In terms of heat retention and the ability to be used as filling, these are the warmest fibers by weight:

• Qiviut [Musk Ox Wool]
• Yak Wool
• Alpaca Wool
• Camel Wool
• Sheep’s Wool

For more details, see my article explaining why these wools are ultrawarm.

After testing duvets filled with Camel, Alpaca, and Merino wool, I found that Camel wool is indeed the warmest inside a comforter.

All of these wools contain no lanolin so they are hypoallergenic and odorless.

They have good moisture “wicking” properties. This means that moisture is absorbed by the fiber. This keeps sweat away from being released to the outside of the duvet.

This is the duvet I found to be the warmest:

The absolute warmest duvet on the market is the Qiviut duvet:

Alpaca Duvet

This Alpaca duvet I have tested and it is also very warm:

• Ave Maria 400 GSM Alpaca Wool Duvet/Comforter

The post The Warmest Wool Duvets (Qiviut, Alpaca and Camel Wool) appeared first on Reactual.

The Brightest Keychain Flashlight: Titan Plus

I received this flashlight, and it’s very bright and solidly constructed. I personally carry this light on my keychain. But others might find it too large — if this is the case, I would recommend the compact ThruNite Ti3 (see below).

All Surefire flashlights are designed and built in the USA, although some components are still sourced outside the US. The company says:

We do import a few components – most notably, the finest light emitting diodes (LEDs) from top-notch manufacturers outside the country – to incorporate into our products. All of that said, we do rely on as many American-made parts and components as possible, and the assembly of these components is done under our watchful eye in the U.S. to ensure optimal quality.

The Titan Plus is available from Amazon for about $90.

The Brightest Compact Keychain Light: ThruNight Ti3

The brightest compact keychain flashlight, the ThruNite Ti3 shines with 120 lumens in its highest mode. This is a very small light — it’s only 2.76 inches (70mm) in length. Its body is a titanium alloy, and at 0.56 ounces (16 grams) — this makes it one of the lightest keychain lights.

The ThruNite Ti3 uses just one AAA battery and costs about $13. It’s fully IPX-8 waterproof — it can be submerged up to 2 meters.

Here is the ThruNite Ti3 in action on its highest mode:

Personally, it’s all the light I need to travel through the forest at night.

One negative for me — when the Ti3 is first turned on, it starts in “firefly” mode (.5 lumens), and it requires a couple of more twists to get it to”medium” mode (12 lumens). However, if you keep the light off between 2 to 10 seconds and then turn it on, the light will turn on in the last mode accessed, thankfully.

The ThruNite Ti3 is available at Amazon for around $14.

The post The Brightest EDC Flashlight (300 Lumens) appeared first on Reactual.

• ZTS MBT-1 can test more than 30 different battery types and gives meaningful, accurate readings.
• The ZTS Mini is an affordable and portable alternative. It tests 15 battery types.

The Details

Musicians, professional photographers, hobbyists, parents, and anyone else who is a frequent battery user should invest in a quality professional-grade battery tester. Be cautious of the slew of cheap Chinese battery testers available for sale on the internet. These products do not give an accurate reading, and instead will do little more than tell you whether or not your battery is dead.

Consider the Amprobe, the best selling battery tester on Amazon. It is available for $7, which sounds too good to be true because it is. As expected, it is flimsily constructed and gives iffy reports on rechargeable batteries. As many reviewers noted, it is only good at identifying dead batteries. Worse, it gives inaccurate battery readings and gives artificially high “good” readings on batteries that are on the precipice of death. That can cause unfortunate mix ups, like taking a battery “good” on charge to an important photo-shoot, only for the flash to die after a few snaps.

Luckily, ZTS makes a quality tester that gives a dependable reading. This battery tester is manufactured here in the United States and gives an accurate measurement in a very short period of time. Just place the battery on the nickel-plated brass contact and wait for the bar at the top to show what percentage charge the battery holds.

It tests almost every battery type, including NiMH, Lithium-Ion, Alkaline Lithium, Coin Cells, CR1620 Cells. It has a row of six LED testers that gives percentage reading of how much life the battery has left.

This is not a portable tester — it weighs over a pound and is 8 inches tall.

A Portable Option

If you want a professional quality battery tester that can fit in a purse or glove box, ZTS has the MINIMBT. The Mini is exactly half the MBT: half the size, it can test half the number of batteries (15), and is half the price.

The Mini tests 1.5v alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D, N), 1.2v NiMH/NiCd, 3v photo lithium, and 9v alkaline batteries.

The post The Best Battery Tester appeared first on Reactual.

The Details

Tower air filters, frequently using HEPA technology, are designed to reduce exposure to indoor irritants and allergens such as dust, cigarette smoke, pollen, pet dander, mold and mildew spores and other particulate matter. Effective air filtration is especially important for those with allergies or respiratory problems such as asthma. Studies show that those who suffer allergies are often sensitive to multiple allergens, making it nearly impossible to remove environmental triggers without the use of technology such as air filters using the HEPA technology.

HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters work by forcing air through a fine mesh designed to trap particulate that can escape standard filters found on HVAC systems. Many tower air filters contain a HEPA filter, and as air is pulled into the tower by a fan, it is pulled through the filter where particulate is trapped and then clean air is forced back out. HEPA filters are remarkably effective at eliminating environmental irritants, capturing 99.9% of airborne impurities 0.3 microns in diameter, or larger.

Consider the air change rate (ACH), which defines how many times the portable air filter will clean an entire room’s air during one hour. An ACH of 5, for example, indicates the air will be cleaned every 12 minutes.

Another factor to consider is the CADR ratings, which is the clean air delivery rate. This identifies how powerful a tower air filter is. CADR indicates how many cubic feet of air the unit can filter in one minute. You may see ratings for CADR related to irritants such as dust, pollen and smoke on the tower air filter’s packaging. Look for higher numbers if you have a large space, or consider purchasing more than one tower air filter. Here are the best standalone air filters.

The Best Overall Stand-Alone Air Filter: RxAIR Plus

For most people, a stand-alone air filter is a convenient way to cut down on air pollution and minimize annoying affects of allergies. For others, an air filter is a literal lifesaver, killing airborne bacteria and viruses. If you have a weak immune system, go with RxAIR Plus, an air purifier trusted by hospitals around the world.

This high end air purifier harnesses the germicidal ultraviolet light (UV-C) to clean the air as well as germs and viruses ranging from H1N1, TB, and the flu. In addition to a 99% elimination of airborne bacteria and viruses in a space of up to 800 sq. ft, the RxAir uses a system of traps and baffles to catch large particles such as pet dander and dust.

The unit comes with a 5 year warranty that places cartridge replacement. Replacement cartridges are available to keep the machine running at max efficiency even after 5 years. The RxAir Plus comes with a whisper-quiet fan that allows it to purify the air without causing a lot of disturbance, and you don’t have to worry about changing out the filters.

The Best Stand-Alone Air Filter For Value: GermGuardian True HEPA AC4825

This best-selling unit is an all-around good value, offering true HEPA filtration, a charcoal filter to reduce common odors, and UV-C light technology to kill bacteria and germs. The unit is Energy Star qualified, meaning it meets the strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US EPA.

Air cycles through three stages to ensure maximum effectiveness. First, air is filtered through a pre-filter and charcoal filter to capture large particles and remove odors. Then, air is filtered through the HEPA filter, capturing 99.97% of airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns. In the last stage, UV-C light kills airborne viruses and bacteria, and titanium dioxide destroys the molecules that cause odors. Common viruses and bacteria that can be killed by the UV-C light stage includes rhinovirus, E. coli and streptococcus, responsible for millions of illnesses each year.

One downside is that it does require an air filter change every 7 months. The GermGuardian tower air filter includes an indicator light that blinks when it’s time to replace the filter or bulb.

The Best Compact Stand-Alone Air Filter: Honeywell QuietClean Compact Tower Air Purifier

The compact Honeywell QuietClean weighs just 1 pound, is 12.6 x 17.8 x 10.5 inches, and has a built-in handle, making it easily transportable and ideally suited for any tight space, including a nightstand, table or you can place it on the floor. It is whisper quiet, has two speed settings that can be set via an easy control knob on the top of the unit, and a permanent, washable iFD filter.

IFD (intense field dielectric) filters are a honeycomb of hollow air channels with floors and ceilings alternately charged or grounded via embedded electrodes to create a powerful, polarized electrical field inside the air channels which can trap 99.99% of particulate matter 0.3 microns or larger, including virtually all viruses, bacteria and spores. The iFD filter can be removed from the unit, easily washed with water and reused, so it never needs replacing.

The Honeywell QuietClean has a CADR rating of 40, meaning it can filter 40 cubit feet of air per minute, ideal for smaller rooms up to 62 square feet. The energy efficient design requires only as much electricity as a small light bulb to run, reducing your energy costs as compared to many other models. Air is effectively filtered through the unit 5 times per hour.

The Best Standalone Air Filter For Allergies: Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover

The Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover tower air filter is the number one recommended model by allergists, and the Honeywell brand is recommended by 7 out of 10 physicians who recommend the purchase of an air filter. This portable unit weighs just 21 pounds, making it simple to carry from room to room via built in handles on the sides. It can circulate the air in a 21’ x 22’ room up to 5 times per hour, and has a powerful CADR rating of 300, meaning it can clean up to 300 cubic feet of air per minute. There is an activated carbon pre-filter to help reduce common household odors, such as those caused by pets or cooking.

The unit features easy tap electronic controls, 3 cleaning levels and a turbo clean setting. A timer can be set to shut off automatically after 2, 4 or 8 hours, and there are built in electronic filter replacement reminders. A light/LED dimmer control on the top of the unit makes it easy to determine the operating status even in the dark. This unit functions most efficiently in a medium to large sized room and includes a true HEPA filter, guaranteeing 99.97% of allergens and other irritating particulate will be removed from the indoor environment.

The post The Best Standalone Air Filters appeared first on Reactual.

The Details

Date night for two at the movies can easily run over $60 dollars in an urban area once you factor in exorbitant ticket prices, concessions, and parking. All that and you risk sticky seats, texting teenagers, and chatty couples. Making your own home theater is becoming an increasingly affordable alternative to pricey and unreliable nights out at the movies, with quality projector prices falling and pixel counts increasing.

Once upon a time you needed a spacious, cave-like room to make owning a home projector a feasible entertainment option. But the proliferation of short-throw projectors and steadily rising lumen counts mean that projectors are no longer exclusive to suburban basements. Even apartment living rooms can benefit from the immersive experience of an HD projector. You just need to make sure to buy the right projector for you.

There are a couple factors to keep in mind when picking a projector. First, determine the brightness of your room and how large your screen will be. If you do have a windowless room without any source of natural light, you don’t need a high lumen (measure of brightness) count. Likewise, if your projector screen is less than 100 inches, there is no need to pay up for a 4k resolution projector.

Since your projector will likely stay put in your house, things like portability and built-in audio playback aren’t a concern. Instead, consider whether the projector has low lag time, if it has 3D capability, whether it supports media streaming services, what its casting distance is, and image quality.

I’ve identified a few of the best projectors for different consumers below:

The Best 3D Projector

If you are still deciding between an LCD TV and projector for your home theater, a few minutes with a high quality 3D projector will put an end to your waffling once and for all. The latest 3D projectors give a true approximation of the cinema multi-plex experience. Their grand size and gorgeous colors convey the 3D experience in a way that an LCD TV just can’t. Immerse yourself in three dimensions with crosstalk,” the blurry illusion created by two different transmission channels.  Like all 3D technology on the market, there is some loss in brightness when viewing in 3D.

A few alignment options give some flexibility in set up. Lens shifting allows for the projector to be slightly off center from the screen, though you will have to manually do any lens shifting.

The 1700 lumen lamp will last 5000 hours in eco or 2000 at the highest setting. In low and medium ambient lighting, this projector gives bright and crisp colors and HD black. The lumen count is a bit low for bright rooms, so this is best in dens and media rooms.

The HW40ES is sold as a “gaming projector,” and users have the option to use it in a gaming mode that is said to reduce lag. Reviewers have empirically proven that lag time is reduced to 24 milliseconds, which is one of the absolute best for gaming.

It does not come with 3D glasses, so you will need to invest in a pair that is compatible with Sony projectors.

The Best 4k Projector

For those that want only the best image quality, sharpest contrast, and latest tech, a 4k projector is the way to go. 4k is the new gold standard for video resolution. The new video technology refers to the 4,000 thousand pixels found alongside the horizontal line display. Right now, Sony enjoys a total monopoly of the 4k home projector market. Of the 4k projectors Sony offers, the VPLVW350ES SXRD is the best value for an unbeatable image.

This behemoth of a projector weighs close to 40 pounds and is a commanding 25.1 x 22.9 x 12.6 inches. Inside comes Sony’s SXRD 4k movie theater technology and anamophic 3D capability. This top of the line tech enables you to cast onto a larger screen than some 1080p projectors. Sony says that full brightness (1500 lumens) and resolution are achieved on a 150 inch screen.

Since 4k is relatively new, not a whole lot of media is specifically made for 4k resolution. This is definitely changing, but 1080p HD is still the standard as of now. Sony equipped with the 350ES with Super Resolution upscaling so you can enjoy your content in 4k in the meantime. It uses a ‘Mastered in 4k’ algorithm to upscale HD movies and shows into 4k content. Sometimes this results in a noticeable difference, other times its hard to make a meaningful distinction.

The VPLVW350ES SXRD comes with a 3 year warranty.

The Best Projector for Football Fans

Plan to marathon NFL games all Sunday? You will need an extra bright projector if you are going to set up your home theater in a room with any natural light sources to get the most our of your daytime viewing. The brightest home theater projector is the Epson Home Cinema 1440, which has a staggering 4400 lumens.

This model uses 3LCD projectors for Full HD 1080p images that are rated three times brighter than other projectors in its class. This means you get stunning HD imagery in well-lit rooms, even with all the blinds up.

Easy slide horizontal keystone correction and automatic vertical keystone correction make alignment relatively easy. However, a lack of lens shift means you have to mount the projector dead center from where the image will be projected. This model is also lightweight and compact for a home theater projector, weighing just 13 pounds.

The post The Best Home Theater Projectors appeared first on Reactual.

The world’s thinnest tablet in the “mini” category, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2, runs Android 5.0 (Lollipop) OS and has a 2048 x 1536 screen resolution. Its Quad 1.9GHz Intel processor and 32 GB Flash Memory makes it a capable machine for browsing the internet and for running apps from the Google Play Store.

The AMOLED display delivers the vibrant, lifelike colors with deep contrast and rich display that consumers have come to expect from Samsung’s flagship line of portable electronics. The Galaxy S2’s rear-facing 8-megapixel camera takes reasonably good pictures, although your phone likely has a better camera. Its battery life also leaves something to be desired. The battery lasts six hours on average.

The Galaxy’s most attractive feature is, of course, its svelte figure. At .22,” it is even thinner than the iPad Air 2. Other perks such as Samsung’s exclusive Smart Switch software and fingerprint scanning round out the tablet.

Samsung also offers a 9.7” edition of the Galaxy Tab S2.

The Thinnest Tablet Running Windows: Toshiba dynaPad

While the Android OS is fine for entertainment purposes, you will want a tablet with Windows OS if you intend to do serious work on your tablet. Think of the Galaxy Tab as an over-sized smartphone and of the dynaPad as an undersized laptop.

The dynaPad packs much more impressive hardware in its extra .05” of thickness. It runs the powerful Intel Atom CPU and has 4GB of RAM and 65GB of internal storage. Engadget writes:

“The 1.28-pound tablet feels at once luxuriously light and reassuringly well-built. The secret ingredient is a carbon fiber frame that’s coated in a soft, rubbery paint that makes the device easier to grip than a big-screen tablet ought to be. It also helps that the device has a mix of rounded corners and flat, slightly chamfered edges.”

It has Gorilla glass screen, which is resistant to scratches and cracks, and a sturdy carbon-fiber frame. The dynaPad’s durability is a great asset for an ultrathin tablet, because it doesn’t require a bulky case for protection.

The dynaPad is now available for pre-order and will be sold online and in Windows stores later this month.

The post The Thinnest Tablet appeared first on Reactual.

• Tusa Freedom HD
• Atomic Frameless 2

A scuba trip can take you to the  tranquil waters of a Caribbean cove or to the murky depths of the Scottish aisles. But no matter the environment, you will need a quality scuba mask to take in your surroundings. Cheap masks fog up or obstruct your view with a narrow field of vision and low-quality tinted glass. When choosing a scuba mask, only comfort matters more than visibility.

There are two main styles of scuba mask: multi-lens and single-lens. Multi-lens masks have two separate lenses divided by a nose bridge. They are easier to clear and can be outfitted with corrective lenses, but have a narrower field of view. Therefore, single lenses tend to offer better visibility.

Best Overall Scuba Mask for Visibility: Tusa M1001 FREEDOM HD

The M1001 Freedom HD is a framed single lens mask with an incredible field of view: 6 inches across and 3 inches from top to bottom. The immense lens provides panoramic near uninterrupted viewing, with some divers stating that they can’t even see the top of the mask. Its wide field of view earned the top score in Scuba Diving magazine’s 2016 best mask round up.

Because of its large circumference, the Tusa Freedom HD is ideal for people with large heads and big noses. Usually, the big-nosed will have to settle for a two-lens option to comfortably fit their face. The mask also has 180 degree adjustable buckles that bend outward and inward to fit your face and help for storage.

The mask is quality made and the supple silicon clings effortlessly to your face. The skirt has dimples that soften the silicon and molds to the face, decreasing the chance of a leak. It also has stability ridges that hold the mask skirt in shape as you descend.

After the normal treatment (a rubdown on the lens with abrasive toothpaste) there are no problems with fog.

Best Frameless Scuba Mask For Visibility: Atomic Frameless 2

Frameless single lens scuba masks offer unobstructed panoramic view for unmatched visibility. The Atomic Frameless 2 is among the best frameless masks currently on the market, popular among divers for its thoughtful design and luscious comfort.

The mask earns top marks in visibility for two reasons. First, the lens is constructed with a glass designed to maximize optical quality without color distortion. Most scuba masks have a green tint as a result of iron impurities. This green tint distorts light transmission and blocks true colors, a bummer when you are trying to take in the majestic panorama of exotic fish and flora. Atomic uses “ULTRACLEAR Lenses,” which offer clear and distortion free view.  This allows 99% light transfer, which makes a world of difference underwater when compared to cheap green view.

The second reason that this scuba mask is great for visibility is its wide design. Like the Freedom HD, this mask is extra-wide for a panoramic view. While not as wide on top, it still surpasses most low volume masks with a wide field of vision.

In addition to visibility, this is a real comfortable mask to wear. It uses high quality super soft silicone which seals effortlessly to your face. In fact, the whole mask is made of high quality materials for high durability and resistance to accident.  Atomic also offers the mask in three sizes, so you should be able to find one that fits your face.

The post The Best Scuba Masks For Visibility appeared first on Reactual.

A soundbar is a thin bar with multiple drivers. They point the speakers directly at your couch, with different tweeters and woofers replicating highs and lows. Newer soundbars include wireless connectivity options, making them hassle free compared to a full surround sound system. No soundbar will ever compete with the fidelity of traditional speakers, the drivers are just not large enough, but they can fill a small room with lush noise. These are the best soundbars available right now.

Best Overall Soundbar of 2016: Samsung HW-K950

The Samsung HW-K950 is the biggest leap forward in soundbar technology of the year. Released in summer 2016, the soundbar boasts Dolby Atmos, 4k/HDR, and 5.1.4 channel surround sound. One big drawback: it does not offer DTS-HD. So if you want the best possible sound quality out of a soundbar and don’t plan on playing Blu-rays on an older player, this is the soundbar for you.

Most soundbars simply can’t replicate the immersive multi-directional sound of a proper home theater system. Samsung shortens the gap with one of two soundbars released this year that features Dolby Atmos (the other is the Yamaha YSP-5600, which has DTS:X support but suffers from poor design). For those who don’t know, Dolby Atmos is an audio format designed to deliver three-dimensional sound. It’s what makes makes you think a helicopter is actually whirling overhead, or what clues you in to the sound of footsteps approaching from a distance.

The HW-K950 delivers Atmos sound from 15 built-in speakers. Most of those drivers come from the main soundbar itself, a minimalist 47 inch unit with metal grills and brushed metal dim plates. It has 3 forward firing channels, with twin mid-range drivers and a wide-range tweeter engineered just for the soundbar. Atop the wide bar are two upward firing full-range drivers that provide front overhead effects.  The rest of the sound comes from two wireless rear speakers with front and upward firing speakers and a wireless 160W sub-woofer. All drivers come with their own amplifier.

The sound is extremely crisp and expansive on Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital 5.1 compatible files. It is extremely clean and captures everything from dialogue to bass-heavy music in a way you thought a soundbar could not. The set up is easy and, unlike many previous-generation high end soundbars, it comes with 2 HDMI plugs. So unlike the popular SONOS soundbar, your audio isn’t rerouted through a optical port.

There are two big drawbacks to this soundbar. The first is the price. It’s an expensive package, but it includes the sub-woofer and rear speakers. You can definitely find better quality used home theater equipment for the same price range, but you lose all the convenience and connectivity the soundbar offers. So it depends on your needs. If you’re building a home theater, look elsewhere. If you want three-dimensional Dolby Atmos sound in your apartment without a receiver and a bunch of speakers, this wireless setup can’t be beat.

The main drawback, and this is a huge one, is that it does not support DTS-HD Master Audio, the most common format for many Blu-Ray movies. Newer Blu-Ray players do support Atmos, so you will have to check your player.

Best Value Soundbar: Vizio SB3851-C0

If you don’t want to spend a grand on a soundbar but still want a powerful upgrade from your TV speakers, check out Vizio’s SB3851-C0. For less than $300 you get 5.1 sound with a wireless sub-woofer and 2 rear satellite speakers.

This model captures engrossing Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, faithfully replicating highs and lows. The 6″ driver on the sub delivers a serviceable bass, definitely the best you will experience at this price range. It has an impress 100dB sound with less than 1% total harmonic distortion. Connect music directly with a Bluetooth. The setup is easy, and the 38 inch aluminum accented soundbar looks nice in the living room.

Unfortunately the unit lacks an HDMI connection. It also lacks EQ options to satisfy an audiophile.

The post The Best Soundbars of 2016 appeared first on Reactual.