I'm a tech critic, here's how to work productively from your garden
There really is nothing worse than having to sit indoors and work on a beautiful summer's day. But the realities of working outside, with the sun shining on your face, glare hitting the screen, and your laptop constantly overheating might make it less of an enjoyable experience than you first thought.
If you want to work smart this summer when you're outdoors in the garden, I've rounded up a survival kit of gadgets to help ensure you're just as productive outside as you are when working inside.
How I tested
I've found a product for every possible working outdoor annoyance, and then put that product through rigorous testing on my north London balcony and in my parents' garden to ensure it successfully fixes that problem.
With this set-up, you won't need access to many (if any) plug sockets, so you can work well without having to thread an extension lead out of the window. I've thought about sun glare, noise, persistent and fast access to the internet, your laptop overheating, and, of course, you overheating.
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The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
I'm a tech critic, here's how to work productively from your garden
Another heatwave is upon us, and it's time to reinstate your portable air conditioner in its prime position and ensure you've got a handheld fan whenever you leave the house. When it comes to working, I'd recommend moving your office outside into the garden or onto your balcony and patio – consider this your ultimate guide to WFO (working from outside). There really is nothing worse than having to sit indoors and work on a beautiful summer's day. But the realities of working outside, with the sun shining on your face, glare hitting the screen, and your laptop constantly overheating might make it less of an enjoyable experience than you first thought. If you want to work smart this summer when you're outdoors in the garden, I've rounded up a survival kit of gadgets to help ensure you're just as productive outside as you are when working inside. How I tested I've found a product for every possible working outdoor annoyance, and then put that product through rigorous testing on my north London balcony and in my parents' garden to ensure it successfully fixes that problem. With this set-up, you won't need access to many (if any) plug sockets, so you can work well without having to thread an extension lead out of the window. I've thought about sun glare, noise, persistent and fast access to the internet, your laptop overheating, and, of course, you overheating.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
Hyundai 3000W Garden Shredder review: Garden waste needs to watch out with this powerful mulcher
The products or services listed have been independently tested by our journalists. We earn a commission from the affiliate links in this article. Read more > What is the Hyundai 3000W Garden Shredder? The Hyundai 3000W Garden Shredder (HYSH3000E) is a mains-powered general purpose impact garden shredder and chipper. Its 3,000W motor drives a disc blade rotating at 4,500 rpm to process small branches, fibrous stems, bark and fir cones. At £139.99 it is not the cheapest shredder on the market but its design and build give it strong value. All nine shredders I tested aim to turn waste into mulch, so the main points of comparison between this one and brands including Bosch, Stihl and Einhell, are whether they do their job safely and efficiently and if it's easy for the operator, too. Practical features helped the Hyundai stand out, including multiple stowage brackets for the paddle used to push down waste, a large detachable hopper and a 10 metre lead. Combined with solid performance, these earned it the title of Best Buy. JUMP TO: How we test garden shredders I run a flower farm, a prime location for testing garden shredders, as we prune and tend to the plants often. We score each machine on set-up, performance, design, ease of use and maintenance and quality. All models tested were cutting or impact shredders, not crushing types, and were trialled on the same mix of stems from our workshop. Set-up was generally straightforward across all the shredders. The challenges came during operation: could it pull stems in smoothly without kick-back or splinters escaping from the feed chute? Safety features prevent operation when the casing is open. I gave higher scores to machines with a removable upper casing for easier cleaning or blade changes. Power lead length was also noted. To assess running noise, I used a decibel app, standing a hoe's length away from each shredder for consistency. I measured only the motor noise, as cutting sounds vary with the material. I deducted marks for limited stem capacity, unpleasant kick-back and exaggerated claims. I also considered the ease of blade-changing, replacements costs, any warranties and customer support provision. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best gardening product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All opinions are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Set-up Score: 10/10 Putting the Hyundai shredder together took about 10 to 15 minutes, including the time spent unboxing and reading the manual. The instructions were simple to follow with diagrams and written guidance, making the process straightforward. All that was needed for assembly was a Phillips screwdriver and a hex key, which were both provided. Once the chassis and wheels are attached, the 50-litre collection box slides in smoothly and is held in place by a thumb-operated latch which requires little pressure to release. You can use the Hyundai with or without the hopper, held by chunky clips on each side. These made it easy to attach, unlike some other models. It is more versatile than many shredders on test. Performance Score: 9/10 All the shredders I tested performed well. The Hyundai stood out for how easily it cut and chopped garden waste. Woody stems were reduced to small pieces, and only a few long fibrous stems passed through uncut, which is fine when making rough mulch for compost. During testing, the motor showed no strain, and there was no troubling noise or vibration. The overload protection never activated, but it was reassuring to know it was in place. Design Score: 9/10 The Hyundai shredder is solid and robust, which is reflected by its nearly 15kg weight. All its catches and switches are chunky and accessible, from the push-button ignition, housing-lock and hopper clips to the thumb-operated latch on the collection box. It has one of the largest hoppers I've tried, and a 50-litre rigid collection box for the chopped up waste. There are even brackets on board so you can store the paddle and coiled up 10-metre lead neatly. Only one other shredder – the Stihl GHE 105 Electric Chipper / Shredder – had a lead of comparable length. Of course, as it is not battery operated, it may not suit particularly large gardens. Should you need more capacity, Hyundai also sells a 2800W Quiet Garden Shredder, which comes with a 60-litre collection box and costs £179.99. Score: 9/10 The Hyundai shredder is stable and easy to move around the garden, with chunky 180mm diameter wheels and rubber stoppers on its legs. My only criticism is that when you tip the shredder while holding the main handle, the hopper butts up uncomfortably against your forearm. Once in position and ready to use, there is a red button to start and stop the motor. Its other control is the dial to open the upper casing – marked with open and closed padlock symbols – to access the blades. Having a 10-litre hopper is useful if you want to load it with smaller cuttings and let them work their way down. Or use the plastic paddle to push items through the shredder's rubbery teeth and on to the blade. I particularly liked the teeth, as they are flexible enough to allow easy access while simultaneously preventing splinters flying back out. Maintenance and quality The Hyundai comes with its own tools, two replacement blades and a manual with troubleshooting tips. If that is not enough, Hyundai provides aftersales support through a UK phone line, email and live chat. A three-year warranty is included. The build quality and durability of the Hyundai garden shredder inspire confidence. During testing, there were no interruptions or blockages. If the shredder doesn't start, the likely cause is an open casing or a collection box not clicked into place. Both are reassuring safety features. In all, it is a well-made shredder that should last you a long time. Maintenance guidance is clear. The manual advises using a clean cloth to remove debris after each use. I also used a brush, which did the job just as well. Technical specifications I compared the Hyundai 3000W with its closest competitor – the Draper 230V Rapid. The Hyundai comes out on top for price, stem-cutting size as well as lead length but there's little which separates them when it comes to noise levels and weight. Should you buy the Hyundai 3000W Garden Shredder? I found the Hyundai 3000W Garden Shredder a welcome addition to our tool shed and I am looking forward to using it in the coming months. If you want to transform your clippings and garden waste into mulch, or speed up the time it takes to compost, it's a reliable all-rounder. Yes, if: You want value for money and a general purpose garden shredder You don't want to use an extension lead No, if: What type of garden waste is the Hyundai 3000W Garden Shredder best for? Fibrous or woody waste with stems up to 45mm diameter. How noisy is the Hyundai 3000W shredder to operate? It is 95dB loud when running but not processing waste. I didn't notice a great increase in noise when cutting, though. What are the safety features? There's a built-in safety switch. If the main unit's cover isn't fully closed, the shredder will not start. It also features overload protection, cable strain relief and a little clip to keep the cable tidy. What is the shredded material like? It produces an even, thoroughly chopped mulch that's helpful for composting.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Amazon shoppers rush to buy hugely discounted tower fan for the heatwave – reduced from £324.99 to £69.99
It's been an incredibly hot summer so far, and this week the temperatures are soaring above 30 degrees. A good fan is an essential, and Amazon has cut the price of a bestselling model, reducing it from £324.99 to £69.99. 1 Pureborne 36" Smart Tower Fan £69.99 (was £324.99) While a bit of hot weather doesn't go amiss, many UK homes aren't built to stay cool and air con is a rarity. Whether you work from home, want to relax without overheating or struggle to sleep in the heat, an efficient fan is a smart investment. The Pureborne 36" Smart Tower Fan is now £69.99, and while Amazon is never lacking in deals, it's rare to see a discount as big as 78%. The slim design of a tower fan is ideal if you don't want to take up too much floor space, and it also means the airflow reaches a higher range so you can stay cool in bed or on the sofa. This one's 91cm tall, and has four speeds and four modes - 'normal' for a powerful airflow, 'natural' replicating an outdoor breeze, 'sleep' for during the night and 'auto'. The 1-12 hour timer is handy if you want to set intervals for while you sleep, or you can set it to come on and cool down the room before you arrive home. Another useful feature is the app connection - you can connect the fan to your phone to control it remotely, and it can also be connected to Alexa and Google for voice activation. The fan is designed to be quiet too, so you can minimise disturbance while you're working or doing chores around the house. With a perfect five-star rating so far, the Amazon fan is racking up customer reviews, and has made it onto the bestsellers list. One shopper said: ''This Pureborne tower fan is sleek and super quiet, perfect for bedrooms or offices.'' ''The remote and app control make it super convenient to adjust settings from anywhere.'' ''Great airflow and easy to use!'' Another commented: ''Quiet, Powerful, and Smart!'' While a third praised the fan, adding: ''This fan is a fantastic space saver!'' ''Not only does it save space but it is easy to use and helps to keep my home office cool.'' Alternatively, if your sleep's being affected by the heatwaves, you could see a big difference by trying out one of the best cooling pillows. Shark FlexBreeze fan review.
