There are exciting new products out there. But for which ones is it really worth knocking coal on the head? Every month, our editorial team puts 5 products through their paces and checks them for fun. In February we start with a warming cuddly toy for kids, a firm shower shampoo, a yoga mat, a kitchen helper and an espresso machine.
Every month new, innovative products come onto the market that should make our lives easier – at least that's what they promise us. But which lifestyle innovations really keep their word and which are just hot air? We will start with these five products in February.
On the mat! Finished? Go!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) Safe stand and great design: editor Mareike tested Lyka. © PR
Product: LYKA "Basalt" yoga mat
Price: around 99 euros
Application: The yoga mat from LYKA is not only suitable for the eponymous sport, but also for Pilates or one or the other home workout. Because: It promises a good hold even during sweaty asanas. It also consists of natural rubber, is vegan and non-slip. So you can practice the warrior without worrying, without being afraid of unintentionally slipping into the balancing act.
Result: Above all, I think the yoga mats from LYKA are wonderful. BUT: With yoga equipment in particular, I really learned that looks are not everything and that you should definitely pay attention to quality. At first I was surprised how thin the mat is, but still find it pleasantly soft and cozy. This is why you have a good grip with fingers and toes, for example, even in the dog that is looking down. It's a bit narrower than I'm used to from yoga mats, and there is a small minus point: the material is comfortable, but magically attracts lint. You can wash it in the washing machine, but a fussy eye should be prepared to vacuum it more often. ?
Showered clean
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Hmmmm, they smell good. Editor Julia is enthusiastic about her shower chunks.
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Product: Shower chunks including FAIR pack
Price: € 9.99
Application: Hop in the shower, set the water to a comfortable temperature, wet your body and hair, lather and enjoy the scent.
Result: Clean! And all with just one product. Shower chunks can do both and scores with good ingredients, a pleasant fragrance and is also sustainable and plastic-free. I tested all three "flavors" – and I actually like them all. Maxi Minz smells a little bit more bitter than the two siblings Frida Früchtchen and Carlos Cocos and is therefore the perfect unisex fragrance for me. What else convinced me is the foam. Some soaps and shampoos have their weaknesses, but the little chunk has it right here and lasts an eternity. You can store the solid shower shampoo either in a sisal bag (peeling is then included in one wash) or in the fair pack. And if we can travel through world history again at some point, it also saves a lot of space in our toiletry bag.
It warms our hearts
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Editor Kathrin does not voluntarily give back her sloth from Warmies. © PR
Product: "Pure Sloth" warmth cuddly toy from Warmies
Price: about 20 euros
Application: The cuddly companion is placed in the microwave (800 watts) for a maximum of 60 seconds or in the oven for a maximum of 6 minutes at 100 degrees Celsius. Afterwards it not only exudes its soothing scent, but also increases the level of relaxation by a factor of 3 thanks to the constant warmth. The millet grain and lavender filling can be removed and the stuffed animal can be washed.
Result: What was originally intended as a present for my child has meanwhile become MY favorite companion. Whether in the evening in bed or during a leisurely reading hour on the sofa: our sloth is always there. The warmth is a real treat for body and mind. Thanks to the removable filling and the washable cover, even smeared chocolate fingers or small snotty noses cannot harm our warmth animal. We are also well equipped when it comes to hygiene. The warmies are a great gift for young and old friends, who are sure to give them a lot of joy.
A kitchen helper can be so pretty
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Editor Anna immediately gets in a good mood when she sees her kitchen appliance.
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Product: SMEG food processor
Price: approx. 450 euros
Application: The SMEG kitchen machine promises to be a universal kitchen helper. Knead, stir, cut – all of this should be possible with the appropriate attachments.
Result: What an eye catcher. The SMEG kitchen machine in mint puts me in a good mood as soon as I walk into the kitchen. The machine makes a very robust impression and it is pretty easy to use: Three different mixer attachments were supplied: one for creams or whipped cream, one for cake batter and one for kneaded batter. The attachments can all be attached with one movement, the mixing bowl is also quickly attached – and the different levels are pretty self-explanatory. Only the vegetable cutter set, which I ordered especially, takes a little longer to attach. The mixing bowl must also be placed next to the food processor so that the slices fall into it. I find that a bit impractical, but it seems to be similar with competing machines.
In my opinion, the biggest disadvantage of the machine is that the mixer attachments don't always catch smaller amounts of dough and they are sometimes pushed to the edge of the bowl. If I then turn the machine off for a moment and help out with a spoon, things then run like clockwork. Cake batter is then creamy and pizza batter is super fluffy. With liquid ingredients such as cream or egg whites, the machine does its job in no time. Particularly noteworthy is that the mixing bowl (which could also be in the dishwasher) is super easy to clean as the food can be removed from the material very easily.
Overall, the kitchen machine convinces with its exceptionally beautiful design and ease of use. There is a small deduction for the stirring attachments, which sometimes need a little tutoring.
Professional coffee enjoyment for your own four walls
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Editor Jenna starts every day with her perfect cappuccino.
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product: SAGE espresso machine "The Barista Pro"
price: approx. 800 euros
Application: The espresso machine "The Barista Pro" from SAGE is suitable for all coffee specialties: from classic espresso to café au lait, flat white to cappuccino. With the conical grinder, the coffee beans are freshly ground directly into the portafilter according to the desired degree of grinding and strength. The steam nozzle creates fine micro-milk foam. The espresso machine comes with four different portafilter inserts (for double and single amounts), a stainless steel milk jug and decalcifier, a cleaning set, tamper and test strips for determining the water hardness.
Result: Especially now, when a visit to a café is only possible to a limited extent, I long for good coffee. "The Barista Pro" promises coffee enjoyment like a professional. Admittedly: the espresso machine has a proud price. But the purchase is worthwhile – especially for everyone who works in the home office. Every day I start the day with a cappuccino from the machine. If an afternoon low catches me by surprise, I can rely on caffeine. "The Barista Pro" loses one star because it is a bit complicated to use for beginners. Optimizing the perfect grind and processing time requires patience, but also some skill. If you don't have an absolute passion for the perfect coffee here, you'll probably give up quickly.
I recommend the machine to anyone who is already familiar with coffee preparation or who would like to invest time in learning how to do it. The manual explains all steps in detail. As soon as the machine is optimally adjusted to your taste buds, it is easy to operate and delivers great coffee specialties.