Latest articles by Alex David
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Garden lighting trends 2025 – smart lights are on the rise but string lights keep the crown
Fall is the perfect time to get ahead with garden lighting trends for 2025, and prepare your yard for hosting next spring
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Should I leave my porch light on all night? Security experts give 5 reasons you should never leave your light on, and reveal what to do instead
Lighting is an easy way to secure a home, so it's smart to wonder if you should leave your porch light on at night. However, security experts don't recommend it
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Are wind chimes antisocial? Why your neighbors may not appreciate this particular choice of garden decor
Some people love wind chimes, but their neighbors may think differently. I spoke to a garden expert about why wind chimes can be considered antisocial
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How to light a flagpole – all you need to know to obey the US Flag Code
The Flag Code is a little vague about how to keep a flag 'properly illuminated'. This is all you need to know about lighting a flagpole for a 24/7 display
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Best solar light brands – 3 reliable companies for lights that actually work
As a product tester, I've tried a lot of solar lights, and I know that they can be poor quality. These are the best solar light brands for reliable solar lights
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How do solar lights work? Electrical experts reveal how they turn sunlight into cozy garden lighting
It's not immediately obvious how solar lights turn light into energy. I spoke to solar panel and electrical experts about how these ingenious lights work
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Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo vs Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven – which one comes out on top?
The Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo and Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven are so similar that they're almost identical. I put them to the test to see which is best
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Ooni Volt 12 vs Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven – which pizza oven is best?
Pizza ovens can be incredibly expensive, so I compared Ooni Volt 12 vs Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven to see how a premium pizza oven compares to a budget option
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Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo vs Ooni Volt 12 – which pizza oven is best?
After years as a pizza oven tester, I compare Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo vs Ooni Volt 12 to see which pizza oven comes out on top.
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The 5 most surprising places to use solar lights – tips on how to avoid predictable garden lighting
Solar light are great, but they can be predictable. I spoke to a solar light expert to uncover 5 surprising places to use solar lights in your garden design
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Are smokeless fire pits really smokeless? A fire pit designer reveals all
Before you buy one, it's smart to wonder if smokeless fire pits are really smokeless. I spoke to a fire pit designer to see if the marketing claims are true
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How to light a driveway – expert lighting tips for a cozy welcome home
Experts reveal how to light a driveway, explaining the best ways to use path lights, wall lights, well lights and more, for a cozy, welcoming driveway
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Surprising uses for a leaf blower – 5 clever hacks for clearing snow, drying a car, and more
Leaf blowers have a bad reputation as a single-use tool that can only handle leaves. However, we found some surprising uses for a leaf blower that really work
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Are solar water fountains effective? 5 reasons why a solar water fountain could be the missing piece in your yard design
Solar fountains can be effective at keeping local wildlife healthy, but there are plenty of other benefits too. This is all you need to know
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Where to buy solar lights – a product tester reveals where to buy lights that look good and actually work
Figuring out where to buy solar lights can be tricky, as there's so many cheap, flimsy lights out there. Here are all the best store for buying solar lights
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Indoor pizza ovens vs outdoor pizza ovens – which should you buy?
If you're buying a pizza oven, it's smart to consider indoor pizza ovens vs outdoor pizza ovens. I've tested plenty of both - this all you need to know
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Are leaf vacuums ever worth it? This product tester isn't so sure
If you're wondering if leaf vacuums are worth it, I advise you to stay away. In the right circumstances they're invaluable - but they won't work for everyone
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
