All posts tagged: Filter

This New Air Purifier Filter Can Remove Cannabis Smoke Odor, Just in Time for 4/20

This New Air Purifier Filter Can Remove Cannabis Smoke Odor, Just in Time for 4/20

Published by skeptic

In the US and globally, April 20 has become an unofficial holiday for weed smokers. While vaping, gummies and edibles are increasingly popular, a fair number of people still light up for a smoke, and that can result in a lingering odor many find unpleasant. I’m one of those people, and GermGuardian’s new FLT420B air purifier filter is designed to filter out cannabis smoke more effectively than regular air purifier filters.“As cannabis use becomes more widely accepted, we recognized a real gap in the market for a filter purpose-built to tackle cannabis smoke odors, not just mask them,” said Rukky Ojakovo, senior director of heaters and air quality at Guardian Technologies. “In our two-week in-home test, over 90% of users rated it very effective at reducing cannabis odor.” I’ve been using the FLT420B filter in my home with a GermGuardian AC4880B air purifier for several weeks now, and I’ve been impressed with just how effectively it tackles smoke odors. In my case, the odor is more from cigarette smoke than marijuana (I had the great misfortunate …

The 4 Best Water Filter Pitchers (2026): PFAS, Microplastics

The 4 Best Water Filter Pitchers (2026): PFAS, Microplastics

Published by skeptic

This does not amount to an antimicrobial certification, hence Lifestraw’s caution to market the device for anything but municipal water. But if my primary worry were the bacteria or mold known to potentially accumulate in other water filters and pitchers, I would certainly spring for this Lifestraw. The same IAPMO India lab data also shows good removal of PFAS and PFOA “forever chemicals,” though not quite to the levels of my top filter picks. This doesn’t mean the filter is perfect. The Home’s tall dual-stage filter, comprising both a membrane filter and a replaceable activated carbon filter, causes the 10-cup Lifestraw to be quite lofty for a fridge pitcher: about 13 inches tall. It only fits in my refrigerator because I’d already removed a shelf to allow for tall bottles and meal kit boxes. The Lifestraw filter is also among the slowest I’ve tested, requiring more than 20 minutes to filter on the 10-cup pitcher. And while it removes free chlorine, it does not remove chloramine—a more stable disinfectant found in about half of municipal …

The Waterdrop G3P800 water filter system provides clean, filtered water without a wait

The Waterdrop G3P800 water filter system provides clean, filtered water without a wait

Published by Jenni Sidey

Sign Up For Goods 🛍️ Product news, reviews, and must-have deals. If you’ve ever Googled “what’s actually in my tap water,” you’ve probably scared yourself into at least considering a filtration system. The Waterdrop G3P800 is a tankless reverse osmosis system that promises to strip out PFAS and other contaminants while delivering filtered water fast enough that you won’t notice a difference from your regular faucet. After spending a month with it installed under my kitchen sink, I can say it largely delivers on those promises, while allowing a relatively simple DIY installation. G3P800 RO System See It Pros 800 GPD flow rate fills a cup in roughly 5 seconds—no waiting around Tankless design saves significant under-sink space compared to traditional RO systems NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, and 372 certified with independent lab-verified PFAS removal Smart faucet with built-in TDS meter lets you see water quality in real time UV LED sterilization adds a layer of protection against bacteria and viruses 3:1 pure-to-drain ratio is significantly more efficient than older RO systems DIY installation is …

HigherDose Red Light Shower Filter Review (2026): Filter Needed

HigherDose Red Light Shower Filter Review (2026): Filter Needed

Published by skeptic

The ring of red LEDs is charged separately via USB-C (this takes an hour and a half to charge fully), and can then be pushed up onto the showerhead and rotated to lock in place. The water-resistant, covered charging port is positioned away from where the water flows. One full charge is good for a couple hours of showers, which for most people is at least a week’s worth. The showerhead does have a power switch. But it’s best operated via its little shower-safe remote control, which is also charged by USB-C. Click the On button, and the remote will pair with the showerhead. The red light turns on for 5, 10, or 15 minutes. This works just fine, though it’d be nice if the buttons were more clearly marked than just with raised black text on a black button. Finding the power button, which looks like the other buttons, requires trial and error. But once you’ve got the remote figured out, the red light does indeed offer relaxation and a little bit of drama …

NVIDIA CEO defends DLSS 5 as gamers label it an ‘AI slop filter’

NVIDIA CEO defends DLSS 5 as gamers label it an ‘AI slop filter’

Published by skeptic

NVIDIA revealed NVIDIA DLSS 5 on Monday, a new rendering model that uses AI to add “photoreal lighting and materials” to video game graphics. The internet immediately hated it, criticising DLSS 5 for erasing games’ intentional artistic styles by basically adding an “AI slop filter.” Now CEO Jensen Huang has responded to DLSS 5’s critics, stating that they are “completely wrong.” SEE ALSO: Nvidia DLSS 5 games list: Every supported title we know so far DLSS 5 was unveiled during the NVIDIA GTC keynote, accompanied by a video showcasing the AI tool in action. Displaying clips from games such as Resident Evil Requiem, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield, the video compared graphics in their original state to with DLSS 5 turned on, the AI giving them a more photorealistic look. “DLSS 5 is the GPT moment for graphics — blending handcrafted rendering with generative AI to deliver a dramatic leap in visual realism while preserving the control artists need for creative expression,” Huang said in a press release.  Gamers lambast NVIDIA DLSS 5 as ‘AI slop …

Roblox launches real-time AI chat rephrasing to filter out banned language

Roblox launches real-time AI chat rephrasing to filter out banned language

Published by skeptic

Roblox is introducing a real-time, AI-powered chat rephrasing feature that automatically replaces banned words with more respectful language, the company announced on Thursday. The new feature goes beyond Roblox’s current text filter, which simply replaces banned words and phrases with the “#” symbol. But Roblox says that when users encounter strings of “####,” conversations can be disrupted and hard to follow. Now, instead of simply displaying hash marks, filtered text will be rephrased into more respectful language that is close to the user’s original intent. For example, a message that reads “Hurry TF up!” would previously have appeared as “####,” but will now be rephrased to “Hurry up!” Everyone in the chat is notified that the message has been rephrased to keep the conversation civil, Roblox says. “Chat is central to how people connect, coordinate, and play on Roblox,” said Rajiv Bhatia, Vice President of User and Discovery Product at Roblox, in a press release. “Real-time rephrasing helps keep gameplay and conversations on track while guiding language toward what’s appropriate. This approach reduces friction in …

Best Excel Functions for Data Analysis in 2026 : FILTER, XLOOKUP, LET

Best Excel Functions for Data Analysis in 2026 : FILTER, XLOOKUP, LET

Published by skeptic

Microsoft Excel remains a cornerstone for data analysts, offering a wide array of functions to streamline workflows and enhance data accuracy. In this deep dive, Mo Chen highlights ten essential Excel functions that every data analyst should know, including the Filter function, which allows users to extract relevant subsets of data based on specific criteria. For instance, filtering sales data by region or product category can help analysts focus on actionable insights without sifting through unnecessary information. These functions are not just about simplifying tasks, they also play a critical role in making sure clarity and precision when working with complex datasets. In this breakdown, you’ll explore how to use the Unique function to identify distinct values and eliminate redundancies, as well as the XLOOKUP function for retrieving data with greater flexibility than its predecessors. Additionally, you’ll learn how to apply conditional calculations using SUMIFS and COUNTIFS to analyze trends and patterns across multiple variables. By mastering these techniques, you can improve your ability to organize, analyze and present data effectively, regardless of the complexity …

Which Water Filter Pitchers Filter PFAS? How to Check

Which Water Filter Pitchers Filter PFAS? How to Check

Published by skeptic

It’s boom time for water filters, ever since the EPA announced that as many as 10 percent of US water systems may have unsafe levels of PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” in the water. Lead pipes are still all over the place, even if they’re no longer in Flint, Michigan, as of July 2025. Heck, there are maybe heavy metals in the groundwater, depending where you are, and bottled water risks excess microplastics. I don’t say this to panic you. Your drinking water is probably in compliance with federal standards, and only around 4 percent of water systems end up with unsafe contaminant levels, according to an EPA study in 2020. This said, local water systems won’t have to comply with the new federal PFAS and PFOA maximums for drinking water until 2031. In response to worries about the water supply, a whole new generation of water filters are making wondrous promises about reductions in contaminants: chlorine, PFAS, heavy metals, stray pharmaceuticals like acetaminophen, fluoride if that’s a worry for you. Some of these …

What Is Filter Dysmorphia, and Why Is It Alarming?

What Is Filter Dysmorphia, and Why Is It Alarming?

Published by Jenni Sidey

Since its advent, social media has always shaped how others see us. But more recently, it has begun to shape how we view ourselves—and how we want to be seen. Filters no longer simply brighten a photo or soften lighting. They now reshape faces, narrow noses, enlarge eyes, lift cheekbones, soften skin, and so much more. And the image staring back at us isn’t a wholly unfamiliar face. It feels familiar—just slightly improved. Some of us have started to believe those filtered images are our true selves, even more than what we see in the mirror, while others begin to wonder what’s even real. Filter dysmorphia, also known as “Snapchat dysmorphia,” occurs when the edited version of your face starts to feel more familiar than the real one. It’s a slow-burning version of body dysmorphia that comes from within, reshaping your sense of normal, beauty, and self-acceptance. While it isn’t yet officially classified as a diagnosis, many mental health professionals see its impact in therapy sessions, especially among teens and young adults who have grown …

People are looking back on 2016 through a rose-tinted filter – don’t they realise it was a terrible year?

People are looking back on 2016 through a rose-tinted filter – don’t they realise it was a terrible year?

Published by Daniella Wilson

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Whenever I’ve scrolled through social media over the past few days, I’ve experienced the slightly dizzying sensation of falling into a time warp: one that takes me back almost exactly a decade. “2026 is the new 2016!” a whole slew of TikTok posts bafflingly claim, overlaying video footage with a warmed-up, lo-fi filter that feels very 10 years ago; according to the app, more than 55 million videos have already used this particular filter, named after that year, while searches for “2016” have shot up by 452 per cent. How many of those posters and searchers, I wonder, were actually old enough to drive at the time? Over on Instagram, the millennial platform of choice, which was therefore very much in its imperial phase …