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Written by Allen Foster
BestReviews loved these products that we tested in April
In April, BestReviews tested scores of products to gain the first-hand knowledge needed for honest evaluations. We looked at carry-on luggage, ice cream makers and more. Some of our favorites were Away’s The Everywhere Bag and Cuisinart’s ICE30BC Ice Cream Maker.
Shop this article: King Koil Luxury California King Air Mattress, Samsung HW-Q990D Wireless Dolby Atmos Soundbar and Rear Speakers and Better Homes and Gardens Tower Fan
How the BestReviews Testing Lab works
BestReviews Testing Lab isn’t a clinical lab. We don’t employ scientists or physicists to evaluate products. We hire the people who actually use the items in their day-to-day lives. This way, we know if a model truly holds up to the manufacturer’s promise of what it does and how it performs.
After testing, BestReviews donates all gently used items to places where they will do the most good. For instance, some products that we reviewed earlier this year went to organizations such as Infusion, Lyrical Opposition and Urban Schoolhouse.
Best Testing Lab products from April
We love that the Spin 714 has a great screen with a comfortable keyboard, which makes it a pleasure to use. It only took seven minutes and 18 seconds to go from unboxing to operating. The long battery life means this Chromebook can be used all day without charging.
Cuisinart ICE30BC Ice Cream Maker
When we tested this model, we found it worked best when the ingredients and the drum were very cold. This allowed us to make a full 2 quarts of deliciousness in only about 25 minutes. The ice cream was smooth, rich, creamy and flavorful. Almost as exciting, the unit is super easy to clean.
King Koil Luxury California King Air Mattress
This luxury air mattress has a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. It is extremely comfortable, and we found that the coil configuration helped prevent the mattress from sagging throughout the night. We were especially happy with the side supports that helped keep even active sleepers on the mattress all night long.
Besides being a smart-looking accessory, this bag really lives up to its name. We not only tested it for travel purposes — and loved the trolley sleeve — but found it suitable as a yoga bag as well. It is sizable enough to fit everything we needed for a weekend getaway. Plus, it opened wide for quick and easy packing — two minutes from start to finish.
Samsung HW-Q990D Wireless Dolby Atmos Soundbar and Rear Speakers
TVs don’t offer the best sound out of the box. Luckily, this Atmos system with wireless connectivity fixes that. It features plug-and-listen convenience, excellent audio quality and an immersive sound experience — whether watching movies or playing games. If you have the budget, this is a solid choice.
If you need a rugged carry-on that is roomy enough to keep you from checking luggage — even on a two-week trip — we think you should consider The Bigger Carry-On. It is chic, has a Transportation Security Administration-accepted lock, durable zippers and smooth-gliding wheels for maximum traveling convenience.
Cuisinart ICE-21 Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt and Sorbet Maker
One thing we like about Cuisinart’s ice cream maker is its ease of use. Even if you’ve never made chilled and creamy treats before, you can do it at the touch of a button. Another feature we appreciate is the large opening to add mix-ins, such as chocolate chips and nuts. But the best thing is the consistently creamy texture of the finished product.
Better Homes and Gardens Tower Fan
This 40-inch tower fan has a sleek space-saving design that makes it suitable for nearly any room. The three modes combine with the three speed settings and the programmable time to give us a much-appreciated flexibility that lets the fan be a top choice in many situations.
KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment
Before recommending this, it is essential to point out that it is an attachment for people who already own or are considering buying a KitchenAid Mixer. If this is you, this space-saving option makes up to 2 quarts of ice cream per batch. It is simple to use and is ready to consume straight out of the bowl.
Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Checked-Large 28-Inch Suitcase
If you are a chronic overpacker, this offering from Samsonite might be the perfect option. We found it to be an incredibly durable, budget-friendly hardshell suitcase that is suitable for long trips. It features everything we were expecting, including a TSA-compatible lock, spinner wheels and a retractable pull handle.
- Amazon Basics 20-Inch Hardside Spinner Suitcase: This offering is a durable, waterproof, expandable hardside suitcase that is available at a budget-friendly price.
- Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort-Plush Luxury Air Mattress: The easy-to-use built-in pump and supportive comfort make this air mattress a solid choice.
- EnerPlex Air Mattress: While this isn’t the most comfortable air mattress we tested, it is easy to use and simple to store, making it best for occasional use.
- Intex Dura-Beam Standard Pillow Rest Classic Air Mattress Series: We loved the super-comfortable flocked top, which gave this air mattress a premium feel.
- Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Hardside Spinner Suitcase: The solid designs and impressive functionality of this suitcase make it one of our top choices.
- Ninja NC501 CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream Maker: When testing, there was no feature we found less than exceptional. This ice cream maker comes highly recommended.
- Dreo Nomad One Tower Fan: With its abundance of features and operating modes, this model was one of our Testing Lab’s favorite tower fans.
- Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 Tower Fan: The Cruiser Pro T1 has an impressive, nearly 90-degree oscillation and powerful airflow, making it a solid choice in a wide variety of applications.
- Honeywell QuietSet HYF290B Whole Room Tower Fan: This is a suitable model if budget is a primary concern, but you still want impressive performance.
- Dreo Pilot Max S DR-HTF004S Tower Fan: This model is another highly versatile and reliable tower fan from Dreo. We loved that it has 12 speed settings.
- Vornado OSC84 41-Inch Whole Room Air Circulator Tower Fan: This Vornado is stylish, functional, easy to use and available at a reasonable price.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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