5pc Stainless Steel Coaster Set by MyGift™ - Are we really doing this again?

wyattzx · May 23, 2015

Yes, yes we are.

Disclaimer: While this may be one of the most out-of-place reviews you could possibly see on such a forum, I want to make it clear that this is an actual review for a real product, and not in any way shape or form an advertisement. It is evidenced by my account that I am not a Spam Bot, and this is not an advertisement. It was a fun and unique idea, and something I felt I would genuinely like to share.

My desk is comprised of two things: A metal frame, and a glass top. Glass? Glass. Glass stains. I like to drink at my desk. My drinks stain my glass. Not anymore they don't.

Due to the type of desk I have, it is necessary to have coasters if I wish to have food or drink at my desk. Finding affordable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing coasters was a must for me. Previously I'd used a set of three wooden discs, with a nautical theme. It seemed more fit for a bathroom than a desk where I do my gaming, my work, and where most of my entertainment comes from.

This was unacceptable. I scoured Amazon, looking for product-after-product. Either they were expensive, (~$55 for a set of two) or they were too cheap. (~$5 for four paper-thin discs.) I was dissatisfied with what I was finding, and I wasn't going to put up with something subpar. Many searches went unsuccessful, until I stumbled upon these beauties. "MyGift? Who's that?" I asked myself, scratching my head at such an off-brand, generic brand name. "Reviews seem good though, and they look really good. Plus, they're only $13.."

So I took the plunge.

Days later, the box arrives from Amazon. Shipping was to be expected; 3-4 business days. Nothing concerning or unusual. I opened up my box, the smile from Amazon's logo seeming particularly cheery this day. I cut through the tape, and opened it up. I found Amazon's typical airbag packaging, and another, generic cardboard box nestled comfortably in a mound of airbags. There we no logos, no markings. Just a cardboard box. For $13, I shouldn't expect much, but this might be a new low. Did they even send the coasters? Did OP deliver, one might say? Yes, absolutely. I retrieved the box swiftly, and proceeded to open it. It had generic packing tape on, which requires a bit more finessing to open. However, this is a case of finding the key to the treasure, for what's inside is figurative gold.

Gold.

The coasters were wrapped in what seemed like a plastic bag. It was easy to remove, and with it, I was on my way. The storage rack cradled the coasters softly in its cold-yet-loving embrace. It didn't need to impress anybody. It did its job, and it did it well. By this point, my patience had faded completely. I needed to get my hands on my coasters, and there they were. They felt cold. They felt alone. I wasn't going to let them go without love and care any longer. So I retrieved one. As it came into my my grasp, I felt as if I had just latched onto a new prototype for bulletproof armor. These things have weight, and a lot of it. I genuinely believe they could take a bullet from a standard firearm at a lethal distance. The durable, strong rubber bottom shows promise as a material that will prohibit any sliding on my glass surface. The rubber in-lays are a good sign that my drinks will not move. And the weight, oh the weight. The cold, dead weight of these is sheer amazing.

"The cold, dead weight of these is sheer amazing."

Cleaning up my boxes, I rushed the storage rack and its contents back to my desk, setting them neatly alongside my monitor. They fit beneath it comfortably, and complemented the overall aesthetic. The stand and coaster have enough weight so-as to not move during normal work, gaming, or entertainment. There's enough to go around for anybody who requires one, when they are also acting as a viewer alongside me. This may be the best $13 I've ever spent.

Pros:

They're clean, aesthetically pleasing coasters.
The rubberized bottom prevents sliding across many-a surfaces.
The rubber in-lays will prevent most drinks from sliding across the surface of each coaster.
The stand is durable, and serves its purpose well. A nice touch.
The set comes with four, which is more than enough for any single person.
They're extremely heavily, and I feel they could take a bullet at lethal distance from a standard firearm. I managed to dent the metal siding on my barn with a strong throw of one of these. No harm was done to the disc itself.

Of course, no products are perfect, so have the cons too.

Cons:

While the discs themselves are very heavily, the stand is not, and it is not rubberized, so it moves easily when retrieving coasters.
The packaging was "okay" at best on MyGift's part, though Amazon held up their end very well.
They do not absorb liquid, though they do have tapered sides, preventing liquid from pouring out. You must empty them yourselves if excessive sweating ensues.

Verdict: Overall, this is a great product, and I would certainly buy them again if I ever need any more coasters. Well worth the price, and they serve their purpose well. Who needs $55 glass coasters anyway?

8/10