Latest news with #Homedics
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Tech review: Homedics MYTI Massage Gun is the perfect tool to tackle my football aches and pain
I never thought the day would come when I started playing middle-aged football. Every Monday night I gather along with a dozen or so men the same age as me and we try to relive our days of Sunday League football and being able to race around pitches like nutters. We still try, of course. These days, though the pace is slower, the injuries are more prevalent, and the recovery time is roughly the next seven days until we try and do it all over again. I have arthritis in my knees and I am carrying too much weight, so it's always hitting me hard by around Wednesday. It's the aching that really gets me, hamstrings and calf muscles can be pretty painful, I've even been known to go up and down the stairs on my hands and knees! With a view to trying anything, I took a look at the Homedics MYTI Mini Massage Gun to see what a bit of DIY muscle repair could do. I'd never used one of these before and was instantly impressed with how small it was, but more importantly how powerful it was. The gun has four different speed settings ranging from a gentle vibration, to the top level which is a pretty vigorous pulsating, hammer effect. I put it straight on my neck on level four, and I quickly learned I needed to read the instructions and take it seriously as my whole head started vibrating with my teeth rattling. You have to be pretty sensible and I quickly opted to start again with level one. There are different attachments that you can fit to the gun, with each one serving a specific purpose. Some of the attachments like the ball attachment are suitable for the full body massage and perfect for hamstrings and calves. You can try the plate attachment if you want to apply heat and target areas with an intense and focused approach. This was really good for helping with the aching muscles, particularly on my hamstring. I've seen a lot of chiropractors in the last 12 months, due to bad posture and too much time with my head down in my laptop. I found that the bullet-shaped attachment was really good for targeting the sharp aches I find in my neck. It was my choice how much I 'attacked' this area, but I found that the stronger the vibration the less tension I had the next day. The power in this device which is charged via cable, is really impressive considering the size of it, it's very compact and would easily fit in a coat pocket or a handbag. The build quality looks brilliant and it's definitely an effective product, particularly at the price range it sits in. I really like it, it's definitely serving a purpose, and once you get used to how it best benefits you, it's a great product. If I was being picky, which I am paid to be, I did find that mine has a bit of a rattle to it, it doesn't affect the performance, but it is mildly annoying. I honestly don't know if that is just mine, I certainly haven't seen any other comments about that issue. Where to buy Available from £79.99 on Amazon UK, the Homedics Website and Argos Reviews Amazon user: Works really well,the heat end doesn't take long to get warm at all about 10 seconds if that,can tell its worked afterwards would definitely recommend worth the money Amazon user: Feels very well made and sturdy, but small enough for my hand to hold for extended sessions. Heated massage head is great. As for results, it has really helped our sore muscles post-exercise and with releasing tension in our bad shoulder/back. Argos user: It could have a nicer feeling to the ball massage attachment if I have to say something negative. A smoother finish would feel better. Alternatives Renpho mini massage gun Theragun Mini
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
These 'game-changer' Apple AirPods have nearly 20% off
These 'game-changer' Apple AirPods have nearly 20% off You can snap up Apple AirPods in a great deal on Amazon You can enjoy a discount on these AirPods (Image: Amazon ) A good pair of earbuds are essential for those on the move everyday or if you need to listen to your favourite podcast in peace. One of the best and highest rated earbuds have been slashed in price on Amazon. The Apple AirPods pro 2 wireless earbuds are now nearly 20% off. In a great price drop of 17% the AirPods are now £189 on Amazon. The earbuds have noise cancellation and the low-distortion, custom-built driver delivers crisp, clear high notes and full, rich bass in stunning definition. The earbuds come with four pairs of silicone tips in extra small, small, medium and large. This means they can fit a wide range of ear shapes and provide all-day comfort. TECH REVIEW: Tech review: Homedics MYTI Massage Gun is the perfect tool to tackle my football aches and pain RARE DEALS: Rare deal stack drops 50% off Yeti tumbler making it £35 cheaper than Stanley rival If you don't fancy AirPods Currys are selling the Sony wf-1000xm5 wireless bluetooth noise-cancelling earbuds for £199. The tips create an acoustic seal to help keep out noise and secure the AirPods in place. Both the AirPods and the charging case are dust, sweat, and water-resistant, so you can listen comfortably in more conditions. Shoppers love these earbuds, one said: "I absolutely love my Apple AirPods Pro 2! These are by far the best wireless earbuds I've ever used. The sound quality is incredible crisp highs, deep lows, and overall a rich, high-fidelity experience." The AirPods have great reviews (Image: Amazon ) For a different option, Argos is selling the Samsung galaxy buds3 pro true wireless earbuds for £219. Another lover of the AirPods, said: "I've been using the AirPods Pro 2 for a few weeks now, and I'm blown away by the improvements Apple has made. As a long-time AirPods fan, I was excited to see what the new Pro 2 model had to offer, and I can confidently say that it's a game-changer." A third said: "If you want excellent sound quality, superior noise cancellation, and deep Apple ecosystem integration, the AirPods Pro 2 are a top choice." And: "The AirPods Pro 2 revolutionize the audio listening on iPhone. Connecting them is easy—pop open the case and they connect automatically. The H2 chip brings active noise cancellation that is just exceptional, blocking out everything from train sounds to office whispers." Another choice is the Beats powerbeats pro 2 true wireless bluetooth in-ear sport headphones from John Lewis for £249. Article continues below One person was not happy with the AirPods, they said: "Unable to accept a return and parcel was damaged and opened with missing parts."
North Wales Live
17-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Tech review: Homedics Glo Body Analyser Bathroom Scale offers a weighty data package
I am one of those people that stops and starts diets constantly. It's fair to say I need a pairt of scales as much as the next person, and that I should be paying more attention to what they are telling me. Bathroom scales are a fairly bland piece of household equipment, despite the odd attempt throughout history to make them more interesting. As a child of the 80s, I remember we had a set of scales that actually had a piece of carpet on the top of them to match the bath mat. At first I had to google this to make sure I hadn't dreamt it, but yes, this was a thing. Scales had carpet on for comfort, some had a cork topping. We've come a long way from those very strange days. Back in those days scales were just a platform and a magnified dial to see the bad news, these days they are a lot more sophisticated. So much so that I was genuinely quite shocked at the technology and information that is packed into these scales from Homedics. The glass topped design of these scales looks great and they are thin enough to fit under most cabinets or tucked neatly into a draw or cabinet. They also have a really nice backlight which operates via a motion sensor, very useful at night and it looks pretty funky. Metrics can be changed at the touch of a button depending on whether you prefer pounds or kilos. The readings are very quick and calibrated to give you a 100% accurate reading. These are more than just your standard stand on and read the measurement scales. Yes, you can do that, but these offer so much more in terms of the data. An accompanying app can be used in conjunction with the scales, and this is where the magic happens. On here you can set targets and goals, and learn a lot about your measurements. For example it takes the reading, combined with your data, and it gives you readings for things like your body mass, BMI, muscle mass and fat free body weight. With 13 essential body measurements included, it builds a picture of your body and over time the data allows the app to track your progress and help you with real sustainable development. You can also link the device up to things like Apple Health and FitBit, which is really useful if combining with your weight tracking with exercise. This is effectively the next generation of bathroom scales, I'm back on the first rung of my weight loss journey, but I am hopeful that these scales combined with the app, can help me make real progress. Glo Body Analyser Bathroom Scale is available now for £34.99 from the Homedics website, Argos and Amazon. Reviews Amazon user: Excellent scales, it gives you so much more information than you would have from just a regular scale. The only downside to this is that to access that information at your leisure, you do need a mobile device upon which you can download the Glo Homedics app. Amazon user: Without the app though you would be missing out on the features to provide and track other measurements. Luckily for the privacy conscious you can sign into the app as a guest without setting up an account. This is what I chose to do in order to test the unit properly. The scales are very accurate quick to take measurements and the device is attractive to look at. When using the app, it takes around 10 seconds for all the sensors to take a broader set of measurements. These are useful and in particular for goal setting you weight reduction experience. I'd thoroughly recommend this unit, it looks great, works well out of the box in simple modes and has a comprehensive set of other measurements and goal tracking freatures.
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Tech review: Homedics Glo Body Analyser Bathroom Scale offers a weighty data package
I am one of those people that stops and starts diets constantly. It's fair to say I need a pairt of scales as much as the next person, and that I should be paying more attention to what they are telling me. Bathroom scales are a fairly bland piece of household equipment, despite the odd attempt throughout history to make them more interesting. As a child of the 80s, I remember we had a set of scales that actually had a piece of carpet on the top of them to match the bath mat. At first I had to google this to make sure I hadn't dreamt it, but yes, this was a thing. Scales had carpet on for comfort, some had a cork topping. We've come a long way from those very strange days. Back in those days scales were just a platform and a magnified dial to see the bad news, these days they are a lot more sophisticated. So much so that I was genuinely quite shocked at the technology and information that is packed into these scales from Homedics. The glass topped design of these scales looks great and they are thin enough to fit under most cabinets or tucked neatly into a draw or cabinet. They also have a really nice backlight which operates via a motion sensor, very useful at night and it looks pretty funky. Metrics can be changed at the touch of a button depending on whether you prefer pounds or kilos. The readings are very quick and calibrated to give you a 100% accurate reading. These are more than just your standard stand on and read the measurement scales. Yes, you can do that, but these offer so much more in terms of the data. An accompanying app can be used in conjunction with the scales, and this is where the magic happens. On here you can set targets and goals, and learn a lot about your measurements. For example it takes the reading, combined with your data, and it gives you readings for things like your body mass, BMI, muscle mass and fat free body weight. With 13 essential body measurements included, it builds a picture of your body and over time the data allows the app to track your progress and help you with real sustainable development. You can also link the device up to things like Apple Health and FitBit, which is really useful if combining with your weight tracking with exercise. This is effectively the next generation of bathroom scales, I'm back on the first rung of my weight loss journey, but I am hopeful that these scales combined with the app, can help me make real progress. Glo Body Analyser Bathroom Scale is available now for £34.99 from the Homedics website, Argos and Amazon. Reviews Amazon user: Excellent scales, it gives you so much more information than you would have from just a regular scale. The only downside to this is that to access that information at your leisure, you do need a mobile device upon which you can download the Glo Homedics app. Amazon user: Without the app though you would be missing out on the features to provide and track other measurements. Luckily for the privacy conscious you can sign into the app as a guest without setting up an account. This is what I chose to do in order to test the unit properly. The scales are very accurate quick to take measurements and the device is attractive to look at. When using the app, it takes around 10 seconds for all the sensors to take a broader set of measurements. These are useful and in particular for goal setting you weight reduction experience. I'd thoroughly recommend this unit, it looks great, works well out of the box in simple modes and has a comprehensive set of other measurements and goal tracking freatures. Alternatives arboleaf Bluetooth Smart Digital
WIRED
20-02-2025
- General
- WIRED
The Best Essential Oil Diffusers
Skip to main content Feb 20, 2025 11:09 AM Keep things smelling fresh with these handy home gadgets. If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Nobody wants a stinky house. An essential oil diffuser can help disperse fragrance throughout your home, and the internet is full of similar-looking picks at all sorts of price ranges. I dug into a few popular options—like our top pick, the Urpower Aroma ($30)—to try and find diffusers that'll freshen the air without causing more trouble than they're worth. Be sure to check out our related buying guides, including the Best Scented Candles, the Best Bedsheets, and the Best Robot Vacuums. Power up with unlimited access to WIRED . Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today. How We Tested and What's Up Next AccordionItemContainerButton I tested each diffuser for at least two hours and had the help of friends and family to ascertain how strong a scent was over time. I left the room for a few minutes and walked back in, and I tried every mode and option possible. I have additional diffusers to test from Homedics, Urpower, Seasons, and more. Be on the lookout for results in a future update. Scent Diffuser Safety and Tips AccordionItemContainerButton Scent diffusers primarily work in two different ways: Ultrasonic diffusers mix water and oil into a fine, lightly-scented mist, and nebulizers blow air through oil to produce a more strongly-scented mist. Nebulizers can be louder and tend to cost more, but ultrasonic diffusers require water refills and don't produce as strong of a scent. Some ultrasonic diffusers recommend using distilled water, though tap water is fine. Just be aware that tap water can leave sediment or hard water deposits behind. You should clean your diffuser every three or four uses. Essential oils can be purchased in blends or single concentrated scents. If you have pets, some essential oils pose risks and can even be poisonous. Essential oils are most dangerous if applied topically to pets—a diffuser used for a short amount of time in a well-ventilated room doesn't pose as much risk. But it's important to monitor them and use caution, since sensitivities can vary from pet to pet. This pamphlet has more information on specific oils that can be harmful to cats and dogs. Always consult your vet before proceeding. Urpower 300ml Aroma Essential Oil (2nd Gen) Sometimes the simplest product is the best, and that's the case here. The Urpower Aroma scent diffuser doesn't have too many bells and whistles, but it works and it works well. There are two buttons on its housing: one to turn on the mist and set a timer (choose between 60, 180, or 360 minutes, or just leave it on), and the other to cycle among seven different colored lights (or turn them off entirely). You fill the little tank with water and add a few drops of your chosen scented oil. The tank holds enough water to run for about six or seven hours, and the diffuser will shut off automatically once the tank is empty. It puts out quite a bit of steam, which I personally found soothing during the dry winter while I was testing it. The scent strength and longevity depends on how many drops of oil you add to the tank. Note that the lid doesn't lock onto the tank, so you'll want to keep it in a stable place away from kids and pets (as you would with any other household tech). Type Ultrasonic Additional Features Light Oil Type Bring your own Remote? No I first learned about Pura from a friend whose house always smelled like a high-end boutique under every circumstance. Cooking project, water leak … no matter what was going on in her house at the time, I only ever smelled berries. I have two cats and a multi-sports-playing tween—I knew I needed this. Now, about 14 months into my Pura journey, I have some thoughts. While most of my time has been with the now discontinued Pura 3, I have also since used the Pura 4 and new large-room Pura Plus, all of which have dual bays for two of Pura's proprietary oil cartridges. The Pura 3 and 4 both plug into an outlet and can only be controlled through the accompanying app (or Alexa or Google Home). This is convenient for setting schedules and timers, switching fragrances, and changing the color of the optional night-light, but there have also been numerous occasions where I've wanted to stop or start or change a schedule but have been unable to because I forgot my password or the diffuser couldn't connect to Wi-Fi. In the moment, it was infuriating. Mercifully, the stand-alone, cylindrical Pura Plus has manual control buttons on the front. The smaller Pura 4 really is best for enclosed spaces, like a long entryway or a bedroom (note that both only work with 2.4-Ghz Wi-Fi). If you have high ceilings or any kind of open floor plan, you'll get better results from the Pura Plus. Just note that, unlike the silent Pura 4, the Plus emits an audible whooshing sound that's actually quite loud—32 decibels, as loud as a fan on low. Another disappointing feature is the extremely varied quality among cartridge brands. I've experienced undetectable scents, chip stickers that arrive detached or register the wrong fragrance (the diffusers automatically scan the chips to show the fragrances in the app), and vial tops so stuck on they required pliers. Given that the cartridges run $11 to $17 for 0.33 ounces, I'm of the opinion this shouldn't be happening. That said, Pura is known for its clean, upscale oils that are safe for pets and families, and on this it delivers. There's an extensive selection of seasonal and year-round cartridges from companies like Nest, Anthropologie, and Capri Blue, and I've loved all but maybe one of the dozen or so I've tried. Because of the small size and price of the cartridges, Pura might not be the best choice if you want to smell diffuser all day, every day, as you'll end up spending a small fortune. However, if you love unique luxury scents and only need them occasionally and/or on demand, Pura is the way to go. —Kat Merck Type Nebulizer Additional Features Smart features, night-light Oil Type Proprietary Remote? No Aroma360 Mini Pro Scent Diffuser The Aroma360 Mini Pro is a slick-looking, compact diffuser that's available in a wide variety of colors. It releases scents in low, medium, or high increments—it'll spurt out the scent for a few seconds before taking a break. It's not too loud, and the scent disperses evenly, covering up to 600 square feet. On its face, the diffuser works well, and it looks nice wherever you place it. But I did have some issues that I wanted to highlight. The remote is flimsy and tiny. The diffuser only responded to it about half the time. And there's no dedicated button to turn the diffuser on or off. That means if your remote is acting up, you're stuck with the default mode. Secondly, the proprietary Pro-Pod scent bottle is messy. The first time I took it out of its plastic bag, it was covered in oil. I took off the lid, removed the foil cover, and promptly dropped the slippery bottle, resulting in strongly scented oil spilling all. Over. The. Place. My hands, my brand-new (expensive!) sweatpants, inside the diffuser itself. I spilled at least half of it. Starting at $55 a bottle, not only are these bottles overpriced, but they should absolutely have some sort of covering that prevents this from happening, similar to typical essential oil bottles—especially since you have to remove the oil bottle before transporting the diffuser anywhere. It's not the company's fault that I dropped the oil bottle—but it's not my fault that it is possible to spill the entire thing in one fell swoop! A cheap bottle of essential oil doesn't have that problem. There's no way a $50 one should. And finally, the cleaning kit is again, sold separately. I should be able to clean my diffuser on my own! Those issues aside, the scent I chose ('My Way') smelled fantastic. It's inspired by 1 Hotel and smells like leather, sandalwood, and amber. And it permeated the room without being too heavy or overpowering. Just handle it carefully! Type Nebulizer Additional Features None Oil Type Proprietary Remote? Yes Photograph: Louryn Strampe Hotel Collection Acoustic Studio Pro Scent Diffuser for $130: It's unclear which owns which, but Hotel Collection is related to Aroma360 (above). The diffusers use the same expensive proprietary scent pods that start at $55. I used My Way, which is inspired by 1 Hotel and smells like leather, amber, and sandalwood. It smelled great. This diffuser works well, and the remote was easy to pair. But the reason I was excited to try it is that it has a built-in Bluetooth speaker. Lo and behold, the Bluetooth wouldn't work. I couldn't get it to enter pairing mode no matter how many times I read the instruction manual or what buttons I tried to press. It's a pass for me.
