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Showing posts from August, 2025

The Best Cloth and KN95 Face Masks for Kids and Toddlers

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The sight of children in face masks isn’t as common as it was at the height of the pandemic, but there are still some scenarios where kids might want or need to mask up. Masks remain important in doctors’ offices (some may require them for sick patients), for families who choose to wear them while traveling, and if you or your child is diagnosed with COVID-19. We’ve looked at more than 100 cloth and disposable masks for kids, pored over scientific studies, talked with health experts and researchers, assessed filtration efficiency in independent lab tests, and tested finalists with a panel of 10 kids, ages 2 to 11. The best mask is the one that fits your child securely and comfortably, that offers strong filtration, and that they will wear, experts say. This means that no single mask will work for all kids, and finding the right one for your child may involve a lot of trial and error. Fortunately, there are now many mask options for kids, including high-performing cloth masks with ...

The Best Labor Day Sales on Sheets, Mattresses, Pillows, and Other Sleep Essentials

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As the days get shorter and colder, and the nights get longer and darker, there’s no better time to make your sleep setup a little more comfortable. Luckily, if there’s one thing you can always look forward to on Labor Day weekend, it’s discounts on sheets, mattresses, and pillows that make falling asleep a bit easier, more comfortable, and cozier. At Wirecutter, we work tirelessly to find the best gear for getting a good night’s sleep, doing everything from spending more than 1,000 nights testing 131 pillows to sleeping on 25 sets of linen sheets to using an infrared thermometer to measure the temperatures of 19 comforters . We don’t make any item a pick before putting it through its paces. And every item we feature on this list has stood up to our strict scrutiny. Whether you want to score a comfortable mattress, a warmer blanket, or softer sheets at a decent price, the Wirecutter Deals team has you covered. They track prices year-round , and they assess coupons, bundle offering...

The Best Robot Vacuum

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Robot vacuums are feats of engineering. Even a basic bot can keep your floors tidy with little effort on your part, handling pet hair and dust adeptly. Top-tier models can map your home, schedule cleanings, take voice commands, and empty themselves. But don’t set your expectations too high. These machines excel in routine midweek cleanups but can’t replace traditional plug-in vacuums , especially on rugs . And even the fanciest models can drive you mad, getting tangled or trapped, or missing piles of dirt. In our most recent testing, we tried 13 models, from cheap, aimless bumblers to sophisticated machines that (usually) navigate with ease. We think that the Roborock Q5 Max+ , with its self-emptying dock, and the Eufy RoboVac 11S Max are your best choices. (If you’re curious about hybrid models that can vacuum and mop, we have some information on those, too.) from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/yBhsMYZ via IFTTT

The Best Kids Hiking Backpacks

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Kids don’t need special backpacks for hiking and camping. But a durable and fun-to-wear pack that makes it easy to stay hydrated on the go can make a world of difference for their enthusiasm — which every parent knows is key to actually moving down a trail. After watching our own kids carry packs on local hikes, neighborhood walks, and weekend camping trips, we’ve found that the best outdoor backpacks for kids are the REI Co-op Tarn 12 for kids up to about age 7 (depending on how big they are) and the REI Co-op Tarn 18 for older kids. These REI packs are durable, comfortable, and functional, offering all the right pockets to carry just about anything a kid might want to bring along. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/o3WdBSp via IFTTT

The Best Ways to Remove Smoke Smells From Delicate and Hard-to-Wash Fabrics

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So you found a vintage silk scarf at the thrift store, but it reeks of cigarettes. Or maybe you lingered too long by the campfire in a beloved sweater, accidentally infusing it with eau de hickory. Fret not. Smoke — whether from cigarettes, campfires, or charcoal grills — tends to cling to fabric, but it isn’t impossible to remove. If your smoke-laden item can be machine-washed, it’s best to clean the piece in a regular, cold cycle with a high-quality detergent , such as Tide Ultra Oxi . But some fabrics, such as silks, require gentler methods. If your item is meant to be dry-cleaned or hand-washed , or it it can’t be washed at all, you still have a few ways to reduce and even remove smoky odors. Here are the best, tested methods for removing smoke smells from fabrics that you can’t wash in the machine.   To test the best non-machine methods for removing smoke smells, we infused silk and polyester fabric with cigarette and mesquite smoke using a cocktail smoker. Caroline...

The Best Indoor Security Camera

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It’s said you can’t put a price on peace of mind. Well, we’re doing it anyway — and it’s pretty reasonable. An indoor security camera lets you keep tabs on the things at home that matter most, whether that’s your kids, your pets, or your prized vinyl collection. We recommend the TP-Link Tapo C120 , a sub-$40 indoor/outdoor 2K camera that can reliably distinguish between a variety of motions and sounds. The Tapo C120 also offers more customization options than most indoor cameras — and unlike with many competing models, all of these features work whether you pay for a subscription or opt to use your own local storage on a microSD card at no extra charge. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/l8DGREd via IFTTT

The Best Camping Chairs

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Stumps, stools, boulders, and picnic tables are fine for sitting briefly outdoors. But if you want to kick back and stay comfy, the right camping chair can make all the difference. Since 2016, our testers (with different body types and physical needs) have subjected camping chairs to multiple camping trips. We chose the Coleman Cooler Quad Chair as the model with the right combination of comfort, durability, usability, and price for most campers. We also found options for campers looking for something a little different in a chair, including one with more support , a heavy-duty chair , a light one for backpackers , a chair with a built-in canopy , and a pick for kids . from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/4q6Rklv via IFTTT

Sleep Number Mattress Review: An Honest Assessment

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Sleep Number’s high-tech smart beds promise maximum individualization, offering a tempting option for the sensitive sleeper or the couple with divergent mattress preferences. The company’s mattresses employ air chambers in the foundation , which sit below comfort foams and inflate or deflate on either side depending on the sleeper’s desired firmness levels. The mattresses also have smart sensors, which respond to your movements throughout the night and automatically adjust for comfort and pressure relief in real time. Though we haven’t tested Sleep Number’s latest lineup of mattresses in person, we have tried previous versions of several Sleep Number mattresses, and in general, we think you can find a comfortable and quality mattress with denser foams for a lower price elsewhere. If you and your bed partner can’t compromise on your firmness preferences, and you have a flexible budget, some of the higher-end Sleep Number mattresses, such as those in the Performance or Innovation ser...

The Journey to Sewing My Own Clothes Began With This Surprisingly Affordable Machine.

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For many years, my sewing machine languished. It was an elegant vintage Singer that came attached to its own sewing table. It looked great in my apartment, and crucially, it was free. I used it to make cute little fabric baskets and pouches, but even though I was curious about sewing clothes, I could never quite commit to something more complex. The first time I tried my mom’s more modern Brother sewing machine, I immediately understood why I had hit a wall. Sewing on my vintage Singer machine was a little like driving Henry Ford’s Model A, I surmised: Sure, you could ride it around town, but did you really want to take it on a road trip? The sewing was slow, threads frequently got stuck in the machine, and I once managed to sew through my fingernail. I started sewing on a vintage Singer machine but eventually hit a wall. I leveled-up my sewing once I started using the intuitive and versatile Brother CS7000X. Maria Adelmann/NYT Wirecutter I know, I know — my ancestors sewed t...

The Matic Is a Whole Different Kind of Robot Vacuum

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Top pick A surprisingly smart robot vacuum-mop combo Matic With a square design, advanced AI-powered mapping, and convenient all-in-one waste bag system, the Matic is unlike any other robot vacuum-mop we’ve tested. $1,095 from Matic from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/Rx28b3Y via IFTTT

Yes, the World Is Actually Too Loud (Encore)

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Listen and follow The Wirecutter Show Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio | Other platforms More than 100 million Americans are exposed to unhealthy levels of noise daily. To help you protect yourself and those you love, we’re re-airing this episode on how to determine if you’re at risk of hearing loss and what you can do about it. Lauren Dragan, Wirecutter’s longtime senior writer covering headphones and audio equipment, walks us through the health issues linked to noise pollution, how to find out if you’re exposed to too much noise, and specific ways to reduce sounds at home, while commuting, or in noisier situations (like concerts or parties). Lauren shares her favorite headphones, from noise-canceling headphones to sleep headphones. And she recommends specific ear muffs and ear plugs for adults, kids, and babies. Lauren also reveals how to use various frequencies of noise—like brown or pink noise—to block out irritating sounds that may be both...