Latest news with #OliverDixon
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I tested best supermarket wines to pair with BBQ food for under £10 – winner is perfect with 3 dishes
Scroll down for the exact kind of wine that makes your steak really pop RED, WHITE AND BBQ I tested best supermarket wines to pair with BBQ food for under £10 – winner is perfect with 3 dishes Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRITAIN will bask in 30-degree heat this weekend, so it's time to fire up the barbie and eat al fresco. But when you are buying the best foods to enjoy grilled in the garden, don't forget to think about what to drink. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Helena Nicklin has matched barbecue dishes with the perfect wine accompaniments Credit: Oliver Dixon 10 Pick up the perfect vino pairing in the supermarket to enjoy alongside your barbecue creations Credit: Getty Whether it's charred, smoky burgers, sizzling sausages or griddled chicken wings, you can pick up the perfect vino pairing in the supermarket to enjoy alongside. Wine expert Helena Nicklin suggests the best wines to sip this summer with popular barbecue foods – all for a tenner or less. Best for burgers RED: Toro Loco Superior Tempranillo, £5.29, Aldi 10 Aldi's iconic Toro Loco is a gluggable strawberry and herb-scented drop Credit: Aldi WHETHER it's traditional beef or fancy lamb burgers on the menu for your garden buffet, this bargain bottle of red will have you covered when you tuck in. Offering extraordinary value for what I regard as a 'proper' wine, Aldi's iconic Toro Loco is a gluggable strawberry and herb-scented drop with enough grip to take on the meaty protein from your grill, but light enough to chill too. Whatever you smother your bun in – ketchup, mayonnaise, tomatoes or onions – it will go down a treat. It can even handle the sides, from chips to garlic bread and even coleslaw. At just over a fiver it's a bargain, too. RATING: 4/5 Best for sausages ROSÉ: Ramon Bilbao Rosado £8.75, Co-op in store 10 This Spanish sipper is the perfect pink plonk to wash sausages down with Credit: Co-op WHO can resist the delicious aroma of a smoky, slightly burnt sausage? Whether you like your bangers as they come or in a bun with all the trimmings, this Spanish sipper is the perfect pink plonk to wash them down with. It's had a makeover for the 2024 vintage – and what's inside the bottle is just as pretty as the very photogenic bottle. Think strawberries and cream with a refreshing crispness thanks to those high-altitude vineyards. It pairs perfectly with pork sausages, and also chicken and veggie options, so it's the perfect standby for al fresco dining. And it is excellent value. RATING: 5/5 Best for halloumi WHITE: Sicilia Doc Grillo £9 (£8 Nectar), Sainsbury's 10 Sicilia Doc Grillo works well with halloumi Credit: Sainsburys SALTY Greek halloumi cheese is a perennial favourite on the barbie, with its rubbery texture holding together and tasting delicious when warmed over coals. To drink alongside, try this Grillo, which is one of Sicily's own grape varieties that makes wine taste of sunshine. This one's a great example with its crowd-pleasing notes of orange blossom, peach and pineapple. Its refreshing fruitiness will balance out the salt of the cheese perfectly, as well as pair nicely with creamy or starchy sides such as potato salad. It'll love a buttery corn on the cob too, should you have one. A great garden vino that's just a bit different. RATING: 3/5 Best for veggie grills WHITE: Unearthed Gemischter Satz, £8.99, Aldi 10 Sauvignon Blanc is a go-to for greens, but a much more interesting option is this awesome Austrian blend Credit: Aldi VEGETABLES often need just the right vino or it throws things off balance, so it's worth getting a bottle of this if there'll be veggies at your do. Sauvignon Blanc is a go-to for greens, but a much more interesting option is this awesome Austrian blend. Part of Aldi's Unearthed range championing lesser-known styles of wine, its name Gemischter Satz translates as Field Blend. There's a bit of everything in this, from subtle tropical fruit notes to citrus and a cool, mineral freshness. A great all rounder for on-the-skewer items like peppers, onions and aubergines. It will slip down nicely with veggie burgers, too. RATING: 4/5 Best for chicken WHITE: Wakefield Pinot Grigio £10, Tesco 10 Not all Pinot Grigio is created equal and this Aussie version is a world away from some of the cheap Italian offerings Credit: Tesco SMOKY charred chicken is an al fresco essential and Pinot Grigio is the perfect plonk to glug with it. Not all Pinot Grigio is created equal however, and this Aussie version is a world away from some of the cheap Italian offerings that don't taste of much. Hailing from the cooler Clare Valley in South Australia, this wonderful white offers the clean, thirst-slaking purity that the Pinot Grigio grape is famous for, but with more character in the form of fresh lemon, subtle white blossom and a twist of creamy almond. Pricier than other Pinot Grigios, but worth it. It's a dream with grilled chicken. RATING: 4/5 Best for sticky ribs RED: Castellore Primitivo Puglia £6.49, Aldi 10 Castellore Primitivo Puglia is nice and affordable, and is becoming a cult classic Credit: Aldi IF trendy ribs are on the menu in your garden kitchen and you're serving them with a sweet, sticky sauce, you'll need a red that packs a punch in the ripe fruit department. They need some similar, plummy spice notes. Enter Primitivo, from Puglia in Italy. This simple yet sultry Italian is hard to ignore with its full-on and full-bodied, chocolate-dipped raisin style. The great news is that it's often seriously affordable too – and this Aldi version is becoming a cult classic. Perfect for share-and-tear spares or any other glazed, smoky meaty eats. At this price, it's definitely one to try. RATING: 3/5 Best for baked potatoes WHITE: Macon-Villages Reserve £9.82, Asda 10 Macon-Villages Reserve pairs nicely with baked potatoes, which taste great during barbecue season Credit: Asda WHO doesn't love a barbecued baked potato with lashings of butter in the sunshine? In most cases, a decent, fruity white with crisp acidity like this Chardonnay will suit, especially if you're talking toppings such as sour cream, cheese, salmon and chicken. The ripe melon and peach flavours stand up to the richness of the spud, and the acidity cuts through, cleansing the palate from the charred carbs. White Burgundy with its subtle oak is perfect here, and this little Macon has just had a price rollback so it's worth treating yourself while on offer. RATING: 3/5 Best for steak RED: Deluxe Argentinian Malbec £6.29, Lidl 10 Whether it's a T-bone, ribeye, sirloin or filet, any steak needs a bold red like the Deluxe Argentinian Malbe Credit: Lidl IF there's one thing that Lidl does brilliantly in the wine department, it's great-value Malbec. If you're going all out on a cut of steak for the barbecue then this wine is the one to drink with it. This deluxe edition hails from the premium cooler Uco Valley, which means concentrated flavours of ripe blueberry and chocolate spice. Whether it's a T-bone, ribeye, sirloin or filet, any steak needs a bold red and this one delivers in fruit, flavour and texture. It'll cover you for your burgers too, and the slight smokiness will sing with the grill. For the price it's hard to beat, so stock up for summer occasions. RATING: 3/5
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I tested paddling pools from £10 – the winner comes with unique feature and will keep kids entertained for hours
The cheapest Lynsey tested comes in just under £10 POOL PLAY I tested paddling pools from £10 – the winner comes with unique feature and will keep kids entertained for hours Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHILDREN love water play and splashing around in a paddling pool will keep them cool and burn off excess energy on hot days. There are paddling pools to suit all ages, budgets and gardens - but if you don't want to spend a fortune, then you are in luck. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Lynsey Hope tested paddling pools to see how they compared Credit: Oliver Dixon We have tested the best pools you can buy for £40 or less and there are lots of fun ones to choose from. From fast set options to a pool with basketball hoops for extra fun, here are my favourites: Intex Swim Centre Rectangular Inflatable Paddling Pool £24.99, Smyths Toys Age: 6 plus 8 You will have to buy a pump separately if you want this paddling pool Credit: Oliver Dixon This Intex pool is a good size and can hold a whopping 749 litres of water, so it's big enough for the whole family to enjoy. I liked the extra wide walls too, as you could lounge back on it and watch the kids play on a hot sunny day and it felt very comfy. It also comes with a repair patch in case of puncture. Overall, I thought this pool is a good option that would suit pretty much anyone and all for a wallet friendly price. Performance: 4/5 Price: 5/5 Total: 9/10 Funsicle Turtle QuickSet Pool £30, Argos Age: 6 plus 8 This pool is easy to get set up Credit: Oliver Dixon A super cute pool, the kids were really excited when they saw the turtle blown up and ready for action. It's a quick set so super easy to get ready. You simply inflate the top ring and the pool rises as it fills with water. It took a minute to inflate and though the box says it takes ten minutes to fill, it definitely took a little longer than this - probably more like 25, but it was easy to do. It seems durable and is made from three-ply puncture resistant material. It can hold 757 litres of water and there's probably enough space for three kids to play in the water. It has a built in water sprayer too which provided hours of fun. For £30 I thought it was fun and good value. Performance: 5/5 Price: 5/5 Total: 10/10 Bestway Family Paddling Pool with Basketball Game £39.99, Amazon Age: 3 plus 8 Sport-loving kids will be keen on this interactive paddling pool Credit: Oliver Dixon The basketball hoops added a whole new layer of fun to my kids' excitement when I blew up this paddling pool. They couldn't wait to jump in and were immediately diving in and scoring hoops whilst they played. Handy that it came with two blow up balls as well. Although this pool is one of more expensive ones in our test, it did keep the children entertained for longer. My eldest son Jacob, 10, was also more entertained in this than he was in the plain pools. This also comes with a repair patch, which I think will come in handy as they were jumping around in a lot so probably only a matter of time before there is a puncture. Performance: 5/5 Price: 4/5 Total: 9/10 Home Swimming Pool £21.26, Temu Age: 6 plus 8 Don't buy this if you don't want to be regularly having to top up the air Credit: Oliver Dixon This two-ring rectangular pool was easy to blow up and it was put up and filled with water in less than half an hour. It's a decent size for the price, though it did sag a bit quite quickly. After a couple of hours quite a bit of air had come out and I had to pump a bit more in. However, the two large outer rings were super comfy to relax against and it's a great price." Performance: 3/5 Price: 4/5 Total: 7/10 Intex 1.8m Easy Set Paddling Pool £29.99, The Range Age: 3 plus 8 This robust paddling pool is worth spending a bit more money on Credit: Oliver Dixon Simply blow up the ring and this pool builds as it fills with water. It's not so labour intensive as others but it did take longer to fill - around 30 minutes from start to finish and whilst waiting, the kids were desperate to jump in. It feels robust. The idea walls are made with three separate layers for strength. It's good for smaller children, you can probably get two or three playing in it at once, and it measures around 20 inches deep. It also stayed up in the garden for several days with no maintenance required, other than fishing out grass and leaves. Performance: 4/5 Price: 4/5 Total: 8/10 Polar Pals Inflatable Pool with Play Centre £29.99, Bestway Store Age: 2 plus 8 This paddling pool is a great option for those with smaller gardens Credit: Oliver Dixon What a fun looking pool. There's only a little bit of water in the pool area but it's ideal for smaller kids who prefer running in and out of the water than fully submerging themselves. It has a couple of games to keep little ones entertained too - there's a ring toss game using the narwhal's horn and seal's nose and you can move the seal around to make it harder or easier. Thee's also an inflatable penguin and two foam fish toys for kids to splash with or they can try and feed them into the dolphine's mouth. Super cute and not to huge to store. Great option for smaller gardens too. Performance: 5/5 Price: 4/5 Total: 9/10 Bestway 40inch Safari Themed Kids Inflatable Paddling Pool £9.99, Bestway Store Age: 2 plus 8 This paddling pool is the cheapest on the product test Credit: Oliver Dixon Small and without the bells and whistles of some of the others, but for less than a tenner it's a cute design and it held up well. The three ring construction increases stability and reduces the risks of the sides buckling in and it comes with a repair patch, though it seemed reasonably sturdy. Easy to put up and filled in a matter of minutes. Great option for the price and for smaller gardens - little children are sure to love the cute safari design. Performance: 3/5 Price: 5/5 Total: 8/10 Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I tried supermarket choc ices – the tasty 23p winner beat Aldi and Lidl and is the perfect freezer treat for hot weather
Scroll to find the supermarket that came out on top ICE ICE BABY I tried supermarket choc ices – the tasty 23p winner beat Aldi and Lidl and is the perfect freezer treat for hot weather ULTIMATE 80s dessert the choc ice is enjoying a moment in the limelight after Princess Anne revealed she hands out the treat to guests. The royal crowd-pleaser features a bar of vanilla ice cream covered in either milk or dark chocolate. Advertisement 8 We put supermarket choc ices to the test Credit: Oliver Dixon A pack of eight usually costs between £1 and £2 in British supermarkets. But which brand would get the Royal seal of approval we tested a range to find out... Tesco Milk Choc Ices £2.15 (26.8p each) Per choc ice: 131 calories, 9.3g fat, 9.2 sugar 8 Tesco's newly improved choc ices are certainly an upgrade Credit: Oliver Dixon Tesco has recently improved its choc ice and these are certainly an upgrade. The chocolate was thin but had a lovely flavour and smooth mouthfeel. The ice cream was creamy, and whilst it only had a gentle hint of vanilla, it was pleasant to eat. Advertisement A little sweeter than most other own brands and a little more pricey - but pretty yummy to eat. Taste: 3/5 Value: 3/5 Overall score: 6/10 Aldi Giannis Milk Choc Ices £1.69 for 8 (21.1p each) Per choc ice: 132 calories, 9.4g fat, 9.3g sugar 8 Aldi's ice cream has an unusual flavour Credit: Oliver Dixon Aldi's chocolate was a little grainy and not as smooth as I'd have liked. The ice cream was very light textured, creamy and not too sweet. They are a great price, costing just over 21p each - the very best in our test - so for a budget option these are fab. But these were let down by the unusual flavour of the chocolate. Advertisement Taste: 2/5 Value: 4/5 Overall score: 6/10 McDonald's launches brand-new burger featuring never-before-seen sauce Lidl Bon Gelati Ice Cream Sandwich 8 x 720ml £1.99 (24.8p each) Per choc ice: 248 calories, 15.5g fat, 18g sugar 8 Lidl's choc ice has a wafer Credit: Oliver Dixon Lidl's sandwich is the closest thing to a choc ice - part of it is covered with wafer. The chocolate was satisfactory but a little on the thin side and the vanilla flavour of the overly dense ice cream dominated the overall flavour. I liked the crunch of the water - a nice take on a choc ice and at less than 25p each, these are great value for money, if a little higher in calories, fat and sugar. Advertisement Taste: 3/5 Value: 4/5 Overall score: 7/10 Asda Milk Choc Ices £1.97 for 8 (24.6p each) Per choc ice: 132 calories, 9.4g fat, 9.3g sugar 8 Asda offers great value with its frozen treat Credit: Oliver Dixon Small, but nice-tasting choc ices. The chocolate had a lovely snap as you bit into it and the ice cream was creamy and smooth, with a clear hint of vanilla. Asda's offering is one of the best value so a great budget-friendly treat option to keep on stand-by in the freezer. Advertisement Taste: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Overall score: 8/10 Waitrose Dark Choc Ices £2.15 for 8 (26.8p each) Per choc ice: 117 calories, 7.6g fat, 9.4g sugar 8 Waitrose choc ice is a cooling sweet treat Credit: Oliver Dixon A little more pricey than many own brands but these dark choc ices were delicious. The chocolate was thin and crunchy and no fancy flavours added to ruin the taste of it or the ice cream. The ice cream was very yellow in colour, but it tasted nice. Advertisement Overall, sweet, but not sickly. A lovely after dinner treat. Taste: 5/5 Value: 3/5 Overall score: 8/10 Iceland Majestics Milk Choc Ices £1.50 for 6 (25p each) Per choc ice: 117 calories, 7.7g fat, 7.2g sugar 8 Iceland's box only has six choc ices Credit: Oliver Dixon The box is a good price but there are only six (most of the own brands come in boxes of eight). It means they work out more expensive per choc ice than Asda, Sainsbury's, Lidl and Aldi. Advertisement Taste wise though, these are on point. The chocolate is rich and creamy with a lovely snap and the ice cream has just the right hint of vanilla and sweetness. They are the same size as most of the other own brands but lower than most in calories, fat and sugar so not a bad option for your waistline either. Taste: 5/5 Value: 4/5 Overall score: 9/10 Sainsbury's Milk Choc Ices £1.90 for 8 (23.7p each) Per choc ice: 132 calories, 9.4g fat, 9.3g sugar 8 Sainsbury's choc ices are cheap and cheerful Credit: Oliver Dixon Simple and cheap, these Sainsbury's treats were my favourite of all the choc ices. The thin layer of chocolate around the ice cream is delightfully crisp and moreish. Advertisement The kids have been lapping up in the warm weather. In fact, they were as popular as a Magnum with my three children - but much, much cheaper. I think Princess Anne would definitely approve. Taste: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Overall score: 10/10
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I tested Fab lolly dupes from Aldi, Asda and Iceland – the winner is cheapest and tastes identical to the big brand
The winner costs just 24p each ICE, ICE, BABY I tested Fab lolly dupes from Aldi, Asda and Iceland – the winner is cheapest and tastes identical to the big brand Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PARENTS up and down the country will be stocking up their freezers with treats guaranteed to keep their kids happy on a hot summers' day. The Fab's a winner in many households but as the cost of living rises, a box of six will now set you back around £2.50. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Lynsey Hope has compared Fab dupes to the big brand Credit: Oliver Dixon Their popularity has prompted a few supermarkets to create their own dupes. But do they taste as good as the childhood favourite? Lynsey Hope finds out. Nestle Fab Strawberry Ice Lollies £2.50 for 6 41.6p each Per lolly: 75 calories, 2.5g fat, 10g sugar 5 The Fab lollies contain just 75 calories per treat Credit: Oliver Dixon A real bit of nostalgia here - these lollies were just as good as I remember from childhood. I did wonder if the chocolate coating had been reduced - I certainly remember them having more chocolate and sprinkles. But the pink and white sections tasted fresher and fruitier than some of the dupes. I particularly liked the strawberry flavour and at just 75 calories per lolly, they're not too indulgent to give the kids as a treat. Taste: 5/5 Value: 3/5 Total score: 8/10 Iceland Sprinkle Lollies £1.45 for 6 24.1p each Per lolly: 51 calories, 1g fat, 9.4g sugar 5 Iceland's tasted nearly identical to the real deal Credit: Oliver Dixon Smaller than the real deal, but taste wise the Iceland ones were a pretty good copy of the original Fab. The strawberry and vanilla flavoured parts tasted almost identical. There was a decent amount of chocolate and sprinkles on top. The kids loved them. They are also lower in calories, fat and sugar than the branded Fabs so a healthier option for children too. You'd be mad not to buy these instead. Taste: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Total score: 10/10 Aldi Gianna's Ice Blitz £1.45 for 6 24.1p each Per lolly: 51 calories, 1g fat, 9.4g sugar 5 Aldi's lollies weren't as fruity Credit: Oliver Dixon Identical in size and price to Iceland's lollies, you'd have a hard job telling them apart. But taste wise they were a little less fruity than both the Fab and the other dupes, especially the strawberry part of the lolly. They are shorter, but thicker than the branded lolly. However, Aldi's lollies were lower in calories, fat and sugar and the best bit - they are 17.5p cheaper per lolly than the Fabs. Taste: 3/5 Value: 4/5 Total score: 7/10 Asda Strawberry Sprinkle Lollies £1.90 for 6 31.6p each Per lolly: 65 calories, less than 0.5g fat, 14g sugar 5 Asda's lollies went down a treat with Lynsey's children Credit: Oliver Dixon Asda's budget-friendly lollies had a fresh strawberry taste and lashings of chocolate and sprinkles on top. They are still a little smaller than the Fab with a sweeter taste, but they went down a treat with my children. Whilst they are not as cheap as Iceland and Aldi's lollies, at 31.6p a lolly, they still offer a good saving on the branded options. In fact, they are 10p cheaper per lolly and 60p cheaper per box. I'd buy these again. Taste: 4/5 Value: 5/5 Total score: 9/10
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
I tested fans to keep you cool in a heatwave the winner costs 1p an hour to run
Check out our tips on staying cool in hot weather SUMMER SUN I tested fans to keep you cool in a heatwave the winner costs 1p an hour to run Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUMMER is finally here with temperatures all over the UK set to hit 30 degrees this week, if not hotter. Whilst we all love the sun, it can make us feel a little sticky and sweaty especially when trying to sleep at night. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Lynsey Hope has tested pedestal fans from shops Credit: Oliver Dixon A good fan is a must if you want to keep cool. Electric fans are a good option as they are cheaper, smaller, lighter and more energy efficient than air conditioning. But prices of fans vary and some don't do much to keep you cool at all, which can make buying one a challenge. Pedestal fans are a great option and tend to be more powerful than tower or table top fans. We've tested top brands including Meaco, Morphy Richards and Daewoo. Here's how they compare: Morphy Richards Air Flex 9inch Circulating Pedestal Fan £149.99, Speed settings: 8 10 The Morphy Richards fan made the entire room feel fresher and cooler Credit: Oliver Dixon It's expensive, but this has a DC motor which enables the fan to use less energy whilst still giving an outstanding performance. In fact, DC motors are meant to be up to 70% more efficient than air conditioning units. So, with this, you'll get maximum cooling without the worry of soaring electric bills. It's reasonably quiet and offers eight speed settings as well as advanced oscillation, which means it can direct airflow both horizontally and vertically. The fan made the entire room feel fresher, cooler and more comfortable - even when it hit 30 degrees outside. Performance: 5/5 Value: 4/5 Total score: 9/10 Status 16inch Oscillating Stand Fan £19.99, Speed settings: 3 10 This fan was surprisingly powerful given the low £20 price tag Credit: Oliver Dixon For the price, I can't really grumble. It's not the most aesthetically pleasing, but given this cost less than £20, this was surprisingly powerful. It blew enough air around to keep a reasonably-sized room cool and it wasn't overly intrusive, though the noise measures around 40 decibels, which was higher than most. The oscillating function was very effective. The frame was a bit flimsy and it wouldn't withstand much - a child or a pet bumping into it could easily knock it over. Performance: 3/5 Value: 3/5 Total score: 6/10 Daewoo Pedestal Air Circulator Fan £79.99, Speed settings: 3 10 The Daewoo fan is easy to move around if you need to Credit: Oliver Dixon This fan was easy to put together and at 5kg, it's not too heavy, so it was easy to move from room to room too if you needed to. For nearly £80, it looked pretty flimsy and it only had three speed settings - most of the pricier ones had more to choose from. It does have a built-in oil diffuser, which did make the cool air smell lovely and created a lovely relaxing vibe around the room. It also had dual oscillation - up and down and side to side - which was effective at keeping the entire room airy and cool. Performance: 3/5 Value: 3/5 Total score: 6/10 Vonhaus Air Circulator Pedestal Fan - 16 inch £74.99, Speed settings: 12 10 The Vonhaus was 10/10 in our test Credit: Oliver Dixon This fan is hard to beat. Not only was it one of the best at cooling me down, it's a real design feature too. The innovative blade design is engineered to evenly push the air in a way that bounces off walls and surfaces. It's sleek and stylish yet easily cooled my kitchen diner, which is the largest room in my house. At night, a soft ambient backlight kicks in which was so calming and perfect for winding down. It has 12 speed settings to choose from and is energy efficient. Even though it's reasonably powerful at 35 watts, it only costs around 1p an hour to run. It also has an aromatherapy function which allows you to add a few drops of your own essential oils and the fan will spray cool air, that also smells amazing. Performance: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Total score: 10/10 Zanussi 16inch Pedestal Fan £24.99, Speed settings: 3 10 This Zanussi fan is okay for the £25 price tag Credit: Oliver Dixon For less than £25, you are getting a reasonably powerful fan. However, the legs were not very sturdy. They are hollow plastic and lack weight making the entire product a bit top heavy. I worried about it being knocked over. It's not the quietest but at the same time, the noise wasn't overly intrusive. It also has 90-degree oscillation and it gives out a decent breeze even on the lowest setting. For a budget option, it's alright. Performance: 3/5 Value: 4/5 Total score: 7/10 Meaco Sefte 10inch Pedestal Air Circulator with Storage Bag £179.99, Speed settings: 12 10 The Meaco costs a hefty £179.99, but it's very cheap to run Credit: Oliver Dixon A super low energy fan that costs from just 0.1p an hour to run. It was easy to assemble, sleek and so quiet you'll forget it's even there - hence it's name 'Sefte' which is an old English word meaning 'quite, gentle and undisturbed'. It was very quiet and unobtrusive yet has a powerful airflow of 1,140m3ph, allowing it to cool a room quickly. Previously, fans I've used in the bedroom keep me awake at night with their flashy displays but this has a night mode, which switches off the display light, mutes the buttons and gradually reduces the fan's speed overnight. The handy remote means you can control it without getting out of bed. I'm not surprised it's proving very popular this summer. The only downside is the price. At nearly £180, it's a pricey purchase. Performance: 5/5 Value: 3/5 Total score: 8/10 Duux Whisper Pedestal Fan £179.99, Speed settings: 26 10 You're spoiled for choice in terms of settings with this fan Credit: Oliver Dixon This Duux fan has some incredible features including 26 speed settings, horizontal and vertical oscillation and a 12-hour programmable timer. The 26 settings certainly give you plenty of options to choose from but I loved the natural wind mode which is designed to replicate outdoor cooling by varying the fan speed. It also has a night mode where the speed will decrease to the lowest setting over 2.5 hours. The breeze this creates is pleasant and it lived up to its "whisper" name as it was one of the quietest I tested. Even on the highest settings, the noise was not overly intrusive. The touchscreen panel was a little difficult to operate, it was easier to use the remote control. It's very energy efficient, only costing around 0.8p to run on the highest speeds. Performance: 5/5 Value: 3/5 Total score: 8/10 Air Craft LUME Quiet 2-in-1 Pedestal Fan £119 Speed settings: 12 10 Manufacturers claim this fan is never louder than an electric toothbrush Credit: Oliver Dixon Say goodbye to hot stuffy days with this cutting-edge fan, which did a brilliant job of cooling larger rooms. It's quiet. In fact, the manufacturers claim it's never louder than an electric toothbrush. You pretty much forget it's there though on its highest it does go up to 60 decibels. What I loved most was that it came with an illuminated backlight which was very calming and could be used even with the fan switched off. It's easily controlled with a remote control and has front and back guards for fan blades. It has three modes - normal, natural and sleep. Natural runs at alternating speeds to simulate a natural breeze with occasional gusts and in sleep mode, it gradually reduces speed every 30 minutes until it reaches the lowest level. Perfect for hot, restless nights. Performance: 4/5 Value: 3/5 Total score: 7/10 EcoAir Equinox 16inch DC Low Power Consumption Fan £49.99, Speed settings: 12 10 The EcoAir has a powerful and efficient motor Credit: Oliver Dixon This product is easy to assemble, efficient and economical. I thought it had an impressive power output for less than £50 and just like the Morphy Richards' fan, it has an energy efficient DC motor. It has 12 settings but it did get a bit noisy once you get to level five and I wouldn't have wanted to keep this on through the night. The fan isn't as sleek and stylish as others but it's reasonable value for money and once you've paid for it, it will cost pennies to run. It also has an energy saver function and will turn off automatically within 12 hours of the last adjustment on the control panel. Performance: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Total score: 8/10
