Nuashonraithe / Dé hAoine, 10 Iúil 2026
07:59
Journalist
Journalist Glenn Kelly puts a mix of garden furniture, ice cream makers and lawn mowers to the test for summer 2026
The summer weather has arrived! However, if you are as aware of the short-lived nature of an Irish summer as I am, then you know you best get moving to make your garden a place to be seen in
So, get your ice cream makers, pizza dough mixers and coffee machine brewers, and get your friends round to relax, chat, and listen to some sunny bangers
In this feature, I will be looking at some of the best buys on the market to make this summer one to remember. All tested in my own garden just for you, our readers
A Table fit for Dining Al-fresco
Malmo 6 Seat Outdoor Dining Set
Dobbies.com; €1,150 (All prices correct as of July 2026)
Having previously had the corner sofa version of the Malmo dining set, this year I went for a set with individual chairs and the benefits you get with a larger table and the adjustable canopy. I have to say I’m glad I did
The six-chair layout allows more space for diners rather than being shoulder-to-shoulder on the sofa, and allows for a more natural eating position. The canopy not only rises but also drops to the side to block out the sun as it travels across the sky
The chairs are sturdy with an aluminium frame and are also equipped with cushions and are stackable in design, which I found great to stack them away when not in use
The ‘Scandi’ design is as premium-looking as ever, with friends surprised at its cost (it is currently on sale), and with two large Dobbies sites on the island of Ireland, it is accessible for most
It’s Not Just the Adults You Need to Impress
Berg Champion Regular Trampoline
Trampolinesireland.com: €1,140
With an 8-year-old and a 5-year-old, who are both big into gymnastics, a quality trampoline is a must for our garden. If you want perhaps the best on the market, then look no further than Berg
Yes, it is more expensive than some high-street options, but you get a whole lot more for your money and a product that is guaranteed to last for years. Up to a 13-year warranty, in fact
The 11ft option that our family have is large and perfect for two kids to bounce on at once (officially, suppliers suggest one at a time). We have also become the “go-to” house in the development, with kids from all over suddenly wanting to say hello and have a bounce – our little ones aren’t complaining!
Double springs in the base ensure the trampoline is extremely secure and can allow super-high bounces, whilst a really secure net and ingenious “overlap” entrance ensure you can’t forget to zip it up, something that causes anxiety amongst parents across the country
Our kids have been on the trampoline non-stop in the last month, and I expect that to continue throughout the summer. Covers and smart ladders are available that give users somewhere to store their shoes, and Trampolines Ireland will even deliver across the island
A Tidy Garden to Garner Compliments
Flymo Ultramow Duo 460 Cordless 46cm Lawn Mower
Scewfix.ie; €558.95
I’ve been using the Flymo UltraMow Duo 460 for a few weeks now, and it’s made the gardening routine a much more enjoyable process. The 46cm cutting width is the sweet spot for my medium-sized garden, drastically cutting down the number of passes I need to make
The standout feature has to be the twin counter-rotating blades. They shred the grass cleanly and generate fantastic airflow, filling the generous 50-litre grass box to the brim without clogging. When I hit a patch of thick, damp grass, the PowerBoost function automatically kicks in to maintain the RPM without bogging down, something I found not to be the case with most other cordless mowers
Manoeuvring around my flowerbeds is remarkably easy thanks to the large rear wheels, and the rear roller leaves a beautiful, classic stripe finish. Once finished, folding the telescopic handles down lets me store it completely upright in the shed, saving precious space!
Gardena Sileno Sense Robotic Lawn Mower
Currys.ie; €1,199
For those looking, the ultimate in gardening tech and a strong desire not to break out in a sweat, the super-quiet Sileno could be just for you
It completely reinvents automatic lawn care by cutting the cord on traditional boundary wires. Instead of digging up your yard to bury cables, this intelligent robot relies on a built-in AI camera powered by an NVIDIA processor alongside GPS navigation. It maps out your garden dynamically using LONA Intelligence, allowing you to easily set custom mowing zones and no-go areas directly inside the mobile app
Operating at a whisper-quiet 57 decibels, it seamlessly avoids toys and obstacles and cleans up effortlessly with a garden hose. It even automatically adjusts its schedule based on grass growth, giving you a perfectly manicured lawn with zero manual fuss. Perfect to allow you more time to entertain
Karcher K4 Eco-Boost Power Washer
Karcher.com; €299.99
A clean patio needs a powerful power washer, and the class-leader is undoubtedly Karcher.
It combines robust cleaning muscle with a highly sustainable design
Driven by a long-lasting, water-cooled 1800W motor, it effortlessly generates 130 bars of pressure to sweep away stubborn grime on driveways, muddy garden tools, and weathered brickwork. I’ve found it a godsend to clean up our slabs and cars
The standout feature is the innovative eco-Booster lance. By optimising water distribution, it boosts cleaning efficiency by 50% compared to standard flat jets—drastically saving time, energy, and water while safely washing delicate wooden decks or painted vehicle finishes
Complete with an 8-metre premium flexible hose and smart onboard storage, it balances peak performance with eco-conscious operation, something that really sets it apart in today’s crowded market
Treats and Meal Prep Galore
Smeg 50s-Style Stand Mixer
Harveynorman.ie; €579
When we got the Smeg, my wife’s reaction was: “This has transformed my baking,” not a bad response from a keen baker. Its sleek, retro curves and glossy enamel finish make it look like a gorgeous vintage showpiece rather than a modern appliance, particularly in its classic cream colourway
But it’s not just a pretty face. The 800-watt direct-drive motor handles heavy bread dough and delicate meringues with absolute ease, while the smooth planetary action ensures everything wraps perfectly into the mix without leaving a sticky ring around the bowl or missing out any of the flour. It runs remarkably quietly, too
It’s definitely a premium investment, but for its stunning aesthetic and rock-solid performance, we have finally found a rival for the Kitchen Aid – a former class leader
Ninja Swirli Ice Cream Maker
Ninjakitchen.ie; €409.99
As a former “Creami” ice-cream maker user, the massive upgrade here is the 13-in-1 versatility and that iconic soft-serve dispensing handle
I whipped up some vanilla and chocolate ice cream to see what was on offer. The first couple of efforts were a work-in-progress, but once I got the hang of the “spin” feature, I was serving up whippy ice cream without a problem
As kids, we all wanted to have our own ice cream machines to copy the ice-cream man or woman in our streets, and now you can. Pulling down the lever to watch a perfect, spiral dispense into my cone was incredibly satisfying and nostalgic, and my kids loved it too. It blends noticeably smoother than the original Creami, in my opinion
It does take up an enormous amount of counter space, but for parlour-quality soft serve at home, it is worth every penny, and you will be mobbed by your guests looking to try it for themselves
De’Longhi Eletta Ultra Coffee Machine
Delonghi.com; c.€1,200
Last up in this section is the brand-new coffee machine release from class-leaders De’Longhi
When you have visitors over for a garden party, you need to be able to offer them a hot or cold drink, and to really impress them, you can provide both with this amazing machine
Boasting over 50 drink presets, it seamlessly handles everything from a rich, hot ristretto to a crisp iced latte
The real magic lies in its dual LatteCrema Hot & Cool carafes and the clever Cold Extraction Technology, which whips up a surprisingly smooth cold brew in under five minutes. Navigating the vibrant 4.3-inch touchscreen interface is incredibly intuitive, especially with the “Collections” menu that adjusts to your daily habits
Yes, it is expensive, but this is a machine worth every penny and has been garnering compliments from all our guests for the taste and choice. A sure winner
Garden Entertainment Technology at Its Best
Epson EF-72, Pro-UHD Projector
Epson.ie; €1,069.99
Ever wished you could watch your favourite movie under the stars in your garden? Well, if so, this is the projector for you
The Epson Lifestudio Flex EF-72 is a gorgeous, design-forward projector that genuinely looks like a premium table lamp. Moving away from boring tech boxes, it’s Scandi-inspired oak top and fabric-wrapped body blend right into home decor
Using 3LCD technology and 4K pixel-shifting, the 1,000-lumen laser display serves up detailed, cinema-warm images up to 150 inches. Setting it up is effortless; the clever stand tilts 90 degrees to project directly onto your ceiling, while the instant auto-calibration perfectly adjusts around wall obstacles
Backed by deep Bose-tuned speakers and Google TV, it functions beautifully as a standalone Bluetooth speaker and streaming hub
Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker
Bose.com; c.€350
Every outdoor party needs some quality tunes played through a quality speaker, and the new Bose Ultra Speaker does not disappoint
New for 2026, the “Ultra” is a stunning return to home audio, packing an open-ecosystem punch into a compact, oval frame. Abandoning walled-garden restrictions, it features agnostic multi-room streamingrated Alexa+ voice control
The real magic is its three-driver layout, featuring a dedicated up-firing “twiddler.” Driven by proprietary TrueSpatial technology, it projects sound upwards to create a wonderfully tall, room-filling soundstage that defies its nightstand-friendly size
Compared to premium competitors, such as Sonos, it is also reasonably priced, and I found that it loses little of its audio quality even in a garden setting
Looking Good!
Ray-Ban A
The guests have arrived, the drinks have been poured, the tunes are on, and now you want to look good without squinting in the sun. Well, what could be more classic-cool than the Ray-Ban A
The Ray-Ban Aly bridging the gap between utilitarian military gear and Hollywood cool. Originally engineered in the 1930s to protect US pilots from high-altitude glare, its signature teardrop-shaped G-15 lenses are instantly recognisable
Hey are also light and comfortable on the nose, oh, and did I mention they look effortlessly cool?
*Glenn Kelly was sent the above items for the purpose of review
