James Brains is a home and kitchen reporter and product expert with over seven years of experience in service journalism. He is passionate about providing helpful buying advice to readers based on extensive testing.
Experience
As a Senior Reporter for Business Insider’s Reviews team, James focuses on testing home and kitchen products. He uses his hands-on experience to write in-depth reviews and buying guides, tackling everything from air fryers and toaster ovens to air conditioners and vacuums.
Before joining Business Insider in 2021, James worked as a freelance writer and ran Brains Report, his personal product review site. In addition to home and kitchen products, James also has a background in writing about tech, health, and fitness.
Why you can trust James
James uses his background in experimental psychology to develop objective tests and review methodologies for all the products he evaluates. He’s tested over 100 mattresses to write our guide to the best mattresses, even touring a mattress manufacturing facility to further enrich his expertise. Seeing how mattresses are constructed has provided key insights into what to look for and what materials and features are best for certain sleepers.
James believes high-quality sleep is worth a premium, and he’s passionate about helping readers get a better night’s sleep — but he’ll always help you find a good deal on a mattress in the process. He is always on call to find the best mattress, bedding, and vaccum deals (among others) on any given day, but especially during big sale days like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.
Expertise
Mattresses and sleep products
Kitchen appliances and cookware
Heating and cooling products
Vacuums
Education
James holds a master's degree in psychology from the University of Oregon and a bachelor's degree from Michigan State.
He lives in Lansing, Michigan, with his wife, two kids, and a kitty. When he’s not testing a new mattress or air fryer, James enjoys running the Facebook foodie group Lansing Foodies. The group has over 70,000 followers and puts on an annual Olive Burger Festival.
We tested 25+ of the best air fryer toaster ovens to find which are worth your counter space. Our top picks crisp up fries, roast whole chickens, and more.
The Ninja Foodi XL Pro cooks so quickly and evenly that our reporter didn't use his full-size oven for a month. Here's why we love it.
Home
2025-03-25T16:36:21Z
The Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed has adjustable firmness levels that make it ideal for couples with varying sleep preferences and can track your sleep.
Home
2025-03-24T18:58:20Z
The medium-plush Leesa Legend cradles the body without too much sinking, and it has a cooling effect for a better night's sleep.
Deals
2025-03-21T22:27:52Z
Many mattress stores are holding sales to make bed buying a little easier. Here are the best February mattress deals available now.
Home
2025-03-21T20:01:02Z
Portable generators offer a reliable power source during outages and emergencies. These are the best portable generators, according to experts.
Home
2025-03-20T17:45:09Z
I tested more than 30 bidet attachments, from basic to luxe, to determine the most hygienic, comfortable, easy-to-install, and cost-effective models.
Home
2025-03-20T16:39:06Z
Though discontinued, Casper's Original Mattress can still be found online. It has impressive motion dampening properties and keeps my spine aligned.
Home
2025-03-20T12:00:02Z
The Casper Dream Hybrid Mattress features zoned support, cooling materials, and a medium-firm feel that best suits back and stomach sleepers.
Home
2025-03-18T12:00:02Z
Purple's most affordable bed, the PurpleFlex Mattress, features its signature gel grid for great pressure relief, spinal alignment, and breathability.
Home
2025-03-17T18:01:01Z
The best pillows for neck pain support the spine and reduce tension to curb aches and pains. We tested options for side, back, and stomach sleepers.
Home
2025-03-14T20:18:12Z
The average firmness of the DreamCloud Premier Mattress will appeal to most sleepers, and you can try it risk-free for 365 nights.
Home
2025-03-13T20:49:39Z
Our sleep experts answer reader questions about finding the best mattress for shoulder pain, temperature differences between partners, and motion isolation.
Home
2025-03-12T12:00:01Z
The Birch Natural Mattress by Helix is made with organic latex, lending a body-shaping feel and providing excellent pressure relief.
Home
2025-03-11T12:00:01Z
The Tempur-Cloud mattress is one of the best beds I've ever slept on. From comfort to cooling ability, here's everything you need to know.
Home
2025-03-10T19:00:01Z
We asked the Business Insider Reviews team for the sleep products they swear by for better sleep, from weighted blankets to cooling essentials.
Home
2025-03-10T13:30:03Z
The best mattress protectors are your best bet against spills, bed bugs, and mites. We tested 23 for waterproofing, breathability, comfort, and fit.
Home
2025-03-08T13:00:02Z
The Saatva Classic Mattress is truly luxurious, with three comfort levels, two heights, zoned support, and free delivery and in-home setup.
Home
2025-03-07T18:25:00Z
The best mattress topper can transform the feel of your bed and enhance your comfort. We tested the best foam, latex, down, and cooling options.
After testing 60+ models, our kitchen experts found the best air fryers for every budget and kitchen size. See why the Instant Vortex Plus tops our list.