Brandon Foster

Looking for the best tower fans for cooling your home in without cranking the AC? I spent three months rotating 10 different tower fans through my 700-square-foot apartment and my home office, measuring airflow, listening for that low-frequency hum on sleep mode, and yes, even sniffing for that notorious “new plastic” smell. The good news: … Read more

Last summer I lost a 12-pack of drinks and a perfectly good trout to a leaky cooler on a six-hour paddle. That trip sent me down a rabbit hole testing every kayak cooler I could get my hands on so you don’t repeat my mistake. After 60+ days of field testing on lakes, rivers, and … Read more

I’ll never forget the morning I woke up to find three dead neon tetras floating in a 2.5-gallon bowl I’d bought on impulse. The water was cloudy, the temperature was wrong, and I had no idea what a nitrogen cycle was. That was fifteen years and a lot of learned lessons ago. Starting a fish … Read more

Finding the right heavy duty dog crates for a strong, anxious, or escape-prone dog is one of those purchases you only want to make once. I have spent the last 90 days testing eight of the most popular reinforced crates with a 95-pound German Shepherd, a 70-pound Husky mix, and a determined 60-pound pit bull … Read more

Finding the best dog doors for homes can feel overwhelming when you walk into a feed of 30+ Amazon results ranging from $16 plastic flaps to $800+ electronic microchip systems. I have spent the last three months installing and living with ten of the most popular models in real homes with real dogs (a 90-lb … Read more

After six months of testing dog playpens with three different dogs (a 70-pound Golden Retriever, a hyperactive 8-month-old Goldendoodle puppy, and a grumpy 12-year-old beagle), I can tell you with real-world experience: the best dog playpen is the FXW Rollick 40-Inch Dog Playpen for most owners because it balances height, durability, and price in a … Read more

I still remember the 14 hours my neighbor spent searching for her beagle, Cooper, after he slipped out of an open gate. He came home dirty and hungry. The next morning, she ordered a GPS dog tracker. If you have ever lost sight of your dog for even five minutes, you already know that knot … Read more

Curiosity about what makes your dog who they are has never been stronger, and the best dog DNA test kits now reveal breed mix, ancestry, and health risks from a simple cheek swab. I have spent the past three months testing eight leading kits on three rescue dogs in my home, comparing breed breakdowns against … Read more

After testing more than a dozen rotary tools on three different dogs over the past year, I can tell you that the best dog nail grinders completely change the trimming experience. My rescue Greyhound used to bolt at the sight of clippers. With the right grinder, he now sits calmly while I file his nails … Read more

Last year I spent more than $1,200 on professional grooming for my two dogs and one cat. That was the moment I started testing the best pet grooming kits at home. After three months of brushing, clipping, and vacuuming fur in my living room, I have a much better handle on which kits actually work, … Read more