Category Archives: Product Reviews

Best Portable Basketball Hoops for 2021

January 29, 2021 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

We wanted to get our boys a basketball hoop for the driveway and so began searching for the “best portable basketball hoop” – I found a variety of recommendations. In this article I’ll share some of the resources we used to find the right portable hoop for our family. Hopefully these tips can help you too.

7 Best Portable Basketball Hoops – Site #1

VeryWellFit.com seems to give good advice about a variety of fitness and sports products. Here’s their list of the best portable basketball hoops.

Best Overall: Spalding The Beast Glass Portable Basketball Hoop at Amazon
- 60” glass backboard with a 50+ gallon base to keep your portable hoop in place.”
Best Budget: SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop Basketball System at Amazon
- Flexible enough to use anywhere from your driveway to your swimming pool.”
Best Acrylic Backboard: Spalding NBA Portable Basketball System at Amazon
- “This portable hoop has an impressive 60-inch backboard that’s constructed from high-quality acrylic.”
Best for Families: Lifetime Height Adjustable Portable Basketball System at Amazon
- “18-inch standard steel rim you need to practice for league games or casual street competitions.” 54 inch model 71524
Best for the Pool: Lifetime Pool Side Basketball System at Amazon
- “Same shatterproof backboard and adjustable height as many regular hoops, but it’s got UV-protected inks to prevent fading.”
Best for Kids: Lifetime Youth Portable Basketball Hoop at Amazon
- “Specially sized 32-inch backboard and 15-inch rim—the ideal size for a kid’s basketball hoop.”

About VFW’s Top Choice Spalding The Beast

Spalding NBA “The Beast” Portable Basketball System

According to VWF, Spalding’s Beast system has a 60” glass backboard with a 50+ gallon base to keep your portable hoop in place. This hoop adjusts from 7.5 feet to 10 feet with a simple screw jack adjustment, and the four strut pole/base mount keeps the entire system more secure than other portable hoops. The multi-wheel castors and engaging handle make it easy to move, but you can fill the base with plenty of water or sand to secure it while you’re playing.

5 Best Portable Basketball Hoops – Site #2

I also found the site OutsidePursuits.com to be helpful. The hoops they recommend tend to be on the more budget friendly side of things so you won’t find the top-of-the-line options in their list but you will find good options for less money.

You’ll note that they have identified similar hoops in their list of the 5 best portable basketball hoops. I like to see the same hoop picked on multiple sites because it validates the hoop as being a good choice in my mind.

About the Spalding Pro Slam 54″ Basketball Hoop

OP said “The Spalding Pro Slam Portable NBA 54″ Angled Pole Backboard Basketball System is our editors pick, and rightfully so. it offers a highly durable 54″ polycarbonate backboard designed to stand up to years of everyday wear and tear and provides excellent weather resistance.”

Spalding Pro Slam Portable NBA 54″ Angled Pole Backboard Basketball System at a Glance

Backboard: Spalding NBA 54″ Polycarbonate Backboard *Constructed of a polycarbonate backboard material
Height: Hoop height is adjustable from 7.5-feet to 10-feet in 6-inch increments
Base: 34-gallon base
Pole: Angled, strong steel pole design
Hoop/Net: Comes with break-away rim system and net

Best Portable Basketball Hoops – Site #3

The site called SimplyTheBestof.com had numerous similar hoops on their list which is as follows…

Best Portable Basketball Hoops – Site #4

I think the site TheHoopsGeek.com is really good for this particular topic. They’ve got 6 hoops identified as the best portable hoops – again you’re going to see some similar names, but I also like how they identified the size of the BASE – that helps to keep in mind because the bigger the base the more stable the hoop.

The Best Portable Basketball Hoops:

Basketball Hoop	Volume of Base	Backboard Size	Backboard Material
Lifetime Pro Court	27 gallons	44 inches	Polyethylene
Lifetime Front Court	34 gallons	50 inches	Polycarbonate
Lifetime 52″ MVP	35 gallons	52 inches	Polycarbonate
Silverback NXT	35 gallons	54 inches	Acrylic
Spalding NBA Pro Tek	40 gallons	54 inches	Tempered Glass
Spalding “The Beast”	55 gallons	60 inches	Tempered Glass

Top 10 Portable Basketball Hoops Ranking

Finally the site SportsGearLab.com is another site I used for my research. They have 10 best hoops listed – are you starting to see a trend with the same names coming up over and over again? I’d recommend you strongly consider one of the repeat names for the hoop you choose.

Name	Backboard	Price
1. Silverback NXT Portable Basketball Hoop	50” Glass	$$$$
2. Lifetime 90061 Portable Basketball System	52” Shatterproof Acrylic	$$$
3. Lifetime 71566 XL Height Adjustable Portable Basketball System	50” Shatterproof Polycarbonate	$$
4. Spalding NBA Hybrid Portable Basketball System	54” Acrylic	$$$
5. Lifetime 51550 Courtside Height Adjusable Portable Basketball System	48” Shatterproof Polycarbonate	$$
6. Lifetime 90061 Portable Basketball System	52” Shatterproof Polycarbonate	$$$
7. SKLZ Portable Basketball System	50” Shatterproof Polycarbonate	$$
8. Lifetime 1531 Portable Basketball System	48” Shatterproof Polycarbonate	$$
9. Spalding Pro Slam Portable Basketball System	54” Acrylic	$$
10. Spalding NBA Hercules Portable Basketball System	50” Acrylic	$$$
Name	Backboard	Price

About the Silverback NXT Portable Basketball Hoop

SportsGearLab.com says “The price may be scary, but the quality shows: this is one of the best portable hoops you can buy. The 50” tempered glass backboard is as close to pro as most backyards will ever see, and as big as most home players need. The polycarbonate backboard is tough and offers excellent rebound for more exciting play. Whether you’re shooting hoops on your own or battling it out in a 3 on 3 backyard game, you’ll find your skills challenged with every throw

The super-sturdy 25-gallon base features a four-strut z-frame pole mount for extra rigidity, but despite its solidity during play, its unusual multi-wheel base design gets this system top marks for portability before and after a game. The easy-to-use screw jack height adjustment system gives you room to grow, starting at a challenging 7.5’ and moving up to regulation 10’ for when you feel like a pro.

We think Silverback’s NXT is the best portable basketball hoop out there – if you’re serious about basketball, there’s so much to like.”

How to Shop for a Portable Basketball Hoop

It’s important to keep some things in mind when you are shopping for a portable basketball hoop. Remember these tips…

TheHoopsGeek.com also had some EXCELLENT tips to share about what to look for in a quality hoop…

Backboard

Whether you want to practice the iconic Tim Duncan bank shot or work on your lay-ups, the backboard of your hoop better be of good quality! You want to look for these three factors:

1. Size of the backboard:

The regulation basketball backboard used in the NBA and NCAA is 72 inches wide and 42 inches high, but you will rarely see a backboard of these dimensions in a driveway. If money’s no object and you are building a professional basketball court in your backyard, then go for a 72″ backboard (and an in-ground basketball hoop). Otherwise, there are more sensible options on the market.

Backboards usually start at 44 inches wide, which is very small, makes layups hard and bank shots almost impossible. Backboards offering better playability start at 54″ inches. These give a much more professional feel and allow for easy layups and angled floaters. More expensive, high-quality hoops often come with 60″ backboards while regulation 72″ backboards are almost entirely reserved for the most luxurious and professional basketball goals on the market.

2. The material of the backboard:

Backboards are usually made of either one of these three materials:

Polyethylene (or Polycarbonate) is a fancy name for plastic and is most often used for the cheapest basketball hoops. It has one significant advantage: it is almost indestructible and, therefore, a great option if you are looking for a basic hoop that will last you for years. If you want a high-quality basket, however, plastic has two problems. The rebound effect is pretty bad, which means the ball basically stops dead once it hits the backboard. Also, the look of plastic boards just screams “kids hoops”.Acrylic backboards are a definite step up from cheap polyethylene backboards. Transparency offers a much more professional look. Unfortunately, acrylic is a very soft material and will pick up scratches over time, which will slowly spoil the great look.

Acrylic is very popular with hoops in the moderate price range because it weighs considerably less than tempered glass. This reduction of weight means that the support structure doesn’t have to be as sturdy in order to support the weight of the backboard. Unfortunately, lighter basketball hoops are more susceptible to wind, and the rebound response of the backboard is only average.

Tempered glass is the material used in professional basketball hoops in the NBA, NCAA and all over the world. It is by far the heaviest material used in backboards and requires a solid base and support pole. In return, you are rewarded with the best playing experience by far, with a true rebound response which makes layups and bank shots so much more satisfying.

On top of these advantages, tempered glass doesn’t scratch easily and keeps its clean look forever, unlike other materials which tend to yellow out after being exposed to the sun for too long.

3. Offset of the backboard:

The offset of the backboard describes the distance between the backboard and the support pole. If the offset is too small, it is easy to crash into the basketball post after a layup or dunk attempt.

Professional basketball goals feature an overhang of at least 4 feet, but portable ones usually have far less, which is no problem if you just practice your shooting. But if you want to play real games, make sure that the overhang is deep enough, otherwise, padding the goal post is a good idea.

Rim

The rim diameter of 18 inches is the same for every hoop on the market. What is different, however, is the way the rim is attached to the backboard:The standard rim is simply screwed into the lower backboard. This construction gives the rim a lot of stability, but it also results in a lot of long rebounds and shots that bounce in and out. You also don’t want to dunk on a rim like that, where all the force is transmitted (unchecked) onto the backboard. On rims like these, it is easy to injure your hands or tear down a part of the backboard.

Breakaway basketball rims with compression springs dampen the bounce of your shots, resulting in the “soft touch” every shooter loves. If you plan to dunk on your basketball hoop, a breakaway rim is mandatory. These rims come in two different variations: cheaper versions with exposed compression springs or more expensive and more durable rims with covered springs offering better rust protection.

Support Pole

A stable and robust support pole is very important for the stability of a basketball hoop. Most portable basketball goals these days have the ability to adjust the height. Adjustable basketball hoops are great for kids who want to learn the game (or adults who want to pretend they can dunk), but it makes the construction of stable support poles difficult. Cheap and moderately-priced hoops often use three-piece pole constructions. If you want something less shaky, look for two-piece support poles – usually reserved for more expensive basketball hoops.

The height adjustment systems also differ widely in quality and ease of use. Cheap basketball goals often use a telescope pole fixed by a knob in 6-inch increments. More expensive hoops like the Spalding NBA system offer a screw jack adjustment system, which is much easier to use and allows you to choose any height between 7.5′ and 10′.

Base

The base is one of the most important parts of any portable basketball hoop. Not only does it provide the hoop with the necessary stability but it’s also a crucial part of its portability.

The base usually includes a container that is filled with water or sand. The bigger the capacity of the base, the more stability it provides.

Pro Tip: Add Base Gel to the water of the base to create a firm and stable gel that keeps your base from cracking in the winter, prevents leakage and adds extra stability. Beginner hoops often come with a capacity of around 27 gallons. But the plastic backboards of these basketball goals are rather light, so the base doesn’t need to be very heavy. More advanced hoops (with bigger backboards made from acrylic) usually come with heavier bases with a volume of around 35 gallons. The base of the most expensive (and much heavier) hoops can easily exceed 50 gallons, which has the negative side effect that it hurts the portability to some degree.

If you need to move the hoop after every basketball session and portability is very important to you, you should make sure that the base has wheels. Fortunately, this is the case for almost all portable basketball hoop these days.

FAQ’s for Portable Basketball Hoops

Finally, I found the site GearHungry.com to have a helpful FAQ for portable hoops. Maybe it will help you too.

Q: What is a portable basketball hoop?

A: A portable basketball hoop is a hoop that you can move, such as the name. But why do they exist when you have plenty of existing products that allow you to shoot hoops on a lazy Sunday afternoon? We will let you in on a not-so-exclusive secret; some homes won’t allow you to fix a basketball hoop to the house, nor will they permit in-ground hoops to stand there permanently.

It is from such policies that portable hoops were born. The no-commitment design makes them a highly attractive product, and they are arguably much more appealing than more traditional models. The portability makes it easy to transport from the driveway to the backyard or even store them in the garage throughout winter.

The construct is with the same durability and quality that traditional hoops are, which provides peace of mind and ensures longevity. They are adjustable, stable, and all-around versatile products suitable for just about anybody.

Q: Should I put water or sand in my portable basketball hoop?

A: As basketball hoops are top-heavy models, you need something to ground them. Some might expect to fill the base with concrete. However, this can come with a range of issues. For one, the concrete will harden, causing it to expand, which could split the base. Concrete is also heavy, which will eliminate the benefits of portability. Instead, you need to look at sand or water.

Most portable hoops are compatible with both sand and water, so it’s really up to you what you use. Water is more accessible, and it is also easy to remove if needed. Conversely, sand can be a little tricky to source, and you might find it difficult to remove from the base.

One benefit sand has, though, is that it will stay in the base longer. If there is a leak in the bottom, water will drain no matter what. However, as sand can pack together, you may lose a few grains, but not everything.

Q: Are portable basketball hoops safe?

A: Portable basketball hoops are safe, but only if you use them correctly. The first best way to ensure complete safety is to fill the base to the maximum capacity, outlined in the instruction manual or product page. Filling it will provide enough weight to balance the structure properly, preventing the risk of it toppling over, even in high winds. However, for additional confidence, secure it in place with a rope if possible.

As much as dunking and hanging on the hoop are tempting, you should avoid it. The extra weight on your side will interfere with the equilibrium; the hoop will fall forward, with you dragging it down, potentially causing injury, or you could end up stuck beneath the structure entirely.

You should take care when assembling the hoop, especially if you are a child. Portable basketball hoops are relatively easy to assemble, some parts can be heavy, and it might require two people to provide adequate support.

Q: Where should I put my portable basketball hoop?

A: The beauty of a portable basketball hoop is that you can put it wherever there is space, working as both indoor and outdoor portable basketball hoops. As long as there is enough room to wheel it into position, you can shoot hoops all day long.

Most people will keep the hoop in the driveway or front yard, as it will offer the most space and give you and your buddies a decent area to move around without damaging flowerbeds, plants, or garden furniture. However, you can also take it to the park or use it at school for basketball tournaments, especially with teams using reduced numbers.

When you aren’t using your hoop, you can keep it on the driveway, but it’s worth emptying the water if you live in cold climates to prevent it from freezing. If you do this, lie the hoop flat, so it doesn’t blow over. If you consider the hoop unsightly when you’re not using it, disassemble it or adjust it to the lowest height setting and store it in the garage or around the back of the house if there is enough space.

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The Best 4K Projectors for 2021

December 20, 2020 ThatHelpfulDad 1 Comment

If you’re in the market for a 4K Projector and you’d like some recommendations for the best 4K movie projectors for different situations, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll give you our top picks for the best 4K projectors in SIX different categories – including those focused looking for home theater projectors, gaming projectors, smart-projectors, short throw projectors, portable projectors, and our top picks overall – ALL of them 4K models that are sure to give you the ultimate 4K projector experience!

When it comes to 4K projectors, the primary names to know are BenQ, Epson, Optoma, and Sony – these brands will generally have something great for most people. That said, we’ll also be examining a few other 4k projectors from the likes of LG, VAVA, and AAXA for those customers with specific needs (short-throw, portability, smart features, and the budget category). If you’re really serious about finding the best 4K projector for YOUR needs – you’re sure to find it on this page.

Best 4K Projectors – Summary

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Best 4K Projector Overall

There are two 4K projectors that we believe are the “Best Overall” – they are the BENQ HT3550 and the EPSON 5050UB. Before we showcase them to you, it’s important to understand HOW we decided what makes a 4K projector the ‘best overall.” In order to earn this rating from us, we require the 4K Projector to have ALL of the following:

It’s made by a company that is well-known for projectors;
It has all of the top features expected by shoppers (true 4K resolution, ultra high contrast ratio, super bright lumens, etc);
It has quality warranty;
It has 100’s of consumer ratings that have at least 85% 4-star or above ratings;
It has to be affordable to the majority of shoppers in this class;

There may be some 4K projectors that have better ‘specs’ than the two 4k projectors we chose for our “Best Overall” rating (especially those in the ‘High End Home Theater” Category) and while those 4K projectors may be technically superior to the two projectors we chose for our top rating, those ‘higher spec’ projectors (while awesome!) just didn’t have enough consumer reviews to back them up and/or they were simply too expensive for most consumers to afford. When you parse out ALL the data, we belive the BENQ HT3550 and the EPSON 5050UB offer the best value for the money and thus they have earned our “Best Overall” Ratings!

#2 Overall – BenQ HT3550

The BenQ HT3550 is our runner-up pick for the Best Overall 4K Projector for most consumers. It’s a fantastic 4K projector and it’s available at a great price for all that it offers.

BenQ HT3550

TRUE 4K PROJECTOR: 3840 x 2160 resolution consisting of 8.3 million pixels that provide amazing clarity and crisply defined fine details while gaming or watching movies.
SUPER CLARITY: Contrast Ratio of 30,000:1 and 2000 Lumens delivers true blacks and amazing pictures.
FLEXIBILITY: vertical lens shift and short throw with 1. 3x big zoom lens enable use in smaller spaces.
CONNECTIVITY: 2.5A USB port, USB3.0, two HDMI ports, and optical SPDIF ports.
INDUSTRY LEADING WARRANTY: BenQ’s 3-year warranty.
DLP TECHNOLOGY: DLP is used in 90% of the world’s cinemas and 100% of digital IMAX theaters.

#1 Overall – EPSON 5050UB

If you want a 4K projector that ticks all the boxes and provides the perfect confluence of price-to-value, you can do no better than the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB 4K PRO-UHD 3-Chip Projector. Don’t just take my word for it – on nearly every review site you find this projector on, you’ll see it almost exclusively rated with 5-stars. On Amazon alone, it’s got 100’s of reviews and over 85% are 5-star ratings – that’s the most consistent of any projector on this page!

Epson Home Cinema 5050UB

TRUE 3 CHIP PROJECTOR DESIGN : Full 10 bit HDR color processing accepting 100 Percent of the HDR source information to faithfully reproduce HDR content for an exceptional visual performance
SUPER CLARITY: 1,000,000:1 Contrast (yes you read that right) and 2600 Lumens for super clarity and brightness.
Epson “ULTRA BLACK” technology : Epson’s proprietary Compensation filter controls the polarization of light itself.
LCD TECHNOLOGY is preferred by those who fear the ‘rainbow’ effect sometimes seen with DLP projectors.
CONNECTIVITY: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x USB Type A, 1x LAN (RJ45), 1x Computer/D-sub 15-pin, 1x RS-232c, Trigger out. Including Hemi 2. 0 support that’s fully compatible with virtually all color formats, depths, and spaces while simultaneously supporting 4K HDR content at a full 60 Hertz. This allows for outstanding Compatibility with the latest 4K HDR content and next generation gaming hardware

NOTE: if you’re wondering the difference between the Epson 5050UB vs Epson 5050UBE the answer is not much – they are a similar 4k projectors but the Epson 5050UBE has a WIRELESS transmitter included – you can view the Epson 5050UBE here.

When to choose the BenQ HT3550 vs Epson 5050UB?

There is no ‘right’ answer to this question and it often comes down to whether you’re a BenQ fanatic or an Epson advocate. But if you’re looking for some objective decisions, consider the following points to ponder.

If you’re budget is under $2,000, then the ONLY choice is the BenQ HT3550. It’s a steal for well below that price.
If you’re a fan of LCD, you’ll choose Epson. If you believe in DLP and don’t ‘fear the rainbow’ then go with the BenQ. (Personally I have never had a problem with a rainbow effect on my BenQ).
If contrast ratio is your thing, the Epson’s 1,000,000:1 constrast ratio blows the BenQ’s 30,000:1 constrast ratio away – yet whether these ‘lab values’ translate to the real world for the Average Joe like you and me is hard to say.
If consumer reviews matter, the Epson has 100’s of reviews with combined 93% 4to5-star ratings (which is pretty incredible), while the BenQ has “only” 85% combined 4to5-star ratings – although this is with double the number of reviews (nearly 500 on Amazon alone as of this publication).

Bottom line: whether you choose the BenQ HT3550 or the Epson 5050UB, you’ll be happy. BOTH are truly awesome 4K projectors.

Best “High End” Home Theater 4K Projectors:

If you’re looking for more of an ‘ultimate’ experience AND you have the coin to procure it, there are a few additional 4K projectors you should look into.

BenQ HT8050

The BenQ HT8050 is the world’s first DLP 4K UHD home cinema projector. The projector delivers an authentic picture quality of a commercial digital cinema.
4K UHD with razor-sharp True 8.3 million Pixel detail, 50,000:1 contrast ratio, and 2200 Lumens.
Immaculate True Zoom at 1.5:1 ratio and Focus Sync
THX Mode, pre-calibrated by THX engineers for the most accurate out-of-the-box picture quality possible.
Connectivity : 2 digital HDMI ports, D-Sub, USB-B mini, LAN, RS232, DC 12V, IR

Sony Home Theater Projector VPL-VW295ES

There’s nothing quite like the Sony VPL-VW295ES…

NATIVE 4K RESOLUTION: 3 SXRD imagers display BEST IN CLASS 4096×2160 pixels each for ULTRA HD pictures – that equates to 8.8 millions pixels x 3 imagers for over 26-million pixel displays!
TRILUMINOS DISPLAY: View a broad spectrum of hard to reproduce tones for bright, true to life colors
Reality Creation Lens with 1500 Lumens 6000 hour life span.
MOTIONFLOW TECHNOLOGY: Smooth, lifelike motion for 4K and HD movie, sports and video game action
IMAX ENHANCED: bring stunning IMAX visuals to your home theatre with BEST IN CLASS viewing on up 200″ displays!

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500 Ultra Short Throw 4K Projector AND Screen

Epson breaks new ground in the world of home theater awesomeness. The release of “EpiqVison” gives you an ‘All-in-One” solution with the combination of an ultra short throw 4K projector AND a high end movie screen!

ULTRA-Short Throw Laser-Array is new type of laser projection that produces a stunning 100-120″ display, while being just inches from the wall itself.
Beautiful 100″ or 120″ ALR Screen — High-resolution ambient-light-rejecting screen produces an amazing wide-angle viewing experience with virtually zero glare.
4K PRO-UHD Projection Technology — advanced processing for resolution enhancement, color and image processing, resulting in an exceptionally sharp picture with BEST IN CLASS 2-MILLION:1 Contrast Ratio!
Advanced HDR Processing — 10-bit HDR processing accepting 100% of the source information to faithfully reproduce HDR content for an exceptional visual performance.
Incredibly Bright — BEST IN CLASS 4,000 lumens for all-day viewing in virtually any lighting environment.

Best “Short Throw” 4K Projectors

Short Throw projectors allow you more flexibility in the size of room you want to watch in as well as where you place the projector itself. Standard projectors generally require ceiling mounting because they need to be place many feet away from screen you are projecting on to. Short throw projectors can be placed much closer to the screen – sometimes as close as a few inches. This gives you a wider range of possibilities and portability.

In addition to the short throw projectors to follow, don’t forget that the BenQ HT3550 (our #2 overall projector) and the new Epson EpiqVision (from the High End Home Theater category) are both short throw projectors and if you have the funds would be superior choices. However if you can’t go that route and still want a good short throw 4k Projector, then go with one of these…

VAVA 4K Projector

0.233:1 Ultra Short Throw Rate: Cast a 100 inch image from 7.2 inches away from the wall! Project between 80-150 inches
DLP Technology offers 4K Resolution with HDR 10: The VAVA’s 3000: 1 native contrast exceeds 2000: 1 native contrast in movie theaters.
Advanced Laser Light Source: 2500 Lumens of brightness offers 25,000 hours lens life.
Integrated Harman Kardon Soundbar: Built-in stereo surround speakers provide high-fidelity sound with 60W of power. Lossless dts-HD and Dolby Audio prevent distortion and create a superior audio experience.
1.5MILLION:1 contrast ratio for superior clarity.
Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB, Triple HDMI, Wi-Fi, Optical
Beloved by Consumers: Over 90% 4-5 star ratings with over 800 reviews alone on Amazon.

LG HU85LA Ultra Short Throw 4K UHD Projector

DLP 4K UHD (3840×2160) Resolution featuring RGB separate primary colors for virtually no color loss compared to conventional projectors.
Up to 2700 Lumens and 2-Million:1 Contrast Ratio offers Best in Class performance.
Ultra Short Throw displays 120-inch image from just 7. 2″
TruMotion technology, a type of video processing where animation frames are generated between existing frames, makes animation look and feel more fluid
LG webOS lite. Use the included Magic Remote on this LG CineBeam projector to access LG’s webOS smart TV operating system for all your favorite content streaming apps such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and VUDU and Alexa Built-In

Best 4K Projectors for Gamers

While any of the above projectors could certainly be used for video games, the fact is that Pro Gamers want their 4K projectors to have ultra fast refresh rates, low input lag, and super fast response time. Of the projectors already mentioned, the best on the list so far would be the Epson EpiqVision with it’s 16.7ms input lag which rivals even the Gamer-Recommended 4K Projectors below.

If you’re a Gamer Pro, you’ll want to seriously consider one of the following Best in Class 4K Projectors for Gaming: The Optoma UHD30x or the BenQ TK850

Optoma UHD30x

TRUE 4K ULTRA HD: 4K Ultra HD with 8.3 million pixels
LAG-FREE GAMING: BEST IN CLASS 240Hz gaming with blur-free visuals and unparalelled smoothness––combined with Enhanced Gaming Mode for 16ms response time.
CRISP, COLORFUL PICTURE: UltraDetail RGBWRGBW 8 segment color wheel for vivid and cinematic image
DYNAMIC BLACK: Contrast ratio (500,000:1); bright scenes appear clear while dark scenes remain detailed
EASY IMAGE SETUP: 1.1x zoom and ±40° keystone correction
ULTRA-BRIGHT: 3,400 lumens.
The Optoma UHD50X is another option – for a few hundred dollars more you’ll get the ability to project up to 302″ with a larger zoom and 1-Million:1 Contrast Ratio – see the Optoma UHD50X here.

BenQ TK850

TRUE 4K: 3840 × 2160 resolution with 8.3 million Pixels
4K Gaming – BenQ True 4K Projectors with its 10-Element Crystal Lens Array provides such a razor-sharp image that you will never want to leave the action that is brought to life.
VIVID COLORS IN ANY AMBIENT LIGHTING: Perfectly balanced high visual brightness (>3000lm) and vivid colors (98% Rec.709) for use in well-lit environments
Awesome Sound: A 10-watt chambered speaker enhances sound quality for gaming, movie-watching, and streaming.
DLP Technology 60hz refresh rate, 3000 Lumens, and 1.3 Zoom Lens.

Best 4K “Smart” Projector

Smart Projectors should support seamless connectivity with other smart devices in your home. In addition to the smart projectors below, the LG HU85LA Ultra Short Throw 4K Projector is also a smart projector.

Optoma CinemaX P2 Smart 4K UHD Laser Projector

4K UHD + HDR10: 4K Ultra HD, HDR10 technology and an incredible 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
BRIGHT, RELIABLE LASER: Up to 30,000 hours Lens Life with 3,000 lumens Lens
ULTRA-SHORT THROW: up to 120″ image from inches away
VOICE ASSISTANT COMPATIBLE: With the Alexa smart home and custom skills or Google Action, control your CinemaX P2 projector with intuitive voice control using Amazon Echo and Google Home devices
IFTTT SUPPORT: Seamless connectivity with thousands of other smart devices; for example, the CinemaX P2 can be programmed to mute when your smart doorbell rings

LG HU80KA 4K UHD Laser Smart Projector

4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) resolution with 8.3 million pixels
BRIGHT: up to 2500 lumens with 150,000:1 Contrast Ratio
Long Life – up to 20,000 hour lens life.
SMART: LG’s exclusive Smart TV streaming content platform is simple to set up and offers fast and fun discovery of exciting premium movies, TV shows and more from the most popular content providers
Screen Share: Watch premium content from popular providers such as Netflix, YouTube and more. Wirelessly screen-share videos to this projector with a compatible smartphone or tablet, over a simple Wi-Fi connection.

Best PORTABLE 4K Projectors

Most 4K Projectors are around 20 pounds and at that weight are best suited for ceiling mounting in a home theater setup. If you’re looking for a PORTABLE 4K projector so you can easily do OUTDOOR MOVIES, take it camping, or move it between rooms, you’ll want to find one that’s a bit easier to carry – ideally under 10 pounds. In addition to the ones listed below, the LG HU80KA 4K UHD Laser Smart Projector is portable, and the Optoma 4K Projector line has multiple options under 10 pounds (Optoma UHD50X and the Optoma UHD30 are both under 9 lbs).

Meanwhile, for a 4k projector designed with portability in mind, check out the AAXA 4K1 Portable Projector which is UNDER 4 pounds!

AAXA 4K1 Portable Projector

Native 4K UHD (3840×2160) Ultra High Definition Pixel Resolution, 1500 LED Lumen Brightness
Long Life: up 30,000+ Hours Osram Quad-Cast LEDs
Dual HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 Inputs allows user to stream 4K UHD content. Compatible with Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video
Portable Design and Operation – Play Video, Image, Music and Text directly from a USB or TF Card with the Onboard Media Player. Portable size, easy to carry between rooms or throughout your home.
Perfect for Home Theater, Business Use. Up to 200″ screen.
Weighs less than 4 lbs.

Best 4K Projectors Recap

Best 4K projectors overall
- EPSON 5050UB
- BENQ HT3550

Best high end home theater 4K projectors:
- BenQ HT8050
- Sony Home Theater Projector VPL-VW295ES
- NEW! Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS500 Ultra Short Throw 4K Projector AND Screen

Best 4K short-throw projectors
- VAVA 4K Projector
- LG HU85LA Ultra Short Throw 4K UHD Projector

Best 4K Projector for Gamers
- Optoma UHD30x
- BenQ TK850

Best smart 4K projector:
- Optoma CinemaX P2 Smart 4K UHD Laser Projector
- LG HU80KA 4K UHD Laser Smart Projector

Best portable 4K projector:
- AAXA 4K1 Portable Projector
- Optoma UHD50X

The ‘best’ 4K projector is the one that fits YOUR family’s intended use and that will depend on your personal situation – where you want to use it, how big the room is, if you plan to mount it or move it around, what you want to use it for (gaming vs home theater vs general use), and of course what your budget it. Hopefully we’ve given you some insights that will help you decide that’s best for you. And when you do, drop us a line in the comments so we can hear how you made out.

If you’re looking for advice on how to set up your home movie theater, check out this article from our friend’s at The Porch.

Now grab your popcorn and get busy enjoying your new 4k Projector!

You May Also Enjoy…

Cooking and Recipes, Product Reviews, Sports and Outdoors

What is the Solo Stove? Only the hottest fire pit grill on the market today!

December 7, 2020 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

Have you heard of the Solo Stove yet? If not, you’re in for a treat because The Solo Stove is the portable (yet powerful) fire pit grill that’s the sweeping the nation by storm.

What is Solo Stove?

Solo Stove is a relatively new company on the grilling scene. They are based in Texas and make a growing selection of fire pits, camp stoves, grill, and accessories focused around the “Awe of the Flame.”

The Solo Stove motto is “Good moments. Good memories. Good products. So you can create a good life.”

What products does Solo Stove Make?

Solo Stove makes a variety of fire pits, camp stoves, grills, and accessories all focused around the basic Solo Stove concept. You can visit the Solo Stove Store and seeing all their products by clicking this pic…

Click the pic to visit the Solo Stove Store

Solo Stoves products are divided into the following categories:

1-The Solo Stove Grill

Currently there is only 1 full-size Solo Stove Grill. It uses the Solo Stove “Signature 360° Airflow Design” that lets you go from box to burger in 30 minutes

The Solo Stove Grill looks like this…

2-Solo Stove Fire Pits

Solo Stove is most known for their fire pits – specifically the Solo Stove Bonfire. Here’s a vid featuring the Bonfire in action…

The Solo Stove Ranger

One of the top products is the Solo Stone Ranger. It’s the most compact fire pit that Solo Stove offers and the Ranger provides a low smoke fire and lots of fun. The Solo Stone Ranger looks like this…

The Solo Stove Bonfire

The Solo Stove Bonfire is a larger version of the Ranger and the Bonfire is the most popular Solo Stove product right now. It’s billed as the world’s most unique fire pit because it “pushes the limits of both combustion airflow efficiency and minimalist outdoor design.”

The Solo Stove Bonfire has an all stainless steel construction and the double wall design maximizes airflow and burning process. Meanwhile, bottom vent holes allow oxygen to the feed the fire from below while simultaneously channeling warm oxygen up between the walls of the stove and back into the fire. Best of all, the Solo Stove Bonfire gives you a more complete burn that results in little to no smoke. It also means no more half burnt logs to deal with!

The Solo Stove Bonfire looks like this…

The Solo Stove Yukon

At 27″, the Solo Stove Yukon is the biggest fire pit Solo Stove makes currently. Similar to the Bonfire, the Yukon has double wall design that maximizes airflow and burning process. It also has the same bottom vent holes that allow oxygen to the feed the fire from below while simultaneously channeling warm oxygen up between the walls of the stove and back into the fire. If you want the biggest fire pit from Solo Stove, the Yukon is your best bet.

The Solo Stove Yukon looks like this…

Solo Stove Ranger vs Bonfire vs Yukon

How do the Solo Stove Fire Pits compare to one another?

The Ranger is the smallest and most portable. The Bonfire is the mid-size model and the best-selling. The Yukon is the biggest fire pit. You can see how they compare here..

Solo Stove Camp Stoves

Besides the Solo Stove Grill and the Solo Stove Fire Pits, Solo Stove also makes Camp Stoves. They currently have 3 models – The Lite (for 1-2 people), the Titan (2-4 people), and the CampFire (4+ people). You can compare them here…

Solo Stove Lite vs Titan vs Campfire camp stoves…

Just like with their fire pits, the Solo Stove Camp Stoves’ patented design features a unique double wall that creates ultra-clean gasification and a secondary combustion – this allows fuel to burn more completely and with less smoke.

Shop Solo Stove Camp Stoves here…

Solo Stove Accessories

Why stop with just making fire pits and grills when you can make some cool accessories too? Solo Stove has an ever-growing list of helpful tools to make you a fire pro.

Lots of people ask what are the best accessories for the Solo Stove? We’ve got you covered.

If you’re wondering what the Best Solo Stove Accessories are, we recommend you first consider just buying a bundle when you buy your Solo Stove, pretty much every Solo Stove now comes with a bundle option. You can see them all here.

If you’re ALREADY purchased a Solo Stove and you didn’t get a bundle, don’t worry, you can still buy the accessories by themselves. We recommend you buy the Stand, Shelter, Pit Tools, and windscreen first, then go for the tripod, pots, and fire sticks. Here is a list of every Solo Stove accessory and a link to see them all on Amazon….

Solo Stove’s STOVE Accessories – these include a tripod, fire starters, windscreen, roasting sticks, alcohol burners, plates, bowls, and more – see it all here.
Solo Stove’s COOKING Accessories – this is basically a number of different size cooking pots as well as a tripod to hold them – view them here.
Solo Stove RANGER Accessories – including a fire pit Stand, Shelter, Shield, Sticks, Lids, and Pit Tools. Multiple BUNDLES are available – see them here.
Solo Stove BONFIRE Accessories – including a fire pit Stand, Shelter, Shield, Sticks, Lids, and Pit Tools. Multiple BUNDLES are available – see them here.
Solo Stove YUKON Accessories – including a fire pit Stand, Shelter, Shield, Sticks, Lids, and Pit Tools. Multiple BUNDLES are available – see them here.
Solo Stove GRILL Accessories – including Stand, Grill Shelter, All Natural Grill Pack, Grill Tools, and even Charcoal. You can get them in a bundle as well – see it here.
Don’t forget the Solo Stove SWAG – although you can’t get it on Amazon, you can get Solo Stove Hats and T-Shirts from the Solo Stove company store.

Do YOU have a Solo Stove Yet?

If so, let us know what you have, any tips to share, and more in the comments.

Best Air Purifiers – Our Top Picks for 2020-2021

November 7, 2020 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

If you’re in the market for an air purifier to help enjoy better air quality inside your home, this article will help you. My wife and I recently decided to take the plunge and purchase a high-quality air purifier for our home – ultimately we chose to buy the BlueAir Blue Air Purifier. We’ll tell you why we chose BlueAir, over other great options like the Dyson Pure Air Hot + Cool, Aeris Aair, and a few other brands we believe are worth of consideration.

About the Editor:

Hi, I’m Mike, That Helpful Dad. When you see a product mentioned on my site, please know that these are products that I personally use and enjoy. This site is reader-supported, and as noted in our Trust Guarantee, when you purchase a product via a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission from the seller – as always this never affects the price you pay.

I share my recommendations with you because the products I personally use make a positive difference in my life and I’m hoping they will help YOU live a better life too!

Why buy an air purifier?

Now more than ever, people are looking to protect their air quality, especially since so many people are working from home. A good air purifier will not only remove pollutants like mold, fungus, smoke, pollen, dust, bacteria, allergens, and other germs, but it may also protect you from airborne viruses. (It should be noted that The Centers of Disease Control has suggested that Covid-19/Coronavirus may “sometimes be spread via airborne transmission.”)

What makes for a good air purifier?

A quality air purifier can improve your life – it may help improve your indoor allergies, it may help protect your from germs and airborne viruses, it may help you sleep better at night, and more. But in order to do all that, a good air purifier needs to be able to remove small ‘micron size’ particles from the air, it needs to be powerful enough to clean the good size room, quiet enough that you can sleep with it in your bedroom, and inexpensive enough that people can actually afford it.

Our Top 5 Picks

#5. Aeris Aair Air Purifiers.

Aeris Aair are Swiss-made air purifiers that boast big-time capabilities for home and professional life. They are ‘medical-certified’ units capable of filtering out particles as small at 0.1 microns (that’s small!). The Aeris Air Pro is one of the most popular models but it’s somewhat expensive and hard to find availability for. Most consumers on a budget will want to take a look at the Aeris Aair Lite model.

#4. Medify Air MA-112 Air Purifier

Medify is a company that specializes in air purifiers, humidiers, and filters. They have a number of highly rated, affordable, air purifiers that combine modern design and current tech. You can shop their entire air purifier lineup with on the Medify Amazon Shop page. Medify air purifiers used medical-grade HEPA-13 Filters.

Their newest model is the Medify MA-25 which is an affordable little unit for smaller rooms. We took a strong look at the Medify Air MA-112 Air Purifier because it offers 99.9% particle remove for homes up to 3,700 sq feet in one hour – now that’s power!

Medify Air MA-112 Air Purifier — Medify Air MA-112

#3. Alen Breathesmart Classic Air Purifier

The Alen Corporation is another company that specializes in air purifiers, humidifiers, and related products for homes, offices, and schools. Their air purifiers are consistently top-rated products. Entry price point is around $350 for small room.

The unit we recommend is their “Breathesmart Classic” model which will cover up to 1100 sf with a HEPA Filter that removes contaniments as small as 0.3 microns – perfect for Smoke, VOC’s, Chemicals, Allergies, Pollen, Dust, Dander, Pet Fur and more. This unit also features an “AIR QUALITY SENSOR LIGHT” that changes in real time to ‘show’ you air in your room. Additionally, this unit is one of the QUIETEST air purifiers on the market.

#2. Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Air Purifier

We love Dyson products and have consistently been pleased with them for 20+ years. The Dyson Pure Hot + Cool purifies, heats, and cools your air all while using a sealed HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of allergens as small as 0.3 microns. It functions as a space heater, tower fan AND HEPA Air Purifier that uses backward airflow to purify your air.

The Dyson Pure Hot + Cool air purifier is our runner up and honestly the only reason we didn’t buy it came down to cost, specifically, because we are a family of 5 and wanted to purchase three air purifiers, it became cost prohibitive to purchase 3 Dyson’s vs 3 BlueAirs.

Bottom line: if we only needed to buy ONE air purifier, it would be the Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Air Purifier.

#1. BlueAir Blue 211+ Air Purifier

BlueAir is a company that does ONE thing – make some of the most popular air purifiers on the planet. After thorough research, our family elected to purchase multiple BlueAir Blue air purifiers – specifically we bought one BlueAir Blue 211+ and multiple additional BlueAir Blue 411’s. The price to value ratio for BlueAir Blue air purifiers is hard to beat = you get great quality for a great price.

The BlueAir Blue 211+ features a HEPA filter that removes pollutants down to 0.1 micron size, including Airborne Pollutants Like Viruses, Pollen, Dust, Pet Dander, Mold, Bacteria and More. Additionally, it’s QUIET (just 31-56 decibels), doesn’t use a lot of power (30-60watts) and it capable of filtering the air in a 500+ sf room 5times per hour.

For us the choice was clear…

Blue Air Blue Air Purifiers earn’s That Helpful Dad’s Editor’s Choice Award for “Best Air Purifier 2020-2021”

Helpful Tips for Your New Air Purifier

No matter which air purifier you decide to get, a few tips may help you get the most out of it.

Pay attention to SIZE – some air purifiers can get pretty big – this is especially true if you have a large room. Look at the dimensions before you buy so you don’t have any surprises.
Pay attention to the NOISE – if you plan on putting an air purifier in a room with a tv or music system, pay special attention to the decibel rating – you don’t want a loud air purifier competing with your entertainment system.
Plan on One Air Purifier Per Room – don’t put more than one air purifier in the same room if you can help it. Measure your room and choose the correct size air purifier for that space. You probably do not need an air purifier for every single room.
Choose a Good Location – you’ll want to put your air purifier at least 12-18 inches from any walls or furniture. The close you can get to the midpoint of the room the better.
Keep it ON – most air purifiers are meant to be running all day every day. If you want to get the best air quality, leave the unit on per the manufacturer’s instructions. The EXCEPTION to this would be on days you want to keep your doors/windows open – in that case, you’re likely to hear ‘dad’ say “turn that thing off, I’m not paying to purify the outside!” (HAHA)
Clean the filter regularly – depending on the unit’s filter, this may be monthly.
Replace the filter on schedule – depending on the filter, this may yearly.
Read the user manual – it could have important tips that can help you get the best results.

Shop Best Air Purifiers

Here’s a link to the best rated air purifiers on Amazon…

What’s YOUR Take?

Do you agree with our list of the best air purifiers? Do you have another unit?

Let us know your vote for the best air purifier in the comments below.

You may also enjoy these articles…

Product Reviews, Sports

Best Pool Tables for your Man Cave

November 2, 2020 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

Man Cave Pool Table

Are you looking for a great man cave pool table? Here are some of the best options currently available, as well as some additional information to help you decide between them. Pool tables may look the same from the outside, but they do have plenty of features that can set them apart from each other.

How To Choose A Pool Table

Pool table man cave setups vary, but the first and most thing to consider is the size. Pool tables do vary in size, though most fall into one of four popular sizing options. These are:

7 feet
8 feet
8.5 feet
9 feet

Smaller and larger tables do exist, but most people do not buy those.

All regulation-style pool tables have a 2:1 size ratio, which means they’re twice as long as they are wide. The rims of pool tables may vary further based on factors like what extras come with the table, but most don’t go past a few inches.

Every foot matters when you’re designing a man cave, so make sure to measure your space before going shopping.

Pool Tables vs. Billiards Tables

While people often associate these products with each other, and companies may even use the names interchangeably, pool tables are not the same as billiards tables. Pool tables have six pockets, and many modern tables have a manual or automated ball return system that deposits all of the balls together.

It’s always better to have a ball return system when possible. While pool tables without ball returns are a little cheaper, the pockets can fill up and require emptying mid-game. This is noticeably less fun for most players.

Billiard tables do not have pockets, which makes identifying them on sight easy. That said, some tables may have removable inserts that you can use to convert a pool table into a billiards table, so you don’t necessarily have to buy two tables if you want to play both types of games.

Common Features Of Pool Tables

Here are the most common features you may see when shopping for a man cave pool table.

Covers

Pool tables sometimes come with hard covers that match the table’s main material, usually some type of wood. These covers allow for easy conversion between gaming table and regular table, allowing you to eat, prop your feet up, or otherwise enjoy using your pool table for other things.

We don’t recommend doing shop work on top of a pool table, even if you have a hardwood cover on it, but these covers do support most other activities.

Style

Most pool tables sold in the United States are, unsurprisingly, known as American tables. These types of pool tables are a little larger than their main competitors. More notably, they also tend to have wide corner pockets and narrow center pockets.

English pool tables are rarer (unless you’re in England, of course) and have a reverse pocket design from American tables. That is, the corner pockets tend to be narrower, while the middle pockets tend to be wider. This can have a significant impact on strategies during a game, so deciding between them is important.

We recommend getting the American style because that’s what most people you invite over are likely to be familiar with.

Commercial Tables

Commercial tables are more expensive than a traditional man cave pool table, but they also have more options. For example, you may have push-button operation, coin payment systems, or other features. Commercial tables also tend to have better ball return systems and may have storage cabinets or other decorative features.

Bed Materials

Pool tables usually use one of two bed materials, either of which can be covered by the traditional green cloth.

The most affordable option, and what you’re likely to see while shopping, is an MDF bed. This acronym stands for medium-density fiberboard, which is a type of durable wood mix shaped into boards. However, while it’s light and easy to ship, MDF can also warp over time and won’t play as true. If you want to play pool regularly for a long time, do not buy an MDF bed.

The other common bed material is slate. While it’s heavier and more expensive than MDF, it’s also fundamentally better because it will not change or deteriorate over time. This is the bed style you’ll see in any professional or commercial environment, such as pubs or pool halls.

We recommend getting a slate bed if you can afford it. Remember that you do not have to replace the entire bed if the cloth on top gets worn. You can fit a new cloth over the top without much difficulty.

Pricing

Pool tables have an extremely wide pricing range compared to many other types of products. Knowing the categories is essential for getting the best table for your family.

$100-$1200: Toy Tables

Toy-tables are the cheapest versions of pool tables. They rarely go below $100 and typically use plastic, wood laminate, or other cheap materials to keep costs down. While these aren’t anywhere near commercial-grade, they are worth considering if you only want to play a few games every now and then and don’t need heavy use.

$1200-$2000: Basic Tables

Basic tables are made of wood but typically last for at least a decade without issue. They tend to be heavier and more solid than other tables, and this is where you’ll start to see decent ball return systems. With refurbishing, basic tables can last considerably longer.

$2000-$3500: Mid-Range Tables

Mid-range tables are a significant upgrade over basic tables. They also come in many more styles to help match the decor of your man cave. These are a good choice for lifetime investments, and you can often pass them down to your kids.

$3500+: Heirloom/Commercial Tables

These are the best tables. Heirloom tables are generational products meant for your children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren to enjoy, which is why they’re heavier and more durable than others. Commercial tables also tend to fall into this price range.

Best Overall: Olhausen Billiards 8 ft. Belmont Pool Table

While this heirloom-level table is expensive, it’s also extremely high-quality. It includes your choice of many cloth colors to match the rest of your man cave, and more importantly, it has professional installation from the dealer included in the purchase. That’s good because it weighs about 650 pounds.

Pros:

A top-quality product that’s worth the price
Excellent customer service
Flexible installation plans to ensure it can get into your man cave
Comes with diamond-honed slate surfaces for accuracy

Cons:

Significantly more expensive than the other options on this list
Too heavy for some locations
Could come with more accessories for the price

Best Budget Table: RACK Draco 7-foot Table

RACK’s Draco Pool Table is still relatively expensive, but it’s far more affordable than the Olhausen above. Oversized leg levelers make it easy to adjust this table to different flooring environments, while the professional-grade felt offers a bold appearance.

Pros:

Excellent table for the price range
Comes with a lifetime warranty
Weighs 282 pounds, which is sturdy enough to support people
Has a scratch-resistant coating

Cons:

The exterior looks fundamentally cheaper than real wood
Smaller than most professional-style pool tables
An awkward middle ground between price and quality

Best Mini Table: Goplus 48-inch Billiard Table

Far smaller than a regulation-size table, this miniature pool table is great for cramped man caves or casual games where you just want to have fun. The Goplus Billiard Table offers…

Pros:

Far more affordable than a full-size table
Excellent starter table for anyone who wants to practice before investing in a full table
One of the best pool table options if you want to play with kids

Cons:

Not a regulation-size table
Not as durable as a proper table
No ball return system

Best Folding Table: GLD Products Fat Cat Trueshot Pool Table

Sometimes portability is the most important factor when you’re designing a man cave with pool table options. GLD Products’ Fat Cat Trueshot is a 6-foot pool table (which makes it slightly smaller than regulation), built on easy-folding metal legs.

Pros:

You can store it when you’re not using it
It’s surprisingly durable for its design
Good for newcomers

Cons:

Weighs 114 pounds, so it’s not as portable as it looks
Not as sturdy as a proper wooden table
A little smaller than a proper table

Best Multi-Game Table: RACK Scorpius Pool Table

Tack scores another one on our list with the Scopius model – this pool table is a decent option in its own right and on the high end of the toy table pricing range. However, what sets it apart from the other options on this list is the two-piece table tennis top that slides under the main body of the pool table, giving it added flexibility for other types of games. The Rack Scorpius pool table features…

Pros:

Allows you to play games besides pool
Comes in a stylish red-and-blue color scheme
Uses oversize leg levelers

Cons:

The table tennis part weighs about 70 pounds, making it hard to set up alone
Does not support angles table tennis play

Conclusion

The Olhausen billiards table is easily the best product on this list. It’s full-sized, sturdy, and designed for regular use over decades of play. However, it’s also much heavier (and more expensive) than most people want for a man cave. If you’re looking for a “regular” table instead of a premium option, look at the RACK Draco instead. If you’re looking at turning in that old foosball table for a new billiards table, we have you covered there too.

About the author

The staff at ThatHelpfulDad says thanks to our friends at Beyond Yard for writing this guest post article. Beyond Yard is a site all about grilling and backyard fun so if you enjoyed this write-up be sure to check out their site to learn more.

What to Read Next

Cooking and Recipes, Outdoor Kitchens, Product Reviews, Traeger Grills

Netflix American Barbeque Showdown – worth watching

October 5, 2020 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

American Barbeque Showdown is a cooking competition style show that debuted on Netflix during the final days the Summer of 2020 – providing a much needed slice of life during the frustrating ‘pandemic’ lockdowns that plagued us this year. The show is definitely worth a watch for for fans of cooking shows, especially those who want to up their BBQ game. In this article, we’ll give you a few tidbits about the show, tell you what smokers the cooks used on the show, and provide links to learn more.

Where to watch American Barbeque Showdown?

American BBQ Showdown is only on Netflix so you’ll need a Netflix subscription to watch it. There is currently 1 season of 8 episodes. Here is a direct link to the title on Netflix.

What is American BBQ Showdown about?

American BBQ Showdown features 8 of the country’s best backyard smokers and pitmasters competing in a series of 8 BBQ smoking trials as they vie for the title of American Barbecue Champion in a fierce but friendly faceoff. In each show, one contestant is eliminated by the judges. Here is the official Trailer for American BBQ Showdown

What Smokers are used on American Barbeque Showdown?

One of the things I was most interested to see about the show American BBQ Showdown was exactly what smokers the chefs would end up using most often. From what I saw while watching the show, the most popular smokers used in the show were: (click any pic to learn more)

Far and away the go-to smoker for the contestants was the Lang 48″ Offset Smoker (which actually debuted on the show) – this is not surprising given their experience with smoking as many of the cooks were said to be competition smokers and an offset smoker is a de facto requirement on that circuit.

The runner up to the offset smoker was the kamado grill – on the show that was the Big Green Egg. You’ll know from our site that we are BIG fans of kamado style cooking and love our BGE and Kamado Joe smokers.

Third most popular was Traeger Pellet Grill and the simple but masterful Weber Kettle. The Pit Barrel was used numerous times and even a simple dutch oven over an open fire was used when the cooks made various stews.

American BBQ Showdown episode list

1 “Barbecue in the Blood”
2 “Red, White and Barbecue”
3 “Don’t Need Teeth to Eat this Beef”
4 “Tournament of Sandwiches”
5 “Raccoon, Iguana and Hare – Oh My!”
6 “Cooking it Old School”
7 “Barbecue Around the World”
8 “The. Whole. Hog.”

Who are the judges on American Barbeque Showdown?

Left to Right the hosts & judges are…

Who are the contestants on American BBQ Showdown?

L-R: Slyvie, Tina, Ashley, and Boatright

ETOnline has a nice writeup about the 8 contestants that’s worth a read if you want to go in-depth into the cooks on this show but here are their names…

James Boatright
Tina Cannon
Georgia Clason
Michael “Shotgun” Collins
Sylvie Curry
James Grubbs
Rasheed Philips
Ashley Thompson

Fun fact, Rasheed Philips has become so popular from the show that he now has his own podcast!

Rasheed won fans galore not only for being an amazing cook on the show but also for having heart – during episode 5 when Ashley was having a hard time with the wild game meats and seemed like he was about to quit, Rasheed stop multiple times to help Ashley – mind you this is a COMPETITION and Rasheed put that aside and helped his fellow man. Amazing stuff! You can learn more about Rasheed on his blog: https://philipsbarbequeco.com/

Tina is a long-time competitive BBQ competitor and, together with her husband and their beloved rescue dog Cody, Tina has been the pitmaster of numerous championship cooks. She’s no stranger to cooking shows either – having also appeared on a 2014 Travel Channel show called “American Grilled” and also as a regular guest on the multi-season BBQ show called “Bama-Q” (a 30-minute TV show that follows members of the Alabama Barbecue Association as they compete against the best of the best BBQ teams from all over the US).

How do I shop for the Smokers used on American Barbeque Showdown?

The Lang 48″ Deluxe Offset Smoker is currently only being sold on Lang’s website – you can learn more about it here: Lang 48″ Models

The Big Green Egg Smoker is sold throughout the country and online. If you already have a BGE, you’ll enjoy this article…

Traeger is THE name in pellet grills and you can show for Traeger on Amazon or easily find the model you want on our site. Here’s one of many articles we have on how to choose the Traeger that right for you…

The Weber Kettle is ubiquitous among the smoking community and it’s easy to find these grills. Here’s a link to Weber’s page on Amazon.

Pit Barrel Smokers are making a comeback and Amazon has numerous barrel smokers to choose from. Check out this page of 4-star rated Barrel Smokers.

Wanna cook over an open fire like in the show? Then get yourself a Lodge Campfire Dutch Oven and a Campfire Tripod. Here’s what you want… (click the pic to learn more)

American Barbeque Showdown – YOUR Take?

Did you watch the show? Which contestant did you like the best? What recipe really surprised you? What are you smoking on now? Share your take in the comments below…

What’s the Best Traeger Grill?

July 9, 2020 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

So you’ve decided you want to buy a wood-fired pellet grill and more specifically you want that pellet grill to be a TRAEGER Grill, but you’re still not sure which model is the best for you? If that sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll help you learn more about the various Traeger Grill models and narrow down your choice to which model is the Best Traeger Grill for YOU.

[lwptoc]

Why Buy a Traeger?

If you’re reading this article, I probably don’t need to ‘sell’ you on why the Traeger Brand is the best choice when it comes to a wood-fired pellet grill. After all Traeger was the ‘original’ pellet grill and their history dates back to 1986.

As you probably know by now Traeger makes it easy to grill however you like best – no matter which grill you go with, Traeger’s 6-in-1 ability means you can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise and BBQ your way to pure, hardwood flavor. A fast learning curve, simple to use grilling technology, the ability to get consistent temperature control, AND great value for the money has made the Traeger Grill brand one of the most popular in the US today.

BTW – If you want to know more about Traeger’s history and why Traegers are so popular be sure to read this article: “What is a Traeger Grill and Why are Traeger Grills so popular.” For now though, let’s get to finding the best Traeger Grill for you.

Understanding the Different Models of Traeger Grill

Because there are so many Traeger Models with different names, it can be intimidating to shop for a Traeger Grill in the beginning. But have no fear, we can help you understand the differences between the Traeger Grill models.

At the time of this article, Traeger currently make 4 models of pellet grills. They are:

Traeger Portables – the most portable options of Traegers – including the Scout, Ranger, and Tailgator models. The Scout and Ranger are super mini versions, while the Tailgator looks more like a traditional Traeger but has folding legs.
Traeger Pro – The most popular options for Traeger Grills. With a mid-range price points, the Pro Series are what most people will start their Traeger journey with. What’s great about the Pro line is that you can still enjoy Traeger’s WiFire technology (wifi connectivity) so you can control your Traeger Grill with the Traeger app on your mobile device – that means you can have a beer and watch the ball game inside while your Traeger is cooking outside!
Traeger Ironwood Series – If you want to enjoy more features than the Pro offers, the Ironwood Traegers may be for you. Here you’ll find larger cooking space and more technology (TRU convection, Super Smoke Mode, DownDraft Exhaust, and more).
Traeger Timberline series – Looking for a top-of-the-line Traeger? Then The Timberline is for you – these are the biggest, macked-out Traeger’s you can buy, with up to 1300 sq inches to grill on and all the tech Traeger has to offer.
Other Models: Traeger also has models & model combinations under the names Bronson, Renegade, Texas & Lil’ Tex, Junior Elite, XL, and Commercial. Some are sold at Big Box Stores like Costco or online.

What do the NUMBERS mean on the Traeger Grill Models?

As of 2019, the number that you see on the Traeger Grill Models means how large the COOKING SURFACE is. So, for example, the Traeger Pro Series 780 Pellet Grill will have 780 square inches of cooking space. And just like that the mystery is gone!

Best Traeger Grills

It’s now time to look at the best Traeger Grills, we’re going to give you one model from each of the four model lines. That means the best Portable Traeger Grill, the best Traeger Pro Series Grill, the Best Traeger Ironwood Grill, and the Best Traeger Timberline Grill. Knowing what’s the best from each line should help you narrow down your choice and make the best buying decision for your family. Let’s get to it…

Best Traeger Portable Grill

Traeger Tailgater 20 — Traeger Tailgator 20

Winner: Traeger Tailgator 20

Unless space is severely limited and/or you just must have a tabletop unit, if you want a true Traeger Grill experience in a portable model, do yourself a favor and choose the Traeger Tailgater 20 Grill. There’s nothing wrong with the Traeger Scout and Ranger models, but they don’t compare to the experience of the Traeger Tailgater 20.

Traeger Tailgator 20

Why is the Traeger Tailgater 20 the best Traeger Portable Grill?

From game days to getaways, bring wood-fired flavor everywhere with the new Tailgater 20. Featuring a compact, portable design, it’s prime for balconies, tailgating or anywhere else you want to take 6-in-1 versatility and superior taste. And now it comes armed with Traeger’s Digital Arc controller for more precise, consistent temperatures and a Keep Warm Mode that keeps food fresh until chow time.

That means that with the Traeger Tailgater 20 you can enjoy all the benefits of that true wood-pellet grilling experience AND take it with you! With foldable legs and a total weight around 60 lbs, the Traeger Tailgator 20 is easy to transport. But don’t let it’s light weight fool you, this is a real Traeger grill that uses a hopper for wood pellets and the hopper is big enough to hold 8 lbs of wood pellets so you can still cook for 5-6 hours without refilling.

Traeger Tailgator 20 Features

The Traeger Tailgator 20 is also big enough to cook a nice meal on. The grilling space is 20 x 15 inches which is 300 square inches. That’s the right size to cook multiple rib racks, a couple chickens, a boat load of burgers, and more.

Other features of the Traeger Tailgater 20 include:

Digital Arc Controller allows you to set the temperature in 5-degree increments
Keep Warm Mode ensures food is “hot-off-the-grill” no matter when you eat
Advanced Grilling Logic for precise temperature performance
Meat Probe to check temps without lifting the lid
300 sq. in. (20″ x 15″) Grilling Area
EZ-Fold Legs

Traeger Tailgater 20 Grilling Capacity

Here’s what you can fit on a Traeger Tailgator 20…

Traeger Tailgator 20 Video Review

Here’s a very thorough video review of the Traeger Tailgator 20 from Jus’ Piddlin BBQ…

Traeger Tailgater 20 – Current Prices

Ready to buy a Traeger Tailgater 20? Check the latest price here…

Best Traeger Pro Series Grill

Winner: Traeger Pro 780 Grill

The Pro Series line of Traeger Grills is the most popular and it offers you the most model choices – by far. Check out this chart and see just SOME of the models in the Traeger Pro series lineup.

Which Traeger Grill Pro Series Model is right for you?

From the list I showed you in the pic above, you’re best bets are going to be either the Traeger Pro 780 or the Pro 575.

The other Pro Series models you see only have the basic digital controller, but the Traeger Pro 780 and Pro 575 both have Traeger’s new WiFire Controller (which will give you the option of controlling temps from your mobile device) along with other newer features not always available in older Pro models.

How do you decide between the Traeger Pro 780 vs 575?

We recommend the Traeger Pro 780 over the Traeger Pro 575?

The most popular Traeger Grill Pro Series model (especially for newbies) is the Traeger Pro 575 however we are recommending you strongly consider the Traeger Pro 780.

Check Current Prices of the Traeger 575 & 780

You really can’t go wrong with either model, but you can go RIGHTER (if that’s a word?) with the Traeger Pro 780 because time and again on forums and Facebook groups you’ll hear people who have the 575 say “I wished they would have bought the 780 instead.”

Why do people like the Traeger 780 vs the 575? It really comes down to grilling SPACE. Remember, the Traeger Pro 575 has 575 square inches of grilling space, while the Traeger Pro 780 has 780 square inches. That’s a pretty big difference.

The fact is that you will LOVE whichever Traeger model you get and you will WANT to cook on it all the time. That means you’ll be cooking for more and more people and trying new and different things – the Traeger Pro 780 will give you the space you need to experiment on it to your heart’s delight.

If you want a Traeger Pro Series Grilll and you have the budget, then get the Traeger Pro 780 over the Pro 575.

Traeger Pro 780 Features

The Traeger Pro Series is the best-selling pellet grill in the world and the all-new Traeger Pro 780 grill just got better with an enhanced controller that uses WiFIRE® technology. WiFIRE® allows you to monitor and adjust your grill anytime, anywhere from the Traeger app on your smartphone. Here’s a quick intro to WiFire tech on a Traeger…

The Traeger Pro 780 has a LOT more than just WiFire. It also includes all the following features too…

Pro D2 controller – as easy as using an oven. Just turn the dial to the desired temp, hit Ignite, and you’re Trailering.
Wifire technology – allows you to monitor and adjust your grill anywhere.
Pro D2 direct drive – Improves searing and let’s you cook Low and slow or hot and fast.
Turbotemp – Lightning fast start Up times and quicker recovery.

Check out all these great features of the Traeger Pro 780 Grill in this picture essay…

What’s all this add up to?

The Traeger Pro 780 Series wifi pellet grills now starts quicker, heats up faster, and puts out better smoke quality giving you consistent results infused with wood-fired flavor every time!

How much can you cook on a Traeger Pro 780 at one time?

The Traeger Pro 780 has enough capacity to cook the following at the same time: 6 rib racks, or 6 full chickens, or even 34 burgers!

What about the Traeger Pro Series 34 vs Traeger Pro 780?

The Traeger Pro Series 34 is an awesome “1st Generation” Traeger and it’s actually BIGGER than the Traeger pro 780 that I’m recommending. The Traeger Pro Series 34 has 884 square inches of grilling space vs 780 square inches on the Traeger Pro 780. The additional grilling space on the Traeger Pro Series 34 will let you cook another rack of ribs (7 vs 6), 2 more chickens (8 vs 6), or 6 more burgers (40 vs 34).

The Traeger Pro Series 34 is consistently highly rated on Amazon and other sites and if you need the biggest Pro series grill, then the Traeger Pro Series 34 could be for you, BUT you’ll be giving up all the new tech that comes standard on the Traeger Pro 780 – that includes the WiFire technology and more. If the tech doesn’t matter and you just want SPACE, then the Traeger Pro Series 34 is a great buy, just know what you’re giving up so you can make an informed decision.

Learn more about the Traeger Pro Series 34.

Traeger Pro 780 Grill – Current Prices

Ready to buy the Traeger Pro 780 Grill? Check the latest price here…

Best Traeger Ironwood Grill

Winner: Traeger Ironwood 885

The Traeger Ironwood Series Grills currently come in two sizes The Ironwood 650 and Ironwood 885. As with the Pro 575 and 780 the only difference is grilling space. As with the Pro recommendation, (if you have the budget) we’re suggesting you go with the Ironwood 885 so you don’t regret the lack of space later.

Traeger Ironwood 885

Traeger Ironwood vs Traeger Pro Series

The Traeger Ironwood series is a newer line than the Traeger Pro line and the Ironwood models offer a couple more features that may or may not be important to you. Here’s a video comparison of the Traeger Ironwood 650 and Ironwood 885 vs Traeger Pro 575 and Pro 780…

Traeger Ironwood vs Traeger Pro

The quick summary is the Traeger Ironwood has all the best features of the Treager Pro AND also includes double side-walled insulation, a free side-shelf, an adjustable lower grill grate, a slightly larger hopper, Traeger’s Downdraft Exhaust System, and the Tru Convection option.

Traeger threads on Reddit and other forums about the Ironwood vs the Pro are somewhat mixed, however the majority of people who have actually purchased the Traeger Ironwood seem to be really happy with it – especially as the Downdraft Exhaust and Tru Convection seem to provide more smoke in the chamber longer for more smoke flavor.

Traeger Ironwood Video

Ironwood 650 vs Ironwood 885 Cooking Capacity

Here’s what you can cook on the Traeger Ironwood 650 vs 885 models…

Traeger Ironwood 650 & 885 Current Prices

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Best Traeger Timberline Grill

Winner: Traeger Timberline 1300 “The Beast”

The Traeger Timberline Series Grills is not for the faint of heart – these are the mack daddy Traeger Grills for home cooks with only the Commercial Line offering larger sizes. There are currently two Timberline sizes: Traeger Timberline 850 and Traeger Timberline 1300. Again the only difference is the grilling space: 850 square inches or 1300 square inches. You’re going to be approaching $2000 for the Timberline but if you’re reading this and considering a Timberline, I’m assuming budget is not really an issue for you and therefore I’m assuming you’ll want the best of the best – that’s the Timberline 1300.

Traeger Timberline Video

Traeger Timberline Features

The Traeger Timberline grills are Traeger’s premier outdoor cooking solution. You’ll get all the best features of the Pro Series AND all of the following too…

Timberline D2® Controller
WiFIRE® Technology
Timberline D2® Direct Drive
TurboTemp®
GrillGuide®
Three tiers of stainless steel grates
Double-wall stainless steel interior
Pellet Sensor
Magnetic Bamboo Cutting Board
Concealed Grease Management System

Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline Grills

Here’s a great video review by Embers Outdoor Living on the differences between the Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline Grills…

Here’s a quick summary of the differences between the Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline grills…

Cooking Space: Timberline offer 885 or 1300 square inches of grilling space vs the 650 or 885 square inches on the Ironwood
# of Racks: Timberline has 3 vertical cooking racks vs Ironwood single rack + warming shelf
Grill Grate Materials: Timberline features solid 304 stainless steel cooking grates vs the Ironwood ironwood porcelain coated grates.
Grill Hood: Timberline has a full doubled lined hood (not just side walls) and a gasket all the way around the grill that is commercial grade (which could help with keeping cooking temps consistent in colder weather).
Hopper Sensor – Timberline’s hopper sensor alerts you when your wood pellets are getting low.
Bamboo Cutting Board – standard with the Timberline.

Traeger Timberline 850 and 1300 Grilling Capacity

Here’s a look at what you can cook on the Traeger Timberline grills.

Traeger Timberline 850 & 1300 Current Prices

The Traeger Timberline series is harder to find online and are often sold out even on Traeger’s site.

If you want a Traeger Timberline, you’re best best is to use Traeger’s Find a Dealer Tool.

You’ll likely see prices for the Traeger Timberline 850 around $1800 and the Traeger Timberline 1300 around $2000.

What’s the Best Traeger Grill? Final Verdict

Like I said early on, the Best Traeger Grill is the one that’s right for YOU. We’ve given you four great options to choose from and hopefully helped you narrow down your choice to 1 or 2 best Traeger models that you’ll be happy with. That said, we’re not going to totally cop out on you without giving you are Best “Overall” Traeger Grill choice – or in this case choices…

Best Traeger Grill At/Under $1000

Traeger Pro 780

If your budget is really tight go with the Traeger Pro 575, but if you can get closer to $1000 go with the Traeger Pro 780 and don’t look back.

Best Traeger Grill Overall

Traeger Ironwood 885

While the Traeger Timberline is very cool (if you can find it), we’re not completely sure that the extra features are worth it compared to the Ironwood Series.

Personally we believe the Ironwood Series is the sweet spot of Traegerhood.

In the case of the Ironwood, we DO believe the value for the money is there with the extra features you’ll enjoy with the Ironwood over the pro line: for a bit more money you’re getting a lot, including double side-walled insulation, a free side-shelf, an adjustable lower grill grate, a slightly larger hopper, Traeger’s Downdraft Exhaust System, and the Tru Convection option – as I noted earlier, actual Traeger Ironwood users in online forums say time and again they are happy with their purchase decision.

The Ironwood 650 is a wonderful Traeger Grill and the Traeger Ironwood 885 is our Best Traeger Grill Overall Winner.

Best Traeger Grill Combo Buy for Under $1500

But wait, there’s more. If you find yourself traveling a lot and wishing you had a Traeger Grill with you, you may want to consider going with the COMBO of the Traeger Pro 780 and the Traeger Tailgeter 20. You should be able to get both for under $1500 (which is the likely price you’ll pay for the Ironwood 885 and less than either of the Timberline models). You would only do this if you cook often away from the house and in this case you’ll be sacrificing some technology in favor of portability but it’s a great way to stretch your dollar farther.

Traeger Pro 780 + Traeger Tailgater 20

Best Traeger Grill – Conclusion

Well there you have it, our choice for the Best Traeger Grill. Do you agree with these recommendations? Do you have a different opinion. Are you a Traeger owner? If so, what model do you have and what tips do you have to share?

What to Read Next?

Product Reviews, Traeger Grills

What is a Traeger Grill? Traeger Grill FAQ’s

July 7, 2020 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

Traeger Grills are all the rage of the BBQ Grilling world at this time. Remember the “It Girl” from your high school days? That’s a Traeger Grill. The question is WHY are Traeger Grills so ‘hot’ right now? In this article, we aim to tell you the answer to that question and many others so you can decide if a Traeger Grill is right for you.

If you love grilling, you’ll love our new website LordoftheGrills.com where this article was originally published.

What Makes Traeger Grills so Popular?

Traeger makes it easy to grill however you like best. we’re all about bringing wood-fired flavor right to the table – no matter which grill you go with, Traeger’s 6-in-1 ability means you can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise and BBQ your way to pure, hardwood flavor.

A fast learning curve, simple to use grilling technology, the ability to get consistent temperature control, AND great value for the money has made the Traeger Grill brand one of the most popular in the US today.

Wanna see a Traeger in action? Check out this vid and get ready to join the Traegerhood…

The Original Traeger Grill – a Traeger History Lesson

Who invented the Traeger Grill?

The legend goes that a man named Joe Traeger and his buddy Jerry Whitfield experimented with various wood pellet stoves back in the early 1980’s. The theory for using wood pellets apparently came to Joe by the growing popularity of people using wood pellet stoves for home heating after the late 1970’s oil crisis. Joe ran a heating company and came up with the idea to use the wood pellet technology for an outdoor grill – the idea being that an electric motor spins an auger to feed wood pellets into a burn chamber and the stove’s thermostats can then control the heat – this is what allows pellet grill to be especially good at smoking meat at steady temperatures.

Traeger Grill Inventor Joe Traeger — Pellet Grill Founder, Joe Traeger

When was the first Traeger Grill made?

By 1985 Joe invented the original Traeger pellet smoker and patented his ‘invention’ the following year. Joe’s grill was a simple pellet smoker that offer the ability to control the grills temperature by low, medium, or high heat. For twenty years, Traeger was the only pellet grill on the market but it wasn’t widely known about and Traeger remained a small family business.

Fast Forward to 2006 – when Joe’s patent expired. The Traeger family tried fiercely defending its intellectual property and won various protections, however other companies found a way to break into the pellet grill market without violating Traeger’s patents and therefore we now have a number of pellet grills to choose from. This ended up being a good thing for consumers because new entrants forced all the pellet grill makers to up their game and make better pellet grills.

Why has Traeger become so popular recently?

If you’re wondering why Traeger Grills seem to be everywhere these days it’s because they had a leadership change in 2014 – that’s when a new dynamic young CEO took over named Jeremy Andrus. With an MBA from Harvard Business school and a successful backround in entrepreneurship, Jeremy helped the Traeger brand’s growth explode.

Under his watch, Traeger has gone from under $70 million in annual sales to over $400 million in annual revenue – much of that coming from the continued focus on new models and features that have been developed during Jeremy’s time.

Traeger = Grilling Art?

As the market leader in pellet grills and a solid history of building grills that produce wonders in the world of smoking meats, BBQ gurus and home cooks alike love cooking on their Traeger grills because they can make outstanding creations that are just as good as what you’ll find at the best known BBQ joint.

And now that Traeger Grills come in so many sizes, there is a Traeger Grill for everyone: whether you wanna cook for a crowd, or your family, or take one tailgating, you’ll find a Traeger Grill perfect for your needs.

What’s the Difference Between the Traeger Grill Models?

Because there are so many Traeger Models with different names, it can be intimidating to shop for a Traeger Grill in the beginning. For example, this is just one example of the many model options WITHIN just one model type (in this case the “Pro” Series”)…

Traeger Grill Pro Series — Traeger Pro Series Options

But have no fear, we can help you understand the differences between the Traeger Grill models.

At the time of this article, Traeger currently make 4 models of pellet grills. They are:

Traeger Portables – the most portable options of Traegers – including the Scout, Ranger, and Tailgator models. The Scout and Ranger are super mini versions, while the Tailgator looks more like a traditional Traeger but has folding legs.
Traeger Pro – The most popular options for Traeger Grills. With a mid-range price points, the Pro Series are what most people will start their Traeger journey with.
Traeger Ironwood Series – If you want to enjoy more features than the Pro offers, the Ironwood Traegers may be for you. Here you’ll find larger cooking space and more technology (TRU convection, Super Smoke Mode, DownDraft Exhaust, and more).
Traeger Timberline series – Looking for a top-of-the-line Traeger? Then The Timberline is for you – these are the biggest, macked-out Traeger’s you can buy, with up to 1300 sq inches to grill on and all the tech Traeger has to offer.
Other Models: Traeger also has models & model combinations under the names Bronson, Renegade, Texas & Lil’ Tex, Junior Elite, XL, and Commercial. Some are sold at Big Box Stores like Costco or online.

Here’s a look at the four main model types – from the ultra portable Traeger Scout to massive Traeger Timberline.

What do the NUMBERS mean on the Traeger Grill Models?

How to Decide between Traeger Pro 575 vs Pro 780

We recommend the Traeger Pro 780 over the Traeger Pro 575?

The most popular Traeger Grill Pro Series model (especially for newbies) is the Traeger Pro 575 however we are recommending you strongly consider the Traeger Pro 780.

Check Current Prices of the Traeger 575 & 780

How to Decide between Traeger Pro Series 34 vs Traeger Pro 780?

How to Decide between Traeger Ironwood vs Pro

How to Decide between Traeger Timberline vs Ironwood

Here’s a quick summary of the differences between the Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline grills…

Cooking Space: Timberline offer 885 or 1300 square inches of grilling space vs the 650 or 885 square inches on the Ironwood
# of Racks: Timberline has 3 vertical cooking racks vs Ironwood single rack + warming shelf
Grill Grate Materials: Timberline features solid 304 stainless steel cooking grates vs the Ironwood ironwood porcelain coated grates.
Grill Hood: Timberline has a full doubled lined hood (not just side walls) and a gasket all the way around the grill that is commercial grade (which could help with keeping cooking temps consistent in colder weather).
Hopper Sensor – Timberline’s hopper sensor alerts you when your wood pellets are getting low.
Bamboo Cutting Board – standard with the Timberline.

How to Shop for a Traeger Grill

If you’re in the market for a Traeger Grill, you’d be wise to think the about the following…

How big of a Traeger Grill do you need?

As noted already, Traeger has a lot of models – so whether you want to just grill for two people or whether you want to cook for a crowd, you’ll find a Traeger perfect for you.

Traeger also makes it easy for you to shop for the right grill size because you’ll often see helpful hints in their product descriptions. For example, the Traeger Grills TFB38TOD Renegade Pro Pellet Grill says the following “Perfect size for the at-home cook: 380 sq. in. cooking capacity that can accommodate 2 chickens, 3 racks of ribs or 12 burgers.” You can use this info to compare the models and pick what’s best for you.

Do you want a Portable Trager Grill?

If you want to be able to take your Traeger Grill with you while camping, tailgating, or to other social events, then you’ll want to look at the the Scout, Ranger, and Tailgator models. The Scout and Ranger are super mini tabletop versions with no carts or legs, while the Tailgator looks more like a traditional Traeger but has folding legs.

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What kind of Technology Features do you want?

Do you want Wifi to be able to monitor your Traeger Grill from another room? Do you want your grill to be Amazon Alexa enabled? Do you need a Pro Controller? What about TurboTemp, TRU convection, Super Smoke Mode, or DownDraft Exhaust?

Traeger’s Pro Line have features suitable for most beginners, while the Ironwood and Timberline offer the most technology.

Do you plan on doing lots of LONG cooks?

If you want to cook for hours in your Traeger and make things like pulled pork, brisket, and more, then you’ll want to pay attention to the Hopper capacity.

What is a Traeger Hopper?

The hopper is the part of the Traeger Grill that holds the wood pellets you cook with. Traeger hoppers range in capacity – from 5 to 24 pounds. The benefit of having a larger hopper is that you don’t need to keep refilling it with more wood pellets.

What kind of Temperature Control do you want?

Traeger Grills boast the benefit of “Set it and Forget It” grilling as you can see in this pic…

One of the primary ways to use the Set it and Forget it cooking method is via the type of Temperature Controller you choose. Here are your 3 Traeger Grill Controller Options:

Digital Elite: The basic controller for Traeger’s has an easy-to-read digital display, however this options does NOT include meat probes to help you monitor internal temperatures of what you’re cooking.
Digital Pro: The display of the Digital Pro controller is the same as the Digital Elite but (depending on the model) you’ll also get 1 or 2 meat probes that can show meat’s internal temperature on the controller display so you can then adjust the grilling temperature if need be.
WiFIRE: Traeger’s newest controller features wifi trademarked wireless digital control that allows you to connect to a mobile device and then remotely control your grilling temperatures anywhere within your WiFi range.

How much do you want to spend?

You can pick up a portable Traeger Grill for under $300. Plan on spending at least $500 for the Pro line. The Ironwood entry point is over $1000 and the Timberline series will set you back closer to $2000.

What are the Best Accessories for Traeger Grills?

Keep in mind that in addition to the Traeger Grill itself, you’ll likely want some accessories too so be sure to budget for them too. Whether you want to add more shelves for storage, popular cooking surfaces, magnetic hooks, and more, there are a lot of cool accessories you can get for your Traeger Grill.

Click here to shop for Traeger Accessories (or) check out these articles to learn more about the best Trager Grill accessories:

Shop the Traeger Store on Amazon

Now that you know more about Traeger Grills, check out all the models on the official Traeger Grill Amazon Store…

How To and What Is, Money, Career, and Finances, Online Streaming TV Tips, practical solutions, Product Reviews

Locast.org FREE Live Local TV – Full Review: Save Money, Use Locast!

July 3, 2020 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

What is Locast? Locast.org is a not-for-profit organization that provides live, local tv stations to the public. In this article, I’ll give you my review of the Locast TV App and tell you how I am using Locast.org to save money by cancelling my higher priced tv streaming tv apps.

Why Listen to Me?

Hi, I’m Mike, That Helpful Dad. I’m just an Average Joe who ditched cable a couple years ago and moved to watching TV online. I’ve learned a lot along the way and my reviews and tips may help YOU learn how to stream tv online and save a lot of money. Enjoy!

[lwptoc]

What is Locast.org TV?

(From the Locast.org site)

Locast is a public service to Americans, providing local broadcast signals over the Internet in select cities.

How can you watch Locast.org?

Visit https://www.locast.org/
Sign up online, provide your name and email address, and certify that you live in, and are logging on from, one of the select US cities (“Designated Market Area”).
Select among local broadcasters and stream your favorite local station.
If you are watching on a computer or mobile device, you can enjoy locast immediately.
If you want to watch Locast on your TV then you need to download the Locast app to your smart tv or compatible Digitial Media Player (Firestick, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, etc).
Visit https://www.locast.org/activate to connect your Locast App to the Locast account you just setup. Once your app is connected then you can watch Locast via the app on your tv.

How does Locast.org work vs regular cable or streaming apps?

Locast.org is a “digital translator,” meaning that Locast.org operates just like a traditional broadcast translator service, except instead of using an over-the-air signal to boost a broadcaster’s reach, Locast streams the signal over the Internet to consumers located within select US cities.

Ever since the dawn of TV broadcasting in the mid-20th Century,non-profit organizations have provided “translator” TV stations as a public service. Where a primary broadcaster cannot reach a receiver with a strong enough signal, the translator amplifies that signal with another transmitter, allowing consumers who otherwise could not get the over-the-air signal to receive important programming, including local news, weather and of course, sports.

Locast.org provides the same public service,except instead of an over-the-air signal transmitter, Locast provides the local broadcast signal via online streaming.

Do you need an antenna to watch Locast?

No.

Do you need the internet to watch Locast?

YES – You need a broadband Internet connection for optimal performance.

Watch can you watch Locast.org on?

You can watch Locast on your laptop, smartphone, or computer connected to the Internet, AND you can watch Locast on your TV via the Locast app downloaded to your smart tv or compatible Digitial Media Player (Firestick, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, etc)

Is Locast.org really FREE?

YES, you can watch Locast.org for free, however every 15 minutes there will be a brief ‘ad’ asking you to donate to support Locast.org. Remember Locast.org is a non-profit service. If you don’t mind the brief interruption then you can certainly enjoy Locast.org for free.

That said, for as little as $5/month, you can make a donation to support Locast.org by doing this you will remove the Locast.org ad. That means you can watch Locast.org without being interrupted.

I recommended you make a donation to Locast and thereby remove the interruption AND help keep this amazing service available for all of us.

You can make your donation using this link: https://www.locast.org/donate

IMPORTANT TIP: make sure you make a donation using the same email address that you use to sign in to Locast – this donation association will then remove the ads (it may take up for 24 hours for the donation to register to your email address according to Locast).

What cities in Locast.org available in?

This is the biggest limiting factor. Locast is only available in select markets. Here is a map of the US showing where Locast is located.

TIP: if you are not located in one of these cities, you may still be able to watch Locast by using a VPN to ‘update’ your location.

Locast.org TV – The Video Review

In this video, I’ll give you my review of the Locast TV App and tell you how I am using Locast.org to save money by cancelling my higher priced tv streaming tv apps.

#Locast #InternetTV #StreamingTV

Share this vid: https://youtu.be/5FxlOf1uoNA

References in this video:

My Cord Cutting Spreadsheet
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/TheHelpfuldad/
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thathelpfuldad
Locast Website: https://www.locast.org/
Streaming Devices – Amazon Firesticks: https://amzn.to/2VAw3dn
Wifi Mesh – Google Wifi: https://amzn.to/3gfpDZ9
Browse Amazon CHANNELS: https://amzn.to/33UaIyQ

What to Read Next

Money, Career, and Finances, Online Streaming TV Tips, practical solutions, Product Reviews

Sling TV Price Guarantee vs YouTube TV Price Increase

July 2, 2020 ThatHelpfulDad 4 Comments

Great news for Cord Cutters: Sling TV is offering a 1-Year Price Guarantee – a far cry from the recent 30% price increase from YouTube TV. Even better, Sling’s price guarantee is available for new AND existing subscribers!.

Click here to learn more about Sling TV’s Price Guarantee

Sling TV Price Guarantee – How it works

For customers who sign up or have an existing account by August 1, 2020, Sling TV will automatically guarantee its current price on any service through August 1, 2021.

Sling TV’s Orange and Blue plans are $30 separately, but you can combine them and pay $45 a month.

Click here to learn more about Sling TV’s Channel Packages

Sling TV Offers New Price Guarantee and Extended Free Trial

In addition to the price guarantee, Sling TV is offering a 14-day free trial (as of the time of this writing). Normally it’s only a 7-day free trial.

Click Here to learn more about Sling TV Free Trial

Sling TV Price Guarantee vs YouTube TV Price Increase

Sling TV’s price guarantee comes just one day after YouTube TV increased its price by 30%. YouTube TV is now a whopping $65 per month (a far cry from when the service started out at less than $40 just a few years ago).

Sling TV has always been both a leader in streaming tv AND a low-priced streaming tv provider. Sling TV has always been priced below YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and AT&T TV Now. With their price guarantee, Sling TV subscribers can guarantee a year’s worth of streaming for as little as $360. That’s a great deal!