Month: April 2018

Coffee Makers: Black + Decker vs Mr. Coffee vs Aicok

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This post is for all my coffee lovers. Purchasing coffee from any coffee shop will add up quickly. However, making your own coffee would only cost you a fraction. In this post, I will be comparing three different brands of Coffee Makers that can all be found on Amazon. The two most well known brands of this group are Black + Decker and Mr. Coffee. The third is by Aicok which is a brand relatively unknown in this market.

BLACK+DECKER Programmable Coffeemaker – DLX1050B:

Price: $21.49

Capacity: 12 Cups

Material: Plastic

SA: 7/10

Very basic drip coffee maker. Given this price point, there are not a lot of bells and whistles that comes with this product but you can set a timer to have the coffee made automatically at a certain time. It also has an auto-shut off time of 2 hours so you will never have to worry about forgetting to turn it off. This product also has a sneak-a-cup feature that allows the user to freely pause the brewing process and pour before the entire brew is compelete.

Mr. Coffee Programmable Coffee Maker – BVMC-EVX23:

Price: $22.93

Capacity: 12 Cups

Material: Plastic

SA: 7/10

Similar to the Black + Decker coffee maker, this is also a very basic coffee maker. Although it’s features are similar, this brand is slightly more expensive than its counterpart.

Aicok Coffee Maker:

Price: $29.97

Capacity: 10 Cups

Material: Stainless Steel, Plastic, Glass

SA: 8/10

Also another very basic coffee maker which is surprising given its price. However, the materials used for this machine is higher quality than its competitors which is why the price is so much higher than the previous two that I have mentioned. One reason for this maybe due to its superior brew time. It can make a whole pot (10 cups) in about 3 minutes. This product also automatically keeps the coffee warm for a long period of time. The downside of this function is that you must manually turn it off as this coffee maker does not have an automatic shut down option.

Recommendation: I would recommend the Black + Decker coffee maker for home use since it has an automatic shut off option and automatic brew option. This is perfect for anyone who just wants a machine that can have their coffee ready by the time they wake up. However, for small to medium size offices, the Aicok coffee maker is the better option. It will allow everyone in the office to enjoy warm coffee no matter when it was brewed. In addition, it will be able to handle more brew than the other 2 because of the superior materials that was used.

Water Filters: Brita vs PUR vs Waterdrop

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Having clean water is something everyone can agree on. So today I will compare some low cost options for water filters. I’m sure we all are aware of the brand Brita since they are something many college students use in dorms. However, there are also other brands that not as many people are aware of. In this post, I will be comparing Brita with PUR  and Waterdrop.

Brita Large 10 Cup Everyday Water Pitcher with Filter:

Price: $26.99

Capacity: 10 cups

Filter Life: 40 gallons (roughly two months)

SA: 8/10

Great product for a very decent price. Would recommend for college students living in dorms since it is small and light weight (about 3 pounds w/o water) Great for individual use and lasts quite awhile. For the price, it is a pretty good buy for anyone who is looking to have cleaner water. Also helps filter our distinct tastes from hard water which is great for making coffee.

Waterdrop Extream Long-Lasting 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher with Wooden Handle:

Price: $23.99

Capacity: 10 cups

Filter Life: 200 gallons (roughly 3 – 5 months depending on household size)

SA: 10/10

Top of the line product. Probably the best filter you can buy for this price. At $23.99 and long filter life, this product will definitely help you save money short and long term compared to similar priced products. It’s filtration system also helps the water filter out faster so not too much time is spent waiting for clean water. Perfect for families and its relative small size makes it easy to pour and carry. Highly recommended for everyone.

PUR 18 Cup Water Filtration Dispenser:

Price: $26.87

Capacity: 18 cups

Filter Life: 40 gallons (roughly 2 months)

SA: 8/10

Great product with larger than capacity than most water filters in this price range. Great for families and large households. Will reduce the amount of times needed to refill. However, due to its larger capacity, it is not as portable as its counterparts. Mostly stationary and user must move to location rather than bring it with them. Same amount of filter life as Brita but does not require to pick up to pour. Instead it has a handle that allows it for easier pour.

Recommendation: I highly recommend the Waterdrop Extream water filter due to its price and filter life. It is outstanding in all the necessary departments such as filter speed, portability, price and filter life. This product is great for any living space and arrangement. Regardless if your are a college student needing a filter for a dorm or a parent that wants quick clean water for your children, this product will satisfy those needs. However, get the PUR if you are someone who prefers ease of pour since this has a stout making it the easiest pour out of these 3 products.

 

 

Humidifiers: Vicks vs Everlasting Comfort vs Pure Enrichment

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Today I will be talking about an extremely useful device for any home. That’s right, I will be comparing a very popular brand in this department, Vicks, and two lesser known products by Everlasting Comfort and Pure Enrichment. These products can be found on Amazon for decent prices and feel free to browse others. However, I feel that these 3 brands are the most popular and has the most reviews to go through.

Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Humidifier:

Price: $59.95

Capacity: 6 Liters

Run Time: 50 hours

SA: 9/10

Amazing product for a very affordable price. If you are someone who is willing to spend a little bit extra on useful devices, this product is for you. Although it comes with a premium price tag, its features back up the price. I can run 50 straight hours (without overheating), ultra quiet, 360 degree of motion, and can fill up a room that 400 sq ft. No filter required however, like all humidifiers, when using tap water, minerals may be exposed to the air.

Vicks Ultrasonic Humidifier:

Price: $49.95 (59.95)

Capacity: 5.67 Liters

Run Time: 20 Hours

SA: 7/10

Decent product but overpriced for its performance. Only has 20 hours of run time for such a large tank and difficult to clean. It is quiet allowing use at night and recommends use of a filter. Although it is not required, not using one may lower the life of the product. Also, be careful of where the nozzle is pointed, it releases a lot of humidity quickly causing surfaces to become wet.

Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier:

Price: Currently $39.99 (Original $79.99)

Capacity: 1.5 Liters

Run Time: 16 Hours

SA: 8/10

The discount price for this product currently is a steal. It is 50% off on Amazon and has great features. 16 hour run time on a 1.5 liter tank. Lower output allowing the humidity to travel further. Ideal for people bedrooms and small offices. Not bulky like other products so does not take up too much space. Great product for anyone who lives alone.

Reflection: The best product in my opinion for families would be Everlasting Comfort due to their long run time and wide range. Great for living rooms and keeping the air from getting too dry which may irritate children. However, if you are single, the Pure Enrichment is definitely the best option if you are working with a budget. Its small body allows it to be easily moved even when full so any room you’re in will be dry free. The run time allows the user to not worry about it turning off when sleeping and it is very easy to refill unlike larger products. The Vicks is decent, but there are better options out there for the same price. The biggest deterrent about this specific Vicks product is the humidity output which can cause issues if in use for too long.

Tissues: Kleenex vs Puffs vs Off-brand

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Hello Readers,

Spring in coming and with that comes allergies. So for my first on Seeking Alternatives, I will be reviewing the popular Tissue pack brand, Kleenex and comparing it to its biggest competitor, Puffs, and the underdog, Coghlan’s.

Kimberly-clark Corp 11975 Kleenex White Facial Tissue (Pack of 16):

Price: $7:10 ($0.44 each)

Quantity per pack: 10 sheets

Softness: 3-Ply

SA Rating: 5/10

Decent product with a decent price, however, this is not the more cost effective product as $0.44 per pack.

Kleenex Facial Tissues, On-The-Go Pack (Pack of 8)

Price: $2.29 ($0.29 each)

Quantity per pack: 10 Sheets

Softness: 3-Ply

SA Rating:7/10

Decent product but great value! This is the most cost effective product offered by Kleenex for the quantity. Perfect for any one person, best value if not planning on sharing.

Kleenex Slim Pack Facial Tissue (Pack of 12)

Price: $11.81 ($0.98 each)

Quantity per pack: 10 Sheets

Softness: 3-Ply

SA Rating: 2/10

Compared to the other products offered by Kleenex, the Slim pack is the least cost effective. Sitting at $0.98 per pack with no extra features makes this specific product too expensive to justify for its small packaging. Avoid unless space is of importance.

Puffs Plus Lotion Facial Tissues, (Pack of 10)

Price: $8.99 ($0.89 each)

Quantity per pack: 10 Sheets

Softness: 2-Ply

SA Rating: 6/10

Great product at a decent price for its benefits. Much softer than Kleenex and offers soothing properties. I would recommend this product for anyone who has allergies or is feeling under the weather. Will help reduce dryness and redness associated with high tissue usage. Even greater value for kids and adults who have sensitive skin.

Coghlan’s Tissue On The Go (Pack of 2)

Price: $6.32 ($3.16 each)

Quantity per pack: 65 Sheets

Softness: 2-Ply

SA Rating: 5/10

Unique product since it is very compact and packaged like a roll of toilet paper. I would not recommend getting this product for everyday use since its price is rather high for the benefits its offers. However, for anyone who is traveling, consider investing in this product. It will help save space because of its compact size and will not require you to replace it often because of its high sheet count per package.

Reflection: The best product from this review for everyday use is the “Kleenex Facial Tissues, On-The-Go Pack (Pack of 8),” based on its price. It is super affordable, soft and gets the job done. Also, unless you are someone who uses a lot of tissues, the 8 pack can last about a month which is a great investment considering it will only cost you $2.29. However, if you have severe allergies, consider splurging a little on the “Puffs Plus Lotion Facial Tissues, (Pack of 10).” Your nose will thank you.