BRENDEN DOBEL

I’ve spent the last 60 days hands-on testing 10 of the most popular laser engravers on the market right now, and I can tell you straight up: the gap between a $125 starter diode and a $2,900 dual-laser workhorse is enormous. But the best laser engravers for you depend entirely on what you want to … Read more

Our team spent three months testing every desktop laser cutter we could get our hands on for , running them through wood, acrylic, leather, coated metal, and dozens of other materials. We cut thousands of test pieces, measured engraving speeds, and pushed each machine past its comfort zone to see where it actually shines and … Read more

If you’ve spent any time in a maker forum or scroll through woodworking YouTube lately, you’ve probably asked yourself the same question I get weekly from friends: “Which CNC machine should I actually buy?” The market is crowded with options ranging from sub-$200 hobby kits to prosumer routers north of $1,500, and the specs blur … Read more

A CNC router is a computer-controlled cutting machine that moves a spinning bit along X, Y, and Z axes to cut, carve, and engrave materials like wood, plastic, and soft metals with high precision. We spent 90 days testing 8 of the most popular best CNC routers on the market, ranging from $153 desktop kits … Read more

If you have been searching for the best engraving machines in , you already know how crowded this market has become. Between diode, fiber, CO2, and UV options at every price point, finding the right fit feels like guesswork unless someone has done the legwork for you. Our team spent eight weeks testing 12 of … Read more

Finding the right pottery wheel can transform your ceramic journey from frustrating to fulfilling. Whether you’re a complete beginner setting up your first home studio or a seasoned potter looking to upgrade, the best pottery wheels offer the perfect balance of power, control, and durability for your throwing needs. We spent weeks researching and comparing … Read more

Last summer, I spent four weekends on Lake Michigan chasing king salmon with a borrowed Cannon Magnum 5 ST, and the difference in catch rate compared to plain weighted lines was staggering. We went from one fish per outing to limiting out in under three hours. That experience convinced me that downriggers are not just … Read more

I’ve spent enough time on the water to know the bulky orange foam life jacket sitting at the back of every boat is the reason most people skip wearing a PFD. Inflatable life jackets fix that problem. They pack down small, breathe well, and keep you cool in summer sun while still delivering real buoyancy … Read more

If your back starts aching an hour into every paddle, you are not alone. The stock seats molded into most rotomolded kayaks are thin plastic shells with almost no padding, and our team stopped accepting that as normal. So we spent a full season testing 8 of the best kayak seats across sit-on-top hulls, sit-inside … Read more

I have been testing surfboards on and off for the better part of a decade, and I still get asked the same question every summer: what is the best surfboard for someone like me? The honest answer is that it depends on your weight, your skill level, and the waves you actually surf. After spending … Read more