Articles by Alex Temblador

Alex Temblador is a Dallas, Texas-based award-winning freelance writer and award-winning author of Half Outlaw and Secrets of the Casa Rosada. While she's best known for her coverage of travel, arts, and culture, she began to write more about design, architecture, and home products when she bought her 102-year-old house in 2020. Since then, she's reviewed products for outlets such as Real Homes, Gardeningetc., Homes & Gardens, Outside, and TripSavvy. When she's not writing articles or reviews, Alex is jet-setting around the world, working on her next novel, or teaching a literary class.

Articles by: Alex Temblador

Alex Temblador using Narwal V50 vacuum cleaner

The Narwal V50 Cube offers smart auto-emptying, AI dirt detection, and dual hot-swappable batteries, making it a seriously compelling cleaner

By Alex Temblador Published 9 November 26

Narwal's ever stick vacuum boasts a headlight to magnify dust, AI dirt detection, and a truly impressive auto-emptying dock.

Tineco Floor ONE Station S9 Scientist Pro wet and dry vacuum cleaner with accessories

Tineco's Floor One Station S9 Scientist Pro is the only floor cleaner you need for wet and dry mess, provided your budget can take the hit

By Alex Temblador Published 10 September 26

Recommended

A high-tech, low-effort tool for taking care of messy spills, tough stains, fine dust, and coarse debris.

Don't suffer with seasonal allergies — I test air purifiers for a living and these are my top 3 recommendations for filtering out pollen and dust

By Alex Temblador Published 28 April 26

Don't spend your summer struggling with sneezes and streaming eyes — these three top-rated air purifiers will keep your home free from allergens.

Split image of three vacuums suitable for people with allergies, including a robot vacuum, an upright vacuum, and a stick vacuum

The 4 best vacuum cleaners for seasonal allergies, recommended by a home tech expert — beat hayfever with powerful suction, HEPA filters, and sealed dust bags

By Alex Temblador Published 28 April 26

Don't get caught out by rising pollen counts — these top-rated vacuums use powerful suction, HEPA filters, and sealed dust bags to keep allergens at bay.

Narwal Flow 2 robot vacuum moving from hard floor to carpet

The Narwal Flow 2 an AI-forward robot vacuum and mop that uses its smarts to determine how dirty your floor is, and the best way to clean it

By Alex Temblador Published 18 April 26

Narwal’s 2026 flagship robot vacuum is outfitted with video cameras and super smart AI cleaning technology to work out the best way to tackle your home.

Tester using the Shark Freestyle Pro cordless upright vacuum on a carpet panel

Shark Freestyle Max review: a nimble, powerful and cheap cordless upright

By Alex Temblador Published 8 November 25

The Shark Freestyle Max blends power and portability — just watch out for the short battery life.

This vacuum is ultra lightweight and comes with a useful auto-empty base – but it's its impeccable edge cleaning that really impressed in my tests

By Alex Temblador Published 29 October 25

The Levoit Aero has a nifty, compact build that can get into awkward corners and right up the edges of rooms.

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat in reviewer's home

I've been testing Shark's new combo fan and heater, and the cooling is superb but the warming underwhelms

By Alex Temblador Published 18 October 25

The original TurboBlade blew me away, but I'm not quite as hot on the warming function Shark has added for the Cool + Heat version.

Three detail photos of the Shark PowerDetect Cordless vacuum in a living room

I tested a bunch of vacuums this year, and the Shark PowerDetect Cordless was hands-down my favorite – here's why

By Alex Temblador Published 10 October 25

As a TechRadar product reviewer, a lot of gadgets pass through my door – but this is one I'll be hanging on to for as long as possible.

6 Comments

I review home gadgets for a living, and this air circulator fan is hands-down the best thing I've tested this year – here's why

By Alex Temblador Published 22 September 25

The Dreo TurboPolyFan 508s has completely changed the way I cool my home.

I tested an air purifier that can follow you around with clean air, and that's just one of its special tricks

By Alex Temblador Published 27 August 25

Recommended

The Dreame AirPursue PM20 is big, but it more than earns its floor space with advanced purification powers, plus cooling and heating functions.

Shark PowerDetect Upright vacuum review: a powerful, smart and versatile dust-buster

By Alex Temblador Published 5 June 25

With smart suction adjustment and a versatile design, the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum is a cut above the competition.

2 Comments

Close up of fan head on Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S, showing red ambient lighting

Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S review: good as a fan, but phenomenal as an air circulator

By Alex Temblador Published 2 May 25

The Dreo TurboPoly 508S is my secret weapon for lower energy bills this summer.

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo portable fan in a garden

I tested this portable misting fan, and it immediately became my summer essential

By Alex Temblador Published 25 April 25

The lightweight, cordless Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo fan will be keeping me cool at the lake, barbecue, and tailgate.

Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S in reviewer's home

Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S review: a well-priced fan that's packed with useful features

By Alex Temblador Published 23 April 25

This smart tower fan is armed with a whole arsenal of features to keep the temperature under control. Here's my full review.

5 fitness apps powered by AI that you can download right now

By Alex Temblador Published 20 April 25

AI programs are becoming more common among fitness apps like Strava, Garmin Connect+ and AllTrails – to varying degrees of success.

Reviewer pointing remote control at Shark TurboBlade, in her living room

Shark TurboBlade fan review: supreme cooling in any direction

By Alex Temblador Published 26 March 25

Recommended

This innovative take on the tower fan can blast out blades of cool air in any direction, but it's its breeze-inspired mode that really won me over.

The HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 is a brilliant lightweight running shoe with a price tag to match

By Alex Temblador Published 3 March 25

How does the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 stack up as a speed shoe for 2025?

Tester using Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum in living room

Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum review

By Alex Temblador last updated 13 February 25

Recommended

The Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum is designed to combine power with seriously smart detection features.

Levoit LVAC-200 cordless vacuum, standing upright, next to supplied accessories, in reviewer's home

Levoit LVAC-200 Cordless Vacuum review

By Alex Temblador Published 14 December 24

The Levoit LVAC-200 is a nifty budget vacuum that's well-suited to homes with lots of hard floor.

Shark Stratos Cordless with Clean Sense IQ IZ862H

Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H vacuum cleaner review

By Alex Temblador last updated 18 November 24

The Stratos cordless vacuum is a powerful stick vac with some useful added features; a great choice for those with pets or lots of carpet.

The Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop leaving its charging station

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum and Mop review: a robot vacuum that detects dirt

By Alex Temblador Published 5 October 24

Shark’s most expensive robot vacuum adjusts its cleaning power thanks to DirtDetect and StainDetect technology.

The Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper on a bed

Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper review

By Alex Temblador Published 3 March 24

The luxurious Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a supportive memory foam topper with an antimicrobial treatment.

PurpleFlex mattress in reviewer's bedroom

PurpleFlex mattress review: Purple Grid magic, on a budget

By Alex Temblador last updated 19 February 24

Recommended

The PurpleFlex (originally NewDay) delivers excellent comfort and support, with its pared-back design and affordable pricing.

Helix Dusk Luxe mattress in reviewer's bedroom

Helix Dusk Luxe mattress review: a heavenly sleep experience for back and stomach sleepers

By Alex Temblador last updated 14 February 24

The Helix Dusk Luxe is a premium hybrid mattress that offers a cloud-like feel and support for your hips and back.

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