Whether you're filling in multiple-choice bubbles on a standardized test or solving the Sunday crossword puzzle, you should have a great pencil in your hand. After seven hours of research and 18 hours of testing, we are confident that the Palomino ForestChoice is the best pencil for writing and schoolwork thanks to its high-quality wooden barrel, a dark core that writes clearly and fluidly, and an eraser that removes marks cleanly with minimal tearing.
If your phone lives on your kitchen counter and tends to get splattered with sauce, or you just want an easier way to view photos or control smart devices, try a smart display—a mashup of a smart speaker and a tablet. A smart display is great for streaming music and video or answering questions about the weather. And it’s equally great for calling up recipes that you can follow hands-free. We like the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) and the Google Nest Hub Max. Choose either model, based on your needs or your preference for Alexa or Google Assistant.
Emergency-supply checklists are abundant across the internet, including recommendations from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (PDF), the American Red Cross, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But those lists can be intimidating in their breadth and their specificity. In reality, for the most part you can assemble a basic emergency kit out of stuff you may already own. And there’s no such thing as a single kit that’s exactly right for everyone.
Among all of the natural disasters people face, wildfires are unique. Unlike hurricanes, wildfires can be fought. Unlike tornadoes, wildfires can be contained. And people can see them coming, unlike earthquakes. But wildfires used to be a mostly distant and containable threat, and now they move too fast and burn too hot for people to have the same amount of control they once did. As of August 2021, 104 large fires have already destroyed 2.4 million acres across 14 states, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
A compact camera with a sensor larger than the one in your smartphone can go anywhere with you while elevating your photography, especially in more challenging situations. After our latest round of researching all of the large-sensor compact cameras available and testing the best contenders in the real world, we’re still convinced that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 is the best option. Its excellent lens and sensor, abundant physical controls, and smart touchscreen interface create a combination that no rival can match.
A smart thermostat does the thinking you don’t want to do. It can learn your schedule, turn itself down when nobody is home, and balance temperatures around your home to make you comfier while using less energy (talk about win-win). Our extensive testing shows that the Google Nest Learning Thermostat is the best smart thermostat because it manages your home with the least amount of input, it’s simple to use, and it has the best design of all the thermostats we’ve tested.
After a seven-year run, Microsoft has stopped making the Xbox One, and a new generation of video game consoles is here. The $500 Xbox Series X and the $300 Xbox Series S may both be part of the same generation, but each model targets a different level of speed and graphics performance, and that might make it difficult for you to figure out which one to buy—or, if you need to buy one at all.
Get the Series X if you’ll use it with a 4K TV (now, or eventually), want the absolute best in graphics like raytraced lighting effects, or if you want a disc drive for games and movies.
May be out of stock
May be out of stock
May be out of stock
*At the time of publishing, the price was $500.
With better graphics, more storage, and a disc drive, the Xbox Series X is worth the higher price in many cases. If you have a 4K TV—especially a model with high end features like 120hz and variable refresh rate—or will buy one in the next few years, you’ll likely come across games that can take advantage of the extra graphics capability on the Series X over the Xbox Series S. And although both consoles have impressively fast storage that improves boot-up and load times, the Series X drive has over 800 GB available internally, nearly twice the available storage space in the Series S. Plus, if you have a collection of physical Xbox One, Xbox 360, or original-Xbox games that you want to keep playing, only the Series X has a disc drive, which also makes it the model of choice if you want a console that can also be your 4K Blu-ray player.
Games on the Series S are unlikely to take advantage of TVs with 4K resolution, and it lacks a disc drive, a downside if you own a lot of physical games or movies, or like to buy them used. But it will still let you play the new generation of games, and is a great value when paired with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. It’s also very small and light, which makes it a great console for users with less space or who often travel.
On the other hand, if you don’t have a 4K TV (and won’t buy one soon), if space in your entertainment center is a concern, or if you don’t have or plan to buy many physical discs, the Xbox Series S offers a lot of value and still gives you the chance to play the new generation of games to come. And anyone who mostly plays games from Xbox Game Pass—the monthly subscription service with access to hundreds of games, including new releases—probably won’t miss the disc drive. We also think that makes the Xbox Series S an especially budget-conscious choice for younger kids, since the less expensive console and monthly membership add up to more games than a kid can play, with no need to buy new ones all the time. The Series S might also be a good option for some travelers and hosts. If you’re going somewhere for an extended stay, it can easily fit in a carry-on piece of luggage. And if you have a guest room or vacation rental, a Series S adds a lot beyond a regular media streaming box.
If the only reason you’d buy a new console is for brand-new games you can’t play on your existing Xbox One (or, for that matter, a PlayStation 4), you may not need to rush into the next generation just yet—most high profile titles this year are still receiving versions on older consoles. But if you spend a lot of time with your Xbox One now and are ready for plenty of immediately noticeable quality of life improvements and conveniences, as well as performance and visual improvements in the games you already have, an Xbox Series X or Series S will provide plenty of benefits right now.
We also have answers to the most frequently asked questions below.
Achieving peace of mind for your home doesn’t have to be pricey or difficult. Traditional home security systems often require long contracts and expensive pro installation, but with most smart versions you can install them yourself and pay for a monitoring plan only when you want it. SimpliSafe is the most reliable, comprehensive, and easy-to-use DIY home security system we’ve tested, and includes the option to use professional monitoring without locking you into a contract.
If you’ve ever used the words musty, muggy, dank, fuggy, wet, mildewy, or the dreaded moist to describe the air in your home, you may need a dehumidifier. We’ve been testing dehumidifiers for years, and after completing the latest round, we’ve chosen the Frigidaire FFAP5033W1 as our top pick. It’s a powerful machine designed for large spaces, has a built-in pump that makes draining especially easy, and meets the latest Energy Star regulations for efficiency.
No matter what you’re watching today or plan to watch tomorrow, the JVC DLA-NX5 is the best 4K projector for a dedicated home theater. It has the highest contrast ratio and best black level of all the sub-$10,000 projectors we tested, along with a true 4K resolution, HDR support, and a wider color gamut. Your 4K movies will have all the pop and depth you demand for a premium home theater experience.
Whether you’re headed into the backcountry or just taking your dog on a nighttime walk, with a good headlamp, you’ll never be caught in the dark. We’ve been testing headlamps since 2012, and after subjecting them to years of late-night hikes, evening runs, and stargazing sessions, we still think the Black Diamond Spot—the latest version being the Spot 350—is the best headlamp. It’s easy to use, with a long-lasting battery and a bright beam to keep your paths well lit, year after year.
A good sleeping pad can transform hours of tossing and turning into a night of a least decent sleep. We slept on 15 different sleeping pads on a total of five car-camping and backpacking trips, as well as on the floor in our own living rooms, before concluding that the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (which comes in men’s and women’s versions) is the best sleeping pad for backpackers and the thicker Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap is the best choice for car campers. We also have picks specifically for side sleepers and anyone on a tight budget.
On May 5, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the at-home connected-fitness company Peloton issued a voluntary recall of the high-end Peloton Tread+ treadmill following more than 70 reported incidents (29 of them involving children), including one child’s death. Peloton has stopped the sale of the Tread+ and, along with the CPSC, advises owners to stop using the machine immediately.
If you thrive on the competition and camaraderie of studio cycling classes and are intrigued by the idea of replicating that experience at home—where many people have moved their workouts these days—a Peloton Bike could be for you. Becoming a member of the Peloton pack is an investment: roughly $2,100 for the first year and nearly $500 each year thereafter. And that’s for the base model. But for a set of indoor-cycling devotees, these recurring costs for live-streaming and on-demand classes make financial sense. Namely, those who typically take four or more Peloton-like studio classes a week may find the at-home bike and classes to be a superior value in as few as four months.
Respirator masks can protect adults from wildfire smoke, air pollution, and the dust and fumes of some home-renovation projects. After 50 hours of research and testing, we’re confident that the comfortable, durable, widely available 3M 8511 and 3M 8210 disposable N95 respirators are the ones to get.
If you need to change a toy’s batteries, swap out a thermostat, or tighten your sunglasses, you need a precision screwdriver. Of all that we’ve tested, the only one that combines a wide bit selection, a comfortable handle, and excellent bit storage, is the MegaPro 24-in-1 Multi-Bit Precision Screwdriver.
I’m lazy. It’s not that I find it particularly tough to plug a cable into my phone when it’s time to charge, but if I can shave a millisecond off the process or do it with even a hair less thought, I’d like to. That’s why I appreciate Apple’s MagSafe system. Introduced as part of the iPhone 12 lineup in late 2020, MagSafe uses hidden magnets embedded in the phone to align it with compatible wireless chargers, stands, and other accessories. So now when I sit down at my desk, I can simply slap my phone onto a MagSafe charging stand. And when I head to bed and it’s dark, I don’t have to fiddle with a Lightning cable. MagSafe doesn’t do anything you can’t do without magnets, but it does make those things a little more convenient and foolproof.
Housewarming gifts have a well-earned reputation for ending up in the recycling bin or donation pile. And that’s a shame, because a thoughtfully chosen housewarming gift can be one of numerous things that help a new house become a home. Our surefire formula for success: Choose a gift informed by what you already knew about your recipient before they received the keys to their new home, while also imagining what new stories might unfold at their new address.
The more I learn about composting, the more I think of the song “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out” by Yusuf / Cat Stevens: “Cause there’s a million ways to go.” Aboveground or underground, hot or cool, batch or continuous—the list goes on. If you’re wondering what you need to get started, below eight staffers discuss their favorite compost bins and composters, from countertop scrap bins to larger yard composters.
The Wirecutter Deals team scans the virtual aisles of the internet, searching for great discounts on Wirecutter-recommended products so you don’t have to. In our Deals blog posts (like this one), we highlight the discounts that we think Wirecutter readers will love. For more deals information, check out our Deals page, follow us on Twitter @WirecutterDeals, and subscribe to our daily deals newsletter.
I once scoffed at the idea of spending more than $100—much less $1,000—for an office chair. But after years of sitting in cheap chairs, I could no longer ignore the aches I was feeling, especially in my back, shoulders, and butt. The Steelcase Gesture is the best home-office investment I’ve made for my comfort and well-being.
Let’s be honest: Most earbuds priced under $50 are junk. They’re uncomfortable, cheaply constructed, and terrible sounding. But the 1More Piston Fit BT defied our assumptions about how good an inexpensive pair of Bluetooth earbuds could sound. Plus, the earbuds are comfortable and solidly built, and they coil up for easy storage. Buy them—and don’t tell 1More that it could be charging more.
Whether you’re replacing an existing solid-state drive or upgrading from a traditional hard drive to get better performance, almost every SSD you can buy today is an excellent choice. But if you’re looking for the best value for your money, the 500 GB Western Digital WD Blue SN550 is our recommendation for anyone who has a modern desktop or laptop computer. It isn’t the fastest NVMe SSD you can get, but it comes close, and it offers an outstanding combination of price, performance, endurance, and capacity.
If you spend most of your day typing, you shouldn’t be stuck with the mushy keyboard on your laptop or a cheap, uncomfortable desktop keyboard. Mechanical keyboards allow you to customize their looks with different keycaps and get the typing feel you prefer by choosing different switches under the keys. And compact keyboards—which nearly match the size and layout of a laptop keyboard—take up less space on your desk. Of the dozens of keyboards we’ve tested, we think the Ducky One 2 SF is the best compact mechanical keyboard for most people’s needs.
The Jabra Elite 85h is our favorite Bluetooth pair because the intuitive operation and comfortable fit make this set a pleasure to use every day. These over-ear headphones are delightfully uncomplicated, with easy pairing and clear, simple controls. And they are versatile performers, offering great sound, clear calls, active noise cancelling, long battery life, and water resistance.
Few things will kill your workout vibe faster than a pair of ill-fitting, hard-to-use headphones. The Jabra Elite Active 75t wireless earbuds are the best headphones for working out at the gym because they fit comfortably and will stay secure and out of your way even during rigorous workouts. The controls are easy to use, and the earbuds are resistant to sweat and water. Plus, they sound great for both music and phone calls.
As anyone who’s been sweat-glued to their couch by one of this summer’s countless heat waves can attest, nothing beats air conditioning. But the equally overheated power bills aren’t so cool. We found a smart solution—just by looking up. Many homes have ceiling fans, but most people don’t realize how powerful they can be. And though a regular fan can be really effective, a smart ceiling fan is even more so.
An overabundance of cords is one of the unfortunate side effects of working with technology. A wireless keyboard and mouse can help reduce cord clutter, but there’s no getting around the need for power cables and cords to connect other accessories to your computer. Because I write about technology and test dozens of home-office products every month, my desk is more often a wiry mess than the clean and organized one I’d like it to be.
For even the savviest of online shoppers, figuring out if you’re actually getting the best deal possible can sometimes be a little tricky. Retailers have their own pricing strategies and algorithms, prices can get inflated right before a sale, and it’s easy to start second-guessing yourself: “Did I really check every website that sells this product? Is there an elusive coupon code that I missed? Should I just wait and buy that mattress on a holiday weekend? What exactly is MSRP?”
Pet insurance is something you never want to have to use. But, depending on your situation, it may be worth having in an emergency. The right plan can help pay for the astronomical cost of vet care for a major treatment. Yet there’s no one-size-fits-all solution because the best insurance plan is the one that offers you the best benefits and coverage for your pet at a reasonable price—and that can vary by pet age, breed, and even your zip code.
If you like playing video games but have a hard time fitting them into your schedule, you’re not alone. We’ve found that instead of engaging in hours-long sessions late into the night, sometimes the only chance we get to play a game is the 30 minutes we’re hanging around waiting for something in the oven, or the hour until the laundry is done. When you rarely get to dip in, it can be an honest challenge to remember the nuanced plotlines of certain games, which quests you were pursuing, or even just what buttons do what.
