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Which hand warmers are best?

There’s nothing worse than cold fingers when you aren’t near home. If you experience cold winters, you’re probably already familiar with the value of good hand warmers. Depending on how long you’re out and how cold your hands get, picking the correct type of hand warmers for your needs can be tricky. For an excellent overall pick, go with the well-known brand HotHands and their HotHands Оdоrless Аir Activated Наnd Wаrmers.

What to know before you buy hand warmers

Heating options

The classic hand warmer is a single-use packet you shake and throw away when you’re done. While this is effective and still quite popular, there now are many reusable versions. The three main ones are rechargeable, refillable and ones for boiling water. The rechargeable is plugged in via USB, while the refillable uses lighter fluid. The last option simply needs to be boiled for a few minutes before use.

Size

Some are larger than others. You may want a bulkier hand warmer depending on your hand size and heating needs. If you have a thin hand warmer, you can toss it in your boots on a cold day, though foot warmers are a better alternative.

Features

Heavy tech users will appreciate electronic options that allow you also to charge your devices via your hand warmer. Besides rechargeable USB options, all hand warmers are effectively the same when it comes to features.

What to look for in quality hand warmers

Duration of heat

If you’re just out for an hour, some hand warmers may be wasted if they’re “long-lasting” ones. If you plan to be out all day, a long-lasting hand warmer, especially single-use or catalytic, which uses lighter fluid, is likely going to be most convenient for you. Once you start a nonelectronic hand warmer, you can’t stop it until it runs out of heat, so choose your duration wisely.

Convenience

Single-use hand warmers are the most convenient, by far. They aren’t as environmentally friendly, though, and their costs can add up if you use them daily. Rechargeable ones are less convenient, but if you use them routinely, it’s easy to add them to your nighttime charging routine. If you have a catalytic option, adding fluid is simple, and the only inconvenience is guessing how much heat you need, since you can’t stop the heat once it’s started.

Most hand warmers heat up quickly, but rechargeable ones tend to have a slight edge.

Ergonomics

Thinner hand warmers tend to be more convenient. While rechargeable options are nice, they tend to be the bulkiest and least ergonomically friendly. If you want to keep hand warmers in your gloves, thicker options won’t be effective. If you like to put your hand warmers on the back of your hands so you can use your palms, only boiled and single-use are likely to allow it.

How much you can expect to spend on hand warmers

Expect to spend in the $15-30 range. Of course, since single-use hand warmers come in bulk, the bang for your buck will depend on how many you get and which kind they are.

Hand warmers FAQ

Which types of hand warmers get the hottest?

A. While each model is different, battery-powered ones get the hottest on average.

How long should a hand warmer last?

A. If you want something for a walk around the neighborhood, 30 minutes is good. A good all-day hand warmer will last 5-8 hours, though some can climb into double-digit territory.

What are the best hand warmers to buy?

Top hand warmers

HotHands Оdоrless Аir Activated Наnd Wаrmers

What you need to know: HotHands is the best-known brand of hand warmers, and these win in duration and convenience.

What you’ll love: With up to 10 hours of heat, you don’t have to worry about how long you’ll be out of the house. These thin hand warmers fit easily in gloves or jacket pockets, and with 40 in a box, they’re easy to get in bulk.

What you should consider: If you just want something for short stints outside, 10 hours of heat may be far more than you need. It takes 15-30 minutes to heat up.

Top hand warmers for the money

OCOOPA Magnetic Hand Warmers Rechargeable

What you need to know: This heavy-duty, high-quality, rechargeable hand warmer can keep your hands comfortable in frigid temperatures.

What you’ll love: With three temperature settings and near-instant heat, you can get convenient warmth when you want it. It also heats up immediately and has battery backup.

What you should consider: Electronic options are convenient but the least reliable. While it’s unlikely to fail, it isn’t as guaranteed to last as long as any other type. It’s also the least ergonomic.

Worth checking out

Yaktrax 8-Hour Hand Warmers

What you need to know: This is a 10-pack of disposable hand warmers that provides warmth for up to eight hours.

What you’ll love: They begin working within minutes of being opened and exposed to the air.

What you should consider: You’ll have to keep replacing them, as they are not reusable.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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What laminators are best?

Working from home or in an office setting can often get a little chaotic. One office tool that’s essential but often overlooked until desperately needed is a laminator. A laminator can help add a more durable surface to important notes and documents. It can also help them look more professional than a layer of tape over them or a clear folder. Here are a few tips to help you find the best one for your needs so you’re not in a time crunch when you need one.

What is a laminator?

A laminator is a device that can help place a layer of stronger material onto documents to help preserve their usefulness. Usually, laminator pouches and materials tend to look somewhat clear or shiny when applied to paper items, such as signs or business cards. One place where you have likely seen laminated items before is a public building with signs in the window or even some restaurants that laminate the menu. Lamination is a useful technique that helps prevent future stains on the document and makes the item more durable.

Why buy a laminator?

Purchasing a laminator is a relatively inexpensive fix that then allows you to laminate items at your leisure. It’s an item that can also help cut down on time once purchased, because it then saves you a trip to a store that offers laminating services.

Most offices tend to have a laminator, so if you work from home, the purchase might help keep your productivity on equal footing with other places. Buying a laminator is also useful if you tend to print or create a ton of documents that need protection or if you simply want documents displayed in highly visible areas.

Best laminator that heats up quickly

Laminators that tend to laminate using thermal can take up to several minutes to heat up before they are ready. Luckily there are laminators on the market that require a short heating period to speed up the overall laminating process. Many of these laminators also offer the option of automatically shutting off to prevent the machines from overheating. Find a machine that fits your time constraints and safety concerns.

Best laminators with shorter heating times

Fellowes Laminator Saturn3i 125

This laminator takes about 60 seconds to heat and comes with the ability to automatically turn off after a period without use. It can laminate with both 3-millimeter and 5-millimeter options. This machine comes in width options of 9.5 inches and 12.5 inches. The machine weighs just over 5 pounds.

Sinopuren 9-Inch Thermal Laminator

The laminator package includes additional accessories, such as a handy paper trimmer that is located on the top of the machine and even 10 pieces of 3-millimeter laminating pouches. This laminator will shut down on its own in order to prevent misuse and overheating. This machine weighs just under 3 pounds.

Best laminators for home

Find the ideal laminator for a home office situation that is both easy to use and simple to store. These laminators range from around 5 pounds in weight and can laminate varying sizes of paper.

It’s important to remember that these more compact versions may not be able to laminate your desired item if it’s larger. If you want to laminate pages of standard printer paper, then keep in mind that you will likely need to purchase a laminator that spans around 12 inches or more.

Scotch Thermal Laminator Combo Pack

This laminator includes 20 pouches, also called sheets, which can help assist in the laminating process. The laminator provides two options: 3-millimeter and 5-millimeter. This machine laminates paper with heat and weighs just under 4 pounds.

Swingline Inspire Plus Thermal Laminator

This laminator is about 9 inches wide and weighs less than 3 pounds. The machine heats up in about 4 minutes and can work relatively quickly. The laminator provides the option to work with hot and cold lamination.

Swingline Laminator

This laminator is ideal for larger documents, thanks to its 12 inches in width. The laminator can work with both 3-millimeter and 5-millimeter pouches. The machine can also function using a cold setting, as well as a hot thermal setting. It weighs a little more than 3 pounds, so it’s relatively light and easy to carry.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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Which cellular trail cameras are best?

If you live on a sprawling farm or close to the woods, you might want to know what is out there. Animals can make strange sounds at night, and while you probably won’t catch a glimpse of Bigfoot, a trail camera will give you a good indication of the wildlife in your area.

These motion-activated cameras have built-in rechargeable batteries and attach to trees. As soon as something walks by, the camera automatically starts recording. When the camera detects no motion for a set period, it stops filming.

While there are several kinds of trail cameras, cellular models let you access the live video feed over a mobile phone’s data connection. You insert a SIM card into the camera, which provides constant access and uploads any footage to the cloud.

Regular trail cameras don’t have this feature. Instead, to retrieve their footage, you must go into the woods, fetch the built-in memory cards and then view it on a computer.

Another great thing about cellular trail cameras is that you don’t need to use a regular network SIM card. Instead, most cellular cameras bundle a no-contract SIM card into your purchase and have ample data plans for uploading videos.

Best cellular trail cameras

Browning Trail Cameras Defender Ridgeline Wireless Trail Camera

Great for nighttime, this camera features invisible infrared night illumination that won’t scare off animals. It’s camouflaged to blend in with fall or winter surroundings, and you affix it to a tree with the serrated backplate. The camera can connect to AT&T or Verizon’s mobile data network and includes SIM cards for each. It records video footage at 1080p HD resolution and captures still photos at 20 megapixels.

Bushnell Cellucore 20 Trail Camera for Verizon with Low Glow

Compatible with Verizon’s mobile network, this trail camera comes with 30 days of free data, and there are no contracts. Based on your usage, data plans start at $10. The camera can take photos at 20-megapixel resolution and record video at 1080p. It has a trigger speed of one second and can sense motion up to 80 feet away.

Reconyx HyperFire 2 Cellular IR Camera Verizon OD Green

This camera connects to Verizon’s LTE/4G network so you can access the footage through your mobile phone. The no-glow infrared flash won’t disturb animals and has a range of 150 feet. The camera captures video footage at 720p resolution with audio, while it can take still photos at 1080p resolution. It has two powerful antennas to remain connected, no matter the weather conditions.

Spypoint Link-Micro-S LTE Solar Cellular Trail Camera

If you need a smaller camera to monitor wildlife, this might be the best option. The lithium battery pack charges through the built-in solar panel, so you will have near-limitless power. The camera has a 0.4 seconds trigger, the flash can reach up to 80 feet away and the motion detection activates when an animal moves within 70 feet of it. It is compatible with Verizon’s LTE network.

Moultrie Mobile Delta Base Cellular Trail Camera

Available for Verizon or AT&T, this camera has a 24-megapixel lens and an invisible flash that can reach up to 80 feet. The recording trigger is 0.75 seconds, and the footage includes audio. In addition, it has a built-in antenna to boost the mobile signal for stronger reception. A vital feature of this camera is that it uses SmartTag for species recognition.

Creative XP Cellular Trail Camera

This camera comes with an LTE SimHero card compatible with AT&T or T-Mobile’s data networks and a 32-gigabyte SD card that stores 500 images. It is powered by two rechargeable batteries, or you can buy a compatible solar panel charger. The camera has an infrared flash range of 65 feet, and the camera sensor records footage at 1080p resolution with a 0.35-second trigger and 110-degree field of view.

Tactacam Reveal XB Cellular Trail Camera

This camera is easy to set up through the mobile app because it has built-in Wi-Fi for faster connections. It can connect to AT&T or Verizon’s networks for live viewing or downloading footage. It has a no-glow infrared flash and a 24-megapixel camera. It records video at 720p resolution. The camera draws power from 12 AA batteries, but you can also connect a compatible solar panel. It is completely waterproof and attaches to a tree through two durable straps.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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Originally Published: August 13, 2024 at 10:11 a.m.

Which Makita impact driver is best?

The cordless drill is a versatile, easy-to-use staple in every homeowner’s toolkit. However, standard cordless drills lack the power needed for tougher jobs like driving in long, heavy-duty screws or lag bolts. For tasks such as these, you need an impact driver.

Impact drivers look and operate very much like cordless drills, but they are specifically designed with enough torque to handle work that regular drills cannot complete. With its power and compact design, the Makita XDT16Z 18V Impact Driver is the best choice for those looking for an all-purpose impact driver.

What to know before you buy a Makita impact driver

Power

In the past, corded tools provided more power than battery-operated alternatives. Due to advancements in battery technology, this is no longer the case. Battery-operated tools can now perform just as well as those that need to be plugged in and are much more convenient to use.

Makita impact drivers are available in two voltage options: 12V and 18V. While 18V models are more powerful, they tend to be heavier, and their batteries take longer to charge. Therefore, a 12V impact driver is the best choice for a DIY user, whereas 18V models are better suited for professionals who find themselves working regularly on challenging, repetitive tasks such as driving screws into solid lumber.

Torque

Torque, or twisting power, is the main feature that differentiates impact drivers from regular power drills. Torque is measured in inch-pounds. Makita’s 12V impact drivers can apply as much as 1,200 inch-pounds of torque, while their 18V models can generate upward of 1,500 inch-pounds.

Due to their extreme power, impact drivers have a reputation for wrist strain when users first engage the tool. This can result in the bit jumping free of the screw head, potentially causing injury or damage. However, Makita has addressed this common issue with a feature called assist mode. Assist mode makes the tool start slowly and gradually work its way up to full speed. This prevents a sudden jolt of torque.

Some Makita impact drivers also keep power in check with a Quick-Shift Mode that decreases the tool’s speed as the screw is tightened. Thus, Quick-Shift Mode prevents you from embedding screws too far into your material, damaging your project.

IPM and RPM

While power and torque are the most critical aspects to consider when comparing Makita impact drivers, impacts per minute (IPM) and revolutions per minute (RPM) are also important features to keep in mind.

You can change the speed on Makita impact drivers by adjusting the pressure you apply to the trigger. Some models also allow you to select speeds specifically although general usage of these tools will not necessitate that degree of customized operation.

What to look for in a quality Makita impact driver

Configurations

Makita’s two most common impact driver configurations, standard and subcompact, provide most users with everything they need.

Standard: Standard models are the approximate size, weight and shape of regular power drills.

Subcompact: Subcompact impact drivers are smaller, allowing you to deliver a lot of power even in tight, cramped spaces.

Star Protection

Star Protection is Makita’s proprietary battery and performance monitoring system. This feature tracks the tool’s usage to prevent overheating, overload or overdischarge of the battery, which helps extend the battery’s usable life.

Weight

Weight is often overlooked initially, but a hefty tool can be exhausting after long periods of working overhead. Thankfully, Makita impact drivers are some of the lightest on the market. However, keep in mind that the type of battery you use will affect the weight of your tool as well, with Ah batteries being slightly heavier than its alternatives.

Battery life indicator

Makita impact driver batteries feature a handy charge indicator that you can keep an eye on to prevent any frustrating downtime due to recharges.

LED flashlight

Makita impact drivers are equipped with a bright LED flashlight on the front that turns on when you pull the trigger. This allows you to clearly see your work area and the screw or bolt you intend to drive. The light turns off automatically when not in use to conserve battery power.

Grip

Impact drivers generate a lot of vibration. Therefore, most Makita models include a comfortable molded grip to help alleviate hand fatigue that can occur when using the tool for extended periods of time.

How much you can expect to spend on a Makita impact driver

The most affordable Makita impact drivers are 12V cordless models that you can purchase alone for around $50 or with an included battery and charger for about $100. Makita’s high-end impact drivers alone can cost as much as $200, with kits that include spare batteries and accessories costing over $250.

Makita impact driver FAQ

Q. Can I use a Makita impact driver as a drill?

A. All impact drivers can be used as drills, but you will need drill bits with a hex shank or hex shank-to-chuck adapter to fit them into the tool. Also, use caution when drilling small holes with an impact driver, as the tool’s extreme torque can easily break thin, fragile drill bits.

Q. Is there a difference between Makita brushless impact drivers and those with brush motors?

A. Because brushless impact driver motors produce less friction than brush motors, they run cooler, are more efficient and use less battery power. Models with brush motors, however, tend to cost less. Brush motors are most often built into older or corded drills.

Q. Can I use a hammer drill instead of a Makita impact driver?

A. No. Even though both tools use a hammering action to increase their power, they are not meant to do the same job. Hammer drills send their impact into the bit to create a jackhammer effect needed to drill into stone or cement. Impact drivers apply their hammering action to the rotation of the bit to create a powerful twisting action.

What’s the best Makita impact driver to buy?

Top Makita impact driver

Makita XDT16Z 18V Impact Driver

What you need to know: This versatile impact driver features Makita’s trademark rugged construction and enough power to accomplish almost any task.

What you’ll love: This model offers four-speed settings and 1,550 inch-pounds of torque, making it a flexible tool for various jobs. Assist mode automatically changes speed as the screw is driven to help avoid causing any damage due to overtightening or slipping.

What you should consider: This impact driver includes more features and delivers more torque than most users will actually need.

Top Makita impact driver for the money

Makita XDT13Z 18V Impact Driver

What you need to know: This impact driver’s powerful torque and affordable price make it an excellent value.

What you’ll love: Dual LEDs on the front of this tool brightly illuminate the work area. This driver’s lightweight handling, great battery performance and 1,500 inch-pounds of torque make it ideal for DIY enthusiasts.

What you should consider: The lack of an option to automatically change speeds and slightly less power than other models might make this tool unsuitable for serious projects.

Worth checking out

Makita XLT01Z 18V Angle Impact Driver

What you need to know: This impact driver’s angled design is specially engineered for working in tight spaces.

What you’ll love: Its angled driver and large, comfortable handgrip allow users to work easily in confined areas. It is also very lightweight, even with the battery attached.

What you should consider: Not a very powerful driver with only 530 inch-pounds of torque.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.