Dollar Digits Blogger Feed

Love Your Candles and Want Them to Last Forever? Buy a Candle Warmer.

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:28:36 +0000

I have at least 15 candles stashed around my apartment, and all of them have been given to me by loved ones. They’re special, and I’m selective about how often I burn them. I make sure they don’t tunnel, I always trim wicks to ¼ inch, and I burn them for only about two hours at a time—all in an effort to make them last as long as possible.

So when my Instagram algorithm started serving me influencer after influencer raving about their candle warmers, I was intrigued. For the uninitiated, a candle warmer is an electric device that looks like a lamp and uses ambient heat, rather than an open flame, to melt a candle’s wax and release the scent. Seeing these candle warmers in action, I realized that maybe I didn’t need to be so precious about my candles to make them last. Maybe I just needed a candle warmer.

To find out, I bought two Brooklyn Candle Studio Palo Santo Minimalist Candles (a pick in our scented candle guide) and the Luzdiosa Candle Warmer Lamp (based on a colleague’s recommendation).

Top pick

Brooklyn Candle Studio Palo Santo Minimalist Candle

Sweet, smoky, ethereal

This palo santo–scented candle looks elegant, and its scent is exquisite.

Buying Options

$31 from Amazon

$30 from Brooklyn Candle Studio

The Best Gear for Aging Pets

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 14:45:36 +0000

Two of my cats, Porter and Crash, were born in a dresser drawer in Brooklyn. I brought them home when I was in my 20s and they were a few months old. By my 30s, just as I was thriving in adulthood, my BFFs (best feline friends) were starting to wind down. I was lucky to live with them into my 40s, but those last 10 years were distinctly different from the first 10.

There are few things that tax the human heart more than seeing beloved pets approach the end of their lives.

While I couldn’t stop the process of aging, I did everything I could to make things more comfortable for them. I kissed and petted them more, I traveled less, and I bought (or built) things to help them sleep better, eat more, and generally feel at ease as their bodies slowly declined.

For those who have a dog or cat entering their senior years, I’ve put together this list—with the help of vets, behaviorists, and fellow pet caretakers—to guide you through the journey. And while this is by no means a complete inventory of scenarios or products, I hope it at least gives you a good starting point.

Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, your first stop should not be Wirecutter or even the broader internet—it should always be your veterinarian.

I Have a Dozen Power Banks at Home. This Is the One I Always Pack.

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 14:16:47 +0000

For a few years in college, when I spent more time around smokers, I carried a lighter in my purse in case a friend or a desperate stranger needed to bum a light. These days, I like to re-create this helpful gesture by bringing a portable charger wherever I go. If anyone’s phone battery is low, I get to save the day—and, of course, keep my own devices from dying.

As a writer on the powering beat, I have endless options in the rotation. But the one I usually reach for when packing a bag for the day is the Belkin BoostCharge Plus 10K.

The Best Outdoor Speakers

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:26:28 +0000

We love the convenience of portable Bluetooth speakers. But for people who want a more permanent—and higher-quality—outdoor audio setup for a backyard or patio, we suggest a good set of weather-resistant outdoor speakers.

Outdoor speakers come in two general varieties: traditional-looking speakers that you mount on a wall or post, and landscape speakers designed to blend more discreetly into your outdoor environment. We have recommendations for both.

Hide Stuff Behind the Curtains—and More Storage Hacks from Our Experts

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:00:47 +0000

In this edition of Clean Everything, we talk about how to (creatively) hide bulky items around a small apartment. Plus: a portable kitchen island and a handsome caddy for your cleaning potions.

Step into staff writer and organizing expert Caroline Mullen’s 750-square-foot apartment, and you’d hardly suspect she’s storing a workshop’s worth of tools—including three power saws, a slew of DIY supplies, and gallons upon gallons of paint—around her abode. “What’s a city rat with a passion for DIY to do?” she writes. “Well, I’ve had to get creative with how I store things.”

Caroline swears by a few key storage solutions for stashing her bulky tools away so neatly. A few of her favorite tips? Using the furniture she already owns as hiding places, relying on cute baskets for her sewing supplies, and taking advantage of the treasure trove of space behind the couch.

“I may or may not get a secret thrill from knowing that guests don’t realize there are gallons of paint and 7-foot boards hidden behind the living room curtains,” she writes.

We Played the Nintendo Switch 2, and You're Going to Want One. But It's Expensive

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:00:15 +0000

The Nintendo Switch 2 is almost here, and we got to play it.

The original Nintendo Switch launched more than eight years ago, and while we’ve seen minor updates since, the new Nintendo Switch 2 is a meaningful upgrade in almost every way: It has a much faster processor, a bigger screen, redesigned Joy-cons, and new games you’ll only be able to play on Nintendo’s latest console.

The Switch 2 goes on sale June 5 for $450—a $150 jump over the original’s starting price. We got a sneak peek and some hands-on time with the new console at a Nintendo event in New York City on April 2, and, spoiler alert: It may look a lot like the old Switch, but it's packed with enough improvements (and has enough new games) that you're almost certainly going to want one.

We Played the Nintendo Switch 2, and You’re Going to Want One. But It’s Expensive.

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:00:15 +0000

The Nintendo Switch 2 is almost here, and we got to play it.

The original Nintendo Switch launched more than eight years ago, and while we’ve seen minor updates since, the new Nintendo Switch 2 represents a meaningful upgrade in almost every way: It has a much faster processor, a bigger screen, redesigned Joy-Con controllers, and new games you’ll be able to play only on Nintendo’s latest console.

The Switch 2 goes on sale June 5 for $450—a $150 jump over the original’s starting price. We got a sneak peek and some hands-on time with the new console at a Nintendo event in New York City on April 2. Spoiler alert: It may look a lot like the old Switch, but it’s packed with enough improvements—and has enough new games—that you’re almost certainly going to want one.

I Saved More Than 2,000 Pounds of Food Waste From the Landfill With This Simple Composter

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:35:29 +0000

Do you like the idea of composting, but not the idea of maintaining a heap of rotting comestibles? Do you care about keeping stinky food scraps out of landfills, but not about creating compost?

For lazy environmentalists like me who want to reduce their own household waste without assigning themselves more chores, there is a simple option: the Redmon Green Culture 65-Gallon Compost Bin.

Why You Should Read Past the Picks of a Wirecutter Guide

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 10:00:11 +0000

Have you ever felt “Wiregutted?” According to Wirecutter staff, that’s a special level of disappointment when you realize that a belonging isn’t a Wirecutter pick.

The reality is, there are plenty of reasons to buy something that isn’t a Wirecutter pick. We do exhaustive research and testing to understand what makes a product great and then find the best of the best. But we can have only so many picks, leaving plenty of hidden gems relegated to the “Worth considering” (sometimes called "Other good") and “Competition” sections. If you ever find yourself not quite connecting with our top, budget, or upgrade pick, here are some reasons we invite you to read on through the rest of the guide. You might just find that the thing you want to buy lives somewhere outside the picks.

How to Choose a Mattress

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 21:04:37 +0000

Many people approach mattress shopping in the wrong way, focusing solely on measures of firmness level or sleep position, considering only the price, or choosing materials and technology touted in ads. But that approach might land you a not-so-comfy mattress that you could regret buying.

The advice in this guide will show you a better way (hint: focus on comfort and support). This guide builds on our hundreds of hours of research and sleep testing to help you find a mattress you’ll happily sleep on for years.

We Tried the Nipple Cream Hack ‘White Lotus’ Star Carrie Coon Swears By—and Loved It

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 21:03:46 +0000

If Carrie Coon told any one of us at Wirecutter to jump, the only question we’d ask is, “Wait, Carrie Coon is actually talking to me?!?” And then, of course, we’d ask, “How high?” That’s how much we adore (and believe we’d be fantastic IRL besties with) the actress who appears as fortysomething divorcée Laurie Duffy on the third season of The White Lotus.

So when Coon, also known for playing social climber Bertha Russell on The Gilded Age, mentioned in a recent TikTok video that she swears by lanolin-based Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream as a lip balm—and that she has “converted a lot of people to nipple cream for their lips”—we knew we had to try it.

“I never leave the house without Lansinoh Nipple Cream for my lips,” she says in the clip (which, we confirmed with a brand rep, was not a paid endorsement). “Nipples and lips are basically the same tissue. So it stands to reason that nipple cream’s going to work very well on your lips.”

She also insists that “you don’t have to put [the Lansinoh cream] on as often” as lip balm. And because it’s meant for use in an area where babies nurse, “you can eat it,” she says. “So it’s perfectly safe to put on your face.”

The 27 Best Gifts for Gardeners

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 19:43:02 +0000

All avid gardeners have their preferred tools of the trade. So getting your favorite gardener a gift that relates to their area of expertise could leave you feeling trapped between the technical (what is the best hose, anyway?) and the utterly useless (gazing globe, garden gnomes). The picks on this list are a combination of tried-and-true yet not strictly necessary (aka not something they already have).

Highlights include a push-pull wonder that makes short work of weeding, our staff’s favorite trowel, and excellent, unexpected garden shoes. Each item is a joy to have on hand, especially if your beloved gardener’s hands are happiest in the dirt.

Looking for more gardening info? Check out our guides to shovels, pruners, and even fire pits.

The Best Emergency Food Kits

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 19:27:57 +0000

Although it would take a severe, large-scale catastrophe to disrupt the entire food-supply chain, there are certain circumstances in which you may have trouble getting food. A blizzard could cut off your access to roads for several days. A week-long loss of power could spoil your perishables and leave you without a working stove. An evacuation order could force you out of your home, and a couple meals stashed in a go bag could make the difference.

Emergency food kits containing easy-to-prepare, shelf-stable meals can also give you peace of mind, especially if you live in a region where weather events may disrupt your access to fresh food. These meals last for years (sometimes up to 30), they are easy to prepare, and many come in lightweight, portable pouches. Sure, shelf-stable meals don’t provide a gourmet dining experience, but they’re often nutritionally dense and packed with protein. So they can keep you going during a time of great stress.

Outdoor and Backyard Lighting We Love

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 19:26:49 +0000

Your phone’s flashlight app will work in a pinch, but if you’re spending serious time outside after sundown—eating an alfresco dinner, reading a book in your tent, throwing a beach bash—you need an outdoor light, or several.

After 16 hours of research and 49 hours of testing, we’ve found the best packable lights, tabletop lanterns, flameless candles, string lights, and path lights for all of your outdoor adventures.

The 19 Best Gifts for People Going Through a Divorce

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 18:28:58 +0000

In this day and age, a divorce, rather than a wedding, may actually be the time when individuals are most in need of communal support in the form of an onslaught of gifts. Soon-to-be-divorced loved ones may need to entirely outfit a new apartment or fill in empty spots in their kitchen cabinets. They may need to rediscover themselves as individuals or just get a little pick-me-up.

Taking them on a Target run, helping them fill and send out a divorce registry, or showing up with a cake when the papers are finally signed are all thoughtful gestures. Whatever stage of the process they’re in, we’ve found gifts to support, fulfill, and uplift them during this rocky time, including delicious, high-quality frozen meals and a life-changing introduction to meditation.

If you’re seeking ideas for filling out a half-stocked home, our wedding registry gift list is a good reference for best-in-class household items. And if your loved one has ended up without a drill or a toolbox, our home-and-garden section has thoroughly tested recommendations for every manner of tool.

The Best Lego Sets for Kids

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 16:36:58 +0000

From our years of covering Lego sets for kids, combined with collective personal experience as a staff full of caretakers and gift-givers, we know that there’s no single Lego set that every kid will love. Interest in any particular Lego set always lies with the individual. For Lego newbies, however, we recommend starting with a…

The Best Smart Thermostat

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 15:35:16 +0000

What’s so smart about smart thermostats? They not only ensure your home’s temperature is comfortable, but they also do that while saving money and—not coincidentally—fighting climate change by better conserving energy resources. And the smartest ones do all that automatically.

Our pick, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, kept the temperature more consistently pleasant year-round than any other model we tested. It comes with a remote SmartSensor, which balances temps in your home, and it has a built-in smart speaker for use with Alexa or Siri. Ecobee’s privacy policy is best in class, and the company still provides support for even its earliest years-old models.

The Best Pajamas

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:42:39 +0000

You don’t need to get all decked out at bedtime in order to slumber in peace; any old T-shirt-and-sweats combo will suffice. But nothing sets the stage for blissful relaxation—or makes the nightly wind-down ritual feel more welcome, intentional, and enjoyable—quite like a terrific set of pajamas.

Since 2018, we’ve spent countless hours sleeping and lounging in 56 different sets of PJs on a quest to find the comfiest, chicest, most downright indulgent women’s, men’s, and unisex options.

We’ve landed on 11 standouts—in a range of fabrics, cuts, and styles—that will take you through every mood and season. So whether you dream of drifting off in supersoft cotton, cozy flannel, or lustrous silk, our ultra-vetted picks are here to level up your pajama game.

The Top Tools for Earthquake Preparedness

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 13:28:33 +0000

Earthquakes can strike without warning. So taking small steps now to prepare can help reduce injuries and make living in the immediate aftermath a bit easier (this applies to any natural disaster).

Aside from learning the basics on what to do during the event—drop to the ground, cover your head, and hold on—here are the most essential items experts and earthquake survivors recommend having on hand.

The Wirecutter Show Episode 34: Cleaning Hacks from Wirecutter Experts

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 09:00:17 +0000

Listen and follow The Wirecutter Show

Our staff experts reveal time-tested methods for cleaning the most neglected (and grimy) areas of your home–from greasy ovens to stained patio furniture.

Guests: special projects director Christine Cyr Clisset, editorial director Marguerite Preston, senior writer Doug Mahoney, senior writer Rachel Wharton, staff writer Thom Dunn and senior editor Harry Sawyers

Things we recommend

I Can’t Get Enough of These Steel Tubs in My Garden

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:43:45 +0000

I’m an avid gardener, and we own a small farm in western Washington. But I spend most of my days in my home office, which is in our basement.

It has everything I could possibly need for work, for sewing in my free time, or simply for watching Bridgerton in peace and quiet. I’m lucky to have it (and it does have one set of doors to the ground level), but it’s still an office … in the basement.

A few years ago I decided to give myself a change of scenery by starting a container garden on the patio just outside, with a little table I could work at on sunny days. I had a lot of ideas for flowers to draw in pollinators, as well as colors and smells to relax my mind when my writing is stuck.

But first I needed pots—a lot of them. I built this garden just for me, on a budget, so I wanted gorgeous, dependable containers that wouldn’t break the bank. After a lot of trial and error, Behrens tubs became my go-tos. And though I use many different sizes in my garden (and, increasingly, all over our farm), my absolute favorites are the Behrens Galvanized Steel Bushel Basket and the Behrens 17-Gallon Multi-Purpose Steel Utility Tub.

Top pick

Behrens Galvanized Steel Bushel Basket

Sturdy, good-looking, and cheap

These big tubs have modern country vibes. They’re durable, they don’t overheat plants, and they can hold everything from wildflowers to rose bushes.

Buying Options

$30 from Amazon

$30 from Walmart

Behrens 17-Gallon Multi-Purpose Steel Utility Tub

Perfect for small trees

These simply styled tubs are bigger than the bushels, and they’re a little easier to find at local DIY stores. They make it easy to move larger garden dwellers (like small trees).

Buying Options

$26 from The Home Depot

The 25 Best Gifts for New Moms

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:48:36 +0000

Becoming a parent can be a wonderful time and also a mixed bag of emotions. People transition to parenthood in many different ways, experiencing everything from exhaustion to elation (often in the same hour). Between struggles with latching, nighttime shifts, and that postpartum pelvic floor, early motherhood can take a toll on one’s body, sleep, and sense of self—all while bringing delight, wonder, and boundless love. It’s a time when a mom really needs support, and these picks celebrate, pamper, and lovingly help during those heady early days.

If you’re looking for gifts for other maternal figures, consider our gift guides for moms, mother-in-laws, and grandmothers, as well as all of our recommendations for mothers, babies, and kids.

The Best Keyboards

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:06:12 +0000

A great keyboard should be comfortable and satisfying to type on all day long, but which one you should buy depends on a number of your preferences. We’ve spent thousands of hours typing on keyboards of all kinds to help you narrow down your search, whether you want a wireless keyboard to minimize clutter, a compact keyboard to save desk space, or an ergonomic keyboard to mitigate or prevent discomfort. We also have advice for deciding which type to get if you’re not sure where to start.

The Best Smart LED Light Bulbs

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:04:17 +0000

Smart LED bulbs provide a near-instant way to transform the feel of a room. Screw in a smart bulb (or several) and pair it with an app, and in an instant your TV room has the vibe of a home theater or your dining room a sense of candle-like warmth. And this is possible without ever having to buy and install a dimmer switch.

They also excel at making life more convenient. You can easily create Schedules so that bulbs inside and outside your home go off as needed. Or have them light automatically when someone arrives home and turn off when everyone leaves.

After a new round of testing, the WiZ 60W A19 Color LED continues to be the best smart bulb. It delivered strong lux readings at a variety of light levels (more on this later) and has a wide color temperature range, and its app offers the best set of built-in Scenes and smart-home integrations—all at a great price.

The Best Smart Sensors for Alexa, Apple Home, and Google Home

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 17:39:30 +0000

Smart sensors are a bit like the power-ups you might aim for in a video game—add one or several to your smart home, and they’ll give your system a turbo boost.

These matchbox-sized devices are typically small enough not to stand out and are meant to be placed in areas where you want to monitor activity or changes in ambient conditions, and once something happens, they send you a smartphone alert. They can variously detect temperature or humidity, whether a door, window, or cabinet has been opened, or simply if someone or something has entered a room.

The Best Air Conditioner

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 17:37:03 +0000

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 than any window AC we’ve ever tested.

The Best Compact Mechanical Keyboards

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 15:48:11 +0000

If you spend most of your day typing, you shouldn’t be stuck with the mushy keys on your laptop or a cheap, uncomfortable desktop keyboard. Mechanical keyboards are super customizable, so you can find a look and feel that you love. And compact keyboards—which are similar in size and layout to a laptop keyboard—take up less space on your desk.

Of the dozens of keyboards we’ve tested, the 75% Keychron V1 Max and the 65% Keychron V2 Max provide the best typing experience and the most extra features for the price.

The Best Sunscreen

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 15:14:35 +0000

The best sunscreen is the one you’ll apply liberally and often, so it should look and feel good on your skin.

Across 11 years, we’ve evaluated over 100 sunscreens, recruiting panels of people with a variety of skin tones and body-hair textures to apply lotions in brand-concealed comparisons. We’ve found that the “reef-safe” physical sunscreen Thrive Bodyshield SPF 50 and the chemical sunscreen Banana Boat Light As Air Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 best suit most preferences.

For people who use a lot of sunscreen (or who simply prefer to spend less), we also recommend a budget option in a big bottle: Equate Sport Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Value Size SPF 50 is a chemical sunscreen that rubs in effortlessly but has an added fragrance our testers found divisive. It’s about four times less expensive per ounce than Banana Boat Light As Air, and over 10 times less so than Thrive Bodyshield.

If you want a physical sunscreen without added fragrance, the four-ingredient Badger Adventure Mineral Sunscreen Cream SPF 50 is a great choice.

The Best Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 15:11:01 +0000

Although no sunscreen has been proven totally safe for aquatic wildlife—wearing a rash guard or other protective clothing while you snorkel is the best choice for coral as well as for your skin—some formulas are friendlier than others.

After researching the issue and evaluating 25 sunscreens that claim to be reef safe, we’ve found that Thrive Bodyshield SPF 50 has ingredients that scientists recommend in a reef-safe sunscreen, plus feels nicer and costs less than competitors.

If you don’t like or can’t find our top pick, we recommend Badger Adventure Mineral Sunscreen Cream SPF 50 and Thinksport Clear Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50 as runners-up.

The Vacationers’ Guide to Protecting a Home From Disasters, Bandits, and Other Costly Calamities

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 14:47:56 +0000

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 by Mother Nature.

I have since found salvation in a potent collection of smart-home gear. Some devices (like a smart water valve) directly protect our home, while others (such as smart smoke alarms and a few outdoor cameras) act as always-alert sentries that quickly notify me if problems crop up. From just about anywhere in the world, I can use an app to instantly connect with my team of smart devices and ensure all is well—and I can take action if those devices show something has gone hinky.

Here are several effective and easy-to-install devices that will enable you to keep tabs on your home whenever you’re away. Pick and choose the ones that will solve the problems you worry about most, and then enjoy the ensuing peace of mind.

Quick, non-technical fixes before you get started

There are a few time-tested and commonsensical habits that everyone should adopt when leaving home for more than a couple of days. The big-picture concept is to eliminate any clues a potential burglar would use when deciding which home to prey upon.

Beg, bribe, or coerce a trusted neighbor or gullible friend to make regular visits, and have them visit at random times, if possible. Ensure they have an extra set of house keys (or know the door code).
If you’ve left a car behind, have this person move it periodically. If your driveway is empty, have a neighbor park a vehicle there.
Don’t let mail and newspapers pile up. Instead stop your mail, or get someone to pick it up. And don’t leave a note on the door for deliveries. Instead, set up an account with delivery services like FedEx and UPS, as well as Amazon, and have deliveries rerouted to a pickup location.
If your drapes or shades aren’t normally closed, keep them open while you’re away.
For stretches longer than a week, hire someone to mow the yard and put out and collect your garbage cans on schedule.

These steps are simple but can go a long way to masking your absence. Another useful tip: If you have someone coming by to care for pets, enlist them to water your houseplants and garden as well.

Camouflage your absence

Most burglaries are crimes of opportunity, and a thief looking to not get caught will usually be attracted to homes that seem empty. Smart devices provide a number of ways to make it look like someone is in your house, and setting them up is as easy as using a smartphone app.

TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25)

Smart plug

Connect a lamp to the plug and then use an app to create a simple or sophisticated on/off schedule.

Buying Options

$35 from Amazon
(pack of four)

Smart plugs are just on/off switches that you plug other devices into (you can read more about them in our guide to plug-in smart switches). But they also let you easily create timer-style Schedules using an app. And they can be set up to turn on or off if another smart device is triggered—like a motion or window sensor. The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25) has an especially easy-to-use app; it features an Away mode that tells it to turn on and off randomly, simulating how someone might move around a house. I like that it’s especially small (and therefore fits behind furniture) and that it’s inexpensive (it comes in a three-pack), so you can put a few around the house.

WiZ 60W A19 Color LED Smart Bulb

Smart LED light bulb

It provides bright light, excellent colors, and an array of features, including remote control, scheduling, and timers.

Buying Options

$11 from Amazon

$11 from Lowe's

The WiZ 60W A19 Color LED is inexpensive, yet it’s one of the brightest bulbs we’ve tested, with an output of 800 lumens. Like a smart plug, a smart bulb can turn on and off on a Schedule that you customize. Smart bulbs are a great option for light fixtures, including enclosed outdoor ones. You can also set them up to be triggered by a motion sensor or another smart device such as a smart lock—an additional burglar-busting feature.

IKEA Fyrtur

A smart shade

While pricier models are customizable, these fixed-size models are affordable, work well, and have decently long-lived rechargeable batteries.

Buying Options

$150 from IKEA

Smart blinds and shades are the epitome of pretending-to-be-home smart tech. They are battery-operated and typically have a remote control, but they can also be app-controlled and put on a Schedule (similar to the way smart bulbs and plugs work). One hitch is that they tend to be prohibitively expensive (to the tune of a few hundred bucks), and they require custom sizing and, in some cases, installation. IKEA’s Fyrtur smart shades are the exception. They come in one blackout fabric option and a set range of standard sizes, but they are a fraction of the price of many others. So if they fit your windows, they’re a great, handy option. In my home, they are set up on a sunset/sunrise schedule to close and open in conjunction with smart lighting in the same rooms—the effect is impressive!

Fortify your castle

As with football and arguing with a child, the best offense is a good defense. Smart devices are especially great at bolstering home security with minimum fuss. They are also great at ensuring you (and in some cases the authorities) are instantly notified should someone or something attempt to break in. The devices highlighted here are all DIY-friendly. And while some may offer or require a subscription, they can be set up and canceled as needed without penalty.

Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi

The Best Smart Security Devices to Make Your New Home Feel Safe

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 14:37:17 +0000

For new homeowners, picking furniture, choosing paint schemes, and finding bath towels with the right fluff factor tend to be top priority. Home security, however, ought to be the first item on the list.
If that sounds like paranoia to you, relax—today’s DIY smart security systems and devices not only help foil burglars and other miscreants but also make life far more flexible and convenient.

Spring Is Actually a Great Time to Give Gifts. Here Are Deals on Some of Our Favorites.

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 12:49:14 +0000

Gift-giving is my love language. What better way to show someone how important they are to me than by surprising them with a present that perfectly suits them? Because I find it so fulfilling, I tend to buy gifts when inspiration hits and then hold on to them until it’s time to give.
The current slate of spring sales provides a great opportunity for anyone with a shopping strategy like mine—namely, to stock up on gifts for the spring and summer holidays to come, in addition to anything else on your calendar this year.
Whether you’re looking for treats to fill kids’ Easter baskets, a Mother’s Day present (that she’ll be happy to know you got on sale), or an off-registry gift for any of the multiple weddings you’re attending this summer, our gifts team has your back. They dedicate the entire year to researching and testing things so you can always give the best gifts.
On top of that, the Wirecutter Deals team is scouring the internet for the best spring deals, sharing only those that meet their stringent standards. After all, finding the ideal present is even more rewarding when you can snag it at a discount.
Here are the best spring-sale deals we’ve found on Wirecutter-approved gifts. May your giftees truly love them.

10 Spring Deals on Sleep Gear We Love

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 12:48:30 +0000

As the days turn longer and hotter, you may be on the hunt for high-quality gear that can help you weather the seasonal transition while improving the quality of your sleep.
If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Several spring sale events are underway at an array of retailers—from Amazon to Walmart—offering good deals on the mattresses, comforters, pillows, alarm clocks, and other slumber-related stuff that Wirecutter recommends and loves.
Whether you’re looking for a white noise machine to block out the sounds of summer or a set of crisp, new sheets to replace your flannel ones, every item you see here has been rigorously vetted by our sleep testers for comfort and durability. The Wirecutter Deals team has also double-checked that the discounts on offer truly give you a lot of bang for the buck and aren’t something to (pardon our pun) sleep on.
After all, spring is a time to refresh—and what’s more refreshing than a great night’s sleep?

A Whole Bunch of Our New Favorite Skin-Care Essentials Are on Sale Today

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 12:47:57 +0000

With warm weather and more outdoors time creeping up, it’s probably time to stock up on sunscreen—and chances are good that your repertoire could use a refresh. (And yes, the years-old bottle of sunscreen in your cabinet is probably expired.)
But SPF aside, you have even more skin-care deals to consider. We just wrapped up nine months of work, whittling down a list of more than 300 skin-care products (including 128 finalists) to just 31 picks—with only the best of the best earning a spot. Not only that, but we’ve also done the legwork to ensure that you can find products for your skin-care needs at a price that’s right for you.
And it turns out that a bunch of them are on sale right now, too.

The Best Deals for All Your Spring Cleaning

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 12:46:50 +0000

Surprise, surprise: Just in time for spring cleaning, many of our expert-approved cleaning, organizing, and appliance picks are on sale.
Over the years, we’ve made lots of messes to put these products to the test. We’ve mopped up colored chalk and New York City street slush with our mop picks, burned countless matches to measure air purifier effectiveness, and measured vacuum airflow and suction with an anemometer and a specialized suction gauge, to name just a few.
You can be sure that everything here has been tested and approved by our journalists. On top of that, the Wirecutter Deals team has vetted every deal here for quality, taking into account price histories, return policies, unexpected shipping fees, membership costs, and warranties.
So if you’re hoping to invest in some tools that will make spring cleaning easier and perhaps even more fun, here are the deals worth snagging on our favorite cleaning and organizing products and appliances.

The Best Last-Minute Deals From Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (and Across the Internet)

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 12:38:53 +0000

If you tend to make a beeline for the bargain basement, you know that March hasn’t historically been a good time to find a deal. So you might be surprised to discover that several merchants are trying to make spring sales a thing—Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (which ends today) and Walmart’s Spring Savings Sale chief among them.
What should be less surprising, especially for regular readers of Wirecutter, is that most of the deals in such sales aren’t worth your attention. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a tulip or daffodil among the weeds.
The Wirecutter Deals team has been poring over every spring sale to find the very best deals on the things our journalists recommend, usually after several rounds of rigorous testing. On top of that, we track prices all year round to confirm that every discount we feature is actually a good deal.
So whether you’re getting ready for spring break, prepping your backyard for warmer weather, or just feeling an itch to refresh your home or switch up your wardrobe with the change of seasons, you can be confident that these spring deals are the best you’ll find.

The Best Last-Minute Deals From Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (and Across the Internet)

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 04:30:02 +0000

If you tend to make a beeline for the bargain basement, you know that March hasn’t historically been a good time to find a deal. So you might be surprised to discover that several merchants are trying to make spring sales a thing—Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (which ends today) and Walmart’s Spring Savings Sale chief among them.
What should be less surprising, especially for regular readers of Wirecutter, is that most of the deals in such sales aren’t worth your attention. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a tulip or daffodil among the weeds.
The Wirecutter Deals team has been poring over every spring sale to find the very best deals on the things our journalists recommend, usually after several rounds of rigorous testing. On top of that, we track prices all year round to confirm that every discount we feature is actually a good deal.
So whether you’re getting ready for spring break, prepping your backyard for warmer weather, or just feeling an itch to refresh your home or switch up your wardrobe with the change of seasons, you can be confident that these spring deals are the best you’ll find.

The Best Last-Minute Deals From Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (and Across the Internet)

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 03:00:04 +0000

If you tend to make a beeline for the bargain basement, you know that March hasn’t historically been a good time to find a deal. So you might be surprised to discover that several merchants are trying to make spring sales a thing—Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (which ends today) and Walmart’s Spring Savings Sale chief among them.
What should be less surprising, especially for regular readers of Wirecutter, is that most of the deals in such sales aren’t worth your attention. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a tulip or daffodil among the weeds.
The Wirecutter Deals team has been poring over every spring sale to find the very best deals on the things our journalists recommend, usually after several rounds of rigorous testing. On top of that, we track prices all year round to confirm that every discount we feature is actually a good deal.
So whether you’re getting ready for spring break, prepping your backyard for warmer weather, or just feeling an itch to refresh your home or switch up your wardrobe with the change of seasons, you can be confident that these spring deals are the best you’ll find.

The Best Last-Minute Deals From Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (and Across the Internet)

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 02:00:04 +0000

If you tend to make a beeline for the bargain basement, you know that March hasn’t historically been a good time to find a deal. So you might be surprised to discover that several merchants are trying to make spring sales a thing—Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (which ends today) and Walmart’s Spring Savings Sale chief among them.
What should be less surprising, especially for regular readers of Wirecutter, is that most of the deals in such sales aren’t worth your attention. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a tulip or daffodil among the weeds.
The Wirecutter Deals team has been poring over every spring sale to find the very best deals on the things our journalists recommend, usually after several rounds of rigorous testing. On top of that, we track prices all year round to confirm that every discount we feature is actually a good deal.
So whether you’re getting ready for spring break, prepping your backyard for warmer weather, or just feeling an itch to refresh your home or switch up your wardrobe with the change of seasons, you can be confident that these spring deals are the best you’ll find.

Outdoor and Backyard Lighting We Love

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 23:37:29 +0000

Your phone’s flashlight app will work in a pinch, but if you’re spending serious time outside after sundown—eating an alfresco dinner, reading a book in your tent, throwing a beach bash—you need an outdoor light, or several.
After 16 hours of research and 49 hours of testing, we’ve found the best packable lights, tabletop lanterns, flameless candles, string lights, and path lights for all of your outdoor adventures.

The Best Last-Minute Deals From Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (and Across the Internet)

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 23:30:02 +0000

If you tend to make a beeline for the bargain basement, you know that March hasn’t historically been a good time to find a deal. So you might be surprised to discover that several merchants are trying to make spring sales a thing—Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (which ends today) and Walmart’s Spring Savings Sale chief among them.
What should be less surprising, especially for regular readers of Wirecutter, is that most of the deals in such sales aren’t worth your attention. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a tulip or daffodil among the weeds.
The Wirecutter Deals team has been poring over every spring sale to find the very best deals on the things our journalists recommend, usually after several rounds of rigorous testing. On top of that, we track prices all year round to confirm that every discount we feature is actually a good deal.
So whether you’re getting ready for spring break, prepping your backyard for warmer weather, or just feeling an itch to refresh your home or switch up your wardrobe with the change of seasons, you can be confident that these spring deals are the best you’ll find.

The 36 Best Cheap Mother’s Day Gifts Under $50

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 21:32:48 +0000

If money were no object, most people would choose to buy their mothers castles, islands, or dream homes. Of course, money is an object, and a lot of people are in the position of not having, well, enough of it.
But fret not, cash-strapped progeny! You can still show the mom in your life that you care without breaking the bank. Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite gifts that are $50 or less, including a super-versatile spatula, a cheeky swan bag, and a bracelet that tracks wildlife.
We also have gift ideas for new moms, grandmas, and mothers-in-law, plus Mother’s Day ideas in all price ranges and last-minute saves.

The Best Plastic-Free Bowls, Plates, Cups, and Utensils for Babies and Kids

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 20:56:49 +0000

I have two little kids, ages 5 and 2, the younger of whom recently started eating solid food. When my older child reached this milestone, I aimed to get her excited about the process by buying feeding tools that were colorful—and many of them were made of plastic.
But as the time came for my son to start using tableware, I’d become more aware of the growing concerns about plastics. While researching and writing Wirecutter’s guide to the best baby bottles, I learned about two class-action lawsuits brought against two leading baby bottle companies, Philips North America and Handi-Craft Company, for failing to warn consumers that their plastic bottles may leach microplastics when heated and used to prepare formula. Research shows that plastic food packaging might also leach harmful chemicals.
My kids were eating and drinking from plastic throughout the day. What did all that exposure mean for their developing bodies?
The experts I interviewed told me that the chemicals that are added to some plastics, like bisphenol and phthalates, are associated with a host of health impacts, including endocrine disruption, obesity, and neurodevelopmental disruption. Kids may be particularly susceptible to the effects of these compounds because their relative exposure level is higher than adults and because their bodily systems are still developing.

The Best Balance Bikes

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 20:28:34 +0000

A balance bike may be a little kid’s first introduction to zipping around on their own steam. These bikes help tots learn to steer, brake, balance, and ride—making the eventual graduation to a pedal bike easier than it might be with training wheels.
Kids as young as 18 months may be able to ride a balance bike, and many bikes can keep kids happily gliding along until they’re kindergarten age or older. Kids can ride them outdoors or indoors (if your home has the room) and can use them on family jaunts through the neighborhood. Quality balance bikes also have good resale value, and you can search for a lightly used one if you’re shopping on a budget. We also have recommendations for the best kids helmets.
After spending over 80 hours researching and assembling 26 balance bikes, and subjecting them to test panels of highly energetic kids, we’re confident that the Guardian Balance Bike is the best choice.

If You’ve Turned Your Home Into an Airbnb, You Need Smart Devices

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 20:22:38 +0000

For anyone who’s thought of taking a try at running an Airbnb, smart devices are practically non-negotiable. With a modest investment in the right collection of gadgets, you can monitor your property in real time in a number of useful, potentially life-saving ways that otherwise would be impossible or too onerous to keep up with. And, most crucially, you can do all of this while preserving privacy and being transparent about it with renters—without coming off as some Peeping Tom creep. (And, just to note, Airbnb has specific policies about using recording devices.)

The 36 Best Gifts for Your Mother-in-Law

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 20:21:42 +0000

Even though so many mothers-in-law are truly lovely, collectively they tend to get a bad rap. Maybe your MIL is your bestie and confidant, or maybe you’re just getting to know her. Either way, she did bring your beloved into the world, and she deserves a nod when an occasion arises where you can express your gratitude and affection (or at least try to get in her good graces).
The gifts on this list are for travelers, cooks, readers, hosts, gardeners, decorators, and loungers, because in the end, your mother-in-law is a person as unique and individual as anyone else.
There’s a stunning crepe-paper flower, a kneeling pad for gardening , and a lovely tea-towel subscription service (you know you’re curious!).
Looking for a gift that speaks to her particular interest? Check out Gifts for Gardeners, Gifts for Book Lovers, or Gifts for Frequent Travelers. We also have Gifts for New Moms and Gifts for Mom.

4 Small Smart Devices That Can Prevent Major Home Damage

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 19:51:04 +0000

I don’t like surprises, especially the kind that cost me money. Our sump pump failed one winter during a flash thaw, but I didn’t find out about it until several inches of water ruined the electronics, books, and furniture in our basement. I could have avoided that damage with a simple smart water-leak sensor, which would have alerted me to the problem early. If you’re the kind of person who loses sleep worrying about home catastrophes, you can ease your anxiety with fairly inexpensive smart-home sensors that can detect small problems before they become big expensive ones.

35 Small-Kitchen Organization Ideas That Make the Most of Tight Quarters

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 19:32:18 +0000

When you have a small kitchen, finding space for a plethora of tools and equipment can feel like a frustrating game of Tetris. To help you make better use of tight quarters, we spoke with organizing experts and chefs. And we tested dozens and dozens of shelves, racks, magnets, and other space-saving options. Below we list the tips and tools you need to optimize every inch of a tiny kitchen.

The Best Slow Cooker

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 19:17:55 +0000

Slow cookers are pretty simple machines, and a convenient way to make meals during the week. Good ones can maintain a consistent temperature that’s high enough to keep food out of the danger zone, but low enough to run safely when left at home during the workday.
We’ve been recommending the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget 6 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker since we first published this review in 2013. We’ve found that it still offers the best performance and features of any available slow cooker.
The Set & Forget consistently cooked foods at a gentle simmer, making the most tender pot roast in our tests. It’s one of the few cookers we tested with a locking lid that seals tightly for easy transport, as well as a probe thermometer so you can cook to a target temperature.

The Best Smart Home Devices to Help Aging in Place

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 18:53:32 +0000

No one likes moving. At best, it’s as expensive as it is stressful. That may help explain the trend of many older people electing to age in place—that is, opting to live at home rather than transitioning to assisted-living facilities. Staying put, however, presents its own challenges.
And that may explain another trend, as older folks turn to smart-home devices for help. These internet-connected DIY devices, such as window shades, light bulbs, security cameras, speakers, doorbells, and smoke alarms, among many others, can be powerful problem solvers. They also enhance convenience and comfort while boosting safety and peace of mind.