The Best Jump Rope

In terms of bang for your fitness buck, there are few pieces of exercise equipment that offer a better value than a jump rope. An excellent cardio workout, jump-roping burns the equivalent calories to running a 7:30 mile yet is something that most anyone can do. Plus, ropes are inexpensive additions to a home gym and easily stashed in a gym bag. After researching, measuring, shortening, boiling (!), and jumping ropes, we’re confident that the XYLsports Jump Rope—with its smooth rotation, comfortable handles, test-topping durability, and value price—is the best rope for most people.

We also looked into jump ropes for kids and found three different styles that should help budding jumpers feel comfortable and confident as they learn the, ahem, ropes.

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

Refresh Your Space This Spring With Discounted Wirecutter Picks From Fully, Yamazaki, and Cuisinart

Are seasonal allergies bringing those tears to your eyes, or is it just the sheer relief that winter has finally met its icy end? Either way, we’ll pretend we didn’t notice. For many people, spring signifies a fresh start—and to celebrate, you might be thinking of using those extra few hours of sunlight to declutter, streamline, and brighten your home. Studies have shown that clutter makes it hard to think clearly, and disorganization brings your productivity levels to a standstill. Clearing your desk, livening up the room with fresh flowers, or replacing your pillows can go a long way‚ and these deals on Wirecutter picks can help.

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

A $50 Smart Gadget Transformed How I Do Laundry

My dryer is older, so it doesn’t have fancy settings. It gets the job done—eventually. That’s because I overdry all of my laundry. Towels, pajama pants, sweatshirts, delicates—I cook them all till they’re dry, and then I cook them even longer. (I’m convinced the one sock that’s always missing actually spontaneously combusted.) That’s how much I am drying, and it’s a problem. It wastes energy, costs me money, and damages all of our fabrics.

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

The Best Cordless Stick Vacuum

Cordless vacuums cost so much more than traditional plug-ins and rarely last as long, but they’re incredibly convenient. If that sounds like a fair trade-off, and you’re ready to go cord-free, we’ve found a handful of models to suit different homes and budgets. First, consider the cheapest Dyson you can find, which is often the Dyson V7 Motorhead.

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

The Cheap Desktop Computers We’d Buy, and How to Shop for One

In an era of ultrathin laptops, a big, boxy desktop can feel downright archaic. But a cheap desktop PC is a great option for anyone who needs to work from home, for kids who have to do remote learning and want to play games, or for entire families who want to share. For the price of a cheap laptop, it’s possible to get a desktop computer and a roomy monitor that perform just as well—and often a little better. And thanks to easier upgrades and repairs, desktops can last longer than laptops, too, delivering even more value over the long term.

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

The Best Surround-Sound Speakers for Most People

A surround-sound speaker system gives movie lovers a home audio experience that’s more like what they hear in the theater. We picked the Polk Signature Series as our favorite because it delivers the best combination of performance, design, user-friendliness, and affordability. The speakers sounded as good as anything we tried in their price range, and they look terrific.

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

The Best Computer Speakers

During this year when gamers are spending more time gaming, musicians are spending more time recording, and everybody else is just eager for good entertainment, anyone can use a great set of computer speakers. After extensively testing new models, we’ve selected the Mackie CR5-XBT pair as our favorite set of computer speakers because it sounds great, fits on most desktops, and can play bass-heavy music without threatening to self-destruct.

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