Stihl has launched the RCA 50, a new battery-powered pressure washer designed for smaller cleaning jobs around the home and garden. It's aimed at everything from washing the car to cleaning garden furniture, making it ideal if you're looking for the best pressure washer that you can easily move around.

Weighing just 2.3kg, the RCA 50 delivers up to 100 bar of pressure, whilst still being lightweight. You can connect it directly to a water supply, or switch to suction mode and use the supplied five-metre suction hose with a water butt or another collected water source.

The Stihl RCA 50 is available now from Stihl directly and approved dealers, with an RRP of £209 (around $280) for the tool only. The battery and charger are sold separately, although you can also buy them together as a starter set.

It comes with a 3-in-1 nozzle that lets you switch between rotary, flat-jet and narrow-jet settings, whilst the water pressure can be adjusted continuously depending on what you're cleaning.

Stihl also includes a useful selection of accessories, including a surface cleaner with wheels and a steering function for cleaning patios and other smooth surfaces with less splashing. There's also a spray lance and cleaning agent spray set.

The pressure washer runs on Stihl's AK 20 36V lithium-ion battery, offering up to 15 minutes of runtime on a full charge. The battery is part of Stihl's interchangeable AK System, so the same battery can be used with other compatible garden tools.

The Performer Premium Smart charcoal barbecue is Weber's attempt to drag traditional kettle-style charcoal cooking into the smart-barbecue age. By adding electronic temperature control, an electric fan, a sensor and app connectivity to its iconic kettle format, the Performer Premium Smart aims to take on the convenience offered by pellet grills, gravity-fed smokers and gas barbecues, while retaining the smoky flavour and alfresco theatre of cooking with real charcoal.

There was quite a delay in receiving this model, hence the later-than-expected publication of this T3 review. Now that the rain has arrived to dampen any fears of rural wild fires, it's time we evaluated this new kind of charcoal barbie and see if it really does help tame the cinders for a perfect charcoal-flavoured outdoor feast while the sun still shines.

Let's fire up the Weber Performer Premium Smart and see if it's a worthy contender for a spot in our guide to the best barbecues.

Weber Performer Premium Smart Charcoal Barbecue review: price and availability

The Weber Performer Premium Smart charcoal barbecue is available in both the UK and the USA. In the UK, the official retail price is around £719, with many retailers offering discounts that bring the price down to between £560 and £645. Head to Weber direct or BBQ World (£645) and Wow BBQ (£560) for the best deals.

In the USA, the Performer Premium Smart is priced at approximately $799. Try Weber direct or Amazon where it's shifting for a very reasonable $549.

Weber Performer Premium Smart Charcoal Barbecue review: assembly

Assembly is arguably the Weber Performer Premium Smart charcoal barbecue's least appealing feature. Normally it takes me a leisurely 90 minutes to assemble a basic charcoal barbecue, up to two hours for a pellet grill and two hours or more for a gas BBQ (longer still if it has a side burner), but this one took a record five hours. In fact I had to finish it the following day.

Given that this is a more complicated cart variant, it came with more loose parts than anything I've faced before: screws galore and an insurmountable number of metal components including support trays, struts, flashings, cross members, mountings, wheels, not to mention the electronic temperature-control hardware.

In fact, by the time I finally got to the fan assembly, only to discover that I had to assemble it myself, I was pretty miffed I'll tell you. In fact, I still can't work out why the Weber factory couldn't have preassembled the fan in the first place. It's not like it would have taken up more space in the box.

The funny thing is that, about a third of the way through the build, I was praising Weber for making assembly such a pleasing experience because every screw aligned perfectly and it was all going swimmingly. But then I arrived at the thin flashing that surrounds the top of the unit and there was one area right at the front and within line of sight when grilling that simply refused to align correctly.

In frustration I attempted to drive in the screw at an angle but never managed to get it fully home. This section swallowed up about half an hour but, because I'm a bit OCD when it comes to perfection, I continued trying to drive home the screw until I finally succeeded by twisting the flashing till it fit. While this part of the flashing now looks a little bent under close scrutiny, it's a lot better than having a screw that sticks out askew right before your eyes.

Four hours later with the main carcass fully assembled, I looked at the remaining parts on the lawn and the heart sank as I started to fear the prospect of fitting the electronics, but against all odds – and the fact I had to assemble the fan myself – this part of the process turned out to be relatively pain free, though I found some of the hieroglyphic instructions almost impossible to decipher.

Once fully built, however, I will say that the construction felt reassuringly solid and the construction effort – which really was an effort – almost seemed somewhat justified.

Weber Performer Premium Smart Charcoal Barbecue review: how it works

Smart electronically controlled barbecues are all the rage at the moment and we have the pellet grill smoker to thank for that. However, I still get a bit jumpy using smart barbecues that rely almost entirely on the reliability of a bunch of circuit boards, sensors, an electric fan and a regular supply of electricity.

There's just so much that can wrong, whether it's a power cut and you don't have a portable power station to hand or worse, a software glitch or major hardware failure just as you're preparing the barbecue for an alfresco party. How embarrassing that would be when you have to tell your guests you're going to be using the oven instead because the barbecue has stopped working.

Well here's another smart model to add to the ever expanding range but, in its favour, instead of being a smarts-filled model built from the ground up, it's essentially an electrically modified version of a standard kettle barbecue. And that means that if any electrical disasters occur before your guests arrive, you can still grill on it like any other kettle barbecue. This alone makes this model a very safe bet for those who want to enjoy the unquestionable practicality of an electronically-controlled barbecue without the fear of it suddenly dying on you and ruining the day.

The Weber Performer Premium Smart charcoal barbecue works by combining conventional charcoal cooking with an electronically controlled airflow system. Once the charcoal is lit, the vents are closed and the desired cooking temperature is selected, a temperature sensor continuously monitors the heat inside the kettle. A built-in fan mounted on the side of the kettle then adjusts the amount of air reaching the coals, increasing or reducing airflow to help maintain the chosen temperature. The principle is simple: more airflow makes the charcoal burn hotter, less airflow cools things down.

Aside from normal grilling and searing, this added tech makes the Performer Premium Smart suitable for long, slow cooks such as brisket and pulled pork, where maintaining a steady low temperature for several hours is traditionally one of the trickiest aspects of charcoal barbecue cooking.

Like all pellet grills and Masterbuilt's charcoal-based Series 600 gravity smoker, with this model you can set the barbecue to a specific temperature and let the electronics do most of the work, rather than having to continually adjust the vents yourself.

But there is a catch, specifically when it comes to low-and-slow smoking because the biggest difference between this model and pellet smokers – along with the aforementioned Masterbuilt Series 600 – is that pellet and gravity-based smokers use a side hopper to contain a huge amount of fuel that automatically feeds the fire, whether its wooden pellets or charcoal or briquettes, while the Weber Performer Premium Smart relies on a static bed of charcoal or briquettes.

Let’s concentrate on the Masterbuilt Series 600 since that’s this model’s nearest competitor. The Series 600 uses the indirect cooking method and comes with a very tall, narrow charcoal hopper that never runs out of charcoal because, as it burns below the pile of charcoal, more of it is fed from above. And if it’s running very low you can simply top it up yourself with more charcoal or briquettes.

Crucially, the whole fire system is set to the side of the grilling area and the heat is blown to the cooking section using a large fan. This means that the acrid smell of fresh burning charcoal doesn’t work it’s way into the cooking chamber.

As with any traditional charcoal BBQ, the hardest part is calculating the amount charcoal required for the task in hand and the same applies here. The easiest way to tell is to use Weber's chimney starter because you can more easily gauge the amount of briquettes required. Also, the chimney starter shaves off loads of time during the ignition process.

If you plan to sear some steaks, for instance, you will need an extreme temperature of 300˚C and above, and about 50 briquettes or three quarters of a chimney fire starter. The charcoal can be placed to one side or, if really pushing temperatures for a quick high sear, a full chimney's worth of briquettes spread across most of the grate will do the trick. If you don't use enough charcoal or briquettes, chances are that the BBQ will never reach optimum searing temperature.

For general grilling you can use about a quarter to a half of a chimney starter (25–50 briquettes) and arrange the coals to one side – the Performer Premium Smart comes with two edge dividers for containing the charcoal in one area.

Finally, for smoking with this Weber model, you’re advised to position the briquettes in a long snake around the edge of the bowl, and then light it on one side so the charcoal slowly burns to the tail end. According to Weber, the Performer Premium Smart is capable of running for between eight and 12 hours at a low temperature of around 110˚C, the most common region for low-and-slow smoking.

Weber Performer Premium Smart Charcoal Barbecue review: design and features

The Weber Performer Premium Smart takes the company's traditional cart version of its world-famous kettle system and gives it a modern makeover by fitting a sophisticated temperature-control system designed to make the notoriously volatile charcoal cooking method considerably more predictable.

Naturally, this requires an electricity source which could be awkward if your nearest outdoor socket is more than five metres away. However, rather handily, this model accepts USB-C and that means you can simply run the Performer Premium Smart using a decent pocket-sized power bank which would easily keep the barbie running for an entire standard cook.

The Performer Premium Smart's generously sized 57cm (22”) stainless steel cooking grate provides 2,342cm² of meal estate, making it suitable for large families and smaller parties. The heavy-duty porcelain-enamelled bowl and lid, meanwhile, help retain heat and give the barbecue a reassuringly sturdy feel.

The porcelain enamel is also designed to resist rust and withstand the high temperatures generated during grilling, while the hinged cooking grate makes it possible to add charcoal or smoking wood without having to remove the entire grate.

However, I think this model would be even more 'premium' had it been equipped with a hinged lid instead of one that has to be lifted off and positioned to the side in its wire rack. The cart is finished off with a large preparation/storage shelf to the side and an open storage area below it.

The real party trick here, however, is the smart temperature management system. Rather than relying entirely on manually adjusting the vents, the Performer Premium Smart uses a computer processor and a small fan to regulate airflow and maintain the target cooking temperature.

A single temperature probe monitors temperatures inside the barbecue, with the front screen monitor providing information and alerts as you cook. The system can also monitor the food temperature using the included meat probe, while the Weber app provides live cooking information, alerts, recipes and general guidance.

For anyone accustomed to repeatedly lifting the lid (remember the adage 'if you're lookin', it ain't cookin''), fiddling with vents and wondering whether the temperature is going to settle at 180°C or shoot past 250°C, this 'smart' element is a potentially revolutionary and transformative feature.

Mind, it hasn't always been plain sailing because I read that earlier versions of this model reportedly suffered from temperature fluctuations, with the barbecue sometimes struggling to settle at the selected temperature. There were also reports of the fan continuing to run when it should have switched off, which would have introduced additional airflow, pushing temperatures higher than intended.

Thankfully, it appears that Weber has subsequently refined the system because in my tests the temperatures have remained very stable. That said, it's worth keeping an eye on the temperature at least during the first few cooks, rather than blindly assuming the electronics will do everything for you. After all, charcoal has a mind of its own and even the smartest of barbecues can't completely reverse the laws of combustion.

Away from the electronics, the Performer Premium Smart's 'One-Touch' cleaning system makes clearing out ash extremely easy, while the enclosed ash catcher helps prevent debris from ending up all over the patio. The sturdy wheels – two small castors on one end and a pair of larger fixed wheels on the other – make it reasonably easy to move around on a patio and even across a lawn.

In many respects, this is basically a standard kettle barbecue reinvented for the connected age. It retains all the smoky character and versatility of charcoal cooking, but adds automatic temperature management and app-based monitoring to make outdoor grilling less volatile and easier to get a handle on.

If you always struggle to maintain set temperatures on a charcoal barbecue – who doesn't? – this may be the model for you.

Weber Performer Premium Smart Charcoal Barbecue review: accessories

Weber has built an impressive ecosystem of accessories around some of its kettle BBQs, including this one. It's called the Gourmet Barbecue System (GBS) and it's comprised of a cooking grate with a removable circular centre section that accommodates a small range of modular accessories that turns a straightforward kettle into a versatile outdoor cooking station.

The Poultry Roaster is ideal for cooking a whole chicken with crispy skin and juicy flesh while the Crafted Glazed Pizza Stone turns the kettle into a capable pizza oven, providing a hot, stable surface for crisp bases. However, the jury’s out on why anyone would want to use the cast-iron Dutch Oven to slow-cook a stew or casserole given that they would traditionally be cooked indoors.

One particularly useful addition on this barbecue is Weber's Works side table, which provides extra preparation space while accommodating XL drop-in accessories like the Works Cutting Board, Works Basin with cutting board lid and the Works Caddy for all your accoutrements.

Finally, when you're ready to fire everything up, Weber's Rapidfire Chimney Starter is one of the simplest ways to get a substantial batch of charcoal burning quickly and evenly.

Weber Performer Premium Smart Charcoal Barbecue review: performance

There's a bit of a learning curve with this model since in many instances it involves careful charcoal placement. I made sure I read the manual before starting off and managed to have two disaster-free chicken wing grilling sessions without having to stand over it all the time. The results were just the way I like it, with crispy skin and moist succulent centres. That's the best thing about smart barbecues – they not only help control the temperature so you don't have to, but they make the act of barbecuing less hands-on.

I'll admit to having not performed any low-and-slow brisket, lamb or rib cooking but I did perform a low-temperature test at 110˚C using just half a chimney fire starter's worth of Weber-branded briquettes and the temperature remained consistent for several hours.

I also performed several other experiments with this BBQ while I grasped the working method of its temperature control system. In order to evaluate its searing capability, I shut off all vents and set it to 300˚C but it never reached more than 280˚C. So I went manual and turned the fan to its highest speed setting of 10 but, bizarrely the temperature dropped down in 5˚C increments to 225˚C. I then tried the automatic method again, set it to a lower 270˚C and left it for a while, and it managed to reach 270˚C for about a minute before dropping slowly down to around 230˚C.

Since I’m more used to pellet and gravity-based grilling where the fuel is continually fed from a hopper to the fire bed, it took me a while of head scratching to realise that, of course, no conventional charcoal BBQ will ever reach high searing temperatures unless you’ve loaded it with enough charcoal or briquettes. Doh! I clearly hadn't loaded enough to get it to 300˚C but just the right amount for around 180˚C. So, given the low amount of charcoal, I set it to a grilling temperature of 180˚C and, sure enough, it stayed at that temperature for ages.

I also noticed that, like any kettle grill, you really need to light the briquettes or charcoal at least 40 to 60 minutes before cooking. Do not expect pellet grill speed when heating up, let alone the speed with which Masterbuilt’s gravity-fed series of grill/smokers reaches correct temperature. These models use a much more powerful fan that genuinely prepares the cooking area in about 15 minutes. From lighting the chimney starter to starting the controller, the Weber took about 60 minutes to reach 245˚C and that's par for the course with charcoal barbies.

Weber Performer Premium Smart Charcoal Barbecue review: verdict

The Weber Performer Premium Smart blends the authenticity of charcoal cooking with some genuinely useful smart technology to help tame the flame. Its app-controlled fan delivers impressively stable temperatures, making low-and-slow barbecuing more practical without losing the hands-on appeal of general grilling.

While it isn't as straightforward as a pellet or gravity-fed grill, it rewards the extra effort with great versatility and classic Weber performance that should satisfy both enthusiasts and ambitious beginners alike.

Mammotion has unveiled its new LUBA 4 AWD series robot lawn mower at IFA 2026, following the success of the LUBA 2 AWD and the LUBA 3 AWD, which only launched at CES at the beginning of this year. The new model is designed to offer more precise navigation, gentler turf handling and more complete edge coverage.

The LUBA 4 AWD also features an upgraded version of Mammotion's centimetre-level Tri-Fusion navigation system, allowing the mower to navigate more complex outdoor environments, respond to obstacles in real time and plan suitable routes in low-light conditions.

The LUBA 4 AWD is available in three models for different lawn sizes – the 3000F for 3,000 m², the 6000F for 6,000 m² and the 12000F for 12,000 m². Regional availability and specifications will vary by market, with pricing and availability expected to be announced later this year.

The LUBA 4 AWD is also designed to be gentler on grass, using bidirectional driving and independent front-wheel steering. Guided by front and rear cameras alongside 360° LiDAR, it can change direction without relying on forced U-turns. Instead, each wheel follows a cleaner arc, helping reduce the pivoting that can lead to grass tearing, brown rings and visible tracks.

There's also a dedicated edge-cutting accessory, designed to tackle one of the more persistent problems with even the best robot lawn mowers. It allows the LUBA 4 AWD to trim flush against walls, fences and garden edges, potentially reducing the amount of manual trimming needed afterwards.

Other announcements from Mammotion at the show include Maston, its new commercial robotic mowing solution designed to bring greater automation to large-scale grounds maintenance.

This follows brands such as Husqvarna and Navimow, which have increasingly pushed their commercial robot mowers into larger spaces including sports grounds and estates. Mammotion is now joining them, combining its robotic mowing hardware with fleet management capabilities, allowing operators to manage several machines rather than treating each mower as a separate system.

The Maston series is now available for pre-order via authorised distributors in Europe and Australia, with further purchasing and dealership information available through Mammotion's website.

Forget barbecues – this year’s outdoor cooking season has been all about pizza ovens. I have a pizza oven in my back garden, and it’s my most used appliance, thanks to its quick heat-up time, spacious cooking area and authentic-tasting results.

The one downside to pizza ovens is that they can get quite expensive, but right now, Ooni is running its summer sale with great savings on its popular pizza oven collections. The best deal I’ve found is on the Ooni Karu 2 Pro, the brand’s “best pizza oven to date” which is now £139.80 cheaper than before.

View the Ooni Karu 2 Pro deal

Shop the full Ooni Summer Sale

Originally priced at £699, the Ooni Karu 2 Pro is now £559.20, giving you 20% off this premium, multi-fuel outdoor pizza oven. While this might not sound like a huge discount, this is the lowest price I’ve seen on the Ooni Karu 2 Pro, and with the summer sale soon to end, it’s a great deal to take advantage of.

We gave it five stars in our Ooni Karu 2 Pro review, and found its versatility to be the pizza oven’s main attraction. As a multi-fuel oven, the Ooni Karu 2 Pro can use gas, wood or charcoal fuels to make 16-inch pizzas and other foods, so you get the ease and convenience of gas with the taste of wood or charcoal.

As part of its summer sale, you can get up to 20% off Ooni’s other pizza ovens, including its Karu and Koda models, and its line-up of accessories. We’ve tested our fair share of Ooni pizza ovens at T3, and have found them all to be incredible performers, so we couldn’t recommend them enough.

While this deal on the Ooni Karu 2 Pro is the best offer in the sale, there are other models up for grabs which I’ve listed here for you to check out.

• Ooni Karu 2: was £349, now £279.20
• Ooni Koda 12: was £299, now £239.20
• Ooni Koda 16: was £499, now £399.20

Cobra has unveiled its most advanced robot lawn mowers to date, with two new RTK Mowbots combining satellite positioning, AI-powered navigation and wire-free operation. Cobra says both models have been designed with British gardens and weather in mind, including wet grass, uneven ground, slopes and more complicated lawn layouts.

There are two models to choose from – the Cobra Mowbot 800X RTK and Mowbot 1500X RTK – covering different lawn sizes. Just like the best robot lawn mowers on the market, both use intelligent mapping and AI navigation to work out more efficient routes around the garden, including straighter cutting patterns/

Both models are available from Cobra and selected UK retailers, with the Mowbot 800X RTK currently priced at £769.99 and the larger Mowbot 1500X RTK at £899.99. They're currently exclusive to the UK, but their full prices work out at roughly $1,100 and $1,270 respectively based on direct currency conversion.

Instead of relying on a physical cable, the new Mowbots use RTK satellite positioning to work out exactly where they are and remain within virtual boundaries. Once everything is set up, you can also adjust different mowing zones and lawn layouts through the accompanying app.

One particularly useful feature is the Mowbots' ability to lift their blades when crossing gravel, allowing them to move between separate areas of lawn without trying to mow the path in between. Both models also use a mulching system, so there's no grass box to empty.

Safety features include lift sensors, collision detection and an automatic blade stop, whilst the AI navigation is designed to detect obstacles such as trees, garden furniture and other features and adjust the mower's route accordingly.

Lidl launched its latest garden range in its middle aisle yesterday, with plenty of affordable tools and accessories from its Parkside brand. There's even better news if you're a Lidl Plus member, as an extra 20% discount brings the prices down further.

The range follows Lidl's £6.99 alternative to the £150 Philips OneUp electric mop, which arrived in stores last week. This time, Lidl Plus prices start from just £2.39, covering everything from pruning tools to gardening gloves and paintbrushes.

However, it's the Parkside 4V Cordless Secateurs that immediately caught my attention. They're priced at just £10.39 with Lidl Plus, which is pretty impressive considering you can easily spend considerably more on a pair of manual secateurs.

Despite the price, they're able to cut through softwood branches up to 14mm thick and hardwood up to 12mm, whilst Lidl says you should get around 500 cuts from a fully charged battery. They're also rechargeable via USB-C and come with a charging cable and protective blade cover in the box, so there aren't any extra bits you'll need to pick up separately.

Of course, the secateurs are only one part of the range. There are plenty of other tools available if your garden needs a bit of attention as we head towards autumn, so I've included all the Lidl Plus prices below.

Parkside Extendable Bypass Lopper – £7.99

Parkside Extendable Anvil Lopper – £7.99

Parkside Extendable Tree Pruner with Saw – £13.59

Parkside Extendable Hedge Shears – £7.99

Parkside Foldable Pruning Saw – £3.99

Parkside Pruning Saw – £3.99

Parkside Telescopic Fruit Picker – £6.39

Parkside Shovel with Root Saw – £15.99

There are also a few useful garden accessories in the mix. You can pick up either a 275-litre garden waste bag or a two-pack of 125-litre bags for £3.19, whilst the all-purpose tarpaulins cost £5.59.

Elsewhere, there's five litres of Parkside PUR Permanent Wood Stain for £14.39, available in clear or teak, alongside Performance Leather Gardening Gloves for £4.79. The cheapest finds are the four-piece and eight-piece paintbrush sets, both priced at just £2.39 with Lidl Plus.

As usual with Lidl's middle aisle, there's no guarantee everything will hang around for long. If the cordless secateurs have caught your eye as much as they caught mine, I'd check your local store's stock before heading out.

Due to the recent UK heatwaves and wildfires, disposable barbecues have been banned for the rest of the summer. Putting this year’s unpredictable temperatures aside, disposable barbecues have always been harmful to the environment, as they scorch the grass they sit on, and as single-use products, they create a lot of waste.

Aside from costs, the main reason for using a disposable barbecue is because you don’t have immediate access to gas or electricity while you’re camping, on the beach or at the park. As disposable barbecues mainly use charcoal to fuel its fire, the solution seems obvious.

Rather than using a disposable one, pick a portable, reusable charcoal grill instead. Aside from producing delicious food, this type of barbecue is less harmful to the environment, easy to use and take with you on-the-go, and the base and stability ensures it stays off the ground while you cook to prevent fires.

Here are five on-the-go charcoal barbecues you should use instead of a disposable one – and it goes without saying that you should be as careful and safe as possible when barbecuing, especially around open, grassy and wooded areas.

P.S. For easy-to-use barbecues on the go, check out our portable barbecue round-up, including gas, pellet and electric options.

Portable charcoal barbecues

1. Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal BBQ

Starting off strong, the Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal BBQ has a spacious, porcelain enamelled design that retains heat for consistent cooking. As the name states, this charcoal barbecue can quite literally go anywhere with you, thanks to its carry handle and lock-in legs. Inside – and when not on – the Weber Go-Anywhere can store your cooking tools, and its cooking and fuel grates can withstand high temperatures.

2. CosmoGrill Tapan Portable Charcoal BBQ

Designed for ‘authentic coal grilling’, the CosmoGrill Tapan Portable Charcoal Barbecue is a small, portable grill that’s perfect for camping trips or outdoor picnics. It has an oil drum shape that locks in the heat, and it features a main grill and warming rack for plenty of cooking space. The CosmoGrill Tapan also has a foldable stand to keep it off the ground, and it’s also small enough to fit on a tabletop.

3. George Foreman Portable Briefcase Charcoal BBQ

If something lightweight is what you’re after, the George Foreman Portable Briefcase Charcoal BBQ weighs just 3.6kg. It may be small but it can cook for up to three people at a time on its chromed steel grill area. When it comes to portability, clue is in the name – the design, including its legs, folds down into a briefcase, and its heat-resistant handle makes it easy to carry.

4. Tower Portable Barrel Grill

Another barrel-like design, the Tower Portable Barrel Grill has two grill racks so you can make multiple foods in one place. It has a bright silver colour with a wooden handle, and its stand is extremely robust and can be folded away when needed. For enhanced safety, the grill has a locking mechanism to seal in flavours while keeping your family and surroundings safe.

5. Everdure Cube Portable Charcoal Grill

Arguably the most stylish option on this list, the Everdure Cube Portable Charcoal Grill is available in multiple colours, and features a porcelain enamel firebox and charcoal tray. The chrome grill can be positioned in three different ways for even cooking, and the bamboo lid of the Everdure Cube doubles as a chopping board.

When it comes to pizza ovens, one name stands out from the rest – and that’s Gozney. Having tried my fair share of Gozney pizza ovens, I have yet to be disappointed by one, and the Gozney Arc Lite is no exception.

Launched in early 2026, the Gozney Arc Lite is the smallest pizza oven from Gozney and its most entry-level option, in terms of design, features and cost. Despite its smaller size, the Gozney Arc Lite promises a lot under its hood, so I put it to the test to see how well it performed – here’s what I found.

Gozney Arc Lite review: price and availability

The Gozney Arc Lite is available to buy for £349.99 at Gozney. This is just the price of the pizza oven, so if you want additional accessories like a stand or pizza peel, you’ll have to buy those separately. As a gas-powered pizza oven, you’ll also have to buy a gas canister separately too.

Compared to Gozney’s other pizza ovens, the Gozney Arc Lite is its most affordable option. The standard Arc is larger and costs £599.99 whereas the Arc XL which is even bigger is priced at £799.99, so the Gozney Arc Lite is much cheaper and good for those on a budget – that is if you don’t go crazy with the accessories as the costs can definitely add up there.

Gozney Arc Lite review: set up

The Gozney Arc Lite arrived all boxed up in surprisingly large boxes, considering its smaller size. The main reason for this is it came with a Balance Turning Peel and a Balance Placement Peel to insert and rotate pizzas into the pizza oven, so this added some extra boxes.

Setting up the Gozney Arc Lite took little to no time – simply remove the packaging, and the pizza oven comes as a whole, so there’s no putting pieces together. The only thing you need to do is connect the Gozney Arc Lite to the gas which is easy to do with its gas hose and regulator.

As mentioned, gas needs to be bought separately, but once you have that, it’s easy to put together and then, you’re ready to go.

Gozney Arc Lite review: design and features

As Gozney’s most compact and lightweight pizza oven, the Gozney Arc Lite is significantly smaller than its other designs. Externally, it measures 297mm in height, 430mm in width and 481mm in diameter. The mouth of the pizza oven measures 85mm in height and 325mm in width so you can fit an entire 12-inch pizza inside. It also weighs 12kg so it’s not too heavy to lift or move around for most people.

Inside, the Gozney Arc Lite has a lateral flame that makes it look like a traditional wood fire flame. It can reach up to 500°C and the flame encases the inside of the pizza oven to offer a consistent heat that cooks food like pizza, meat and vegetables incredibly quickly.

The controls are located underneath the mouth of the pizza oven. It has a dial that’s extremely simple to use – you simply push it inward and turn it until you hear a click and the burner should ignite. Next, you hold the dial to allow the flame to start properly before you can adjust the dial to suit your preferred temperature.

The Gozney Arc Lite is designed for small spaces, including balconies, patios and other outdoor spaces. It has Gozney’s popular dome-like design and comes in a matte black colour on the main oven and control panel.

Gozney Arc Lite review: performance

As said previously, I’ve tried many Gozney pizza ovens for T3, including my Dome S1 which sits in pride of place in my garden, and the Dome (Gen 2). For testing the Gozney Arc Lite, I enlisted my friend’s help – who has previously been a fan of wood fire pizza ovens – to try out the pizza oven and see if it lived up to expectations.

After the easy set-up process, we were both surprised by how quick and easy the controls were to use. The slight drawback to the control panel is it doesn’t have a screen and the Gozney Arc Lite doesn’t have a built-in thermometer so it’s not completely clear what temperature the pizza oven is at. However, I liked the simplicity and found the controls to be quite intuitive so it shouldn’t be too much of an issue for others.

I’m used to gas-powered pizza ovens and barbecues, whereas my friend has only used wood fire pizza ovens before. He was very impressed by how quickly gas brought the Gozney Arc Lite up to temperature and noted that there was a huge difference to that compared to wood fire. Gozney’s rolling lateral flame still gives that impression of a wood fire flame, though, which we both thought was a nice touch.

The gas flame was easy to maintain and control, despite the lack of a temperature display. The pizza oven reached temperatures in 10-15 minutes, and cooked pizza in under five minutes which we were happy with. It yielded delicious pizza results, including leopard-like spots on the crust and great colour and sears on meats when cooked using a cast iron pan in the pizza oven.

Gozney Arc Lite review: verdict

It’s hard to criticise the Gozney Arc Lite as it really is a fantastic pizza oven. Aside from not having a temperature display, the Gozney Arc Lite is easy to use, quick to heat up, and has great heat control for maintaining the gas flame. It looks the part and cooks delicious pizzas and other foods, which is what you want from a pizza oven, really!

What I think make the Gozney Arc Lite stand out amongst its predecessors and competitors is its price and simplicity. Having a pizza oven which is small and simple to use, as well as an affordable price tag, gives beginners and budgeters an option to buy a pizza oven without breaking the bank or taking up too much space.

For such a premium brand, it’s nice to see Gozney introduce an entry-level pizza oven like the Arc Lite.

Gozney Arc Lite review: alternatives to consider

A slightly bigger version than the Gozney Arc Lite, the Gozney Arc is the standard model from the Arc range. It uses the same gas power and functions, has a stylish design, and it adds what I wanted most from the Arc Lite – a display.

If the smaller size is what has you intrigued, the Solo Stove Si Prime has a similar size and design. It also uses gas and simple dial controls, and is slightly cheaper than the Gozney Arc Lite.

If you still enjoy mowing the garden yourself but hate the idea of pushing a heavy lawnmower around, a self-propelled model makes a lot of sense. You still get the satisfaction of doing the job yourself, just without quite as much effort.

British brand Webb has been making garden tools for years, and you might expect a heritage name like this to be a little stuck in the past. However, I was delighted to find that it's combined that traditional pedigree with some clever modern features, making the WEV20X2LM47SPB4X a brilliant piece of garden kit.

Price and availability

The Webb WEV20X2LM47SPB4X is priced at £399.99 and available direct from Webb's website or through garden specialists such as Mower Magic, Toolstation, and The Green Reaper.

It’s quite reasonably priced for a self-propelled mower. However, if you want to max out the runtime you’ll need a couple more 4.0 Ah batteries. Priced at £69.99 each, things start to get expensive.

Unboxing and set up

It’s an impressive, and impressively heavy, piece of kit. Arriving in an enormous cardboard box, I found the only way I could get it out was by cutting the end off and rolling it out. My first impression was of how solidly built this thing is. More used to fiddling around with flimsy folding handles and plastic wing nuts, I was happily surprised to see it comes fully assembled.

The handles are folded down for easy storage, so all I needed to do was pull on the grey handles and extend the handle out and up into “mowing mode”. Apart from charging the batteries, this mower arrives ready to go.

Before I strode off across the lawn, I needed to select a cut height. There are seven to choose from, from a reasonably short 30 up to a wildflower-friendly 70 mm.

Design and features

A muscular and striking piece of garden machinery, the WEV20X2LM47SPB4X boasts a proper steel cutting deck. The cosy foam-wrapped handle folds out from “storage mode” with a satisfying clunk.

The red ambidextrous triggers are comfortable to hang on to, and you get a little information display that shows current battery life and mowing mode, and a big power button. There’s also a slider switch underneath that controls the speed of the powered rear wheels.

As mentioned, this mower is self-propelled. That means the big 27 cm diameter rear wheels are driven by a motor, making this beast an absolute dream to push around the garden, up slopes, and over uneven terrain.

The large 20cm diameter front wheels help it to glide over bumps, and although the self-propelled feature uses up a fair bit of battery life, I think it’s worth it. Especially if you’re mowing in the heat of the day without a hat on.

Adding to the smooth ride are the proper solid tyres around the wheels. Unlike budget mowers with their easily scratched plastic ones, this adds to the overall premium feel.

Weighing in at a goliath 25.5kg, you're not going to tuck it under your arm and carry it up a set of stairs. However, if you need to wheel it over obstacles or even up a couple of garden steps, you can lock the handle down and pull it around like a massive wheeled suitcase. Changing between cutting heights from 30-70mm is easy too, even with a mower this heavy, thanks to a sprung handle down on the chassis.

Now for the batteries. The mower comes bundled with a pair of 20V, 4.0Ah batteries that have a very clever trick up their British racing green sleeves, and I don't think I'm overstating things when I say these are some of the most useful tool batteries I've ever used.

This is because they're charged by USB-C. Forget having a drawer full of different branded chargers – you can do it all with one plug and one cable. As far as I'm concerned, this is one of the best leaps forward in useful battery technology I've personally come across.

The two plugs and cables that come with the mower are pretty nifty too. Each plug has a good old-fashioned USB-A port, but the real work is handled by a pair of high-wattage USB-C ports, capable of charging at a useful maximum of 65W.

Being USB-C compatible, the batteries work both ways. That means you haven't just bought a lawnmower, but a couple of super-fast charging power banks as well. I've been using them to charge my phone almost as much as I've been using them to cut the grass.

Open the battery compartment on the mower and you're met with a cavernous space capable of holding four batteries. With the standard dual-battery setup, you get around 30 minutes of unassisted mowing time, which is OK, but doesn't feel quite enough for a mower this big. Splash out on another couple of batteries and you're set for up to 60 minutes of mowing without doing your back in.

The drawback of USB-C charging is that it's a little slower than using a dedicated charger. Whilst some standalone chargers boast a 60-minute top-up time, you'll be waiting up to 80 minutes for a full charge here. It's not ideal, but I'd happily take the slightly slower charging if it means I can charge my phone from the same plug.

When it comes to getting rid of the grass, you have three options. The first is collection using the large grass box at the back, while the second is side discharge. The mower comes with a black plastic chute that attaches to the side of the chassis, neatly depositing the cuttings alongside you as you mow.

The third – and my lazy gardener favourite – is the mulching plug. This mode chops the grass up finely and leaves it where it is, returning some goodness to the lawn whilst saving you from multiple trips to the local dump.

Performance

Getting a big mower like this out onto the lawn is no small feat. It's far too capable for my own little patch, so I took it to a test garden that suits it much better. Of course, that meant picking it up and getting it into the car first. I'm not weak, but a 25kg mower is still a seriously heavy piece of kit. Thankfully, the handle folds down neatly, making it much easier to transport.

Once safely on the grass, the mower really starts to show its best side. You don't technically need to turn on the self-propelled rear wheels, and leaving them off will save some battery life, but pushing something this heavy around isn't much fun. Instead, I pressed the power button, set the speed to slow using the red slider and pulled the triggers.

The mower immediately moved forward at a manageable walking pace, cutting as it went. Keeping it in a straight line was easy, and the power remained consistent whether I was mowing on flat ground or heading up a slight hill. It takes almost all the effort out of manual mowing, while the large grass collection box took ages to fill. Once it was full, though, the extra weight of all those cuttings did make the mower a little harder to handle.

I measured the noise at a reasonable 84dB, which is comparable to a vacuum cleaner. It's nowhere near as quiet as one of the best robot lawnmowers, but it's still perfectly manageable. Using the self-propelled mode on its lowest setting, I managed just over 20 minutes of mowing before the batteries ran out. The small LED readout makes it easy to keep an eye on the remaining charge, but that runtime still feels a little short if you've got a particularly large lawn to tackle.

One feature I really like is the variable-speed motor. It runs at its normal speed for most of the job, but automatically kicks things up a notch when it detects thicker grass or weeds. You can select Max Power manually using the controls, but I left it in Auto for most of my testing to conserve as much battery as possible.

I review plenty of lawnmowers of all shapes and sizes, and one of my favourite features always comes down to storage. If a mower can stand upright on its end, it takes up a fraction of the space in my shed. So, when a beefy mower like the WEV20X2LM47SPB4X can do exactly that, I'm a big fan.

Verdict

Big, powerful, heavy – yet effortless. It’s hard to find bad things to say about this imposing lawnmower from Webb. Featuring a huge cut width, powerful self-propelled rear wheels, and marvellous USB-C rechargeable batteries, it takes the hard work out of keeping the lawn looking trim.

Alternatives to consider

If you want to look at the competition, then the WORX WG749E comes in at a similar price and cut width. If you want to spend a little more, then STIHL’s excellent RMA 248 runs on their versatile AK 20 battery platform.

Watch out, Ninja! Lidl has just added its new Silvercrest Air Fryer with Grill & Smoker to the middle aisle of select stores – and it looks identical to the Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ, Grill and Smoker.

Lidl has seriously stepped up its game in the past couple of years, branching out from just groceries and adding must-have appliances to its stores. Now, Lidl has introduced a 3-in-1 air fryer and barbecue hybrid that can be used to cook all year round and in three different ways.

The most obvious thing you’ll notice about the new Silvercrest Air Fryer with Grill & Smoker is how much it looks like Ninja’s Woodfire electric barbecue which came out in 2022. It has a large lid, a spacious 3.8-litre interior and two big handles on either side of the touchscreen display.

Also like the Ninja Woodfire, the Silvercrest Air Fryer with Grill & Smoker has seven programmes to choose from, including air fry, roast, bake, grill, smoke, dehydrate and reheat. When the lid is closed, it can be used as an air fryer and smoker, but to use the grill, you’ll need to leave the lid open.

As an electric appliance, the Silvercrest Air Fryer with Grill & Smoker runs on 2200W power and can easily reach temperatures between 40°C to 240°C. It also has a timer option which can be set up to 12 hours for intense roasts.

The Silvercrest Air Fryer with Grill & Smoker comes with a grill plate, air frying basket and a plancha. The accessories are made from high quality, non-stick materials so they’re scratch, abrasion and stain resistant. At just £59.99, it’s a cheap alternative to the Ninja model, and you can snap it up at your local Lidl from this weekend.

In true Lidl style, the Silvercrest Air Fryer with Grill & Smoker is a way to keep costs down while still offering you an efficient appliance. If you were to ask my advice, I’d recommend buying the Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ, Grill and Smoker instead.

While it’s expensive at £299.99, the Ninja Woodfire Electric BBQ, Grill & Smoker is high quality, reliable and makes delicious food. I tested it when it first came out in 2022 and four years later, it’s still a trusty barbecue that my family and I use on a regular basis.

Le Creuset has entered the barbecue space in the best way it knows how – by introducing a whole range of outdoor grilling accessories that can be used to cook over an open flame.

Le Creuset is best known for its cast iron enamel cookware and tableware, including casserole dishes, saucepans, utensils and more. To cater to your outdoor kitchen, the brand has introduced its new BBQ Outdoor Collection, featuring six cast iron grilling products to expand your barbecue’s possibilities.

Designed for open flame cooking, the Le Creuset BBQ Outdoor Collection is the first time the brand has expanded into outdoor cooking. The products in the range are made from durable matte black enamel that can be used directly on your grill and over flames.

Unlike its ‘traditional’ enamel, the BBQ Outdoor enamel is rougher in texture, making it safe for uses over regulated and unregulated heat. The material also allows the dishes, griddles and pans to comfortably cook or sit over temperatures up to 450°C, and it resists rust, cracks, chips, stains and dulling.

The BBQ Outdoor Collection features the Rectangular Griddle, the Square Grill, the Round Pizza Pan, the Round Skillet, the Square Grilling Basket and the Shallow Casserole. Each product should be placed at least 5cm above flames and ideally, atop your barbecue’s grill grates.

My personal favourites from the collection are the Square Grill and the Shallow Casserole. The Square Grill comes in a 28cm / 3.2 litre size, and a ribbed pattern so you can give food those authentic grill lines while also draining excess fat and oils. The grill is also divided into cooking areas so you can use it to cook two different foods at the same time.

I’m a huge fan of Le Creuset’s casserole dishes so the Shallow Casserole ticks a lot of boxes for me. It comes with an accompanying lid and oversized handles for easier carrying and removal. Like all other products from the BBQ Outdoor Collection, it can also be used in your kitchen using an oven or gas hob.

Prices on the Le Creuset BBQ Outdoor Collection start at £145.

As temperatures remain high across much of the UK, many gardeners are still feeling the effects of the ongoing hosepipe bans. The restrictions are designed to protect water supplies, but they can make it difficult to keep gardens looking their best during prolonged spells of hot weather. That said, with a few simple changes, you can still help your plants survive without reaching for the hose.

We've already shared advice on how to revive your lawn during a heatwave and how to protect your decking from hot weather, and now we're looking at three practical ways to keep the rest of your garden healthy whilst making every drop of water count.

1. Use a watering can

You should check your local water company's rules, but a hosepipe ban doesn't usually stop you from using a watering can filled from a water butt or indoor tap.

The key is to water efficiently so every drop counts. Water your plants early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler and less water is lost to evaporation. Always aim the water directly at the base of the plant, where the roots can absorb it, rather than spraying the leaves. It's also better to give plants a deep soak every few days instead of a light sprinkle every day, as deep watering encourages roots to grow further into the soil, making plants more resilient during dry weather.

2. Mulch to lock in moisture

Adding a layer of mulch is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help your garden cope with hot weather. Spread a 5-8cm layer around the base of your plants using materials such as bark chips, compost, straw, leaf mould or a thin layer of grass clippings.

Mulch acts like a protective blanket for the soil, helping to lock in moisture and keep it shielded from the sun. As an added bonus, it also suppresses weeds, which compete with your plants for valuable water and nutrients.

3. Prioritise your plants

During a hosepipe ban, it's unlikely you'll have enough water to keep every part of your garden looking perfect, so it's important to prioritise.

Focus your efforts on newly planted trees and shrubs, as their roots haven't yet established, along with vegetables, fruit plants and anything growing in pots or hanging baskets, which dry out much faster than plants in the ground.

Don't worry too much about your lawn. Although established grass may turn brown and look dry during prolonged hot weather, it's usually only dormant rather than dead. Once cooler weather and rain return, most lawns will recover naturally, so it's better to save your water for the plants that actually need it.

If the recent hot weather has left your lawn looking more like straw than grass, don't panic just yet. In many cases, a brown lawn isn't dead at all – it's simply dormant and waiting for better conditions.

Whilst we've already covered three ways to stop your lawn turning brown during a heatwave, it may be a little too late if the damage has already been done. Thankfully, all hope isn't lost, and with a little patience and the right care, your lawn should spring back to life.

Here are three simple steps to help it recover and turn green again.

1. Water deeply – not little and often

If your lawn has turned brown, resist the temptation to give it a quick sprinkle every day. Instead, water deeply once or twice a week, preferably early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

This step obviously replies on whether you have a hosepipe ban or not, but a deep soak encourages the grass roots to grow further into the soil, making them more resilient to future dry spells.

If your lawn is dormant rather than dead, this consistent watering approach will help it recover naturally once temperatures begin to drop.

2. Resist mowing

It might seem like giving your lawn a close cut will tidy it up, but doing so during hot, dry weather can actually make things worse.

If your lawn is already brown, it's best to avoid using your best lawn mower altogether until it begins to recover. This reduces further stress and gives the grass the best chance of bouncing back when conditions improve

However, if it's only slightly brown and still growing, set your mower to its highest setting and leave the grass slightly longer than usual. Taller grass blades provide shade for the soil beneath, helping it retain moisture whilst protecting the roots from intense sunlight.

3. Wait before feeding your lawn

Contrary to some belief, lawn feed is best applied once the weather cools and your grass starts actively growing again. Applying fertiliser during extreme heat can place unnecessary stress on already struggling grass and may scorch it further.

Instead, continue watering where appropriate and wait for cooler temperatures or rainfall to kickstart growth. Once you begin to see green shoots returning, use a quality lawn feed to replenish lost nutrients and encourage thicker and healthier grass.

There's nothing I find more satisfying than using one of the best pressure washers, so if you're the same and enjoy giving your outdoor space a proper refresh, I've found a model that deserves your attention.

The Mac Allister M2 Pressure Washer is part of B&Q's own range, and after seeing it in action during an event a few months ago, I couldn't wait to put it to the test on my own patio. Since then, I've deliberately let the grime, mud and debris build up to give it a proper challenge, and it's safe to say it didn't disappoint.

Price and availability

The Mac Allister M2 costs £99 from B&Q, although Club members can currently get 15% off when spending £75 or more, bringing the price down to just £84.15.

It's positioned towards the more affordable end of Mac Allister's pressure washer range, sitting between the M1 (£59) and the more powerful M5 (£199), making it a great middle-ground option.

Unboxing and set up

The Mac Allister M2 arrives mostly assembled, although you'll need to attach the suspension bracket and pressure hose holder so you have somewhere to store the 5-metre power cable and 8-metre high-pressure hose. This only requires a Phillips screwdriver (which you'll need to supply yourself) and the included screws.

Once that's done, it's simply a case of choosing your preferred nozzle, attaching it to the spray lance and connecting your garden hose using a standard hose coupling. From opening the box to being ready to clean took me around 15 minutes, which felt perfectly reasonable.

Design and features

The Mac Allister M2 has an upright, trolley-style design with two large rear wheels and an retractable telescopic handle, making it easy to wheel around the garden rather than carry. The whole unit feels surprisingly compact and lightweight, whilst the durable plastic housing gives it a hard-wearing finish.

Power comes from a 1.8kW air-cooled motor, capable of delivering up to 145 bar of pressure and a water flow rate of around 450 litres per hour. It also features an automatic start/stop system, meaning the motor only runs when you squeeze the trigger, helping reduce unnecessary noise, energy use and wear on the machine.

The pressure washer is supplied with a high-pressure trigger gun and metal spray lance, alongside an excellent selection of accessories. These include an adjustable spray nozzle for general cleaning, a rotary spray nozzle for tackling stubborn dirt, and a 28cm pressure-adjustable patio cleaner, which is ideal for large paved areas. There's also an attachable 500ml detergent bottle that mixes cleaning solution directly into the water stream, making it especially useful for washing cars, bikes or filthy surfaces.

Mac Allister has also included a number of thoughtful features, including a quick-connect hose system that allows both the garden hose and high-pressure hose to be attached in seconds without any tools. The 8-metre high-pressure hose also gives you plenty of reach before needing to move the machine.

Finally, an integrated water inlet filter helps stop dirt and debris entering the pump, protecting the internal components and helping improve the washer's long-term reliability.

Performance

I was really impressed by the Mac Allister M2 Pressure Washer during testing, and I'd comfortably rank it among the best pressure washers I've used at this price point. The range of included attachments means it's well-equipped for almost any cleaning job around the home, and the pressure is excellent. It was powerful enough to tackle stubborn dirt without ever feeling difficult to control.

For patios, the patio cleaner attachment is undoubtedly the star of the show, and I'd recommend skipping the standard spray nozzles altogether and reaching straight for it. It cleaned each patio slab in around 5-10 seconds, meaning I finished my entire patio in well under an hour. It also left no swirl marks whatsoever, which is something cheaper patio cleaners often struggle with.

I also really enjoyed using the rotary spray nozzle, which proved really useful for washing walls and fences. I did have to keep my distance to avoid any damage or paint flaking, but that just shows how powerful it was.

The generous power cable and long high-pressure hose also made a real difference in day-to-day use. I rarely had to stop to reposition the machine, and thanks to its large wheels and telescopic handle, it was easy to pull around the garden without feeling awkward.

After longer cleaning sessions, I did find the trigger gun started to make my fingers feel a little sore from holding it continuously. I also found that when using the rotary spray nozzle, the garden hose occasionally came loose from the rear connection, meaning I had to stop and push it back in. Neither issue was a deal-breaker, but they were noticeable during extended use.

Verdict

At under £100, the Mac Allister M2 Pressure Washer delivers the sort of performance I'd normally expect from a far more expensive machine. The standout feature is undoubtedly the patio cleaner, which transformed my outdoor space in well under an hour. There are a couple of minor annoyances, namely the trigger becoming uncomfortable during extended use and the occasional hose connection issue, but neither came close to spoiling the results. When you combine its powerful cleaning performance, thoughtful design and impressive value for money, the Mac Allister M2 becomes an easy recommendation.

Alternatives to consider

A very similar alternative to the Mac Allister M2 is the Titan TTB2200PRW 145 Bar Electric Pressure Washer. It offers the same maximum pressure and flow rate, alongside a comparable selection of accessories including a patio cleaner, all for around the same price.

If you'd prefer something smaller and cordless, I'd recommend the Bosch Fontus 18V. It's brilliant for washing bikes, cars and outdoor furniture, but if your main priority is tackling patios or driveways, the Mac Allister M2 is the much stronger choice.

Outdoor kitchens have had a serious boom over the past few years, so much so, that some people don’t even cook inside anymore. But if you have a small outdoor space or you’re on a tight budget, you might not want to clutter your garden or balcony with too many appliances.

I’m lucky to have both a barbecue and pizza oven in my garden, but they do take up a lot of room. While I use both consistently throughout the year, I tend to use my pizza oven for a lot more than just pizza, so being able to combine a barbecue and pizza oven together is something that would save me space while offering multiple ways of cooking outside.

If you have a Masterbuilt barbecue, I just found a handy accessory that can convert your existing grill into a pizza oven – and it’s pretty affordable, too. The Masterbuilt Pizza Oven Attachment is a grill insert with a pizza stone that slots into your barbecue so you can make pizzas on the grill.

The Masterbuilt Pizza Oven Attachment looks like most pizza ovens on the market, except it doesn’t have any controls. Instead, you use your barbecue’s controls to fire up the pizza stone so you can cook pizzas in as little as five minutes while still getting that authentic flavour.

You don’t just have to use the Masterbuilt Pizza Oven Attachment for pizzas, either. It can also cook bread, steak, cookies and even lasagne – see 9 surprising foods you can cook in a pizza oven for more details. The mouth of the pizza oven is wide and spacious, so it can fit up to 12-inch pizzas inside.

When used with a Masterbuilt barbecue, the Masterbuilt Pizza Oven Attachment has 360° airflow so it whips around your food while it’s cooking to give you a consistent cook without you having to rotate it. It’s made from stainless steel and porcelain that looks premium, and matches Masterbuilt’s line-up of barbecues.

The Masterbuilt Pizza Oven Attachment is compatible with most of its gas, pellet and charcoal barbecues, including its Gravity Series. The bad news is if you have the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 – which we gave five stars in our review – you won’t be able to use the pizza oven accessory.

The Masterbuilt Pizza Oven Attachment is available to buy for £179 at Masterbuilt and select retailers like BBQ Land and Pro Smoke. Barbecues and pizza ovens come with a pretty hefty price, so if you’re on a tight budget, a pizza stone accessory like this one from Masterbuilt means you get two exciting ways to cook outdoors in an affordable and convenient way.

Dimplex has just launched its new eXtreme Electric Infrared BBQ, and I think it could win over even the most traditional barbecuers. With its generous cooking space and high temperature range, the Dimplex eXtreme Electric Infrared BBQ can cook just about anything – even a full rotisserie chicken.

When I first started testing barbecues for T3, I came up against one major issue – I didn’t have a garden. This was during the pandemic, so it was hard to get outside anyway, but I did have a small balcony which I used to my full advantage.

Despite my small outdoor space, I was pleased that between 2020 - 2022, electric barbecues finally started to get popular, despite barbecue purists' annoyance. One issue some people have with electric barbecues is they can struggle to get really hot which is what you want to get those authentic barbecue flavours and smokiness.

But the Dimplex eXtreme Electric Infrared BBQ seems to have sorted this problem. This compact, portable electric barbecue can reach temperatures over 300°C to get that perfect sear, and its high hood with a warming rack means it gets hot and big enough to cook whole birds and large cuts of meat.

Using infrared technology, the Dimplex eXtreme Electric Infrared BBQ has two 1100W carbon fibre infrared elements which allow it to get up to this high head. It gets up to temperature very quickly, and as there’s no flames involved, it produces less smoke, making it great for smaller gardens, balconies and patios.

The Dimplex eXtreme Electric Infrared BBQ has a large 2772cm² grill area, so you can cook for plenty of people. Thanks to its heating technology, the cooking surface stays consistently hot across the entire grill for even cooking. It also comes with a built-in meat probe for more accurate cooking.

The design of the Dimplex eXtreme Electric Infrared BBQ is simple yet effective, with its all-black colour with silver accents. It has a digital display at the front which allows you to adjust its settings and see the grill’s real-time temperature.

Compared to other electric barbecues, the Dimplex eXtreme Electric Infrared BBQ has quite a high price tag, but it’s currently on sale. The Dimplex eXtreme Electric Infrared BBQ is available to buy for £499 at Dimplex. As of writing, it’s discounted to £349, saving you £150.

The griddle revolution continues! Char-Broil has just debuted its new Griddle 3400, its most versatile griddle to date. Designed to cook any meal you could think of, the Char-Broil Griddle 3400 has a large grill surface made from porcelain-coated cast iron, making it ultra durable and ensuring even heat distribution.

As outdoor kitchens have surged in popularity, griddles have become the fastest growing barbecue trend of 2026. With more and more people wanting to cook outside for breakfast, lunch and dinner, griddles are the go-to way to do that, due to their easy, versatile surfaces that can cook just about anything.

The Char-Broil Griddle 3400 is a perfect example of that, as Char-Broil claims you can use it to cook pancakes, tapas, paella, tacos and more on its durable one-piece grill plate. The surface of the Char-Broil Griddle 3400 is also smooth enough that you could even cook on it using pots and pans.

The Char-Broil Griddle 3400 is powered by gas, but it has an electronic ignition for quick and safe cooking. The grill measures 48cm x 68cm, so it can cook a generous amount of food on it, plus it has stainless steel three burners that distribute heat evenly across the surface.

The design of the Char-Broil Griddle 3400 is much like a barbecue, with a foldable lid, steel cart and swivel wheels. It also offers plenty of preparation and storage space, thanks to its side shelves with hooks and raised bottom shelf.

The Char-Broil Griddle 3400 is available to buy for £449.99 at Char-Broil and select retailers, like Amazon and Argos. Compared to full-sized gas barbecues, this price is pretty affordable – but should you choose a griddle or a barbecue?

Griddles and barbecues are similar pieces of outdoor cooking equipment, but they differ in their cooking surface. Griddles use a large, solid cooking plate that comes in direct contact with your food, while a barbecue has open-grates that allows your food to be cooked directly over smoke or flames.

Depending on your tastes, a griddle is recommended for more ‘delicate’ cooking, similar to that of a frying pan, whereas a barbecue is a lot more intense, giving food a smoky flavour. Personally, I’ve tried both griddles and barbecues, and it all comes down to how much you plan to use them.

If you’re looking to cook all your meals outside rather than using a hob or oven, then a griddle is a great choice. For cooking up a storm on weekends or during the summer, a barbecue will serve you well. If you have the budget, both are an option, too – and the Char-Broil Griddle 3400 would be a great addition to your outdoor kitchen.

Roborock has spent the last few years building a reputation for itself as one of the best robot vacuum brands in the business. Now the company has brought its expertise in navigation, obstacle avoidance and app design to your garden.

Arriving in the form of the RockMow Z1, the brand's new flagship robot mower is certainly not some half-assed attempt at bringing its vacuum tech outside the home. It's clear from the moment you lift it out of the box that this thing means business.

The Z1 range comes in three sizes: the Z115 (for lawns up to 1,500 sqm), Z130 (up to 3,000 sqm) and Z150 (up to 5,000 sqm). The only difference between each model is battery size and coverage area, everything else is identical, boasting the same four-wheel drive, active steering, cameras, app, and everything.

I've been testing the Z150, the biggest and most capable model, across my garden for the past few weeks to see whether Roborock's indoor smarts translate to the great outdoors. Here's how I got on.

Roborock RockMow Z1 review: price and availability

The Roborock RockMow Z1 range is available now in the UK direct from Roborock's official RockMow site. There are three different models each aimed at different garden sizes and with varying price points: the Z115 starts at £1,699, the Z130 sits at £2,299, and the Z150 I tested comes in at £2,999. In the US, you can expect to pay up to $3,500.

First off, let’s address the elephant in the room: that's a lot of dosh for a robot mower, putting the flagship model, the Z150, well above rivals like the Segway Navimow i215 LiDAR (£1,199) and closer to premium territory occupied by the likes of Husqvarna's Automower range. The entry-level Z115 is more competitive, but you're still looking at something that’s more of an investment than a nice-to-have garden gadget.

One thing worth mentioning is that the brand’s PreciEdge module, which allows the mower to cut within 3cm of edges and walls, is sold separately at £150. Given how much the mower costs, this feels like it should be included as standard. Without it, the mower leaves a roughly 10cm strip of uncut grass along boundaries, which means you'll still need a strimmer for the finishing touches. Ugh.

Nevertheless, the Z1 also comes with three years of free 4G data, so it can operate and be controlled remotely even without Wi-Fi in the garden, which is a nice touch.

Roborock RockMow Z1 review: design and build

The first thing you notice about the RockMow Z1 is that it has a much different vibe to anything else in the robot mower market. It definitely looks the part, so much so that if you don’t have a sprawling garden of several acres then it will seem a bit overkill. In what can best be described as a tank, the Z1 has a low, aggressive stance with chunky treaded wheels, front-facing cameras that almost look like eyes, and an overall design that is very “rugged”. Even so, it’s still sleek and premium.

Where the RockMow Z1 really shines, though, is its build quality. At 21.5kg, it's a seriously heavy machine, and every gram of that weight feels worthwhile. Nothing creaks or wobbles, and the IPX6 waterproof rating means it can handle rain, mud and a blast from the garden hose without a grumble. There's also a rain sensor that sends it back to the charging station when the weather turns, ready to resume its day job once things dry out.

The four-wheel drive system is the headline feature here, though. This means that each of the mower’s wheels has its own hub motor, with the front wheels boasting active steering motors that allow for incredibly tight turns without leaving scuff marks on the grass.

The rear wheels sit on independent spring suspension, keeping the body stable and the cutting deck level even over bumps and dips. It almost seems to move like a miniature all-terrain vehicle. Turning it over, you’ll find a floating cutting deck with six blades, a 24cm cutting width, and an adjustable cutting height from 20-70mm that you set via the app. There's also an anti-clog disc designed to prevent grass build-up.

My only real gripe here is the sheer size of the thing. At 661 x 475 x 294mm, the Z1 is a meaty piece of kit that takes up a good chunk of space in the garden. If you've got a compact urban garden, it's going to dominate. In fact, if this is you, I’d recommend against buying one entirely as this beast is designed for bigger uneven gardens that more bog standard robot mowers would struggle with. Plus, at 21.5kg, moving it manually is not something you want to be doing often. On the other hand, if it’s a large unruly garden you have, then this is definitely the machine for you.

Roborock RockMow Z1 review: performance and features

Setting up the RockMow Z1 was surprisingly easy. Roborock includes a generously long cable so it doesn't have to sit right next to the charging station, and once it’s docked and charging, it’s on to the initial pairing via the app, which is super quick. For me, with a relatively modest yard, the whole process from unboxing to first mow took about half an hour, but this might vary depending on your setup and garden size.

The one thing I couldn't find was an auto-mapping option. I had to manually drive the mower around the perimeter of my garden via the app to teach it the boundaries, which - as something that claims to be so high tech and is outrageously expensive - I was surprised at. Still, this worked fine, but for a machine with supposed AI-powered mapping, I was expecting to be able to let it figure things out on its own. (Other reviews have since reported that AI mapping has been rolled out via a software update, so perhaps this is yet to arrive.)

Once mapped, though, the Z1 is seriously impressive. When up and running, you’ll see just how nimble it is. Cutting grass evenly and responding instantly to your commands in the app even when changing settings, such as the cutting length, mid-mow. The active steering means it navigates around obstacles smoothly, making tight turns without chewing up the turf, and the four-wheel drive powers through slopes and uneven ground without needing to stop and think about it.

The Quad Vision obstacle avoidance system uses four cameras (two front, two side) and works well. It spotted and avoided garden furniture, plant pots, and the like without a problem. It's perhaps a touch over-cautious at times, however, leaving quite a wide berth around objects, which means a bit more untouched grass than you might expect.

I found cutting performance to be clean and consistent. The floating cutting deck adapts to the contours of the ground, and after a few sessions the lawn looked noticeably more even and well-maintained.

While it’s a feature that most robot mowers lack, the RockMow Z1 doesn’t collect grass during a cut. Instead, it mulches the clippings and leaves them on the lawn. This is fine for lawn health if the mower runs regularly enough to keep clippings tiny, but if you've let the grass grow a bit between sessions, you'll find yourself raking up afterwards, which somewhat defeats the brand’s "set it and forget it" mantra.

As I mentioned earlier, the Roborock app is a pleasure to use. It's clean, intuitive and gives you control over schedules, cutting height, zones, mowing direction and more. You can track the mower's progress in real time on a map, set no-go zones, create passages between separate lawn areas, and even choose mowing patterns. There's also a nifty anti-theft system with PIN lock, lift alarm and 4G tracking, plus it supports Apple Find My for location tracking.

As for battery life, the Z150 is generous at 200 minutes per charge, with a 60-minute charging time. For my garden, one charge was more than enough per session, and the mower returns to its dock automatically when the battery gets low, resuming where it left off once topped up.

Roborock RockMow Z1 review: verdict

The Roborock RockMow Z1 is one of the most capable and well-built robot mowers I've had the pleasure of testing. The four-wheel drive, active steering and dynamic suspension handle terrain that would leave most competitors spinning on their backs, and the build quality is exceptional. Meanwhile, the app is polished and packed with useful features, the cutting performance is clean and even, and the obstacle avoidance is reliable.

However, it’s imperative to note that this machine only makes sense for the right garden. At £2,999 for the Z150 that I reviewed, it's a serious investment, and the size and weight mean it only really makes sense for larger, uneven and more demanding outdoor spaces. If your garden is small, simple and flat, you'd be far better off with something like the Segway Navimow i208 LiDAR or even Roborock's own smaller RockMow S1.

Still, if you've got the budget as well as a big, hilly, obstacle-ridden garden and you're tired of spending your weekends pushing a mower around it, the RockMow Z1 is built for exactly that job. It's just a shame the PreciEdge module isn't included at this price.

Over the past month or so, the UK has experienced some intense heatwaves. While keeping cool has been a top priority, so has taking care of your garden, as the high temperatures and bright sun can have damaging effects on your lawn, plants and decking.

My garden is full of plants – which I’ve been watering obsessively every morning to keep them happy and hydrated – but it’s also made up of wooden decking which is currently looking a little worse for wear. Whether it’s wooden or composite, decking can warp, shrink and splinter in the hot weather, and the surface can get excessively hot which can burn your feet and your pets’ paws.

To protect your decking from the next heatwave, here’s three ways to look after it, including when is the best time to make these improvements.

P.S. If you have a grassy garden, check out these 3 tips for stopping your lawn turning brown in a heatwave.

1. Create temporary shade

Unfortunately, you can’t pick up your decking and put it inside, so an easy way to stop it from getting too hot or drying out is to create temporary shade. There are a few ways you can do this, but as long as you’re blocking your deck from direct sunlight, it should be well protected.

One way to create temporary shade is using a gazebo, awning or parasol. If you don’t have this type of outdoor structure, you can make it even simpler and cover your decking with an outdoor rug. Not only will this prevent your deck from warping, but it’ll also protect your feet by keeping the temperature down.

Another handy way is rearranging or strategically placing your plants. Plants and trees can easily shade your garden while also getting the sunlight that they need – make sure you water them at the right times to keep them happy, too.

2. Apply a UV-blocking oil or stain

As mentioned, I have wooden decking at home and treating it has always been a task I’d rather avoid. But applying a UV-blocking treatment, like an oil or stain, can protect your decking from direct heat while also preventing drying and splintering – think of it as suncream for your deck!

Before you stain your decking with a UV blocker, make sure to treat it on a less hot day or in the early morning or late evening, ideally when the sun has gone down or hasn’t risen yet. This timing prevents the UV blocker from drying too quickly and leaving a film on top of your decking which does more harm than good.

3. Water your deck – yes, really

You’ve heard of watering your lawn, but have you heard of watering your deck? I hadn’t either, but it turns out you can cool your decking by giving it a quick rinse. Lightly spraying or misting your deck in the evening is most recommended and effective, as it cools the surface, prevents warping and expanding, and can wash away dirt and pollen after a long, hot day.

Char-Broil has just launched its latest electric barbecue, a portable, compact model that gives patio, balcony and small garden owners a convenient way to grill this summer. The Char-Broil Patio Bistro Cube E Barbecue is a small yet powerful electric grill which quickly reaches high temperatures for searing, roasting and more.

During the pandemic, I lived in a small flat with an even smaller balcony, but my teeny tiny outdoor space got me through the months of lockdown. It was just about big enough for a miniature table and chairs, but around this time was when electric barbecues got really popular.

Lucky for me, I got to test an electric barbecue during this time, and it quickly became my go-to cooking method. Like other barbecue enthusiasts, I didn’t think an electric grill could produce authentic barbecue flavours, but I was proven wrong.

For those who live in small flats and homes but still want the chance to grill, the Char-Broil Patio Bistro Cube E Barbecue is sure to solve your problems. Measuring just 47.4cm in height, 47.1cm in width and 53.6cm in diameter, this electric barbecue is small yet mighty, and its three metre cord means you can plug it in and use it anywhere.

Despite its compact size, the Char-Broil Patio Bistro Cube E Barbecue has a generous cooking capacity. Its grate has a diameter of 38.4cm and can cook for up to three people at a time.

With 1500 watts of power, the Char-Broil Patio Bistro Cube E Barbecue can reach up to a maximum temperature of 280°C in under 20 minutes. This temperature is recommended for quick grilling sessions, but the Char-Broil Patio Bistro Cube E Barbecue can reach up to 320°C for intense searing.

To lock in the temperature, the Char-Broil Patio Bistro Cube E Barbecue comes with a dome-like lead which seals in heat and flavour. It uses TRU-Infrared technology to distribute heat evenly across the grate, and the lid has an integrated analogue temperature gauge so you can monitor the heat at all times without disrupting your cooking.

The Char-Broil Patio Bistro Cube E Barbecue is available to buy for £229 at Char-Broil and select retailers, like Amazon and Very.

Kärcher is expanding its award-winning line-up of pressure washers with its new Flex eco!Booster models. Available in four sizes, and versions specifically for your home and car, the new Kärcher Flex eco!Booster range strikes the perfect balance between power and delicateness.

Despite being an expert in lawn mowers, I don’t actually have a grassy garden. Instead, I have wooden decking which I’ve been treating every year to keep it in top condition. I’m due another round of deck treatment soon, but the last time I used a pressure washer, things got a little out of hand.

The pressure washer that I used was far too powerful for my wooden decking. Using too much pressure on decking can cause the wood fibres to grain and splinter, and I think that’s what’s happened to mine as it’s looking a little worse for wear.

But the new Flex eco!Booster range from Kärcher looks like the answer to my decking problems. The collection features K3, K4, K5 and K7 models, with the K3 better suited for smaller gardens, the K4 and K5 for medium-large gardens and K7 for larger outdoor spaces.

For my size deck, the Kärcher K4 WCM Flex eco!Booster looks like it could fit the bill. Designed for use on moderate dirt, the Kärcher Flex eco!Booster can be used on furniture, paths and cars, and has a water-cooled motor that’s powerful and durable.

What I like the most about the new range is its eco!Booster lance which attaches to the main pressure washer body. This attachment is best for delicate surfaces – my decking would certainly benefit from this – yet it still offers an impressive cleaning performance that’s both energy and water efficient.

For more powerful cleaning, the Kärcher Flex eco!Booster comes with a dirtblaster lance for when you need extra power to get rid of tough stains.

The Kärcher Flex eco!Booster comes with an 8m high-pressure hose and a built-in water filter. Prices on the new pressure washers start at £159.99, and you can already find some models discounted on the Kärcher website.

The UK heatwave is back, and whilst many of us are enjoying the sunshine, your lawn might not be feeling quite as happy. Rising temperatures and dry conditions can quickly turn healthy green grass into a brown mess if it's not looked after properly.

The good news is you don't need to spend hours working on your garden or invest in expensive products to help your lawn survive the heat. A few simple changes to how you water, mow and maintain your grass can make a big difference, and I've listed the three easiest things down below so you can get started.

1. Water your lawn at the right time

One of the biggest mistakes people make during a heatwave is watering their lawn at the hottest time of day. Just like with plants, much of that water can evaporate before it reaches the roots when temperatures are high.

Instead, water early in the morning or later in the evening when the sun is weaker and the soil has more time to absorb the moisture. A deeper watering less often is also better than a quick daily sprinkle, as it helps the grass develop stronger roots and cope better with dry conditions.

2. Raise your mower cutting height

During a heatwave, your lawn needs to hold onto as much moisture as possible, and one easy way to help is by raising the cutting height on your mower.

Whether you're using one of the best cordless mowers or the best robot mowers, cutting your grass too short can leave it more exposed to the sun and cause it to dry out faster. Keeping your grass slightly longer helps provide shade, reduces moisture loss and keeps your lawn healthier.

3. Avoid heavy lawn maintenance during extreme heat

When temperatures rise, your lawn is already under stress, so avoid putting it through too much extra work. Try to hold off on jobs like scarifying, heavy mowing or applying treatments until the weather cools down.

If you do need to mow, do it in the evening when it's cooler and avoid cutting too much grass at once. Leaving some grass clippings behind can also help, as they return moisture and nutrients back into the soil.

Aldi has launched a huge range of outdoor garden lights as part of its latest Specialbuys. Most are solar-powered, whilst a handful are rechargeable, giving you plenty of options depending on your outdoor setup.

This isn't the first summer-friendly launch we've seen from Aldi recently. Following its budget beer dispenser and affordable range of fans, and these new garden lights are another great example of the retailer offering seasonal essentials at wallet-friendly prices.

As with all Aldi Specialbuys, availability is limited, so once they're gone, they're gone.

Upgrading to a new barbecue? Weber’s Summer Sale is here with up to 30% off its line-up of barbecues and accessories – and I’ve found the best five deals you need to check out, including a 25% discount on Weber’s 5-star gas barbecue.

Shop the Weber Summer Sale

It’s been so hot recently that standing in front of a barbecue is probably the last thing you want to do right now. But when the weather is this nice and the deals are this good, I’m going to have to insist that you get outside and fire up the grill.

In Weber’s Summer Sale, there are tons of brilliant offers across its gas and electric barbecue range. The best deal I’ve found is on the Weber Traveler which we gave five stars in our Weber Traveler review. Our reviewer loved its generous grill size, stylish looks and handy portability.

Below, I’ve rounded up the five best Weber barbecue deals that you can buy today, including gas and electric options, and portable and full-sized models.

There comes a time when all of us start to gain an unhealthy obsession with a well-manicured lawn. Staring out onto a trim bed of blades formed into neat striped patterns is inherently satisfying.

Recently, I've been testing out the Stihl RMA 448 RV. That's a high-end lawn mower from the brand, which offers a wealth of features in a battery-powered device.

Stihl RMA 448 RV review: Price and Availability

The Stihl RMA 448 RV retails for £829 (approx. €970 / US$1,110 / AU$1,595). It can be purchased via the brand's website.

Stihl RMA 448 RV review: Features

While it's a relatively simple mower overall, the RMA 448 RV does offer a range of feature to help you sculpt the cut you want. Think of it like a bevy of options for the final 5%, more than fundamental changes to the overall experience.

First and foremost, that includes a five-option cutting height adjustment. That allows you to pick how tall you want your lawn to be with decent precision, and is selectable via a push-button lever which can be operated with one hand, but doesn't feel like it'll be changed by accident.

There's also an Eco mode, which allows the user to prioritise battery life over all else. This setting automatically adapts the motor speed to what's needed for the job, rather than full power. It's a neat addition, and will be a lifesaver for those with lawns large enough to almost max out a battery.

You'll have two options with regards to grass collection, with a switch to choose between mulching or collecting. The collection happens within a box at the rear of the machine, and holds a decent amount of material.

Last, but by no means least, is the Vario Self-Drive engine. That allows you to divert some of the power to propelling the mower, significantly reducing the effort required to move it.

Stihl RMA 448 RV review: Performance

I'll start with a gripe because it was the first thing I noticed – this is a heavy unit. At 27kg, it'll take some effort to move it around, particularly if you need to carry it over steps or ledges. In comparison to other similar-sized mowers it's not too bad, but if you want a truly lightweight mower, this isn't for you.

Still, once you've broken a sweat to get it onto the lawn, everything else feels remarkably simple. The rear box constructs with ease, and clips into place with a reassuring click.

Do make sure you double check the setting of the mulch/collection switch before you start. I didn't on the first go, and ended up baffled when my entire lawn only left a smattering of grass blades in the box.

I'd also recommend being more generous than you think you need to be with the cutting height, especially if you've got a lawn which isn't flat. I found that mine scarred a lot of patches, simply because of how much it undulates – the wide 46cm cutting section is too broad to run over them without issue.

One aspect I really have loved about this mower is the Self-Drive function. It offers a range of settings from tortoise to hare – a playful touch which is more endearing than a numbered selection – to divert some of the power into propelling the machine.

I love this – as someone with a sloped lawn, it makes it easy to travel in both directions with pretty much the same level of effort. However, I'd again recommend proceeding with caution – the higher speed settings are pretty nippy, and could quickly run away from you if you're not nimble.

Fortunately the safety mechanism built into the handle means you should be able to avoid most accidents. You'll need to press a button on the side of the handle and pull up the rear bar to start the mower, with a further front bar pulled up to activate the Self-Drive. Letting go is enough to kill the engine, which makes it handy if you're about to accidentally tear through a lovingly curated border of petunias (don't ask me how I know).

My lawn isn't the biggest, and I do think the benefits of this machine would be reaped in a larger space. The turning circle isn't amazing, so you'll often find yourself doing a five-point turn to get into the right spot. It's certainly not the biggest issue in the world, but if you've got a smaller space, it's worth considering one of the brand's smaller machines to save on weight and size.

Stihl RMA 448 RV review: Verdict

All in all, I think this is a killer lawn mower. It's a beast of a unit and enjoys enough features to make sure you can get the perfect cut every time.

If you're on the hunt for a lawn mower which is built like a tank and ready to mow large lawns with ease, look no further. This is a solid pick for those with deep enough pockets.

Stihl RMA 448 RV review: Also Consider

If you're looking for a decent cordless mower on a budget, the Hawksmoor 36V Brushless Cordless Lawnmower is a solid option. It earned an impressive five-star rating when our reviewer got their hands on it, offering exceptional value for money.

Alternatively, the Worx Nitro WG761E 80V mower has been top of our guide for a while, and it's not hard to see why! Good looks and an impressive feature set make it hard to ignore – even if it outstrips this model for price.

The humble smash burger appears to have become the unlikely catalyst behind a surge in popularity for gas-powered griddles (or planchas) that goes well beyond the campsite where these versatile outdoor barbecue alternatives have been in use for years. That signature burger technique – pressing a ball of mince onto a flat, searingly hot surface to create a crisp, flavour-packed crust – demands intense, even heat that only a heavy-duty metal plate can provide.

Consequently, what began as a street-food trend has evolved into a much broader movement that seems to be reshaping outdoor cooking and pushing major barbecue brands to offer a more versatile, high-heat solution. And it's not just smash burgers, because you can cook almost anything on a griddle – juicy steaks with caramelised crust and perfectly cooked centres, delicate fish, bacon and eggs, toasties, fruit, you name it.

In this State of the Art, we're focusing on user-friendly, gas-powered table-top griddles from the likes of Pit Boss, Weber and Campingaz. While their locomotive-grade metal plates add a lot of weight, all of these models are portable by car, which means you can also take them camping and picnicking. What's not to like?

WHAT'S ON TEST…

PIT BOSS ULTIMATE LIFT-OFF PLANCHA

Pit Boss brings flat-top freedom with exceptional flexibility

The Pit Boss 2-Burner Ultimate Lift-Off Plancha is exactly the sort of product that feels engineered to capitalise on the current flat-top cooking boom, while meeting the needs of novices who may have never used a griddle before. As a consequence, this US-sourced model is equipped with a non-stick armoured ceramic cooktop that requires no pre-seasoning. At 58.7cm x 46.3cm, this silky-smooth plate has enough space for six to eight hungry gannets while requiring little to no oil.

This is an appealingly civilised approach when compared to the cast-iron norm; during day-to-day use, this style of cooktop is impressively low-maintenance, requiring little more than a wipe-down after cooking. The coating also resists rust better than traditional steel plates, though ceramic surfaces are best used with nylon polymer spatulas and scrapers rather than traditional steel, which could remove the ceramic coating over a period of time. Pit Boss produces a full set of nylon griddle tools designed specifically for this model.

With a colossal 7.63kW of output delivering an average cooking temperature of around 260˚C, this beast has no trouble delivering the high temperatures needed for smash burgers or seared steak. Heat distribution is generally consistent, and the dual-burner setup offers enough control to juggle multiple ingredients. The robust hinged lid, too, is an excellent feature for the onset of rain.

One of the very best facets of this model is its Lift-Off party trick: the whole cooktop and lid can be easily removed from its stand, transforming it into a portable unit. Build quality throughout is exceedingly good, with practical touches on the stand section like folding shelves with tool hooks, a paper towel holder, a bin-liner holder, a bottle opener and a removable steel grease catcher at the front for easy access.

The Pit Boss 2-Burner Ultimate Lift-Off Plancha is inarguably the most versatile griddle system on the market right now. It takes a while to assemble, while its conspicuous design won't appeal to everyone, but for ease of use, portability and everyday practicality, this is an impressively designed combo that will doubtless serve you extremely well in the long term.

WEBER SLATE GP 56CM GRIDDLE

Premium griddle cooking from the king of barbecue brands

The Slate GP 56cm brings barbecue behemoth Weber into the increasingly fashionable world of portable flat-top cooking, and it's clear that the US brand has no intention of doing things by halves. Where rivals like Blackstone lean towards a more utilitarian design approach, the Slate GP looks elegant and feels reassuringly premium, with a well-finished body, a weighty 56cm porcelain-enamelled cooktop, and a lightweight lid that's ostensibly for weather protection only and not for cooking.

The Slate GP is designed for tabletop use, though Weber also produces a 76cm option with stand for those with more space on the patio. At 56cm in width and 41.5cm in depth, the Weber we've got here is rust-resistant, though its porcelain-enamel cooktop isn't as slippery as the ceramic Pit Boss – some foods may stick if you don't apply enough oil – but it doesn't require any pre-seasoning and is very easy to clean.

The Slate takes between 10 and 15 minutes to reach cooking temperature and, as with all griddles, the heat is mostly consistent across the entire plate, with just a few cooler spots here and there. The Slate works with any standard refillable propane gas bottle and ships with a standard regulator and hose pre-fitted.

As is the case with all griddles, the Weber is also equipped with a grease management system comprising a cut-out on the front left of the plate and an easily removed grease catcher beneath. The addition of top-quality adjustable feet can be considered a major bonus, especially if it's being used on an uneven surface.

Granted, at around 24 kg, the Slate isn't the lightest or most compact option around (Weber also produces a smaller 43cm single-burner version in case you're interested), but there's no doubting that this is an amazingly well-engineered griddle that lives up to Weber's reputation for exceptional build quality and impressive functionality, even when used in cooler weather or when there's some wind in the air.

For those tempted by the smash burger revolution or anyone simply looking to broaden their outdoor cooking repertoire, the Slate GP 56 is a confidence-inspiring option that will not disappoint.

CAMPINGAZ SIGMA 1 CV

A practical, space-efficient option for camping, balconies and small patios

While it lacks the premium finish of more expensive rivals, the budget-priced Sigma 1 CV is perfect for car camping, picnics or those without much space at home. Unlike some griddles that ship with untreated cooking plates, the Sigma comes with a reassuringly weighty 45cm x 30cm enamelled cast-iron plate that requires only a gentle spritz of cooking oil to prevent any sticking.

The Sigma's single 2.8kW Blue Flame burner does a commendable job of distributing heat while keeping cool spots to a minimum. The plate got up to just above 260˚C – perfect for creating that all-important caramelised crust on smash burgers and steaks.

Naturally, there are limits with a single-burner system like this. You don't get the luxury of dual-zone cooking, and the smaller 1,350cm² cooking area itself, while perfectly adequate for a family of four to six at a pinch, is certainly not built for feeding a crowd; unless, of course, you're doing bacon and egg baps, in which case you'll be the toast of the campsite.

The integrated hinged lid, meanwhile, genuinely improves the cooking experience. It acts as a wind shield, speeds up the heating process, helps retain heat in cooler weather and dramatically reduces spitting fat – a feature anyone cooking on a balcony or heritage stone patio will come to appreciate. And when you've finished cooking, the lid also offers basic protection against rain.

The Sigma comes with the obligatory grease management system with a dishwasher-safe collection cup, battery-powered ignition and four height-adjustable griddle plate pins that, while fiddly to access, are cause for a little celebration, mostly because a wonky flat-top is no fun when frying eggs and other wet ingredients that can very easily meander across the cooking area.

Moreover, the use of easily-sourced disposable CV470 gas cartridges makes setup refreshingly fuss-free – simply pop a canister in the steel basket provided, push in the regulator and twist its sleeve to lock it in position. This type of gas system also lends itself perfectly to spontaneous use, whether you're sizzling bacon beside a camper van, flipping burgers on a city balcony or whipping up an outdoor breakfast at home.

In a nutshell, the Campingaz Sigma 1 CV delivers proper flat-top cooking in a compact package that is easy to carry a short distance, quick to heat up and effortless to use.

The overall winner is…

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT GRIDDLING

GRIDDLE OR PLANCHA?

Planchas are designed with a powerful hob-style burner directly under the centre, or either side if it's a two-burner. This creates an intense searing zone in the middle, while the edges remain cooler. A griddle's heat source is provided by a burner tube that snakes around just below the plate, like most gas barbecues. In general, griddles aim for edge-to-edge consistency, which is ideal for when you want everything to cook at roughly the same rate.

SHOULD I SEASON IT?

If it's of the cast-iron or steel variety, one of the first things you need to do is to season it by rubbing high-smoke-point vegetable oil (avocado, rapeseed, sunflower or peanut) over the entire cooking plate using a paper towel while the plate is piping hot. This process seals the plate with a dark burnt-in coating that creates a non-stick layer and helps prevent rust. In general, you won't need to season a ceramic-or enamel-coated model.

PREHEAT

Preheating a griddle for 10 to 15 minutes ensures even heat distribution. It also helps prevent sticking and improves caramelisation of foods.

WHICH TOOLS?

A quality griddle tool kit includes a wide stainless-steel spatula, a scraper for quick cleaning, heat-resistant tongs, a squeezy oil bottle and, for doing smash burgers, a suitably strong burger press. On a ceramic or treated cooktop consider using nylon polymer tools, as they are less prone to scratching the surface.

CLEAN IT UP

On a cast-iron or steel plate, scrape off residue while the surface is very hot. Pour a little water on stubborn spots to loosen debris, then wipe bone dry because moisture is the enemy of cast-iron cooking plates. If using a ceramic-coated or porcelain-enamelled model, use paper towelling to wipe it down when warm.

5 essential tabletop griddle add-ons

Get the most out of your new outdoor cooker with these handy cooking implements

1 WEBER GRIDDLE SQUEEZE BOTTLE SET

Griddling can be a messy business, especially if you use too much oil. This simple but useful squeezy bottle provides just the right amount of high smoke-point oil without smothering the ingredients.
£14, weber.com

2 OONI DIGITAL INFRARED THERMOMETER

An essential gadget for serious griddle and pizza perfectionists. Ooni's laser thermometer delivers accurate surface readings up to 550°C by simply pointing the beam at the griddle plate and reading the temperature in either Celsius or Fahrenheit. With its colour-coded display it removes the guesswork from griddle cooking in a trice. £50, ooni.com

3 FLASLD HEAT RESISTANT TABLE MAT

Tabletop griddles create a lot of heat and this can be an issue if the unit is placed on a plastic or delicate wooden table. Comprised of a silicone-coated fibre sandwich with a layer of insulating cotton in between, this mat is a cheap, simple and effective solution for shielding outdoor tables from heat, grease and scratches during the cooking session.
From £14, flasld.com

4 BURGER PRESS

This heavyweight burger press genuinely takes the strain out of burger smashing, and is perfect for making panini and toasties, too. Made from 100% cast-iron, its textured base helps prevent sticking while delivering even pressure and a superb crust.
£40, weber.com

5 CHAR-BROIL GRIDDLE STARTER KIT

A smart companion for anyone stepping into the sizzling world of flat-top cooking. Char-Broil's sturdy three-piece stainless steel set includes essential tools for flipping burgers, smashing patties and scraping down the cooking surface.
£43, charbroil.co.uk

I’ve tested lots of outdoor cooking equipment during my time as Home Editor for T3, and when I’m asked about the best thing I’ve ever reviewed, I always say my pizza oven. Not only do I still use it on an almost weekly basis, but it sits in pride of place in my garden and is a real crowd-pleaser when I have guests over.

Despite my pizza oven being my prized possession, I can’t deny that they are expensive. From big name brands like Gozney and Ooni, you can expect to pay between £300 - £2,000 for a pizza oven which isn’t in everyone’s budgets. But I recently tried the Vonhaus Outdoor Wood Pellet Pizza Oven and was pleasantly surprised by its functionality, especially considering its budget price tag.

At £109.99, the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven is one of the cheapest pizza ovens you can buy today. It’s well-built, comes with a nice range of accessories, and can cook up to 12-inch pizzas. So, how does it perform? I spent some time with the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven to find out.

Vonhaus pellet pizza oven review: price and availability

The Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven is available to buy for £109.99 at Vonhaus and select retailers, like Amazon and Argos. It comes with the main pizza oven and a square pizza stone, a stainless steel pizza peel and cutter, a bamboo chopping board, and a polyester storage bag.

Vonhaus pellet pizza oven review: unboxing and setup

Setting up the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven was incredibly easy. It arrives with the main pizza oven body already put together, but some assembling is involved, like attaching the chimney and fuel box.

To get started, I unfolded the legs of the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven to make it easier to assemble everything. Next, I used the screws to attach the wood pellet charger to the top of the pizza oven – this is where you can add more pellets if needed and let out some of the smoke.

The chimney was easy to insert as it slotted into the hole at the top of the pizza oven. The fuel drawer only needed to be put in its drawer at the back of the oven, and then I added the pizza stone inside. I then attached the handle to the oven door and attached it to the front of the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven.

Aside from the pellet charger which fixed on permanently, everything else on the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven was removeable. When I wasn’t using it, I detached the removable parts, folded the legs away and packed the pizza oven inside its storage bag which was also quick and easy to do.

To use the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven, you start by closing the front door of the oven before adding 250g of wood pellets to the fuel drawer. From there, place a firestarter in the drawer and light it before placing the drawer in the oven. Next, you simply wait for the pellets to ignite and for the temperature gauge on the top of the oven to show 350°C before adding your food. Vonhaus claims this takes up to 25 minutes.

Vonhaus pellet pizza oven review: design and features

Made from stainless steel with a black coating, the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven is a good-looking model that seems to take style inspiration from Ooni. The main body of the pizza oven is black while steel accents include the door, chimney, fuel drawer and pellet charger.

Measuring 55cm in height, 40.4cm in width and 60cm in diameter, the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven is surprisingly compact and takes up minimal space in your garden. Weighing just 9.8kg, it’s not very heavy either, and I found it comfortable to move around when it was assembled, as well as in its storage bag.

The Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven has a spacious internal capacity which can cook up to 12-inch pizzas, as well as other foods, like flatbreads, vegetables and meat. A temperature gauge is located at the top of the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven, and it can reach up to 400°C for intense and quick cooking in as little as 90 seconds.

With the wood pellet box located at the back of the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven, the flames run across the top of the pizza while the edges get hotter to cover the crust. The pizza stone base is made from cordierite to absorb and distribute heat for a crisp base. The heat is consistent, although you can’t adjust the temperature in any way as there are no controls.

The Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven doesn’t come with wood pellets so I used Weber Grill Academy All-Natural Hardwood Pellets.

Vonhaus pellet pizza oven review: performance

As mentioned above, setting up the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven was incredibly easy, and I enjoyed how quickly it could be assembled and taken apart for storage. Those with smaller gardens will definitely enjoy it as it has a compact size despite its spacious interior, and its foldable legs make it easy to store.

Using the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven was a little tricky in places. The wood pellets took some time to light as expected, but once they were lit, the pizza oven itself took a long time to heat up. The instructions stated that it would take up to 25 minutes to get up to 350°C but it took up to 45 minutes for me and I had to replenish the wood pellets multiple times.

When the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven finally got up to temperature, I found that it lost its heat quite quickly. The body of the pizza oven got extremely hot, especially the steel parts on the pellet charger and chimney so you’ll want to be extremely careful with this.

I found the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven to work best on pre-made pizza but it crisped up my homemade pizza well, too. The interior was a good size and easily fit both pizzas comfortably, and the pizza peel slid the pizza nicely inside and onto the pizza stone.

I was surprised that the interior stayed relatively clean, but the pellet charger and fuel drawer which came into contact with the flames and smoke got extremely dirty. It was relatively easier to clean but it looked pretty filthy. I also enjoyed the accessories, especially the pizza peel and cutter, although after only a few uses, the logo on the bamboo board faded and the material started to fray.

Vonhaus pellet pizza oven review: verdict

The Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven ticks a lot of boxes, particularly if you have a small garden and you’re looking for an affordable, budget-friendly model. If you want another smarter or simply a way to control the flame, you’ll want to pay a bit more money as the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven is extremely simple.

However, in terms of value for money, you definitely get what you pay for with the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven. Its accessories are good, the pizza oven itself looks great, and its portability makes it easy to set up and use.

The main downside of the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven is it takes a long time to heat up. If you have the time, then you won’t mind waiting for it to come to temperature, but it’s worth keeping in mind.

Vonhaus pellet pizza oven review: alternatives to consider

A good alternative to the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven is the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven. It’s an electric model but it also comes with wood pellets which you can use to enhance the flavour of your food. It’s also compact and reasonably priced at £349.

The Gozney Roccbox is similar in size and portability to the Vonhaus Pellet Pizza Oven. It runs on gas or wood pellets so you can get more control over your cooking, and cook quickly using gas and add extra flavour with pellets.

The T3 Awards 2026 are back, and this year, we’re pulling out all the stops as this award season also coincides with T3’s 30th anniversary. This past year has been full of exciting innovations across tech, active and home, so to kick off this week’s announcement, we’re starting in the kitchen and out in the garden.

This year’s Kitchen and Garden Award winners, highly commended and nominees have really impressed us. T3’s Home team have had the joy of testing (too many) large and small appliances, including AI air fryers, high-powered blenders and ramp-climbing robotic lawn mowers – it’s a hard job but someone has to do it!

After countless hours of testing and reviewing later, we’ve finally narrowed down our Kitchen and Garden winners for the T3 Awards 2026.

Best Air Fryer / Multi-Cooker

Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer

One of the biggest air fryer trends in the past year has been stacked baskets where two chambers or drawers are stacked atop one another rather than sitting side by side. This space-saving design is already ingenious, but the brand that did it best and is now winning the T3 Award for Best Air Fryer is the Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer.

Philips’ first air fryer with a stacked design is truly impressive. Its compact size means it takes up minimal space in your kitchen, although its black and gold finish will make you want to display it anyway. The dual baskets cook a great deal of food, and their viewing windows, built-in lights and intuitive controls make everyday cooking that much easier.

Read our Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer review for more details.

Highly Commended: Tower Air X

Best Air Fryer Shortlist: Panasonic Flex NF-BC1000KXC Air Fryer, Cosori Turbo Tower 10.8L air fryer, Cuisinart AirTwin XXL Dual-Zone Air Fryer, Instant Pot Classic Mini 3.8L Multi-Cooker

Best Coffee Machine

Sage Oracle Dual Boiler

With the rising price of takeaway coffees, more and more households are finally upgrading their home coffee set-up by introducing bean to cup coffee machines to their kitchen. One coffee machine brand that continues to do exciting things in the coffee machine space is Sage – and its Oracle Dual Boiler is taking the win for the Best Coffee Machine for 2026.

Sage’s Oracle Dual Boiler might look a little daunting at first, with its luxury design, built-in grinder and portafilter, but it couldn’t be easier to use. It comes with plenty of coffee-making options, and talks you through the entire process – and there are also extensive manual controls for expert baristas to get their teeth stuck into.

Read our Sage Oracle Dual Boiler review for more details.

Highly Commended: De'Longhi Eletta Ultra

Best Coffee Machine Shortlist: Philips Baristina, Cuisinart Grind, Tamp and Brew Espresso machine, Lavazza Assoluta, Gaggia Classic UP, Dreame Ecceluxe Slim Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Best Blender / Mixer

Beast Mighty 850 Plus

As a self-confessed smoothie addict – I’m rarely seen without one in the office – testing the best blenders is a great perk to the job. Over the past year, I’ve blended, pulsed and pulverised an insane amount of fruit and vegetables, and found the Beast Mighty 850 Plus to be the best of the bunch.

Beast Health only arrived in the UK last year, but it’s already impressed many customers with its speedy, portable and easy-to-use blenders, like the Beast Mighty 850 Plus. Using a 850w blender base and stainless steel blades, this small yet mighty blender can quickly and easily cut through fresh and frozen ingredients. Where it really shines is its accessories, including multiple vessel sizes, lids, spouts and straws, that make it easy to take with you on-the-go.

Read our Beast Mighty 850 Plus review for more details.

Highly Commended: KitchenAid Pure Power Blender

Best Blender / Mixer Shortlist: Ninja BlendBoss, Tefal Blend Up Mini Blender, Cuisinart Blast & Go Portable Blender

Best Barbecue

Weber Searwood XL

Outdoor cooking has had a real spike in popularity in the past few years – maybe because the UK is finally getting some decent weather. Getting outside and firing up the best barbecue has never been easier or smarter, and for this year’s awards, the Weber Searwood XL takes the crown.

A pellet grill option, the Weber Searwood XL can grill, smoke and sear anything you throw on it. It strikes an impressive balance between power, precision and ease, and can be used by seasoned experts to complete beginners, thanks to its simple manual and smart controls.

Read our full Weber Searwood XL review for more details.

Highly Commended: Campingaz 3 Series Onyx S Gas BBQ

Best Barbecue Shortlist: Char-Broil Versa Tile, Pit Boss Titan Competition Series, Traeger Woodridge Pro, Ninja FlexFlame

Best Outdoor Cooking Appliance

Gozney Tread

When it comes to the best pizza oven you can buy, Gozney is a tough brand to beat. In the past year, Gozney has launched new Arc and Dome models, but the one that caught our attention the most was the Gozney Tread, the brand’s most portable model yet.

I know what you’re thinking – taking a pizza oven with you on holiday is crazy. But with the Gozney Tread’s lighter design, easy storage and carry handles, it’s a no-brainer to pack it with you for your next beach or camping trip. It has a generous capacity which makes 12-inch pizzas, and its gas-powered flames are easy to control and produce quick, tasty results.

Read our Gozney Tread review for more details.

Highly Commended: Delivita Flow

Best Outdoor Cooking Appliance Shortlist: Ninja Artisan Electric Pizza Oven & Air Fryer, Ooni Volt 2, VonHaus pellet pizza oven

Best Lawn Mower

Eufy E15 robot lawn mower

Before you fire up your barbecue or pizza oven for your next outdoor party, it’s important that your garden looks the part. Mowing the lawn isn’t exactly the most fun or easy job, but if you have a robot lawn mower, the process is an absolute breeze – especially if you have the Eufy E15 robot lawn mower to hand.

Eufy continues to impress us across the smart home and robotics space, and its Eufy E15 is no exception. This wire-free lawn mower is easy to set up and uses TrueVision technology to map your garden completely autonomously. If you’ve always wanted that striped lawn look, the Eufy E15 will achieve that for you easily, and it’s quiet enough that you’ll barely notice it even when you’re hosting.

Read our Eufy E15 robot lawn mower review for more details.

Highly Commended: Husqvarna 308V Robot Mower

Best Robot Lawn Mower Shortlist: Vonhaus 171cc Petrol Lawn Mower, Stiga Twinclip 950e V Kit Cordless Lawn Mower, Sunseeker Elite X4

Earlier this year, Husqvarna unveiled a new range of robot mowers designed to make automated lawn care more affordable and accessible. Since then, we've put the Automower 308V and Automower 312V to the test, and now it's time to turn our attention to the Automower Aspire R6V.

As the most affordable model in the lineup, the Aspire R6V promises the same efficient mowing experience and smart app-controlled features as its siblings, but in a more compact package aimed at smaller gardens.

The big question is whether it delivers the premium Husqvarna experience for less, or if the lower price comes with too many compromises. I've been putting it to work in my own garden to find out.

Price and availability

The Aspire R6V is the most affordable model in Husqvarna's new range, priced at £999, sitting below the Automower 308V (£1,249) and Automower 312V (£1,499). It's still not cheap, but it's a great price for a robot mower from Husqvarna.

It's available directly from Husqvarna, as well as specialist retailers including Platts Robotics and Revill Robotic Mowers.

Unboxing and setup

Getting the Aspire R6V up and running was very straightforward. Following the on-screen instructions in the Automower Connect app, I created a map of my garden by driving the mower around the perimeter and dropping virtual pins at each corner.

If your lawn has lots of curves or awkward angles, I'd recommend adding a few extra waypoints during setup. That said, it's no problem if you don't get it perfect first time, as you can easily edit, move or add waypoints later. I found myself tweaking the boundaries over the following days to improve edge coverage, and the app makes this very easy to do.

As the Aspire R6V is designed for smaller gardens, Wi-Fi is also less likely to be an issue. The entire mower range relies on a stable wireless connection across your lawn, but my medium-sized garden had strong coverage throughout, so setup was absolutely fine.

I know patchy Wi-Fi has been a sticking point for some users of the 308V and 312V, although those models can be paired with Husqvarna's RS1 EPOS module, which removes the need for strong Wi-Fi at the far end of your garden.

Design and features

As mentioned, the Aspire R6V is aimed at smaller gardens, covering up to 600m² – or 400m² in more complex layouts. Rather than using physical boundary wires, it creates virtual boundaries through the Automower Connect app using satellite positioning.

One of the Aspire R6V's standout features is its built-in AI Vision camera. Instead of relying solely on satellite positioning, the camera works alongside AI-powered object detection to recognise and avoid obstacles on your lawn. It also helps maintain accurate navigation in areas where satellite coverage isn't quite as strong, resulting in more consistent mowing.

Like every Husqvarna robot mower, the Aspire R6V is controlled entirely through the Automower Connect app. Here you can create virtual boundaries, define multiple mowing zones, set temporary stay-out areas, schedule mowing sessions and even choose different mowing patterns. If your lawn has separate sections, you can also configure secondary work areas.

The Aspire R6V can further detect narrow passages, automatically adjust mowing frequency based on grass growth using Weather Timer, and uses Spiral Cutting to tackle longer patches more efficiently. It also includes GeoFence anti-theft protection, receives over-the-air software updates, and works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home for voice control and status updates.

When the battery gets low, it quietly returns to its charging station before heading back out to finish the job once it's recharged.

Performance

One of my favourite things about the Aspire R6V is how little attention it needs. Once I'd set up a schedule, I stopped thinking about mowing altogether – no longer having to worry about fitting it into my weekend.

The mapping system deserves particular praise. Creating the initial map was quick, but what really impressed me was how tweakable everything is afterwards. Being able to move a boundary by just a few inches makes a huge difference, and I've continued fine-tuning the edges to maximise coverage.

It also handled uneven terrain much better than I expected. My garden has plenty of bumps and slopes, but the Aspire R6V tackled them confidently without getting stuck or digging into the lawn. Combined with the excellent app controls, it's easy to tailor exactly how and where you want it to mow.

The AI Vision camera also worked well during testing. It consistently spotted low-hanging branches that were inside the mowing zone and steered around them without issue. Whilst I haven't encountered every possible obstacle yet, it looks promising, and is able to detect objects from around 5-10cm away.

Charging from empty took roughly three hours, which delivered around two hours of mowing time. That felt like a fair trade-off to me, particularly as the app lets you monitor charging progress and battery levels during this time.

My biggest criticism is that it can struggle with particularly complex garden layouts. My lawn includes patios, raised beds and several awkward protruding sections that require very sharp turns. In these areas, the mower couldn't always reach every corner, meaning I still needed to tidy up with a strimmer every couple of weeks – which I'd already been doing around the edges anyway.

Curved borders also require a little extra patience during setup. If you don't place enough waypoints, the mower joins them with straight lines, which can leave parts of curved edges untouched. Thankfully, the app makes it easy to add extra points or reposition existing ones until you've got the shape exactly right.

Verdict

The Husqvarna Automower Aspire R6V combines effortless setup and consistently impressive cutting performance into a compact package that's perfect for smaller gardens. It isn't flawless, but the compromises I've listed are easy to forgive considering the price. If you've been curious about wire-free robot mowers but couldn't justify the cost of that comes with premium models, the Aspire R6V hits a sweet spot, delivering everything most homeowners need for significantly less money.

Alternatives to consider

If you're after a robot mower that can tackle almost any terrain, I'd recommend the excellent Mammotion Luba 2 AWD – provided your budget stretches that far.

If you're looking to spend less, the LawnMaster L10 is a brilliant budget alternative for lawns up to 400m². It doesn't have the same level of smart features, but for considerably less money, it delivers impressive results on smaller gardens.

In the age of the best robot lawn mowers, it's easy to forget that cordless and petrol models still have plenty to offer. Robot mowers are of course hard to beat when it comes to convenience, but there's something very satisfying about mowing the lawn yourself. They also cost a fraction of the price of most robot mowers, especially if you can find one that delivers without costing the earth.

The latest model to impress me is the Hawksmoor 36V Brushless Cordless Lawnmower, and after spending some time with it, I believe it could be one of the best value cordless mowers around.

Price and availability

Priced at £249.99 and available exclusively from Toolstation, the Hawksmoor 36V Brushless Cordless Lawnmower sits firmly in the affordable end of the best cordless mower market.

Unboxing and set up

The mower arrived in a fairly substantial box, but most of it came pre-built, so all I had to do was attach and secure the handle using the locking knobs and washers. I then clipped on the grass collection box and charged the two included 18V batteries before inserting them. They already had some charge straight out of the box, so they only needed a quick top-up before I was ready to start.

Before setting off, you'll also want to choose your cutting height. There are six positions ranging from 25mm to 75mm, all adjusted using a single central lever. I started in the middle at setting three, as I could easily tweak it depending on how my lawn looked after the first pass.

Design and features

The Hawksmoor has a durable polypropylene deck that makes it lightweight enough to push around the garden whilst still feeling stable. Two large rear wheels make it much easier to take on uneven ground, and the foldable handle is useful for storing. Like most quality mowers, the handle can also be adjusted to suit your height.

Power comes from a 36V battery system, made up of two 18V batteries, paired with an efficient brushless motor. Being cordless also means you're free to move around the garden without dragging an extension lead behind you. The batteries also have LED lights that are red whilst charging and switch to green when they're fully charged, so you know when they're ready.

Grass clippings are collected in a generous 40-litre collection box, and there's also a built-in rear roller that leaves attractive lawn stripes. The only notable omission is a dedicated mulching mode, but that's unlikely to be a dealbreaker for most people.

At 12.3kg, the Hawksmoor isn't the lightest cordless mower on the market, but it's by no means the heaviest either. For a mower with this level of power and a 40-litre grass box, the weight feels perfectly reasonable and never became an issue whilst mowing.

Performance

After several weeks of use, I came away very impressed with the Hawksmoor 36V Brushless Cordless Lawnmower. It's not the most compact model available, but the adjustable handle made it comfortable to manoeuvre and the controls were simple to use. Starting and stopping the mower was very easy, and once I got going, it was immediately obvious that the brushless motor had plenty of power in reserve.

Battery life was another pleasant surprise. After the initial charge, I managed around four to five mows of my medium-sized garden before needing to recharge the batteries. Once depleted, they took roughly two hours to charge back to full, which is a respectable turnaround.

Performance also remained consistent, and the motor never felt like it was struggling, even when tackling thicker patches of grass. The large collection box also meant I only needed to empty it once at the end of each mow rather than stopping halfway through, which has often been the case with smaller mowers I've tested.

Verdict

The Hawksmoor 36V Brushless Cordless Lawnmower proves you don't have to spend a fortune to get a capable cordless mower. It delivers strong cutting performance, impressive battery life and useful features, including a rear roller and a generous 40-litre grass collector. Whilst it's not the most compact model on the market and lacks a mulching mode, those are easy compromises to make considering the price.

Alternatives to consider

If you're considering alternatives, the Gtech CLM50 is another excellent cordless mower that offers similar performance, dimensions and pricing.

If you have a larger garden, I'd recommend taking a look at the Husqvarna LC 251iS. Its spacious 65-litre grass collector makes it better suited to larger lawns, and because it runs on Husqvarna's 36V battery platform, it's an especially good option if you already own other Husqvarna cordless garden tools.

Pellet grills – or smokers as we sometimes call them – have been around since the 1980s but until relatively recently they occupied a niche corner of outdoor cooking – ie, too technical for casual grillers and viewed with suspicion by conventional barbecue purists who considered thermostats, sensors, computer processors and augers borderline cheating.

Fast forward to today and pellet cooking has exploded in popularity because it delivers something increasingly rare – consistently brilliant wood-fired food without requiring the user to spend hours hovering over a fire with a look of mild panic.

The appeal of pellet grilling is obvious. Simply fill the hopper with compressed hardwood pellets, set a temperature, press a button and let the grill’s electronic controller, auger and fan manage the rest, whether it’s cooking standard BBQ fare, a low-and-slow rack of ribs, baked salmon, a roast chicken or a seared steak. With this type of grill you get genuine wood-fired flavour and all the theatre of alfresco cooking, but with indoor oven-like temperature precision.

With this in mind, I recently took delivery of the Pit Boss Competition Titan, a pellet smoker so unapologetically huge and feature-packed that it feels less like a barbecue and more like a permanent outdoor cooking installation. The question is, does all this size and technology actually make for a better alfresco feast? Let’s fire it up and see.

Pit Boss Competition Titan review: price and availability

The Pit Boss Competition Titan occupies premium pellet-grill territory so, as you might reasonably expect, its pricing reflects both its sheer scale and impressive set of features.

In the UK, expect to pay around £1,999, although discounts are already appearing. At the time of writing, stock is available at my personal go-to store Pro Smoke BBQ plus BBQ Land and Appliances Direct, where it’s currently shifting for £1,799.

In the US, the Titan’s official retail price is a much cheaper $1,299, mostly because shipping is far less expensive. US buyers should check out Academy since it appears to be Pit Boss’s main US dealer, at least for this specific grill.

Pit Boss Competition Titan review: design and features

The Pit Boss Competition Titan is a pellet grill designed with the sort of visual presence normally reserved for American pit master competitions, pickup trucks and outdoor Texas kitchens. It looks enormous and imposing in any situation – let alone on a small UK patio – and once you take a peek inside and see its gigantic cooking area, the scale of this monster grill becomes properly apparent.

Like all pellet grills, the Titan thankfully arrived with the cooking section, lid and pellet hopper pre-assembled. However, since this beast is so big and heavy (about 120 kilos), it will require at least two people to haul its main carcass to where you want to assemble it. I’d say it took me a leisurely four hours to build with the odd break and most of the assembly went very smoothly with only one occasion where I had to force a panel into alignment.

The Titan’s construction is reassuringly over engineered with heavy-gauge steel, a substantial two-door cupboard finished with chunky steel handles, four lockable castor wheels and generous prep areas courtesy of fixed and folding side tables plus a sturdy collapsible front table.

The heavy-duty roll-top lid deserves special mention, too. It’s seriously heavy but thankfully it opens with surprisingly little effort, gliding backwards rather than lifting skyward. Its oven-style rope sealing, meanwhile, keeps heat in while providing a soft close.

The headline figure with this smoker is its vast cooking area – a humongous 10,474cm² (162in² in old money) – spread across three deep stainless-steel grill inserts. For the record, the two bottom grills measure 80cm x 42cm (31”x16.5”) and the shallower top one at 80cm x 32cm (31”x12.5”).

But get this, rather than having the grill trays fixed in position like almost all barbecues, Pit Boss has fitted removable sliding mechanisms to each grill shelf so each section can be pulled outward independently like an oven rack, which makes access dramatically easier when you’re juggling briskets, ribs, Moroccan lamb and enough burgers to feed half the street. Better still, unused inserts have dedicated storage at the rear of the grill.

The Titan’s fuel comes from an equally oversized 18kg (40lb) pellet hopper mounted to the left. It includes a transparent viewing window so you can check pellet levels at a glance and, unusually, an internal divider that allows different wood blends to be mixed or separated for customised smoke flavours.

Central to any pellet grill is the electronic control display that regulates the grill's temperature much like a kitchen oven. In a pellet grill, this is performed using an auger (a long corkscrew mechanism) that feeds the compressed wood pellets in the hopper to a raging fire pot directly under the obligatory heat shield that sits just below the grill grates. The higher you set the cooking temperature, the faster the pellets are delivered and vice versa.

In the past, some pellet grills have caught fire – very rare it must be said – usually because of a poorly-designed auger channel and too much fat build-up as a result of inadequate maintenance. Thankfully, the Titan’s up-hill auger is designed to improve pellet flow efficiency while eradicating the chance of burn-back and auger jams.

If you need to change your pellets from, say, apple to mesquite wood, there’s a large lever on the left of the hopper which you pull to release the contents into a bucket. However, ‘big red button’ syndrome makes this intriguing lever too inviting for inquisitive visitors who may feel the urge to pull it, releasing the contents of the hopper all over the floor. I’m telling you this because a friend of mine did just that, but thankfully managed to close it immediately without too many pellets spilling everywhere. But if there are children about, I would warn them in advance or you’ll be sweeping up pellets for the next hour or so.

The Pit Boss Competition Titan’s control interface strikes a smart balance between simplicity and depth, making it approachable for beginners while offering enough flexibility for experienced pit masters. Dominating the front panel is a bright 10.9cm touchscreen display controller that shows current and target temperatures, pellet delivering status and probe readings at a glance.

The display controller’s main role is precise temperature management from 65˚C to 260˚C (150° to 500°F) in five degree increments. Set the temperature low (around 110˚C) for traditional smoking sessions where ultra long exposure to wood flavour is key. Mid-range settings of around 180˚C work brilliantly well for roasting chicken and vegetables, while higher temperatures transform the Titan into a traditional barbecue grill, and one that can genuinely sear steaks. This is made possible by dint of Pit Boss’s unique Flame Broiler system which is activated by pulling on a handle on the left hand side which opens a series of slats in the heat shield just above the burn pot. If you look through the slats you’ll see a raging inferno beneath, and once fat starts dripping it creates a scenario ripe for naked flame grilling, which is perfect for caramelising steaks.

Furthermore, this model comes with Pit Boss’ proprietary VST (Variable Smoke Technology). VST lets you fine-tune smoke output by adjusting how often pellets are fed and how much airflow is used in the burn chamber. This gives greater control over flavour intensity, allowing heavier smoke for brisket or ribs, or a lighter profile for poultry and roasting, while still maintaining stable cooking temperatures throughout. The Titan’s integrated meat probe inputs, meanwhile, remove much of the guesswork of barbecuing, allowing users to monitor internal food temperatures without repeatedly lifting the lid and losing heat.

The whole process of cooking with this grill is mostly hands off because it allows plenty of time for you to chat to your guests instead of being chained to the grill. You can even monitor and control the Titan’s internal temperature using the Pit Boss app.

Pit Boss Competition Titan: performance

Before I get to this model’s performance, I should add that any cooking system requiring electricity, computer processors and sensors to function should ideally be checked well before guests arrive because things can go wrong where tech is involved.

Thankfully I’ve had no such pre-party shenanigans happen to me and I’ve reviewed many pellet smokers and smart barbecues over the years, but I’m still mindful that they are not like standard charcoal barbecues which will work 100% of the time, mostly because there's nothing but charcoal involved.

To assess the Pit Boss Competition Titan’s low-and-slow credentials, I loaded it with a rack of pork spare ribs and followed the classic 3-2-1 method: three hours exposed to smoke at 110˚C with occasional apple juice spritzes, two hours wrapped in foil with a splash more juice, and a final hour back on the grate while I coated the ribs with glaze. For the finishing flourish, I raised the temperature to 175˚C for the last 15 minutes to set the glaze while keeping a close eye out for scorching.

The Titan’s performance during the cook was extremely impressive. For the entire opening stage it sat resolutely at 110˚C, deviating by no more than around two degrees either side of target. That level of temperature stability is exactly what you want from a premium pellet grill because consistency, more than outright heat output, is what separates a decent barbecue from an exceptional one.

There was one interesting wrinkle, however. Since I had no option but to cook in direct sunlight, the steel lid eventually absorbed enough heat to trigger a temperature spike in the companion app, which briefly reported 143˚C. This isn’t unique to the Titan, mind, because most pellet grills can produce exaggerated readings when the body is exposed to strong sun. Positioning the grill in shade, under a large parasol quickly calmed things down and restored normal readings.

As for the ribs? They emerged exactly as hoped, with a deep smoky flavour, a shiny lacquered exterior and indulgent, fall-off-the-bone tenderness.

I also tried a whole chicken at 180˚C and it turned out noticeably better than if cooked in my kitchen oven. Pellet grills always seem to hit a sweet spot between convection roasting and gentle smoke, and the Titan absolutely nailed it. The meat remained astonishingly juicy while the skin crisped up beautifully – something domestic ovens often struggle to achieve without drying the breast. Better still, because the chicken sat directly on the grill grate rather than stewing in a roasting tin, the underside browned properly, too, instead of emerging pale and soggy.

Although the Titan comes with two wired probes, I elected to use the superbly reliable wire-free Meater Pro (£129) for all my cooks. This probe syncs with its dedicated phone app to keep tabs on the food’s internal temperatures. I simply inserted it into the ribs and the whole chicken, set my preferred done-ness target and it sent me warnings just before the food was ready and when it had reached the time to take the food off.

It goes without saying that this smoker-cum-grill has become my new go-to outdoor cooker, whether it’s just a quick whip up for my partner and I or a veritable feast for half the village.

I personally find this style of automated outdoor cooking so amazingly effortless and versatile that it's hard going back to standard charcoal and gas. But then I’m no purist and will always take the easy option when hunger strikes.

Pit Boss Competition Titan review: verdict

The Pit Boss Competition Titan is a huge American-sized set-and-forget pellet grill that dominates any outdoor space and delivers impressively consistent, flavourful cooking across a wide temperature range, including searing.

No question, the Titan’s performance is exceptional, but its sheer scale and premium price put it firmly in enthusiast territory rather than something for casual patio or backyard use.

I’m a homes and garden expert, and I just built my dream garden with these 10 gadgets and cooking appliances – and they’re all on sale in the Amazon Prime Day sale!

Shop the Amazon Prime Day sale

While it feels like I didn’t move that long ago, I’ve actually been in my house for almost three years now. Moving from a small one-bed flat to a three bedroom house not only gave me way more space, but it also gave me a garden which I’d been longing for.

My green-fingered mother would probably disagree, but I’ve put a lot of effort into my garden to make it a peaceful sanctuary full of plants and comfortable seating. I’ve also made my own outdoor kitchen with my barbecue and pizza oven taking pride of place.

After hunting through the Prime Day sale, I’ve found that most of my garden gadgets have been discounted, including my favourite barbecue, pressure washer, lawn mowers, furniture and more – I’ve listed the best deals below so you can also create your own dream garden.

Seeing as both the Ninja Woodfire Electric Outdoor Oven and Electric Smoker went down extremely well at T3 Towers, we have been chomping at the bit (or should that be burned sausage?) to have a go with Ninja’s take on a propane grill.

But like the two aforementioned five-star items, Ninja cleverly pairs its expertise in electricity with the support of propane gas to create what it claims to be a true 5-in-1 outdoor cooking solution that’s just as happy banging out burgers and searing steaks as it is slow-roasting an entire bird.

The premise is relatively simple: it fuses a standard three-burner system with a cyclonic fan that gets the unit up to temperature in record time, as well as circulating heat and smoke evenly around the food inside. Flavoured smoke comes courtesy of a small pellet burner that sits next to the unit, which pumps out smoke for the fan to draw in and swirl around the culinary masterpiece for genuine barbecue flavours.

Ninja’s claim of 5-in-1 versatility also comes from the fact that it will sell you a pizza stone and flat-plate or plancha griddle separately, which adds a further three cooking methods to the existing grill, smoke and roast functions.

It’s a handsome unit, available in four colours (the blue and green look the smartest), but it’s not exactly cheap and, as you'll see in this review, it takes a fair amount of assembly to get it set up. But before I give anything away, here's my full Ninja FlexFlame review.

Ninja FlexFlame review: price and availability

In the UK, the Ninja FlexFlame currently costs £999.99 / $999.99, but this is for just the barbecue itself. Ninja throws in a small bag of wood pellets for free, which is enough for one cook.

There’s also a 5-in-1 bundle, which is very much worth the extra money, as it includes a plancha grill surface, pizza stone, pizza peel and a waterproof cover — important if you want the FlexFlame to stay looking fresh after a few winters.

This bundle is currently priced at £949.99, down from its original RRP of £1,249.99, although the items can all be purchased separately.

It is worth noting that you’ll need patio gas to run it, as well as access to mains power, although it will work if you happen to have portable power stations, such as those from EcoFlow and Jackery, which are capable of delivering DC output.

Ninja FlexFlame review: design and build

The Ninja FlexFlame arrives in an enormous box, which will require at least two people to lift into position. While the stand and panels aren’t particularly heavy, the main cooking grill weighs a ton, so you’ll need to rope those friends back in when it comes time to build.

For me, this was the most annoying part, as constructing the FlexFlame is akin to embarking on a complicated Ikea flat-pack project — the instructions are clear and simple, but set aside around two hours to get it done. There’s also a lot of packaging to store or get rid of afterwards.

Once built, it’s a handsome-looking thing and most of the surfaces feel robust and well made. The brass-coloured handle for the grill lid is a nice touch and the digital display for the precision burner control is easy to read in the sunshine.

If I was to get picky, the metal used for the side-mounted prep tables and front doors feels thin and flimsy, while the plastic dials would look and feel much better if they were made from something more robust.

As previously mentioned, it is well worth heading out to purchase a cover, as I am not convinced it wouldn’t start rusting after a few torrential downpours. Similarly, the half- or full-griddle optional extras feel like essentials, as the gaps in the metal grill surface are large enough for kebabs and other smaller food items to easily fall between.

Alternatively, you can save a bit of money and pick up some inexpensive non-stick grill mats, which do a very similar job to a plancha for a fraction of the price.

Ninja FlexFlame review: performance and features

The first thing to hit any new owner is just how fast the FlexFlame gets up to temperature, with Ninja suggesting a 10-minute pre-heat, but it can be far less if you’re happy not cooking on a molten 315°C searing surface.

Once plugged into the mains (or portable power, like I had to while my patio was being ripped up), it’s simply a case of selecting from the pre-set cooking modes via the precision burner dial. These include roasting or baking, low-and-slow cooking, and grilling or searing.

There’s further control over the temperature via a dedicated temperature dial, while the digital read-out indicates which gas burners are active. This is another clever and well-thought-out feature, as it allows for precise, slow roasts with the middle burner deactivated in bake or roast mode to ensure outer layers or skins of meat aren’t burnt to a crisp.

It’s also possible to cook with just the front two burners running, allowing vegetables and other more delicate foodstuffs to cook slowly at the rear.

During one cook-out, I placed some fresh corn on the top rack, well away from the grill surface itself, and, over the course of a full BBQ session (chicken, pork belly and some burgers, yum), it was beautifully soft with a tasty exterior crunch (yummier).

The woodfire smoker box also allows budding chefs to inject more flavour, with plenty of control over how much smoke is entering the cooking chamber. Simply fill the small hopper with Ninja-approved pellets, hit the big button and wait around 10 minutes for it to ignite.

It generally kicks out a lot of smoke and you’ll need to leave the lid down to get the most out of these aromatic flavours (the cyclonic fan automatically shuts off when the lid is opened anyway), but it’s potent enough to give a light woodfire hint to burgers, steaks and chicken when grilling.

Set the FlexFlame to low-and-slow or roast mode and the charring really penetrates the meat or vegetables that you have in there. I roasted a whole chicken one Sunday with Ninja’s All-Purpose Blend pellets and the meat was delicious — a rich, smoky flavour to the crispy skin, but with fantastically moist meat underneath.

The possibilities are near endless when it comes to cooking an array of food in a variety of styles and, while it is difficult to beat a real charcoal barbecue, the addition of these woodfire pellets aims to make up for some of the shortcomings.

Ninja FlexFlame review: verdict

The Ninja FlexFlame is incredibly easy to use and works brilliantly as a standard outdoor gas grill, but it also makes up for its lofty price tag with the ability to cook in multiple ways.

More adventurous chefs can spend hours slowly smoking an entire pork shoulder, while family pizza night is dead simple if you throw a pizza stone onto the surface.

Simply because it ignites and heats up so quickly, I found myself using it whenever the weather was good enough to cook outdoors. It’s very easy to clean, requiring only a quick scrub of the enamel-coated cast-iron grates and the occasional emptying of the included fat tray, which can also be tossed in the dishwasher.

In essence, it takes everything that’s brilliant about Ninja’s electric barbecue grill and smoker technology and beefs it up with a 425-square-inch cooking surface and the ability to open the lid and cook just like you can on a good old-fashioned gas grill.

The Prime Day deals are in full swing, and as it’s currently peak barbecue season, there are plenty of price cuts on gas, electric and charcoal barbecues that you need to check out.

Shop the Prime Day sale

I know what you’re thinking – it’s hotter than the surface of the sun right now, so why would I want to stand over a hot grill?! I see your point, but there’s no greater time than any to upgrade your barbecue set-up than right now.

Whether you have a spacious garden or a tiny balcony, there are tons of great offers on gas barbecues, smokers a.k.a charcoal barbecues and the easiest grills to use – electric barbecues to suit your space and budget. To help you find the best prices, I’ve rounded up five gas, charcoal and electric barbecue deals from the Prime Day sale, from the likes of Weber, Ninja, Kamado Joe and more.

No body panic, but it's hot outside, and we all know the perfect we to cool off is by relaxing in water. Unless you're one of the clever ones that invested in a hot tub back in 2020, the chances are the options for this are pretty slim. Luckily though, Prime Day has you covered.

While there aren't a huge amount of deals to be had on things to keep you cool (probably as people are buying them anyway), there are some discounts on hot tubs. You may be thinking, yes but hot tubs are hot! Well, yes, but they don't have to be. Turn down the temperature and just enjoy the bubbles!

To help cool you down, I've rounded up some of the best options right now, from kid and dog sized paddling pools, to high tech hot tubs (or cool tubs) and even some swimming pools that look like they might require planning permission.

Come on, dive in!

• View all hot tub deals on Amazon.co.uk
• View all paddling pool deals on Amazon.co.uk
• View all swimming pool deals on Amazon.co.uk

Forget Prime Day – if you’re looking for a good deal on a pizza oven, these are the three you should buy.

As T3’s Home Editor, I’m lucky to get the chance to try the latest and greatest appliances. My personal favourite thing to test is pizza ovens, and not just because I get to eat my bodyweight in pizza – although that’s definitely a bonus.

Despite the name making it seem like you can only cook one thing in them, pizza ovens are one of the most versatile cooking appliances you can buy. Thanks to their high heats, quick cooking time and spacious capacities, you can cook almost anything with a pizza oven – I’ve even made lamb chops, prawns and chicken thighs in mine.

So, if you’re looking to upgrade your outdoor kitchen, I’d recommend investing in a pizza oven. Below, I’ve found three tried and tested pizza ovens from Ninja, Gozney and Delivita that are cheaper than ever right now.

Aldi has become something of a master at launching affordable versions of products everyone seems to be talking about. We've seen everything from the Ambiano 2-in-1 Microwave Air Fryer to the Aldi Wellness Lamp, and now the retailer has turned its attention to garden lighting.

The latest addition is the new Stainless Steel Spotlight, a simple but practical outdoor light designed to brighten areas of the garden that could benefit from further illumination. It's currently available in stores whilst stocks last and, at just £5.99, could easily be one of the cheapest solar-powered spotlights we've seen this year.

As with many Aldi Specialbuys, availability is limited, so if you're interested I'd recommend heading to your local store sooner rather than later. You can also use Aldi's stock checker online to see whether it's available before making the trip.

The Aldi Stainless Steel Spotlight features a durable metal construction and comes with an integrated ground stake, allowing it to be positioned almost anywhere in the garden. It's powered entirely by solar energy and uses three white LED bulbs to provide illumination once the sun goes down.

During the day, the spotlight charges in direct sunlight, storing energy ready to power the LEDs after dusk. That makes it a low-maintenance and energy-efficient addition to your outdoor space, with no wiring or electrical installation required.

With the weather finally starting to clear up, it’s time to get outside and fire up your barbecue! Whether you have a gas, charcoal, wood pellet or electric grill, it’s always helpful to have the right tools and accessories to hand to ensure you have a successful barbecue.

But what equipment do you actually need? And most importantly, is there any kit that you actually don’t need? To help you get the best cooking results from your barbecue this summer, these are the five BBQ accessories you actually need, and three that you can live without.

Before I get into the list, it goes without saying that you’ll need the correct fuel type for your barbecue to work. For gas barbecues, you’ll need a gas canister, regulator, hose and ignitor while for charcoal smokers, you’ll need charcoal and a chimney starter. Pellet barbecues require wood and an electrical power source, the latter of which is the only thing required to use an electric barbecue.

The BBQ tools you need

1. Long-handled tongs

Tongs are essential tools for both outdoor and indoor cooking. Handy for grabbing, flipping and transferring food, tongs are especially handy for odd-shaped foods where you need a good grip, like sausages or corn-on-the-cob – two of the most common barbecue foods.

If you’re using tongs on a barbecue, I’d recommend a long-handled pair of tongs. The length of the tongs ensures your hands and arms are safe from the heat.

2. Slotted spatula

Like tongs, a spatula is a common accessory found and used in the kitchen, but it excels at barbecue cooking, too. Spatulas are great for flipping burgers, and like tongs, the long handle keeps your hands away from the intense heat of the grill. I’d suggest a slotted spatula, as barbecues can get dirty and greasy. This way, you can remove some of the grease when you transfer your burgers to a plate.

3. Silicone basting brush

Barbecues aren’t just about sausages and burgers – you can use them for lots of different meals, including big cuts of meat and kebabs. If you’re cooking this food on your grill, a silicone basting brush allows you to add extra flavour by brushing butter or marinades directly onto your food as it sits on the barbecue.

Silicone is the best material for a basting brush, as long as you check that it’s heat resistant and barbecue-friendly. Compared to other materials, silicone won’t burn or shed, and it doesn’t hold onto food smells.

4. Meat thermometer

Nowadays, the majority of barbecues on the market will have meat thermometers built into the design. But if yours doesn’t, you definitely need one as a meat thermometer to make sure your food is properly cooked. Due to a barbecue’s high heat, it might look like your burger is cooked but oftentimes, you’ll find the outside is burnt but the inside is raw. That’s where a meat thermometer comes in, as it gives you quick, accurate readings so you don’t give yourself or your guests food poisoning.

5. Heat-resistant gloves

To better protect yourself, a sturdy pair of heat-resistant gloves is exactly what you need for barbecue season. When you buy them, make sure the gloves are barbecue-approved as a grill reaches much higher temperatures than kitchen appliances. Your barbecue might also experience the occasional flare-up so a heavy-duty pair of gloves are a must.

The BBQ tools you don’t need

1. All-in-one utensils

Don’t get me wrong, there is some value to all-in-one utensils but I have never found one that’s actually worked well. For barbecues, these types of tools combine a spatula, fork, baster, bottle opener and corkscrew in one. While they might save space and money, these all-in-one utensils aren’t the most comfortable to hold and use, and aren’t the best quality. They’re also quite tricky to clean.

2. Grill press

Smash burgers are all the rage at the moment, and it’s extremely easy to make your own smash burgers on a barbecue. But what I wouldn’t suggest is buying a dedicated grill press for them. While they are handy, you can get the same results by using a heavy-duty pan or skillet, or even a weighted spatula.

3. A spritzer

A barbecue spritzer or spray is designed to keep the surface of the grill non-sticky and prevent burning during longer cooks. But you don’t necessarily need to use a spritzer on your barbecue, and oftentimes, it’s hindering your cooking. Over-spritzing your food can remove the marinade or rub that you put on it before adding it to the grill, minimising its flavour. It can also make your food and surface too wet which can prolong your cooking time.

We’re in a bit of a strange weather limbo at the moment in the UK. One minute it’s blazing sunshine with temperatures pushing into the early 30s, and the next it’s absolutely tipping it down. For us green-fingered folk, that can make it tricky to know when to water the garden – and whether the rain is doing the job for us or if we should still be stepping in.

We’ve already covered the benefits of collecting rainwater for the garden, but I’ve now spoken to experts at the RHS to find out the exact best time to water when the sun is out. Timing, it turns out, makes a big difference to how effectively plants actually use the water, so it’s well worth getting it right.

You’ll find the answer below, along with a few other handy watering tips for different times of day.

What time of day should I water my garden?

The experts say that watering early in the morning is the ideal time. That’s because there’s less evaporation, meaning more water actually reaches the roots, and plants have what they need to get through the day.

If that’s not possible, evening watering is also fine. However, it’s worth being cautious, as damp leaves sitting overnight can encourage pests and fungal diseases.

The most important thing to avoid is watering in the heat of the day. A lot of the water simply evaporates before it even reaches the soil, and in some cases, droplets can even intensify the sun and scorch plant surfaces – something you definitely want to avoid if you’re trying to keep your garden healthy.

Gozney has just announced its latest collaboration with paint brand, Tonester. The partnership reimagines four of Gozney’s iconic pizza ovens in four signature Tonester paint shades – but you’ll have to be quick if you want one.

The Gozney x Tonester collection is a fun, colourful collaboration between the two brands. Four of Gozney’s pizza ovens have been given a personal colour upgrade from Tonester to better display its colour, material and form. Each colour was specifically chosen for the way it shows up next to the pizza oven’s fire.

The four pizza ovens up for grabs are the Arc Lite, Tread, Arc XL and the Dome XL (Gen 2). The new colours are displayed on the main outer shell of the pizza oven, but it keeps the mouth, control panel and chimney accessories in Gozney’s usual black.

Starting with the Arc Lite, it now comes in Tonester’s ‘High at the Gala’ paint shade which is a rich, burgundy-like colour. The Tread sticks to the more neutral side of things in ‘Car Coat’ which is a warm, stone brown shade. It’s a minimalist colour that shines brightly in the light so it matches perfectly with Gozney’s portable pizza oven.

One of the brightest colours from the collection is ‘London House’ which is available on the Arc XL. It comes in a deep navy blue colour. My personal favourite is the ‘Black Orange’ on the Dome XL (Gen 2). Arguably Tonester’s most iconic shade, the colour is a rusty orange that looks amazing next to the pizza oven’s flames.

When speaking about working with the founder of Tonester, Tony Piloseno, Tom Gozney, founder and CEO of Gozney said: “The way Tony evokes emotion through his paint colours is exactly how I think about the material, form and finish of our ovens… We’re both trying to transform spaces in different ways: Tony through colour and atmosphere, and us through the moments of connection that happen around fire and food.”

Tony Piloseno added that “We spent a lot of time on which shades belonged with which oven. Each colour was chosen for the specific way it shows up next to fire — ember, shadow, ash and smoke – then matched to a single oven to carry as much weight on an outdoor focal piece as it does on a wall.”

As if the new colours weren’t cool enough, Gozney will be dropping the new pizza ovens in a very unique way. Starting on 15th June, Gozney will drop its Gozney x Tonester pizza ovens every day throughout next week. It’ll be starting with the Arc Lite followed by the Tread, Arc XL and Dome XL (Gen 2) which will be the last drop on 18th June.

The Gozney x Tonester collection will be priced the same as the original models and colours, so if you like a specific colour, you’ll need to be quick as this limited design series is expected to sell out fast – oh, and there aren’t any planned restocks so once they’re gone, they won’t be coming back.

Prime Day is fast approaching, with Amazon's huge shopping event running from 23-26 June, but that doesn't mean you have to wait until then to grab a bargain. Plenty of early deals are already starting to appear, and if you're a fan of Ninja and looking for a new indoor cooking solution, I've spotted one that's well worth a look.

The Ninja Sizzle Pro XL arrived in the UK earlier this year after proving popular in the US, offering apartment dwellers and those with limited outdoor space a way to enjoy barbecue-style cooking indoors. Measuring 53cm x 39cm x 15cm and weighing 10.5kg, it's compact enough to sit on a countertop when in use and can be tucked away in a cupboard when not needed.

Even better, ahead of Prime Day, it's currently available with a generous £30 discount on Amazon.

As the larger XL version, the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL offers a surprisingly spacious cooking surface, with enough room to cook up to 10 burgers at once. It comes with two interchangeable cooking plates, including a ribbed grill plate that creates authentic char lines and barbecue-style flavour, and a flat plate that's ideal for everything from pancakes and eggs to toasted sandwiches and smash burgers.

The grill is powered by Ninja's ProTemp iQ technology, which delivers temperatures of up to 260°C whilst maintaining consistent heat right across the cooking surface. Controls are simple to use too, with a digital display showing both temperature and cooking time, alongside intuitive dial controls that make adjusting settings quick and straightforward.

With its generous cooking space, impressive temperatures and current £30 saving, the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL looks like one of the standout early Prime Day kitchen deals.

CASO Design has just launched the PizzaChef 430, its latest indoor electric pizza oven that could give Ooni a run for its money. Quickly reaching temperatures of up to 430°C, the CASO Design PizzaChef 430 has top and bottom heating elements that can be controlled independently to quickly make delicious pizzas.

Due to the rising popularity of pizza ovens, more and more brands are introducing indoor models so those with limited outdoor space can still use and enjoy this type of cooking. One of the best indoor pizza ovens that we’ve tried is the Ooni Volt 2, because of its stylish looks, intense heats, easy presets and manual controls.

Now, CASO Design has taken inspiration from the Ooni Volt 2 and introduced the CASO Design PizzaChef 430. It has a similar compact style, a touchscreen display at the front and a triple-glazed glass door with integrated lighting so you can seal in the heat while still getting a clear view of your food’s progress.

The most impressive part of the CASO Design PizzaChef 430 is its temperature controls. With its 2200W heating system, the pizza oven reaches up to 430°C to replicate the intense heats you can expect from a traditional brick oven. The 32cm x 32cm pizza stone ensures fast and precise heat distribution, and looks the part, too.

This high heat and quick warm-up time allows the CASO Design PizzaChef 430 to cook 12-inch pizzas in as little as two minutes. For even more control, the top and bottom heating elements of the pizza oven can be independently adjusted, so you can get a consistent cook on the crust and toppings.

With eight pre-sets to choose from, the CASO Design PizzaChef 430 has settings for Neapolitan, New York-style and Pinsa Romana pizzas. It also has a memory function so you can save your own personalised settings, making it even smarter and easier to use.

While the CASO Design PizzaChef 430 is primarily an indoor pizza oven, it’s robust enough to be used outside – given it’s under a shelter and you have easy and safe access to a plug. It really is a clever pizza oven, and a great option for those with limited space – the price isn’t bad, either.

The CASO Design PizzaChef 430 is available to buy for £199.99 at CASO Design and Currys. At both retailers, you can already get £20 off the CASO Design PizzaChef 430.

Want easy and tasty on-the-go cooking for your next adventure? Then you need to upgrade to a portable barbecue.

I love my barbecue but it has one flaw – it’s so big that I can’t take it with me when I go away on a camping weekend. I may only go on one camping trip a year (tents and I don't mix well), but I hate having to buy a disposable barbecue for each trip, as they’re not environmentally friendly and tend to leave a large scorch mark on the grass.

I’ve decided I’m not contributing to this waste and mess this year, and instead, I’ll be taking a portable barbecue with me instead. Today, there are tons of portable barbecue options, including gas, charcoal and wood pellet models, that are easy to pack up and take with you camping, hiking, beaching and more.

Portable barbecues don’t just have to be for your holidays either. With their impressive power and tasty results, they can also find a permanent place in your garden, and they’re handy for people who have minimal outdoor space, like balconies or patios.

Without further ado, here are five portable barbecues you should invest in this year.

1. Weber Traveler

Best portable barbecue overall

When it comes to portable barbecues, the best of the best has to be the Weber Traveler. This gas barbecue has a large 2,65cm sq cooking area and a single burner that cooks food perfectly, and folds down seamlessly. Its compact folding mechanism means it can stow away in the boot of your car, and for manoeuvring, it has an attached cart so you can wheel it around.

Our trusted reviewer gave it five stars in our Weber Traveler review, and commented that “with its well-engineered, deckchair-like folding mechanism, the Weber Traveler is a practical and efficient gas barbecue, combining a generous cooking area with a minimal storage footprint.” It’s hard to beat really which is why it holds top spots in many of our barbecue guides, including the best gas barbecue.

2. Napoleon TravelQ 240

Best portable gas barbecue

Speaking of gas, the Napoleon TravelQ 240 is an impressive portable gas barbecue, and sits just behind the Weber Traveler which is also gas powered. Described as ‘small yet mighty’, the Napoleon TravelQ 240 uses a stainless steel burner to quickly heat up its large grilling area and produce high heats for searing.

The Napoleon TravelQ 240 is extremely compact, and is easy to clean up and store. It has a removable drip tray and collapsible legs so it can get even smaller if needed. It also has a small holder on the side for you to place your gas canister – Napoleon has thought of everything with this one.

3. Traeger Ranger

Best portable pellet barbecue

If it’s pellet power you’re after, the Traeger Ranger is our pick for the best portable pellet smoker and grill. It’s quite heavy so you’ll need some muscles to heft it around, but the Traeger Ranger folds down nicely, so much so that you might mistake it for one of your suitcases.

Once in action, the Traeger Ranger can grill, smoke and roast meat and vegetables to perfection. In our five-star Traeger Ranger review, our reviewer commented that “this portable pellet griller and smoker impressed us from the word go” – high praise, indeed.

4. Ninja Woodfire BBQ Grill and Smoker

Best portable electric barbecue

Nowadays, a lot more campsites have electrical outlets that you can plug an electric barbecue into. Our top pick is the Ninja Woodfire BBQ Grill and Smoker which – in true Ninja style – has multiple cooking functions under its hood, including grilling, smoking and even air frying.

With its oversized handles on either side, the Ninja Woodfire BBQ Grill and Smoker is easy to set up and move around. It also has a smoker box lid where you can add flavoured wood pellets to enhance the taste of your food. It also got five stars in our Ninja Woodfire BBQ Grill and Smoker review.

5. Campingaz Party Grill 600

Best budget portable barbecue

For those on a tight budget, the Campingaz Party Grill 600 is a good affordable portable barbecue option. It offers multiple cooking options, including a grill, griddle, plancha and stove top, and it all conveniently packs away with its lockable lid and detachable legs.

The Campingaz Party Grill 600 runs on gas, and more specifically, Campingaz gas cylinders. Luckily, these are easy to find as Campingaz is sold at multiple outdoor retailers so this shouldn’t be an issue. Its piezo ignition is also quick and match-free, so you should be up and running in no time.

After last week's heatwave, many gardeners will be relieved to see cooler temperatures and a welcome spell of rain. However, according to David Denyer, flower and garden expert at Eflorist, this is exactly when you should be thinking ahead.

With the Met Office's latest long-range forecast pointing to an increased chance of further heatwaves this summer, David is encouraging gardeners to start collecting rainwater now rather than waiting until their plants are already showing signs of stress.

We've already rounded up the five common watering mistakes many gardeners make, but by making the most of this weekend's rainfall, you can build up a useful reserve and put your garden in a much stronger position for whatever the rest of summer brings.

1. You'll have your own free reserve

It might be tempting to look at a rainy week and assume your garden has all the water it needs, but that's exactly why now is the ideal time to prepare for the next dry spell.

Once temperatures rise, many gardeners find themselves struggling to keep thirsty plants alive. Collecting rainwater now gives you a free reserve to use later in the summer, helping you stay ahead of future heatwaves rather than reacting to them.

2. You can get ahead of future heatwaves

Last week's record-breaking temperatures were a reminder that hot weather can return quickly. Waiting until another heatwave arrives – or until hosepipe bans start being discussed – often means missing weeks' worth of rainfall that could have been stored.

By building up a reserve now, you'll be in a much better position to keep your garden healthy when temperatures rise again.

3. You'll protect the plants that need the most water

Stored rainwater can make a huge difference to plants that struggle during hot weather. Containers, hanging baskets and moisture-loving plants are often the first to show signs of stress when conditions turn dry.

Having a supply of collected rainwater ready to go means you can keep these plants hydrated without relying entirely on tap water, while also giving acid-loving plants a water source they often prefer.

Whilst everyone is searching for the best barbecue upgrade this summer from the brands they already know, IKEA has quietly launched its own option for an incredibly affordable price. The new Soluppgång Barbecue costs just £45 and features a cast iron design that's designed to distribute heat evenly across the grill for more consistent cooking.

Although IKEA has made headlines recently with its growing range of affordable smart home gadgets, the retailer has never shied away from kitchen and outdoor cooking products either. Last year, the Gåtebo 3-in-1 Microwave Oven proved surprisingly popular, and the new Soluppgång Barbecue could easily attract a similar following.

The Soluppgång Barbecue is available now for £45 in the UK and $79 in the US via IKEA's online store and in-store.

IKEA already sells a number of barbecues, including both gas and charcoal models. However, aside from the compact Korpön Portable Charcoal Barbecue, the Soluppgång is one of the cheapest grilling options currently available from the retailer.

Measuring 43 x 20 x 21cm, it's on the compact side, making it well suited to smaller gardens and patios, or whilst camping. Practical carry handles make it easy to move around, whilst built-in ventilation openings help increase airflow through the charcoal bowl.

Despite only recently launching, the Soluppgång has already picked up some impressive reviews. One early buyer described it as a "superb little BBQ that gets hot and stays hot – very easy to use, heavy-duty and good-quality cast iron."

Move over, Ninja – Cuisinart has launched its three-piece portable barbecue line-up, designed for delicious, authentic grilling on-the-go. Featuring both gas and charcoal models, Cuisinart’s portable barbecues have wide cooking spaces, easy heat controls, and stylish designs – and the prices are pretty good, too.

I’m a big fan of Cuisinart appliances, and recently covered its new 3-in-1 BBQ, Grill and Pizza Oven. Part of the brand’s new portable line-up, the Cuisinart 3-in-1 BBQ, Grill and Pizza Oven has a dual-hinged lid that takes it from a grill to a pizza oven and back again. It also packs away nicely for storage and travel.

The new additions that I’ve recently spotted are the Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill and the Cuisinart Venture Portable Gas BBQ. Starting with the former, the Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill has a 35cm cooking area that can cook up to 12 burgers at once.

Powered by charcoal, the Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill has a round, lightweight design that features a chrome-plated grill grate that offers even heat distribution and rust resistance. Weighing just 1.8kg, it can easily be carried around for camping trips, beach days and festivals, and it won’t take up much room in your garden, either.

The Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill uses dual air vents to give better control over the barbecue’s heat and airflow. It can be used to cook all your barbecue favourites, and it can slow cook, roast and sear. Its enamel-coated firebox and integrated ash catcher keeps everything mess-free, and the lid has three locks to keep its components safe during transport. At just £34.99, it’s an absolute steal.

If gas is your barbecue preference, the Cuisinart Venture Portable Gas BBQ is a great choice. With a large handle for transportation, the Cuisinart Venture Portable Gas BBQ looks like a mini suitcase but it has a surprising amount of features under its hood.

The hood in question is a wooden lid which can double as a chopping board or serving tray. It covers the Cuisinart Venture Portable Gas BBQ’s Stack ‘n Go design which stacks all parts of the grill in one place, including its 993 cm² cast iron cooking surface.

Powered by a 2.6kW stainless steel burner, the Cuisinart Venture Portable Gas BBQ has a quick twist-start ignition and it delivers consistent heat during the cooking process. Transporting large gas canisters might sound tricky, but the flip-out rack and hose clips on the Cuisinart Venture Portable Gas BBQ are designed to hold and stabilise a 450h propane tank.

The Cuisinart Venture Portable Gas BBQ is slightly more expensive than the Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill at £199.99. Overall, both barbecues promise powerful and tasty results, and are half the price you’d be expected to pay for other big name brands.

My favourite Gozney pizza oven, the five-star Gozney Arc, is now cheaper than ever in Gozney’s Summer Sale! Just in time for barbecue season, the Gozney Arc is a must-have for outdoor cooking, whether you’re in your garden or on-the-go – here’s everything you need to know.

View the Gozney Arc deal

Shop the full Gozney Summer Sale

Originally priced at £599.99, the Gozney Arc is now £499.99, saving you £100 on what Gozney claims is the ‘world’s most advanced compact oven for creating 14” pizza.’ While this might not seem like a huge discount for some, Gozney rarely drops its prices so this is a deal worth taking advantage of.

As the summer approaches and everyone will be looking to cook more outside, a pizza oven is a great choice, and it’s definitely taken the crown from the (not so) humble barbecue as T3’s favourite outdoor cooking appliance. The Gozney Arc is a perfect example of a pizza oven that’s versatile and powerful, plus it makes delicious food – not just pizzas either!

In our Gozney Arc review, our reviewer gave this pizza oven five stars, and commented that “this is a fantastic pizza oven and stylish outdoor cooking device.” With a generous capacity, the Gozney Arc can make 14-inch pizzas in as little as 60 seconds, and it doesn’t take long to heat up, either.

Where the Gozney Arc impresses the most is its lateral rolling flame and burner. As a gas-fueled pizza oven, the flame of the Gozney Arc actually replicates the look and power of wood-fired ovens, which helps to distribute heat more evenly for quicker and more precise cooking.

This deal on the Gozney Arc is just on the pizza oven, but if you want a full pizza oven set-up, Gozney has also dropped its prices on the Gozney Arc Essentials Bundle. The bundle features the Arc, the Arc stand and its balance placement peel – it’s normally £919.97 but you can now get it for £755.97 in the Gozney Summer Sale.

With summer finally arriving properly, I’ve found myself spending far more time out in the garden recently, which has naturally led to me slowly upgrading almost every part of it. The thing is, creating a garden that actually feels enjoyable to sit in doesn’t always require a huge renovation or thousands of pounds worth of landscaping. Sometimes, it’s the smaller upgrades that completely change how the space feels day to day.

Over the past year, I’ve tested everything from smart garden gadgets to budget-friendly furniture, and there are a handful of additions that have actually transformed how much I use my outdoor space. Some make entertaining easier, some improve the atmosphere, and others have simply made gardening itself far more enjoyable.

So, if you’re looking to give your garden a bit of a refresh this summer without completely emptying your bank account, here are the simple upgrades I think are worth it.

1. Invest in a good BBQ

Al fresco dining really is the heart of any great outdoor space. If you can eat, drink and entertain in your garden, then you know you’ve created somewhere actually worth spending time in. However, whilst there are plenty of flashy outdoor appliances out there now, I still think the best place to start is with one of the best barbecues.

I’m quite lucky in that I get to test a lot of different models, but the one I always end up going back to is the Weber Compact Kettle Charcoal Barbecue. I really enjoy the sear it gives from cooking close to the coals, and the lid is brilliant at locking in heat too, which makes a huge difference for slower cooks.

Weber Compact Kettle Charcoal Barbecue 57cm, £139.99

2. Upgrade your garden furniture

Garden furniture is one of those upgrades where it really doesn’t pay to go too cheap, because if you choose well, it’ll completely change how often you actually use your outdoor space. I’d normally steer clear of lower-priced sets, but this Rattan Garden Sofa Set from Argos has really impressed me.

It comes in both natural and grey finishes, and I opted for grey purely because it tends to hold its colour a little better over time. One of the things I liked straight away was how you can choose which side the L-shape sits on, which makes a massive difference depending on your garden shape and where the sun hits throughout the day.

It’s also far sturdier than I expected for the price. You’ll absolutely need two people to build it, but once assembled, it feels strong and has held up brilliantly through regular use, bad weather and more than a few evenings spent outside longer than planned.

Argos Home 4 Seater Rattan Effect Garden Sofa Set, £299

3. Buy a smart bird feeder

A smart bird feeder definitely wasn’t on my garden wishlist originally – until I actually tried one. I decided to fully lean into the idea and went for an AI camera model, and Birdfy was the brand that kept appearing everywhere I looked. After a bit of browsing, I settled on the bamboo version because it looks far nicer in a garden than most of the plastic alternatives.

The installation options really impressed me too. You can attach it to a tree, mount it to a wall or simply fix it onto a fence depending on your setup, and there’s also the choice between solar charging or a standard rechargeable battery. I ended up placing mine on a fence near the corner of the garden where birds already tended to gather.

The battery life is excellent, but the standout feature is easily the app. The AI bird recognition is surprisingly accurate, and I now find myself checking which birds have visited before I even open Instagram in the mornings, which probably says a lot!

Birdfy Feeder Bamboo, £199.99

4. Outdoor lighting for the win

The best outdoor lights are probably one of the quickest and easiest ways to completely change the atmosphere of a garden, and I’ve found solar smart lights to be one of the best low-effort upgrades you can make. After already adding string lights and a few pedestal lamps over the years, I decided my flower beds were next in line.

I ended up going for three of the Paulmann UFO LED Garden Spotlights, and they’ve created a gorgeous soft glow across my garden in the evenings. What stood out to me immediately is that they don’t feel flimsy or cheap like so many solar lights do. They’re made from stainless steel and glass rather than lightweight plastic, which instantly gives them a much more premium look.

They’ve also held up really well outdoors. They’re IP44 rated, so rain and heat haven’t been an issue at all – even during the recent heatwave. The warm white 3000K glow creates a really cosy ambience in the evenings without feeling too harsh, and considering the price, they’re one of the most effective garden upgrades I’ve made.

Paulmann UFO LED Garden Spotlight, £35.95

5. Grow your own

The newest addition to my garden this year has been a greenhouse – although probably not the traditional glass one you’re imagining. Instead, I’ve been using the VonHaus Walk In Greenhouse, and it’s turned out to be such an easy and affordable way to start growing my own plants properly.

It’s simple to put together, lightweight enough to move around if needed, and much less intimidating to manage than a full-sized greenhouse. I’ve been using it for everything from dahlias and ranunculus to strawberries and rocket, and it’s made the whole growing process feel far more approachable.

VonHaus Walk In Greenhouse, £34.99

Pellet smokers have been gaining momentum in the UK for a while now, but they're still a relative niche compared to the gas and charcoal BBQs most of us grew up with. The appeal comes down to the results. Anything cooked in wood pellets, especially meat, will offer up a proper wood-fired smoky flavour without having to babysit a fire all afternoon. Just fill the hopper with hardwood pellets, set a temperature, and let the machine do its thing. This "set it and forget it" promise helped turned Traeger into one of the biggest names in outdoor cooking.

The company has been doing their thing for 40 years now, but the Woodridge series is the brand's latest lineup, designed to bring its premium features down to a more approachable price. The Woodridge Pro sits in the middle of the range, slotting between the entry-level Woodridge and the top-spec Elite. It packs 970 square inches of cooking space, a Super Smoke mode for maximum flavour at low temperatures, Wi-Fi connectivity via Traeger's WiFIRE companion app, a digital pellet sensor, and a clever EZ-Clean grease and ash collection system.

I've been using it in my garden for the past few weeks now, including over a Bank Holiday heat wave, testing it across a mix of slow smokes and quicker grills to see whether it lives up to its maker’s reputation. Here's how I got on.

Traeger Woodridge Pro review: Price and availability

The Traeger Woodridge Pro is available to buy now in the UK, US and Australia. Being a US brand, the pricing is noticeably steeper on this side of the Atlantic. In the US, it has an RRP of $1,150 and is regularly discounted to $999.99. In the UK, however, it sits at a firm £1,399 and can be picked up from retailers like John Lewis, Stoves Are Us and BBQ World, with no discount in sight at the time of writing. (Although some retailers do throw in a free rain cover.) In Australia, it comes in at AU$2,399 direct from Traeger's Australian store, also with no discount listed.

For context, the entry-level Woodridge BBQ (which lacks the Pro's Super Smoke mode, folding side shelf, Keep Warm function, and has a smaller 860 sq in cooking area) starts at around £1,099 / $799.99 / AU$1,899. Meanwhile, the top-end Woodridge Elite has all the Pro features but boasts an infrared sear station and costs £1,699 / $1,599.99 / AU$2,999 RRP.

Rival pellet grills from Weber, Pit Boss and Camp Chef sit at similar or lower price points, so you are paying a premium for the Traeger name. That said, the build quality and feature offering go a long way toward justifying the cost, in my opinion, especially with the 10-year warranty, which is reassuring.

One thing worth flagging before buying is the ongoing cost of pellets. Pellet smokers like this require hardwood pellets specifically, which are pricier than softwood. I paid around £25 for a 9kg bag, which lasted me roughly three medium-sized cooks at around 240 degrees with the rack half full. There was a bit left over, but definitely not enough for another full session. It's not wallet-busting by any means, but it does add up over a summer of smoking, so it's worth factoring in if you’re considering buying a BBQ like this.

Traeger Woodridge Pro review: Design and build

The Woodridge Pro is a whopping bit of kit. At 79kg / 174lbs, it's not something you'll want to have to move around often, or keep hidden away to keep pulling out and dusting off when there’s a heatwave on the way. Still, if you do need to do that, it does sport two large wheels and two casters, which make repositioning it on the patio manageable enough.

Build quality is where this thing really shines, though and this will be obvious from the minute you unpack it and start assembling it. Everything feels properly sturdy and well-made. The steel feels thick and solid, the prep shelves are stable, and the whole unit has a reassuring heft that screams high quality. It really feels worth the money.

Assembly is a big job, mind. It arrives flat-packed in many pieces and you'll want to allow a good two hours with a second pair of hands. That said, Traeger has clearly put a lot of thought into making the process as painless as possible. The inside of the main box is printed with a layout showing where everything goes, and all the component boxes are labelled with animal icons (pig, chicken, deer, cow) sorted into four corners. You follow the images on each box to assemble step by step. It's probably one of the best unboxing and assembly experiences I've had with any product, and it makes this flatpack BBQ feel even more premium.

Once built, you've got a huge cooking area split across a main grate (585 sq in) and an upper shelf (measuring 385 sq in), plus two prep surfaces (one folding). There’s also a lower storage shelf running along the bottom to hold whatever BBQ paraphernalia your heart desires, and plenty of hooks to store cooking accessories, all of which ensure it’s practical as well as cool looking. Then, the grill’s hopper sits under the right-hand prep surface and holds 10kg / 24 lbs of pellets, which is more than enough for a couple of long smokes. There's also a digital pellet sensor built in so you can monitor levels without lifting the lid.

The EZ-Clean Grease and Ash Keg is also worth a mention here. This clever design feature collects drippings and pellet ash into a single removable and disposable container, which makes post-cook cleanup a lot less grim than scraping out a traditional BBQ. That said, the grill plates themselves are pretty big, and getting them properly clean does take time and effort. It's definitely not a quick wipe-down job.

Overall though, it really looks the part. It's a beast of a thing, but a stylish and robust one at that. Anyone that spots the Woodridge Pro sitting on your patio will assume you mean business, that’s for sure.

Traeger Woodridge Pro review: Performance and features

Let's start with what the Woodridge Pro does best, and that’s smoking. Set it to a low temperature, fill the hopper, turn on Super Smoke mode, and walk away. That's genuinely all there is to it. The auger feeds pellets into the fire pot automatically, the temperature holds steady, and the smoke does its thing. After what I know about more traditional wood pellet BBQs requiring you to manually feed wood into offset smokers or faffing with charcoal, this felt almost too easy.

And the results speak for themselves. My Wagyu burgers came out with a brilliant smoky flavour and tender texture, and slow-cooked chicken drumsticks had a proper wood-fired taste you'd expect from a dedicated smoker. This is down to the grill’s Super Smoke mode, which works below 107 °C / 225°F pumps extra smoke over the food to really add flavour intensity. It's the feature that separates the Pro from the base Woodridge, and it's worth the step up on its own, in my opinion.

Temperature control is impressive, too. The digital controller lets you set anywhere from 74°C / 165°F to 260°C / 500°F, and in my experience it held steady. Recovery time after opening the lid was quick, and the pellet consumption at lower temps (roughly 0.5kg / 1lb per hour at 107°C / 225°F) felt efficient. The control panel on the front of the grill is clear and easy to use, too, touting a digital readout, a dial for temperature, a connected temperature prong, and buttons for ignition and Super Smoke. It's a bit retro-looking with its dot-matrix style display, but I like that and it does its job with ease.

For grilling at higher temperatures, the Woodridge Pro might be perfectly capable but it's not its strong point. You can get it up to 260°C / 500°F and cook burgers, joints, chicken thighs and the like without any issues, and you'll get a decent sear from the hot grates. But because there are no direct flames beneath the cooking surface, you won't get that flame-licked char you might be used to from a gas or charcoal grill. This is something to make sure you’re well aware of before buying – as expectations could be ruined if you’re expecting that traditional BBQ finish to your meat. If high-heat searing is your priority, you'll want the Woodridge Elite with its infrared side burner, or a separate grill entirely.

Finally, let’s talk about the app. Traeger's companion app, called WiFIRE, is widely praised and I can see why as it lets you control temperature, monitor pellet levels, set timers and access recipes, all from your phone.

I should mention that I initially struggled to get the grill to connect. Despite multiple attempts over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, my phone simply wouldn't recognise it, which was pretty frustrating. After persisting with it, though, I eventually got it paired, and once connected it worked brilliantly. The app itself is well designed and intuitive, with a clean layout that makes it useful rather than a gimmick and not only for controlling the grill remotely but for relevant recipes, cooking guides and the like. Being able to adjust the temperature or check pellet levels from inside the house while the Woodridge Pro does its thing in the garden is a convenience that would make it very hard to go back to a conventional BBQ!

That said, if you're not one for connected experiences, the Woodridge Pro works perfectly well using just the physical controls on the unit. Everything you need is right there on the front panel, so the app is a bonus rather than a necessity.

Traeger Woodridge Pro review: Verdict

The Traeger Woodridge Pro is one of the most impressive BBQs I've used. The build quality is outstanding, the smoking performance is fantastic, and the whole “set-it-and-forget-it” experience means that wood-fired cooking feels accessible and in a way that traditional smokers don't.

The grill is not without its niggles, though. The pellet costs are an ongoing expense that adds up, especially with the pricier hardwood pellets this machine requires. What’s more, the grill plates are a faff to clean, and if you want proper high-heat searing, you'll need to look at the pricier Elite model or supplement with a separate grill.

Nevertheless, anyone who wants to smoke ribs, brisket, pulled pork or anything else low and slow with minimal effort and maximum flavour, the Woodridge Pro delivers and then some. It's a serious piece of outdoor cooking kit that not only looks the part but feels every bit as premium as its price tag.

For many homeowners, a beautifully striped lawn is the ultimate way to make a garden look neater, healthier and professionally maintained. However, whilst many of the best cordless mowers and the best robot mowers can create subtle striping effects, there’s actually one specific type of mower that delivers the very best results.

The secret to striped lawns lies in the rear roller. As the mower moves across the lawn, the rear roller gently bends the grass blades in different directions. Grass bent towards you reflects more light and appears lighter, whilst grass bent away looks darker, resulting in the classic alternating stripe effect.

To find out more, I spoke to the experts at Cobra Garden Machinery, who explained why rear-roller mowers make such a difference – and shared their top tips for achieving professional-looking lawn stripes at home.

1. Mow little and often

Frequent mowing is one of the biggest secrets to creating defined lawn stripes. Cutting the grass regularly encourages denser growth, which helps the roller create much clearer patterns across the lawn. Letting the grass grow too long between cuts can make stripes appear uneven and far less visible overall.

2. Alternate your mowing direction

It might seem strange, but mowing in the exact same direction every time can actually flatten the grass over time. Changing your mowing direction slightly with each cut helps keep the lawn healthier and fuller, whilst also preventing permanent leaning lines from forming.

3. Start with a straight guide line

The first stripe is always the most important because every other pass follows it. Using a fence line, patio edge or garden border as a visual guide can help keep the first cut perfectly straight, making the entire striped pattern look far more professional once finished.

4. Overlap each pass slightly

A small overlap between each mowing pass helps avoid missed strips of grass and keeps the stripe widths looking consistent across the entire lawn. Even a slight gap can interrupt the pattern, so taking your time here really helps create a cleaner finish.

5. Keep your mower blade sharp

Sharp mower blades don’t just improve cutting performance – they also make lawn stripes look much crisper. A dull blade tears the grass instead of cutting it cleanly, which can leave the lawn looking ragged and unhealthy. Keeping the blade sharp helps maintain both the appearance of the stripes and the overall health of the grass.

If your mower blade is looking a little worse for wear, check out our guide on the 5 simple steps to sharpening your mower blade next.