Joe Bloss

Associate writer, testing
CNN Underscored

My recent work

CNN Underscored •

I tried the new Ninja FlexFlame. The 5-in-1 outdoor grill turned me into a pitmaster | CNN Underscored

The Ninja FlexFlame — the brand’s first propane grill — is a shortcut to the backyard of my dreams. When I finally have a home of my own, stepping out onto the patio will reveal an arsenal of outdoor cooking appliances. There’s a grill for burgers and hot dogs in one corner; a smoker, where all-day cooks produce heavenly ribs, in another. Don’t forget the griddle, where I’ll flip pancakes in the morning, then chop cheesesteaks at night. Oh, and every Friday, my pizza oven produces artisanal pies...
CNN Underscored •

Best sandals for men: Tested and reviewed | CNN Underscored

Whether you’re a sneakerhead like me or a Crocs devotee, finding a pair of the best sandals for men can be a revelation when the weather heats up. They let your feet breathe while still wrapping them in support. And even if there might be haters out there, I think they can actually look pretty fly. Rocking a pair of sandals in the summer has given me confidence and helped me evolve my style.



The word “sandal” can mean many different things in men’s fashion, so I narrowed t...
CNN Underscored •

The best backpack coolers for icy drinks on the move in 2025, tried and tested | CNN Underscored

The best backpack cooler will always be a useful piece of outdoor gear because most situations that call for a chilled beverage require the movement of cans, ice and more from point A to point B. Even if you’ve invested in a reliable and spacious cooler, the worst part of using it is lugging it around. I don’t care if that thing has sturdy handles or smooth wheels — it’s heavy.
CNN Underscored •

The best air purifiers to combat smoke, pollen and odors, according to experts | CNN Underscored

Shopping for the best air purifier for your home can get quite technical, quite fast. There are acronyms all over the place. AHAM, HEPA, CADR — the list goes on. And when you just want to make an informed purchase to ensure the home appliance you’re buying is actually cleaning the air by removing unwanted particles, all those terms can get a little overwhelming.
CNN Underscored •

I haven’t paid for a haircut in 10 years. The Oster Fast Feed clipper is why | CNN Underscored

Long before I started testing and reviewing products, the Oster Fast Feed hair clipper became a staple in my life. I had always maintained a short buzz cut growing up, which meant a trip to the Great Clips a few miles from my house every other week. It probably cost $12 back then, which wasn’t a lot of money, but when I started paying for it myself, it felt like a waste. It’s not like I needed a complex cut that required a barber’s skill.



So, I took matters into my own han...
CNN Underscored •

I don’t drive anywhere without the Airmoto tire inflator in my car | CNN Underscored

Ideally, the Airmoto Smart Air Pump is the kind of product you rarely need, but it’s one you sure are glad to have when that need arises. Take it from me, the guy who found himself stranded with a flat tire last year. I couldn’t pull over to swap out that tire for my spare because I live in an area with one-way streets and cars parked on both sides of the road. My options in this lose-lose situation were either to block traffic or damage my car by driving home on a flat.



T...
CNN Underscored •

The best water filter pitchers of 2025, tested by editors | CNN Underscored

Stashing a water filter pitcher in your fridge feels like a rite of passage. You might have had one in your college dorm or your first home, and there may even be one chilling with your produce and condiments right now. It’s the kind of ubiquitous product that doesn’t require a lot of thought to do its job, right? Even a few Underscored staffers have admitted to buying the first water filter pitcher they can find and drinking from it for years. And they’re still around to tell the tale....
CNN Underscored •

Testing XGIMI’s MoGo 3 Pro portable projector completely changed how I watch TV | CNN Underscored

When I set out to test the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro projector, I had two goals in mind: to evaluate the product (it is my job, after all) and explore a new viewing experience. I use my TV a lot. Be it for binging shows, obsessing over sports or playing video games, it’s the focal point of my apartment and the gateway to so many things I enjoy. But it’s hardly top-of-the-line; it’s an unremarkable 50-inch display I haven’t replaced for years mainly because it still works. And doing so would cost money....
CNN Underscored •

The Fellow Aiden is the coffee maker I always wanted | CNN Underscored

The Fellow Aiden Precision Coffee Maker is exactly the brewer I’ve needed because it gets to the core of who I am as a coffee drinker. I’m a sicko with different pour-overs, various French presses and several bags of specialty beans monopolizing too much of my scarce cabinet space. There’s not a day that goes by where the roar of my burr grinder is not heard. On a scale from one to 10, one being “I don’t like coffee — it’s a vasoconstrictor” and 10 being “coffee is the lifeblood that drives the...
CNN Underscored •

Sleep Number ClimateCool mattress review | CNN Underscored

I’ve slept on the Sleep Number ClimateCool for a month, and it’s comical how much this mattress was made for me. For starters, my fiancée and I can never align on the perfect temperature. During colder seasons, our heat will be set so high I’m sweating, yet she’s shivering under a second blanket. In the summer, I’m putting on a hoodie while she’s cranking up the AC. One of us is hot and the other is cold no matter where we are — on the couch at home, driving in the car or sleeping in our bed....
CNN Underscored •

The best binoculars under $500 in 2025, tried and tested | CNN Underscored

I realized the true power of binoculars about seven years ago when I took up birdwatching and received a pair of Nikon Prostaff 3S bins as a Christmas gift. Outfitted with my new optic on a walk at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia, I spotted a woodpecker on a tree just off the path. Observing that little creature through my binoculars — which weren’t fancy at all — felt like a 3D movie or a closeup under a microscope. The details were magic.



In the years...
CNN Underscored •

The Windmill Air Purifier review | CNN Underscored

I deemed the Windmill Air Purifier a product worth testing because it has a quality many of the best air purifiers lack — it actually looks OK. It’s not an eyesore I want stuffed into the back of a closet but rather an appliance that can fit in with just about any decor aesthetic. It’s the same reason we’ve long been fans of the Windmill AC, a window air conditioner that looks cool while cooling.



But after having the just-released Windmill Air Purifier up a...
CNN Underscored •

The best car vacuum in 2025, tried and tested | CNN Underscored

I could argue that none of the best car vacuums deserve a place in my vehicle. And before you click away because that’s the least convincing introduction ever, hear me out: I keep my car neat. Like, really neat. No trash on the floor. Anyone eating better be careful. As such, car cleaning isn’t a chore I have to do often. My habits keep it tidy to begin with. And it’s not that I’m driving a luxury ride here either. I’ve had my Toyota Corolla for more than six years and just like to keep its blue...
CNN Underscored •

This cordless screwdriver is so good it forever ruined regular screwdrivers for me | CNN Underscored

You don’t need a home workshop — or even your own toolbox — to be the kind of person who would benefit from the Craftsman 4-Volt Cordless Screwdriver. It’s the only dedicated power tool I own. Seriously, the rest of my “tool drawer” (if it even qualifies as one) is littered with those little hex wrenches included with build-it-yourself furniture and an elementary Ikea tool set. It’s all junk compared to this mighty electric screwdriver, which has saved me time, frustration and a lot of forearm s...
CNN Underscored •

This old-school contraption might be my new favorite home appliance yet | CNN Underscored

We’ve tested many of the best ice cream makers, and honestly, they can be kind of a chore. If you’re not shelling out big bucks for a compressor machine, canister models provide a more budget-friendly path to homemade ice cream. But their mixing bowls must be frozen overnight, which is no help when the craving hits unexpectedly.



You could just DoorDash something or even pop over to a drive-thru to satisfy your sweet tooth. I’ve resorted to both plenty of times, but those d...
CNN Underscored •

The phenomenon of a solar eclipse is a sight to see. Make sure you watch it safely with these glasses | CNN Underscored

Eclipse glasses are a must if you want to safely view any kind of solar eclipse. I get it: They look silly, sort of like the 3D specs you’d receive at the movies in the early 2000s. But don’t be fooled by their flimsiness. Whether you’re lucky enough to be within the path of totality during a total solar eclipse like the one we experienced in 2024 or you’re getting a glimpse of a partial solar eclipse like the one happening later this month, looking directly at the sun without this essential pro...
CNN Underscored •

How to start birding your backyard and beyond, according to experts | CNN Underscored

I’ve become The Bird Guy to my friends and family. When they see a bird they don’t recognize, I’m asked to identify it with nothing more than a blurry photo. When the algorithms feed them bird-related content on social media, it gets forwarded to me. If it sounds like I’m complaining, I’m not. It’s great being The Bird Guy. I literally seek out birds in my spare time because they’re awesome and my favorite way to enjoy the outdoors.



Here’s the thing: You too can be that pe...
CNN Underscored •

We tested 10 smart bulbs — automating the lighting in your home is way easier than you’d think | CNN Underscored

The best smart bulbs add convenience, customization and color to a fundamental part of every home: lighting. They can overhaul your living room without any changes to the furniture and decor or serve as an inexpensive entry point for anyone starting to build out their smart home. Forgot to turn out the lights before climbing into bed? A few taps on your phone or a simple voice command can fix that. Hate fumbling for a switch when you arrive home with your hands full? Most smart bulbs can be prog...