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Joni Blecher

Joni Blecher

Smart Home Contributor

Joni Blecher has been reviewing consumer tech products since before cell phones had color screens. She loves testing products and making sure they work the right way. When she’s not reviewing gadgets, she writes stories that help people make the most of the tech in their lives.

Woman working out with WEGYM resistance bands.

WEGYM Rally X3 Pro review: a data-rich exercise routine

We put the WEGYM Rally X3 Pro to the test to see just how well these smart resistance bands work. See if they're as smart as they should be.
rise gardens: personal garden

Personal Rise Garden review: grow greens in your kitchen

The Personal Rise Garden works with Alexa and can teach you how to care for the greens and veggies you grow. But is it worth the price?
i replaced my fancy coffee machine with a smart tea kettle and love it

I replaced my fancy coffee machine with a smart tea kettle, and I love it

Can a smart tea kettle really replace the magic of a fancy coffee machine? Our reviewer puts it to the test to see if it's up to the task.
Amazon Astro in a build with Ring Virtual Security Guard on its screen.

Everything announced at Amazon’s 2022 Fall Event: new Echos, Fire TVs, Kindle Scribe, and more

Didn't get an invite to the 2022 Amazon device event? We've got you covered. Here's a recap of everything they announced.
thermapros tempspike hands on thermaspike wireless meat thermometer

ThermoPro’s TempSpike: A wireless thermometer for the newbie in all of us

We got a sneak peek at the ThermoPro TempSpike wireless meat thermometer. Read on to see if it impressed as much as the TP25 four-prong one for grilling.
A Keurig K-Supreme coffee maker sits on a kitchen counter next to K-Cups and glass of iced coffee.

Keurig’s new SMART brewers offer a mind-blowing amount of coffee drinks

Keurig has added two new models to its product lineup, as well as an app with more than 70 coffee recipes.
Breville Joule Oven Air Fry Pro with app.

Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro review: one really smart oven

We put the Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro smart oven and it's app to the test over three months. Is it worth its $400 price tag?
The Roomba s9+ app.

Ultimate Roomba guide: tips, buying advice, and troubleshooting

iRobot's Roomba robovacs have been around for 20 years, and they're still going strong. Read our ultimate guide to find buying advice, tips, and tricks.
Panasonic Automatic Bread Maker SD R2550.

Panasonic’s new Automatic Bread Maker targets gluten-free bakers

Panasonic's newest bread maker features a whole lot of smarts and settings that even gluten-free bakers will covet. See what else it has to offer.
thermpro tp25

ThermoPro TP25 thermometer: tangled up in meat

ThermoPro TP25 500FT Bluetooth Meat Thermometer with four probes has the potential to seriously up your grilling game. Read our review to find out.
The 2021 Amazon Echo Show 8 in an angled view.

I followed Alexa’s prompts for a day and this is what I learned

The Echo Show delivers prompts and news items during the day. Just how tailored are they to your preferences? We did everything it says for a day to find out.
Wegym Rally X Smart HomeGym Equipment

WeGym Rally X review: Adding smarts to resistance bands

WeGym's Rally X add smarts to training with resistance bands and an accompanying app to track progress. Are smart resistance bands worth it? Read our review.
Panasonic microwave that works with Alexa.

Panasonic’s smart microwave works with Alexa

Panasonic's NN-SV79MS smart microwave oven lets you use Alexa voice commands to get cooking and reheating started in the kitchen.
Etekcity ESF00+ scale displaying data.

ESF00+ Smart Fitness Scale review: Track the good, bad, & BMI

A smart scale is a great way to keep track of your fitness and weight goals. The Etekcity ESF00+ offers a sleek design and a lot of data.
A Etekcity Smart Nutrition Scale measuring a bowl of blueberries.

Etekcity Smart Nutrition Scale review: data-rich tracking

The Etekcity ESN00 Smart Nutrition Scale tracks all the nutritional data you could want. We just wish it was more intuitive to use.
Breville Joule Oven Air Fry Pro with app.

App makes Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro truly smart

Breville's first smart oven and app help you cook recipes from test kitchens and Top Chef alums perfectly every time. See what else makes it so smart.
Ninja Foodi 13-in-1 oven.

Ninja Foodi Dual Heat Air Fry Oven: A real powerhouse

This 13-in-1 smart oven does it all, from air frying to toasting to searing and dehydrating food. But does it do it all well? Read our review to find out.
LG room interior with sofa and drawer with mockup poster near window.

Everything LG announced for the smart home at CES 2022

LG's newest appliances announced at CES don't just plan to make our homes smarter, but make life better. Can they do it?
Samsung Home Hub cooking screen.

Samsung Home Hub uses A.I. to make your home smarter

Samsung's new Home Hub tablet uses A.I. to monitor your home and make it smarter. See how Matter and SmartThings are part of the new device.
bosch shows security assistant and food processor at ces 2022bosch process or thermostats 2022 spexor

Bosch shows off security assistant and souped-up food processor at CES

Bosch shows off an intriguing mobile alarm and a food processor that can not only process food, but cook it, too.
Schlage Encode Plus with Apple home keys open with Apple Watch.

Schlage’s Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt boasts iPhone, Apple Watch support

Schlage announced the Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt at CES 2022 with support for Apple's home keys. See how you can open this lock with Apple Watch and more.
LG ThinQ app controlling an oven.

Does that appliance need an app? I don’t think so

Do mobile apps really make our home appliances smarter? Manufacturers say yes, but we beg to differ.
KitchenAid Deluxe 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer - KSM97SL

Everything you need for a smart cookie party

Tis the season for baking cookies. We've rounded up the best smart kitchen appliances you need to throw an excellent cookie baking or cookie exchange party.
Stretching during an Openfit bike workout.

MYX II Plus fitness bike review: Watch out, Peloton

The MYXfitness MYX II Plus fitness bike is a worthy competitor to the other models on the market and it's also a pretty good deal. See why.
The Soft Spa 9500 Bidet by Fluidmaster.

A year after the pandemic, bidets are here to stay. Here’s why

Data shows that bidets have been making a mark in the North American market. We explore why the pandemic was a game changer for this bathroom hero.
Bartesian Home Bar at a party

Bartesian Home Bar Review: Bring the bar to your home

We put the Bartesian on-demand cocktail machine to the test to find out how easy it is to use and if really can make a great libation for you and your guests.
sharp smart countertop microwave alexa lifestyle

Sharp Smart Microwave Review: Works with Alexa — sometimes

The Sharp Smart microwave delivers solid performance, but how well does it work with Alexa? Read our review to find out.
Bartesian

The true cost of connected cocktail and beer machines

Thinking about buying one of those fancy cocktail or beer machines to enjoy some of alcoholic beverages at home? There's more to them than just their cost.
drinkworks home bar keurig black friday deal by press shots 3 of 5

Keurig Drinkworks Home Bar review: Your favorite bartender at home

This cocktail making machine uses Keurig-style pods to make drinks at home — no bartender required. But are the drinks any good? Read our review to find out.
electrolux efls627uiw press render

Electrolux EFLS627UIW 4.4 Cubic Feet 600 Series Front Load Washer Review

This pod-friendly machine has a plethora of stain-fighting features like Perfect Steam and SmartBoost, but is that enough to get out even the most basic of stains? Read our review to find out.
Electrolux Washer And Dryer side by side

Electrolux EFME627UTT 8.0 Cubic Feet 600 Series Front Load Electric Dryer review

The spacious Electrolux 8.0 Cubic Feet 600 Series Front Load Dryer keeps clothes fresh and eliminates wrinkles with its steam feature and sensors that eliminate over-drying of delicate fabrics. Read our review to find out how well it works.
maytag front load electric dryer review 7 3 cubic feet 1 of 4

Maytag MED6630 Front Load Electric Dryer Review

Do all your kids have to be ready for a sports game on the same day? This dryer can handle that and more. But are the extra features worth the price? Read our review to find out.
Frigidaire FGIP2468UD dishwasher review

Frigidaire FGIP2468UD dishwasher review

This Frigidaire dishwasher has a lot of pros, including the ability to run quietly, the added flexibility of its racks, minimalist design, and impressive cleaning capabilities that deliver solid results. But do these things come at too high a price? Read our review to find out.
Maytag MHW6630HC0

Maytag MHW6630HC0 4.8 Cubic Feet Front Load Washer review

Did you forget that you started a load of wash until the next day? No need to worry about the moldy smell with Maytag’s 16-Hour Fresh Hold Feature. The Maytag front load washer has tons of useful features, but how good is it at cleaning your clothes and fighting tough stains?