Posts

The Furnace and Air Conditioner Filters We Would Buy

Image
If we were looking to buy a new filter today for our HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system, we’d opt for one rated MERV 13. These filters efficiently capture pollen, mold spores, dust, and even ultrafine particulates, including from wildfire smoke . This helps to keep your indoor air clean and protects your equipment from dust buildup and clogging. A 2024 California regulation requires manufacturers to publicly list their filters’ air resistance — effectively the strain they put on HVAC systems. This is a real step forward because, for the first time, homeowners (and Wirecutter writers) have a way to objectively compare brands. Our MERV 13 picks put so little strain on HVAC systems that we’re confident they’ll be fine to use even with older air-handling equipment. But if you’re concerned, you can always choose a lower-MERV filter (like a MERV 8); they are effective only on larger particles, like pollen, but they offer less air resistance. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Best Electric Vehicle Chargers for Home

Image
Whether you’re a longtime electric vehicle owner, or you’re still waiting for your first EV to leave the factory floor, you should consider investing in a Level 2 charger for your home. Most modern EVs ship with a Level 1 charger, which you can toss in your trunk (or frunk ) and plug into any standard wall outlet. But the fastest way to juice up an EV at home is to use a Level 2 charger, which can add at least four times as many miles per hour of charge. After researching and testing dozens of models for hundreds of hours, we found the Emporia Classic Level 2 EV Charger (J1772 version) to be the best at-home charger for EVs with a J1772 port. Likewise, we found the Emporia Classic Level 2 EV Charger (NACS version) to be the best for Teslas and other EVs with a J3400 connector (also called the North American Charging Standard, or NACS). In either configuration, this charger is powerful, simple to use, and equipped with a long cord. And thanks to its streamlined ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Best Windows Laptop

Image
Tech is getting more expensive this year as AI data centers hog key components such as memory and storage, which are also used in everyday devices. Laptops have been hit particularly hard, with price increases across the board. That’s making it harder than ever to figure out which laptop will serve your needs for the best price. The first step is deciding whether you actually need a new computer. Laptop companies are making big promises about the AI features in their latest models, but you shouldn’t upgrade just for AI. It’s time to upgrade if your computer is on its last legs or if you’re still using Windows 10 — Microsoft will stop supporting the older software in October. After testing hundreds of laptops over the past decade and spending time with 30 thin-and-light models so far this year, we’ve found that the Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 (14" Intel) is the best Windows laptop for most people. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Image
How clean the air is inside your home might be top of mind after a wildfire or other outdoor air-pollution event. But year-round, everyone can benefit from breathing cleaner air indoors. Poor indoor air quality may contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impacts, cancers, and allergies, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Americans spend an average of 90% of their time inside, said Dr. Juanita Mora, a physician at the Chicago Allergy Center and spokesperson for the American Lung Association. Indoors, people are exposed to chemicals and particulates, as well as common irritants like dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores that can trigger allergies and asthma. Improving indoor air quality is especially important for members of vulnerable groups , including infants, children, older adults, or those who have existing respiratory issues. You also might face compounded health effects from poor indoor air quali...
Post a Comment
Read more

16 Very Cute, Very Giftable Hair Accessories

Image
In this edition of The Gift, we share the cutest hair accessories we’ve seen lately. Plus, our favorite gifts for frequent travelers and the very best vanilla ice cream. I am basically allergic to heat, and humidity renders me useless. This makes me unbearably cranky when we head from San Francisco to the East Coast every July to visit family. My coping mechanisms for dealing with summer heat do go beyond complaining: I sneakily turn the AC at my in-laws’ house below 80 (I know) after they go to bed; I drink a lot of icy beverages; and I avoid all movement that isn’t in water. But mainly, I try to keep my hair up and off my neck as much as possible. Long hair is the enemy of a comfortable summer. If you’re also heatphobic, or shopping for someone with a penchant for cute summer updos, I have a plethora of favorite hair accessories to keep tresses up and out of the way, and summer crankiness at a minimum. Note: To reap the full benefits, all giftable hairware should...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Best Comforters

Image
Most good comforters will keep you warm. But an exceptional comforter should also be as light as air, with a soft outer shell that keeps feathers and fluff sealed inside. After trying dozens of comforters—sleeping with them for hundreds of hours—we’ve chosen six that we like for their loft, construction, warmth, and availability. We think they’re absolutely dreamy. Our current picks include an all-around great down comforter , a budget down comforter , a budget down-alternative comforter , a cloud-like luxury down comforter , a ready-to-use down comforter , and an affordable goose-down comforter . This guide also includes some other good comforters that we liked and may fit your needs. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/Tt9sBlX via IFTTT
Post a Comment
Read more

The Best Garage Refrigerators

Image
If you need a second fridge to stash your grocery overflow or the extra zucchini from your garden, a garage-ready refrigerator is worth considering. Designed to function within a broad range of ambient temperatures, this type of fridge can be kept in a garage, basement, guest house, vacation home, or even your primary kitchen. Most garage-ready models are also ideal starter fridges, since they’re priced about the same as traditional top-freezer models. So this is a nice yet affordable appliance that you can relocate when you renovate or move — or when you spring for the fancy fridge of your dreams. We recommend the efficient LG LHTNS2403S . It holds a lot of food and has a sleek, handle-free design that looks smart indoors and out. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/AheWIbu via IFTTT
Post a Comment
Read more