Category: Guides

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Two winter duvets are in the Amazon UK Home and Kitchen top 30 this morning, a 10.5 tog at #14 and a 13.5 tog at #30. With the clocks gone back, which tog do you actually need?

The short answer: 13.5 tog is the classic warm winter duvet, 10.5 tog suits warmer bedrooms or people who run hot, and an all seasons duvet (a 4.5 plus a 9 or 10.5 tog clipped together) covers the whole year in one buy. A UK double duvet is 200 x 200 cm.

Last updated: 28 October 2026

On the Amazon UK Home and Kitchen chart today: GG Gonzalo Gracia double 10.5 tog at #14 and Slumberdown Warm Winter Nights double 13.5 tog at #30. This is a practical UK shopping shortlist on amazon.co.uk. It does not invent prices, ratings or claims beyond what the listings state.

13.5 tog: warm winter duvets

• Slumberdown Warm Winter Nights 13.5 tog double, listed as UK made, hollowfibre filled, machine washable at 40°C, 200 x 200 cm
• Slumberdown Anti Allergy 13.5 tog double, listed as Allergy UK approved and machine washable at 40°C
• Silentnight Hotel Collection 13.5 tog double, listed as UK made with a 5 year guarantee

10.5 tog: for warmer rooms

• GG Gonzalo Gracia 10.5 tog double, listed as UK made with a hollowfibre fill and pitched as an all year round weight

All seasons: two duvets that clip together

• Slumberdown All Seasons double, 4.5 tog plus 9 tog, which poppers together into 13.5 tog, each layer washable on its own
• Silentnight All Seasons single, 4.5 tog plus 10.5 tog, which combines to 15 tog; other sizes are on the listing or in search
• 13.5 tog duvet search on amazon.co.uk for king and super king sizes

Open the live listing on the day you buy and pick your bed size there, as single, double and king are often separate listings.

Which tog for you?

• Cold bedroom or you feel the cold: 13.5 tog, or 15 tog with an all seasons pair
• Central heating on at night or you run hot: 10.5 tog
• Two sleepers who disagree: an all seasons set gives you options without a second full duvet
• Still chilly? An electric underblanket or heated throw adds warmth without a heavier duvet; see our electric blanket and heated throw guide

Size check

• Single 135 x 200 cm, double 200 x 200 cm, king 225 x 220 cm, super king 260 x 220 cm are the common UK sizes; check the listing
• Many people size up one step for a double bed so the duvet hangs over both sides

Use the Amazon product and search links above to compare options on amazon.co.uk. This is a UK shopping shortlist for winter duvets, not sleep or medical advice.

Timings and Trends is a participant in the Amazon Associates Programme. We may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See Disclosure.

Contains Amazon affiliate links. See Disclosure.

BRITA MAXTRA PRO cartridges sit at #3 and #25 in the Amazon UK Home and Kitchen bestsellers this morning. Which MAXTRA PRO cartridge should you buy, and how many?

The short answer: MAXTRA PRO Pure Performance is the everyday cartridge, Limescale Expert suits hard water areas and kettle or coffee machine users, and both fit BRITA MAXTRA jugs. BRITA lists each cartridge at up to 150 litres or about 4 weeks, so a 6 pack covers roughly half a year for one jug and a 12 pack about a year.

Last updated: 28 October 2026

On the Amazon UK Home and Kitchen chart today: two MAXTRA PRO Pure Performance 6 pack listings at #3 and #25. This is a practical UK shopping shortlist on amazon.co.uk of original BRITA cartridges and jugs. It does not invent prices, ratings or claims beyond what the listings state.

MAXTRA PRO Pure Performance (everyday)

• BRITA MAXTRA PRO Pure Performance 4 pack, about four months for one jug
• BRITA MAXTRA PRO Pure Performance 6 pack, listed as reducing chlorine, fine particles and some micro impurities, up to 150 L in 4 weeks per cartridge
• BRITA MAXTRA PRO Pure Performance 12 pack, roughly a year of changes for one jug

MAXTRA PRO Limescale Expert (hard water, tea and coffee)

• BRITA MAXTRA PRO Limescale Expert 3 pack, listed as reducing limescale 50% more effectively than Pure Performance, aimed at kettles and coffee machines

If your kettle is already furred up, a descaler clears what is there; see our washing machine cleaner and descaler guide. A filter jug then helps slow it coming back.

Need a jug too?

• BRITA Marella jug with 3 MAXTRA PRO Pure Performance cartridges, listed with a digital lifetime indicator and as fitting standard fridge doors
• BRITA Marella XL jug with 1 cartridge, listed at 3.5 L total and 2 L of filtered water per fill, for bigger households
• BRITA MAXTRA PRO search on amazon.co.uk for other pack sizes and jug colours

Open the live listing on the day you buy, as pack sizes and jug colours sit under separate listings.

Original or compatible?

• Original BRITA cartridges are named MAXTRA PRO and sold by BRITA or Amazon; the listings above are the originals
• Cheaper “compatible with BRITA MAXTRA” cartridges also appear in search results; they are not made by BRITA, so check the seller and recent reviews for fit and leaks
• Older MAXTRA+ cartridges were replaced by MAXTRA PRO and still fit MAXTRA jugs; some MAXTRA+ listings are EU versions with foreign language packs

Quick checklist

1. Check your jug says MAXTRA on the lid or funnel
2. Pick Pure Performance for everyday or Limescale Expert for hard water
3. Soak and rinse a new cartridge as the leaflet says before first use
4. Change it every 4 weeks or when the indicator says so

Use the Amazon product and search links above to compare options on amazon.co.uk. This is a UK shopping shortlist for BRITA filter cartridges, not water quality advice.

Timings and Trends is a participant in the Amazon Associates Programme. We may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See Disclosure.

Contains Amazon affiliate links. See Disclosure.

Dr. Beckmann washing machine cleaner is #2 in the Amazon UK Home and Kitchen bestsellers this morning, with De’Longhi coffee machine descaler at #28. If the washer smells musty or the kettle is furred up, which cleaner or descaler should you buy?

The short answer: a dedicated washing machine cleaner for musty drums and detergent build up, a dishwasher cleaner for greasy filters and smells, and a descaler matched to the appliance (kettle, iron or coffee machine), especially in hard water areas.

Last updated: 27 October 2026

This is a practical UK shopping shortlist on amazon.co.uk. It does not invent prices, ratings or claims beyond what the listings state.

Washing machine

• Dr. Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean washing machine cleaner, 250 g, listed as using activated carbon to tackle odours from detergent residue and low temperature washes, with a lemon scent

Dishwasher

• Finish dishwasher cleaner, Fresh, 2 x 250 ml, listed as dissolving limescale and grease in pipes and filter; remove the sticker and place it upside down in the bottom rack
• Dr. Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean dishwasher cleaner, 75 g, listed as a two step system with a powder for the machine and a wet wipe for seals and grooves, chlorine free

Kettle, iron and coffee machine descalers

• De’Longhi EcoDecalk coffee machine descaler, 500 ml, listed as a plant based lactic acid descaler for 5 uses, diluted 100 ml in 1 litre of water
• Kilrock Mega-K multi purpose descaler, 1 litre, listed as 12 doses for kettles, shower heads and coffee machines, biodegradable and phosphate free
• Ecozone kettle and iron descaler sachets, listed for both kettles and irons
• kettle descaler search on amazon.co.uk to compare more sizes

Open the live listing on the day you buy, as pack sizes and scents sit under separate options.

Which one for which job?

• Musty smelling washer or grey marks on clothes: a washing machine cleaner on an empty hot wash, then wipe the door seal and drawer
• Smelly dishwasher or cloudy glasses: clean the filter first, then run a dishwasher cleaner on a hot empty cycle
• White flakes in tea: a kettle descaler, then boil and discard a couple of kettles of fresh water
• Coffee machine descale light: the descaler the machine maker recommends, following its manual

What to check on the listing

• Which appliances it is made for, and whether your manufacturer warns against a type of descaler
• Doses per pack, so a multipack covers the year
• Directions, such as running an empty cycle and rinsing afterwards
• Keep cleaners and descalers away from children and never mix different products

Related Guides

• our moisture absorbers and condensation guide
• our disposable nitrile gloves guide for messy cleaning jobs

Quick checklist

1. Work out the problem: smell, grease or limescale
2. Match the cleaner to the appliance
3. Run it on an empty cycle as the listing directs
4. Wipe seals, filters and drawers by hand
5. Repeat every month or two in a hard water area

Use the Amazon product and search links above to compare options on amazon.co.uk. This is a UK shopping shortlist for appliance cleaners and descalers, not a lab test or any brand’s official catalogue.

Timings and Trends is a participant in the Amazon Associates Programme. We may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See Disclosure.

Contains Amazon affiliate links. See Disclosure.

HP ink cartridges are three of the top 30 in the Amazon UK Computers bestsellers this morning, with the HP 305 2 pack at #1. Which HP cartridge number does your printer actually take?

The short answer: the number is printed on the old cartridge and in the printer’s manual, and it is tied to the printer model. HP 305 suits DeskJet 2700 and 4100 and ENVY 6000 series, HP 308 the newer ENVY 6100 and 6500 and DeskJet 2900 series, and HP 302/304 the older DeskJet 2600 and 3600 series. Always check your exact model on the listing.

Last updated: 27 October 2026

On the Amazon UK Computers and Accessories chart today: HP 305 Black and Tri-colour 2 pack at #1, HP 308 2 pack at #11, HP 302/304 Black at #14 and HP 62 2 pack at #29. This is a practical UK shopping shortlist on amazon.co.uk of original HP cartridges. It does not invent prices, ratings or claims beyond what the listings state.

HP 305 (DeskJet 2300, 2700, 2800, 4100, ENVY 6000, ENVY Pro 6400)

• HP 305 Black and Tri-colour 2 pack, listed at about 120 pages black and 100 pages colour, for DeskJet 2700, 2800, 4100, 4200e, ENVY 6000 and ENVY Pro 6400 series
• HP 305 Black single cartridge, for when only the black has run out
• HP 305XL High Yield Tri-colour (6ZD17AE), listed for DeskJet 2300, 2700, Plus 4100, ENVY 6000 and ENVY Pro 6400

HP 308 (newer ENVY 6100, 6500 and DeskJet 2900, 4300)

• HP 308 Black and Tri-colour 2 pack, listed for ENVY 6100e to 6165e and 6500e to 6558e, and DeskJet 2900 to 2923 and 4300 to 4330, with a freepost recycling pack

HP 302/304 (DeskJet 2600, 3600, 3700, ENVY 4500, 5000)

• HP 302/304 Black, listed as about 120 pages, with HP noting that 302 and 304 are now one cartridge, for DeskJet 2622 to 3764, ENVY 4520 to 5032 and OfficeJet 3831 to 5230

Older printers: HP 62, 301 and 364

• HP 62 Black and Tri-colour 2 pack, listed at about 200 pages black and 165 colour, for ENVY 5540 to 5644 and OfficeJet 200 and 250 Mobile, 5740 to 5744
• HP 301 Black and Tri-colour 2 pack, listed at about 170 pages black and 150 colour, for DeskJet 1000 to 3055, ENVY 4500 and 5530, OfficeJet 2620 and 4629
• HP 364 4 pack, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, listed for DeskJet 35xx and Photosmart 55xx, 65xx and 7510 models
• HP ink cartridges search on amazon.co.uk for other numbers

Open the live listing on the day you buy and check your printer model against its compatibility list, as standard, XL and multipacks sit under separate listings.

How to find your number

• Open the printer lid and read the large number on the old cartridge label
• Check the model name on the front of the printer, for example DeskJet 2720e or ENVY 6020e
• Printers ending in “e” were sold with HP+ and may be set to accept original HP cartridges only, so check before buying a compatible or remanufactured one
• XL cartridges hold more ink for the same printer; standard and XL of the same number fit the same slot

Original, compatible or remanufactured?

• Original HP: the listings above, made by HP and recyclable for free through HP Planet Partners
• Compatible and remanufactured: third party cartridges show up in search results, and some HP printers may reject them after a firmware update, so read recent reviews for your model

Quick checklist

1. Read the number on the old cartridge
2. Match your printer model to the listing’s compatibility line
3. Choose standard, XL or a 2 pack
4. Recycle the empties with the freepost pack or HP Planet Partners

Use the Amazon product and search links above to compare options on amazon.co.uk. This is a UK shopping shortlist for HP ink cartridges, not HP’s official compatibility tool.

Timings and Trends is a participant in the Amazon Associates Programme. We may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See Disclosure.

Contains Amazon affiliate links. See Disclosure.

Butane gas canisters and single burner camping stoves are filling the Amazon UK Sports and Outdoors bestsellers this week, alongside the emergency radios and water containers from the government’s Be Ready advice. Which stove and which gas do you actually need?

The short answer: most cheap single burner stoves take the slim 227 g butane cartridge that pushes and twists into place, some branded stoves take their own cartridge, and every gas stove is for outdoor use only. Match the cartridge to the stove before you buy a multipack.

Last updated: 27 October 2026

This morning Straame camping gas cartridges sit at #2 in Amazon UK Sports and Outdoors bestsellers, Aspect camping gas at #12, the Campingaz Camp Bistro 3 stove at #18 and a Ram camping kettle at #26, with two butane multipacks in the top 20 of the Garden and Outdoors chart. This is a practical UK shopping shortlist on amazon.co.uk. It does not invent prices, ratings or claims beyond what the listings state.

Camping stoves

• Campingaz Camp Bistro 3 stove with griddle, listed as a 2200 W single burner with piezo ignition, a double safety valve and carry case, powered by the Campingaz CP 250 cartridge rather than a standard 227 g can, and not suitable for indoor use
• Portable 2 burner camping gas stove, 2 x 2500 W, listed with piezo ignition, an overpressure safety valve and carry bag, for butane containers and external gas sources (not included)
• Greenfields mini portable camping stove, listed as a small folding windproof burner with a carry bag for backpacking and road trips; check the listing for which canister thread it takes
• Ram 3 litre heavy duty camping kettle, listed as stainless steel with a whistle and pouring spout

Butane gas cartridges (227 g)

• Straame camping gas cartridges 227 g, pack of 8, listed as push fit butane with a self sealing valve and universal tip adapter
• Aspect camping gas 227 g, pack of 8, listed for portable stoves, BBQs, gas heaters and blow torches, with a push and twist self sealing valve
• Butane gas canisters, EN417, pack of 4, listed as 227 g cartridges following EN417 with a universal tip adapter
• Easy Shopping butane gas canisters, 4 to 28 pack, listed as 227 g bayonet fit (not screw), mixed brands sent by availability, mainland UK delivery only
• camping stove search on amazon.co.uk to compare more burners

Open the live listing on the day you buy, as pack sizes sit under separate options and some gas listings limit delivery areas.

Which gas fits which stove?

• Slim 227 g butane cartridge with a notch: the common push and twist (bayonet) fit used by most budget single burner stoves
• Screw thread cartridge (usually called EN417 or Lindal valve): used by many lightweight hiking stoves, so check the stove listing for the word “screw” or “threaded”
• Branded cartridges, such as Campingaz CP 250: the Camp Bistro 3 listing names its own cartridge, so do not assume a standard 227 g can will fit
• If the listing does not say, look at the stove manual or the brand’s website before ordering gas

Safety first

• Use gas stoves outdoors only, never in a kitchen during a power cut, a tent, a caravan awning, a garage or a shed. Burning gas gives off carbon monoxide.
• Store cartridges somewhere cool and out of direct sun, away from children and pets
• Fit and remove cartridges away from flames, and check the seal before lighting
• Butane struggles in cold weather, so keep spare cartridges warm (not hot) before use on frosty mornings

Related Guides

• our home emergency kit checklist
• our wind up emergency radio guide
• our rechargeable torch and head torch guide

Quick checklist

1. Pick the stove first: one burner for brews, two for family meals
2. Check which cartridge it takes: bayonet 227 g, screw thread, or a branded cartridge
3. Buy a multipack of the matching gas
4. Pack a kettle or pan that fits the pan support
5. Keep it for the garden, campsite or car park, never indoors

Use the Amazon product and search links above to compare options on amazon.co.uk. This is a UK shopping shortlist for camping stoves and gas, not a lab test or any brand’s official catalogue.

Timings and Trends is a participant in the Amazon Associates Programme. We may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See Disclosure.

Contains Amazon affiliate links. See Disclosure.

The clocks have gone back, the heating is on, and the cold air still finds its way under the front door and through the letterbox. Which draught excluders on amazon.co.uk are worth fitting this week?

The short answer: a self adhesive strip along the bottom of each outside door, D profile foam tape around doors and windows that do not shut snugly, a brush cover on the letterbox, and a chimney balloon or wool pad in any fireplace you never use.

Last updated: 26 October 2026

A silicone door seal strip sits at #15 and a D profile draught excluder tape at #19 in the Amazon UK DIY and Tools bestsellers this morning. This is a practical UK shopping shortlist on amazon.co.uk. It does not invent prices, ratings or claims beyond what the listings state.

Bottom of the door

• Silicone door seal strip, 8 m x 35 mm, listed as self adhesive and cut to length for gaps up to 20 mm under doors and around glass doors and windows
• Vellure under door draught excluder strip, listed as silicone with a strong adhesive, about 5 x 99 cm, trimmed to fit, for inside or outside doors
• Double sided under door draught excluder, 86 cm, 2 pack, listed as sliding under the door with no glue or drilling, for doors up to 86 cm wide and 5 cm thick

Around doors and windows

• D profile foam draught excluder tape, 2 x 3 m, listed as EPDM foam, 9 x 6 mm, for gaps of 3 to 6 mm, in black, brown or white

Letterbox

• Stormguard internal letterbox brush cover, white PVC, listed with draught brushes, pre drilled holes and fixings, 335 x 75 mm outside with a 279 x 45 mm aperture
• Exitex letterbox draught excluder with flap and bristle seal, black, listed with a spring closing flap and fixings included

Unused fireplace

• Chimney Sheep wool chimney draught excluder, 18 x 18 inch, listed as Herdwick wool felt that sits in the flue of a disused fireplace, with a reminder tag, and must be removed before lighting a fire
• draught excluder search on amazon.co.uk to compare more sizes and colours

Open the live listing on the day you buy, as lengths, widths and colours can sit under separate options.

Which one for which gap?

• Light under a door: a silicone strip or brush on the door bottom, or a slide under excluder for rented homes
• A door or window that rattles when shut: D profile foam tape in the frame
• Cold air from the letterbox: a brush cover inside, or a flap and brush unit
• Whistling fireplace you never use: a chimney sheep or balloon sized to the flue

What to check on the listing

• The gap size it seals, and measure your gap first
• Length and width, and whether you need one per door
• Adhesive notes, such as cleaning the surface and avoiding use for 24 hours
• Letterbox aperture and fixing hole sizes against your door
• For fireplaces, the size chart, and never block a flue serving a working gas fire, boiler or stove

Keep the warmth in

• our thermal blackout curtains guide for draughty windows
• our moisture absorbers guide, since a sealed home needs a little ventilation to avoid condensation
• our electric blanket and heated throw guide

Quick checklist

1. Walk round on a windy day and feel for draughts with the back of your hand
2. Measure each gap and door width
3. Match each gap to a strip, tape, brush or chimney pad
4. Clean and dry surfaces before fitting adhesive strips
5. Leave trickle vents and air bricks open for ventilation

Use the Amazon product and search links above to compare options on amazon.co.uk. This is a UK shopping shortlist for draught excluders, not a lab test or any brand’s official catalogue.

Timings and Trends is a participant in the Amazon Associates Programme. We may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See Disclosure.

Contains Amazon affiliate links. See Disclosure.

New UK government advice published on 22 October asks households to keep a few basics at home in case power, water or phone services are disrupted for a while. What can you actually buy on amazon.co.uk to build that kit?

The short answer: water containers or bottled water for three days, a first aid kit, a charged power bank, a torch with spare batteries, a battery or wind up radio, and something warm such as blankets or foil blankets. Most of it fits in one box under the stairs.

Last updated: 26 October 2026

The Be Ready checklist lists water (3 litres per person per day for drinking), non perishable food, a torch, blankets, a battery or wind up radio, a charged power bank, cash, copies of documents and first aid items. On Amazon UK this morning, emergency radios fill around a dozen Electronics bestseller places, and water containers, water purification tablets and first aid kits also appear in the Sports and Outdoors and Health bestsellers. This is a practical UK shopping shortlist on amazon.co.uk. It does not invent prices, ratings or claims beyond what the listings state.

Water storage

• HYDROFYX 25 litre water storage containers, multipack, listed as food grade HDPE with screw caps for household drinking water; the listing also mentions 5 litre containers, so check the size and pack option before you buy
• water storage container search on amazon.co.uk for smaller sizes that are easier to lift

First aid

• General Medi 210 piece first aid kit, listed with a reflective bag, an ice pack, moleskin and an emergency blanket
• General Medi mini first aid kit, 92 pieces, listed with a foil blanket and scissors in a compact pouch for the car or a grab bag

Power for your phone

• INIU 10000mAh 45W power bank, listed as compact with a detachable short USB C cable
• Anker Zolo 20000mAh 30W power bank, listed with a built in USB C cable and up to four iPhone 15 charges

Warmth

• Safety First Aid HypaGuard foil blankets, pack of 6, listed as individually wrapped mylar blankets that unfold to 210 x 130 cm
• General Medi emergency foil blankets, 12 pack, listed as reusable, waterproof and windproof mylar for home and car kits

Radio and light

• our wind up emergency radio guide (published alongside this one)
• our rechargeable torch and head torch guide, since the government advice notes torches are safer than candles
• our AA batteries bulk pack guide for spares

Open the live listing on the day you buy, as sizes and pack counts can sit under separate options.

What to check on the listing

• Water containers: food grade wording, cap type, and a size you can still lift when full (25 litres of water weighs about 25 kg)
• First aid kits: the contents list in the images, and expiry dates on wipes and dressings
• Power banks: capacity, output, the cable included, and how long it holds charge in a drawer
• Foil blankets: unfolded size and whether each one is sealed

Things you do not need to buy

• Signing up to your energy and water supplier’s Priority Services Register is free, and the government campaign highlights it for anyone who may need extra help
• Tinned food you already eat, a little cash and printed copies of key phone numbers cost little or nothing extra

Quick checklist

1. Water for three days for everyone in the house, pets included
2. First aid kit and any regular medication
3. Charged power bank and a torch with spare batteries
4. Battery or wind up radio with local FM frequencies written down
5. Blankets or foil blankets, cash and copies of documents in one box

Use the Amazon product and search links above to compare options on amazon.co.uk. This is a UK shopping shortlist for a home emergency kit, not official government guidance or medical advice. Check the Be Ready site for the full checklist.

Timings and Trends is a participant in the Amazon Associates Programme. We may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See Disclosure.

Contains Amazon affiliate links. See Disclosure.

The UK government’s updated household preparedness advice, published on 22 October, suggests keeping a battery or wind up FM radio at home for news during power cuts and severe weather. Which wind up and battery radios on amazon.co.uk are worth a look?

The short answer: a hand crank radio with solar and USB charging covers you when the power and the phone signal both go, and a simple battery radio is the cheap backup. If you want DAB at home day to day, pick one that also runs on AA batteries.

Last updated: 26 October 2026

Wind up and solar emergency radios fill around a dozen places in the Amazon UK Electronics bestsellers this morning, including the SOLARBABY wind up radio at #4 and a 2000mAh hand crank radio at #9. This is a practical UK shopping shortlist on amazon.co.uk. It does not invent prices, ratings or claims beyond what the listings state.

Wind up and solar emergency radios

• SOLARBABY wind up solar radio, AM/FM, listed with a 2000mAh battery you can charge by USB, solar panel or hand crank, an LED torch, an SOS alarm and a phone charging output
• 2000mAh wind up solar hand crank radio, AM/FM, listed as recharging by crank, solar or USB C, with a 3 LED torch, SOS alarm and IPX3 splash resistance in a pocket sized body
• Emergency radio, solar hand crank wind up, AM/FM, listed with a torch, reading light, SOS alarm, 2000mAh power bank and a weight of 220 g
• Wind up emergency crank radio with 4000mAh battery, listed with solar, crank and Micro USB charging, a torch, a motion sensor reading lamp and a larger battery for topping up a phone

Battery radios

• XHDATA D219 portable radio, FM, AM and shortwave, listed as running on 2 x AA batteries (not included) with a rotating antenna and a headphone socket
• AZATOM Desire X2 DAB/DAB+ and FM portable radio, listed as mains or 4 x AA battery powered, with Bluetooth, dual alarms and a sleep timer, so it can live in the kitchen and still work in a power cut
• wind up radio search on amazon.co.uk to compare more models and colours

Open the live listing on the day you buy, as colours, battery sizes and bundles can sit under separate options.

Which one for which home?

• A kit that has to work with no power at all: a hand crank radio with solar charging
• Keeping a phone alive for a few calls: a model with a bigger built in battery and a USB output
• Cheapest simple backup: an AM/FM battery radio and a pack of spare AAs
• Everyday listening as well: a DAB and FM radio that also takes batteries

What to check on the listing

• Bands covered. FM matters most in the UK. Many crank radios also list a NOAA weather band, which is a US service and not used here, so do not buy for that feature
• How it charges (crank, solar, USB C or Micro USB) and whether a cable is included
• Battery size, and whether it can charge your phone
• Torch, SOS alarm and water resistance rating if it will also go in the car or camping box
• Whether batteries are included for battery only radios

Set it up before you need it

• Charge it fully, then test the crank and the torch
• Write the FM frequencies of your national and local news stations on a card and keep it with the radio, as the government’s power cut advice suggests
• Store it where you can find it in the dark, next to a torch

More for power cuts and colder months

• our rechargeable torch and head torch guide
• our AA batteries bulk pack guide for spares
• our hand warmers guide

Quick checklist

1. Decide whether you need crank and solar, batteries, or both
2. Check FM is covered and ignore NOAA claims
3. Check the charging port and cable
4. Charge, test and label the radio with your local frequencies
5. Keep it with a torch and spare batteries

Use the Amazon product and search links above to compare options on amazon.co.uk. This is a UK shopping shortlist for wind up and battery radios, not a lab test or any brand’s official catalogue.

Timings and Trends is a participant in the Amazon Associates Programme. We may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See Disclosure.

Contains Amazon affiliate links. See Disclosure.

October half term, a wet afternoon and Halloween a week away: a box of craft supplies goes a long way. Which kids’ craft supplies are worth buying on amazon.co.uk?

The short answer: a pack of felt tips or an all in one art case for drawing, air drying clay or Play-Doh for modelling, acrylic paint pens for decorating pumpkins, pebbles and cards, and a bag of googly eyes to turn anything into a monster.

Last updated: 23 October 2026

Crayola SuperTips sit at #8 and Play-Doh Super Colour Pack at #25 in the Amazon UK Toys and Games bestsellers this morning, with DAS air hardening clay at #20 and ARTISTRO acrylic paint pens at #30 in Home and Kitchen. This is a practical UK shopping shortlist on amazon.co.uk. It does not invent prices, ratings or claims beyond what the listings state.

Drawing and colouring

• Crayola SuperTips, 24 felt tip colouring pens, listed as washable from skin and most fabrics, with one medium tip for fine lines or broad strokes, for ages 3 and up
• Crayola Inspiration Art Case, 140 pieces, listed with 40 washable markers, 20 short coloured pencils, 64 crayons and 15 large sheets of paper in a carry case, for ages 5 and up

Modelling

• DAS white air hardening modelling clay, 1 kg, listed as non bake, drying in 12 to 24 hours, and paintable with poster paint, fibre pens and varnish
• Play-Doh Super Colour Pack, listed with 20 colours in 85 g cans plus moulds and shapes, for ages 2 and up

Decorating pumpkins, pebbles and cards

• ARTISTRO 24 acrylic paint pens, dual tip, listed as water based with a 1 mm fine tip and a 1 to 5 mm brush tip, for paper, wood, rock, ceramic, glass and fabric
• Craft Planet wiggle eyes, 40 pieces, listed as self adhesive black and white googly eyes in assorted sizes, which may need glue on some surfaces
• kids craft supplies search on amazon.co.uk to compare more kits

Open the live listing on the day you buy, as pack sizes and colours can sit under separate options.

Which suits which age?

• Toddlers and preschool: Play-Doh (listed 2+) and washable felt tips (listed 3+)
• Primary age: the art case, air drying clay and googly eyes
• Older kids and adults: paint pens for pumpkins, pebbles and Christmas cards
• Small parts like googly eyes are a choking risk, so keep them away from under 3s

Half term craft ideas

• Paint a pumpkin instead of carving it, no knives needed
• Model clay monsters or Christmas decorations, leave them to dry overnight, then paint
• Googly eye everything: stones, egg boxes, cardboard tubes
• Make Halloween and Bonfire Night cards for family

What to check on the listing

• The age range on the listing
• Washable or permanent wording, especially for pens and paint
• Drying time for clay and paint on glass, ceramic or metal
• What is in the box, pens only or paper and case too

More for half term and Halloween

• our kids Halloween costumes guide
• our Halloween face paint guide
• our family card games guide for rainy evenings

Quick checklist

1. Check the ages of everyone joining in
2. Pick one drawing set and one modelling option
3. Add paint pens and googly eyes for Halloween makes
4. Cover the table and keep old clothes handy
5. Leave clay and paint to dry before handling

Use the Amazon product and search links above to compare options on amazon.co.uk. This is a UK shopping shortlist for half term craft supplies, not a lab test or any brand’s official catalogue.

Timings and Trends is a participant in the Amazon Associates Programme. We may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See Disclosure.

Contains Amazon affiliate links. See Disclosure.

Phone full, dash cam asking for a new card, or a camera coming out for half term, Halloween and Bonfire Night photos? Which microSD and SD memory cards are worth buying on amazon.co.uk?

The short answer: a SanDisk Ultra or Samsung EVO Plus microSD for phones, tablets and handheld consoles, a SanDisk Extreme microSD for action cameras, drones and 4K video, a full size SanDisk Extreme PRO SD card for cameras, and a small card reader so you can back up to a laptop.

Last updated: 23 October 2026

SanDisk Ultra microSD sits at #6 in the Amazon UK Computers and Accessories bestsellers this morning, with SanDisk Extreme microSD at #19, SanDisk Extreme PRO SD at #23 and a KOOTION 64 GB microSD at #27. This is a practical UK shopping shortlist on amazon.co.uk. It does not invent prices, ratings or claims beyond what the listings state.

microSD for phones, tablets and handhelds

• SanDisk Ultra microSDXC 128 GB with SD adapter, listed as A1 rated for apps, Class 10, U1, with transfer speeds up to 140 MB/s, aimed at Android phones and tablets
• Samsung EVO Plus microSD 128 GB with adapter, listed as UHS-I U3 with up to 160 MB/s transfer speed, suitable for 4K UHD recording, for phones and tablets
• KOOTION 64 GB microSDXC, listed as UHS-I U1, Class 10, with read and write speeds up to 80 and 20 MB/s, a smaller card for basic storage

microSD for action cameras, drones and 4K video

• SanDisk Extreme microSD 128 GB with adapter, listed as U3, V30 and A2, with read speeds up to 190 MB/s and write speeds up to 90 MB/s

Full size SD for cameras

• SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC 128 GB, listed as UHS-I, U3, V30, with offload speeds up to 200 MB/s and shot speeds up to 90 MB/s, for 4K UHD video and burst photos

Card readers for backups

• Amazon Basics microSD card reader, USB-C 3.0, listed with read and write speeds up to 200 MB/s and no software or drivers needed
• Sony MRW-S1 UHS-II SD card reader, listed as USB 3.1 Gen 1, pocket size, for photo and 4K video backups from UHS-II SD cards
• microSD card search on amazon.co.uk to compare more sizes

Open the live listing on the day you buy, as capacities from 64 GB to 1 TB often sit under one listing as separate options.

What do the symbols mean?

• U1 and U3: minimum write speed classes, U3 is the one most cameras ask for with 4K
• V30: a video speed class, also common for 4K
• A1 and A2: app performance ratings, useful if apps run from the card
• UHS-I and UHS-II: the bus type, UHS-II cards and readers need matching kit to reach their top speeds

How to pick

• Phone, tablet or handheld console: check the device’s maximum supported size first
• Dash cam, action camera or drone: U3 and V30 as a minimum, or whatever the device manual asks for
• Camera with a full size slot: an SD card, not microSD with an adapter, if you shoot a lot of video
• Photos you care about: back them up to a laptop or cloud, a card is not a backup on its own

What to check on the listing

• Capacity, and whether an SD adapter is included
• Speed class markings (U, V and A ratings)
• Seller and brand, buy from the brand’s own store or Amazon where you can, as fake memory cards do turn up online
• Reader connector, USB-C or USB-A, to match your laptop

More tech guides

• our USB-C cable multipack guide
• our Amazon Fire TV Stick guide
• our Cat6 and Cat8 ethernet cable guide

Quick checklist

1. Check which card type and maximum size your device takes
2. Pick the speed class the device or camera asks for
3. Choose a capacity with room to spare
4. Add a card reader if you back up to a laptop
5. Format the new card in the device before first use

Use the Amazon product and search links above to compare options on amazon.co.uk. This is a UK shopping shortlist for microSD and SD memory cards, not a lab test or any brand’s official catalogue.

Timings and Trends is a participant in the Amazon Associates Programme. We may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See Disclosure.