Dollar Digits Blogger Feed

My Scars Were a Haunting Reminder of My Surgery. These Silicone Sheets Helped Me Heal — and Find Peace.

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 17:39:08 +0000

I’m no stranger to scars. I have several from previous surgeries; such is life as a spoonie, or someone with chronic illness or pain.

But last year, I spent nearly 10 months in a medical intensive care unit and five months on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) life support. My lungs and heart were failing. A tracheostomy tube in my neck connected me to oxygen support, and the Velcro collar that held it in place clawed at my throat, dotting it with puncture wounds. Meanwhile, the ECMO’s large tube sewn into my right internal jugular vein aggressively tugged at my raw skin. Twice I was awoken in the middle of the night by blood streaming across my face and pooling beneath my chest.

Thanks to a lifesaving double lung transplant from an organ donor, I made it out alive. Still, for months when I looked into a mirror, I saw more than my face. I saw fear. I saw pain. I saw reminders of the most traumatic experience of my adult life.

“Our skin has a tremendous ability to heal itself from different types of trauma, but there are limits to how well we can heal,” said Chris G. Adigun, a dermatologist and owner of Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill in North Carolina, in a phone interview. And facial- or trauma-based scars like mine are linked to higher reported rates of anxiety and depression and PTSD.

I reached out to my dermatologist, prepared to lay down some cash if it meant my anxiety would be eased. But she threw me a curve ball when she suggested I buy ScarAway Silicone Scar Sheets, which are widely available at drugstores. They made a huge difference for me, but note that none of what I’m about to say is medical advice, and you should consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

The Best Free VPN

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 17:24:32 +0000

Most people don’t need a VPN. Virtual private networks are often pitched as online security saviors, but while they do offer useful features, you probably don’t need to use one all the time. On top of that, most reputable VPNs cost money, and paying for something you use only occasionally is a pain. Searching for “free VPN” in any app store will turn up dozens of sketchy services — we waded through a slew of scammy options and closely evaluated 15 of them — but our top pick, Proton VPN, is actually trustworthy. You can use it whenever you like for however long you need, for free.

Board Games We Love for Kids and Families

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 16:26:21 +0000

Board games for kids don’t have to be boring, but you have to sift through a lot of duds to find the gems that offer challenging, interactive, and engaging fun again and again.

To find our favorite board games for kids and families, we researched more than 50 games, talked with experts (including a gaming specialist and a jury member for the Kinderspiel des Jahres prize), scoured reviews, and played games ourselves.

How to Find the Best Gaming TV (and When to Get a Monitor Instead)

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:45:29 +0000

Modern TVs are more complicated than ever — even the budget-oriented ones — and this is especially true when you’re buying a TV specifically for video games. Choosing the right gaming TV goes beyond simply finding a TV with great picture quality. It also involves matching a list of specs between your gaming device and the TV, as well as picking the right TV for your gaming environment.

This buying guide explains common gaming TV terminology and aims to bust the biggest myths and misconceptions. When you’re ready to buy, we have gaming-friendly TV recommendations suitable for a variety of budgets and situations.

The Best Kitchen Scale

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:19:01 +0000

A good kitchen scale can streamline and elevate all kinds of culinary endeavors, from baking to fermenting to brewing pour-over coffee. It offers a level of precision that measuring cups and spoons can’t provide, and it cuts down on dishes, to boot.

After years of research and testing, we’re confident that the Escali Primo Digital Scale is the best one. It’s among the fastest and most accurate scales we tested, and it stays powered on for longer than most others before automatically shutting off.

The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 13:56:23 +0000

For frequent flyers or commuters on public transit, reducing the noise around you is the difference between enduring a trip and enjoying it. Immersing yourself in the hush created by a great pair of noise-cancelling headphones, combined with the opening chords of your favorite song, can make your muscles relax faster than slipping under a weighted blanket. And they’re easier to pack, too.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is our favorite pair of noise-cancelling headphones, but we also have recommendations for people who prefer earbuds or who want to spend less.

9 Holiday Gifts We (Already) Bought

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 13:27:17 +0000

In this edition of The Gift, we’re eyeing several early holiday gifts, including a piece of decidedly not junky Halloween decor, self care à la an acupressure mat, and a charming Baggu swan bag.

Look, no one is saying you have to knock out your entire list the second week of October. Not our style. But taking care of even just one person now means one less thing to worry about during the hustle and bustle of December. And bonus points if the gift is on sale.

For example, the moment I saw this delightfully tiny — yet still functional! — television, I could practically already see it sitting on my dad’s desk. He’ll love it for displaying home videos on the retro-esque 1-inch screen. And I love that one of the most notoriously difficult people on my list is already taken care of, weeks before Halloween.

Here are a few more of the gifts we got ahead on this week:

How to Maximize Credit Card Points for Travel

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:00:09 +0000

Listen and follow The Wirecutter Show

This week, we’re exploring how to travel for less, and in this episode we discuss how to smartly augment a travel budget with credit card points.

Brian Kelly — founder of The Points Guy and author of How to Win at Travel — pulls back the curtain on exactly how these programs work, the crucial pitfalls to avoid, and the little-known strategies for scoring the best deals on flights and hotel rooms.

For more affordable travel advice, don’t miss our earlier episode with Elaine Glusac (aka the Frugal Traveler). And find our recommended travel gear below.

This episode covers:

Why you should pay down debt first: The points game only works if you’re debt-free. Any interest you pay on a carried balance cancels out the value of the points you earn.
How rewards programs are funded: Credit card companies primarily make money through an "interchange" fee (usually around 2%) paid by vendors on every purchase. The credit card company then gives a portion of this money back to you as rewards.
How to maximize everyday purchases: Audit your monthly expenses (groceries, eating out, gas, etc) and get a card that offers the highest rewards on those purchases.
Why you may want to prioritize “transferable” points: Cards that offer transferable points (from major banks) can be converted to many different airline and hotel partners, giving you maximum flexibility for travel.
When it’s worth using awards tickets: Flights booked with an airline's rewards program are often fully refundable and changeable up until departure at no extra cost, unlike standard cash-fare tickets.

Do You Need a Cordless Lamp? Well, Define ‘Need’…

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 04:00:24 +0000

As an interior designer, I know firsthand that layered lighting from varied sources adds texture and depth to spaces, helping them feel more refined.

So last year, I purchased a handful of little lamps to sprinkle around my bookcases, side tables, and countertops. Only afterward, I realized that half the places were nowhere near an outlet or would require a messy matrix of extension cords.

That’s when I succumbed to the allure of the cordless lamp.

Also known as portable lamps, since they can be easily toted from room to room, these small, rechargeable, battery-operated light sources have taken off in the past few years, shifting “from a novelty to a mainstay in contemporary lighting,” as Dana Gers, CMO for the online lighting retailer Lumens, told me over email.

Until I came face-to-face with my corded lamps’ tethered limitations, I had been skeptical of the portable category, wondering why I would want to walk around my home toting a light source like the Statue of Liberty. But I have come to appreciate the flexibility of these little glowing companions, though they have their own set of quirks and limitations.

Here are some ways cordless lamps can layer in more light for your home, along with a few of our favorites.

The Best Portable Vaporizer

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 21:19:51 +0000

The best cannabis vaporizer is the one you’ll prefer to reach for instead of smoking. So it should be easy to use both at home and while you’re out. And it should produce pleasing vapors that are true to the qualities of the cannabis you’re consuming.

We’ve tested 21 portable vaporizers since 2016. We’re confident that the Planet of the Vapes Lobo will suit new and seasoned cannabis users alike. It provides an easy vaporizing experience from start to finish — consistently and evenly heating cannabis to produce smooth and tasty vapors — and is exceptionally easy to clean.

The Best Bookshelf Speakers for Stereo and Surround Sound

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:54:21 +0000

A great pair of bookshelf speakers should last for years and deliver better performance than you can get from all-in-one Bluetooth and Wi-Fi tabletop speakers. These speakers are sized to fit on a shelf or to be mounted on a stand. They take up less space than tower speakers, but they put out less bass. (If you want more bass, you can often add a subwoofer.)

This guide covers two categories: passive bookshelf speakers, which you need to pair with a stereo amplifier or an AV receiver, and powered bookshelf speakers, which have built-in amplification and inputs for directly connecting your sources.

The Best French Pharmacy Products

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:40:25 +0000

Most pharmacies in France don’t have products locked behind plexiglass or self-checkouts instead of staff. They’re bastions of comfort and care, where anyone can walk in with clogged pores — or chapped lips or cracked heels — and leave with the exact thing they didn’t know they needed.

Part of the appeal is the pharmacists, who are more like primary-care providers. But it’s also the breadth of doctor-developed products these pharmacies have on hand. “We call them dermocosmétiques — most of these French pharmacy brands are inexpensive, effective, and founded or created by dermatologists or pharmacists,” said Marine Vincent, a French pharmacist with more than 20 years of experience. “They’re all about care, not beauty.”

Of course, there’s also that je ne sais quois: “We always want what the other country has,” said French makeup artist Yacine Diallo, who has lived in Paris and New York City. “But there is something about our French pharmacy brands we trust, especially in terms of efficacy. The marketing is not like, ‘Oh my god, everything is going to be amazing if you buy this cream.’”

To find the best French pharmacy products, we polled five experts, as well as Wirecutter’s beauty team, and we compiled a list of 41 contenders worthy of assessment. Then we retried personal favorites, put similar products to head-to-head tests, and spent two months slathering ourselves in the competition. In the end, we were left with 13 multipurpose salves, soothing hydrators, refreshing sunscreens, and comforting cleansers that put the care in skin care.

The 45 Best Gifts for 3-Year-Olds

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 16:20:21 +0000

Around age 3, the gift-giving game changes. Many 3-year-olds know what they want — trains! unicorns! ice cream! Bluey! — and often have both opinions and language to express their excitement. But that doesn’t negate the thrill of a good surprise, especially during the holidays.

Three-year-olds are ready for toys that foster lots of imaginative play, so open-ended playthings that inspire storytelling and creative engagement are better than one-trick ponies. Toys and costumes that allow for role-playing and board games that encourage group interaction will nurture 3-year-olds’ developing social skills. And many kids at this age are ready for speedier, sleeker movement toys — like scooters and trikes — that reward their growing physical confidence and can be used for years to come.

Eighteen moms (with 36 kids among us) collaborated to compile this list of toys and games that thrilled our kids as 3-year-olds, and, in many cases, kept delivering on fun for years to come.

Wirecutter contributor Jessica Bernhard tested new Duplo and Magnatile sets with her two kids in Washington. Baby and Kid editor Kalee Thompson compared offbeat art supplies and plush puppets from her home in Portland, Maine. Editor Ingela Amundson filled her Connecticut bathtub with 50 bath toys (leaving just enough room for her preschooler). And I (Cait) counted chickens, nudged bug-faced blocks, and chased board-game squirrels with my 3-year-old daughter from my home in Austin, Texas; several years later I’m playing those same long-loved games with my son.

As parents, we know that the best toys are rarely for just one age, but grow with a child. You can find even more gift suggestions that might be just right for your curious three year old in our guides to the best gifts for two-year-olds, the best gifts for four-year-olds, and the best dolls. Or see all our kid gift ideas here.

These Boots Have Lasted Me 12 Years. Unfortunately, They’re $600.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:18:33 +0000

I bought my first pair of Chelsea boots when I was 16. It was my junior year of high school, and the soundtrack to my life was a chorus of 1960s British Invasion — The Beatles and The Yardbirds, mainly. I barely had any real sense of my personal style, but if I was sure of one thing, it was that all my favorite bands wore really cool black ankle boots.

My second pair came when I was 20, on a trip to Northampton, England — long after the soles of the first had moldered into dust. I had a firmer grasp of my relationship to clothes by then, but I still found the Chelsea to be an elusive piece of footwear that I could never quite figure out how to work into my wardrobe.

Then, on the night before my 23rd birthday, a shoebox arrived by express mail, all the way from Australia. Inside was a pair of black Macquarie boots from R.M. Williams, the century-old maker of the world’s finest Chelseas. This was my third pair of Chelsea boots, and I can still remember holding them in my hands for the first time — light as air, sleek as a stooping raptor — enchanted like Keats standing before the Elgin Marbles. I put them on, and felt as if I’d finally found some lost key to a door I’d first attempted to pass through seven years prior.

I am 35 now, and those same boots are still the first shoes I reach for whether I’m wearing black jeans and a T-shirt or a dark navy suit. Over more than a decade, they have become such an integral part of my wardrobe that last year, I ordered a new, identical pair to wear at my wedding.

The Best Over-the-Range Microwave

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:09:19 +0000

Over-the-range (OTR) microwaves are not notably better than good countertop models. But one of these can save you some space while doing double-duty as a basic range hood. The GE JVM6175 is a basic OTR microwave with better controls and an easier-to-use interface than most. We also found that it heats a bit more evenly than most other OTR models we tested.

The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 13:36:36 +0000

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 4 made it the favorite in our tests.

These Wirecutter-Recommended Kitchen Tools Are on Sale for Prime Day

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 13:26:21 +0000

Finding the best cooking tools is a task we don’t take lightly. We’ve fired over 100 pizzas to crown the best outdoor pizza oven, cooked pounds of bacon to test outdoor griddles, and cracked peppercorns in 40 pepper mills to find those that most effectively intensify their aromatic oils. So you know you’re shopping only the best of the best when you come to Wirecutter — and that’s true of our deals coverage, too.

During Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days — as with most big deals events — you’ll find lots of kitchen gadgets, from blenders to food processors to vegetable peelers, on sale. But while all these discounts may seem appealing, not every deal is worth taking advantage of. That’s why the Wirecutter Deals team double-checks that every item mentioned here meets our strict standards, to ensure you’re getting only exceptional discounts and avoiding subpar ones.

Consider this your no-fuss guide to the top kitchen essentials and splurges available during this October Prime Day.

All the New (Actually Good) Prime Day Deals We’re Seeing on Day 2

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 13:24:02 +0000

Amazon’s Prime Big Deals Day event is coming to an end today, but the discounts haven’t dried up just yet.

Yesterday, we posted hundreds of deals, and today, our team of deal-hunters is still discovering new markdowns on Wirecutter-tested skincare essentials, kitchen tools, and more. And here, we've rounded up all of the best second-day deals, so even if you scrolled through all of the best Prime Day deals on day one, you can find something new to shop.

Every item included on this list has been tested and reviewed by our journalists, and each discount has been reviewed by our deals team. So you can rest assured that the sale price you’re seeing today is actually good (not just a percentage taken off an artificially inflated price).

If you’ve been on the fence and want to avoid potential holiday price hikes, now really is the time to click ‘add to cart’ — Prime Big Deals Day ends at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.

25+ Stocking Stuffer Deals Under $25 That Are Actually Worth Waking Up For

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 13:23:24 +0000

Stocking stuffers are like the tantalizing appetizers of Christmas morning: inexpensive, smaller in size, and oh-so-clever.

If you want to get a head start on your holiday shopping and are hunting for tiny tokens of appreciation and affection, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ve rounded up lots of Wirecutter picks that are on sale for Prime Big Deal Days. These items would make terrific stocking stuffers, Hanukkah presents, white elephant gifts, or just little somethings for your special someones.

All of these ideas are budget-friendly (especially now, when they’re on sale), small enough for most stockings, and definitely not junk. We’ve also included a wide array of picks that will please all sorts of people, whether they’re into toys, travel, beauty, food, or tech.

All the New (Actually Good) Prime Day Deals We’re Seeing on Day 2

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 06:30:01 +0000

Amazon’s Prime Big Deals Day event is coming to an end today, but the discounts haven’t dried up just yet.

If you’ve been on the fence and want to avoid potential holiday price hikes, now really is the time to click ‘add to cart’ — Prime Big Deals Day ends at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.

All the New (Actually Good) Prime Day Deals We’re Seeing on Day 2

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 04:30:01 +0000

Amazon’s Prime Big Deals Day event is coming to an end today, but the discounts haven’t dried up just yet.

If you’ve been on the fence and want to avoid potential holiday price hikes, now really is the time to click ‘add to cart’ — Prime Big Deals Day ends at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.

The Best Upright Freezers

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 04:00:41 +0000

There’s little difference in performance among freezers, and they’re all generally reliable, so just about any model you get will be fine. But if you want to be able to find things easily, get an upright freezer instead of a chest model.

Among upright models, we like the GE FUF17DLR because, with its 17.3 cubic feet of space, it offers the best balance of features at the optimal size — along with some extras that you won’t find in similarly priced models.

The Best 53 Christmas Gifts for Everyone on Your List

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 04:00:31 +0000

The clock is ticking to buy Christmas gifts, but you still have time before Santa beats you to it — and we can help. If you’re speed-running through your holiday shopping, this handy list of versatile gifts will suit a wide range of personalities and stations in life (not to mention various budgets), and all can be delivered straight to your door. So whether you need a gift that will thrill a 7-year-old, a dad, or a co-worker, we’ve got you covered with plenty of useful, surprising, and fun finds, from a big box of Japanese Kit Kat bars to a handsome enamelware jug.

For more gift ideas, visit our holiday and gift guides hub, where you can find specialized recommendations for everyone on your list, from frequent travelers to families to dogs.

All the New (Actually Good) Prime Day Deals We’re Seeing on Day 2

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 03:00:03 +0000

Amazon’s Prime Big Deals Day event is coming to an end today, but the discounts haven’t dried up just yet.

If you’ve been on the fence and want to avoid potential holiday price hikes, now really is the time to click ‘add to cart’ — Prime Big Deals Day ends at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.

All the New (Actually Good) Prime Day Deals We’re Seeing on Day 2

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 23:40:01 +0000

Amazon’s Prime Big Deals Day event is coming to an end today, but the discounts haven’t dried up just yet.

If you’ve been on the fence and want to avoid potential holiday price hikes, now really is the time to click ‘add to cart’ — Prime Big Deals Day ends at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.

All the New (Actually Good) Prime Day Deals We’re Seeing on Day 2

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 22:24:39 +0000

Amazon’s Prime Big Deals Day event is coming to an end today, but the discounts haven’t dried up just yet.

If you’ve been on the fence and want to avoid potential holiday price hikes, now really is the time to click ‘add to cart’ — Prime Big Deals Day ends at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.

The Best Canopy Tent for Camping and Picnics

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 21:02:59 +0000

Canopy tents go by a lot of names: screen houses, outdoor canopies, camping shelters, day tents, camping gazebos, patio shelters, portable shelters, and (our favorite) portable gazebos. No matter what you call them, though, a good one should protect you from the trifecta of outdoor discomforts—sun, rain, and bugs—while you’re picnicking or camping, and it…

The Top Tools for Earthquake Preparedness

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 20:18:34 +0000

Earthquakes strike without warning, which means there’s no better time than the present to start preparing for them.

First things first: Get familiar with what you should do if you feel shaking. Move to the floor, use your arms to cover your head and neck, get beneath a sturdy piece of furniture like a table or desk if one is nearby (If not, try to get near an interior wall), and stay in that spot until the shaking stops. If you do find something stable to use as shelter, you might use one hand to hold on to that, while keeping the other arm over your head and neck. This is known as the “drop, cover, hold on” sequence, and it’s based on years of research into earthquake damage and injuries.

Of course, the unpredictability of earthquakes means you can never be sure where you’ll be when the shaking starts, so the Earthquake Country Alliance also offers advice on what to do in various situations. For example, if you’re in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow; if you’re driving, pull over, stop, and set your parking brake. If you use a walker or wheelchair, lock the wheels and, to the extent you are able, bend over and cover your head with your arms, a pillow, or a book until the shaking stops. The Earthquake Country Alliance has additional guidance on earthquake preparedness for older people and people with disabilities.

Now that you’re familiar with how to react, it’s time to think about how to make your home safer during and after the shaking. We’ve compiled some steps and products that can help you secure your space and might make living in the aftermath of a major earthquake a bit easier.

The Best Keyboards

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:18:03 +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.

All the New (Actually Good) Prime Day Deals We’re Seeing on Day 2

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 18:40:01 +0000

Amazon’s Prime Big Deals Day event is coming to an end today, but the discounts haven’t dried up just yet.

If you’ve been on the fence and want to avoid potential holiday price hikes, now really is the time to click ‘add to cart’ — Prime Big Deals Day ends at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.

All the New (Actually Good) Prime Day Deals We’re Seeing on Day 2

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:40:01 +0000

Amazon’s Prime Big Deals Day event is coming to an end today, but the discounts haven’t dried up just yet.

If you’ve been on the fence and want to avoid potential holiday price hikes, now really is the time to click ‘add to cart’ — Prime Big Deals Day ends at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.

The Most Popular October Prime Day Deals, According to Our Readers

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:34:49 +0000

With Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days event underway, we’ve been working hard to surface the best deals for our readers.

We’ve sorted through thousands of on-sale items to identify truly excellent discounts on the things our experts have found are worth your time and money.

But among the hundreds of deals we’ve posted so far — less than 1% of every discount we’ve reviewed — some have grabbed the attention of our readers more than others. Here are the Prime Big Deal Days discounts that our readers have loved the most.

14 Deals Wirecutter’s Journalists Are Eyeing This October Prime Day

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:26:35 +0000

Think of Wirecutter journalists as your very own team of personal shoppers. Day in and day out, we’re researching what’s new and trending, testing products, and interviewing experts, all to find things that will make your life easier (or even just bring a little joy to your day).

We mean it when we say that when we make a recommendation, we take it as seriously as if our own money were on the line. That’s especially true during deals events, such as Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days.

So if you’ve ever wondered what a group of journalists who take shopping seriously are considering putting in their own carts this October Prime Day, take a peek.

13 Deals Wirecutter’s Journalists Are Eyeing This October Prime Day

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:26:35 +0000

So if you’ve ever wondered what a group of journalists who take shopping seriously are considering putting in their own carts this October Prime Day, take a peek.

12 Deals Wirecutter’s Journalists Are Eyeing This October Prime Day

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:26:35 +0000

So if you’ve ever wondered what a group of journalists who take shopping seriously are considering putting in their own carts this October Prime Day, take a peek.

The Best Chromebook

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:11:12 +0000

A good Chromebook can do almost anything that a regular laptop can do, and the best models can feel better to use than their similarly priced Windows counterparts.

After testing most of the Chromebooks released over the past 11 years and testing 18 models so far in 2025, we recommend the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (CB514-6HT-368E), which is an excellent value. Compared with all of the Chromebooks we’ve tested, this model offers the best combination of price and features, including fast performance, a spacious touchscreen, and a long-enough battery life for a full day of work or classes.

The Best Smartwatch for Android Phones

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:04:25 +0000

A smartwatch is an excellent companion for anyone who wants to stay connected without fully relying on their smartphone. You can answer calls and texts, track your workouts, check your notifications, and control your music — all from your wrist.

While the Apple Watch continues to dominate the smartwatch market, Android smartwatches are just as capable, with robust sensors and features that allow for in-depth health tracking on a daily basis. You also have a lot more options to pick from, which makes it easier for you to find a wearable that suits both your style and your needs.

We’ve tested dozens of smartwatches for Android phones, including all of the latest models, and we’ve found that the Google Pixel Watch 4 is the best option for most people with Android phones. It has a slimmer case that’s more comfortable to wear than that of last year’s version, advanced health and fitness tracking, and some actually useful AI features, and it runs the latest Wear OS software.

The Best Mug Warmers

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:03:04 +0000

The second your coffee machine or kettle finishes its work, you have only so much time before you’re left with room-temperature coffee or tea. Hot coffee is delicious. Cold-brew or iced coffee is also wonderfully yummy. Lukewarm coffee is swill.

You can always just stick your drink in the microwave, but that tends to dampen delicate flavors and ratchet up the acidity.

“As brewed coffee sits, the perceived acidity in coffee gradually becomes higher because of the presence of quinic acid in the coffee. This effect is most commonly found when coffee is left on a heating plate for a long period of time,” said Chi Sum Ngai, founder of Coffee Project New York. “After a while, the acidity is going to shoot up. Coffee tends to be stronger in taste and not as smooth as when you first brew it.”

Mug warmers come in a lot of forms, ranging from the super-fancy Ember Mug 2, which heats itself, to the barebones hot plate that is the Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer. The price for the fancier options can be steep, and while they might be worth the cost for the right person, dropping upwards of $100 on a single mug is daunting.

In our testing, a couple of other standout options also caught our eye: a smart mug for people tired of apps and a delightfully cute desk staple.

The Best Foldable Phones

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:00:58 +0000

In the past, we haven’t recommended foldable phones due to concerns regarding durability and price.

That’s changing now.

Foldable phones are still expensive compared with other smartphones, and there are some factors to consider before you replace your standard smartphone with a foldable, such as whether you’ll really use dual screens, if you’ll actually benefit from multitasking capabilities, and whether you’re willing to foot the bill for any accidental damage.

If you determine that a foldable does fit into your lifestyle and budget, this is the year to buy one. After months of real-world testing, we’ve found that the foldables released in 2025 are reliable and useful enough for the mainstream.

If you prefer a smartphone that opens into a tablet, the best option is the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. It’s the most durable foldable phone on the market, it has great cameras, and it has lengthy battery life compared to the competition. If you’re looking for a smaller clamshell foldable that resembles the flip phones of old, we recommend the Motorola Razr Ultra (2025), which has a stylish design and a useful cover screen. If you don’t want to spend that much, our budget pick is the Motorola Razr (2025), which offers all the necessary features — such as smooth performance, solid battery life, and a durable frame — for under $1,000.

All the New (Actually Good) Prime Day Deals We’re Seeing on Day 2

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 16:40:01 +0000

Amazon’s Prime Big Deals Day event is coming to an end today, but the discounts haven’t dried up just yet.

If you’ve been on the fence and want to avoid potential holiday price hikes, now really is the time to click ‘add to cart’ — Prime Big Deals Day ends at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.

Repeat After Me: Aquaphor Is Not a Moisturizer.

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:57:02 +0000

If you’ve scrolled skin-care TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen people gleefully slathering Aquaphor on their faces before bed. The practice, nicknamed “slugging,” has been trending for years. (But, it’s far from new. Many Black women and other communities have had petroleum jelly in their skin-care routines for generations.) One viral video with nearly 6 million views shows a creator coating their face, saying it’s the way to wake up to “reborn skin.” Another encourages you to finish your nighttime routine with Vaseline. But the word occlusive keeps getting tossed around as if it’s a type of moisturizer. It’s not.

An occlusive isn’t a product. It’s a type of ingredient. Common examples include petroleum jelly, mineral oil, beeswax, shea butter, and dimethicone. They don’t add hydration in the way humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin do, and they don’t soften skin the way emollients like ceramides or plant oils do.

Instead, you can think of it as the cling wrap of skin care. “An occlusive forms a physical barrier on the skin’s surface to prevent water loss,” dermatologist Adam Mamelak, MD, explained. It locks in what’s already there and makes it harder for bacteria to reach the skin, which is why dermatologist Tanya Kormeili, MD, said she recommends layering on an occlusive after getting a tattoo, surgery, or any treatment that leaves your skin vulnerable.

“It’s not repairing the skin,” said dermatologist Maryam Safaee, MD. “It’s just a temporary bandage to enable the healing process, but you still need to use barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and fatty acids.” A thin layer of Vaseline on cracked cuticles, dry lips, or a healing patch of eczema? Perfect. A full-face slugging session (preceded by a moisturizer) once in a while when your skin feels desert-dry? Also fine, if your skin type allows it.

But if your skin is already parched, adding an occlusive on top is like sealing an empty Tupperware container. There’s nothing inside to keep fresh. Plus, its ability to seal in things on your skin can backfire, too, especially if you’re using it regularly. “Overdoing it can stop sweat from evaporating, lead to overheating, or even disrupt natural skin cell turnover,” Safaee warned. Even though Vaseline is technically non-comedogenic, its seal can still lock in particles that are pore-clogging, like sweat, sebum, and bacteria. For acne-prone or oily skin, that can create a breeding ground for breakouts or folliculitis.

The Best OLED TV

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:29:18 +0000

OLED TVs are the best-looking TVs you can buy, capable of delivering extremely high image contrast, rich colors, smooth motion, and much better viewing angles than LCD TVs offer. They carry a higher price, but they’re a worthwhile upgrade for anyone who is truly passionate about picture quality.

For most people, we recommend the LG C5 Series because it provides a great-looking picture for a more reasonable price than the competition. But we also have pricier recommendations for hardcore videophiles and gamers willing to pay a premium for the absolute best.

All the New (Actually Good) Prime Day Deals We’re Seeing on Day 2

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:20:01 +0000

Amazon’s Prime Big Deals Day event is coming to an end today, but the discounts haven’t dried up just yet.

If you’ve been on the fence and want to avoid potential holiday price hikes, now really is the time to click ‘add to cart’ — Prime Big Deals Day ends at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.

The Best Turntables and Record Players

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:04:28 +0000

There’s something refreshing about spinning a treasured record that you can’t get from a music app on your phone. The relative inconvenience of it forces you to focus more on the music, rather than just have it provide background noise to your day.

A good turntable or record player should make this process more enjoyable by being easy to use while also delivering sound quality that brings the music to life. We recommend the Fluance RT85N for most people because it includes all the qualities required for a great listening experience.

The Best Cheap Gaming Laptop

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 14:47:41 +0000

If you want the freedom to play your favorite PC games at your desk, on your TV, or in your bedroom, a gaming laptop may be a great fit for you. Fancy gaming laptops can be wildly expensive, but you don’t have to spend more than $1,500 to get a great one. The RTX 5060–equipped Gigabyte Gaming A16 (CVHI3US864SH) is powerful enough to play many of the newest and most demanding games at high resolutions and should continue to do so for years to come.

These Wirecutter-Recommended Kitchen Tools Are on Sale for Prime Day

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 14:16:19 +0000

Consider this your no-fuss guide to the top kitchen essentials and splurges available during this October Prime Day.

Beat the Holiday Shopping Rush With Deals on Gifts We Love

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 14:15:16 +0000

Holiday-gift shopping can feel like a high-stakes, high-pressure sport. If you’re anything like me, the anxiety of it all can leave you frozen until December.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can use Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days event as a nudge to get ahead, avoid the stress, and perhaps even enjoy the season.

I’m a former store owner, and in those days, I would curate many of my favorite gifts by envisioning the delight of the recipient, not just the shopper. That mindset is the same philosophy we use here at Wirecutter: We’ve done the work of finding the best deals on thoughtful, quality presents, so you can go from stressed to serene, all before Thanksgiving.

On top of that, the Wirecutter Deals team spends the entire year tracking prices on our carefully vetted picks to confirm that a deal is actually a deal — and not simply the result of inflated presale pricing. And our gift-giving experts consider every type of recipient — from the amateur backyard birdwatcher to the fish aficionado — when recommending meticulously assessed presents ranging from the luxurious to the practical.

Here are some of our favorite Prime Big Deal Days finds that make fantastic gifts.

The Best Budget Projector for a Home Theater

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 14:01:26 +0000

If you want to create a big-screen movie experience at home on a modest budget, the BenQ HT2060 is the best choice. Although the HT2060’s performance can’t rival that of the best 4K home theater projectors, it offers good image contrast and impressive color accuracy, so it will make your favorite movies look richer and more engaging than other budget projectors. It’s also bright enough for you to enjoy sporting events and TV shows with some room lights on.

Here Are 25 Kid-Vetted Toys and Games on Sale for Prime Day

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 13:12:24 +0000

Have your kids entered their ooey-gooey slime era? Are their knees touching their bikes’ handlebars? Are they tired of building and rebuilding the Lego set they got a few birthdays ago?

It may be time for some new toys.

But when you’re shopping for toys, it can be hard to determine which ones will hold up — or hold your child’s interest — beyond a few weeks. As a soon-to-be mom of four, believe me, I’ve been there.

My colleagues have spent years researching and testing tons of toys and games, and everything we recommend has additionally been tested by real kids, including our own. Then, the Wirecutter Deals team vets the discounts on our picks to confirm whether they’re deep enough to be worth mentioning.

This two-day Prime Big Deal Days event probably won’t have the lowest prices of the year, but if you don’t want to risk rummaging through a fished-out clearance section on Black Friday (or, heaven forbid, ending up with a fake Labubu), you’ll find some excellent kids gifts on sale now.

Ahead, some of the best deals on the toys and games that meet our exacting standards.

From Backpacks to Luggage, These Are the Best Prime Day Travel Deals

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 13:05:26 +0000

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days is likely the last big sales event before Thanksgiving travel chaos. And while we can’t guarantee that your flight home will take off on time or that your sleeping arrangements at your aunt’s house will be ideal, we can guarantee that these expert-approved products will make your travels a little easier.

On this list, you’ll find only the best of the best. These items have been extensively researched and tested by our travel team, who put every suitcase, toiletry bag, and travel pillow we recommend through its paces, sometimes testing them for years. Not only that, but the Wirecutter Deals team also scours the web (with historical price data at hand) to find genuine sales and serious discounts. Finally, this list is curated by me, a Wirecutter travel expert who has compiled every sales-event travel roundup over the past year.

The upshot: You can be confident that you’re scoring the very best deals on the very best travel gear that fall Prime Day has to offer, from Amazon and beyond.

And, hey, if you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, do future-you a favor and stock up on gifts for the travel lovers in your life before Black Friday even rolls around.