Welcome to the GearLab, where we judge outdoor smart lighting like parents who are tired of stumbling over toys in the dark while trying to enjoy five peaceful minutes on the patio. The Philips Hue Outdoor Smart Lighting System turns your backyard, driveway, deck, or garden into a fully controllable smart lighting paradise. With weatherproof…
Welcome to the GearLab, where we judge portable car entertainment systems like parents who have lived through one too many “Are we there yet?” meltdowns at mile marker 12. Long car trips with kids can feel like medieval torture. The best portable entertainment systems turn hours of whining into (mostly) peaceful screen time, letting you…
Welcome to the GearLab, where we judge classic tech like battle-hardened parents who know that sometimes the simplest tools cause the most chaos on the battlefield — or in the living room. Before guns, tanks, or drones, there was the English longbow. This unassuming stick of yew wood, paired with a skilled archer, rewrote the…
Welcome to the GearLab, where we judge humanoid robots like exhausted parents who dream of having a tireless helper that actually does the dishes instead of just creating more laundry. The Unitree R1 is a compact, surprisingly capable humanoid robot from Unitree Robotics. It’s one of the more accessible full-body humanoid robots on the market,…
Welcome to the GearLab, where we judge robot vacuums like parents who are tired of spending their limited free time pushing a loud plastic sled around the house while the kids create new messes behind them. Robot vacuums have come a long way from the early models that got stuck on rug fringes and cried…
Sous vide cooking sounds fancy and complicated — until you try it. The Anova Precision Cooker is one of the most popular sous vide devices because it takes the guesswork out of cooking meat, fish, and even vegetables to exact perfection without constant babysitting. Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a…
Welcome to the GearLab, where we judge the best kids bike helmets like parents who have already lived through one too many “I don’t need a helmet” arguments followed by tears and ice packs. Kids and bikes are a summer classic. Kids and head injuries are not. Most cheap helmets look cute but offer all…
Welcome to the GearLab, where we judge multi-cookers like tired parents who have been burned too many times by appliances that promised the world and delivered sad, overcooked sadness. The Instant Pot Duo Nova is one of the better versions of the famous pressure cooker. It’s not revolutionary, but it actually does what it’s supposed…
Welcome to the GearLab, where we judge smart kitchen gadgets (such as Meater Pro Smart Meat Thermometer) like parents who have served one too many dry, sad chicken breasts while pretending everything is fine. Grilling or roasting meat is supposed to be simple. In reality, it’s a stressful guessing game involving pokes, cuts, and prayers….
Welcome to the GearLab, where we judge kids’ kitchen gadgets like parents who are tired of hearing “I want ice cream” followed by a meltdown when the answer is no. Most ice cream makers are big, messy, and require planning ahead. The Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker is different. It’s small, fast, and lets…