When it comes to gadgets, some are clear winners, while others seem more like novelties. Today, I put a few popular items through the test: the Yeti Can Insulator, wine drip rings, a dinosaur egg mold, and wine protection bags called “Wine Wings.” Here’s my take on each: what worked, what didn’t, and where each might fit into your life. In this review, I attempt to find out if these items are useful or useless!
Where to Purchase
Below are links where you can buy the items covered in this review.
Yeti Can Insulator: Does It Live Up to the Hype?
With over 27,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.8-star rating, the Yeti Rambler Colster Can Insulator came highly recommended. It promises durability, temperature retention, and is made for tailgates, barbecues, and warm days outdoors. To see if it holds up in real life, I tested it under triple-digit Las Vegas heat, alongside a foam koozie, a Toadfish can cooler, and a “commando” can left on its own.
The Test
I placed all four cans in direct sunlight and checked their temperatures periodically. When I brought them inside, I measured their warmth with both a thermometer and a quick taste test. Here’s what I found:
- The Commando Can (no insulation) warmed quickly to 79°F.
- The Foam Koozie offered a slight advantage, keeping the drink around the upper 60s.
- The Toadfish was even better, maintaining a cool 59-60°F.
- The Yeti came out on top, edging out the Toadfish by a hair at around 58-60°F.
Conclusion on the Yeti
While both the Yeti and the Toadfish performed well, the Yeti squeaked out a win in keeping drinks cooler by a slight margin. Considering their similar price point, both are excellent choices for keeping drinks chilled on hot days. However, since the Yeti performed best, I’d say it’s worth the investment, especially for frequent outdoor use.
Wine Drip Rings: Functional or Just Fluff?
Next up, I tested out some wine drip rings, intended to catch drips that slide down the bottle after pouring. Priced at $6.95 with a 4.4-star Amazon rating, these rings seem like a simple solution for anyone who’s ever struggled with stray drips.
The Test
To test these rings, I poured wine from three bottles set up on white paper to detect any drips:
- Commando Bottle: Left to its own devices, the wine ran down the bottle as expected.
- Wine Drip Ring: The ring absorbed most drips and kept the bottle relatively clean.
- Car Battery Washer Substitute: Surprisingly, these washers worked just as well, absorbing drips and keeping the bottle clean.
Conclusion on Wine Drip Rings
The wine drip rings did work, catching drips effectively. However, they didn’t offer much more functionality than a standard car battery washer, which is cheaper and looks nearly identical. If you’re picky about wine presentation or often host tastings, these rings may be a worthwhile buy. But for casual drinkers, alternatives work just as well.
Dinosaur Egg Mold: Fun, But Not Essential
For a touch of novelty, I tried out this dinosaur egg mold, priced at around $7. With a 4.4-star rating, this mold promises to turn hard-boiled eggs into dino skulls, which might make them more appealing for kids.
The Test
After hard-boiling and cooling an egg, I peeled it, placed it in the mold, and chilled it in an ice bath for 10 minutes. When I opened the mold, the egg indeed had a dino-like appearance, with defined skull-like ridges.
Conclusion on the Dino Egg Mold
While it worked as advertised, this product’s appeal seems limited. It’s a fun one-time gadget, especially if you have kids who enjoy themed snacks, but it’s not an everyday item. If you’re looking to entertain kids with a quirky snack, this mold is a fun option, but beyond that, it’s not particularly useful.
Wine Wings: Fragile Protection with Mixed Results
Lastly, I tested Wine Wings, a protective bag for safely transporting wine bottles. With a price of $21.95 for a pack of four and a 4.7-star rating, these bags are marketed as leak-proof and ideal for travel.
The Test
I dropped a wine bottle enclosed in a Wine Wing from various heights to simulate the rough handling it might face in travel. Unfortunately, the bottle shattered at a mid-range height, and some wine leaked through the bag’s seams.
Conclusion on Wine Wings
Wine Wings provide some protection, but they aren’t foolproof. They work for mild impacts but don’t stand up to harder drops. Adding bubble wrap improved the protection slightly, but even then, the bottle eventually broke. For light protection, they may help, but don’t expect them to fully safeguard your wine.
Final Thoughts: What’s Worth Buying?
- Most Useful: The Yeti Can Insulator and the Toadfish are solid buys for anyone looking to keep drinks cold in hot weather. Both work as advertised, and the Yeti had a slight edge in the tests.
- Moderately Useful: The Wine Drip Rings and Wine Wings have some situational value but limited effectiveness or practicality.
- Least Useful: The dinosaur egg mold is a fun novelty but not a must-have unless you’re looking for ways to get creative with kids’ snacks.
Overall, while these items range from useful to whimsical, each one could find a niche in the right setting. Have you tried any of these gadgets? Let me know your experience in the comments!
Video Review
You check out these items in action in the video below.