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The Oura Ring 4 Can Tell You How You Slept or Predict a Cold. Is It Worth It?

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The Oura Ring , a sleek fitness and sleep tracker that passes as an unassuming piece of jewelry, is seemingly everywhere. It’s on the fingers of New York Knicks , politicians (when Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey wore it during his recent 25-hour floor speech, it logged several workouts), and a prince . You might also see it on your health-oriented relatives or friends. Maybe you know someone who is using the ring to get pregnant or to track if they’re getting sick (more on that below). The Oura Ring has also been a top pick in our guide to the best sleep trackers since I first tested the Gen3 version in 2023. The newest model, the Oura Ring 4 , offers more features, and after six months of testing it, I’ve found that it’s a worthy upgrade. Top pick A stylish wearable with tons of data Oura Ring 4 This sleek ring provides highly accurate heart-rate monitoring and solid information on your sleep cycles. But it’s more expensive than many other sleep and fitness t...
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The Best Canned Cocktails

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I have a romantic vision of the kind of host I want to be: folded napkins, whimsical place settings, soft candlelight, an impeccably curated playlist. And what’s integral to that vision? A clinking, fully stocked bar cart so I can conjure up a drink tailored for each guest. Unfortunately, while I can work on my Spotify skills and buy a couple tapered candles, it turns out time, space, and money are limiting factors in the beverage department. Enter canned cocktails. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/fQkC8PE via IFTTT
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Here’s My Secret to Fitting Twice As Much Stuff in My Luggage

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I am a disorganized overpacker. I know — the worst of both worlds. I used to shove clothes into every crevice of my checked bag until it was too heavy for me to lift. I’m the person who panic-packed three sweatshirts to the Caribbean, because my brain said no, but my heart said yes. (They never left my suitcase.) Everything would emerge wrinkled, rumpled, and wrecked, and upon arrival, I would pull wads of underwear out of shoes, un-ball T-shirts, and shake out dresses in hopes of removing the deep rivers of creases that had been carved into the garments during transit. Nothing has repeatedly saved me from my worst instincts more than packing cubes. Specifically, the REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set , which is purpose-built for people like me who always butt right up against our limits. But for those of you reading all of this in horror: The joy of these packing cubes is that they work equally well for those who are more buttoned up in both mind and spirit. Be...
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The Best Leaf Blower

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Of all the power tools, gas leaf blowers might have the worst reputation. They’re loud, they’re smelly, and so bad in so many ways that some cities and towns outright ban them or at least regulate the hours they can be used. But cordless leaf blowers are another story. Thanks to battery advancements, you can now get the portability and power of a gas blower, but without the emissions, maintenance, or high-pitched squeal of a two-stroke engine. We’ve been testing leaf blowers since 2014, and our current favorite is the cordless Ego Power+ 650 CFM Blower LB6504 . from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/h57WtLm via IFTTT
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Are Extended Warranties Ever Worth It?

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 Listen and follow The Wirecutter Show Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio If you've ever bought a cell phone, an appliance, or any other high-value item, you've likely felt pressured to buy an extended warranty for peace of mind. However, these protection plans rarely pay off for most people. In this episode, Wirecutter senior writer Liam McCabe explains why extended warranties are generally a “terrible investment,” how incredibly profitable they are for warranty companies, and the very few instances when paying for extra coverage might actually be worth it. This episode covers: The difference between manufacturer and extended warranties: A manufacturer's warranty is automatically included for free as a promise against defects (usually for 30 days to a year). An extended warranty, on the other hand, is an optional, extra-cost protection plan that you have to actively choose to buy. Why you probably won’t use an exten...
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The Best Smokeless Fire Pits

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Few things are as pleasurable as a toasty fire in the backyard on a chilly evening. But if you find that the accompanying smoke dampens that pleasure, or if your neighbors prefer to keep their bedroom windows open to catch the cool air, you might consider using a so-called smokeless fire pit, which eliminates some (but not all) of your fire’s smoke and most of the ash. We spent four months testing (plus years of long-term testing) nine fire pits in Hawaii and California. In the end we chose two as our top picks: the Solo Stove Classic Bonfire , for most people and small backyards, and the Tiki Patio Smokeless Fire Pit , for people with larger yards or those who enjo y its more patio-inspired look. However, finding the right fire pit for you is a matter of personal choice and depends largely on your needs and personal style. We have picks that are lightweight and easy to move around , aesthetically unobtrusive for a patio , great for cooking over , affordable yet ed...
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Wirecutter’s 39 Most Luxurious (and Pricey) Gifts

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Luxury is not one-size-fits-all. For the kitchen aficionado, it may be the Ferrari of ice cream makers . For a carpenter, a titanium hammer might excite and delight. With that in mind, we scoured our pages and polled our colleagues, testers, and writers to discover the most opulent, excellent items they’ve encountered. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/qdp1gce via IFTTT
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