Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. Videos

Oblend is a modern cauldron poised for crafting the perfect essential oil

By
Talking household gadgets, ovens and smart refrigerators seem to get all the hype at CES — I mean, did you see LG’s Alexa-equipped fridge? It makes sense, given these appliances are the foundation on which a smart kitchen is built, but that doesn’t mean they’re the only gadgets in your home that could use a 21st-century makeover. Enter the 
Recommended Videos
Oblend, a mixer that can make more than just a margarita.

The robust countertop device is the handiwork of Seattle-based Altopa, and is capable of blending essential oils, tinctures, drinks, lotions, and a host of other botanical extracts for use in a variety of health and wellness applications. It was engineered to meet medical device standards, and as such, it benefits from a high level of precision and results in a more consistent product than if you were to blend the ingredients on your own.

Oblend
Oblend
Oblend

In fact, consistency is the very thing Altopa CEO and founder Matt Wilson was looking to achieve when he began concocting the idea of the Oblend in 2016. The inspiration for the device came out of an experience he had with his border collie, who was suffering from frequent seizures as a result of a brain tumor.

“I didn’t have any good options to help him,” Wilson said to Digital Trends at CES 2018. “I ended up using medical marijuana — and it worked, which blew my mind. It wasn’t a perfect solution, though, so I set out to create something that made [the end product] more consistent, more predictable.”

The result was the Oblend, a device built with customization in mind. Housed within the device’s modern, matte-black exterior is space for up to two dozen cartridges, each of which represents a different ingredient or blend of various extracts (rosemary, lemongrass, THC, etc.). Once set up, you can blend these ingredients with the help of an accompanying mobile app, allowing you to fine-tune the strength of each ingredient, as well as the aroma and overall flavor profile. Afterward, you can dispense your blend into a vapor cartridge, a lotion for topical application, or into a culinary oil for making edibles and other delectables.

The best part of it all? You can browse a host of curated blends — each of which is tailored toward specific ailments — or save your newly minted blend in the app, giving you a quick means for re-creating your favorite amalgam later.

Sadly, this kind of convenience doesn’t come cheap, as the Oblend will retail for a cool $949 when it lands this summer. Early adopters can nab the device for half the price during the presale window — just head to the Oblend website and throw your name on the waiting list for more info.

Editors' Recommendations

Brandon Widder
Brandon Widder
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brandon Widder is a multimedia journalist and a staff writer for Digital Trends where he covers technology news, how-to…
Are robotic pool cleaners worth it?
The Airper Seagull SE robotic pool cleaner at the bottom of a swimming pool.

The worst part of owning a swimming pool is taking care of it From filter maintenance and skimming debris from the surface to managing chemicals and more, you'll likely find yourself hanging out around the water more often than you're actually in the water. Robotic pool cleaners are designed to alleviate this pinch point of pool ownership by giving you back your time and automating most of your tasks.

But are robotic pool cleaners worth it, or are they a gimmick that still require heaps of manual input? Here's a closer look to help you decide if one would be a good addition to your backyard.
Budget-friendly devices are often a hassle

Read more
Best Buy cut this air fryer’s price in half, down to just $25
The Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Air Fryer near food.

If you want your food crispy all over without having to deal with draining a ton of oil, your best bet is to use an air fryer. They're never too expensive and there are always great air fryer deals going on, but you'll rarely find one with a price like this. Right now, the Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Analog Air Fryer is half off, moving its price from $50 to $25. To pick yours up today all you need to do is tap the button below. If you're interested in our take, however, be sure to keep reading.

Why you should buy the Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Air Fryer
The Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Air Fryer holds up to about 2.5 pounds of food, heats up to 400 degrees, and has easily-removable dishwasher-safe parts. If you notice it is "analog" that is because it has a 60 minute shut off timer to give you peace of mind and an easy way to time your cooking. Of course, this means there aren't a ton of digital options, buttons, and settings. However, this can be a plus for some and possibly you. Not every item in the home needs to be "smart" and less can certainly feel like more.

Read more
Revolution Cooking’s high-speed smart toaster is $100 off today
Someone using the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster in the kitchen.

If you're thinking about getting a new toaster for your kitchen, why not go with a high-speed smart toaster? Best Buy is currently selling the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster with a $100 discount, slashing its price to $250 from $350 originally. There's no telling how much time is remaining before this offer expires though, so if you're interested, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the purchase right now in order to secure the savings.

Why you should buy the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster
Are smart kitchen gadgets worth it? The answer is a resounding yes, and the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster will show you why. With this kitchen device, you'll no longer suffer from burnt or uneven toasts as it's powered by the brand's InstaGLO heating system. The technology will start toasting your bread in just two seconds without any need for preheating. You'll get bread that's crunchy outside and moist inside every single time, which is a huge upgrade over the inconsistencies of traditional toasters.

Read more