Latest news with #ZoeGriffin
The Independent
12-05-2025
- The Independent
11 best paddling pools to keep the kids cool and entertained this summer
If you want your kids to spend more time outdoors, paddling pools are a great place to start. Children love water play. Splashing around in the paddling pool not only makes a great screen-free activity but also keeps them active, burning off excess energy, while building their confidence in the water. From small pools for babies and toddlers to large inflatables with slides, fountains and interactive games, there are paddling pools to suit all ages, budgets and gardens. Want to join in the fun? Some paddling pools will appeal to parents too, with inflatable backrests, sun shades and cup holders. To help you choose, we've made the most of the early spring sunshine, putting a wide range of paddling pools to the test before revealing our pick of the best. Grab your air pump and get those goggles ready – here's our pick of the best paddling pools you can buy in 2025. How we tested To put paddling pools to the test, we recruited a group of keen testers aged between 1-11 years old. With some welcome spring sunshine and a mini heatwave on our side, we considered each pool's size and the age group it best suited. We also assessed more practical concerns like each pool's durability and the ease of filling and emptying after use. Most importantly, we gauged each pool's overall entertainment value. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews As a journalist of more than 10 years and a product reviewer of more than five, Zoe Griffin has tested everything from hiking head torches to running watches. When it comes to kids, she's an expert on balance bikes, gifts for 5-year-olds and – of course – the best paddling pools. As a parent herself, she's done the research so you don't have to. The best paddling pools for 2025 are:
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
11 best anti-snore pillows, tested for better sleep
If you or your partner snores, you've likely tried nasal sprays, strips or clips with mixed results. However, the best anti-snore pillows offer a more natural solution by aligning your head and neck to reduce pressure on your airways. Snoring occurs when airflow is restricted during sleep, causing tissue vibrations that produce noise. Studies have shown that side sleeping can significantly reduce snoring by minimising airway compression. Anti-snore pillows are designed to support side sleeping and prevent you from rolling onto your back during the night. It can take a few nights to adjust to side sleeping if you're used to another position, but the potential benefits – better breathing, deeper sleep, and improved alertness – are worth the effort. For those who can't get comfortable on their side, elevating the head by 4in can also improve airflow. While most anti-snore pillows focus on side sleeping, we also tested a few models designed for back sleepers. Keep scrolling to find out how we got on. How we tested We tested a range of anti-snore pillows over several months, using a mix of practical tools and good old-fashioned observation to see how well they worked in a real home setting. Each pillow was used for at least three weeks to give us time to get used to its shape, firmness, and support. To monitor snoring levels, we used the Snorelab app on our smartphone to record noise in the bedroom. This tracked noise levels and duration and gave us an overall snoring score (with one being the best and 100 the worst), so we had data to use when comparing the effects of each pillow. We also paid close attention to comfort, how easy it was to fall asleep, whether we stayed in position throughout the night, and how our neck and shoulders felt in the morning. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Zoe Griffin has been testing products for IndyBest since 2021. For every guide she's written, Zoe has adopted a thorough approach to testing while considering options for every budget. Her reviews are honest and practical, helping you to find the best products for your home. The best anti-snore pillows for 2025 are:
The Independent
08-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
10 best drain unblockers to de-clog your sinks and baths
A blocked drain can be an unpleasant but common issue, especially if anyone in your household has long hair or you live in an older home. However, it can take just a few minutes to clear stubborn blockages with a little help from one of the best drain unblockers. Saving you time, worry and mess, most sink and drain cleaners use a mix of chemicals – typically caustic soda, bleaching agents or both – that break down clogs caused by hair, grease, soap scum and food waste. These formulas are designed to dissolve blockages quickly, restoring water flow without the need to dismantle pipes or call in a plumber. Ignoring a slow-draining sink or bath can lead to more serious plumbing problems down the line, including foul odours, water damage, and costly repairs. Finding the right drain unblocker can help you avoid such headaches. We've put a range of drain cleaners to the test to find out which ones work best and are worth your time and money. We tested some chemical-based products as well as some natural or enzymatic alternatives in a bid to clear blockages while being kinder to the planet. How we tested We tested drain cleaners in multiple bathrooms and kitchens within an old Victorian house over a couple of months, allowing time for natural build-ups to accumulate. To ensure consistency, we added hair from a hairbrush and some extra soap and toothpaste scum to the sinks the day before using each unblocking product. Each product was assessed on how quickly it took effect, with visible signs of action such as foaming, bubbling, or water movement. We measured drainage speed before and after treatment. We also noted any strong chemical odours and checked whether surrounding surfaces were affected. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Zoe Griffin has been evaluating and reviewing products for IndyBest since 2021, testing a wide range of cleaning products like the best laundry detergents, the best stain removers, and the best fabric conditioners. Taking into account choices for all budgets, from supermarket own-brands to premium options, Zoe's reviews are always based on her genuine experiences through real-world testing. The best drain unblockers for 2025 are:
The Independent
30-01-2025
- Business
- The Independent
This eco-friendly cleaning brand helped me cut down on plastic waste
While it's easy to swap single-use plastic bags for eco-friendly canvas totes when we do our shopping and opt for products that come in recyclable packaging, our homes can still contain a lot of plastic. When we use a sponge to wipe down the table after breakfast, or we line our bins with a fresh rubbish bag, we're adding to the huge amount of plastic that will end up in landfill sites. But there are alternatives available that are kinder to our planet, and Seep is one small business doing things a little differently. Founded by Laura Harnett, Seep stands for 'sustainable everyday essential products' and offers a range of eco-friendly, plastic-free cleaning solutions. This includes compostable bin bags, bamboo multi-purpose cleaning cloths, reusable kitchen sponge scourers and eco rubber gloves. Even better, the products are stocked at Lakeland, Ocado and Amazon as well as on Seep's website, and it's easy to get them delivered to your door, too. All Seep products have gone through rigorous quality assessments to make sure they perform just as well as (if not better than) the average plastic sponge. However, I also put them to the test to see how well these eco-friendly cleaning products performed in my busy home environment. Having launched in 2020, the brand has now made its TV debut and appeared on Dragons' Den, where the brand founder pitched the plastic-free cleaning products in the hope of investment. In honour of this, I just had to put them to my own test. How we tested I tried a few different Seep products over the course of a month to see how well they lasted after repeated use. My household consists of four young children under the age of eight, who all eat different meals from my husband and me, so we do a lot of washing up – it's relentless. We're also constantly cleaning surfaces due to toast crumbs, sticky fingers and pasta sauce spillages, so we usually get through a lot of cleaning cloths and kitchen roll. We swapped our usual supermarket own-brand cleaning cloths for Seep's alternatives and also donned the Seep eco rubber gloves when we washed up. Why you can trust us Household cleaning reviewer Zoe Griffin tested each and every Seep cleaning product in her own bathroom, kitchen, and everywhere else that needed a good scrubbing. With a busy house full of messy little ones, Zoe is an expert in assessing home appliances and cleaning products, she has written about everything from electric heaters to cordless vacuum cleaners and has had a wealth of testing experience to draw on while assessing the products she reviews.
The Independent
30-01-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Best electric heater deals in February 2025, from Dyson to De'Longhi
Winter will be sticking around for a little while yet, so, if you're looking for ways to thaw out for less this season, this is where we'll be tracking the hottest deals on electric heaters, including the very best savings on IndyBest's tried and tested recommendations. While central heating is more energy efficient for warming your entire house, using a portable electric heater to boost the temperature in a small area of your home can help you cut down on your bills and avoid wasting energy. The devices are also useful when other heating options just aren't available to you. While prices vary, you really don't need to spend very much on an electric heater to stay warm. All electric heaters are essentially 100 per cent efficient, even the smallest and cheapest ones, meaning they convert all of the electricity they use into heat. For example, at full power, a 2,400W electric heater will heat a given space twice as quickly as a 1,200W heater, but it will cost twice as much to run. The best saving you can make is by choosing the cheapest electric heater that still does everything you need it to. That said, more expensive electric heaters can also come with features such as wireless controls, fan speed settings, timers and safety switches, which can be useful when trying to keep down costs. The best electric heater deals for February 2025 are: The best electric heater in our guide has been discounted by 33 per cent, meaning you can snap it up for less than £90. You'll be able to operate it via controls on the device itself or by using the Duux app on your phone. IndyBest tester Zoe Griffin noted how its curves 'blended in seamlessly with the decor of each room' and distributed heat evenly, being 'powerful enough to warm up a room of 30sqm', she added. You can save £150 on an air purifier, heater and cooler at AO, plus a further £21 if you have AO's ' five star membership '. Dyson has combined three functions in one appliance with this gadget, which projects clean cool or hot air around the room. It has 10 speed settings, an oscillating function, and a remote control. When we reviewed a similar model, our tester said it raised 'the temperature from chilly to cosy in a matter of minutes', while being 'quite energy-efficient to operate'. There's a small £20 discount on this IndyBest tried and tested heater, cooler and purifier which, as our reviewer noted, essentially 'does the same job as the Dyson hot + cool', but for less money. They added that the 'bladeless design offers smooth air flow around the heater and it oscillates 120 degrees, to ensure it distributes heat evenly'. It has 10 temperature settings, a timer, and an advanced HEPA system to capture dust and allergens. 'Solid, sturdy and subtly glamorous, this is not just a heater – it's a design statement', our reviewer said of this incredibly chic heater stove from Everhot. Hand-built and coming in 20 colourways, from pink to burgundy, this is built to last, they noted. As for its heating abilities, shortly after turning it on, they 'felt heat coming from the main vent and after around 30 minutes the main body of the stove was up to temperature and radiating gentle warming heat into the room'. It's expensive, yes, but this deal shaves £50 off the price. If you're looking for a heater that can warm up big rooms in your home, you won't be disappointed with this model from Russell Hobbs. Home appliance tester Zoe Griffin recommended it for larger spaces and households with pets or children, given that it comes with an automatic shut-off function. It's also 'excellent at heating a room to a set temperature', she noted, 'powering off while the room stayed at that temperature and then whizzing into action again if it detected a decrease'. There's a saving of more than 20 per cent to be had on this smart-looking De'Longhi model. It comes with two different heating settings, and there's a handle for when you need to carry it from room to room. Plus, it's billed as turning off automatically in any instance when it's accidentally knocked over, which is helpful if you have any rambunctious pets or children at home. PureMate's fan heater is a compact and lightweight choice. Easily portable, the appliance features three different modes (high heat, low heat, and fan), an adjustable thermostat and overheat protection. While we haven't tested this model yet, it is said to run quietly, too, according to the brand. If you want to keep the temperature in your living space just so, you may benefit from using this model from Dreo, as it allows you to set exact temperatures from a wide range – between 5C and 35C. This not only means you can have your living space at a temperature that suits you, it also avoids producing unnecessary heat. Touted as being a quiet option, it also features a 12-hour timer and can spread heat up to 200 per cent further, according to the brand. If you want an electric heater that can move around the house with you, you'll want to take a look at this tried-and-tested model, which made it into our guide to the best electric heaters. Our tester loved the design of this heater, saying it looks more like 'a luxury speaker than a fan'. They were also delighted with its performance, saying 'it was unexpectedly powerful and able to heat an area of 55 square metres well'.
