Instant cameras embody the magic of photography: With the press of a shutter button you can capture the world around you and see tangible results in seconds. After more than 80 hours of research and testing over the past seven years, we think the best instant camera for creating retro-cool prints is the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6. It produces the highest-quality instant photos at a reasonable price, it’s easy to use out of the box, and it offers advanced creative controls if you want to do more than just point and shoot.
To offset the chill in a drafty room or to give your home’s heating system a little boost, you may need a space heater. We’ve researched more than 100 models and tested 75 since 2011, and the Vornado VH200 is the best space heater for most people. A lot of space heaters can make you feel like you’re sitting in front of a hair dryer, but our picks can warm an entire room faster and more comfortably than other models while still offering plenty of reliable safety features, just in case.
There’s no one smartphone that is best for everyone, but we’ve spent hundreds of hours testing scores of phones so that you can find the best one for you. The phone you buy will depend on your budget, your wireless carrier, and which of the major smartphone platforms—Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android—you’re already invested in. But whether you want a top-of-the-line phone or something more affordable, we have recommendations for iPhone and Android, and all of our picks are available for all the major US carriers.
Some of us at Wirecutter like our bikes so much that we’ll ride them when it’s raining—or snowing, or sleeting, or freezing, or whatever the weather brings. (And these days, more and more people may be venturing out in weather they never would’ve dreamed of riding in before!) Thanks to our experiences riding in many conditions through many cities, we’ve accumulated a few pieces of gear we think you should consider if (as we do) you like to show up on a bike when nobody expects it.
Gingerbread house kits are deceptively complicated. You outsource the cookie baking and skip right to assembly with an all-in-one kit that includes everything you need. Should be easy, right? But often, it’s not a simple, carefree hour of family fun. Instead, you get multiday frustrations of collapsing walls and slow-drying icing.
The current generation of Xbox consoles present what might seem like a confusing choice: the $500 Xbox Series X and the $300 Xbox Series S. Both are based on a similar foundation, and both will play all of the same games for years to come. But the Series X and the Series S each target a different level of graphics performance, and feature different approaches to physical media—meaning the Series X supports it, and the Series S does not. With that in mind, we’re here to help you figure out which one you should buy—or, if you need to buy one at all.
Get the Series X if you’ll use it with a 4K TV (now, or eventually), want the absolute best in graphics and performance, or you want a disc drive for games and movies.
With better graphics, more storage, and a disc drive, the Xbox Series X justifies its higher price —but whether those features are worth paying for depends on what you’re playing it on. If you have a 4K TV with high end features like 120hz and variable refresh rate, or will buy one in the next few years, you’ll likely come across games that can take advantage of Xbox Series X’s extra graphics capability compared to the Xbox Series S. Both consoles have impressively fast storage that improves boot-up and load times, but the Series X has over 800 GB available internally, nearly twice the available storage space in the Series S. Plus, if you have a collection of physical Xbox One, Xbox 360, or original-Xbox games that you want to keep playing, only the Series X has a disc drive, which also makes it the model of choice if you want a console that can also be your 4K Blu-ray player.
Games on the Series S are less likely to take advantage of TVs with 4K resolution, and it lacks a disc drive, a downside if you own a lot of physical games or movies, or like to buy them used. But it’s smaller, lighter, can play the new generations of games, and is a great value paired with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
On the other hand, if you don’t have a 4K TV (and won’t buy one soon), if space in your entertainment center is a concern, or if you don’t have or plan to buy many physical discs, the Xbox Series S offers a lot of value and still gives you the chance to play the new generation of games to come. And anyone who mostly plays games from Xbox Game Pass—the monthly subscription service with access to hundreds of games, including new releases—probably won’t miss the disc drive. We also think that makes the Xbox Series S an especially budget-conscious choice for younger kids, since the less expensive console and monthly membership add up to more games than a kid can play, with no need to buy new ones all the time. The Series S might also be a good option for some travelers and hosts. If you’re going somewhere for an extended stay, it can easily fit in a carry-on piece of luggage. And if you have a guest room or vacation rental, a Series S adds a lot beyond a regular media streaming box.
If the only reason you’d buy a new console is for brand-new games you can’t play on your existing Xbox One (or, for that matter, a PlayStation 4), you may not need to rush into a new console just yet—most high profile titles this year are still receiving versions on older consoles. But if you spend a lot of time with your Xbox One now and are ready for plenty of immediately noticeable quality of life improvements and conveniences, as well as performance and visual improvements in the games you already have, an Xbox Series X or Series S will provide plenty of immediate benefits.
Before you say it, we agree: Travel Tuesday is a totally made-up holiday trying to get folks to keep spending after a long weekend of discount shopping. That said, if you’re in the market for things that’ll make traveling smoother, right now is an especially great time to get them. We’ve found some Wirecutter-recommended travel gear that’s still on sale today, from roomy backpacks and toiletry bags to noise-canceling headphones and charging banks. These leftover Black Friday travel deals offer a good chance to save on the things that can make traveling this holiday season a bit more joyful (or, more realistically, a little less stressful).
If you’re trying to get as close as possible to re-creating a genuine movie-theater experience at home, there's just no replacement for a good AV receiver. Think of it as the traffic cop of your audio-video system, routing video from your sources to your display and sending audio to your speakers. Some AV receivers do much more than that—for a price. Which AV receiver is right for you depends on your needs, so we offer multiple recommendations for different situations.
There’s technically no winner at a white elephant gift exchange, yet the most successful Dirty Santa soiree sees everyone leaving with a fun holiday gift that’s not only entertaining but also (ideally) useful. For this guide, we asked Wirecutter staffers to recommend the most hilarious, Yankee Swap–worthy gifts under $25 that made them smile. We think they’ll make you smile too.
Whether you’re celebrating your granddad, your dad, or an important father figure in your life, it can be hard to find just the right gift. (And it doesn’t help matters that every time you press for clues, you dad insists he “doesn’t need anything.”) Luckily for you, we’ve taken the guesswork out of the process. Below we’ve gathered our favorite gifts to impress or delight any dad on your list—with nary a whiskey stone in sight.
What are Wirecutter readers adding to their virtual shopping carts for Cyber Monday? We’re glad you asked. Below, we’ve listed the 25 most popular Cyber Monday deals our readers are buying. You can also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the latest list of discounts on Wirecutter picks that meet our rigorous testing and pricing standards.
When you’re looking to add a little more warmth but also want more freedom of movement than a jacket would allow, a vest is the perfect cozy addition. We sent 22 adventurers with 18 vests to nine states and two countries to find the best insulated vest for keeping you warm during your most active days. After all those adventures, we think the Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Vest Men’s and the Patagonia Down Sweater Vest Women’s are the best down vests both for technical performance and for everyday commuter or office use.
Being a new parent comes with mountains of gear, from high chairs to strollers (or stroller wagons) and everything in between. We’re rounding up the best Cyber Monday deals on all the Wirecutter-approved gear you need for a new baby. Also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the latest list of discounts on Wirecutter picks that meet our rigorous testing and pricing standards.
Don’t go overboard with your holiday shopping. You can get plenty of great stuff without adding hundreds upon hundreds of dollars of stuff to your cart. Here are the best deals we’ve spotted on Wirecutter picks for $100 or less. You can also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the latest list of discounts on Wirecutter picks that meet our rigorous testing and pricing standards.
Cyber Monday marks the last tentpole mega-sale before the holidays, but that’s no reason to lose your head and panic-purchase anything. After all, most Cyber Monday “deals” are just meh discounts on substandard stuff. You deserve better. That’s why Wirecutter’s experts are sifting through all the sales we’re finding online, then rounding up only the absolute best deals on Wirecutter-approved products. You can also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the latest list of discounts on Wirecutter picks that meet our rigorous testing and pricing standards.
In the frenzy of Cyber Monday, much of the focus is on retail behemoths like Amazon and Walmart. But plenty of smaller sellers also offer great sitewide sales where you can rack up significant savings.
Dyson stick vacuums regularly rank among the most coveted Black Friday items—because they’re so pricey, getting a good deal on one feels like a big win. With supply-chain and other pandemic-related issues gradually clearing up, we’re seeing deals on Dyson vacuums once again this Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Wirecutter has tested more than a dozen cordless stick vacuums from Dyson, and though they make some trade-offs—they can be less reliable and pricier than other cordless stick vacs—we like them for their superior cleaning ability, especially on rugs.
If deal-hunting on Black Friday felt like a mad dash, make your Saturday shopping a little simpler. Here's a selection of our favorite Wirecutter picks made and sold by local, independently-owned businesses to shop for on Small Business Saturday—or any day.
Hallmark movies lied to us: Holiday magic doesn’t simply appear out of nowhere. You have to create it yourself.
And of course, creating magical moments with twinkling lights, a fresh (or fake) pine and the sweet scent of freshly baked cookies sometimes takes real, messy effort. Think wrestling with tree stands, untangling cords, and arguing with your partner over how to hang ornaments. But decorating doesn’t need to be difficult. We’ve pulled together some suggestions to make setting up for the holidays (and pulling it all down a few weeks later) an easier, more festive experience for everyone involved.
Cyber Monday might not be here quite yet—but some of the day’s hallmark price drops are. Our experts are assessing thousands of discounts, and are highlighting only the very best deals on Wirecutter-tested gadgets and gear. Here are the best deals we’ve spotted so far as Cyber Monday approaches. You can also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the latest list of discounts on Wirecutter picks that meet our rigorous testing and pricing standards.
Wirecutter’s experts scan thousands upon thousands of supposed Black Friday “bargains” every year, then post only the best deals on Wirecutter-approved picks that meet our high standards. From that select group, here are the top 25 most popular Black Friday deals our readers have purchased so far. You can also check out the Wirecutter Deals page, which always has the latest list of discounts on Wirecutter picks that meet our rigorous testing and pricing standards.
A Bluetooth speaker that attaches to your showerhead and actually powers itself off the water’s flow? It may sound like an as-seen-on-TV gimmick, but we’re here to tell you that the Ampere Shower Power really is great, in a too-good-to-be-true sort of way, especially now that it’s on sale for Black Friday.
