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For frequent flyers or commuters on public transit, reducing the noise around you is the difference between enduring a trip and enjoying it. Immersing yourself in the hush created by a great pair of noise-cancelling headphones, combined with the opening chords of your favorite song, can make your muscles relax faster than slipping under a weighted blanket. And they’re easier to pack, too. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is our favorite pair of noise-cancelling headphones, but we also have recommendations for people who prefer earbuds or who want to spend less. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/5SdXkQl via IFTTT

Small bedrooms pose big challenges, particularly if you’re short on closet space or you need to squeeze in a home office. But necessity is the mother of invention, especially if you’re willing to think outside the box. Not every bedroom has to have a bed in the middle of the room with two nightstands. Our experts suggest getting playful with a layout specific to your own needs. Toward that end, we’ve tracked down the product and styling solutions to make even the tiniest bedroom feel functional and, dare we say, spacious. Read on for expert advice and our favorite small-bedroom finds! from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/kptuHKD via IFTTT

In 2020, Lego began actively marketing certain Lego sets to adults by adding an 18+ age designation to the packaging. But grown-ups had already long been on board, showing off jaw-dropping builds at conventions, hosting blogs and YouTube channels considered essential news sources on all things brick, or simply collecting sets as a casual hobby. Lego building is now as ubiquitous a leisure activity for adults as doing puzzles, and it’s one that allows for both meditative calm and creative bursts of energy. If it’s been a minute (or decades) since you last built Lego sets yourself, here’s a preview of what you can expect from some of our favorite sets that have a suggested age rating of 18 and up. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/hbScM2f via IFTTT

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, Wirecutter’s article about sunglasses was great, but had me feeling a lotta FOMO as I need prescription sunglasses. Can you please reissue that article for folks who need prescription glasses? E.H. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/6bXch8Q via IFTTT

After years of research and testing, we’ll be the first to admit that there is no such thing as the “best” sofa. Comfort and aesthetics are highly subjective—a sofa can simultaneously be one person’s dream and another person’s nightmare. A sofa’s success also depends on how you plan to use it at home. Is it mainly for lounging on and watching television? Is it for receiving guests and socializing? Do you eat in your living room? How many people do you need to seat? Do you have kids, pets, or both? A couch is probably one of the biggest purchases you’ll make for your home—and not just because sofas are expensive (they are) but also because a couch is likely something you’ll be spending a lot of time on. So if a sofa is not comfortable, or you’re not happy with how it looks, it will be a constant day-to-day reminder of what went wrong. In this guide, we call out some of our favorite sofas we’ve tested. We also have advice on what to look for when shopping for a couch for you and you...

Whether you’re thinking of hitting the road or staying close to home for your next car-camping adventure, you and your loved ones will need a comfortable place to sleep. After researching nearly 100 tents, talking to tent designers and tent-pole manufacturers, and sleeping in a total of 54 tents on 12 weekend camping trips over seven years, we’ve concluded that the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 Tent is the best car-camping tent for two people, and the Kelty Wireless 6  is the best choice for most families. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/v3DdVyA via IFTTT

Lots of laptops cost less than $500, but it’s hard to find a cheap one that doesn’t totally suck. To find decent models, we’ve researched and tested hundreds of cheap Windows laptops and Chromebooks over the years, and we also have advice on how to shop smart when prices change and our picks go out of stock. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/zVa4Jx6 via IFTTT

The right mattress can make the difference between a rough start to your day and a smooth one. But finding the right mattress can be intimidating. You have thousands to choose from, and a decent one costs hundreds of dollars at the very least. The last thing you want is to spring for a mattress that seems good on paper but falls regrettably short in real life. That’s why we take mattress testing so seriously at Wirecutter. We’ve been testing mattresses since 2016, and I’ve personally been on the job since 2022. Every mattress we recommend has undergone rigorous testing and received high marks from our sleep experts and a diverse testing panel. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we test mattresses and make recommendations, so you can sleep soundly. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/f5q1a8e via IFTTT

Printers are annoying. All of them. But if you want to keep the annoyance to a minimum, we recommend a laser printer: Not only do laser models print sharp text and crisp graphics, but they also run more reliably than inkjets, and they won’t clog if they sit unused for weeks between jobs. The least annoying laser printer of all is the small, quick, and inexpensive Brother HL-L2460DW . It prints crisp, double-sided black-and-white documents, reliably stays on Wi-Fi, and takes long-lasting, cost-effective monochrome toner cartridges. Unless you absolutely need scanning and copying capability or the ability to print in color , this is the printer to get.  from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/xgn5fZR via IFTTT

Most brand-name microSD cards are fine most of the time if you need extra space for storing videos or games. But some cards are a bit faster or more reliable, which can make them more versatile and a better long-term value. After evaluating a dozen new microSD cards, we’ve found that the Samsung Pro Plus and the SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Switch are the best microSD cards for the majority of phones and tablets, as well as portable gaming consoles such as the Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck. The new Nintendo Switch 2 requires newer, faster microSD Express cards for storage, and the 256 GB PNY microSD Express Memory Card is the best option . from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/Qt7UymE via IFTTT

Like people, beer glasses come in all shapes and sizes. Squat, curvaceous snifters. Tall, slender pilsner glasses. Hefty tankards, mugs, and steins. Although most are meant to enhance the flavor of one particular style of beer, making them impractical for use at home, one stands out from the crowd: the Rastal Teku . It’s not just a uniquely great beer glass — it’s also the only one you need. With its angular bowl and delicately flared lip, the Teku glass makes drinking beer feel like an elegant affair, and it does more to enhance the nuanced flavors of your brew than a standard pint glass. At the same time, it’s not fussy: It doesn’t take up much space, and it’s easy to clean. And drinking wine, cider, or pretty much anything out of it feels natural. Top pick The best glass for most beers Rastal Teku Stemmed Beer Glass Beloved by enthusiasts, this beer glass has an angular bowl and a delicately flared lip, which can improve the drinking experience. It’s voluminous e...

No matter how much I’ve cleaned the day before, I wake up to fur dancing in the morning light. I share my home with two rabbits and three cats, and keeping pet hair at bay can be a uniquely demanding task . If you know what I’m talking about, you may be in the same boat. (Noah’s Ark, that is.) After testing dozens of vacuums, we have six models to recommend that effectively and efficiently tackle pet fur. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/ROFDbqB via IFTTT

More often than people may realize or care to admit, everyone uses their personal tech devices in ways that border on abuse. Rigging a sports bra strap as a makeshift smartphone holder. Wiping away brow sweat with your smartwatch. Licking or sucking on AirPods before sticking them in your ears, ostensibly to create a tighter seal or to clean them. ( Seriously, don’t .) Whether on a run, at the gym, or just going about their everyday lives, many people have been guilty of those things and more. While modern devices are designed to withstand everyday wear and tear—including exposure to small amounts of moisture—they’re not entirely invincible, especially when summer rolls around and life gets a lot sweatier. Although it’s rare, some gadgets can be destroyed beyond repair by perspiration, which can deteriorate your tech over time. “Elements in your sweat can build up and clog, corrode, or break down all sorts of things,” said staff writer Lauren Dragan, our in-house headphones exper...

You don’t need much to enjoy a day at the beach, but one of the few things you certainly do need is a great, soft towel. After using dozens of towels for years and testing them on beaches all over the country, we’ve found that the Brooklinen Beach Towel is the most luxurious, absorbent, and satisfying to use. But we have other picks if you prefer thinner or lighter towels. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/wEq0OD9 via IFTTT

Most people don’t really need an all-in-one (AIO) printer — a good scanning app and a cheap, print-only laser machine can handle occasional jobs. But if you have a school-age kid or do work that requires a lot of copying and scanning, an all-in-one might make sense. The HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e is your best option because it’s easy to set up and cheap to run, it works with all kinds of devices, it produces beautiful prints and scans, and it looks great doing all of that. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/cvQnC0m via IFTTT

It’s a stomach-dropping scenario: Your phone gets stolen, and all your information is gone along with it. If that hasn’t happened to you already, it may never, thanks to a useful feature in Apple’s iPhones. The feature, called Stolen Device Protection, makes it a lot more difficult for thieves to gain access to your most private information. You should turn it on right away. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/HXmyR8N via IFTTT

If you’ve ever used a cheap, wobbly ironing board, you know the unique frustration (and possible danger) of trying to tame a hot iron while wrinkle-busting. A solid board with a smooth cover and the right amount of padding makes ironing a cinch, safely. The Brabantia Ironing Board B is the best of more than two dozen ironing boards and mats we’ve tested since 2015. It’s so steady! It opens without a sound! It’s a bit of an investment, but it might transform your laundry life. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/BYc8KVF via IFTTT

Plenty of pets love to sunbathe. My dog Dave spends hours working on his tan, no matter that he’s covered with a thin layer of black fur. Most animals regulate their heat on a warm day by moving to the shade, drinking water, or splaying out on the cool tiles of the bathroom floor. But sometimes our animal friends need a little extra help to keep from overheating and risking heatstroke. “The general rule of thumb is if it's too hot for people, it's too hot for animals to be outside for any extended period of time as well,” said Jerry Klein , chief veterinarian for the American Kennel Club. The best thing you can do is tune in to your pet’s behavior and try to prevent heatstroke altogether. Give them access to water and a space to cool off, and you can fan them or wet them down to help them regulate their temperature. You can also immerse them in water, said Emily Hall, a veterinarian and lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College UK, whose research has focused on heatstroke in p...

Different projectors are designed for different uses, and they can range in price from a couple hundred dollars to well into the five-figure range. Choosing the right model for your needs can be a daunting task, and we’re here to help. Below is an overview of the top picks from our various projector guides. We have recommendations for premium 4K movie projectors ,  budget home theater projectors , outdoor projectors , and more. If you’re not sure where to begin your projector search, we recommend reading about how to pick the right projector for your viewing needs . In summary, you have three important questions to ask at the start: What do you plan to use the projector for? What type of room will you use it in? How big of a screen do you want? There’s a huge difference in price and performance between a 4K projector designed for a big-screen home theater and a portable mini projector designed to be an everyday TV replacement. Some projectors excel with movies in a completely ...

Warm weather and a gentle breeze are all you really need to enjoy a glorious day in the park — but you can bring plenty of little pleasures along to amp up your outing. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/yoPz8Nf via IFTTT

Working from home is all about flexibility—in scheduling, sure, but also in how you set up your workspace. Whereas an IT department might assign your equipment in the office, at home you probably get to choose many of the apps and peripherals you use to get work done. If that sounds like your situation, you’re in luck. We’ve spent more than 10 years finding the best gear across a wide range of categories, and we’ve collected our picks here to save you time and stress. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/OTp9qsV via IFTTT

When I look into my dog’s soulful brown eyes, it’s hard to know what he’s thinking about me. Buddy is a near-constant presence in my life, following me from room to room, lingering underfoot in the kitchen, and cuddling on the couch as I brain rot on reality TV. I wonder if he’s not-so-silently judging me when he sighs and tosses me some side-eye. Is he actually happy here? Does he even like me? Thanks to Nina Luczyszyn , a vet tech turned pet communicator, now I know (or at least now I think I know). “You’re always so happy and trying to stay so positive. He really loves that about you,” she said in our 30-minute Zoom session, during which she acted as a conduit between Buddy’s thoughts and feelings and my innumerable questions about his health and mental well-being. “You don’t let people take advantage of you. You’re a tough cookie.” Oh, well then ! Maybe he has been paying attention. I first became interested in seeing an animal communicator after I listened to an episode of Ra...

Today’s rechargeable AA and AAA batteries are much more efficient and reliable than those you may remember from years past. If you’re making the switch to rechargeables, you’ll need a charger to keep them powered. The Panasonic Eneloop BQ-CC55 is small and compact, and charges up to four batteries at once. It has a built-in plug that folds up for easy storage, and colorful lights that clearly indicate when each battery is dead (red), half-full (yellow), or fully charged (green). from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/MFCOdjS via IFTTT

I had never spent a single dollar on an apron before purchasing a Williams Sonoma Classic Apron in the fall of 2023. But even though it’s one of Wirecutter’s favorite kitchen aprons , I didn’t buy it for cooking. I bought it for Halloween. The first season of The Bear had premiered a few months prior. In it, Carmy — protagonist Carmen Berzatto, the culinary phenom portrayed by Jeremy Allen White — works at the Italian beef joint he inherited, sporting an easily replicated get-up of black pants, a white T-shirt, a blue apron, messy hair, and arm tattoos. Going as Carmy for Halloween meant I could wear comfy clothes while spending very little on my costume. All I needed was an apron, a wig, and a marker to ink up my comparatively less beefcakey forearms. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/fXvBawY via IFTTT

A good Chromebook can do almost anything that a regular laptop can do, and the best models can feel better to use than their similarly priced Windows counterparts. After testing most of the Chromebooks released over the past 10 years and testing 28 models so far in 2024, we recommend the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus . It’s an excellent laptop, with the best combination of features and price of all the Chromebooks we’ve tested, including fast performance, a spacious touchscreen, and long-enough battery life for a full day of work or classes. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/nvN17JT via IFTTT

If you’re seeking a bike for your daily commute and your weekend exercise, a fitness hybrid—that is, a road bike with flat handlebars—may be the right choice. Over the past eight years, we’ve spent 60 hours sifting through nearly 75 options, test-ridden more than a dozen bikes, and concluded that the Marin Fairfax 1 is the best hybrid for most people. It provides a stable, comfortable ride on city streets, and it’s a better value now than when we first tested it. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/aBcSUGI via IFTTT