The Wirecutter Show (The New York Times)

What you need to know before giving your kid a phone, plus the Wirecutter-tested trackers, smartwatches, and phones to consider.

Guests: Wirecutter senior staff writer Ellen Lee &  Dr. Devorah Heitner

Additional Reading:

• The Best First Phones for Kids
• The Best Smartwatches for Kids
• The Best Parental Control Apps to Manage Screen Time (and Keep Your Kid Safer Online)
• Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World  by Dr. Devorah Heitner
• Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World by Dr. Devorah Heitner

Products we recommend:

• Apple AirTag
• Tile Mate
• Bark Phone
• Pinwheel
• Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation, 128 GB)
• Verizon Gizmo Watch 3
• Apple Watch SE GPS + Cellular

Check out more NYT podcast coverage about the recent push to ban phones in schools from The Daily and Hard Fork.
 

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Digital hygiene rarely tops spring cleaning lists—but it should. Our tech editor shares how to declutter your phone, and why you need a password manager.

Guest: Wirecutter Senior Tech Editor, Caitlin McGarry

Products we recommend: 

• The best Password Manager: 1Password
• The best free Password Manager: Bitwarden
• Two-Factor Authenticator Apps: Duo Mobile and Google Authenticator
• The best bluetooth tracker: Apple AirTag

Additional Reading: 

• How to Organize and Store Your Phone’s Camera Roll Photos
• The Best External Hard Drive 
• You Don’t Need a New Phone. Here’s How to Make the One You Have Last Longer.
• How to Clean Your Phone
• The 2 Best Password Managers 
• Step 1 to Simple Online Security: Always Use Strong Passwords
• The 2 Best Two-Factor Authentication Apps
• The 2 Best Bluetooth Trackers

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NYT’s Sam Sifton and Wirecutter's Lesley Stockton reveal their pro tips for Thanksgiving success—from menu planning and hosting to the essential kitchen gear.

Guests: Wirecutter senior staff writer Lesley Stockton and assistant managing editor of The New York Times Sam Sifton

Additional Reading: 

• Thanksgiving: How to Cook It Well by Sam Sifton
• The Best Roasting Pan
• The Best Instant Read Thermometer
• The Best Chef’s Knife
• The Best Gas Grills
• The Best Gas Grill Tools 

Products We Recommend: 

• The best chef’s knife: Mac MTH-80
• The best instant-read thermometer: ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2

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Making dinner every night can be a challenge. This week, we talk with Emily Weinstein, of New York Times Cooking, about how to overcome the monotony.

Additional Reading: 

• Easy Weeknight Dinners 100 Fast, Flavor-Packed Meals for Busy People Who Still Want Something Good to Eat by Emily Weinstein and New York Times Cooking
• When You Love To Cook But Also Have a Kid, Embrace the Microwave
• The Best Sheet Pans
• The Best Air Fryer 
• Best Electric Pressure Cooker
• Best Slow Cooker 

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Thanksgiving is (almost) here, and this week Wirecutter experts share their best last-minute tips to make your holiday a success.

Guests: Wirecutter staffers Hannah Morrill, Rose Lorre, Lee Neikirk, Lauren Dragan, Ellen Airhart, James Austin, Phil Ryan, Michael Sullivan, Ben Frumin

Products we recommend: 

• Graza Sizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Taza Mexican-Style Chocolate Sampler
• Tony’s Chocolonely Super Milk Bundle
• Bananagrams
• Tide Pen
• Korky 99-4A Max Performance Plunger

Podcasts that are great for families

• Wow in the world
• Brains On
• Once Upon a Beat
• Radiolab for Kids 
• 99% Invisible 
• The Good Whale

Audiobooks for families

• Mouse and the Motorcycle
• Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum

Website recommendation for learning new card games

• Pagat

Additional Reading: 

• Taking better iPhone photos 
• The Best Fake Christmas Tree
• Rose Lorre's article about what to bring to Thanksgiving as a guest 

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You don’t need to settle for a bad vacuum. Our expert reveals how to pick one that’ll actually make your life easier—and your home a lot cleaner.

Guest: Deputy Director, Editorial Operations & Testing Courtney Schley

Products we recommend:

• Best upright vac: SEBO Felix Premium
• Budget upright vac: Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352
• Best canister vac: SEBO Airbelt K3 Premium
• Another canister vac we love: Miele Complete C3 Calima PowerLine
• Best stick vac: Dyson V12 Detect Slim
• Best robot vac: Roborock Q5 Max+
• Budget robot vac: Eufy RoboVac 11S Max
• Courtney loves: Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven TOB-260N1 (and Trader Joe's frozen chocolate croissants!)

Additional Reading:

• The 15 Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2025 
• We Spent a Weekend With Dozens of Vacuum Enthusiasts. Here’s What We Learned. 
• What’s the Best Vacuum for Pet Hair?
• How to Clean a Vacuum Cleaner

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Most people misuse sunscreen. In this episode, senior staff health writer Nancy Redd joins us to explain the differences between mineral and chemical types, how you should properly apply any sunscreen, and why many 'reef-safe' sunscreens still harm marine life.

Please take a few minutes to fill out The Wirecutter Show Audience Survey. It'll help us make decisions about the future of the show. Thanks! 

Products we recommend:

• Our favorite inexpensive chemical sunscreen: Equate Sport Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Value Size SPF 50
• A reef-safe physical sunscreen that rubs in easily: Thrive Bodyshield SPF 50
• A pleasing, fragrance-free physical sunscreen: Badger Adventure Mineral Sunscreen Cream SPF 50
• A superlative chemical sunscreen: Banana Boat Light As Air SPF 50+
• A sweet-smelling reef-friendly sunscreen: Thinksport Clear Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50
• Nancy loves: Tobiq Free People 60L

Additional reading:

• The 4 Best Sunscreens of 2025
• The 12 Best Sunscreens for Your Face of 2025
• Lots of People Apply Sunscreen Wrong. Here’s How to Do It Right.
• The 3 Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens of 2025
• There’s No Difference Between Baby and Adult Sunscreen 
• Sun-Protective Clothing Is a Reliable UV-Blocker. Here Are Some Options We Love.

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It’s not your imagination. Climate change is making seasonal allergy season longer and more intense. 

New York Times health reporter Nina Agrawal joins us to discuss what to do when the pollen count is high, how to improve your indoor air quality this spring and summer, and the differences between allergy medications. 

Products we recommend:

• A really good air purifier: Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty
• Our favorite upright vacuum: SEBO Felix Premium
• Our favorite canister vacuum: SEBO Airbelt K3 Premium

Additional Reading: 

• The Wirecutter Show Episode 2: How to Clean the Air You Breathe
• The 8 Best Air Purifiers of 2025
• The 15 Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2025
• Nina’s reporting on how to tell if you have allergies and what actually works for combatting seasonal allergies 

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We are working on a new episode about laundry—specifically, those stains that never seem to come out—and we need your help!  

Record a voice memo on your phone and tell us about the most irritating stain you’ve battled. How did you get it? What was the culprit? What did it stain? And what did you use to try and get it out?

Try and keep it under two minutes and don’t forget to tell us your first name and where you’re calling from!

Email your voice memo to thewirecuttershow@wirecutter.com and you might be featured on the show with advice from our laundry expert (aka stain doctor Andrea Barnes). 

Thanks!  

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Strength training might seem intimidating, but it’s also key for living a long, healthy life. We cover how to start and the simple at-home gear that’ll help.

Guests: Wirecutter supervising editor Ingrid Skjong and Wirecutter fitness writer Seth Berkman 

Products we recommend: 

• Best yoga mat: JadeYoga Harmony Mat
• Best kettlebell: Rep Fitness Kettlebell
• Best adjustable dumbbell set: Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set
• Best pull-up bar: Ultimate Body Press Elevated XL Doorway Pull-Up Bar
• Best resistance bands: Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Bands (5 Bands Pro Series Set) and Serious Steel Assisted Pull-Up, Resistance, and Stretch Bands
• Seth loves: KSY Jump Rope

Additional Reading: 

• The 4 Best Resistance Bands of 2025 
• The 3 Best Yoga Mats of 2025 
• The 3 Best Pull-Up Bars of 2025 
• The 2 Best Kettlebells of 2025 
• The 3 Best Adjustable Dumbbells of 2025
• The 5 Best Jump Ropes of 2025 

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Our new podcast aims to solve your everyday problems, with life-changing tips, tricks and product recommendations from Wirecutter’s best-in-class journalists. Find out more at nytimes.com/wirecutter.

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Baby gear editor Kalee Thompson shares her tried-and-true tips for what new parents really need for a newborn (and what to skip), the most helpful gifts for expecting parents, and the gear you can safely buy used.

Please take a few minutes to fill out The Wirecutter Show Audience Survey. It'll help us make decisions about the future of the show. Thanks! 

Products we recommend:

• Great baby bouncer:  BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft
• Good laundry detergent for baby clothes:  Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
• Car seats we recommend: Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX; Chicco KeyFit 35; Uppababy Aria.
• A good lightweight stroller: Uppababy Minu V2
• A polarizing bassinet: Snoo Smart Sleeper
• Kalee loves: Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug
• Use this site to check for recalls on products you may be buying used: CPSC.gov

Additional reading:

• Gifts For New Moms
• Is the $1,700 Snoo Smart Sleeper Bassinet Worth It? What to Know Before You Buy.
• The 4 Best Infant Car Seats of 2025
• The 6 Best Bassinets and Bedside Sleepers of 2025
• The 5 Best Full-Size Strollers of 2025
• The 2 Best Travel Strollers of 2025
• The Best Baby Carriers
• The 5 Best Baby Monitors of 2025
• The 2 Best Diaper Pails of 2025

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Most printers suck. This week we crack the code on how to buy one you might actually like, and reveal the secrets to saving cash on ink and toner. 

Guest: Wirecutter supervising editor Ben Keough 

Products we recommend:

• Basic B&W laser printer we recommend: Brother Wireless HL-L2460DW
• Online photo printing we recommend: Nations Photo Lab
• Ben’s new/used camera: Nikon F3

Additional Reading:

• Why All Printers Suck (Even the Best Ones)
• The 4 Best Home Printers of 2024
• The 4 Best All-in-One Printers of 2024
• The 3 Best Photo Printers of 2024
• The 4 Best Mobile Scanning Apps of 2024
• The Best Online Photo Printing Service of 2024

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We’re fielding listener questions with pro tips for delighting picky friends, impossible relatives, and other challenging recipients on your holiday list.

Guest:  Staff writer Samantha Schoech

Products we recommend:

Beautiful Utilitarian Upgrades:

• Brushed Stainless Steel French Press
• Rough Linen Robe

Personalized Gifts: 

• Handwriting Cuff bracelet
• Personalized retro view finder
• Customizable drinking straw 

Experiential Gifts: 

• Teas to try together
• Bokksu Japanese Snack Box

Great for Dads: 

• Yeti Cooler
• LL Bean Wicked Good Slippers

Digital gifts that don’t clutter: 

• MasterClass subscription
• Libro FM  audiobook subscription
• Met Opera subscription
• BritBox British movies and TV subscription

For a brother who buys himself what we wants: 

• Williams Sonoma Monogrammed Steak Brand
• The best growler
• The best home brewing kit
• Happy Tooned Print

For people you don’t know that well: 

• Fast Growing Trees Citrus Trees

Sam loves:

• Italian loafers

Additional Reading: 

• Most Gift Baskets Are Terrible. These Are Great.
• 36 Gifts for People Who Have Everything 2024
• 28 Best Personalized Gifts of 2024 
• 15 Aesthetic Gift Picks (for Those With Impeccable Taste) 
• The 48 Best Gifts for Dads 2024

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Dishwashers make life easier—but most people don’t use them quite right. This episode, we’re diving deep into how you can get yours to wash dishes even better. 

Guest: Wirecutter staff writer Andrea Barnes

Products we recommend:

• The best dishwasher detergent: Cascade Free & Clear ActionPacs
• What to use to clean your dishwasher: Affresh or citric acid
• Rinse aids to consider: Ecover or Finish Jet Dry
• The best dishwasher: Miele G5008
• Andrea loves: The League of Kitchens Cookbook

Additional reading:

• The 4 Best Dishwasher Detergents of 2024 
• How to Clean Your Dishwasher 
• Why You Should Clean Your Dishwasher Filter 
• How to Use Your Dishwasher Better
• We Smeared Hundreds of Dishes With Peanut Butter, Egg Yolk, Red Sauce, and Lipstick to Test Dishwashers in 2024
• Is It You, or Is Your Dishwasher Just Lousy? Here’s How to Tell.

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Red light devices promise a lot—but do they deliver? Wirecutter supervising editor Rory Evans demystifies the science behind them, shares her top picks, and explains who might want to think twice before trying one.

Products we recommend:

• Best red light wand: LightStim for Wrinkles
• Best flexible red light mask: Omnilux Men
• Best rigid red light mask: Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask

Additional reading:

• The Solawave Wand Costs Half the Price of Other Red-Light Tools. But We Didn’t Love It. 
• The Best Red-Light Device 

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In part one of our stain series, we tackle your toughest questions–from reviving dingy whites to rescuing clothes from stubborn oils and baked-on gummy bears.

Guest: Wirecutter senior writer Andrea Barnes

Products we recommend:

• The best liquid laundry detergent & a great product for pre-treating stains: Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
• The best powdered laundry detergent (with oxygen bleach)  :Tide Ultra Oxi Powder Laundry Detergent
• Another great laundry detergent: ​​Persil Original Liquid Detergent Everyday Clean
• If you want an “eco-friendly” detergent or to support a smaller brand, we like: Dirty Labs Free & Clear Bio Laundry Detergent
• A good stain remover for most starch or protein food stains: Zout
• A good stain remover for ink or sugary stains: Amodex Ink & Stain Remover

Additional reading:

• So You Stained Your Shirt. Now What? 
• The 6 Best Stain Removers of 2025
• Skip the Stain Removers. This Detergent Is All You Need.
• The 5 Best Laundry Detergents of 2025
• The Wirecutter Show Episode 1: The Secret to Better Laundry

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Personal lubricants make sex more fun–but not all of them are created equal. We’re covering how to find ones you’ll love and the ingredients to avoid.

Guest: Wirecutter writer Bianca Alba 

Products we recommend: 

• Best water-based lube:  Aloe Cadabra Natural Aloe
• Best thinner water-based lube: Coconu Water Based
• Best silicone lube: Überlube
• Best hybrid lube: Sliquid Silk
• Best oil-based lube: Coconu Oil Based
• Bianca recommends: Vuvla-shaped candle mold

Additional reading :

• The 6 Best Personal Lubricants of 2025
• The 5 Best Vibrators of 2025 
• The Best Anal Toys 
• How to Clean Sex Toys 

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In the final part of our stain series, we tackle trickier listener questions–from eliminating fishy odors to whether you can truly remove paint stains. 

Guest: Senior writer Andrea Barnes

Products we recommend:

• A good stain remover for ink or sugary stains: Amodex Ink & Stain Remover
• A good stain remover for cat odors: Nature's Miracle
• A good way to remove odors from clothes: Downy Rinse & Refresh
• For acrylic paint stains, you might try: Dawn Powerwash
• For oil paint stains, you can try mineral spirits
• A good stain remover for old blood stains: Clorox 2 Stain Remover & Color Brightener
• The best liquid laundry detergent & a great product for pre-treating stains: Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
• The best powdered laundry detergent (with oxygen bleach) for dirt and clay: Tide Ultra Oxi Powder Laundry Detergent

Additional reading:

• The Wirecutter Show Episode 32: The Art of Stain Removal Part 1
• So You Stained Your Shirt. Now What? 
• The 6 Best Stain Removers of 2025
• Skip the Stain Removers. This Detergent Is All You Need.
• The 5 Best Laundry Detergents of 2025
• The Wirecutter Show Episode 1: The Secret to Better Laundry
• The Best Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

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Our networking pro reveals three dead-simple fixes most people miss for faster internet, plus insider secrets to choosing a better internet plan.

Guest: Senior staff writer Joel Santo Domingo

Products We Recommend

• Tool to find internet providers in your area: www.broadbandmap.fcc.gov
• Look up your internet speed (upload speeds especially!): www.speedtest.net  or www.fast.com (from Netflix)
• USB hub for plugging in an ethernet cord to a computer or laptop: Anker 555 USB-C Hub (8-in-1)
• Powerline adapter for better wifi without a cord: TP-Link TL-WPA8631P Kit
• Joel loves: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

Additional Reading

• The Gear to Get Reliable Wi-Fi in Any Home
• The 3 Best Wi-Fi Routers of 2025
• The Best Cable Modem of 2025
• The 4 Best Powerline Networking Adapters of 2025

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Plant expert Darryl Cheng, of the popular Instagram account @houseplantjournal, teaches us how to keep those pothos and monsteras alive. He also reveals a few tips from his most recent book, The New Plant Collector, for helping various plants thrive. 

Then senior staff writer and plant collector Rose Maura Lorre shares her insider secrets for scoring cheap or totally free houseplants.

Things We Recommend: 

• Rose likes: Who Gives a Crap 100% Recycled Toilet Paper
• How to use your phone as a light meter

More from Darryl Cheng: 

• His first book The New Plant Parent (2019)
• His latest book The New Plant Collector (2024)
• His website: houseplantjournal.com

Additional Reading

• Fill Your Home with Houseplants for Practically No Money
• The 2 Best Places to Buy Plants Online of 2025
• 25 Best Gifts for Plant Lovers of 2025
• The 7 Best Fake Plastic Trees and Artificial Houseplants of 2025

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Our best-in-class advice to breathing a little easier. 

Guest: Wirecutter Senior staff writer Tim Heffernan

Additional Reading

• The Best Air Purifier 
• The $650 LifeStraw Max Water Filter Can Save You From Contaminated Water
• How Can I Clear My Air of Wildfire Smoke?
• How to DIY An Air Purifier

Products We Recommend

• Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty
• LifeStraw Max
• Knipex Carpenters’ End Cut Pliers

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Our experts share their time-tested strategies for better grilling. Senior staff writer Lesley Stockton reveals the proper way to clean and oil grates, why it’s probably time to clean your entire grill, and the unexpected tools (like restaurant tongs and a grill basket) that will immediately uplevel your next cookout.

Then Sam Sifton, assistant managing editor at The New York Times and co-founder of NYT Cooking, walks us through heat zones, why you should limit food flipping, and his favorite recipes to try this summer.

Products we recommend:

• A superior grill brush: Grill Rescue Grill Brush
• The best grill tongs: Winco Heavyweight 16″ Stainless Steel Utility Tongs
• The best all-purpose grill spatula: Mercer Culinary Hell’s Handle Fish Turner
• The best basting brush: ​​OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Basting Brush
• The best grill basket: Grillaholics Grill Basket
• Our favorite charcoal grill: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill 22″
• Our favorite gas grill: Weber Spirit E-425
• A griddle for larger Weber Spirit grills: Weber Rust-Resistant Griddle Insert for Spirit Grill
• A griddle for the three-burner Genesis grill: Weber Rust-Resistant Griddle Insert for Genesis Grill
• Sam recommends: Momofuku’s Bo Ssam recipe
• Sam’s go-to portable smoker: A-MAZE-N Stainless Steel Tube Smoker 2.5 in. W

Additional reading:

• How to Clean a Gas or Charcoal Grill
• The 3 Best Gas Grills of 2025
• The Best Charcoal Grill of 2025
• 10 Best Grill Tools and Accessories of 2025
• Smoking a Turkey on a Gas Grill Sounds Hard. Here’s the $40 Hack Sam Sifton Swears by That Makes It Easy (and Delicious).

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Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be complicated. Wirecutter staffers share the classic and unexpected gifts that have delighted the mothers in their lives.

Products we recommend:

• Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
• Recchiuti Confections Black Box

Additional reading:

• 13 Best Boxed Chocolates of 2025 
• The Best Online Flower Delivery Service of 2025 
• 35 Best Mother’s Day Gifts of 2025 

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Expert tips to waste less food — and save on your grocery bill — from Wirecutter kitchen editor Marilyn Ong and New York Times Cooking deputy editor Genevieve Ko. 

Additional Reading 

• Best Food Storage Containers
• Best Dry Food Storage Containers
• The Best Vacuum Sealer
• Kitchen Compost Bins We Love

Products We Recommend

• Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Containers
• Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro
• Cuisinart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids

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Quality kitchen gear can last a lifetime–but not every pot, pan, or knife is made to last. This week, we discuss how to invest in durable cookware and tools.

Guest: Wirecutter kitchen staff writer, Michael Sullivan 

Additional Reading: 

• How to Clean and Season Cast-Iron Cookware
• How to Clean and Care for Wood Cutting Boards
• The Best Flatware of 2024 
• The 2 Best Toasters of 2024

Products We Recommend: 

• Best Cast Iron: Lodge Chef Collection 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
• Best Dutch Oven: Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
• Dutch Oven upgrade pick:Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven (5.5 quarts) 
• Aluminum Cake Pans: USA Pan Rectangle 9x13 Non-Stick Cake Pan
• Tri-Ply Pots & Pans: All-Clad D3 Stainless 12″ Fry Pan with Lid
• Tempered glassware: Duralex Le Picardie Tumbler, Kähler Hammershøi Tumbler and Kinto Hibi Tumbler
• Wood Cutting Board: Teakhaus Medium Professional Carving Board with Juice Canal 109
• Toasters We Like: Cuisinart CPT-122 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toasterand Breville BTA720XL Bit More Toaster

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Speakers don’t have to be complicated. Wirecutter senior audio writer Brent Butterworth tells us about some surprising hacks to improve the sound setup you may already have, and affordable speaker upgrades worthy of consideration.

Products we recommend: 

• Best ultra-portable bluetooth speaker: JBL Go 4
• Best budget bluetooth speaker: Tribit StormBox Mini  (sold out)
• Best bluetooth speaker with solid bass: Fender x Teufel Rockster Go 2
• Best computer speakers (upgrade pick): JBL Professional 305P MkII
• Best passive bookshelf speakers (they’ll need an amp): Polk Signature Elite ES15
• Best budget bookshelf speakers: Micca MB42X G2
• Best amp: WiiM Amp
• Best stereo receiver: Sony STR-DH190
• Brent loves this screwdriver: Megapro 13-in-1 Ratcheting Driver 211R2C36RD

Additional reading: 

• The 5 Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers of 2025
• The 5 Best Computer Speakers of 2025
• The 5 Best Bookshelf Speakers for Stereo and Surround Sound of 2024
• The 3 Best Home Bluetooth Speakers of 2025
• The Best Stereo Amplifiers and Receivers Under $300 of 2025
• How to Build the Best Multiroom Wireless Speaker System for You
• What Do You Get When You Spend More for Speakers?
• How to Connect Your New Turntable to Any Audio System
• How to Get Great Sound in Your Backyard

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Looking to limit exposure to plastic and nonstick kitchen gear? In our first roundtable episode, two of our staff experts share their best advice. 

Sustainability editor Katie Okamoto digs into the health risks of various materials, while kitchen editor Marilyn Ong shares swaps that are beloved by chefs—and that may last a lifetime.

Products we recommend: 

• PFAS and plastic free, non-stick pans:  OXO Obsidian Carbon Steel Frypan with Silicone Sleeve and Lodge Chef Collection 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
• Glass food storage containers (with plastic lids): Pyrex Freshlock 10-piece Glass Storage Set
• Completely plastic free food storage containers we love: Pyrex Ultimate 10-Piece Glass Storage Set
• A toaster over option we love (to consider replacing an air-fryer): Panasonic FlashXpress Toaster Oven
• A rice cooker alternative with a stainless steel bowl: Instant Pot Rio 6-quart
• Our favorite spatula:  Victorinox Swiss Army Slotted Fish Turner
• Other plastic-free spatulas we love: GIR Mini Flip Silicone Spatula, OXO Good Grips Silicone Small Flexible Turner and GIR Ultimate Spatula
• Baking sheets without non-stick coating: Nordic Ware Naturals Baker’s Half Sheet
• Cake pans without non-stick coating: USA Pan 9-inch Round Cake Pan
• Our favorite wood cutting board: Jones Cutting Board 20 x 14 x 1.5 Inch Maple End Grain
• A plastic-free kettle: Cuisinart GK-1 Digital Gooseneck Kettle
• A single use plastic bag swap we like: Stasher Reusable Silicone Bag Multi-Pack
• Katie loves: Amrikan: 125 Recipes from the Indian American Diaspora
• Marilyn loves: HoMedics Shiatsu Elite II Massage Cushion

Additional reading: 

• Forever Chemicals Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Limit Your Exposure.
• Black Plastic Kitchen Tools Might Expose You to Toxic Chemicals. Here’s What to Use Instead.
• 12 Ways to Break Up With Single-Use Plastics
• Microplastics Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Avoid Eating Them.
• The 3 Best Nonstick Pans of 2025
• The 4 Best Food Storage Containers of 2025
• The 11 Best Spatulas of 2025
• The 5 Best Cutting Boards of 2025
• The 6 Best Cake Pans for 2025
• The Wirecutter Show Episode 7: Can We Stop Eating Microplastics?
• The Best Plastic-Free Bowls, Plates, Cups, and Utensils for Babies and Kids
• Silicone Kitchen Gear Isn't As Sustainable As Many People Think. Try These Solutions Instead.

We are conducting a listener survey to learn more about what listeners to the Wirecutter Show are looking for from this podcast. Please share your thoughts with us.

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It’s time to turn the clocks forward – but don’t let Daylight Saving Time mess with your health. Here’s our best advice to overcome the time shift ahead.

Guest: podcast co-host Caira Blackwell

Products we recommend:

• The best blackout curtains: IKEA Rosenmandel Black-out Curtains or Target Pillowfort Blackout Chambray Cotton Kids’ Panel
• The best eye mask: Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
• The best sunrise alarm clock: Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520
• Caira loves this alarm clock: Hatch Restore 2

Additional Reading: 

• How to Survive Daylight Saving Time
• The Best Sunrise Alarm Clock of 2025 
• The 4 Best Blackout Curtains of 2025
• The 3 Best Sleep Masks of 2025

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From a space heater that saves a marriage to sunscreen that saves a surfer’s skin, Wirecutter’s staff opens up about the best things they bought in 2024.

Guests: We heard voicemails from Wirecutter staffers including Mel Plaut, Ingela Amundson, Annemarie Conte, Jackie Reeve, Brent Butterworth, Katie Okamoto, Zoe Vanderweide, Liam McCabe, Elissa Sanci, Alex Aciman, Kathleen Squires, Julia Bush, Claire Wilcox,  Jon Chase,  Lauren Dragan, and Dorie Chevlan. 

Products We Recommend: 

• Mel Plaut likes: Vornado AVH10 space heater
• Ingela Amundson likes: Sterilite Stacking Laundry Basket
• Annemarie Conte likes: Garmin Forerunner 165 watch
• Jackie Reeve likes: Donner DUC-1 Concert Ukulele
• Brent Butterworth likes: JBL Go 4 Bluetooth Speaker
• Katie Okamoto likes: HAY Matin Table Lamp 
• Zoe Vanderweide likes: Harper Wilde Bliss Triangle Bralette
• Liam McCabe likes: Gordon 20-in-1 Multi-Tool
• Elissa Sanci likes: Trtl Pillow
• Alex Aciman likes: Comfort Colors 1717 Adult Heavyweight Tee
• Kathleen Squires likes: The New York Times Premium Birthday Edition book
• Julia Bush likes: Adizero Adios Pro 3 super shoes
• Claire Wilcox likes: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+
• Jon Chase likes: Channel Master FLATenna
• Lauren Dragon likes: WhiteBark Workwear Full Cross-Back Apron
• Dorie Chevlen likes: Cuisinart Round Flip Belgian Waffle Maker WAF-F30
• Christine Cyr Clisset likes: Technivorm Moccamaster KBT coffee maker
• Caira Blackwell likes: Lilysilk 25 Momme Oxford Envelope Luxury Pillowcase
• Rosie Guerin likes: ViscoSoft 3 inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Additional Reading: 

• The Best T-Shirt I Ever Bought Came From a Midwest Strip Mall. I Tracked It Down on Amazon.
• I Test Bras for a Living. The Harper Wilde Triangle Bralette Is the Only One I Actually Wear. 
• Super Shoes Aren’t Just for Olympians. But Do Casual Runners Really Need Them?
• The Silly-Looking Trtl Travel Pillow Is the Only Way I Can Sleep on Flights

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Buying a vibrator can be tricky without a great recommendation. This week, we discuss why vibrators are still so taboo—and how to pick one you’ll love.

Guest: Wirecutter writer Bianca Alba 

Additional Reading: 

• The Best Vibrators
• The 6 Best Personal Lubricants of 2024 
• How to Clean Sex Toys

Products We Recommend: 

• The Classic Wand style: Magic Wand Rechargeable
• The Classic Wand style, but corded: Magic Wand Plus
• Affordable and versatile: Satisfyer Purple Pleasure
• For suction and vibration: Dame Aer
• For precise stimulation: Lelo Dot
• Bianca Recommends: Beast Blender for single serve smoothies

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Skin care doesn’t have to cost a fortune to be effective. We cover the basics anyone might need in their skin-care regimen, and our favorite drugstore brands that we’ve tested.

Guests: Dr. Nikhil Dhingra, board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology, and Rory Evans, Wirecutter’s senior beauty writer.

Products we recommend:

Facial Moisturizers: 

• Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Face Moisturizer
• CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
• Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream

Retinols:

• SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0
• Trader Joe’s Retinol Night Serum

Vitamin C Serums: 

• SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
• Timeless Skin Care 20% C + E Ferulic Acid Serum
• Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum
• La Roche-Posay’s 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum

Dr. Dhingra likes these facial cleansers: 

• Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
• CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser

Rory likes: 

• East Fork Everyday Bowl

Additional Reading:

• The 7 Best Moisturizers of 2025
• The 6 Best Vitamin C Serums of 2025
• The 5 Best Retinol Products of 2025
• So You’re Ready to Start Using Retinol. Here’s What You Should Know First.
• The 12 Best Sunscreens for Your Face of 2025

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Most of the deals you’ll see for Black Friday and Cyber Week aren’t worth your time. This week, we reveal how to actually get a deal that’s worth your money.

Guest: Wirecutter senior deals editor Nathan Burrow 

Products we recommend:

• The best bluetooth speaker: Bluetooth Speaker: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
• Nathan Recommends: Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO 

Additional reading links:

• Best Black Friday Deals 2024
• Daily Deals - Wirecutter
• Wirecutter Deals, Explained

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This week, we discuss microplastics (the small pieces of plastic that shed off many products), how they may impact your health, and how to mitigate exposure. 

Guest: Wirecutter's sustainability editor, Katie Okamoto

Additional Reading:

• Microplastics Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Avoid Eating Them.
• The Best Water Filter Pitcher and Dispenser
• The Best Under-Sink Water Filter

Products We Recommend: 

• Pitcher Filter: Brita Standard Everyday Pitcher
• Under Sink Filter: Aquasana AQ-5300+ Max Flow
• Glass Food Containers: Pyrex Simply Store 9-Pack Mixed Sized Glass Food Storage Set
• Katie Recommends: Yoga Tune Up Therapy Balls

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Help us make The Wirecutter Show even better, by filling out the The Wirecutter Show Audience Survey. We promise it's short and sweet. 

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A natural disaster can happen to anyone, at any time. Are you prepared? Here’s our best advice on what to have on hand.

Guest: Wirecutter senior editor Harry Sawyers

Additional Reading:

• The Best Emergency Preparedness Supplies
• How to Clean a Flooded Basement
• Everything I Did to Flood-Proof My Old House 
• The Best Hurricane Preparedness Supplies and Strategies for 2024
• The Best Gear for Your Bug-Out Bag

Products We Recommend: 

• Best rigid water container: Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-Gallon
• Best flashlight: ThruNite Archer 2A V3
• Best floating solar lantern: LuminAid Titan 2-in-1 Power Lantern
• Best weather radio: Midland ER310
• Best portable solar charger: BigBlue 28W USB Solar Charger
• Best multi-tool: Leatherman Skeletool CX
• Folding saws Harry likes: Silky Pocketboy 130 mm Folding Saw Medium Teeth 340-13, Silky Professional BIGBOY Folding Saw 360mm Large Teeth (354-36), Silky Zubat Curved Hand Saw 270mm Large Teeth (270-27) 
• Harry’s favorite recent purchase: Aquatabs

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If you’re planning on traveling abroad this summer, it might be a good idea to use a VPN when browsing the web. In this bonus episode, staff writer Max Eddy explains what they are, and why they’re beneficial when you’re far from home (and sometimes when you’re not far, too).
 

What we recommend:

• Top pick: Mullvad
• Best VPN for Travel: IVPN
• Good free VPNs: ProtonVPN doesn’t limit your data but does limit your locations. TunnelBear limits your data but not your locations.
• Best password managers: 1Password and Bitwarden.

Additional reading:

• The 3 Best VPN Services of 2025
• What Is a VPN and What Can It Do?
• The Best Free VPN of 2025
• Back Up and Secure Your Digital Life

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This week, we dive into our gift team’s best-in-class tips for finding awesome affordable gifts for everyone on your list.

Guest: Wirecutter editor Hannah Morrill

Additional Reading

• The 45 Best Gifts for Teens in 2024 
• 43 Best Gifts for Frequent Travelers of 2024 
• 25 Best Gifts for Plant Lovers of 2024 
• The 39 Absolute Best White Elephant Gifts Under $25
• 31 Best Secret Santa Gifts of 2024 
• 50 Wirecutter-Approved Stocking Stuffers for Adults

Products We Recommend

Great value:

• Baggu Small Cloud Carry-On

Playing with shape & size:

• Bonilla a La Vista Potato Chips
• Maldon Sea Salt Flakes (3 pounds)
• World's smallest Uno 

Novelty:

• Lazy Duck, Lying Flat LED Duck Lamp
• Puebco Empty Book
• Kikkerland Solar-Powered Rainbow Maker
• Emile Henry Salt Pig
• GurglePot Fish Pitcher

Utilitarian upgrades:

• TravelCard Plus
• MoMA Self-Watering Wet Pot Planter
• Heirloom Art Co. Larissa White Nightgowns

Tech ideas:

• Epicka Universal Travel Adapter
• Google Chromecast with Google TV

Cooking ideas:

• The New York Times Cooking Page-A-Day Calendar 2025
• Mosser Glass Jade 3 Piece Mixing Bowl Set

Beauty/Luxe ideas

• Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath Salts
• Senteurs d’Orient Fleurs d’Oasis L’Huile

Secret Santa or White Elephant:

• 101 Pooping Puppies Jigsaw Puzzle
• LEGO Cherry Blossom
• Lonely Planet’s Where to Go When
• Retro Point & Shoot Camera Phone Converter

Hannah recommends:

• Dorsey Kate Riviere in Silver

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An uncomfortable bed can screw up your sleep. We’re covering how to make your current mattress more comfortable–and how to shop for a new one. 

Guest: senior writer and podcast co-host Caira Blackwell 

Products we recommend: 

• Memory foam mattresses we like: Leesa Original Mattress and Saatva Loom & Leaf (Relaxed Firm)
• A cheaper memory foam mattress:  Novaform 14″ ComfortGrande Advanced Gel Memory Foam Mattress
• Hybrid mattress we like: Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress
• A favorite innerspring mattress: Stearns & Foster Estate PT Firm Mattress
• An innerspring mattress we like (that’s kind of a hybrid): WinkBed (Luxury Firm)
• A $75,000 mattress: Hastens 2000T
• A great cheap mattress: Zinus Cooling Comfort Support Hybrid Mattress

Additional reading links:

Pillows: 

• The 5 Best Bed Pillows of 2025 

Mattress Toppers: 

• The 4 Best Mattress Toppers of 2025 

Mattresses: 

• How to Choose a Mattress for 2025
• The 24 Best Mattresses of 2025 
• The 4 Best Cheap Mattresses (Under $500) of 2025 
• The 3 Best Memory Foam Mattresses You Can Buy Online in 2025
• The 5 Best Innerspring Mattresses of 2025 
• The 4 Best Hybrid Mattresses for 2025
• The 4 Best Mattress and Pillow Encasements of 2025

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Our staff experts reveal time-tested methods for cleaning the most neglected (and grimy) areas of your home–from greasy ovens to stained patio furniture. 

Guests: special projects director Christine Cyr Clisset, editorial director Marguerite Preston, senior writer Doug Mahoney, senior writer Rachel Wharton, staff writer Thom Dunn and senior editor Harry Sawyers

Products We Recommend: 

• Dish soap for all kinds of cleaning tasks: Seventh Generation Dish Soap
• An abrasive cleaner that comes in handy for lots of tasks: Bar Keepers Friend All-Purpose Cleaner and Polish
• A good descaling product for coffee machines: Urnex Descaling Powder Solution

Additional Reading: 

• Clean Everything Newsletter
• How to Clean Your Coffee Maker
• How to Clean Your Oven
• How to Clean a Toaster Oven
• How to Clean a Humidifier
• How to Clean Patio Furniture Cushions
• Extremely Satisfying Pressure Washer Projects
• How to Clean Your Dishwasher
• How to Clean Your Front-Loading Washing Machine
• How to Clean Your Shower Curtain

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23andMe, maker of popular DNA test kits, has filed for bankruptcy and is looking for a buyer. Here’s why customers should delete their info before it’s sold.

Guest: Wirecutter staff writer Max Eddy

To delete your 23andMe data:

1. Log in to your account and select Settings.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select 23andMe data, then View. (Download a copy of your genetic information).
3. Select Delete Data and then Permanently Delete Data.
4. In Settings, you can also opt to have your genetic material destroyed.
5. Navigate to the Research and Product Consents section and revoke permission to allow your genetic material to be used in research projects. (Doing so revokes that permission only for future research).

23andMe notes that you have to provide additional verification before your data-deletion request can be processed, and that you must follow instructions detailed in a 23andMe confirmation email for your request to be processed. The company recommends emailing customercare@23andme.com if you have issues submitting the data-deletion request.

Additional Reading: 

• 23andMe Just Filed for Bankruptcy. You Should Delete Your Data Now.
• The 2 Best DNA Testing Kits of 2025

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In the fall, rodents move indoors, seeking warmth and food. We discuss how to keep these critters out of your home and how to vanquish an infestation. 

Guest: Wirecutter senior staff writer, Doug Mahoney 

Additional Reading: 

• The 4 Best Mousetraps of 2024
• How a Bag of Dead Rats Proved the Terro Garbage Guard Really Works 

Products We Recommend: 

• Best Mousetrap: Tomcat Press ’N Set Mouse Trap
• Runner Up: Victor M393 Power-Kill Mouse Traps 
• For when you need a LOT of mousetraps: Victor Easy Set Mouse Trap
• Doug recommends: Pleasant Hill MacIntosh Fruit Press 4 Gallon + Wood Basket [please note, this product is often out of stock]

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Concerned about tariffs spiking prices? Wirecutter’s senior tech editor, Caitlin McGarry, explains how new trade policies might affect the cost of Wirecutter-recommended products—at least for now.

Additional Reading: 

• Wirecutter's Expert Advice on How to Navigate the New Tariffs

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Few ingredients are as loved (and villainized) as butter. We discuss how to pick a great butter, and the best ones for eating, cooking, and baking. 

Guest: Wirecutter staff writer Lesley Stockton

Additional Reading: 

• The 7 Best Butters of 2024
• The Best Vegan Butter

Products We Recommend:

•  Kerrygold Salted Butter
• Isigny Ste Mère Salted Butter
• Finlandia Imported Salted Butter Bar
• Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Butter Salted
• Kirkland Signature Butter Unsalted

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The right luggage can make traveling easier. We share expert tips for choosing between hard and soft shells, carry-on or checked bags, plus pro packing hacks.

Guest: Wirecutter senior staff writer Kit Dillon

Products we recommend: 

• The best soft-sided carry-on bag: Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Carry-On Spinner
• The best hard-sided carry-on bag: Away The Carry-On
• The upgrade pick carry-on: Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner
• A travel backpack we love: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Del Dia
• The best duffel bag:  Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 70L
• The best packing cubes: Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set
• Kit recommends: Pat Rawson Surfoards

Additional Reading: 

• The 6 Best Carry-On Luggage of 2025
• The Best Suitcases for Checking
• The 6 Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for 2025
• The 9 Best Duffle Bags of 2025
• The 4 Best Packing Cubes of 2025

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We’re going deep on laundry—what you’re probably doing wrong, how to actually pretreat stains, and the tips and tricks to make it all easier. 

Guest: Wirecutter Staff Writer, Andrea Barnes 

Additional Reading 

• The Best Laundry Detergent
• So You Stained Your Shirt? Now What
• The Best Stain Removers
• The Best Detergent for Hand-Washing Clothes
• This Steamy Grill Brush Makes Me Excited to Clean My Grill

Products We Recommend

• Tide Ultra Oxi Powder Laundry Detergent
• Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
• Dirty Labs Free & Clear Bio Laundry Detergent
• Amodex Ink & Stain Remover
• Restoration Fabric Cleaner

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Millions of Americans are exposed to unhealthy levels of noise every day. This episode we discuss how to tell if you’re at risk of hearing loss and what to do about it. 

Guest: Wirecutter senior writer Lauren Dragan

Additional Reading: 

• The 4 Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones of 2024 
• The Best Sleep Headphones (But We Hoped for Better)
• The 3 Best Earplugs for Concerts of 2024 
• The 5 Best Kids Headphones of 2024
• The 4 Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds of 2024 
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Kids Is a Growing Problem. Here’s How to Protect Little Ears.

Products We Recommend: 

• Apple Watch with sound metering: Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
• An app for any phone to monitor sound levels: NIOSH Sound Level Meter
• Earplugs for concerts or other loud moments: Loop Experience 2 or Loop Switch
• Noise cancelling earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5
• Noise cancelling over-ear headphones: Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700
• Noise Isolating tips for most earbuds: Comply ear tips
• Earmuffs for babies: Ems for Kids Baby Earmuffs
• Earmuffs for kids and teens: Muted Earmuffs
• Earplugs for kids and teens: Loop kids
• Headphones for sleeping: AcousticSheep SleepPhones Wireless and Soundcore sleep A20
• Noise cancelling headphones for kids: Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet-Plus
• Lauren loves: Bearaby Cotton Napper

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Our expert demystifies towel shopping—from plush terry to spa-like waffle—and reveals why that soft store feel is deceptive. Plus care tips to make them last.

Guest: Staff senior writer Jackie Reeve 

Products We Recommend: 

• Top terry cloth towels: Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towel
• Budget terry cloth towels: Threshold Spa Plush Towel
• Upgrade terry cloth towels: Riley Spa Bath Towel
• Budget waffle towels: Casaluna Waffle Bath Towel
• Upgrade waffle towels: Onsen Waffle Bath Towel
• Upgrade peshtemal towel: Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Towel 
• Also great (cheaper) peshtemal towel: Huckberry Mediterranean Turkish Towel 
• Jackie loves: Sugoi Mart Japan KitKat Variety Pack

Additional Reading: 

• The 5 Best Bath Towels of 2025 
• The 4 Best Beach Towels of 2025
• All My Houseguests Ask Me About My Towels by Daniela Gorny
• More about Frontgate Resort Cotton Bath Towels

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Mosquito and tick bites aren’t just annoying–they spread dangerous diseases. In this episode, senior staff writer Doug Mahoney shares proven prevention tips and breaks down the differences between various effective repellents. 

He also explains why you should avoid certain “natural” repellents, like essential oils and citronella candles, and why bug zappers are bad for the environment. 

Products we recommend:

• Best DEET-based repellent: Cutter Backwoods Dry Insect Repellent
• Best picaridin-based repellent: Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent
• Best insecticide to spray on clothes and shoes: Sawyer Products Permethrin Fabric Treatment
• A service to mail in clothing to be treated with permethrin: Insect Shield
• Best spacial repellent: Thermacell E90 Rechargeable Mosquito Repellent
• A good repellent coil: Pic Mosquito Repelling Coils
• Festive spatial repellent lights: Tiki BiteFighter LED String Lights
• An old-school way to keep mosquitoes at bay: Vornado 630 Medium Air Circulator fan
  The best gadget for removing ticks: Tweezerman Point Tweezer
• Places to send a tick for testing: Ticknology, TickCheck, TickReport, and Eco Laboratory
• Doug loves: this Leatherman multitool and this tea steeper

Additional Reading:

• The 4 Best Bug Repellents and Sprays of 2025
• Why Essential Oils Make Terrible Bug Repellents
• The Best Mosquito Control Gear for Your Patio or Yard
• We Hate Ticks, Too. Here’s How to Protect Yourself, Prevent Bites, and Treat Disease.
• In the War Against Ticks, This Spray Is My Secret Weapon

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The Wirecutter Show is planning a special episode for the holidays and we need your help! 

Send  a voice memo to us at thewirecuttershow@wirecutter.com about your hardest-to-shop-for gift recipients! Let us know: 

• your name and where you're calling in from 
• who your hard-to-please gift recipient is 
• what makes them hard to shop for
• what they like & don't like

We'll play your stories on the show for an expert from Wirecutter's gifting team and see if we can stump them! No matter what, you'll walk away with some great gifting advice. 

Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to us at thewirecuttershow@wirecutter.com. 

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Many people unknowingly put their pet in danger while driving or flying. This week, we talk about how to keep your furry friends safe and calm when traveling.

Guest: Wirecutter staff writer Mel Plaut 

Additional Reading: 

• The 6 Best Travel Carriers for Cats and Small Dogs of 2024
• Flying With Your Cat or (Small) Dog
• The 7 Best Multi-Tools of 2024

Products We Recommend: 

• SturdiBag Pro 2.0
• Feliway Travel Spray
• Peepeego Non-Slip Dog Pad
• Mel loves: Leatherman Skeletool CX and Leatherman Signal

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Skip predictable chocolates and roses this Valentine's Day. Our gift expert shares luxurious ways to delight loved ones—and pamper yourself.

Guest: Staff writer Samantha Schoech

Products we recommend:

• Sparkly Socks: Calzedonia Soft Sox
• Silk hair accessories: Lilysilk Perfect Silk Beauty Set For Hair
• A simple gold chain: Laura Lombardi Mini Omega Chain
• Fancy chocolates Recchiuti XOXO Box 16pc
• Flowers: UrbanStems
• Fancy cookies: Eugénie cookies
• Paper flower bouquet: Unwilted Single Stems

Additional Reading

• The 33 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her 2025
• 32 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him in 2025 
• 24 Best Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts of 2025
• The Best Online Flower Delivery Service of 2025
• 24 Best Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts of 2025
• 37 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Kids of 2025
• 15 Exclusive Valentine’s Day Deals Just for Wirecutter Readers
• 38 Best Cheap Valentine’s Day Gifts (Mostly) Under $25 of 2025
• Sign up for  The Gift Newsletter

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Homes burn crazy fast these days. Are you prepared? We’re covering everything you need, from the newest smoke alarms to the right fire extinguishers. 

Guests: Wirecutter senior staff writer Doug Mahoney and senior editor for smart home coverage Jon Chase 

Additional reading: 

• The 4 Best Basic Smoke Alarms of 2024 
• The 2 Best Smart Smoke Alarms of 2024 
• The Best Fire Extinguisher
• The Best Fire Escape Ladder 
• UL video of room burning test: New Comparison of Natural and Synthetic Home Furnishings

Products we recommend: 

• The best smoke alarm: First Alert SM500V Interconnected Battery-Operated Smoke Alarm with Voice Alerts
• The best smart smoke alarm: Google Nest Protect
• The best fire extinguisher: First Alert Pro5
• The best fire ladder: X-It 2-Story Emergency Escape Ladder
• Doug recommends: Veto Pro Pac XL Extra Large Compact Tool Bag

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

We’re getting nerdy about sheets–why you might be unhappy with your current set, how to pick ones you’ll actually love, and the marketing scams to avoid.

Guest: Wirecutter senior staff writer Jackie Reeve

Additional Reading:

• The Best Sheets
• The Best Cotton Sheets
• The Joy (and Anxiety) of Sleeping on $2,000 Sheets
• Best Linen Sheets
• Best Flannel Sheets
• What Is the Best Thread Count for Sheets?
• Should You Spring For Egyptian Cotton Sheets?

Products we recommend: 

• 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets
• JCPenney's Wrinkle Guard’s 400 Thread Count Sateen Sheets
• L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set
• Jackie Recommends: Swoveralls

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Follow us on instagram @wirecutter

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

It’s Dry January—but non-alcoholic cocktails needn’t be sad. We’re discussing the health risks of alcohol and how to build out a delicious buzz-free bar cart.

Guests: NYT reporter Dana G. Smith and Wirecutter editor Marguerite Preston 

Products we recommend: 

• A gin-like alternative: Pentire Adrift
• St. Agrestis Non-Alcoholic Phony Negroni
• A bitter Amaro-like favorite: The Pathfinder
• Rosie enjoys mixing this with Pathfinder: Uncle Waithley’s Vincy Brew
• Less bitter options: Curious No. 2  and Casamara Superclasico
• Great for your NA Bar Cart: Bitter Queens Essential Bitters Variety Pack and Luxardo Original Maraschino Cherries
• Marguerite loves: Onyx Coffee Lab Instant Coffee Advent Calendar

Additional Reading 

• 14 Best Nonalcoholic Drinks of 2024
• Even a Little Alcohol Can Harm Your Health by Dana G. Smith
• What, Exactly, Is ‘Moderate Drinking’? by Dana G. Smith
• What to Know About Non-Alcoholic Beverages by Dana G. Smith
• Hop Water Isn’t Trying to Be Beer. That’s Why We Like It.
• The 8 Best Nonalcoholic Wines of 2024
• The Best Instant Coffee

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Follow us on instagram @wirecutter

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast