Consumer Tech Archives - COOLCURATION

July 21, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Nothing Headphone (1) Review: 8 Months On

Last updated: 21 July 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This review contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my opinion.

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

Cool Factor: 4/5

This Nothing Headphone (1) review is not a first-impressions piece. I have worn the white Nothing Headphone (1) since November 2025, so roughly eight months, and I have used them properly. In that time they have come with me on the commute, onto trains and flights, out on long walks and back to my desk for work calls. As a result, I know exactly what still delights me and what quietly wore thin.

So consider this the long-term verdict on Nothing's first over-ear headphones, the pair tuned by British hi-fi legend KEF. Overall I still like them a lot. However, after eight months the score lands at a considered 4 out of 5, and in this Nothing Headphone (1) review I explain precisely why.

Published by Stiv in Audiophiles, Consumer Tech, Reviews

Tags: headphones, headphones review, KEF, noise cancelling headphones, Nothing, Nothing Headphone 1, over-ear headphones, wireless headphones

July 16, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Work Louder Knob1 Review: Beautiful, But a Splurge

My hands-on Work Louder Knob1 review: a gorgeous, imported low-profile keyboard with a strip display and two dials. Cool Factor 4/5.

Published by Stiv in Consumer Tech, Reviews

Tags: Ben Fryc, consumer tech, Creator Micro 2, keyboard review, Knob1, low profile keyboard, mechanical keyboard, Work Louder, Work Louder Knob1

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

Loop Earplugs Review: Two Years With the Quiet 2, Switch 2 and Dream

Two years. Three pairs. One broken case. My honest Loop earplugs review, including the bit Loop will not tell you about the fit.

Published by Stiv in Audiophiles, Consumer Tech, Reviews

Tags: concert earplugs, hearing protection, Loop Dream, Loop earplugs, Loop Quiet 2, Loop Switch 2, noise sensitivity, sleep earplugs, tinnitus

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

TP-Link Roam 7 Review

An honest, hands-on TP-Link Roam 7 review: is this dual-band Wi-Fi 7 travel router, with its 2.5G WAN and built-in VPN, worth it in the UK?

Published by Stiv in Consumer Tech, Reviews, Travel

Tags: TL-WR3602BE, TP-Link, TP-Link Roam 7, travel, travel router, travel tech, VPN, Wi-Fi 7, wifi routers

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

GTA 6 Pre-Order UK: Price, Editions and Where to Buy

GTA 6 pre-orders are live in the UK. Here is the price, the Standard and Ultimate editions, the Vintage Vice City bonus and where to buy before 19 November 2026.

Published by Stiv in Consumer Tech, Gamer, Tech News

Tags: gaming, Grand Theft Auto VI, GTA 6, GTA 6 pre-order, PS5, Rockstar Games, video games, Xbox Series X

July 4, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

EcoFlow Wave 3 Review

My honest EcoFlow Wave 3 review after a summer of daily use: the dual-hose portable air con that is quiet, tiny and cheap to run on Octopus.

Published by Stiv in Consumer Tech, Reviews, Smart Home

Tags: dual hose air conditioner, EcoFlow, EcoFlow Wave 3, heatwave, Octopus Agile, portable air con UK, portable air conditioner, product review

June 29, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Best Refurbished iPads UK 2026: Which One to Buy

The best refurbished iPads to buy in the UK in 2026, ranked by who they suit, with Back Market and Amazon Renewed compared so you can pick the cheapest route.

Published by Stiv in Buying Guides, Consumer Tech

Tags: Amazon Renewed, apple, Back Market, buy refurbished uk, iPad, refurbished iPads UK, refurbished tech, tablets

June 28, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Best Back Market Deals UK: June 2026 Picks

Last updated: 28 June 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.

Refurbished techJune 2026 edit

The Back Market deals worth grabbing this June

Refurbished tech moves fast, and the best Back Market deals rarely hang around for long. So this month I have pulled together the picks that actually look like value right now, spread across phones, laptops, tablets, audio and wearables. Every price was correct when we checked, but Back Market prices shift daily and stock is limited.