The top-rated blenders for every budget (and smoothie!).
Whether you’re whirling up bananas and berries for smoothies or making a pitcher of frozen margaritas, a quality blender should be able to process your ingredients into smooth, creamy perfection. In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Technology Lab, we’ve tested more than 75 blenders over the years to find these high-performance blenders.
To test these blenders over the years, we ground about 10 pounds of whole coffee beans, blended nearly 30 pounds of frozen strawberries, and pulverized over 2,000 ice cubes. We also made kale smoothies, milkshakes, and frozen drinks. When testing, we rate the helpfulness of the owner’s manual and evaluate how easy each model is to assemble, use, and clean. We also consider how noisy each blender is while operating.
Finally, we check how well blenders resist staining from tomato sauce, and measure the damage after 14 cycles in the dishwasher. These are the best blenders you can buy in 2020, according to a combination of testing and in-home use.
3X Bluicer Pro
$399.95
We love this smart combination appliance for blending or juicing! The juicer attachment works just like Breville’s popular centrifugal juicer that performed very well in our juicer test – it juiced apples, carrots, kale, and celery without any pulp. It aced our separation test in which we store the juice in the fridge for three days to see if and how much the juices separate. The blender is powerful and makes thick smoothies. In our tests, we had to experiment with the blender speed to achieve drinkable smoothies.
This highly popular Cuisinart blender/food processor combo has a low-profile 40-ounce glass jar, which has the benefit of not discoloring, scratching or absorbing food smells like a plastic jar may. This 500-watt blender is not the most high-powered. It features seven blending and processing options that are clearly marked and easy to use. We love that it comes with a compact food processor for chopping, stirring, and even shredding. All parts are dishwasher-safe.
This well-priced and high-powered blender comes with three jars: a 64-ounce pitcher for large batches, and two different personal-sized cups (32 ounces and 24 ounces with a handle.) Both cups have lids that make it easy to take your smoothie to-go. It features an “extract” button that blends smoothies in preprogrammed variable speeds. We blended kale smoothies in all three jars – there were no flecks to be tasted! It also blasted through frozen strawberries effortlessly to make a delicious, evenly processed daiquiri. The base is not much larger than previous NutriBullet bases and it has suction cups on the bottom that reliably prevent it from shifting around. Just remember to unscrew the personal blending cups from the base instead of the cups–it’s easy to accidentally make a mess.
Space heaters come in many shapes and sizes (and prices). We asked experts how to go about finding the best space heater for any situation or space, as well as where to find some good options.
As temperatures continue to dip across America, space heaters could be a helpful home appliance, a fast and economic way to warm things up. These portable devices allow you to bring an effective boost of heat to any room in your house, or even outdoors. Plus, dropping temperatures, as well as work from home norms and increasing cases of Covid-19 infections, are forcing more and more people indoors and more frequently this season.
If you’re looking to socialize safely, outdoor space heaters can make gathering outside more comfortable. Of course, any gathering — from sitting around a bonfire to going on a hike — should abide by normal social distancing guidance and safety measures otherwise, from face masks to hand sanitizers. “Outdoor space heaters are a great way to warm up areas of your yard or patio so that you can still get together with friends and family even as the days get cooler,” said Bailey Carson, head of cleaning and home improvement at Handy.
CHECK THESE OUT
Vornado VH200 Portable Heaters
$89.95
The Vornado VH200 is a relatively affordable space heater that delivers near-instant desired temperatures capable of evenly distributing warmth within a room. “It also offers overheating safety features, tip-over protection and the exterior plastic cover stays cool,” said Glenn Wiseman, sales manager of Top Hat Home Comfort Services. Plus, it’s compact so it can easily be tucked away when you’re not using it.
The Vornado VH200 is a relatively affordable space heater that delivers near-instant desired temperatures capable of evenly distributing warmth within a room. “It also offers overheating safety features, tip-over protection and the exterior plastic cover stays cool,” said Glenn Wiseman, sales manager of Top Hat Home Comfort Services. Plus, it’s compact so it can easily be tucked away when you’re not using it.
The Dyson Hot + Cold is an effective space heater that offers all-year-round climate control. “This efficient system allows you to choose between the focused or dispersed settings to be used as a personal heater or to heat an entire room,” Wiseman said. “This portable heater is virtually silent and offers dehumidification capabilities.” Indeed, QuietMark includes this Dyson model among its awarded low-noise heaters.
United States Olympic sprinter Allyson Felix just won her 10th Olympic medal becoming the most decorated female athlete in all time! And she did so after giving birth to her first child, Camryn, and fighting back naysayers who counted her out since she became a mom!
The 35-year-old California native ran blind, situated in the less favored lane 9, and accelerated fast enought to win the bronze medal in the women’s 400 meters on Friday. She ran a season-best at 49.46 seconds and did so wearing her own brand of shoes, Saysh.
Defending Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas was the gold medalist in a lifetime best 48.36 seconds, and Marileidy Paulino of Dominican Republic the silver medalist; her 49.20 clocking was also a lifetime best.
With today’s medal Felix broke a tie with Jamaica’s Merlene Ottey, who has nine medals. She has also tied the legend Carl Lewis for the most medals by an American track and field athlete.
Felix parted with her longtime sponsor Nike after pushing back publicly about the athletic company’s battles with atheletes who return to the field after having a baby. She eventually created her own line.
Felix gave birth to her daughter, Camryn, in 2018, and she has since been candid about her recovery and struggles while returning to training. In 2019, she broke up with her then sponsor Nike due to the circumstances related to her childbirth, sharing in a powerful New York Times op-ed that she faced a 70% pay cut in her sponsorship because of it. “During my pregnancy, I faced a gender injustice that I couldn’t run from,” she tells Vogue. “My employer [Nike] did not support my maternity in a way that I could be proud of.” With no big shoe sponsor this year, Felix decided to take matters into her own hands. But instead of finding the right performance shoe, she decided to channel her frustrations into creating an athleisure sneaker under her new brand, Saysh.
Felix competed in the finals with teammate Quanera Hayes who skated into the last round of the 400M competition on her time but came in 7th. At the Olympic Trials this year, her son Demetrius and Camryn met and hugged.
US Marathoner Aliphine Tuliamuk appealed to the IOC which had intially banned her from bringing her nursing newborn along to Japan. Amidst outcry from the world, she won and was able to take her daughter Zoe!
Here are some headlines about other moms who competed and are competing in these 2021 Tokyo, Japan Olympic games
The gifts for new mums that they really want, according to mums themselves.
The perfect gift for a new mother after birth will not only make her feel special and supported but will also be useful to have to hand during those whirlwind first few weeks at home.
As lovely as bouquets are, the last thing first time mums need is multiple bunches of flowers and vases to fill when they are feeling overwhelmed already and trying to juggle to demands of a newborn.
A good gift for new parents can have either short-term or long-term potential. A baby book that they can fill with precious memories to look back on in years to come will be just as loved as a box of delicious chocolates or soothing bath products for the tub that mum can treat herself to when she gets a few minutes to herself.
All the ideas for gifts for new mums below have been tried and tested by our teams or directly recommended by new mums, so you know you’re in good hands if you purchase any of these presents.
CHECK THESE OUT
New arrival essentials gift box
£75
There are loads of great gift boxes out there for new mums but this one was a particular hit with us thanks to its thoughtful combination of bits for the baby and helpful gifts for new mums. Items like the Natural Birthing Company Bottoms Up Spray is a tried and tested product for soothing stitches and tears plus postpartum healing while the muslins are a must-have for any new parents.
Any mum of a newborn knows that in those first few weeks your priority isn’t going to be getting properly dressed, so a pair of super comfy, easy-to-throw on joggers will become a wardrobe staple in no time. If you’re looking for thoughtful gifts for new mums that they will use time and again, look no further than these. Our favourite thing about this pair from GAP in comparison to other lounge pants? These one have pockets – essential!
Any mum of a newborn knows that in those first few weeks your priority isn’t going to be getting properly dressed, so a pair of super comfy, easy-to-throw on joggers will become a wardrobe staple in no time. If you’re looking for thoughtful gifts for new mums that they will use time and again, look no further than these. Our favourite thing about this pair from GAP in comparison to other lounge pants? These one have pockets – essential!
The era of remote learning may finally be coming to a close. But as more families get ready to send kids back into schools, it’s a great time to start shopping for the tools that will help students succeed, and a set of noise-canceling headphones can be a boon to kids when they are studying at home.
The right pair of noise-cancelling headphones can help your kid focus on homework in a distracting environment by blocking outside sound. Keep in mind that the technology in these headphones is better at “cancelling” consistent sounds like the drone of a plane engine; sporadic noises such as people talking might not be blocked entirely. That means silence isn’t guaranteed, but a good pair will help muffle your surroundings a bit no matter what kind of sound you’re dealing with.
CHECK THESE OUT
Monoprice BT-300ANC Headphone
$33.99
Home/studio-style Bluetooth wireless noise-canceling closed over-ear headphones that come with a detachable standard audio cable, a USB charging cable, and a carrying case.
Home/studio-style Bluetooth wireless noise canceling closed over-ear headphones that come with a detachable standard audio cable, a USB charging cable, and a carrying pouch.
Portable Bluetooth wireless noise canceling isolating ear-insert earphones that come with five pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, a USB charging cable, a charging cradle/carrying case with built-in battery, and a carrying pouch.
It’s officially summer and you know what that means — it’s time to break out the warm weather essentials. While you’re stocking up on sunscreen and sun hats to protect your skin this summer, there’s also another important area that needs protection: your eyes!
Sunglasses are a fun and easy way to express your style. With so many different colors, sizes and styles out there, there’s no shortage of options to choose from. Why not take eye protection one step further? That’s where polarized sunglasses come in.
Wowsun Polarized Sunglasses
$ 15.99
Don’t be afraid to try sunglasses with bold colors and prints like these yellow leopard print frames with purple lenses from Wowsun! There are 14 different color and pattern combinations for single pairs and 18 options for packs of two.
These semi-rimless frames are an Amazon bestseller and it’s easy to see why. They have UV400 protection to keep your eyes safe and come in plenty of styles and colors.
If you’re going for a more retro look, try these sunglasses with a rounded frame. They are made with TR90, a durable and lightweight thermoplastic material that comfortably conforms to your face. You can choose from over a dozen available options.
Stuck searching for clothing that provides both comfort and style? Allow me to introduce you to the shift dress: a loose-fitting yet trendy dress with a straight silhouette that comes in all sizes, designs and patterns.
These flowy garments are perfect for hanging at home, running errands or spending a day out on the town. Plus, it’s a one-stop shop for an entire outfit. Simply pair a shift dress with a purse and some summery sandals and you’ve got yourself an easy ensemble.
H&M Airy Dress
$19.99
This loose-fitting dress is made from a blend of viscose fabrics and comes in black, floral or leopard print. You can even buy a matching scarf headband to complete the outfit.
We might be obsessed with Target’s dress collections and this ruffle-sleeved dress is no exception. Pair this shift dress with your favorite sandals and you’ve got a great summer outfit.
Add a bit of color to your shift dress collection with this dress from Lilly Pulitzer. The short, sleeveless design won’t leave you sweaty during the hotter months of the year.
Are you looking for the perfect summer sneakers? Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, has the style inspiration you need.
The former Kate Middleton has been photographed re-wearing her go-to pair of white Superga sneakers since we first spotted them in 2016 during her visit to British Columbia, Canada. In 2019, she paired her “Cotu” sneakers with culottes for a May appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show and in August during a King’s Cup event in London.
The Italian brand’s sneakers are durable, comfortable and boast a versatile silhouette that will go with your summer dresses or fall denim. The best part? The classic white kicks are on sale right now.
Meghan Markle is celebrating her 40th birthday today, but she is celebrating her children everyday with this sweet and subtle tribute.
This morning the Duchess of Sussex released a video for her “40×40” initiative in honor of her 40th birthday, a campaign in which she is asking women to pledge 40 minutes of their time to “support women re-entering the workforce,” through mentorship, according to the Archewell website.
In the video, Meghan is wearing two gold necklaces in the shape of two very special constellations. The constellations — Taurus and Gemini — are the astrological signs of her 2-year-old son, Archie, and her 2-month-old daughter, Lilibet, respectively.
The star-inspired pieces Meghan wore from Logan Hollowell, a sustainable, Los Angeles-based jewelry brand, are adorned with diamonds in a gold setting.
Personalized necklaces have been gaining traction recently, among celebs and other royals. (Last year, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wore a pendant with “GCL” engraved on it, which are the initials of her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.)
Constellation necklaces are the perfect way to get in on the personalized jewelry trend, but with a cosmic twist. Below we rounded up the best constellation necklace options that will add a touch of flair — and sentimentality — to any look.
CHECK THEM OUT
Potion Number 9 Constellation Necklace
$32.95
Etsy store Potion Number 9 makes dainty gold-filled constellation necklaces from cubic zirconia stones in a range of lengths. This top-rated accessory is an “Etsy’s Pick,” meaning it’s been selected by style and trend editors as a style to note.
MC Collective Cubic Zirconia Constellation Necklace
$69.00
This necklace from MC Collective features constellations using cubic zirconia stones. It is available in both gold and silver tones to match your preferred style.
These toys and books are targeted for the skills 1-year-olds are currently developing.
It can be tough to find the best gifts for children, but finding the best gift for a 1-year-old might be easier than you think: It’s that age when the box really can be more exciting than the toy inside.
That’s because favorite activities at age 1 include pushing and pulling, putting things together and taking them apart, and — yes — moving things in and out of boxes.
1-year-olds moving on from baby toys are also practicing speaking and recognizing rhymes, so they’re primed for books that teach words or engage them with lifting flaps. In toys, look for a variety of textures they can explore with their hands, said Marie Conti, the head of The Wetherill School in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, and a board member of the American Montessori Society.
Great for kids as young as 6 months who are teething. But 1-year-olds can also learn animals, shapes, fruit, patterns and more with these soft, durable, chewable, stackable blocks.