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Siobhan Grogan

@siobhan_grogan

Siobhan Grogan is a freelance travel, music and lifestyle writer. She began her career at NME interviewing everyone from Paul McCartney to Amy Winehouse and has since written reviews and features for Mail on Sunday, Telegraph, Glamour, Red, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, High Life and Grazia. She has been writing product reviews for IndyBest since 2021 covering areas including food and wine, household appliances, beauty, kids and tech. Follow Siobhan on Instagram @siobhan_grogan and Twitter @siobhan_grogan

<p>We judged every laptop bag and backpack on its durability and the protection it offers </p>
Laptops & Tablets

Best laptop bags and backpacks 2024

<p>We took into account the price, portability, and cooling ability</p>
Household Appliances

Best portable air conditioners 2024: Tried and tested ACs

<p>Stay cool as a cucumber, with these wearable, handheld and quiet models </p>
Household Appliances

Best fans 2024: Tried and tested models to keep you cool

<p>We considered everything from quality of ingredients to portion size</p>
Subscription Boxes

Best recipe boxes 2024, tried and tested

<p>UK consumers still go through around 14 billon plastic drinks bottles every year </p>
Sports Equipment & Accessories

Best reusable water bottles 2024, tried and tested

<p>Choose a sturdy, stylish brolly and you’ll always feel like singing in the rain</p>
Travel & outdoors

Best umbrella 2024, tried and tested

<p>We tested all these wines exactly as we would their alcoholic alternatives, swirling and sipping to make the most of each vino’s flavours and nose </p>
Wine

14 best non-alcoholic wines to enjoy, from red to sparkling

<p>We made sure to wash each towel, to see how well they held up</p>
Bathroom

8 best bath towels 2024, tried and tested

<p>We tried different designs for all budgets</p>
Bedroom

13 best sunrise alarm clocks to wake you up naturally in 2024

<p>Some non-stick pans can be bunged in the oven for next-level cooking versatility</p>
Kitchen Accessories

Best non-stick frying pans 2024: Tried and tested

<p>We looked for quiet and easy-to-use models, with bonus points for smart features</p>
Household Appliances

Best air purifiers of 2024, tried and tested

<p>Different speed settings and attachments help you tackle muscle groups according to your needs </p>
Sports & Fitness

9 best massage guns to relieve sore muscles from aches and pains

<p>We tested all these mattress protectors in our own home, to check for fit, comfort and more </p>
Mattresses

Best mattress protectors 2024, from waterproof to quilted designs

Mattresses

Best mattress protectors 2024, from waterproof to quilted designs

<p>We tested all these mattress protectors in our own home, to check for fit, comfort and more </p>
<p>These active noise-cancelling and white-noise devices will get you through the night </p>
Headphones & Earphones

Best sleep headphones and earbuds that will help you drift off

<p>We uncorked, sniffed and swirled to select our favourites </p>
Wine

13 best vegan wines to toast all things plant-based

<p>You can still enjoy a drink at the end of the day without worrying about the impact on the next day</p>
Beer, Cider & Perry

13 best non-alcoholic beers to enjoy in 2024

<p>We worked up a sweat to judge the best gym leggings</p>
Sports & Fitness

9 best gym leggings for every kind of workout

<p>We worked up a sweat to judge the best gym leggings</p>
Sports & Fitness

9 best gym leggings for every kind of workout

<p>Prosecco comes down to the region, the grape used and how the bubbly gets its fizz </p>
Food & Drink

7 best proseccos to fizz up the festive season, taste tested

<p>Add some dazzle to your drinks cabinet with these tasty tipples </p>
Spirits

10 best flavoured gins to add a twist to your G&T

<p>Have a great night’s rest between these tried and tested bed linens </p>
Home & Garden

9 best bedding sets for a great night’s sleep

<p>Looking beyond supermarket plonk? We’ve got you covered with some special present picks </p>
Food & Drink

Best gifts for wine lovers 2023, from subscriptions to wine tasting

<p>The UK is one of the biggest consumers of bubbles</p>
Champagne, Prosecco & Sparkling Wine

11 best champagnes to make celebrations go off with a bang

<p>Plump for familiar favourites or fill the month with independently produced plonk</p>
Advent calendars

Best wine advent calendars 2023, tried and tested

<p>The latest smart models can measure body fat, muscle mass, water percentage, bone mass and more</p>
Bathroom

Best bathroom scales 2023: Smart scales with wifi and Bluetooth

<p>Meet Mickey, Minnie and friends at the Orlando parks </p>
Florida

The ultimate guide to Orlando’s best theme parks

<p>Plump for familiar favourites or fill the month with independently produced plonk</p>
Advent calendars

Best wine advent calendars 2023, tried and tested

<p>The latest smart models can measure body fat, muscle mass, water percentage, bone mass and more</p>
Bathroom

Best bathroom scales 2023: Smart scales with wifi and Bluetooth

<p>Meet Mickey, Minnie and friends at the Orlando parks </p>
Florida

The ultimate guide to Orlando’s best theme parks

<p>Set the scene for summer and beyond with our top picks for every budget and outdoor space </p>
Garden Furniture

8 best garden tables and chair sets for dining alfresco in 2023

Garden Furniture

8 best garden tables and chair sets for dining alfresco in 2023

<p>Set the scene for summer and beyond with our top picks for every budget and outdoor space </p>
<p>After testing each water flosser, we used ordinary tape floss to find out if the job was done properly</p>
Beauty

Best water flossers and waterpiks 2024: Tried and tested

<p>The right match can emphasise, rather than overpower, the flavour of food </p>
Wine

The Independent’s food-focused wine review

<p>The pillow is worn as a scarf and the fleece fabric is warm and cosy against the skin </p>
Travel & outdoors

Trtl’s £40 travel pillow makes overnight flights a breeze

<p>This list showcases the best regions in six bottles</p>
Wine

The Independent explores the very best of French wine

<p>This list showcases the best regions in six bottles</p>
Wine

The Independent explores the very best of French wine

<p>You can either commit to mammoth operation or opt for a more stress-busting build</p>
Toys & Activities

13 best Lego sets for adults for want to build a masterpiece

<p>We were looking for indulgent and considerate presents she wouldn’t normally buy for herself </p>
Mother's Day

13 best Mother’s Day gifts that cost less than £25

<p>We noted each wine’s body, acidity and length when drunk on its own, and then paired with food </p>
Wine

11 best South African wines: From chenin blanc to cap classique

<p>We wanted wines with a back story that would get people talking</p>
Wine

9 best wines for a romantic date night that will impress your partner

<p>Think pink with rosé champagne, Spanish cava, English sparkling wine and Italian prosecco </p>
Champagne, Prosecco & Sparkling Wine

10 best pink sparkling wines: From champagne to prosecco rosé

<p>All the vinos we tried were between 0.5 and 1.2 per cent ABV </p>
Wine

9 best low-alcohol wines to enjoy without the hangover

<p>Useful features we looked out for included a drying function, a rinse aid dispenser and rapid cycles</p>
Kitchen Appliances

6 best tabletop dishwashers for squeaky clean plates in small spaces

<p>Whether they spend their weekends watching movies or wild swimming, we’ve found something for every type of couple </p>
Christmas

14 best Christmas gifts for couples that both of them will love

<p>We scoffed selections ranging in price from £30 to £125 (it’s a tough job but someone has to do it) </p>
Chocolate

12 best chocolate hampers to indulge in this Christmas

<p>Our home has never smelt so good </p>
Christmas

Yankee Candle’s advent calendars fill your home with Christmas scents

<p>Cut down on your oven usage with this handy countertop appliance </p>
Home & Garden

Ninja’s foodi max grill and air fryer will revolutionise your cooking

Home & Garden

Ninja’s foodi max grill and air fryer will revolutionise your cooking

<p>Cut down on your oven usage with this handy countertop appliance </p>
<p>The cover encourages airflow, which helps you stay at the perfect temperature all year round </p>
Bedroom

Panda Memory Foam Bamboo pillow: A cool and comfy remedy for neck pain

<p>For hungry families or a date for two, find your perfect wicker carrier in our list</p>
Outdoor Eating

7 best picnic baskets for luxurious alfresco lunching

<p>Whether hanging between trees or on its own stand, a hammock is the ideal garden addition</p>
Home & Garden

9 best garden hammocks to relax and unwind in

<p>Bonus points were given where treats and extra information on the author were included </p>
Books

8 best book subscription boxes for a monthly literary treat

<p>Bonus points were given where treats and extra information on the author were included </p>
Books

8 best book subscription boxes for a monthly literary treat

<p>It claims to remove 99 per cent of airborne particles including smoke, pollen and dust for fresher, cleaner air</p>
Home & Garden

Say goodbye to expensive filter changes with Bionaire’s air purifier

<p>We tried this machine for weeks to find out if it’s worth the investment </p>
Home & Garden

Shark’s air purifier blitzes pollen, dust and pollutants

<p>Control the humidity inside to help fruit and vegetables stay crisp for longer</p>
Kitchen Appliances

Can Hotpoint’s total no frost fridge freezer help reduce food waste?

<p>A particularly successful harvest in warm 2018 saw UK wine production double</p>
Wine

7 best English wines for celebrating homegrown vino

<p>Puzzles can challenge our hand-eye coordination, improve our memory and encourage mindfulness </p>
IndyBest

9 best jigsaw puzzles for adults that provide hours of fun

<p>We swirled and sipped away to fully grasp the smell and taste of each wine</p>
Wine

11 best Italian wines that are worth celebrating

<p>The tradition harks back to the Duchess of Bedford, who grew peckish between lunch and dinner</p>
Food & Drink

National Cream Tea Day 2022: The best afternoon teas for home delivery

<p>Our little testers aged 3-13 helped us decide which sets were the most fun to play with</p>
Toys & Activities

9 best kids’ Lego sets that children of all ages will love

<p>We considered the pillow’s firmness, comfort, care, price and more </p>
Bedroom

The White Company’s pillow is soft without skimping on support

<p>This is an easy swap to that can improve the pay, working conditions and rights of those who produce our wine in developing countries</p>
Wine

Best Fairtrade wines: Help improve working conditions of its producers

<p>We were in no hurry to get up in the morning </p>
Bedroom

Soak&Sleep’s Hungarian goose down pillow gave us that five-star feel

Bedroom

Soak&Sleep’s Hungarian goose down pillow gave us that five-star feel

<p>We were in no hurry to get up in the morning </p>
<p>Ideal for front sleepers and those with allergies, we reviewed The White Company’s super-soft silk pillowcase to see if it was worth the price tag</p>
Bedroom

Could The White Company’s silk-stuffed pillow bring us bedtime bliss?

<p>It’s completely customisable so you can adjust the height and firmness according to your personal preference</p>
Bedroom

We put Emma’s original pillow to the test – here’s what happened

<p>A gobsmacking level of support means you’ll wake up refreshed and without any niggling aches and pains </p>
Bedroom

Can Brook + Wilde’s marlowe goose down pillow bring us sweet dreams?

<p>Sales are at their highest since the early Nineties, with 4.8 million LPs bought in the UK in 2020 alone</p>
Home & Garden

Top of the shops: The online record stores to buy your vinyl from

<p>Sales are at their highest since the early Nineties, with 4.8 million LPs bought in the UK in 2020 alone</p>
Home & Garden

Top of the shops: The online record stores to buy your vinyl from

<p>Anyone who’s tried shopping for a new bed with their other half will know that to sleep soundly next to someone long term, it’s vital to get it right</p>
Mattresses

Silentnight yours&mine mattress review: A customisable bed for couples

<p>For tested for sturdiness, ease of assembly and use, and, of course, how quickly our clothes dried</p>
Home & Garden

8 best clothes airers and drying racks to suit every space

<p>We considered taste (of course), packaging, value for money and who each calendar would suit best</p>
Advent calendars

9 best Lindt Christmas advent calendars: Luxury chocolates for all

<p>We selflessly tucked in, to see if you’ll be excited to rip open the door each morning</p>
Advent calendars

13 best chocolate advent calendars for adults: Indulge this Christmas

<p>We expect these to sell out fast – pre-order your festive vinos now so you don’t miss out</p>
Advent calendars

Best Virgin Wines advent calendars for a very merry Christmas

<p>The appliance relies on H20 alone to power through grime and bacteria – even on the dreaded oven </p>
Household Appliances

Full steam ahead? We review Hoover’s steam capsule 2 in 1 cleaner

<p>Whether they can’t start the day without a builder’s brew or like to dabble in finer flavours, there’s a gift to suit every tea lover in your life</p>
Drink

12 best Christmas gifts to treat the tea lover in your life

<p>We looked exclusively for sustainable vino produced using only certified grapes and grown without chemical fertilisers and pesticides</p>
Wine

The best red, white and sparkling wines to drink in Organic September

<p>We’re ditching the cable for this bagged machine which has two easy-to-use power settings </p>
Home & Garden

Gtech pro 2: A cordless vacuum with a long-lasting battery life

<p>‘The king of picnics has to be panzanella,’ says the former head chef at the River Cafe</p>
Food and Drink

How to picnic like a Michelin-starred chef

<p>Brown has struggled with her mental health for years, even when she was on the show</p>
Food and Drink

Candice Brown: ‘In my darkest moments, I gravitate to the kitchen’

<p>Consider whether you want to receive a wide range of cheeses each time or have specific preferences, such as all-British produce or organic only</p>
Subscription Boxes

8 best cheese subscription boxes: Artisan produce delivered

<p>You don’t need to spend a fortune on a microwave – but is it worth it if you choose to?</p>
Kitchen Appliances

Is the Smeg MOE34CXIUK microwave oven worth the near £400 price tag?

<p>This microwave promises to steam, grill, oven cook or microwave everything from frozen pizza to salmon fillets</p>
Kitchen Appliances

Is the Panasonic 4-in-1 NN-CS89LBBPQ combination microwave a must-have

<p>We cooked, reheated and defrosted all different kinds of food to see if it was up to the task</p>
Kitchen Appliances

We tried the Bosch HMT75M461B series 2 freestanding microwave

<p>Choose from manual, retro, Bluetooth, automatic and more </p>
Audio

11 best record players for spinning your favourite vinyls

<p>This microwave promises to steam, grill, oven cook or microwave everything from frozen pizza to salmon fillets</p>
Kitchen Appliances

Is the Panasonic 4-in-1 NN-CS89LBBPQ combination microwave a must-have

<p>We cooked, reheated and defrosted all different kinds of food to see if it was up to the task</p>
Kitchen Appliances

We tried the Bosch HMT75M461B series 2 freestanding microwave

<p>Choose from manual, retro, Bluetooth, automatic and more </p>
Audio

11 best record players for spinning your favourite vinyls

<p>It’s a good looking microwave – but does it deliver on the performance front? </p>
Kitchen Appliances

Is the Russell Hobbs Scandi microwave worth investing in?

<p>Big Zuu’s Big Eats is a TV series and now a book</p>
Food and Drink

Big Zuu: From working at Nando’s to a hit comedian cooking TV series

<p>The 900w machine does it all, from baking to grilling</p>
Kitchen Appliances

We review the Hoover Chefvolution combination microwave

<p>Ben Tish will be celebrating the lifting of restrictions with an Andalusia-Moorish chicken pie</p>
Food and Drink

5 recipes top chefs are cooking at their first dinner party

<p>Consider how many items you want to dye before buying, as a small kit will be plenty for just one T-shirt</p>
Activities & Crafts

8 best tie dye kits to add a pop of colour to your wardrobe

<p>We’ve chosen some for older and more competent bakers as well as for younger children</p>
Baking

11 best kids’ baking kits to inspire them in the kitchen

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