Comparisons Archives - COOLCURATION

September 14, 2026 — No Comments

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 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 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 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.

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, starts at £5 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

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

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

Last updated: 5 September 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: 22 August 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