Gear / Buying Guides

From citizens of ancient civilizations rubbing clay powder into their hair to the first commercially available dry shampoo hitting the market in the 1940s, people have spent their entire lives trying to bridge the gap between dirty hair and busy lifestyles. I remember vividly my mom using baby powder in …

There is a lot to think about when shopping for or using a carpet cleaner, such as how much space you’ll need for storage and whether you should rent or buy. Here are some tips to keep in mind. Carpet cleaners are heavy and bulky, especially when filled with water. …

Forget the spendy flagship smartphone. Every year, I test a dozen or more devices to find the best cheap phones that perform where it counts and aren’t annoyingly slow. Wireless carriers in the US go out of their way to make expensive smartphones seem affordable. AT&T will advertise a Samsung …

Previous-Generation Cards Not everyone wants to spend $1,000 or more on a GPU, and you have a few options if you’re working on a tighter overall budget. Normally, I’d recommend a previous generation card, but the RTX 40 Series and AMD 7000 cards are almost entirely out of stock or …

I have received many, many Star Wars gifts over the years. I spent the first Christmas day that I can remember flying Luke and his X-wing around the house. I met Darth Vader (David Prowse) when I was 6. I can still feel the shiver of fear as he strode …

Recommended With Reservations Mila Air 3 Critter Cuddler for $297: Mila makes seven bespoke filters that are designed specifically for moms-to-be, allergies, pet owners, etc. Add Mila’s built-in sensor and easy-to-use app dashboard, along with its wooden-legged modern box design, and the Mila is an immediate favorite. The more I …

Honorable Mentions We haven’t tried a vacuum yet that we absolutely hate. These ones below are solid vacuums, and in some cases are much cheaper than our top picks, but we didn’t like them as much. Dirt Devil Power Swerve Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum for $93: We previously recommended this …

Other Portable Chargers We Tested Photograph: Simon Hill There are so many portable chargers out there. Here are a few more we like that just missed out on a place above for one reason or another. OnePlus Slim Magnetic Power Bank for $70: Sleek in silver grey aluminum with a …

Other Scooters to Consider I’ve tested many scooters. Not all deserve a spot above, but some are still worth considering. Photograph: Julian Chokkattu Niu KQi 100P for $379: The KQi 100P is slightly lighter, cheaper, and faster than the Segway E2 Pro, my top budget recommendation, but I eked out …

Not all knives are created equal, and a chef’s knife is given that name for a reason. Like the proverbial dog to man, a chef needs their knife. Arguably the most important multipurpose tool you can find in a kitchen, it’s the chef’s main weapon—it can slice, dice, and chop …