Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World: Recent Episodes

None

A List of Great Technology

If you haven’t heard of the Oura Ring yet, you’ve probably seen it on someone’s finger. The tiny health- and sleep-tracking device has been a favorite of fitness enthusiasts and celebrities since it debuted in 2015. Now in its third iteration, the Oura Ring tracks and analyzes a host of metrics, including your heart-rate variability…

Offering a galaxy with more than a thousand planets, a fully customizable ship, and major decisions to make (and small ones too), the brand-new game Starfield promises more than an open world—it presents the mystery, wonder, and terror of space. Starfield is the first truly new game from Bethesda Game Studios, the creators of The…

Pets are the members of the family who supply unconditional, uncomplicated love, and for many people, losing a pet comes with a somewhat unexpected wave of deep grief. Though supporting a loved one in their bereavement doesn’t require giving a gift, a thoughtful memorial to their pet acknowledges their loss and helps them remember their…

Ask Wirecutter, an advice column written by Annemarie Conte, explores the best approaches to buying, using, and maintaining stuff. Email your biggest product-related problems to askwirecutter@wirecutter.com. Dear Wirecutter, The lighting in my windowless bathroom is a mishmash of bulbs that came with my apartment when I moved in. They’re either too dim or too bright,…

The only thing we love better than an affordable Wirecutter pick is an affordable Wirecutter pick that also happens to be on sale. Though a hundred bucks doesn’t take you quite as far as it used to, we’ve found seven great deals on some of our expert-approved picks to help you save money without spending…

If you have an iPhone that you’re happy with, keep it. We don’t think you should upgrade just because Apple has released new phones. But if your current phone is running too slow or is damaged, or if you’re simply ready for an upgrade and want a new phone now, we recommend the iPhone 14.…

A growing number of Apple devices are equipped with USB-C or wireless charging capabilities, but many—including older iPhones, iPads, AirPods, Magic Keyboards, and more—still use the company’s proprietary Lightning port. The trouble is, Apple’s Lightning cables are notoriously flimsy, and they cost more than many third-party cables—even those that Apple has certified will perform just…

Apple’s annual fall product-launch event brought few surprises but still delivered big news: The company unveiled four iPhone 15 models—which trade in Apple’s proprietary Lightning charging port in favor of USB-C—two new Apple Watches, and a fresh AirPods Pro pair that also moves to USB-C. Here’s everything that Apple announced at its Wonderlust event. iPhone…

If you want your smart home to work as an integrated system rather than as a bunch of separate gadgets and separate apps, and your primary mobile device is an iPhone, you might want to try Apple HomeKit. It’s an easy-to-use system for setting up and controlling a smart home. All Apple-branded devices with a…

Starting with the 2020 iPhone 12 lineup, Apple phones no longer come with a charger or headphones in the box. This is a good move for the environment because it should significantly reduce e-waste. And if you have an old USB charger, Lightning-connector EarPods, or any wireless headphones, they’ll continue to work with your new…

For a few bucks, a good USB car charger can charge your phone and other devices faster than the port that came in your car. After testing more than 60 models, we’ve determined that the best car charger is the dual-port Nekteck PD 45W Type-C Car Charger. You can fast-charge phones, tablets, and laptops on…

Sign up for Wirecutter's newsletters to get independent reviews, expert advice, and the very best deals sent straight to your inbox. The outdated USB chargers clogging store shelves and online listings won’t charge your latest gear as fast as possible. New fast chargers are safe, affordable, and up to three times faster than the old…

Apple announced the iPhone 15 lineup today, and here’s the big takeaway: The iPhone 15 will have a USB-C charging port instead of Apple’s proprietary Lightning port, bringing the iPhone in line with every other modern smartphone, computer, tablet, camera, and pair of headphones. It might sound like an irritating change at first, especially if…

Your whole day can be derailed by bad underwear—a terrible pair can pinch, pull, tug, and end up in all the wrong places. Many people have a drawer full of dozens of undies that just don’t quite fit. And then there are the few favorites that rise to the top of the pile every time,…

Every clack of a well-made keyboard can bring joy. If you spend most of your day typing, coding, or gaming, a mechanical keyboard can be a comfortable, customizable upgrade over the shallow, drab keyboard that came with your computer. After spending months testing the most promising mechanical keyboards, we recommend the Keychron V3, Keychron V5,…

If I were banished to a desert island and allowed to bring only a single piece of cookware, I’d choose a cast-iron skillet. It can work for just about anything—baking cornbread or cakes, roasting vegetables, searing steaks, or frying chicken. It’s versatile and affordable, and it boasts superior heat retention. What’s not to love? Oh,…

Great workout leggings are a sartorial Swiss Army knife: a technical powerhouse while in motion and a comfortable go-to when pants don’t appeal. Performance wear is expected to do double duty, providing both support and comfort, on the go and at rest. We worked out (and worked from home) in numerous pairs, scrutinizing fabric, fit,…

Extreme weather events are becoming more and more frequent, and relying on your phone for updates won’t work if it’s offline or out of battery power. You need a weather radio—a tool that’s critical in an emergency and handy as a durable, weather-resistant source of power, light, music, and news during regular outdoor activities. After…

Mowing the lawn is a chore, but it’s one you might actually look forward to with the Ego Power+ Select Cut Mower LM2135SP. A good cordless mower blows away any gas option on convenience, because it doesn’t need fuel, there’s no exhaust, and it requires only minimal maintenance. This particular Ego stands apart from all…

As people get older, many may need a support system, including family, caregivers, and a residence that has been outfitted to accommodate the common frailties of age, such as reduced vision, decreased mobility, and increased risk of falls. Smart-home devices—including small sensors, discreet cameras, smoke alarms, and voice-activated speakers—can make everyday life safer, more convenient,…

Home ownership can be a nightmare factory that intensifies when you’re away on a nice, “relaxing” vacation. On the one hand, there’s the fear of visits from petty thieves, robbers, vandals, and other boogeymen. On the other hand, there’s the paranoia over hidden leaks, crossed wires, and frozen pipes, not to mention weather-borne havoc wrought…

Not so very long ago the notion of owning a smart home was reserved for shmancy folks with big homes and even bigger pockets. No more! Today’s smart devices have evolved, and they’re simple to set up and vastly more affordable—you can meaningfully smarten up your home for as little as $15. And rather than…

The top result on Amazon isn’t always the best choice—sometimes it’s the worst. In my reporting on the best pet cameras for Wirecutter, I found that to be the case with the cams I tested. If you search Amazon for “pet camera,” the Tooge Pet Camera is one of the first things to pop up.…

Whether you’re a college student moving into your first off-campus apartment or a newlywed buying your first home, outfitting a kitchen from scratch can be a daunting and expensive task. Fear not—some of our favorite kitchen tools are budget-friendly workhorses. We put together this shopping list of all the essentials you need to get your…

Everyone has experienced some version of this scenario: You’re packed up and heading out on vacation. An hour into the drive—or deep in the airport security line—you realize that you don’t remember whether you closed the garage door. This is why a smart garage-door opener controller is a must-have sanity-saver. This relatively simple smart device…

Leaving your beloved pet home alone can be distressing. A good pet camera makes your time away painless, showing you firsthand that your pet is happy and safe, even when you’re not there. However, after extensive testing and research, we found that most pet owners don’t actually need a fancy pet camera. You can get…

Sign up for Wirecutter’s daily newsletter to get independent reviews, expert advice, and the very best deals sent straight to your inbox. When someone you love is going through a tough stretch, it isn’t always feasible to drop everything to show up at their doorstep with homemade food and a hug—but sending them a thoughtful…

If you own—or plan to buy—a top-of-the-line laptop, you probably don’t need a separate webcam. The cameras built into new machines such as recent MacBook Pro models are more than good enough for everyday Zoom calls. But if you’re making do with an older laptop, working from a desktop computer, or simply looking for more…

The great outdoors is, well, great, but you can still improve even the most run-of-the-mill excursion with the proper gear. Running from August 25 through September 4, REI’s Labor Day 2023 sale touts markdowns on everything from hiking and biking gear to camping essentials like tents and sleeping bags. Most deals are available to all…

Sign up for Wirecutter's Top Picks newsletter to get independent reviews, expert advice, and the very best deals sent straight to your inbox. Having worked in the food and restaurant industry for a decade, I can tell you that no two brands of canned tomatoes are exactly alike. Some tomatoes are velvety, brilliantly red, and…

Even if you don’t regularly shower your mouse and keyboard with Dorito crumbs and lunch mishaps, they’ll eventually become gross as a result of dust, skin particles, hair, and natural hand oils. But less than five minutes of attention each week can keep them feeling fresh. (And, please, don’t eat over your keyboard!) Mechanical keyboards…

Just like the mere presence of clutter, figuring out how to overhaul and reorder your life can be downright overwhelming. Rather than trying to tackle an entire room, we recommend starting small by focusing on specific, contained areas that you frequent regularly (like the refrigerator or a crowded closet). Keeping these high-traffic spaces tidy can…

A solid umbrella stroller is a great option for going on occasional trips or stowing in a closet at the grandparents’ house. As a style, umbrella strollers are being phased out in favor of the more popular—and more expensive—travel stroller. In our 2023 research, we found fewer than a dozen contenders in this category. After…

A good travel stroller can make the difference between a jaunty vacation and a miserable slog. We researched dozens of travel strollers, tested seven on a variety of trips involving planes, trains, buses, and cabs, and concluded that the Uppababy Minu V2 is the best option to keep parents and tots happy. Unlike most travel…

Laundry detergent promises cleaner clothing through science: These extraordinarily complex goos and powders have to remove dirt, stains, and odors from fabric, and then rinse away without damaging your clothes, your washer, your skin, or the environment. We pitted 17 detergents against 10 common stains in cold water, and we found that Tide Ultra Stain…

Lap desks are like the athleisure of workspaces—not the most elegant option but generally comfortable and functional. After spending 15 hours researching and 32 hours testing lap desks, we’re confident that the LapGear Designer lap desk is the best for most people. It reigns supreme in terms of comfort and build quality, has one of…

Any seasoned hiker will tell you that a good pair of hiking socks is a must-have on the trail. Despite their simple appearance, hiking socks can be a complicated purchase. That’s why we spent 25 hours researching 65 sock options. Then we took to the trails of Vancouver, British Columbia, hiking for more than 75…

These days most mainstream audio electronics have Bluetooth connectivity built in. But if you have older home-audio gear, such as a beloved stereo receiver or a set of powered speakers, there’s a chance that either it lacks Bluetooth connectivity altogether or its Bluetooth reception is poor. That doesn’t mean you have to scrap your system…

Your business card is key to making a lasting first impression when meeting potential new clients. Moo delivers the best-looking, most premium-feeling business card you can buy online—an impressive memento for your brand. We spent dozens of hours researching, testing, and comparing some of the most highly regarded business card makers out there. In addition…

Imagine six mud-covered, diaperless toddlers and an adult in a white-carpeted room. Serve the kids sugary drinks, peanut-butter-and-Nutella sandwiches, and chocolate ice cream with caramel syrup. For good measure, give the tots some colorful slime to play with, hand the beleaguered parent a bottle of red wine, and then step away for a couple of…

If you’re looking for an easier, safer, and more efficient way to cook, it’s time to consider induction, which relies on magnetic properties to heat instead of a hot coil or a live flame. Once regarded as an outlier, induction cooking is catching on thanks to increased scrutiny surrounding the future of gas stoves, kitchen-design…

Printers are not our favorite household gadget, but sometimes they’re necessary. If you run a home business that has to generate receipts, shipping labels, or tax documents, for example, or if someone in your household is in school, you probably need a basic printer. Here are a couple of relatively inexpensive models that we recommend…

Flying drones is a visceral thrill: Zipping through a gap between buildings or swooping among trees along a coastline not only makes for great footage but turbocharges your heart rate, too. And thanks to more reliable GPS coverage, advancements in camera tech, and drone makers’ focus on anti-collision sensors and software, it’s easier than ever…

People have strong opinions about washing their butts, but one thing is for sure: The Toto Washlet C5 is better than any other bidet seat at dialing in your exact preferences—pulsating or oscillating stream, warm or cool water, high or low pressure. Thanks to the C5’s unique, intuitive controls, you’ll find that it’s just as…

If you need to change a toy’s batteries, swap out a thermostat, or tighten your sunglasses, you need a precision screwdriver. Of all the precision screwdrivers we’ve tested, the only one that combines a wide bit selection, a comfortable handle, and excellent bit storage is the Megapro 24-in-1 Multi-Bit Precision Screwdriver. As a kitchen-drawer tool,…

They may be a staple tool included in any electrician’s toolbox, but needle-nose pliers are also a crucial tool for any situation that requires something slightly longer, slimer, or stronger than your fingers. After enlisting three veteran carpenters to test 16 different pairs of the pointy pliers, we found that the Klein J203-8 Heavy Duty…

If you've never bought a ladder, brace yourself for an eye-popping price tag. But keep in mind that the durability, stability, and general assurance of safety make it worth investing in a ladder as good as the Gorilla GLF-5X Fiberglass Hybrid Ladder or one of our other recommendations. After comparing three dozen models and testing…

The Black Diamond Spot 400 is designed for mountaineers, but it’s also a guiding light for everyday folk. If you think the Black Diamond Spot 400 headlamp is a necessity only for campers and climbers, think again. What makes this headlamp so great is how easily it crosses over from specialty climbing gear to fixture…

Whether you commute to the office, the coffee shop, or your backyard, you probably need a way to organize the pens, tech accessories, and toiletries you take with you every day. To find the best options for different people to carry what they might need with them, we’ve researched more than 70 bag organizers and…

The best boxer briefs allow you to forget you’re wearing anything at all. They should be soft against your skin and nearly invisible, with seams that don’t pinch. And they should have the perfect amount of elasticity, so they don’t sag or stretch out during the day. After comparing 25 brands and testing 16 pairs…

Virtual reality can be an arresting way to step into engaging virtual worlds, even if it’s still a new technology that remains far from being a “most people” purchase. We think the Meta (formerly Oculus) Quest 2 is the best headset for most people because it’s the easiest to use and offers access to the…

A good thermos will hold enough coffee to last an entire day at a job site and keep your drink hot to the final cup. Compared with smaller travel mugs, food thermoses, or tumblers, a thermos will hold more, so you can sip throughout the day or share with others. After comparing 27 thermoses and…

Cheaper laptops are being built with more powerful processors and GPUs all the time, and games are also getting more demanding. This year, affordable gaming laptops launched with the newest generation of graphics cards and processors from Nvidia, Intel, and AMD, and we don’t recommend buying a laptop with the previous generation of Nvidia 30-series…

Vitamin prices are confounding—and they vary wildly. You can spend less than $15 for a year’s worth of Kirkland Signature multivitamins. Or you can shell out nearly $700 for Garden of Life MyKind Organics multivitamins (for women or men). You might assume you’re getting something much better for the higher price. But vitamin prices are…

Even 20 years after the episode’s original air date, fans and chronic re-watchers of Gilmore Girls have all probably asked themselves the same question at some point: Who gave Lorelai the ice cream maker? In the show’s second season, when a Lello 4080 Musso Lussino—a longtime Wirecutter pick—arrives at Lorelai’s home just weeks after she’s…

Battling cockroaches can make you feel like you’re on the losing end of a full-scale invasion. After all, these insects didn’t survive for hundreds of millions of years because they’re easy to get rid of. But armed with a little know-how and the right products, you can at least keep them out of your kitchen.…

We’re going to let you in on a secret: We’ve saved hundreds of dollars by hand-washing our cashmere sweaters. Yes, we ignore the dry-clean-only labels, because the cashmere brand representatives and fashion designers we spoke with said the harsh chemicals used in dry cleaning can actually strip the fibers and ultimately shorten the lifespan of…

Freestanding, 30-inch electric ranges (also called stoves) are the unsung heroes of many kitchens. They’re affordable, safe, and efficient, with versatile cooktops and consistent ovens —and they’re a lot more sophisticated than they used to be. We recommend the good-looking GE JB735. This range offers a convection oven and the best cooktop in its price…

If you want to simplify your lawn or garden care, a smart hose timer will help you keep your yard or garden thriving with little effort on your part. We like the Orbit B-hyve Smart Hose Watering Timer because its comprehensive app allows you to easily set up customizable Schedules, and a built-in water-flow meter…

A screwdriver is the single most essential tool for minor home repairs. It’s the ultimate kitchen-drawer tool, and it can help with loose hinges, toy batteries, and wobbly door handles, all on the fly. To get the most out of a screwdriver, you need one with a good bit selection—a comfortable handle and a nice…

A crappy dog poop bag (pun intended) can turn even a quick jaunt around the block with your pup into a walking nightmare. As any dog owner knows, having multiple poop bags on your person is essential to ensure you don’t get caught in a messy situation—but the quality of the bag is just as…

For many people, their car is like a second home—and that means it ought to be outfitted with a few daily essentials and just-in-case emergency items that can help keep life running a bit more smoothly. From everyday necessities to emergency supplies that will get you out of a jam, here are five cheap(ish) items…

Although you could strap a flashlight to your handlebars to illuminate your path home at night—people do it!—a good set of bike-specific lights will help you see and be seen in all riding conditions. After testing more than 110 lights over the past nine years, we think Portland Design Works’ City Rover 700 USB Headlight…

If you own a bike, you need a flat-fixing kit. It’s really that simple. Sure, maybe you’ll get lucky and get a flat close to a shop, or the buses will be running on time for once, but even with all that going for you, getting stranded across town will cost you time, money, and…

After ripping apart, as well as menstruating on, hundreds of tampons, we can tell you, first, that many of these cotton wads are identical or nearly so, and second, that small details—such as the shape of an applicator or the composition of the wrapper—make some tampons much more pleasant to use than others. Among applicator…

If you’re a hot sleeper, the search for bedding that’s both cool and comfortable can be frustrating. Many companies advertise (often pricey) sheets that claim to solve the problem by regulating body temperature or wicking away moisture. Do they really work? We tried several sets marketed as “cooling” sheets, and we compared them to our…

If the kind of trip you tend to take involves endless terminal corridors, busy subway platforms, cobblestone alleys, and fourth-floor walk-ups—all in a single day—we prescribe a travel backpack. After carrying multiple packs across thousands of miles for more than three years, we recommend the REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ Recycled Travel Pack - Men’s and…

Fewer people need a universal remote control these days, which explains why the category is dying and great options are hard to find. But if your home-entertainment system is more complex than the basic media player–TV–soundbar combo, and you’re looking for one remote to control all your gear, the SofaBaton U1 Universal Remote Control is…

For some people, a day spent buffing the house to a sparkle is a day well spent. As such, those scrubbers and washers deserve excellent, well-designed, and beautiful tools to make cleaning that much more satisfying. We’ve collected some of our favorite cleaning potions and gadgets, which are all extremely giftable (even for those who…

Forever chemicals are everywhere, including in period and incontinence products—even in some that companies claim are free of such substances. That’s the conclusion from independent lab testing we solicited that looked for signs of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in 44 products—including period underwear, tampons, menstrual cups, and more—and found plenty. Often called “forever chemicals”…

I’m one of those people who are always cold. So much so that when I was a teenager, my stepfather installed a lockbox over our thermostat to stop me from taking us to the brink of financial ruin every time the heating bill arrived. As I got older, I made sure to have a throw…

Packable daypacks are a perfect option if you need a lightweight spare bag to stash inside your luggage when you travel. They’re also great if you need an extra bag while running an unexpected errand during your daily commute. After testing 18 packable daypacks, we chose four lightweight, portable, well-constructed bags to fit a variety…

2023 is the hottest summer of your life (so far), and we’re seeing a new crop of wearable gear meant to climate-control your personal bubble, to quote an ad, “Cooler than an air conditioner!” We were skeptical—of the cooling claims for these so-called neck fans and of how we’d look walking around with plastic rings…

Whether you’re planning a family camping trip, packing for summer camp, or prepping for a childhood’s worth of slumber parties, the right sleeping bag can help a kid sleep soundly in an unfamiliar spot. After comparing 16 kid-size bags over the past seven years, we think most children will be happy to crawl into the…

Not every life hack has to involve an improvised, slapdash setup à la MacGyver. But the alternative—shelling out a bunch of dough on flashy gear—won’t necessarily fix everyday annoyances. Taking real steps to improve your quality of life can be as simple as investing in the right products—those rare finds that streamline your mundane, day-to-day…

Give the globe-trotter in your life a gift that will appeal to their sense of worldly wonder. This selection of items will make flights, long lines at customs, and hotel stays less arduous and more comfortable. You could also give them special mementos and experiences to celebrate past trips and anticipate future expeditions. Whatever type…

The built-in microphones on most computers don’t do your voice justice—they pick up too much room noise, add too much fuzz, and dull your warm and natural speaking tone. A standalone mic connected via USB will help you sound your best, whether you frequently sit in on conference calls or record podcasts. After testing more…

Whether you’re working, scrolling through the news, gaming, or trapped in a TikTok-induced trance, tech touches nearly every aspect of life. When so much depends on your gadgets, quality becomes paramount—but usually it doesn’t come cheap. That’s why we put so much work into vetting every deal on expert-tested and recommended gear, so you can…

Seeing your favorite band or artist perform live can be one of life’s most memorable experiences. But if you forego good hearing protection during the show, that amazing night could lead to ear pain and tinnitus in the short term or even contribute to noise-induced hearing loss in the long run. Fortunately, our top-pick earplugs…

If you break into a cold sweat when you’re asked to remove your stinky sneakers at the airport or a friend’s house, it could be time to rethink how you treat odor in your shoes. Fortunately, with the help of a few simple tricks, you can wash away that ripeness. The best part? You can…

Do you need a special backpack to help you stay hydrated during a hike? The short answer: no! But a hydration pack (a backpack with a built-in water reservoir) makes it easier to stay hydrated on the trail. After three months of hiking, we like the Osprey Skarab 18 (for people over 5-foot-8) and the…

When you’re hosting a backyard hangout, if you invest in quality gear, you can focus on enjoying your guests’ company (playing card games, competing in a cornhole tournament, or lounging poolside), rather than having to fix cooking mishaps or tech malfunctions. We’ve rounded up our best cheap(ish) Wirecutter-approved picks that will help you relax and…

Zoodles may not be as of-the-moment as they were a couple of years ago, but they can still be a healthy staple in your day-to-day diet. A good spiralizer should help you effortlessly create spiralized or ribboned vegetables with ease. After putting in over 30 hours of research, spiralizing many pounds of vegetables, and consulting…

If you share a bed with a light sleeper, a reading light can mean the difference between enjoying an old-fashioned paper book and succumbing to the distraction of your phone or other digital device. We set out to find lights bright enough to read by and easy to use with a variety of books. After…

Plagued by back pain? Yeah, same. While there are many factors outside our control (the march of time, our evolutionary past), a few culprits are worth addressing (looking at you, wallets)— including how we wear our backpacks. Whether you’re heading back to school, returning to the office, or traveling, a bag that is correctly adjusted…

To craft an unforgettable dish, quality ingredients are important—but so is having the right gear for the job. Quality tools for your kitchen can come at a cost, but with Wirecutter Deals, you can be sure you’re getting the best price on our expert-tested cooking and baking picks. Here are six deals to make cooking…

After spending more than 30 hours researching shoe racks, interviewing professional organizers, and assembling 18 racks by hand, we think the Seville Classics 3-Tier Resin Slat Utility Shoe Rack is the best choice for those who need extra shoe storage in a closet or entryway. Other shoe racks may save you a few bucks, but…

A good hanger will keep your closet tidy and your clothes neat and free of damage. After testing dozens of hangers over more than seven months with a range of clothing, we recommend Proman’s Kascade Hanger as the best and most durable general-purpose hanger for most wardrobes. We also recommend seven other hangers, depending on…

If you want to shield a mattress from spills, potty training accidents, or pet messes, we recommend the SafeRest Premium Mattress Protector. After 240 hours researching and testing 14 protectors, we found the SafeRest did the best job at keeping our mattress dry, while also feeling comfortable to sleep on. And after multiple washes, it…

A laundry basket or hamper can bring order to a mountain of dirty clothing and make you feel ready to take on not only laundry day, but the chaos of daily life in general. We spent more than 50 hours researching and testing 22 laundry baskets, hampers, sorters, and backpacks—in a variety of sizes and…

The idea of a washable rug is pretty enticing, especially if you have kids, pets, or high-traffic, high-mess areas in your home. Ruggable has become a popular brand of easy-to-clean, machine-washable rugs (we recommend them in our area rugs guide), and several of our staff own at least one. But how do the rugs really…

Sometimes you need an area rug to cover ugly floors, to keep downstairs neighbors from hearing you walk around, or to make your place feel homey without spending a lot of money. We spent more than 60 hours researching hundreds of area rugs, interviewing experts, and testing rugs with panelists. Then we put our feet…

It could be argued that an engagement, which is full of giddy love and anticipation and lacking in the stress and logistics of the wedding, is the most joyful event of all. And, as giving goes, it’s much less prescribed. No registries, no boring bath towels to buy—you’re free to gift as you wish. The…

A dishwasher’s job is pretty simple in theory—spray a bunch of hot water and detergent at the dishes until all the food comes off. But most people want a dishwasher that’s also quick, and durable, and good-looking, and affordable, and that gets the dishes dry. It will have to work well in hard water and…

Some people think white sneakers look their best when they’re beaten up and worn in. Others know that you never scuff up a pair of pristine Jordans (video). If you do want to clean your sneakers, the effort required depends on the material of the shoes. But at the very least, you should be able…

No matter who you are, you can benefit from breathing better air inside—a fact that has become clearer with the rise of wildfire smoke and COVID-19, alongside a growing body of research showing that many everyday household products off-gas potentially harmful chemicals. Improving indoor air quality may be especially important for members of vulnerable groups,…

People can’t stop talking about Remnant 2, the summer’s first surprise video game hit. TikTok, YouTube—the game is everywhere. It has sold more than a million copies since its launch last week, and for good reason. Remnant 2 is a tangle of mysteries and secrets that all those players are working to unravel—and it’s a…

Friends are the family you choose, so the platitude goes. And, likewise, coworkers are the family chosen for you by the mysterious forces of capitalism. Whether your colleagues are in-person teammates or Zoom confidants, show them they’re special, valued, and more than just “work friends” by giving them these gifts.

Ah, fresh air and a juicy grilled burger—pure warm-weather delight. But a subpar grill can kill that buzz real fast. To help you keep the good vibes (and good food) going, we cooked burgers, barbecue, and chicken on seven top-rated grills—and researched dozens more—to find the best. We recommend the Weber Spirit II E-310. No…

Anyone who goes through more than a couple of gallons of drinking water a day will probably be happiest with an under-sink filtration system like the Aquasana AQ-5200. Unlike pitchers, under-sink filters provide a continuous supply of water on demand. We recommend the Aquasana AQ-5200 because its certifications are among the best of any system…

On paper, it sounds pretty obvious: To help your nonstick metal or ceramic pans achieve maximum nonstickiness, spritz on a little nonstick cooking spray. In practice, however, it’s an example of two rights making a wrong. Nonstick cooking spray can actually cause your cookware to lose its nonstick properties. The problem, as we note in…

From makeup mirrors to tweezers, here are some of the standout bathroom accessories and gadgets that help make our Wirecutter staff's grooming time a bit more efficient, luxurious, and fun.

Testing bed frames might sound like a sneaky way of getting to nap on the job, but it’s surprisingly rigorous. To find our ten favorites, we spent weeks researching frames and several sweaty days unpacking boxes, tightening bolts, and, yes, collapsing into bed. All of our picks are durable, high-quality, and stylish. We also have…

To find the best sheets, we’ve washed, dried, stretched, rubbed, and slept on dozens of sets, and we think most people will be happy with the L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set. And if you prefer smooth sateen, plush flannel, or airy linen, we have other recommendations to help you get a great night’s…

Whether you’re just starting out in the kitchen or aiming for a spot on the next season of MasterChef, using the right tools can make your culinary creations that much better. The material your cookware is made from can affect every aspect of the dishes you’re whipping up—and though it can be easy to grab…

Macro photography, or high-magnification close-up photography, can change the way you look at the world, spark new ideas, and provide a way to commune with nature or make the best of a stormy day. Whether you want to adopt abstraction by exploring the world of light, dark, lines, and color, or faithfully represent a detailed…

In macro photography, everything is magnified—literally but also figuratively. Your subject’s smallest details are on display, and that means even the smallest imperfections in your image’s makeup, staging, and lighting become that much more obvious. Precise lighting can change the look of an object entirely. You can make something deep appear shallower, for example, or…

The time I felt most judged as a parent happened just after my third child was born. As friends and family members conveyer-belted their way through my postpartum haze with onesies and trays of lasagna, they’d comment as I picked up my phone (usually to take photo evidence of their first newborn squeeze): “Ivy hasn’t…

A slippery rock shouldn’t spoil a white-water rafting adventure, a riverbed trek, or a stroll along a pebbly beach. The right pair of water shoes can provide some protection and peace of mind. We found five options—all available in men’s and women’s sizes—that suit a range of tastes and situations. And although water shoes have…

Excluded brands, overinflated prices, hidden code limitations, and shipping fees all create obstacles to saving and make many sales less than truly worthwhile. Plus, the “end-of-season” angle is often a gimmick to pawn off older models or surplus unsold junk on unsuspecting consumers. In the polluted sea of end-of-summer sales, we’ve waded through the muck…

Whether you’re traveling for business, pleasure, or outdoor adventures, you want undies that will work with you, not against you. That means quick-drying, moisture-wicking skivvies that you can wash quickly in a sink if need be. Over the past six years, we’ve tested 37 pairs of men’s and women’s underwear while road-tripping, hostel-hopping, and backpacking…

A good spatula is strong and easy to maneuver, and the one you choose can mean the difference between a properly flipped pancake or a flopped, misshapen one. To come up with the best spatula in each category, we spent more than 40 hours researching and testing six different types—from flexible fish turners to wooden…

The smart home often gets a bad rap. People worry that their devices are snooping on them or sending personal data to nefarious companies. Or that their every move and purchase is being tracked. Or that some creepy rando can talk to their kids through their own security camera. And sometimes they’re right. Although some…

Most countertop microwaves are basically the same. Really. Most of them are just variations of the same cheap-but-decent machine, built by the same manufacturer (Midea) in the same factory with the same core components. You can’t count on any to last for more than a handful of years before a crucial part breaks and it…

For many people, summer means eating outside. It’s the time to dig shatterproof cups and dishes out of storage and put them to use, whether at a beach picnic or a poolside barbecue. Good outdoor tableware should be lightweight and durable enough to toss into a tote and bring to the park and safe to…

Before you show up with another standard-issue bottle of prosecco, why not choose something that’s both crowd-pleasing and surprising? To find unexpected gifts that will delight any host, we polled our staffers and got a few hot tips from Danny Seo, editor-in-chief of Naturally, Danny Seo. (His favorite party trick: Bring a large pizza.) These…

An air purifier is, alas, swiftly becoming a wellness investment for many households. New air purifiers cost between $100 and $300, plus the annual price of replacement HEPA filters, but sometimes you can find decent used models for less. That may be a good option if you’re facing an air-quality emergency and need something fast.…

Forget about being cooped up in the living room for your next movie night. If you’re fortunate enough to have a backyard, why not spread out on the lawn and enjoy an outdoor theater? Although you could just project an image against a wall or garage door, a good screen helps to produce cleaner, brighter,…

I’ve tested a lot of cheap mattresses. And even though I slept well enough on several under-$400 models, I knew few would retain their quality after a couple of years. On the other end of the price spectrum, I slept wonderfully on the luxurious Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt. But a $2,100 queen costs more than the monthly…

When your dorm room feels more like a home than an uninspired dormitory, it makes a huge difference in helping you settle into your freshman year. That’s why we’ve spent more than 180 hours evaluating the best bedding, appliances, and other essentials to ease the transition from childhood home to college dorm. If you’re interested…

Sign up for Wirecutter's newsletters to get independent reviews, expert advice, and the very best deals sent straight to your inbox. The humble bath towel is easy to overlook. A good one will dry you off and be forgotten till tomorrow. A great one is luxurious, a cozy bright spot in an otherwise mundane routine.…

A thoughtful gift needn’t be expensive to be perfect. In fact, a small kitchen tool, new charging cables, or even a really good pair of socks can have a positive impact on someone’s life. At Wirecutter, we’re constantly testing items, and we often find surprisingly awesome stuff that doesn’t cost much. We’ve curated the best…

Sign up for Wirecutter's Top Picks newsletter to get independent reviews, expert advice, and the very best deals sent straight to your inbox. When we test sheets here on the home-goods team at Wirecutter, we typically stick to white sets to keep our comparisons consistent. But inside our staff’s data-obsessed exteriors beat the bedazzled hearts…

If you’re going off the grid or prepping for an emergency, the Jackery Explorer 1000 can keep your electronic gear running for hours—or even days—at a time. It’s roughly the same size and weight as a small microwave, and it provides a steady stream of power without the noise or exhaust of a gas-powered portable…

After researching hundreds of gym bags and testing more than 30, we found that the King Kong Jnr Kong Bag is the best traditional gym bag for anyone who wants to bring fresh clothes to a workout and take sweaty clothes home again, without your gear resembling a fragrant swamp. It’s tough enough to last…

IKEA is the first stop for many people after they move into a new home or when they’re renovating an old one. Not everything at the big blue box is a winner—some stuff feels cheap and falls apart quickly. But there are seemingly endless options to fill up every room of your living space. Wirecutter’s…

A wireless multiroom speaker system is the easiest way to listen to music, podcasts, and other audio entertainment in more than one room at a time, and Sonos is the best option. It supports the widest variety of streaming services, the speakers sound great, and it’s easier to set up and use than most multiroom…

Over the years, we’ve tried nearly every method of making coffee, from cold-brew coffee makers and the Chemex to moka pots and Moccamasters. For people who want pour-over-quality coffee as well as the convenience of a one-button machine, we recommend the OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker. Of all the methods we’ve tested, we think…

From kids in elementary-school music programs to residents of retirement homes, people everywhere continue to take up the ukulele in record numbers. And we think the Alvarez Regent Series RU22C concert uke is the best all-around choice for the average beginner. Our panel of instructors and students loved this model’s sound and styling, and it’s…

Savoring the first bite of a particularly juicy peach, dipping your toes in cold water on a warm day, belly laughing with friends over fizzy cocktails—“soft girl summer” is one of the latest crazes dominating social media, but it’s more than just a trending hashtag. Soft girl summer represents a gentle way of life that…

Ask any chef what their most essential kitchen tool is, and they will undoubtedly answer: a good set of knives. The same holds true for any home cook who aims to set up an efficient kitchen. Though you can buy knives piecemeal, investing in a quality set is a great way to easily secure all…

Fresh, fluffy waffles may seem like a treat reserved for brunches out, but a good waffle maker can easily produce restaurant-quality waffles at home. After putting in more than 100 hours of research, talking to six experts, and testing 36 models since 2014, we recommend the Cuisinart Round Flip Belgian Waffle Maker WAF-F30. In our…

A white T-shirt is a blank canvas. You can wear it solo, cover it with a sweater, or—if you’re the protagonist of a certain André Aciman novel—toss it on the dock while you go for an impromptu swim in Italy circa 1983. There are literally hundreds of white T-shirts out there. With help from a…

Office headsets are designed to address a specific need: They allow you to take or make calls from a computer or mobile device while hearing and being heard over the distracting noise that surrounds you. Wireless headsets can connect to your phone and allow you to talk even when you’re dozens of feet away from…

The best headphones not only sound great but also do everything else you need, whether that means fitting in your pocket, blocking out noise on your subway commute, or remaining secure in your ears during workouts. We’ve tested hundreds of headphones for a variety of uses and at a variety of prices. This article provides…

Not everyone can or wants to spend a lot of money on headphones, but $100 or less can get you a lot if you know where to look. We’ve reviewed hundreds of headphones under $100—including wireless, wired, over-ear, and earbud designs—to find the best ones for every need. This article provides an overview of all…

The top pick in a Wirecutter guide offers an exceptional blend of features and function that puts it head and shoulders above similar models. Every top pick that our experts choose has been rigorously tested for real-world usability and performance, and while not every top pick is the most expensive option, quality usually comes at…

After researching 33 options and spending several weeks cleaning grease splatters, grubby fingerprints, and sticky cereal milk with eight cleaning sprays, we concluded that our favorite is Biokleen Spray & Wipe All Purpose Cleaner. Biokleen Spray & Wipe All Purpose Cleaner sprays evenly and swiftly wipes up dinner crumbs and desk dust with no streaks,…

A few years ago I was diagnosed with Lyme disease, and I was put on the antibiotic doxycycline, which caused my skin to become photosensitive—it would start turning red after just a few minutes in direct sunlight. I pictured myself wearing wide-brimmed Carmen Sandiego hats and flowing caftans to keep the sun’s rays at bay.…

Since 2013, we’ve put hundreds of hours of work into finding the best tools to help anyone cool down. Through reporting, testing, and general life experience, we’ve also collected a lot of information on how to make this gear work better. Whether you’re not sure where to start or are looking to improve the efficiency…

I’d seen them advertised all over Instagram: sleek, body-hugging undershirts, from a brand called Numi, that claim to block armpit sweat, thus keeping stains at bay and your outfit fresh. I wondered if these pricey undergarments—they normally retail for about $65 each—could live up to their promises. And how would they look and feel? I…

Ask Wirecutter, an advice column written by Annemarie Conte, explores the best approaches to buying, using, and maintaining stuff. Email your biggest product-related problems to askwirecutter@wirecutter.com. Dear Wirecutter, My husband is an “order the most expensive thing on the menu” kind of guy, but because of how I was raised, I have trouble splashing out…

Smartwatches let you see who’s calling, read a text, or review any of the other dozens of kinds of notifications you might get every day without pulling out your phone. The Apple Watch has set the standard for what a smartwatch can do, but it only works with Apple’s iPhones. Android users have a plethora…

If you’re not already invested in Android, an iPad is a better tablet in general than any current Android tablet, even for people who use Google’s apps and services. But if you absolutely need an Android tablet, either to run specific apps or because you prefer Android to iOS, the best option is the Google…

We may be in the thick of summer, but it won’t be long before it’s time to trade those flip-flops and beach chairs for backpacks, new clothes, laptops, and other back-to-school essentials. Some states have already kicked off their tax-free shopping holidays, while others are slated to start in the coming months. Our deals hunters…

If you’ve ever had a pen mysteriously wander away from your desk and then had to write with a poor substitute (the kind you might find at a bank or with some company’s phone number on it), you know how important a quality pen is. The good news is you don’t have to spend a…

Videographers and photographers on the move need a laptop that can keep up with quick deadlines and handle any task from color grading to 4K video editing. For professionals who need a laptop that doesn’t compromise on processing power, color accuracy, or battery life, the Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2023) is our undisputed recommendation. But…

If you’re worried about your home’s water quality—as many Americans justifiably are, in the wake of water scares in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey—a home water quality test can ease your fears. After 50 hours of reporting, and after testing 11 different home water quality test kits, we’ve found that the Tap Score Advanced…

If you’ve ever attended a class at a yoga studio, you’ve probably seen yoga blocks. These rectangular props are intended to provide additional support and reach, making some poses more accessible to people with varying skill levels and physical abilities. Experts say that after a reliable mat, yoga blocks (ideally two, so you have one…

To a college student, a backpack is akin to a third arm. For the majority of my undergraduate career, my appendage of choice was the Herschel Classic Backpack XL. I’ve dragged this affordable Wirecutter pick on the floors of lecture halls, thrown it haphazardly around dorm rooms, and soaked it with countless spilled beverages. Despite…

Whether you’re building a stereo audio system with a brand-new pair of bookshelf speakers or an old set salvaged from a relative’s attic, you need a stereo amplifier to power them. Stereo amps come in several configurations, with different names attached. This guide covers affordable integrated amps and receivers priced under $300. Though the connection…

If you haven’t looked at what your cell phone bill might be under a new plan or on a new service, you should check now. In recent years prices have come down and data allocations have gone up, especially among the dozens of smaller carriers reselling services from the big three. But as always, most…

If you’re on your computer only once or twice a day to check email and read the news, you don’t need to buy any of the monitors in this guide—our budget monitor picks are great for the basics and cost half as much. But if you spend hours every day staring at a screen for…

No professional wardrobe is complete without a great-looking bag to carry all of your gear. For people who have to lug around a computer, laptop bags are a more polished, grown-up option than a backpack, and they offer more storage space than a briefcase. After years of testing, we’ve landed on six favorites: a water-repellant…

All the things that most of us love about summer—bright sunshine, dips in the pool, and long days at the beach—are rough on our swimsuits. Heat, chlorine, and salt cause colors to fade and reduce the material’s resilience over time, while sunscreen and body oils can leave tricky stains. On top of that, synthetic swim…

Earbuds are discreet and convenient to use, but if you want to get the best wireless sound for the money, choose over-ear Bluetooth headphones. Although no single headphones set is a perfect match for everyone, the JBL Tour One M2 comes darn close. We love this pair’s customizable sound, stellar call clarity, and days-long battery…

The Pax Plus suits new and seasoned cannabis users alike. It offers an easy vaporizing experience from start to finish, but you can still fine-tune the device settings—if you feel like it. Recommended by employees at cannabis dispensaries across the country—and unanimously favored by a diverse panel of testers—a packed Pax Plus lasts several enjoyable…

Clean, safe drinking water is a luxury that many people in the United States take for granted. But your tap water may not be as safe as you think. Nearly half of US tap water, from both public utilities and private wells, contains so-called forever chemicals—commonly known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS—according to…

The parent who labels their kids’ lunch boxes and water bottles is the parent who can change the world—or, at least, their world. For a one-time, nominal cost, labels can bring needed organization to cluttered corners of the kitchen, help your kid and their teacher spot objects with ease, and ensure often-pricey goods don’t end…

If you’re looking for a bike for your daily commute and for your weekend exercise, a fitness hybrid—that is, a road bike with flat handlebars—may be the right choice. Over the past six years, we’ve spent 60 hours sifting through nearly 75 options, test-ridden more than a dozen bikes, and concluded that the Marin Fairfax…

We were tempted to side-eye the viral “whipped cream” sunscreen, which contains the same active ingredients found in chemical sunscreens that cost significantly less. After comparing dozens of formulas over the past half-dozen years, we’re not easily swayed by novelty. We didn’t think a mousse-like formula or fancy packaging would justify paying more than necessary…

Like many Gen Xers, I rediscovered my childhood love of Lego when the company began releasing Star Wars–themed sets back in 1999.1 That specific licensing, combined with the soothing nature of building the sets, was a double dopamine hit of nostalgia for this ’80s kid. And from then on I’d pick up a couple of…

From our years of covering Lego sets for kids, combined with collective personal experience as a staff full of caretakers and gift-givers, we’ve learned that there’s no single Lego set that every kid will love. Interest in any particular Lego set always lies with the individual. Our guide to favorite Lego sets for adults is…

Few toys can scatter across the house and vanish as quickly as Lego bricks. Luckily, methods to contain the chaos of a Lego collection are as varied as the builds themselves. There are, however, a few tried-and-true vessels that we’ve found make cleanup, sorting, storing, and even displaying easy.

A blender is the only machine in your kitchen that can produce a beverage from chunks of ice and fruit in less than 60 seconds. And no other blender we’ve tested since 2012 can reliably produce silky soups, spoon-thick smoothies, and stable emulsifications like the Vitamix 5200. Yes, this model is pricey, but we think…

Sticking to a budget doesn’t mean you need to skimp on fashionable, functional essentials. Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale happens only once a year, but it promises savings on trendy small appliances, baby gear, clothing, and beauty staples. Not every item or discount is worth snagging, though, so our team of experts has carefully sifted through nearly…

When I began picking up occasional Lego sets as an adult, I’d hide the purchase in my bedroom and build with the door shut. The finished diorama would fill me with nostalgic joy—but should an overnight guest arrive, I’d swiftly banish it to the closet the way most folks might do a speed sweep of…

Opening up your favorite carry-on travel backpack—with all your stuff in the right place and easy to reach—should feel like opening the door to a well-organized closet or sitting down at a clean desk. This is a moment to center yourself, no matter how chaotic the journey. We spent six months testing 22 bags and…

There’s a common joke among people who do crafts: One hobby is the craft itself, the other is buying supplies. Stepping into a craft store can be overwhelming, and it’s often the beginning of a slippery slope toward gear and material overload. It can feel like there’s too much stuff to get and too many…

The $1 billion question on everyone’s mind this week: What would you do if you won the lottery?

Some lucky soul may pick the winning numbers and be able to splash out. But your odds are certainly better at saving money on these rigorously tested Wirecutter picks we’ve found for you.

A crisp, clean pair of white sneakers can freshen up any look, from streetwear to evening wear. To find the best of the bunch, we considered 79 pairs and wore 22 of them. With help from a panel of four testers, we landed on five terrific, wide-ranging options: a pair of classic canvas low-tops; a…

As a freelance writer and editor, I’ve been working from home for over a decade. And because I have freedom of location, I’ve also worked from airplanes, Airbnb properties, coffee shops, camper vans, libraries, parks, and beyond. In 2020, my husband worked as a traveling nurse, and we moved every 12 weeks; I never had…

It’s sweltering outside, which is perfect weather for staying indoors and firing up a fun video game for the whole family. Nintendo’s Pikmin 4, available on the Nintendo Switch on July 21, is the kind of game we haven’t seen a lot of this year: something safe for kids that doesn’t feel too simple for…

Lots of laptops cost less than $500, but it’s hard to find a cheap one that doesn’t totally suck. We’ve researched and tested hundreds of cheap Windows laptops and Chromebooks over the years to find decent models, and we also have advice to help you shop smart when prices change and our picks go out…

A great walker can help you maintain your independence and get around more easily. But with scores to choose from, some topping $500, it can be a challenge to figure out the best one for your needs. After testing 10 models—including rollators, which have three or four wheels—and consulting with experts, we recommend three affordable…

Outdoor lighting isn’t a splurge. It can save you from tripping on a dark pathway (again) or fumbling to find the right key. And it enhances home security by lighting up dark corners or reacting to motion at night. It can also really light up a party. Unlike basic on-and-off bulbs and fixtures, smart versions…

Most of the sheets that incoming college students use on their twin-size beds at home just aren’t suitable for college dorms—not only because they might be covered in cartoon characters, but also because dorms typically provide longer twin XL mattresses. And the extra 5 inches in length means that a new set of sheets will…

The perfect air conditioner slides gracefully in and out of your window, cooling you quickly, efficiently, and silently. In other words, the perfect AC doesn’t exist. The closest thing we’ve found to that ideal is the Midea U MAW08V1QWT. We’ve been researching window ACs since 2012, and this Midea model is quieter and more energy-efficient…

Buying everything you’d need to turn a dorm room into a livable space for approximately nine months of the year can be pricey, but some of the most important items aren’t super expensive. Of course, you need must-haves like twin XL sheets and shower flip-flops, as well as some of the nice-to-haves, like a Brita…

For any generic window air conditioner with missing or poorly fitting installation hardware, the Top Shelf TSB-2438 air conditioner bracket is a far better option than a stack of bricks. Of all the AC brackets we’ve tested, the Top Shelf TSB-2438 is by far the easiest to install. It requires no drilling or hardware installation—you…

Backyard games of cornhole are a warm-weather staple for plenty of folks across the country. The classic yard game, often played with an ice-cold beverage in hand, is a fun way to spend a late summer afternoon with family and friends. And if you know how to play well—trust us, the road to getting good…

As Wirecutter’s senior staff writer covering video gear, it’s my job to pick the best TVs every year. While it’s easy to summarize why a more expensive TV performs better than a budget one, determining which TVs are the best requires more than just looking at specs and prices. I put every TV through a…

Framework is a little-known company that makes very good laptops that you can easily open and repair yourself. How easily, exactly? To find out, I dug around in the guts of a Framework Laptop 13 to swap in a new processor, louder speakers, updated hinges, and a much-improved display using just a screwdriver. The process…

It was a 90-degree July day that broke me. The humidity, the stagnant air, the beads of sweat that mixed with my SPF to form an acidic slurry that ran directly into my eyes. I’d had enough. I get mean when I’m hot, and trust me, no one wants to deal with my heat-induced crankiness.…

Dogs can’t just hand over a list of the gizmos and gadgets they desire. That puts added pressure on us, their human friends, to pick out the best toys and treats for our favorite pooches. Whether you’re looking for a luxe puppy bed, a fun chew toy, or something more unusual for the canine who…

A 24-inch monitor can be a great companion to a laptop, offering a larger, space-efficient second screen that charges your device while you’re using it. The Asus ProArt PA248CNV is an especially good monitor for most people because it has a larger 16:10 display, USB-C charging, a USB hub for peripherals, and fantastic color accuracy.…

Although many waterfront resorts will lend or rent you snorkeling gear, bringing your own ensures it will fit properly—and eliminate any “was this really cleaned?” ick factor. We spent 30 hours subjecting 11 sets of snorkel gear to chlorine, mud, sand, salt, and pounding waves in Charleston and Folly Beach, South Carolina, and at Florida’s…

You’d be forgiven for having no clue that Netflix was trying to give you video games—especially if you don’t watch movies on your phone or tablet. But the streaming service has been investing more and more in games over the past few years, and this month, a major new release is dropping on Netflix at…

While cornhole is best known as a tailgating tradition played with a beer in hand, it’s increasingly a professionalized sport with high-quality gear to match. And even casual cornhole players holding a beverage in one hand are likely to enjoy the premium performance of a well-designed bag. After surveying the sport’s pros and testing out…

Makeup sponges need to be washed more often than you might think, whether yours is a Beautyblender (or a similarly shaped knockoff) or an old-school wedge. “Just as kitchen sponges can become a reservoir for bacteria, so can makeup sponges,” said Dr. Alison Ehrlich, a dermatologist at Foxhall Dermatology in Washington, DC. Beautyblender suggests washing…

Most people don’t clean their makeup brushes often enough, and some folks never clean them at all. But dirty makeup brushes can cause all sorts of hygiene and health issues, from acne to E. coli infections. Professionals we spoke with—including a dermatologist, a makeup-brush designer, and makeup artists—recommend that you clean your makeup brushes at…

The best kids water bottle doesn’t leak, is easy to clean, and is designed so that even a toddler can use it independently. We spent more than 70 hours testing 21 popular water bottles with kids from toddlers to tweens and found that the best stainless steel option is the 12-ounce Thermos Funtainer Stainless Steel…

Growing up, my family absolutely loved the beach, whereas I mostly associated it with lugging a lot of gear and eating sand-filled sandwiches. Now that I have my own kids, and I see how much they enjoy collecting seashells, digging for creatures, and splashing in the waves, I’ve gained slightly more appreciation for sun and…

Using an online photo printing service means you don’t need to set up a large, specialized printer or buy and store expensive ink and paper, and you won’t have to learn confusing new software to get a beautiful copy of a picture of your loved ones or a treasured memory. We’ve tested dozens of services,…

You’d be forgiven for thinking the biggest games of 2023 had already been released. After all, between The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Diablo IV, and Final Fantasy XVI, who has time to play anything else? But the biggest launches are still in store, with Spider-Man 2, Starfield, and many, many more titles…

If Zen masters were to comment on the ideal position to take at your desk, they might say: “If you start to sit too long, stand. If you start to stand too long, sit.” An electric, height-adjustable standing desk is the easiest way to follow that sound ergonomic advice. But if you don’t want a…

A good breast pump can make the pumping process faster, easier, and more comfortable so those early morning or mid-workday sessions are less disruptive and frustrating. After researching 31 breast pumps and putting 13 to the test for five months, we’ve identified standouts that suit multiple pumping styles and needs. Our recommendations include the double…

If you’re often on the go and don’t want to slow down to pump milk for your baby, you may prefer a wearable breast pump. These hands-free pumps are generally smaller and quieter than standard electric breast pumps, require little setup, don’t have dangling tubes, and are designed to be discreetly worn inside a regular…

The dishwasher is one of the original labor-saving appliances. It also conserves water and energy. Any dishwasher is better than no dishwasher at all, but a great one—excellent at cleaning, easy to load, quiet, and reliable—goes above and beyond. After scouring customer reviews and stress-testing 12 models, we recommend the Bosch 300 Series SHEM63W55N as…

Get the right litter box and your cat will happily do its business in there, rather than on the floor. After two years of testing 17 litter boxes, we still think the Nature’s Miracle High Sided Litter Box is the best way to contain your cat’s waste. It’s big enough for most cats to comfortably…

Christian Cooper wants you to know that you could go birding right now—this very moment—no matter who you are, where you are, or what stuff you do or don’t own. “The most important thing—and really the only thing—you must have as a birder is yourself and your awareness,” says Cooper. “You don’t even have to…

An electric scooter can be a fast and fun mode of transportation—as long as your route isn’t too hilly, you’re comfortable riding in traffic, and you’re riding safely and considerately. Three models from Segway Ninebot have earned our recommendation, with the Segway Ninebot KickScooter Max G30LP being the best option for most people. Safety isn’t…

My favorite way to wind down a dinner party with friends is to sit around a fire pit, with faces aglow, laughter low, and maybe some marshmallows on sticks for dessert. But the old saucer-shaped steel pit we kept in our small San Francisco backyard produced so much smoke. Despite the regular ocean breeze, we…

Prime Day is heavy on the tech deals. And because the Wirecutter Deals team tracks prices every day of the year and posts only those discounts that meet its standards, you know you’re getting the very best, expert-vetted items at the best prices. Below, we list some of our favorite deals that have passed muster,…

Using a Bluetooth tabletop speaker is the simplest way to get satisfying sound in the home, since it will work with almost any mobile device and doesn’t require a network connection or the use of a special app. Klipsch’s The One II is the best all-around choice. It has a full, clear, robust sound that…

There comes a time in the life of many ambitious cooks when they start to want a KitchenAid stand mixer. The aspirational machine is a standby in both amateur and professional kitchens, automating tedious tasks like kneading and whipping—and often producing better results than anything you could achieve by hand. The stand mixer is widely…

Prime Day isn’t just a great time for Amazon deals. Plenty of other retailers are offering sales of their own, too. Applying our stringent pricing and research standards, the Wirecutter Deals team has sifted through Best Buy’s Black Friday in July sale offerings to uncover only the best discounts on tried-and-tested products. We expect the…

I’ve just counted how many towels I go through each day, and the answer, it turns out, is infinity million. Aside from being good for obvious uses like drying my dishes or my hands, towels are my everyday spill soppers, crumb collectors, blackboard erasers, muddy-dog-paw cleaners, emergency bath mats, and substitute pot holders. My life…

It's Day 1 of Prime Day and Wirecutter’s experts have already scanned thousands upon thousands of Prime Day “bargains”—most of which aren’t really bargains at all. Below, you’ll find only the best deals on Wirecutter-approved picks that meet our exacting standards. The Wirecutter Deals team has even found the best deals from rival sales at…

If you’re looking for a durable, portable camping chair, we have some suggestions. First, consider where you use your chair most often. Are you a car camper or do you plan on socializing in friends’ backyards? Choose a comfy chair with ample beverage storage. Do you love watching movies outdoors? Opt for a low-slung chair…

Short of scoring a row of empty seats—dream on!—your best bet for getting at least a little sleep while flying is a travel pillow. After asking 10 panelists to try on eight travel pillows and after taking four cross-country red-eyes in window, aisle, and middle seats, we think the comfortable and easy-to-pack Travelrest Nest Ultimate…

A camp stove doesn’t have to be complicated to be great. It should cook food and boil water quickly, be rugged enough to withstand travel in the back of a car, and not require a burdensome amount of fuel. After researching 26 camp stoves, testing 13, and dissecting three of them—down to the welded copper…

Lego is a simple idea well executed: tiny plastic bricks that can literally build worlds. And they span generations. From elementary age (if you’re old enough to know not to stick them in your mouth, you’re old enough to build with them) to old-as-the-hills, almost everyone can enjoy Lego.

My parents bought a beach house—their dream—back when you could buy a New Jersey beach house on a teacher’s salary. They then filled it with all of the garage-sale and curb castoffs they could find, producing a mostly cute kitschy hodgepodge. But their inability to pass up any heavy, saggy, rusted, semi-broken, or hard-to-use beach…

If you want the best-looking TV image that money can buy, choose an OLED TV. Thanks to a panel design that’s fundamentally different from LCD TVs, OLED TVs naturally produce perfectly inky black levels, highly saturated colors, smooth motion, and superior viewing angles. In short, OLED TVs provide the best picture quality around—but they’re priced…

We looked at 66 freestanding, 30-inch gas ranges (which typically cost around $1,000), and frankly, it was hard to tell most of them apart. The GE JGB735 is one model that stood out (just a bit) from the pack. It has the sturdiest build and some of the best-looking finishes for the price, without skimping…

Lodge cast-iron cookware is affordable, of high quality, and made to last for generations. At this point, you’ve probably been bombarded with a ton of cast-iron–related content, so I’ll cut to the chase: Lodge cast iron reliably stands out from the competition for its quality and especially for its value. Yes, Le Creuset cookware is…

Here are the most popular deals on our expert-endorsed picks that Wirecutter readers have been particularly interested in as Prime Day marches on.

You can also check out the main Wirecutter Deals page for even more great discounts on Wirecutter’s exhaustively tested picks.

Drinks spill, kids and pets get sick—messes are inevitable. But a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner can make cleanup less of a disgusting hassle. We scoured hundreds of reviews to get information on the reliability of various models. And we tested six cleaners by staining a white rug with chili, wine, and chocolate—in addition to…

Prime Day may as well be declared an official video game holiday—it always brings hundreds of deals on games and gaming accessories for PCs and game consoles. Saving money is great, but it’s a bargain only if what you buy does what you need it to. We’re here to recommend the games and accessories that…

My relationship with sunglasses used to be dramatic. I’d occasionally splurge on a designer pair—complete with luxury name and three-figure price tag—that looked and felt lavish but gave me perpetual, low-grade anxiety over the thought of losing or damaging them. When I eventually did misplace a pair, I’d punish myself by buying sunnies at the…

When my wife and I were planning our wedding registry, we threw a few classic kitchen gadgets on the list: a KitchenAid stand mixer, an Instant Pot, and a Cuisinart Custom 14 Cup Food Processor. All of these items get regular use, but it’s the food processor that has impressed us the most. And we’re…

If you’ve been hunting for great headphones, Amazon Prime Day has deals that our experts think are worth considering, including discounts on wireless earbud picks, noise-cancelling headphone picks, and more. We’ll keep this article updated with the best of the best before deals end tomorrow. You can also check out the main Wirecutter Deals page…

Now you can snag a dependable cleaning machine or upgrade your arsenal with a specialty appliance or two (a mop-vac combo, maybe?) at a great price. This Amazon Prime Day, we’ve rounded up only the best deals on our favorite stick vacs, robot vacs, handheld vacs, and more—and we’ll keep this article updated with our…

I began my test of the Snoo Smart Sleeper as a robotic-bassinet skeptic, certain that it couldn’t possibly justify its cult-like fandom in the parenting world. But this attitude didn’t last long. From the day I put my baby into his first Snoo swaddle and clipped him in, the Snoo proved to be effective at…

Whether you’re after a laptop for work, school, gaming, or casual browsing, Amazon Prime Day typically offers appealing deals on Chromebooks, MacBooks, portable gaming rigs, and more. But not all laptop deals are worth the investment. Our deals experts have surfaced only the best discounts on genuinely great laptops. Check them out below, or visit…

When it comes to great deals, “cheap” doesn’t have to be synonymous with “junk.” Our expert Wirecutter Deals team has scoured the internet for exceptional sales on picks that suit your budget while meeting our rigorous standards. You can also check out the main Wirecutter Deals page for even more great discounts on Wirecutter’s expert-vetted…

So-so “sales” on MacBooks, iPads, AirPods, and more pop up regularly. But many of these supposed discounts are far from the real deal. The Wirecutter Deals team has vetted every Prime Day Apple deal, and we’ve rounded up only the best discounts on our tried-and-tested picks below. You can also check out the main Wirecutter…

During big deal events like Prime Day, you’ll see TV discounts hyped as “incredible” or “the lowest ever.” But often, those so-called mega-deals are just middling discounts on subpar models. We’re here to help you wade through the deluge of TV deals this Prime Day. Here are the best we’ve seen so far. You can…

There’s nothing quite like a kid to tell you the truth. According to my kindergarten-age daughter, my singing voice is passable, the pink Zara dress I bought three summers ago is breathtaking, and my teeth are yellow. But thanks to Crest 3D Whitestrips 1-Hour Express, the latter is something I can address immediately whenever she…

Amazon isn’t the only retailer offering major deals this week: Walmart's proprietary Walmart+ Week sale is touting major discounts on everything from smart home devices to kitchen gear for Walmart+ members and non-members alike through 12 PM ET on Tuesday, July 11. The Wirecutter Deals team is keeping this article updated with only the best…

Back in my elementary school art class, my friends and I would scramble for the best colored pencils in the bin of jumbled-up brands—Crayola mixed with Prismacolor mixed with no-name pencils that forced you to press too hard and rip the paper or break the lead. So, as an adult, when I started using colored…

Wirecutter’s expert testers have long been fans of the OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker for its consistently good coffee, thermal carafe, and automatic presets. But it’s hardly the only good coffee-making option out there. And plenty of coffee obsessives have many, many opinions on their preferred methods and machines, including the Technivorm Moccamaster.

At some point, most kids need access to headphones, whether it’s for school, travel, or simply to save an adult’s sanity. It can be tempting to give children a pair of hand-me-down grown-up headphones, but that isn’t the best option: Not only are the larger size and increased weight less comfortable for younger kids, but…

Portable Bluetooth speakers are the easiest, most affordable way to spread music and podcasts across a room, backyard, or beach blanket. Because these speakers come in a variety of designs and sizes, no model is perfect for every situation—but the excellent sound and rugged design of the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 made it the favorite…

As streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ grow in popularity, many people are dumping their expensive cable and satellite TV subscriptions. For those who still want to watch the occasional live event or local programming without adding subscription costs, a great indoor TV antenna such as the Antennas Direct ClearStream Flex is the…

Apple deals are rare, and unearthing those that meet our rigorous deal standards is even more rare. But this Prime Day we’ve been lucky enough to find an exceptional price on one of our favorite MacBooks. Multiple Wirecutter staff members use it as their personal computer due to its long battery life and excellent performance.…

Choosing a pair of sunglasses is about more than protecting your eyes from the sun—it’s also an opportunity to showcase your style. After testing 29 pairs over the past several years, we’ve found 11 great pairs of shades—all well-priced, UV-blocking, and available with polarized lenses. Our picks are intended to suit a wide range of…

A good robot mop is like an automatic Swiffer: It won’t make your floors sparkle, but it will wipe up splatters and some grime, and it can be a handy, low-effort tidy-up tool for busy areas like your kitchen, bathroom, and mudroom. We tested 10 different bot-mops, and we think that the first one you…

The OXO Brew coffee maker delivers coffee that tastes like the result of an intricate, precise process. Yet it actually requires only the push of a button. I used to spend 10 minutes every morning making coffee in my Chemex. I’d grind the beans, boil the water, slowly wet the grounds, and, well, wait. Then…

Target’s Circle Week sale boasts competitive Prime Day–style discounts on a multitude of our tried-and-tested home, kitchen, and bedding picks. But not every deal is worth snagging. The Wirecutter Deals team has sifted through everything, and we’ve rounded up only the best deals that meet our rigorous testing and pricing standards. Check them out below,…

My name is Rose, and I used to hand-wash plastic sandwich bags. The sordid details of my deranged ritual are nothing you need to know. Suffice it to say, what I did to pinch pennies and divert my non-recyclables from the landfill cost way too much of my precious free time. But I’m not here…

I learned how to cook by feel, thanks to my grandmothers. My Grandma (paternal) measured liquids in eggshell halves for her recipes, and I don’t think I ever saw my Gobi (maternal) measure anything at all when she cooked. Even when I worked in restaurants, I determined the doneness of steaks and chops with a…

Prime Day 2023 is coming up on July 11 and 12, and Amazon continues to prepare the path by priming us with a few notable deals. As always, Wirecutter’s expert deal hunters continue to wade through the proverbial trash to help you find the diamonds in the rough. For a preview of the main event,…

Staging a picnic requires little more than the union of a blanket and a patch of grass. Yet, when combined, those humble elements can elevate a mundane meal into an alfresco fete. Not all picnic blankets are equal, though: We considered 44 and tested 14 before choosing the Nemo Victory Blanket as our favorite. Its…

In our many years of testing, the Chef'sChoice Trizor XV has proved to be the most foolproof tool for keeping kitchen knives in their ideal state: razor-sharp. I did not expect to ever like an electric knife sharpener, let alone recommend one to our readers. I’ve always sharpened knives by hand, starting when I was…

For older adults, choosing a cell phone is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. We spoke with people in their 70s and 80s who couldn’t wait to try out the latest smartphones with high-megapixel cameras. We also spoke with people in their 60s who favored the simplicity of more-basic phones. After testing 15 models, we recommend two…

We’ve tested dozens of food-storage containers over the years, subjecting them to repeated freezing, microwaving, and 3-foot drops onto hard floors. Most containers will break or wear down eventually, but we’re confident our picks are the best options for stashing leftovers, packing lunches, or sharing at potlucks. If you prefer glass (which is odor-resistant and…

So you want to start composting. That’s great! Composting diverts food waste from landfills and slashes your climate impact, since dumped food waste is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. As a bonus, composting also helps keep your kitchen trash cleaner and less stinky. Whether you are a DIY composter, live in a city…

Handheld vacuums can go where bigger vacuums can’t. They make it easy to ferret out crumbs between cushions, dirt from car seats, and fur from couches. Since 2013, we’ve looked at 180 hand vacuums and conducted hundreds of hours of research and testing. We’ve concluded that the Ryobi 18V One+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit is…

If winter has finally loosed its grip where you live and your kindergartener is antsy to roam outside, maybe it’s time for their first pedal bike. After spending 30 hours evaluating 13 pedal bikes on pavement, dirt, and grassy hills, we’re judging the REI Co-op Cycles REV 16 Kids' Bike as the best first pedal…

A good balance bike helps little kids develop the coordination and confidence they’ll need to ride a pedal bike—things they won’t get with training wheels. We spent about 40 hours researching and assembling 13 balance bikes, and subjected them to a cadre of highly energetic 2- to 8-year-olds. After all this—and after consulting with fellow…

A folding bike may be the most convenient mode of transportation on two wheels. It can get you from point A to point B just as readily as a full-size bike, but you can stash it in a car trunk, tuck it under a desk, or store it in a closet, on a boat, or…

I spent decades quietly despising every bra in my drawer—until I discovered the ThirdLove 24/7 Classic Uplift Plunge Bra. The ThirdLove 24/7 is an exponentially better bra than anything else I’ve encountered. In my frog-kissing quest to find the perfect match, I had sampled countless brands and styles. I knew I was wearing the right…

We have to say it: The reality of 3D printing does not always meet expectations. After shelling out hundreds (or thousands) of dollars for a printer, finding the right files for what you want to print, and tweaking the settings so that your printer drips hot plastic with sub-millimeter precision, you’re rewarded with a 12-hour…

Although no recent college graduate should declare themselves an expert in anything, I know a thing or two about waiting in lines. At my alma mater, Duke, I’ve held a spot in line for weeks—five weeks one year, and over two weeks another—to get tickets to a basketball game against the University of North Carolina.…

Dyson products don’t come cheap, but our testing has shown that some of them are worth the splurge. Whether you’ve been on the hunt for a cordless stick vacuum or high-end hair dryer, Amazon Prime Day and Cyber Week are among the best times to buy. Here, we round up the five models we recommend…

Any vacuum can clean hardwood floors—this is the simplest possible task for a vacuum cleaner. You don’t need anything special to get dust, hair, crumbs, or anything else off your wood, tile, or laminate floors. But some vacuums do it a little better than others. To avoid scattering debris or possibly damaging sensitive flooring, look…

Basic bathroom scales need to do one thing: consistently give you a weight measurement that you can trust. After stepping on and off a total of 31 digital bathroom scales since 2015 (accounting for more than 800 weigh-ins), we now recommend the EatSmart Precision+ Ultra-Wide Bathroom Scale. It’s not perfect (none of the scales we’ve…

If your child brings their lunch to school, you’ll be making—and your kid will be eating—around 180 lunches this school year. So you’ll likely appreciate a durable lunch box that’s easy to clean and convenient to pack. After testing a dozen lunch boxes over the past several years (a process that included packing countless lunches…

A million and one things can distract you from being productive during your workday, but one of the most annoying is an uncomfortable seat. Whether you’re at the office, working from home, or banging out emails from a coffee shop, the last thing you want to do is wriggle around to get comfy. A great…

A good robe keeps you warm, covered, and comfy as you go about your morning ritual. A great one transports you—to a hotel spa, a seaside resort, or a cozy winter cabin. After spending more than 100 hours researching robes in half a dozen different materials—and wearing 39 of them—we’ve chosen seven soft, stylish, and…

For all the popularity of pod-shaped air fryers, we've always felt convection toaster ovens (which use the same technology) can cook a wider variety of foods more evenly, if a little slower. But now, more companies are offering the best of both worlds: amped-up convection toaster ovens—sold as “air fryer toaster ovens”—with extra-powerful fans that…

A sneaker that’s just as stylish as it is comfortable—and versatile enough to go with practically anything in your closet—is a wardrobe holy grail. We’ve heard plenty of folks swear that the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66, a popular pick in our guide to the best white sneakers since 2021, is that very shoe. But can…

When you see a garment with an organic cotton label—and the accompanying price tag—you might assume that it’s higher in quality and better for the environment than clothing made from conventionally grown cotton. And this may be true, but it’s not always that simple. Discussions about organic cotton—and the cotton trade in general—tend to get…

If you plan to bring a camera with you when you go rock climbing, skiing, or snorkeling, it makes the most sense to get a waterproof tough camera that can withstand modest falls and can work while completely submerged underwater. After putting in 15 hours of research and testing, and subjecting our three test cameras…

Alexis Nikole Nelson makes foraging feel approachable and wildly fun. And she shares her love of edible nature with her millions of TikTok and Instagram followers. Whether she’s collecting magnolia flowers around her hometown in Columbus, Ohio for cookies (video) or gathering seaweed during her travels along the coast of California, her cheerful enthusiasm can…

Independence Day is often associated with parades, barbecues, and fireworks, but many retailers also use the holiday as an opportunity to try to dazzle you with sales—and unfortunately, only some of them are spectacular. Using meticulous research and pricing standards, the Wirecutter Deals team has sifted through the sales to find those that offer the…

Online framing services offer an easy way to frame art. The results look nicer than off-the-rack frames and generally cost less than the work of custom shops. After researching 13 services and testing five, we think Framebridge delivers the most consistently attractive and well-made frames for art and photos. Framebridge is the best full-service online…

You could easily spend thousands on a fishing rod and reel, but most casual fishers (and even some experts) would be happier with something more versatile and less expensive. After interviewing experts and spending over 80 hours testing spinning rods and reels, we’ve determined that pairing the Ugly Stik GX2 rod with the Daiwa BG…

When it comes to free video games, you might think of some kind of ad-filled, microtransaction-riddled thing on your phone or PC. But it’s likely you’ve been missing out on free, great, full-featured video games for years. If you’ve ever played Fortnite on your PC, developer and publisher Epic Games has been trying to give…

Humidifiers can be an essential comfort tool. They can also be disgusting. Without regular cleaning and maintenance, your humidifier can turn into a vicious, festering cesspool of bacteria and mold. Not the kind of stuff you want to be breathing in. Fortunately, maintenance is pretty easy, if you do it often enough. Most humidifier manufacturers…

The weather outside may be frightful, but we want your holiday cookies to be delightful. The tools you use can make all the difference, allowing your dough to bake evenly and your decorations to shine. We spent 200 hours researching and testing 20 types of cookie-related essentials to find the best gear to make holiday…

There are messes and then there are messes. For the latter, your best bet is to break out a wet/dry vac. These heavy-duty vacuums suck up water, sawdust, nails, and screws with equal vigor. We’ve been testing and using them for years, and our favorite is the Ridgid 12-Gallon NXT Wet/Dry Vac HD1200. We also…

Instant cameras embody the magic of photography: With the press of a shutter button you can capture the world around you and see tangible results in seconds. After more than 80 hours of research and testing over the past seven years, we think the best instant camera for creating retro-cool prints is the Fujifilm Instax…

To offset the chill in a drafty room or to give your home’s heating system a little boost, you may need a space heater. We’ve researched more than 100 models and tested 75 since 2011, and the Vornado VH200 is the best space heater for most people. A lot of space heaters can make you…

There’s no one smartphone that is best for everyone, but we’ve spent hundreds of hours testing scores of phones so that you can find the best one for you. The phone you buy will depend on your budget, your wireless carrier, and which of the major smartphone platforms—Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android—you’re already invested in.…

Some of us at Wirecutter like our bikes so much that we’ll ride them when it’s raining—or snowing, or sleeting, or freezing, or whatever the weather brings. (And these days, more and more people may be venturing out in weather they never would’ve dreamed of riding in before!) Thanks to our experiences riding in many…

Gingerbread house kits are deceptively complicated. You outsource the cookie baking and skip right to assembly with an all-in-one kit that includes everything you need. Should be easy, right? But often, it’s not a simple, carefree hour of family fun. Instead, you get multiday frustrations of collapsing walls and slow-drying icing. After testing seven gingerbread…

Once the entertainment of last resort on rainy days and during power outages, board games have evolved to be varied works of interactive art with options for many styles of play. To find some of the best, we spent 70 hours researching 128 games, played 17 top contenders with 26 people, and interviewed board game…

Don’t go overboard with your holiday shopping. You can get plenty of great stuff without adding hundreds upon hundreds of dollars of stuff to your cart. Here are the best deals we’ve spotted on Wirecutter picks for $100 or less. You can also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the latest list…

Cyber Monday marks the last tentpole mega-sale before the holidays, but that’s no reason to lose your head and panic-purchase anything. After all, most Cyber Monday “deals” are just meh discounts on substandard stuff. You deserve better. That’s why Wirecutter’s experts are sifting through all the sales we’re finding online, then rounding up only the…

Cyber Monday deals are here. Our experts have been tracking thousands of discounts, and are highlighting only the very best deals on Wirecutter-tested gear and gadgets. Here are the best Cyber Monday deals we’ve spotted so far. You can also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the latest list of price drops…

In the frenzy of Cyber Monday, much of the focus is on retail behemoths like Amazon and Walmart. But plenty of smaller sellers also offer great sitewide sales where you can rack up significant savings. Now, to be clear, we don’t recommend the vast majority of the things these sales offer. But at these sitewide…

Amazon is by far America’s biggest online shopping destination. But if you want to avoid it, you can still score plenty of great Black Friday deals. Here are the best offers we’re seeing on Wirecutter picks from Costco, Target, Walmart, and many more retailers. Also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the…

Looking for new tech this holiday weekend? Here are the very best Black Friday deals still available and early Cyber Monday deals on Wirecutter picks we’ve found from Best Buy so far. You can also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the latest list of discounts on Wirecutter picks that meet our…

When is a sucky deal a good thing? When it’s a Cyber Monday deal on a Wirecutter-approved robot vac, stick vac, handheld vac, or other vacuum that can quickly suck up all the dirt and dust bunnies in its path. You can also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the latest list…

Doing some holiday shopping for the kiddo on your list? We can help. Here are all the best Cyber Monday deals on Wirecutter-tested toys, games, and more that we recommend for children. You can also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the latest list of discounts on Wirecutter picks that meet our…

If deal-hunting on Black Friday felt like a mad dash, make your Saturday shopping a little simpler. Here's a selection of our favorite Wirecutter picks made and sold by independently-owned businesses to shop for on Small Business Saturday—or any day.

Dyson stick vacuums regularly rank among the most coveted Black Friday items—because they’re so pricey, getting a good deal on one feels like a big win. With supply-chain and other pandemic-related issues gradually clearing up, we’re seeing deals on Dyson vacuums once again this Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Wirecutter has tested more than a…

Wirecutter’s experts scan thousands upon thousands of supposed Black Friday “bargains” every year and then post only the best deals on Wirecutter-approved picks that meet our high standards. From that select group, here are the top 25 most popular Black Friday deals our readers have purchased so far. Also check out the Wirecutter Deals page,…

Hallmark movies lie to you: Holiday magic doesn’t simply appear out of nowhere. You have to create it yourself. And of course, creating magical moments with twinkling lights, a fresh (or fake) pine, and the sweet scent of freshly baked cookies sometimes takes real, messy effort. Think wrestling with tree stands, untangling cords, and arguing…

Anytime a person with a kid in their life has asked for my holy grail toy (and as Wirecutter’s former editor of baby and kid coverage, and a person generally known to be opinionated, I’ve had this happen to me somewhat often), I’ve had one answer: Magna-Tiles. Alongside Lego, I’m convinced that these colorful plastic…

A Bluetooth speaker that attaches to your showerhead and actually powers itself off the water’s flow? It may sound like an as-seen-on-TV gimmick, but we’re here to tell you that the Ampere Shower Power really is great, in a too-good-to-be-true sort of way, especially now that it’s on sale for Black Friday. In researching and…

Nothing is more emblematic of a “blow-out” Black Friday sale than majorly discounted TVs. But more often than not, those so-called mega-deals are just middling discounts on subpar models. You get what you pay for, and those super-discounted TVs are almost never the best TVs with the best performance and the best features. We’re here…

Most Black Friday “sales” are overhyped discounts on subpar products. But we can help you find the true gems. Our deals experts sort through thousands of on-sale items and report back only on those that offer the biggest and truest value on products that have met or surpassed our rigorous standards. The deals listed here—a…

Whether you’re a Target loyalist or the kind of shopper who simply goes where the best bargains are, we can help with this roundup of the best Black Friday deals at Target. You can also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the latest list of discounts on Wirecutter picks that meet our…

Evaluating all the Black Friday sales put out by a retail behemoth like Walmart is no easy task. But our deal experts are up to it. Here are the very best Black Friday deals on Wirecutter picks we’ve found at Walmart. You can also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the latest…

Apple discounts are few and far between. But the holiday shopping season is one of the rare times you can find solid deals on Apple products. Though Apple itself rarely discounts its tech, other retailers—like Best Buy, Walmart, and Target—sometimes mark down smartwatches, tablets, and accessories. Here are the best Black Friday discounts we’ve found…

Black Friday reliably surfaces appealing deals on Chromebooks, MacBooks, gaming laptops, and more—but not all laptop deals are worth your time and money. To save you the effort, Wirecutter’s experts have found the best deals on genuinely great laptops. Check them out below. You can also visit the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the…

Successfully executing a DIY project can be really satisfying, but before you can get there, you need the right tools. Wirecutter recommends all kinds of home improvement gear, with detailed guides on everything from cordless drills and pressure washers to duct tape and, naturally, wire cutters. And Black Friday is your chance to grab our…

You don’t have to empty your bank account to get something truly great. Black Friday deals are aplenty—and we’ve found tons of discounts that let you snag an exceptional Wirecutter pick for less than $100. Here are our favorites. You can also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the latest list of…

Most Black Friday deals at Amazon aren’t worth your time, money, or consideration. And separating the meh deals from the rare amazing ones can be a slog. That’s why we’ve done the legwork for you. Read on to find out which of Amazon’s Black Friday deals are actually going to get you a great product…

The iRobot Roomba 694 is a simple robot that looks dumb but works better than many so-called advanced models. Robot vacuums keep getting stronger and smarter and more automatic. But we still love the basic Roomba 694, and really any model from the 600 series, which has barely changed since 2012, when we first recommended…

This Thanksgiving, as you put your dishwasher to the test with more dirty pots, pans, and dishes than usual, you might want to pay attention to one part of the machine in particular before or after the big cleanup: the filter. Take it from me. In late 2019, right after hosting a Thanksgiving for twenty…

At age 8, many kids are ready to level up to more-advanced toys and activities. A lot of 8-year-olds are playing team sports, getting involved in other clubs or hobbies, and tackling increasingly challenging projects on their own. Kids who end up pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers may start developing those interests…

As 7-year-olds transition from being little kids to grade-schoolers, they start showing off their ability to engage in complex thinking. Some may be ready for toys and games that require longer-term planning, strategizing, and decision-making, so it’s a great time to incorporate board games that encourage problem-solving, said Brian Mayer, a gaming, learning, and library…

Huge blowout holiday sales can be difficult for small, locally owned retailers to match. But supporting small businesses doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Even shifting a tiny percentage of your shopping from big-box stores to mom-and-pop shops can have a big impact. When you buy local, your money does much more for your…

To say I’m a horrible cleaner is an insult to horrible cleaners. I spend all of my cleaning energy on day-to-day things like cooking, laundry, dishes, and wiping whatever funk is left behind on tables and counters. I have very little time for things like vacuuming, unless there’s a pile of something on the floor…

Most 6-year-olds attend school daily, many participate in extracurricular activities, and just about all of them have strongly defined opinions about what they like and don’t like. Kids this age are also becoming increasingly aware of what’s cool among their peers at any given moment. It can be tempting to stick with what you already…

Video games have always been comforting for me. When I was growing up, they helped me avoid the social isolation that’s present for so many autistic people like me, and they helped me find a place of acceptance to explore new hobbies. My biggest issue with games is specific to my autism: I’m time-blind. Unaware…

No matter how great your office chair is, sitting in it all day isn't doing your body any favors. But being on your feet constantly isn’t good for your comfort or health, either. An electric, height-adjustable standing desk gives you the best of both worlds. Want a productivity and energy boost? Push a button to…

There’s no shortage of good wireless earbuds on the market, but the best pair should offer a level of performance, reliability, and comfort that elevates it above the pack. In our most recent round of tests, no pair exceeded our expectations like the Soundcore Space A40. With excellent noise cancellation, customizable sound, a compact size,…

If you have an iPhone and you want a smartwatch, buying an Apple Watch is a no-brainer, and for most people, the Apple Watch Series 8 is the best option available. But with all of Apple’s newly introduced watches, deciding which Apple Watch to choose is harder than ever. This year, Apple has three new…

If you spend most of your day typing, you shouldn’t be stuck with the mushy keyboard on your laptop or a cheap, uncomfortable desktop keyboard. Mechanical keyboards allow you to customize their looks with different keycaps and get the typing feel you prefer by choosing different switches under the keys. And compact keyboards—which nearly match…

The first time I used my Waterpik Cordless Express was nothing short of a disaster. Water shot from the water flosser with alarming intensity—which makes sense, considering that the stream needs to be strong enough to effectively clear the gunk from between teeth. Still, I wasn’t prepared for the immediate waterworks. My first mistake was…

Many 4-year-olds are learning to master their environments—and to negotiate boundaries, push limits, and question everything. Some of the best gifts for 4-year-olds engage their endless curiosity, rapidly developing physical skills, and desire to understand everything around them. Early STEM toys—those that help develop skills related to science, technology, engineering, and math—allow preschoolers to experiment…

Stocking stuffers are often the final piece of the gift-giving puzzle. That said, this assortment of small gifts needn’t be scraped together during an 11th-hour mad dash to the drug store. Whether they’re part of a long-standing family tradition or a recent addition, petite presents can be as meaningful, thoughtful, and memorable as the big…

The best gifts for kids help them navigate the world, discover new passions, and show kids that you care about them, just the way they are. Over the past several years, we’ve interviewed experts, talked to parents and kids, and researched and tested hundreds of toys, games, and other gear to find special gifts for…

A good Chromebook can do almost anything a regular laptop can do, and the best ones feel better to use than their similarly priced Windows counterparts. After testing most of the Chromebooks released over the past eight years and testing 16 models so far in 2022, we recommend the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook (13″). It’s…

If you play a lot of PC games, a more comfortable mouse with fast response times, a precise sensor, more customizable buttons, and pretty lights can be a worthwhile upgrade over a regular ol’ mouse. We tested 45 gaming mice this year—in addition to the so, so many we’ve tested in past years—to find the…

Until recently, my top drawer was stuffed with ill-fitting, outfit-spoiling underwear—and I know I’m not the only one. The woes that plague women’s underthings are so numerous, in fact, that a whole vocabulary has sprung up to describe them: muffin top, camel toe, whale tail, wedgie, and of course, visible panty line (aka VPL). I’ve…

I feel awful whenever I inadvertently kill a houseplant. But most fake plants, even decent ones, remind me of dreary dentist waiting rooms. Thankfully, the Lego Botanical Collection solves my problem. Lego’s line of brick-built flora aimed at adults has a pleasing balance of realism and visible studs. It isn’t out to fool anyone. Here…

Great audio in a video game can draw you into a digital world with bold effects, realistic details, and immersive soundtracks. A good gaming headset allows you to enjoy all of that while you chat with your friends and teammates, too. But even the best sound quality won’t do you any good if the headset…

For many bargain hunters, TVs are the white whale of Black Friday. If snagging a brand-new, high-quality set at the best possible price is number one on your holiday shopping list, you’ve come to the right place. Not only are we scouring the internet for the biggest discounts on OLEDs, LCDs, LEDs, 4K TVs, and…

It’s said you can’t put a price on peace of mind. Well, we’re doing it anyway—and it’s pretty reasonable. An indoor security camera lets you keep tabs on the things at home that matter most, whether that’s your kids, your pets, or your prized vinyl collection. We recommend the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24, which is…

Online shoppers are sometimes given the choice to pay a little more to make their purchase “carbon neutral” or use so-called carbon neutral shipping. In theory, for a few extra bucks, you can negate the greenhouse gas emissions caused by your online purchase. If it sounds too good to be true, that’s because it is.…

The convenience of online shopping and ubiquity of sales holidays like Black Friday and Prime Day have made it harder for many shoppers to resist impulse purchases, which can take a toll on our wallets and the planet. If you want to take a more mindful approach to shopping, these six tips will make you…

The Nintendo Switch's flexibility is a large part of what makes it great. It's a handheld console. It's a living room console! It has a kickstand! But it doesn't come with everything you need, and a lot of the Switch accessories you can buy are junk. We’ve researched and tested dozens of Switch and Switch…

Most hair dryers are effective at blowing hot air toward your head—sometimes quite fast—in order to speed along your hair styling from showering to whatever’s next. It’s the small differences between models that can make a big difference overall, particularly with daily use. After putting in 20 hours of research and spending nearly 50 hours…

Modern electric razors can deliver impressively close shaves, but they can’t quite match the closeness of manual razors. Over more than seven years of testing, 13 electric razor testers have buzzed and clipped a path toward what we hoped would be silken-jawed nirvana—and we’ve found that Braun’s Series 7 shavers are the best electric razors…

The adage “you get what you pay for” is as true today as ever, but with a few exceptions—one being sleeping bags. You simply don’t need to overpay to get a bag that’s comfortable and functional, whether for car camping, backpacking, or camping with kids. After more than 100 hours of research, considering 150 models,…

Air travel has become pure chaos, and there’s no sign it will get better anytime soon. Wildly high flight prices, endless delays, and outright cancellations have made flying more stressful than ever, especially heading into the holidays. But, thankfully, there’s at least one way to take some control amid the chaos. Try keeping tabs on…

Most Best Buy locations are opening at 5 a.m. on Black Friday, but if that’s still not soon enough for you, don’t worry—the retailer’s early Black Friday deals are already here. Our Deals team is uncovering the biggest bargains on the most recommended gear and gadgets from Best Buy’s sales event to help you beat…

Whether you’re a football fanatic or a casual stateside soccer fan like me (a very disillusioned Sunderland supporter), chances are you’re excited for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This year’s iteration in Qatar promises to be yet another thriller, and The Athletic is going to be on the case with round-the-clock coverage of every match.…

Let’s be honest: Most earbuds priced under $50 are junk. They’re uncomfortable, cheaply constructed, and terrible sounding. But the 1More Piston Fit BT defied our assumptions about how good an inexpensive pair of Bluetooth earbuds could sound. Plus, the earbuds are comfortable and solidly built, and they coil up for easy storage. Buy them—and don’t…

Elon Musk acquired Twitter in late October and almost immediately made a huge mess of the platform. New features have been rolled out only to be quickly walked back, advertisers are mad, and thousands of employees are apparently fleeing the company, including people on key teams that handle privacy and security. Now is a good…

If your phone lives on your kitchen counter and tends to get splattered with sauce, or you just want an easier way to view photos or control smart devices, try a smart display—a mashup of a smart speaker and a tablet. A smart display is great for streaming music and video or answering questions about…

When we tested robotics kits for beginners, the Lego Boost set won over the toughest critics: kids. And robotics pros, makers, and hobbyists agreed. With its Lego-based design, built-in sensors, and expansive options for creativity, the Boost kit was the most fun to build with. Plus, the tablet app’s super-simple programming was the easiest to…

Terrific pajamas have always been a bedtime luxury. But during this pandemic era, with life spent mostly at home, a comfy, well-made set is downright restorative any time of day. So treat yourself or someone you love. Since 2018 we’ve tested 32 pajama men’s and women’s sets and pants in as many inclusive sizes as…

A power outage can be a minor inconvenience, a threat to health and safety, or anything in between. But unlike the natural disasters that often precede them, blackouts aren’t relegated to specific regions the way earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornados are—just about everybody can experience one, especially now that extreme and unpredictable weather is pushing the…

Winter storms often possess a mesmerizing beauty, but can do plenty of harm via extended power outages, icy roads, and frozen pipes, which can severely damage a home. To get through an extreme whiteout unscathed, you need to be prepared. While the potential number of storms in an upcoming season can’t be predicted in the…

If you like to play outside during daylight hours, you should wear sports sunglasses to protect your eyes from foreign objects and ultraviolet radiation. After cycling, trail running, hiking, or snowshoeing daily over the course of two months, constantly swapping out 40 models of sunglasses, we believe that the Ryders Seventh Photochromic represents the best…

Target devotees, rejoice: Big Red has finally joined the Black Friday fray. We’re already tracking deals on Apple gear, the latest smartphones, vacuums, video game consoles and accessories, and toys. But is it worth your time to look at Target over other retail juggernauts? One of the biggest reasons we always give attention to Target’s…

Having cold feet is pure misery. When the weather gets chilly, almost nothing feels as good as donning a pair of cozy slippers to warm your body from the ground up. After 120 hours of researching and wearing 39 different styles, we still love our six-time pick, L.L.Bean’s durable and warm Wicked Good Moccasins, in…

Want to print small photos without a clunky, bulky machine? Consider an instant photo printer. The Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 is easy to use and creates rich, colorful images that at 3.4 by 2.1 inches (including a white border) are small enough to fit in a wallet or purse. Although the output from instant…

The PlayStation 4 era, which started in 2013, is over. Big PlayStation titles will still launch on the PS4 in 2022 and 2023, but the PS4 is expected to cease production by 2023. In 2022, new-PlayStation shoppers have a better option: the $500 PlayStation 5 and its somewhat slimmer sibling, the $400 PlayStation 5 Digital…

If you’re an aspiring aerial photographer or videographer, a drone is your ticket to the sky. After test-flying nearly 25 models, we’ve concluded that the DJI Air 2S is the best drone because it combines a high-end camera with the latest autonomous technology for less than $1,000. We also recommend the DJI Mavic 3 and…

When I pulled out my Cotopaxi Allpa 35L backpack before a three-day trip for my friend’s wedding in Utah, I was skeptical that everything I needed to bring would fit. In theory, a weekend’s worth of clothes shouldn’t be a problem for one of our recommended weekend bags, but I was planning to pack heavy.…

We’ve roasted over 400 pounds of turkey and chicken and 30 pounds of veggies in 14 pans over the past four years, and the Cuisinart 16″ Roasting Pan With Rack (MCP117-16BR) is still our favorite roasting pan. This roaster is equally great at searing on the stovetop and roasting in the oven. For a large,…

After you scrub down the house, cook a five-course meal, and engage in mind-numbing small talk with extended family members, the last thing you want to do after Thanksgiving dinner is clean up the resulting mess. Thankfully, cleanup doesn’t have to be a slog—these Wirecutter-approved tips can help make your post-meal routine easier and less…

If you’ve thought about investing in an electric carving knife ahead of Thanksgiving, you may want to reconsider. The vibrating serrated blades make quick work of slicing through juicy turkey breast, but that’s about all they can do—making an electric knife just another tool you need to clean at the end of the night. Here’s…

Achieving peace of mind for your home doesn’t have to be pricey or difficult. Traditional home security systems often require long contracts and expensive professional installation, but most smart DIY security systems are affordable and easy to install, and allow you to pay for a monitoring plan only when you want it. Ring offers two…

Of all the bedding we’ve tested—and we’ve tested a lot—nothing beats a fluffy comforter when you’re looking to get cozy. Most comforters will keep you warm. But an exceptional comforter should also be light as air, with a dense shell that keeps feathers and fluff sealed inside. After trying dozens of comforters—sleeping with them for…

If what you seek in a pair of headphones is the best sound possible for serious listening sessions, but you don’t want to drop thousands of dollars, this is the guide for you. We’ve tested hundreds of audiophile headphones and picked our favorites for specific uses. Most of these over-ear headphones forgo features such as…

Robot vacuums never get bored or distracted, and they don’t mind cleaning every day. So with very little effort on your part, they’ll keep your floors constantly tidy. We’ve tested dozens of robots, from cheap models that bump around randomly to fancy machines that empty themselves and (usually) steer around dog poop. First, consider the…

With Black Friday inching closer, we know that many readers are looking forward to those ever-elusive deals on Apple products. And since MacBooks, iPads, and Apple Watches always seem to stubbornly hold on to their value, every dollar off makes a difference. Over the past few years, we’ve actually been seeing more deals and bigger…

We were skeptical that any shower caddy could be worth spending more than about $20, but after researching 100-plus shower caddies and trying 15 of them, we’re sure the OXO Aluminum 3-Tier Shower Caddy is the only one of these things you’ll have to buy for a very long time. The OXO Aluminum 3-tier Shower…

If your home office documents, family medical records, bills, and kids’ school reports dance between a pile on the kitchen table and an unmarked box in the garage, it’s time to develop a proper filing system.

Cordless vacuums are so impressively convenient that they can feel almost fun to use. They’re so easy, in fact, that plenty of owners are willing to overlook their many flaws, such as high prices and mediocre reliability. The best cord-free vacuum for you depends on your home and expectations of performance, but the first one…

Black Friday is still one of the best times of year to buy just about everything for the holidays. But in case you didn’t notice the forests of Christmas trees cropping up in stores as early as September, the landscape has changed dramatically in recent years, Black Friday is no longer even remotely a single…

Whether you’re headed into the backcountry or just taking your dog on a nighttime walk, with a good headlamp, you’ll never be caught in the dark. We’ve been testing headlamps since 2012, and after subjecting them to years of late-night hikes, evening runs, and stargazing sessions, we still think the Black Diamond Spot—the latest version…

If you want an affordable, versatile vacuum cleaner—nothing fancy, but something dependably solid—look for a bagless upright vacuum that costs about $150. It will work well for most people in most homes. (The Shark Navigator line has been our favorite for this style for many years.) But if you’re looking for something different, we’ve also…

When we first tested air fryers in 2017, most models were pod-shaped appliances that looked more at home in a sci-fi movie than on a kitchen counter. They used the same technology as convection baking under the guise of a trendy new term: “air frying.” Since then, to stay on trend, some manufacturers have started…

Water flossers, also known as oral irrigators, cost a lot more up-front than string floss. And they can still be pretty uncomfortable to use—get ready to drool. Also, there’s no clear evidence that they’re superior to traditional floss. Yet some people really like the way the water jets feel between their teeth, and some find…

The Santa hat is as central to Christmas as cake is to birthdays. But as archetypal as this must-have holiday accessory is, surprisingly few mainstream brands have prioritized high-quality Santa hats in their seasonal repertoires. I’ve searched dozens of store shelves, many stuffed with subpar options, to find the perfect Santa hat. I wanted to…

On October 4, REI announced that it has officially split from Black Friday. Given the outdoor recreation retailer’s choice to keep its doors closed on Thanksgiving as part of its #OptOutside campaign launched seven years ago, this separation may not come as a total shock for some, but the ripple effect is certain to be…

A finished jigsaw puzzle can be a work of art—one worth framing and hanging on the wall. But that creates another set of interlocking puzzles to solve: What’s the best way to preserve a puzzle for posterity and display it for all to see? And before you get to that point, how can you safely…

Android phones vary widely in both price and user experience, from just a couple hundred dollars to well over $1,000, and from unbelievably frustrating to unbelievably impressive. After spending hundreds of hours testing Android smartphones, we think the Google Pixel 7—which sits in the sweet spot of competitive pricing and great hardware—is the best Android…

The perfect pillow can revolutionize your sleep, but it’s also elusive. After spending more than 1,000 nights testing 120 pillows, we’ve learned that the right pillow for you depends on your body shape and sleep position. That’s why our favorites—the shredded-foam Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow for side- and back-sleepers and the down-alternative Sleep Number…

The Hopkins SubZero 80037 has been our ice-scraper pick for years. I’ve used the original test model through four New York City winters and more nor’easters than I care to remember, and Wirecutter senior writer Doug Mahoney has done the same with a second one on his farm in New Hampshire. Both of consider of…

We’ve been shoveling ourselves out of average snowstorms and heavy nor’easters with the True Temper 18-Inch Ergonomic Mountain Mover every winter since 2013. It’s the best snow shovel for most people looking to clear walkways, steps, and small driveways. No other shovel matches its unique blend of ideal size, ergonomics, durability, and availability. The True…

When kids reach the age of 3, the gift-giving game changes. Many kids are more likely to know what they want. Lots of them will have more opinions, interests, and language to express their excitement than they had in the past. But that doesn’t negate the thrill of a good surprise. “Often the idea of…

If you’re spending enough on wine that you want to protect your investment, you’re buying more bottles than you can drink in a month, or you want to age wines so their flavors evolve over time, a wine fridge is a worthy purchase. Proper storage will protect your bottles from the damaging effects of light,…

For great everyday deals, visit the Wirecutter Deals page and follow us on Twitter @WirecutterDeals. As the senior editor for Wirecutter Deals, I’m charged with making sure we find the best deals on Wirecutter picks for our readers every day. I shop our Deals page right along with you, and I have an apartment full…

The Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X gaming consoles have advanced features that, in conjunction with the right TV, can offer the best gaming experience possible. After putting new TVs through our regular battery of tests and then adding an Xbox Series X to the mix, we’ve found that the LG C1 OLED…

When it comes to presents, many 1-year-olds aren’t picky. In fact, they may be as excited by the packaging as they are by what’s inside. (Be sure to save those boxes.) Others have already begun to develop their own unique preferences, personalities, and abilities. By investing in the right toys and gifts, you can set…

If you just want a great laptop to do everyday laptop tasks, you should get an ultrabook. By definition, ultrabooks are powerful, thin-and-light laptops with long battery life, which means many of them are good—but not all of them are worth buying. After testing hundreds of laptops over the past eight years and testing 22…

Our favorite TVs deliver superior picture quality for a reasonable price. Whether it’s a big-screen 4K OLED TV that delivers the ultimate videophile performance, a great 4K gaming TV, or a small 32-inch HDTV for a secondary space, our recommendations always take into account both performance and value. This article provides an overview of the…

Walmart’s Deals for Days sales event is now live. The early-access holiday sale will feature a slate of new additions each week preceding the retailer’s actual Black Friday sale. Walmart's Black Friday Deals for Days is offering price drops on everything from tech such as tablets and laptops to kitchen appliances like air fryers and…

Over-ear headphones are for people who want to totally immerse themselves in their listening or don’t like the feeling of earbuds in their ears. The larger drivers, compared with those in earbuds, generally allow over-ear pairs to produce better sound than comparably priced in-ear models. We’ve tested hundreds of over-ear headphones, including wireless Bluetooth, traditional…

Whether you’re a longtime electric vehicle owner or you’re still waiting for your first EV to leave the factory floor, you should consider investing in a Level 2 charger for your home. Most modern EVs ship with a Level 1 charger—these tend to be small, portable, and slow-charging, thanks to their 120-volt output. But a…

Nothing can soothe the sharp chills of cold weather quite like a soft, snuggly cashmere sweater. Once a prohibitively priced luxury, cashmere now seems to be sold almost everywhere, often at suspiciously low prices. But the differences between a $50 sweater and a $500 one are still mostly (and purposely) shrouded in mystery. So we…

It’s pretty likely that the most opinionated individual you shop for is the one who doesn’t talk: your cat. In this guide, we’ve collected Wirecutter-tested and staff-recommended gifts for kitties (and the humans who love them). So you can rest assured that your present will be purrfect—whether it’s a delightful toy or a sturdy scratching…

Most grandparents are happiest with the gift of your presence—but a little something special would be welcome, too. Whether your grandparent is a nature lover or a homebody, a cinephile or a cook, we’ve scoured our guides and polled our colleagues to find the very best things to dazzle them.

Not all guest rooms need to have four walls and a door. With the right attitude (and accessories), you can transform any communal space in your home into a cozy oasis that every visitor—from a rowdy college roommate to a nitpicky relative—will appreciate. Consider upgrading your basics, such as your air mattress and bedding, and…

Target has kicked off its Deal Days event ahead of Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale next week, and although not every discount is worth your time, drops on Threshold sheets, the Ring doorbell, and even Beats headphones could merit breaking open your Black Friday piggy bank. As usual, Target RedCard members save an extra 5%…

Sometimes, all the tips and tricks in the Wi-Fi world can’t help you. You might be experiencing symptoms such as dropped connections outside your home, the need to turn off your media streaming box when you want to play an online game, or worse yet, slow surfing even while you’re sitting just a few rooms…

Plenty of people love coffee. Yet it can be difficult to find just the right gift for someone who has a real compulsion—sorry, predilection—for a good brew. To find gifts for the person who worships at the altar of espresso and can’t stop tapping their heel at 4 in the afternoon, we spoke with a…

We considered 25 different wall ovens and think that the Café CTS70DP2NS1 is a great choice for most kitchens. Its clean design should look good in a variety of decors, and it costs much less than most other ovens with a similarly sleek appearance. It’s also intuitive to use and loaded with convenient features, such…

Chances are good that you now know (and maybe are) someone who works from home—someone who craves comfort, a visually pleasing workspace, and the ability to work in peace. (Is that really too much to ask?) This year, give a practical gift that any remote employee can enjoy throughout the day, from simple tech upgrades…

Over the span of just three cycles, a reusable menstrual cup can save you money. And switching to a cup can immediately reduce the number of disposable tampons or pads you’d ordinarily toss in the trash. The best cup for you largely depends on your anatomy. After testing 33 different cups and two menstrual discs…

A house fire is a nightmare scenario. Working smoke alarms, and the early detection they offer, are an important element—maybe the most important—to help ensure the safety of you and your loved ones. After putting in more than 70 hours researching fire safety, interviewing five experts, and reading well over a hundred pages of smoke-alarm…

A jaunt with your dog in cold, wet weather can be chilly for your best friend. A warm, waterproof jacket will ensure they remain comfortable and dry, no matter if they’re outside for a pee break or an extended session at the dog run. To find the best winter coat for your dog, we tested…

If you’re a musician, a podcaster, or anyone else who needs an easy, effective way to get audio into and out of a computer—or possibly even a phone or tablet—you need a USB audio interface that lets you connect any microphone or electric instrument and record one or two tracks at once. Though all of…

Whether the person you’re shopping for is an established bae or a recent fling, a long-distance lover or a live-in partner, finding a gift that expresses the right level of intimacy within an appropriate budget poses a unique challenge. As a highly experienced girlfriend and gift-giving expert, I’ve pulled the very best from Wirecutter’s testing…

Cleaning an oven is one of the most intimidating kitchen chores. It generally requires scrubbing, stooping, and commercial cleaning products that have no place in an appliance that gets super hot and comes in contact with food. It’s no wonder most people put it off until they have no choice: that inevitable moment when a…

Scroll through TikTok or Instagram long enough, and you’re likely to come across one of the internet’s latest obsessions: the mega-popular, mega-sized Stanley Adventure Quencher Travel Tumbler. It’s a drinking vessel so social-media-famous, it has its own TikTok hashtag, #StanleyTumbler, that’s amassed more than 14.5 million views on the platform so far. Our verdict after…

A great pair of jeans can be the foundation of an outfit: Though the jeans themselves may not draw attention, they will elevate whatever else you wear, whether it’s a white T-shirt on the weekend or a cashmere sweater for date night. Get jeans wrong—too baggy, overly distressed—and they’re all anyone will notice (for all…

If a traditional Wi-Fi or mesh network isn’t cutting it in your larger home, and you don’t want to (or can’t) drill holes and snake Ethernet cable through your walls, you’ve got more options: powerline networking and MoCA (multimedia over coaxial alliance). Powerline networking uses your home’s electrical wiring to share your internet connection, bypassing…

Advent calendars are an end-of-year tradition that provide a daily delight in the weeks leading up to Christmas. They often sell out quickly, which is why our crew of calendar lovers recommends shopping early or making your own. This list is mostly based on first-hand experience with previous years’ versions, but we’re confident this new…

There’s technically no winner at a white elephant gift exchange, yet the most successful Dirty Santa soiree sees everyone leaving with a fun holiday gift that’s not only entertaining but also (ideally) useful. For this guide, we asked Wirecutter staffers to recommend the most hilarious, Yankee Swap–worthy gifts under $25 that made them smile. We…

The thrill of having one’s name emblazoned on a unique possession isn’t reserved only for 7-year-olds scoring mini license plates—everyone feels special unwrapping a gift created specifically for them. In that spirit, we’ve collected our favorite personalized gifts, many of which are customizable versions of Wirecutter picks. Whether you want to have a gift monogrammed,…

A smart doorbell camera allows you to see who’s on the other side of your door—even when you aren’t home—so you can weed out guests who don’t come bearing Girl Scout cookies. We recommend the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wired because it delivers fewer false alerts than any video doorbell we tested, and it has…

Alexa is the voice-controlled digital assistant that turns words into actions. You interact with Alexa through smart speakers and displays, using voice commands or a smartphone app. Whether you’re looking for an Alexa-powered smart speaker for jamming to music, finding and following recipes, keeping up with podcasts and the news, or controlling smart devices in…

When you’re playing fast-paced first-person shooters and complex strategy games on your PC, you can’t beat the accuracy of a keyboard and mouse. But a gamepad is still a great addition to any gaming PC if you play platforming, puzzle, or retro games, or if you’re more comfortable with a controller. Microsoft’s latest Xbox Wireless…

Oxygen is life, and using a pulse oximeter can be an easy and painless way to see if your body is getting enough of it. During our tests of eight fingertip pulse oximeters over eight weeks, including one week with a case of COVID-19, the independently tested Innovo Deluxe iP900AP Fingertip Pulse Oximeter stood out…

I started strength training at the beginning of the pandemic after years of letting a misguided commitment to running rattle my knees. I had long known the value of strength training using compound lifts (exercises that utilize multiple joints and muscle groups simultaneously, such as a bench press or a squat). But I didn’t realize…

After spending over 50 hours researching fire extinguishers and talking to eight experts in the fire-safety industry, we think the best fire extinguisher for your home is the First Alert PRO5, which is readily available, affordable, and certified by the Underwriters Laboratories (now UL), a leading global safety-testing organization. The reality, though, is that choosing…

When people shop for a TV, a high-resolution, 4K screen is practically a given. But 4K computer monitors are still a luxury, unless you’re editing photos or videos professionally, or if you specifically want to watch 4K content. The Dell S2722QC is our favorite 4K monitor because it’s a quality, color-accurate display that can charge…

Respirator masks can protect adults from wildfire smoke, air pollution, and the dust and fumes of some home-renovation projects. After 50 hours of research and testing, we’re confident that the comfortable, durable, widely available 3M 8511 and 3M 8210 disposable N95 respirators are the ones to get. If you want a reusable respirator—which you can…

Smart-home devices can help you save energy, make your home more secure, and even protect against catastrophe. But they’re also just plain fun, especially when it comes to putting the trick in trick-or-treat. Here’s a few relatively simple options enhance your Halloween night using smart gear you might already have at home. Bathe your entryway…

By the time kids are 5, they’re developing skills and more-specific interests that open up new gift-giving possibilities. Many 5-year-olds are starting kindergarten, and they’re exploring new subjects and ideas in school for the first time. Toys and kits that let them engage in project-based inquiry—such as performing simple science experiments and exploring nature—can help…

An outdoor security camera can be a powerful deterrent to mischief makers. It will let you know instantly whether that bump in the night comes from a friend, foe, or furry creature. However, after reviewing dozens of cameras over the past five years, we’ve yet to find a perfect model. Some are hard to place,…

Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet? With an accurate plant-identification app installed on your phone, you won’t have to guess. The right app can help you connect with nature, participate in citizen science projects, and learn which plants are dangerous or invasive. Fourteen Wirecutter staffers and their families tested seven apps…

Amazon has announced a Prime Day sequel. The Prime Early Access Sale will join Target’s Deal Days event in officially jump-starting the earlier-than-ever holiday shopping season. But that doesn’t mean all the featured deals are worth your time. We’re sifting through preview sales to find the best deals on Wirecutter-approved gadgets and gear from Amazon’s…

It had been two and a half years since I’d seen a dentist (I blame the pandemic), and I was most concerned about catching COVID-19 at my appointment or being told I had cavities. Neither of those turned out to be an issue, but when the dental hygienist handed me a mirror and said, “Look…

If you find an automated two-minute timer helpful or you need or prefer to brush with a powered assist, it may be worthwhile to upgrade from a manual to an electric toothbrush. After more than 100 total hours of research, interviewing dental experts, considering nearly every model available, and testing 36 toothbrushes ourselves in hundreds…

Wi-Fi that sucks can be more frustrating than no Wi-Fi at all, and the culprit in many cases is one router trying to cover too much house. Mesh-networking systems take the weight off just one router, instead spreading multiple access points around your house to improve the range and performance of your Wi-Fi. After spending…

Coffee made with care is more than a pick-me-up. It makes the start of your day feel well-spent. It doesn’t matter if you drip, percolate, press (French or Aero), or cold brew—having the right coffee and gear to create that perfect cup is essential. Today is National Coffee Day, and while the coffee enthusiasts at…

A good humidifier creates a comforting indoor condensation level that can soothe your cracked skin and help you breathe more easily. But even the best ones still require more maintenance and attention than you’d expect from such a seemingly simple device. We recommend the Wi-Fi–enabled Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart Humidifier because it’s quieter, more…

If you want a big-screen front-projector experience in your home but need to spend less than the cost of a refrigerator, the BenQ HT2050A is the best projector available for less than $1,000. Although its performance can’t rival that of the best 4K home theater projectors, the HT2050A offers good image contrast and impressive color…

With an ebook reader, you can carry thousands of books at a time and access a library of millions more on a device that’s smaller than a paperback, lasts for weeks on a single charge, and gives you a better reading experience than a tablet or phone. After testing every competitive ebook reader available in…

In the 15 years since the iPhone’s debut, the world of data privacy has changed significantly. Since 2007, app-privacy controversies—ranging from the social network Path downloading the contents of people’s address books to every weather app under the sun selling location data—have snowballed, leading to concerns both legitimate and misinformed, as well as the inability…

Portable induction cooktops allow you to cook almost anywhere you can find an outlet—from your back porch to a dorm room to an RV. They don’t emit heat but instead make your pan hot using electromagnetic induction, so they work quickly yet are cooler and safer than other portable burners. Our pick, the Duxtop 9600LS,…

Remote controls are among the most-touched objects in many households, right up there with doorknobs and toilet handles. They’re also known to migrate from the coffee table to the floor to the dog bed to the black hole between couch cushions. But can you remember the last time you cleaned your remote? Let us walk…

Along with the changing of the leaves, a dip in the (smart) thermostat, and the start of weekly football-fueled bacchanalia, autumn’s arrival brings Amazon’s ritual announcement of new devices. This year’s crop included a few new smart-home product announcements, such as for Ring, Blink, Echo, and Fire TV devices, but otherwise the event was heavy…

Flight cancellations. Traffic jams. Train delays. Is any mode of transportation safe from massively frustrating obstacles? It seems not. Airline and train travelers alike have felt the effects of increased demand and staff shortages all summer, and this fall is shaping up to be no less chaotic. If this is the new normal of travel,…

Keeping up with the developing skills and interests of a 2-year-old can feel like a sprint—at times literally—or a guessing game. “Play is how they start to understand the world,” said Heather Singh, associate director of school and gallery education at the Thinkery, a children’s museum in Austin, Texas. The most engaging toys for 2-year-olds…

A great floor lamp can transform the dimmest corner of a room into the most inviting space to read, relax, or work in—an illuminating punctuation mark of a room’s decor. Over the past few years, we dedicated more than 60 hours to researching hundreds of floor lamps under $300, narrowing down the options to 28…

A great wireless keyboard can reduce clutter on your desk and help you type faster and more comfortably—on your computer and also on your tablet, your phone, or even your TV. After testing more than 50 wireless and Bluetooth keyboards over the years, we’ve found that the Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard and K380 for…

A nonstick pan is the best tool for cooking fluffy omelets, whisper-thin crepes, and delicate fish fillets—without the risk of food sticking to the bottom. After cooking many dozens of eggs in more than 25 pans since 2016, we still think the Tramontina Professional 10-Inch Restaurant Fry Pan offers the best value for the money—in…

It’s time to put away the sunscreen and ice cream: Autumn is here. While the weather hasn’t quite gotten the memo yet, summer has just ended, meaning cooler days and brisk nights are in our near future. As much as we love the heat and fun in the sun, fall is the superior season. It’s…

Smoke alarms will warn you of danger, but not if you aren’t home to hear them. (They’re also ugly and a pain to shush, and they shriek at burnt toast.) Smart smoke alarms are the cure, and Google Nest Protect is the only one worth buying. It sends speedy alerts of smoke or carbon monoxide…

A good set of flannel sheets should be so warm and inviting that it’s hard to leave them on a cold morning. If you don’t want to stay in bed all day, they’re just not doing their job. After five years of long-term use, 150-plus hours of research and testing, and 16 flannel sets we’ve…

Few bags are as simple, versatile, and satisfying to use as a duffle. Its utilitarian design—a soft, oblong bag with one zippered opening plus two handles and/or a shoulder strap—suits anything from a daily commute to a weekend away to a fishing trip. Though that basic form works in many situations, no single duffle bag…

If your kid has outgrown their car seat (or will soon) or the car seat you have is expired or has been in an accident, now is the time to buy a new one: Target’s twice-annual car seat trade-in event is happening through September 24. Between birth and roughly age 12, most kids transition from…

Mounting a TV on a wall not only looks nice but also frees up space and prevents your TV from tipping over. If you just need a simple, non-swiveling mount to securely hold your TV in place, we recommend the Sanus VMPL50A-B1 tilting mount for its solid steel construction, easy tilting mechanism, post-install leveling, and…

Holiday creep is real. Halloween costumes fill store shelves in August, pumpkin-flavored everything is on the menu by Labor Day, and Christmas gifts and decor are everywhere a month before Thanksgiving. It often feels like too much, too soon. The Wirecutter Deals team has been covering deals and holiday sales for years, and we've seen…

A day of skiing or snowboarding consists of glorious hits of exhilaration interspersed with glacial stretches of waiting in line for lifts—and often, the key to maximizing the fun and minimizing the cold is how well you prepare. Along with a neck gaiter, waterproof gloves, and, of course, snacks (one Wirecutter staffer stashes mini Snickers…

Your front door lock is an unsung hero, quietly standing guard to keep thieves and rogues at bay. Smart locks are the superheroes of the species, with special powers that make life more convenient (and a little more fun). Most smart locks come in one of two styles: a deadbolt replacement or a deadbolt adapter…

Whether you’re looking for better images than a smartphone or point-and-shoot camera can capture, or you want to learn photography or expand on your experience, a mirrorless camera is probably the best choice for you. After more than 220 hours of research and testing over the past seven years, including real-world shooting with the top…

Apple announced four new iPhones, three new Apple Watches, and new AirPods today, and though we won’t know what we’ll end up selecting as a Wirecutter pick until we get our hands on all of them, each announcement left us (mostly) impressed. With new features and surprisingly aggressive pricing that puts the new iPhone 14…

Apple offers a slew of great bands for the Apple Watch, but many other companies do as well—often for much lower prices. We searched through hundreds of third-party Apple Watch bands and tried 45 for ourselves, with help from watch experts and our discerning staff. A watch band is a personal style choice, and there’s…

Few things will kill your workout vibe faster than a pair of ill-fitting, hard-to-use headphones. The Jabra Elite Active 75t wireless earbuds are the best headphones for working out at the gym because they fit comfortably and will stay secure and out of your way even during rigorous workouts. The controls are easy to use,…

Using a smart plug is the cheapest, easiest way to remotely control any electrical device in your home. Just plug one into an outlet, add a lamp, fan, or other on/off device, then set it up with an app, and—boom—you’re making magic. Automations and schedules make them convenient and fun to use. They can also…

Taking a sip of flat, lifeless soda or seltzer is a bummer, especially when you’re expecting the effervescent joy of your favorite drink. The trick to fizzier beverages is deceptively simple: It’s not the shape of the glass or the temperature outside, but the clarity of the ice you’re using to chill your drink. Clear…

We’ve driven for hundreds of hours with more than 50 phone mounts in multiple cars—including 20 hours as a Lyft driver, picking up and dropping off passengers on unfamiliar roads—and we’re sure the iOttie iTap Magnetic 2 has the best combination of safety, convenience, and stability for holding your phone on the road. We think…

While the waking world often leaves us wanting and weary, sleep is the realm in which we can find peace and rest. Unfortunately, getting a good night’s sleep isn’t as easy as simply turning off the lights. So if you’re one of the 70 million Americans (including myself) who suffer from one form of a…

While both a modem and a router help your devices connect to the internet, they have separate (and complementary) functions. A modem is a box that connects your home network to your internet service provider, or ISP. A router is a box that lets all of your wired and wireless devices use that internet connection…

Having home security cameras catch birds and spiders can be a nice little surprise. What’s not so nice is when you realize one or more of those things has decided to call the space under the lens its home. Since Wi-Fi cameras are generally triggered by motion to start recording, all of those critters setting…

The most important thing you can do to increase your online security, alongside using a password manager, is to enable two-factor authentication. After interviewing three experts and testing seven authenticator apps, we think Authy has the best combination of compatibility, usability, security, and reliability. When you log in to an online account with two-factor authentication…

Over the past two months, Amazon has made high-profile bids to buy iRobot, a robot-vacuum brand, and One Medical, a health-care tech company. It was announced last week that both acquisitions are being reviewed by the Federal Trade Commission, which will draw the process out. If the deals go through, these two companies will join…

We’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and testing TVs to find the best for any room and budget. If you have no idea where to start, this buying guide will help you parse the important questions. TV technology has advanced to the point where even cheap TVs can look really good. Most new TVs can…

When your phone is in desperate need of some juice—and you’re far from your own powering cables—it’s all too easy to grab the first charger you see at the local drug store or gas station. But reaching for the cheapest cord might not be the best move for your device or your wallet in the…

For many, Labor Day signals dwindling summer days and autumn on the horizon. Peak vacation season draws to a close—during the remainder of September, Halloween decoration prep will begin, sweaters and boots will be dredged out of storage, and outdoor activities from swimming to grilling to camping will get their last hurrah as folks nestle…

Designed to give a smooth, cushy ride at higher speeds and over uneven terrain, jogging strollers are preferred not just by runners but also by caregivers who simply like how easy they are to push and maneuver in everyday use. After testing more than half a dozen models, we found that the Thule Urban Glide…

Even though beards have been in vogue for at least a decade, their popularity seems to increase every year. And the rising reluctance of workers to spend 40 hours a week in an office will probably keep that trend going. Unless the beard wearer plans to make regular trips to the barber (or his name…

Depending on your needs and preferences, you can save hundreds of dollars by buying prescription eyeglasses online instead of through an optician. After performing more than 100 hours of research over three years, talking to eight eye-care professionals, and testing dozens of comparable frame-and-lens pairings from 10 retailers since 2017, we recommend that you start…

If you want a 4K TV that delivers the best performance for the best price, look no further than the Hisense U7G Series. This 4K LCD TV offers a fantastic image with TV shows, movies, and video games—and it outperforms many TVs that cost a lot more. The built-in Android TV streaming platform is easy…

If you like to experiment in the kitchen, you might have fun with a sous vide cooker, a device that lets you cook foods slowly and precisely to the perfect temperature—think custardy eggs, effortless medium-rare steak, and falling-apart pork shoulder. After testing dozens of models since 2013, we’ve concluded that the Monoprice Strata Home Sous…

If you type for any length of time on an iPad Pro, or hope to ditch a second computer entirely, a great keyboard case can turn your tablet into a true laptop replacement. The Zagg Pro Keys (for the iPad Air and for the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro) is the best option we’ve found,…

A good case is a wise investment for your iPhone. Even the least expensive iPhone is pricey, and the right case offers protection against scratches, dings, and cracks—and allows you to personalize your phone—often without adding much bulk or changing how you use your device. Whether you’re looking for a case to conveniently attach to…

If you dream of making slow-smoked meats from home but have little experience, a pellet smoker might be right for you. Think of it as a smoky outdoor oven that cooks tender and moist brisket without constant babysitting. After testing three pellet grills and smoking 100 pounds of beef brisket, pork shoulder, and chicken, we…

Whether you’re hoping to gear up for a few more camping trips while it’s still T-shirt weather or looking to snap up some equipment for the chilly days to come, you may find just what you’re looking for at REI’s annual Labor Day sale event. This year’s sale runs from August 26 through September 5…

From childhood besties and college roomies to present-day confidants and future family members, your bridesmaids likely represent all of your life’s chapters. So finding a fitting gift to suit everyone is no small order. To solve this gift-giving riddle, we enlisted the help of three experts: etiquette professional Elaine Swann, author and self-described professional bridesmaid…

Home air quality monitors are limited in their abilities—as well as their reliability—so if you’re concerned about the air quality inside your home, the first thing we suggest you do is measure what’s in the air outside, because outdoor conditions often determine indoor conditions. There’s no simpler way to do that than to use the…

A button-up shirt may be your closet’s stealthiest chameleon, equally at home in a blue-chip law firm, an oonz-oonz dance club, and a Sunday farmers market. But this undeniable utility can make choosing a button-up overwhelming, especially since you can spend upwards of $300 on a bespoke version or just $10 for one from a…

Whether they’re friends, brothers, or friends who seem like brothers, those standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you on your big day have seen you through a lot (insert montage of Little League snafus, road trips, and questionable double dates here). And while no gift can encompass a lifetime of memories, your own nuptials are an excellent time…

A backpack is a staple of your school wardrobe—it will accompany you to class, the gym, late-night library marathons, and early morning coffee runs. So it’s important to find one that will carry all the supplies you need for a long day, as well as be comfortable, affordable, and stylish. Since our first round of…

Ask Wirecutter, an advice column written by Annemarie Conte, explores the best approaches to buying, using, and maintaining stuff. Email your biggest product-related problems to askwirecutter@wirecutter.com. Dear Wirecutter, My mom loves to shop at the dollar store, which she thinks is a great value. But the stuff she brings home is poor quality and eventually…

A good book can take you anywhere you want to go, teach you things you didn’t realize you should know, and show you what life is like for all kinds of people. Do you want to travel to Greece? Try your hand at hiking the Pacific Crest Trail? Leave Earth behind to embark on an…