We tried all the summer essentials including fans, pressure washers and paddling pools – here are our top picks
SUMMER is in full swing meaning it’s time to get out the gear to make the coming weeks manageable.
From camping and trips abroad to barbeques and gardening, you’ll want to find the best gear for the lowest price this summer.
We have tested paddling pools, neck pillows, pressure washers, gardening gloves, handheld fans and popup tends to find the best value items you need to get your hands on.
Here are our top picks…
Paddling pools – Intex
- £34.99, smythstoys.com
- Size: 229cm x 229cm x 66cm
A paddling pool is a must-have for the warm weather.
Not only do kids love a bit of water play, but it helps them cool off too – and some are even fun for adults.
But there is a big range in prices so we tested some best-sellers to see which came out on top.
The winner was the Intex Family Lounge Pool.
This pool was fab for grown ups as it had four built-in seats which are just below the water line, so you can sit there for a decent amount of time without getting a numb bum.
But it was also big and not too deep, perfect for kids to play in.
Scores were as follows:
- Ease of use: 9/10
- Kids rating: 9/10
- Grown up rating: 10/10
- Overall score: 10/10
Pop-up Tents – Ozark
- Asda
- £70
The best pop up tents should be easy to pop up and pack away so you can spend your time having fun at festivals and on camping trips over the summer, rather than grappling with your kit.
We tried out a selection of budget-friendly best-sellers and the Ozark two-person pop-up from Asda was our favourite.
It was a generous size for two people and was much sturdier than most.
It generally seemed far better quality and looks as though it’s built to last.
- Ease of use: 10/10
- Quality rating: 10/10
- Value for money: 9/10
- Overall score: 10/10
Handheld fan – Blaupunkt
- B&M
- £5
To stop getting hot and bothered while you’re out and about, you’ll need a handheld fan.
It’s the perfect gadget for cooling you down when you need a quick blast of fresh air.
We tested a range and the winner was the Blaupunkt handheld model, £5, from B&M.
Although it’s only small, it’s pretty powerful – and not too noisy.
Plus, it has three speeds and also comes with a handy stand turning it into a tabletop fan if necessary.
Scores were as follows:
- Cool factor: 9/10
- Value for money: 10/10
- Overall score: 10/10
- Out of 30: 29
Pressure washer – Hawksmoor
- £89.98,
- toolstation.com
If you’re planning on hosting BBQs and garden get-togethers this summer, you’ll want to polish up your outside spaces.
Cleaning a muddy patio with a brush and some elbow grease is hard graft.
If it’s a job you loathe, you may want to consider investing in a pressure washer.
Most have concentrated water jets which will save you hours on these heavy-duty tasks and they are incredibly satisfying to blast dirt and grime off your floor.
We put a range to the test and the Hawksmoor High Pressure Washer 140bar came out on top.
Not only was this among the cheapest washers in our test, amazingly it was also the most powerful.
It did the best job of cleaning the most stubborn dirt and grime from the patio. We could we could see a visible difference instantly.
It was also easy to set up and use and definitely the best option for the most stubborn dirt.
Scores were as follows:
- Assembly and set up: 10/10
- Efficiency: 10/10
- Value for money: 10/10
- Overall score: 10/10
Neck pillow – Solait
- £9.99
- superdrug.com
There is nothing worse than waking up on a long journey with a sore neck because you fell asleep awkwardly.
The best travel pillows are designed to make everything from long-haul flights to train journeys more comfortable.
We tested a range of budget-friendly pillows on various journeys to see which was the most comfortable and this £9 pillow came out on top.
It’s made with memory foam and is soft, but still supportive – you really can’t go wrong.
It’s washable too, which is a real plus after using it on a busy flight and dragging it round an airport.
It’s a shame it doesn’t squidge down a bit more for transportation, but otherwise, it’s a great choice for the price.
Scores were as follows:
- Comfort: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
- Overall score: 10/10
Garden gloves – Verve
- £3.50
- diy.com
Gardening is an enjoyable past-time for many, but it can really take a toll on your hands.
That is where a good pair of gardening gloves in.
Many pairs have individual features such as waterproofing, added grip, cushioning, and some are even made using more breathable fabrics.
We tried a range of best-sellers and the winner was the Verve Latex Dipped Gardening Gloves.
These offered excellent protection against thorns and brambles in the garden – even roses.
The back of the material was quite breathable and they had knitted cuffs, which made them comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
They felt surprisingly strong and seemed great value for money.
The scores were as follows:
- Fit for purpose: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
- Overall score: 10/10
How to save money on summer essentials
SUNNIER days and warmer weather will leave many of us wanting to kit out gardens and outdoor areas.
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to get a great deal on summer essentials…
It pays to know how to bag big savings on the likes of hot tubs paddling pools, egg chairs and outside bars.
Many retailers have flash sales across entire ranges – often this ties into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends.
Sign up to the mailing lists of your favourite brands and you’ll be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
Keep a close eye on the specialbuys at Aldi and middle of Lidl drops which drop a couple of times a week and usually mean great value seasonal items such as beach gear and paddling pools.
If you are not in a hurry to buy an item, try adding it to the shopping cart and leaving it for a couple of days.
Sometimes big brands will try to tempt you into the sale by offering you a discount.
Always check if you can get cashback before paying. It’s especially worth using sites such as Topcashback, Quidco and app Jamdoughnut when buying bigger ticket items such as garden furniture as you’ll get a nice kickback.