own personal barista in the kitchen. 

Want to add a little extra something? You can also manually add another espresso shot or manually froth milk.

One note — I found myself repeatedly forgetting to turn the machine off after using it. Luckily, I must not be the only one. There’s an auto-off feature that shuts the machine off after 15 minutes. It can then be turned back with any button, though, ideally, you’ll turn it off correctly. 

Cleaning the Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe

After each use, you’ll want to clean all of the frothing components, run a shot of “espresso” without the portafilter in, and rinse out the drip tray. This machine makes it incredibly easy with a cleaning option right on the milk reservoir. Just make sure there’s a cup ready to catch the extra grounds water and froth.

The milk reservoir, and water reservoir are dishwasher safe, while everything else should be washed with warm water and mild detergent (an unscented dish soap on Amazon will do just fine). And, word from the wise, don’t run the portafilter through the dishwasher. I haven’t had it happen with this machine, but I did once have a houseguest run another portafilter through and RIP to the portafilter — not the guest.

When cleaning any coffee maker, you do want to descale it regularly. Mr. Coffee recommends descaling every 80 uses if you have soft or filtered water, and every 40 uses with hard or tap water.

This can be done easily by putting white household vinegar in the water reservoir overnight, then rinsing it thoroughly, and running a half-full tank of water shots through twice. My colleagues at Real Homes have a whole guide on how to clean a coffee make with vinegar plus a ton of other coffee maker cleaning hacks and coffee maker cleaning mistakes to avoid.

Is the Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe right for you?

If you want the delicious taste of latte and cappuccino drinks at home but also love simple single-serve coffee makers, then this Prima Latte Luxe is absolutely for you. This machine makes barista-level espresso and espresso drinks, but it does it in a foolproof way. There are still a few quirks in the design, but nothing that affects the taste or quality of the drinks.

Mr. Coffee has created a machine that’s easy-to-use and incredibly simple. At $399, it’s pricier than most Mr. Coffee machines, but it’s a steal for an espresso maker with an automated approach. 

Good to know

Instructions
The Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe has an instruction guide to walk you through how to use the machine for espresso, cappuccinos, and lattes. It isn't available online so make sure you hang on to yours.

Warranty
A one-year warranty from the date of purchase is included with the Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe.

Where to buy the Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe

The Mr. Coffee Prima Latte Luxe is a brand-new product that is currently only available through Amazon.

However, if this isn't the right coffee maker for you, we've rounded up good alternatives to mull over.

How we test coffee makers

We have a set process for testing coffee makers at Real Homes. As is the case with all products we review, we match the reviewer with the espresso maker.

Here are a few things I like to look out for when testing espresso machines:

Water tank: When looking at the water tank, I assess whether it’s easy to fill and whether it’s easy to clean.

Operation: How easy is it to use this coffee maker? Are the prompts/buttons legible? Do I know when the machine is done?

Type of coffee: What type of coffee does this machine take? Is it clear how much product I need to use to make coffee?

Cleaning and descaling: How easy is it to provide maintenance for the machine? This may involve anything from removing coffee stains to getting rid of limescale.

Functionality of features: Here I may look at any standout features. In the case of the Mr. Coffee® Prima Latte Luxe, I noted the ease in making a latte, cappuccino, and espresso, all of which were accurate to their descriptions. The milk frother functionality was a game changer.

I love a healthy dinner, less the mess or time it takes. Ninja Speedi solves both of those issues, unlocking the ability to cook one-pot-style in as little as 15 minutes. The result is good food, fast, feeding of up to four people.

We haven't got kids, but this multicooker is perfect for a two-person dinner, plus leftovers for work the next day. My husband loves my cooking but hates how many pots and pans I use in the process. Could this meal-prepping machine might be the makings of a long and happy marriage?

The Ninja Speedi is an air fryer that uses steam and crisp technology to cook juicy chicken, al dente pasta, and cooked vegetables that keep their crunch. After a demo at SharkNinja, I got to take the appliance away to use it at Future's test kitchen. Here are my thoughts.

Our comprehensive Ninja Speedi review

The short version

The Ninja Speedi is a rapid and easy to use. I simply load my chosen my carbs, protein, and veggies, click a button, and this appliance does the rest. If I'm low on inspiration, there's a chef-created recipe guide with cooking charts to steer me in the right direction.

Could it look a little prettier? Absolutely. But considering this 10-function electric pot replaces your steamer, oven, and air fryer, I could live with its lack of aesthetic appeal. It has weeknight dinners ready in under an hour, and the recipes available ensure I'm getting a balanced meal. 

On weekends, I use the Speedi to cook a full 4 lb roast chicken dinner (with the trimmings), but I've yet to try baking a chocolate fudge cake or slow-cooking a stew (sealing everything in the same pan).

Ninja Speedi specifications

Unboxing and setting up the Ninja Speedi

I always look forward to unboxing SharkNinja kitchen appliances. This brand packages its items sustainably with minimal plastic wrap.

And, they make use of the outer carton with QR codes, so you're not left with fiddly paper manuals in a food-based environment. Talking from experience, I have way too many coffee-ringed, dog-eared, and olive oil-painted pamphlets lying about.

Using the Ninja Speedi

To use this machine, pop your ingredients into the pot, on the rack (or both), then select one of the 10 cooking programs:

Then use the SmartSwitch (flipping it up for rapid cooker, and down for air fry/hob).

Test 1: teriyaki salmon rice bowl

I was interested to see how well the Ninja Speedi cooked fish. I enjoy salmon, but admittedly end up breaking the skin when broiling or baking it. So I was glad that this process was a little hands-off.

I'd worked my way through pasta and rice at NinjaHQ, so I prepared Ninja's Asian-inspired bowl, basting the filets in Teriyaki sauce, and a little sesame oil. As for the rice, this was essentially seven ounces of Basmati rice (rinsed to remove starch), a five-ounce portion of frozen veg, and 17 ounces of hot stock.

I placed the protein on the top rack, and the starch element in the pot, flipped the switch to the rapid cooker setting, and set the Speedi Meals setting to run at 350F for 10 mins.

After the time had elapsed, the flesh was perfectly-opaque and gently flaked. The rice-veg mix had also absorbed all of the broth, and our panel commented on how tender the grains were. The panel had reservations about using bagged mixed veg but were pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

Test 2: cooking bacon

I used the air fry function to cook five rashers of bacon for five minutes at 350°F. The results were crispy, and without any grease hitting me or the kitchen backsplash. It was great to not have to watch it (a downside when cooking rashers in your best non-stick frying pan, or under the broiler).

Test 3: French fries

French fries are a great litmus test to assess the air-frying abilities of the Ninja Speedi. In the past, fries given this treatment are either a little anemic or have charred ends. After cooking these chipped potatoes (for 18 minutes at 350°F) they had a moreish-crisp texture, where the Maillard effect had done its job.

Test 4: cooking rice

If you've always depended on microwavable rice or cooked boil-in-a-bag sachets on the hob, you'll be surprised at how well this machine cooks fluffy grains. It's like a rice cooker — but better. 

You'll still need to rinse the rice beforehand to remove excess starch and use a ratio of 1:1.5 rice: water (or better still, broth for added flavor). But other than that, it's foolproof. No rice sticking to the bottom of the pan, no stirring, and no gloopy texture.

Demonstrations at SharkNinja HQ

Cooking chicken breasts

Cooking skinless chicken breasts can be a disaster if you're not well-versed in preparing lean protein. Undercooked you risk salmonella, but overdone and they are dry and unpleasant to eat. 

Under the supervision of Ninja's professional chefs, our group prepared panko breadcrumbed supremes, setting the machine to 390°F, and time to 14 minutes.

The meat sits on the Cook & Crisp Tray, while the pasta quills sit in the bottom of the machine with your choice of liquid (i.e: water, stock, or another flavored base for it to absorb).

And did you spot 'Lid' notice on the Ninja Speedi's screen? This proves just how user-friendly this machine is, and is something I saw when reviewing the Ninja Foodi hot and cold blender. No weird codes or error messages — just simple, easy-to-read prompts.

I didn't manage to get a shot, but on the base level were all the ingredients for the Ninja broccoli alfredo pasta. Though this recipe cheats using store-bought sauce, our version included penne, grated garlic, butter, heavy cream, cream cheese, and parmesan. The result was a 1 lb serving of indulgent creamy pasta that I wanted to box up and take home. The textures were spot-on: the starch element was firm to the bite, and the veggies retained their color and snappiness.

Cooking a plant-based meal

Most air fryer recipes are centered around a meat option, but we haven't forgotten vegetarians or flexitarians. For this test, we cooked bell peppers and zucchini-wedged between cubes of Halloumi cheese to create kabobs. The finished result was cooked-but-crunchy Mediterranean veg, with mallowy-soft Cypriot cheese.

Cleaning and maintaning the Ninja Speedi

All the included accessories are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. If you want to work smart and not hard, you can also use the Steam setting to clean the inside of the lid and unit. Do be careful though, one drawback is the pot doesn't have any handles, so it can be very hot straight after cooking.

Rest assured, the non-stick ceramic coating on the cooking pot and crisp tray is effective and you won't need to soak or scrub it to death. Doing the latter may remove the protective layer, so it's best to use a soft sponge.

Note, that the Ninja Speedi also has a little condensation collector on the back to catch steam vapor. Once the unit has cooled, be sure to remove and decant it.

Good to know

If you're ever stuck on what to cook, Ninja has a helpful Speedi meal builder. Pick your ingredients, customize flavors, and create your own recipe in just five simple steps. I took a screen grab of the process, but the experience lets you pick bases, proteins, vegetables, seasonings, and toppings.

Should you buy the Ninja Speedi?

In some small kitchens, you might struggle with counter clearance and size. However, the Ninja Speedi avoids you having to have the oven or broiler on for your main, plus a pot on the hob for your side. Everything is done in one pot.

And, if you like soft textures in a slow-cooked meal — don't fret. As mentioned, pasta remains al dente, veggies aren't limp, and my salmon had (extra) crispy skin — all thanks to this air-fryer-cum-multicooker-contraption. But if you're just after a small air fryer to cook a few fries and nuggets — buy just that. 

One thing I do wish is that they would come out with more colors, as the sea salt grey doesn't quite fit into my taupe kitchen scheme. Admittedly, we haven't tried something as similar as this, but the closest comparison is the Ninja Foodi MAX 9-in-one Multi-Cooker which our reviewer awarded five stars.

How we test

This isn't a standard convection oven, but I used the same process of how we test air fryers to determine what score I was going to give it. I observed how it performed, how eco-friendly the packaging was, and if it was able to fit into a small rental kitchen. Unique to this review (and perhaps one other), I was invited to the brand's headquarters where I learned about the internal mechanics of this kitchen appliance.

I’ve tested out a lot of appliances, and the new Cosori Premium II Plus Air Fryer quickly solidified itself as one of my all-time favorites. It’s the perfect size, includes all the settings I want, none of the ones I don’t, and cooks my favorite foods just the way I like them — seriously, what more can you ask for?

Cosori is one of the most popular air fryer brands out there, forever occupying the bestsellers list on Amazon, and this new model proves they know what works and what doesn’t with these countertop appliances. The Premium II Plus has a spacious 6.5-quart basket that can fit food for the whole family, eliminating the need to cook in batches, and I’m obsessed with its window and inner light, which make it easy to monitor your meal — without interrupting the cooking cycle. 

These are just a few of the features making this one of the best air fryers around, and over several weeks of testing, I struggled to find anything that I didn’t like about the gadget. Here’s the low-down on everything I cooked in the Cosori Premium II Plus Air Fryer, and how it won me over in the kitchen. 

Cosori Premium II Plus Air Fryer review

As a product tester, there’s nothing more satisfying than finding a product that ticks all the right boxes, and the Cosori Premium II Plus Air Fryer did just that. It’s the ideal size to cook three, or even four, servings of food at a time, and the window on the front of the basket? Genius! It lets you quickly check the doneness of your food without having to constantly stop the cooking cycle, and after just a few weeks of use, it’s officially a feature I never want to live without.

While the design of this air fryer is great, the cooking performance is just as impressive. It delivers great results while cooking a variety of frozen foods, salmon filets, chicken breasts, and even when reheating multiple kinds of leftovers. It did take me a while to figure out all the controls, but I love the versatility the appliance offers — unlike most air fryers, this one lets you change its preset functions to meet your cooking preferences. Again, genius! Overall, it’s a thoughtfully designed appliance sure to please anyone who can’t live without an air fryer in their kitchen.

Cosori Premium II Plus Air Fryer specifications

• Model Number: CAF-P652-KUS
• Dimensions (in.): H12.7 x W11.8 x D14.6
• Weight: 12.6 pounds
• Capacity: 6.5 quarts
• Temperature range: 170-400℉
• Timer: 0-60 minutes
• Basket dimensions (in.): H3.5 x W9.8 x D9.8 
• Rated power: 1,700 watts
• Warranty: 2 years

Unboxing and setting up the Cosori Premium II Plus air fryer

It took around five minutes to get the Cosori Premium II Plus Air Fryer unboxed and set up. The package had a convenient carrying handle, and the appliance was surrounded by Styrofoam to prevent it from shifting around inside the box. After taking it out, all I had to do was remove the plastic bag and a few pieces of tape from the basket. There was also a piece of cardboard inside the basket that needed to be removed. 

When I plugged the air fryer in, its touchscreen control panel lit up. It clearly displays the cooking time and temperature in the middle, and there are a variety of one-touch cooking settings around it. Some buttons let you turn on a short preheat cycle or a mid-cycle “shake" setting.

It’s worth noting this air fryer doesn’t have a dehydration setting, nor does the temperature go low enough for most dehydrating recipes — the lowest temperature you can set it to is 170 degrees Fahrenheit. This isn’t ideal if you want to make apple chips in your air fryer, but personally, I never once used that setting on my old small air fryer, so I wasn’t bothered by its absence here. 

Cooking in the Cosori Premium II Plus Air Fryer Review

Cooking chicken bites

I put the most mileage on my air fryer cooking frozen foods like French fries — they cook faster and more evenly than they do in the oven. So naturally, the first thing I cooked in this small kitchen appliance was my latest obsession: frozen chicken bites.

I’ll admit I didn’t read the user manual before trialing any air fryer recipes, and I couldn’t figure out how to add preheating to my regular cooking cycle. In case you’re wondering, you need to first set the cooking time, temperature and then press preheat. The icon will turn blue to let you know it's on. 

I ended up running a preheat cycle separately, then set the air fryer to 350 degrees for 12 minutes with a mid-cycle shake reminder. I only cooked a single serving of the small breaded chicken pieces, but the basket could have easily fit three or four times more food, thanks to its square shape.

After six minutes, the air fryer beeped a few times, letting me know to shake the basket. The unit automatically pauses when you pull the basket out, and it starts back up on its own when the basket is back in place. When the cycle was finished, the unit beeped again before automatically shutting itself off. The chicken was perfectly crisp on the outside and piping hot inside, and it made for a quick and convenient lunch. 

Several mornings for breakfast, I cooked mini frozen hash browns in the air fryer, which didn’t come with specific air frying instructions. It took a little trial and error to find the right settings but ultimately, they come out browned and crispy when cooked at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, flipping mid-way. I love that I can pop them in to cook while I make scrambled eggs, and it’s quickly become one of my go-to breakfasts.

 Cooking salmon 

Before my next test with the air fryer, I took a minute to read through the manual, and I learned several things about the controls I wouldn’t have realised on my own. 

For instance, the unit has 12 one-touch cooking buttons, which are indicated by little icons like a chicken leg or French fries, and while they come preset with cooking times and temperatures, you can change the saved settings. The French fry button, for example, cooks for 18 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit, but I changed it to 12 minutes at 400 degrees. The ability to customize their settings makes the buttons infinitely more useful in my view.

With my newfound know-how, I decided to cook two small salmon filets in the air fryer. I used the seafood setting, which defaults to 10 minutes at 370 degrees Fahrenheit without a mid-cycle shake reminder. They ended up just a hair overdone — likely because they were quite small — but I was impressed that they released easily from the nonstick cooking surface, even though I forgot to spray them with cooking oil. 

Reheating stuffed peppers

While I love stuffed peppers, I don’t like reheating them in the microwave — they get too mushy. Instead, I prefer to pop them in the air fryer the next day, which crisps up the top and bottom. This air fryer doesn’t have a designated reheat setting, so I opted for the bake setting instead. After preheating the unit, I cooked the peppers at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for around eight minutes and monitored their doneness through the basket window, making sure the tops didn’t get too brown. 

By the time they were done cooking, the whole kitchen was filled with a mouth-watering smell. The cheese on top of the peppers was beautifully crisped, and the filling was warmed throughout, as well. It was definitely more appetizing than nuking them in the microwave, and my partner even wandered in to ask what I was cooking, since it smelled so good.

Later in the week, I also used this strategy to warm up some leftover pizza, and the results were equally impressive. The crust and pepperoni were toasty warm and crisp, while the cheese was melty and gooey. It practically tasted the same as it did freshly delivered!

Cooking chicken breasts

I wanted to meal prep some chicken salads at the beginning of the week, so I used the Cosori to cook two chicken breasts using the air fryer’s one-touch chicken function. This sets it to cook at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, and includes a mid-cycle shake (or in this case, flip) reminder. 

After the 20 minutes was up, the chicken was at the right internal temperature, and lightly browned on the outside. They were cooked all the way through and retained a lot of moisture, making the protein perfect for tossing on top of a salad for a quick meal on busy days. 

Cleaning and maintaining the Cosori Premium II Plus air fryer

Both the crisper plate and the basket itself have a nonstick, easy-to-clean finish. I’m not one for hand-washing dishes, but even I had no problem quickly wiping down the basket with some dish soap (I like this unscented detergent by Whole Foods on Amazon) and water. Even the toughest residue came out with a few passes with my Scrub Daddy sponge. You do have to be sure to clean the basket’s window, otherwise residue can make it hard to see inside. This is easily done with a damp microfiber cloth (such as MR.SIGA's bestselling ones on Amazon).

If you’re more of a hands-off cleaner, both the crisper plate and basket can go in the dishwasher, too. I put the crisper plate through a wash cycle after cooking chicken on it, and it came out sparkling clean. In summary — cleaning the air fryer is easy, requiring very few cleaning supplies.

How often you should clean this air fryer will depend on how frequently you use it, and what you cook in it. If you want to work smarter, not harder, invest in some air fryer liners.  Silicon liners from Amazon are reusable, but you can also use disposable parchment paper liners if you prefer. 

If you notice the outside of your air fryer gets a little gross, wipe it down with some Lysol disinfecting wipes from Amazon, or use some paper towel (such as Bounty Essentials) with a good antibacterial cleaner (like Method's lime and sea salt spray).

Good to know

The Cosori Premium II Plus air fryer comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, a two-year limited warranty, and free shipping if bought directly.

Is the Cosori Premium II Plus air fryer right for you?

If you’re an air fryer enthusiast looking for your next appliance, the Cosori Premium II Plus Air Fryer is a great pick. It’s slightly more expensive than several of the other models we’ve tested, but its spacious basket and customizable settings make this air fryer worth it if you use your air fryer regularly. 

Because of the higher price and the learning curve for operation, this probably isn’t the best air fryer for beginners — it’s better to start with a more basic (and cheaper) option to see if it’s something you’ll use regularly in your home. If you are inexperienced, we've covered what you can cook in an air fryer.

If this air fryer isn't the right product for you, I have some alternative recommendations, including another COSORI air fryer.

Where to buy the Cosori Premium II Plus air fryer

The Cosori Premium II Plus Air Fryer is available through the brand’s website for $139.99. It’s also for sale on Amazon, where it has the same model number but is called the Cosori Clear Blaze Air Fryer.

How we test air fryers

Virtually every appliance brand sells air fryers these days and many offer multiple models, meaning there’s no shortage of products to choose from. To find out which ones are truly the best, here’s what we look for when we test air fryers at Real Homes:  

• Power: Air fryers are known for creating a brown, crispy exterior on food without using oil (or at least a lot less), and they do this by circulating hot air around the cooking basket, just like a convection oven. When testing air fryers, I cook a variety of foods, including both fresh and frozen ingredients to see how well it browns. I also evaluate whether the one-touch cooking functions are accurate and consider the overall wattage of the appliance. 
• Ease of use: The best air fryers are easy and intuitive to operate — you should be able to figure out how they work without having to consult the manual every time. In this department, I look at things like whether the basket slides smoothly, if the buttons are clearly labeled, if the beep is loud enough to be heard from another room, and if the special features are useful. 
• Safety: As with any countertop appliance, air fryers should have good safety features to keep you and your home safe. I look at how much clearance the appliance needs, whether it has overheat protection, and if it automatically pauses when the basket is removed. I also note whether the exterior of the basket or handle gets too hot during operation.
• Clean-up and storage: It can make a mess when you cook greasy foods like bacon in an air fryer, so we look for models that are quick and easy to clean. We like to see if messy foods like melted cheese or bacon grease are easy to clean out of the basket, and we also love when components can be put in the dishwasher!

The Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo Portable Carpet Cleaner is a compact yet versatile machine capable of both dry and wet cleaning. It’s designed for spot-cleaning stains and carpets, and features interchangeable wet and dry attachments.

The carpet cleaner also includes dry upholstery and crevice tools to further customize its performance. Its cord-free design makes it easily portable, and according to Bissell’s marketing, it’s suitable for use on carpeting, upholstery, vehicles, pet beds, and more.  

Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo portable carpet cleaner review

What I thought of the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo portable carpet cleaner

The Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo Portable Carpet Cleaner is a convenient choice for cleaning up small messes and stains. While it lacks suction, its dry cleaning capabilities are similar to a dustbuster, though it performed poorly when attempting to pick up pet hair. It would be helpful in cleaning up dry messes like dropped cereal or pet food. 

Its wet cleaning capabilities are stronger. The upholstery cleaner easily cleaned up every stain I tested it on, though it does require some elbow grease to do so. Its cordless, compact design makes it easy to maneuver throughout the home, and it would be a go-to, quick solution for treating new stains when you don’t want to deal with the hassle of pulling out your upright carpet cleaner. 

Testing the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo portable carpet cleaner

Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo portable carpet cleaner specifications

• Model name: Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo Portable Carpet Cleaner
• Model number: 3705
• Dimensions: 8.98 x 5.28 x 23.31 inches
• Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Water tank capacity: 8 ounce
• Battery type: Rechargeable lithium ion battery
• Run time: 15 minutes
• Modes: Wet and dry cleaning

Unboxing and setting up the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo portable carpet cleaner

The Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo arrived in a single box, and the box was scraped and mildly dented during the shipping process. However, all of the components were well-packed and protected, and nothing was damaged. Bissell doesn’t use Styrofoam in this packaging. Instead, folded cardboard held the components in place. Every piece was also wrapped in a protective plastic. 

The carpet cleaner is relatively easy to assemble, in that the attachments fit well and securely into the machine without requiring much force. 

However, switching back and forth between the wet and dry attachments proved tricky, even using the diagrams and instructions the manual included. The attachments, particularly the wet attachment, have to be lined up just right, and I struggled with how to position them the first few times I used the machine. 

While I did start to understand how they fit together and was better able to swap them out, some arrows or guides on the attachments and the machine would have been helpful. 

Once assembled, the carpet cleaner needed to be charged. It has an easy-to-identify charging port, and a rubber stopper covers the port when not in use. The machine takes about 3.5 hours to fully charge, and it can operate for up to 15 minutes when fully charged. 

Using the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo portable carpet cleaner

This carpet cleaner is particularly convenient as it offers both wet and dry cleaning. When used dry, it’s similar to the Black and Decker Dustbuster, a highly-rated handheld vacuum I reviewed recently. It includes two dry tools, and they easily just fit into the nozzle, so swapping them out is quick and simple.

The machine doesn’t have the strongest suction and struggled to pick up cat hair from a carpet, even when using the dry upholstery tool. It was able to do light cleaning on upholstered chairs, and it picked up dirt and bits of cracker from a low pile carpet. It didn’t seem to pick up any hair when I used it on a pet bed.

I tested it on hardwood floors and tile, and it’s strong enough to clean up bits of cat food and litter there. It would be handy to keep charged for the occasional small mess, but it’s disappointing that the suction is so poor, especially given the power that many of Bissell’s vacuum cleaners are known for having. 

Using the carpet cleaner on grape juice

I tested the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo’s carpet cleaning capabilities on grape juice, red wine, ketchup, and hot chocolate stains in carpeting. All of the stains were 24 hours old at the time of testing.

I used the trial solution included with the carpet cleaner and 32-ounce bottles of Bissell Oxy Spot & Stain Remover can be bought off Amazon once you're out.

The cleaning solution tank has a cap, and I was able to easily fill the tank. It has a relatively small capacity, and I had to stop to refill the tank after cleaning the third stain. Since the solution isn’t designed to be diluted, I quickly used a surprising amount. The spray button delivers a strong and continuous spray, and it continues to do so for however long you hold the button. This feature allowed me to precisely saturate the stains. 

Cleaning the stains requires some elbow grease. There is no power head on this machine, so cleaning is accomplished by scrubbing the brush head over the stain. Even though all of the stains had set for 24 hours, they all were completely removed during the scrubbing process. 

After scrubbing the area, keeping the nozzle flat against the carpet works to suction up any remaining liquid. I made repeated passes over each stain, but after using an entire trial-size bottle of solution and trying to suction it all up, there was less than a teaspoon of liquid in the dirty water tank. I don’t think the machine has enough power to remove a significant amount of the liquid. This resulted in a damp carpet and longer drying time; the areas took about 24 hours to dry completely. 

However, it’s important to note the carpet cleaner absolutely did its job. The stains were completely gone. I also tested it to clean vomit on a low-pile carpet (thanks, pet kitty). The carpet cleaner almost immediately, and very easily, removed all traces of the stain. 

This machine is moderately loud. It reached 77.2 decibels when dry cleaning, and 84.1 decibels when wet cleaning. It’s louder than your typical cordless vacuum, but quieter than most upright carpet cleaner models. I didn’t experience any leaking or operational problems while testing the carpet cleaner.

Cleaning and maintaining the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo portable carpet cleaner

This machine requires minimal cleaning — and it’s easy to perform. After dry cleaning, you simply remove the dirt tank from the machine and empty it into your kitchen trash can. The tank can be hand-washed in warm water and mild dish soap (like this unscented Whole Foods liquid detergent on Amazon). 

After a heavy cleaning, Bissell recommends cleaning the filter and filter cup. Both are easily pulled out of the machine and can be washed in warm water and dish detergent. 

Post-wet cleaning, the soaked attachment can be removed. The suction lens has a latch at the top, and can also be released from the dirty water tank. Once you open the drain plug, you can empty the tank and run water through it to rinse. The plug remains attached, so there’s no chance of losing it. The suction lens can also be rinsed. 

Is the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo portable carpet cleaner right for you?

The Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo Portable Carpet Cleaner is a convenient option for smaller stains and cleanup jobs. While its lack of suction is a disadvantage in wet and dry cleaning, it’s still capable of cleaning up pet food and cat litter from dry surfaces. 

Its stain removal capabilities were impressive, with the machine completely removing red wine, grape juice, ketchup, hot chocolate, and cat vomit stains from carpeting. Again, the lack of suction power meant that the carpet was wet and took about 24 hours to dry.

Thanks to its compact design and strong stain removal abilities, this carpet cleaner would be a good option for someone looking for a machine they can quickly grab for small messes and spills. Its 15-minute run time limits its use, but its cordless design makes it agile. This is the carpet cleaner you’ll want around to remove red wine stains on your favorite sofa or when a pet tracks mud across your best rug.

Even invisible pet messes (like a waft of used cat litter) can cause a stink, so rather than trying to mask an offending odor with the best air freshener, this Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo portable carpet cleaner is great for deodorizing furniture and getting rid of dog smell in the house, too.

Looking for more appliances and pet-friendly cleaning products? These alternatives might just do the trick.

Good to know

Instructions
The carpet cleaner includes a 10-page instruction manual. The directions feature clear and detailed diagrams. 

Warranty
Bissell backs this pet-safe cleaning product with a two-year limited warranty. 

Where to buy the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo

You can buy the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo directly from Bissell. It is also available through Walmart and Amazon.

How we test the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Duo Portable Carpet Cleaner

Bissell sent me the carpet cleaner and I tested it for several weeks in my house before writing the review. I used the following criteria for the testing process, which are not too dissimilar to how we test vacuum cleaners:

Unboxing: I considered how well the carpet cleaner was packaged, including whether it was damaged when it arrived at my home. I gave bonus points for packaging as it avoided the use of Styrofoam. I also considered how easily I was able to unbox and assemble the carpet cleaner. 

Performance: I evaluated the carpet cleaner’s overall performance, including during its wet and dry use. I considered how well it was able to clean different surfaces, and also tested it on several different stains. 

Ease of use: I assessed how easily I could use the machine, overall. I considered factors like the machine’s weight, the comfort of using it, its versatility, and its battery life. I also evaluated how well I could interchange attachments and tools. 

Ease of cleaning: I considered the machine’s cleaning and maintenance requirements, including how frequently it needs to be cleaned and maintained. I also weighed how easy the cleaning process is. 

The Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker Carpet Cleaner is designed to handle a variety of cleaning jobs.

It’s suitable for use on large carpets, while the hand attachments give it the versatility of being useful for spot cleaning on carpeting, upholstery, carpeted stairs, and more. 

This carpet cleaner features dual tanks, meaning the dirty water is suctioned into a separate water tank. It pairs with Shark Deep Clean Pro concentrate and Shark OXY Multiplier cleaning supplies for enhanced cleaning power (available to buy as a bundle, or separately on Amazon). 

Shark advertises this machine as delivering tough stain elimination and having more stain-striking power than consumer carpet cleaners.

Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker Carpet Cleaner review

What I thought of the Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker carpet cleaner

The Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker Carpet Cleaner is a powerful machine, and its performance is highly impressive. The carpet cleaner easily tackled a variety of stains. This is a larger upholstery cleaner, but the hose and hand tools give it agility, so it moves beyond the restrictions of your traditional upright carpet cleaner. 

This carpet cleaner is well-designed. It features dual tanks and strong suction to help minimize drying time, as well as multiple modes for customized performance. While it’s heavy and would benefit from an additional handle for easier carrying, the machine’s stain-removal capabilities are so excellent, it’s hard to fault it. 

Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker Carpet Cleaner specifications

• Model name:  Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker Carpet Cleaner 
• Dimensions (in.): H43.5 x W13.15 x D11.97
• Weight (lbs): 18.05 pounds
• Water tank capacity (fl. oz): 67.6 fluid ounces
• Cord length (ft.): 20 feet
• Wattage (W): 960 watts
• Cleaning path width (in.): 10 inches
• Modes: Deep clean and quick dry

Unboxing and setting up the Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker Carpet Cleaner

The Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker Carpet Cleaner arrived double-boxed and in excellent condition. The packaging didn’t include any Styrofoam and instead used cardboard inserts to hold the components. Each component was wrapped in a protective plastic bag. 

The included instruction booklet has clear diagrams identifying each part and its name. The assembly instructions were straightforward, and I was able to easily complete the five-step assembly process. 

The only challenge involved the hose assembly.

The hose has to be wrapped firmly through the back of the machine without any slack.

This was difficult the first few times I tried it but seems to be getting easier as I use the machine more. 

This carpet cleaner features two solution tanks. The larger tank holds a solution of warm water and the Shark Deep Clean Pro concentrate. The tank pulls straight up off of the machine, and features printed fill lines. 

The smaller tank sits in front of the larger tank. It’s designed to hold the Shark OXY Multiplier. When using the hand tool, the machine draws from both tanks for enhanced cleaning power. 

While assembling the carpet cleaner was relatively easy, it was somewhat awkward to carry it through the house. The machine weighs 18 lbs before you add water and cleaning solution, and it only has one thin handle at the top. I was able to carry and roll it through several rooms, but carrying it up and down the stairs was challenging. It would benefit from a second handle for a more secure hold. 

Using the Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker Carpet Cleaner

I tested the Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker Carpet Cleaner on grape juice, red wine, ketchup, and hot chocolate stains in carpeting. All of the stains were 24 hours old. The carpet cleaner performed impressively well during every test. 

This machine offers the ability to use a tool attachment for spot cleaning or to use the brush head for larger areas. To change between the two, you lift or depress a lever, and the machine automatically draws from the appropriate reservoir tank.

Treaitng a hot chocolate stain

When I used the brush head on the grape juice and hot chocolate stains, I immediately noticed its trigger-free operation was helpful in reducing hand tension. The cleaner automatically sprays a stream of cleaning solution every time you push the machine forward and very quickly removed both stains completely. I could see the suction pulling the solution up into the machine every time I rolled the carpet cleaner backward.

Treating a grape juice stain

I switched to the deep cleaning mode for the grape juice stain and then tried the quick dry mode to remove as much moisture as possible.  While I appreciated that you don’t have to hold down a trigger while using the brush head, the carpet cleaner is heavy and somewhat difficult to maneuver. It’s a bit of a workout to move the machine around even the small area rug I was working with.

Treating a red wine stain

Next, I tried the attachments on the remaining stains. The crevice tool performed very well to remove a red wine stain, and the hose features a trigger that produces a strong, continuous stream to spray down the stains. Scrubbing the stain removed it completely, and by tilting the tool forward, you can activate the suction to speed up the drying process.

Treating a fresh ketchup stain

The reversible bristle tool performed equally well on the ketchup stain. It conveniently fits directly over the crevice tool, so it's very easy to switch between the two. 

This carpet cleaner includes a pet tool, which is designed for use on wet pet messes. I have not yet had the opportunity to test this tool but will update this review once I have. 

After spot-cleaning the four stains, the dirty water tank was about a quarter of the way full. If you were cleaning a whole carpeted room, you would need to empty that tank after each room, and you would also need to replace the cleaning solution. If you regularly use the machine to clean multiple rooms at a time, this could be a drawback, but the smaller tank capacity also helps to keep the weight of the machine down. 

While the carpet cleaner performed very well, it was loud. It reached 85.9 decibels both when using the brush head and the attachment, and I would compare it to a very loud vacuum cleaner. I didn’t experience any issues with the machine clogging or leaking during my testing. 

Cleaning and maintaining the Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker Carpet Cleaner

Shark instructs you to clean the machine after every use to avoid odors, bacteria, and mold. The dirty water tank is easy to remove, and the lid lifts out completely for thorough cleaning. The brush roll can also be removed, so it’s easy to cut off any hair that may have gotten wrapped around the tool. 

The carpet cleaner includes a hose-cleaning tool that you can attach to the end of the hose. With the tool attached, pulling the trigger sucks the cleaning solution throughout the hose, cleaning it. 

The hand tools feature a window piece that can be removed, and the tools can be washed with dish soap (i.e: Method's Lime and Sea Salt liquid detergent, available on Amazon) and water. A button releases the window piece, and I found it easy to remove and reattach the piece. 

Is the Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker Carpet Cleaner right for you?

The Shark CarpetXper with Stainstriker Carpet Cleaner is a powerful carpet cleaner that performs very well on a series of tough stains. It offers both spot cleaning capability and is capable of cleaning rugs and entire rooms. Between the included crevice tool, pet tool, and reversible bristle tool, this carpet cleaner is suitable for addressing many types of stains and surfaces. When I initially started testing it, I was disappointed it didn’t have a steam function. However, it performed so well, I don’t think a steam function is necessary. 

This would be an ideal carpet cleaner for someone with multiple carpeted rooms and other larger-scale cleaning needs. It’s large and heavy, so it’s not something you would necessarily pull out for a small stain needing spot treatment, but if you’re looking for a machine that can tackle tough messes — this is it.

While it has some drawbacks, like its smaller tank capacity and loud volume, its highly impressive performance makes up for those. It easily and completely removed the stains on my carpet, and I could see it being an excellent choice for homes with pets and kids where stains and dirty carpeting are commonplace. 

However, if this doesn't quite suit your needs for cleaning carpet and upholstery, here are some highly-rated alternative options.

Good to know

Instructions
The carpet cleaner includes an instruction booklet, whilst some are printed on the interior flaps of the box. You can also scan a QR code located on the top of the tank to view how-to videos. 

Warranty
Shark backs this carpet cleaner with a five-year limited warranty. 

Where to buy the Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker Carpet Cleaner

You can buy the Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker Carpet Cleaner directly from Shark. It’s also available at Target.

How we tested the Shark CarpetXpert with Stainstriker carpet cleaner

Shark sent me the carpet cleaner and I tested it for a week in my house before writing the review. I used the following criteria for the testing process, which isn't too dissimilar to how we test vacuum cleaners: 

Unboxing: I considered how well the carpet cleaner was packaged, as well as its condition when it arrived at my home. I looked for packaging that avoided the use of Styrofoam, and that instead used more eco-friendly materials like cardboard. I also considered the assembly process. 

Performance: In evaluating the carpet cleaner’s performance, I considered how it removed different types of stains. I also considered factors like its volume, versatility, and number of settings and attachments. 

Ease of use: I assessed the overall experience of using the machine, including its weight, how well I could carry it, and how easily I could use the different attachments and modes. 

Ease of cleaning: I reviewed the cleaning requirements and evaluated the cleaning process, including how much time it takes, how difficult it is, and how often it needs to be performed. 

The Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Frappe, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker and Blender can whip up the icy, creamy deliciousness that is a frappe. And who doesn't love this cold menu item? It’s like a milkshake that’s totally acceptable to drink daily because it’s coffee.

From simple coffee frappes to the seasonal flavors we wait all year for (peppermint mocha, right?), these are a coffeehouse favorite whenever you’re feeling a little spicier than just a standard latte. But have you ever thought about making one at home? If you’re anything like me, the idea of pulling out a clunky blender is enough to put the idea on hold indefinitely. Plus, there’s the foresight of having iced coffee in the fridge…it’s all just too much.

The Mr. Coffee Frappe Iced and Hot set out to eliminate those obstacles. If you’re coming from the startup world, you could say they’re disrupting the frappe industry. This small coffee maker comes in multiple colors, but I’m partial to the matte black for its minimalism. It’s reminiscent of the Mr. Coffee® 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte™, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker, which I reviewed recently, except, in place of the frother, it has a blender. As a reminder, the Latte Maker was given five stars. It earned a permanent spot on my countertop.

So how did the 3-in-1 Frappe compare? And did it live up to its frozen expectations? Unfortunately, not quite. We’ll get into it in a second but, the reality of trying to blend iced coffee straight from a coffee maker is that you’re going to end up with more of a liquid than a creamy frozen concoction. I wanted this to be it — it’s compact, it’s easy, it’s versatile! 

Mr. Coffee single-serve frappe, iced, and hot coffee maker review

What I thought of the Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Frappe, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker

I wanted to love this coffee maker! The idea of blending my coffee right into a frappe with the touch of a button was a dream. Mechanically, the machine works nicely. The buttons are easy to understand and legible. The ground coffee seems to be appropriately saturated by the shower head.

Making black coffee

The coffee brews well. The Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Frappe, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker makes a good, basic cup of coffee. I even had my husband, who only drinks black coffee, test it, and he confirmed — this was a nice cup of coffee, if not terribly strong. If I had paid for the product, this might be one of the things I wish I knew before buying this small coffee maker.

The iced coffee maker did what it should — it made coffee straight into a cup of ice, which melted but cooled down the coffee. It could have been stronger or more concentrated to hold up to the ice, but it was absolutely drinkable.

The frappe, the machine’s namesake, is where it goes wrong. Because the coffee melts the ice, the resulting frappe is watery, rather than blended. I had to add more ice when I blended it to try to fix the consistency, but that diluted the coffee taste. The blender does work fabulously when you put more ice in there, and I love that it runs itself through a cycle instead of relying on the user watching it, but the taste just wasn’t there.

Testing the Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Frappe Maker and Blender

Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Frappe Maker and Blender Specifications

• Model name: Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Frappe, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker and Blender
• Dimensions (in.): H13.2 x W10.3 x L9.8   
• Weight (lbs): 10 pounds
• Water tank capacity: 22 fl. oz.
• Wattage: 1200 watts

Unboxing and setting up the Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Frappe Maker and Blender

Mr. Coffee continuously comes through with expertly wrapped, minimal packaging. This was securely packaged within a corrugated cardboard enclosure within a not-too-big box. The necessary pieces, including the blender and filter basket, were wrapped in plastic, and there were a few stickers to hold it all together. 

There’s a sticker on the top of the water tank filter basket lid for a quick guide for measurements for each type of coffee. I know this is supposed to be removed, but I’d keep it right where it is to make it easy for quick reference.

It took me just a few minutes to set up the machine, including popping the coffee scoop in the side storage, putting the filter basket and reusable filter in place, putting the blender on its stand, and dropping in the drip tray and cover. Incredibly easy and intuitive.

Before you dive into your first frappe, wash the parts, including the filter basket, reusable filter, blender, and two included plastic BPA-free tumblers(also available to buy separately on Amazon) with mild detergent and water. Fill the water reservoir to the 22 oz. line put the tumbler in place, and run one cycle through to get the machine ready to go.

How to use the Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Frappe Maker and Blender

Obviously, when you put a machine in front of me that claims to easily make frappes, I’m going to make a frappe. So that’s the first drink I tried when using this coffee maker. While there are a few more steps involved in making a frappe than there might be with other coffee drinks, Mr. Coffee makes it super easy. All of the measurements are on the side of the blender base. 

First things first, turn the machine on (this isn’t necessary with some other Mr. Coffee makers!). Then you’ll use the measurement on the blender jar to fill up to the “WATER” line with filtered water. Pour that into the water reservoir. 

You’re going to want to make iced coffee for your frappe. So use the iced coffee side of the coffee scoop to put two generous scoops of grounds into the reusable filter. Then, fill the blender jar with milk to the “MILK” line. You can use any type of milk here, though I went for regular milk. Fill it the rest of the way to the “ICE” line with ice. Brew an “OVER ICE” cycle, which should take about four minutes. 

This is a snag in the process I found confusing — it’s unclear when it’s done. The directions say to wait for the dripping to slow and stop, but it also notes that “a few sparse coffee drips” may continue. It’s hard to know when you’ve stopped vs. when you’re seeing drips. 

Regardless, the next step is to put in any syrups, sweeteners, or flavorings. Basically, at this point, the more mix-ins, the better. The guide notes that putting syrup and sugar in will help the consistency. You can use the blender cap to help, which has measurements for one tablespoon, two tablespoons, three tablespoons, and ¼ cup. With everything in, put the blender lid on, put the jar on the mount, and lock it in place. Once you hit blend, the blender will run until done. Voila — that’s it!

Iced coffee is a simple process. You’ll fill one of the tumblers with water to fill the water reservoir. Then, fill it with ice, fill the filter basket with two scoops of grounds (Amazon's Donut Cafe Columbian coffee matches the aesthetic), and brew “OVER ICE.” Hot coffee is similarly simple. You’ll fill the water reservoir with your desired amount of water for coffee. Scoop in the corresponding amount of grounds (which is on the scoop for easy reference!), and hit “HOT BREW.” Done and done.

How to clean the Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Frappe Maker and Blender

The blender jar, filter basket, and reusable filter are all dishwasher safe on the top rack, which makes cleaning this coffee maker super easy. Make sure they’re secure so they don’t slip off the top rack, which could lead to damage if they make it to the bottom of the dishwasher. The rest of the frappe maker should be wiped down with a wet microfiber cloth (I buy Amazon Basics) and mild detergent (such as this Whole Foods 365 unscented dish soap) when needed, which may be often, given this machine can be messy.

There isn't any mention of descaling, but if it gets a little funky, Real Homes have shared their expert coffee maker cleaning hacks, including cleaning a coffee maker with white vinegar and how to clean a coffee maker with baking soda. You can grab a box of Arm & Hammer, or a bottle of Heinz white vinegar cheaply on Amazon. 

Is the Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Frappe Maker and Blender right for you?

If you truly love frappes and are eager to doctor up every drink with enough syrup and sugar to add flavor, then this machine is going to be incredibly convenient and easy to use. It gives you several options in one place, and it brews a solid cup of black coffee. This Monin 5-flavor syrup selection on Amazon is great for switching things up and making truly custom creations.

But, if you’re looking for a true coffeehouse alternative, you may be better off keeping cold brew coffee in the fridge (we've tested this KitchenAid KCM5912SX Cold Brew Coffee Maker on Amazon), and using your best blender with ice, instead. 

Good to know

Instructions
Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Frappe, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker and Blender comes with a detailed instruction guide that makes it incredibly simple to follow each step, but the yellow quick start guide and sticker on top of the lid are the easiest way to remind you how to use this coffee maker. Mr. Coffee makes the entire process intuitive. 

Warranty
A one-year warranty from the date of purchase is included with the Mr. Coffee single-serve frappe, iced, hot coffee maker, and blender.

Where to buy the Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Frappe Maker and Blender

 The Mr. Coffee® Single-Serve Frappe™, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker and Blender is available to buy directly from the retailer, via their Amazon storefront, or through retailers like Target. 

How we test coffee makers

We have a set process for how we test coffee makers at Real Homes. As is the case with all products we review, we match the reviewer with the coffee maker.

The Mr. Coffee® Single-Serve Frappe™, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker and Blender was sent to me by Mr. Coffee, and I tested it out daily for two weeks before writing this review. I tried all of the different brewing methods, though my favorite was definitely the concentrated brew + latte or cappuccino froth (depending on my mood!). I just made one before sitting down to write this.

Here are a few things I like to look out for when testing coffee makers:

Water tank: When looking at the water tank, I assess whether it’s easy to fill and whether it’s easy to clean.

Operation: How easy is it to use the machine? Are the prompts/buttons legible? If the machine makes a sound, is it clear to understand what is happening?

Type of coffee: What type of coffee does this machine take? Is it an appropriate volume for the resulting beverage? How much waste is left after the drink has been made?

Cleaning and descaling: How easy is it to provide maintenance for the machine? This may involve anything from removing coffee stains to getting rid of limescale.

Functionality of features: Here I may look at any standout features. In the case of the Mr. Coffee® 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte™, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker, I observed how well all of the different brew options worked and whether the blender did its job.

I had no idea that the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Coffee Maker was going to come in and completely turn my world upside down. For years, I’ve sworn by an espresso maker to get through my mornings, with the creamy sweetness of a latte my chosen way to caffeinate. That meant investing in a pricey espresso maker, buying and correctly grinding the right coffee beans freshly every morning, making the espresso and frothing the milk to the right velvety texture. It’s an active, involved process.

This Mr. Coffee latte and coffee maker does it all — brews hot, iced or concentrated coffee for lattes and cappuccinos, and makes it incredibly easy. Touch-of-a-button-easy. I’d always thought of Mr. Coffee as a mainstay in the coffee maker world, a brand that’s been around forever. I knew it was reliable, simple, and got the job done. But would it make delicious lattes and specialty drinks? Well, as it turns out, yes. Yes, it does.

This coffee maker walks you through the process each time with easy-to-read measurements and a touch panel that lights up the option you select. It’s nearly impossible to make the wrong drink. Within just a few minutes, you’ll have a beverage that’s as good as any you’ll get at a coffee shop, thanks to a milk frother that automatically whips up hot froth or cold foam.

Plus, this Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte™, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker takes up the same amount of space as any normal small coffee maker. It’s a multi-functional companion for your mornings that will replace your pricey espresso maker in no time. 

Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 single-serve coffee maker review

What I thought of the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker

I’ll be honest, I went into testing the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker expecting a good, but basic cup of coffee. I was excited about the built-in milk frother, but I imagined it would essentially make coffee with frothed milk which, for latte enthusiasts, you know is not the same as a latte. Regular black coffee can’t stand up to frothed milk, and you end up with something that tastes watered down and underwhelming.

But Mr. Coffee was never letting that happen. By creating an option to brew a hot coffee concentrate, they dodged the curse of the lackluster latte. The hot coffee concentrate is the perfect foundation for two different types of frothed milk — latte or cappuccino. The froth for the cappuccino is lighter and airier, while the latte is steamed with a bit of froth. This is what gives you barista-level skills with the ease of a touch screen — and it’s why I can already tell you this might be the best coffee maker I’ve tried all year.

Testing the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker

Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker Specifications

• Model name: Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte™, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker
• Dimensions (in.): H13.2 x W10.3 x L9.3  
• Weight of machine: 5.3 lb.
• Water capacity: 16 fl. oz.
• Wattage: 900 watts
• Cord length (in.): 26 inches
• Other accessories included: 1 x  Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Tumbler, 22 Oz., with Lid and Straw (rated one of the best iced coffee cups in our guide)

Unboxing and setting up the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker

I always appreciate a coffee maker that comes with minimal packaging. I don’t want to spend an hour sorting through layers of cardboard and styrofoam, or peeling off plastic. Luckily, this single-serve coffee maker comes securely packaged in a corrugated cardboard nest and with a single layer of plastic to protect it from scratches in transit. It took just a couple of minutes to unbox it, peel off the plastic, and remove plastic stickers on the machine. Super easy.

Setup was simple. The scoop pops into the storage (love this detail!), and you’ll notice there’s a small end for hot drinks and a large end for ice. The drip tray and cover fit right in. Then there’s the mini brewing basket, reusable filter, milk frother and lid. Just a few parts that will get the job done.

Before using, Mr. Coffee recommends you wash the frother jar, whisk, lid, tumbler, tumbler lid and straw, along with the reusable coffee filter, coffee ground scoop, and brew basket. Use mild dish soap (I like the unscented Whole Foods Market detergent on Amazon) and water, then rinse and dry. Next, fill the reservoir to the water line and put the tumbler in place. With the brew basket and reusable filter also situated, run one cycle to rinse the machine. Now you’re ready to brew.

Using the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker

As soon as I set up the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Coffee Maker, I jumped right into making a latte (of course). I filled it up to the 4 oz. line for a concentrated shot of coffee and used the hot end of the scoop to add 1.5 scoops of coffee to the reusable filter. 

I used the already grounded  holiday blend from Free Rein Coffee Company which felt like a luxury. I then made sure the shower head was over the basket, put my mug on the tray, and hit “hot brew”.

While my coffee was brewing, I filled the frothing jar to the latte line, put the lid on, and hit “Hot Latte”. The froth does take longer than my similar freestanding frother, but it whips that milk up into the most delicious, fluffy foam, which pours easily thanks to a spout on the frothing jar, which my expensive standalone frother does not have. 

Making a cappucinno

On my next drink, which may or may not have been just an hour later, I tried the same routine, but I filled it to the cappuccino line and hit “Hot Capp”. This makes for a slightly foamier texture — think the same light, airy look of a bubble bath.

Making black coffee

To do a straight black coffee hot brew — it’s super easy. You can make up to 16 oz, and just follow the instructions on how much coffee to scoop into the basket before brewing. 

Making iced coffee

Now, this is where things get interesting — you can also make iced coffee with the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Coffee Maker. I’m always a little unsure about those so-called best iced coffee makers — but this one gets it right. 

How? By telling you to use so much coffee that it can’t end up watered down. The iced side of the coffee scoop is larger, and they advise using 1-2 scoops. Go for two. Then, use the provided tumbler, filled with ice cubes, and hit brew “Over Ice”. This brewing takes 3-4 minutes, but then you have a rich cup of iced coffee.

But here’s the best part. You can turn it into a latte with cold foam. Just fill the milk frother and press “Cold Foam” instead of “Hot Latte”. You’ve now unlocked all the iced lattes you could ever want.

Also, I love that the manual explained how different types of milk froth. They boast that the frother will froth all milks, including plant-based alternatives, which I can confirm. Whole milk is best, but reduced-fat milk will create a lighter foam. Oat milk will froth depending on the brand (Califia Farms on Amazon works well for me), and almond milk will dissipate quickly, which is I avoid it. I will note that I tried to add a bit of an almond milk-flavored creamer to my reduced-fat milk before I frothed, and that did not froth and fell totally flat. 

The only downside I found with this appliance is the coffee does splatter quite a bit. Even when I used a tall mug, there were still splatters surrounding the back and drip tray. But it’s nothing a wet cloth can’t quickly get rid of.

Cleaning and maintaining the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker

To clean the coffee maker, you can conveniently put several parts in the top rack of the dishwasher. The reusable coffee filter, brew basket, milk frothing whisk, jar and lid can all go in there, though make sure they’re positioned so they don’t slip off the top rack. The water reservoir and exterior can be wiped out with a damp cloth and mild detergent when needed.

Make sure you clean the frothing lid after every use. This has to stay sparkling clean to continue to effectively froth milk. Like all small kitchen appliances that make Joe, this coffee maker should be descaled every few months, depending on usage. Thankfully, we've already got a guide on the coffee maker cleaning hacks.

Is the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker right for you?

If you love specialty latte and cappuccino drinks but don’t want to drop $500 or more on a premium espresso maker, or cough up $5 for your favorite brew at the local coffee shop, then the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Coffee Maker is the one for you.

It’s affordable at $149.99 and so easy to use that even the most beginner of baristas can make a deliciously creamy coffee. Plus, it’s a hands-off process, so you won’t need to monitor the milk as it froths, or check whether espresso grounds are tamped correctly as you would with a bean-to-cup coffee maker. 

All you do is make one measurement for the coffee and then tap a button. It doesn’t get more simple or budget-friendly than this. However, it isn't a cold brew maker, so if you're looking for cold-water-extracted coffee, you'll need to shop for something else.

Not quite what you're looking for? These options might suit you better.

Good to know

Instructions
The Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte™, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker comes with an instruction guide to walk you through each brewing process. There’s also a yellow quick start guide that shows a simplistic version, as well as a sticker on the top that has the same info. You can, like me, leave this on there for guests to help themselves with ease.

Warranty
A one-year warranty from the date of purchase is included with the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte™, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker.

Where to buy the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker

The Mr. Coffee® 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte™, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker is available to buy directly from the retailer, via its Amazon storefront, or through retailers like Target. 

How we test coffee makers

We have a set process for testing coffee makers at Real Homes. As is the case with all products we test, we match the reviewer with the coffee maker.

The Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte™, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker was sent to me by Mr. Coffee, and I tested it out daily for two weeks before writing this review. I tried all of the different brewing methods, though my favorite was definitely the concentrated brew, and latte or cappuccino froth depending on my mood. I just made one before sitting down to write this.

Here are a few things I like to look out for when testing coffee makers:

Water tank: I assess whether it’s easy to fill and clean.

Operation: How easy is it to use the machine? Are the prompts/buttons legible? If the machine makes a sound, is it easy to understand what is happening?

Type of coffee: What type of coffee does this machine take? Is it an appropriate volume for the resulting beverage? How much waste is left after the drink has been made?

Cleaning and descaling: How easy is it to provide maintenance for the machine? This may involve anything from removing coffee stains to getting rid of limescale.

Functionality of features: Here I may look at any standout features. In the case of the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Single-Serve Latte™, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker, I observed how well all of the different brew options worked and whether the milk frother stood up to other frothers I have tried.

The Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System vacuum cleaner offers many automated features for streamlined, simplified cleaning. It automatically detects floor types and the presence of dirt to adjust its power and performance.

The vacuum also recognizes dark areas and activates the lights on the brush head to illuminate the space. When connected to the docking station, it also empties the dust cup into the larger dust bin, so you can repeatedly use the vacuum without taking time to empty the dust bin. 

With multiple attachments and a streamlined design, this is one of the best Shark vacuums suitable for a variety of cleaning tasks. It’s capable of tackling hardwood, tile, carpeting, and rugs, and can also convert into a hand vacuum for even more versatile use. 

Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System Review

What I thought of the Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System Vacuum Cleaner

The Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System is easy to use and, above all, convenient. It can be stored on the docking station fully assembled, so you can just lift it off whenever you need to clean it. While the dust cup capacity is limited, the ability to automatically empty the dust cup just by placing the vacuum on the docking station is a great benefit. 

I found the automated features to be very helpful. As one of the best vacuum cleaners on the market, it appropriately adjusted its power settings in the auto mode, and reliably detected and responded to different floor types. This vacuum was quite strong and performed well in most tasks, except for removing pet hair from a cat tree. 

Unfortunately, I found that pet hair repeatedly clogged the dust bin during the automatic emptying process, making a mess each time. This cordless vacuum cleaner performed well otherwise, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a vacuum cleaner for pet hair.

Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System Vacuum Cleaner Specifications

• Model name: Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System
• Model number: IW3511
• Dimensions (in.): H43 x W10.4 x L14.3
• Weight (lbs): 5.8 pounds
• Battery type: Lithium-ion battery
• Voltage: 120 volts
• Wattage: 240 watts
• Modes: Auto, Eco, and, Boost
• Run time (mins): Up to 40 minutes

Unboxing and setting up the Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System Vacuum Cleaner

The Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System arrived double-boxed and in excellent condition. It was very well-packaged, and instead of using Styrofoam, the components were securely held in place with cardboard packaging, which I can recycle. Each component was individually wrapped in a plastic bag. 

The vacuum comes with a quick start guide, which has some basic assembly and cleaning instructions. You can access the full instruction manual online. While not including the full manual saves paper, I found it inconvenient to look up the manual on my phone since I did need to reference it several times when first learning how to use the vacuum. 

Assembling the vacuum was easy and intuitive, and the wand and attachments easily clicked into place.

The docking station was also easy to assemble, and the vacuum included an odor cartridge that fits into the top of the docking station to help control odors. 

When I placed the vacuum into the docking station, it automatically turned on and emptied the dust cup. Then, it began to charge. It took five hours to fully charge the vacuum. 

Using the Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System Vacuum Cleaner

I tested the vacuum on a variety of surfaces, including low-pile and medium-pile carpets, stairs, tile, upholstery, and hardwood floors. 

Cleaning a low-pile area rug

To begin, I cleaned a rug. The vacuum sensed that I was cleaning carpet and automatically turned on the motor in the brush head. I operated the vacuum on the auto setting, and it increased its power in dirty areas, then decreased the power once the area was clean. 

I could hear when an area was clean by listening to the power adjustments, but the brush head also features a clean indicator light that glows blue when the area is clean. 

Using the LightDetect feature

I appreciated many of the vacuum’s automated features. The LightDetect feature sensed that the area by my couch was dark and powered on the vacuum’s lights, illuminating the area under my couch. When I transitioned off of the rug onto the hardwood floor, the FloorDetect feature recognized the floor within about three seconds and turned off the motorized brush head. 

The vacuum is agile and easy to use. It easily fits under furniture, including my couch and recliner.

I was also pleased to see that it easily fits on my carpeted stairs, and vacuuming the medium pile carpet on the stairs was easy.

After cleaning the low-pile rug and the stairs, the dust cup, which is fairly small, was full. I returned the vacuum to the docking station and it proceeded to automatically empty the dust bin. 

Emptying the dust cap

Unfortunately, since I have four cats, it had vacuumed up a fair amount of cat hair. The opening that’s used to empty the vacuum into the larger dust bin is relatively small, and the cat hair clogged the area, forcing that bottom flap to stay open.

The dust cup couldn’t fully empty, and I ended up with a mess on the floor. The automatic emptying process takes about 15 seconds, at which point the vacuum starts to recharge. I tried to avoid high amounts of cat hair, keeping vacuuming sessions brief and focusing on areas of the home with minimal pet hair, like the bathroom floor. Even with this change, the vacuum jammed open again the next four times I attached it to the docking station. 

Fortunately, you can manually empty the dust cup into your kitchen trash can, and when emptied manually, the dust cup opens up wider, so I was able to easily remove any hair. 

Cleaning a couch

I attached the crevice tool, turning the vacuum into a handheld vacuum, and used it to clean a couch and clean upholstery (including a chair). I found that the suction was strong enough to pull up on the fabric of my couch, and it did a thorough cleaning job. 

Cleaning hardwood and tile flooring

I used the brush head to clean my hardwood floors and to clean grout on my tiled bathroom floor using the Eco. The vacuum easily picked up cat litter, but it wasn’t strong enough to pick up the debris that had fallen between the cracks of my hardwood floor, even when I used the Boost function to maximize its power.

Cleaning carpet

With the brush head in place, I vacuumed flour up off of a low pile carpet using the auto setting. 

While the vacuum cleaned up minimal amounts of flour on the first pass, after five passes it had vacuumed up most of the flour.

Vacuuming cobwebs

I also used the pet multi-tool to vacuum cobwebs out of corners and the ceiling. I tested the tool on the carpeted cat tree, too. While the tool has bristles to help lift up pet hair, it struggled to remove hair from the cat tree. 

Overall, the vacuum performed well, with the exception of the issues caused by cat hair. It’s very quiet on the Eco setting, registering 74.1 decibels. It reached 81.8 decibels on the Auto setting, which I would call a moderate volume, then climbed to 86.9 decibels when on Boost. It’s fairly lightweight and easy to carry through the home, and I didn’t experience any real hand fatigue while using it. 

The dust bin features a sensor that will alert you when the bin needs to be emptied. The bin easily lifts straight up off of the docking station, and a button opens the bottom of the bin, so you can empty it into a trashcan. 

That said, you can’t use it for all that long. Its battery lasts for about 40 minutes of use, but higher settings or the Boost function will drain the battery faster. I was able to vacuum for about 25 minutes at a time, but in most cases, I didn’t use the Eco function. Recharging the battery takes five hours, so this vacuum is best suited for light, brief cleaning needs, rather than an intense whole-house cleaning. 

Cleaning and maintaining the Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System Vacuum Cleaner

According to the instruction manual, the vacuum requires several types of maintenance. But, we've got a dedicated article on how to clean a Shark vacuum, if you'd prefer.

• The dust cup and filter need to be cleaned, which can be accomplished by removing the dust cup and filter from the vacuum. The filter can be rinsed with water. To clean the dust cup, you can wipe it with a dry cloth and then rinse it out with water. Both the filter and dust cup need to dry for at least 24 hours before being reinstalled. 
• The vacuum also features a HEPA filter, which needs to be cleaned. You can remove the filter, rinse it, allow it to dry for 48 hours, and replace it. 
• The dock has a filter, which can be accessed through a side panel. That filter can also be rinsed and reinstalled. A foam filter underneath the dust bin can be vacuumed and rinsed with water. 
• The brush roll detaches from the brush head for cleaning. It can be wiped with a dry towel and hand-washed if needed. 
• The vacuum’s sensors may need to be periodically cleaned. They can be wiped with a microfiber cloth (like these Amazon Basic ones).

Shark also sells additional attachments and most replacement parts for the vacuum.  

Is the Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System Vacuum Cleaner right for you?

The Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System is convenient and easy to use. The automated settings make for streamlined and effective cleaning of a floor without you having to worry about constantly making adjustments. The inclusion of three attachments and the ability to convert it into a hand vacuum means it’s well-suited for many cleaning tasks, and it successfully cleaned carpeting of varying heights, wood floors, upholstery, and tile floors during testing. 

While the vacuum performed well during most of the tests, it’s not a heavy-duty highly powerful model suitable for deep cleaning. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for a vacuum that you can store, quickly pick up and use now and then, and just generally always have at the ready for smaller cleaning tasks. Its limited battery capacity and its long recharging time mean it would be difficult to use this vacuum to clean more than a room or two at a time. Plus, while it does self-empty, the dust cup is relatively small, so you’ll need to return it to the docking station frequently. 

The vacuum did not perform well with pet hair, as the hair repeatedly clogged it during its self-emptying process. Homes with pets would need to empty it manually, which significantly detracts from the vacuum’s convenience. This vacuum would be a good choice for homes without pets, offices, and other spaces where you need convenient, light- to medium-duty cleaning. 

If the Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System vacuum cleaner isn't right for you, consider these alternatives...

Good to know

Instructions
The vacuum includes a one-page quick start guide. The full instruction manual is available online, and the quick start guide features a QR code and a URL to help you access that full manual. 

Warranty
Shark backs this vacuum with a five-year limited warranty. 

Where to buy the Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System Vacuum Cleaner

You can buy the Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System directly from Shark. It’s also available from BestBuy, Walmart, and Amazon. 

How we tested the Shark Cordless Detect Pro Auto-Empty System Vacuum Cleaner

Shark sent me the vacuum and I tested it for two weeks in my house before writing the review. I used the following criteria for the testing process, however, we do have a more comprehensive breakdown of how we test vacs if you do want to geek out on our decision making: 

Unboxing: I considered the condition of the vacuum and the packaging when it arrived at my home. I gave bonus points for packaging that didn’t include Styrofoam and considered how easily I was able to remove and then assemble the vacuum. 

Performance: I tested the vacuum on multiple surfaces, and types of flooring, using multiple settings. I was looking for a consistent performance, assessing factors like the vacuum’s suction power, thoroughness of cleaning, and battery life. 

Ease of use: I considered my overall experience in using the vacuum cleaner, including factors like its weight, how easy it is to hold and operate, how well the automatic features worked and saved me time, and how well the vacuum performed during my various tests.

Ease of cleaning: I also evaluated the process of cleaning and maintaining the vacuum. I considered how many components needed to be cleaned, and how often, as well as how complicated and time-consuming cleaning this cleaning supply was.

The Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner is a portable deep cleaner designed to help clean stains and tough messes around your home. It’s suitable for use on carpets and rugs, stairs, pet beds, upholstery, patio furniture, fabric, and more. 

This deep upholstery cleaner offers cordless convenience, plus it weighs less than 8 lbs for easy portability. Its compact design means it’s easy to store away when not in use. With two power settings and a self-cleaning hose tool, this little machine is easy to use. 

Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner review

What I thought of the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

The Bissell Little Green Cordless immediately had the feel of a quality carpet-cleaning machine. It’s well-designed and easy to use, and I appreciate the inclusion of the self-cleaning hose tool. 

While the machine only has one brush head attachment, I found it performed well and was still highly maneuverable, even in tight spaces such as stairs. This carpet cleaner's cordless design means it’s easy to pick up and carry through your house. I tested it on a variety of surfaces, including low and medium-pile carpeting, as well as an upholstered chair. 

The machine did a highly impressive job of removing new pet stains (including getting cat pee out of carpet). It could be an excellent tool to have on hand, especially for homes with pets or kids. Or, even if a clumsy adult is wondering how to get coffee stains out of carpet or remove red wine stains from upholstered furniture.

Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner specifications

• Model name: Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Deep Cleaner
• Model number: 3682
• Dimensions (in.): H13.46 x W13.31 x D9.09
• Weight (lbs): 7.2 pounds
• Battery type: 25V lithium-ion battery
• Wattage (W): 165 Watts
• Modes: Turbo and Eco modes
• Hose length (ft.): 4 feet
• Run time (mins): Up to 35 minutes

Unboxing and setting up the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

The Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner arrived in a single box, but the packaging was in excellent shape. It contained protective plastic bags but was free of any Styrofoam. Instead, it relied on shaped and sturdy cardboard packing to hold all of the components firmly in place. 

The machine and attachments were easy to remove. The instruction manual features clear diagrams, making assembly a cinch.

Assembly involved attaching a hose holder to the back, then attaching the cleaning head to the hose. The cleaning head clicked into place easily. 

Next, I inserted the charging cord into the back of the machine and plugged it in. Charging the machine fully takes about four hours. 

Using the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

This portable cleaner has a great feel to it. While it’s lightweight, weighing just over 7 lbs, it has a quality, solid feel without being cumbersome. 

Filling the clean water tank was easy. It lifts straight up and away from the machine, and after unscrewing the cap at the bottom. I followed the lines printed on the tank to fill it with water and the Bissell PRO OXY Spot & Stain Solution (available on Amazon), which comes included with the machine. The cleaning supply smells great — clean and fresh without being overpowering or smelling strongly of chemicals. 

The machine is easy to carry through my home, and its compact design means it fits well on stairs and into cabinets for storage. It features a power button and mode function on the top, making its operation and interface very simple.

Using the machine is as easy as turning it on and selecting the power mode. The Eco mode is an energy-efficient mode with a run time of up to 30 minutes. The Turbo mode maximizes suction power and offers a run time of up to 18 minutes. The machine reached 79.2 decibels with the Eco mode and 85.2 decibels with the Turbo mode. 

I found the Eco mode to be surprisingly quiet, and even the Turbo mode wasn’t overpoweringly loud. My cats remained in the same room while I used the cleaner, a testament to its quiet operation. 

Operating the Bissell Little Green Cordless is easy. Once on, you simply need to push the trigger button on the underside of the hose to spray the solution in a straight line. Once enough solution is on the surface, you can let go of the trigger and use the brush head to scrub the stain. Drawing the brush head slowly over the stain will suction up any remaining water, so the surface will dry faster. 

Using the portable cleaner on carpet

I tested this product to clean carpet stains in my home, as well as on an upholstered chair. I began with new stains on a low-pile carpet, resulting from cat hairballs.

I found the Eco mode was plenty strong, and I could almost immediately see these stains start to fade as I cleaned. Because the brush head isn’t a power head, I did have to work at scrubbing the stains, but the tool is comfortable to hold. 

I found the machine easily removed all traces of the stains. In fact, within three hours, the carpet was completely dry, and if I hadn’t marked the areas, I wouldn’t have been able to tell where the stains had been. 

Using the portable carpet cleaner on stairs

I also tested this machine on two old stains, set in a plush carpet on my stairs. I’m not sure what caused either stain. Since this carpet has a taller pile height, I used the machine in the Turbo mode. Even in the close quarters of the stairs, I was able to maneuver the machine and angle the brush head to target the stains. 

The machine appeared to easily remove one stain. The second required more passes, copious amounts of the cleaning solution, and lots of scrubbing. One stubborn stain had been on my stairs for years, and both it, and the newer stain, were completely gone once the carpet dried.

Using the portable cleaner on an upholstery chair

Finally, I tested the machine on an old holiday food stain on an upholstered dining room chair. I have previously used several stain removal products on this chair with minimal results. 

After two rounds of cleaning, the Bissell Little Green Cordless didn’t entirely remove the stain, but it did lighten it. It made a significantly greater improvement in the stain than any products I’ve previously used. More notably, the area around the stain, which I cleaned while scrubbing the stain, is now significantly lighter and cleaner than the rest of the chair. 

It’s evident that this machine has some impressive upholstery-cleaning power, and this test demonstrates it. For what it's worth, I'll be using the machine to clean the rest of the chair and spruce it up as much as possible.

Cleaning the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

Cleaning the Bissell Little Green Cordless is a multi-step process, and the machine needs to be cleaned after each use.

The dirty water tank is easy to remove by tilting it outward. The lid pulls off, allowing you to empty and then clean the tank. The lid securely and easily fits back into the tank, and the tank just about aligns itself so you can pop it back into the machine without fuss. 

The HydroRinse tool attaches to the end of the hose and simplifies the process of rinsing the hose. With the machine turned on, you simply need to hold down the trigger for 30 seconds. Water circulates through the hose and the tool, emptying into the dirty water tank. This makes for efficient, hassle-free cleaning.

The brush head requires manual cleaning, but I was pleased to find the cover on the head is very easy to remove. The hose needs to be removed and dried completely before re-attaching to the machine. 

Since the machine needs so much post-use cleaning needed, this machine isn’t ideal when you just need to treat a small stain. It’s something I would reserve for larger stains or for treating multiple stains in one go. For minor blemishes, refer to our stain removal guide.

Is the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner right for you?

The Bissell Little Green Cordless is a handy machine that’s relatively easy to use. It performed very well on new stains in my home, including pet stains, removing blood stains, or getting makeup out of carpet. Its lightweight design makes it very easy to carry around your home, and it’s compact enough to store away in a cupboard or cabinet when not in use. It would also fit well on most shelves. 

The machine does have its drawbacks. The cleaning process is a bit cumbersome, and since you have to clean the machine after each use, it’s probably not my top pick for cleaning up a single, simple stain. I can see its value for larger stains or multiple stains. 

I think the machine would benefit from multiple brush heads. The included four-inch brush head worked well for most of my testing, but a smaller brush head would have helped clean the chair, and could be used to spot clean a couch. 

All in all, this is a powerful and efficient machine. Its simple, two-button design makes for very easy use, and I believe it’s a great tool for treating new stains. I could see it being an excellent choice for homes with pets and kids, in particular. 

Alternatively, if it isn't right for you, take a look at these alternatives:

Good to know

Instructions
The Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner machine includes an eight-page instruction manual. The instructions are detailed yet straightforward, and they’re accompanied by clear, easy-to-understand diagrams. 

Warranty
Bissell backs the Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner with a limited two-year warranty.

Where to buy the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner?

You can buy the Bissell Little Green Cordless directly from Bissell. It’s also available from Amazon and Kohl’s.  

How we tested the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

Bissell sent me the machine and I tested it for two weeks in my house before writing the review. I used the following criteria for the testing process: 

Unboxing: I considered how the machine was packaged and gave bonus points for minimal use of materials like Styrofoam and plastic. I evaluated the process of assembling the machine and looked for clear instructions that assembly simple.

Performance: I evaluated the machine’s performance in my home when used on different types of surfaces, including carpets of varying heights, carpeted stairs, and upholstered furniture. I considered how well the machine removed stains, as well as factors such as how loud it is, and how well it sprayed and vacuumed the cleaning solution. 

Ease of use: I assessed how easy the machine was to operate. I considered factors like the machine’s weight, design, maneuverability, user interface, and overall operation. 

Ease of cleaning: I considered the machine’s cleaning and maintenance requirements, including how often cleaning is needed and how complicated the cleaning process is. 

I know it seems hasty, but the Jolie shower head was truly love at first rinse. You'll understand my unwavering affection given what I'd been accustomed to pre-Jolie. 

My bathroom is a blast from the past with pastel pink and black tiles, a vintage find from the '50s — and not the good kind. The shower head has thankfully been updated since then, but my OG appliance was a far cry from the best high-pressure shower heads on shelves today. 

Once I received my order from Jolie, I quickly fastened it onto the proper pipes — I had to pat myself on the back for such a seamless installation process — and got ready to enjoy a little luxury.

Since my time using Jolie, I'm honestly surprised I haven't transformed into a giant prune because I never want to get out of the shower now. When they say "believe the hype," we say you trust 'em. 

Jolie shower head review

What I thought about the Jolie shower head

I don't think it's in my imagination that the water gets warmer quicker when using Jolie, which is a delight since I was used to feel like I was bathing in Arctic waters for the first stint under the shower. 

What's more, the product is such a substantial size that your entire body gets wet when standing underneath, and the pressure is just right — it's strong without being overpowering. Although I absolutely loved this feature, some shoppers might not be pleased to learn they cannot adjust the settings.

Given that the filter works hard to rid the water of chemical substances, it definitely gives you a cleaner feeling. However, I'll admit that I do prefer using a handheld shower head to rinse my hair more thoroughly and keep my hair in tip-top shape. Unfortunately, I do find that a lot of handheld selections aren't terribly large, making it somewhat difficult to get my entire body wet while showering, so it's a tradeoff that requires some thought.

Overall, I'd highly recommend learning how to replace a shower head and swap yours for a Jolie — your bathroom will feel all the more luxurious for it. Speaking of which, we have a feeling you'll love these luxe small bathroom ideas that are big on the bougie, but not the price tag.

Jolie shower head specifications

• Weight: 1.56lbs
• Colors: 4
• Filter materials: A proprietary blend of KDF-55 and Calcium Sulfite
• Style: Stationary
• Compatibility: Universal fit for U.S. showers
• Shape: Round
• Price: $165

What I loved about the Jolie shower head

There's quite a bit to love about Jolie, but I'll make things simple, otherwise I might have you here all day.

The size: Though it might look a little bulky, you'll appreciate Jolie's size once you step under its blast range in the shower. No part of your body goes unbathed, and you'll step out feeling squeaky clean.

The water pressure: As Goldilocks would say, it was just right. Not too high an not too low. I pinched a few extra minutes out of my busy day soaking under it because I enjoyed the sensation so much.

What I didn't love about the Jolie shower head

The stationary position: Although I find that handheld shower heads are often too small when they're fastened to the wall, I do love them for a thorough hair wash. When Jolie decides to come out with a handheld version of its beloved filtered shower head, I'll be the first in line. No doubt it'll be a game-changer.

How to use the Jolie shower head

Nothing intimidates me quite like having to put something together. Fortunately, Jolie's installation could not have been simpler. I simply unscrewed my apartment's shower head, used the plumber's tape included in the kit, and fastened Jolie right in. It was a breeze, especially considering I've had some seriously unsuccessful DIYs in years gone by. 

Good to know

I tested the Jolie shower head in my Brooklyn apartment in the winter for one week where I showered daily and washed my hair every other day. Let it be known I extended the test and kept the shower head on for about one month before switching to another selection. 

Overall, I was looking for a shower head with more pressure and a larger size, and Jolie delivered. However, I did miss having a handheld option that allowed me to rinse my hair more thoroughly. But overall, I am not willing to forgo size for a handheld selection, which is usually fairly small.

If Jolie isn't for you, here are some alternatives that might be a better fit for your showering needs, according to Real Homes' reviewers.

Where to buy the Jolie shower head

You can shop the Jolie shower head directly from the Jolie website, but you can also find the fan-favorite bathroom accessory on retailers like Amazon or Anthropologie. 

How we test

This winter, I tested Jolie for one week — and extended the time after loving it so much — where I showered daily and washed my hair every other day. I was able to compare the product to the original shower head that came with my bathroom and a handheld shower head I had been testing for Real Homes. My main concerns during testing were quality and performance, and Jolie delivered.

As a renter with a '50s-style bathroom, installing the sproos! shower head felt like a welcome way to rejoin modern times, and I was more than ready to catch up and feel pampered. 

The brand offers lots to love in terms of aesthetics and function, but I had thought limitations within my lease would prevent me from using anything other than the fossil that came with my place. I was glad I was wrong. 

Without any construction, I was able to get my sproos! up and running and enjoy a spa-like feel right from home, courtesy of one of the best high-pressure shower heads on shelves. And let me tell you, I had a *great* hair day because of the customizable and handheld offerings, though I do wish the shower head itself was a bit bigger. 

Overall, I can easily see why this has become a fan-favorite and viral buy. Plus, there's something for all shoppers with a variety of bundles that include add-on features, like shelves, a phone holder — should you feel inclined to listen to tunes while you shower — and a non-fog mirror.

sproos! shower head review

What I thought of the sproos! shower head

What attracted me to sproos! is the fact that the founders — who are Brooklyn-based like myself — get being a renter in New York. You want certain amenities, but you're not always able to tailor your place to your needs because of lease restrictions. I'm glad I figured out how to replace a shower head and got to personalize my experience. Plus, it was a nice, modern addition to an otherwise dated bathroom.

Additionally, it felt good knowing there were green features. The shower head boasts a 1.8-gpm (gallons per minute) flow rate, which complies with WaterSense and CalGreen standards in the U.S. Plus, sproos! uses eco-conscious finishes.

In terms of the performance, the various settings (Monsoon, Jet, and Cloudburst) and water pressure were perfect for a close shampoo and condition, and such a thorough wash made it a lot easier to tame my curls. My strands felt a lot healthier than they had in a long time. Although I was able to get in a good clean, I was a bit uncomfortable under the shower, as the small size did not allow my entire body to get wet. Plus, it's wintertime in New York — a hot shower is always welcome.

sproos! shower head specifications

• Weight: 2 lbs
• Colors: 4
• Filter materials: 
• Style: Handheld
• Compatibility: Shower arm connector
• Shape: Round
• Price: Starts at $69