Two of my favorite categories of items to review are curiously expensive countertop appliances, and toasters. Today’s video combines both as I try out the $379 Balmuda Toaster Pro, which is said to deliver perfect, even toast - at a cost. Do their claims hold up, and is this really better than other alternatives? That’s what I spent my week finding out… along with some F2 taste tests! Let’s dive in.

In today’s video, I’m testing out the $379 Balmuda Toaster Pro. Technically, the name is Balmuda “The Toaster Pro” but that sounds strange and I refuse to say it that way! But I digress...

This toaster oven is hyped as the ultimate toasting experience, complete with steam to soften bread and top-down heat from its Salamander Grill Mode to broil and finish foods to perfection. It sounds great on paper, but it’s still hard to justify the cost. So I pulled out my Wonder Oven and my Breville 4-slot toaster to see where the Balmuda lands, and whether its high price is justified at all.

It’s a 3-day series of tests including everything from toast to pizza to cheese bread and more.

Don’t have time to watch? You can read my written review here.

If you enjoy having your pets snuggling with you on your couch, but aren’t fond of the hair and scratches left behind, this pet couch cover may be up your alley. It’s praised by Amazon users and listed as an item customers usually keep. It was selling for as high as $36 until being discounted down to $25 recently.

When I see a kitchen staple marked down 50%, I take note. This 3-piece set of bamboo cutting boards usually goes for around $20, but it’s currently on sale for $10. It also boasts the mysterious yet impressive sounding “Amazon’s Choice” label.

This may not be for everyone, but this smart watch checks a lot of boxes for the more active crowd. It’s packed with tech including a 16-day battery life and GPS mode. If you’ve wanted a training-focused smart watch, this is for you.

Don’t throw out slightly stale bread. A quick mist of water followed by a few minutes in a toaster oven can bring back some of the softness inside while crisping the outside. It works especially well with rolls, baguettes, and thicker slices of bread.

Also… If your toast always seems dry, try letting it sit for about 30 seconds before buttering it. Fresh-from-the-toaster bread is still releasing steam, and if you butter it immediately, the surface can get soggy while the inside dries out. Letting it rest briefly gives you a better balance of crisp exterior and soft interior. Then add butter while it’s still warm enough to melt.

Over on Freakin’ 2, I tried out the new BTS Oreos, Garlic Parm Doritos, and a random chocolate soda I found on Amazon. Of the two snacks, I liked one of them much more than the other. Outside of taste tests, I also delve into my usual random topics such as a very inappropriate Elton John song and how I somehow got involved selling whipping canes in the early 90s.

Those who think of umbrellas as rainy-day tools may find it odd that one exists to get you wet instead of keeping you dry. That’s exactly what the BreezeLife Misting Umbrella does. This is a summertime umbrella designed to keep you in the shade while using a built-in misting system to help you feel refreshed. If you missed my review the first time around, now’s your chance to catch up!

For a June deep-dive, check out this unlisted vlog from June 2025!