I still remember the day my neighbor called me in tears because her 8-year-old son with autism had wandered from the school playground. Twenty agonizing minutes passed before staff found him three blocks away. That call sent me down a research rabbit hole for months, and after testing eight different phones and trackers, I learned … Read more
I learned the hard way why a satellite messenger matters. On a solo trip in the Wind River Range, my phone went silent two miles past the trailhead, and I had no way to call for help when a storm rolled in faster than forecast. That weekend pushed me into testing every backcountry satellite communicator … Read more
When I started hiking solo three years ago, I learned quickly that cell phones fail you right when you need them most. After getting lost on a remote ridge with zero bars, I bought my first satellite messenger. That decision probably saved my life on a Colorado trail last summer when a rockslide pinned my … Read more
Finding kids tablets without ads in feels harder than it should be. Most “kid-safe” tablets still slip sponsored content, in-app purchase prompts, or lock-screen ads in front of your kids, and as a parent that is the last thing I want them clicking on during screen time. Our team spent 45 days testing 8 tablets … Read more
Finding the best prepaid phones for Verizon in does not have to drain your wallet or lock you into a long-term contract. I spent the last several weeks testing ten of the most popular no-contract options on Verizon’s network, from budget-friendly Motorola handsets to renewed flagships, and the results surprised me. Whether you are a … Read more
I lost three phones between ages 14 and 17. My mom still brings it up at holidays. That is why I take the question of the best phones for teenagers who are always losing things personally. Forgetful teens need three things working in their favor: a device cheap enough to replace without rage, a body … Read more
I remember the first time my daughter walked to school alone. My stomach was in knots for the entire 15 minutes she was out of sight. That anxiety is exactly why I spent the last three months testing every kids GPS smartwatch I could get my hands on with my team of two other parents. … Read more
Cord cutting has shifted from trend to default for millions of renters, and the right indoor TV antenna for apartment living can deliver 60 to 100 free local channels without a monthly bill. I have tested six of the most popular models over the past three months in two apartments (one downtown high-rise, one mid-rise … Read more
Last summer, our team spent three months testing portable fridges across 12 campgrounds in temperatures ranging from 38F to 104F. We packed each unit with the same load of groceries, ran them off identical 100Ah lithium batteries, and logged compressor cycles, battery drain, and actual food temperature. After 87 nights of real-world testing, eight models … Read more
I spent the last 60 days hauling 10 different 12V coolers across three road trips totaling over 4,000 miles. I packed everything from ice cream to insulin, ran them on sedans and SUVs, and measured battery drain with a shunt monitor. This guide breaks down the best 12V coolers for road trips so you can … Read more