Pete Wise

Pete Wise tests 14 packing cube sets and related storage products during trips around England, assessing organization, crease prevention, durability, materials, capacity and value. July’s four-pack is the overall winner for keeping clothes neat, while M&S offers the best budget option, Stubble & Co provides the most internal organization, Antler delivers the strongest compression and Troubadour is the best shoe bag. The review also highlights alternatives from Thule, Away, Briggs & Riley, Lifeventure, Carl Friedrik and LittleLife. Packing cubes work best when filled close to capacity, and compression models can save space, particularly in suitcases and backpacks.

Pete Wise tests 11 large suitcases by repeatedly dropping them from a ladder, as well as assessing their capacity, organisation, manoeuvrability, locks and handles. Away The Large is named the best overall, Tripp Holiday 8 Large the best budget option, July Checked the best lightweight case, Horizn Studios H6 Pro the best small suitcase, Carl Friedrik The Trunk the best luxury-looking model and the Miffy cabin case the best option for teenagers. The review finds that polycarbonate cases generally offer the strongest balance of durability and weight, while cheaper ABS models can be lighter but more vulnerable to cracking. It also explains how to choose TSA-approved locks, pack efficiently, account for airline size limits and reuse or donate old luggage.

Pete Wise tests a range of cat toys with kittens, foster cats and his own cat, Martha. Interactive toys, especially Nature’s Goodies’ raffia teaser, receive the strongest endorsement, while Pets at Home’s scrunchie ball is the budget pick. Other recommendations include Zebedee’s valerian mouse, PetSafe’s Peek-A-Bird and Honeysuckle Cat Toys’ scented pouch, with caveats about durability, space, scent preferences and cats losing interest. The review advises owners to vary toys, observe individual hunting and play preferences, and use safe household objects or homemade alternatives when appropriate.

Pete Wise tests 10 air purifiers using controlled increases in household PM2.5 pollution, measuring cleaning performance, energy use, noise, usability and additional features. The Blueair Blue Signature Large is the strongest overall performer, while the Levoit Core Mini offers the best budget option for small spaces, the MeacoClean CA-Hepa 76x5 is the recommended mid-size model, and the Sans Air Purifier Mini is the preferred compact purifier. Other models provide useful combinations of features such as dehumidification, phone charging, app controls and sunrise simulation, but involve compromises in price, power or functionality. The article explains the role of HEPA and activated-carbon filters, recommends monitoring performance to determine when filters need replacing, and notes that purifiers can help offset indoor pollution from cooking, wood fires, dust and other household activities.

Pete Wise tests 17 power banks, portable power stations and solar chargers across smartphones and laptops. The Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-port 20K is selected as the best overall option, while other recommendations target budget buyers, portability, smartphone charging, extreme speed, high storage and multi-user laptop charging. The review finds that higher-capacity and higher-wattage models generally deliver faster or broader charging but are heavier, bulkier and more expensive. Portable power stations suit camping, outdoor events and power cuts, whereas solar products are environmentally appealing but dependent on sunlight and slower than conventional power banks. Buyers are advised to match wattage, voltage, capacity and connector types to their devices, maintain lithium-ion batteries carefully and recycle old power banks through appropriate electrical-waste channels.

Pete Wise tested 15 umbrellas during daily use and in strong winds on the exposed summit of Mam Tor in the Peak District. The London Undercover Classic was the best overall performer, resisting inversion while providing strong rain protection, while the Doppler Zero 99 was the best budget choice and the Blunt Metro the best compact model. The review finds that stormproof designs with vents, double layers or reinforced ribs perform best in high winds, whereas most folding umbrellas are more vulnerable to inversion. It also compares models for coverage, portability, style, durability and value, and offers guidance on umbrella care, repairs and disposal.

Pete Wise tests seven leading cabin bags by hauling them through Leeds, over obstacles and through mud at the West Leeds Activity Centre. The test assesses weight, balance, handle comfort and durability under conditions intended to reflect the difficulties of rushing through stations and airports. Tripp’s Holiday 8 is praised as a strong budget option, while the July Carry On is judged the overall winner. The cases are then donated to the activity centre to support young people in insecure accommodation.

Pete Wise tests seven cabin bags after first assessing 11 models in everyday travel conditions, then subjecting the finalists to an assault course involving mud, obstacles and uneven terrain. The July Carry On is named the best overall for its combination of durability, design, manoeuvrability and storage, while the Tripp Holiday 8 is the budget choice, Carl Friedrik’s Carry-on X the luxury option and Away’s Carry-On Flex the best expandable model. The review also assesses bags from Ogio, The North Face and Mous, highlighting trade-offs involving weight, protection, storage, durability and airline size limits. Travellers are advised to check individual airline restrictions, as many cabin bags are close to or exceed common limits, particularly when expanded.

A hands-on comparison of cordless drills uses timed “Drillympics” challenges and real renovation tasks to assess screw driving, drilling wood and concrete, bit changes, battery performance and recharge times. The Makita DHP490Z wins the overall speed test, while the Draper D20 and Ryobi 18V One+ also rank highly among combi drills. Heavier SDS+ models are assessed separately for repeated drilling into breeze blocks, reflecting their specialist use.

Pete Wise tests cordless drills for common DIY and renovation tasks, using timed drilling, screw-driving and hammer-drilling challenges on wood, breeze blocks and masonry. The Makita DHP490Z is named the best overall drill for its speed, power and versatility, while the Guild is the budget pick, the Ryobi is the best lightweight model and the Makita DHR202 is the strongest specialist SDS+ hammer drill. The review also assesses Bosch, Draper and Black+Decker models, explaining their strengths, limitations, battery requirements and suitability for different users. It concludes with practical guidance on drill types, battery capacity, chucks, voltage and choosing the correct drill bits for wood, masonry, metal and other materials.

Pete Wise tests 12 electric heaters and recommends nine, naming the Beldray 2,000W smart ceramic core radiator the best overall, the Russell Hobbs oscillating ceramic heater the best budget option, the Dreo Solaris 718 the best fan heater, the Everhot the best stove-style model and the Mill Wifi Max the most efficient for medium to large rooms. The review compares heating performance, noise, safety, energy use, running costs, smart features and size. It concludes that electric heaters are generally more expensive to run than gas heating, although heating a single room can be cheaper than switching on central heating throughout a home.