Every month, new products vie 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.
Food favourites, technology goodies or new fitness methods: the lifestyle world has new, exciting attractions in store every month. So that you can find your way through the thicket, we test exciting new releases for you and tell you openly and honestly whether the purchase is worthwhile.
4-in-1 camping blanket Laura thinks this throw by Voited is the perfect summer companion. ©PR
Product: Outdoor camping rug made from recycled ripstop by Voited
Price: about 100 euros
To use: The Voited camping blanket is a hybrid between a sleeping bag and a picnic blanket.
Application: Would you like to make a pillow, sleeping bag or waterproof cape out of the blanket? No problem! Whether you’re having a picnic and laying it out, or camping and snuggling in, this blanket really is versatile. It can be converted into a sleeping bag in seconds thanks to snaps.
Conclusion: More is not possible! I’m blown away. This multifunctional blanket is not only extremely practical, but also an environmentally friendly and durable product. It’s made from 100% recycled materials, is machine washable, rainproof and looks really good too. With all the colors and patterns, there really is something for everyone. The perfect lifestyle product for the next festival or family trip to the lake.
Perfect tea at the push of a button The tea machine from Avoury convinces editor Lena with its simple, chic design and great tea taste. © PR / Adobe Stock
Product: Avoury One tea maker
Price: 279 euros
To use: The Avoury tea machine succeeds in brewing teas perfectly at the push of a button. It comes in one of three chic and simple designs: Pure Black, Copper Cream and Silver White. 40 unique varieties ensure tea enjoyment. A package contains eight tea capsules, which are read individually by the device.
The machine determines the ideal temperature and intensity of the respective tea for the drinker. The Avoury range is diverse and has a lot to offer in the categories of green tea, oolong tea, black or white tea, herbal and fruit tea. Wherever possible, the teas are Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance certified in order to promote fair working conditions and sustainable production.
Application: The construction of the machine is very simple and can be completed in just a few steps. However, when I started it for the first time, I was a bit stupid. First everything flashed red before I got the hang of it and flushed the machine before using it for the first time.
One of my biggest problems in the beginning was my impatient self. The trick is to wait. Which in itself goes well with drinking tea. So that nobody repeats my mistakes, here is an explanation of how to do it correctly:
- Start the machine and allow it to boot up until the button stops flashing.
- Insert the capsule without the plastic seal and with the tip pointing up into the flap provided.
- Close the door and let the machine read the settings for the tea. Then press the white start button again.
- Wait until the button has stopped flashing and the tea has flowed into the cup. This can take one to five minutes, depending on the type of tea being brewed.
Conclusion: The teas are really delicious and the intensity is wonderfully balanced. If a type of tea seems too weak or too strong, you can easily correct the problem using the buttons – for example with more water or a shorter brewing time. What also excites me are the supplied recycling bags: up to 40 tea capsules can be collected in one bag and sent using a pre-paid envelope.
The tea machine is ideal for personal tea moments. With the tea maker, instead of turning on the kettle, putting the sachet in the cup, brewing water and waiting before removing the sachet, all I have to do is throw in the pod and pick up the cup later. This is great for a person like me who regularly forgets to take their tea bags out of their cups. Especially with green or black tea.
It is a pity that the machine is not designed for several people (roughly four or more tea drinkers). Because it would take quite a long time before everyone had their own brewed tea in front of them. In my opinion, the machine beats the usual way of brewing with a teapot, which was the standard for me before, for the eye and the taste of the tea.
I use the tea machine every day, especially in my home office: I only have to throw in the capsule and pick up the tea later. It almost gives me the feeling that my kitchen is a harmonious little tea room that offers me my perfect tea in the old brewing tradition.
Happiness sealed Colleague Lara tries the new Almighurt with an organic seal. ©PR
Product: Almighurt Organic, variety “Sunny Mango Vanilla”
Price: 1.09 euros for 150 g
To use: The iconic yoghurt is now also available with organic certification and in recyclable 150 g glass packaging. What stays the best anyway: good Allgäu milk and a fruity, fresh taste.
Application: Take the lid off, spoon away, mhhhm! And: then rinse the jars and use them for spices or for preserving, suitable long-term lids are available on the manufacturer’s website.
Conclusion: Super delicious and finally also organic! There is something for everyone in the varieties and I continue to use the timeless jars.
Less harmful IQOS convinced editor Julia. ©PR
Product: IQOS 3 Duo Kit is a tobacco heating system
Price: IQOS 3 DUO currently costs 49 euros and can be tested for 30 days. In addition, new customers receive three HEETS free of charge. A pack of Heets with 20 tobacco sticks costs 6 euros.
Application: The so-called heets, i.e. the tobacco sticks, are heated with the holder. The resulting tobacco vapor can be inhaled like a cigarette.
To use: The innovative thing: the tobacco is not burned, but only strongly heated. The nicotine-containing tobacco vapor produced by IQOS contains 95% fewer harmful or potentially harmful pollutants than cigarette smoke. While this does not mean that enjoying IQOS is risk-free, it is a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes. The holder’s battery lasts for 2 heets, after which it must be recharged in the pocket charger.
Conclusion: Every year at the turn of the year, thousands of smokers make a commitment to quit smoking. Every year, many fail miserably. I’ve been with the club for years. I know that the fag isn’t doing my body any good, quite the opposite in fact, and yet I light up again. The hopes that I placed in IQOS were all the greater: if cold turkey doesn’t work, then perhaps the gentle and healthier one is, as various studies have already proven. Admittedly, it’s not the same as smoking a real fag, unfortunately. It tastes different, smokes less, you smoke (at least it feels) shorter than a normal cigarette and it doesn’t feel like a real cigarette either. It was a real change for me, but I got used to it surprisingly quickly. In addition, smoking with IQOS looks more elegant, because both the holder and the charger are of very high quality. But the best thing for me is: No smell of smoke on your hands, clothes, apartment or hair. I still don’t smoke less, just healthier. In the long run, getting used to it alone is not enough, at least for me, but I would say that the intake of harmful substances is much lower overall than before and with a little more willpower, non-smoking could be something this year. At least it’s less harmful now.
Light and comfortable in the summer Editor Katrin has discovered a summer highlight for herself with her new sports shoes. ©PR
Product: Marathon runner sneakers by Novesta – made of cotton and leather
Price: about 120 euros
To use: Summery sneaker to feel good.
Application: I can start the day comfortably and hardly notice the sneakers until I take them off.
Conclusion: I won’t give them up anymore. I have found my ultimate summer sneakers. They are super comfortable and pleasantly light as they are mostly made of fabric. The color mix of red/orange/pink appealed to me immediately – it goes with all colors and immediately puts you in a good mood.