Posts

The Best Pregnancy Test

Image
A pregnancy test result should be clear and trustworthy. Choosing a reliable test upfront may save you the emotional turmoil of an uncertain result. Or, at the very least, it will save you some cash. We’ve assessed 37 different tests, scoured online reviews and manufacturers’ testing data, and talked with a clinical chemist, a fertility specialist, and an expert on the pregnancy hormone hCG. We’re confident that First Response Early Result is the home pregnancy test to take. Of course, the best test for you depends on your needs and your budget. We have recommendations for other traditional wand tests , digital wand tests (which display a “yes” or “pregnant,” or “no” or “not pregnant” result on a screen), bulk packs of test strips , and store-brand tests . from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/F4VPqRL via IFTTT

The Best Menstrual Cups and Discs

Image
Over the span of just three cycles, a reusable menstrual cup or disc can save you money. And switching to a menstrual cup or disc reduces the number of disposable tampons or pads you’d ordinarily toss in the trash. The best option for you largely depends on your anatomy . We’ve tested 50 menstrual cups and discs since 2016, and we’ve found that Cora’s The Easy-Does-It Cup is the best cup for first-time users because it’s easier than most to fold, insert, and remove . If you’re already comfortable with using a menstrual cup, the MeLuna Classic comes in many more size, shape, and stem options. We also have picks for people with low cervixes , high cervixes , and wide vaginas . If you prefer menstrual discs — which generally have a higher capacity than cups and rely on tension, rather than suction, to stay put in the vaginal canal — we like the Saalt Disc most overall. We recommend the Flex Reusable Disc for heavier flows. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift...

I’m Wirecutter’s Style Expert. These Are My Go-To Spring Sneakers.

Image
In this edition of The Recommendation, our style expert dishes on how she’s wearing three fashionable sneakers this spring. Plus: 8 perfect white tees. This past winter — frigid, slushy, and seemingly interminable — didn’t present the ideal conditions for testing sneakers. But as a style writer, I do a lot of wacky things in service of fashion. So when I wasn’t tromping around in ugly, outfit-ruining snow boots, I spent this freezing February pacing my Brooklyn apartment (and occasionally venturing outside) in more than a dozen pairs of totally weather-inappropriate shoes. Sustained by visions of springtime, I was looking for chic, wear-anywhere styles that paired well with both casual and polished ensembles. I gravitated toward low and lean silhouettes, stuck to classic designs, and avoided microtrends (sorry, freaky toe shoes ). In the end, I found eight stylish-yet-practical pairs to feature in our brand-new guide . Now that the grass is finally poking through and the air is wa...

The Best Hiking Boots

Image
Whether you’re going on a day hike with friends or tackling an ambitious backpacking route, you need a good pair of hiking boots to protect your feet and stabilize your ankles. Over nine years, we’ve worn 61 pairs of hiking boots while trekking more than 1,650 miles and taking some 2 million steps across all types of terrain. We chose the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex Hiking Boots ( men’s and women’s ) as the best hiking boots. They are breathable and waterproof, and they provide solid traction and support. These boots also have several essential features—including a wide toe box, sturdy heel protection, and a gusseted tongue—that allowed us to hike comfortably for miles. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/w8F4WYB via IFTTT

The Best Beach Bag

Image
Even the lightest of packers needs to bring a few things for a day on the beach: towel, water bottle, sunscreen. And that means you also need something to carry them in. After 10 hours of research, extensive consultation with lifelong beachgoers on staff, and an afternoon hauling loads of towels and snacks around in our eight top contenders, we’ve concluded that the L.L.Bean Boat and Tote is the best bag for lugging all your stuff to and from the beach. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/Ju5xRmD via IFTTT

The Best Ebike for Commuters

Image
Thanks to ebikes, the health benefits of cycling — getting fresh air and exercise while you’re commuting or doing your errands — are open to almost everyone. Live at the top of a steep hill? No problem. Legs not as strong as they once were? No worries. Need to tote a toddler or a week’s worth of groceries home? The bike’s electric motor adds that little boost you need. And you can handle all of that while keeping one more car off the road. However, as we discovered over four years of researching ebikes for commuters — before even beginning to test them — anyone shopping for an ebike faces some serious considerations. First, there’s the cost, which for a safe, reliable bike is a few thousand dollars. Then, there’s the question of maintenance and how long parts will remain available. (We get into all of that in great detail below.) That said, we do now recommend the Specialized Globe Haul ST for most commuters or errand-runners. It’s a bike that seasoned riders as well as people n...

The Best Picnic Blanket

Image
Staging a picnic requires little more than the union of a blanket and a patch of grass. Yet, when combined, those humble elements can elevate a mundane meal to an alfresco fete. Not all picnic blankets are equal, though: We considered 55 and tested 19 before choosing the Nemo Victory Picnic Blanket as our favorite. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/1NMt8B7 via IFTTT