How to Buy a Used Air Conditioner

There are a lot of mediocre, brand-new air conditioners out there. (Trust us. We’ve tested most of them.) They can be loud, inefficient, unintuitive, and occasionally glitchy—and somehow still cost $300 or more. If you want to save money, we think you’re better off getting a used machine, as long as it’s no more than 10 years old.

Dismiss

from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-buy-used-air-conditioner/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS%20Feed

How to Clean a Bird Feeder

If you have a bird feeder (or several) hanging outside your home, chances are good you also have a deep appreciation for our avian friends. But feeding the neighborhood birds is only half of a dedicated birder’s duties. To keep your favorite fliers safe and healthy, it’s just as important that you routinely clean and sanitize those feeders.

Dismiss

from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-clean-a-bird-feeder/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS%20Feed

To Clean Outdoor Patio Furniture Cushions, Treat Them Like a Rug

Among my questionable consumer product investments: nearly $2,000 on a Joybird outdoor patio furniture set in white. Why white? It was the only color available at a Black Friday sale just before the start of the rainiest Los Angeles winter in recent memory. This spring, when we finally put it out, it stayed clean for about an hour before a passing raven anointed the sofa with a big, grotesque splattered stain. Since then, out among the California super bloom, it’s withstood an avalanche of bugs, buds, dust, dog hair, drippings from trees, and always something fresh from the birds.

To get the set clean again, I kinda treat it like a rug.

Dismiss

from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-clean-outdoor-patio-furniture-cushions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS%20Feed

The Best Gear for Your Road Trips

A road trip is an adventure. It doesn’t matter how far you go. But all adventures require a little planning (and one or two backup plans, in case things go sideways).

We took our first testing road trip in an age far less complicated than these past few years, but the gear we tested and the advice we’ve gathered here should still help you navigate the roads safely and comfortably.

Dismiss

from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-gear-for-your-road-trip/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS%20Feed

How to Clean a Showerhead

Does your showerhead, which once held such force, suddenly feel more like a half-hearted spritz? Does its surface look like a salt-covered car in the middle of winter? Personally, I’ll never forget the time I glanced up and realized that water was pouring through mine via tiny ringlets of mold. If any of this sounds familiar, then it’s time to clean your showerhead—and there are some crucial dos and don’ts to know along the way.

Dismiss

from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-clean-a-showerhead/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS%20Feed

The Best Turntables and Record Players

There’s something refreshing about spinning a treasured record that you can’t get from a music app on your phone. The relative inconvenience of it forces you to focus more on the music, rather than just have it provide background noise to your day.

A good turntable or record player should make this process more enjoyable by being easy to use, while also delivering sound quality that brings the music to life. We recommend the Fluance RT85N for most people because it includes all the qualities required for a great listening experience.

Dismiss

from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-turntable/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS%20Feed

How to Shop for Dinnerware

Choosing a set of dinnerware is a big decision, since it’s something you’ll use on a daily basis and for special occasions—everything from a morning bowl of cereal to a holiday dinner with family and friends. To help you navigate the sea of options, we’ve spent over 200 hours researching patterns, interviewing ceramic experts, touring a pottery studio, and evaluating hundreds of pieces of ceramic ware.

Dismiss

from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/how-to-shop-for-dinnerware/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS%20Feed