Kim's picks - Komando.com

Review: Best drones for any budget

Review: Best drones for any budget

It’s official, folks: Barry and I are expecting … a drone in the mail! Whoops, did I give you a heart attack? 😅

Yep, Barry bought a fancy-pants drone. And you know me, that means I’ve been scouring the web comparing drones and deals for the past week!

Drones aren’t just for real estate glamour shots and secret prison drop-offs (yeah, that actually happens). You can use them to capture hi-def event footage, fly alongside you on the go or even discover ancient ruins — yep, scroll down to watch the video in Web Watercooler!

Ready to add “drone pilot” to your list of hobbies? I’ve got a list of the best ones for any budget. And by the way, don’t just buy a cheap $50 to $100 drone. You get what you pay for, and drones at that level are junk.

To get you off the ground

The cheapest quality drone worth your money is just under $300: The DJI Mini 2SE. The screen is your cellphone. It can be hard to see in bright sunlight, but that’s not a deal breaker.

Pros: You’ll get 31 minutes of flight. And, at nearly 24 MPH, its wind resistance is higher than most pricier options. Like all DJI drones, it also has a “return to home” feature that automatically sends it back to its base.
Cons: No obstacle avoidance (watch out for that tree) and no “follow me” feature, which means you’ll be making all its moves manually.

Bottom line: How good are you at walking and piloting at the same time?

For a few more bucks …

The Holy Stone HS720R is a good option for $319.99. You’ll use your cell for this screen, too.

Pros: It does follow you as you move. You’ll get 26 minutes of flight time with 4K video — a much higher pixel density than the DJI Mini 2SE’s QHD.
Cons: No obstacle avoidance, and the wind resistance is lower than others on this list at 17 MPH. It’s also above the 250g FAA weight limit, so you’ll need to register it here.

Bottom line: Great for a calm day, but don’t go storm-chasing with this one.

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We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Ask Kim: 'Can you help me choose an Echo device?'

Ask Kim: 'Can you help me choose an Echo device?'

Absolutely! First things first, here’s how I like to use mine:

Both are totally solid, but I would go with the Echo Show 10. It’s bigger, faster and newer, and just about every spec is upgraded. The Echo Show 8 is certainly more affordable, but this is something you want to buy once and forget about for a few years. This model is already over two years old.

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We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Going chemical-free is worth the money

🥘 I got rid of all my old pots and pans that didn’t match and had PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, lead, cadmium and other toxic materials that can leach into your food, making them unsafe for you and your family.

Here’s what I bought instead. Let me tell you, these are expensive, but they have no chemicals, and I don’t even need to use spray oil anymore. With the holidays coming up, you’ll definitely use these:

Loaf pan for breads, lasagna for two and more.
Nonstick cookware set I got in the cream color.
Bakeware set so you’ll have all you need to do anything.
Finally, if you don’t want to buy a set, just try one frying pan or baking dish you use a lot. I know you’re gonna love it. You can always return it if you don’t.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

🖥️ OLED monitor sales will jump 181% this year: There’s one big difference between OLED and LCD; with OLED, each pixel emits its own light for deeper blacks and richer colors. Plus, OLED screens have faster response times, which reduces motion blur and ghosting for better streaming and gaming. I took the time to select picks for a budget 27-inch option (22% off!) and a high-end 39-inch model (43% off, dang).

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Ask Kim: 'Can you help me find a dashcam for Mom?

Ask Kim: 'Can you help me find a dashcam for Mom?

If a creep follows your mom to her car, a dashcam can capture videos to later use as evidence in a criminal case. Reputable options like the Ovedisa or BlackVue are both excellent choices.

🚙 Get her a dashcam that records what’s happening in front of and behind her vehicle. This option connects to an app that lets you view, download and share videos. It’s 30% off now, and be sure to check the box for another $30 off. (Makes a great gift, btw.)

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We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Ask Kim: 'Which dashcam should I buy?'

Ask Kim: 'Which dashcam should I buy?'

Uber, Lyft and other rideshare companies have provided more opportunities to make a living driving people to their destinations. Some do it as a full-time job, while others make driving into a second or part-time job.

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Our PC and laptop picks for remote workers and small businesses

Our PC and laptop picks for remote workers and small businesses

If you’re looking for a new computer to work on, you will find yourself swimming in a sea of options. There are countless gadgets to choose from. Whether you want a tiny, simple laptop or a 2-in-1 that doubles as a tablet, you can find almost anything your heart desires.

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Kim's pick: My favorite video doorbell to keep an eye on what's happening out front

Kim's pick: My favorite video doorbell to keep an eye on what's happening out front

If you want to secure your home, video doorbells are a no-brainer. They’re a great way to get a little extra peace of mind. You can check in to ensure your front porch is safe if you’re at the office or the grocery store.

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Reader question: 'Can you help me pick a dashcam?'

Reader question: 'Can you help me pick a dashcam?'

Uber and Lyft have become overwhelmingly popular in America to make extra cash. Drivers can sign up in minutes, fill in their information and be up and running as an employee in just a few days.

But using your car to earn income comes with liability issues. What if you get into an accident or one of your riders becomes combative? Even if you don’t drive for a living, proving fault in a crash can be difficult. To avoid he said she said, you’ll need to protect yourself.

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I had a personal demo of LG's $100K TV – Here's why I think it's actually worth the money

I had a personal demo of LG's $100K TV – Here's why I think it's actually worth the money

A true once-in-a-blue-moon technological gem hit the scene at CES back in 2018: a prototype TV from LG with a screen that could roll out of a floor cabinet like a piece of paper.

Three and a half years later, this 65-inch rollable TV isn’t a prototype anymore, and you can order your own LG Signature OLED R right now. The focus has shifted from the marvel of a new type of technology, though, and now all anyone is talking about is its $100,000 price tag.

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Veteran & military families: You can save a ton on wireless plans with T-Mobile

Veteran & military families: You can save a ton on wireless plans with T-Mobile

May is National Military Appreciation Month, a special time to honor the service and sacrifice of members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, and Space Force.

We thank you for your service — and our sponsor T-Mobile is right there with us. Through times of crisis and times of peace, T-Mobile is committed to serving military and veteran families. The Un-carrier goes beyond military discounts to provide career assistance and community support for U.S. military service members, veterans and their families.

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9 practical things that will come in handy all the time

9 practical things that will come in handy all the time

The world is full of items designed to make life easier. Some of these tools really are worth their weight in gold, while others are little more than useless novelties.

So, which gadgets are worth the investment? As always, we’ve got your back.

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25 Amazon kitchen gadgets Kim loves: Instant Pot, sushi making kit, Chick-fil-A sauce

25 Amazon kitchen gadgets Kim loves: Instant Pot, sushi making kit, Chick-fil-A sauce

These are some of my favorite kitchen gadgets that I recently discovered on Amazon. I thought you might be surprised at how much they’ll help you when you’re cooking. They definitely surprised me.

You want your veggies to last as long as possible. Ideally, you want to take as few trips to the market as possible these days. But if you’re buying food to last you between visits, you won’t want it going bad on you in your fridge.

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