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Portable power stations are a greener alternative to fuel-based generators for off-grid power needs. They can be powered by solar energy and offer a variety of outputs to charge or power devices. Factors to consider when choosing a power station include size/weight, battery type, and power outputs. Charging options include standard plugs, car inputs, and solar panels. It is important to choose the right size power station for your needs and to follow safety guidelines for lithium-ion batteries. Maintenance and proper end-of-life disposal are also important considerations. Portable power stations are suitable for outdoor activities, emergencies, remote work, recreational events, travel, and construction sites. They have positive attributes such as being quiet, easy to operate, and emission-free, but they may not be suitable for long-term power needs and can be heavy and expensive. [Extracted from the article]

Portable power stations are a greener alternative to fuel-based generators for off-grid power needs. They store electrical energy and can be powered by solar, making them suitable for remote situations like camping or during blackouts. Portable power stations have various outputs, including USB and standard electrical plugs, and range in price from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. They are quieter and emit no emissions or carbon monoxide, making them safe for indoor use. Recharging options include AC wall sockets, car auxiliary power outputs, and solar panels. Maintenance is required to ensure their longevity, and their lifespan depends on the type of battery technology used. Portable power stations have warranties ranging from one to five years, and end-of-life disposal should be done through proper recycling channels. [Extracted from the article]

This article investigates the quality and longevity of cheap bicycles sold at big-box retailers like Kmart and compares them to more expensive bicycles from bike shops. The study found that the cheap bikes from Kmart had issues with assembly and required more frequent servicing and repairs. They also experienced rusting, poor-quality parts, and higher maintenance costs. In contrast, the bikes from the bike shop were in better condition overall and required fewer repairs. The article recommends saving up for a higher-quality bike or considering second-hand options from bicycle shops or upcyclers. [Extracted from the article]

Some electric vehicle manufacturers have also partnered with charger operators to offer free or discounted access to certain charging stations with the purchase of the vehicle. TESTS Over the past few years, you've probably noticed more and more electric vehicles (EVs) in the news, on the road and in advertising. A lot of people are interested in electric vehicles, but many still have questions about how far the car can drive on a single charge, the lifespan of the battery, and the location of charging stations. Electric vehicle warranties CAR All EV brands in our review except Tesla offer a warranty for an unlimited number of kilometres. [Extracted from the article]

Foam and latex mattresses that are soft, light and relatively thin will work with most adjustable beds. Innerspring mattresses and thick, firm mattresses will not work. Have you ever fantasised about eating breakfast in bed propped up on a luxury mattress? Whether you'll need to buy a new mattress depends on the size, weight and type of your current mattress, and also on the model of adjustable bed you choose. [Extracted from the article]

Robot vs traditional mowers Traditional petrol and battery-powered push mowers make up most of the market, and they can range in price from the inexpensive to the eye- watering. Just like with robot mowers, the battery in a traditional mower will gradually reduce in capacity until it needs to be replaced. After this your robot mower will be fairly autonomous, although as with all other mowers, you'll need to check the sharpness of the blades at least once every season. [Extracted from the article]

Energy-hungry cooling Portable air conditioners work basically the same way as built-in air conditioning: sucking in warm and humid air, cooling and dehumidifying it, and blowing it back into the room. TESTS Every time we review portable air conditioners we're struck by how poorly they perform in comparison to split-system air conditioners. [Extracted from the article]

Cold Power costs 81c a wash, but Almat Laundry Powder is a bargain at just 12c a wash, and Coles' Lemon Fresh Laundry Powder will set you back just 17c a wash. $24.00 $0.60 per wash $33.00 $0.45 per wash 84% Omo Laundry Detergent Powder 84% Omo Ultimate Powder BEST BUY $4.99 $0.12 per wash 82% Aldi Almat Laundry Powder Concentrate Sunshine Fresh $19.50 $0.49 per wash 81% Cold Power Advanced Clean Powder BEST BUY $5.50 $0.14 per wash 80% Woolworths Clean Sunny Glow Laundry Powder BEST DETERGENTS FOR TOP LOADERS Our washing machine tests have found that top loaders don't wash as well as front loaders. All products had a low to no phosphate claim except Woolworths Essentials Bright Clean Wash Laundry Powder and Bosisto's Sensitive Laundry Powder. [Extracted from the article]

CUSTOMER SERVICE BEST: WINNING APPLIANCES Winning Appliances clearly comes out on top for customer service, five percentage points ahead of Retravision in second place. Kmart had low scores for range of products and brands, and many of our survey respondents said it was difficult to find customer service instore. RANGE OF PRODUCTS & BRANDS BEST: WINNING APPLIANCES, RETRAVISION, BING LEE Almost all the major electronics stores did well for product and range availability, but these three topped the list. [Extracted from the article]

75% DeLonghi PAC EL112 CST $899 This model has a very good cooling score to lend to its recommendation. TESTS As we wrote back in our Dec 19 issue, portable air conditioners now need to meet minimum energy performance standards (MEPS). [Extracted from the article]

Real-world efficiency Battery usage in an EV, measured in Wh/km (like litres/km in fuel-powered vehicles). TESTS When we published our electric cars comparison in the July issue this year, we got feedback about just how expensive some of the cars were in our table. [Extracted from the article]

A CHOICE insurance expert Jodi Bird: There have been no structural changes to car insurance that would necessitate the insurer rejecting your car insurance application due to scratches. However, individual underwriters do update their risk requirements all the time, so which insurers will cover you and how much they charge can change over time. The most important difference is that a high-wattage toaster could have a greater range of browning settings to choose from because it can reach a higher ceiling of power compared to low-wattage toasters that may not be able to brown the bread as much within the usual 3 to 5 minute maximum toasting time. [Extracted from the article]

How tap timers work You attach a tap timer to a regular tap outlet simply by screwing it on. How we test smart tap timers We've tested seven smart tap timers, and recommend three of them. Types of tap timer MANUAL TAP TIMERS Manual or mechanical tap timers usually come in the shape i of a dial with hours. [Extracted from the article]

"Dehumidifiers are a good option in some cases if you have persistent humidity or dampness problems", says CHOICE dehumidifier expert Chris Barnes. DESSICANT DEHUMIDIFIERS "These models use a slowly rotating disc or belt of material that absorbs moisture from the air", says Barnes. All the top scoring Ionmax models are desiccant type, and all of the Ionmax models have a timer feature. Refrigerant models tested in our dehumidifier product reviews were more energy-efficient than desiccant models, had larger tanks and better water removal. [Extracted from the article]

Q Your air purifier reviews talk about dust, smoke and VOCs, but there is no mention of whether they will work to filter out mould spores from the air. However, the particles in our smoke tests are roughly similar to typical mould spore sizes, so I'd expect any model that performs well in the smoke test would also perform well for removing mould spores. A CHOICE electric vehicle expert Matthew Steen: Using power generated by your solar system in the day is a great way to power your electric vehicle (EV). [Extracted from the article]

TESTS NEED TO KNOW Digging into the results of our testing shows that even poorly performing detergents at the bottom of the table work OK on some stains. BEST PERFORMER & BEST ON A BUDGET 78% Aldi Logix Platinum 18 In 1 Dishwashing Tablets Lemon BEST AVOIDED 46% Earth Choice Dishwasher Powder Lemon Fresh Should you buy in bulk? CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of equally weighted removal scores for the following stains: egg yolk, rice starch, baked-on cheese, red wine, coffee and minced meat. [Extracted from the article]

TESTS Most of the recently tested steam mops make claims of some sort about killing or eliminating bacteria or viruses, but of course these come with caveats. The steam generated by the steam mop may be enough to destroy the bacteria or virus that's collected on the pad, but because steam generators will vary in effectiveness, it's important to throw the pads in the washing machine afterwards with laundry detergent. The power couple Stick type $149 Barrel type $419 How we test steam mops Our standard steam mop test assesses ease of use and floor dryness. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on steam mops remain popular and but their quality varies and they can damage certain types of floor. It mentions steam mops have a built-in water boiler that creates steam, which the mop pumps out of its cleaning head and no need to use steam mops on cork tiles, vinyl tiles and bamboo floorboards. It also offers information on the Compact SC60R steam mop from Euroflex.

The article focuses on how the energy retailers compared for price, customer service and environmental sustainability and the biggest problems with electricity retailers. Topics include launch of Transformer, a service by the journal, that would continually switch people to new electricity deals when they became available and the problems with electricity retailers include fixed pricing in contracts, and green energy rating problems.

The article evaluates several lawnmowers which include the RMA 460 from Stihl Inc., Toro Super Recycler 20836 from Toro Co., and the LC141Li from Husqvarna AB.

CHEMICAL PRODUCTS The most common active ingredients used are diethyltoluamide (DEET) and picaridin. Natural repellent sprays and roll-ons are considered a safer alternative to chemical products that use DEET or picaridin, but in most cases they're not as effective. This government authority assesses products for their effectiveness and safety, and the APVMA number must be labelled on the product along with the active ingredients and their concentration. [Extracted from the article]

The article evaluates several soundbars and subwoofers including the Yamaha YSP-5600BSW from Yamaha Corp., the Samsung HW-K950 from Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., and the LG SJ9 from LG Electronics.