Every month, new products compete for our attention in the highly competitive lifestyle market. To make your purchase decision easier, we test exciting new products in advance and report on our experiences.
Whether it’s a practical music box that offers children a wide variety of music, delicious matcha powder that is a great alternative to the daily coffee, or chalk furniture paint that we can use to give our home a new look without much effort – our editors are also testing it this month through the lifestyle product world. And it has new, exciting attractions in store every month. So that you can find your way through the product thicket, we test exciting new releases for you and say openly and honestly whether the purchase is worth it.
There’s music (and more) in there Janine now never hears: “Mom, play the aviator song for me.” And that’s good. © PR
Product: Tigerbox TOUCH PLUS, the listening box for children
Price: 129.99 euros plus streaming pass, tiger cards or wild cards
To use: Easy access to listening media without a smartphone.
Application: Switch on Tigerbox, insert Tigercard or Wildcard and start listening. Or use the streaming offer and choose from many child-friendly stories and songs using the touchpad.
Conclusion: We already use various children’s playback devices for listening media. What I like best about the Tigerbox is that there is not just one way to select radio plays and music, but three. With the Tigercards, stories or music albums can be purchased and listened to individually. This is often pleasantly manageable and easy to use for younger children: insert the card and you’re done. The so-called wildcards can even be played individually. For older children or young listeners, the Tigertones media library is the right choice. There is access to over 20,000 titles via subscription or prepaid ticket. Personally, I always have a hard time spending money on something that I can’t hold in my hands. However, if I convert the 12-month streaming ticket into the purchase of individual listening media, for example, it even makes sense to me. Tip: It is best to use the fall protection (bumper) for younger children.
More (green) power in everyday life Editor Lisa is a big matcha fan and has tested what the new Matcha Oat Latte can do. © PR
Product: Matcha Oat Latte from Blue Farm
Price: 12.45 euros
To use: The Matcha Oat Latte is, as the name suggests, oat-based and, in addition to high-quality matcha from Japan, also contains Lion’s Mane, a medicinal mushroom. The finished powder is also gluten-free, with no added sugar or additives. For a simple and quick-to-prepare treat.
Application: Open the bag, spoon the powder into a cup or matcha bowl, fill with water and enjoy. Very easy and quick.
Conclusion: If you like to use matcha but would rather have a latte than pure, the Matcha Oat Latte from Blue Farm could be something for you. Especially if you want it to happen quickly and still have the expected effect, the ready-mixed version is a good alternative.
Listen to music for hours without feeling pressured Eva no longer has to deal with headphones that constantly fall out of her ears while jogging. © PR
Product: OpenFit headphones from Shokz
Price: 199 euros
To use: With OpenFit, Shokz relies on the headphone concept of open ears. This means you can comfortably listen to music all day long while still being open to what’s going on around you. The special design means that the noises around you are not completely suppressed. This is particularly practical in traffic, when jogging or similar.
Application: First, the OpenFit must be connected to the desired device such as a smartphone or laptop via Bluetooth – and you can start using your playlist, favorite podcast or audio book. Charge beforehand, don’t forget!
Conclusion: I was particularly impressed by the OpenFit headphones from Shokz because of their great wearing comfort. Thanks to the open ear hook design, it doesn’t press, doesn’t pinch and simply feels light on the ears – even after many hours of listening to music. I mainly use the headphones when doing sports and running because they sit really tightly so they don’t constantly fall out and offer really good sound.
From old to new! Editor Laura paints her old dresser with MissPompadour chalk paint. © PR
Product: Chalk paint “Poudre Red” by MissPompadour, 750ml, matt varnish
Price: 39 euros
To use: The CosyColours chalk paint is perfect for DIY fans who want to give their furniture a new coat of paint (without much effort). In addition, all CosyColours paints are water-based, VOC-free and made in Germany.
Application: The company offers great service in addition to their products. I was able to take a photo of the piece of furniture I wanted to paint and send it to the service by email. Shortly afterwards I received tips for implementation and was able to get started. I took off the door handles on my dresser, cleaned the closet and got right to it.
Conclusion: What I immediately noticed: the paint has little odor and is splash-proof. Very good, because it makes it easy to avoid unwanted stains on the floor or other furniture. I had to paint my dresser twice. I let each layer dry for 4-6 hours. What I particularly like about the color is that you don’t necessarily have to sand the piece of furniture first because the color still holds up well. If you are unsure, please contact customer service. With each passing day the surface became more stable and after about 12 days it was already well shockproof. I’m blown away and already thinking about what I’m going to paint next.
A splendor of color that doesn’t fade A great gift for all flower lovers. Editor Julia tested the wildflower bouquet from Lego. © PR
Product: Wildflower bouquet from Lego from the Botanical Collection
Price: 60 euro
To use: First, pure crafting fun, then a bouquet of flowers that doesn’t wilt and looks particularly beautiful and colorful.
Application: Look at the instructions and put the individual flowers together. Then arrange it nicely and enjoy it. Dust off every now and then.
Conclusion: I made the bouquet together with my eleven-year-old daughter. We had a lot of fun doing this and, thanks to the instructions, it was totally uncomplicated and also completed relatively quickly. We now enjoy the colorful, very special splendor that adorns our table every day. A great gift, we think, instead of the usual bouquet of flowers. However, you should be careful with the finished flowers, some parts come off very easily.