Comparisons Archives - COOLCURATION

October 16, 2026 — No Comments

Qobuz vs Spotify vs Apple Music: Which Should You Pay For?

Last updated: 13 October 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

Music streamingUK prices

Which music streaming service should you pay for?

Qobuz vs Spotify is the comparison most people land on once they start caring how their music sounds, and Apple Music sits right between the two. All three stream lossless audio in the UK now. However, they cost different amounts, top out at different quality and suit very different setups.

I pay for Apple Music as part of an Apple One plan I share with my mum and my partner, so Apple TV and iCloud storage sit on the same bill. I used to pay for Spotify and don't any more. I have never subscribed to Qobuz, so everything about it here comes from its own pages and apps.

Apple Music is the one I use. At £11.99 a month it is also the cheapest monthly plan here with hi-res audio and Dolby Atmos included, and it suits anyone with an iPhone, AirPods or HomePods.

Spotify suits people who care most about finding new music, with podcasts and audiobooks in the same app. Its lossless stops at 24-bit/44.1 kHz.

Qobuz suits listeners with wired headphones or a hi-fi, and anyone who wants to buy hi-res downloads as well as stream.

Published by Stiv in Apps, Audiophiles, Comparisons, Consumer Tech

Tags: Apple Music, Apple One, hi-res audio, HomePod, lossless, music streaming, Qobuz, Spotify

October 6, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Premium Bonds Alternatives UK 2026: Prize Savings Accounts Compared

Four Premium Bonds alternatives open to new savers, with each provider's published odds, prize tables, access rules and protection.

Published by Stiv in Comparisons, Finance, Money, Personal finance, Saving

Tags: Chip, chip savings, credit unions, easy access savings, Family Building Society, FSCS, Kent Reliance, NS&I, Premium Bonds, premium bonds alternatives, prize draw, prize savings, PrizeSaver, savings accounts, Windfall Bond

September 14, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Huel vs Real Food: Is Meal Replacement Actually Cheaper?

Last updated: 14 September 2026. Every figure in this Huel vs real food comparison was priced on huel.com and tesco.com on 7 September 2026.

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate and referral links, which are paid links. If you click one and buy or sign up, I earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. Brands don't choose what I feature or what I say about them.

Trying Huel for the first time?

New customers get £20 off a first order over £60 through my referral link, so I keep the current terms on one page.

Get £20 off your first Huel order

Meal replacement2026 edit

The shake costs 56p more than the sandwich

I have been drinking Huel for years, so Huel vs real food is not a thought experiment in this house. Instead it is what happens at about half past twelve on a working Tuesday. So I priced both sides properly. A Huel Powder meal costs £1.59 at Huel's own subscription price, while the cheese sandwich I would otherwise make costs £1.03 at Tesco. Then I checked what happens to that £1.59 when you order one bag instead of two, because delivery quietly changes the answer.

Published by Stiv in Comparisons, Cost of living, Foodie

Tags: Cost of Living, food, food budget UK, Huel, Huel powder, meal replacement, nutrition, Tesco

August 9, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Dyson HushJet vs Sans Mini: Air Purifier Review

We bought both compact purifiers so you don't have to. One costs £150 more, skips HEPA and locks you into an app rated 3.8 out of 5. Full honest verdict inside. #airpurifier #dyson #sansair #hometech #ukhome

Published by Stiv in Comparisons, Consumer Tech, Homebodies, Reviews, Smart Home

Tags: air purifier, Dyson, Dyson HushJet, Dyson review, hay fever, HEPA filter, MyDyson app, Sans air purifier

July 23, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Best Current Account UK 2026: Ranked and Compared

Current accounts2026 Edit

The best current account is the one you actually enjoy opening

Picking the best current account in 2026 is no longer just about interest. It is about the app you tap ten times a day, the perks that quietly pay you back, and the switch bonus that lands in a week. So I have ranked the accounts I actually use, judged on design, everyday feel and real numbers, then grouped the rest by the job they do best.

Last updated: 22 August 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This article contains affiliate and referral links, which are paid links. If you click one and buy or sign up, I earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. Brands don't choose what I feature or what I say about them.

This is not financial advice, and CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Rates, fees and bonuses change often, so always check the provider and consider your own circumstances first.

Want the Monzo refer-a-friend bonus?

Monzo runs a refer-a-friend scheme where you and a friend can both get a bonus. The amount is set at random by Monzo, runs from £5 up to £50 (sometimes up to £100) and is shown in-app, so I keep the current offer and the steps to claim it updated on our referral page.

Get the Monzo referral bonus

Published by Stiv in Banking, Comparisons, Money, Personal finance

Tags: best current account, chase uk, club lloyds, current account, current account switch, monzo, nationwide, revolut, Zopa Biscuit

July 19, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Best Reusable Coffee Cups UK 2026

The best reusable coffee cups in the UK for 2026, tested for real. Which ones seal, survive the dishwasher and actually get filled by a barista.

Published by Stiv in Buying Guides, Comparisons, Sustainable Living

Tags: coffee accessories uk, eco coffee, KeepCup, plastic-free, reusable coffee cups, reusable cup, sustainable swaps

July 6, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Which Huel to Buy? Every Huel Product Compared 2026

Which Huel to buy in 2026? We compare every Huel product, from Powder and Black Edition to Diet, bars and greens, with honest pros and cons.

Published by Stiv in Buying Guides, Comparisons, Foodie

Tags: Huel, Huel Bars, Huel Black Edition, Huel Daily Greens, Huel Diet, Huel Essential, Huel powder, meal replacement, nutrition

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

Honest Mobile vs Smarty: Which SIM Wins in 2026?

Honest Mobile vs Smarty compared for 2026: prices, the Three network, roaming, perks and referral offers, so UK buyers pick the right SIM-only deal.

Published by Stiv in Carbon conscious, Comparisons, Consumer Tech, Money saving, Technology lover

Tags: Honest Mobile, Mobile Networks, SIM only, SIM only deals, Smarty, UK mobile

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