From the gene explosion to dating app disasters: our filter book’s guide to life | Life and style
WWe don’t just test products, provide expert buying advice, find inspiring, hard-to-find gifts, and help you become a better, more informed consumer here at Filter. Oh no. We also learn a lot of life lessons.
So, to celebrate our first birthday, we asked our writers, testers, and all-around experts what wisdom they’ve gained — from how to increase their step count to what to avoid on a dating profile — in the past year.
Test, test
Testing products isn’t always easy. “I’ve learned that all those years I spent playing Tetris as a kid weren’t a waste of time,” says Rachel Ogden, our kitchen appliance reviewer. “Packaging several boxes of kettles/toaster/mixer/air fryer so they don’t fall on me at my desk is a valuable life skill.”
Meanwhile, beauty writer Sarah Matthews says: “Filling your tiny one-bed apartment with massive beauty Advent calendars in the height of summer is a great way to test your partner’s patience.”
“I’ve learned that some courier drivers actually care: when I started receiving more than five bouquets of flowers a day while testing the best online flower delivery companies, some of them inquired about my health,” says Zoe Phillimore.
Some products require more care than others. “If you left 25 bottles of gin uncorked but parked outside during a heatwave while you were out for school, they would all explode and you would have to search all over the garden for the caps,” says drinks writer Joan Gould.
Life lessons
We’ve learned lessons that go beyond the products themselves. “Never trust a guy who calls himself ‘one of the good guys’ on a first date,” says Olivia Peter, who has tested dating apps for us. While Caramel Queen knew she wasn’t alone in going through menopause: “When I wrote ‘Why Should You Trust Me’ as a fan review, I talked about being a woman in her 50s who honestly couldn’t remember the last time I felt cold. So many readers reached out, and felt seen.”
While writing her monthly fashion editorial, Jess Cartner-Morley learned that “it’s perfectly fine to ask strangers where they got their cool shoes/earrings/jackets. They’re generally happy with the compliment and are always generous enough to share the information.”
Do you always have to spend as much as you can afford? “High-quality items that work well cost more money,” says Ella Foote, who wrote our guide to wild swimming. “There’s always a cheaper version or alternative, but you get what you pay for.” So you don’t… “The biggest thing I’ve learned is to never judge a product by its appeal or price,” says Matt Collins, our gardening writer. “Sometimes a less expensive, less elegant option delivers truly amazing results.”
Valuable discoveries
Some of our reviewers have found products they will use for a lifetime. “A walking pad is a great way to burn calories without breaking a sweat,” says Leon Poultney. “Walking 20,000 steps a day while testing walking pads got me into the best shape of my life, all without really trying.”
A good camping chair “can change your life”, says Sian Lewis. “They work in the garden too, so it’s worth investing in a good garden.” The same probably can’t be said for a waterproof jacket. “If it rains hard enough, the best rain in the world won’t save you,” says Paddy Maddison. “Spend too much time in it and it will find its way down your back, into your sleeves, into your clothes, regardless of the waterproof rating.”
However, not everything we tried was great. “Not all beauty trends are successful,” says Sabine Wiesel. After hearing my teenage niece swear by the mascara cocktail (a TikTok trend that involves applying different types of mascara), I decided to give it a try while testing mascara.” “The effect of the promised false lashes was more of a clumpy, spidery flutter—not the look I was going for.”
This week’s picks
Editor’s Choice
Over the course of testing 2,040 products, it was only natural that we developed some favorites. We asked reviewers and readers what they found best in the filter, whether it was from their own extensive product testing or based on someone else’s recommendation. The list includes everything from a microwave toaster maker to a potato masher that will change your life. What is yours?
Monica Horridge
Deputy Editor, Filter
In case you missed it…
It hasn’t been the most fun year for all of our testers. “I doubt that many people consider the four minutes spent brushing their teeth to be a highlight of even the most boring day,” Alan Martin wrote. “So think about the months that this became the focus of my life.” Alan had to test 21 brushes to choose the best electric toothbrush.
partner
The clocks will be turning back soon, and the mornings are about to get a little tougher. Whether it’s a sunrise alarm (above), a gentle stretching routine, or strong coffee, what gets you out of bed when it’s dark and cold? Let us know by responding to this newsletter or emailing us at thefilter@USADailyTrends.com.