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Welcome to Ask Wirecutter, where deputy editor Annemarie Conte helps you figure out how to make the most of your stuff in real life. If you have a shopping conundrum for our advice columnist, submit it using this form . Dear Wirecutter: My husband and I do not agree on when it’s time to throw out a sponge. While he likes to hang on to them until they’re practically disintegrated, I want to replace them frequently. In fact, I hate sponges so much that I’d rather just replace them entirely. Can you convince my husband that it’s possible to live a cleaner and tidier existence by relying on other handy kitchen-sink tools that don’t harbor as much nasty stuff? R.L. Dear R.L., There’s something deeply unsavory about a well-past-its-prime sponge loitering on a sink edge. Gross. In a follow-up conversation, you and I discussed that you primarily use Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scrub Sponges , a Wirecutter pick in our guide to the best kitchen sponges , and you then provided photographic e...

Fewer people need a universal remote control these days, which explains why the category is dying and great options are hard to find. But if your home-entertainment system is more complex than the basic media player, TV, and soundbar combo, and you’re looking for one remote to control all your gear, the Sofabaton U2 Universal Remote Control is the best option we’ve found under $100. This model has some notable flaws, but compared with its competitors, it can control a wider variety of home-entertainment devices and has a better physical design. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/2cmEGwa via IFTTT

The dining table is where life unfolds: holiday feasts with family, dinner parties with friends, baby’s first solids, countless work-from-home hours and homework-filled evenings, pancake breakfasts on hundreds of Sundays. It’s a workhorse piece of furniture, and a lot is demanded of it. A dining table is also one of the pricier items you’ll buy, so ideally it should be able to withstand moves, decor changes, and the everyday wear and tear of life. The mid-priced-table landscape has evolved since Wirecutter first published its guide to dining tables. Styles have shifted, and prices have increased (and they could rise even more with looming tariffs ). On a positive note, there’s been an influx of furniture brands promising higher-minded design at a more moderate price point. So just because a particular table may not be something you’ll own forever, that doesn’t mean it has to be a falling-apart piece of fast furniture. We’ve rewritten this guide to address changes in quality, expand ...

Wrist-worn fitness trackers that can monitor your steps and heart rate were once seen as cutting-edge devices. Now these wearables are becoming more high-tech with each release, equipped with features like personalized workout programs and the advertised ability to monitor stress or sleep quality. Since 2015, we’ve run, walked, swam, cycled, and slept with 52 different fitness trackers day and night, to assess their accuracy, ease of use, and comfort. Although no tracker perfectly recorded every metric we tested, we found that the simply designed yet feature-packed Fitbit Inspire 3 is the best option for most people who want to monitor their activities, with metrics like distance traveled, step count, heart rate, and estimated calories burned. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/HQfbK8R via IFTTT

Did you know that the treadmill originated as a means of hard labor ? While some people may still dread the sight of one, thanks to modern technology, training on a treadmill has become the best substitute for going on a walk or a run when outdoor conditions are unfavorable or you have commitments keeping you at home. Some people even prefer using a treadmill to training outdoors because it can provide a more-predictable experience. After walking and running on 37 treadmills over the past eight years, we’ve concluded that the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is a dependable, versatile machine that most runners will be pleased with. It has a large color touchscreen and a cushioned yet supportive deck. An optional subscription for onboard workout content provides an extra dose of motivation. If you’re interested in an under-desk treadmill, also known as a walking pad, see Wirecutter’s review . from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/cwJ5ZCb via IFTTT

As the ever-expanding world of gooey lip balms grows by the second, they often seem to drift into two categories — those draped in beautiful packaging with a luxurious feel and those that truly deliver results. But one Wirecutter staff favorite, the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask , bridges the divide, offering both indulgence and efficacy. We know it’s one of those über-popular beauty products making waves on TikTok and Reddit, with high-praise reviews on Sephora to match. We know it’s hyped up. But we think the hype is well deserved. This little pot even earned a place in our guide to the best Korean skin-care products and has long resided in the makeup bags, nightstands, and purses of Wirecutter staffers, who are shoppers known for their discerning taste. As Wirecutter editorial director Marguerite Preston, who has been using this lip mask for nearly a year, says, “My lips are in the best shape they’ve ever been.”   Moisturizing, cute-as-a-button balm Laneige Lip Slee...