Bren's stats
- Review count239
- Helpfulness votes1,746
- First reviewDecember 27, 2016
- Last reviewOctober 31, 2025
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.8
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- Answer count11
- Helpfulness votes1
- First answerDecember 27, 2016
- Last answerNovember 4, 2021
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- Best answers1
De'Longhi All-In-One Combination Coffee and Espresso Machine
Customer Rating
5
Perfect combo for casual espresso drinks and drip!
on October 13, 2020
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
This machine is close to having it all when it comes to coffee-based beverages. You get the ability to make delicious drip coffee on a programable auto schedule and to make reasonably good espresso all in one 14” wide, 13” tall, 11” deep counterspace-saving machine! Allow me to start to break down some of the features I appreciate.
This machine has a dual heating system so you can be pull espresso shots while actively brewing a fresh pot of coffee. I appreciate this multi-tasking ability as it makes for some nice hosting with guests over-everyone gets their preferred beverage! The drip coffee reservoir and espresso water/steamer wand water are in two separate containers so that you manage and refill the water on each separately as your needs dictate.
I am no expert in the making of espresso specialty beverages, but here are a few tips I have picked up in my research that help with this machine. First, the flavor and body of your espresso shot have everything to do with an appropriate grind of the coffee beans and appropriate tamping of the coffee “puck” in the filter basket. Do not be fooled into buying expensive boutique “espresso beans” your first go arounds with this. Learn how to properly grind (or choose good coffee grounds for espresso) and how to properly tamp first—even Folgers taste delicious when done right! There are some great YouTube tutorials on how to accomplish both of these tasks appropriately to pull proper shots. As the frothing wand goes, it works great and is another item I learned on YouTube how to use appropriately. With enough practice, you can make some great Lattes, Cappuccinos, etc. etc. with this machine; certainly good enough to satisfy the cravings of a daily espresso drinker and to entertain and wow your guests!
The drip coffee system on this is quite cool and straight forward. It includes a reusable “Gold” filter that I find to be great but can use disposable paper cone filters. It has capacity to make about 12 cups it looks like, but the carafe is demarked “10 cups”. It has a programable timer for when to initiate the brewing, a warmer plate, bold setting, and has an auto drip-stop as most brewers do today to let you poor a cup of coffee mid-brew. All in all, those are all the features I personally care about with a coffee brewer and does justify it as a replacement for a standalone drip coffee brewer! The coffee it yields by the way is delicious; not all drip coffee makers are alike. How they introduce water through the grinds and the temperature the water is heated at maters, and this machine produces some incredibly delicious drip coffee!
Altogether, I think this is an excellent package that De’Longhi is offering here. In my opinion, it is an excellent gateway drug into the world of handcrafted espresso beverages; I am already researching higher-end coffee bean grinders, specialty serving glasses, etc. thanks to this machine! De’Longhi is a titan in the industry of coffee and espresso beverages, you will not be disappointed spending your money on this!
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Revolutionize cooking with the Bella Pro Series 4-qt. Digital Air Fryer. The High Performance Circular Heat Technology and the powerful 1500-watt heating system delivers fast, crispy, and evenly cooked food every time. Time saving appliance with up to 50% faster preheat than a conventional oven. Large 3.3-lb. food capacity for your favorite foods, including; fried chicken, roasted salmon, French fries, kale chips, and homemade guilt free donuts. Digital touchscreen control, adjustable temperature from 90~F to 400~F, and integrated 60-minute auto shutoff timer with audible tone and indicator lights. The matte black finish adds style to any kitchen. Easy clean up with a dishwasher-safe, PFOA-free non-stick pan and crisping tray.
Customer Rating
5
An excellent Air-Fryer for a single/small family!
on October 13, 2020
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
Thus far I am incredibly please with this air fryer! My favorite feature of it is the fact that the cooking pan and air circulation crisping tray insert are both dishwasher safe, making clean up as easy as tossing both components in the dishwasher. Also, the pan and crisping tray are nonstick, so I am finding I am using less oil. I have found that the touch screen interface is high quality and easy to navigate. As with other air fryer’s, it offers different modes like bake, dehydrate, air circulate, etc. to help you accomplish whatever cooking task you are going for. Thus far I have made frozen chicken strips and sweet potato fries inside of this air cooker and have found that this air fryer is indeed far more efficient and quicker to get the job done than my full-sized oven. I also have really enjoyed making a 1.5Ibs pork loin and 6 chicken drum sticks inside this air fryer with great success! The 4qt size handles 3.3Ibs worth of food according to the description and is good for about 3-5 people for servings of items such as fries and chicken strips, and I see this as being correct. Of course, you are able to scale down if you are single like me and most of the time just cooking for yourself or wanting leftovers for later. A feature that I like about this air fryer is the turn reminder that lets you know when you are halfway through the cooking time so you can flip or shake the items inside as needed. My only thought there is I would appreciate a louder beep than it comes with stock as it can be hard to hear if you are not in close proximity. Another feature I appreciate is how you can pull out the tray and reinsert anytime during the cooking cycle and it will resume the cooking cycle you are on. Overall, I am very pleased with this Air Fryer and happy to have it in my kitchen!
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Operate your computer seamlessly with the Logitech K845 Full-size Wired Mechanical Linear Keyboard. The curved construction and angled keys enable comfortable data entry, while the illuminated design lets you easily find keys in the dark. This corded Logitech mechanical keyboard has red switches for responsive performance during gaming and typing, and the aluminum top case offers durability.
Customer Rating
5
A professional keyboard from a great company!
on October 7, 2020
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
This K845 keyboard from Logitech is excellent, a fine entry into the professional keyboard market from a company known for making amazing gaming keyboards!
Now mechanical keyboards do not just have to be opulent, RGB vomit keyboards if one is seeking the excellent typing action associated with them. The action on this keyboard is smooth as to be expected with red switches. Red switches have a “linear’ travel, meaning that when you press the key, you push through a smooth stroke without any tactile bump or click to overcome. This keyboard should be an amazing transition for anyone coming from a membrane keyboard that most cheaper keyboards are supplied with.
The key caps have a tacky feel to them—made of a porous plastic material. I actually enjoy the porous feel as it keeps your fingers from slipping off too easily in conjunction with a good, sloped angle to the keycaps. It also supplies the keyboard with a more subdued, matte look as opposed to a shinier finish. This to me, along with the white backlighting is more indicative of a professional or mature office setting. However, with the combination of the FN key + F12, you can cycle through five different fun lighting patterns to spice it up a little bit. I particularly enjoy the starlight “random” effect that lights up random keys individually as this looks good on the matte-gray keys against the aluminum deck.
The keyboard deck as I said is an aluminum material, giving this keyboard a high-quality look. However, this is not the brushed aluminum of the more expensive counterparts in the Logitech lineup. Logitech does well stratifying their keyboard options through the different price rangers with attractive features that meet the expectation of the cost you are paying. Size wise this keyboard manages to have a very compact footprint on my desk while still being a full-size keyboard including a number pad. The idea of compact with a lot of professional keyboards now is to exclude the number pad which is an absolute no-go for me. For data entry and logging and Excel spreadsheet work, I find my use of a number pad to be essential to my workflow.
Overall, I am enjoying this keyboard. I wish I could replace all the keyboards in my company with these keyboards as this is so much nicer to type on than outdated, years old membrane keyboards.
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Pressure cook, slow cook, sear, saut~, boil, simmer, and steam with the Crock-Pot Express Easy Release. The Easy Release Multi-Cooker lets you pressure cook foods up to 70% faster than a conventional oven but also lets you drop in your favorite ingredients for a delectable slow-cooked meal. It features 3 innovative functions that will take your cooking to the next level. Manual Pressure lets you customize recipes by setting any cook time plus high or low pressure. Simmer Function cooks gently and slowly and helps thicken sauces, and Boil allows you to create more one-pot dishes, such as pasta, poached eggs, and more. When used as a pressure cooker, it features a front steam release dial to keep your hand safe and away from the hot steam being released. The nonstick cooking pot removes for easy cleanup and 6-quart capacity can serve over 7 people, perfect for family meals or large gatherings. The Crock-Pot Express also includes a recipe book, steaming rack, and spoon.
Customer Rating
5
Jack of all trades, master of all!
on September 19, 2020
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
My experience with this express cooker has been one of incredible satisfaction. This crockpot/pressure cooker is as versatile as it is easy to use! First of all, I really appreciate and cannot emphasize enough how nice the easy release steam knob is. There is no need for a ladle or rag or anything else to help you release steam from the pressure cooker. The knob for the steam release valve is positioned far enough away that you don’t have to concern yourself with being burned. Additionally, it makes it really easy to just gently turn the knob and control exactly how quickly and how much steam you want to release.
I made pulled pork with this express cooker as one of my first dishes to try in it. I started off by using the brown/sauté mode to sear the pork shoulder and it did a great job of it; heating up quickly and not getting so hot as to burn the meat. For the remainder of the task, I chose manual pressure/heat selecting high and for 75 minutes. At the end of the cooking time, the screen began to count up in minutes to show how long the pressure had been given to naturally release. All in all, the end result was some delicious, pull-apart pulled pork that made my girlfriend and I extremely happy!
The cleanup was easy too. Something we noted was that the cooking pot appears to have some kind of anti-stick coating applied to it that made all the cooked-on pork and barbecue sauce just wipe off with ease. Our old pressure cooker had a stainless-steel cooking pot that made cleanup an absolute chore.
Overall, for the price and the features, I think this is an excellent competitor in the pressure cooker space and should cause other manufacturers to rethink how the do their steam release systems!
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Feel relief aid anywhere, anytime with Compex~ Ayre~ compression boots. Designed for therapists, coaches, elite and recreational athletes on-the-go, Ayre is a therapeutic product using intermittent pneumatic compression. When exercising, the body builds up lactic acid as a biproduct of muscle contraction. Ayre compression boots work to break up these small molecules and send stimulus to your nervous system. These compression boots are designed to help improve blood flow and circulation in the legs by mobilizing lactic acid, access fluids, and other toxins. Compex Ayre uses a dynamic pulsing compression up the limbs in waves for the duration of its use, which helps promote quick healing. Sit back, power up the boots, and enjoy your recovery for up to 60 minutes anywhere on a single charge.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent recovery tool for athletes and novices!
on September 15, 2020
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
I will come right out with it and say I hate training my legs. I am not genetically gifted when it comes to my ability to recovery from strenuous exercise and one of the last leg workouts I did before coming into possession of these compression boots rendered me unable to do much more than waddle around for about 4 or 5 days. While these boots are no miracle, they definitely in my subjective opinion help to speed up recovery and come at a level of quality and utility one would expect at this price point.
As is obvious from the name in the title, these boots are wireless. Thus, you are not required to be tethered to any nearby outlet while wearing these. The charger comes with outlet prongs that are appropriate to all the major AC outlets in the world. The boots themselves seem to charge quickly when hooked up (one AC wall adapter plug Y’s into two cables for charging, saving on bulkyness). The boots themselves do seem to last for about an hour: I get through about a Netflix episode and a third with these before they have to be charged.
Overall, I am very happy with these boots and can’t begin to describe how much relief they provide to sore, achy muscles and legs when putting these on. Just be sure if you have any medical conditions such as diagnosed DVTs, lower extremity edema, etc. to discuss the use of these boots with your provider first as you could be inadvertently putting yourself in harm’s way.
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Charge two Qi-enabled smartphones simultaneously with this black Belkin BOOST CHARGE dual wireless charging pad. Up to 10W of output charges the device rapidly, while case compatibility allows for uninterrupted use. This Belkin BOOST CHARGE dual wireless charging pad has a nonslip surface to help keep your devices completely secure.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent wireless charging pad.
on September 12, 2020
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
I am very happy with this double charging pad. It works exactly as advertised, delivering the ability to charge to Qi wireless charging compatible devices at once! One of the first things I do after a long shift is dump all the stuff in my pockets on the counter. Now I like to put my AirPods Pro’s and my phone on the charger and let them get juiced up while I decompress. The charging device itself is not an eye sore and works really well to date. I highly recommend it!
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Groom unwanted facial hair using the Philips Norelco Nose Trimmer 5000, a premium precision trimming kit. The Protective Guard System privides the ultimate comfort while the rotary and detail trimmers cuts close. Use the eyebrow attachments to evenly trim your eyebrows. The long-lasting lithium battery provide multiple usage and the pouch makes the trimmer easy travel. The nose trimmer is fully washable, making it easy to clean by simply running under a warm faucet.
Customer Rating
3
An acceptable, but not exceptional grooming tool
on September 7, 2020
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
I have used this trimmer for 2 out of 3 of its intended functions. I have used the detail trimmer to help tidy up my beard line. I have used the nose trimmer/ear trimmer attachment to trim my nose. I have opted not to use the eyebrow trimmer attachment with 2 different length combs a I have my eyebrows just right for my taste and frankly I am not willing to risk it with a new tool yet.
Overall, I think that this trimmer sits probably just about average on the market of trimmers at this price. Here are my thoughts about it:
For one, the box has inscribed on it a guarantee that this won’t tug or pull your hairs as it cuts. Within the first second of having the nose trimmer tool in my nose, I winced and jerked away from the tool as I felt the sharp pain of a nose hair being ripped from the root. I had not experienced this with any previous trimmer I had tried so I was shocked. The detail trimmer, while it is small enough to get to some nice angles to detail along the jaw line for a beard, just doesn’t seem to be high enough in power and/or sharp enough to really power through my moderately coarse facial hair. As a result, I felt like I had my neck chewed on by an angry gerbil by the time I was finished.
In summary, for the price I think this is a good basic, beginner trimming tool, but one may wish to consider different options!
Thanks for reading and hope this helps!
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Ninja Foodi Power Blender & Processor System with Smoothie Bowl Maker and Nutrient Extractor* with smartTORQUE and Variable Speed Control to power through and never stall. Power Blender & Processor Pitcher is a Total Crushing blender, food processor, and dough mixer. Nutrient Extraction* Cup and Spout Lid for smoothies and extractions. Smoothie Bowl Maker for smoothie bowls and nut butters. 1400-peak-watts make this Ninja's Best Total Crushing Blender.
Customer Rating
5
A high-power, high quality blender!
on September 7, 2020
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
This thing (I hesitate to call it a blender because it feels so much more than that) is a beast! Whole frozen strawberries, frozen blueberries, blackberries and raspberries for my smoothies were pulverized in seconds! The spinach was undetectable because it was SO pureed! If you have a picky eater who won't even look at anything green, let alone eat it, then this is the blender for you! You can sneak those nasty greens right into little Carl's lunch and he'll never know!
The preset menu takes all the guesswork out and the blender does exactly what it needs to get the job done. When the dial lit up to "smoothie" and I saw 62 seconds on the display, I couldn't believe that would be long enough to do the job--but it was! The blender puts itself through the paces of starting and stopping, speeding up and slowing down until the smoothie is perfect. When I pulled off the top--I was amazed! Super delicious, super smooth and super fast! The blending cup and blending bowl are very useful and I love that they are travel-friendly. I also deeply appreciate the fact that everything (except the base of course) is top rack dishwasher friendly. Easy peasy care is a must!
The only issue I had with the FOODI is the level of noise it produces--it is quite a racket! I was prepared for a lot of noise considering there were two cups of frozen fruit in there, but if you have plans on making stealth milkshakes or salsa after the kiddos go to bed, this may be an issue, but it isn't enough to be a deterrent to me. I love this blender and highly recommend it!
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+2points
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Emberton is a compact portable speaker with the loud and vibrant sound only Marshall can deliver. Emberton utilizes True Stereophonic, a unique form of multi-directional sound from Marshall. Experience absolute 360~ sound where every spot is a sweet spot. With 20+ hours of playtime, you can enjoy the superior sound of Marshall for hours on end. It's IPX 7 water-resistance rating means you can submerge Emberton in 1 m of water for a period of up to 30 minutes. A solid metal grille and the iconic Marshall script adorn the front of the speaker, echoing the legacy of rock 'n' roll that you know and love.
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
My initial attraction to this awesome Bluetooth speaker is the fact that it departs from the typical soda can looking Bluetooth speakers that are out there and provides a cool, vintage-vibe looking speaker that supports Marshall's legacy as an excellent speaker and amplifier company as well as providing incredible audio out of a speaker at this price point.
As is typical of Marshall consumer audio-products like their Bluetooth headphones, this speaker includes all the fun quirks of the brand. All of the speaker interaction sounds that go with powering the speaker on-off etc. are little guitar riffs and other electric guitar sounds. That is fun and sets this speaker apart from other run-of-the-mill speakers. The multi-control knob is fluid for skipping songs, increasing the volume, and turning the device on and off with a separate button solely committed to Bluetooth connectivity (this utilizes Bluetooth 5.0). The rubberized, textured feel of this speaker feels high quality--absolutely a cut above the competition. This speaker feels like it could take a tumble from a height no problem and live to play another day--not that I was willing to toss this on the ground to test that assumption!
A neutral observation to note with this speaker. It is Bluetooth connection only. There is no 3.5mm headphone jack, so be aware of that. Other speakers in the Marshall lineup certainly have 3.5mm headphone jacks. My opinion on this is that, for one, the higher waterproof rating (IPX7) is achieved with the exclusion of this jack as it is, by design, a higher-likely point of ingress for moisture than the strict USB-C this speaker utilizes for charging. None-the-less, if you are looking to use this speaker in conjunction with a 3.5mm audio input device like a vintage iPod (how crazy to have to say that!), an Echo Dot, etc.
The sound. The sound the sound. Oh how I love the sound of this speaker. I have review a lot of Bluetooth speakers. So when I turned this on and put on my audio testing playlist, trust me when I say I was astonished by the sound! The two 2" 10 watt speakers produce incredible highs, great mids, and respectable bass notes out of a speaker of this size and build. Furthermore, their claim to a 360 degree sound I feel is accurate. I tested this speaker in different spaces throughout my house, and I found that the sound had an even reverberation and tonality through the space it was placed in. The speaker gets LOUD too. Definitely could be a respectable audio source for a houseboat party float, backyard bash, etc.!
One last cool little feature I wanted to mention is the charge level indicator located on top of the device. This is my first speaker to have a clear and constant visual indicator of how much battery charge is remaining which is really neat! I cannot speak to the claim of a 20 hour runtime, only that that is based on the power demand of the device and that Marshall almost certainly tested that runtime at a fixed volume, probably in the midrange. Thus, higher will drain the speaker faster, lower slower, etc.
Overall, I think the price for the value of the product you are getting with this little Emberton speaker is awesome. I highly recommend it if you are someone who is as concerned with the looks of an audio device as you are its features and sound!
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Freshen up your smile with this Procter & Gamble Oral-B iO Series 9 electric toothbrush. Seven smart modes, including daily clean, gum care and tongue clean, allow for personalized brushing, while Bluetooth connectivity lets you track your brushing with a smartphone. This Procter & Gamble Oral-B iO Series 9 electric toothbrush comes with four replacement brush heads for lasting use and a charging travel case for clean teeth on the go.
Customer Rating
5
A Toothbrush for the Gods
on August 8, 2020
Posted by: Bren
from Central Point, OR
If toothbrushes were cars, this toothbrush from Oral B would fall somewhere in the same category as a Tesla Model S. It is sleek, technologically advanced, and overall is featured and sold as a package indicating that Oral B means business!
First of all, why would one spend this much money on a toothbrush? It really comes down to personal preference and the value one puts on their oral health. I know that personally, when I consider a copay I had recently for wisdom tooth extraction was $600, spending this much on a toothbrush for something that will provide me preventative oral health management for years to come does not seem too far a stretch. Additionally, if one puts a lot of value on technological advancement, the features this toothbrush has with the Oral B health to help promote your oral health through real-time 3D mapping of the mouth, brushing patterns, habits, etc. are just incredible.
For example, the app is setup very similar to the Fitbit app, in which it tracks your brushing habits, occurrences, time spent, etc. and will reward badges according to achievements and tracks the metrics so one can identify their weak areas of brushing that may need to be improved. For example, my girlfriend in using this toothbrush in collaboration with the app discovered that she had a couple areas of her mouth she was consistently missing in her brushing pattern.
Now aside from the app, this toothbrush as it stands by itself is featured very well. Its LED screen is colorful with a good, legible font that allows one to scroll and choose settings with ease. It has seven different brushing modes if my memory serves, one of which is a sensitive mode. My girlfriend loves this model of toothbrush for this reason. She has always found lower-tier toothbrushes to be too aggressive and painful to brush with. With the sensitive setting on this toothbrush, she can tolerate it with no problems at all.
At this price-range, the toothbrush comes with additional accessories that help to justify the price. It comes with 4 total brush heads. If one follows ADA recommendations for replacing toothbrushes, this is a year supply. Replacement heads from Oral B for this model to my research are running somewhere around $30 for a two pack of replacement heads at the time of this write-up. These are expensive compared to my previous Oral B 1000's brush heads that ran about $5-7 dollars for a replacement head, but in proportion to the overall price of the toothbrush, it makes a little more sense. The other accessory that I really like is the included rechargeable travel case. It appears easy to clean and includes a separate charging cable for the case, enabling one to leave the main magnetic charging toothbrush for the base back at home while on the go. The only missed opportunity here by Oral B is that I wish the case had a USB-C plug-in. USB-C power delivery can provide plenty of power the recharging of a toothbrush like this and would have provided much more convenience. The included charging cable for the travel case is proprietary and would definitely be annoying to replace if left behind during one's travels.
Overall, I think that for those who believe that the end's justify the means (or expense) or that honestly have the income or independent wealth to justify a oral health tool such as this, the purchase of this toothbrush is a no-brainer. Thanks for reading this review and I hope this helps guide your purchasing decision!
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Only at Best BuyPlay your way to the top with this HP OMEN notebook. The Intel Core i7 processor provides lightning-fast response times, and the 1TB hard drive is enough for all your favorite games and apps with room to spare for music and video files. This HP OMEN notebook has a full-size backlit keyboard for fast, easy typing.
What is the RPM of the 1 terabyte hard drive?
7200rpm, much better than the 5400rpm hard drive found in my $1600.00 MSI Stealth Pro :(
8 years, 10 months ago
by
Bren