buying guides
The Best Umbrellas to Help You Ride Out the Rain
Other Good Umbrellas to Consider There are a lot of umbrellas out there, and we’re always testing more. Here are a few others we like that didn’t quite make our list of top picks. Photograph: Julian Chokkattu Blunt Classic UV for $119: Blunt’s umbrellas are, well, blunt. No pointy bits around the canopy to poke…
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Your TV Sounds Awful. These Soundbars Can Fix That.
Honorable Mentions Photograph: Parker Hall There are a lot of great soundbars out there, and we don’t have room to feature them all. Here are some others you might want to consider. LG’s S95TR for $1,000-1,300: LG’s 9.1.5-channel soundbar (8/10, WIRED Recommends) doesn’t perform as well as Samsung’s flagship Q990 series, but it could be…
The Best Hair Straighteners to Iron Out Those Kinks
More Straighteners We Tried Photograph: Kat Merck Paul Mitchell Neuro Style+ for $150: The latest in Paul Mitchell’s lineup of otherwise standout hair straighteners, this ceramic iron with Paul Mitchell’s new NeutraHeat temperature-regulating technology goes up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and has dual voltage for travel. However, the body feels weirdly cheap and lightweight compared…
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The Best MagSafe Power Banks for Your iPhone
Other MagSafe Power Banks to Consider Photograph: Simon Hill We like a few other MagSafe power banks that didn’t make it into our top picks. Scosche PBQ5MS2 Portable MagSafe Phone Charger for $45: Slim, decent magnets, four LEDs to show remaining power, and a wee USB-C cable in the box—so far, so familiar. There’s nothing…
The 22 Best Portable Chargers for All Your Devices
Sharge Flow Mini Photograph: Simon Hill Other Portable Chargers We Tested 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. Sharge Flow Mini for $19: With a similar design to Anker’s Nano Power Bank above and…
The Best iPad to Buy (and a Few to Avoid)
Other Good iPads Photograph: Apple Apple no longer sells these iPads, but these slightly older models are still good options, as long as you can find them for the right discount. I recommend checking third-party retailers (like Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H). I also suggest cross-checking the price with the latest models to make sure…
The Best Video Doorbell Cameras
Honorable Mentions We have tested several other video doorbells. These are the ones that narrowly missed out on a place above. Doro Hemma Doorbell for £150: A simplified smart doorbell for seniors is a solid idea, and Swedish maker Doro gets plenty right with the Hemma. It is a battery-powered doorbell that’s easy to install…
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The Best Android Phones, Tested and Reviewed
Other Phones to Consider Google Pixel 9. Photograph: Julian Chokkattu We test a ton of Android phones. We like the ones below, but you’ll be better off with one of the options above. If you haven’t yet done so, check out our Best Cheap Phones and Best Folding Phones guides for more. Google Pixel 9…
Our Favorite Merino Wool Clothes to Keep You Comfy in Any Weather
Merino wool is a super fiber. The best merino wool clothing somehow manages to be comfortable in 95-degree-Fahrenheit heat, and merino base layers keep you warm well below freezing. Unlike synthetic fibers derived from petroleum, merino wool is natural and renewable. Merino wool’s versatility means there’s a bewildering array of blends and options to choose…
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Our Favorite Smartwatches Do Much More Than Just Tell Time
Other Smartwatches to Consider The number of smartwatches on the market is staggering. I’ve tested models from Tag Heuer, Citizen, Montblanc, and many other fashion brands, but most of them are simply too expensive for what you get. Here are a few options I like. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra Photograph: Julian Chokkattu Samsung’s Galaxy Watch…