PowerEx MH-C808M “Ultimate Professional” Charger

The MH-C808M charger by Maha can charge any combination of 1 to 8 batteries. You can mix and charge AA, AAA, C and D sized cells at the same time on individual charging circuits. Each battery size also has its own fixed contact charging points (i.e. not a spring). An LCD display shows charging and conditioning status of each rechargeable battery.

Maha’s chargers can restore batteries to their optimal performance level by repeatedly charging and discharging them. It also has intelligent charging technology and overcharge protection. It comes with an international AC adapter, and short-circuit protection.

The PowerEx MH-C808M is available from Amazon for around $90.

PowerEx MH-C9000 WizardOne Charger

The PowerEx MH-C9000 charger is now our pick for an inexpensive battery charger. This charger has four independent slots for AA or AAA NiMH or NiCd batteries. It can provide charging current from 200 to 1000mA for 4 cells, or up to 1800mA for two cells. Just like the Maha Ultimate Professional charger, each battery is independently charged. It also features battery analysis and refresh functions.

Under testing, this charger has proven itself to be superior to the LaCrosse charger (our previous recommendation) — see the Amazon reviews for the MH-C9000 for more information.

The PowerEx MH-C9000 is available at Amazon for about $50

LaCrosse Technology BC-1000 Alpha Battery Charger

The LaCrosse Alpha BC-1000 Charger has sophisticated monitoring circuitry that controls the charging process, and it is also capable of “reconditioning” batteries by running a series of discharge-recharge cycles.

The charger shows battery voltage and charge status on its digital display. It has four separate charge channels so you can charge one, two three or four batteries at a time – even on individual charge programs. This allows you to test one battery while charging the others. It comes with four AA and four AAA batteries, four battery adapters (which convert AA sized battery to C and D sizes) and a carry case. Note, however, if you want to charge C or D size batteries, you’ll want to get the Ansmann chargers below.

Available from Amazon:

• LaCrosse BC-700 Charger – $36
• LaCrosse BC-1000 Alpha Charger – $60 (same as the BC-700 but includes four AA  & AAA cells, plus the four C + D-cell converters)

The post The Best Serious Battery Chargers appeared first on Reactual.

• The Best Earphones Under $50: Dunu DN-12
• The Best Earphones Under $100: VSonic GR07
• The Bear Earphones Under $300: Etymotic Research ER4P-T

The Details

I’ve tested many earphones at Reactual over the last two years — probably about 30 earphones in total. Overall, I’ve been underwhelmed by most earphones on the market — even those that are recommended by magazines and blog (brands such as Beats, Audio-Technica, JVC, Sennheiser, MEElectronics, Sony, Symphonized and Westone).

My top issue with most earphones is a lack of sound quality — I’m very fond of rich sound with well represented bass. I also like my earphones to be comfortable and durable. I eventually found some earphones that were worthy of purchase —  here are my picks:

The Best Earphones Under $50: Dunu DN-12 Noise-Isolation Earphones

These $33 Dunu DN-12 earphones are very comfortable to wear and quite good looking too. In your hand, the DN-12’s body feels solid. More importantly, these are the best sounding earphones I’ve heard for under $50. The bass is very well represented, and the mid-range is warm and prominent. The treble is just right too — there is no sibilance at all — which makes for fatigue-free listening. Overall, the sound clarity is wonderful, especially for the price.

These are not sports headphones however — while walking or running these earphones tend to fall out your ear, due to their metal body.

The Dunu DN-12 is available on Amazon for about $33.

The Best Earphones Under $100: VSonic GR07

The VSonic GR07 earphones have excellent fidelity and a very balanced sound. If you read the Amazon reviews on this earphone — you’ll find almost everyone raves about the sound quality. Also, this is one of most comfortable earphones I’ve tested (my wife agrees — she loves these earphones).

If you are a bass enthusiast, check the Bass Edition of these earphones.

The VSonic GR07 is available on Amazon for about $99.

The Best Earphones Under $300: Etymotic Research ER4P-T

The Etymotic Research ER4P-T is significantly more expensive then the previous two earphones I’ve highlighted. But if you want audiophile quality from earphones, you’ll get it from these $264 Etymotic earphones. Basically, you are paying about $150 more than the VSonic GR07 for another level of sound clarity.

The people at Head-Fi reviews (who obsess about headphones) have this to say about the ER4P-T:

The ER4P-T is also very comfortable to wear.

The Etymotic Research ER4P-T is available on Amazon for about $264.

The post The Best Earphones For Sound Quality appeared first on Reactual.

Breville BOV 800XL Smart Convection Toaster Oven

This 1800 watt convection toaster oven by Breville comes highly recommended by professional chefs and home users alike. It features 9 pre-set programs that can be programmed for personal preference and automatically adjusts individual heating elements for consistent cooking. Energy efficient, the convection oven speeds cooking time by 30%. It has the capacity to hold a 13-inch pizza or six slices of toast.

Manufacturer warranties are hard to come by with toaster ovens. Breville says they design their products with durability in mind and that their products can last up to 20 years. The company offers a 1 year replacement warranty.

Over 630 Amazon users have given the Breville an average 4.5 out of 5 stars. The Breville BOV 800XL Smart Convection Toaster Oven is for sale on Amazon for $250.00.

KRUPS BW500 Electric Kettle

KRUPS has a long-standing reputation of quality and this 1.8 quart cordless electric kettle is one of the most durable on the market. Made of stainless steel, the 3-pound weight may be off-putting to some, but this adds to the sturdiness of the kettle. The 1500 watts heats water quickly and efficiently. There is an automatic shut-off once the water reaches the boiling point.

Simple to use, the KRUPS doesn’t feature all the bells and whistles of some other programmable electric kettles, which is why we like it. Simplicity often translates into reliability.

Most electric kettles have a 1 year limited warranty, but KRUPS offers a 2 year limited warranty. The KRUPS BW500 received an average 4.4 star rating from 14 Amazon customers. It sells for about $58 on Amazon.

If you find the design of this electric kettle a bit too utilitarian, you might consider the “Krups BW600 Silver Art Collection Electric Kettle” which features a polished chrome finish.

Zojirushi NS-LAC05 Micom 3-Cup Rice Cooker

Zojirushi manufactures some of the most top rated rice cookers on the market. Worth the investment, Zojirushi rice cookers not only stand the test of time, but they produce perfect rice every time. The Zojirushi NS-LAC05 Micom rice cooker features micro-computerized Fuzzy logic technology, menu selection, and an automatic keep warm function. The clear-coated stainless steel exterior is a unique process for rice cookers and makes for a more durable product that is easy to keep clean.

Like most rice cookers, there is a 1 year limited warranty. Out of 298 Amazon reviews, this model boasts an average 4.7 out of 5 stars rating. The Zojirushi NS-LAC05 Micom 3-Cup Rice Cooker sells for about $130 on Amazon.

Cuisinart CHW-12 Coffee Plus 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

Cuisinart, a name synonymous with high quality kitchen products, makes this fully automatic and 24-hour programmable coffee maker with a separate hot water system for tea, cocoa, and soup. Though it’s difficult to find an drip coffee maker without plastic parts, the Cuisinart is made with all BPA-free materials. Included is a charcoal water filter to remove chlorine and other bad tastes from the water, as well as a gold tone filter for brewing.

Cuisinart offers a 3 year limited warranty, typical for high-end coffee makers. Over 160 Amazon reviewers have given this coffeemaker and average 4.3 out of 5 stars. The Cuisinart CHW-12 Coffee Plus 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker sells for about $88 on Amazon.

Another durable small kitchen appliance that is still made in the USA is a Bunn coffeemaker. The Bunn products are high quality and are well reviewed by users, however the design of these systems keeps the reservoir of hot water heated at all times which translates to high energy costs. There is a vacation switch that can turn off the tank heater, but it will take roughly 15 minutes to heat back up in order to make coffee. While we can’t recommend the Bunn as the most efficient option on a daily basis, it might be a consideration for those who entertain a lot. Since it can brew a cup of coffee in about 3 minutes, it would be great for parties.

The post Buy It For Life: Small Kitchen Appliances appeared first on Reactual.