Alex David
As Head of eCommerce, Alex makes sure our readers find the right information to help them make the best purchase. After graduating from Cambridge, Alex learned the tricks of the trade at the Good Housekeeping Institute, testing everything from vacuums to washing machines to dog toys to exercise bikes. He then moved to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, where he got into the weeds to discover the best gardening tools, machinery, and wildlife products. At a time when it can be tricky to know what's what, and when budgets are tighter than ever, helping readers to find the right products to make their lives a little easier is a genuine passion.
When he's not scouring the internet for the latest and greatest homeware products, you can find Alex on a run, reading, or obsessing about the mighty (honestly) Tottenham Hotspur FC.
Latest articles by Alex David
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Leaf vacuum vs leaf sweeper – which is best for your backyard?
It can be hard to pick between a leaf vacuum vs leaf sweeper. Leaf vacuums give you mulch, but a leaf sweeper is better for big lawns. This is all you need to know
By Alex David Published
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How to light a yard for winter – 5 elegant and practical methods from lighting experts
It's not obvious how to light a yard for winter. I spoke to lighting experts for 5 foolproof methods to light up your garden on the darkest winter night
By Alex David Published
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Best indoor pizza ovens – I've scoured the market and found the only three worth considering
The best indoor pizza ovens can be pretty hard to find. I've been a pizza oven tester for years - these are the only ovens I recommend
By Alex David Published
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Why bother with a fire pit? 4 reasons fire pits are an essential for your yard
If you can start a bonfire in your backyard, why bother with a fire pit? I spoke to experts about how fire pits keep you safe – and on the right side of the law
By Alex David Published
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Fire pits vs fire tables – experts reveal which is best for your yard
I spoke to experts about fire pits vs fire tables to work out which is best for your yard. This is all you need to know about these popular heating solutions
By Alex David Published
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Are leaf blowers bad for the environment? 5 ways leaf blowers can harm garden habitats and how to avoid them
Leaf blowers can be very harmful to nature. I spoke to an environmental expert about the five ways leaf blowers can harm local plants and animals
By Alex David Published
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The best Amazon deals – shop discounts on Dyson, Ninja, Shark and more for Labor Day
As a product tester, I know what's best in the Amazon sale. I worked through thousands of deals to find the very best
By Alex David Last updated
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Best grill deals – I just found the biggest discounts on the most highly-rated grills for barbecue season
I just found the best grill deals. As an expert product tester, these are the only grill deals actually worth buying.
By Alex David Last updated
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The best Labor Day deals from Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and more
Labor Day deals are already dropping, and there's huge discounts on some of our favorite tested products. These are the very best early Labor Day deals
By Alex David Last updated
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Can you cook on a fire pit? Chefs reveal 4 ways to cook more than s'mores
Chefs reveal if you can cook on a fire pit, and the 4 foolproof methods for backyard grilling. This is all you need to know about cooking on a fire pit
By Alex David Published
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Fire pits vs patio heaters – an expert designer reveals which is best for your space
With winter drawing in, it's smart to weigh up fire pits vs patio heaters. I spoke to the expert landscape designers to find out which is best
By Alex David Published
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How to restore a rusty fire pit – 4 simple steps from an artisan designer, and why you should never use vinegar
I asked fire pit experts how to restore a rusty fire pit, and they gave me four incredibly simple steps. This all you need to know to fix your fire pit
By Alex David Published
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Leaf blower vs rake – expert gardeners reveal if you should go hi-tech or stay old-school
As they're increasingly regulated, it's smart to consider the drawbacks of a leaf blower vs a rake. I asked expert gardeners which tool comes out on top
By Alex David Published
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Best hot tubs 2024: expert picks for your outdoor space
A hot tub might be the missing piece from your yard. Here's our selection of the very best you can buy, with choices to reflect a range of needs and budgets
By Alex David Last updated
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Is it ever worth buying a robot lawn mower? 5 considerations from garden experts
Robot mowers claim to do it all for you, but that's not entirely true. I spoke to expert to find out it it's ever worth buying a robot mower.
By Alex David Published
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Standing mowers vs riding mowers – a mowing expert reveals which is best
Standing mowers vs riding mowers is a heated debate among landscapers. I spoke to a landscaping expert to find out if standing mowers really are the best
By Alex David Published
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How to make solar lights work in winter – 4 simple tips from electrical experts
It can be tricky to make solar lights work in winter. As a solar light tester, I spoke to electrical experts to find out how to make sure they shine all winter
By Alex David Published
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Why isn't my leaf blower working? 6 solutions to fix a gas leaf blower
It's incredibly frustrating when your leaf blower won't work – this is all you need to know to fix the six most common leaf blower problems
By Alex David Published
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When is it antisocial to use a leaf blower? Experts reveal leaf blower etiquette
Leaf blowers can can be incredibly disruptive. I spoke to an etiquette expert for all you need to know about leaf blower etiquette
By Alex David Published
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Wooden vs vinyl fences – which is best? Construction experts weigh in
There's a lot to consider when it comes to wooden vs vinyl fences. I spoke to construction and fecning experts about the pros and cons of each material
By Alex David Published
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Patio covers vs pergolas – which outdoor structure is best?
I spoke to a specialist about patio covers vs pergolas to find out which outdoor structure is best. While pergolas are sturdier, a patio cover is better value
By Alex David Published
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Do outdoor security lights deter animals? A wildlife expert explains why your lights won't keep unwanted animals away
Security lights keep humans at bay, but they won't work on raccoons, deer, or bears. According to a wildlife expert, this is what you need to do instead
By Alex David Published
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Leaf blowers vs leaf vacuums – which is best for your yard, and should you bother with either?
It's not obvious which is best between leaf blowers v leaf vaccums. As a product tester, this is all you need to know about these controversial yard tools
By Alex David Published
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How to remove algae from a fence – the easiest process and two methods you should never use
This foolproof solution is the only way to remove algae from a fence. These are all the ways of removing algae from a fence, and two methods to avoid
By Alex David Published