Comparison Archives - COOLCURATION

April 11, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Best Refurbished Phones UK 2026 – iPhones, Androids and Top Deals

Last updated: 11 April 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

There are two types of people at CoolCuration: those who would sell a kidney for the latest iPhone, and those who would rather eat their own SIM card than leave Android. The office group chat is basically a rolling debate about widgets versus AirDrop. However, there is one thing we all agree on: buying refurbished is the smartest phone move you can make in 2026. This guide rounds up the best refurbished phones UK buyers can get right now, covering flagships, budget gems and sustainable picks from both sides of the divide.

Here is a number that should stop you in your tracks. A refurbished iPhone 15 Pro on Back Market right now starts at around £400. That is roughly what you would pay for a brand new iPhone 16e. One gives you the same chip as an iPhone 15, a single camera and no ProMotion display. The other gives you a titanium flagship with a 48MP triple camera system, ProMotion, and full Apple Intelligence support. Let that sink in.

Published by Stiv in Buying Guides, Carbon conscious, Comparison, Comparisons, Money saving, Technology lover

Tags: Amazon Renewed, Apple Intelligence, Back Market, iPhone 15 Pro, Pixel 8 Pro, refurbished Android, refurbished iPhones, refurbished phones, refurbished phones uk, Samsung Galaxy, SIM only deals, sustainable tech

April 8, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Best Smart Rings UK 2026: Tested and Compared

Last updated: 8 April 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

We have been wearing smart rings at CoolCuration for the past few months, and honestly, it has changed how we think about health tracking. Between the five of us on the team, we have tested every major option on the market right now. So if you are looking for the best smart rings UK buyers can actually get hold of in 2026, this is everything we have learned from wearing them day and night, through gym sessions, pub trips, rainy runs and too many late coffees.

Below, you will find hands-on verdicts for five rings, a head-to-head comparison table, a breakdown of how smart rings stack up against the Apple Watch, and a practical buying guide to help you pick the right one. Every product has been worn for weeks, not just unboxed for a quick look. Let's get into it.

Published by Stiv in Best of Amazon, Comparison, Comparisons, Reviews, Self-care Champion, Sport fanatics, Student, Technology lover

Tags: Amazfit Helio Ring, fitness tracker, health tracking, Oura Ring 4, RingConn Gen 2, Samsung Galaxy Ring, sleep tracking, smart ring vs Apple Watch, smart rings, Ultrahuman Ring Air, wearable tech

April 7, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Best eSIM for UK Travel 2026: Stay Connected Abroad and at Home

Last updated: 10 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Trying to find the best eSIM for UK travel in 2026? Whether you are a UK resident heading abroad or a visitor arriving in Britain, eSIM technology has made staying connected simpler, cheaper, and far less faff than swapping physical SIM cards at the airport. In this guide, we break down the top eSIM providers, which UK mobile networks support eSIM, and how three budget-friendly options can keep you online without burning through your holiday fund.

Published by Stiv in Comparison, Comparisons, Mobile Networks, Money saving, Tech Hacks, Technology lover, Travel, Travel lover

Tags: eSIM, eSIM UK, EU roaming, giffgaff, Honest Mobile, mobile data, roaming charges, SIM only, Smarty, travel eSIM, travel tips, UK travel

April 5, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Best Banking App UK 2026: Which One Should You Use?

Last updated: 10 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This article is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Always check the latest details directly with each provider before opening an account or making any financial decision. If you are unsure, consider speaking to an independent financial adviser.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Finding the best banking app UK in 2026 is genuinely difficult. Every challenger bank promises slick budgeting tools, market-leading rates and cashback on everything. Meanwhile, the traditional banks have finally woken up and started building apps that actually work. So which ones are worth your time, and which are all sizzle and no steak?

We use all five of the banks in this guide as part of a multi-account setup that has evolved over several years of hands-on testing. This is not a surface-level comparison based on press releases. It is a practical breakdown of what each app actually does well, where it falls short and how to combine them for maximum benefit.

Published by Stiv in Banking, Comparison, Comparisons, Personal finance, Services

Tags: banking app UK, best banking app, challenger bank, chase, digital banking, FSCS, Lloyds, mobile banking, monzo, personal finance, UK current account, Zopa Biscuit

April 3, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Feliway vs Pet Remedy: Which Calming Plug In Is Best? (2026)

Last updated: March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

If you have got an anxious cat at home, you have probably come across two big names in calming plug ins: Feliway Optimum and Pet Remedy. We bought both, tested them side by side, and paired them with smart plugs to squeeze more value out of each refill. In this Feliway vs Pet Remedy comparison, we share our honest experience, including what worked, what didn't, and a couple of bonus products that made a real difference.

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our opinions remain entirely our own.

Published by Stiv in Cat Lovers, Comparison, Comparisons, Dog Lovers, Pets, Reviews, Smart Home

Tags: Adaptil, calming diffuser, cat anxiety, Feliway, pet calming, Pet Remedy, pet stress, plug in diffuser, smart plug, Tapo

November 15, 2025 — Comments are off for this post.

Best GABA Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Sentia vs Impossibrew UK

Last updated: 24 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

If you've ever wanted the social buzz of a night out without the grim aftermath, GABA non-alcoholic drinks might be exactly what you're after. These functional beverages target your brain's natural GABA system to deliver relaxation, sociability, and calm, all without a drop of alcohol or the hangover that comes with it.

Two UK brands lead the charge: Sentia, a botanical spirit designed by neuroscientists, and Impossibrew, a craft beer brewed with mood-enhancing nootropics. Both promise the good bits of drinking without the bad. So which one actually delivers? We've put them head-to-head on taste, price, effect, and convenience to help you decide.

Published by Stiv in Christmas, Comparison, Drink connoisseur, Reviews, Self-care Champion

Tags: adaptogen drinks, alcohol free cocktails, alcohol-free spirits, Christmas party drinks, festive drinks, functional drinks, GABA drinks, Impossibrew, NA spirits, New Year drinks, non alcoholic beer, non alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic beer, non-alcoholic drinks, Sentia, sober curious, wellness drinks, zero alcohol