REVIEW - Cuisinart Deluxe Ice Cream Maker (with AO.com)

It’s hard not to love a delicious bowl of ice cream but making it at home was never something I’d considered (and I’ve seen the challenges contestant after contestant on Masterchef have had trying to get theirs to set).

But the challenge was set when the guys at AO.com agreed to send me the Cuisinart Deluxe Ice Cream Maker, to see if I could make some delicious ice cream at home. If you’ve still not used AO.com before, I can highly recommend them. From their brilliant, easy to navigate website with a huge product range, to their really simple delivery experience.

You get a 1 hour timeslot letting you know exactly when your product is going to arrive so you don’t have to wait in all day and then, the knock at the door and the friendly delivery man hands over your brand new product. Give them a look, give them a try and I know you won’t be disappointed.

On to the product in hand, the Cuisinart Deluxe Ice Cream Maker. Let’s have a look at what you get.

The good news about this product is that it is really simple. There’s very few parts so it’s easy to get going. The lid, your ice cream paddle, your bowl and the device, it’s that simple. One knob at the front turns it from off to on and you’re good to go.

Now, one word of warning if you have children. Don’t let them know you’ve bought the product until it is ready to use. It takes a bit of time before you can make your first portion of ice cream as you have to place the ice cream bowl in the freezer to freeze for a minimum of 12 hours before it is ready to use. 

If you tell the children you have the device and you haven’t frozen the bowl yet, it’s going to be exactly the same as it was on that long trip to Granny’s – ‘are we nearly there yet?’ ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ ‘Is our ice cream ready yet?’ ‘Is our ice cream ready yet?’ So as I said, a little warning from me, don’t let them know until it’s ready to go.

I don’t have children yet, but I got the same experience from my partner S - ‘you told me I was going to get ice cream, why haven’t I got ice cream? Where’s my ice cream?’ Patience is a virtue.

After freezing the bowl for 12 hours to make sure it was perfectly frozen to make my ice cream, I was ready to test the Cuisinart Deluxe Ice Cream Maker. I made up a mix (I opted for Madagascan vanilla for my first attempt), poured it into the bowl and was ready to start the process.

The bowl capacity is a massive 2 litres so there’s plenty of space to make loads of ice cream for the whole family. When filling the bowl, you should always leave some space at the top to allow space for the paddle to move. Pop your paddle in (it doesn’t click in or anything, you just slot it in and let it sit) and it’s ready to go.

Pop on the lid, twist to lock it in place nice and sturdy and you are ready to make ice cream. With one turn of the knob on the front, the machine powers on and begins churning your ice cream.

After 25 to 30 minutes of churning, you will have some delicious soft scoop ice cream, ready to serve. Anyone who also watches Masterchef and recalls how often they fail to get their ice cream to serve, will know that they often place their ice cream in the freezer to firm it up more.

If like me, you like you like your ice cream a little firmer or you are not ready to serve straight away, you can decant the ice cream from the device into a tub and place in the freezer to firm up more or just to store until you are ready to serve it.

So, we’ve put the device into action, what else do you need to know about the Cuisinart Deluxe Ice Cream Maker?

The device comes in an attractive brushed steel design, so it won’t look out of place if you store it on display in your kitchen. The square design means it is really easy to store, either in a corner or if you put it away in a cupboard.

It is recommended that you store the inner bowl in the freezer at all times. That way, you will not have to start the freezing process the next time you want to make ice cream. It will already be frozen and ready to use, speeding up the process.

Just bear in mind that the inner bowl has a height of 16cm. That will be easy to store in a chest freezer, but if you have a freezer with drawers you will have to look for the deepest drawer to fit the bowl in without any problems (this is often the bottom drawer of the freezer).

Now, I know this review might have told you everything you need to know about how to set up and use the device therefore you will think you can get by without looking at the instruction booklet but it’s worth doing so. If you do, you’ll miss the 10 sample recipes that are included in the booklet. They are a great starting point for making your first batch before you go on to concoct your own creations.

Finally, the Cuisinart Deluxe Ice Cream maker comes with a 5 year guarantee so you will have peace of mind that you will be creating delicious ice cream for years to come.

Having never made ice cream before i was delighted to take on the challenge and was amazed at just how easy it was. My initial experiment was a success and the starting point for many more experiments as I try out lots of new and exciting flavour combinations.

REVIEW - Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen (with AO.com)

One of my biggest sources of frustration in my kitchen comes from my oven. Whether it’s not having enough space because I’ve only got 2 shelves, or it’s trying to cook multiple things at the same time like the roast potatoes that want 180 degrees at the same time as the chicken that wants 160 degrees, I’m always frustrated trying to fit everything in.

When I go round to friends’ houses and see their double ovens I get very jealous. At the same time, my microwave sits in the corner taking up valuable worktop space and the only time that it gets used is when I need to defrost something. So I was delighted that AO.com gave me the chance to review and test the Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen.

If you’ve not used AO.com before, I can highly recommend them. From the email telling you when your product is going to get delivered, to the text in the morning with your 1 hour time slot and then the friendly smile from the delivery man when he hands over your new toy, you won’t be disappointed if you give them a try.

 Let’s have a look at what you get with the Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen.

When you open the box, you will be pleased to see that there are not many parts so it’s really easy to get set up and ready to go and start cooking.

First up you get the Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen itself. It connects to the mains with just a single standard plug so there’s no difficult installation or setup. Plug it in, switch it on and you’re just about ready to go. You also get the instruction booklet that explains everything you need to know on how to operate the device as well as explaining the initial priming you have to do. 

Basically, you have to switch the hobs on for about 20 minutes and then switch the oven on for about 20 minutes to cure the elements. Once that’s done, you’re ready to start cooking.

Other than that, all you really need is something to cook on. You get a single shelf, the grill tray, and a handle and that’s it, so it’s really simple to get set up and get going.

Let’s take a closer look at the Mini Kitchen itself.

The Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen consists of 2 hot plates on top and then the oven/grill down below. The hot plates come in different sizes. You have the larger hot plate which is 1000w and then the smaller hot plate that is 750w. That gives you a little bit of versatility depending on the size of pot you want to use and the amount of food that you want to cook.

Down below you have the top loading oven/grill. It’s operated from a large, easy to hold handle at the front. One thing I like about the door is that it is not free-flowing. There’s different points in the opening mechanism. With the glass frontage, this stops any nasty accidents that could be caused if the door was able to just drop down and hit off the worktop below.

The whole unit is operated from 3 large knobs on the front of the device. The top knob adjusts the temperature all the way up to 230 degrees while the middle knob lets you choose which part of the device you want to operate.

One of the downsides of the Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen is that you can only use either the hotplate or the oven at any one time, you can’t use both so if you want to use it as your main kitchen device you’ll have to be quite creative on the meals that you are going to cook.

Spinning the middle knob, the first position switches on the top element which is used for grilling. The second position switches on the bottom element which is used to keep food warm. The third position switches on both elements allowing you to use the device as an oven. Then you have the 3 positions that are used to operate the hotplates – either using the large one, the small one or both at the same time.

Finally, your third dial is the timer.  It’s a rotary timer that clicks as it goes and then sounds a ding when your timing is complete.

One other thing to notice on the timer, when you have the middle knob set to neutral, is that you can turn the knob anti clockwise to select a defrost option. What this does is rather than using heat like a microwave would to defrost your food, this switches on the fan in the device to circulate air around the food to help it defrost without heat. Using heat can often start the cooking process which is one of the negatives of using a microwave for defrosting.

Inside the oven, you have your shelf which sits flush on the built in runners and also your grill pan, also on runners, so you have plenty of space to cook lots of food in the Mini Kitchen.

The Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen can be utilised in many scenarios, from a Student flat to an apartment, a staff room or a staff canteen – but for me, the beauty of the Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen is as an extra device in your kitchen to supplement your main oven. This gives you increased capacity to cook.

If I am entertaining, I can have the main meal cooking in the main oven while the party food or nibbles (like the homemade sausage rolls I cooked to test the device) can be browning away in the Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen.

When it comes to the size of the device, while it’s a little bit taller and a little bit deeper than a standard microwave, it’s no wider meaning it won’t take up much extra space on your worktop but for me it’s a lot more versatile and a lot more useful than my microwave that I don’t use very often.

They say the proof is in the pudding, or in this case the sausage rolls, and they looked great even if I do say so myself and they tasted great. We certainly enjoyed tucking into them, all for the benefit of the review of course.

Let's recap some of the positives about the Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen.

1. You get 2 hotplates of varying sizes and varying power which give you great versatility on what you want to cook.
2. The oven/grill down below – whether you’re defrosting, warming, grilling or using the oven, this little mini kitchen can do the whole lot without taking up too much extra space when compared to a conventional microwave.
3. For me, it’s a great additional device in your kitchen giving you extra capacity, more shelves and more versatility. For others, they might see it as a great little mini main device. If that is the case, just bear in mind that you can only use one of the hotplate or the oven at any one time so you’ll have to be quite creative on what you are going to cook with it.
4. Finally, the design. I love the black design. I think it’s very modern and eye-catching and will look pride of place in my kitchen.

So in summary, if you are looking to cure your oven frustrations or to gain additional cooking capacity in your kitchen, you won't go wrong with the very versatile Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen with it's boiling, frying, grilling, baking, heating and defrosting functionality. 

If you're looking to use it as a main device - have a think about what you want to cook. If you need to use the hotplate and the oven at the same time - you might need to do a bit more research. If not, then the Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen definitely has plenty to offer.

(The views expressed in this post are entirely my own. While I received the product for free for the purpose of testing it and reviewing it, I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and my opinions are based on my own, honest assessment of the product.)

REVIEW - AEG Ultramix KM4000 mixer (with AO.com)

Now, nobody is going to proclaim me as the next Gordon Ramsay, but I like to think that I can hold my own in the kitchen. Normally, like most men, I do everything manually so whether it’s kneading dough or mixing up a storm, I’m putting the work in.

But we live in quite busy times. I’m getting busier and let’s face it, I’m a little bit lazy – I’d rather spend 15 minutes with my feet up on the sofa with a cup of tea rather than doing all the work in the kitchen – so I was delighted to get the chance to review the AEG Ultramix KM4000 mixer to see if it could improve my culinary skills and make everything that I do in the kitchen that little bit easier.

Let’s look at the product.

The first thing I noticed when picking up the package was that it was quite a heavy box. Now, I know weight doesn’t guarantee quality but it’s a good early indication that you’ve spent your hard earned money on something with a bit of substance.

Taking the device out of the box the first thing I noticed was the absolutely stunning colour. My device came in a vibrant red which would look brilliant in any kitchen, especially in mine as it matches the other red items I have on display.

Unlike many mixers, you actually get TWO mixing bowls with the AEG Ultramix KM4000. You get the larger 4.8l bowl, and also a smaller 2.9l bowl (that handily fits inside the larger bowl for easy storage). I always like to try to get value for money so by getting 2 bowls instead of 1 makes me feel like I’ve got a bargain with this device.

You get 3 attachments – the whisk, the beater and the additional dough hook.

Finally, you also get a splash guard so that when your device is in operation, the splash guard can prevent all those messy accidents with the wet liquids you may be mixing. I’m quite a messy person in the kitchen so anything that can try to prevent that is OK in my book.

Over the years, I’ve picked up a lot of gadgets for the kitchen and most end up stored away in a cupboard after just 1 use, never to be seen again but the KM4000 is unlikely to suffer the same fate. It has taken pride of place on my worktop and the versatility of the device is going to ensure it stays on top as a permanent fixture in my kitchen.

Let’s have a little look at how it works.

There’s a handy little lever on one side that works as your locking mechanism. This ensures the device is very sturdy and won’t lift until the lever is pressed. Just a gentle push on the lever and up comes the top of the device. Release the lever and it locks it in place so that while you are working, while you are attaching your bowl or adding your ingredients, there’s no chance of the mixer falling down and causing an accident. Push the lever again, and the top lowers and locks back into place.

I’ve already pointed out that it’s quite a heavy device, it’s unlikely to slip on your worktop while you are operating it. This is helped by the fact that AEG have added rubber feet to the base of the mixer giving it even more grip, ensuring there is little chance of accidents while you are working with it.

2 final things to mention. Firstly, there is an expansion mechanism at the front of the mixer. This allows you to buy additional attachments for the mixer such as a meat grinder. While these are optional extras, it’s good to know that when you have made an investment in a device like this you have the option to take it even further in the future.

Finally, on the opposite side from the locking mechanism you have your power button. Quite often, mixers have 10 speed settings and the AEG KM4000 is no different but the main difference here between the AEG mixer and many others is that this device uses a dial mechanism to choose the speed rather than a slider. I like to think that this gives me a little more precision control over my speed setting. Spin the dial, set it to the setting you want, and you’re good to go.

One thing I love about the AEG Ultramix KM4000 mixer is the LED lights such as the blue LED light around the power button. I’m a typical boy. Add any LED lights to anything and I’m going to like it but in this case, the LEDs are not just for aesthetic reasons. LED light is also used to illuminate the bowl so you can easily see what you are mixing, even in the dark. Now, I’m not advocating midnight mixing in the dark but if you were inclined to do so then the LED lights on the AEG mixer would help you mix your midnight mix to perfection.

Something else that I really like about the KM4000 mixer is the size of the attachments. They perfectly fill the bowl ensuring nothing gets missed, the entire mixture gets combined and nothing gets left at the side of the bowl that you would have to mix manually once the device has finished.

I tested the device using the beater to whip together the topping for a Nutella cheesecake, and also using the dough hook to make some pizza dough. Both were combined perfectly with the desired consistency using the mixer and it was far easier than if i had mixed, or kneaded them by hand.

The proof is in the pudding, and the main course, and i was delighted with the outcome of both dishes.

Having put the AEG Ultramix KM4000 to the test, it’s time for me to sum it up.

My top 3 things that make this a fantastic choice:

1. The striking looks. It’s going to take pride of place in any kitchen.
2. From a personal point of view, I love the LEDS. Not just the cosmetic ones, but the underneath that illuminates the bowl while you are using it.
3. Finally, the fact that you get, not one, but TWO bowls so it definitely feels like you are getting value for money when you purchase this device.

The negatives? Well, the only consideration that I would urge you to think about is the size and weight of the device. It’s not something that you are going to want to pick up and store away in a cupboard any time that you are not using it but with the way it looks, you’ll be more than happy for it to take pride of place as the star of the show in your kitchen.

Having never used another mixer, I can’t really compare it to other devices and say whether the AEG is better or worse than them but what I can do is try to ascertain whether you will be happy with your purchase should you opt to invest in the AEG mixer. With the extra bowl, the versatility of the device and the stunning design I think you would be more than happy with the AEG taking it’s place in your Kitchen.

From me, it’s a big thumbs up. I’m happy with mine and I am sure you will be more than happy with yours should you decide that the AEG Ultramix KM4000 is the device for you.

(The views expressed in this post are entirely my own. While I received the product for free for the purpose of testing it and reviewing it, I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and my opinions are based on my own, honest assessment of the product.)

REVIEW - Suaoki 25W Waterproof Solar Charger

Top up your devices, at the same time as your tan

With the wettest December on record in the UK followed by a white, snowy January, you will be forgiven for casting your mind ahead to the summer and thoughts of warmer temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Whether you'll be lying by the pool or on the beach, getting active with some outdoor activities, camping or attending festivals, you're likely to spend a lot more time outdoors and in these modern times you're also likely to have a plethora of tech devices with you to keep you entertained and to let you stay in touch.

But what are you going to do when these devices run out of charge? You could carry one of a number of styles of power blocks or power banks that work great, until they also run out of power. Well, the guys at Suaoki believe the very sun that you crave could be the answer to not only top up your tan but also to top up your devices.

Suaoki, if you are not already aware of them, are a Chinese based company who specialise in producing handy, compact tech products to solve problems - with charging devices seemingly their speciality. In this case, it's the Suaoki 25W high conversion efficiency dual-port solar panel charger with TIR-C technology that fits the bill.

While the solar charger is not a small device (it's about the size of a paperback book) it folds neatly into an envelope that slots neatly and easily into your bag, and weighs about half the weight of a high capacity dual-port power block so will take less of a toll on your shoulder with all the rest of the gear you have to carry about with you.

But size in this instance, is your friend. The Suaoki solar charger has 4 mono-crystalline solar panels which, when folded out and placed in direct sunlight, give you far more output than many of the smaller compact solar chargers on the market.

The Suaoki charger has TIR-C Technology. In a nutshell, that means the device identifies the items you have plugged in to each of the USB ports and adapts the charging levels to suit - speeding up the charging in the process. Pretty neat. Fast charging is alright in my book.

In the box you get the device, 4 clamps to secure the device when using it, the instruction manual and a single USB cable. It would have been nice if, being a dual-port charger, they included 2 USB cables so you don't have to source another one to use the charger to it's full capabilities.

While the Suaoki solar charger requires direct sunlight to operate and charge your devices, it's versatility is key here. You can either hang it - from a fence, a wall, a tent, or any other static object - using the single eyelet at the top (using one of the 4 included clips) or you can use the side hooks to strap it securely to moving objects like your backpack. It can also fold neatly into a triangular prism to ensure at least 2 of the panels are pointing upwards, if you want to place it on the ground or other flat surface.

On the rear of the device there is a little pocket in which the USB component is stored. The component has 2 USB ports allowing you to charge 2 devices simultaneously. While it's a little awkward getting your fingers into the pocket to plug in your USB cables, for many, they will only do this one and leave the cables connected when stored. The pocket doubles up as a handy holder for your devices, keeping them safe and secure whilst charging.

A future addition to this device, probably on a premium model carrying a far larger price tag, would be the ability for the device to charge itself and store some power to allow you to charge when the sunshine disappears. But in this price range, that's maybe asking too much. For use in the summer, when the sunshine is in abundance, the Suaoki solar charger does what it says it's going to do perfectly.

My test took place on a snowy January where the sun wasn't exactly at it's premium, but when I connected a device to charge, charging begun without any complications (albeit a little on the slow side). In the height of summer, the charging will be a lot speedier when the sun is in more abundance.

So to summarise:

The pros:

- Compact and lightweight, lighter than most high power blocks
- versatile, from freestanding to hanging
- high powered with 4 sizable solar panels

The cons:

- It would be nice if it also charged itself to store some power in reserve (but you'd have to step up the price brackets for that)
- A 2nd USB cable in the box would have made the setup complete

So all in all, if you're an outdoorsy type but you also like to stay connected, or entertained using your technological devices, you could do a lot worse than carrying the Suaoki 25W high conversion efficiency dual-port solar charger with TIR-C technology with you to ensure your devices keep on going by harnessing the power of the sun to not only top up your tan but also your devices.

(The views expressed in this post are entirely my own. While I received the product for free for the purpose of testing it and reviewing it, I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and my opinions are based on my own, honest assessment of the product.)

REVIEW - Suaoki Compact 5 Port Multi Desktop USB Charger

Cables. Cables, Cables.

We live in a world of tech and gadgets. If you're like me, you'll have to charge a plethora of devices on a daily basis - from phones, to tablets, MiFi dongles and fitness bands, we seem to keep adding devices to our lifestyles - and adding new chargers to our plug sockets with every device we own. There's never enough plug sockets either. It's bad enough at home where multi-gang extensions occupy every corner, nook and cranny, looking untidy, and let's not even get started on the safety aspect of all those tangled cables. It's even worse when travelling - having to make do with a single socket when out and about or staying in hotel, and having to carry an array of cables in your bag.

I love technology that can solve a problem or improve my current setup and that's why I looked to the Suaoki Compact Multi Port USB Intelligent charger to do just that.

Forget those cumbersome multi-gangs - this device is small. I mean, really small. It's about credit card size and no thicker than a pack of cards. In essence, that makes the device smaller than just 1 of my chargers. But here's the rub - this tiny device packs a lot of power and can in fact charge 5 (FIVE) devices simultaneously via the 5 USB ports on the front.

Now, i'm not saying this device is unique in that respect. There are plenty of multi-chargers out there for you to look at. However, the Suaoki Compact Multi Port USB Intelligent charger is the smallest, lightest compact intelligent charger on the market which gives it somewhat of a strong advantage over the competition.

Design wise, it's a lovely little item with a glossy finish, so it won't look out of place fitting in with the decor in your house. It's well built, and has a series of safety credentials giving you peace of mind on the quality of the device.

So, what makes this device 'intelligent'? Well, the Suaoki Compact charger has TIR-C Technology. In a nutshell, that means the device identifies the items you have plugged in to each of the USB ports and adapts the charging levels to suit - speeding up the charging in the process. Pretty neat. Fast charging is alright in my book.

I almost forgot to mention my FAVOURITE thing about the device - and it's not something that Suaoki have done but rather something they didn't do. So many devices are riddled with LEDs. My girlfriend bought a double European adaptor to take on holiday with us. It has a massive green LED on the front. I'm a light sleeper. It's hard enough to sleep in a strange hotel bedroom. Blacking out the room helps. When charging our devices, the adaptor she bought grows green with a brightness intensity of Kryptonite. Some multi-chargers would have gone over the top and put an individual LED for each socket to let you know when it is in use. I KNOW when the socket is in use - I have a cable attached to it and a device connected. My phone/tablet or whatever device I am charging will tell me on the screen that it's charging. I don't need another indicator, lighting up my room like Blackpool illuminations. So fair play to Suaoki for not falling into this trap and making this device subtle but very effective.

So to summarise:

The Pros:

Great design
Compact and lightweight
Intelligent TIR-C technology for efficient, fast charging
No LEDs!!

The Cons:

It's not really a negative of the device, but it would have been nice if the device came with some USB cables. I know that would raise the price, and most people have a lot of USB cables at home but the average USB cable with a charger is about a metre long. To maximise the neatness of your setup when using this device, some short (20-30cm) USB cables would be perfect. I guess i'll have to pick them up separately.

All in all, the Suaoki Compact Multi Port USB Intelligent a great little device that will go a long way towards improving your setup both and home or on the go, that will fit easily and subtly into your way of working without breaking the bank

My only problem? I only have one. I could use one in my sitting room, my bedroom and in my bag to use on my travels. Looks like it's time to place another order!

(The views expressed in this post are entirely my own. While I received the product for free for the purpose of testing it and reviewing it, I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and my opinions are based on my own, honest assessment of the product.)

REVIEW - Mrice Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Here comes the cliches

'You get what you pay for.'
'Don't judge a book by it's cover.'
'Everybody likes surprises.'
'Good things come in small packages.'



There. I got them off my chest. Most reviews are riddled with cliches, so I thought I better get them out of the way right from the off. They are all relevant though, which you will see as my review goes on.

Let's start by the price. The Mice Bluetooth Portable Speaker is not an expensive item. There are far more expensive Bluetooth speakers on the market - some of which I own. You'd be forgiven for thinking at this price, your purchase will be poor quality and pale into insignificance when compared to the others. It is a speaker though. So while you might not expect the same array of features that you might find on a boom box costing hundreds of pounds, expectations remain that it will sound good, because after all, that's what you want a speaker for in the first place.



So, do you really get what you pay for? Let's open the box. And here's the first surprise. At this price, you would be excused for expecting the device to be nastily packaged in a plastic blister pack. But the box is the first tell-tale sign that you might have got more than you bargained for. Heavily stylised and interestingly shaped, with the yellow and black chevrons akin to a construction vehicle, the box gives the first glimmer of hope that a lot of thought and consideration has actually gone into the production of this item.

Slit the seal, raise the top and the yellow ramp lowers for your speaker to joyously roll out. OK, I admit it. That moment made me smile. It's a box. Why am I getting excited about a box. But in this case - the box is pretty cool. I've watched enough pointless unboxing videos in my time, in this case - an unboxing video would actually have a purpose.

My enjoyment of the packaging was the first surprise, now on to the main show, the speaker itself. In this case - you really can judge a book by it's cover. The delights at the packaging very quickly transfer to delight with the product itself.First up - the design. In a small Bluetooth speaker, the norm is either a rectangular box, or a strange circular, almost alien craft like design. Not here. No way. 

They wanted this speaker to look the business - and it does. Designed for outside use, and sticking with the construction vehicle theme from the box (there I go, back to the box again!) there are 2 points in the design to note. Firstly the camouflage print which is pretty self explanatory and a perfect choice for an outdoors item. Secondly, the whopping great tire design around the outside.



The speaker looks like a miniature tractor wheel. I like that. It looks good, looks interesting, and the tread on the tire gives it nice grip, both in the hand or on the ground. There's also a little stand that is subtle but effective. Looking at promo images of the speaker, attaching a clip to the stand you can then clip it to backpacks, bikes, your belt - a very well thought out and functional design element.

The tyre hints at it's ruggedness. I'd have no qualms about hanging this device off my backpack, or throwing it to a friend if need be. The boys were playing in the garden and asked for music, so I chucked it to them from the upstairs window. Maybe not advisable, but I had some confidence that even if they dropped it - the tire would give it enough protection. Let's not forget - it's splash proof and dust proof so will easily stand up to the conditions outside.

So far so good. But do good things really come in small packages?



The proof is in the pudding, and that pudding is the sound. Flick the switch to turn him on and here comes the next surprise. It may only be the welcome jingle - but it sounded good. It was loud, it was clear, maybe this speaker does pack a punch.

Pairing is easy. You've flicked the switch - the light is flashing, the speaker should appear on the list on your chosen device (for my test, it was my Asus Laptop). . It appeared, I clicked pair, and it paired successfully, very easy.

Now, I did have a few problems at this stage when I attempted playback thought. The music was cutting out. I tried un-pairing and re-pairing a few times, but it persisted. I had to do the unmanly thing of getting the instructions out. The instructions indicated that low battery is the cause of this, so I ended my test and gave the device a charge. You can find the charging socket under a rubber panel on the camouflage back (insert joke about not finding it because it's camouflaged!) There's a micro USB cable supplied so the device can be charged using any USB socket. Under the panel, there's also a micro SD card slot to use if you want to load your music directly on to the speaker.

After a while, charging compete, I went back to try again. I switched it on, it paired automatically as I had paired before, and I attempted playback. This time - playback was flawless. The sound quality? Well - just as the welcome jingle hinted at - it sounded great.



For such a small speaker, it does pack a punch and you won't be disappointed with the output - especially at this price. It was set very loud. At first, I didn't think you could adjust the volume from the speaker, so I adjusted it from my laptop - but later I discovered some volume buttons hidden in the tire (there's a + and - carved into the tire but you'd easily miss them if you didn't know they were there). Glad I found them as they do come in handy.

There's more features that I've not mentioned - just discovered it has a mic allowing you to make hands free calls if connected to your mobile. I haven't tried it - but it seems like a handy extra bonus.
All in all I'm happy with the speaker. It's a beautifully designed, well thought out piece of kit with loads of cool features that is as versatile as speakers come whether indoors or out. I wasn't disappointed and at this price, I'm certain you won't be either.



To sum up, let's re-address those cliches:

'You get way more than you pay for.'
'DO judge a book by it's cover.'
'Everybody DOES like surprises, and this device has several.'
And
'Good things DO come in small packages.'


(The views expressed in this post are entirely my own. While I received the product for free for the purpose of testing it and reviewing it, I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and my opinions are based on my own, honest assessment of the product.)