The Anachronistic Joy of Black-and-White Photography
by Phil Ryan
I spent a month immersed in black-and-white photography, with two of the few monochrome-only digital cameras you can buy. Here’s what it was like.
Daily deals
Price drops on products we already love
Make the table tonight
Some Wirecutter-approved dinnertime essentials.
Home
The Best Handheld Vacuum
by Sabine Heinlein
Handheld vacs ferret out crumbs from cushions, dirt from car seats, and fur from sofas. We recommend the Ryobi 18V One+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit.
The Best Faucet-Mounted Water Filter
by Tim Heffernan
Here are our picks for the best water filter to mount on a kitchen faucet.
How to Shop for a Hot Tub
by Tim Heffernan
This guide will help you plan out the purchase for the hot tub of your dreams.
How to Organize Your Fridge
by Marguerite Preston
A few clear bins, painter’s tape, and a Sharpie can keep chaos out of your fridge.
Electronics
The Best Budget Projector for a Home Theater
by Adrienne Maxwell
The BenQ HT2060’s good contrast, bright output, and impressive color accuracy make it our pick for the best budget home theater projector.
Back Up and Secure Your Digital Life
by Haley Perry
From password managers to backup software, here are the apps and services everyone needs to protect themselves from security breaches and data loss.
The Best Things to Get for Your New Laptop
by Haley Perry
From laptop bags to headphones to chargers to dongles galore, here are the essential accessories to help you use your new laptop.
Sleep
How to Survive Daylight Saving Time
by Caira Blackwell
Daylight saving time can wreak havoc on your sleep, and more. Here are tips to make the transition easier.
Are Therabody’s $200 Eye Massager SmartGoggles Worth the Splurge?
by Daniela Gorny
Therabody’s $200 smart goggles offer relaxing kneading sensations and vibrations to help you wind down. But can they help you sleep?
I’ve Never Slept Better Than on a Japanese Futon
by Courtney Schley
One of the editors on the Wirecutter sleep team has tested dozens of mattresses, but she still misses her Japanese futon.
Ask Wirecutter: Should I Kick My Dog Out of My Bedroom at Night?
by Annemarie Conte
A couple has to negotiate whether or not to let their pooch sleep in bed with them.
Kitchen
The Best Skillet
by Michael Sullivan and Lesley Stockton
We’ve completed more than 90 collective hours of research and testing since 2014. Here’s what we recommend as the best skillet for most cooks.
The Best Electric Stoves and Ranges
by Rachel Wharton
The sturdy GE JB735 is our favorite electric range because of its high-performing cooktop and excellent convection oven.
The Best Slow Cooker
by Anna Perling
We spent 109 hours researching and testing 14 slow cookers, and found that the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget is the best you can get.
Appliances
What’s the Best Vacuum for Carpets?
by Sabine Heinlein
To clean carpets and rugs well, you need a vacuum that is equipped for the task. The SEBO Felix Premium and SEBO Airbelt K3 Premium are excellent choices.
The Best Cordless Stick Vacuum
by Sabine Heinlein
Power cords got you wound up? We’ve tested dozens of cordless stick vacuums to find those with the best combination of cleaning power, comfort, and convenience.
The Best Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
by Sabine Heinlein
A spot cleaner like the Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner 1400B can help you tackle spills, splats, and other messes on your carpet or upholstery.
The Best Slide-In Electric Ranges
by Tyler Wells Lynch
After sorting through nearly 60 electric slide-in ranges, we recommend the GE JS760 as a reasonably priced, reliable stove that’ll look good in most kitchens.
Gifts
The Best Strategy Board Games
by James Austin
The best strategy games pit you against your friends in an intense battle of wits. These are four of our favorites.
The 30 Best Gifts for Families
by Samantha Schoech
These thoughtful and engaging gifts for all ages encourage intergenerational bonding—and kick-start loads of fun.
The Best Care Packages
by Samantha Schoech
We tested eight care-package services to find the ones with the best stuff, the best service, and the best prices. Our picks are the ones we’d happily use again.
Outdoors
The Best Puffy Blanket
by Hannah Weinberger
After wrapping ourselves in thirteen different puffy blankets, we found the Rumpl Down Puffy is the best insulated blanket to take outside.
The Best Sports Bras
by Christina Colizza, Anna Perling, and Ingrid Skjong
To find the right sports bra, your best bet is to try as many as possible. We recommend 13 options to kick-start your search.
The Best Commuter Bike Lights
by Lindsay Warner and Michael Zhao
After testing some 110 lights over the past nine years, we can recommend the best headlight and the best taillight for most people who commute by bicycle.
The Best Stroller Wagons
by Liz Iversen
Got kids and gear you need to schlep to the soccer field, the beach, or the neighborhood block party? A stroller wagon might be for you.
Style
Wirecutter’s Favorite Bags, Totes, Backpacks and Carryalls
by Truth Headlam
Whether you’re going to school, work, the gym, the store, or on vacay, you need a bag. Here’s the Wirecutter-recommended carrying gear we love most.
The Best Blue-Light Blocking Glasses
by Kaitlyn Wells and Zoe Vanderweide
There’s no proof that blue-light blocking glasses are necessary, but experts agree they’ll likely help you sleep better. We found four pairs worth trying.
Purging Old Clothes? Here’s How to Responsibly Donate and Repurpose Your Castoffs.
by Kaitlyn Wells
Figuring out what to get rid of is just the beginning. We tapped experts and researched recycling programs to find reasonable ways to offload your clothes.
Travel
The Best Travel Backpack
by Geoffrey Morrison
For trips ranging from a week to multiple months, the Osprey Farpoint 55 and Fairview 55 carried everything we needed comfortably.
Our Favorite Messenger Bags
by Sri Rain Stewart
Stylish and practical, a great messenger bag can be a commuter’s best friend. We found five great options that will suit a range of budgets, tastes, and lifestyles.
The Best Filtered Water Bottles
by Tim Heffernan
You can get cleaner, better-tasting water with a filtered bottle that can travel with you—but other filtered water options may be more convenient overall.
Pluto Pod Travel Pillow: A First-Class Sleep Experience in Economy
by Dorie Chevlen
This travel pillow is so great you won’t even care if you look silly wearing it.
Health and fitness
The Best Smart Home Devices to Help Aging in Place
by Rachel Cericola
Smart-home devices can make it easier for you to help an older loved one age safely and securely in their own home.
The Best Earplugs for Concerts
by Lauren Dragan
While custom earplugs are best for pro musicians and regular concert-goers, we like the Loop Earplugs for the occasional concert, club, or spin class.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Kids Is a Growing Problem. Here’s How to Protect Little Ears.
by Lauren Dragan
Noise-induced hearing loss is a growing problem for kids. It’s preventable, but you need to understand what causes it and take early preventive measures.
Baby and kid
The Best Smartwatches for Kids
by Ellen Lee
Choosing the right communication tool for a child can be complicated. We’ve tested over a dozen smartwatches to find the best one for different ages.
The Best Baby Wraps and Slings
by Jennifer Bogo
We spent over 250 hours testing 15 wraps, slings, and meh dais, and found that the Solly Baby Wrap and Sakura Bloom Basics Sling are the best for most people.
30(ish) Family-Friendly Games We Love Under $35
by Wirecutter Staff and Gabriella DePinho
Break out the board games! Here’s a selection of our favorite cheap(ish) picks for players of all ages.
The Best Diaper Pail
by Jenni Gritters and Winnie Yang
A great diaper pail will contain stink, and make the process of changing a squirming baby easier.
Pets
The Best Winter Jackets and Raincoats for Dogs
by Mel Plaut
We used eight dog jackets on dozens of walks. The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Premier Free Parka Deluxe Dog Coat is the best for keeping your pup warm and dry.
The Best Pet Camera
by Kaitlyn Wells
Want to keep tabs on your beloved pet when you’re away? There’s a ready solution—and it’s cheaper than the pricey pet cameras you’ve seen online.
What’s the Best Vacuum for Pet Hair?
by Sabine Heinlein
We recommend six vacuums that have the tools, power, and maneuverability to tackle pet fur in your carpets, on your couch, or in your car.
Games and hobbies
The Best 3D Pen
by Signe Brewster
After 35 hours of testing, we think the easy-to-use, comfortable, full-featured 3Doodler Create+ is the best tool for drawing 3D sculptures.
The Best Bath Bombs Are Lush Bath Bombs
by Nancy Redd
Bath bombs from Lush, whose co-founder invented the effervescent tub treats, are truly the bomb. We tried 14 less-expensive options, finding none could compete.
Video Games to Ride Out the End of Winter
by Wirecutter Staff
Winter isn’t done yet, but there’s good news: These video games are ready to hang out with you inside until it warms up out there.
Our 5 Favorite Mystery Box Game Subscriptions
by James Austin
We played five different through-the-mail mystery subscription games to see what makes them stand out.
Software and apps
How to Organize Your Digital Files
by Melanie Pinola
With the right setup of folders and file names, you’ll always be able to find what you need on your computer.
The Best Password Managers
by Andrew Cunningham, Thorin Klosowski, and Max Eddy
Everyone should use a password manager, and after researching dozens and testing six, we recommend 1Password because it’s secure and easy to use.
The Best Photo Editing Apps for Android and iOS
by Erin Roberts and Ben Keough
If you wish your phone’s photos looked better, or if you just prefer editing images on your phone or tablet, Adobe Lightroom or Snapseed is the best choice.
Office
The Best Wi-Fi Mesh-Networking Systems
by Joel Santo Domingo
If a normal router can’t provide reliable wireless access to every corner of your home, mesh systems should help you work from home and stream games and movies without a hitch.
The Best Projectors
by Adrienne Maxwell
We reviewed every type of projector to find the best projector to fit your needs, whether it’s for a home theater or a home office.
The Best Business Card Printing Services
by Erin Roberts
We tested nine business card printing services and found that Moo delivers high-quality cards and is easy to use.
The Best Office Chair
by Melanie Pinola and Kaitlyn Wells
The impressively supportive, adjustable, and durable Steelcase Gesture is still our pick for the best office chair for most people, as it has been since 2015.
Cars
The Best Dash Cam
by Sarah Witman
If you’d like the peace of mind of having a dash cam record as you drive, we think the Vantrue N4 is the best overall choice for most people.
The Best Electric Vehicle Chargers for Home
by Sarah Witman
After 28 hours of research and 85 hours of testing, we’ve found the best ways to charge your electric vehicle at home.
Are Rotating Car Seats Worth It?
by Christina Szalinski
Rotating car seats are gaining popularity—but for the typical family, they’re not better than simpler options. Here’s what to know before buying one.
Money
8 Deals Just in Time for Spring Cleaning, Travel, and More
by Kaitlin Mahar
Spring has sprung—and so have seasonal sales on gear for spring cleaning, gardening, and travel. Our experts share what’s actually worth buying.
Ask Wirecutter: How Do I Get My Spouse to Turn Off the Lights?
by Annemarie Conte
If you’re of a certain age, you may be following outdated light bulb advice.
Wirecutter’s 100 Most Popular Picks of February 2024
by Wirecutter Staff
Here are the 100 things our readers loved most in February, from carry-on luggage to boxed chocolates and more.
Show Some Love With These Valentine’s Day Deals
by Kaitlin Mahar
There’s no wrong time for romantic gestures. Hallmark holiday or no, we’ve found these discounts to help you delight your loved one.