The team at The Guardian‘s Filter has marked its first birthday by reflecting on the life lessons learned through a year of product testing and consumer advice. From kitchen gadgets to dating apps, the writers have gathered insights that extend beyond the products themselves, offering valuable wisdom for everyday life.
Insights from Product Testing
Testing products often leads to unexpected realizations. Rachel Ogden, who reviews kitchen appliances, discovered that her childhood experience playing Tetris provided her with an essential skill. “Stacking multiple kettle, toaster, blender, and air fryer boxes so they don’t fall on me in my office is a valuable life skill,” she remarked.
Similarly, beauty writer Sarah Matthews learned a unique lesson about patience while testing beauty products. “Filling your tiny one-bed flat with enormous beauty Advent calendars in the height of summer is a brilliant way to test your partner’s patience,” she shared. Meanwhile, Zoë Phillimore highlighted the kindness of courier drivers, noting that several inquired about her wellbeing after she received five-plus bouquets of flowers daily while evaluating online flower delivery services.
In a more humorous incident, drinks writer Joanne Gould recalled an unfortunate mishap: “If you leave 25 bottles of gin unsealed but stoppered outside during a heatwave while you nip out for the school run, they will all explode.” This led to a rather chaotic search for the lids around her garden.
Broader Life Lessons
Beyond product insights, the writers have also gained significant personal wisdom. Olivia Petter, who tested dating apps, cautioned against trusting men who refer to themselves as “one of the good ones” on a first date. Caramel Quin found solace in her experiences, stating, “When I wrote ‘why you should trust me’ as a fan reviewer, I talked about being a woman in her 50s and honestly not remembering the last time I felt cold. A lot of readers got in touch, feeling seen.”
Fashion editor Jess Cartner-Morley learned to embrace openness, saying it’s “absolutely fine to ask strangers where they got their fabulous shoes or jacket.” She found that most people were pleased with the compliment and willing to share where they bought their items. On the topic of spending wisely, Ella Foote emphasized the importance of quality, stating, “Good-quality items that work well cost more money. There’s always a copy or cheaper alternative, but you do get what you pay for.”
Conversely, Matt Collins, the gardening writer, advised against judging products solely by their appearance or price. He noted that sometimes the more affordable options yield surprisingly good results.
Several reviewers have discovered products that have made a lasting impact on their lives. Leon Poultney praised a walking pad for helping him achieve 20,000 steps a day while “burning calories without breaking a sweat.” Sian Lewis stated that a good camping chair “can change your life” and is a worthwhile investment for both outdoor activities and home use.
However, some experiences have not met expectations. Sabine Wiesel experimented with the TikTok trend of mascara cocktailing, only to find that it resulted in a clumpy look rather than the desired effect. “The promised false-lash effect was more like a clumpy, spidery-looking flutter—not the look I was after,” she explained.
As the team at Filter looks back on their year of product testing, they have curated a list of favorites, including items ranging from a microwave toastie maker to a life-changing potato masher. In total, they tested over 2,040 products, leading to a wealth of insights and recommendations.
As the seasons change, the Filter team also seeks input from readers on how they manage the darker mornings ahead. Whether through sunrise alarm clocks or strong coffee, they invite readers to share their strategies for easing into the day during the colder months.
To participate, readers can respond to the newsletter or email the team directly at [email protected].
