All posts in “living”

Freedomek House No. 61

In the Pilsen Region of the Czech Republic lies the two-story Freedomek House No. 61. It arrived to the site in two modules fully furnished, right down to the cabinetry and furniture. It certainly gives a new meaning to the term “popup house.”

Don’t mistake speed for clunkiness, though. This prefab home boasts some brute thanks to a construction made almost entirely of timber. That includes the wood fiber insulation and the northern larch facade. And don’t forget the oak flooring and gorgeous birch plywood furniture.

The aesthetic is true outside as it is inside. The larch gives the exterior a hint of texture with those ridged panels. Almost staccato-like, but cleaner and more refined. The modest upper level opens into a decently spacious deck, offering views of the country’s ninth most populated region. Minimalism has its ups and downs, and this one is definitely an up.

As a design principle, minimalism is about less, not lesser. The Freedomek House No. 61 nails that concept by keeping both interior and exterior subdued. No overlap exists between the two spaces, offering almost no transitory shock when traveling from one to the other. That’s a hard balance to pull off; Atelier Stepán deserves praise for doing it effortlessly.

Minimalism might not be your preferred your style. It’s definitely an acquired taste. But it’s hard to deny the pristine lines and angles inside and outside the Freedomek House No. 61. Few minimalist homes are as complex with such few elements. If you still don’t like it, check out the link below to see Atelier Stepán’s other works.

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Photos courtesy of Atelier Stepán

April 4, 2019 / Comments Off on Freedomek House No. 61
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New York Pond House

When you hear New York, you think Times Square, brownstone homes in Brooklyn, and mouth-watering pizza joints everywhere. But that’s New York City. You don’t ever think about the rural part of this dizzying state. A slice of American pastoral just miles away from the bustling cosmopolitan.

Hidden somewhere in New York’s lush greenery is the Pond House, a modestly styled abode avoiding the flashy in favor of the neutered. Sitting on 19 acres of vibrant flatland, you’d think it would be a luxurious respite space. A warm, inviting dwelling you go to after leaving the frenzied hijinks in NYC. It’s more of the latter. While the exterior probably wouldn’t make the cover of Architectural Digest anytime soon, it remains quaint, rustic, simple.

The palette consists of rusted corten standing seam panels and blackened cedar. A combination like that seems like it won’t work, but it does. And you have the surrounding nature to thank for that synergy.

Inside, there’s a spacious living area along with three bedrooms. A glass entryway allows the interior t flow into the great outdoors and vice versa. It gives the already brutal-looking shelter some much-needed breathing room. The nearby pond, visible from the living area, is just the cherry on top.

The design avoids convolution and disarray, but in away that employs touches of monolithic sentiment. You’ll find that there’s not much detail at first glance. But on the second and third glances, there’s so much to see. That stilted fireplace. And that exposed beam ceiling whose trunks hide an atrium on the far end. Those wooden stools. Each of those makes this slice of rural New York a joy to live in.

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Photos courtesy of Sundial Studios

March 23, 2019 / Comments Off on New York Pond House
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Cree House

Paying $2,500,000 for what’s essentially a house on stilts like something only a lunatic would do. But the Cree House isn’t just a house on stilts. Designed by architect Albert Frey in 1955, thisPalm Springs household is a mode-century modern masterpiece ready for takers.

The residence occupies 8.2 acres is stands on a rocky hillside thanks to a sturdy foundation of steel stilts. The main panels come painted in chic Encelia green, which does a great bit to blend with the surrounding landscape. But what takes the cake are those yellow fiberglass accents wrapped along the deck. Together, they make the overall exterior look camouflaged in with the sparse greenery lining the hillside.

Inside, you’ll find a gorgeous 1,124-square-foot, one bedroom interior. It’s nearly untouched, as well, with the original features in their most pristine. Those include native stone fireplace, wood paneling, vintage kitchen appliances, and cabinets. Wide glazed windows introduce vistas marked by parched uplands and invite a great deal of natural light in. These also expand to the modest living space out to a 600-square-foot deck.

The house also goes by the nickname “The Forgotten Frey.” A single family has owned it for quite some time. And it had not been open to the public until Modernism Week 2019. Suffice it to say that this nearly-untouched architectural marvel will be an easy buy at $2.5 mil for all you takers. Hit up Christie’s International Real Estate for more information, or check out the photos below to see the interior and other views.

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Photos courtesy of Christie’s International Real Estate

March 21, 2019 / Comments Off on Cree House
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Dolomite Treehouses

These treehouses look like they came right out of a futuristic fairytale. With modernist touches, accentuated by pointed roofs and blackened wood cladding, these mountain treehouses residing in the Dolomites of northern Italy imbricate gothic and natural.

The result is a mesmerizing mountainscape with black diamonds jutting out of the dense thicket. Seen from afar, that is. But it’s just as gorgeous up close, too. Above all, Peter Pichler Architecture designed these hotel rooms as a way for tourist to connect with nature.

Key to this synergy? Floor-to-ceiling picture windows overlooking the vast mountaintop.

“We believe that the future of tourism is based on the relationship of the human being with nature. Well integrated, sustainable architecture can amplify this relationship, nothing else is needed.”

Each treehouse ranges from 35 and 45 square metres in era. However, all have the same signature pointed roof and base. PPA says those wedged corners will echo the surrounding fir and larch trees.

PPA will cull from almost entirely locally sourced larch and fir wood to build the structures. Moreover, as for the cladding, meanwhile, they plan to stain them black, offering a more gothic feel — a stark contrast to the lush greenery enveloping these treehouses.

Each will have a concrete foundation, and the glass walls will serve as additional structural support. Inside, PPA plans to build warm interiors using untreated fir wood and minimalist furniture. Each treehouse will comprise of two levels. The bottom half will be for reading and lounging, and the upper half for sleeping. An open-tread stair will link the two.

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Photos courtesy of Peter Pichler Architecture

March 7, 2019 / Comments Off on Dolomite Treehouses
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Best 12 Coffee Machines

C

offee. The magic bean that is the favorite pick me up of millions. Essential to kick start the brain in the morning and the perfect ending to a meal. Brewed to perfection in countless variations, it brings people together and keeps a body going through busy days and long sleepless nights. Take what you want from me but mess with my coffee and there will be trouble.

The coffee bean is complex containing a thousand plus compounds that carry its unique flavors and aromas.  It demands careful brewing with cautious temperature and time control to get it just right – something around 195 -205 degrees for 6-8 minutes. It is the most intense flavors and aromas that are the first to leave the bean, the milder and smoother follow later.

Every serious coffee drinker is a serious coffee maker and knows that straying from the formula leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Too slow or with the temperature too high the humble bean lets you know with a brew that is harsh, bitter and hard to swallow. Too cold and the flavor is never extracted and there is no delicious aroma filling the kitchen. Brewing a fresh pot of coffee that hits all the right nerves is an art form that has to be learnt and using a good machine from the start is a must to get even a chance of the perfect brew.

Main benefits of using a coffee machine?

The coffee machine is a blessing for people with high coffee consumption. Some of us are unable to start the day or an important task without a cup of coffee at hand. Other people find their breakfast and snack incomplete without a cup of aromatic coffee. For those coffee lovers and addicts, the coffee machine is essential.

The coffee machine is beneficial in these ways;

Time and Money Saver

A good coffee machine saves time and money. No need to be spending precious time standing in coffee shop queues for your favorite brew when you can prepare it for less cost at home.  A good quality machine needs to be viewed as an investment. Brewing at home will always come in cheaper than the coffee shop and the machine will easily pay for itself. Even so, it pays to look out for machines on sales to add to the amount of cash you can save.

Fresher and More Flavorful Coffee

Nothing can beat the flavor and aroma of freshly brewed coffee and you can get it at home only with a quality coffee maker. Instant coffee is an easier choice but its taste and aroma cannot be compared with freshly prepared coffee from the beans. It has a distinct aroma and flavor easily distinguished by a coffee lover. For some though, it’s all too intense. They prefer mild and less aromatic instant coffee to freshly brewed one. It all depends upon your own taste buds.

Healthier Version of Coffee

Brewed coffee is the healthier version of coffee. Coffee beans release greater amounts of the healthy oils into the pot which are beneficial for your health. These oils contain antioxidants and nutrients that are helpful in uplifting mood and increasing brain activity. Brewed coffee deliver these nutrients in their purest form and help protect the body from various cancer types and heart disease. Instant coffee does not carry as much benefit as the nutrients and the antioxidants present are not as effective after it has been commercially prepared. Beware though, even with its health benefits, coffee is still an addictive stimulant and over-consumption can create problems.

Benefits Of Having A Coffee Machine In The Workplace

A cup of coffee can lift your mood and enhance brain activity and if it is freshly brewed its benefit increases multifold. What could be a better way to improve your employees` concentration span and increase their productivity than to offer them a freshly brewed coffee any time they want?

Bringing a coffee machine into your office will win the heart of your employees and make your workplace a more cozy and attractive place for your workers. It says you value your employees but also eliminates the need for frequent coffee breaks. Ready and on tap, fresh coffee can eliminate a lazy and lethargic work attitude to leave your workers more enthusiastic and active.

Your investment in a good coffee machine for your office will go a long way in not only invigorating your employees but also impressing your clients. The social act of presenting an aromatic cup of freshly brewed coffee will lift the mood of your clients, relax them and help you cut a good deal.

Variations of Coffee Machines

Before you decide to make the all important purchase, you need to learn a bit about different types of coffee machines and some of their major benefits and features. For instance:

Drip Coffee Makers

Drip coffee machines are the most popular coffee machines and are widely used for domestic purposes. They are easy to use and can be operated by anyone. These standard machines are also cost effective and are available everywhere.

Here are some of the main features of drip coffee machines:

  • It can brew multiple cups of coffee in a single go and is ideal for big families or small events at home. It can brew up to 12 cups of coffee at once.
  • It is easy to use and can fill up your coffee pot with freshly brewed coffee in a few minutes. Just fill the reservoir with water and add your ground coffee beans in filter paper and you’re good to go.
  • Most of the drip coffee machines are automatic and you can program them in advance to get your coffee ready at your desired time.

Espresso Coffee Machines

An espresso coffee machine is your ideal choice if you are a lover of concentrated more intense espresso coffee. This coffee is the base of many high-end coffees served at the cafes around the world. You can easily get your tricky espresso coffee right from the comfort of your home with this machine.

Some of the prominent aspects of espresso coffee machine are:

  • You can use any variety of coffee, either rich or mild, to make your espresso coffee with this machine.
  • Some models allow you to make multiple cups of coffee at once.
  • Some models have two options. Either to make a single cup or opt for double cups in one go.
  • You can adjust the quantity of your extracted coffee according to your needs.
  • Some models also allow you to program time and quantity of your espresso in advance.

French Presses

The French press is a classic model of coffee machine and popular around the world. It is unique with zero electric consumption and a simple mechanism. They are the cheapest type of coffee makers available in the market and require the least maintenance.

Some of the key features of the French press are:

  • It has a simple body with only a glass cylinder along with a plunger.
  • You need boiled water and grounded coffee for brewing your fresh cup of coffee.
  • You can adjust the brewing time to taste by leaving it to infuse until it is just how you prefer it.

Single Cup Makers

Single cup makers are ideal for individual use or in the situation where everyone prefers different flavors and wants to brew at their own convenient timings. These machines work with a single cup coffee pod and have both filter and grounder attach to it.

Some of the important attributes of single cup makers are:

  • They are mess free machines and are easier to handle.
  • They are portable.
  • They are perfect for small families.
  • They are quick and time efficient.
  • They give freedom to each coffee maker to brew according to his own preferences.
  • It’s easy to experiment with new flavors at minimal cost

Bean-to-Cup Coffee Makers

If you are a true coffee maniac than the bean to cup coffee machine is your ideal choice. It grounds whole coffee beans right at the moment you begin to brew to ensure there are no flavors lost and the essential oils released are at their optimal best for a rich aroma and full bodied taste.

Some of the key aspects of bean to cup coffee makers are:

  • These are the most expensive coffee machines.
  • They brew the most intense and flavorful coffee.
  • No machine can beat the freshness and intensity of the flavor of its freshly ground and brewed coffee.

What to consider when buying a coffee machine?

Considering the benefits, you may already be feeling tempted to buy yourself a new shiny piece of coffee maker. You should certainly go ahead, but be sure to remember a few important points before taking the plunge. Here is what you should consider when buying a coffee machine.

Bar Pressure

Good bar pressure is essential for getting creamy frothy coffee from your coffee maker. Check out the bar pressure before buying any coffee maker. Ideal bar pressure is between 15 to 19 bar and is crucial for brewing perfect frothy coffee. Optimum bar pressure is even more essential for espresso coffee making machines.

Thermo Block

The temperature of water at the time of coffee brewing plays an important role in getting perfectly flavored coffee. Thermo block is a boiler in your coffee machine that ensures perfect water temperature for brewing. Your water temperature should ideally be maintained at 90-degree centigrade for a perfect cup or else it will ruin the flavor and aroma balance of your coffee.

Filter Holder

The filter holder maintains the temperature of grounded coffee. A brass filter holder is better than aluminum filter holder as it retains heat more precisely.

Wattage

Wattage helps in brewing the coffee quickly by boiling water in comparatively lesser time. Higher wattage indicates the efficiency of the machine to boil water swiftly.

Maintenance

Your coffee maker demands your attention and regular maintenance to keep working efficiently. If you want to make the most of your coffee maker and want it to stay fault free for a longer than you must descale them regularly. Some high-end machines have indicators that alert you to descale when needed. Besides descaling, check the filters regularly for any blockage and wash your water reservoir, spout and pot after every use.

Features to Check in Different Types of Coffee Makers

There are different coffee makers to suit different tastes and needs, so it is important to consider certain features when you want to put your money on a specific type of machine. Here are a few things to consider.

Multi-Cup Coffee Makers

Popular among most American households, the drip coffee makers can easily make at least 8-10 cups per carafe, which is why they are perfect for small dinner parties and homes with multiple coffee drinkers.  To make your perfect purchase it pays to think about a few things.

  • Opt for a multi-function drip coffee maker. With these coffee machines, you can get a cup of hot water to make your own cup of tea or you can get a cup of coffee directly into your travel mug.
  • Consider the carafe size if you have a large family of coffee lovers. While most can manage 8-10 cups with ease, you can find commercial ones with capability to handle multiple pots.  Opt for the right type as well, as glass carafes are easily available but thermal carafes are more durable.
  • Check the programmability. It would allow you to change the settings in a way that you can have your coffee brewed while you sleep and get it brewed perfectly by the time you wake up in the morning.
  • Select machines that give you full control over temperature and strength settings. It will allow you to create a subtler or stronger flavor.

There are other features to check out, such as a built-in coffee grinder, pause function, automatic shut-off and the availability of filter basket.

Single Serve Coffee Makers

These coffee makers help you brew a single cup of coffee at a time and are quite popular these days. By going for these machines, you will be able to enjoy the luxury of drinking perfect coffee with very little cleanup. These makers use pre-packaged pods that you can find a variety of flavors. With these pods, it is easy to change your routine with a cup of hot chocolate, tea, or even hot cider. Here’s what to consider when buying these coffee makers:

  • Check the reservoir size, especially if you’d be making multiple cups in quick succession. A machine with a larger reservoir serves you well when you have a large family of coffee lovers.
  • Pay attention to the cup height if you’d love to keep your travel mug there and pick it up whenever you need the caffeine hit.
  • Opt for a single-serve coffee maker with multiple temperature and strength selections. With these machines, you will be able to control how long it takes to saturate the grounds and create a perfectly flavored coffee.

Espresso Machines

It is easy to use espresso machines and create a perfect shot of espresso that can be used as the base for cappuccino, caffe latte, Americano, mocha, macchiato, and so many more variations. Considering these features will help you buy the right espresso machine for you.

  • Opt for a durable espresso machine, which usually means buying one with metal construction. These machines can be quite expensive, which is why people to switch to a plastic model. Know your budget before you start your search and buy the best you can afford.
  • Put your money on an espresso machine with rubber feet. Irrespective of which model you choose, these espresso machines cause vibrations and noise, which can be reduced with those rubber feet added to the bottom.
  • Pick an espresso machine that is easy to use. Machines with indicator lights not directly visible to the eye can cause problems when brewing. Similarly, you need to consider the location of the water reservoir. Insufficient clearance if you need to place your machine under the kitchen cupboards means having to move it every time you want to add water.

Invest in an espresso machine with a built-in frothing wand. These wands produce a stream of hot air to help aerate milk and give you that lovely foamy topping on your morning cappuccino.

What are the main brands of coffee machines?

When you know what to consider at the time of buying a coffee machine, you usually don’t need to worry too much about brands. Nevertheless, knowing about popular brands will make it easier to select a coffee machine that is capable of delivering the best performance in your home or office setting.

Hamilton Beach is a nice choice with a variety of coffee machines available to choose from, but if you’re looking for coffee machines that last, you may want to buy something from Krups. Similarly, Keurig offers excellent machines, but they may be a bit expensive to buy for some.  To find a rater affordable model, you can check the range of coffee makers Mr. Coffee has available.

Other than these, there are many other popular brands of coffee machine, including De’ Longhi, Nespresso, Melitta, Presto, Kenmore, Black & Decker, NESCO, and the list goes on. Just be sure to know your exact coffee needs and remember the points mentioned earlier to get the best machine.

1) Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker

This single serve coffee maker from Hamilton Beach allows you to brew your coffee in two ways. It comes equipped with a 12-cup glass carafe but you can also brew your coffee directly into your travel mug. By the way, you’re not going to find the travel mug included in the package.

This 950W machine works flawlessly. The pod holder works efficiently with the brew basket to hold soft pods, which is nice. Another good thing is that you can easily select different brew strengths to brew bold or regular strength coffee. The availability of a control panel and display means you can automate the process and even set the brewing time 24 hours in advance.

Keep in mind that the single serve feature works when you use loosely ground coffee or opt for disk-shaped soft pods. It does not work with K-Cup packs, which may be a drawback of buying this machine.  Another issue is that it lacks a permanent mesh filter, which is usually available on the carafe side.

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2) Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker

This 12-cup coffee maker from Mr. Coffee is available in black and looks good in every kitchen setting. You will notice that the machine brews at a reasonably fast speed, and you can use it to brew your coffee at a rather hot temperature. When pouring out of the pot, you don’t have to deal with a dribbling carafe, which is a common complaint of many coffee lovers.

Thanks to the on/0ff indicator light, it is easy to check whether your coffee maker is working or not.  Interestingly, it is possible to pause the brewing process before it is done using Grab-A-Cup Auto Pause feature. Similarly, you will love the fact that it comes with a dual water window, which offers enough visibility to ensure you don’t have to deal with overflows.

Moreover, the machine allows for easy cleanups because all you have to do is lift the filter basket and clean it.  It works great, but the only issue is that it may be a bit expensive, especially for someone who’s coming from a basic coffee maker.

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3) Keurig K-Cafe Coffee Machine

So many things make Keurig K-Café a good choice for anyone interested in buying a single serve coffee maker.  One of the best things is that you can use it with any K-cup pod, which means it is possible to make cappuccinos and brew coffee with utmost ease. All you have to do is press the “SHOT” button and it will brew coffee using your favorite K-Cup pod. With its large 60oz water reservoir, you can easily brew up to 6 cups.

The build quality of this machine is impressive, and it is easy to set it up after you receive the package.  The use of simple button controls means it is easy to operate right out of the box. Interestingly, there is no need to worry about serious maintenance because it comes equipped with dishwasher safe frother. A really nice single-serve machine, but the price may be a bit on the higher side.

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4) Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer

Available in 17 amazing colors, the KBG coffee brewer is a simple to use and reasonably quiet machine you can own. The build quality is impressive, as the machine is encased in a highly durable metal housing.

You don’t have to worry about any dripping issues, as it features an auto drip-stop brew-basket coupled with a high quality glass carafe, which ensures coffee quality, taste, and integrity. Interestingly, it is a powerful coffee brewer with a capacity to brew a full carafe in no more than 6 minutes.

With its 9-hole outlet arm, it is capable of pulsing water at up to 205F, which in turn will ensure a smooth and evenly extracted cup of coffee. While most of the features are super impressive, the price may be a deal-breaker for some, as this brewer does come with a hefty price tag.

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5) Keurig K575 Coffee Maker

The K575 from Keurig is a reasonably good single serve coffee maker that is strong enough to handle a K-cup pod brew up to 12oz.  The availability of a large 80oz water reservoir means you can brew up to 10 cups before even thinking of going for a refill. You can easily change the strength setting to brew a cup of coffee as per your unique needs and taste. “Hot Water On Demand” is a nice feature too, making it easier to brew your coffee with a touch of the button.

Another good thing about this coffee maker is that you can easily adjust the size of your beverage. Interestingly, the brewer works automatically and switches to the optimized brew setting after sensing the type of pack you have inserted into it. You can also change the settings using the color touchscreen, which, by the way, is larger than what you usually find on other coffee makers in the market. The price may be the only issue making you think twice before buying it.

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6) Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker

Keurig seems to have designed some of the nicest coffee makers available in the market, and the K-Elite Single Serve is no different.  One of its important selling points is the use of quite brew technology, which means the machine will not make any noise while in use, so you can use it late at night or very early in the morning without disturbing others around you.

The coffee maker is quite powerful and gives you the chance to change its strength settings with ease. You can also switch to iced setting to brew a cup of iced coffee in no time. With ‘hot water on demand’ feature, you can get the amount of water you need to prepare instant oatmeal, soups, and more. And, it will take some time until your water supply runs dry, as the machine comes with a large 75oz water reservoir.

Everything about the K-Elite is good, but you’ll be disappointed to know that it does not come with a touchscreen.  Moreover, the reservoir lid is no longer hinged, which means you cannot lift the front half only to refill.  It is certainly a simpler product, but it does increase the reliability to a certain extent.

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7) Nespresso Vertuo Coffee & Espresso Machine

With two capsules that let you prepare Coffee, Alto, and Espresso, this coffee machine bundle really looks like a good buy. There is a large capsule for coffee and alto, with cup sizes of 8oz and 14oz respectively, and a small capsule for espresso. Coffee lovers will love it for producing multiple cups of coffee with optimal freshness.

The real upside of buying this machine is that it uses the Centrifusion extraction technology that spins the capsules up to 7,000 RPM for a perfect blend of water and coffee. You will love the crema it produces. It also works amazingly well to produce authentic espresso, and does it quickly too.

It supports one-touch brewing, so you will love the ease of use. The only downside is that the pods are quite expensive, much more than what you pay when you use another brand. You won’t find a glitch in the performance though.

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8) Mr. Coffee Thermal Coffeemaker System

You will love the Optimal Brew coffee maker for its design, performance, and build quality. The combination of a fast brew speed and a high brew temperature that goes as high as 205 degrees means you get great tasting coffee cup after cup.

With the Optimal Brew coffee maker, you don’t have to wait for the brewing cycle to complete to pour a cup. Simply use its Pause ‘N Serve function to pour a cup as you like. It uses a special cleaning cycle along with impressive water filtration system to provide you with better tasting coffee. Its removal water reservoir is another nice feature.

You will find it quite easy and safe to use, especially because it has a stainless steel thermal carafe. Moreover, you can take advantage of its built-in timer to get fresh coffee whenever you want. It means that if you can afford it, you should certainly consider buying it.

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9) Braun Brew Sense Drip Coffee Maker

The BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker from Braun is a good choice for making rich, reliable coffee in no time. Yes, your brewing knowledge matters, but this feature-rich machine will simplify the task with its PureFlavor system that works flawlessly to extract the finest coffee flavor.

It makes no compromises over flavor and its unique carafe lid plays a role in it. It kind of seals the flavor inside your coffee by limiting the air exposure. Moreover, you can change the settings using the strength function to make bold or regular coffee.

Thanks to its anti-drip system, you will not find it difficult to pour your coffee with precision, even when you want to do it right in the middle of the brewing cycle.  It serves you well as a whole, but some people have complained about a black coating building on the heating plate.

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10) Kenmore Aroma Control Coffee Maker

The Kenmore 40706 is a popular coffee maker that comes with a 12-cup glass carafe making it easier to get the right amount of water as per your brewing needs.  It is an extremely easy-t0-use coffee maker with a programmable timer.  You can also use its Pause and Serve function to get a cup during the brew cycle.

Unlike many other coffee makers, this one from Kenmore will not have issues related to the heating plate.  It comes equipped with a non-stick coated plate, so you will have your coffee warm longer. The brewing mechanism works efficiently, thanks to the use of an improved brewing technology that lets the grounds steep thoroughly before making it available in the carafe.

It is worth mentioning that though the overall build quality of the Kenmore 40706 is reasonably good, the design is not as user-friendly as some other models from Kenwood are. For instance, it is hard to empty the pot because of its inner rim and it is not possible to open up the reservoir cover completely.  If you can ignore these seemingly minor issues, this coffee maker may prove to be a good buy.

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11) BLACK+DECKER 5-Cup Coffeemaker

Black + Decker has a good range of coffee makers and the DCM600B is one of their popular models.  With its Duralife glass carafe, it is extremely easy to fill it up and pour once your coffee is ready. You will really like the fact that the carafe comes with clear measurement markings making life a lot easier if you have multiple coffee drinkers who like different flavor strengths.

The presence of a removal filter basket means that you don’t have to go through much hassle to clean it up. It is dishwasher safe, so you don’t have to worry about anything.  It is worth mentioning that the basket is quite compatible with different basket-style paper filters.  Other features include a nonstick carafe plate, an easy-view water window, a lighted on/off switch, and more. The only issue is that you may have to deal with some dripping, and therefore, it is better to have something to catch that dripping coffee.

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12) Mueller Ultima Coffee Maker

This coffee maker with five brew sizes is quite compatible with 1.0 and 2.0 K-cups as well as number of other pods, which means that you can make a cup of coffee in any way you like. You will also notice the same versatility in brew sizes, as you can choose different strengths and brew up to 12oz cups.

It comes with a 45oz water tank, which is removable by the way, but you may find it a bit on the smaller side as many other modes offer water tanks up to 80oz.  Still, the size is reasonably good and you will appreciate the fact that it has a large opening that makes it easier to fill it up.

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CONCLUSION

When you’re a coffee lover, it makes great sense to own a coffee maker, as it helps you prepare coffee in an affordable way and allows you to find the perfect settings to have a cup of foamy coffee. Many top brands are now selling some amazingly designed coffee makers, but you should consider your budget and the number of cups you’d be brewing a day. So, be ready to do your research to bring home a coffee maker perfectly designed to suit your unique needs!

February 18, 2019 / Comments Off on Best 12 Coffee Machines
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Best 18 Beer Bottle Openers

Y

ou don’t have to be a beer drinker or a pro mixologist to admire an attractive bottle opener. A beautiful beer bottle opener can come in handy as a gift to a loved one or even impress your friends and guests at your beach house party. Whatever the situation, a beautiful beer bottle as small as it is can make a big impression for you or your folks.

Catching up with old friends sometimes could be exciting especially when you all have some good memories together. As blokes, it will be absolutely boring to just sit down and laugh over old times without having anything to wet your taste buds. That’s why most guys have rounds of beer to refill them while they talk and laugh out loud at funny jokes.

However, little but not-negligible comes the beer bottle opener. Before we go further, just picture this.
You are at the entrance of a nightclub on a Friday night with friends and you guys are about to go in to have some fun to party all night. Apparently, you guys have been outside talking and laughing “at your not so funny jokes.”  All this while there has been a midget-looking guy standing at the entrance, who affirms who goes in and who doesn’t. But you and your friends never notice him because he is not seen, right? After all who cares about that midget-looking guy?

Well, to break the bad news, you and your guys don’t enter because “Mr. Midget” says so. He calls the shot and he doesn’t want you guys entering. Reason? Yes! He thinks you guys didn’t give him the respect, rather you guys made him look like he wasn’t there because he is short.
Now that’s the story of “Mr. Beer Bottle opener.”
If you don’t give him his recognition, then you are not ready to down-in on your chilled beer.

That’s why we have decided to tell you about the top 18 bottle openers in 2018.
Are you ready? Gear up, keep reading and see where all these go.

What makes a good bottle opener?

This is a common question asked by many people. Because it’s one thing to just pick a bottle opener up randomly from the store, and it’s another thing to have a solid bottle opener that’ll last enough to be passed on to your kids.

So back to the question, paraphrasing a little; what are the features of a quality bottle opener?
 The first thing to look at is obviously its functionality. A good beer opener should be able to carry out its task swiftly and fast. There are some beer openers that get weak over time and stall a lot when they are sent on a mission to “open sesame.” Thus, always look for a beer opener that opens your beer fast without stalling. The only way to find that out is to keep reading this post and you may be able to get something that’s worth buying.

Another thing you should watch out for is the portability and handling. You don’t want to buy something you can’t easily slip at the back pocket of your denim. Somewhat, you will need something quite handy and portable to carry around with nobody knowing you are with it.

The above two features are the primary features you should look out for. However, they are other secondary features like; design, color, dual-function etc. that some people prefer, especially if they’re giving it out as a gift.

Automatic Vs manual bottle openers?

A bottle opener is something that everybody has come across in a bar, party or anywhere that drinks are concerned. Back in the days, we didn’t have much of a choice because it was just the manual bottle openers that were available and everyone was happy with it even though using it meant you’d have to exert some sort of energy to conquer the process of uncorking.

With the advent of technology, things have improved and that includes bottle openers. Now we have automatic bottle openers. This technology has made it really difficult for us to choose between this two but with the advantages and disadvantages hanging on the necks of both bottle openers, you’d be left to weigh them and make a choice because it all depends on your preference.

Automatic openers sound like magic already so you should know by now that one of the top advantages of this kind of openers is that they are really easy to use. This means you don’t have to process the stress of exerting pressure before meeting your goal. All you need to do is hold it and position it and watch it work for you after pressing a button.

Another advantage is these kinds of bottle openers are less prone to breaking the corks. Oh yes! Since it has been programmed to do everything for you, it doesn’t do less or too much of what you require of it. For instance, if you use the automatic bottle openers, it drives into the cork with the right depth before pulling. As sweet as this looks, it has its disadvantage which is the fact that for you to use these, access to power is necessary in order for them to work. If you purchase the models that use a pressure system, you’d have to buy special components to use it which means more cost is added.

Manual openers involve some work but it has some advantages that may interest you one way or the other. One advantage of the manual opener is they don’t require any power source other than human energy to carry out its function. Another advantage is these openers are flexible hence you can use them to open bottles with modern neck styles and sizes.

Also, manual openers offer you other features for your convenience e.g. built-in foil cutters.one of the disadvantage of this type of openers is that you require strength and they are more prone to breaking as a result of the pressure applied. Since the manual bottle openers don’t have safeguards to shield, they may result in some safety concerns. With all said, there’s no one that’s better it all depends on what you’re looking for.

What is a good material for a bottle opener

When you want to make or purchase a bottle opener, it’s not a bad idea to know the best material to use for it. But for you to know the best material for your bottle opener, you have to have an idea of the kind of bottle opener you want.

If you plan to buy one made with quality material, then it’s much easier but if you plan to make it then you have more work to do. Generally, the kinds of materials used for bottle openers are the ones that don’t break when it’s in use. Examples of such materials include metal alloys, steel, and any kind of durable and solid material that would stand the test of time.

On material reduces the risk of safety the other hand, if you’re creating one, you have to get the right materials like the ones listed above and proceed to other things like retaining the functional geometry and create fascinating pieces. If you choose to, you can also personalize. In summary, the bedrock of a good bottle opener is its material and a good concern.

1) Bartender Bottle Openers (3 Pack)

You can be sure that the name of this bottle opener isn’t for nothing because it’s used by so many bartenders around the world. It’s that one bottle opener that comes to your aid in times of need. Each of the Bartender bottle openers has a dimension of 7 x 1.6 x 0.1 inches and weighs 0.51 Lbs hence you can carry it wherever you go without noticing it.

If you have no idea of the perfect gift for that special person, this bottle opener is more than a good idea because the quality of the bottle opener starts from the heavy duty stainless steel to the high-quality non-slippery rubber-coated handle.  Hence, you won’t have to have any safety concerns with this product.

The icing on the cake is the fact that the company is so confident in the product thus, they give a full refund if by any chance you aren’t contented with the product. It would interest you to know that this bottle opener isn’t just FDA approved but it’s made with recyclable and eco-friendly materials.

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2) Igoolee Bottle Opener (6 Pack)

The igoolee bottle opener promotes carelessness due to its pack of six quality bottle openers at an affordable price. This opener has a dimension of 7.2 x 1.9 x 0.6 inches with a collective weight of 1.04 lbs and an individual weight of 1.04 Lbs each.

This bottle opener is quite easy to use when it comes to opening drinks. This product can assure you durability due to the long-lasting stainless steel material that was used to produce it. When you’re done using the bottle opener, you can simply suspend the round hole located at the bottom of the handle.

If you’re not satisfied with the product, the company offers you an opportunity to return the product for no reason within 30 days of purchase.

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3) Dsmile Wall Mount Bottle Opener

If you love to give out gifts then I expect you to be happy about this because you’re about to make 12 people happy by giving each of them high-quality vintage Rustic bottle openers that have a dimension of 4.7 x 3.5 x 2 inches with each of them weighing 0.16 Lbs.

This beautiful looking bottle opener doesn’t just open drinks easily, but it has a unique look and durability alongside. This fantastic vintage bottle opener is versatile. This means that it can be used anywhere by anybody from a caveman to a wealthy man in an expensive restaurant. Another feature that does justice to this bottle opener is the fact that it can be easily installed.

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4) HQY Bottle Opener & Magnetic Cap Catcher

If your list of preference for purchasing a bottle opener includes easy to use, portable, and cute then you’ve found a bottle opener. It weighs0.44 lbs and has a dimension of 4.8 x 3.8 x 2.2 inches. When you want to open any drink using this bottle opener, all you need to do is push down and “pop” goes the bottle sound as evidence that the drink is opened.

This bottle opener is a fantastic gift for any occasion to anyone especially for people that have arthritis. This opener works with speed and it opens bottles in a way that there’s no mutilation of the cork thanks to its cap catcher magnet. Hence, it can serve as a good cap collector.
In case you find yourself in a bottle opening competition, this opener can serve as the superpowers behind your success.

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5) Bruntmor Beer Opener & Cap Catcher

This magnetic catcher bottle opener comes with a ready-to-use strong magnetic mounting. This bottle opener weighs 0.97 Lbs and has a dimension of 8 x 1 x 3.2 inches. The reason for the strong magnetic mounting is to help people that prefer to use one hand to operate bottle openers or wall mount.

Mere looking at it, you can tell that the bottle opener is made from Rubberwood hardwood. That’s not all; this bottle opener has the capacity to hold up to 50 beer caps. Its hand-finished with water-resistant lacquer and uses 100% upgraded Zinc Alloy opener.
For maximum protection, this bottle opener has a multi-step finishing process.

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6) CapLord – Wall Mounted & Magnetic Cap Catcher

Sometimes high quality is everything and this bottle opener spells it correctly with its weight 0f 0.6 Lbs and dimension of 3.1 x 2.6 x 1 inches.

With how beautiful it looks. It will stay beautiful because it doesn’t rust in any environment. It also helps to make the art of opening bottles really easy leaving no spill of your drink regardless

With this, you can decide to give it as a birthday gift. When you open the box of this bottle opener, it contains high-quality stainless steel screw on a mountable bottle opener. This helps to catch bottles with a powerful magnet and stainless steel mounting screws.
Most of all, it’s easy to use.

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7) NFL Vinyl Covered Long Neck Bottle Opener

This simple yet beautiful team-colored opener with a team logo on it weighs 0.20 Lbs with a dimension of 0.2 x 10 x 7.5 inches. This bottle opener is specially made with heavy-duty steel which assures you that you shouldn’t in anyway be worried about having safety concerns.
This bottle opener is coated with vinyl which qualifies it to be used as a gift to a Bartender friend or relative.

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8) Bartender Bottle Opener

This Bartender bottle opener from the name suggests that it was made for Bartenders but others can use it as well. If you have any events coming up like anniversary celebration, promotion, birthday, public relations planning, etc. This bottle opener is a good gift idea with its weight of 0.57 Lbs and dimension of 2 x 2 x 2 inches.

You can also buy these for yourself if you love wooden handle bottle openers. Because this particular bottle handle comes in a pack of 5, you can decide to have your openers evenly distributed in different places you deem fit to avoid being caught unawares.

These wooden handle bottle openers are good for opening drinks like cider, beer, etc. in your home or the bar.

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9) BeautyMood Bottle Opener

If you think that this BeautyMood bottle opener is for the Casino only then you’re mistaken because this beautifully crafted opener is for anybody that takes interest in it with its weight of 0.70 Lbs and dimension of 3.34 x 2.16 x 0.78 inches.

The spade shape that the bottle opener has in the middle is the magic behind the design. That is, the Ace-shaped hole is what is used to open drinks. This bottle opener can be slipped into little spaces like pockets easily due to how slim the opener is.

The BeautyMood is made up of stainless steel which signifies that it wouldn’t rust. Hence it’s a good gift for traveling, parties etc. since it comes in a pack of 8.

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10) Pickle Bottle Opener

If you are funny or you like to be funny and you never make people laugh, or you wish you were funny, then this “funny- looking” Pickle beer bottle opener is certainly for you especially if you are a lover of beer. From the shape, you can guess that the original inventor of this bottle opener has a special place for “pickles” in his heart.

One unique thing about this pickle looking beer bottle opener is the fact that it’s extremely flat. The flatness of this beer bottle opener brings back the old memories of “Motorola Razor” which made a lot of publications advertising their slim and extremely flat nature.

The Pickle beer bottle opener gives every Ricky and Morty fans a big laugh anytime they open their favorite beer.  At least, it’s a lot better than having one boring looking beer bottle opener open your beer bottles without any excitement.

No doubt if you were having a bad day at work and you decided to chill out with some friends at the pub, one glance at this Pickle beer bottle open will obviously give you a smile.

This Pickle beer bottle opener is made out of stainless steel which is coated to deliver that durability you require.

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11) PoptheTop Automatic Beer Bottle Opener

This PoptheTop bottle opener is a unique looking beer bottle opener that has a sleek aluminum exterior. The bottle opener has an awesome and professional steel system which makes it easy for you to pop the top of your beer bottle.

The no wrist-twist system of the PoptheTop Automatic beer opener will surely impress your party guests. It has a unique way of opening the beer bottle by just pushing it down to the bottle. Then it goes “poof.” The sound it makes when it opens a bottle of beer.

If you operate a bar, this bottle opener will obviously be a good tool for you. Its wrist-twist system makes it possible for it to open a large number of beer bottles in a short time. Thus, you can entertain your guests with the bottle opening skill. In fact, the aesthetics of this bottle opener is so attractive, that it can give your bar a unique and new look.

This beer bottle opener will also go as a good gift for your friends who are beer lovers.
Also if you are a collector of beer bottle caps, the PoptheTop bottle opener is a perfect choice for you. This is because the beer bottle caps are not bent by the bottle opener, rather it’s released from the bottle in its almost original form.

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12) Tuncily Credit Card Survival Tool

The Tuncily credit card survival tool is the perfect beer bottle opener for anyone that doesn’t like carrying tools or equipment around. This credit card bottle opener can be defined in one word; “portable.” The portability of this bottle opener is amazing. You can place it on your wallet when you’re out hiking, fishing, etc.

The beauty about this credit card bottle opener is its multi-functional use. It has other spaces on the tool that act as a flat screwdriver, a key holder and even more. You can always place this credit card bottle opener in your wallet.

Thus, whenever you’re in a place by chance and you’re offered a drink, rather than looking for screws, you can bring out the credit card bottle opener and begin to do justice to your bottle and other bottles.

As a matter of fact, the credit card bottle opener was made from a rare stainless steel that doesn’t rust so you can be sure that you’ll be having it as a companion in your wallet for a long time.

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13) American Metalcraft Stainless Steel Hand

This tool can be comfortably called “a double-edged sword.” This is because of its dual function both as beer bottle opener and a can opener too.

The American Metalcraft bottle opener can quickly, safely and easily open cans and beer bottles. This beer bottle opener and can opener is formed from a heavy-duty toughened stainless steel that is perfect for everyday use.

Whether you run a bar or not, this vintage bottle opener is something you should have always. Also, it comes with a hardwood handle which allows you to have a calm grip together with a stylish and simple look.

With this beer bottle opener, you’ll get a ton of leverages giving the fact that it doubles as both a beer bottle opener and can opener without any blunder. The American Metalcraft bottle and can opener have a length of 4.5 inch L.

The manufacturers of the beer bottle opener and can opener, American Metalcraft have been around for 70 years. No wonder they’re one of the leaders in the foodservice business for trend-focused and exclusive products.

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14) Update International Flat Bottle Opener 

If you remember the funny pickle looking beer bottle opener, then you may be able to relate with this beer bottle opener properly.

This particular beer bottle opener has so many similarities with the Pickle as they’re both flat. The only main difference is the fact that Mr. Pickle has the visual representation of the pickle character.

The Heavy duty Stainless Steel flat bottle opener is a compact, slim and durable. It comes in very handy for the handler. It can be used to open flat bottles, while its opener is indented on its 2 sides.

Also, it comes in a set of two so you can be sure to have a good replacement if peradventure you lose one.
This beer bottle opener can serve as a perfect gift; birthday, wedding, anniversary and so on.

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15) Westmark Germany Hermetus Bottle Opener

The Westmark’s Resealable beer bottle opener is manufactured by a German Kitchenware manufacturer, and it’s ranked as one of the best in the world today.  The beer bottle opener is created by using high-quality durable steel. It also comes with a rubber surface that helps provides an airtight seal effect.

It’s quite easy to use the bottle opener. It can open a large variety of bottles; especially the beer bottles. It also opens plastic bottles and glass bottles easily. Also, it has an amazing feature of sealing your bottle after it has been opened. All you need to do is simply slide the bottle of beer under the glass brim and it will get sealed. Also, it’s quite simple to clean the beer bottle opener.

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16) Cap Gun Launcher Shooter Bottle Opener

Opening your drinks has just got mischievous.


With the Cap Gun launcher bottle opener, you can surely sway your friends and family. This attractive tiny bottle opener opens your beer bottle with marginal effort but also serves as a cap launcher.

Cap Gun launcher bottle opener is the perfect companion that you should never leave, with its projection that spans over 5 meters,

If you want to break the ice at any party, the Cap Gun bottle opener will be the perfect tool for you. Just ensure your target is totally unaware! You can just push the cap, target, shoot, then just relax and enjoy your chilled beer.


The Cap Gun launcher bottle opener comes with a suitable key chain appropriate for that quick impulsive takeoff.

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17) Yoption Anchor Nautical Bottle Opener

If you’re a sailing enthusiast, you may like this Yoption Anchor beer bottle opener.  This anchor looking beer bottle opener is made from pure stainless steel that is impeccable for opening any beer bottle as well as wine bottle. This anchor beer bottle opener has got an elegant design plus it’s quite easy to use.

The Yoption Anchor beer bottle opener is also suitable to be given as a gift for wedding, birthdays, anniversary, etc. It could also suffice as a promotional gift for your loyal customers.

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18) Magcap Wall Mounted Bottle Opener

The Magcap beer bottle opener has got a unique stocking stuffer. The magnetic bottle opener is fortified with 2 neodymium magnets which enable it to grasp the bottle caps out of the air.

The Magcap bottle opener grabs your beer bottle cap as soon as you bring your bottle close to it. The Magcap bottle opener has hidden magnets which traps bottle caps.

You can choose to shock your guests and friends as their bottle caps get wedged by the Magcap bottle opener.

The magnet bottle opener can’t get rusty because of its coating. Thus, it’s suitable for both exterior and interior use.  Just simply hang the Magcap to your bar or kitchen’s wall. Its beautiful tangled nickel surface matches any location.

The Magcap has a sturdy texture as it’s made from a solid zinc alloy component which has a long lifespan.

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Final Word.

No doubt, there are a ton of these beer bottle openers available in the market today. However, you’ve to be cautious not to buy something that may not last enough time.

By now, you should’ve gotten comprehensive information about the top beer bottle openers. Thus, we trust you can make the right choice.

February 17, 2019 / Comments Off on Best 18 Beer Bottle Openers
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Beckett Dining Table By Thus Furniture

The Beckett Dining Table has a lot to live up to being named after one of the most celebrated writers in history.

The contemporary dining table, much like its namesake author, is minimalist and understated. But, also like Beckett, it’s subtle but not slight. Drawing from austere design cues, the Beckett boasts a clean, white top. But, again, just like Beckett’s plays and prose, the interesting parts are down below.

You’ll find that somewhat experimental geometric legs keep the whole thing propped up. That’s much like Beckett’s plays. They’re somehow loose and lithe on first reading. But dig deeper and you’ll find a compelling case on the human condition.

The geometric design gives a precarious vibe to the whole thing. Make no mistake, though: this thing is as sturdy as it gets.

When open, it provides seating for eight people. But it’s pretty flexible, too. The hinged sides allow you to fold it up for compact storage. A table that can transform like a great writer can, in Thus’ own words.

Dimensions when collapsed are H55 x W80 x D75 cm. When expanded, it’s H76 x W80 x D176 cm. The table is going to cost you a bit, though. It’s $650 a pop. If for some reason you’re not much of a Beckett fan, you’re in luck. Thus also has tables named after Immanuel Kant, Honoré de Balzac, and Friedrich Nietzsche. They’re probably not going to make you an iconic philosopher, novelist, or theorist overnight. But it’s the thought that counts, right?

BUY NOW

Photos courtesy of Thus

February 15, 2019 / Comments Off on Beckett Dining Table By Thus Furniture
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Best 15 Hatchets And Axes For Camping

W

hether you’re preparing for a campfire, an axe-throwing competition or hiding in the mountains awaiting the zombies, you need to be able to rely on your chopping companion. A quality hatchet or ax can make camping trips with the family or with the guys easier. They help get the fire started ready for those tasty burgers and chilling ghost stories. They’re also a great tool to help you bond with the kids and teach them a valuable life skill.

Axes and hatchets have been around forever – which means many companies are making them. This also means there are more to choose from, but choosing can be harder. To help you find the best hatchet or ax for your camping trip, we have found the models that are a cut above the rest.

We found models that are aimed at different uses and will be ideal for different hatchet and ax shoppers. We also found some budget models that still ooze quality and some exceptional backpacking designs too. Read on to discover these camping essentials, but first, let’s take a look at some common questions.

What Are A Hatchet And An Ax Used For?

An ax and a hatchet come in useful for different things. They can both be used to chop wood. The type of wood, its thickness, and its location will determine which one of these tools is best to use in each instance. While camping, chopping wood will be one of your main objectives with these cool tools. After all, what is a camping trip without a cold beer and interesting conversations on an evening – and what is a top evening without a campfire and some sizzling sausages?

For some men on camping trips, their intent will be to go hunting as well. An ax and hatchet will come in useful for any guy going fishing or looking for game in the wild. We won’t spell this out for you because some of our squeamish readers may be listening in.

A camping ax and a camping hatchet are not toys. Yet, this doesn’t mean you cannot have fun with them. They can be thrown towards targets as part of games and people even run ax and hatchet throwing competitions. Before Dave loses an ear, keep reading to discover a safe throwing technique.

What Is The Difference Between An Axe And A Hatchet?

Most people aren’t tool experts. Those that are will tell you that the majority of the population are incorrectly using the terms “ax” and “hatchet” interchangeably. Although they look similar and have similar purposes, they can be distinguished with a little more insight.

The most notable difference is in their size. A hatchet is smaller than an ax because a hatchet is designed to be used with one hand. In comparison, an ax is used with both hands. Through functioning slightly differently, they come in handy – pun definitely intended – in different situations. A hatchet can be used to take down smaller pieces of wood and is especially useful in tight areas where there may not be room for much backswing. Alternatively, an ax is more useful for thicker pieces of wood that require a long backswing and brute acceleration.

That brings us nicely on to the hand ax which is designed to fend off zombies. We’re joking of course, but a hand ax is a mixture of both the hatchet and the ax. It can be considered the love child of these two tools. Often, a hand ax is just called an ax or a hatchet. Can you spot them in our buyer guide?

How To Choose The Best Hatchet Or Ax For Camping And Survival?

When choosing the best make and model for you, you need to consider a few things. To help you buy smart, here are out two key considerations when buying a hatchet or an ax for camping.

Use – do you just need to cut wood? How big of a blade do you need for your wood? The main use for a camping tool like these is to prepare firewood. However, some models include other useful things such as a hammer head. This head is great for hammering in tent stakes when the ground is tough. Another thing to think about is if you have any use for an ax or hatchet in your garden or in DIY projects? What do you need from these tools in these situations? Or, are you about to compete in a throwing competition? Considering your uses is the first step before buying any hatchet or ax.

Size and weight –when it comes to axes and hatchets, size is important. Remember to choose one that will fulfill your needs, but also one that is light enough for you to carry and one that is compact enough to keep on you at all times if needed. If you will be wandering around looking for firewood you don’t want to be out of breath and too tired to swing by the time you find it.

Looking for models that have sheaths, and hook and loop attachments will work even better for men that want to transport their hatchet or ax. To fulfill this requirement, these guys should take a look at our specific backpacking hatchets section near the end of our list.

How To Use An Ax Or Hatchet For Survival?

Some of you will be first-time ax or hatchet buyers. For you guys, we have put together a clear guide on how to use these tools effectively and safely. We already established these tools are not the same and they are held differently. Therefore, we have separated our coaching to tailor advice to each tool. We also brought the Men’s Gear ax throwing specialist along to teach you how to throw safely.

To use an ax safely, the first step is to clear your backswing and ensure you aren’t going to make contact with anything else. If you did, your ax would be sent off course and you will miss your target. Remember, these are two-handed tools. Place your non-dominant hand just above the bottom of the handle and the hand you write with a few inches below the top of the handle.

Before swinging, mark your stance out by clearing any loose debris and standing with your feet at shoulder-width apart. Swing down towards your target from over your shoulder and lower your dominant hand down the grip slightly as the ax accelerates towards the target. The technique can differ depending on the exact task you’re carrying out. Always choose accuracy over full-blown power.

A hatchet is used slightly differently. As a hatchet is more apt for smaller areas, you will not need to check your swing path as meticulously because you won’t be swinging as far back with it as you would an ax. That doesn’t mean you couldn’t try and tackle the camping firewood with a hatchet using big swings – but a safer use for the hatchet will be in a somewhat similar manner to when you use a hammer.

Throwing either of these tools is a fun camp game when done safely. Not all models are suitable for throwing. Heavier models can be a certain “no” if you value your fellow campers’ toes. Check with manufacturers for their guidance on this. Some models have been specifically designed for throwing with curved grips and the perfect weight distribution.

When throwing, grip the tool low down at the bottom of the handle with two hands like you would hold a baseball bat. More advanced throwers can use one hand. Ensure the blade is pointed forwards to make sure it sticks into your pre-agreed-upon target. Bring the ax over and behind your head just like soccer players do when they take a throw-in. Never bring it over one of your shoulders! Now, accelerate your hands forward back over your head and release with your arms fully extended in front of you. How did you do? Communal finger count?

How To Sharpen Hatchets And Axes?

Sharpening an ax or hatchet isn’t going to blow your mind. With some extra bits, these tools are really simple to prepare for the weekend camping trip and can be done in just minutes. Some common methods include filing or using whetstones, grinding wheels, and rotary tools. Here, we will zone in on two of those methods that are most suitable for sharpening an ax or a hatchet.

Ax sharpening – to sharpen an ax, the first step is to clamp the head of the tool in place using a vice. Then proceed to file the original bevel. Make sure your filing technique includes long strokes and follows the bevel as it was originally crafted. Remember to turn the head over, re-clamp and repeat to the other side of the ax’s head. This method is best to tackle an ax and you should always avoid just sharpening the tool’s edge.

Hatchet sharpening – a great option to sharpen a hatchet is using a whetstone. Simply run the hatchet blade across the whetstone at an angle to regain a sharp edge. Again, remember to do the opposite side by reversing the angle.

What Are The Best Brands For Axes And Hatchets?

When we use an ax or hatchet, we put our safety in the hands of the product’s manufacturers as well as our own. We rely on these tools being durable and put together reliably so they do not cause us significant injury during use.

This is one reason why we should choose renowned brands that have established a reputation based on the quality of their hatchets and axes. The best brands for hatches and axes have become known as such because of their attention to detail, customer service, and their safety record.

To ensure you buy a quality hatchet or ax, we have compiled our buyer guide by chopping down the current crop of options to uncover the best of the best. Next up are 15 outstanding options coming from the likes of Estwing, Gerber and first up – Fiskars.

1) Fiskars X7 Hatchet

The Fiskars X7 Hatchet is our first point of call when searching for the best hatchet for men. This black and orange slicing machine will come in useful when preparing the campfire as it’s designed to take on small- and medium-sized logs and kindling. It also has a hammer head on the opposite side for multifunction usage – which will help get those tent stakes in the ground.

The designers took their inspiration from a standard aluminum baseball bat to enhance the weight distribution and make it more feasible to carry for long treks. By making it strong but light, they have made using it more efficient. You can swing the head much faster to accelerate through your target for deeper cuts.

Another thing that makes this model an efficient operator is that it has been sharpened using proprietary-blade grinding. These cleaner and sharper cuts are then protected with a complementary lifetime warranty! To keep your Fiskars X7 Hatchet in top working order, the product includes a protective case that locks in place over the blade and the hammer head.

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2) Estwing Sportsman’s Axe

By making use of quality American steel, Estwing has produced one of the best hatchets on the market. It’s not surprising seen as though they have been in the tool-striking game for over 75 years. With this sort of experience and expertise, you will be buying a product you can trust.

Their design comes available in its standard leather design and also a special edition model. Focusing on their original model, the grip is made with genuine leather. This leather has been sanded and lacquered to add both durability and comfort to its use.

Just like the first hatchet we saw, this one is primarily used to tackle small logs and kindling ready for the evening’s campfire. On top of its undeniably high performance, this model is one of the most durable. It has been forged together in a single piece, so you can feel safe and confident with every strike. The hatchet is even provided with a nylon sheath for convenient transportation and blade maintenance.

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3) MOSSY OAK 2-Piece Camping Set

For impeccable value for money, choose this two-piece set comprising of a survival ax and a machete. The set is perfect for your hunting trips, or these tools can be used around the garden. Both tools boast solid quality blades which are corrosion resistant to outlast competitors.

The ax tool can be used to cut, but it has a hammer head attached to it as well. Go hunting then come home and build a man shed with this tool! The machete is just as multifunctional. Along with the reliable blade, there is a gut hook and a hole which is perfect to attach your lanyard through.

Another way that this design is perfect for the hunters among our pack is through its aesthetics. Both of the tools in this set have camouflaged handles. This helps you activate stealth mode and stay unseen. The grips also host ridges to increase friction and your control – not to mention they look awesome! Both come with a nylon sheath that have a hook and loop attachment to let you keep them at arm’s reach at all times.

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4) Marbles Camp Axe

Next up is the Marble Camp Axe. It will come in useful when chopping small and medium logs in preparation for campfires. On the opposite side of the high-carbon steel head, there is a hammer design to save your hands and the bottom of your sneakers from trying to get tent stakes in the hard ground.

As mentioned, the blade on this design is four-inches long and made from high-carbon steel. It’s tough and sharp enough to become part of your camping gear for a long time and will not falter easily. Yet, the most unique features on this camping ax are on its handle.

The handle itself is made from American hickory to add a rustic aesthetic to an already masculine piece of kit. Now cast your eyes to the lower part of the handle. Here you will notice an enlarged hole. This hole is perfect for attaching a lanyard or can be incorporated into your kit for easy transportation.

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5) Oak Curve Outfitters Camp Axe

Or maybe you would prefer to get hold of this Camp Axe from Oak Curve Outfitters? Unlike some other hatchet and ax providers, they supply their lightweight design sharpened and ready to go. It’s perfect for splitting, chopping and will even come in useful for domestic building or woodwork projects. Why? This is another head which doubles as a hammer!

Another excellent part of this model is the handle and grip. The handle has been made to withstand adverse weather so you always feel safe and in control. It’s also shock resistant so you can work with it for longer without feeling aches or fatigue. However, once you’re done for the day, simply slide it in its accompanying nylon sheath for protection and ease of carrying.

The US outfit even offers a 30-day money back guarantee without asking any questions, and hand over a one-year replacement warranty for purchasing peace of mind.

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6) Schrade Large Survival Axe

From Schrade, we welcome you to the tribe! Their Survival ax is almost 16-inches in length and has one of the longest blade lengths on our buyer guide at 4.2 inches. It’s also one of the lightest models we will be featuring.

The head of this hand ax is made from stainless steel which has been given a titanium coating for added durability. On the opposite side to the blade, you will notice a small steel block. This pommel can be used for any hammering requirement from tent pegs to nails.

The handle is just as impressive. It’s made from TRP and PA but has been enhanced with a glass fiber filling. Two of the coolest aspects of the handle are that it’s flexible and that it’s cold resistant. If you’re rallying the troops for a camping trip in the colder months, this Schrade model will be your best friend – especially when your other ones choose to stay home and warm.

Other noteworthy features of this product are the inclusion of an XL ferro rod kept inside the tool’s shaft and a polyester sheath.

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7) MTECH USA Camping Axe

Do your best Viking impression with the MTECH USA Camping Axe for men. It’s one of the smallest and most compact designs that you’ll find on our buyer guide, but good things do sometimes come in small packages!

Its size makes it one of the most portable options on the market. If you’re going on a camping trip with a number of stop offs and even doing a spot or two of wild hiking, this will be a fantastic choice. The blade is manufactured with 440 stainless steel and finished in a black satin to help it strike effectively – as well as strike fear.

The awesome aesthetics are continued into the rubber handle which has been made to be both durable for product longevity and comfortable for extensive use at one time. A black nylon sheath matches the overall design and keeps the sharp blade from any minor damages and scrapes – to you and to the blade!

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8) Prandi German-Style Hatchet

The Prandi German-Style Hatchet will be a much-loved part of the camping kit for years to come. It’s another model that has a rustic handle aesthetic thanks to the inclusion of American hickory. The grain orientation on this handle is solid and is then enhanced with varnish for protection. With this in hand, your firewood doesn’t stand a chance.

The steel head is also of immense quality and next to it is a cool emblem. Even though the manufacturers have not claimed that the opposite side of the head could be used to hammer, a lot of past customers have taken it upon themselves to utilize this flat chunk of steel for such purposes.

Unlike most designs which come with a nylon sheath, this one is a bit more durable and a lot cooler. It’s supplied with a leather sheath that just covers the blade and has some metal studs and a stud button for a fine finish.

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9) CAMAQUI Hatchet

For a little more money than standard, campers can become happy campers with the CAMAQUI Hatchet for men. This design comes in two different styles that exhibit the same qualities. The head of the hatchet is made using hand-forged high-carbon steel for a hot-knife-through-butter cutting action.

The handmade handle is equally impressive and consists of durable rosewood. It’s an ergonomic design to help you feel comfortable and in complete control from your backswing to follow through. Together with the head of this hatchet for men, a perfect weight distribution is achieved to enable you to make accurate and powerful blows.

They will even supply it with a 100% cow leather sheath and a money-back guarantee in case you’re not satisfied!

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10) Estwing Special Edition Camper’s Axe

If you like quality and also place buying locally as a priority, you will have to consider the creations from Estwing. Their camping hatchets and axes are made in Rockford, IL, and make good use out America’s finest steel.

This model doesn’t fall too far from the tree of their previous model we showed you. It’s made to tackle firewood logs, and tree branches in your garden or around the area you set up camp. It’s length, weight, and blade width allow it to accelerate faster into the wood to make more effective strikes. You can enjoy this level of performance for a long time due to the product’s durability and being forged in a single piece.

The same level of reliability is found in its lacquered leather grip. Never feel unsafe or out of control when making powerful strikes to logs and keep the blade maintained and safe to transport with an accompanying ballistic nylon sheath.

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11) Schrade Full-Tang Hatchet

Back to the Schrade camp to see another one of their camping hatchets for men. You can even get it as part of a set that includes a fire striker. The perfect campfire set?

This is an exceptionally durable product made from a host of long-lasting materials you can count on. The blade is made from sturdy stainless steel and the ergonomic handle is manufactured with grooved black rubber. These grooves let you stay in control when the weather is out of control.

You can be confident using this model to chop wood or you can dial down the swings and turn it around to take advantage of its other feature. The head also includes a hammer pommel to take some arguments out of setting the tent up.

This is one of the best-looking hatchets we have on our list. It combines ruggedness with sleek modernity to provide one hell of an option for any guy. It’ll stay looking this cool too because it comes supplied with a thermoplastic sheath that can be attached to your belt for ease of, and safe, transporting.

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Best Budget Camping Hatchets And Axes

12) Coleman Camp Axe

Now we’re moving on to some budget camping tools to keep the fire roaring. Keep this Coleman camping ax with you on camping trips or keep it in the shed ready for when you have the guys around and the firepit burning.

This wallet-friendly option has one of the most innovative inclusions on our whole list. It has the dual functioning head of being able to chop wood and hammer your tent pegs – but it has even more. When it’s time to pack up and get the tent pegs back out, use the cut-in head notch to lift the pegs out without hitting yourself in the head.

Along with its clever addition, it has a drop-forged steel head that won’t let you down, and a friction grip to keep you in control of every swing. This product is great for first-time buyers and fifth-time buyers. Get yours now!

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13) Truper Hatchet

An alternative for budget hatchet buyers is the Truper Hatchet. This model is perfect for camping trips and home use around the garden and shed. This isn’t surprising seen as though Truper has been supplying quality domestic tools for years.

It has a hickory handle for comfort and strength, and a heat-treated blade for a formidable chopping potential. Opposite the blade is a hammer pommel and, on the blade, you will again notice a notch to help you remove tent pegs. How come these hatchets which are great value for money come up trumps for innovation? We’re not complaining; their work has to be admired!

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Best Backpacking Axes And Hatchets

14) Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Hatchet

We’re ending our showcase of the best hatchets and axes for camping with two backpacking hatchets. These models are named so because they can slide into your backpack due to their compactness and overall size.

The first one has been put to the test of survival king Bear Grylls! Hence, why it has been named after him. Despite its compactness, this one still has a relatively long blade length measuring in at 3.5 inches. With this option, you get the double benefit of being super easy to transport with no added attachments needed and it delivers in performance.

This workhorse has a high-carbon steel blade and an ergonomic handle. The handle enables users to enjoy its cutting ability for long durations without getting tired or sore. It has also been covered in a non-slip rubber so you can keep using your Bear-Grylls-endorsed hatchet in any season. Even though it’s suitable to just carry in your backpack, it does come with a belt loop and is also supplied with a nylon sheath for protection.

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15) BladeMate Survival Hatchet

Our final hatchet for camping on our list is the BladeMate Survival Hatchet. This compact operator will be the perfect addition to your camping kit or a Bug-Out-Bag for when the zombies, or more likely, the robots try and take over.

The razor-sharp blade will certainly take care of any firewood and will come in useful for bush clearing. Again, despite its compactness, this hatchet has one of the longest blade lengths. At a whopping 4.5 inches, you certainly wouldn’t want to be clumsy around this product. The blade will keep performing for a long time to due to its anti-corrosion qualities. On the opposite side of the blade, you can see a hook for tent pegs and alike. We secretly think this will work as a bottle opener too. Have a cold one for us!

The handle of the tool has been made to fit your hand position naturally for a stronger swing and impact. It even has multiple grooves to increase grip, which will certainly be welcome in the colder and wetter conditions. To round off a phenomenal product, BladeMate will back up their work with a lifetime guarantee without asking any questions whatsoever. Buy this one for yourself or as a gift for an outdoor-type groomsman.

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Want A Slice Of The Action?

That concludes our buyer guide looking at some incredible hatchets and axes for your next camping trip with the guys. Consider your exact uses with one of these tools to make sure you get the most suitable design for you. When you do use your tool, always follow the proper technique and use it responsibly. Severed fingers only last 12 hours before doctors aren’t able to reattach them, which will make browsing the cool products on our future buyer guides much more difficult!

February 14, 2019 / Comments Off on Best 15 Hatchets And Axes For Camping
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Beautiful Minimalist Tiny Homes By Escape

DIY culture has been booming for the past several years, and that’s a boon for us all. Firstly, it gives creative folks autonomy on realizing their own vision. Secondly, it provides us consumers a wealth of options beyond the generic, nondescript alternatives huge corporations churn out time and time again.

But although there’s no shortage of alluring DIY flower pots and brooches on Etsy, sometimes it’s best to leave things to the professionals. DIY is great and all, sure, but for some things, you’re going to need an extra push.

In case you’re planning to DIY a tiny home but don’t quite know how to start, leave it to Escape. The company specializes in making small-scale, minimalist, and scaled-back homes. You might think you have all the necessary knowhow and willpower to jerry-rig yourself an entire home, but chances are you’re going to run into a pinch or two.

Which is why it’s probably best to let Escape take care of everything. From the design to the build to the materials to the insulation, the company will handle everything from start to finish. It’s got a quarter of a century to show for it, too, so you’re in very, very good hands.

The home Escape builds are nothing short of mesmerizing, too. The company doesn’t just build tiny homes for the sake of being tiny. It puts a lot of elements into consideration, as well, like where and how to place the storage, bathroom, amenities, and the kitchen to maximize space. Each home is built in its Wisconsin factory and the prices are fairly reasonable.

CHECK IT OUT

Photos courtesy of Escape

February 14, 2019 / Comments Off on Beautiful Minimalist Tiny Homes By Escape
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Best 20 Large Family Camping Tents

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nstead of getting too familiar with your Auntie Jean’s mustache or your Uncle John’s bunions, get a quality and sizeable family tent for your next camping trip instead. Family camping tents, along with a carefully-selected invite list, are the most important things when preparing for your family’s mini adventure.

Although you can’t choose your family, you sure can choose your next family camping tent!

Getting a family camping tent doesn’t just need to be saved for the annual trip to the mountains with your nearest and dearest. You can also use the tent with your buddies on hiking expeditions, fishing trips or just your regular guy’s weekend away.

Whether you want to recreate your own family camping trips as a young boy or just use it as a sneaky cover to be allowed on more adventures with the guys, they’re a great buy at any time of the year.

The only problem with finding a quality tent is that there are so many options – maybe too many. The extensive choices can be almost enough to make you stay home or give in to the idea of a boring spa weekend in the country.

To keep you engaged with your caveman side and keep you free from facials, we have rounded up the best family tents currently on the market.

Our choices come from the best brands in the business and are camping tents you can always rely on. They’re perfect for different sized families with different needs. But, just before we impress you with these amazing tents, you’re welcome to browse through our top tips and advice!

What Types Of Large Family Camping Tents Are Available For Camping?

Tents come in all shapes and sizes to fit the needs of different families. A family tent can be small for you and your little ones or have multiple rooms to cater to your immediate and extended relatives. Any family tent can be put into one of two categories.

They can either be an instant tent or a non-instant tent. As expected, instant tents can be put up much quicker than their counterparts – but more on that later!

From these two categories, a tent will have a specific design. Some designs are made for small families only, while other tents can be for a family of any size. The smaller designs are dome tents that get their shape from their flexible overlapping poles.

These are somewhat similar to geodesic tents which are aesthetically similar to dome tents but are a little lower and the poles cross to create triangles. Another example of a family tent for smaller families are elevated tents. These are the easiest to spot because they sit on short legs and elevate campers slightly above ground level.

Yet, many family tents make use of the cabin design. Cabin tents cater for suburbia’s married couple and their 2.5 children up to really big families of 16-and-more people. They look more like a cabin because their sides are vertical and often have multiple rooms.

Another tent design that caters for various family sizes is the yurt bell tent. This family tent is a bit special and we saved one for you right at the end of our post. Can you wait?

How To Choose The Best Family Camping Tents?

This is a good question and you’ve already started answering it by joining our camping buyer guide. There are many options available which can make researching them more stressful than having to put some of them up. Narrowing them down with our buyer’s guide will certainly save you time too.

We recommend making a list of your necessities and your desired features before browsing. This will help you find a family tent to match your needs without being distracted. It’s easy to be blinded by flash features you would never use.

Another hot tip is to look at reviews and read them carefully. Past customers are valuable in providing honest and practical advice when doing your tent shopping. On some platforms such as Amazon, you can even ask past customers your important questions to help you decide.

Along with our picks and other people’s comments, you can also choose the best family tent by taking into account some key considerations before hitting buy. It just so happens we have our key considerations right here…

What To Consider When Buying A Family Tent For Camping?

No tent is the ultimate tent. Offer a backpacker a family tent and a winter rock climber your average dome tent and their reaction will prove that. Here are nine key considerations before choosing the best family tent for you and your loved ones.

Capacity:

the king of all considerations must be the size of the tent and how many people it sleeps. Be careful because some manufacturers use the capacity to their advertising advantage. Sometimes a four-person family tent actually means two adults and two children.

If you’re buying a tent for an upcoming adventure with the family, you may want to consider the size of the tent for other uses. Could you use it for weekends away with your wolf pack? Do you expect more pattering feet around the house soon?

Buy a tent for the long term, not just next month’s trip.

Seasons:

check for the rating of the tent in terms of what seasons it can be used in. The best tents are perfect for three to four seasons. If you’re heading off somewhere especially cold you will need a four-season tent, which is going to cost a little more.

All our upcoming favorites are three- or four-season tents.

Trial weight:

If you’ll be driving to your pre-booked campsite and staying put to enjoy the pool and other amenities, there is no need to consider trail weight. However, if you’re going to do some wild camping and move from place to place, it’s best to look for family camping tents with a light trail weight.

Either that or let your girlfriend carry it.

Assembly:

in just a moment we’re going to get into this in a bit more detail. For some campers, how the tent assembles is nearly as important as the capacity it holds. Standing around staring at the ground and different-sized poles is not a good way to start the holiday.

Unless you have good patience, there are some other innovative options. More will be revealed, shortly.

Doors:

many bigger families will not want a single door to get in and out of their tent. That wouldn’t be convenient if one of you took an early night or one needed to “pop-out” in the very early hours. Instead, the number of doors on the tent should be part of your considerations.

You may also want to look for D-shape doors, these are much more convenient to pass than T-shape doors.

Rooms:

do you need privacy? Some family tents have different rooms which come in useful if you’re going camping with other couples. The alternative is a bigger social area. Whereas a huge social area may be better if the weather sends you inside, the additional privacy may be more than welcome to campers who are guaranteed hot evenings.

Some family tents even have detachable dividers that can accommodate the company they keep. We have two of those for you below!

Storage:

storage is important in a tent and we’re not just referring to those mesh pockets. They’re important, and while we’re at it, they’re better when raised to avoid your drunk uncle standing on your smartphone. However, more important is the amount of storage you have in the other parts of your family tent.

Do you have a porch? Or a canopy?

These are the best places to store wet and dirty clothes and to keep your sleeping area clean. If you have a lot of stuff and no more room in the car, it may be worth considering a bigger tent and designating a spot to some items.

Ventilation:

if you know your socks have a questionable odor or haven’t been able to pluck up the courage to tell your wife about her camping breath, it’s best to just buy optimal ventilation. Ventilation in a tent is really important to keep odors away, but it’s also useful to increase comfort on a warm night and just generally improve the quality of air in the tent.

Additional features:

It goes without saying that the more impressive features the better, but don’t blow your budget on something you’ll hardly use or could have done without. Keep an eye out for internal lighting, a space for a stove, room for a real king-size bed, mesh shelving, material to block out the sunlight, glow in the dark ropes and more.

Oh, that got your attention. Keep reading to find out about all these features on what we think are the best family tents currently on the market.

What Brands Make The Best Family Camping Tents?

The camping market is very crowded but thankfully there are lots of different brands making top-quality family tents. This may make it more difficult to narrow down your choice, but it also means you have a choice!

Some of the best brands are included below. But we didn’t go straight to the known manufacturers to compile our camping list. We gave everyone a fair shot and found some hidden gems along the way. Nevertheless, some of the best tents below come from some of the most reputable providers of family tents.

Namely, the likes of Coleman, Core and Alps Mountaineering can be found multiple times in our top 24.

These are all respected brands and continually provide quality tents alongside excellent customer service. For example, Coleman’s testing on their own products is so strict that they often send their own designs back to the drawing board before allowing them to be bought by you.

We’ve explained some of these tests as you venture through our list to give you an idea of their high standards. The other top brands are very similar and always bring their camping A-game.

How Do You Put Up A Tent?

Ask your grandad how he used to put up a tent. Don’t be surprised if he lays down detailed blueprint plans like a war general. Nowadays, the best family tents aren’t set up in the same way. They have advanced technology which allows them to be pitched much faster.

Moreover, there are many other ways of setting a tent up than there used to be. Let’s run through them…

The traditional method:

usually accompanied by bickering, head scratching and maybe even some cursing; the traditional method of putting up a tent is being phased out by the best tent manufacturers.

This involves assembling long tent poles via clips and threading them through the inner part of the tent. Followed by adding the external part of the tent and securing it down in multiple areas. Newer tent makers have taken the stress and partial guesswork out of this process by adding color codes to the tent poles.

Some have even made their pole sleeves sealed to prevent snagging as you shout “push” and “pull” from opposite sides of the tent.

The pop-up method:

more recently, there are quality and innovative tents that take just seconds to be pitched and collapsed. With the touch of a button or the release of a strap, these tents fully erect themselves ready for you to add some ropes or secure it down in vulnerable areas. These tents frequently, but not exclusively, come in a more rounded carry bag.

The pre-assembled design:

the efficiency of the pop-up method is rivaled by modern tents with pre-assembled poles. What this means is that the poles have already been placed inside the tent when neatly stored in their accompanying travel bags. Campers simply have to unpack their tent and clip the poles together and lock them in a couple of key areas.

The tent will then simultaneously become erected.

You’ll find all three of these methods below within our feature list. So, whichever one you prefer, we have something in store for you!

Where Is The Best Location To Set Up A Tent?

As you get closer to your camping destination, the excitement of a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the city can soon hit. But, don’t let this excitement make you rush your camping set up. Where you choose to pitch your tent is very important.

The first thing to look for in a great camping spot is the surface. You need to find a level surface so you and your fellow campers aren’t sliding into one another. If you can’t find anything level then make sure you place your head up the slope.

You also need to check the surface for debris and rocks that may give you an uncomfortable night’s sleep. Tomorrow’s hike is going to be a lot less fun if you have a knot in your back and can hardly keep your eyes open.

Another fantastic tip is to avoid hills. Many rookie campers may be mistaken in thinking the bottom of a valley is the optimal position to be sheltered from the wind and sun. But, ask the same camper what they think of their decision when they wake up in a gigantic puddle of rainwater.

By no means does this mean you should let your tent be overly exposed to the wind. You should still attempt to find shelter from chilling gusts. If you’re struggling to find a significant hideaway, you should make sure your door faces away from the wind.

Facing a door head-on into the wind can cause ropes or flaps to be blown around and these noises can prevent you from getting some well-deserved sleep.

One of the elements that need to be avoided the most is the sun. The sun’s rays will not only cause your tent to feel more like a sauna, but it may also even damage your tent over the long term. There are not many worse feelings than being woken too early by a blistering sun after a night of a few too many beers with your hotdogs.

To avoid this, find a shaded spot between trees – but also consider where the sun will be rising from in relation to your position.

Keep these tips in mind when setting up camp. Remember to consider all these factors when putting up your family tent and try to get to your spot early. Setting up a tent in the dark is the key ingredient for a premature family-holiday argument with a side of mosquito bites.

When you leave your super location, also remember to take your litter and other belongings ready for the next smart camper.

The Best Tent Extras You Can Buy

You’ve seen the advertising pictures. A happy family smiling while they enjoy a picturesque scene and some delicious food. So, why is it that many of your family camping trips are never like that? If your trips are more soggy socks and shivering than sizzling sausages and sing-alongs, it’s time to consider some tent extras.

There are some items you can add to your family tent to make the getaway much more enjoyable.

When the weather forecast lied, and you’re sat in the cold, you probably wish you had a heater that is specifically designed for a tent. You can get just that. There are specific tent heaters on the market to turn sad campers into happy campers.

On the other hand, if you’re sat in your family tent gasping for fresh air and feeling hot and sticky, some clever people have made tent fans to freshen up you and your tent. Both of these products come in different sizes to suit different sized tents.

These are definitely worth it if you’re camping in locations known for adverse weather or at the hottest and coldest times of the year.

Without blowing your mind, another great addition to the camping arsenal is a tent carpet. The obvious benefit of having a carpet inside your tent is that it will certainly make it more comfortable. Yet, there are other benefits that aren’t always realized straight away.

A tent carpet improves insulation, so you stay warmer and it helps protect the tent from damage. It even reduces the amount of noise as you move around and get up in the middle of the night – not to mention the style factor! Are they worth it?

Only to some.

If you’re staying put on your camping adventure they’re a must-have, but if you’re hopping from location to location they’ll fast become an annoying hiking buddy.

A third tent extra you should be considering is a tent extension, or often referred to as a tent canopy. These give you that bit more sheltered space to store your belongings. They’re a great place to store your muddy gear that, if you dared leave near your wife’s pillow, would have you sleeping under the stars – whatever the weather.

They’re also a great place to socialize and dine. It’s apparent that they’re very multifunctional and a great addition for many family camping holidays.

What Are The Best Tips To Make Your Family Camping Trips More Awesome?

Now you have an idea of all the main gear you need for the best camping adventure, it’s time to consider what else you may need and what you will do. We know you’re going to enjoy the view with a cold one in one hand and a plate of chicken wings in the other.

But, what about the other times when you’re not hiking, fishing or self-indulging? To keep the whole family happy, here are six top tips to make your urban escape even more awesome and some tips to help it run smoothly.

Test your camping gear:

this includes your tent! Trial and test all your gear to make sure you don’t end up in the middle of anywhere with a hole-stricken tent and a torch without batteries.

Pack games or make your own:

make your hikes and evenings more enjoyable for you and the kids by taking along some family games. You could bring along the household’s favorite board games or rely on the classics such as I-Spy. Or, how about getting more creative and making an orienteering adventure or an active treasure hunt?

Pack duct tape:

duct tape is the campers’ savior. It comes in handy when you rip part of the tent or are trying to make a washing line.
The little details matter – remember to pack the smaller items that make a big difference. Put the likes of matches, a bottle opener, coffee, marshmallows, a mallet, camping cutlery, kitchen roll and other necessities at the top of your list.

Try solar power:

solar power may be the best way to make your camping experience even better. With some planet-friendly power, you can decorate your area with lights and have fun with the kids while doing it.

Stackable organizers:

before you argue who lost the car keys, take a stackable organizer to make everything go to plan. These little storage units are perfect for separating your items and go beyond the internal storage offered inside most family tents. They will definitely save you some time from playing hide and seek on your own.

So, should we get to the best 20 tents now?

1) Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow Deluxe Eight-Person Tent

We had to ease ourselves into the camping lifestyle by first trying out a family tent of the highest quality. To do that, the first tent we reviewed was this eight-person tent made of duck canvas. Does that mean it can float when the rain pours down?

Unfortunately not, but it does mean that this is arguably one of the most durable and watertight tents on the market at the moment. In fact, this tent is a marine-grade family tent!

This large camping tent has a lot of cool features that can be admired and utilized in any season. It has two D-shaped doors you can glide through and it’s spacious enough to let anyone that’s six-and-a-half feet or under fully stand up.

The designers have added four windows that are all larger than normal so you can admire your setting while simultaneously enhancing airflow and managing the tent’s temperature. This is as well as two strategically-placed vents!

This family tent can even be put up with only a single pair of hands. It oozes longevity from its duck canvas shell to its heavy-duty steel rods to its extra-durable zippers. You would be quackers not to get one!

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2) Coleman Evanston Dome Tent

Another spectacular eight-person family tent is this one from the happy campers over at Coleman. This is a brand who know a lot about tents and we’ll be showing off some of their other designs as we go. This family camping tent has a lot to offer.

Even though it doesn’t have any outlandish innovative features, it does the fundamental things well.

It’s predominantly made from polyester and even has a patented floor and seam design which is exceptional at keeping campers dry. To keep the rain away, even more, it has cuffs surrounding the zippers to keep the whole design watertight.

They have added a screened room to the tent to give evening discussions a shield from pesky critters. This screened-off area is great for watching the stars without worrying about bites from mosquitos or flies sipping your beer. It’s also used as a way to enhance air ventilation through the family tent and it can double as a sleeping area on dry summer nights.

One other cool feature is mesh pockets to keep your frequently needed items at an arm’s reach.

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3) Core Nine-Person Instant Cabin Tent

The third family tent on our camping radar is the Core Nine-Person Instant Cabin Tent. It offers some awesome things that the previous two didn’t have, including the option to bring along one other family member, a family friend or just the family dog.

This tent has a phenomenal pitching time. Within one round of I-Spy, the family tent can go from its carrying bag to being erected. It takes just a minute to get the tent up because this is one of those tents that has its poles pre-inserted. There will be no snagging the pole on the tent and almost ripping it here.

Simply lock in the poles at three different points and begin to enjoy your fantastic family tent.

A minute later, once inside, the whole family can make use of hanging storage to keep your valuables off the floor, an adjustable ground vent for tailored airflow and even an electric cord!

Yes, that’s right!

This family tent has an electrical cord port where you can slide through a smartphone charger or whatever other electrical appliance you brought along for the adventure. Don’t worry, this access point can be fully closed when not being used to maintain the tent’s enjoyable temperature.

The inside of the tent may also be adapted due to preference and needs. There is an attachable room divider to give a little more privacy or leave it off for socializing and an open living environment. Everything you need is included and it comes in a neat and tidy carry bag.

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4) Browning Camping Big Horn Two-Room Tent

Just like the previous three manufacturers, Browning Camping is a big player in the camping scene. Browning put their creations through some rigorous testing to make sure they are going to withstand the harshest elements. If it’s on the shelf with their name on it there’s no doubt it passed with flying colors.

The design is a free-standing family tent which will not require the extra time to peg it down and tighten ropes. This is convenient when pitching your tent, but you can use accompanying ropes if you want even more resistance from the elements.

This is another family tent that has been divided into two rooms, which is great for a little more privacy. Or, you may just find yourself sharing with the kids if you’re in your partner’s bad books. Let her have the last hamburger, it will be worth it for the more spacious sleep.

Other noteworthy features on this family tent are its two wide doorways and many windows. The doors have been neatly placed to accommodate each of the two rooms. This may be one of the best-ventilated tents on our long list with a whopping six windows and even a mesh roof.

If you want to take a photo of the night’s sky simply reach over to one of the mesh pockets, take out your camera and create some family-photo favorites.

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5) Ozark Trail 12-Person Instant Cabin Tent

One of the biggest family tents you’ll find is right here in the form of three-room cabin design. It’s so big, owners could fit in three queen-sized air mattresses. Or, lay out the sleeping bags and have room for twelve people. Bring the whole family and have a fantastic time with this exceptional and yet private cabin family tent.

From the outset, this tent is going to give you an enjoyable family camping experience. It’s another type of tent which is packed with its poles and rods pre-assembled. You just need to unfold the tent from its carry bag and extend the poles in the right places to unveil a solid structure.

One of the coolest things about this family tent is that it has ground ventilation. Let’s be honest, with twelve of you in there you’re going to need some ventilation. And, we aren’t just saying that because of your Uncle Albert’s smelly socks. What’s even more impressive is this ground vent is spacious enough to fit a portable air conditioning unit.

Is this the best large tent for the hotter family expeditions?

It features seven windows that can be completely closed to avoid the wetter weather and windy conditions. To keep you and your family dry, it also has immaculately-manufactured sealed seams. Together these design aspects make for a reliable family tent.

Once the midday sun arrives, set up camp for the second time that day under the front awning. This will give you plenty of shade to keep the UV rays away and your beer cool.

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6) Core 10-Person Straight Wall Cabin Tent

There are lots of reasons why campers are choosing to buy this family tent and we’re on hand to tell you all about them. It’s a tall and large camping tent that can fit up to ten of the family. There are a couple of standout features we want to talk about but let’s start with the company’s special ventilation technology.

They have innovatively managed to create a ventilation system that can not only be adjusted but will cleverly draw in air from the floor of the tent and push heated air out of the mesh roof. This will stop your tent from becoming stuffy on an evening and help to expel odors.

To cater for the tent rush hour as the barbeque gets fired up or as the rain begins to pour, this family tent has two large D-type doors that lead into separate rooms.

Other nice features include an electrical cable port so you can still enjoy some of your home comforts when the sun goes down. This port will completely close when not in use to keep out the cold and the creepy crawlies. One of the additions this family tent has that the others have yet to provide is a lantern hook.

To keep the campfire stories going when the campfire has burned out, just head on inside and surround the lantern. The tent comes wrapped in two things. One of them is an expandable carrying bag for transporting convenience. The second is a 12-month warranty for purchasing protection!

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7) Coleman Nine-Person Prairie Breeze Cabin Tent

Next to be reviewed is another Coleman family tent, but this time, they have made a cabin design instead of a smaller dome tent. You can invite your eight favorite family members with this tent or just eight of the guys? Whether it’s a family getaway or stage one of the bachelor party, you can enjoy some cool features in this tent.

You’ll be dry and warm all night thanks to a rainfly and the company’s special WeatherTec system. Once you’ve taken the time to find the perfect camping spot, you will be able to get it up in super quick time. Although it’s not an instant tent, they have cleverly made the pole sleeves continuous instead of in sections.

This means the pole will never snag and never damage the family tent. It also means your poles are completely covered at all times. Moreover, the poles clip together instantly so there will be no issues there either!

You better not start taking these e-ports for granted, but this is another quality family tent with a compartment to run a power cord inside. Yet, we haven’t told you about the best features. This is the only tent on our list that includes LED lighting! With some batteries or a rechargeable cartridge, happy campers can get some light to read a trail map or a book.

The light can even be tailored to your preferences with three different brightness settings. If you listen closely, you can hear campers rejoicing in the distance.

Other awesome features include oversized windows so you and the kids can watch your private nature show and pretend to narrate like David Attenborough, and exceptional ventilation to keep your family tent feeling and smelling fresh.

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8) Marmot Limestone Six-Person Tent

You’ve made it to the one-third stage of our camping buyer guide extravaganza and we’ve seen some quality options so far. We certainly weren’t roughing it. We’ll continue the high standards currently being set with a look at the Marmot Limestone Six-Person tent.

Setting up this tent is made slightly less stressful because the manufacturers have added color codes to their poles. Even though it isn’t going to erect itself in seconds, this will be a welcome addition to traditionalists and will definitely let you concentrate on more important matters.

We mean sizzling a few sausages or heading off for some fishing of course.

There are a lot of awesome features on this tent that you’ve already heard above but are still lucrative additions to any family tent. These include a waterproof rainfly, reinforced seams, and D-shaped convenient doors. The ventilation system is also impressive and has been strengthened with Velcro to secure it down when the evening chill starts to hit.

Despite this being a dome tent, Marmot has attempted to reap some of the spacious benefits of a cabin tent. The tent has a pre-bend zone construction to make the sides of the dome more vertical. This gives the tent that extra few inches along the side and more importantly, increases the amount of headspace you have.

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9) Coleman Instant Cabin Tent

Back to Coleman’s headquarters to take a look at a family tent that solves one of the ongoing annoyances when camping. This tent is one of their Dark Room range. What this means is the tent has been specifically designed to block out natural light and most importantly the sun.

This lets you sleep in longer and get a night of better overall sleep. It also means the tent doesn’t become too hot and uncomfortable. In fact, tests show that this tent will block 90% of sunlight and keep the internal temperature 10% lower than normal tents.

Convenience runs through the seams of this tent as it also has exceptional ventilation and pre-attached poles to make pitching the tent easier. How will you spend the pitching time saved? The focus on providing a dark and cool tent hasn’t detracted from its ability to withstand the elements.

Coleman actually put their family tents through weather simulation to see if they pass their benchmark for quality. They spray 35 gallons of water on their tents within ten minutes and if more than two tablespoons of water are found inside then they refuse to sell it until it has been improved.

All of this innovation and quality comes neatly packaged in a transporting bag that can be expanded for other accessories. Sold?

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10) Tahoe Gear Ozark 16-Person Cabin Tent

This is the biggest family tent on our buyer guide and perfect for the whole family. It even has a master suite and comes in a choice of orange or blue, which may get the family bickering but its impressive features will certainly have the whole family agreeing once again.

The center of the tent has a height of seven feet which will let most of the family stand up and maybe even stretch in the morning. It has a polyethylene floor, a 12-cm polyester rainfly, and enhanced seams. Why do you need to know this? These three specifications make the tent one of the most waterproof on the market.

One of the most appealing aspects of this family tent is that it includes a fly canopy. For when the sun beats down a little too hard, relocate your deck chair under the canopy and enjoy a cold beer and some nibbles while you and the family watch nature unfold.

The canopy comes with ropes to make it even more secure when the wind picks up. One other great addition to this family tent is the extent of its ventilation. It has floor vents and mesh vents in all the crucial areas to create the perfect ventilation cross-flow.

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11) Northwest Territory 10-Person Cabin Tent

Gather up nine other family members or leave your least favorite aunt at home and bring the dog instead. This ten-person-capacity family tent is another outstanding option for annual or avid campers. If you thought the last one was a tall tent, then be amazed as it has just been beaten by this one.

With a peak height of 7.2 feet, even the tallest of family members will be able to avoid a sore neck.

This is one of the brightest family tents as the large zippered windows allow light to flood the area and create a welcoming and fun environment. Just looking at it gives you a different feeling; it looks more like a small cottage than a family tent.

The tent can be divided into rooms and has an extra door for convenience. What adds to its convenience factor is the inclusion of wall organizers and hanging shelves. It’s that practical, you could have it permanently pitched up in your garden and use it as your next man-cave.

From the color-coded poles to packing it away in an expandable bag with wheels, everything about this family tent screams practicality and convenience. It’s certainly unique in a crowded market and already has a lot of fans.

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12) Timber Ridge 10-Person Family Tent

Hold a family vote because the only real choice you may need to make is between getting a blue or green Timber Ridge family tent. This tent comes in a choice of colors, but the choice of impeccable quality is non-negotiable.

It has a lot of the stuff you’ve come to expect from the best family camping tents. Owners can make use of a room divider to create private quarters, five windows to let light inside the tent, watch the local wildlife or just help change the tent’s air. The rooftop ventilation will help as well.

It’s also packing two D-shape doors to enhance camping traffic flow and stop you falling over your sleeping bag. It even has an electronic cable port which they even recommend using for solar powering. We thought Timber Ridge designers used up all their good ideas on this family tent but obviously, they’re a clever bunch.

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13) Wenzel Eight-Person Klondike Tent

Next into the Men’s Gear campground for detailed analysis was this unusual tent design. It has the features of a cabin-style family tent but also has the luxury of an added porch. The main cabin area has room for five of the family and the camping porch could even host three more in dry and warm months.

The porch has a screen to keep out mosquitos and other pests while also having a UV-ray and water-resistant shelter.

The awesome porch is a pivotal part of the design with a lot to offer. Not only does it allow you to enjoy the outdoors in comfort, but it may also feature as an area for your wet and dirty gear. This way, your sleeping area remain spotless for a perfect night’s rest.

Two windows in the main cabin area enhance ventilation further and work as nice finishing touches. We would get the grey one, which one would you get?

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14) Winterial Double Outdoor Tent

Another unique design which seems to be growing in popularity for wild campers and those flocking to commercial campsites is the elevated tent. This elevated cot family tent is raised from the ground to give you a deep sleep that rivals your bed at home.

It’s raised from the ground to keep you away from small rocks, uneven ground, bugs, and any accumulating rainwater.

Not only is it a great small family tent, but it’s also the perfect family buy.

Why you may ask? It can convert into a lounge chair. Keep it as a lounge chair at home on the patio then take it away for the annual mountain adventure with the kids. This way, you get more for your money.

These designs are much easier to pitch and usually simply unfold with a couple of bits of slotting and clipping here and there. This one does just that and taking it down is even easier as its aluminum frame collapses in seconds ready to be stored.

It has added protection from adverse weather and includes four no-see-um doors. Nope, the cat didn’t just run across our keyboard. This is the name for family tent doors and windows that enhance ventilation but do not let insects through.

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15) Wenzel Kodiak Nine-Person Tent

Although this family tent just falls short for the award for the tallest tent at 7.17 feet, it’s by no means lacking behind in size. With floor dimensions of 14 feet at each side, it’s a big tent that will let you write eight other invitations.

For the number of campers this tent can hold, it’s exceptionally lightweight and will not leave you lagging behind on the family hike to the waterfall. Setting it up is as breezy as the internal ventilation due to a simple pin-and-ring design that is easy to follow.

Once inside, you will be able to sit in one of two rooms and store your gear in the tent’s gear lofts. Or, make use of the cool hanging pockets. One of the most appealing parts of this tent is that it comes with a mud mat, so your sleeping area always remains clean.

This is a solid tent that has a lot of beneficial features. It even comes in a choice of blue, red and tan so you have more than one thing to decide than just this year’s camping destination.

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16) Toogh Four-Person Family Camping Tent

This family tent is perfect for a family of four looking to explore nature in comfort. It’s made with robust materials that are more than capable of doing their job. Quality Oxford fabric which has been silicone coated will keep your dry in severe downpours.

However, the best thing about this tent is that it pitches itself! It’s a pop-up family tent which will go from a compact package to fully set up by simply lifting the top of the tent. To make it even better, it will automatically fold itself in just as quick a time.

When the weekend has exhausted you the last thing you want to do is pack up the tent. Instead, choose this family tent and let it fold itself by pressing the poles with color-coded labels.

Other aspects of this tent that you should be aware of before buying is that it has two large T-shape doors and mesh windows to improve airflow and cool down a stuffy tent. This mesh will also keep away troublesome critters too!

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17) NTK Super Arizona 12-Person Tent

Another large-capacity option is the NTK Super Arizona 12-Person Tent. This family tent doesn’t just look like some sort of space capsule, it walks the walk as well. Like one of the previous camping tents we showed you, this one has a detachable room divider.

This allows you to set the tent up for the company you keep.

The frame of this family tent has been made to withstand intense winds. The fiberglass rods house nanoflex cords to keep the structure nice and sturdy as the winds pick up. It battles the elements even further by extending the rainfly to completely cover the tent.

This rainfly provides protection against heavy rain and the sun.

Once you enter the tent, you will be greeted by some more of that impressive no-see-um mesh. Mosquitos can only be envious spectators to your games-and-snacks night. This sort of mesh also increases privacy when not using the rainfly.

Other cool design features are the tent’s D-style doors, a gear loft to keep your flashlight and water bottle out of the way and a label to personalize your tent in case it gets lost or left behind.

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18) Gazelle Pop-Up & Portable Tent

We’re on the home straight now but certainly not tiring of quality! The next family tent that was investigated by our researchers was this instant large camping tent by Gazelle. It’s another pop-up design which will keep the family peace and save time.

Even the attachable rain shelter connects to the tent in seconds. With easy-to-use snaps, the rainfly covers the whole roof with minimal effort and provides outstanding protection from intense rain.

The bottom of the family tent is as durable and protective as the other end. It’s made of polyester and the inside seams are secured in place with a special type of tape. This tape is removable, which lets you give it a shake to remove any dirt or sand.

Other reliable ruggedness is found on the tent’s zips. These zips have been made to not snag, break or leak water. From setup to sundown, this is a remarkable family tent guaranteed to be the backbone of an exciting family adventure.

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19) Coleman Four-Person Sundome Tent

Back to a Coleman design and this family tent is the only choice for those going to camp in notoriously windy locations. We already told you about Coleman’s strict and rigorous testing when it comes to rain. They apply the same difficult tests to their tents when it comes to the wind as well.

They simulate wind speeds up and above 35 miles per hour. If it breaks you aren’t buying it. The fact this one is available means it’s exceptionally brilliant at withstanding the wind.

They again add their snag-free continuous pole sleeves to this tent so setup is as seamless as possible and you aren’t at risk of damaging the waterproof material. The flooring is welded using a patented design and the seams have been inverted to add to the tent’s impeccable water resistance.

The tent also plays home to an electronic port so you can keep the electronic entertainment running or charge your smartphone with ease. When you’re not charging your phone, simply slide it into one of the internal mesh pockets so it doesn’t get trodden on by excited feet.

The whole design is nicely rounded off by a number of functional windows and ground vents.

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20) Alpha Camp Eight-Person Cabin Tent

After reading about 19 of the best family camping tents on the market, you may be beginning to think there could be anything new and innovative to the following designs. Sometimes, even our smart Men’s Gear readers can be wrong. This light camping tent has a clever feature that we have yet to encounter up until now.

The tent’s rope has reflective materials added to it. No way will a late arrival to the campsite send your tent lopsided because they couldn’t see your rope in the low light. This is a cool little addition that can make a big difference. They have been a little different than the others in another way too!

They have made their internal pockets really big. Instead of fighting for smartphone space between the relatives, enjoy roomy and secure storage.

This family tent isn’t always singing and dancing to other tunes. It does have some state-of-the-art features that are common among the best family tents. The manufacturers have included an electronic port for 21st-century entertainment in timeless beauty.

And, they have added excellent ventilation!

The welcome flow of air is maintained using a large D-style door and a whopping five mesh windows. The mesh windows allow the tent to avoid becoming stuffy, keeps the bugs out and the views amazing. What’s not to like?

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How Was Our Pitch?

Well, that was a long one… Did you enjoy reading about the awesome features of these family tents? There are certainly a lot of options out there and even when we filtered out the junk, we were still left with 20 impressive options. With manufacturers like Core, Coleman and ALPS Mountaineering, it’s certainly hard to choose a favorite.

Remember to consider your own needs when picking the best family tent for you and definitely keep in mind all of our other key considerations we discussed in the beginning. These will come in useful and help you avoid many novice camping pitfalls.

We hope you found your next family tent on our buyer guide and remember to drop in again for more cool discussions about the best gear for men, right here on Men’s Gear!

February 13, 2019 / Comments Off on Best 20 Large Family Camping Tents
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Best 15 Coolers With Wheels In 2019

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s there anything cooler than a cooler with wheels? Quite literally, no there isn’t, not out in the wilderness anyway. These things will be able to store your food, be used to be able to carry other items via being pulled along on wheels, and most importantly, keep your precious beers sitting at just the right temperature for days on end.

We have to be honest here, but cold beer is one of life’s priorities. They are easily more important than sauce on your burgers, bait on your hooks, bear spray, mosquito nets, clean socks, or anything else that you might need when fishing, hiking, camping, or enjoying a day at the beach. If you think otherwise, you’re seriously on the wrong website – cold beer is a an absolute necessity rather than a luxury!

Right, with that out of our system, we might as well get started on showing you some of the best coolers with wheels that your money can buy. We have reviewed 15 of these bad boys and tested them extensively. We have cooled hundreds of beers for the purposes of these tests and of course, drunk them all at various times in order to surmise how good each cooler is. We have put ourselves through every step of this testing to find which cooler cooled best, which cooler rolled best and which cooler we think you should be buying to make that ultimate “too cool for school” statement. It was a difficult job but we are always more than willing to put in the hard yards in order to help you make the right decision on any product.

So anyway, without further ado, here are the top 15 coolers with wheels that you will be able to find in 2019. These are not ordered in any particular order by the way, as while that was the original plan, they all got kinda mixed up after about the 7th beer so we gave up on that plan.

What are the main things to consider when buying a cooler?

Surely the first answer to this question is quite obvious? How many beers can a cooler hold and keep cool? You want a cooler with wheels that has ample space and can hold at least a case of beers in our opinion with a few inches of space for other less important stuff like food and water.

In all seriousness though, there are a number of factors you will want to consider before buying a cooler with wheels. Durability is very important as you will be taking these things across rough terrain. How many days of ice retention you’ll get is another, especially if you’re planning longer trips away from home. Ice retention is crucial to maintaining that chilled beer groove – what could be worse than finding that you’ve hiked for hours only to crack open a lukewarm brew?

You’ll then have to consider how much storage space a cooler has, how light and portable it is, whether it is leak-proof, and any of the other features that it might have. Regarding the latter, some will be able to double up as seats or tables, will have extendable handles, cup holders and built-in bottle openers, and even some LED lights on the inside.

As you can see, while your beer and its coolness is the most important thing with a cooler, there’s actually quite a lot of other factors that you should be thinking about before making a purchase. Some of you will even consider the color or design of a cooler if that is something that’s important to you.

What are the main benefits of wheeled coolers?

If you’ve ever tried to lug around a cooler that does not have any wheels when it is filled to the brim of beer, you’ll understand that this is not an easy task. In fact, you’ll probably need two of you to carry it about. This, of course, is fine if you’re only going to be moving it short distances at a time but if you’re planning on camping, hiking, fishing, or other activities that will mean it needs to be carried quite long distances, you’re going to struggle massively.

Thankfully, we as the human race are quite smart and a few years back invented these things called wheels. Pretty smart right? Well, an even smarter person then came up with the idea of putting some of these things onto the bottom of coolers so that they could be pulled around. Genius or what? Forget landing on the moon, this was the single most important moment in the history of the human race!  The ultimate “Eureka” moment for beer coolers!

So simply put, being able to move around your beer and food in a far more effortless manner is without a doubt the benefit of owning wheeled coolers. Are there any other benefits to them? Sure, they do the all-important task of keeping those wonderful tasting beers cold for when you’re ready to sit down, relax, and get completely hammered. Or sit and watch the sunset with a beer.  Or two.  Or three.  Or just getting hammered, of course!

How long do coolers keep drinks and food cold for?

Seeing as this is the primary purpose of a cooler, this is something you’ll want to learn about any particular model you’re considering buying beforehand. Some will be able to keep your beers cold for a good day or two while some of the better performing coolers will be able to keep you in a good supply of cold beer for longer than a week in hot weather.

You have to remember that not all coolers are the same in this regard with many cheap coolers which are obviously not included on our list, are not the best at retaining ice for long. There really is nothing worse than opening a cooler after just a few hours in hot weather to find a pool of water and lukewarm beers already.

Coolers with the better reputations are the ones to go for as they will state how long their coolers will retain ice and will generally be very accurate with what they’re saying. Some will openly admit if their cooler is designed to keep your stuff cool for a day, a few days, or for up to a week. Of course, you can expect to pay more for those that keep your ice for longer but this extra is certainly worth it if you’re planning extended trips.

1) 50-Quart Xtreme 5 Wheeled Cooler

So to kick things off we’re going to start with a 50-quart cooler from Coleman that will allow you to keep up to 84 cans of your favorite beer cool for as long as five days at a time…that is if your beer lasts that long anyway. The 50-Quart Xtreme 5 Wheeled Cooler is just one of a number of coolers from Coleman that you’ll find on our list which only goes to show how good and popular this affordable brand is – anything camping-related seems to have a Coleman product involved, so you know that you are dealing with experts in the field.

Coleman also likes to make sure that their coolers are more than just coolers by implementing some handy features. There are four cup holders molded into the lid which means you have a ready-made place to place your refreshing drinks while its sturdy design also allows it to become a chair – one that will cool your behind on hot days too!

You also have some of the more common features associated with coolers such as a telescopic handle and some heavy duty wheels which are both designed to make it easier to pull over rough terrain. Any ice that you place inside this Coleman cooler with wheels will be retained for a good five days in heats of up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

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2) Igloo Ice Cube 60 Roller

Igloo is another name that you’re going to see a few times on this list as they specialize in making some of the most popular ice coolers out there at the moment. Their Ice Cube 60 Roller is the first of theirs that we’ll be taking a look at and due to its low price it is an excellent option to consider.

This ocean blue cooler provides 60-quarts of storage which is larger than the Coleman above but due to its dimensions it actually holds a fewer amount of beer cans. Sacrilege right? Well, it’s not too bad as you will still be able to sup on up to 72 cans of beer on your trip. As for how long this cooler will keep those cans dry, you’re talking a good couple of days up to a heat of 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Made of polyethylene, this solid cooler has a push button activated telescopic handle and two wheels that will help you move the thing around easier. You also have four cup holders on the top for when you want to crack open a few of those beers with your friends. All in all this Igloo cooler with wheels is a decent option to have and great value for money.

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3) Coleman 55-Quart Rugged A/T Wheeled Cooler

If you wanted a cooler that is more rugged and that’ll be able to handle the rougher types of terrain you will witness when camping, hiking, and whatnot, the Coleman 55-Quart Rugged A/T Wheeled Cooler is one that we suggest you take a look at. It offers up large heavy-duty eight-inch wheels that have been designed to make traversing over rough terrain that so much easier.

Much like the other cooler with wheels from Coleman earlier on, this one will keep your food and beverages cool for up to five days in sweltering heats of up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Being 55-quart it will also allow you to store ample amounts of beer, food or whatever else you want to keep cool.

Other features of this cooler with big wheels include that of a locking telescopic handle, two anti-pinch side handles, four convenient cup holders in the lid, and a handy seat lid that will allow you to take your feet off for a while when hiking. This is an ice cooler on wheels that we would recommend to those that plan to use it a lot and in harsher environments.

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4) Coleman Xtreme Wheeled Cooler

Well, we did warn you that there will be a few coolers from Coleman on our list and this 50-quart portable cooler on wheels is the latest of them. Utilizing the same heavy duty build that you will find across all Coleman cooler products, this is ideal for bringing along on hiking trips, to music festivals, or for some simply camping with friends.

Most of you will be thinking about cold beers but this cooler will also be able to store food.  Yes, we know that stuff that is not quite as important as beer but certainly something you’ll need to consume at least sometimes – but we understand the need to limit the amount of solids you want to put into your hydraulics on your trips! It will actually retain the ice that you put inside for as long as five days in hot conditions which means some ice cold beer for almost a week.

Furthermore, those beers when being drunk can be placed in the very handy cup holders that have been molded into the lid. Additionally, that lid also makes for a very convenient seat too but just make sure you take the cups full of beer off first. As for the style, if that’s really something that you find important with a cooler cart on wheels, you will be able to choose from a variety of color schemes.

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5) Igloo Trailmate Liddup 70-Qt Cooler

If you really take your hiking, camping, or any other activity that will require you to bring a cooler along seriously, then you’re going to want a seriously good cooler. The Trailmate Liddup from Igloo is certainly that but it will set you back some serious cash compared to the others in our reviews so far.

Firstly, this thing is big and with 7-quarts it will hold up to 112 cans of your favorite beer. Secondly, it comes packed with additional features such as LED lights that light up when you open it in the dark,  big cooler wheels designed for rough terrains, a pullout removable butler tray, built-in bottle openers, and even some built-in fishing pole holders.

What we find most impressive about this big cooler with wheels is the build quality. It has aluminum and stainless parts rather than all plastic parts found in cheaper coolers. We also love how sturdy this thing is but considering the price we would not expect anything less. If you have a big trip planned or often go out into the wilderness with friends, this Igloo cooler is one we suggest you think about buying.  Can you put a price on cold beer?  We think not.

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6) Igloo Latitude 60 Roller

If you were looking for an Igloo cooler with wheels that offers up ample storage and plenty of features but do not quite have the budget for the excellent Trailmate Liddup above, you might just be interested in their Latitude 60 Roller instead. Ideal for weekends away fishing, hiking, or partying, you will be able to keep food and drinks for days on end.

Although this is a fairly basic standing cooler on wheels, because it is made by Igloo, you can be confident that you’re getting great value for money. It has a solid build, will keep ice cold for as long as five days at a time, and has features such as cup holders, telescopic handle, and a mobile stand that you can use to place your phones, keys, or anything else of importance.

Leak resistant and using their innovative Cool Riser Technology, Igloo has once again created an affordable cooler that we are confident you’ll be delighted with if you were to purchase it. In fact, in terms of value for money, we have to say that this is one of the best coolers with wheels on our list.

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7) Vibe Element 70 Cooler with Wheels

Although this is up there with the most expensive coolers on our list, the Vibe Element 70 is easily one of the best coolers with wheels that you will find. One of the best things is that it looks as good as it performs – that camo finish is just perfect when out camping, hiking, fishing etc.  This is a nice change from the bright colors of other coolers that don’t fit with the need for camo-driven trips.

As well as its obvious good looks, you can also enjoy its superior durability to almost any other cooler out there and its excellent features such as heavy-duty handles, integrated locking system, tie-down slots, and built-in bottle openers. It will also be able to keep ice for more than five days which means plenty of cold food and drinks whenever you need.

For all you beer lovers out there, this cooler will store up to 110 cans of beer but it probably will not be cold unless you use some of the space for some ice! At a 50/50 ratio of ice and beer, this means that you are looking at up to 55 cans of ice cold beer that can be stored for 5+ days in hot days.  We recommend experimenting with the perfect ratio – which is always a good excuse for a scientific trip!

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8) Picnic at Ascot Ultimate Travel Cooler

If you’re just planning a day out rather than a weekend or longer, the Picnic at Ascot Ultimate Travel Cooler is one that we feel you should take a look at. It is smaller than most on this list at 36-quarts but it will still hold up to 32 cans of drink and keep it cold for a good 24-hours. It also doubles up as a general carry case when not being used as a cooler.

With detachable all-terrain wheels, you can simply pick up this bag and place over your shoulder when appropriate or put the wheels back on when the cooler is too heavy. As for the case itself, it is made from heavy-duty materials and is puncture and leak resistant. Your food and drink will always be safe as well as cold.

Summing up, this is the perfect cooler for shorter trips and is actually priced well too in our opinion. You can just imagine how much better a time you’ll have knowing that there is a cold beer waiting for you whenever the need shall arise.

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9) Columbia Crater Peak 50

Another option for any short breaks is that of the Columbia Crater Peak 50, a cooler on wheels that will allow you store up to 50 cans of beer and keep it cold for at least 24 hours. This cooler comes with detachable wheels which means if you have a lighter weight, you can simply carry the cooler around on your shoulders.

Affordably priced, we have to say that the Crater Peak which has SuperFoam insulation, is leak-proof and easy to clean, is ideal for picnics, days at the beach, or log drives. Whenever you need a cold drink or want to keep food fresh, you can simply open it up and grab what you need. It will be cold, fresh, and kept perfectly.

A telescopic handle that is attached to the wheels can be used to pull this cooler around when full and when not in use, those wheels can be folded neatly away. All said and done, we have no problems with recommending this cooler as we feel it represents great value for money and good performance.

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10) Igloo Transformer Roller

Igloo is back once again and this time with their 60-quart Transformer Roller cooler which offers up ample storage and features that will be extremely handy when you go camping, hiking or fishing. Any ice that you store inside to keep food and drinks cool will last a good 24-hours on hot days and even longer on colder days.

Igloo is known for their build-quality especially and that is what we like the most about this particular cooler on wheels. Not only does it perform well by lasting a day or more filled with ice but it is also extremely sturdy and durable, and comes with some features such as a telescopic handle and solid wheels as well.

This cooler is also well-priced, another reason why Igloo coolers are so popular. Considering some coolers can cost three or four times what this one cost and that they are not that far ahead in terms of performance means that these represent a good deal. Sure, these are not ideal for longer trips but not everybody goes away for days.  A good addition to game-day trailer parties, BBQs or just general trips where you need to bring the party with you.

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11) Milee Heavy Duty Wheeled Cooler

If you wanted something a little more heavy duty, you’re not going to get many that are as rugged, tough, and sturdy as the Milee Heavy Duty Wheeled Cooler. This thing is big, a bit on the expensive side, but also extremely good when it comes to performance and added features. It will keep ice for up to five days in hot weather, is pretty huge and will, therefore, store tons of food and drink, and has a bunch of handy features.

The wheels on this thing are also big and tough and have been designed to allow for use on harsh terrain. They measure 7 inches in diameter and are made of a good quality non-grip rubber material. The cooler itself is constructed of what they claim to be an indestructible thermoplastic which just makes this thing tougher than Popeye after a can of spinach.

Features such bottle openers, locking plates, drink holders, cutting board divider, and a basket is just the icing on the cake. We can assure you that this large cooler with wheels is going to give you everything that you will ever need when it comes to cold drinks and food out in the wilderness.

It is 80-quart so will give you ample storage space for your food and beer, mainly beer of course, as you can just pick berries or something if you get a bit peckish.  This is the “US Marine Corps” option of the cooler world – go anywhere, anytime, with any amount of chilled beers.

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12) Pelican Elite Wheeled Cooler

Another of the best coolers on wheels at Amazon in our opinion is that of the Pelican Elite Wheeled Cooler. This baby, much like the above Milee, is big, strong, durable, and packs in a good number of additional features other than just being there to keep your large number of six-packs ice cool.

Astoundingly, this cooler claims to be able to keep its ice retention for up to 10-days which makes it the ideal choice for longer trips. Furthermore, because it is made of strong polyethylene for the actual cooler and has heavy-duty wheels, it will be perfect for even the roughest of terrains.

On top of an excellent ice retention and solid build, this comes with a variety of additional features such as built-in bottle openers, a fish scale and cup holders on the seat, press & pull features which will keep it completely secure, and a built-in trolley handle. If you’re serious about your coolers and want one of the best on the market which also has a lifetime warranty, this is one you should definitely be considering.

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13) Coleman Xtreme 5 70-Qt Cooler

We’ve reviewed a number of Coleman coolers in this list and while this one is not technically a wheeled-cooler, it is extremely portable and should definitely be considered if you’re looking for a portable 70-quart cooler that is affordable. Whether you’re going to a barbeque, camping, or to the beach, this cooler when filled with ice will keep anything kept inside it nice and cold for up to 5-days.

Carrying this nice looking cooler around is easily done as well due to no-crush handle grips on either end. Furthermore, you can also enjoy this cooler as a seat, rest your cups or cans of beer on it, and wipe it clean with ease.

Now that we have talked about some of its big features, we thought we would tell you about the one that you’re likely to find even more important. This is the fact that you will be able to store a whopping 100 cans of beer in this cooler – more than enough for a solid contribution to any outdoor party that you attend.

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14) EVO Premium Rolling Cooler – 50QT

If you wanted something that is not an Igloo, Coleman, or Yeti cooler with wheels, the EVO Premium Rolling Cooler is one that you might consider. It is a 50-quart cooler that claims to be able to store up to 72 cans of beer at a nice and cold temperature for up to 72-hours. Where this differs from other coolers on the list, however, is that it has been designed to be extremely lightweight.

This lightweight construction and design mean that it is one of the more portable coolers on our list. The best part is that this portability does not sacrifice the durability that the cooler provides. It is leak-proof, sturdy, and has all-terrain wheels that have all been designed to withstand quite a bit of abuse.

Another great bonus with this cooler is that when you purchase it, you’re given a free pouch worth $25 that can be attached to the front of the cooler. This gives you additional storage space for items that do not need to be chilled. All in all, this is a great cooler whether you are planning some tailgating, a picnic with family, or some fishing with friends.

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15) RovR Roller 80QT

Another cooler with wheels that is proving popular with campers, hikers, and partygoers is that of the RovR 80QT Roller. This is a very well made cooler that has obviously been designed to be tough, durable, and portable. Sure, it is a little on the heavy side even when empty but the aluminum wheels with 9-inch puncture resistant tires make moving this cooler very easy indeed.

The solid build that the RovR possesses means that it is about as close to beer-proof as you’re likely to get with a cooler. When you consider that alongside the days of ice retention that this thing can provide and the additional features that it has, you can be sure that you have yourself a quality cooler for all kinds of occasions.

You also have the choice of three different colors and a multitude of accessories that can be used with it which are sold separately. It might not be the cheapest cooler with wheels on our list but in terms of build quality, performance, and mobility, we feel it is certainly worth the cost.

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Rolling On!

So, find your ideal beach, hike, trail or party cooler with big wheels among all that lot? If not then you’ve obviously been drinking far too much of that warm beer while reading our reviews. These are some of the very best coolers with wheels that you’ll find on the market right now. We have covered practically every type of budget, size requirement, and purpose with these coolers and are confident that there should be something that is the perfect fit for all of you.

Some obviously perform better than others, some are more durable, some more portable, some will cost more than others, and some will just be a good all-around cooler that is a jack-of-all-trades but a master of none. Which one you choose will depend on what you’re planning to use it for, how much you’re willing to spend, and how long you want your ice to last.

Hopefully, you now have a better idea of the many different coolers that are out that have the added benefit of having wheels. This will allow you to make a more informed decision as to which of them to go for. As much as we love cold beer, this really isn’t the only thing you should be considering.

If you’re still not sure which is the best cooler with wheels for you, go and read through the reviews again as we’re sure you will finally find the cooler of your dreams. We know you’ll not regret your decision whichever one you finally decide to go for.

February 13, 2019 / Comments Off on Best 15 Coolers With Wheels In 2019
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Ford’s New Lane-Keeping Bed Bed Helps You Stay In Your Lane

The likelihood of a sleep-related disaster happening because you’re sharing a bed is always higher than that of having a good night’s sleep. Especially if you or your partner tends to hog most of the space like it’s no big deal.

Ford comes to the rescue. The carmaker knows that to keep the negative vibes at bay, one needs to have a good night’s rest. So, it created the Lane-Keeping Bed to prevent your bed-hogging partner from taking over your side of the bed.

Ford’s Lane-Keeping Aid vehicle technology, which monitors road markings to coax the driver back into the proper lane, served as the inspiration. The Lane-Keeping Bed has built-in pressure sensors to determine whether or not someone has crossed their side of the bed. If so, the bed pulls the violator back to their respective area using an integrated conveyor belt.

Still a prototype for now, the Lane-Keeping Bed is part of the Ford Interventions series. The program is all about using automotive technology to improve people’s everyday problems. It aims to integrate car technology into general pedestrian life. Who knew that tricks typically reserved for cars can remedy bedroom issues?

Ford will most likely not put up the Lane-Keeping Bed for sale anytime soon. Even still, it’s an interesting, if imperfect, concept. There’s a chance it might never make it to the production line, but it’s a pretty cool idea, still. Unfortunately, though, it also proves that it might take an international car company to solve our bed-hogging problems in the bedroom.

SEE MORE HERE

February 13, 2019 / Comments Off on Ford’s New Lane-Keeping Bed Bed Helps You Stay In Your Lane
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Tree Tents Fuselage Wilderness Cabin

The concept behind the Tree Tents Fuselage Wilderness Cabin is to bring lightweight and portable mini-shelters even at the most remote locations around the planet.

Small homes are all the rage these days, not only because do they look so gosh darn cute, but they’re also marvels of engineering and design. Seriously, it’s probably harder to design a small home than a big one. For Tree Tents, though, it’s not just about size.

Tiny as it is, each Fuselage Wilderness Cabin boasts a stellar design language that makes it perfect for the outdoors. The cylindrical exterior, for instance, borrows heavily from modern aerospace design. The cabin is made to be mounted on stilts or suspended from trees, as well. This allows the cabin to adapt to any landscape with little to no disruption.

Inside, you’ll find birch-lined interiors with only several essentials. There are bunk beds, a dining space that can turn into an additional bed if needed, and others. The flooring features marine-grade plywood, and looking up, you’ll see double glazed windows welcoming natural light in. All this contained by a fully insulated aluminum shell.

Note that each cabin is made to order. You’ll have a number of options for customization. If you want solar panels, that’s possible. Want to add in a wood-burning stove? You can do that, as well. What if you want to throw in a kitchenette? No biggie.

It takes Tree Tents about six to eight weeks to ship out the cabin in a prefabricated and flat-packed package. The company says installation is no sweat. You’ll have the quaint, cozy, and charming little abode fully set up in as little as two days.

BUY ONE

Photos courtesy of Tree Tents

February 13, 2019 / Comments Off on Tree Tents Fuselage Wilderness Cabin
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11 Ravens Theseus Pool Table

You must admire how designers take common stuff and turn them into amazing pieces that merit our appreciation. There are so many ways that they can express their ideas and turn them into something tangible. For example, we recently reviewed a premium Ping-Pong table that you can even use as an office desk. Now, let’s view the 11 Ravens Theseus pool table as it can easily pass off as an art installment instead of a piece of gaming equipment.

We’re not kidding, this is a high-end product that will look presentable in any luxurious home. The manufacturer is based in California and supplies various surfaces for different activities. As of now, you can order high-end tables for games such as Table Tennis, Shuffleboard, Poker, Blackjack, Mahjong, and even air Hockey. These are perfect additions to liven up your residence or as attractions in your man cave. Basically, the Theseus is just one of the many designs that you can choose from in order to customize your own pool table.

Take note that the asking price for any of these high-end products is far from budget-friendly. Given the number of options the client can choose from, you know that the cost will be astronomical. The 11 Ravens Theseus model gives you a preview of what the designers are capable of. Moreover, the striking form factor of the pool table makes it look an art fixture. Everything is made to order, so you can really take your time and create something unique. The company also furnishes a certificate of authenticity for those who want assurance that what they have is the real deal.

Images courtesy of 11 Ravens

Customize one now

February 12, 2019 / Comments Off on 11 Ravens Theseus Pool Table
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Hooded Cabin In Norway

Norway is home to some of the most gorgeous landscapes on this planet. But if you’re on a vacation there, chances are you’ll at some point tire of marveling at the sights and would want to retreat somewhere nice and cozy.

Forget the five-star hotels. They’re fancy and offer luxurious lodging, yes. But a hotel isn’t home away from home. The Hooded Cabin might be, though.

This quaint space is not your run-of-the-mill vacation house. Firstly, it’s perched on a mountaintop. Second, it’s got a pretty interesting architectural profile. Because of the region, the architects who designed the Hooded Cabin faced a number of limitations. Among them sectioned windows, standing wood paneling, and gabled roofs slanted at certain angles.

Even with such austere requirements, the architects were able to make do. While the space is boxed within the confines of strict regulation, it still manages to be beautiful. The exterior an ore pine roof, giving an almost modern-mythical feel.

The hood-shaped cabin features cladding laid in an angled pattern, which makes for stark geometric contrast against the black timber facade. Overall, the vibe of the dwelling is contemporary, but never removed from its surroundings.

Inside, you’ll find a warm oak lining set against vast views of the scenery courtesy of the space’s massive glazed windows. The main living space is strategically kept up front to take full advantage of these windows. The bedrooms are cinched further back. There are sliding doors that open out to a wooden terrace with a view of the river down below.

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Photos courtesy of Marte Garmann and Arkitektærelset

February 12, 2019 / Comments Off on Hooded Cabin In Norway
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The LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R Is A Minimalist Masterpiece

Now that the consumer electronics industry is slowly shifting to even higher display resolutions, 4K-resolution TVs are becoming more affordable. However, with new technology and gimmicks on the way, hi-tech models will still command a higher price point. A great example of what we’re talking about is the LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R that debuted at the 2019 CES.

Things are looking great for home entertainment front as top brands compete for a spot in your home. Upon observation, it seems that most households are going for a minimalist aesthetic, which is a popular trend among top designers nowadays. The South Korean electronics company understands that users want to maximize space. Hence, it delivers a breathtaking 65-inch display that can seamlessly disappear when it’s not in use.

Industry analysts already know that LG has been working on a rollable OLED display. In fact, everyone caught a glimpse of a concept design during the 2018 CES. The production model still shares some similarities with the prototype. The form factor is a work of art as the enclosure slides open as the flexible screen. Not only does it promise amazing picture quality, but the audio is likewise exceptional.

The base is a front-firing 4.2-channel 100W Dolby Atmos speaker system with a premium wool cover from Denmark. In Line View mode, a fourth of the display slides up with several functions available. Finally, the Zero View mode, it turns into a versatile audio system. In conclusion, the LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R is perfect for users who don’t want to stare a huge black rectangle all day.

Images courtesy of LG

Only from LG

February 5, 2019 / Comments Off on The LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R Is A Minimalist Masterpiece
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Ultimate Versatility With The American Leather Comfort Air Chair

Nothing beats just lounging around, relaxing, and practically doing nothing. Once you get home after a tiring day at work or maybe from a long trip, the sofa or your bed becomes your best friend. However, if you seriously want to upgrade your gear, then the American Leather Comfort Air chair is your best choice.

The manufacturer claims that its patented technology gives users an infinite number of seating positions. So basically, the chair can quickly adapt to your body to offer the best configuration to support any angle you desire. Its unique design gives you a stylish and versatile recliner minus the bulk. Moreover, you can have peace of mind knowing that American Leather offers a lifetime warranty on the frame. Meanwhile, the cutting-edge mechanism that makes it all the movement possible is covered by a 10-year warranty as well.

The monofilament elastic webbing suspension apparently keeps its limber to withstand repeated movement. Meanwhile, the high-resiliency and high density molded foam cushion deliver superior comfort. In fact, everything sounds so good, that it’s enough for us to consider putting one in the bedroom as well.

Since versatility appears to be the name of the game, the American Leather Comfort Air gives you a bunch of customization options. There are six models to choose from: The Pileus, Cloud, Cumulus, Stratus, Cirrus, and Nimbus. The names alone make us want to plop down on one of these babies immediately. You can even choose to wrap our chair in leather or fabric with varying color options. Ultimately, you can configure everything to create the ultimate lounging experience.

Images courtesy of American Leather

Next-level lounging starts here

February 5, 2019 / Comments Off on Ultimate Versatility With The American Leather Comfort Air Chair
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St Andrews Beach House

We’ve written plenty about beachfront properties here at Men’s Gear, but the St Andrews Beach House, as seen above, is perhaps the most striking of them all thus far.

Instead of subscribing to conventional architecture, Austin Maynard Architects completely got rid of corners and made a circular plan. The result is a dynamic, eye-catching structure that looks like a massive block of wood that sits on top somewhere on the coast of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

From outside, what’ll strike you the most is its timber-clad facade, which call forth images of classic sheds. What’s great is that overtime, these planks will weather, making the St Andrews Beach House as live and organic as the greenery surrounding it.

Inside, you’ll find very few, if any, walls or corridors. As such, the two-story cylinder offers unobstructed views whichever point you’re looking from. That synergy is hard to achieve, even for extremely open flans. And yet the St Andrews Beach House pulls it off with ease thanks to its circular shape.

Typically, beach houses offer terraces or balconies for mesmerizing views of the ocean. The St Andrews Beach House has none. However, the entire living room downstairs is so open that it’s basically a terrace in and of itself.

Also, instead of private sleeping quarters, the home features a single bunk room separated by curtains. It’s so open that it can also double as extra living space or a games room. And you don’t need to go there to sleep. One of the primary principles of this is actually, “Wherever I lay my head, that’s my bed.” Name a more iconic concept.

SEE IT HERE

Photos courtesy of Austin Maynard Architects

February 5, 2019 / Comments Off on St Andrews Beach House
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Swidget Modular Smart Outlet

Google might have given up on the idea of modular smartphone, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be other modular things. Swidget, which started life as a Kickstarter campaign, is a modular outlet concept that’s unlike any other smart outlets out there.

If you don’t know what they are, smart outlets are plugs that can communicate with your smartphone in order to control it.

To be clear, smart outlets aren’t a novelty in this day and age. There are excellent choices already available for the smart home-savvy, like the Belkin Wemo Insight Switch. Some people also prefer the Insteon On/Off Outlet. The point is, there are already lots of options.

Swidget, however, is the first one to feature modular outlets. That’s just a fancy word meaning you can take individual pieces and shuffle them around as you please. More notably, Swidget outlets offer more than just basic controls like turning devices on or off. The platform includes a ton of modular inserts that perform a variety of functions.

There’s a modular inset for motion sensing. Then one for detecting carbon monoxide levels in a room. There’s also a modular insert that checks the temperature and humidity of a given area. You’ll find a security camera modular insert as well, and of course, a USB charger. So on and so forth.

The idea is you’ll be able to quickly swap between these modules with minimal friction. The best part? They’ll come in both Wi-Fi and Z-Wave versions. The Wi-Fi ones are designed to work directly with the companion Swidget app. The Z-Wave ones, however, require a compatible smart home hub like SmartThings.

LEARN MORE

January 30, 2019 / Comments Off on Swidget Modular Smart Outlet
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Petre Island On Lake Mahopac

There’s a funny thing they often say about New York. That the only trees you’ll ever find in the city are in Central Park. It’s funny, of course, but it’s also terribly wrong.

Beyond the grime, noise, and filth of the bustling urban metropolis, you can score this million-dollar idyll smack dab atop this private island in Lake Mahopac.

Petre Island is a rare piece of property. Not just because it’s a private island located in one of the most expensive states to buy property in, but because it’s got houses made by a legendary architect.

On the edge of the ten-acre, heart-shaped Petre Island sits two houses made by none other than Frank Lloyd Wright. The first one, a guest cottage, was built in 1950 and has three bedrooms and a single bathroom. The other, a main house, was finished in 2007 and has four bedrooms.

The main abode was finished well after Wright had died, of course. But it retains all of Wright’s architectural peculiarities and genius. That explains the organic integration of the site’s natural rock, built-in furniture, and multiple cantilevered decks.

Since this is a private island, the purchase comes with a private beach, a tea house, dock, and a rooftop helipad. That should get you from Petre Island to New York City in just 15 minutes. That is if you’re not too queasy aboard helicopters.

If you’re interested about living in isolation at the gorgeous Petre Island, contact Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Prepare to cut a check for $12,900,000, though.

Yours For $12,900,000

Photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman Real Estate

January 30, 2019 / Comments Off on Petre Island On Lake Mahopac
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