Product Review: Umbra Venti Swing-Top 16.5-Gallon Kitchen Trash Lid– Large, 35-inch Tall Garbage Can

 

The first can I received was shipped in a huge Amazon box, with a smaller inner box (with old labels on it) indicating that it may have been a returned item. The inner box was all bent up, and when I opened it, the can had two huge cracks on each side of the cylinder, which basically caused the thing to fall apart. Needless to say, I returned that one. I just received the replacement which was shipped in a smaller box, was packaged much better, and was not damaged at all.

I use the SimpleHuman "P" type trash bags which were way too big for my 10-gallon garbage can. They fit perfectly in this, and I am definitely not wasting a portion of the bag now with the can filling up before the bag does. I like that there is a ring to hold the bag in place and keep it from slipping down into the interior of the can. I am not a huge fan of the swing-type lid, but as long as you do not have something that is too stinky in the can it is not a huge issue. But, one thing that would make it better is a lid that fully closes the interior.

Product Review: Dial Liquid Hand Soap, Himalayan Pink Salt & Water Lily

 

I ordered this as a replacement for a subscribe and save item I had set up on Amazon. Usually, the soap I order through that comes inside a ziplock bag, and the top is screwed on well. This one was just plopped in a box with another item, and the top was loose (it did not come off all the way) causing some of the soap to leak out. Definitely not packaged as well as usual. The packaging issue aside, it does smell very good and is akin to the other non-foaming dial soaps.

Product Review: HDMI Switch 4K HDMI Splitter-Techole Aluminum Bi-Directional HDMI Switcher 2 Input 1 Output

 

I mounted my TV on the wall, and the mount covers one of the HDMI ports, making it impossible to access. So, I bought this so I could have both my Firestick and my blu-ray player connected to the TV without having to unplug a cable every time. A couple of things should be noted about this. First, it is a switch, not a splitter. So it does not allow for multiple displays on a single screen. It just allows you to switch between two devices by pushing the button on top of the unit. Second, it does not have its own power supply. It gets power by having something like a FireStick or Roku plugged into it (which is likely preferrable to most people). So, with those provisos, it works very well for what it is intended, and I definitely recommend it.

Product Review: Trianium Tempered Glass Screen Protector Designed for Apple iPhone 11

 

This is a screen protector for the iPhone 11. You get three glass protectors, which fit perfectly over the iPhone 11 screen. The instructions are very straightforward, and it took me all of 5 minutes to get it on. It fits just over the viewable area of the screen and does not get too close to the sides, which can interfere with getting a case on. There is a guide plate that goes over the phone to help get the screen protector on, which definitely helps get it lined up. Then, once I got it on I was able to get my case back onto the phone without any problem. I hope to never actually need three of these, but I definitely recommend them.

Product Review: Leviton 80709-W 2-Gang Toggle Device Switch Wallplate

 

I got these switchplate covers after I painted the walls of my townhouse. They fit a standard double switchplate, and I had no issues with missing screws. Definitely recommend them for an inexpensive switchplate replacement.

Product Review: Shark RV1001AE IQ Robot Self-Empty XL

 

I initially had this set up in my basement, which is partially finished with carpet. I closed the door to the mechanical room so it could not get in there. I watched it for part of the time while it was doing its run, and like the videos from Shark shows, it basically goes in rows across the floor. My basement is pretty much L-shaped, with a couch, bookcase, desk, a couple of DVD cabinets, and workout equipment against the walls. It was able to navigate to the obstructions, and once it figured out it could not go any farther, turned, and kept going. It seemed to get up the few specks on the floor well and returned to the base without a problem after about 35 minutes. It should be noted, that the carpet in the basement is basically brand new, and there are no kids or pets that go down there to get it dirty. Nor, do I have any area rugs or things that have caused other reviewers issues. One thing I do like is that the dust bin on the robot empties into the bin on the base. When the bin on the base gets full, you just empty it into the garbage. So, unlike the Roomba equivalent, it does not require bags (which for the Roomba are costly). 

I then moved it to the front entryway, which has vinyl plank flooring with rugs on it. Every so often it will get stuck on one of the rugs, but for the most part, it works just fine going over the rugs and transitioning from the hard floor and the rugs. I recently had to replace the battery, which is a bit of a pain in the ass, but it is working fine. One big point is that the app does not tell you that the battery needs to be replaced. It will just stop working and you kind of have to figure out what the issue is. 

Overall, I like it so far. If not for the weird issue with it coming off the base during the power outage, and not returning to it, I would have given it five stars. It does seem like when it is off the base the battery drains pretty quickly, but it does not take an extremely long time to charge up. 

Product Review: Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake & Dehydrate

 

This is the older model of the ninja grill. I purchased this because I do not need the extra features of the XL smart grill, and I liked that this one has a larger splatter guard, which covers the entire top interior of the cover. So far, I have used it to make air-fried tater tots and grill hamburgers (using pre-formed hamburger patties from the store).

Just from the couple of uses of the unit, I have found that when grilling it is a good idea to set the time for a couple minutes more than what the guide calls for, and then as you get to the last 5 minutes, check them to see if they are cooked to your desired level of doneness. On the preformed patties, 9 minutes cooked them to a doneness level between medium rare and medium. It will, of course, depend on the thickness of the meat. My version does not have the thermometer that plugs into the side of the unit, but I already have a digital meat thermometer, so I did not feel the need to pay extra for that.

The big pro is that this is very easy to clean. You simply pull out the inner container which holds the grill plate and the crisper basket when the unit is in use, get rid of the grease, then soak the container and grill plate and/or put them in the dishwasher. All the removable parts (the container, the grill plate, the crisper basket, and the splatter guard) are dishwasher safe.

Overall, it is much easier to use than an outdoor grill, especially if you are in a state with cold winters, and unlike some other indoor grills, it does not emit a lot of smoke. The instructions are easy to follow, and the food seems to turn out very well. If I need to update my review in the future I will do so, but so far with limited use of it, I am very satisfied.

Product Review: Universal Socket 7 to 19mm Socket Set with Wrench Power Drill Adapter

 

This is a universal socket head that comes with an adapter to connect it to a drill. It definitely saves a lot of time digging through different socket heads trying to find one to fit your bolt. Mine does not have any defective pins (as I have noticed some reviewers saying) and it works great. I definitely recommend it.

Product Review: Allmax AA Maximum Power Batteries

 

I go through a ton of AAA batteries, using them in remote controls and things like my wireless keyboard and mouse. These are a fraction of the price of the name-brand batteries, you get more in a pack than you would get buying batteries from most stores. They seem (at least so far) to last just as long as the name-brand batteries. So far, I am very satisfied with these.

Product Review: iRobot Roomba i7+ (7550) Robot Vacuum with Automatic Dirt Disposal

 

I have moved this around a couple of times in my townhouse (which is a split level). Initially, it was on the kitchen and living room level (which has vinyl plank flooring and a big area rug). Now, it is on my middle level which has a couple of bedrooms and the main bathroom (which is carpeted and then the sheet vinyl in the bathroom). For the initial mapping run, I stayed in the room to watch it as it moved around and did not notice it doing anything odd, getting stuck, or the like. It was able to navigate around my kitchen table and chairs, the chairs and shelves in my living room, and navigate from the vinyl plank flooring onto a large area rug, and back onto the hard flooring without a problem. It did a fairly good job of picking up the debris on the floor, and did a decent, albeit not great, job on the area rug. I am not sure if that is because of a lack of suction power or because the rug had been sitting in my garage for a couple of months while my townhouse was being renovated. It may need a few passes in order to get everything up out of it.

It did a great job along the baseboards and figured out how to get under chairs that it originally bumped into. The only place where it did not get stuff up was along the edge of the staircase going up from the main level to the bedroom level. The stirs are carpeted so there is kind of a transition where the vinyl plank and the carpet going up the stairs meet, and it did not do a great job on that edge. All in all, it took about 45 minutes, give or take, for it to do that entire level, return to the base, and empty into the bin. I did not get any weird errors or any of the problems that some people have reported.

On the carpeted level it does not do as good a job. I have an issue where the robot often loses communication with the base, so the base thinks the bag is full (even when it is not), or that there is a clog (I think because it is sitting on carpet). Realistically, there should be no need for a bag as the base unit should just have a bin that can be emptied. The dust bin on the robot (which is the part that empties into the base and bag) definitely gets clogged with more material when it is vacuuming carpet (especially newer carpet that still has the frills that have to be vacuumed up). \

Ultimately, this is a mixed bag. When it works, it does a good job. When it does not, it is a pain in the ass. 

Product Review: COTODO Picture Hanging Kit

 

This is a kit with a bunch of hanging accessories. While it is not a massive collection of stuff, there is a good assortment such as eyes, sawtooth hangers, wire, hooks, and nails. The nails that are included are for the accessories included in the kit. They are not useful for actually hanging pictures on the wall, however, because all the nail heads are very small. That knocks it down a star for me. Otherwise, it is a good set.

Product Review: Joseph Joseph Drawer Store - Compact Cutlery Drawer Organizer

 

I originally purchased the two-pack of these silverware holders, but I had enough silverware left over that I got a single one to put the rest in. These fit easily in a drawer and are much better at keeping silverware organized than the trays that require you to stack pieces on top of each other. And, they take up a lot less space than those, so you can get items that would not fit in a regular tray in the drawer as well. I definitely recommend these.

Product Review: 120PCS Push Pins, Plastic Head Transparent Thumb Tacks

 

This is a pretty basic collection of standard-sized thumb-tacks/push-pins. The small box they come in does not close very tightly, however, so you may want to transfer them into something that closes a bit better. During shipping, the small box had popped open inside the Amazon box it was shipped in, and tacks were all over the inside. Not a huge issue for me, but a bit of a pain nonetheless.

Product Review: 28 PCs Large Food Storage Containers with Airtight Lids

 

Overall, this is a great set of food storage containers. They are easy to store and clean and the snap-lids are very nice. The only change I would make is to get rid of the small, round containers and add one additional larger container. Although the small round containers are good for bringing things like salad dressing or cheese with your lunch to work, they are not all that great when it comes to actually storing leftovers, which was my main purpose for getting this set. That said, I still recommend it.

Product Review: OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Airtight POP Round Canister Set

 

This is a set of three food storage canisters. I have three sets of these now. They look great on a kitchen counter, or you can easily store them in a pantry or cupboard. There is a large, medium, and small canister, each of which holds a decent amount. The large canister can easily hold the contents of a 5-lb bag of flour and still have room to spare. While they do not vacuum seal, they are airtight so that air that is not already in them cannot get in once the lids are on, and they will definitely keep pests out (whether it is a random fly that gets in the house, or you have the misfortune of having mice getting into your kitchen), and unless you have an extremely smart pet, they will not be able to get into them either. I have flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, pasta, and cookies stored in my various canisters, and they work great for all of them. I definitely recommend these.

Product Review: HomeRight C800251 3/8 inch Roller Cover for Paint Power Roller

 

This is a replacement roller cover for the Wagner Spraytech Right PaintStick C800953.M Roller Applicator. The fibers do not shed on the wall, and you get good coverage with it. I love using the PaintStick for smaller areas where you need to use a paint roller.

Product Review: LITOM 30 LEDs Solar Motion Sensor Landscape Spotlights

 

This is a set of two solar-powered outdoor motion-detecting lights. I am using a couple of these in my back patio area. One I have mounted on a fence and one I used the stake to put it in the ground. The motion detection is great, both come on immediately when I open my patio door and throw a lot of light. They stay on for anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute after the motion stops. 

The idea is that you place them where they can get as much direct sunlight during the day, which will allow them to come on at night when the motion detection is tripped. The one mounted on the fence gets a lot of light until the afternoon when it is in the shade, and the one in the ground is partially obstructed by my satellite dish but still gets enough light that it works well. They are easy to install and you do not need to do any wiring or drilling (unless you want to mount it to the side of the house). I definitely recommend these and plan to get a couple more.

Product Review: Academic Wall Calendar 2020-2021

 

This is a  good calendar that can be hung on a wall or used on a desk. It has large blocks for the days that make keeping track of appointments or things like scheduling workouts easy. I definitely recommend it if you want a more functional calendar without pictures.

Supplement Review: Extra Strength Testosterone Booster for Men

 

This is promoted as a natural testosterone booster. I tried using it over the course of a few months and never noticed a huge increase in endurance or strength,. I also noticed that after a while the tablets seemed to be getting more and more of a gritty texture which has made them a lot harder to swallow (at least for me). Hence, I canceled my Subscribe and Save subscription on Amazon.

Product Review: Wagner Spraytech Right PaintStick Roller Applicator

 

This is a paint roller that allows you to put paint in the handle which then runs to the roller brush, reducing the need for constantly reloading paint on the brush. I found that watching the YouTube video on how to use this helped a lot. It works best if you have paint in a one-gallon can. The valve that you have to connect between the paint can and the stick does not really connect to a five-gallon bucket. It makes painting a far less messy process, with fewer drips than using a regular roller, as the paint is "stored" in the handle as you use it, and once you get it going, paints a lot more evenly. I definitely recommend this.

Product Review: Echo Dot (3rd Gen)

 

I have a second-generation echo dot, as well as a second-generation "regular" echo unit. My mom moved into my house due to health issues, and I wanted another dot so we could use the "drop-in" intercom feature in the basement where my office space is, should the need arise. Because of the prime-day two-for-one deal, I was able to get an extra dot for no cost. 

It seems like the sound quality in the newer generation of Echo Dots is much better than in the older versions. It is still not as good as the regular Echo or a Sonos speaker, but not as tinny as the sound in the second-generation dots. And, the set-up was a LOT easier. You still have to use the Alexa app to set it up, but it is much more of a "plug-and-play" process, with far fewer hoops (at least using the iPhone version of the Alexa app) to jump through to get it working. Basically, once it is plugged in, the Alexa app will recognize it, ask what WiFi connection it should use and that it is.

Product Review: WOVTE Bear Claw Black Telescopic Back Scratcher

 

This is a very compact back scratcher. I got it for my mom who is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments. One of the side effects she is dealing with is hives that cause her to itch all over. This is small enough when compressed down to its smallest size to carry in a bag, backpack, satchel, purse, etc., but extends enough to reach your entire back. It is sturdy, but not so sturdy that you want to have something heavy sit on top of it for very long or drop something on it. Overall, however, it is definitely worth the pickup.

Product Review: Hanes Men's 5-Pack X-Temp Comfort Cool Assorted Boxer Briefs

 

This is a five-pack of boxer briefs. They fit well, and the size chart is accurate. They do not bunch or ride up and are overall very comfortable. They are definitely a good value and worth the price.

Product Review: FILA Neoprene Covered Dumbbell

 

The Neoprene Coated dumbells are the only way, at least that I have found, to get the very light weights, like 3-lb weights and even 8-lb weights at a reasonable price. I personally use the lighter weights for some shoulder exercises that I either cannot do with a heavier weight or would be almost dangerous to try with heavier weight (like those that can put a lot of strain on your rotator cuffs). They are also good for people who want to weight train, but not put on a lot of muscle, or are just starting out and have not built up to using a heavier weight for some exercises. 

They are a bit shorter than the non-coated weights, so if your hands are really big they may not be easy to grip, and if you have a dumbbell rack they may not fit perfectly on it. But, if they do fit in your hand, they are easy to hold and do not slip, even if your hands get sweaty. You should note that they are sold individually, not as a pair. So, if you want two of them, and chances are most people will, you will have to pay attention to the online listings and buy two at the same time.

Product Review: Leviton 80701-W 1-Gang Toggle Device Switch Wallplate

 

I recently repainted my walls and wanted white switchplates to better match the wall color. These will fit a standard switch and includes the screws needed to install it, so you do not have to save the old screws which will probably be a different color if you are replacing an almond-colored switchplate, for example. These are sturdy, look good, and are a good value. I definitely recommend picking them up.