Alex David
As Head of eCommerce, Alex makes sure our readers find the right information to help them make the best purchase. After graduating from Cambridge, Alex learned the tricks of the trade at the Good Housekeeping Institute, testing everything from vacuums to washing machines to dog toys to exercise bikes. He then moved to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, where he got into the weeds to discover the best gardening tools, machinery, and wildlife products. At a time when it can be tricky to know what's what, and when budgets are tighter than ever, helping readers to find the right products to make their lives a little easier is a genuine passion.
When he's not scouring the internet for the latest and greatest homeware products, you can find Alex on a run, reading, or obsessing about the mighty (honestly) Tottenham Hotspur FC.
Latest articles by Alex David
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Beware of hummingbird houses – why you should avoid this product, and what to buy to help these beautiful creatures instead
Hummingbird houses are sold at all major online retailers, but they don't actually help hummingbirds. This is all you need to know about a mislabelled product
By Alex David Published
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How to light a veranda – expert advice for lighting this tricky spot
Verandasare open to the world, and the tight corners and angles can make them tricky to light. I spoke to an expert about the best way to light a veranda
By Alex David Published
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Things outdoor lighting pros never do – a landscape designer reveals 5 common lighting mistakes, and what you should do instead
I spoke to a landscape designer about the things outdoor lighting experts never do to help you work out the best way to fill your yard with beautiful lights
By Alex David Published
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Rope lights vs string lights – experts reveal which is best for your yard
Rope lights and string lights sound like the same product, but they're very different types of lighting fixtures. I spoke to lighting experts to find out more
By Alex David Published
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Felco F2 pruner deals – how to save money on the best pruners in the world
Repeated tests have shown that the Felco F2 are the best pruners you can buy. Here's how to save money on these coveted pruners
By Alex David Published
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Amazon solar light deals – how to get the best savings on string, security, and solar spotlights
There are hundreds of cheap solar light deals on Amazon for Prime Day, but many of them aren't worth buying. After years of testing, only buy these solar lights
By Alex David Published
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Everyone's rushing to buy this discounted air fryer on Amazon Prime, but is it actually any good? Here's our Breville the Smart Oven Air Fryer Toaster Oven Review
The Breville the Smart Oven Air Fryer Toaster Oven is the hottest appliance in the sales.
By Alex David Last updated
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I'm a gardens writer, and I've found huge discounts on potting shed organizers this Amazon Prime Day – tidy up your tools for under $15
They aren't as fancy as air fryers, but these potting shed organizer deals will save you a lot of money on a gardening essential
By Alex David Published
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Way Day solar light deals – how to get a good discount on solar lighting
The Way Day solar light deals have huge discounts on solar lights, including my favorite set of outdoor string lights
By Alex David Published
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11 things pizza chefs always do – advice from professional chefs for better homemade pizza
Pizza is deceptively hard to master, especially if you're cooking it in a kitchen oven. I spoke to experts for the things pizza chefs always do for perfect pies
By Alex David Published
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Wayfair is a great place to shop for garden tools – I'm adding these top picks to my fall gardening kit
As prices drop after summer, fall is a clever time to save on gardening essentials. You can save even more money by grabbing a deal in the Way Day sales
By Alex David Published
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8 common solar light mistakes – and how to avoid them
I spoke to a lighting pro about 8 common solar light mistakes. He revealed the most likely reasons your lights aren't working – and how to fix them
By Alex David Published
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How to buy a pizza oven – 5 expert tips to get the most out of your budget
They're one of the most expensive appliances around, so it can be hard to know how to buy a pizza oven. As a product tester, this is all you have to bear in mind
By Alex David Published
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Should you bother with a pizza oven? An expert tester reveals if they're actually worth the money
Pizza ovens can be pretty pricey, so it's smart to wonder if you should buy a one. As a product tester here's why they can - sometimes - be worth every cent
By Alex David Published
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Are expandable garden hoses actually worth it? After years of testing, I would advise against this piece of gardening kit
Expandable hoses can work for small city gardens, but they have significant drawbacks
By Alex David Last updated
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Garden wall lighting ideas – 7 designs that deviate from traditional sconces
Garden walls are functional parts of the yard, and often pretty boring. These 7 garden wall lighting ideas will add some interest to the darkest yard
By Alex David Published
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Garden lighting trends 2025 – smart lights are on the rise but string lights keep the crown
Fall is the perfect time to get ahead with garden lighting trends for 2025, and prepare your yard for hosting next spring
By Alex David Published
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Should I leave my porch light on all night? Security experts give 5 reasons you should never leave your light on, and reveal what to do instead
Lighting is an easy way to secure a home, so it's smart to wonder if you should leave your porch light on at night. However, security experts don't recommend it
By Alex David Published
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Are wind chimes antisocial? Why your neighbors may not appreciate this particular choice of garden decor
Some people love wind chimes, but their neighbors may think differently. I spoke to a garden expert about why wind chimes can be considered antisocial
By Alex David Published
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How to light a flagpole – all you need to know to obey the US Flag Code
The Flag Code is a little vague about how to keep a flag 'properly illuminated'. This is all you need to know about lighting a flagpole for a 24/7 display
By Alex David Published
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Best solar light brands – 3 reliable companies for lights that actually work
As a product tester, I've tried a lot of solar lights, and I know that they can be poor quality. These are the best solar light brands for reliable solar lights
By Alex David Published
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How do solar lights work? Electrical experts reveal how they turn sunlight into cozy garden lighting
It's not immediately obvious how solar lights turn light into energy. I spoke to solar panel and electrical experts about how these ingenious lights work
By Alex David Published
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Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo vs Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven – which one comes out on top?
The Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo and Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven are so similar that they're almost identical. I put them to the test to see which is best
By Alex David Published
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Ooni Volt 12 vs Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven – which pizza oven is best?
Pizza ovens can be incredibly expensive, so I compared Ooni Volt 12 vs Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven to see how a premium pizza oven compares to a budget option
By Alex David Published